When Lou Yunchun came out after tying up his horse, Ji Shan waved to him, "Master Xiaolou, what a coincidence! Come and sit down."
Lou Yunchun only felt that he looked vaguely familiar, but after a few glances he could not place his name, so he stepped forward to apologize, "Forgive me for my poor eyesight and my inability to recognize your background."
"Good plan."
"So it's Lord Ji. I'm sorry for my disrespect." Ji Shan, the former doctor of Lantai, has now retired. Lou Yunchun once saw him from afar when he was a student in the Imperial College.
"I don't blame you. If you weren't wearing your official uniform today, I wouldn't have recognized you. Come, sit down and talk." Ji Shan invited him to sit down again. After he sat down, he remembered that he had just led the horse into the backyard in a familiar way, so he asked again, "Master Xiaolou, are you familiar with Manager Xu?"
Not only are they familiar with each other, they are also lovers. Lou Yunchun nodded with a red neck.
"That's great. I just have a dilemma. Now that I've met Master Xiaolou, I'd like to ask Master Xiaolou to mediate between the two of us."
"Master Ji, please speak."
Ji Shan then explained the whole story to him in a concise and concise manner.
After hearing this, Lou Yunchun understood Xu Jiang's intention and said, "A Jiang in this shop never easily sells rare books, especially since these books are her master's heirlooms." Seeing Ji Shan's disappointed expression, he added, "If you truly like them, then you should discuss it with her sincerely. Make her feel that you are worthy of her trust, and then she will sell the books to you."
"I am sincere and honest. Although you and I have never worked in the same court, I believe you have heard of my reputation. If I am not worthy of trust, who else is worthy of trust?" Ji Shan stroked his beard with an anxious expression.
The Lanting Office was responsible for the imperial archives. Ji Shan had served there for many years, spending most of his salary on books, earning him the nickname "Bookworm," renowned for his love and care for books. His eldest son, now also employed at the Lanting Office, was equally as obsessed with books as Ji Shan. If Xu Yuan's books were given to him, they wouldn't be lost.
Lou Yunchun soothed him, "Don't worry, sir. Just talk to A Jiang later. I'll stay with you until you finish talking."
Hearing that he was willing to help persuade them, Ji Shan felt relieved and drank a sip of tea.
Lou Yunchun had just come out of the Dali Temple and had no water to drink. He was thirsty at this time, so he naturally picked up Xu Jiang's teacup and drank half of it.
Seeing this, Ji Shan raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
The guest just now chose a small painting and a piece of paper. Xu Jiang sent him away and turned back to greet Ji Shan, but saw Lou Yunchun sitting opposite him and drinking.
She saw Lou Yunchun coming and thought he would be waiting for her in the shop, but she didn't expect that he would be hanging out with Ji Shan. Seeing that the two of them spoke and behaved very familiarly, they must know each other.
She walked over with a smile and asked, "Do you two know each other?"
Lou Yunchun introduced her, "This is the former Lantai doctor, Master Ji Shan."
I see.
Xu Jiang bowed to Ji Shan and said, "I am sorry for not recognizing the great man and neglecting him, sir."
"I have already resigned from my post. Manager Xu, there is no need to be so polite. Please sit down. I have something to discuss with you." Ji Shan pointed to the table and asked her to sit down.
After Xu Jiang sat down, she glanced at Lou Yunchun, who nodded. Xu Jiang understood and turned to Ji Shan, "Sir, do you not like these manuscripts?"
"Shopkeeper Xu's copy is of excellent quality. It's not that I don't like it, but it's your master's original work, and I really can't bear to part with it."
Xu Jiang thought to herself: This means I don’t like you.
Ji Shan caressed Xu Yuan's four books lovingly and said earnestly, "Shopkeeper Xu, I know it's a bit unreasonable to ask you to hand over your master's relics, but looking across the entire capital, there's no one more suitable to take care of them than me. I believe that you put your master's annotated and printed classics on the shelves to promote his learning and pass on his books, not to let them become mere decorations. If you hand over these books to me, I can promise you two things: first, I will cherish them and prevent them from being lost; second, I will do my best to promote his name and pass on his teachings. What do you think, Shopkeeper Xu?"
His sincere words impressed Xu Jiang and made her believe that he was truly seeking and appreciating her.
Books, like people, are fortunate to meet a confidant. Moreover, the person that Lou Yunchun approves of is likely to have good character, so he feels at ease entrusting the book to him.
"Sir, if you sincerely ask for it, how could Xu Jiang not respond?"
Ji Shan didn't expect that she would actually agree. He was delighted and curious, so he asked, "Why did Shopkeeper Xu give in again?"
Xu Jiang sighed, "Because the teacher said the same thing as the master, it also touched my heart. The teacher's hard work should not be shelved as a decoration. Its mission lies in the literary world and in future generations."
Ji Shan nodded in agreement, then asked, "Since Shopkeeper Xu has agreed to sell it, then please name a price."
Xu Jiang thought about it, stretched out two fingers and counted.
"Two hundred taels?" The price is a bit expensive, but when you think about it later, it's worth it.
Xu Jiang shook his head, "Twenty taels a copy."
"Twenty taels?" Ji Shan said in a lost voice, "Are you joking, boss?"
Xu Jiang borrowed Doctor Chen's words and said, "My son's business is not a black market. Twenty taels per book is more than enough. Besides, these books are for people, not money. Your love and care for them is worth a thousand gold."
Ji Shan was speechless for a long while before he sighed deeply and said, "What a pity, what a pity! Your master must have been such a wonderful person to have a disciple like you. I just regret that fate played a trick on us and we never got to meet."
Xu Jiang said, "It's not too late for us to meet now. Master has devoted half his life to books. It's a great blessing to be appreciated and cherished by you."
After saying this, Xu Jiang went to the bookstore to get paper and pen to write the contract. The four books cost a total of eighty taels. Ji Shan paid and sighed, "Books are expensive in the capital these days. You're offering me a price that's as good as nothing. I feel uneasy buying them for you, afraid you'll feel you've been cheated and regret it."
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