Nanshi, Moxiangshe.
It was noon, the heat was unbearable, the streets were empty, and there were only a few shop doors of different styles.
Moxiangshe is located at the end of the street. It has a slightly smaller shop and sells the Four Treasures of the Study.
The owner's surname is Tang, and his single name is the word "mirror".
Tang Jing, dressed as a scholar, is both the boss and the waiter.
The original owner of this Moxiang House was the father of Tang Jing. He was the sixth-ranking prime minister of Dali Temple in the previous dynasty. When the new king ascended the throne, the court changed its blood. The sixth-ranking prime minister, neither high nor low, was also implicated and was transferred to the border town. Tang Jing He failed in the scientific examination again and could only survive in Moxiang Pavilion.
This was at the end of the street. Tang Jing, a scholar, didn't know how to make a living by buying and selling. He stayed in the shop every day and struggled to survive. Every day was getting worse.
The big shopkeeper of Linjie Zhenbao Pavilion had just left, and they broke up on bad terms. The big shopkeeper wanted to buy Moxiang Pavilion at a low price, and he usually resorted to all kinds of tricks, which made Tang Jing's situation even worse.
At this time, Wang Hai was carrying a baggage, squatting by the steps and looking around like a professional pickpocket.
Occasionally, dignitaries passing by couldn't help but tighten their sleeves.
Zhou people usually put their purses in their wide sleeves.
Classmate Xiao Hai walked around Nanshi twice, but didn't see anyone selling books, which made him a little confused.
Just now, Tang Jing and the big shopkeeper of Zhenbao Pavilion were arguing in Moxiang Pavilion. Wang Hai heard this and squatted outside to watch the excitement.
Tang Jing, who was very angry, happened to see Wang Hai outside the door, and walked out with a straight face: "Who are you, and what do you want to do squatting here?"
Wang Hai raised his head and said, "What does it have to do with you? I'm enjoying the cool weather. It won't be an eyesore for you."
"you…"
When Tang Jing saw Wang Hai sweating profusely, he muttered something and turned around to get the water bag.
"It's hot outside, little brother, if you want to avoid the heat, come to the shop and rest for a while."
Wang Hai's expression moved slightly and he showed a smile.
You must know that he was looking outside many shops just now. When the waiters or managers saw him, they all scolded him.
It can be said that on this street in Nanshi, Wang Hai was sprayed from the street to the end of the street, and Tang Jing was the only person who did not "dislike" him.
Wang Hai took the water bag and drank it all in one gulp: "I haven't drunk enough, pour more."
Tang Jing couldn't laugh or cry. He had never seen such an unreasonable person, but he still took the water bag and went to fill it with water.
Wang Hai stood up and entered the shop, as if returning to his own home. After looking around, he found a stool to sit down and rest.
Tang Jing threw the water bag to Wang Hai and couldn't help but ask: "My little brother is waiting for the master of the house, why are you wandering here."
"My young master has gone to do some errands. I'm looking for a book collecting shop. Do you want to collect books?"
Tang Jing didn't understand its meaning: "What book?"
Wang Hai unpacked the bundle and dumped all the messy papers on the ground: "See for yourself."
"What kind of book is this? It has not been revised and has no regulations."
Although he was talking, Tang Jing knelt down and picked up a piece at random, and subconsciously read: "A group of demons deceive one's own nature to worship the truth. The peaks and rocks overlap, the ravines and bays surround each other, tigers and wolves walk in formations, and muntjac deer walk in herds... "
There were more than five hundred words written eloquently. After Tang Jing scanned it intently, he took out another one.
There was no "typesetting" in the first place, but he could read smoothly, but it was difficult to see. He couldn't help but ask: "Where are the antecedents and where are the consequences? Why can't I see them in a fog?"
Wang Hai yawned and raised a finger: "I raised a few fingers."
"One, why are you asking?"
"Then don't you have eyes? See for yourself. I don't know which is the cause and effect."
Tang Jing was so angry that he could only pick up the messy papers and return to the wooden platform.
This kid has more or less obsessive-compulsive disorder. While reading, he slowly sorted it out. Before he knew it, he was fascinated.
Time passed by, and Wang Hai fell asleep leaning against the candlestick. There was a "pop" sound, and Tang Jing slammed the table, startling Wang Hai.
Tang Jing was furious: "The ape penetrated the yin and yang orifices, and the demon king returned to the truth. Under the Lingshan Mountain, there were the most monsters. Mountains of dead bones and rivers of blood. No wonder the great sage was so frightened that he was not afraid of monsters, but he never thought of them. , this spiritual mountain governed by the Tathagata, actually... actually..."
Raising his head to look at Wang Hai, Tang Jing had an incomprehensible expression on his face: "When I first read it, it seemed like a random talk about strange things. When I read it again, I felt it was quite meaningful. When I read it again, I felt emotional. Little brother, I wonder who wrote this essay?"
"My young master, do you want to buy it?"
"But this essay seems to be out of order. I don't know how many more words will follow."
"I don't know. My young master said this is... yes, it's called a serial. One chapter will be published in a few days."
"I see." Tang Jing was already deeply interested: "What's the price?"
"Thirty cents."
"That's fair." Tang Jing smiled slightly: "Okay, I will give you thirty essays. If you have any follow-up, please send it here and I will read it."
"It's a series of thirty essays."
"What does a series mean?"
Wang Hai stepped forward. He didn't understand either, but it didn't stop him from explaining according to his own understanding.
"A series is...just..." Wang Hai's eyes lit up and he pointed at the paper and said: "One column, do you see it? One column of words, thirty words."
Tang Jing took a breath: "Are you joking?"
"That's what the young master said. If you want love or not, you can find someone to copy it. You can sell it for as much as you want. Even if it means selling for a thousand gold per word, the young master only needs thirty coins per column."
"It turns out they want to copy and sell them," Tang Jing understood, but still said with a wry smile: "This piece of paper contains more than a thousand characters, one column is more than five hundred, and one sheet is one hundred and twenty characters. It is extremely expensive. .”
Tang Jing shook his head repeatedly: "Although the essay is interesting, no, it is more than interesting, it is fascinating, but the price is too high..."
Before Tang Jing could finish speaking, Wang Hai directly put the paper in the bag and cursed in a low voice: "The young master also said that Nan City is full of rich and unfair rich people. How come there are so many poor people? I won't accept it. Let’s go to Bei City for a walk.”
Upon hearing this, Tang Jing suddenly remembered that a few young men had inquired about essays and novels a few days ago, and it seemed that they were wealthy masters.
"Wait a minute." Tang Jingyi gritted his teeth: "Why don't you leave the essay for now, and I'll copy it into chapters and try to sell it. Come back in five days. If it's sold, we'll discuss it in detail. If you can't sell it, how about I return it to you?"
Wang Hai just wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. After saying good, he took a few plates of fruits on the cabinet and left.
As soon as Xiaohai left, before Tang Jing could prepare to copy, the manager of the shop across the street walked in again.
"Mr. Tang, my boss is in the store. I will give you another five hundred coins at most. Once you have the money, you can go and find your father. Don't waste time anymore."
Tang Jing's face was filled with gloom: "This shop comes with a land deed and twenty guan of money. You can't rob it if you want."
"good."
The big shopkeeper sneered: "You are stupid because of studying. If you don't know how to praise me, don't blame me for being unkind. Within ten days, I will make you kneel down and pray for mercy. Just wait and see."
Tang Jing was also a grumpy young man. He pointed at the door and said, "Get out!"
