The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Chen Heng led Hu Yuan to sit down, leaned forward slightly, and explained to him: The palace newspapers are all about the affairs of the court, and those who are willing to read them are officials, gentry, and celebrities. Brother Hu, I think such people How many will there be?

Hu Yuan himself is engaged in the book industry and is quite sensitive to such news. He recalled the Xianshu he had read in the past, and said confidently: I'm not sure about this dynasty, but after the Wanli period of the previous dynasty, there were as many as 40,000 to 50,000.

Chen Heng asked again: How many literate people are there in the world?

This... Hu Yuan smiled bitterly, Brother Chen, isn't he a troublemaker? Who can say how many things like this... Halfway through his words, Hu Yuan suddenly stood up from his position, his eyes lit up and said, Brother Chen means?

Seeing that the other party understood what he meant, Chen Heng nodded immediately, These are the people we want, so that they can buy newspapers, can afford them, and are willing to spend time reading newspapers.

Hu Yuan took a deep breath, calmed his beating heart, and thought, But the official newspaper, officialdom, imperial examinations, and court affairs are already written in the newspaper. What else can we write about?

Just write about anecdotes from the market. Chen Heng said firmly.

Will anyone watch?

Yes, and there will be many. Chen Heng nodded heavily.

People in this world are different, and their temperaments are also different. But if you are not interested in joining in the fun and seeing the novelty, then the place under the tree at the head of the village will not be so lively.

Dibao was a product that became popular in the Tang and Song dynasties. At the beginning of its birth, it had a strong official color. This can be seen from the people it was originally targeted at.

During the Tang, Song and Ming dynasties, Di newspapers were distributed by official agencies to provincial officials. It is then distributed to counties through the provinces. If ordinary gentry wants to see it, they need to go through connections and follow the path of adults.

But the biggest problem with Di Daily is that its content is too serious. The people it targets are people who are interested in officialdom, such as officials in various provinces, prefectures and counties, or Jinshi candidates who are waiting for a job.

You make those poor scholars, old boys, or people who can read a little bit feel boring when reading Di Bao. If he talks about the things inside with his friends at a gathering, most people will think that he is deliberately showing off.

But these people also need to understand the outside world.

Hu Yuan wanted to understand this, and immediately clapped his hands and said: You can give it a try, Brother Chen, this might be a good career.

Chen Heng decided to add fuel to his fire, The Newspeak book I just wrote will also be posted on it.

What? It's impossible. Hu Yuan shook his head quickly. This is a money tree. No one in Yangzhou City knows Mr. Yuan He's name yet. He said anxiously, Brother Chen, I'm going to do this to you. How about you sell the storybook to me?

Brother Hu, don't worry. I just wrote it paragraph by paragraph. When it can be printed into a book, I will give it to your library. Chen Heng firmly refused.

The loss is all money. Hu Yuan felt very sad.

Since Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio became popular, the Yangzhou book industry has produced many novels about strange stories. Some people even simply made a copy of it and even changed the names to Yuanhe, Yuanhe and the like.

If it weren't for the signboard of Hu Ji Bookstore, everyone could find the original source. Just trying to find Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio among the pirated copies and imitations on the market is enough to give many people a headache.

It is also because Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio is highly bound to Hu Ji's library. The year before last, a bookseller came to Hu Yuan and offered to pay him to issue a certificate and wanted to take Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio to his hometown for printing. sell.

Still using the name Yuanhe? Hu Yuan asked.

Yes. Chen Heng nodded. This is the biggest card in his hand, so he will naturally not let it go.

Hu Yuan shook his head and sighed, I'm afraid I can't hide the story of the wild fox repaying his kindness. He then said cheerfully, My eldest brother did this to you.

As long as there is Yuanhe as a sign, the business that Brother Chen wants to make is just a matter of making more or less. Hu Yuan clearly understood the importance and directly agreed.

Seeing that he could nod, Xue Biao's anxious heart finally calmed down a little.

Although he was born into a business family, he was still young after all and had never personally participated in such matters. The willingness to listen to Chen Heng's opinion was entirely out of trust in him.

Now that someone is willing to partner, it naturally makes Xue Biao feel at ease. I also began to have confidence in newspapers.

I have one more thing to ask Brother Hu.

When Chen Heng said this, Hu Yuan was also a little dumbfounded and asked curiously: What else is there?

I would like to ask Brother Hu to make a plan and invite a bookseller in Yangzhou city that you like.

Why is this? But our library can still afford a small newspaper. Hu Yuan answered confidently, I can directly take out a thousand taels of silver.

Chen Heng smiled bitterly, this is the difference in vision. Coming from a later generation, he was naturally aware of the tsunami-like influence that a newspaper would have once it was released.

If there are only a few strong men in front of us to withstand such a storm, let alone your Hu family, ten more Hu families will not help.

But after all, it’s hard to explain this clearly. Chen Heng thought for a while and said, Brother Hu, please trust me. This matter is very important. Without such a person, we would never be able to do this.

Hu Yuan nodded doubtfully, Then what kind of person does Brother Chen want to invite?

I have some requirements for the library I invite. It doesn't want to be the best in Yangzhou. It's best to sit three to two, or four to three. You must know some dignitaries and be able to keep up with what they say. Hands on hand There should be more bookshops in the library, and it would be best if some of them are opened to other provinces.

As for the people, I am not familiar with them after all, so Brother Hu will choose the people he wants to partner with.

After listening to several of the best songs in a row, Hu Yuan himself felt a little dizzy. After clarifying Chen Heng's request, he closed his eyes and thought for a long time, and said: I really have a friend like this who is kind-hearted, honest and sensible.

It is Wang Siyi, the eldest son of Wang Ji Library. If I really have to choose a colleague, I think he is the most suitable.

Seeing Hu Yuan's calm expression, there were previous examples of cooperation. Chen Heng also nodded with great trust, Then please invite Brother Hu to invite him for me. I want to meet with him and discuss it in detail.

What's so difficult about this? Hu Yuan waved his hand and promised, I will definitely have a message for you within three days.

Very good. Chen Heng quickly stood up and bowed, Then there is Brother Laohu.

Look at you, you still care about this with me. Hu Yuan chuckled, If you really want to thank big brother, just give me your newly written storybook. Big brother promises to make it prosperous for you.

Chen Heng smiled slightly and kept silent. Hu Yuan had no choice but to sigh again. It seemed that he might not be able to sleep well tonight.

The three of them chatted for a while, then Chen Heng took Xue Biao and left.

On the way back, Xue Biao, who had listened to the whole scene, asked all the questions in his mind, Brother Heng, why do you need to invite another person? But I am worried that I don't have enough money.

There is a part of the reason. When talking to him, Chen Heng didn't care much and said directly, If you really want to complete this matter, the manpower and material resources consumed will be more than one hundred thousand taels of silver, and it will definitely not be done well.

So much?

A few thousand taels is enough to start the business. Chen Heng patiently explained to him, In business, a small book is enough. The rest of the money is invested while making money. We are not buying and selling. You don’t need so much.”

Xue Biao nodded and asked: Then how do you plan to ask everyone to pay for this money?

Brother Xue, I planned this for your family. Chen Heng told him the secret, Of course you account for 50% of the share. Brother Hu, as the middleman between us and the Wang family, will also provide one thousand taels. He should get 20%.

Only this Wang Siyi, whether he is willing to invest money or not, as long as he nods and wants to do it, we can give him 20%. At that time, I will also pay 500 taels, accounting for half of it.

In the past five years, he has continued to make money from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio and saved 700 taels of silver. The remaining two hundred taels will be reserved for my second uncle to open a tea shop this year. The only money he can move is these five hundred taels.

Xue Biao calculated in his mind and asked doubtfully: Then there is still half a percent?

Under the moonlight, Chen Heng smiled slightly and pointed into the distance, Cut it in half, give one half to the government, and half to our academy.

Please vote, please vote. Today is also the third update.