The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 177: Wonderful Thoughts and Bloody Disaster

Qu Chongyu was wearing a rare light blue round-neck robe with a plain face. He looked much more elegant and elegant than usual. Looking at Anjuro whose face became very ugly, he looked apologetically and said, "Although this matter is arranged by Pei Changshi, it is It's also my fault that I've been too busy recently and actually forgot about your truck. Now you'd better discuss it with Chang Shi first. If there is a way to remedy it, I will do my best. "

Anjuro's expression improved slightly, and he looked at Pei Xingjian with a bit of expectation in his eyes. Pei Xingjian was stunned there, his brows furrowed, and after a while he said, "Shiro, this matter... why have you never told me?"

Anjuro's heart suddenly sank. He was not a newbie, so he felt something was wrong and wanted to ask Pei Xingjian more. Pei Xingjian turned his head and stared at the bags of goods unloaded from the camels. All other goods were transported to the city gate, except for a dozen leather bags containing paper, which were piled higher and higher on the ground. .

Looking at Pei Xingjian's face, Anjuro felt even colder in his heart, but he heard Qu Chongyu let out a long sigh, with a hint of determination in his tone, "Forget it! These Yizhou jute papers should be placed in the government office first! Keep your promise, I didn't think well about this matter, which is why you are in such a difficult situation. After I go back, I will express my feelings to my father. I will call my colleagues over the next day and we will discuss it again. Is it possible that it really can't be found? If there is no other way to save money, I will ask my father to take it back!"

Pei Xingjian just looked at the pile of leather bags in a daze, and suddenly raised his head, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, but if things change now, I am afraid that it will be detrimental to the reputation of both the Protector and the Crown Prince, and I will not dare to keep the promise." Harming the public for personal reasons!”

Anjuro was already relieved, but when he heard this, his face turned pale. Pei Xingjian turned to look at him, "Juro, put these papers in my yard. Don't worry, this matter is because of me." If you start, you will naturally die because of me. I will never make it difficult for you!" He bowed his hand to Qu Chongyu again, "Thank you for your kindness." After saying that, he stepped forward and ordered someone to put the fine linen paper in the leather bag. They were all transported to Pei's house at the south gate of Qushui Square.

Anjuro was stunned for a moment. Naturally, he didn't want the fine linen paper that had been transported thousands of miles to be shipped back as it was. This kind of paper was originally a government business. If the officials didn't want it, they would lose everything. But it would be even more inappropriate to let Pei Xingjian take the responsibility alone. When doing business, one would rather lose money than offend the officials. Now, one of the relatives has finally found a person who can keep his word in Xizhou. To offend him for more than 200 yuan, isn't it more gain than loss?

A trace of surprise flashed across Qu Chongyu's eyebrows. He was startled for a moment, then turned to Anjuro and sighed, "Why keep the promise? He is a sixth-grade official. He has to go without food or drink for several years to save up to two." Bai Min? You'd better advise him not to be so stubborn. We're all on the same journey, and we're just a teammate. What's the big deal?"

Anjuro sighed, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will go and persuade him." After saying that, he walked a few steps and whispered a few words to Pei Xingjian, but Pei Xingjian just shook his head with a stubborn expression, waiting for the healthy servants to come. More than a dozen leather bags of paper were carried up, and he bowed his hand to Ko Chongyu, then turned around and pulled Anjuro all the way into the east gate.

Looking at Pei Xingjian's straight back, Qu Chongyu couldn't help but narrowed his eyes slightly. Feng Piaopiao, who was joking with acquaintances in the crowd, came over and said softly, "Your Majesty, Pei Changshi is actually Do you want to take charge of this yourself?”

A bright light flashed in Qu Chongyu's eyes, "Although this person has a mediocre character, he actually has a lot of backbone when it comes to things! It's a bit unexpected."

 Feng Piaopiao frowned slightly, "Then let's..."

Qu Chongyu's eyes flashed, and he suddenly laughed softly, "It turns out that we didn't think carefully. According to Pei Changshi's rank, there should be twelve servants. Xizhou naturally does not have such a lot of manpower, but it should be hired from the government. Didn't the servants select a few for Pei Changshi to be their servants?"

There was a look of surprise on Feng Piaopiao's face. Although the servants of the Duhu Mansion did not earn much, they still worked as errands for the officials. Therefore, those who could work as servants were mostly related to several big families in Xizhou. Once they became Pei Changshi had the final say on the food and clothing expenses of Pei Xingjian's servants. If he subdued them, wouldn't it mean that he would get a lot of help for nothing? She only thought that the prince would not give Pei Xingjian a servant because of the shortage of manpower in Xizhou. Now...

Qu Chongyu smiled very elegantly and said, "I never paid attention to the handymen in the house before. After some inquiries not long ago, I found several talents who should serve Pei Shou as promised."

“Also, the palace maid remembered that she was looking for her family everywhere. Is there any news now?”

　　…………

On the main street of Xizhou, Anjuro followed Pei Xingjian, intent on persuading Pei Xingjian to give up the idea: Crown Prince Qu had already passed the steps, so why not just walk down the steps? Now that he was dealing with it like this, he suffered a big loss and rejected the prince's good intentions... Just looking at Pei Xingjian's solemn face, he didn't know how to speak for a moment, and secretly made up his mind to let Liuli come and persuade him later. —I think only Liuli can convince him.

Xizhou was not a big place at first, so the two of them walked in a hurry, but they arrived at Qushui Square in a blink of an eye. The servants piled more than a dozen leather bags in the front yard one after another. Pei Xingjian looked at it indifferently for a moment, and then asked people to give it to him. After receiving the reward, he took Anjuro into the backyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Anjuro was about to speak, but he saw that Pei Xingjian's expression suddenly relaxed, and he turned around and smiled at himself, "Don't worry, Juro, in fact, my aunt and I have already made an idea about the use of these papers, but it's just not yet done." Before, it was not easy to let people know, but it made Juro worry all the way, because he was not keeping his promise. "

Anjuro was suddenly confused. Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Follow me!"

Going out from the small corner door in the backyard, there are six back rooms surrounding a spacious patio. It was originally a place for stocking the house. There is a passage leading directly to the street outside. However, the door to the passage is locked at the moment, but there is a strange busyness in the patio. In the scene, more than a dozen craftsmen are working in four places, knocking or carving on the temporary table. Liuli is also wearing a dark blue Hu suit and a dark scarf on his head. In front of the case desk, he lowered his head and looked at a large piece of hemp paper in his hand.

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Liu Li, who do you think is here?"

Liuli raised her head and saw Anjuro with a bright smile on her face, but Anjuro was startled - but after not seeing her for more than twenty days, she had obviously lost weight. There were two conspicuous blue marks under her eyes, and another on her cheek. A slanted ink mark spread out vividly with the smile.

Everyone who was busy also raised their heads. Many people had more ink marks on their faces. When they saw Pei Xingjian, they shouted, "Alang, the writing paper is printed!"

Liuli quickly walked up to Pei Xingjian and Anjulang, raised the writing paper in his hand, his eyes sparkling, "It's finally done! In more than ten days, all twelve engravings will be finished!"

Everyone also put down the tools in their hands, and some of them said, "The piece I have on hand will be available tomorrow night." "The piece I have on hand will be available tomorrow night."

Pei Xingjian took a look at the writing paper and nodded with a smile, "It is indeed done, and it is much better than last time!" Anjuro also curiously came over to take a closer look, but it turned out to be a calendar, divided with thin lines. There are two columns with a total of thirty slender grids. Each column uses large characters to record the stems and branches of the day. The slightly smaller characters indicate the good and bad luck of the day. It is very clear and clear. The handwriting is of the same size and the strokes are neat and beautiful. surprisingly. There is also a simple curly grass pattern on the outer frame of the grid, making the entire calligraphy paper look more orderly and pleasing to the eye than ever before.

The more he read, the more he felt something strange, "How was this written? How could it be written so neatly and beautifully?"

Liuli's smile became brighter and brighter, and she pointed at a black wooden board placed on the desk, "It was written on it!"

Anjuro hurriedly walked to the desk and saw that the wooden board was slightly smaller than the paper. On the shallow bulges on the board were neat Japanese characters in reverse. Two people came over with a smile and took out A small brush applied a thin layer of ink on the board, then carefully pasted a piece of white paper, then picked up another large clean brush and brushed it twice on the white paper. After uncovering it, he turned it over, and it was astonishingly the same as The exact same calendar in his hand.

 Anjuro couldn’t help but be stunned.

Liuli winked at Pei Xingjian proudly. The calligraphy was naturally written by Pei Xingjian. He had to first write the words on the checkered tissue paper specially used for the Jiavalier shop, and then stick the paper to the wooden board. The engraver then carved the lines along the outline of the glyphs revealed on the back of the paper. Only by removing the wood board outside the carved lines bit by bit can the engraving for printing be made.

Anjuro looked at it several times and noticed that the first row of this calendar clearly had the words "Yimao Year Calendar". He suddenly woke up and shouted, "You guys are planning to use these jute papers to make next year's calendar." Are you here to sell the music? But this history..."

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Don't worry, Shiro. When I was in Chang'an, I studied astronomical calculations with Taishi Ling for two years. This kind of simple calendar will never be wrong. Now the engravings of the first four months have been completed in these two days." If we can do it well, it will be faster in the future. In about half a month, we can make a calendar for next year. "

Anjuro still had an expression of disbelief on his face. He looked at Pei Xingjian, then at the writing paper in his hand, and then at the engraving, as if silver coins were flowing past his eyes. After a long while, he sighed, "Keep the promise." , How did you think of it!" If next year's calendar can be printed out in half a month, not to mention the counties in Xizhou, even if it is shipped to Dunhuang, it will not be published later than the local calendar, and those hand-written calendars How can the copied calendar, in terms of style, paper, and ink, be compared with the one they printed?

Pei Xingjian looked at Liuli with a smile, "Of course I can't think of it. It was all my aunt's idea."

Anjuro stared at Liuli, opened his mouth but was speechless. Liuli raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "I once worked as a painter in a jiavalian shop. A few days ago, it suddenly occurred to me that the wood board used to make jiavalian can not only carve such Such a complicated pattern can probably be used to carve characters. Unexpectedly, after trying it a few times, it actually worked! Thanks to the elders of the An family, not only are all the four carvers in the second uncle's Jiaval shop now, Here, they also helped me find seven or eight clients who had previously worked as furniture and pottery carvers, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to do it so quickly.”

Anjuro could only nod, and after calculating silently for a moment, he said, "I will find a few reliable people to come over. Now that the first engraving has been produced today, we can start printing paper and making scores. First, we will press 2,600 copies." I will take care of all the reproduction and sales. Once the album is sold, we will split the proceeds in half!"

Pei Xingjian was startled and shook his head with a smile, "No need to be like this, these are not worth anything? Is it possible that we are doing this to compete with the people?"

Anjuro looked solemn, "It's wrong to keep the promise. We Zhaowu people are the most fair in doing business. I just sent some people and used a few stores. This calendar was calculated by you, keeping the promise, and the engraving was done by the mother-in-law." Come out, how can I, Anjuro, take advantage of you?"

Just as Pei Xingjian was about to refuse, Liuli smiled and said, "But all the papers are from Shiro! You are also required to sell all the calendars. Cousin, is it because you are so humble because of your status as a promise keeper? Why don't you sell them like this?" After that, you can give us 30%. If you don’t even want to do this, I will have to ask the clan uncles to do this.”

Anjuro thought for a moment and sighed, "That's okay, Madam, you and Shou will share one-third and one-third. Your thoughts will be kept in mind by Juro!" One-third, then excluding the hired workers and materials these days, There will be an income of more than 200 yuan, and it will also allow people in places like Xizhou and Dunhuang to use the most beautiful handwriting in history! Liuli couldn't help but laugh, but then she thought of something else, "There is one more thing I have to ask Juro."

Anjuro Anjuro said hurriedly, "Madam, please speak."

Liuli smiled and said, "When it comes time to print the calendar, this courtyard is probably too small, so it would be better to move it to a more spacious place. Besides, it was Juro's idea to print the calendar with engravings. In the future, Shou and I will I will never ask anything about it again!" Now that the engraving matter has been settled, it would be better for her to keep silent and make a fortune.

Anjuro looked at Liuli with some confusion. Liuli smiled and spread his hands. The white palms were also stained with ink. Before he could speak, Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Shiro, take a look at these carvings first. Madam and I will come back later." After saying that, he took Liuli's hand and walked back to the inner courtyard.

Liuli asked curiously, "What are you doing? I haven't made it clear to my cousin yet!"

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "It's not too late to talk about it later!" He pulled her into the room, poured some water from the pot and wet the handkerchief. He grabbed Liuli's hands with one hand and used the other to He carefully wiped the ink on her face with a handkerchief.

Liuli looked at the dark patch on the handkerchief before she realized what was happening. Thinking of how she looked like this when she proudly presented the treasure just now, she couldn't help but sigh, "Why didn't you remind me earlier?"

Pei Xingjian's tone was helpless, "I wanted to say it earlier, but I really didn't have the chance to get in." Seeing Liuli's face turning a little red, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Shiro will no longer be able to see your face when he sees the engraving." Mo... I think you look better than usual just now."

Liuli looked at her hands, which were still covered in smoke, and rolled her eyes at him feebly. Does she look good? Is it as beautiful as a flower melon? Suddenly I remembered something, "I forgot to tell Juro! I have been testing ink for the past two days, and I found that Songyan ink is the most effective, and other inks are much worse!"

Pei Xingjian hurriedly grabbed her and sighed, "It's not too late for you to wash your hands before leaving. Now that Shiro is here, you have done everything you should do. You need to have a good rest. Don't see how you can endure it." My eyes are all blue!”

Liuli poured half a basin of water and washed her hands, and murmured in a low voice, "Who knew it would be so troublesome?" She originally thought that there were ready-made materials and manpower in the Jiaval shop. She had carved Yangwen's seal before, and made a Isn't it easy to engrave woodblocks? Unexpectedly, there are a lot of troubles from the knife and engraving method during plate making, to the choice of ink, and to the transfer paper. Fortunately, most of these craftsmen are quite experienced, and Pei Xingjian often has wonderful ideas. Everyone tries and makes changes, and slowly finds the solution. The secret was that it took ten days to successfully complete the first engraving.

Pei Xingjian hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Liu Li, do we really want to share the profits with Julang?"

Liuli wiped her hands with a new white folded cloth handkerchief, "Of course you have to put it away, otherwise you feel okay, how can Shiro feel okay?" Seeing Pei Xingjian nod thoughtfully, he walked to him again, raised his head seriously Looking at him, he said, "I like to do these things and keep my promises. I want to do things together with my cousin and uncle in the future."

Pei Xingjian looked at Liuli in surprise, and Liuli looked directly at him, feeling a little unsure. Although Pei Xingjian had a gentle temperament, he was somewhat aloof at heart, and he looked at money and silk very lightly. Most likely, he would not think of doing it. Business is such a glorious thing. Didn’t he just say that he would not “compete with the people for profit”? However, now that she has come to a place like Xizhou, where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, there are no longer so many worries, how can she be willing to continue doing nothing? It really doesn’t work out, he still has three things he hasn’t promised himself!

Pei Xingjian was silent for a while, then shook his head and laughed, pulling Liuli to sit on the couch, "Liuli, I only knew you liked painting before, but I didn't know you had so many fantastic ideas. What do you like to do? What are you doing, can you tell me now?”

Liuli looked at his gentle smile, felt warm in her heart, and said softly, "Actually, I didn't think too clearly. I just feel that I can do more things now. For example, this engraving and printing was actually just an idea at first, but in the past ten days As I watched the engravings being carved out bit by bit, I felt indescribably happy. In this way, on the one hand, the issue of Juro was solved, and on the other hand, people in Xizhou and even Dunhuang could also use it better. How can it be that he is competing with the people for benefit? And the white fold, I always feel that I should be able to weave better cloth, maybe there are other things, I can't think much about it at the moment. But I always want to do it and give it a try. I don’t want to be bored at home all day long and have to socialize with the officials and their families!”

Pei Xingjian stared at Liuli's face, his eyes became softer and softer, and finally nodded with a smile, "Since you like it, then do it. But just like you told Shiro just now, these days, there are some things that you should not let outsiders know that it is you. It's a good idea. If you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me; besides, don't be too tired. You forget everything as soon as you do something and can't stop it. Can you never do this again? Answered me?"

A joyful smile suddenly appeared on Liuli's face, and she nodded vigorously. Pei Xingjian sighed, smiled and rubbed Liuli's head, "You must remember to promise me. If you can't do it, see how I punish you!"

Liuli’s eyes widened, “How will you punish me?”

Pei Xingjian glanced at her lightly and said, "If you dare to tire yourself out, I will keep you awake every morning!"

Liuli was angry and funny. She opened Pei Xingjian's hand with a snap and said, "I won't talk nonsense to you. I'm going to see my cousin." She stood up and walked out.

Pei Xingjian also stood up with a smile, "Come on, let's go there together. I thought about it. If Juro wants to move things over and take people with him, he has to hide them from others. I have an idea..."

On this day, the sun had just set in the west, and the door leading to the backyard of Pei's house in Qushui Square suddenly opened. With a sullen face, Anjuro directed a dozen male servants to carry away many heavy leather bags and various messy things. It was transported across the street to an empty house not far away from home.

When someone came up to inquire, Anjuro said calmly, "Since this house has been sold to Pei Changshi, the warehouse at the back should naturally be vacated. Otherwise, wouldn't it be taking advantage of Pei Changshi?" With that look and tone, It doesn't look like talking about one's own relatives at all.

After two or three trips to finish transporting all the items, Pei Changshi's wife personally sent Anjuro there. She also stayed in the house for a long time, until it was almost dark before returning home with a gloomy look on her face.

On the second day, Pei Changshi, who came from Chang'an, cut off the financial resources of his relatives because he saved money for the Duhufu, and had to bear all the burden, which spread in the Duhufu and the market. Naturally, there were some who snickered, and some who sighed. However, when the six servants of the Duhu Mansion heard about this, their feelings were particularly complicated - they had just received the arrangement, and they would become Chief Pei from now on. Shi's servant. A common servant's income is more money and food than a servant's, but his work is more leisurely. It is supposed to be a great joy, but this man's temperament is so pedantic. If this follows him...

Seeing several well-known and tired figures in the Protectorate's Mansion walking out while whispering to each other, the steward couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief: The backers behind these gentlemen are very strong, so although some have always been arrogant and domineering, and some like to be sneaky, No one dared to be too restrictive. Now that he was sent away like this, he finally saved himself a lot of headaches!

One of the six servants is named Bai San. His grandfather was originally the steward of the Qu family. He was made a good citizen because of his great achievements in the army. He has practiced Kung Fu with his father since he was a child, but he is often greedy and has an impatient temper. , so he has never been reused, but everyone is afraid of him as a handyman. While the others were joking, he was the only one who looked cold. I heard someone say that this long history at least has a good temper. As long as he is well served, he might have a bright future in the future. He couldn't help but sneered, "Future? It's hard to tell whether this Chang Shi has a future!"

Several handymen looked at him in surprise, and he said coldly, "You don't know the rules in Chang'an. If you are a promising person, how can you come to us? Maybe after a few days, you will be sent to Went further!"

Bai Sanyuan was more knowledgeable than others. When everyone heard what he said, they couldn't help but feel discouraged. Some people muttered that it would be better to make a few profits so as not to lose money... Bai San showed a slight smile on his face, "That's right. , after this experience, who knows what will happen in the future?”

A few people nodded one after another, and when they came to Pei Xingjian, even though they tried to behave well, their eyes couldn't help but glance back and forth. Pei Xingjian only glanced at them a few times, asked their names gently, and then asked Acheng to lead them to pack their bags and move from the Duhu Mansion's Miscellaneous Yard to the newly vacated outer room in the backyard.

By the time Pei Xingjian finished handling his official duties and went back, the six people had settled down, and everyone was a little happy. Only Bai San stood in the courtyard and looked around sharply, with a critical look on his face. Seeing Pei Xingjian come in, he only saluted proudly and stood there without saying a word.

Pei Xingjian seemed to be interested in him. He looked him up and down several times and suddenly said, "Bai San, I'm afraid you will suffer a **** disaster due to the loss of your legs and feet in the past two days."

 Bai Sanlang was startled, then laughed, with almost disdain in his eyes, "Chang Shi is joking, Bai has put more than 20 years of hard work on his legs and feet, and he has never been in a bad situation."

Pei Xingjian looked at him carefully, then suddenly opened his hand, and three copper coins appeared in it. He sprinkled it twice on the table, and the coins suddenly disappeared. He raised his head and smiled, "I saw it right. You will be here in three days." There must be a **** disaster, don’t you believe it? Let’s make a bet.”

   Hey, the sinister Jiu wants to play tricks on people again.

It is generally believed that engraving and printing may have first appeared in the early Tang Dynasty. Some people believe that the earliest unearthed objects belong to the reign of Wu Zetian.

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 (End of this chapter)