After all, the road to the imperial examination is narrow, and among the thousands of students, only a few can make it to the list.
Today's flourishing literary world owes its success not only to successful scholars, court officials, and renowned scholars, but also to those who failed the imperial examinations, scholars, and hermits. These individuals rely on books to express their aspirations and earn their livings. If bookstores prioritize fame, status, and wealth, blocking their paths and strangling their voices, the future of the literary world will be bleak.
Fortunately, the imperial examinations were fair and honest, and the court was not affected by them. However, over time, I am afraid that the court would find it difficult to produce talents.
Wu Qingchuang said, "So, Brother Dan and I have figured it out. Life is tough anyway. Instead of enduring this humiliation, we might as well give it a try and stand up straight and speak with dignity."
Dan Si said, "If even Shopkeeper Xu isn't afraid, why should we be afraid?"
"You two have great integrity," Xu Jiang praised. Then, she added, "We follow the law and conduct our business honestly. We don't steal, rob, cheat, or deceive. Why should we be afraid of him? It's their private dealings that are truly shameful."
Wu Qingchuang lowered his voice and asked, "Has Manager Xu heard about what they did in private?"
"Everyone knows about the Shiwen Yaji and the admission fee." Xu Jiang's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked in a low voice, "Have you two heard of them passing off inferior goods as genuine ones, or adulterating rare and out-of-date editions?"
Dan Si was shocked and asked, "Manager Xu also knew about this? How did he know?"
Xu Jiang didn't mention Yuan Zuzhi, saying only, "I accidentally saw their 'undiscovered' edition and found it to be a mixture of genuine and fake. Their counterfeiting techniques are quite sophisticated."
Unexpectedly, Dan Si pressed on, "But what about the Donglingzi Collection?"
"How did the shopkeeper know?"
"Because that set of Donglingzi Collection is now in the hands of a good friend of mine."
Xu Jiang was speechless after hearing this. Who was this victim?
"How much did your friend spend to buy it?"
"Three thousand taels."
"Three thousand taels?" Xu Jiang thought to herself that Yuan Zuzhi wasn't the one who was cheated the most. "Does he know now that this collection is fake?"
"I know." Dan Si said angrily, "He went to the bookstore to ask for an explanation, but they refused to acknowledge it and refused to return the money. He didn't dare to offend them, so he had to swallow his anger and accept it."
Xu Jiang asked, "What does your friend's family do for a living?"
Dan Si said, "He runs a cloth shop."
Xu Jiang was speechless. It turned out that he was stupid but rich.
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