Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The caravan from the border town to the capital traveled at an extremely fast pace, urged on by Chen Kai in secret, making it practically a non-stop journey day and night.

They were supposed to rest in the towns along the way, but aside from replenishing some necessities, they barely stopped, greatly shortening the journey, and the group was already nearing the capital.

Chen Kai was also extremely nervous.

This matter concerned his future, so he couldn't be careless. Every few days, he would sit in Linglong's carriage to inquire further.

He also took the opportunity to alleviate his anxiety, as she was the only woman in the caravan.

Now, Linglong was sitting opposite him, peering out the window with a curious expression, excitedly asking, "Officer Chen, will we arrive today, right?"

Chen Kai nodded wearily, helplessly saying, "Miss Linglong, you've asked me three times already. We'll be in the capital soon enough."

"Once we enter the city, I'll take you to the Banshan Newspaper first. Afterward, wherever you want to go, I'll arrange for someone to take you."

"You're unfamiliar with the place, so you might get lost."

Once they entered the capital, it would be a complete success!

Chen Kai's heart also felt lighter, and he secretly pulled back the curtain, feeling excited.

The caravan traveled for another hour, and a huge, magnificent city appeared in Linglong's eyes.

Chen Kai got out of the carriage and personally led the team into the city.

Then, without a word, he led a few soldiers, driving Linglong's carriage straight to the Banshan Newspaper.

Inside the Banshan Newspaper, it was a scene of bustling activity.

In the open-plan office area, manuscripts piled up like small mountains were visible everywhere. Several reporters, with anxious expressions, moved among them, actively communicating.

Xie Xian sat in his exclusive office, reviewing manuscripts, with an assistant beside him.

The assistant buried himself in processing official documents, then suddenly looked up and smiled, "Editor-in-chief, one of our reporters has suggested that to increase newspaper sales, we should open a special section to serialize novels. I think this is feasible, and he even submitted a manuscript."

"Oh? That idea is interesting. What did he write?" Xie Xian looked up and smiled.

"It's a social novel, written with quite some interest. It tells the story of a down-on-his-luck scholar who receives guidance from an immortal in a dream, foresees the future, wins the first prize in the imperial examination lottery by buying twenty tickets, and finally uses this wealth to become a marquis and a prime minister."

"Haha, that can only be a fantastical novel." Xie Xian chuckled, "What's the point of publishing it in the newspaper? I don't see much use in it."

Not to mention an immortal giving guidance in a dream, even if an immortal personally bought the lottery ticket, or was reborn with memories, he still wouldn't win the first prize!

This story is quite fantastical...

The assistant shook his head and said, "Not so! I think it makes sense! If we insert advertisements in the article, the readers will be so engrossed that they'll have to see the advertisements whether they want to or not. Wouldn't the newspaper's advertising revenue increase then?"

"Also, we should publish an advertisement-free version of the newspaper, selling it at a high price, catering to different needs, and allowing people to buy it based on their preferences."

"Hiss... Your idea is quite interesting. I'll consider it."

"Editor-in-chief, someone is looking for you." Just then, a reporter pushed open the door to Xie Xian's office, followed by Chen Kai, pulling Linglong inside.

The reporter tried to stop them, "Hey, wait a moment, you can't come in yet."

Before Xie Xian could react, Chen Kai directly cut to the chase, "I am Chen Kai, the inspecting censor of the border town that trades with the Jin Kingdom. Are you Xie Xian?"

Xie Xian got up in confusion, cupping his hands in greeting, "Officer Chen? What is this about..."

"Please close the door. I have important matters to discuss with you in detail."

As Chen Kai spoke, there was a commotion outside the door, with the sounds of many reporters loudly scolding.

Xie Xian turned his head to look, and a dozen strangers had already broken into the newspaper office, guarding the door with menacing looks.

He carefully sized up Chen Kai, and seeing that he didn't seem to have any malicious intent, Xie Xian cautiously nodded, quietly opening a drawer under the table.

Inside lay a gleaming short knife.

The newspaper office often reported on news from the common people, and it was inevitable that crazy people would show up to cause trouble or demand justice.

He always kept this weapon for self-defense.

If this guy who brought people in showed signs of ill intentions later, he would give him a knife first, then hold him hostage and find the Embroidered Uniform Guard on the street...

Chen Kai didn't know how to explain for a moment, so he stepped back and brought Linglong forward, "This young lady is named Zhao Linglong. She comes from the Jin Kingdom and was sent by Lord Fang Zheng to see the Great Jing and to give you some gifts."

"Not Lord Fang, but Lord Fang's friend, Chu Qinghan," Linglong added softly.

"Miss Linglong, you should give him the things first, and then I'll arrange accommodation for you. After all, you're a foreigner, so it's better for me to arrange it for you."

Linglong nodded and handed the package to Xie Xian.

How did it get mixed up with Master?

Xie Xian was still full of confusion, watching her vigilantly, taking the package with one hand, and quickly glancing through it.

Seeing this, Chen Kai said, "The handkerchief, Miss Chu gave you that handkerchief, haven't you given it to him yet?"

"Oh, right." Linglong handed over the handkerchief.

As the handkerchief entered his hand, the intricate patterns on it caught his eye, and Xie Xian's pupils immediately constricted!

That's right! This must be the message sent by Master, this is... pinyin. No one except the people of Peach Blossom Village understands this.

Moreover, with so many letters hidden in the pattern, it must be important news!

Could it be that he encountered trouble in the Jin Kingdom and couldn't send a normal message?

Seeing that his expression was not right, Chen Kai felt a burst of joy in his heart and asked nervously, "Is it something useful? Who exactly is Chu Qinghan?"

"Yes... it's something useful, just wait a moment, I don't remember it very well..." Xie Xian first nodded and then shook his head, "I know Chu Qinghan, but I'm not familiar with him."

Useful!

Chen Kai stood in place, a foolish smile on his face, feeling like he was falling from the clouds.

It's done! I've succeeded!

How lucky, what a thrilling gamble!

All the exposure to the wind and dew on this journey was worth it. I won't have to wander outside with a bunch of smelly merchants anymore...

The beauties and delicacies of the capital are beckoning me.

He was happy in his heart, but Linglong, who was beside him, was struck by lightning.

Even if she was slow to react, she realized at this moment that Xie Xian's performance was that he was not familiar with Chu Qinghan at all.

Then why was she sending the handkerchief...

Was she being deceived?

Will I even live? Am I going to die here...

The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became. Linglong shrank back, her eyes gradually moistening, and she couldn't help but retreat to the corner of the wall.

Xie Xian was still frowning deeply, looking at the pattern on the handkerchief, muttering to himself.

Chen Kai couldn't help but lean over to listen. The more important the content, the more beneficial it would be to him.

However, as soon as he leaned over, Chen Kai immediately fell into deep thought.

He heard Xie Xian muttering in a low voice: "A, wo, e, yi, wu, yu. Hiss~~ Ai? What was it... Tsk!"

"Hey, do you even understand it or not?" Chen Kai became anxious.