Xue Letian: "Easier said than done. Why don't you take action then?"
"What's the point of you having a brain?" Xu Tingfeng said. "You spent three years away for nothing, coming back just as rash as ever. Regarding the matter of the young master of the Shu family, have you found any leads on who is really behind it?"
Three years ago, he had dispatched Xue Letian to Baojiang to take over the legitimate revenue streams from the Chu noble household. One of these was the shipping route transporting tribute goods from Baojiang to the capital.
It took considerable effort before they successfully integrated themselves into this operation.
Xue Letian brought many goods unique to the south back north to sell, including collections of literary works by southern scholars and students, which were sold in bookshops.
On his first trip escorting the transport of river delicacies from Baojiang in the south to the capital, he returned to find the son of a Vice Minister had met a violent end.
Xue Letian: "When I was transporting the body, I examined the fatal wounds on the young master of the Shu family. I couldn't tell what weapon caused them, but the wounds were peculiar. They didn't look like the common swords or blades used here in the capital, more like methods from the south."
He lowered his voice: "But should we even keep investigating? The ones with the capability... aren't they just the Second Prince and the Third Prince?"
Xu Tingfeng pondered: "If even you think that way... ninety-nine out of a hundred people probably think the same. I just feel something isn't quite right. You should follow this lead and investigate anyway. You might get an unexpected harvest."
"Alright then," Xue Letian said. "I'll listen to you. Huh? You've planted a spy in the palace? You value them so highly, you even gave them the jade pendant for communication."
Xu Tingfeng smiled: "Recommended by my uncle before he left. I observed them for two years; they're quite decent."
Xue Letian: "Do they know your identity?"
Xu Tingfeng: "No, but they can probably guess I'm someone arranged by my uncle."
He didn't elaborate further, reaching out to rap Xue Letian on the head. "As for the bookshop matter, actually, Cangwen Bookshop's near-monopolistic snatching of customers has already offended quite a few people. All we need to do is add fuel to the fire."
His hand was quite heavy. Xue Letian clutched his forehead: "Xu Tingfeng!"
-
Paper prices in the capital began to rise.
Even the prices of books started climbing.
The cost of printing books shot up, and the group of artists Xia Fuyang had originally hired to draw the character illustrations also began raising their rates.
In normal times with ample leeway, he could naturally have sought out cheaper alternatives. But now, firstly, customers had already grown accustomed to the original artists' style; any difference would surely cause displeasure.
Secondly, there wasn't enough time. Many orders for books had already been placed; there was no time to switch to others now.
To avoid losing money, the bookshop's book prices followed suit and began to rise. After all, everyone was raising prices, so no one could really complain.
However, on the very afternoon of the price hike, a customer came to make a scene, pointing at the shopkeeper's nose and cursing:
"How can you do business like this? Raise prices as soon as you get more buyers? I finally saved up enough money to buy one, and now I'm short by five coppers—are you going to cover the difference for me? Huh?"
The shopkeeper hurriedly explained: "Other bookshops are raising prices too."
The customer cursed again: "Others are raising them, but they have discount deals! The price after discount is still the same as before, hardly any change! Only your shop raised prices this much."
"Pah! Profiteers! I'm not buying anymore. Whoever buys from you is a sucker."
His indignant accusations stirred up quite a few other customers.
That's right, why should only your shop raise prices?
Another day passed, and street vendors selling pirated copies began to appear.
Xia Fuyang's Cangwen Bookshop saw its business plummet.
-
"Wahh... I barely made money for a couple of days before starting to lose it."
Xia Fuyang scaled the wall of the Sword-Holding Marquis's estate, skillfully slipped into Qu Dubian's small courtyard, and began fake-wailing as soon as they met.
Qu Dubian fanned himself with a bamboo fan, reclining on a rocking chair with a bowl of iced milk pudding his grandmother had made placed beside him.
"Xiao Xia, why do you never use the main gate? There's a bowl for you here too," Wu Siwan said with a kindly smile, preparing a serving for Xia Fuyang.
Xia Fuyang: "Thank you, Grandma!"
Qu Dubian kicked at him: "She's my grandma."
Xia Fuyang slurped down several mouthfuls; the icy sensation shot straight to the top of his head. "Ah, it's all the same."
Qu Dubian looked at him with a mix of envy and jealousy. His own iced pudding was only slightly cool—Grandma never gave him much crushed ice.
Wu Siwan smiled: "Then you play with Little Darling for a while. Stay for dinner tonight."
Xia Fuyang: "Mhmm, okay."
His appearance was rather unsightly. Qu Dubian covered his face with the fan, out of sight, out of mind. After a moment, he said: "Since paper prices are rising all over the capital, how can other bookshops offer discounts? Won't they operate at a loss?"
Xia Fuyang pondered: "Don't know if they're losing money, or how much, but we're definitely losing. I think this is targeted."
Well, the kid wasn't too slow on the uptake.
In business competition, the more gentlemanly approach is to produce better quality goods to compete fairly. The more underhanded approach is to sling mud at your rival.
And what they were facing now—this situation where someone could incite a capital-wide paper price hike and control book and paper prices at shops—meant either a powerful figure was behind it, or the other bookshop owners had banded together, displeased at having their customers snatched away, and wanted to teach them a lesson.
The most important thing now was to find allies on their side. Qu Dubian thought it over: "Then, which other bookshop also raised prices but isn't offering discounts?"
Xia Fuyang thought for a moment. "Only one small bookshop. It seems to have been around for quite a few years."
Qu Dubian stretched lazily, sneakily glancing at Xia Fuyang's super-iced version of the pudding on the table. Seizing the moment when Xia Fuyang wasn't paying attention, he quickly snatched an ice cube and popped it into his mouth.
"Let's go, let's go check out that little unlucky bookshop that got caught up in this."
Xia Fuyang slapped the table and stood up: "Alright! I'm telling Grandma you stole some!"
Qu Dubian covered his ears and dashed off.
-
The little unlucky bookshop was called Nian'an Bookshop.
It looked shabby from the outside, but the interior was quite spacious.
At least a size larger than Xia Fuyang's shop.
Currently, the bookshop was deserted and quiet. The shopkeeper, with a worried expression, fiddled with his abacus.
Qu Dubian and Ye Xiaoyuan both entered wearing bamboo hats.
Xia Fuyang walked up to the shopkeeper and tapped on the counter. "I wonder if we could meet with your owner?"
The shopkeeper looked him up and down and said offhandedly, "The owner isn't here."
Xia Fuyang glanced towards a discreet inner room in the bookshop.
"There's a carriage parked outside, and you have no customers in the shop. Who else could it be but the owner here for an inspection? With Nian'an Bookshop taking a hit, the owner inside that inner room must be too restless to sit still, I presume."
The shopkeeper: "What's your problem? I said he's not here, so he's not. If you're not buying books, please leave."
A laugh came from the inner room. It sounded like a young man, his voice clear and pleasant: "Interesting. Old Li, let them in."
The shopkeeper changed his demeanor. "Please, this way."
Qu Dubian and the other two entered the inner room.
The inner room was also quite simple but kept very clean.
The layout and furnishings had a Daoist sense of natural ease.
The proprietor of Nian'an Bookshop was sitting upright by the window. He appeared to be about the same age as Xia Fuyang, at most twelve or thirteen, dressed in scholar's attire. His clothes were cheap ready-made garments, somewhat ill-fitting.
"I am Xi Zixing, the proprietor of Nian'an Bookshop."
Qu Dubian sighed inwardly. Although he knew that in ancient times, with an average lifespan of forty or fifty, eleven or twelve was already considered not young, he still found it quite unsettling. He really wanted to send them all off to elementary and middle school.
Xia Fuyang got straight to the point: "I am the young proprietor of Cangwen Bookshop, managing the shop on behalf of my mother. I've come today to discuss a matter."
Xi Zixing said, "Have a seat."
There was only one chair opposite him. Xia Fuyang glanced around, first lifted Qu Dubian onto it, then fetched another stool for himself from the side.
Xi Zixing's eyebrow twitched slightly, and his gaze involuntarily fell upon the child wearing a bamboo hat across from him. So, the one leading wasn't Xia Fuyang, but this little bean sprout.
...Perhaps it was a dwarf, who could tell.
After all, he had never seen a child sit at the table to negotiate business.
Holding a probing intention, he pushed the plate of pastries on the table forward and said with a smile, "You may have some. They're homemade."
Qu Dubian reached out, picked up a piece, and ate it. "Thank you."
The soft, childish voice reached Xi Zixing's ears, and he was slightly surprised—it really was a child.
He secretly observed Qu Dubian, and Qu Dubian secretly observed him.
When Xi Zixing introduced himself, the simulator had popped up a prompt:
[Character: Xi Zixing
Favorability: 0]
Qu Dubian pushed the pastry plate back to him: "They are indeed delicious. Thank you, Brother."
Xia Fuyang, who had just sat down: "?"
He couldn't believe it: "What did you call him?"
Qu Dubian: "It's a polite form of address."
Xia Fuyang wouldn't have it, feeling wronged: "You've never called me that!" He turned his head away, looking at the clean-featured, scholar-dressed Xi Zixing beside him, and suddenly found him displeasing to the eye.
Xi Zixing took in their interaction. "Are you two brothers?"
Xia Fuyang said vaguely, "You could say that."
Qu Dubian said, "Today we're here about the paper price issue. Young Master Xi, my elder brother and I investigated and found that only our two shops raised prices without offering discounts, leading to a loss of customers. Someone is definitely targeting us."
Xi Zixing smiled: "Actually, it's mainly targeting you, isn't it? I'm just the one caught in the crossfire. When immortals fight, little ghosts suffer."
"Cangwen Bookshop selling the martial arts novel 'The Scent of Chivalrous Bones' drew away other customers; that was the first blow to my shop. Then, paper prices rose, making books more expensive. Yet, the owners of other bookstores can use discounts to keep the overall price unchanged. Presumably, their supply channels haven't increased the wholesale price; it's only the price supplied to your Cangwen Bookshop that has gone up."
"Someone wants to crush you."
Xia Fuyang said, "And you're about to be unable to hold on either. Why don't we join forces and become allies? Your bookshop must also have a considerable stock of paper."
Xi Zixing stood up and walked over to a calligraphy and painting. The painting depicted still waters running deep, with a few characters written on it—"Water benefits all things without contention."
"To be frank, someone has already approached me, asking me to join in suppressing you as well. I didn't want to get involved. Now that you've come to me, I say the same thing: I don't want to get involved."
His words were resolute. Xia Fuyang, not yet the type to be shamelessly persistent, glanced at the painting of still waters running deep, cupped his hands, and said, "Brother Xi is not one fond of contention. Then we have disturbed you."
Qu Dubian tugged at his clothes. "Hold me up; I want to look at that painting."
Not being tall enough was a real handicap.
Xia Fuyang complied and lifted him up. Qu Dubian studied the painting for a moment, feeling there was something odd about it. "May I move it?"
Xi Zixing: "It's just a scribble. Feel free, young master."
Qu Dubian directly turned the painting upside down and re-hung it on the wall.
The ink painting of still waters running deep, not contending with others, instantly transformed into a raging river torrentially cascading from the heavens, merging into the worldly currents with thunderous force.
Xia Fuyang's eyes lit up: "What powerful momentum."
Qu Dubian stated bluntly: "The painting has changed. Should Young Master Xi's state of mind change as well?"
Xi Zixing stood before the painting for a long time.
"This painting has been hanging here for over two years. I never thought..." He shook his head and smiled. The painting seemed to have flipped a switch; a hint of youthful sharpness vaguely emerged within him.
"Very well. It must be fate. I'll agree to your proposal."
Xi Zixing invited them to sit down again.
He personally poured two cups of tea: "To win this battle, we need more novels and to purchase large quantities of cheap, low-quality paper to expand our reach."
Qu Dubian stroked his chin: "Reduce costs, small profits but quick turnover."
"A very good summary," Xi Zixing said with a smile. "I have a source for low-quality paper. How many similar novels do you have left?"
Qu Dubian: "More than enough."
Xia Fuyang raised his cup, his blood boiling with passion: "Excellent! Let's show those adults what it means when 'three cobblers with their wits combined surpass Zhuge Liang'!"
Xi Zixing: "..."
Qu Dubian: "..."
He said, "You can be the cobbler yourself. I don't want to be one."
Xi Zixing nodded: "I don't want to be one either."
-
After Qu Dubian and the other two left Nian'an Bookshop.
Xi Zixing remained standing before the painting, reaching out to stroke it for a moment.
The shopkeeper came in. "Young master, who were those people just now?"
Xi Zixing: "The little one I couldn't figure out. The older one I've heard of—he's the son of General Xia Hong."
"That one, huh."
The shopkeeper stroked his beard. "But young master, your painting, how did it...?"
Xi Zixing turned the painting right-side up again. "It's nothing. You may go out now. Take stock of how much paper we still have in the warehouse."
"Yes, sir."
After the shopkeeper left, the room grew quiet again.
Xi Zixing sat down by the window, his gaze vaguely resting on the painting.
His thoughts drifted back to about three years ago, the day before his mother passed away. He had excitedly told his mother:
In this lifetime, if he were to study, he must know what he was studying for. If he were to be a subject, he must find a wise ruler he was willing to follow unto death.
Otherwise, it would be better not to study at all; to be a leisurely, wealthy gentleman and live a peaceful life.
"I originally thought I would only turn this painting over when I met the person I truly recognized in my heart," Xi Zixing smiled slightly.
"Never expected to meet a kindred spirit today, and such a young master at that..."
-
Nian'an Bookshop and Cangwen Bookshop joined forces.
Xia Fuyang and Xi Zixing worked together, traveling to other markets to buy paper.
The quality of the paper was considerably lower, but the advantage was that the content remained clear, and their prices dropped significantly.
Following Xi Zixing's suggestion, they dispersed their bookshop operations. In the eastern, western, southern, and northern markets, there were people hanging signs of [Nian'an] and [Cangwen] Bookshops, pushing book stalls to sell.
The novels were novel, the prices were low, and the storytelling masters who received payment spread the word everywhere. In no time, they suppressed the novel business of other bookshops in the capital, leaving them half-dead.
When there was only the famous "The Scent of Chivalrous Bones, Even in Death," the novels from other bookshops could still sell. But now, with so many novels, a new fashion trend had formed.
All their 'outdated' stock was now stuck in their hands.
The pirates couldn't even keep up with the release speed. Moreover, the path of low prices that pirated copies took was completely squeezed out of existence by the extremely affordable official editions, so no one was willing to eat that bowl of rice anymore.
The manager of Nian'an Bookstore was grinning from ear to ear.
"Young master, we've made quite a profit."
Xi Zixing folded the letter he had just received and said, "That's only possible here in the capital. In less prosperous places, there aren't many literate people, let alone book buyers."
"This is the second letter requesting a meeting from the other party. Still this afternoon, at the Heaven's Number One room in Ruyi Pavilion."
Xia Fuyang: "They're merchants, after all. A win-win cooperation is always better than a fight to the death."
Xi Zixing nodded. "Why isn't your brother here? The other party is likely interested in the licensing of the storybooks. All the storybooks we sell are provided by your brother."
"My brother?" Xia Fuyang suddenly realized, "Oh, oh, he went home, went home for a meal, um... probably has a lot of schoolwork too."
Having skipped the academy teacher for so many days, one could imagine the pile of assignments he had to catch up on.
"Will he still come then?"
"If he can make it in time, he should be able to."
Xi Zixing seemed thoughtful.
-
Zichen Palace.
Qu Dubian buried his head in his meal, his chopsticks a blur.
Emperor Chongzhao: "You've been out of the palace for so long, I thought you weren't coming back."
"But I'm back now," Qu Dubian swallowed his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I was busy with serious business outside."
Emperor Chongzhao found it amusing: "Serious business?"
Qu Dubian: "Yes, yes! Busy making money. I even found partners—that annoying fellow Xia Fuyang, and a young shopkeeper of a bookstore. We're going to sell books and earn money."
"I heard you got into a fight with Xia Fuyang at your eldest brother's residence. If you dislike him so much, why cooperate with him?"
Emperor Chongzhao didn't take his talk of earning money to heart. One or two shops in the capital, whether they made or lost money, were like child's play in his eyes.
What he worried more about was the boy falling ill from anger if he lost money.
Qu Dubian: "He's not as important as money."
Emperor Chongzhao found it truly strange: "The things you've 'borrowed' from me over the years, plus all the treasures Consort Xuan, the Grand Dowager Consort, the Empress, and the other consorts have openly or secretly stuffed into your hands—with that, buying a dozen or two dozen prime shops in the capital wouldn't be a problem at all. Why are you still so obsessed with wealth?"
This kid's private treasury, if converted, was probably larger than those of several of his older brothers combined.
His academic progress was nowhere to be seen, but his little schemes were calculated with a furious clatter.
The Emperor pondered, "Did the Deputy Director of the Astrological Observatory corrupt you?"
Qu Dubian choked and waved his hands repeatedly: "Of course not."
Zhang Chansi was properly teaching him arithmetic, and he was diligently working on problems to gain the other's favor. This stable and peaceful relationship absolutely must not be ruined by his cheap dad.
"Consort Xuan said I should have a hobby to strive for. I thought about it, and making money isn't bad."
Emperor Chongzhao had a headache: "So you plan to only delve into the ways of merchants in the future? That's a minor path."
Qu Dubian said strangely: "Of course not. A person shouldn't have just one hobby."
Emperor Chongzhao's expression softened a bit: "What else then?"
Qu Dubian clenched his fist, determined: "Become a martial arts master, and then farm!"
He lowered his head and continued shoveling food.
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
This is definitely Consort Xuan's influence. Definitely.
After a long while, he remembered what he had originally intended to say. "Xia Fuyang is Xia Hong's son. His father is garrisoned at the northern frontier. It's fine if you have minor squabbles with him, but don't let it escalate, otherwise it will be difficult for me to handle."
"He has practiced martial arts since childhood. If you managed to bite him, it's because he let you. It's fine if you act willful here with me, but rein it in when you're outside. Don't always bully others."
Qu Dubian: "I practice martial arts too. I'm very powerful now."
Emperor Chongzhao didn't believe a word of it and wanted to lecture him: "You..."
Qu Dubian: "Besides, his father isn't as powerful as my father. Bullying him a little doesn't matter."
The Emperor's lecture got stuck in his throat. He tried but failed to suppress the curve of his lips, and couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You little rascal, talking nonsense."
After the meal, Qu Dubian tugged at his sleeve and pleaded, "Father, I still need to go out after eating. It's a critical moment. I'll earn lots of money to buy you a gift, okay?"
"At most two days. And you must take the school assignments with you."
Qu Dubian's little face fell.
"Alright, Your Majesty."
-
Qu Dubian returned to Shunning Palace once to pack all the homework Zhiyi had fetched for him from the academy.
This time, he didn't leave Da Hei behind. He led the dog, and Ye Xiaoyuan carried his little schoolbag. The two of them headed for the North City Gate.
Once past the North City Gate, they looked at each other and smiled. The little schoolbag on Ye Xiaoyuan's back had vanished. They boarded the carriage feeling much lighter.
Inspection and Transport Office.
Wen Xiaochun was carrying something, hurrying indoors.
Someone on the road saw him and greeted, "Good day, Chief Steward."
Wen Xiaochun only nodded slightly and quickly entered the room, closing the door and windows.
"Why is the Chief Steward walking so fast?"
"Don't know. Strange."
Inside the room.
Wen Xiaochun uncovered the item he had shielded with cloth—it was unmistakably Qu Dubian's little schoolbag.
He expertly pulled out the homework inside, looking at the stack of problems and the pages of characters that needed to be written in large script.
Inside was also a small note that read: Xiaochun, Xiaochun, please imitate the handwriting well, okay? I have things to do and can't finish writing. I'm begging you, please handle the homework!
It was followed by a drawing of a little dog bowing in supplication.
Chief Steward Wen smiled helplessly, sighed, rolled up his sleeves, and began grinding the ink.
-
Ruyi Pavilion.
Heaven's Number One private room.
Xue Letian passed over the drafted contract.
"I didn't expect you to be so young. Truly, heroes emerge from among the youth. This is a rough draft of the contract for our cooperation talks. You two can take a look."
Xia Fuyang glanced at the spot by the window, where a screen had been placed, with someone sitting behind it.
He pointed towards the back of the screen: "Are you the one in charge? Who is behind the screen?"
Xue Letian said with a smile: "A partner of mine. He is unwell and cannot easily meet people. But to show seriousness, he still attended in person."
"Oh..."
Xia Fuyang nodded and didn't press further.
Xi Zixing carefully read the contract and frowned slightly. "After authorization, for your profits, a one-to-nine split? We get one, you get nine?"
Xue Letian: "If you're not satisfied, there is room for discussion."
Behind the screen.
Xu Tingfeng was somewhat disappointed, holding his teacup and looking out the window.
After investigating and finding out that the person behind Cangwen Bookstore was Xia Fuyang, he had thought the person with Xia Fuyang might be his little nephew... after all, his aunt had said his little nephew was getting close to Xia Fuyang.
That's why he wanted to come take a look during today's negotiation.
He never expected the person with Xia Fuyang to be the child of Minister of Justice Xi Shiqiu, Lord Xi.
A wasted trip.
Xi Zixing said calmly, "Change the split to seven-three. We take seven, you take three. And we only grant you authorization for profits from the books themselves, not for any peripheral merchandise."
Xue Letian laughed upon hearing this. "Young master, it's not that we can't afford the rising paper costs. We simply believe in harmony for prosperity. Changing the split from ninety-ten to seventy-thirty... your cut is rather severe, don't you think? Moreover, you're keeping the most profitable parts entirely for yourselves, leaving us with only scraps. On top of that, we're expected to expend effort helping you tackle piracy and boost promotion."
Xi Zixing smiled. "The pirated editions weren't your doing?"
Xue Letian shrugged. "We don't engage in such underhanded tactics. At most, we might... fan the flames a little. You've offended too many printing houses."
Xi Zixing took a sip of tea. "A ninety-ten split contract isn't much different from robbery."
The door to the room suddenly opened. Qu Dubian, wearing a bamboo hat and leading a dog, entered. "Quite lively in here. Looks like we're a bit late, Brother Xiao Yuan."
Ye Xiaoyuan said with a beaming smile, "Not too late, really."
Behind the screen, Xu Tingfeng's fingers paused.
Xia Fuyang heaved a sigh of relief. "You're finally here. Those two have been arguing for ages."
Qu Dubian patted Da Hei's head, sat down on a chair, crossed his legs, and picked up the contract to examine it.
It was a rather dishonest contract, riddled with twists, turns, and plenty of pitfalls.
This was going to be a tough negotiation. Qu Dubian took a drink of water, steeled himself for battle, and pulled a charcoal pencil from his small pouch.
"This contract doesn't show much sincerity," he said, glancing at the signature. "Young Master Xue. In proper business dealings, one typically starts negotiating from a fifty-fifty split—"
From behind the screen: "Agreed."
Qu Dubian faltered.
Xue Letian turned his head. "Didn't we agree you wouldn't interfere?"
Qu Dubian continued, "A fifty-fifty split is merely the starting point for negotiation, to demonstrate your sincerity. After all, we hold all the books. What our Little Xi here proposed was seventy-thirty—"
From behind the screen: "Agreed."
Qu Dubian faltered again.
Xue Letian: "?"
Xia Fuyang and Xi Zixing exchanged a look, four eyes filled with confusion.
Qu Dubian cleared his throat. "Seventy-thirty is already us conceding a great deal. What about eighty-twenty...?"
From behind the screen: "That can work too."
The private room fell into a hushed silence. Xue Letian's face was beginning to contort.
After a moment, Qu Dubian cleared his throat once more, wrapped his small arms around himself, leaned back in the chair, and declared with an air of righteous conviction, "But now, I think a ninety-ten split sounds even better."
A teacup was placed lightly on the table with a soft click.
A few seconds passed.
Then, a light chuckle came from behind the screen. It sounded gentle, almost indulgent.
"Mhm, anything is fine."
