"They're actually turning the tables and accusing the Imperial College of extortion. This is too much!"
"I said from the beginning that there was something fishy about this matter. As expected, with just 50,000 taels of silver to manipulate public opinion, the reputation of the Imperial College has been completely destroyed. She is indeed the most business-savvy Madam."
"We can't just let this go."
The two court officials discussed the matter secretly behind closed doors.
Unexpectedly, the door was opened from the outside.
The Minister of the Central Secretariat, Lord Li, came in and said, "This matter ends here. No further disputes are allowed."
"Sir, His Highness and Madam Zhao have bullied people so much, are you just going to let it go? Aren't you afraid that people will lose their confidence?"
Lord Li casually flipped through the documents on the table and said casually, "Let's not let it go. Do you want to continue fighting? Can you win? As long as His Majesty still recognizes Liu Zhao as his son, and with the money Madam Zhao has, you can't win with your limited skills."
The two court officials frowned. "Your Excellency is saying that if we want to defeat the other side, we must first sow discord between Your Majesty and the Crown Prince?"
Lord Li said sternly, "I never said anything like that. Please don't misunderstand me. In short, this matter ends here. Anyone who dares to cause trouble again will not be protected by me. Pass on my message, and you will take care of yourself."
After saying this, Lord Li flicked his sleeves and left.
The two court officials looked at each other and reached a tacit understanding.
The court officials died down and the matter was quickly settled, with no one mentioning it again.
Time passes like flowing water.
The students were in a panic, preparing for the entrance examination of Shanhe Academy.
The surge in the number of applicants means that Shanhe Academy is becoming more and more prosperous.
While everyone's eyes were on Shanhe Academy, Xinmin County Baigong College quietly opened its doors.
Baigong College, as the name suggests, is a college dedicated to training technical talents.
At the same time as Baigong College opened, Xinmin County Junior School, Xinmin County Girls Junior School, and Xinmin County Girls Intermediate School also opened.
Without any fanfare or publicity, several schools quietly took root across the back alley of Xinmin County Phase II.
"Madam, you have risked the world's disapproval by opening a girls' school. It's currently small and unnoticed. In three to five years, when the girls' school can no longer be hidden, it will undoubtedly spark criticism in the court. Then, the raging wrath of the world will likely reach out to Madam."
Huang Qubing reminded Gu Jiu in a low voice.
Gu Jiu stood in the empty space.
This vacant land will be used for school expansion.
For fear of causing too much noise and attracting attention, the expansion project had to be postponed for two years.
Hearing Huang Qubing's reminder, she smiled and said, "Would I be afraid?"
"Words can save lives, but they can also kill people," Huang Qubing reminded again.
Gu Jiu turned around and looked at him, "Do you think Wenqing Bookstore is just for show?"
Huang Qubing was confused. What does this have to do with Wenqing Bookstore?
Gu Jiu said softly, "If Wenqing Bookstore is still just a bookstore that sells books in three to five years, it only means that you, the person in charge, are too stupid and foolish."
Huang Qubing was unconvinced. "Although you are my boss, I don't agree with what you said. How am I stupid? Can you explain it clearly?"
"You just said that words can save people, but they can also kill people. When it comes to killing people with words, I'm second to none. Who dares to claim first place?"
Gu Jiu looked at Huang Qubing with a smile.
Huang Qubing seemed to have grasped something, but he didn't catch it.
He was extremely anxious. "Madam, could you please explain yourself more clearly? You also said that I am the person in charge of the bookstore. I don't even understand your intentions. How can I be responsible?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?"
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "'Qi Lang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief', such a typical incident, you really didn't understand it? I can make Qi Lang a chivalrous hero and a playboy admired by the whole nation. And make San Niangzi a remarkable woman respected by everyone.
Conversely, I can also destroy Qilang and Sanniang's reputations in one fell swoop. To do this, I only need to publish a book, "A Talented Scholar's Interpretation of Qilang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief," to thoroughly investigate Qilang and Sanniang's evil deeds and words. The difference between a hero and a woman is only a thin layer of window paper away from being a hypocrite and a slut. Do you understand now?"
Huang Qubing's heart turned cold, "Words can kill!"
Gu Jiu lowered his head and looked at his hands.
Her hands are very beautiful, white, smooth and slender.
"You have to remember, when it comes to killing people with words, in this era, I'm second to none."
Gu Jiu, who had been baptized by the online war of words in later generations, knew too well how to manipulate public opinion.
In this era without computers and the Internet, it seems that information is not flowing smoothly, but people don’t know that this allows those in power to better control the right to speak.
When information flows freely, it is not so easy to gain the right to speak.
She continued, "In three to five years, if we follow our previous plan, Wenqing Bookstore will become a study for scholars everywhere and a producer of 'truth.' With such a powerful weapon in hand, if we still can't defeat those pedantic figures in the court, you, as the person in charge, will bear primary responsibility."
Huang Qubing was under tremendous pressure.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked, "Are you sure you want to do something this big?"
Gu Jiu laughed. "If I don't play, then it's fine. But if I do, I'll play big. Otherwise, why would I bother myself so much and worry about a shabby bookstore?"
"This shabby bookstore makes a profit of at least a few thousand taels a month, and at most tens of thousands. It's more profitable than building a road."
"Without roads, can you guarantee that the books you published will be shipped to Jiangnan within half a month?"
Huang Qubing was very depressed.
"I give up! Road construction is indeed necessary, but you can't say Wenqing Bookstore is a shabby bookstore."
Gu Jiu snorted, "If you don't mention the shabby bookstore, are you going to say the best bookstore in the world? Aren't you really afraid of attracting attention? Wenqing Bookstore is making so much money that it's already made many people jealous. It should be more low-key now."
The corners of Huang Qubing's mouth twitched.
Are you sure it's low-key and not high-key?
This is the opposite of what I said.
"Once the 'Collection of Examination Essays of All the Top Scholars, Second Scholars, and Third Scholars' has been published, it will be impossible to keep a low profile."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "The bookstore's business is booming, and you've made a huge contribution. I'll give you a big red envelope at the end of the year. How's the matter I mentioned to you last time going?"
When Huang Qubing heard this, he immediately became delighted.
"Those pen, ink, paper, and inkstone merchants were overjoyed when they heard they could put their name on the back of our exercise books for a small fee. So many businesses were interested, so I followed your lead and held a bidding war. Guess how much an ad on the exercise book cover sold for?"
Gu Jiu asked casually, "How much?"
"I sold it for 1,500 taels. I sold four ads in total."
Gu Jiu looked disgusted. "Only 1,500 taels, only four pieces, and you're so happy. You're such a loser."
Huang Qubing covered his chest with his hands, experiencing the greatest shock in his life.
"I'm sick! If you dislike me again, I'll have a seizure on the spot. Don't forget, I'm the princess's consort, His Majesty's son-in-law."
Gu Jiu sneered, "I am still your Majesty's daughter-in-law!"
Huang Qubing spurted blood.
Can't compare.
He gave up completely.
Gu Jiu instructed him, "Don't worry about the bids that have already been submitted. While the 'Collection of the Number One, Second, and Third Scholars' Essays' hasn't been published yet, you should hold a more elegant bid. Use the back of the book cover, the title page, and the area around the first page number at the bottom of the page for advertising."
The price of the advertisement on the back cover of the book must not be less than 10,000 taels for a period of two years. If it is less than 10,000 taels, I would rather leave the advertisement space empty than reduce the price. Within two years, no matter how many times this edition of the book is reprinted, the bidding advertisement will appear. All advertisements are valid for only two years. After two years, the price will be determined two years later, and we will discuss it then."
"Ten thousand taels, isn't that a bit too much?"
Gu Jiu chuckled softly, "What are we doing? We're selling blockbuster books, books that every reader should have a copy of. With just ten thousand taels, we can buy two years of advertising space, making a lot of money. And we can also help them design the advertising graphics for free to ensure that they are eye-catching and effective.
In short, I won't sell it for less than ten thousand taels. The title page and leaves can be sold at a lower price. You can decide the specific price yourself. I won't interfere."
The pressure is so great!
Huang Qubing held the folding fan, frowning and thinking deeply.
After thinking about it, he finally agreed to the job. "Okay, I'll do it. Don't blame me if you can't sell it."
"After this is done, spread the word that 'Qi Lang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief' is also accepting advertising bids. The hardcover edition will be ad-free."
Huang Qubing was completely convinced.
"What else can be used to make money? Tell me, tell me everything."
Gu Jiumei smiled happily, "You must be crazy about making money, and you want me to tell you everything. Can you handle it all? There is no end to making money in the world, why are you in such a hurry?"
Huang Qubing snorted twice. "Publishing a book, such a refined thing, has been made into something so mercenary. You're bound to be cursed again."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "That's why I asked you to hold a more elegant bidding. For pens, inkstones, paper, and academy enrollment. Only publish advertisements related to books and reading. I think there will be fewer people who come to scold you."
Huang Qubing looked depressed.
Fortunately, he used pen names for all the books he published.
When others curse him, they only curse his pen name.
Wipe the cold sweat from your forehead.
Huang Qubing felt that his heart's endurance had become stronger and stronger since he started hanging out with Gu Jiu.
…
Soon the "Collection of Examination Essays of All Previous Top Scholars" will be published!
Two volumes were published at a time, covering the imperial examination essays of all the top scorers and second place winners in the past forty years.
The exquisite packaging, thick paper, clear printing, and the hardcover edition also comes with color pages, which is a real surprise.
By the way, the first batch of written advertisements of this dynasty were born:
Cai’s Paper Mill, you deserve it!
Zhangji’s pens have always been imitated but never surpassed!
Xuji Ink Shop, the purest black in the world!
The influx of students blocked the Wenqing Bookstore.
"I want to see whether Sanyuan Gong's article is just a false reputation or truly deserves it."
"Master Li is a man of great literary talent. If we were to compete again, perhaps the top scholar would be Master Li."
"I don't think so. Sanyuan Gong was a man of real talent and learning back then. He is definitely not as mediocre as he is today."
"Don't push, don't push. People are almost being squeezed into jerky."
"Who stole my purse?"
"My shoes! Who stepped on my shoes?"
"The hardcover edition costs three taels and five cents of silver. That's outrageous."
"If you can't afford the hardcover edition, buy the paperback edition, or even the simplified edition. It's unfair to say that bookstores are shady."
"Holding the hardcover edition in your hand, the feel is noticeably different. At three ounces and five qian of silver, it's not expensive, but it's quite pricey."
"If I buy the books, I'll have to eat only coarse food this month."
"I really envy the students at Shanhe Academy. They don't have to worry about food."
…
A carriage was parked outside the crowd.
Lord Li sat upright in the carriage, looking out the window at the crowded Wenqing Bookstore.
The butler squeezed out of the crowd and returned to the carriage, holding two beautifully wrapped books.
"Master, I have bought the book. Please take a look at it."
Lord Li picked up the second volume and flipped directly to the eleventh year of Kaiyao. His and Yang Yuanqing's articles were printed there.
After many years, when I read Yang Yuanqing's article again, I was still shocked and trembled all over.
What is talent?
This is talent!
Compared to my own article, it is always steady and steady, and it can be regarded as a good article. But it cannot produce that kind of trembling feeling.
"No, no, no!"
Lord Li looked disappointed.
"Back then, I was indeed outclassed by him. After comparing our two writings, people will express similar sentiments. I refuse to accept this..."
It’s not that he can’t write such inspiring words.
But during the imperial examination that year, the examiner's style was steady.
He catered to the audience's tastes and deliberately wrote the article in a balanced manner.
But unexpectedly, he still lost.
Lord Li threw the collection aside, his face livid.
The housekeeper asked worriedly, "Master, what should we do next? Should we publish your collection of essays in advance?"
"No need! When everyone agrees that Yang Yuanqing is stronger than me, I will publish my personal collection of essays. By then, I will let everyone know that a temporary victory or defeat does not mean a permanent victory or defeat."
"After Your Majesty has seen this collection of essays, will you summon Yang Yuanqing again?"
"Even if Your Majesty summons Yang Yuanqing again and grants him an official position, I have a way to get him out of the court. Now that he has left the court, he can never again get involved in it."
"But Madam Zhao and His Royal Highness the First Prince seem to attach great importance to Yang Yuanqing. Judging from the situation, they are determined to promote Yang Yuanqing."
Lord Li snorted coldly, "So what if he praises me? Your Majesty will never reuse someone Liu Zhao praises."
The emperor and the prince were born to be incompatible.
How could the emperor possibly use the person that the prince wants to support?
The rift between Emperor Wende and Liu Zhao, the father and son, was already an unspoken agreement in the court.
Yang Yuanqing was destined to fail in Emperor Wende's favor.
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