Xin You didn't say much in front of the craftsmen. She turned around and asked shopkeeper Hu to compile a list and write down the status of all the craftsmen.
Shopkeeper Hu was shocked by Xin You's courage to buy a story for five hundred taels, and carefully compiled the list.
"Then you guys are busy." Xin You walked to the back.
The things brought from Shaoqing's Mansion were almost packed. Xin You sat down on the beauty's couch and called Xiao Lian: "Go to the bookstore opposite and buy a copy of Mr. Ping'an's new story book."
Since bookstores mainly rely on best-selling story books, and the story books written by Mr. Ping An are sought after by countless people, it is natural to read more of his books to determine what kind of stories to write.
Xiaolian agreed, took off her coat that was stained with dust from packing things, changed into clean clothes and walked out.
There were still many people gathered outside Qingsong Bookstore, and even because of this, a few people walked into the bookstore casually and bought books on the way.
The shopkeeper of Yaxin Bookstore is named Gu. Shopkeeper Gu looked a little solemn when he saw the person walking out of Qingsong Bookstore with a book.
A little girl, quite good at twisting things.
When he thought about selling these books, he was attracted by the gimmick of buying the story for five hundred taels, and shopkeeper Gu's face turned to disdain.
He wanted to see what good stories he could buy with these five hundred taels.
The printing and bookselling industry in Beijing is very prosperous. Only a limited number of people buy serious books, but stories are bought by ordinary people who know a few Chinese characters. Good book writers will naturally be competed by various bookstores. Rob.
Not to mention Mr. Ping An, if you look at the capital, he knows all the writers who can write decent books, and he either signs contracts with those with potential to support them, or maintains a good cooperative relationship.
Other bookstores were similar, and he didn't believe that an outstanding book writer would suddenly appear in the capital.
Shopkeeper Gu thought about this, felt at ease, turned around and walked into Yaxin Bookstore.
Not long after, Xiaolian walked in and asked politely: "How do you sell Mr. Ping An's new story book?"
Before shopkeeper Gu could speak, the waiter said: "It's sold out!"
Xiaolian looked disappointed: "It's sold out?"
Didn't Mr. Ping An's books just start selling?
"It's really gone. My sister wants to buy it. Let's wait until the reprinted one comes out."
"When will the seal come out?"
"That's not certain. Sister can come and visit often."
Xiaolian nodded and left disappointed.
When the waiter saw someone walking out of the store, he immediately said to shopkeeper Gu: "Shopkeeper, the young lady who just arrived is the maid of the new owner across the street. She is here to spy on the enemy!"
Shopkeeper Gu sneered: "Pay more attention in the future. It seems that the new owner of Qingsong Bookstore is not as settled as Shen."
After Xiaolian went out, she was blown by the wind and her brain suddenly became bright.
Could it be that he was identified and deliberately refused to sell it to her?
Thinking of this possibility, Xiaolian quietly hid aside and waited patiently for the guests who entered Yaxin Bookstore.
Attracted by the notice of Qingsong Bookstore, not many customers entered Yaxin Bookstore, but people came one after another. Xiaolian waited patiently for the right candidate, a girl in ordinary clothes.
"Ouch!" The girl who was holding the storybook loosened her grip and dropped the newly bought storybook to the ground. She couldn't help raising her eyebrows at Xiaolian, "How do you walk!"
Xiaolian hurriedly picked up the notebook on the ground and apologized repeatedly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was in a hurry while walking."
The girl took the storybook and frowned tightly: "The new book I bought for only three hundred yuan is stained. It's really unlucky."
"Sister, don't be angry. I'll pay you five hundred cents to buy it, and you can buy a new one."
Hearing what Xiaolian said, the girl felt embarrassed: "Forget it, forget it."
Xiaolian put the five hundred coins into the girl's hand, with a sweet smile on her face: "I just happened to have never read this book, and I was planning to buy it. The two hundred coins will be treated as my apology for inviting my sister to tea. .”
Before the girl could hesitate, Xiaolian took the script, apologized again, and walked away quickly.
The girl gained two hundred pieces of literature for nothing, so she had no reason to be unhappy, so she happily went to Yaxin Bookstore again.
"Girl, the maid is back." Xiaolian walked back quickly, beads of sweat appearing on the tip of her nose.
Xin You handed over the handkerchief: "Wipe off the sweat. Is it not going well after being here for so long?"
"The girl is really good at predicting things. The clerk at Yaxin Bookstore said that they were out of stock. Fortunately, the maid kept an eye out and secretly watched the people who went to his house to buy books. Only then did she realize that it was not that they were out of stock, but that they were not sold out. It seems that I have recognized your servant’s identity.”
Xiaolian said angrily, handed the storybook to Xinyou, and explained how to get it.
Xin You's eyes fell on the title of the book. The new book was called "Butterfly Immortal". She flipped through it and pushed the book to Xiaolian: "Take a look."
Xiaolian immediately looked at it with gusto, her eyes still glued to the book even when it was time to have lunch.
"How is it?" Xin You asked.
The little maid raised her head which was buried in the story book, her eyes were wild: "It's so beautiful!"
Xinyou: "..."
Apart from anything else, from "The Peony Story", "The Spiritual Fox Story" and "The Butterfly Fairy", it can be judged that people in the capital like stories about gods and ghosts.
In this case, she knew it in her heart.
The news that Qingsong Bookstore was offering 500 taels of silver to buy stories spread throughout the capital. Writers, down-and-out scholars, and even low-salary officials and students from the Imperial College secretly started writing stories. The threshold was almost crossed by these people.
People in the world love to pursue excitement most. When they are curious and fresh, they can't help but walk into the bookstore to browse. Even if only two people out of ten people buy a book and take it away, it adds up to a large sum.
Shopkeeper Hu burst into tears: "Boss, you really know how to do business!"
Before the five hundred taels were spent, many dusty books were sold out!
In this way, not only did "The Peony" ordered by Xin You need to be engraved, shopkeeper Hu also selected a best-selling poetry collection to be printed.
"Master, how about we increase the amount to one thousand taels, then more people will come here."
As for whether you will actually spend a thousand taels to buy a story, ahem, it’s not up to the bookstore to decide.
Xin You shook his head in denial: "It's not necessary. Five hundred taels is a very sincere price. If you really have to spend one thousand taels to buy a story, the risk of loss is too great. And if you just use the high price as a gimmick, you won't actually buy it. Time After a while, no one came. In the final analysis, we still have to introduce words that are popular."
"My boss is right. It's best to pick out good stories during this period and revitalize the bookstore."
Xin You said with a smile: "It's good that the shopkeeper took this opportunity to print the poetry collection. The already finished version only requires some ink labor, but it must be sealed properly and not sold to customers as defective products that damage the bookstore's sign."
"Don't worry, boss." Shopkeeper Hu assured him, patting his chest.
The smile on Xin You's lips disappeared and she raised her hand to press the corners of her eyes.
Thanks to Zhengzhizhuangxin Yangsihai, iampetty, Yueluoxingwuhen, White Clouds Floating Passing, and Moyu Moyi for their 10,000-coin rewards, and to the book friends who rewarded and voted.
(End of chapter)
