Only then did Jiang Tuo remember that books in ancient times were very expensive. In the era before printing technology, bookstores were all over the country, and books were mainly hand-copied, so they were very expensive. Each volume usually sold for two to three thousand words.
It has been recorded that there is no way to print books when they are written, and people value collecting books.
Especially if a wealthy family has a larger collection of books, they won't lend them out at all. Especially since the great chaos in the world, various noble families have collected books, made covers with furs, and sewed with gold thread. They have their own clan studies for the children of the family to learn.
Now that I have printing technology in my hands, it is simply a money printing machine!
"I have some government books that I would like to give to you. What do you think?"
"What?" Many of the disciples were immediately surprised. This book was so expensive, and the governor was actually willing to give it to them?
Nowadays, children of wealthy families pass down books to their families. One more book in the family means that one of the children can learn knowledge. What's more, what Jiang Tuo is selling is the government's collection of books.
"Sir, do you really want to donate books? I wonder how many books you want to donate?"
"Let's see. I want all the books your lord has given me. Each book is priced at ten taels of silver... I wonder what your lord wants?"
Jiang Tuo was immediately displeased and scolded: "I treat you all as brothers and sisters. How can a gift of books among intellectuals be sold? Remember, gifting books is not selling books!"
Everyone immediately understood and said loudly: "We are willing to give you a gift!"
Jiang Tuo laughed again and explained: "When I was in Qingshui County, I ordered people to collect books from all over the world. After collecting them for three years, I ordered people to copy and annotate them, and only then did I have two thousand books!"
"How many copies do you want to give away, sir?"
"I plan to... give them all to you!" Jiang Tuo said loudly with a firm tone: "You will be local officials in the future. You must read more and study the classics carefully, so that you can be a good official serving the people and the country!"
Everyone suddenly became excited and looked at Jiang Tuo in disbelief.
Two thousand books...
"Five days later, you can come to the government office to exchange your books with the gifts!" Jiang Tuo waved his hand and settled the matter!
At the same time, the patriarchs of the three major families gathered together again, with deep worries on their faces. They noticed that something was wrong with Jiang Tuo's recent behavior.
"Do you think he is pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger?"
"Can't you? Looking at his appearance, he doesn't have any scheming intentions. In the past few days, he has been hanging out with those young disciples and having fun all day long. He doesn't look like a good official at all."
"Maybe he hides it deeply?"
The three of them looked at each other. They originally thought that Jiang Tuo was close to wealthy families like them, giving them privileges and official positions, and even canceling taxes...
But after so many days, how do they feel... The governor Jiang Tuo drew a big pie and asked the wealthy families like them to spend a huge amount of money to voluntarily support the people and build facilities in the city.
"He doesn't think we are being taken advantage of, right?"
"Does he have the courage? If he deceives us, the worst we can do is join forces and let him go, and Longxi County will be paralyzed immediately... Can he bear this responsibility?"
Chief Bai looked at the two of them and said solemnly: "Think about it, have Jiang Tuo fulfilled his promise these days?"
The other two fell silent.
The main reason is that Jiang Tuo's cake-painting skills are too superb, and he doesn't know where he learned them from. He always shouts that the opportunity is for you, and young people should do more things. If others can be the chief registrar, you can be the prefect... …
Jiang Tuo speaks well and is a talented person. These disciples all like hanging out with Jiang Tuo.
Besides, after hearing these words, even they couldn't help but feel excited. How could those young people stand this?
The first thing I do when I get home every day is to find ways to get money from home.
They want to please Jiang Tuo, so as to obtain an official position, and then rise step by step, become a high official, marry a beautiful woman, and then reach the pinnacle of life.
"These days, my Yang family has invested nearly 30,000 taels of silver!"
"I invested twenty thousand taels!"
"The Bai family also invested 30,000 taels." Chief Bai shook his head and sighed: "It's just money, but I don't know when it will be enough. Those children don't regard silver as money, they are crazy. Make good friends with Jiang Tuo."
"Yes, especially that stone tablet, which is said to be engraved with the names of people who contributed money. Good guy, how much money did those children voluntarily donate in order to be on the list? Countless!"
"There are also places outside Longxi County. They also heard the news and presented gifts to Jiang Tuo. These people compare with each other, compete with each other, and all want to win the jackpot!"
The three people accused Jiang Tuo of various behaviors. As the heads of a wealthy clan, they were already lavish in food, clothing, housing and transportation, but their recent display of wealth and expenditures were too great, and even they felt sick.
"How about... we stop clinging to Jiang Tuo?" Patriarch Yang suggested.
"No, we have invested so much money, are we going to waste it? As long as Longxi County is well constructed and Jiang Tuo can speak in front of the Prime Minister, he can get benefits for us!"
"But if this continues, when will it end!"
The three of them argued endlessly, and Patriarch Bai stood up and decided: "Let's stop for a while. When Jiang Tuo comes to the door, we will discuss it with him."
"That's fine!"
At this moment, Bai Ning, a descendant of the Bai family, hurried in and said loudly: "Dad, prepare three thousand taels of silver for me quickly!"
Patriarch Bai's expression changed and he angrily said, "Why do you need three thousand taels of silver? Do you want to give it to Jiang Tuo? I tell you, from now on, there is no way to get silver!"
"What, dad! Governor Jiang took out two thousand books for sale, and now the whole city is going crazy, and everyone wants to buy the books in the governor's hands!"
"What?"
The expressions of the heads of the three families suddenly changed, and they looked at each other in confusion. What is going on?
Jiang Tuo sells books?
Can something as precious as a book be sold at will? And they still sold two thousand copies?
Could it be that their judgment just now was wrong, that Jiang Tuo was not scheming, but heartless?
Otherwise, how could you sell books? This book is a passport that transcends the Guizhou and gentry classes. Can it be bought and sold?
"Is the news accurate?" Chief Bai asked.
"Chief Jiang said it himself, how can it be false? Moreover, he has sent soldiers to collect the books and they will be sold in five days!"
"Well, I will prepare three thousand taels of silver for you, and you must buy all the books in his hands."
"Okay, Dad!"
"Clan Chief Bai, what was our agreement just now?" The other two looked at him in surprise.
Patriarch Bai shook his head and said without blushing, "Ahem, the situation has changed. We can postpone the plan and buy the book in Jiang Tuo's hand first, and then discuss it later."
When the news of the book sale reached You Chu's ears, You Chu was just stunned and didn't say anything.
This made Jiang Tuo a little confused and asked: "Why didn't you persuade me to sell my book when you heard about it?"
You Chu smiled and said: "Your actions are for the people of Longxi County. Why should I advise you? Books are the words of saints, and your actions are the practices of saints. What's wrong with selling books?"
Jiang Tuo suddenly became happy and said with a smile: "Yes, yes, that's what I think. But, You Chu, I have a small favor... I wonder if you can help me?"
You Chu was stunned and asked cautiously: "What are you busy with?"
"Just helping me sell books."
"Is it just that simple?"
Jiang Tuo rubbed his chin, looked at You Chu and said, "Of course, there are some lines. You have to practice them. If you can match them with body movements, it will be even more perfect."
Five days later, when many children of wealthy families looked at the mountains of books that occupied four rooms, they could no longer hold back their excitement and wanted to buy the books immediately.
Unexpectedly, at this time You Chu suddenly knelt down and begged sadly and angrily: "Sir, you can't sell it. You see, this book is "Han Yuefu Folk Songs". It contains hundreds of poems and annotations. You can't Sell it!”
Jiang Tuo ignored You Chu and said loudly: "Everyone, what if this is the precious "Han Yuefu Folk Songs"? How much does this book usually cost?"
You Chu on the side said angrily: "Three hundred taels of silver!"
"However, you are all my family. I know very well that you have worked day and night for Longxi County these days. Without everyone's efforts, Longxi County would not be what it is today!"
Jiang Tuo said generously and falsely: "So, I want to give back to you all. Now, let me tell you a number! One hundred taels of silver? No, fifty taels of silver? No, ten taels of silver! Okay?!"
Seeing that You Chu didn't respond, Jiang Tuo quickly bumped him with his elbow.
You Chu came to his senses, grabbed Jiang Tuo's arm, and shouted loudly: "Sir, no! If we sell like this, we will be punished by God? Even if you find someone to copy it, how much will the pen and ink cost? How much will the rice paper cost? ?”
"I don't care, I will benefit everyone!"
"This... these are all the works of our great Han sages. How could you waste them like this?" You Chu was so anxious that he almost cried.
"Come on, take him away! I won't make any money today just to thank my family for their support!"
"Fifty taels of silver per book, limited to two thousand copies, on... stock!"
At this moment, the wealthy children who were watching were all amazed and quickly took out their money to make purchases.
"There is actually Huainanzi here, as well as detailed annotations. I have been looking for it for a long time, but I still can't find this book."
"Yes, Mr. Jiang, everyone is pretty cool!"
"This book is sold so cheaply. Mr. Jiang is indeed good news to us!"
In the following days, the government office in Longxi County almost became the most lively place in Liangzhou, with a sea of people coming and going. The sales limit of Jiang Tuo's books gradually increased from two thousand to five thousand, and then to ten thousand.
According to Jiang Tuo, it is to make money at a loss, purely for the benefit of the wealthy families!
You Chu tugged at his beard and couldn't figure it out. He found that every seven or eight days, a batch of books would be sent from other places. The books looked very new, and some of the ink was not dry yet. When he asked someone, he said It's damp.
"It shouldn't be. It's winter now, a dry and cold season. How can books get damp?"
