Ningzhou, governor's office.
Wan Yan, the governor of Ningzhou, stared at his second son Wan Yan for a long time before snorting coldly and said: "You have been following the Imperial Envoy Master Zhao for so long, and this is what you have learned?"
Wan Yan quickly said respectfully: "Please teach me, father."
"Hmph, I asked you to follow Mr. Zhao because I asked you to learn his sage articles, but you learned these stupid things. I am really disappointed as a father. If you have this time, why not read more sage articles, and I will take the test. Test you."
After a pause, Wan Cishi opened a book at random, read it for a moment and said coldly: "A gentleman who is virtuous will kiss his relatives."
Wan Yan immediately replied: "This is from "The Great Learning". A gentleman appreciates his virtuous people and loves his relatives, while a villain takes pleasure in them and benefits them. This will never be forgotten until the end of the world."
"Don't think I'm trying to make things difficult for you. Do you know that questions like this are easy in scientific examinations? Have you ever experienced cross-cutting questions? That really makes people cry. If you write this kind of article If you don’t pass, you don’t need to take any imperial examinations.”
Wan Cishi's words were extremely harsh, but Wan Yan was not angry.
Wan Cishi said calmly: "You said it well, but have you thought about how to solve the problem?"
Wan Yan was stunned for a moment, and then he cursed that it was impossible to solve the problem so quickly.
Wan Yanruo has some realization.
"You have to remember that all articles come from the books of saints, so they must not go beyond this scope. You can't just write whatever you want, but you should think about the problem from the perspective of a saint and think about what they would do if they were a saint. Explain the problem. Only in this way can you write an article that satisfies the examiner and the court."
"Please ask father for advice."
Wan Cishi nodded slightly and said: "The former king is called civil and military. A gentleman is called a virtuous queen and a king. A villain is called a descendant of the people... You have to solve the problem from this aspect."
But Wan Yan was still unwilling to give in and said quickly: "Father, in fact, the book that I want to publish is not written by Haier, but by the imperial envoy Master Zhao. I just want to get the authorization from Master Zhao to publish and print the manuscript in Jiangnan Road. .”
Wan Cishi frowned and said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
As soon as Wan Jishi started talking, he couldn't hold it back, like the endless flow of a river.
He didn't talk too much about little tricks, but just very practical principles. After hearing this, Wan Yan felt as if he was enlightened.
Wan Yan took a deep breath and said: "The book that my child is going to publish is called a pocket book. There are many illustrations in it, which complement the text... The name of the book is called Liaozhai."
Wan Yan talked for a long time before instilling the concept of comic strips into Wan Cishi.
Wan Yan thought to himself that you didn’t even ask.
"Tell me more about it."
It was during the Great Zhou Dynasty that a large number of line drawing illustrations appeared in books, but the concepts of comic strips and pocket books were not yet deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
As for the popularity of Liaozhai, Wan Cishi naturally knows it.
In fact, the prototype of comic books already existed in the previous dynasty.
It’s just that the proportion of the paintings at that time was not large compared to the text.
...
Wan Yan gave a long speech, but Wan Cishi still felt a little awkward.
But he didn't expect that this book was written by Zhao Xun, and he suddenly became interested.
...
"Mr. Zhao is different from you. Mr. Zhao has already achieved fame and success, so it's not a big deal to write casual books. But you haven't achieved fame yet. What kind of printing can you do at this time... My father is worried that it will affect your future. You need to know Everything is inferior but reading is good. As long as you read well, everything else will come. Why should you ruin your great future for three or five dollars?"
kindness? Three or five thousand dollars?
Although scholars are particular about writing books and talking about them, it still depends on what kind of book they are reading and what they are writing about, right?
It's okay to publish an elegant collection of poems, but if you want to write something popular or illustrated, it's really a price drop.
Now it was Wan Jishi's turn to be stunned.
This kid actually dared to refute him, he wanted to hear what he had to say!
Wan Yan quickly took over the conversation like a man grabbing a life-saving straw in the flood.
"Daddy, what you said is wrong!"
"Ahem..."
Wan Yan coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment: "This is a word that Mr. Zhao often talks about. Dad can understand it as promoting the truth."
Wan Yan was not polite and said categorically: "The pocket book mentioned by the boy is not a trivial matter. It can make the timid brave, the lewd ones chaste, the thin ones honest, and the stubborn ones sweat. It can also make the touch of nature clear and guide emotions. In other words, pocket books can also be written with positive energy to warn the world."
Upon hearing this, Wan Cishi quickly waved his hands and said, "That's all what you said before, but what does this positive energy mean?"
"Secondly, this pocket book is really profitable..."
Wan Yan glanced at his father and saw that his face was as usual, he swallowed and continued: "I can guarantee that if you print this Liaozhai in Ningzhou, you can earn at least one hundred taels a month."
"Just keep talking."
Wan Jishi seemed to be aroused and smiled slightly.
According to the prices in Ningzhou during the Xianlong period, one hundred taels of silver could buy a top-notch house.
Of course, Wan Yan is not just talking nonsense, he is confident for a reason.
At this time, even Wan Cishi, who was extremely well-educated, couldn't help laughing.
"My son, please don't say it's a joke. Do you know what a hundred taels means?"
What's more, Ningzhou's printing industry is also extremely developed, which can fully support Wan Yan's huge ambitions.
Last but not least, selling books during the Great Week is tax-free.
Liaozhai is a bestseller, and this was proved in Chang'an.
How could a book that was popular in Chang'an City not be popular when printed and distributed in Jiangnan Road?
"Dad, please don't laugh so quickly. Can you make a bet with your child? If your child earns more than one hundred taels of silver in the first month, we will print Liao Zhai on a large scale."
Wan Cishi found it interesting after hearing this. He would definitely make a profit on this bet without any risk. So why should he refuse?
Customized by Taizu: In addition to the tax on books, fields and utensils, civil servants are exempt from tax. However, farm tools, books and other items not sold in the market are not counted.
Therefore, selling books in the Zhou Dynasty could make a lot of money.
Wan Yan seemed to see what he was thinking, and said quickly: "Dad, don't worry, we are just the producer, the real author is Mr. Zhao. Even Mr. Zhao is not worried, so what are we worried about?"
"All right."
But he still has a little worry, and that is the issue of reputation.
Writing this kind of pocket book is a no-no after all. He is the governor of the current dynasty, so it would be bad if his reputation was ruined by publishing a book.
Wan Cishi pushed his hand and said, "Don't be too busy to be happy. My father has spoken first, and I will not interfere with the publishing of the book. Contacting the booksellers is all up to you."
Wan Yan patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, dad, this matter will be taken care of by the child."
Wan Yan was overjoyed when he heard this.
"Thank you dad."
The so-called preparedness means that you never know when you will need money.
After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Wan Yan started walking on the street.
I have to say that money is really attractive.
Although Wan Yan is the son of the governor and does not need to worry about his livelihood, it is good to make more money.
The front store sells books and the back factory prints books.
What kind of Sanduozhai, what kind of Zongwenshe, or even Santaiguan, Qinghuitang...
Naturally, he was not just hanging out, but looking for booksellers to cooperate with.
The book printing industry in Ningzhou is very developed, and it is basically a shop-in-front-factory model.
The reason is very simple. These bookstores are very famous and have their own regular partners. It is unlikely that they will like a new person.
If Wan Yan wants to publish a book, he can only choose small bookstores that are not very famous or popular.
Those who saw it were dazzled.
However, Wan Yan did not stay in front of these big bookstores for too long.
Wan Yan walked in without hesitation with his hands behind his back.
When the store saw the customer coming, he quickly greeted him warmly.
Finally, his eyes fell in front of a bookstore called Shuangfengtang.
This bookstore has a small storefront, and when you get closer, you can see that there aren't many bookstores.
Wan Yan shook his head: "I'm not here to buy books."
The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment.
"What kind of books would you like to read, little official? Our store has a complete set of chapters and verses from the four books, as well as an anthology of current affairs that was just compiled. Do you want to take a look, little official?"
There are countless people visiting this store. Seeing that Wan Yan looks like a scholar, he naturally recommends the imperial examination reference book.
This time the store owner didn't look very good.
"Young official, our store is too small to make such a joke. Do you know how much it costs to print a set of books? No one will buy poems written at your age, even if they are compiled into a collection."
"You are joking, little official. If you are not here to buy books, how can you be here to sell them?"
Wan Yan smiled and said, "Yes, I'm really here to sell books."
"Xiao Guanren, Xiao Ke just said that a set of books is expensive..."
"Let's do this. I'll pay for the first batch of printed books, and I'll just consign them to you. If the sales are good in the future, we can talk about cooperation. What do you think?"
Wan Yan was not angry, but said harmoniously: "What I want to sell is not an elegant collection of poems, but. If you are willing to cooperate for a while, I will give you the manuscript, and you and I will get the profits from the books sold. Divide according to proportion.”
The store owner was not very happy.
Wan Yan quickly raised his hands and said in salute: "That's natural... By the way, what's your surname?"
"My surname is Chen, and the single character is An."
Wan Yan took a step back and said.
The shopkeeper curled his lips and said very reluctantly: "Consignment, that's fine. But there is one ugly thing that I have to say beforehand. If this book fails to sell, I, Shuangfeng Tang, will not bear any responsibility."
"It's easy to talk about."
As the saying goes, don't hit the smiling person. Seeing Wan Yan's good attitude, Chen An couldn't help but be so cold-faced.
The store owner said coldly.
Wan Yan nodded softly and said in a harmonious voice: "I will inevitably bother shopkeeper Chen if I need to in the future, so please bear with me."
...
...
"Farewell."
Wan Yan hugged Chen An again, turned around and left the store.
Wan Yan felt bad, but now the arrow was on the string and had to be fired. Even if you bite the bullet, you still have to go.
He took a deep breath, took a few steps forward and smiled at Shopkeeper Chen, cupping his hands and saying, "Shopkeeper Chen, I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Early the next morning, Wan Yan went straight to Shuangfeng Hall.
As soon as he entered the bookstore, Wan Yan saw shopkeeper Chen sitting there with a sad face, as if someone owed him a hundred taels of silver.
Wan Yan secretly felt bad luck in his heart, but forced a smile on his face and said: "What did Shopkeeper Chen say? How can Xiaosheng have that free time? You are probably a noble man who forgets things. Xiaosheng told you a few days ago It’s settled, I have a book manuscript that I want to consign with you..."
Chen An then remembered, but he shook his head and sighed: "It's too late, it's too late."
Chen An was already unhappy, but when he saw Wan Yan's playful smile, he became extremely angry.
"I'm telling you, young official, if you have this free time, you might as well study a few more times. Wouldn't you like to make a special trip to see my jokes?"
Chen An didn't have any hope for Wan Yan, a young man like him, but he sighed and said: "That's all, since the matter is at this point, I'm not afraid of one more person watching the joke."
"Young officials should know that Ningzhou City is extremely prosperous inside and outside, and every inch of it is worth every penny. I rent this shop, and the owner of this shop came to ask for a rent increase the day before yesterday. This is a small business, and it is profitable. Bo, there’s nothing more I can do now. Hey, I’m thinking that I’ll pack up and go back to my hometown once the manuscripts in stock are sold out.”
Wan Yan felt annoyed and thought, can you tell everything at once? It's like suffocating people to death with every single sentence.
But he had something to ask for, so he could only continue to accompany him with a smile and said: "Is there any difficulty, shopkeeper Chen? You might as well tell me so that the young man can help you with the details."
"May I ask Shopkeeper Chen, when will your lease expire?"
"The end of this month."
Wan Yan thought to himself, what was going on? Wasn't it just that he couldn't pay the rent?
Fortunately, you met me, and I asked you to watch a "comeback from desperate situation" show.
Wan Yan said with joy in his heart: "There is still more than half a month left, there is still time. The manuscript that Xiaosheng mentioned last time has to be troubled by shopkeeper Chen to help sell it on consignment for a while."
Chen An suddenly felt a surge of anger in his chest, and said sarcastically: "Didn't the little official listen to what I said? I can't continue my business. Where can I find time to help the little official sell books? The little official should look elsewhere. Bar."
Chen An said weakly.
"That's good."
"Shopkeeper Chen, wait a minute. As long as you are willing to help Xiaosheng sell manuscripts on consignment, Xiaosheng can guarantee that you will make a lot of money within half a month. Not to mention paying the rent, it is not impossible to buy this shop."
Chen An wanted to laugh when he heard this young man boasting about Haikou, and asked instinctively: "How can a small official be a guarantee?"
Wan Yan thought to himself that you have really met a noble person. I, the young master, will not remember the faults of villains and will not care about you.
His father is the governor of Ningzhou, and no one in Ningzhou City dares to deny his father face. Raise the rent and drive people out? This is nothing.
I have to say that Wan Yan’s words are on point. Chen An thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, then I will trust this little official for once. Where is the manuscript? Please give it to me for printing."
Movable type printing has become very popular in the Zhou Dynasty. Except for those fixed-format Four Books and Five Classics, engraving printing is rarely used in bookshops. Even if printing like this takes time, shopkeeper Chen meant to get Wan Yan's manuscript printed as soon as possible rather than later.
Wan Yan said leisurely: "Whether you believe it or not depends on Shopkeeper Chen. But if Xiaosheng is Shopkeeper Chen, he will always give it a try. Can it be worse than it is now?"
"this..."
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