Chapter 30: Lord Chunshen

The Book Pavilion—the name says it all: a pavilion for housing books. Its interior layout is simple yet exudes an antique and elegant charm. The shelves are crafted from precious agarwood, holding a vast array of curious items.

On these shelves, written in the Chu script, are the names of the most illustrious figures from the various vassal states throughout the millennia, alongside shelves dedicated to the schools of the Hundred Masters.

These curious items are quite unique—rectangular in shape, with an outer layer resembling parchment. When asked, the shopkeeper explained that it is not parchment, but a new type of paper. Thin as a cicada’s wing and fair in color, it emanates a faint, distinct fragrance that permeates the entire pavilion. Imprinted upon these pages are titles familiar to every scholar and official. Gently pulling one from the shelf and turning the pages, one finds the Chu characters displayed with startling clarity and meticulous precision, drawing expressions of astonishment from all who behold them.

"What Mi Yuan could not accomplish in his lifetime, a small book pavilion has now achieved. *Li Sao*, *Tian Wen*, *Jiu Ge*, *Jiu Zhang*, *Yuan You*, *Bu Ju*, *Yu Fu*—these works can all be found here. Though the man is dead, he shall live on through these works for generations to come."

Within a few days of the pavilion’s opening, the idle nobility of the State of Chu began to arrive in droves. Occupying the place of honor nearest the entrance was the section dedicated to the former Chu official, Mi Yuan. His masterpieces, such as *Li Sao*, *Tian Wen*, and *Jiu Ge*, had been reproduced into hundreds of volumes through this strange new method.

One nobleman pulled a copy of *Li Sao* from the shelf and began to recite: "I am the descendant of the high emperor Gaoyang; my late father was called Boyong. When the constellation Sheti was in the sign of Mengzou, in the year of Gengyin, I was born... I was named Zhengze, and my style name was Lingjun."

"Endowed with such inner beauty, I added to it the grace of outward cultivation. I gathered wild angelica and fragrant angelica, and wove autumn orchids to be my pendants. I hurried as if I would not be in time, fearing that the years would not wait for me. In the morning, I gathered magnolias from the slopes; in the evening, I picked water-grasses from the islets."

"The sun and moon move on without pause, spring and autumn replace each other in turn. Seeing the plants and trees wither, I fear the beauty shall grow old... A single book, carrying the words of *Li Sao*. Mi Yuan spent his life for our State of Chu; it is a pity that the State of Qin bullied us so relentlessly!"

As he murmured the verses, the noble origins of Mi Yuan—a source of pride for every Chu aristocrat—flowed from his lips. This was a man whom the ministers and officials of Chu deeply admired. Though his journey to reform the state and restore its strength remained unfulfilled, and he eventually cast himself into the Miluo River, all must admit that with men like Mi Yuan, the State of Chu could have risen to greatness.

Today, the states are in constant conflict. The State of Qin is treacherous, repeatedly mocking Chu, and corrupt officials hold sway. Fortunately, Chu still has Lord Chunshen. Rumor has it that he is preparing another vertical alliance, gathering the armies of the six states to strike at Qin and reclaim Chu’s former glory.

Seven years ago, Lord Xinling of Wei defeated the Qin general Meng Ao outside the Hangu Pass. If Wei Wuji could achieve that, then the State of Chu certainly could as well. This time, with the combined strength of six states instead of five, they would surely breach the Hangu Pass and drive the Qin back to the lands west of the Yellow River.

As he continued to browse, he marveled at how each page could hold the information of an entire bamboo scroll. It was remarkably convenient; the complete *Li Sao* would have required a small pile of bamboo slips, yet now it was contained within this single volume.

"Are these... books for sale?"

The nobleman, having spent a long time reading, looked at the shelves filled with Mi Yuan’s works and then back at the peculiar books in his hands. According to the rumors, they were indeed for sale, though the price was somewhat steep.

He turned to the shopkeeper—a slightly portly, middle-aged man in plain linen robes who looked somewhat cautious. Seeing the enquiry from the young nobleman in fine silk, the shopkeeper bowed deeply.

"Indeed. If you wish to purchase them, my lord, I recommend the third floor. The books there are hardbound editions, fitting for a person of your stature."

The shopkeeper whispered in the Chu dialect, gesturing toward the third floor. The pavilion’s levels corresponded to the three tiers of its printing quality: the first floor for commoners, the second for fallen nobility, and the third for the high ministers and officials. This also matched the three currencies of Chu: copper for the first floor, silver for the second, and gold for the third. For a nobleman of Chu, a few gold coins were of little consequence.

"Oh, hardbound editions?"

The young noble’s face flashed with confusion, followed by a flicker of understanding. He nodded slightly; if the shopkeeper said so, they must differ from these standard copies. If they suited his taste, spending a little more was no matter.

Half an hour later, the young nobleman left the pavilion. His servant carried a delicate wooden chest containing the complete works of Mi Yuan—twenty-three volumes in total, at ten gold coins each, for a sum of two hundred and thirty gold.

He was but one of many nobles in the Chu capital of Ying. In the seven days since the pavilion opened, two hundred sets of the Mi Yuan hardbound edition had been sold, and over a thousand copies of the commoner edition. The orders showed no signs of slowing down.

Works by other famous figures in Chu history were selling just as well, as were the classics of the Hundred Masters, particularly those on military strategy, Confucianism, and Legalism.

In such a short time, the pavilion’s revenue had arguably surpassed that of the "Heaven and Earth" pleasure houses. Though this surge was brief—lasting only a month before settling into a steady rhythm—Zong Quan was already overjoyed. With such wealth, and in the gold and silver coins accepted across all the states, he could proceed with the Junior Uncle’s plan: to establish "Heaven and Earth" houses and Book Pavilions in every state.

The mission in Chu was complete; next was the journey north to the State of Wei. As for the State of Qin, the stronghold of the Taoist sect, the Junior Uncle had instructed that it be left for last.

"Senior Brother, have you noticed that there have been more and more assassins in Chu lately?"

Heading north toward Wei, Zong Quan led the way with several junior disciples of the Heavenly Sect, followed by their worldly retainers. Along the road, they had already repelled five or six waves of attacks. While there were no masters of the Spirit-Severing or Profound Spirit levels, there were many at the Origin-Returning and Innate stages, causing them significant trouble and several casualties.

"It is of no concern. We are disciples of the Taoist Heavenly Sect. If those dark forces in Chu are unafraid, let them come. How many martial artists of the Spirit-Severing or Profound Spirit level can there really be in such a vast state?"

"This is the Junior Uncle’s mission. If we perform well, the benefits will be immense. Besides, the Junior Uncle mentioned recently that he intends to dispatch masters of the Spirit-Severing level from the sect to oversee us."

Zong Quan sat atop a sturdy steed, a long sword box strapped to his back. It contained the Junior Uncle’s personal Eagle Sword, sent to him specifically. Within it were thirty-six offensive formations imbued by the Junior Uncle, each at the pinnacle of the Spirit-Severing and Profound Spirit levels. Even against a master at his own master's level, Zong Quan would have no fear—it was only a pity that he had not yet found an opportunity to show its edge.