Chapter 36: The Yellow Book

  Everyone present is from the education system, in other words, they are all intellectuals. How could they possibly not know "Jin Ping Mei"?

  As one of the Four Great Strange Books of ancient and modern times, "Jin Ping Mei" has always been regarded as a classic.

  Although it is now the internet age, with yellow books and pornography rampant, not to mention high school students, even if you casually grab a primary school student, they can easily tell you which AV actresses are popular, what's the latest about people's wives, but all these are private behaviors, no one will easily put them on the table.

  But it's a serious matter to be caught red-handed by the Director of Education while browsing "Jin Ping Mei" in the school library.

  This kid is going to be unlucky!

  The people in the Education Bureau came to their senses and had such an idea. However, they were gloating over others' misfortunes, who made them jealous of that business card?

  Unlike the people from the Education Bureau, the school leaders on this side suddenly changed their faces. They originally thought that Director Ma's favor towards this student was a good thing to add points to the school's image. While they were thinking about how to create a good atmosphere, who would have known that in the blink of an eye, the situation took a drastic turn for the worse, and a copy of "Jin Ping Mei" completely ruined the school's image.

  Zhang Zhiqiang's face turned iron-green, he knew that Director Ma was already in a bad mood today. He had just smiled at a student and now there was this fuss about "Jin Ping Mei". In front of so many people, Director Ma had already said that he would investigate the student, and now it turned out to be "Jin Ping Mei", how could Director Ma save face?

  He was furious with Qin Lang in his heart, but had to come out to save the scene, and hastily said to Director Ma with a ashamed face: "Director Ma, this is my work that has not been done well, I apologize to you. Rest assured, I will seriously deal with this student, and publicly criticize him in school. If he still doesn't change his ways, I'll directly expel him."

  Director Ma didn't bother with him either, instead he was engrossed in flipping through the "Jin Ping Mei" in his hand, his expression seeming to recall some past event.

  Zhang Zhiqiang saw the situation and thought that Director Ma was really angry this time, so he turned his head and pointed at Qin Lang, scolding: "You're really bold and unscrupulous, looking at pornographic books in broad daylight in the library. What's your name? Which class are you from? Who's your homeroom teacher? Go back and tell him to bring you to my office."

  Qin Lang glanced at Zhang Zhiqiang with a slanted eye and said lightly: "Have you read this book?"

  "How could I read such a yellow book? It's just like you, a social outcast and a morally corrupt scum, who would read this kind of book." Zhang Zhiqiang accused indignantly.

  He didn't notice, however, that just as he was saying this, Director Ma's face suddenly turned black like the bottom of a pot.

  Qin Lang narrowed his eyes and said in a cold voice: "Fine, since you say I'm a social outcast, a morally corrupt scum, then I'd like to ask you, if you haven't read this book, how do you know it's a pornographic book?"

  Zhang Zhiqiang was taken aback, opened his mouth, but didn't know how to refute. He was speechless for half a day before finally saying angrily: "You dare to talk back? Who doesn't know that 'Jin Ping Mei' is a pornographic book? You're really good at distorting the truth. I think you don't need to come to school anymore, our school doesn't welcome students like you who have no shame."

  Qin Lang shook his head and said lightly: "Whether Zhongyuan welcomes me or not is another matter. As for this book, I think it's clearly a wonderful book that reflects the customs and human emotions of our country's ancient times. It's just been labeled as an obscene book by some hypocrites who claim to be guardians of morality but are actually filled with filthy thoughts. You say this is an obscene book? Should I say you're just following the crowd without your own opinion, or that you have a dirty mind and always look at people through tinted glasses? Or perhaps you only focus on the erotic words and phrases in the book, ignoring its true essence?"

  Zhang Zhiqiang was speechless, his face turned into a pig's liver and lungs.

  The people in the Education Bureau saw this scene and all of them couldn't help but laugh secretly. Zhang Zhiqiang, as the principal, was refuted by a student and couldn't argue back, this is truly embarrassing to the point of losing face in front of his ancestors.

  "I see you're still stubborn and argumentative by nature." Zhang Zhiqiang, unable to out-argue Qin Lang, suddenly became violent and reached out to grab Qin Lang's collar. "Get out of here!"

  "What are you doing?" Director Ma slammed his hand on the table, blocking Zhang Zhiqiang's hand, and shouted: "I think this principal is not even as good as a student. He doesn't understand the simplest logic. Can't argue with the student, so he wants to use violence? I get it now, people from your school like to use fists and feet to reason, probably because of you, Principal?"

  "Not...not at all..." Zhang Zhiqiang was suddenly intimidated by Director Ma's expression.

  He didn't know that the newly appointed Director Ma had a hemorrhage in his heart early this morning and was scolded and kicked when he came to No. 1 Middle School for a private visit, so Director Ma's anger contained several layers of meaning.

  Director Ma's anger had not dissipated, and he waved the "Jin Ping Mei" in his hand, saying: "You say this is a pornographic book, okay, I'll ask you, if it's a pornographic book, why does your library collect it? If you've collected it, why can't students borrow it to read? To put it bluntly, isn't this like being a prostitute and still wanting to put up a virtuous signboard?"

  A group of middle school leaders saw Director Ma's furious face and were so scared that they lost their souls when he even said something like "standing on the street as a prostitute".

  Zhang Zhiqiang was the first to be frightened, his heart racing and trembling with anxiety. He stuttered as he tried to explain himself, but didn't know what to say. It wasn't until his eyes landed on Old Zhu hiding in the crowd that he came back to his senses. He beckoned him over, saying: "Quickly come here and explain things to Director Ma."

  Mr. Zhu had to force himself to walk forward, Zhang Zhiqiang secretly gave him a fierce stare, the meaning was very clear, if Mr. Zhu couldn't respond properly and smooth things over, he would have no good outcome in the end.

  I'm getting shot at even when I'm lying down! Old Zhu was complaining in his heart while having to explain: "Director Ma, it's like this. Including 'Jin Ping Mei', these books were all donated by that Hong Kong tycoon who funded the construction of this library. When we were cataloging the books, we overlooked this one and didn't realize it was a problem. It's all my fault, you can criticize me."

  Director Ma was very polite to Old Man Zhu, and he put away his anger, nodding his head: "Old sir, you don't need to blame yourself, this matter isn't your fault."

  It was the intention of that Hong Kong tycoon, so he had to accept the book he donated. Besides, this book is not bad, it has not been published domestically, only in Hong Kong and overseas publishers.

  As he said that, he glanced at the cover of the book and smiled: "Hehe, Hong Kong Minzhong Publishing House's first edition, this book can be considered an antique."

  Old Zhu felt relieved and thought to himself: "Damn it, as a leader, look at how elegant Director Ma is, compared to Zhang Zhiqiang, they are worlds apart."

  Zhang Zhiqiang observed the expressions and saw that Director Ma finally showed a smile, his anger seemed to have dissipated. Only then did he stand up and say: "Director Ma, I guarantee you that this book will be dealt with immediately, and I'll arrange for the library to conduct a thorough review of all its holdings. Absolutely no more such obscene books will be allowed to slip in."

  Director Ma's face changed, and he stared at Zhang Zhiqiang with a seemingly smiling but actually serious expression, "It seems that your awareness is very high!"

  Zhang Zhiqiang was unclear and thought Director Ma was praising him, so he hurriedly showed a humble expression and said: "Under Director Ma's guidance, I indeed feel that my recent awakening has improved somewhat."

  "I don't dare, I don't dare." Director Ma shook his head, "I wouldn't dare to instruct you, your enlightenment is far beyond mine. At least I never thought this was a pornographic book. It seems what that student said was right, Principal Zhang, you should take a look at your own glasses, have they turned yellow?"

  Zhang Zhiqiang suddenly sat stunned, hating to slap himself in the face, thinking that he usually claimed to be the best at understanding the superior's intention, how could he repeatedly misunderstand in front of Director Ma today?

  Mr. Zhu couldn't help but secretly smile, actually many people were secretly smiling, and some even sneaked a peek at Zhang Zhiqiang's golden-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose to see if they were yellow.

  "Director Ma, I...I didn't mean it that way." Zhang Zhiqiang trembled with fear as he tried to explain.

  Director Ma suddenly waved his hand to interrupt him, "Principal Zhang, I forgot to tell you that I am the vice president of our province's Jin Xue Research Association. Comrade Wang Chaoyang, the executive deputy governor of our province, is the president of our Jin Xue Research Association. Since you have such a big misunderstanding about 'Jin Ping Mei', do you want me to explain it to you or should I let Governor Wang call you personally to explain the composition of this book?"

  Zhang Zhiqiang's face suddenly turned pale.

  He didn't know that there was a Jin Xue Research Association, which specialized in studying the Golden Lotus. Nor did he know that Director Ma was the vice president and Governor Wang was the president. If this were true, wouldn't it be a shocking blow to Governor Wang? Wouldn't he be asking for trouble?

  But Director Ma's words came out, and many people around him suddenly understood why it was rumored that this Director Ma had a very strong background, being in the same circle as the Vice Governor, how could his background not be strong?

  They all secretly prepared to turn back and check out this Jin Xue Research Association, thinking of ways to join in. If there's an opportunity to get close to Governor Wang, it would be hard not to rise to prominence.

  Director Ma saw Zhang Zhiqiang's appearance as if he had lost his soul, and he felt disgusted. He didn't bother to respond again, turned his head and smiled at Qin Lang and Yan Yuese: "Little classmate, your words just now were very good. 'Jin Ping Mei' is a book that reflects all aspects of ancient Chinese people's lives. Although it contains some things, they are also common human emotions. If we completely reject and deny them, then we are not even human, let alone animals. Animals still know how to fight for power."

  Qin Lang burst out laughing. He only then discovered that Director Ma was quite interesting, at least this remark was to his taste. He nodded and said: "Great minds think alike."

  Director Ma burst out laughing and pointed at Qin Lang: "Little slick head, this horse's subtle tone, I appreciate it. Come on, let's test you with this book."

  As he spoke, he sat down on the chair beside Qin Lang.

  Qin Lang's face suddenly turned strange.

  Because Director Ma sat on none other than the chair with a broken leg where Qian Dabing was hiding.