The Tang Dynasty: Wu Zetian made me her imperial tutor

A scholar is a scholar; his writing flows effortlessly.

After returning home that day, Li Qiao, Su Weidao, and others immediately wrote prefaces and postscripts, and each added a poem.

I'll spend another two days refining it, simplifying and streamlining it, so as not to be outdone by others.

On the third day after court, they all arrived at Lu's residence without prior arrangement. Suddenly, the front yard and stables of Lu's residence seemed much smaller, barely able to accommodate the guests' horses.

The hall was cramped, and they almost got into an argument.

"Chu Yu, for some reason, yesterday Tuan Zixuan displayed its credentials, claiming to possess three volumes of the 'Classic of Tea'!"

"It is said to have been written by an anonymous author from Luozhou, and was purchased at a high price by Tuanzixuan. It can be used to make the most authentic roasted tea."

"I tried it, and it really was just like that. The tea set and tea-drinking etiquette were also done quite properly."

"I don't know if we were talking too loudly and the shopkeeper overheard us, or..."

Chen Zi'ang, Du Shenyan, and Shen Quanqi spoke one after another, their faces filled with indignation.

The fact that "The Classic of Tea" was pirated and used to make money before it was even published was truly unexpected.

Whether or not it makes money is a minor matter, since Lu Jun doesn't intend to sell it for a price, but the later published version inevitably has the suspicion of plagiarism...

This is a matter of reputation.

For scholars, it was far more important than money!

Chen Zi'ang said sternly, "Gentlemen, we were all reciting silently that day, and Tuan Zixuan didn't hear much at all. Who sold it to the shopkeeper in private? Dare to admit it!"

He had practiced martial arts since childhood, was generous and chivalrous, valued loyalty above all else, and despised despicable people. He immediately challenged them to a duel.

His gaze swept intently over the others. Although he wasn't carrying a sword today, his fists were clenched at his waist, cracking loudly.

Du Shenyan slammed his fist on the ground: "I am ashamed to associate with such a despicable person, and I will sever all ties with him!"

Su Weidao stroked his beard: "Anyway, I, Su, would never do such a thing. I swear to Heaven in the name of the Su family of Zhao County!"

Li Qiao also said, "The Li family of Zhao County is neither short of money nor willing to tarnish its reputation. I am willing to swear an oath!"

Cui Shi said, "If the Cui family of Boling were to commit such a sordid act, they would surely be expelled from the family. I swear that!"

Shen Quanqi and Song Zhiwen both chimed in, "Who would dare do such a thing? Aren't they afraid of being gossiped about behind their backs?"

When it comes to one's reputation, no one dares to be ambiguous.

In their eagerness, regret appeared on everyone's faces, because publishing later would not only fail to bring fame, but would also subject them to much criticism.

The carefully prepared preface and postscript are worthless and written in vain.

Piracy of Tang Dynasty texts was actually quite rampant.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, there was a county magistrate named Zhang Huaiqing from Zaoqiang County who liked to steal articles by famous scholars and publish them.

Before Prime Minister Li Yifu rose to prominence, he wrote a five-character quatrain...

Carving the moon into a fan for singing, cutting clouds into a dance costume.

I pity my own shadow reflected in the snow, longing to return to the Luo River.

After seeing it, Zhang Huaiqing added two words before each sentence and published it himself...

With affection, I carve the moon into a fan for song; with inspiration, I cut clouds into a dance costume.

Looking in the mirror, I feel sorry for my reflection in the snow; when the time comes, I will take my boat back to the Luo River.

This Zhang Huaiqing is a professional piracy expert. He not only stole Li Yifu's poems, but also published articles by two other famous scholars of the time, Zhang Changling and Guo Zhengyi.

Later, when this was discovered, he was ridiculed for "skinning Zhang Changling alive and swallowing Guo Zhengyi whole."

With shamelessness, they created a new idiom: "to swallow whole".

When Lu Jun was studying at Chengjun Academy, she also saw classmates copying each other's work, to the point that they even got into fights.

When faced with this kind of situation, the person whose work is being plagiarized doesn't have many good options; they can only sulk and curse at the other party a few times to make up for it.

Despite their angry outbursts, Chen Zi'ang, Du Shenyan, and others were powerless to do anything about it.

Lu Jun wasn't angry at all about this.

Since the Classic of Tea was written by later generations, I was merely a conveyor of knowledge, neither seeking fame nor making money, and had no reason to be angry.

But since we invited several famous scholars to write prefaces and postscripts, and everyone has put in a lot of effort, we can't let it go to waste.

"Don't worry, gentlemen," he said with a smile, waving his hand. "It's a small matter, not difficult to resolve."

Seeing that Lu Jun actually had a solution, the group was overjoyed and asked in unison, "What do we do?"

"Have some tea." Lu Jun smiled mysteriously.

The next day, after the court session ended, Lu Jun presented the Empress Dowager with the three volumes of "The Classic of Tea," along with prefaces and postscripts by several famous scholars.

Firstly, it was a report on the plan to promote the new tea drinks; secondly, it was a request for her to co-sign and write a preface.

As long as the Empress Dowager's name is on it, no one in the world will dare to steal the copyright.

Moreover, the article would spread like wildfire to all corners of the world.

When the time comes, as long as we go to Tuan Zixuan to question them, they will not dare to deny it and will have to tell us everything in detail.

"Chu Yu, this article is called 'The Classic of Tea,' and it's destined to be famous for generations. Will you let me benefit from it too?" Wu Zetian glanced through the three volumes and her face relaxed.

Lu Jun replied, "The new tea drink is favored by both the gentry and the common people entirely thanks to the Empress Dowager's support; I am basking in her glory."

This isn't just flattery.

If it hadn't originated from the palace and spread from top to bottom to famous temples and noble families, it wouldn't have spread so quickly.

Historically, if a trend were to be spontaneously generated by the people, it would take at least twenty years.

"Chu Yu, you are truly loyal and devoted to your country!"

"I know that the new tea drinks and the tea-making methods described in the Classic of Tea are very valuable, yet you have not kept them from me at all."

"When Xiaojie came to say goodbye the other day, he also praised you highly, saying that you gave him a brewing recipe that could help soldiers keep warm and help them march in winter."

"This recipe is equally valuable; it could have been sold to taverns, but you presented it to the imperial court. You are truly selfless!"

Wu Zetian was wealthy and powerful, and she didn't lack the right to have her name signed. What made her happy was that Lu Jun was so selfless.

According to the law, officials and their families are not allowed to engage in business, otherwise they will be severely punished, but there are always nobles who find ways to circumvent the law.

After all, public funds are public funds and private funds are private funds. It's only natural for people to earn a little extra income on top of their salary.

People like Lu Jun, who clearly had the opportunity to sell their goods for money but instead donated them to the imperial court, are extremely rare.

Wu Zetian smiled and said, "You've only been in office for a month, I'm in a real dilemma..."

Judging from this, it seems that Lu Jun is going to be promoted.

However, brewing wine and making new tea are minor skills, belonging to the business of merchants, and are not suitable reasons for promotion.

"I have another piece of advice to submit..."

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was pleased, Lu Jun seized the opportunity to submit a memorial to the throne, requesting a solution to the copyright issue:

"When scholars write books, compose essays, or write poems, plagiarism is common, but when these cases are brought to court, there is no way to make a judgment."

"Because the poems and articles are in their own hands, it is impossible to prove who published them first and who published them later, and each side has its own version of events."

"When former Prime Minister Li Yifu was in a lowly position, he had his entire poem plagiarized."

"I propose that the relevant authorities establish a registration office. If anyone writes a book, an article, or a poem and intends to prove their own authenticity, they can come and register by paying a fee, and the authorities will issue a certificate."

"If plagiarism occurs again, the victim can file a lawsuit in court to clarify the truth and punish the plagiarist severely, as a deterrent."

"Of course, those that have already been circulated are not included in the register, because it is impossible to determine who published them first."

The practice of issuing official documents to protect copyright began in the Southern Song Dynasty.

As the printing industry developed, more and more books were printed using woodblock printing. Few dared to pirate officially printed books, but privately printed books were often pirated.

When ordinary people sought help from the imperial court, evidence such as public notices and official receipts appeared.

Lu Jun proposed this plan both to punish plagiarists in the present and to prepare for the future.

The reason for using Li Yifu as an example is twofold: firstly, because this matter is famous, and secondly, because although he was a scoundrel, he was the main force in deposing the king and establishing Wu, and was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager.

"Chu Yu, you always manage to come up with ways to make money for the court!" Wu Zetian smiled slightly but didn't respond.

It seems that they only understood the terms "investment" and "public ownership".

People at this time have no awareness of copyright, and those in power have no such worries, so it is indeed difficult for them to empathize.

The earliest Chinese copyright law, the "Copyright Law of the Great Qing Dynasty," was not introduced until a year before the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

It would be strange if the Empress Dowager could understand it.

Lu Jun decided to change her perspective: "If this method is implemented, there may not be immediate funding, but scholars across the land will be more supportive of the Empress Dowager when they see the court protecting their writings..."

For Wu Zetian, there are only two most important things right now—

First, eliminate those who do not support you.

Second, to win over more people to support them.

Even major military and national policies such as the recapture of Anxi had to be postponed in the face of these two matters.

Wu Zetian's eyes lit up immediately: "Great idea! Chu Yu, draft a memorial, and I will have the prime minister approve it right away."

Those who oppose her the most happen to be scholars; if she can win some of them over, it will be a good thing for her.

Growing increasingly excited, he laughed and said, "Chu Yu, you've only been in office for a month. How can I possibly promote you...?"

It was mentioned again.

"I dare not take credit..." Lu Jun bowed his head modestly.

"I dare you!" Wu Zetian raised her sleeves high, "In the name of your meritorious service in presenting the 'Classic of Tea,' I will promote you two ranks and allow you to continue serving as a Left Remonstrance Official."

"I will have the official appointment document, along with the preface to the Classic of Tea, sent over."