There is never a shortage of new things in Beijing.
In the past few days, the Reading Pavilion has once again become the main topic that everyone talks about after dinner.
"I heard that the Women's Library in the Reading Pavilion has published a storybook called Pear Blossom Yuan. There are only ten copies. People who want to read it have been waiting in line for three months."
"The news I learned is this. There are ten books in total of Lihuayuan. Only eight books have been borrowed. There are two books left in the library for members to read. However, there are too many people to read them. You have to go early to grab them. Book."
"What story is written, and why are so many women rushing to read it?"
"It is said to be the story of a noble lady and a young man. It is very touching. You must read it if you have the chance."
"..."
Shopkeeper Yu was almost crazy with his work. Many ladies from aristocratic families came to borrow books, but the books had already been borrowed. They had to register and queue up, and the queue suddenly reached four or five months later.
The two books left in the Reading Pavilion exclusively for members have been read by people from the moment they open in the morning until they close.
Ninety-eight percent of the original members of the Reading Pavilion were men. Due to the popularity of "Pear Blossom Marriage", many women from aristocratic families also came to apply for membership, and the number of members reached 800. Fortunately, women generally do not stay in the Reading Pavilion. Time to read and write, otherwise the yard must be expanded immediately.
At the same time, booksellers from the capital also came to visit.
Shopkeeper Yu knew that women would like this book, but he didn't expect that it would become so popular. The wives of some first- and second-grade officials would also come to borrow it, which was beyond his imagination.
After a busy day, shopkeeper Yu immediately went to Cheng Wanwan to report: "Three booksellers came to discuss cooperation. They all want to take advantage of the popularity of this book to print a batch and sell it. What do the people of Sui'an think?"
Cheng Wanwan had the intention of printing.
Although the business of Reading Pavilion is booming now, in fact the income is still too low, so we must find ways to increase revenue. The money earned is divided into five parts, one share for each of the three leaders, and one share is reserved for the daily operation of Reading Pavilion. Finally, One portion will be used as a scholarship to help poor students after it reaches a certain amount.
Printing books and selling them can be regarded as an important thing in the Reading Pavilion in the future.
"Contact these three booksellers and choose a partner who can cooperate with you for a long time. We must share 70% of the profit. If anything less, we won't talk about it." Cheng Wanwan thought for a while and said, "In addition, printing the black and white version, If you want to see the color version, you can only come to our reading pavilion."
Shopkeeper Yu nodded: "What about pricing?"
"Let the booksellers decide this aspect." Cheng Wanwan smiled, "They are businessmen in the book business. They are well versed in the ways of doing business. They will definitely not lose money, so just go ahead and do it."
Shopkeeper Yu nodded and immediately went to do this.
Cheng Wanwan continued to think about new stories. She had a lot of these bloody love stories in her mind. She wrote a summary, and then asked shopkeeper Yu to find someone to fill in the details, comparing it to the business model of "Lihuayuan" Just come, even if it doesn't explode, you shouldn't lose money.
When conceiving the story, she avoided vulgarity and added elegance to the content. She tried to avoid real place names and official positions to avoid anyone taking the wrong place.
After being so busy, it was mid-July and the weather was getting hotter and hotter.
Cheng Wanwan was grounded for nearly a month. At first, she felt comfortable and carefree, but if it continued like this, people would get moldy.
Before "Lihuayuan" was printed and put on the market, Assab's envoy finally arrived in the capital.
The envoys who came to Beijing this time, in addition to Assab, were also envoys from the Lachi Kingdom. Two long motorcades came in from the gate of the capital.
Envoys from the Laji Kingdom come to the capital every three years, and because the Lachi Kingdom is very close to the Dayu Kingdom, the people of the two countries actually look similar, and even some of their characters have similar shapes. No one is curious, so most of their eyes are focused on The face of Assab's messenger.
The Assab country is located in the north of the Dayu Kingdom, separated by the Yueshi clan. The road is very long, and there is very little communication between the two countries. This is the first time the Assab country has come to the Dayu Kingdom.
The Assab people riding on the big horses have very white skin, blond hair, green or blue eyes, and many beards on their faces.
"The Assab people look a bit scary, and they actually have eyes of this color."
"You are so rare and strange. There are people in Thurso who have green eyes. Just get used to it."
"You see, each of their necks are covered with gems and jewelry. Are these things common in Assab?"
"It is said that Assab is full of jewelry and gold. Otherwise, how could our Daewoo Dynasty make such a big show to invite their envoys to come as guests."
"..."
Zhao Sidan also went to watch the excitement on the street and told Cheng Wanwan vividly when he came back.
Cheng Wanwan stretched out and said, "It seems that my ban will finally be lifted."
It's already mid-July. I'll finish my work around the end of July and return in August. If it gets colder later, I'll have to suffer on the way back.
Cheng Wanwan's premonitions never went wrong. Sure enough, as soon as noon passed, the imperial edict from the palace came.
The person who came to announce the decree was Eunuch Ming. He walked in with a smile on his face and said, "We have seen people from Sui'an. People from Sui'an should kneel down and listen to the decree."
Cheng Wanwan took the lead and knelt down, and the people waiting behind him also knelt down on the ground.
"According to the imperial edict of the Emperor Chengyun, an envoy from Assab has arrived in Beijing today. In order to promote friendly exchanges between the two countries, Dayu State has prepared a state banquet in the imperial garden... I heard that the sixth-grade Suian man Kunyi Yuxiu broke the scroll and read the scriptures. Proficient in the Assab language, he was awarded the rank of Sixth-ranking Secretary of Honglu Temple and was given the court uniform of the Sixth-ranking Secretary. I admire this!"
Cheng Wanwan was startled.
She thought it was an imperial edict to lift the ban and allow her to enter the palace for a banquet. Unexpectedly, she was given a serious official position.
Although the Liupin'an people are the imperial wives, they do not have any real power and cannot participate in major affairs of the imperial court.
But it is different for the sixth-grade minister. She is a serious court official and needs to participate in the affairs of the upper court. As long as there are foreign guests coming to Beijing, she, the minister, has to attend banquets to receive them.
Seeing that Cheng Wanwan did not accept the order, Eunuch Ming smiled and said: "The emperor offended many ministers in order to grant Sui'an this official position. After all, Sui'an is the first female court official since the founding of the Dayu Dynasty. , although it is only the sixth grade, but because it is the first in history, it is extremely important."
Of course Cheng Wanwan would not refuse such a good thing, but she had to say something clearly. She said hesitantly: "But I have to return to Dahe Village sooner or later. I'm afraid I will let down the emperor's kindness..."
"Hahaha!" Eunuch Ming laughed, "The people from Sui'an really deserve to be from Sui'an. They have such a great honor and always remember their title. Since they are from Sui, they must be caring about farming. For the welfare of the people. The emperor has said that the sixth-grade ministers from Sui'an can only be considered part-time. From now on, after the people from Sui'an return to Dahe Village, they can just help translate letters from time to time. There is no need to do anything special. "
Cheng Wanwan was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed: "I accept the decree, long live my emperor!"
