Chapter 023 Arrogance and pride
In a book review, an old man said that I was suspected of being an imitator and that he wanted to bury me in the soil with a rake. Brother, I have read a lot of novels on this subject, and there are some things like holding literati poetry gatherings, but everyone The writing style is just different, so let’s look at things from a different perspective... 17K’s platform is relatively large, and it was not that easy to sign a contract in the past. I relied on my writing style to get the editors to leave me. The signing process is over, and it actually proves that my writing style is also recognized by the editors. Dear brothers, thank you for your criticism. Please pay attention next time. If you like it, please add it to your favorites. Thank you...
"You are the prisoners appointed by His Majesty. It is possible to save you, but it will be difficult..." Chen Cao looked at Liu Min'er meaningfully, wondering if the thirty-three-year-old beautiful young woman in front of him could understand what he meant. .
Sure enough, Liu Min'er was a married woman after all. She immediately heard the hidden meaning in Chen Cao's eyes and words. She was so shy that she hesitated to speak.
Chen Cao just said this. He looked at Zhang Shuhua like a big pervert, then stared at Liu Min'er and said: "I just know you and have nothing to do with you. I will save you in the future. As Chen Cao, I will take you as my concubine." It's a small matter, maybe my official position will be higher and higher in the future, and I may be even more glorious than Zhang Tiande, and your Liu family in Zhejiang should be even more glorious than you are now."
The words touched Liu Min'er's heart. Her red cheeks became even redder, so she lowered her head to cover it up.
Chen Cao pointed to the screen on the side of the carved bed: "Zhang Shuhua will rest here. You can follow me there."
Behind the screen was the bath tub, and there was an imperial chair placed there. Chen Cao happened to be sitting there, waiting for Liu Min'er to make a move. Liu Min'er came next and kept her head lowered. Chen Cao said, "If you don't do it quickly, you can kill me." After serving you, I can only go find your daughter. If I can’t save you two, let alone your daughter, you will have to smile and let people carry you to bed. Do you want me to be fucked by Chen Cao? Do you want someone to ride on you, or do you want those prostitutes to have sex with you?"
Too explicit...
Liu Min'er felt extremely uncomfortable at Chen Cao's words at the moment, but when she thought about it carefully, Chen Cao's words made sense. Now her mother and daughter were in a worrying situation. Since Chen Cao's words were so serious, she would simply Put aside your identity as an official's wife and a lady, and serve this guy well.
Finally, Liu Min'er took a step forward, knelt in front of Chen Cao's feet, and then moved up very skillfully...
Zhang Shuhua heard a small rustling sound on the bed, and then her mother's venting sound came from behind the screen. Although she had not left the cabinet, Zhang Shuhua, who knew a little, immediately realized what was going on, and blushed in shame. He put his face on his face and covered his head with a silk quilt...
...
After Chen Cao was promoted, his residence naturally had to be expanded. The yard was okay, but thinking that two beautiful girls would move into his home in the next year, he decided to fill in all the acres of land in the backyard to expand the yard.
Everything was left to the old housekeeper, Uncle Chen, and the money was withdrawn from Chen Qing. Everything was in order.
Chen Cao had just finished his work and asked Zhang Chen to dress him, "I've been sleeping with you for so long, and I haven't asked you your family name yet?"
"Jiangning Chen from the slave family, whose real name is Rui'er..."
Chen Cao nodded: "Why do you all like to have the word 'er' in your family's names?"
What Chen Cao didn't know was that in ancient times, people who had daughters in their families liked to add the word "er" after their names, which meant giving birth to a son.
Chen Rui'er blushed and lowered her head. Chen Cao took advantage of the situation and asked, "Compared between me and your dead ex-husband, who is better in bed?"
Chen Rui'er was embarrassed to answer, but couldn't bear Chen Cao's question, so she said: "I am much more powerful."
...
Chen Cao was holding a serialized story in his hand. When he walked to the door of Juxian Residence, his old acquaintance Zhou Decai went out to greet him, still smiling: "Oh, my lord, if you have written it, why bother sending it in person or sending someone to pass it on?" Xin'er, can you just come and pick it up in person..."
Zhou Decai's extreme flattery made Chen Cao feel comfortable with the benefits of having a bigger official position in this era: "Hey, when did Shopkeeper Zhou become such a coward?"
Being ridiculed by Chen Cao, Zhou Decai still smiled obscenely: "Wherever, the magpies in the sky kept chirping. I knew that the noble man was coming, so I waited at the door without waiting first, and sure enough he came."
"Isn't the old boy flattering enough? But I hear you..." Chen Cao patted Zhou Decai on the shoulder, and the two of them walked into the shop one after another, and then served tea and water.
""Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio: A Chinese Ghost Story"?" Zhou Decai took the manuscript and read it for a long time: "Oh, my lord, this story is so fascinating from the beginning, I'm hooked..."
"How do you say that?" Chen Cao wanted to laugh when he looked at this old boy.
Zhou Decai said seriously: "Bai Meng wrote a story a few days ago called "Dream Soul", which tells the story of ghosts, gods and men. Good guy, this short article of only 6,000 words sold for three taels of silver. A copy, my God, is one or two more expensive than your price for Dream of Red Mansions..."
"Huh?" Chen Cao stared at Zhou Decai with an evil look in his eyes.
When Zhou Decai saw Chen Cao's murderous look on his face, he immediately wondered if he had said something wrong. Then Chen Cao grabbed his collar and pulled him close.
Zhou Decai was so frightened that he repeatedly begged for mercy.
"You damn bitch, how much benefit did you get from me?" Chen Cao immediately remembered the cost of the Dream of Red Mansions when chatting with Li Xiang on the canal that day. At that time, Li Xiang truthfully said that the land of Jinling alone had been sold for five thousand. This cost does not include the boundaries of South Zhili and North Zhili. Chen Cao receives a lot of dividends every month. But now that he was told this, Chen Cao realized that Zhou Decai had received a kickback from it.
"My lord, please calm down..." Zhou Decai begged for mercy: "My lord, please calm down. It's not easy for me to support my family in Jinling. It's only about 500 taels of silver. I can't get more. If my lord doesn't want to, I'll just give it to you." Return it to your lord."
"Really there are only five hundred taels?" Chen Cao squinted his left eye and looked at Zhou Decai.
Zhou Decai's body tensed up, and his murderous eyes were unfriendly: "The adults think it's too little, so I'll buy a house for you as a gift..."
Chen Cao let go of Zhou Decai and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be afraid, Shopkeeper Zhou. For Boss Li's sake, I won't argue with you."
Zhou Decai breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Sir..."
"Whatever you said just now, you continue."
Zhou Decai put down the manuscript: "According to the name of Sir Nalan Rongruo, the number of words in this story alone is more than 50,000. I estimate that if it is sold at cost, four taels of silver will definitely be no problem."
"Four taels?"
Zhou Decai saw Chen Cao's expression and said quickly: "If it's too expensive, just give it three taels and give it a try with Bai Mengsheng..."
"You bastard," Chen Cao slammed the table hard, and Zhou Decai was so frightened that he quickly begged for mercy. He only heard: "Is Jinling Nalan Rongruo's name worth only four taels? If you say anything, it will cost you five taels of silver." , do you want love?"
"Is it too expensive..." Zhou Decai frowned and looked at Chen Cao.
Chen Cao stood up and walked out without looking back: "Everywhere in Jinling is good. The bad thing is that there are too many rich people."
Zhou Decai: "Ah..."
Papermaking and printing technology in the Ming Dynasty had reached the pinnacle of the same world. It took less than half a day to print Chen Cao's 50,000-word novel Juxianju, which cost 500 copies. Of course, the cover was beautifully painted With colorful illustrations and the author's signature of "Nalan Rongruo", once it was sold, five hundred copies were snapped up by Jinling dignitaries and wealthy businessmen within an hour. Many big business owners even started scolding Zhou Decai for not buying the book. war.
At Chen Cao's request, another 500 copies were printed the next day. The results were sold out within half an hour compared to the first day. The sales in the two days were a total of 5,000 taels. Excluding labor and cost, the actual profit was 4,000 taels. More than nine hundred taels.
"Sir, you are so wise..." Zhou Decai poured tea for Chen Cao in the private room: "Your 'hunger marketing' is so effective, I admire you..."
Chen Cao looked at Zhou Decai: "Then according to our previous contract, how much will I be paid this time?"
Zhou Decai said flatteringly: "Fifty percent of the profits will be given to you, sir. Your actual dividends will be two thousand four hundred and sixteen taels."
Chen Cao looked at Zhou Decai with a smirk on his face, and then asked: "What, Lao Zhou, you don't make money anymore?"
"Hi..." Zhou Decai looked embarrassed: "What are you talking about, sir?"
Chen Cao pointed at him with his finger and said with a smile: "Well, don't say I'm unjust. I have a lot of novels in my heart and there are many opportunities to make money. I think you have a good way of doing business. I don't care how much money Li Xiang gives you. From now on I How about giving you five cents?"
"Five points?" Zhou Decai's eyes were red. Seeing Chen Cao nodding, he quickly knelt down and saluted: "Thank you, sir, thank you, sir."
"Starting today, you take five cents of the profit that I deserve, and send the rest to my house and give it to my little sister." After Chen Cao finished speaking, he stood up and left.
Zhou Decai was grateful for sending Chen Cao out. He could get more than one hundred taels of money this time. He was really happy, not to mention that the book "A Chinese Ghost Story" had only been started for two days. He was making a lot of Chen Cao's money openly and honestly. He was very happy. It was much more enjoyable before.
The purchasing power of Ming Dynasty silver taels is very valuable at this time. This one hundred taels of silver is placed in Zhou Decai's hands, which is the cost of living for the whole family for half a year. Although Jinling's consumption is large and prices are a bit high, at the bottom, this One hundred taels is not a small amount.
After leaving here, there are clues to what Chen Cao asked Zhao Xin to investigate last time.
In the Thousand Households Office in Xuanwu Lane, Zhao Xin was telling Chen Cao what he had recorded: "Since Duke Xin Guo was passed down to Tang Yinji, there were basically no official posts. That person died in Gushan Fort, and his descendants all lived in Nanjing." On that day; the ancestor of the Duke of Zheng, Chang Shichun, committed a crime and was dismissed from his title, but was later restored to the title during the Jiajing period; the ancestor of Yingyang Marquis, Yang Jing, was posthumously granted the title of Duke Rui; the ancestor of the Marquis of Jinshan, Pu Ying, was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Lelang County; but the ancestor of the Pu family was posthumously granted the title Duke Rui. Because Lan Yu was removed from the title during the Taizu period, he was restored to the title during the Jiajing period."
As the saying goes, it is best to know yourself and your enemy. Chen Cao's general understanding of these things will be beneficial to dealing with this group of people in the future: "It was done well. By the way, Xin Zhao, I have something you need to do personally."
"Please give me your orders, sir." Xin Zhao handed over his hand.
"Send people down to Nanzhili to find some scattered civilians, especially those craftsmen who are no longer wanted by the Ministry of Industry. Recruit as many as you can. Also, go to Zhejiang or Jiangsu to see if there are any private water conservancy workshops. .”
Xin Zhao frowned: "What do you want to do with these people?"
"Making muskets..."
"Ah..." Xin Zhao screamed uncontrollably: "Sir, you must not do this. If the court knows that we secretly made muskets, it will be a serious crime of beheading."
Chen Cao couldn't help laughing when he saw Zhao Xin's mother-in-law expression: "Who told you that I wanted to make a private musket?"
"Ah?" Zhao Xin didn't understand: "This subordinate is stupid, please make it clear."
"Now is not the time." Chen Cao did have his own plan, but it was not now: "You just do as I say. Also, after gathering these people, arrange them all to Chunhua in the name of my Jin Yiwei." Go to town."
Although he didn't know what Chen Cao wanted to do, Zhao Xin didn't dare to violate it. He nodded and left. Chen Cao looked at Gao Chong and said, "I have a letter here. Go to Guanhaiwei and give it to Lin Guodong for me. Hand it over in person." into his hand."
Gao Chong took the letter and nodded and went out to do things. Chen Cao breathed a sigh of relief and lay on the chair, thinking about his future plans.
...
"Master, I have a name card." As soon as Chen Cao returned home, the old housekeeper, Uncle Chen, handed over a name card.
"Who is it?" Chen Cao took the name card and opened it, and what came into view were the three characters 'Bai Mengsheng'.
The content is relatively simple. Bai Mengsheng, a backward student, wants to meet Chen Cao, a senior novelist, but the place is not at Chen Cao's home, but at Bai Mengsheng's home in the east of the city.
Chen Cao is the governor of the town, a high-ranking official in the Jinyi Guard, and one of the secret agents in Southern Zhili. He dared to let Chen Cao go to his home directly, which shows that his family status is higher than that of Chen Cao. With Chen Cao's current status, he is more worldly and sophisticated. In addition, since I already knew Jinling deeply, I made up my mind to go and meet Bai Mengsheng for a while.
This place in the east of the city is really mixed with dragons and snakes, especially close to both sides of the Qinhuai River. It is either a Marquis Mansion or an Earl's Mansion. There are a lot of dignitaries and dignitaries, and the land is extremely expensive. And Bai Mengsheng's mansion is still in the inner city of the east of the city. It is close to Xuanwu Lake and just two streets away from Qianhu House in Xuanwu Lane.
The word "White Mansion" is written on the plaque of the mansion, and there are two strong servants guarding the door. Living so close to each other really has something to do with it.
Naturally, it was impossible for Chen Cao to hand over the name card by himself. Moreover, Bai Mengsheng stated on the name card that the purpose of inviting Chen Cao was to make friends through literature, and he could not show off his power in a royal uniform, so he took Xu Kaixian with him, so he asked Xu Kaixian Go and inform the servant over there.
The details of Bai Mengsheng are unknown. The only thing I found is that this guy has written a lot of story books, basically about the love between men and women. The most famous ones are "Shadow of the Wutong" and "Jianghua Chunyue" which became a hit a few years ago. It is not a big deal for a wealthy businessman to buy such a large house. The key is that to buy a house in this place, you must not only have money, but also have an official background, otherwise you will never be able to buy it.
As soon as the name card was handed over, a maid came out from time to time, silently saluted Chen Cao and took Chen Cao to the mansion.
Passing through the screen wall, the golden bamboos of western Sichuan came into view. The bamboo leaves rustled in the breeze, which was quite poetic. Chen Cao secretly admired it, and then he made up his mind to decorate according to this pattern when he went back. In front of the flowers and under the moon, Holding my wife and concubines in my arms, drinking wine and blowing the breeze in the bamboo forest, one word -----comfortable...
When we came to the lobby, we heard the sound of bells.
Chen Cao, a country bumpkin, immediately asked: "Why is there a Taoist priest in there?"
The maid who led the way covered her mouth and smiled, and then said: "Mr. Lanna was joking, that was the music from the chimes..."
Chen Cao looked embarrassed, and was then led into the lobby. There was a screen in front of the lobby, and there was indeed a set of chimes on the left. Chen Cao couldn't help but walk over and take a look. It was indeed bronze, but it was different from the famous Zeng Hou in later generations. Compared with B, this set of chimes is a bit stingy.
Looking at the right side, there are paintings, calligraphy and poems hanging, but they are also written by famous figures from the previous generation. Most of them are calligraphy and painting by Tang Bohu and Zhu Xi, and the rich...
"Ahem", coughed twice, and then asked Chen Cao to sit down. Xu Kaixian stood behind him and served tea as usual.
Now that Chen Cao has enough status, he is not afraid of this. He has made up his mind that if Bai Mengsheng imitates old man Li and dares to expose himself, he will just have a cup of tea and leave if there is more.
Obviously the other party didn't dare to show off. About three minutes after the tea was served, a group of maids led a woman in white to the main seat in the lobby, and then sat down on a chair with utmost elegance.
"Xu Kaixian, let's go..." Chen Cao said and stood up, not forgetting to drink the tea before leaving.
"Where are you going, Mr. Nalan?" The screen moved away, revealing the face of the woman in white. Not only was she elegantly dressed, but her voice also had a classical and refreshing feeling.
Chen Cao couldn't help but look back. At this glance, he was shocked. The beauty of the woman in white in front of him was different from that of Li Fengchun. She was as beautiful as when he looked at beauties in ancient costumes in his own time. She was fresh and refined. One more look and she was like The spring breeze keeps blowing on my face.
Chen Cao came back to his senses and said in a cold voice: "Girl, please go back and tell Bai Mengsheng that you can bring out as many officials as you want. I am not that easy to deal with. Let him be careful after writing his script. Anyone who dares to insinuate or insinuate It’s a bit about the imperial court and officials, hehe... it’s not as simple as banning books. Farewell..."
"Mr. Nalan, wait a minute..." the woman in white said and pursed her lips with a smile. Chen Cao couldn't hold it in anymore. According to his past rules, this was his first love: "I think sir must have misunderstood, little lady." It’s Bai Mengsheng..."
"Ah..." Chen Cao was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. Although 'Bai Mengsheng' is the title of a book, it must be the title of a man's book. How could the beauty in front of him use such a title that only appeared ten thousand years ago? A flashy book title?
"Sir, please sit down." Bai Mengsheng stretched out his hand, and Chen Cao sat down unconsciously. Bai Mengsheng had a slight smile on his face, and every frown was deeply reflected in Chen Cao's mind: "Sir, I'm taking the liberty of you, little girl. I invited you here, sir, but I want to exchange literature with you."
"gentlemen?"
"Ah..." Chen Cao was fascinated by the sight, and coupled with Bai Mengsheng's voice, he felt that this was a real beauty. When Bai Mengsheng called her like this, he was in a state of ecstasy: "Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not. "I was thinking about something just now, I'm sorry." He said and handed over to Bai Mengsheng.
Bai Mengsheng didn't mind, and looked at Chen Cao without losing his makeup: "Young lady, I'm assuming you don't know your mentor?"
Chen Cao handed over his hand and said: "My family has traveled far and wide and came from the middle of Sichuan..."
Bai Mengsheng thought thoughtfully. Those who don't want to say they are masters usually have masters teaching them behind their backs, so he didn't ask much and said, "Sir, have you read my little girl's "Dream Soul"? What do you think?"
Chen Cao really hasn't read it, and he doesn't dare to pretend: "Miss Bai, please don't be angry. I really haven't read your book."
"Lying," the maid next to Bai Mengsheng said loudly: "My lady wrote "Dream Soul", and you wrote "A Chinese Ghost Story", and also put the word "Liao Zhai Zhi Yi" in front of it. Isn't this plagiarism?"
"Don't talk nonsense," Bai Mengsheng scolded the maid: "Mr. Nalan's name is very popular in our Ming Dynasty now," he said, looking at Chen Cao: "I doubt that Mr. Nalan would do such dirty things."
Chen Cao finally understood that the idea of making friends through literature was pure nonsense. He asked himself to explain that it was his writing of "A Chinese Ghost Story" that offended them. However, he really plagiarized, but he did not plagiarize the one in front of him, so he did not feel guilty at all. Guilt: "I, Chen Cao, made my debut, and the first novel I wrote under the name Nalan Rongruo was "Dream of Red Mansions". Miss Bai, do you think it is related to your previous "Shadow of the Wutong"?"
Bai Mengsheng has read every novel written by Chen Cao. Even she herself thinks Nalan Rongruo's novels are really good: "It's different..."
Chen Cao said with a smile: "Although I haven't read Miss's book, I also know that Miss Shan writes about the love between men and women, but I, Chen Caoshan, write about Dacheng. To be honest, I really plagiarized Miss Some people think that the lady will have to practice for at least another twenty years..."
"Presumptuous..." The maid couldn't help it anymore: "How dare you, a military attache in royal robes, talk to my young lady like this? My master is the Minister of Justice."
"Go down..." Bai Mengsheng was not angry, as if these words were what he wanted to say, just a simple sentence. The maid also retreated obediently: "Sir, my little girl's teachings are incompetent, please don't take offense."
Chen Cao smiled and said, "It's okay, miss. I have some business at a certain yamen. That's it for today. Chen Cao will come to visit me again another day. But before I leave, please remember, I, Chen Cao, are not only poetry and literature, but also songs." Proficient, and literary attainments are not limited to writing storybooks as a pastime, so I say goodbye..."
"Send sir..."
Bai Mengsheng was not angry until Chen Cao left, but kept thinking about what Chen Cao said before leaving.
"Xu Kaixian, go find out who the current ministers of punishment are in the northern and southern capitals, and their connections. Find out for me before sunset..." After saying that, Chen Cao walked home.
...
There was a social event in the evening, and Xu Xianchun invited him to drink. After Chen Cao finished drinking, he bumped into Xu Kaixian, who was running towards him: "Sir, we found it."
Chen Cao found a street shop and sat down. The boss brought him a bowl of sobering tea: "Tell me carefully."
"There is no minister of the Ministry of Justice named Bai in Nanjing, but there is one in the capital, named Bai Yu. He was a Jinshi in the 23rd year of Wanli. Because he offended Lord Wanli, he was demoted to the Chief Secretary of Guangxi and worked as a minister, and then resigned; Taichang When I ascended the throne, I resumed my post as Shaoqing of Guanglu Temple, and now after your Majesty ascends the throne, I moved to the post of Minister of the Ministry of Punishment."
Chen Cao looked at Xu Kaixian: "It's over? All the connections I mentioned?"
Xu Kaixian continued: "Bai Yu has two daughters and one son. The eldest son, Bai Cunsheng, is an official in Shuntian Mansion. The eldest daughter is now nineteen and married to the second son of Duke Baoguo. The second daughter is eighteen years old. She should be the Bai Mengsheng you met today." .”
"That makes sense..." Chen Cao nodded. The location of Baifu is impressive. If it didn't matter, there is really no way to buy this house. "Okay, send people to keep an eye on Baifu. Don't make any noise."
