Old man Zhang is working in the yard.
As people get older, they often want to leave their fallen leaves and return to their roots. However, this is different for him.
When he was a businessman more than ten years ago, he learned a craft by chance.
Old man Zhang worked with others for a while. He was very dexterous with his hands and learned things quickly, which won him praise from his boss. As he gradually fell in love with this job, his mind became more flexible: he went out to do business for more than half a year every year.
You can't make much money even if you work hard and live in the open. Although you have to be outside for a long time to do this job, it is stable and easy, and you get a lot of money. Anyway, you have to go out to make a living, so why not find someone to work for yourself
A solid job?
Later, he stayed in Changwo Town, which is very close to the capital. It is not only a prosperous place where merchants gather, but also a variety of workshops, large and small, including the printing workshop where he works.
Now, he is old. The apprentices in the workshop have been able to take on big jobs, so he left there and prepared to retire in peace. He used his own savings to buy several acres of thin farmland and rented a small courtyard from local acquaintances.
Taking refuge at his knees again, Old Man Zhang finally lived a leisurely old age.
A little boy of almost ten years old ran to him curiously, pointed at the thing he was carving in his hand and said, "Ah! What is this?"
Old man Zhang's eyes narrowed into slits. He gently stroked the child's forehead and said softly: "My dear grandson, wait a moment, there will be something new soon."
Seeing his little grandson running away happily, Old Man Zhang grinned.
The son is out working, and the wife is cooking. For an elderly ordinary person, is there a more perfect life than this?
At this moment, Old Man Zhang heard a knock on the door. Who would come at this time? Could it be that the neighbor came to borrow something again?
He stood up and opened the door, and what appeared in front of him was a young man he had never seen before. This man was very handsome, and people could not help but fall in love with him at first sight. However, he looked a little haggard, and his eyes had dark circles.
I don’t know if it’s because I often stay up late.
"Hello, father-in-law." He smiled and said: "I am from Puhua Town, my name is Xiao Jing. I have something to discuss with you, you see..."
Since the bookstore owner refused the request to print the newspaper, Xiao Jing has been looking around for craftsmen who can help. He not only mobilized Shaoning's people, but also walked around the streets to find many places. The hard work paid off, and in
On the third day after Shaoning and Pan Feiyu jointly conducted an investigation but failed, he finally found out about Old Man Zhang and rushed here as quickly as possible.
In an era when the relationship between people was not so cold, even if the visitor was a stranger, the host would still welcome him.
Old man Zhang let Xiao Jing into the courtyard. The two of them sat down separately. He looked at the confident young man in front of him and asked, "I wonder why the young master found the little old man?"
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "To be honest, I don't go to the Three Treasures Hall for anything."
As he spoke, he repeated what he had said to the bookstore owner before.
The so-called newspaper is different from the tabloids you have seen! It is the vanguard of disseminating news and letting people know about current affairs. It is the advocate and supervisor of justice and fairness. It can also provide people with various aspects of life.
Practical news that may come in handy...
Xiao Jing didn't speak very fast, and he was very sure that Old Man Zhang heard every word he said clearly. However, while he was talking about it with great interest, the other party's brows became more and more furrowed.
After he finished speaking, Old Man Zhang shook his head and said: "Master, it's not that I don't want to help. It's just that I'm already at this age, and I really can't afford to bother with engraving and engraving. If you are interested, you might as well go to Zuojin and ask.
Q. I also know a few workshops, so I can say that I know them well with the Young Master."
Xiao Jing smiled bitterly and closed his eyes.
This is the second time he has come to Changwo Town. The first time he came, he visited all the places he should go, but no one was willing to help! He said that he had already traveled around Changwo Town and the capital.
His legs were almost thin due to running around, and no bookstore agreed to print newspapers for him.
"Old man, my remuneration will not be less, and it will even be higher than what is available in the market." Xiao Jing persisted: "Can you please make it easier? I only need you to complete two or three phases of engraving.
, I can think of another solution later.”
"Money is a good thing. However, I have enough money to spend." Old Man Zhang smiled happily: "Sir, let's see, am I living a good life? My family has no worries about food and clothing, and I can be regarded as decent in front of others.
What more can I ask for? I’m already this old, and what I care about is not money. My family is well-off, and if they need money, just let them earn it themselves.”
Xiao Jing was dumbfounded. He organized his words a little, and then said: "I admire the old man for his indifferent attitude. However, there is still something unclear about Xiao, and I would like to ask you to clarify it."
After saying that, he stood up and bowed respectfully before saying: "Newspapers are something that is beneficial to people all over the world. Xiao wants to publish a newspaper. Of course, he wants to find a way out for himself, but countless people will also benefit from it. I don't know.
Have you ever heard of the "Recruitment Page" in Puhua Town? After its introduction, the poor townspeople all cheered for joy. A mere piece of paper has brought countless conveniences to everyone. Isn't this a good thing?"
Xiao Jing took a deep breath, and his voice became a little sad: "I told you that the newspaper will not publish any nonsense that will lead to lawsuits. I will give you the reward in advance, no matter how the newspaper sells, I will not
It will deprive you of a penny; every bookstore doesn’t bother to print newspapers, so if you help me with this, you won’t be stealing their business. In this case, what else do you have to worry about?”
His words were very sad. I thought this road would be feasible, but I didn't expect to receive another blow. Do I need to think of another way?
Old man Zhang was still unmoved. He said calmly: "Young master's great truth is very impassioned, and I have learned from it. However, I really have no intention of returning to my old career, so I don't need to waste any more words."
"
He suddenly stood up and said with a big smile: "I still want to make toys for my grandson, so I don't need to accompany you much. Master, please come back!"
It seemed that there was no point in saying anything else.
Xiao Jing stood up slumped and said: "Since you have made up your mind, Xiao will leave first."
After taking two steps toward the door, he took out another piece of folded paper and turned around and handed it to Old Man Zhang. He mocked himself and said: "I've been talking to you, but I didn't even show you this. This is a sample of our newspaper, please."
Keep it as a souvenir. If you change your mind, you might as well ask someone to come to Puhua Town to find me."
After finishing speaking, Xiao Jing left sadly. Old man Zhang was not in a very high mood. He sat back on the stool with a long sigh, slowly unfolded the paper in his hand and started reading.
Not long after, Old Man Zhang's eyes suddenly widened. His breathing became more rapid, and his head continued to lean forward, barely touching the paper with his face.
The son who was out happened to come in. Seeing his father's strange appearance, he was about to ask, when he saw the old father suddenly dropped the paper in his hand and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Quickly, go and chase that Mr. Xiao back!"
Chapter completed!