Chapter Fifty-two Advertising and Propaganda

  Zhu Yunwen's carriage departed, and the hundreds-strong entourage emerged from the city in a cloud of dust, setting foot on the official road back to the capital.

  Xiao Fan's nose was all red, but he still couldn't figure it out. Zhu Yunwei made such a big fuss and came all the way to Jiangpu, what was the point? Was it just like Cao Yi said, to scare himself for a few sentences, see that he was afraid and then leave with satisfaction? This person is really too boring! Is this the kind of life that princes live?

  It's pointless to think about things that can't be figured out, so Xiaofan finally came to a conclusion: people with power and status have empty lives, they're all just finding fault after being fed to the full!

  The crisis is over, and Xiao Fan's mood naturally improved. No matter how boring Zhu Yun was, his actions made Xiao Fan sincerely appreciate him. Xiao Fan's logic was simple: a good grandson would not kill his own great-grandson, and if he did not kill his own great-grandson, he would surely become a wise ruler in the future.

  Turning his head, he saw Chen Ying'er still staring at him with tears on her face, her eyes filled with a mix of joy and resentment.

  Xiao Fan couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart, and he walked up to her and said softly, "I'm sorry you were startled, it's all right now, it's all over."

  Chen Ying'er sobbed and finally burst into tears: "I... I thought you would be killed by them... by them..."

  Before the great disaster, Chen Ying'er insisted on hiding herself first, even if it meant implicating her and her family. A woman could do this for him, which was already not easy, Xiao Fan was moved by her kindness.

  Gazing deeply at Chen Ying'er, Xiao Fang said softly: "I remember all the good things you've done for me in my heart. As the saying goes, 'a strong wind reveals the resilience of grass', and 'a stormy sea shows true feelings'. In the future, I will..."

  Xiao Fan had not finished speaking, when Chen Ying'er seemed to have been electrocuted, and let out a startled cry. Then she hastily and shyly looked around, stamped her foot and scolded: "In front of so many people, you... what nonsense are you talking about! ...If you want to talk, go back home and talk, I... I'm leaving first."

  Having said that, Chen Ying'er's face turned bright red with shame, covering her ears and running away quickly.

  Xiao Fan's eyes widened as he called out to her back, "Hey, can you please listen to me finish speaking? You're really rude..."

  Cao Yi walked up, looking at Chen Ying's back, and chuckled: "You two are so bold when talking about love, don't you think you should be more discreet? She's a young lady, with a delicate face. Why don't you finish what you were saying to me instead? What were you going to say about your future?"

  Xiao Fan gazed at Chen Ying'er's back and sighed, "I just wanted to say that from now on, I'll try my best to take less money from the Tian Lou, so her father and Lord Cao can be in charge... Can this be considered a romantic phrase? Miss Chen's thoughts are too complicated..."

  Cao Yi's head is full of black lines: "……"

  The crown prince left, the street ban was lifted, and the people also went out onto the streets. After hearing that the crown prince had arrived in Jiangpu County, everyone was both surprised and suspicious - what was the crown prince doing coming to this county town for no reason? After asking each other, the crowd generally knew that after the crown prince's entourage entered the city, he went straight to the Drunken Immortal Building, where he said a few words to Chen Jia's aunt, then returned to his carriage.

  Watching the commotion is the nature of the common people. As soon as they heard that this sensational event was related to Xiao Fan, a recent celebrity in Jiangpu, everyone gathered in groups of three or five and rushed to the empty space in front of the Zui Xian Building. They wanted to see what was so special about this Xiao Zhanggui, who not only had a close relationship with Cao County Magistrate but also attracted the attention of the current Crown Prince. This is indeed a person who has reached the pinnacle of power! The future ruler of the great Ming dynasty! Being able to know the Crown Prince, wouldn't this Xiao Zhanggui rise to prominence in the future?

  Someone who is about to rise to great heights, of course, deserves a few more glances, and a touch of noble aura - after all, this is someone who has spoken with the Crown Prince himself...

  As a result, the originally spacious empty space in front of the Zui Xian Lou gate was soon packed with people. The commoners looked at Xiao Fan, but because Xiao Fan was going to be a "noble" in the future, they didn't dare approach him and talk to him. They just surrounded him from afar, smiling at him with a mixture of admiration and fear.

  Xiao Fan met everyone's gaze with a blush, saying: "I didn't expect that I would also have a day where I'm surrounded and stared at by a crowd of people, it's really embarrassing..."

  Cao Yi smiled and said: "There are tens of millions of people in our great Ming dynasty, how many can recognize the Crown Prince? You say you can't be proud?"

  Xiao Fan awkwardly twisted his body.

  Cao Yi smiled and looked at Xiao Fan with a meaningful gaze: "The encounter between people is really hard to say, the ups and downs are only in a few days. I thought you had offended Prince Taishun, and your prospects were worrying, but I didn't expect that Prince Taishun would have a good impression of you... from now on, you can be considered as having a relationship with him..."

  Xiao Fan smiled and said: "I just borrowed a bit of Ta Sun's halo..."

  Cao Yi's gaze grew deeper: "You have a relationship with me, and also with the Crown Prince. To ask such an impertinent question, whose relationship do you value more?"

  Xiao Fan suddenly woke up, almost forgetting that behind Cao Yi was the King of Yan, a powerful and ambitious man who would one day replace the Crown Prince. In other words, the King of Yan and Zhu Yunwen were sworn enemies. Unintentionally, he had formed connections with both major factions at the same time. Cao Yi's question seemed casual on the surface but was actually extremely treacherous - it was a test of his allegiance.

  Xiao Fan's back felt a chill as he spoke seriously, "Cao brother, I'm just a mediocre scholar and a humble merchant's son-in-law. I'm grateful for your high regard, as well as that of the Crown Prince. The value of friendship lies in mutual understanding. If we add ulterior motives to it, then it can't be called friendship anymore. Whether it's an eighth-rank county magistrate or the current Crown Prince, they are all just friends in my eyes. I truly don't want to mix other things into our friendship... My intention is clear, do you understand?"

  Cao Yi's eyes flashed, and he fell silent for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. He patted Xiao Fan's shoulder and said: "It was I, your elder brother, who was wrong. I'm apologizing to you here, and from now on, this matter will be dropped. You're a man of strong character, how could I not yield to you? Haha..."

  Xiao Fan smiled, but heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. There was one thing that had always puzzled him - he hadn't performed exceptionally well, so why did Cao Yi keep trying to pull him over to the Yan Wang camp? What exactly did he see in him?

  In any case, it's not the time to take sides yet, so let's drag it out if we can. That kind of plot where a powerful overlord rises up and gathers a bunch of loyal followers to conquer the world is just too unrealistic. You have to eat your meals one bite at a time, do things one step at a time, and achieve your ambitions gradually. Nothing can be accomplished in a single stroke.

  The common people were still surrounding Xiao Fan to watch the excitement, while Xiao Fan and Cao Yi were chatting and laughing as if no one was around. They had forgotten that a big shot was still standing in the distance, who was none other than Huang Zhixian, the county magistrate who had led the officials to welcome the imperial carriage earlier.

  County Magistrate Huang had no idea what the purpose of the Crown Prince's visit to Jiangpu was today, and he dazedly received him after being confused. He followed the prince's carriage all the way to the Drunken Immortal Building, where through the conversation between the prince and Xiao Fan, County Magistrate Huang finally understood the situation. It turned out that this prince had been slapped on the back of the head by Xiao Fan and was not convinced, so today he came to Jiangpu with full ceremony to show off his power.

  This fact made Huang Zhi County break out in a cold sweat and almost scared him into wetting his pants.

  He can't help but be shocked, Xiao Fan is his subject, this subject is extremely arrogant and dared to beat the Crown Prince, if this matter is known by the current Emperor, according to the Emperor's indulgent attitude towards the Crown Prince and his severe treatment of his subjects, how can he not be furious? The Emperor's anger would lead to bloodshed for thousands of miles! Everyone in the officialdom knows that the current Emperor not only rules with an iron fist but also likes to implicate others, the cases of Hu Weiyong and Lan Yu's rebellion were investigated for 13 years, resulting in the execution of over 40,000 people, almost emptying the imperial court, even Li Shan Chang, the first meritorious subject of the founding dynasty, was implicated and suffered a tragic end, this is the temperament of the current Emperor!

  How dare you, a murderer who has killed countless people, hit his own grandson? You may not care about your life, but do you want to harm me, the county magistrate of Jiangpu? If the emperor asks questions, it will be said that I, this county magistrate, am incompetent in governance, and that's why such a villainous person like Xiao Fan appeared. Xiao Fan is bound to die, and I, this county magistrate, will probably not escape death either. Wouldn't my death be unjust then?

  Fortunately, the current crown prince did not inherit his grandfather's violent genes, but instead is kind and tolerant by nature. He didn't even pursue this huge matter, otherwise, today might have been the day to bury that obstinate commoner, Xiao Fan.

  Looking at Xiao Fan and Cao Yi still chatting and laughing as if nothing was wrong, Huang Zhixian's lungs were about to burst with anger. You still have the face to laugh!

  The old resentment of being deprived of power by Cao Yi, plus the new grievance of almost being implicated by Xiao Fan just now, made Huang Zhixian furious. He didn't care that there were still many onlookers around him and ran to Xiao Fan and Cao Yi, pointing at Cao Yi's nose and shouting: "Cao Yi! You are a corrupt official! You colluded with your colleagues to seize power from your superiors, and you also conspired with bandits to offend the Crown Prince. Our Jiangpu County government was almost ruined by you alone. Your crimes are heinous, and I, as an official, can no longer tolerate it. I will definitely report you to the Provincial Governor's office and the Ministry of Justice!"

  Cao Yi coldly looked at Huang Zhixian, who was flustered and exasperated, and slowly said: "County Master, please pay attention to your demeanor. You are the county master, don't you care about the dignity of the officialdom? You say that I associate with bandits, I dare to ask you, who is the bandit?"

  Huang Zhi County pointed at Xiao Fan and said excitedly: "Isn't this man a bandit?"

  Xiao Fan pointed at his own nose in shock: "How did I become a bandit?"

  Huang Zhi County coldly said: "You have offended the Crown Prince, committed a crime of disrespect, and are already guilty of a capital offense. Do you think you are a good citizen?"

  Xiao Fan said with a hint of grievance: "I didn't mean to, it was just a misunderstanding..."

  "Shut up! Cao Yi, you usurped my power, and in Jiangpu, you acted arbitrarily, relying on the support of Prince Yan behind your back. You have no regard for authority or official rules, which is one thing, but today you almost got me killed! If you don't put that scoundrel Xiao Fan in prison, I swear I won't let this matter drop!"

  When someone pointed at his nose and scolded him, Cao Yi also came up with a temper, and coldly snorted: "You're not willing to give up, what can you do? Go to the Ministry of Justice to accuse me? If you can afford to lose face, I don't care. But let me tell you, Xiao Fan is an ordinary citizen, I will never put him in jail! Offending the Crown Prince was just a misunderstanding, and the Crown Prince himself didn't mind it. You, a seventh-rank county magistrate, jumped out and shouted what?"

  Huang Zhi County was furious, his whole body trembling with rage, and he shouted: "The Crown Prince didn't mind that because of his magnanimity, but Xiao Fan offended the Crown Prince, according to the law of the Great Ming, his crime should be punished, Cao Yi, do you dare to disregard the king's law?"

  “…………”

  “…………”

  The two of them started arguing, one word at a time, and the onlookers saw that the two parents were not paying attention to their dignity, so they didn't mind watching another free show. After all, it's not often that you see parents fighting in public! The crowd began to buzz again.

  Unlike the excitement of the common people, Xiao Fang felt a bit depressed.

  It's necessary to be low-key as a person, but when it's time to take the spotlight, you can't be too humble. The two parents are fighting at the entrance of Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and I'm the owner of Drunken Immortal Pavilion. If they fight here once or twice, all the attention will go to them, what's the point of having a Drunken Immortal Pavilion?

  Xiao Fan felt that at this time, he could no longer pretend to be a modest and courteous gentleman. Being a gentleman is a profession that suffers losses and grievances.

  Xiao Fang's cunning eyes rolled around, taking advantage of the two adults' quarrel, he turned his head and beckoned to several girls who had just been redeemed from the brothel and were currently selling wine at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. He leaned in close and whispered: "Do you still remember that advertising song I taught you a few days ago?"

  The girls' eyes were filled with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, but they still nodded: "We remember it, not only the song, we also choreographed a dance..."

  These girls were originally from a brothel and singing and dancing was their old profession, so they naturally picked it up quickly.

  In the middle of the venue, two adults were arguing and had escalated to personal attacks.

  "You this coarse and unrefined martial artist, don't know how to be an official, go back home and farm instead! With you as the county magistrate of Jiangpu, it's a huge disaster!"

  "What's it to you that my old man is an official? You're such a useless county magistrate, only fit to be locked in a room reading books all day. Coming out to be an official is simply a disaster for the country and the people. You'd better scram if you want to do good for the people! And what's with your attitude, huh?"

  “…………”

  “…………”

  Xiao Fan saw an opportunity and took advantage of the brief moment when the two were distracted, taking a swift step forward and stretching out his hands to separate the two nobles.

  "Wait—" Xiao Fan raised his hand in a pausing gesture. "Two esteemed gentlemen, may I trouble you to pause for a moment?"

  The two of them were arguing heatedly when they were interrupted, feeling very annoyed, and simultaneously glared at Xiao Fan, saying in unison with a bad tone: "What do you want to do?"

  Xiao Fan looked at them seriously for a while before saying with a solemn expression: "...... It's time to insert an advertisement now!"

  Huang Zhi's eyes widened: "Advertisement?"

  Xiao Fan rolled his eyes, "Ancient people, they don't understand anything. Making a ruckus on my turf, you should at least create some benefits for me."

  Xiao Fan didn't bother with them, but instead waved his hand, and in an instant, five beautiful girls appeared on the empty ground in front of the Drunken Immortal Building. The five girls stood in a row, each holding a green handkerchief, facing the stunned gaze of the surrounding crowd. With a gentle swing of their sleeves, they lightly shook the handkerchiefs, swaying seductively as they began to sing in unison.

  "My stomach is hungry but I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid, Xiuxian Building is here, I'm not afraid..."

  "Wow!"

  The onlookers were so frightened that they suddenly retreated backward.

  Taking advantage of the girls singing advertising songs, Xiao Fan quickly went forward and pulled Cao Yi to one side, behind him, he helped him massage his shoulders.

  "Cao, wait until the advertisement is over, then go back up and continue to quarrel with the county magistrate, strive to thoroughly scold him to death in the next round!"

  Cao Yi was so angry that his teeth were clenched and his voice was hoarse, "I'm asking you what the hell are you doing? What kind of lyrics are these girls singing?"

  Xiao Fan laughed and said, "This is an advertisement. Any merchant's shop needs advertising to let the people know widely. We want this effect. Cao brother, does Rui Xian Lou have a share of half for you? I'm making money for you..."

  Cao Yi opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, the advertisement in the center of the field was already nearing its end.

  The five girls finished their song and began the final aside, first winking at the surrounding crowd, then one of the leading girls said in a coquettish tone: "Welcome, everyone, to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion..."

  The last five people chorused with deep feeling: "Drunken Fairy Pavilion, Youth Pavilion, Friendship Pavilion..."

  Whoosh!

  Five people leave the stage.

  Right after that, a loud clang was heard as the copper gong rang out.

  Xiao Fan said in a low voice: "The advertisement is over, and the two contestants are on stage!"

  Then Xiao Fan pushed Cao Yi with all his might, and Cao Yi was pushed to the middle in a daze, staring at Huang Zhixian with wide eyes, both of their eyes filled with confusion.

  Xiao Fan made a fist behind Cao Yi's back and whispered, "Cao brother, you guys keep arguing, don't let the atmosphere cool down! The audience needs passion!"

  Cao Yi and Huang Zhi Xian simultaneously opened their mouths, but didn't know how to continue. With Xiao Fan causing such a commotion, the excitement from their earlier argument had already vanished into thin air.

  The two men stood in silence, and the onlookers also kept silent. The hundred or so people gathered at the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion were quiet as cicadas in winter.

  It's been a long time...

  Huang Zhi County glared fiercely at Xiao Fan, then coldly snorted at Cao Yi: "Hmph! This official is too lazy to argue with you!"

  Cao Yi was not willing to show weakness, and with a heavy swing of his sleeve, he shouted in a harsh tone: "I'm too lazy to argue with you! Look at your ugly temper, no one likes you!"

  It was as if someone had let out a loud and smelly fart between the two of them, and after a cold hum, they both turned around and walked away quickly.

  Xiao Fan stood still and let out a disappointed sigh: "Why did it stop? I just came up with a new rap..."