A gift for meeting someone is essential.

However, Li Yu had prepared this long ago. It was a silver bracelet of medium size.

Her gift certainly cannot surpass Zhao's.

It was half a month after Lin Qiao's wedding that I saw Qu Xiangbai again. He was really busy.

I have been running back and forth between the provincial capital and Qingyan Town.

Li Yu finally met him today.

"I heard that Madam has come to see me several times?"

"Yes, sir, you are a very busy man now, and it is really difficult to meet you."

Qu Xiangbai probably didn't expect that Li Yu would call him "Sir".

For a moment I didn't know how to react.

"Madam, you're joking. What do you mean by 'adult'? That's just for others to see. Actually, I'm still a bookseller."

Li Yu didn't want to argue with him.

"Let's get down to business. I came here to talk to you, sir."

Since the other party was not used to being called "Sir", Li Yu still called him "Sir" as before.

"It's rare for Madam to come to me to talk about something, so let me talk first."

Li Yu didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

"I want to make some changes to our library."

"What changes? Isn't our library good enough now? Compared to the rich variety of books, it is already the best among its peers."

Li Yu certainly knew that Yunshang Bookstore was a good one among its peers, but it was not enough.

"I know Yunshang is pretty good among its peers, but I still think it could have more variety."

Although Qu Xiangbai was very confident in Li Yu's ability, he now felt that she was a bit boastful.

Hasn't the library been like this since ancient times? What other types are there?

"Madam, please tell me your idea. If it's a good idea, the library will be handed over to you from now on, and Chen Zongwen will also help you."

"Is your library still responsible for cultivating talents for His Majesty?"

"Hmm? Madam, why do you say that?"

Li Yu could guess that Qu Xiangbai was not surprised. This man's brain was not comparable to that of ordinary people.

Li Yu chuckled and said, "I discovered this as early as when my first storybook came out.

Boss Chen said that every bookstore employs copyists. This is true and I believe it.

But later I found out that all the copyists at Yunshang Bookstore were young people.

One time I accidentally walked into the backyard and found that they were discussing schoolwork when they had nothing to do.

He is still reading a book from the library. I wonder which copyist can read the books in the store at will?

Isn’t that strange? I also went to another bookstore in town once.

Their copyists are middle-aged people who have received a few years of education and have good handwriting, which is completely opposite to the young people here.

Moreover, the copyists would disappear every few days for some reason and then come back a few days later, which really makes me suspicious. Did they go to the academy when they were away?"

.....

Qu Xiangbai wondered why no one else was suspicious, but you were the only one who was suspicious.

Just like your son, he is very cunning.

"Since Madam already knows, then I have nothing to hide. It is indeed as you think."

Anyway, the two families are now tied together, so there is no point in hiding it.

"I think the gentleman's original intention was good, but this can only help too few people."

You know what, Qu Xiangbai was really moved by what Li Yu said.

"Then tell me how to help more people."

"Book prices are slowly coming down now, right?"

"good."

He nodded. Now, bookstores from all over the country have sent people to learn printing. No matter whether it is Yunshang Bookstore or not, as long as the skills are up to standard, they can graduate.

Just like schools, he believed that printed books would become popular in the near future.

"It's useless just to print books, especially for students taking the imperial examinations, there are very few useful books to buy in the library.

Apart from the basic books that are truly helpful to them, the library simply doesn’t have any.”

Indeed, it is said that all noble families have their own libraries, and many of the books of great people are privately collected by others.

Ordinary people have no chance to access it, which makes it difficult for talented people from poor families to emerge.

I am not as knowledgeable as others, and I am not as good as them in learning. The result is predictable.

But what can we do about it?

"Then what?"

"Now it's time to test your ability." Li Yu said to him slyly.

"Me? What abilities do I have?"

"Oh, you don't know what you're capable of. You have connections up there. If you can get these books, we can print them and sell them."

"Are you crazy? That's someone else's stuff. I borrowed it and printed it and sold it for money. What kind of person am I?"

Qu Xiangbai felt that Li Yu had no bottom line at all just for the sake of making money.

"They said they let you print it secretly? Of course, they have to get their consent. Of course, the profits from the book will be split 50-50 between Book Pavilion and them. I don't believe they won't be tempted."

That's about right.

"Also, we don't necessarily need to find a lot of books at once. We can take our time, one book at a time. This is a long-term endeavor, and there's no way we can change the status quo overnight."

"I'll think about it and give you an answer in half a month."

Li Yu said there was no rush and went back.

Consideration was just an excuse. Qu Xiangbai must be sending a letter to the capital.

After all, this is a big deal.