"Is this very expensive?" When they heard that there was gold, many people took a few steps back and expressed their refusal.
Ling Jiheng said, "Our couplets have several price ranges. For example, this one, shining with gold, costs ten taels of silver a pair.
This silvery-white one costs five taels of silver per pair. This platinum-colored one costs one tael of silver per pair, and this vermilion-colored one costs one hundred coins per pair.
And these, the ones with patterns are all 100 wen a pair. The ones without patterns are 10 wen a pair."
To be honest, ten cents is like giving it away for free. Apart from the cost of the ink, paper and inkstone, there is no profit at all. But isn't this to attract customers?
"Of course, you can also customize it. We have painters here. But the price will be higher. Let's discuss it privately."
Those who were watching and joining in the fun all thought that ten cents a pair was a good price, but they also liked the ones that were shiny and gold.
Everyone was extremely confused for a while, and no one took action after watching for a long time.
Chi Xingyue was not in a hurry. He took out the small teapot from the car and poured a cup of ginger and jujube tea for Ling Jiheng and the others. Then he said slowly, "Today's special offer, if you spend one or two taels of silver, you will get a blessing character for free."
The word "Fu" is mainly made of copper powder, with a little gold powder and silver powder added to enhance the color. It looks brighter and the cost is not high.
Even if every customer gets a gift, there is still profit.
When everyone heard this, they started whispering to each other.
To be honest, I’m aesthetically tired of seeing red paper and black words posted every year.
What's more, the Ling family's couplet is auspicious, and the small words in the upper and lower couplets are festive when read.
"Well, I'll buy it, just for good luck!"
The young man who first reached out took out a few coins from his pocket and said, "Here, give me a pair of these!"
I mean the platinum one.
Ling Jiheng nodded and asked Jinbao to wrap it up for him.
Chi Xingyue gave him two blessing characters and said something auspicious: "Good things come in pairs, and may all your wishes come true!"
Those who were eager to try it were now dissatisfied and shouted, "Why are we supposed to give them the word 'Fu'? How can we who want to buy it pay for it?"
Chi Xingyue and Ling Jiheng exchanged a glance and took a deep breath. "Today is a great day, big discount! Anyone who buys a couplet, regardless of the price, will receive two Chinese characters for blessing."
If you want to buy it, you better seize the opportunity. After today, my boss will settle the account with me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Jiheng came over. He reached out and pinched the back of Chi Xingyue's neck, but he didn't use any force at all, and his face was full of doting.
Chi Xingyue shrank his neck and hid everywhere, Ling San and Jin Bao covered their mouths and laughed, it looked very lively.
The people at that time had never seen such a quarrelsome relationship, and they thought that the two were having a disagreement, so they hurried forward to separate them.
He also said: "Don't make a fuss, don't make a fuss, we can just buy two more pairs and make it back!"
There was no mention of not wanting gifts.
In this way, everyone took out their money and chose what they liked.
The ones without patterns sell the fastest because they are cheap and you can get two "Fu" characters for free.
The next best ones are the ones with vermilion gold and patterns, which cost a hundred coins and can be afforded if you grit your teeth.
Almost no one wants high-end custom-made items, made of pure gold or silver. They think they are too expensive and that the money they spend is enough to go to a restaurant for a good meal.
Some gold, silver and copper mixed colors were also sold, and they were all bought by wealthy families.
Chi Xingyue was not panicking. After all, except for the cheapest one, she would make a profit, even a huge profit.
Ling San and his companions knew the inside story, so they were particularly warm and enthusiastic in greeting the guests, saying a lot of auspicious words to make the guests happy.
As time went by, the Ling family's stall not only did not decline, but became more and more lively.
At first, a group of people who happened to be out buying vegetables bought a pair of Spring Festival couplets for the New Year. Later, they went home to show off to their neighbors, and finally brought business to the stall.
Many people heard that there were new things for sale here, so they came to join in the fun.
Driven by the lively atmosphere, I inevitably got excited and took out some money to buy two pairs.
I didn't regret it afterwards, after all, the couplet was very beautiful.
But it really hurts. I can buy two or even three pairs for my study!
"Ouch, my darling, why does it hurt so much?" Old Li from the pork shop looked at the red paper in his hand and felt uncomfortable all over.
After the people around learned the whole story, they all praised: "What a good omen! Look at what they wrote! It means wealth will come in and the pen will be full of fat pigs!"
Aren’t these the only two things you want to do at your pork shop all year round? "
Zhu Rou Li thought about it and agreed, then happily picked up the word "Fu" and looked at it.
This happened to be seen by Boss Liu from the study. He became very upset and asked with a stern face where the Ling family stall was, then came over to question them.
The first thing he said was: "How insulting! How insulting! Look at what is written in this couplet. Is there any rhythm or tone?
"A bunch of nonsense, are you a juren or a scholar? How dare you come here and embarrass yourself?"
Ling Jiheng was unhappy when he heard this: "Sir, may I ask how this couplet offended you?
Is it that family happiness is not to your liking, or is it that the increasing wealth is touching your sore spot?
I have written down everyone's best wishes here. Whether you have been educated or not, you will understand what they mean.
Everyone will be happy when they see it, and God will know about it and bless them. Isn't it better than a bunch of awkward and difficult words? "
Seeing the other party's frown, Ling Jiheng continued: "Indeed, I have no achievements, I am just an ordinary person who has studied for a few days.
But I know what everyone wants, which is nothing more than a stable life, a prosperous family, safe travels, and success in the imperial examination.
Instead of being so pretentious and hiding what you like, why not just be open and tell others what you really want?
"Well said!" Ling Jiheng's words expressed the thoughts of most people.
In the past, they had to hire someone to write couplets for the New Year. Not only was it expensive, but they also didn't dare to complain.
Scholars are noble and don't want to write about vulgar things like money. Even if you beg them for help, they can only reluctantly bring you a lot of money, and they still don't want you to have any ideals.
But what is the ideal of ordinary people? To have money to spend, enough food to eat, no natural disasters or man-made disasters, no taxes or corvee labor.
Why do we say that "highbrow" and "lowbrow" are two different worlds? Because people who are high and mighty will not pay attention to the sufferings of the world.
Those who can read and take the imperial examinations may not necessarily be able to become good officials.
Only by coming from the masses, going among the masses, and experiencing the various aspects of human life can we empathize with the masses and seek the welfare of the masses.
Of course, Ling Jiheng didn't say this because there was no need.
When he saw it on the bookshelf in the conference room, he thought it made sense and wrote it down.
Boss Liu was speechless. He cursed "vulgar" and left.
The scene became lively again, and even the wealthy families in the city came to purchase the couplets after seeing the couplets presented by the housekeeper.
There's nothing I can do. Ling Jiheng gave me too little. Two pairs for one family is not enough.
You can't have one kind of sticker in your room and another kind in your wife and son's room.
There's no shortage of money at home, so why are you being so stingy for no one to see?
So, before noon, the Ling family's business was booming, and they were all big orders!
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