The chaos at Wenqing Bookstore was like a detonator, quickly spreading throughout the city.
When we meet, we always ask, “Have you eaten?”
Instead, ask: "Did you buy it?"
"Where can I buy it?"
"Does it matter?"
“Can I register in advance?”
If someone interrupted and asked, "What are you buying?"
You will definitely get countless cold stares.
He must be a country bumpkin who just came to Beijing from another place.
Come on, let me tell you about world transportation.
Don't you know Universal Transport? Do you know Four Seas? Universal Transport is the second Four Seas.
You know about the four-wheeled carriage, right?
Universal Transport specializes in the production of four-wheeled carriages.
"Where did you get this information? The newspapers didn't say anything."
As soon as these words were spoken, they were sure to receive countless scornful and mocking looks.
He's a country bumpkin and can't make any sense.
“Outsiders just can’t do that.”
Hello!
This is regional discrimination!
People in Beijing are amazing!
Sorry, people from Beijing are just amazing.
The common people in the capital all held their heads high, each one of them extremely proud and arrogant.
Even though each of them could not come up with thirty taels, and even though the money they had added up was not as much as that of the outsiders who were called country bumpkins, it did not prevent them from looking down on outsiders, nor did it prevent them from participating in this national carnival.
This carnival even spread to the Imperial College and Shanhe Academy.
The students in the academy have not been in the mood to study these two days. They are flipping through newspapers, wondering where they can get the thirty taels.
There is still half a month left. Should I write a letter (rush back home) and ask for some money?
Wang Xuecheng took a leave and prepared to go back to his hometown.
Before going home, he went to Wenqing Bookstore to find Yan Ci.
Wenqing Bookstore was surrounded by people, but fortunately the Xiuyiwei arrived in time and drove away the crowd.
The crowd dispersed, leaving behind a mess.
The bookstore clerk looked angry.
Wang Sangen and Wang Xuecheng have the same surname, so he is very close to Wang Xuecheng who often comes to the bookstore.
He complained angrily, "Someone took advantage of the situation to steal the books! The shopkeeper got really angry."
Wang Xuecheng asked him, "How many books were stolen?"
"We're still counting. At least a hundred exam prep workbooks were stolen. Ten hardcover copies of 'Past Life, Present Life, Human-Demon Love' were stolen. Over twenty hardcover collector's editions of 'Past Life, Present Life, Human-Ghost Love' were stolen. There were other books too, all stolen. We lost a lot of money."
Wang Xuecheng patted Wang Sangen on the shoulder and comforted him.
Wang Sangen was very sad.
The atmosphere in the bookstore is great, and working there is very comfortable and relaxed. He almost regards the bookstore as his second home, sometimes even better than his home with his blood relatives.
As his brothers got married and had children, the house became more and more noisy and there were more and more conflicts, and he didn't want to go back.
He was willing to stay in the bookstore for twelve hours a day. He even applied for a dormitory, but it hasn't been approved yet.
The bookstore was surrounded and books were stolen. He hated those people.
Wang Xuecheng said: "It's good that everyone is okay."
Wang Sangen nodded. "Mr. Wang, you're here to look for Mr. Yan, right? He's in the dormitory in the backyard. Go find him."
Wang Xuecheng walked through the bookstore and came to the backyard to find Yan Ci.
Yan Ci was unkempt, his eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes smelled sour.
It looks like he hasn't slept all night yet.
Wang Xuecheng patted his shoulder and said, "Brother Yan, take care of yourself!"
Yan Ci scratched his head, looking distressed. "I'm thinking about a new novel. I've written several openings, but Boss Cui isn't satisfied with any of them."
Cui Qi, also known as Cui the General Manager, is privately called Boss Cui by the people in the bookstore.
Someone even more insane than Huang Qubing.
Someone who has higher requirements than Huang Qubing.
Too harsh.
He wrote several beginnings, but they were all rejected. Yan Ci was about to collapse.
Wang Xuecheng pushed Yan Ci into the bathroom and said, "Take a shower first to clear your mind. Then write when you feel inspired."
Yan Ci had no way to resist, staying up all night until he was completely exhausted. He was no match for Wang Xuecheng, who worked a normal schedule and ran around all day.
Wang Xuecheng could easily defeat five harsh words.
After washing myself clean, I finally looked like a human being.
While Yan Ci was still refusing to sleep, Wang Xuecheng took the life show and said to him, "Universal Transport Company is officially established today. We'll be offering shares to the public in two weeks, with a price of thirty taels of silver per share. Do you know the four-wheeled carriage? It was made by this company."
Yan Ci said "oh" and responded to Wang Xuecheng.
Wang Xuecheng didn't take it seriously. He said excitedly, "I've already asked for leave from the academy and plan to go back home. This is such a great opportunity, I absolutely can't miss it. Brother Yan, don't keep the money you have in the bank, use it to buy shares in Huanyu."
Yan Ci was still a little confused, "Why buy shares?"
"A four-wheeled carriage! Do you know about the four-wheeled carriage? Everyone's saying that Huanyu is the second Sihai, or even more powerful than the Sihai. Now everyone in the capital is buzzing! Thirty taels per share, what a great opportunity, Brother Yan, do you really want to miss it? You've been writing books for many years and have earned a lot of royalties. Why not use it to buy shares and enjoy the dividends every year?"
Yan Ci slapped his head and finally came to his senses.
"A carriage, a carriage... Yes, yes, I know about the carriage. Is it going into mass production?"
Wang Xuecheng nodded repeatedly, "Yes, once Universal Transport is established, we will start mass production of four-wheeled carriages."
"Great!" Yan Ci jumped up. "You're right. I want to buy shares. I've saved some money over the past few years, and I've used it all to buy shares."
Wang Xuecheng and Yan Ci were both excited.
After the excitement, he looked embarrassed again.
"Brother Yan, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Brother Wang, please speak."
Wang Xuecheng found it difficult to speak and was hesitant to open his mouth.
Yan Ci didn't understand at first, but as time passed, he finally understood.
"Brother Wang, are you a little short of money?"
Wang Xuecheng nodded repeatedly, "Brother Yan, can you lend me three hundred taels? I'll buy ten shares."
Yan Ci was horrified, "Brother Wang, can't you even come up with thirty taels?"
Wang Xuecheng smiled bitterly. "My family paid for my education for many years, and it cost a lot. When the family split up, I didn't ask for any money, and I didn't have the nerve to ask for it. Actually, there wasn't much money left. I just asked my father to build me a full set of furniture and put it in Phase 6 to rent out."
I promised to send some money back to my parents every month, and I also have to pay the mortgage. During the Chinese New Year, I lent some money to my eldest brother, who has a carpentry business with a partner, and is a bit short on money. Therefore, I'm not well off. This year, I've only saved less than ten taels of silver.
Wang Xuecheng was able to save money thanks to the rent he collected from the house he bought in Phase 6 with borrowed money.
The rent I earn, plus the salary from working at the academy, is the only way to ensure that I can pay off the loan every month and provide for my elderly parents' retirement.
Yan Ci patted Wang Xuecheng's shoulder and said, "Three hundred taels, no problem. When do you want it?"
Wang Xuecheng felt relieved.
He said hurriedly, "I've asked for five days' leave from the academy and plan to rush back to my hometown tonight. I'll be back in five days. Will Brother Yan be able to come by then?"
"No problem. Come back in five days to get the money. If you're busy, I'll send it to you."
"I'll come over to get it. Why would I bother Brother Yan to make a trip?"
Wang Xuecheng was very happy.
After all, brothers are the most reliable.
Yan Ci asked curiously, "What are you doing back home?"
Wang Xuecheng said, "This opportunity is so rare. I plan to go back and tell my family and encourage them to buy shares so they can get the dividends every year. I know my father still has some money on hand. Every share they can buy is a good one."
Yan Ci scratched his head and said, "Brother Wang, there are a few things I don't know whether I should say or not."
"Brother Yan, please speak."
Yan Ci said carefully, "You three brothers have already separated and have had conflicts over money. Have you ever considered going back now and suggesting that they buy shares in Universal Transport? If they ask you whether you want to buy and how much, what will you say? If you say you want to buy ten shares, three hundred taels, have you ever thought about what your family will think?"
What would you do if they asked you to borrow money, or even used filial piety as an excuse to pressure you to pay? I remember when you went back last year, your family learned you'd bought a house in Xinmin County, and there was a huge commotion. The whole family set out to Phase 6 to look at your house. Their words hinted at wanting a share of it. It took the help of Wang Xiaoxi from the coal plant, and the counsel of Brother Yang, to help you resolve the situation and save your house. If they pull the same trick again this time, will you still be able to keep your ten shares?
Wang Xuecheng is not smart and lacks independent thinking.
Coming to Xinmin County to apply for Shanhe Academy was his only chance to fight for himself.
When he arrived in Xinmin County, he met Yan Ci, Chen Zhuangshi, and Yang Ji one after another.
It was these three people who helped Wang Xuecheng come up with ideas and determine his future time and time again, which led to Wang Xuecheng’s where he is today.
Aside from being a bit dim and lacking his own opinions, Wang Xuecheng had no other major flaws. He was also receptive to advice.
He looked at Yan Ci, feeling a little worried. "Brother Yan, do you mean that I shouldn't go back?"
Yan Ci scratched his head. "If I stop you and don't let you go back, you'll feel guilty again tomorrow. Since you've asked for leave, go back and take a look. Just mention the shares casually, don't bring it up in front of everyone. Mention it privately, and talk about it secretly."
Don't try to pressure them into buying. Just tell them there's an opportunity, and they might make a profit or a loss. Let them make their own decision. Don't even mention buying shares yourself. If they ask, ask your older brother to pay you back. Say he's got the money back so you can buy shares. That way, they won't pressure you.
Also, if they ask you how much you earn or how much you pay for rent, don't tell them. Just say that because of the war in the north, the market is bad, many people have left the capital, Xinmin County is no longer as prosperous as it used to be, and houses are hard to rent, so they're just sitting there gathering dust. You can even ask your parents for money in front of your two brothers."
Wang Xuecheng was speechless.
He blinked and it took him a while to come back to his senses.
"Brother Yan is worthy of being the author of popular novels. He has many ideas."
Yan Ci chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed.
He scratched his fluffy hair and said, "I'll tell you something in secret. This is how I tricked my relatives. Otherwise, they would come to borrow money every few days and then never pay it back, as if my money just fell from the sky."
"Brother Yan has the title of Juren, so his family should not be short of money."
"I stopped my family from accepting too many donations."
There are quotas for Juren who are exempt from taxes and labor service, and there are quite a few of them.
In order to avoid taxes and labor service, many self-cultivating farmers and small vendors donated their property to the families of Juren and nominally became their slaves.
In reality, they still cultivated their own farmland and ran their own businesses, but in name only, their farmland and businesses were owned by the Juren masters.
These self-cultivating farmers and small vendors had to pay money and grain to the families of the scholars every year, which was a heavy burden, but they saved themselves from taxes and corvée labor.
Therefore, many self-employed farmers and small traders are willing to contribute.
This is also why people studied so hard to take the imperial examinations.
Those who passed the examination to become a student could go to the county government office to collect rice every month.
If you pass the examination to become a scholar, you can be exempt from taxes and labor service, and your family will also benefit.
Passing the imperial examination was even more remarkable. Even if one did not become an official, one could still become wealthy.
If the scholar knows how to run a business, it will be even more amazing. Within ten years, he will be able to dominate a region and become a local tyrant.
There are so many benefits to studying and taking the imperial examinations.
That's why so many people are willing to take the plunge and cross the single-plank bridge.
Even when your hair turns gray and your grandchildren grow up, you still have to continue taking the exam.
In order to pass the imperial examination, one would give up everything.
Wang Xuecheng was very curious, "Why doesn't Brother Yan allow his family to accept too many donations?"
"Perhaps I'm just worrying too much," Yan Ci said with a self-deprecating laugh. "I always feel that if I accept too much investment now, I'll end up paying it back with interest in the future."
"Why would Brother Yan think so?" Wang Xuecheng was not a smart man, and he couldn't figure it out.
Yan Ci thought for a moment and said, "Brother Wang, which prince do you think will inherit the throne?"
Wang Xuecheng was confused and shook his head, "I don't know!"
Yan Ci said, "I don't know either. I just... maybe I'm just worrying too much. If that one inherits the throne, and that one becomes the queen, perhaps the rules of the entire world will change. Forget it, just treat it as my own wild imagination and unnecessary worries."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
