Although Xiao Rui didn't have time to think about how to deal with Xiao Xiao, the Supreme Emperor said that he had to earn money, and he should just be idle when he was idle, so it was just fun. You don't read books to outsiders, but your family members are eager to listen. Xiao Rui is forced to read more chapters at home every day. Pei Ji specially arranged for someone to record and copy it in preparation for publication.
Xiangcheng, Changle and others wrote to complain, saying that the transcribed version was not as exciting as the live lectures. Unfortunately, the queen was very strict and could not live outside for a long time.
Xiao Rui's eyes lit up, yes, it's better to read than listen to a book! You have to be literate to read, but in this era there are people everywhere who are illiterate, and most of them are illiterate. If you can earn this kind of money, wouldn't it be faster than publishing a book?
So he found Pei Ji, and together with the Supreme Emperor and the other three, they decided to open a large storytelling teahouse in the east and west cities of Chang'an City, charging tickets and selling tickets, specializing in telling stories about Journey to the West.
Within a few days, the whole city of Chang'an once again had a gust of Journey to the West. This time, the princes and nobles, as well as the common people, were all enthusiastically discussing the story of Journey to the West in the streets and alleys.
(To give you a real-life example, the earliest popular TV series in the Mainland should be the 1983 version of "Shooting the Condor". How popular was it in the first place? Every night, there was insufficient power and there was a power outage in rural areas. Many villages thought of various ways to generate electricity, including tractors with diesel generators and manpower. Riding bicycles to generate electricity, etc... There was also a fire and explosion in a fertilizer factory in my local area. It is said that the workers were all obsessed with watching the shooting condors and neglected their duties, leading to a major safety accident.)
"How many people are asking for leave today and can't go to court? Is that Journey to the West so attractive? I bought the book and went back to read it. I would rather put down my official duties and listen to the book?" Li Er expressed that he was very depressed.
Lao Gao explained: "The Prince Consort's book is slow to come out, and the quantity is limited. Many people can't buy it even if they have money. Many princes and nobles are circulating it to read. It is said that some people's books are queued up until next month."
next month? ? ?
Li Er asked with a dark face: "Have you been to the teahouse opened by Xiao Rui?"
The chamberlain Lao Gao shook his head, "I have always been with His Majesty and have never been there. But I heard from people that the two storytellers taught by the Prince Consort are very eloquent. Listening to their stories is different from reading a book. It feels like you are immersed in the scene. It’s a normal environment and more interesting.”
Yeah?
"I have half a day off today. Let's make some arrangements. Let's go to the teahouse to have tea."
"Yes, I will make arrangements now. Do you want to inform the Prince Consort? It is said that the teahouse is full every day, so reservation is required to get a seat."
Li Er frowned. He didn't want to inform, but if he didn't inform, he wouldn't have a seat...
"Don't inform that boy, just find a way to arrange an ordinary seat."
Lao Gao had no choice but to ask someone to do it and spent money to buy two high-priced scalper tickets. When he came to the tea house, Li Er regretted it after burning incense. It was too crowded and he spent so much money. What the heck was a standing ticket? Not only is it a standing ticket, it's also a ticket that doesn't touch the ground. When I looked up, I saw someone hanging on the railing upstairs to listen to a book.
The only good thing is that no matter what position everyone came in, they all tried their best to keep quiet. Even if their feet were not touching the ground, they could not make a sound. The whole teahouse could clearly hear the man telling the story.
"Huh... I figured it out! How did you do it? You couldn't even get a seat?"
"My slave is guilty. We acted too late. Those with seats don't care about money. None of my subordinates have been there. I didn't know there were standing tickets. I thought it was..."
"That's all, go back to the palace!"
Although he was dissatisfied with the environment this time, it was the first time for Li Er to experience the life of ordinary people at such a close distance without escorts. In addition, the live listening was really lively and exciting. Although he cursed, he was not angry in his heart.
But Lao Gao has always been worried. In this situation, if there is an assassin with evil intentions, it will be over.
Back in the palace, Li Er was thinking, "This kid Xiao Rui is really a nuisance. We can't let him idle. He will cause trouble if he is idle. It's just a bullshit teahouse to make money, but it has seduced all my civil and military officials." Go to court. No, we have to find a way to clean up this scourge. Or throw him out? Let him cause harm elsewhere? Stay in Chang'an, maybe he will hook up with other women again. A prince-in-law really has three wives and four concubines. Where can I put my old face?"
"Come here, call the Chang'an County Magistrate."
Not long after, Chang'an County Magistrate Liu Rengui came on orders.
"County Magistrate Liu, was the murder case on Zhuque Street last year solved?"
ah? Last year's homicides? Which one is it? Liu Rengui almost didn't react.
He looked up carefully and asked tentatively: "Is your Majesty asking about Li Xiaochang's son?"
"Apart from this, is there anyone else who dares to kill someone on Zhuque Street?" Li Er asked.
Liu Rengui said in confusion: "Your Majesty, Li Xiaochang's family was killed because of rebellion, and there are no accusers. It seems that there is no point in tracing the murderer. In addition, I learned from the caller that the reason was that Li Xiaochang's son was arrogant. Domineering, he wanted to hit someone to death with a carriage, but ended up kicking an iron plate, offending the master and being killed. From this point of view, the person who took action was measured and would not endanger the safety of Chang'an. Therefore, Wei Chen did it The case was closed internally.”
boom!
"You are confused. You are killing people in the street on Zhuque Street. You have no laws. This is a slap in the face of my court. As the magistrate of Chang'an County, how can you fool around?" Li Er slapped the case and yelled angrily.
"I am confused, please forgive me, Your Majesty." Liu Rengui trembled, thinking: How could this happen? It seemed that you were the one who suggested to me that you should reduce big things to small things.
"Go back and check carefully. I have some clues here. Go and interrogate him." Li Er asked Lao Gao to send Liu Rengui out. On the way, Lao Gao said what the emperor meant, and then Liu Rengui understood.
So the next morning, Xiao Rui was summoned to the Chang'an County Government Office with a piece of paper.
Looking at the arrogant figure standing in the hall, Liu Rengui secretly complained, this is his idol Xiao Yushi, he didn't expect that the official meeting would be like this?
Although Xiao Rui has been promoted to the rank of Shaoqing of Sinong Temple and a fourth-rank official, the people still remember that famous name and call him Xiao Yushi enthusiastically.
"Mr. Liu, right? Why are you looking for me?" Xiao Rui didn't lose his temper and asked normally.
Liu Rengui personally took the evidence document and walked down from his seat, and said respectfully: "Master Xiao, I have been offended. Look at the evidence, it seems that it was you who beat to death Li Xiaochang's son and the man on Zhuque Street. Coachman."
Xiao Rui was a little surprised, "What happened on Zhuque Street? Li Xiaochang's family has been killed for treason a long time ago. Is it meaningful to still investigate this case?"
Liu Rengui looked embarrassed and said with a smile: "Well, I have no choice but to lower my rank. For the safety of Chang'an County, it is best to find out the truth."
Understand, you can tell from the other party's expression that someone is putting pressure on him. Is there anyone in Chang'an City who doesn't have a good eye and dares to get into trouble with me?
Looking down at the evidence in his hand, Xiao Rui smiled. All the generals on duty at the Suzaku Gate came out to testify. It was clearly the emperor who was causing trouble! If you have any objections, come to me directly. What's the point of asking a small county magistrate to come to me?
"Come on, let's be honest. I plead guilty. It was indeed me who did it. What is County Magistrate Liu going to do with me?"
ah? As if he didn't expect Xiao Rui to admit it so bluntly, Liu Rengui was surprised.
He came back to his senses and said in admiration: "Master Xiao dares to do something, and I admire him very much. Although killing Li Yian is regarded as eliminating harm for the people, but it is a state law, and you are committing a crime privately..."
Xiao Rui stretched out his hands directly: "Stop talking nonsense, come and torture me!"
