The Newspaper.
Even in the Joseon era, newspapers existed, so the history of newspapers is quite long. Of course, in a world where bizarre dishes are served at this restaurant, there were newspapers as well.
Since it wasn’t a rapidly changing reality and paper was scarce, it wasn’t in a daily format, but it was published at intervals so that one could roughly understand the happenings of the world.
“Look! There’s a pretty big article about The Rise of the Tang Family!”
Hwa-rin excitedly pointed at the article about The Rise of the Tang Family with her finger.
“Let me see.”
What did they write so large? The article about The Rise of the Tang Family was prominently featured on the front page of the newspaper.
“What if it’s a bad review?”
Hwa-rin said nervously.
“Right? I don’t have the ability to possess people.”
“Eh?”
“Never mind. I hope it’s a compliment with this long article.”
Generally, there aren’t many cases where a long piece is written as a bad review. Just one bad comment is enough; there’s no need to invest time and effort into writing a whole article.
Besides, bad reviewers usually enjoy one-sided exchanges, so they tend to struggle with receiving bad comments on their reviews. Thus, most review articles tend to be neutral or complimentary.
Of course, in this case, it’s a bit concerning since a guy from the Literary Association said he would pour out bad reviews if he didn’t like it.
“Let’s read it together.”
Hwa-rin and I leaned against each other and started reading the newspaper article.
[The Rise of the Tang Family – Are we witnessing the birth of a new literary trend in this era?]
What the? Just the title makes it sound so serious.
The article on The Rise of the Tang Family, written in the name of the Literary Association, corrected prejudices regarding the novel and briefly summarized the content, explaining its popularity in Yichang.
[Those who haven’t read The Rise of the Tang Family may think it’s merely an erotic novel. However, The Rise of the Tang Family is different.]
[Pedantic literati may think of it as vulgar, but the new genre of Colored Heroic Stories has been read by our Yichang Literary Association with an open mind. We have found something special even in the erotic scenes of this novel.]
[What about erotic scenes in erotic novels? They are merely sensational. But the author, Ho Pil, was different.]
[Though he is sometimes straightforward in his expressions, he is an author who knows how to use elegant connotations and descriptions like the writers of classical novels.]
How interesting. Did I ever use expressions that literati would appreciate in erotic scenes?
[Watermelon.]
[This three-character term refers to peaches that are thin-skinned with juicy, sweet flesh. By depicting a woman’s chest with these three characters, isn’t it evident how beautiful and alluring this woman’s body is?]
[But the expressions by author Ho Pil didn’t end there.]
[Willow Waist.]
[He wasn’t satisfied with simply referring to a slim waist; he created the term “Willow Waist,” meaning slender and soft like a willow branch. And her waist bent like a bow—can you not imagine the beautiful sight of a willow branch bent like a bow?]
[It’s a different expressive power compared to the petty expressions of common junk books.]
[Not to mention his euphemisms regarding the pubic area—fragrant grass forest and numerous descriptions like chrysanthemums make one wonder if this truly is just an erotic novel.]
“I find such expressions genuinely amazing. How does one express like that?”
“I originally had great expressive power.”
I looked at Hwa-rin and bragged proudly in an exaggerated voice.
I was a bit surprised too. Who would have thought that the expressions in classical Colored Heroic Stories would receive such high praise?
The terms I used were frequently found in the popular Deer Rice Cake Stories of bygone eras. I wrote them with respect for the seniors who wrote Colored Heroic Stories, but who knew I’d receive such high evaluations?
Well, in modern times, those would be considered outdated expressions, but in this world, they might actually be centuries ahead.
“Ridiculous. Cough cough.”
As Hwa-rin smiled at me, her Watermelon wobbled. No, if I must say, a peach is too small—I meant a large, juicy melon.
[Why do so many people who turned away from Martial Arts stories now look back at Tang Jung? It’s because The Rise of the Tang Family is influenced by many classics yet tells an entirely new story.]
[The framework of the story is a folk tale beloved by many common people. It’s based on hero tales, with the complex relationships of Martial Arts condensed into a relatable tale of good vs. evil, making the distant Martial Arts world feel familiar.]
[The identity of author Ho Pil has yet to be uncovered. However, considering the disclosures from past events, I suspect he is likely a well-read literati and a poor author.]
“Cough cough. They’re calling you a literati well-versed in classics. How does that feel?”
Hwa-rin playfully nudged my side with her elbow, finding the misunderstanding by the Literary Association amusing.
“Uh, it feels good.”
But my side hurts. Hwa-rin, let’s control the strength a bit.
[Hardships and adversities train a person. The poor author Ho Pil likely aims to entertain the masses through Colored Heroic Stories, igniting new winds in the current situation where people turn a blind eye to injustice.]
[The Rise of the Tang Family. Colored Heroic Stories. Perhaps, we are witnessing the birth of a new literary trend in Yichang.]
Literary trend.
I paused for a moment, reflecting on the last sentence.
Grasping my hungry stomach that hadn’t eaten, reminiscing about the nights I spent homeless in the rain. A life where no one cared about the injustices faced by the barbarians.
After going through countless hardships, here I stand at the Tea Bookstore.
This was the world I had longed for. Although The Rise of the Tang Family wore the guise of Colored Heroic Stories, it housed the Martial Arts world I desired.
In this world, I’m just a writer who can’t break the heavens or split the earth.
I will never become a great master of Martial Arts in this world. However, as a writer, with Colored Heroic Stories, Martial Arts novels, and all the other literature I know,
Perhaps under the name of author Ho Pil, I can create a flow of my own. This article acknowledged that potential.
How moving.
“Yoon Ho? What’s wrong?”
Wondering why I was looking serious without saying anything, Hwa-rin asked with a worried tone.
“It’s nothing. I’m just moved to be recognized like this.”
“Uh-huh. That’s understandable. By the way, there’s another small article next to it.”
Hwa-rin pointed at another article written by the same author.
[On a side note, something is concerning.]
No way, are they subtly implying that the Literary Association likes it, but personally, it isn’t favorable, prompting them to write more?
[The story based on righteousness and justice has, unfortunately, divided readers. The issue is that this controversy is heating up not just among the general public but even within the Literary Association, which values spiritual growth.]
[As a man, it is customary to establish a family and seek stability before doing beneficial deeds for the world. Our Yichang Literary Association hopes that Tang Jung quickly marries his beloved, the best beauty in Sichuan, and proceeds with the story…]
[The side note is the author’s opinion, not the position of the Literary Association.]
“Wow! Yoon Ho, isn’t this ultimately an incredible compliment?”
After reading the article, Hwa-rin asked me with a beaming smile.
“Indeed. At this rate, even those disinterested in The Rise of the Tang Family would reconsider reading it.”
“This might help clear our debts this year!”
Hwa-rin, buoyed by her hopes for a rosy future, wiggled her body. Oh my. The Watermelon is shaking.
“If Hwa-rin works hard at printing books, it might be possible?”
With popular voting rights and sales from The Rise of the Tang Family, it might not just be a dream.
“Ugh! I’ll do my best!”
Remembering the hard printing work ahead, Hwa-rin said with a slightly reluctant expression.
“Hello.”
While I was chatting with Hwa-rin, a customer with a familiar face and someone I had seen before walked in.
“Is that you, Hwang Seong?”
“Ah, little brother.”
Hwang Seong hinted to his younger brother beside him. Now that I see, he’s carefully holding The Rise of the Tang Family. The younger brother stared at me, then lowered his head with a shy expression.
“Thank you for the great gift. Thanks to it, I could clear up the misunderstanding with my brother.”
So that’s why the article from the Literary Association was published. Was it fun?
“He’s a good brother; I’m glad the misunderstanding is cleared. What brings you here today?”
Honestly, the only reason they climbed up to the second floor with The Rise of the Tang Family was for one reason. I wanted to hear a predictable answer.
The younger brother glanced around timidly, then, lowering his voice to be heard only by us, spoke.
“Today, I plan to join the Tea and Book Club with my brother.”
“Welcome. Enjoy yourselves.”
I smiled with satisfaction, having heard the answer I wanted.
—————-
The business at the Tea Bookstore flourished even more with the literary endorsement of The Rise of the Tang Family. However, as it thrived surprisingly well, an unexpected problem arose.
“Popular vote. Doesn’t it look like Sichuan’s best beauty has won?”
“It seems any effort on our part to buy Hyang-a coffee sets will be of no use.”
The disparity in the popularity vote began to widen.
