One river crosses two capitals, and there is the sound of boats and oars. The mountains and rivers are the drawing paper, and the sun and the moon are the paintings. The geese fall in the swamp and fly to the south, and the river carries ice to the north. All the people are employed here, and they are not afraid of the wind that rolls up the curtains.
The Danqing Library was officially opened. There was no ribbon cutting or firecrackers set off. The stairs from the first floor to the second floor were sealed off calmly. You could go up to the second floor from the outer stairs next to it.
The printing on the first floor will be completed at the end of the month, and then it will be moved elsewhere and new copper movable type will be used.
However, the students publicized the opening of the library and its contents within one day, making it known to everyone in Nanjing.
Scholars, rich or poor, rushed to the library to see what books were there.
Poor students feel that they have found their roots, have a place to sleep without spending money, and can read a book immediately after waking up. Is there anything happier than this?
So when it snowed again the next day, the students who had slept well last night took the initiative to sweep the streets and clean up the library.
We can't let people who come again step on the snow and make the library dirty. They cherish this place very much.
From ancient times to the present, I have never heard of any dynasty that opened the library to everyone. The key is that there is no money.
Wealthy students look at the books on the shelves and immediately feel the comfort of the single room.
The single rooms are divided into first-class, second-class, and third-class rooms. Among them, there are three each after the second-class class and the third class class. There are a lot of first-class houses, and the first-, second- and third-class houses correspond to the imperial examinations.
No one wants to win first-class status, and the rooms of second-class and third-class students do not expect anyone to enter them, and are used as foils.
It is impossible for poor people to enter, and rich people would rather bite the bullet and buy a room in Class A than settle in Class II.
"Why don't you open the door? What's it like inside?" Someone wearing silk clothes asked, pointing to the end of the corridor and looking at a room that should be very large.
The children from Xiaqiu Village came over temporarily to help. The little girl was in charge of this place. She smiled sweetly: "No! You have to become a member. This door is actually a corridor with three houses."
"What is a membership? Isn't it just about money? Look at the clothes I'm wearing, and then look at you... you look pretty too!" The person who asked then carefully looked at the little girl in charge of service.
He might have been confused by looking at the house just now, or he might have thought that he was the richest in this library after looking at other poor students.
"Thank you! Apply for a junior membership first. After spending three months in the library, and with a minimum monthly consumption of more than 300 yuan, you can upgrade to a senior membership.
I’ve been promoted to premium membership! You can purchase three rooms for the next day through bidding.
You can stay for three days at a time and bid again after three days. All food and drinks here are free! "
The little girl introduced, and the other person frowned and listened. He didn't understand many words, but he could guess the general meaning.
It means living for three months, spending 900 guan, and guaranteeing 300 guan for one month, and then you can move in through purchasing.
This money...
"Do you have...anything to say?" This man was worried about money.
"Okay! Let me tell you this! Although they are all first-class houses, this one is even better. It is the house of the top pick, the second pick, and the top pick."
The little girl lowered her voice and told the other party quietly.
"Since the first-class apartment I live in is not really a first-class apartment, why do I still live in it?" The man was angry.
"You don't have to live there! It doesn't cost anything to go downstairs. Looking from top to bottom, it's such a big place with all the shops." The little girl still smiled.
"What kind of place should I live with them? What kind of membership? Come and get one." He compromised.
"Okay! Come with me." The little girl jumped ahead and walked ahead.
"Hey! Didn't you say that the red sleeves add fragrance? How much do you pay?" He thought this girl was quite cute.
"I won't be here tomorrow! I didn't have time to find someone today, so our children from Xiaqiu Village will take over for the day. You can't even look for Hongxiu to add fragrance! You can't afford it if you get caught!"
The little girl winked mischievously as she spoke. She did it on purpose. She had learned the tone that Brother Hanhan used when he was joking. There is also the word 'pro', which she is embarrassed to say.
Other friends also completed the reception task very well, selling many membership cards, one card worth ten guan, and accepting silver and gold payment methods.
Otherwise, go back and find a way to move the copper coins over. Ten copper coins are very heavy.
…
"Hanhan, is it okay to make money like this? I feel guilty." Li Chang asked in a room in the library.
"The last imperial examination will be next year, and I don't know when the next one will be. Those who can apply for membership cards are from wealthy families, which is different from those who only need hot water when eating cold steamed buns.
Their presence is indispensable along the Qinhuai River. We have provided them with services. If they spend money, what’s the problem?
The decoration of a room costs at least a hundred dollars, and with the location next to the Imperial City of Nanjing, their money was well spent. "
Zhu Wentian doesn't think it's expensive. He can get a membership card for 10,000 yuan. If he doesn't want it, he can return it.
Rich people enjoy services, libraries make money, and can subsidize poor students. This is how society is, those who make more money pay more taxes, and those who can't survive have almshouses.
Why did Zhu Yuanzhang rebel? Can't live anymore.
"What's next?" The director put the question aside.
"Write a letter to the prince and prepare to transport ice from the north. It is not possible now because the ice is not thick enough.
Many people can benefit from collecting the ice from there and sending it here.
It is cheaper to dig an ice cellar outside Nanjing and store the transported ice in it for use when the weather is hot next year than to use saltpeter to make ice.
People’s needs are not only to eat well, but also to enjoy life. Rich people like to keep their money at home, so we will find ways to get them to spend it and enjoy life. "
Zhu Wentian pushed for the next step, and even sold good medicinal materials to rich people in the future to treat their diseases.
"I'll write later. Our village will have more money next year. What will we do?"
Li Chang looked embarrassed. He didn't want to have too much cash in his hands. He was afraid before, but now he knows that money must be circulated. Will the money rust in the warehouse?
"Don't be in a hurry. You can spend it as soon as you want. We agreed to raise ducks and geese, and then build roads when the Rouge River is open."
"Yes, it costs a lot to build roads, but it also allows those involved in road construction to make money."
"In the future, we will have to spend money to build a palace in Peking. We must participate and leave a good location to open a store."
"Then I'm leaving." The manager was relieved and turned around to go out.
…
Lunch is delivered and cooked separately for those who have a membership card. It is a gift for membership.
Three-pen lunch boxes were given to students with less money to celebrate the official opening of the Danqing Library.
Zhu Wentian and his friends ran downstairs to eat lunch with the students who lived here yesterday, which cost three pennies.
"Why are you eating this?" The student next to him was very puzzled.
Everyone already knows that the Painting Library and other businesses belong to Xiaqiu Village, and the children and teenagers temporarily helping to entertain today are from the village.
You can tell how rich you are just by looking at the clothes you wear, let alone the jewelry you wear.
"This dish is delicious. The vegetarian version also has a little meat in it. We use oil when frying it. It also tastes the same when we fry it ourselves."
One child answered naturally that the food was not bad to eat.
(End of chapter)
