Chapter 72
Xue Letian: "It's easy to say, but you should do it."
"Then what's the point of having a brain?" Xu Tingfeng said, "You've been away for three years for nothing, and you're still so impetuous when you come back. Who is the mastermind behind the Shu family's young master's incident? Haven't you found out yet?"
Three years ago, he sent Xue Letian to Baojiangfang to seize the clean money-making routes of Concubine Chu's family, one of which was the route for transporting tribute from Baojiang to the capital.
It took them a lot of effort to successfully join this mission.
Xue Letian brought many things unique to the South back to the North to sell, including the collections of southern literati that he sold in bookstores.
The first time he joined the team, he was transporting river fish from Baojiang in the south to the capital. When he came back, he happened to see the son of the minister die in an accident.
Xue Letian: "When I was transporting people, I checked the fatal wounds on the Shu family's young master. I couldn't tell what weapon it was, but the wounds were very strange. They didn't look like the common swords and knives in the capital, but more like the methods used in the south."
He lowered his voice: "But should we still investigate? Aren't the capable ones the Second and Third Princes?"
Xu Tingfeng pondered: "Even you think so... 99% of people will think so. I always feel that something is wrong. You should check it out. Maybe you will get something unexpected."
"Okay," Xue Letian said, "I'll listen to you. Eh? You have a spy in the palace. You value him so much that you even gave him the jade pendant for communication."
Xu Tingfeng smiled and said, "My uncle recommended him to me before he left. I've observed him for two years and he's a pretty good guy."
Xue Letian: "He knows your identity?"
Xu Tingfeng: "I don't know, but I can probably guess that I was arranged by my uncle."
He didn't say anything else, but reached out and knocked on Xue Letian's head. "As for the bookstore, Cangwen Bookstore has almost monopolized customers and has offended many people. All we have to do is add fuel to the fire."
His grip was very strong, and Xue Letian covered his forehead with his hands: "Xu Tingfeng!"
-
The price of paper in the capital has started to rise.
As a result, the prices of books began to rise.
The cost of printing books kept rising, and the painters that Xia Fuyang had originally found to draw small portraits also started to raise their prices.
When he had more time, he could naturally find a lower price. But now, firstly, customers were already accustomed to the original artist's style, and would certainly be unhappy if there was any difference.
Second, there is not enough time. Many numbers have been taken for the books that have been reserved, so there is no time to change to other ones.
In order to avoid losing money, the prices of books in the bookstore began to increase. After all, everyone was raising prices, and no one could say anything.
As a result, on the afternoon of the day when the price was raised, a customer came to make a scene, pointing at the shopkeeper’s nose and cursing:
"How can you run a business like this? When more people buy, you start to raise the price. I finally saved up enough money to buy it. Are you going to pay me the five cents I'm short of? Huh?"
The shopkeeper hurriedly explained: "Other bookstores are also increasing their prices."
The customer complained again: "Others are raising prices, but there are discounts! After the discount, the price is still the same as before, there is no change! Only yours has increased so much."
"Bah, you profiteer, I won't buy it anymore. Whoever sells it will be a sucker."
The accusatory remarks were filled with indignation and actually incited many customers.
Yes, why are you the only one raising the prices?
A day later, vendors selling pirated goods began to appear on the streets.
Xia Fuyang's Cangwen Bookstore's business plummeted.
-
"Woo woo woo, I've only been making money for two days and I'm already losing money."
Xia Fuyang climbed over the wall of the Marquis Chijian's mansion and skillfully slipped into Qu Dubian's courtyard. As soon as they met, he started to fake howl.
Qu Du was lying in a rocking chair, fanning himself with a bamboo fan, with a piece of ice cream made by his grandmother at hand.
"Xiao Xia, why don't you always go through the main entrance? You can have a bowl of soup here," Wu Siwan said with a smile, and prepared a portion for Xia Fuyang as well.
Xia Fuyang: "Thank you, grandma!"
Qu Duanbian kicked over and said, "It's my grandma."
Xia Fuyang gulped down several gulps, the cool feeling rushing straight to the top of his head, "Ah, they are all the same."
Qu Watanabe was both envious and jealous. His ice yogurt was only a little bit cold and his grandmother never put more crushed ice in it.
Wu Siwan smiled and said, "Then you can play with Xiaoguai for a while and stay for dinner tonight."
Xia Fuyang: "Yeah, okay."
His appearance was unbearable to look at. Qu Dubian covered his face with a fan, out of sight and out of mind. After a while he said, "Since the price of paper in the capital has increased, why are other bookstores still offering discounts? Won't they lose money?"
Xia Fuyang pondered: "I don't know if we will lose money or how much, but we will definitely lose money. I think this is a targeted attack."
Okay, this kid’s reaction is not too slow.
When competing with peers, a gentlemanly approach will produce better products to compete with you, while a mean approach will throw dirty water on your opponent.
What they are facing now is a situation where they can incite a price increase of paper in the capital and control the prices of paper and books in bookstores.
Either there is a big shot behind this, or the other bookstore owners have united together and are not happy with them for robbing customers and want to teach them a lesson.
The most important thing now is to find allies on their side. Qu Duan thought: "Which other bookstore has also raised its prices but has not offered discounts?"
Xia Fuyang thought for a moment and said, "There is only one small bookstore, and it seems to have existed for many years."
Qu Dubian stretched lazily and secretly glanced at the super-iced ice yogurt that Xia Fuyang had placed on the table. While he was not paying attention, he quickly picked up an ice cube and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Come on, let's go to the bookstore of that unlucky little guy who was implicated."
Xia Fuyang slammed the table and stood up: "Okay! I'm going to tell grandma that you cheated!"
Qu Dubian covered his ears and ran.
-
The Little Unlucky Bookstore is called Nian'an Bookstore.
It looks shabby from the outside, but it's actually quite spacious inside.
At least it's bigger than Xia Fuyang's.
At this time, the bookstore was deserted and there were not many people. The shopkeeper was fiddling with an abacus with a sad face.
Qu Dubian and Ye Xiaoyuan both came in wearing bamboo hats.
Xia Fuyang walked up to the shopkeeper and knocked on the table. "I wonder if I could invite your boss to meet me?"
The shopkeeper looked him up and down and said casually, "The boss is not here."
Xia Fuyang glanced at the secret compartment inside the bookstore.
"There's a carriage parked outside, and there are no customers in your shop. Who else could it be except the owner who came to inspect? Nian'an Bookstore has been hit, and the owner in the back room must be unable to sit still."
The shopkeeper said: "What's wrong with you? If you say you don't have the book, then you don't have it. If you don't want to buy the book, leave now."
A laugh came from the inner compartment. It sounded like a young boy with a clear voice: "Interesting, Lao Li, let someone in."
The shopkeeper changed his expression and said, "Everyone, please."
Qu Watanabe and the other two entered the compartment.
The interior of the compartment was quite simple, but very clean.
The layout and arrangement all reflect the Taoist principle of freedom.
The owner of Nian'an Bookstore was sitting in front of the window. He looked to be about the same age as Xia Fuyang, twelve or thirteen at most. He was dressed like a scholar, and the clothes he wore were all cheap ready-made clothes, some of which did not fit him well.
"I am Xi Zixing, the owner of Nian'an Bookstore."
Qu Dubian sighed. Although he knew that eleven or twelve years old was not young when the average life expectancy of people in ancient times was 40 or 50, he still found it difficult to adapt.
I really want to send them all to elementary and junior high school.
Xia Fuyang got straight to the point: "I am the young master of Cangwen Bookstore. I run the bookstore for my mother. I came here this time to discuss something with you."
Xi Zixing: "Sit down."
There was only one chair opposite him. Xia Fuyang looked around, then lifted Qu Dubian up and moved another stool over from the side.
Xi Zixing's eyebrows twitched, and his gaze involuntarily fell on the child wearing a bamboo hat opposite him. It turned out that the leader was not Xia Fuyang, but this little kid.
...Maybe it's a dwarf, who knows.
After all, he had never seen any child who could sit at a table and discuss business.
He tried to test the situation, pushed the snacks on the table forward, and said with a smile, "You can use a little bit of it, I made it at home."
Qu Dubian reached out, pinched a piece and ate it, "Thank you."
A soft and childish voice reached his ears, and Xi Zixing was slightly surprised. He was really just a little kid.
He secretly observed Qu Duanbian, and Qu Duanbian also secretly observed him.
When Xi Zixing introduced himself, the simulator popped up a prompt:
【Character: Xi Zixing
Favorability: 0]
Qu Duanbian pushed the snack plate back to him: "It's really delicious, thank you brother."
Xia Fuyang, who had just sat down, said: "?"
He couldn't believe it: "What did you call him?"
Qu Watanabe: "This is a polite expression."
Xia Fuyang kept talking, feeling aggrieved: "You never called me!" He turned his head and looked at Xi Zixing, who was handsome and dressed like a scholar, and suddenly he felt displeased with him.
Xi Zixing took in their interaction and asked, "Are you two brothers?"
Xia Fuyang said vaguely: "It counts as such."
Qu Watanabe: "Today we are here to talk about the paper price issue. Master Xi, my brother and I did some research and found that we are the only two companies that did not offer discounts after the price increase. We are losing customers, so someone must be targeting us."
Xi Zixing smiled and said, "Actually, it's mainly targeting you. I'm the one who was implicated. When the gods fight, the little ghosts suffer."
"The Cangwen Bookstore sold the Huaben Xiaguxiang, which attracted other customers. My store suffered the first blow. Then, the price of paper increased, and books became more expensive. However, the owners of other bookstores were able to maintain the overall price by offering discounts. I guess the purchase price given by their procurement channels did not change, but the price they offered to your Cangwen Bookstore became more expensive."
"Someone wants to kill you."
Xia Fuyang: "You can't hold on any longer. Why don't we practice and become allies? I guess your bookstore has a lot of paper in stock."
Xi Zixing stood up and walked to a painting. On the painting was a picture of still water running deep, with a few words written on it - Water benefits all things without competing.
"To be honest, someone came to me and asked me to join forces to suppress you. I didn't want to get involved. Now that you have come to me, I will say the same thing: I don't want to get involved."
He said it decisively. Xia Fuyang was not the kind of person who would give in to others. He glanced at the painting of quiet waters flowing deep, and said with a cupped hand, "Brother Xi is not a person who likes to fight. Sorry for disturbing you."
Qu Dubian pulled his clothes and said, "Hold me for a while, I want to see the painting."
Not being tall enough is a real flaw.
Xia Fuyang picked him up as he was told. Qu Duan looked at the painting for a while and felt that it was a little strange. "Can I touch it?"
Xi Zixing: "It's just a graffiti, the young master is free to do it."
Qu Dubian simply turned the painting over and hung it on the wall again.
The ink painting of still water running deep and not competing with others suddenly turned into the Nujiang River rushing down from the sky and merging into the torrent of the world with the force of thunder.
Xia Fuyang's eyes lit up: "What a great momentum."
Qu Dubian said bluntly: "The painting has changed, so should Mr. Xi's state of mind also change?"
Xi Zixing stood in front of the painting for a long time.
"This painting has been hanging here for more than two years. I didn't expect..." He shook his head and smiled. This portrait seemed to have turned on some switch, and a sense of youthful vigor emerged in him.
"Alright, it's fate. I'll agree to your request."
Xi Zixing asked them to sit down again.
He poured two cups of tea himself: "To win this battle, we need more storybooks, buy a lot of cheap paper, and expand the crowd."
Qu Duan touched his chin and said, "Reduce costs, make small profits but quick turnover."
"It's a good summary," Xi Zixing said with a smile, "I have a channel for low-quality paper. Do you have any similar books?"
Qu Watanabe: "Enough."
Xia Fuyang raised his glass, his blood boiling: "Well, let's show those adults what it means to be better than Zhuge Liang with three cobblers!"
Xi Zixing: “…”
Qu Watanabe: “…”
He said, "You can be a cobbler yourself. I don't want it."
Xi Zixing nodded: "I don't want it either."
-
After Qu Dubian and the other two left Nian'an Bookstore.
Xi Zixing still stood in front of the painting and stroked it for a while.
The shopkeeper came in and asked, "Master, who were those people just now?"
Xi Zixing: "I can't tell, but I've heard of his name. He's the son of General Xia Hong."
“That one.”
The shopkeeper stroked his beard and said, "But young master, how about this painting of yours?"
Xi Zixing turned the painting over again and said, "It's okay, you can go out now. Let's calculate how much paper is still stored in the warehouse."
"yes."
After the shopkeeper left, the room became quiet again.
Xi Zixing sat down in front of the window, his eyes fixed on the scroll.
His thoughts drifted back to about three years ago, the day before his mother died, when he happily told her:
In his life, if he wants to study, he must know why he is studying. If he is a minister, he must find a wise master whom he is willing to follow until death.
Otherwise, it is better not to study, just be a leisurely wealthy man and live a peaceful life.
"I thought that I would only turn this painting over when it meets the person I recognize in my heart," Xi Zixing smiled slightly.
"I didn't expect to meet a close friend today, and he's a young master..."
-
Nian'an Bookstore and Cangwen Bookstore have joined forces.
Xia Fuyang and Xi Zixing went to several other markets to buy paper.
The quality of the paper is much lower, but the content is clear, so their price is suddenly much lower.
Following Xi Zixing's suggestion, they divided the bookstores into different locations. In the four cities of east, west, south, and north, there were people setting up stalls with signs of [Nian'an] and [Cangwen] bookstores and selling books.
The vernacular books were novel and cheap, so the storytellers, who received the money, ran around everywhere and suddenly suppressed the vernacular book business of other bookstores in the capital city to the point of being almost dead.
Originally, when only the famous book "Even After Death, the Fragrance of the Chivalrous Spirit Can Still Be Smelled" was available, the storybooks from other bookstores could still be sold. Now, there are so many storybooks that they have become a new fashion trend.
All their "outdated" goods were left in their hands.
Pirated books are now in short supply, and their low prices mean that they have no room to survive after being squeezed out by extremely affordable genuine books. No one wants to make a living from this anymore.
The owner of Nian'an Bookstore was so happy that he was overwhelmed.
"Master, we make a lot of money."
Xi Zixing folded the letter he had just received and said, "It's only in the capital. If it's in a less prosperous place, there won't be many people who can read, let alone buy books."
"This is the second letter from the other party requesting a meeting. It will be in the afternoon at No. 1, Tianzi, Ruyi Building."
Xia Fuyang: "As a businessman, win-win cooperation is always better than a life-and-death struggle."
Xi Zixing nodded, "Why don't you see your brother? The other party should be concerned about the authorization of the storybooks. The storybooks we sell are all provided by your brother."
"My brother?" Xia Fuyang suddenly realized, "Oh, he went home, went home to eat, um... probably has a lot of schoolwork to do."
After missing so many days of school classes, you can imagine how much homework I have to make up.
"Will he come again?"
"If we can make it in time, it should be possible."
Xi Zixing seemed to be thinking about something.
-
Purple Palace.
Qu Dubian was busy eating, and his chopsticks left afterimages.
Emperor Chongzhao: "You have been out of the palace for so long, I thought you would never come back."
"I'm back now," Qu Du swallowed his meal and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, "I was busy with work outside."
Emperor Chongzhao was amused: "Business?"
Qu Watanabe: "Yes, yes, I am busy making money. I have also found partners, including that annoying guy Xia Fuyang and a small owner of a bookstore. We need to sell books to make money."
"I heard that you had a fight with Xia Fuyang at your eldest brother's house. Why do you still cooperate with him when you hate him so much?"
Emperor Chongzhao didn't take the money-making matter seriously. It was just one or two shops in the capital. Whether it made money or lost money was just like a child playing house in his eyes.
What he was more worried about was that the child would become sick from anger after losing money.
Qu Watanabe: "He is not as important as money."
Emperor Chongzhao was really surprised: "With the things you took from me, and the treasures that Concubine Xuan, the old dowager, the queen and other concubines gave you over and over again, you can easily buy more than a dozen good shops in the capital. Why are you still so greedy?"
If you calculate it all, this kid's secret fund is probably more than that of his brothers combined.
Although his academic performance does not seem to be improving, his abacus is clacking away.
He pondered, "Did the deputy director of the Astronomy Department lead you astray?"
Qu Dubian choked and waved his hands repeatedly: "Of course not."
Zhang Chansi taught him arithmetic seriously, and he worked diligently to improve the other party's favor by doing the exercises. This stable and peaceful relationship must not be destroyed by his cheap father.
"Empress Xuan said that I should have a hobby to work hard for. I thought about it and it would be good to make money."
Emperor Chongzhao had a headache: "So you only plan to study the way of business in the future? This is a minor path."
Qu Watanabe said curiously: "Of course not, people can't have only one hobby."
Emperor Chongzhao's expression eased a little: "What else?"
Qu Duanbian clenched his fist and said firmly: "Become a martial arts master, and then farm!"
He lowered his head and continued to eat.
Emperor Chongzhao: “…”
This must be the influence of Concubine Xuan, it must be.
After a long time, he finally remembered what he was going to say at first. "Xia Fuyang is Xia Hong's son. His father is stationed in the northern border. It doesn't matter if you have a small fight with him. Don't make it a big deal, otherwise it will be difficult for me to handle it."
"He has been practicing martial arts since he was young. You can bite him because he is letting you go. You can be a little willful in front of me, but be more restrained outside and don't always bully others."
Qu Watanabe: "I also practice martial arts, and now I am very good at it."
Emperor Chongzhao didn't believe it at all and wanted to preach: "You..."
Qu Watanabe: "Besides, his father is not as powerful as my father, so it doesn't matter if you bully him a few times."
The words of Emperor Chongzhao's sermon were stuck in his throat. He tried to suppress the curve of his mouth but failed. He couldn't help but laugh and curse: "You little bastard, you are just talking nonsense."
After dinner, Qu Dubian pulled his sleeve and pleaded, "Father, I have to go out after dinner. It's a critical time. I will make a lot of money to buy you a gift, okay?"
"Two days at most, and you have to bring along the homework assigned by the school."
Qu Watanabe's face fell.
"Very well, your majesty."
-
Qu Dubian went back to Shunning Palace and memorized all the homework that Zhiyi had brought for him from the school.
This time, Dahei was not left behind. He led the dog while Ye Xiaoyuan carried his small schoolbag, and the two of them walked towards the north gate.
After passing the north gate, the two smiled at each other. Ye Xiaoyuan's small schoolbag was no longer on him, and they got on the carriage with ease.
Inspection and transportation department.
Wen Xiaochun was carrying something and hurried into the house.
Someone on the road saw him and greeted him, "Hello, General Manager."
Wen Xiaochun just nodded slightly, hurried into the house and closed the doors and windows.
"Why are you walking so fast, Lord Steward?"
"I don't know. It's strange."
inside the house.
Wen Xiaochun lifted up the thing he was covering with cloth, and it turned out to be Qu Dubian’s small schoolbag.
He skillfully took out the homework and looked at the stack of questions and the big characters that needed to be written.
There was also a small note inside, which read: Xiaochun, Xiaochun, please imitate the handwriting more closely. I am busy and have no time to finish. Please take care of the homework for me!
There is also a puppy bowing expression drawn on the back.
The steward smiled helplessly, sighed, rolled up his sleeves and began to grind ink.
-
Ruyi Tower.
Private room number one.
Xue Letian handed over the draft contract.
"I didn't expect you to be so young. It's true that heroes emerge from youth. This is the contract I drafted to discuss cooperation with you. You two can take a look at it."
Xia Fuyang glanced at the seat near the window, where there was a screen and a person was sitting behind it.
He pointed behind the screen and said, "Are you the one in charge? Who is behind the screen?"
Xue Letian said with a smile: "One of my partners is ill and cannot meet people. But to show his seriousness, he still came in person."
"oh……"
Xia Fuyang nodded and stopped hesitating.
Xi Zixing read the contract carefully and frowned slightly. "After the authorization, your profits will be split 10:9? One for us and nine for you?"
Xue Letian: "If you are not satisfied, there is still room for negotiation."
Behind the screen.
Xu Tingfeng was a little disappointed and looked out the window holding the teacup.
After he found out that Xia Fuyang was the person behind Cangwen Bookstore, he thought that the person with Xia Fuyang was his nephew... After all, his aunt said that the nephew was close to Xia Fuyang.
That's why he wanted to take a look at today's negotiations.
Unexpectedly, the person with Xia Fuyang was the child of Lord Xi Shiqiu, the Minister of Justice.
It's a wasted trip.
Xi Zixing said calmly, "The profit split will be changed to 70:30, 70% for us and 30% for you. We will only give you the profit from the book authorization, not the peripheral authorization."
Xue Letian laughed, "Sir, it's not that we can't afford the increase in paper prices, we just think that harmony brings wealth, 19 to 73, you're a bit harsh, aren't you? And you don't give us the most profitable ones, you take it all, and we get only a little benefit. We also have to spend time helping you deal with piracy and increase publicity."
Xi Zixing smiled and said, "You guys didn't pirate it?"
Xue Letian shrugged: "We don't do such despicable things. At most, we just add fuel to the fire. You have offended too many bookstores."
Xi Zixing took a sip of tea and said, "A 190%-to-100% contract is no different from a robber."
The door of the room suddenly opened, and Qu Dubian came in wearing a bamboo hat and leading the dog. "It's so lively, Brother Xiaoyuan, it seems we are a little late."
Ye Xiaoyuan smiled and said, "It's not too late."
Behind the screen, Xu Tingfeng paused.
Xia Fuyang breathed a sigh of relief: "You are finally here. They have been arguing for a long time."
Qu Dubian touched Dahei's head, sat on the chair, crossed his legs, picked up the contract and took a look at it.
A not very honest contract with many twists and turns and pitfalls.
The battle was not easy to fight, so Qu Dubian took a sip of water, prepared himself for battle, and took out a charcoal pencil from his small pocket.
"Your sincerity is not apparent from the contract," he glanced at the signature, "Mr. Xue. When discussing business, we always start with a 50-50 split—"
Behind the screen: "Okay."
Qu Watanabe had a meal.
Xue Letian turned his head and said, "Didn't we agree that you wouldn't interfere?"
Qu Dubian continued, "Fifty-fifty is just the beginning of the discussion to show your sincerity. After all, the books are in our hands. Xiaoxi here said 70-30—"
Behind the screen: "Okay."
Qu Watanabe paused again.
Xue Letian: “?”
Xia Fuyang and Xi Zixing looked at each other, confusion in their eyes.
Qu Duanbian cleared his throat and said, "Seventy-three points is still a lot of concessions for us. What do you think about eighty-two points..."
Behind the screen: "That's fine too."
The private room fell into silence, and Xue Letian's face began to twist.
After a while, Qu Duanbian cleared his throat again, folded his arms, leaned back in his chair, and said confidently, "But now I think 91% is better."
The teacup was placed lightly on the table, making a slight clicking sound.
A few seconds later.
A soft laugh came from behind the screen, a little gentle, a little indulgent:
"Yes, either is fine."
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