"This... was this written by Fu Xiaoguan?" Zhang Wenhan stood up suddenly, but did not wave the folding fan in his hand anymore.
Liu Jingxing had finished reciting the two poems, and there was silence for a few breaths.
"Master Zhang, you don't believe it?" Dong Shulan smiled calmly and continued, "It was written by Fu Xiaoguan in his villa on the west hill of Xiacun on the night of the fifth month... I remember Master Zhang also composed a piece called Qingpingyue on the fifth month, which was praised by the gentlemen and was rated as the best poem for the Dragon Boat Festival. I know Master Zhang's literary talent, so how about you comment on Fu Xiaoguan's Nangezi. Enjoy the scenery?"
Zhang Wenhan's face gradually grew smiling, and he gently waved his folding fan as he spoke, "How dare I disbelieve Miss Dong's words? It's just... Mr. Fu's previous behavior was indeed somewhat absurd, and he had never written poetry before, which I find quite astonishing. I feel that I am inferior to Mr. Fu's Southern Song, and I dare not comment on it. It seems that Mr. Fu has changed quite a lot, and I am indeed blind to his knowledge."
Liu Jingxing was naturally dissatisfied. He was about to speak when Zhang Wenhan waved him away. "The talented scholar of Linjiang should be ranked with Mr. Fu. Just based on these two poems, I admire him greatly. It's a pity that I have to leave for the capital tomorrow, so I won't have the opportunity to learn from Mr. Fu... My dear brother Jingxing, from now on, you should get closer to Mr. Fu. If you get any good works of Mr. Fu, don't forget to write them to me so that we can appreciate them together."
Liu Jingxing was silent for two breaths, then replied, "That's right."
The two men sat down. Most of the people here were businessmen. Although they had some knowledge of poetry, they were not proficient in it. Now, listening to what Zhang Wenhan said - this meant that Fu Xiaoguan's poetry was even better than Zhang Wenhan's.
Some people looked at each other in bewilderment, but Yang Yishan, the owner of the grain merchant Yang Ji, burst into laughter. "The head of the Fu family often visits us, and his biggest worry is always his son, Fu Xiaoguan. Now it seems that this young man from the Fu family has made great progress, which is a good thing. Among the four great talents of Linjiang, Master Zhang will go to the capital to take the imperial examination and ascend to the throne. After that, he will soar to high positions in the imperial court. Linjiang will only have three great talents left. Now that the young master of the Fu family has such literary talent, it fills the gap. It also shows that Linjiang is a place with a flourishing literary style and outstanding people."
"Old Yang is right. If Miss Dong hadn't brought out these two poems today, we wouldn't have known about them. Come on, come on, let's have another talented person to drink with us in Linjiang!"
The person who spoke was Fan Kui, the head of the grain merchant Fan Ji. At this moment, Fan Kui raised his glass, and everyone praised him and drank together.
Zhang Wenhan felt that this glass of wine was more unpalatable than poison, but the smile on his face remained, and there was not a drop of wine left in the glass.
"These two poems are the works that made Mr. Fu famous, and they should be spread all over the world. After I leave, Jingxing, can you give these two poems to Miss Fan Duoer in Yihong Tower? Her music is unique in Linjiang, and her singing will not disgrace Mr. Fu's talent." Zhang Wenhan said to Liu Jingxing as if basking in the spring breeze.
Liu Jingxing was confused, but still nodded in agreement.
Thus, these two poems spread like this, and Fu Xiaoguan's reputation as a talented man also spread like this.
Of course, at this moment, Fu Xiaoguan didn't know that Dong Shulan in Linjiang Tower threw out his two poems in order to clear his name.
…
A big house, an old banyan tree, and a new deck chair.
Fu Xiaoguan was lying on a reclining chair, Chunxiu was fanning him beside him, and he was holding a small booklet in his hand - it was about the family's land, which he had not finished reading yet.
"Xiu'er, water."
Chunxiu handed the warm tea to him.
"Xiu'er, it's hot."
Chunxiu went to get ice cubes and watermelon, made a bowl of iced watermelon and brought it over.
"Xiu'er..."
"Um."
"From now on, let's make three bowls of this stuff. You, me, and him—he's elusive. It tastes better when we all eat together."
"Young Master..."
"You must listen to what the young master says."
"oh."
Fu Xiaoguan felt that the saying made a lot of sense: It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance.
He felt that he was corrupt, but this kind of life was really comfortable.
In a short period of time, he had changed the living habits of his previous life, gradually changed his own personality, and began to integrate into this world, trying hard to act like the eldest son of a landlord.
Of course, he still took care of things like dressing, washing his face, brushing his teeth and bathing himself, but his lifestyle became more and more refined.
As he read the pamphlets more and more, he understood more and more what it meant to be extremely wealthy.
Money...if it can make your life more comfortable, of course you have to spend it.
Wouldn't it be boring to live my life again as a miser like Grandet?
"Xiu'er... when you have time, go find... seven or eight maids, the kind that can cook. You just take care of them. It will be easier for you to have a few servants."
"this……"
"Also, Young Master, I will have a lot of property in the future, and I need to find some beautiful and talented women... There's no rush. You can take your time to find one. If she's willing, bring her to me."
"Young Master..."
Fu Xiaoguan waved his hand and said, "Serious matters, don't think too much."
"I'm not imagining things. This talented and beautiful woman... is either a lady from a wealthy family, or I'm afraid I can only find her in a brothel."
Fu Xiaoguan was stunned: "Uh...I see. I understand."
…
Yu Zhongtan from Xifang Glass Shop and Jiang Shanglou from Jiang's Porcelain Shop each carried a box and walked into the backyard under the guidance of Huang, the housekeeper.
Huang Wei was very curious.
He had heard a little about the young master's recent activities, mainly news from the Xishan Villa, such as the young master creating a good wine called Xishan Qiongjiang, the young master buying a large area of wilderness next to the villa, and the young master collecting information on various craftsmen.
He was naturally very clear about the character of the young master of the Fu family. The ridiculous things that happened a few days ago almost cost him his life, but now it seems that the young master really changed his temperament.
These two people were invited by the young master. He didn't know what to do, so he brought them here and didn't leave.
"Sit down, Xiu'er, and serve some good tea."
Fu Xiaoguan got up from the reclining chair and sat down at the stone table in the pavilion. He greeted the three people and smiled at Yu Zhongtan, "Boss Yu, bring it here for us to see."
Yu Zhongtan handed over the box and said, "According to Master Fu's request, my masters have put a lot of thought into it. Please take a look and see if it suits your taste."
Fu Xiaoguan opened the box, took out the goblet, touched it, and examined it from top to bottom. He then held it up to the sunlight and asked, "Can it be more transparent?"
Yu Zhongtan shook his head, "This is the only way to purify the glass."
This thing is slightly yellowed, but it is already a good tool.
"There's still a lot of room for improvement. Ask your master to research it. For now, this is it. I need a thousand. How long will it take for delivery?"
"It's a bit troublesome to make. I estimate it will take at least ten days."
"Name your price."
Yu Zhongtan was mentally prepared. Since it was a quotation, the other party would definitely bargain, so he naturally quoted a high price first.
"One hundred coins for one."
"One hundred coins?" Fu Xiaoguan frowned. Yu Zhongtan's heart skipped a beat, but he saw Fu Xiaoguan say to Chunxiu, "Xiu'er, get the pen and ink for the mimeograph."
"Shopkeeper Yu, I won't bargain with you for this first batch of business. I'll just charge one hundred wen each, and I'll give you ten days. But remember, all the goods must be cups like this. I won't accept any cups of lower quality. Also, I want the words 'Tianchun' embossed on the bottom of each cup. Let's sign the contract for this batch of goods first. I'll pay you 20% as a deposit. I'll write a note for you to pick up from the accountant later."
Yu Zhongtan was overjoyed and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Master Fu, I guarantee the quality of the goods. If you need anything in the future, Master Fu only needs to give me an order, and I, Yu, will do my best to make it happen."
Huang Wei did not expect the young master to make such a straightforward decision.
This thing looks like a wine glass. One hundred coins for this little thing? Glassware is expensive, but this thing is so small. And the young master wants a thousand of them? What's he planning on doing?
Of course, the young master has already decided that as the Fu family's chief steward, he will definitely not say much.
Fu Xiaoguan and Yu Zhongtan drafted a contract. Fu Xiaoguan wrote a note and handed it to Yu Zhongtan. He kept the wine glass. Yu Zhongtan left happily.
Then he looked at the porcelain vase that Jiang brought upstairs and was very satisfied. He asked for fifteen cents each and did not bargain, but asked to leave a message on the vase.
"Here on the bottle, write Xishan Tianchun, and here, write Rare and Treasured Wine, 42% Proof. And then on the bottom of the bottle, there are just two words: Xishan. I want 500 of these."
"Also, make another blue bottle based on this shape, embellish it with red plum blossoms, and write the words 'Xishan Xiangquan' and '32 degrees' on it.' Also write the word 'Xishan' on the bottom of the bottle. I want a thousand of these."
"The Tianchun bottle should be small, holding only three taels, while the Xiangquan bottle should be slightly larger, holding only five taels. The prices are the same, what do you think?"
Jiang Shanglou nodded and said, "Master Fu is straightforward. I will arrange it when I get back."
"Okay, let's sign a contract too. How long will it take for delivery?"
"One thousand five hundred bottles, about seven days."
"I'll give you ten days. Make sure you get it done! Especially the glazing and the inscription... Wait, the inscription, I'll give you the font later."
After getting the contract and deposit, Jiang Shanglou left happily.
Before long, the news of the two big deals that the young master of the Fu family had made in Xifang spread everywhere. Then the owner of Yaoji Porcelain Shop became furious and fired Manager Li, who had worked for him for ten years.
Of course, Fu Xiaoguan didn't know this. At this moment, he was walking slowly back and forth in the yard.
After a moment, he stopped and said, "Xiaobai, go and help me run this errand."
"Don't call me Xiaobai! Where are you going?" Bai Yulian jumped down from the tree, scaring Butler Huang.
"Take this bottle and go to Yu Fu Ji to fill a bottle of Tianchun wine. Fill it to 70% full. Bring it back to me for use."
"Also, Xiu'er, go find me a big red silk scarf, no bigger than your palm."
Huang Wei kept watching, and when Fu Xiaoguan was the only one left in the courtyard, he asked, "What is the deep meaning of this action, young master?"
“Oh, selling wine.”
"This vessel is more expensive than wine!"
Fu Xiaoguan laughed and said, "Uncle Huang, don't worry about the price of this thing. Don't worry, I know what I am doing."
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