Xu Wei was very dedicated to managing the bookshop business and took care of every detail.
After all, this was the first thing Xu Yan had assigned him. Getting the job done was the only thing Xu Wei wanted to do at the moment.
Although he liked the book "Journey to the West: The Evils" very much, he did not expect that the book would sell so well.
Most of the customers who come to Miaofengtang are here for "Journey to the West", but as for the imperial examination reference books such as "Collected Commentaries on the Four Books" and "Collected Commentaries on the Five Classics", no one is interested in them, which is a bit embarrassing.
However, Xu Wei was in a good mood. He was now the owner of a bookshop, not a pedantic scholar. Helping his boss make money was his primary concern.
Dinghai County wasn't large, but word quickly spread about the remarkable book, "Journey to the West: The Legend of the Evil God." Scholars and commoners alike flocked to the market to buy a copy. After all, a thin booklet wasn't expensive, much cheaper than buying the entire book. Even if it wasn't good, they simply wouldn't buy it next time. As the staff at Miaofengtang put it, there was no way to lose money or get cheated.
The bookstore’s stock was sold out in just one day, and they had to rush printing.
Xu Wei felt that this was not a solution, so he planned to limit the number of people who could buy the product starting tomorrow and adopt a limited sales model.
Of course, this was Xu Yan's suggestion to him.
Facts have proved that Mr. Xu is indeed far-sighted. Under the limited sales model, the popularity of "Journey to the West: The Evil" has not decreased, but has become even more popular than before.
Some people arrived early to line up outside Miaofeng Hall, fearing that they would not be able to buy it if they arrived too late.
Of course, this led to a problem: customers complained that too few chapters were printed at a time, and that they were not satisfied enough. The most common complaint Xu Wei heard was about urging for more chapters.
However, this is not a problem that Xu Wei can solve.
After all, the author of "Journey to the West: The Evil is Released" was the owner of Huayang Cave, not Xu Wei. Even if Xu Wei was anxious, it would be useless.
Xu Wei had also asked Xu Yan twice if he could get the master of Huayang Cave to update the chapters faster, but Xu Yan's reply was that the master of Huayang Cave was very spontaneous and would update whenever he wanted to. He also couldn't get the manuscript.
Xu Wei couldn't help but sigh that there really are such wonderful people in this world who regard gold and silver as dirt.
It's truly rare to be able to make a fortune without being tempted and to remain true to one's original aspirations.
At this point, Xu Wei stopped urging him to finish. Given the quality of Journey to the West, even if it were delayed, there would still be plenty of people reading it.
The bookstore's income was considerable, and Xu Wei was of course very happy from the bottom of his heart.
But what he was more concerned about was whether Miaofengtang could go out.
After all, Dinghai County is still too small and the number of people who read books is limited.
If you want to make big money, you have to open branches in the provincial capital or even Hangzhou.
There are a large population there, and most of them like to read.
Given the quality of "Journey to the West: The Evils", it will definitely be very popular.
Of course, this kind of thing was not something he, as a shopkeeper, could decide. After making up his mind, Xu Wei decided to go to Xu Mansion to discuss it with Xu Yan.
However, when Xu Wei rushed to Xu's house, he saw Xu Yan practicing boxing, so he waited quietly by the side.
After Xu Yan finished his boxing, he smiled and said, "Sir, this boxing style is quite neat and powerful, but I have never seen it before. I don't know what it is called."
Xu Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a gentle voice, "This boxing style is called Tai Chi. It emphasizes the combination of hardness and softness, and cultivates both the inner and outer aspects. Breathing is the key to it, and it emphasizes the unity of mind, spirit, form and soul."
Tai Chi, a well-known martial art in later generations, had not yet appeared during the Jiajing period, so Xu Wei certainly didn't know about it.
"I see. This boxing technique doesn't look difficult. Even a scholar or child can practice it."
Xu Wei was quite interested in Tai Chi.
"Why, Brother Wen is also interested in practicing Tai Chi?"
Xu Wei shook his head repeatedly: "I'll just forget it."
Xu Yan asked Xu Wei to sit down, and the maids in the mansion brought fruits and tea.
"Brother Wen, please try this West Lake Longjing tea. My grandfather ordered people to pick it from our tea garden."
Xu Wei first lifted the lid of the cup and smelled it, and a fresh fragrance came to his nose.
Then he took a sip, and the rich aroma of tea filled his mouth.
"Good tea, really good tea!"
Xu Yan smiled faintly and said, "If Brother Wen likes it, please take a few pounds back."
Xu Wei sighed and said, "I won't accept any reward without any merit."
"Brother Wen, what are you talking about? The bookshop's business has been so good these past few days, and it's all thanks to you, Brother Wen."
Xu Yan praised without hesitation.
Xu Wei shook his head. "They all went there for Journey to the West. It's the same whether I'm there or not."
After a brief pause, Xu Wei continued, "By the way, sir, I came here today to discuss opening a branch. Dinghai County is too small, after all. It's a shame that we can't earn the expected profit from such a good manuscript. Why not open a branch in Fucheng and Hangzhou? If nothing goes wrong, the profits should be several times what we currently earn. What do you think?"
Xu Wei was a little nervous at first, not knowing whether Xu Yan would agree.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yan slapped his thigh and said, "I thought so too. Great minds think alike."
After a brief pause, Xu Yan continued, "Originally, I was still waiting for the Grand Master to come and preside over the college entrance examination. But he never showed up. Then I thought, even if he did come, he would definitely preside over Hangzhou, Shaoxing and other prefectures first. Ningbo would definitely be put on the back burner. So, what's the point of me staying in Dinghai County? I might as well go to Hangzhou for a stroll."
Xu Wei's eyes showed surprise: "Sir, you are going to Hangzhou?"
Xu Yan nodded and said, "Brother Wen, are you willing to come with us? We can check out the branch."
Xu Wei naturally wanted to go, and nodded, saying, "I am naturally willing to follow you, sir. But the matter in Miaofeng Hall..."
Seeing that he was worried about the laughter, Xu Yan said, "Don't worry about that. I'll find someone to look after the store."
"In that case, Xu will obey your orders."
"Then we'll set off early tomorrow morning."
Xu Yan made the decision without hesitation.
...
...
There is still a lot of things to prepare in the remaining half day.
Not to mention the clothes and silver he brought with him, Xu Yan also prepared several jars of liquor for Mr. Qian.
There's no way the old man likes this. If Xu Yan went to Hangzhou but didn't bring the old man some Ningbo specialty rice wine, Old Man Qian would definitely brag about it.
Although his son had already been to Hangzhou once, Xu Huaiyuan was still a little worried.
After all, the last time they traveled together as father and son, the son was by his side and could take care of him at any time.
Xu Huaiyuan reluctantly agreed after Xu Yan assured him several times, and asked him to write a letter to report his safety as soon as he arrived at his grandfather's place.
Xu Yan naturally agreed to all of them.
This time when he went to Hangzhou again, his mentality was very different and he felt much more relaxed and comfortable.
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