A Heart-to-Heart: Reflections on the Official Launch

To be honest, this book has been the most successful of all the novels I have written so far, and it is also the one I have poured the most effort into. After all, I have never before managed to release five chapters in a row, let alone keep that pace up for several days. I suppose it couldn't be helped; I am naturally a bit lazy...

Anyway, let’s get to the point. My editor contacted me the day before yesterday to inform me that the book would be moving to the VIP tier starting yesterday. What does that mean? Naturally, it means it will now be behind a paywall. I actually asked the editor if we could delay the transition until next month. I really hoped to let everyone enjoy the free content for a bit longer, especially so that we wouldn't hit the paywall right in the middle of a climax. If I were a reader, I would certainly find that frustrating, but I had to follow the rules.

However, you can rest assured: I’ve calculated the cost, and each chapter will only cost a few cents. For a few cents, you can't lose anything! You won’t be getting cheated! Er... I seem to have digressed. But I understand that many of you are students, and I know that being a student is incredibly expensive—everything costs money these days. Still, I hope those who are able will consider purchasing the first VIP chapter as a gesture of support.

Once again, thank you all for your recommendation votes and various tips early on. I have no way to repay you other than by churning out more content! So, today I’ll be releasing between five and ten chapters—five at the minimum, ten at the maximum. I hope you will all stay with me to see just how far this story can go.

I won't ramble on any further. I’m starting to write like crazy now! Only by writing can I repay the support and encouragement you have all shown me.

Oh, I almost forgot. Let me address a few things that many readers have been curious about.

First, many are puzzled as to why the protagonist dares to be so reckless in front of the Emperor, with some citing the story of Su Daji as a comparison. If you look closely, you will see I have already explained that the protagonist is the "Heaven-Chosen Consort." Because he was chosen by the Heavens, the Emperor cannot easily lay a hand on Fang Xu. As long as Fang Xu doesn't cross the line, the Emperor won't lose his temper. Even if he lacks some decorum, the Emperor won't take action as long as it isn't too egregious. Furthermore, the protagonist is on the Emperor’s side, helping him stand up to Grand Secretary Zhang. Why would the Emperor do anything to him? As I mentioned later, the Emperor did reprimand him.

Second, some have criticized the inclusion of Sun Simiao, noting that he was a figure from the Tang Dynasty while our protagonist is a time-traveler. I recall learning about Sun Simiao in middle school history! He was a Taoist practitioner skilled in medicine, and it is said that while he was experimenting with alchemy, he mistakenly mixed the wrong proportions and accidentally invented gunpowder. This proves that alchemy can indeed lead to the accidental discovery of gunpowder components. Thus, the protagonist hopes that Qiu Chuji will "fail" at alchemy in the same way, thereby creating the recipe for gunpowder.

Third, there is an issue I addressed early on that still draws complaints: people keep saying the protagonist exposed himself. I find this quite helpless! I already clarified that the protagonist was drunk and had no idea where he was. Someone asked, "Since he traveled through time, didn't he feel anything?!" I just want to ask that person: have you ever been truly drunk? I remember getting drunk for the first time on my twentieth birthday; I woke up in the hospital the next day, and I didn't even feel it when I cracked my head open. How could I possibly have felt anything regarding my nether regions? Besides, I never said he exposed himself! I only wrote that he looked down at himself. Do you really think that just because someone unzips their pants, it means they are exposing themselves to everyone else?

That should cover it for now. If there are any other questions later, I will explain them as they come. Back to writing!