Shen Yanqing sat down at Xu Ziwen's desk with the letters he had stayed up late to sort out these past few days.
"Brother Xu, I have a business here, I wonder if you are interested in it?"
Xu Ziwen was eating hand pancakes. The pancakes were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, rolled with fried eggs and vegetables, and brushed with Jiang Miao's secret sauce. It was so delicious and spicy when he took one bite. Xu Ziwen ate without even looking up.
Ever since Jiang Miao came to the academy to set up a stall, he had never known that there were so many different ways to eat.
"What business?" Xu Ziwen swallowed the last mouthful and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
Although the Xu family is the richest man in Furong Town, Xu's father wholeheartedly hopes that his son will pass the exam and become an official in the court. After all, no matter how rich the merchants are, they are inferior to others. Therefore, although Xu Ziwen is interested in doing business, he has not interfered.
Xu Ziwen was a little curious when his classmate who only read books about sages suddenly wanted to do business with him.
"Selling imperial examination questions and examination materials."
"Are you crazy? If you are found out, you will be beheaded!"
Xu Ziwen was horrified. No matter how stupid he was, he knew that the imperial examination questions involved court secrets and that if they were leaked, he would be dead.
Shen Yanqing knew from his expression that he had misunderstood. He spread out the book in his hand, which contained his reading experience, including the interpretation of Ming Jing, the analysis of Ce Wen's arguments, and the excellent articles he usually wrote. Into a book.
Xu Ziwen flipped through two pages and was attracted by the content. Shen Yanqing was a scholar, and his articles were eager to be circulated by students. If he put them out for sale, they would definitely be snapped up by students.
"This business can be done, but autumn is coming soon. If Brother Shen sells his hard work over the years, wouldn't it be an advantage for other students?"
This set of books not only outlines the key points of the exam content, but also contains Shen Yanqing’s learning methods and exam techniques. No matter how stupid a student is, reading it once will increase the chance of passing the exam by 50%.
Xu Ziwen wondered if Shen Yanqing was stupid for creating competitors for himself. Money was important, but shouldn't he focus all his energy on the provincial examination now?
"I know Brother Xu's concerns. These are all organized by me. How much others can learn depends on their own talents. My own thoughts cannot be taken away."
Shen Yanqing is still somewhat arrogant in his studies. He is confident that others will not surpass him.
Xu Ziwen was persuaded by him. Anyway, this business was only profitable for him, so Shen Yanqing let him study from the first notebook.
However, the two of them still have to discuss how to do this business.
"Brother Shen, what are your plans?"
He had some pocket money in his hand. Although it was not much, it was more than enough to rent a shop. Shen Yanqing asked him to join him, so he probably had plans to open a shop.
"I want to open a bookstore near the academy. It mainly sells examination materials and other books and stationery. What do you think?"
Xu Ziwen had no objection. There was a bookstore in front of the academy, but it did not conflict with their business.
"I'll take care of the shop and manpower, and leave the rest to Brother Shen?"
Xu Ziwen decided to go back to his father to find a manager. Although his father was not willing to let him get involved in the business, after all, this bookshop was a business for scholars. If it was successfully run, it would also help him build a reputation. His father would definitely not stop him.
"good."
Shen Yanqing decided to copy more information in the past few days. It would be troublesome to compile it, but he already had a template and it would be faster to copy. He had no foundation and did not dare to imitate others, so he could only do it himself. Fortunately, the copying process was It's like reviewing it again.
"This information is precious, so the price shouldn't be too cheap. I think it's only twenty taels of silver per book."
Those who could afford it at this price were wealthy people, and they were willing to spend money on imperial examinations even if they were not short of money.
"Okay..." Shen Yanqing nodded, thought for a moment and then said.
"The bookstore allows reading, ten articles per day, but the materials cannot be borrowed or copied."
This is to benefit students from poor families. Ten pennies is not much, and usually it is enough to copy a book, and they can all afford it.
"Brother Shen is kind-hearted!"
After Xu Ziwen figured it out, he admired Shen Yanqing even more for being able to take care of all students. This classmate of his had a pattern.
…
"What's this?"
Standing in front of the Shen's stall was a thin old man, wearing a gray robe. Although he had white hair, his eyes were deep and bright, and he looked very energetic.
The old man was attracted by the aroma of the food. He stared at the meat in the pot with some confusion on his face.
I've cooked this soup with meat in it. Will it be delicious?
Jiang Miao smiled and said, "This is braised pork rice. Would you like some, sir?"
It was already past dinner time and the students had all gone back. She had cooked a lot of food today and had two portions left. Judging by her clothes, this old man must be a gentleman from the academy.
The old man stroked his gray beard and nodded, "Put in more meat."
"Why."
Jiang Miao took out a white porcelain bowl, first put a layer of rice on it, and then scooped out a spoonful of braised pork. The rich soup was soaked into the rice, and then served with braised eggs and cooked vegetables. After one bite, it left a fragrant aroma in her teeth and cheeks. .
Surprise flashed in the old man's eyes. He didn't expect that the cook in this small place could have such good skills, even better than the chefs in the capital. Moreover, the cooked rice was fragrant and glutinous, and the braised pork was also soft and tender, which was suitable for his age. of teeth.
"not bad."
He returned the clean bowl to Jiang Miao.
"Will it still be the same braised pork rice tomorrow?"
"No, the food at the stall is different every day. If you want to eat braised pork rice, I may have to wait a little longer."
Jiang Miao didn't think about what to cook tomorrow. She only made her decision based on what old Shen's family had in store.
"Oh." The old man looked a little disappointed, leaving a piece of silver behind his back and walking away.
"Hey, you gave me too much. This meal is only three cents."
Jiang Miao quickly stopped him and asked for change, but the old man waved to her with his back.
"Tomorrow's meal money."
Jiang Miao shook her head, this old man was weird.
The dean and several gentlemen in the academy were all frantic.
"You haven't found Mr. Wei yet?"
"No, I heard Mr. Wei's boy said that he has been out for half an hour. He has searched all over the academy and found no one!"
"He didn't eat the food he was given, so where can he go?"
Several gentlemen looked at each other in confusion. Mr. Wei had a distinguished status and they couldn't afford any slight mistakes.
"What are you doing here? You have nothing to do?"
Wei Cheng came in with his hands behind his back and saw the dean and others standing at his door chattering.
"Mr. Wei, you are back," Dean Qiu breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, nothing happened to him.
If Jiang Miao were here, she would definitely recognize Wei Cheng as the old man who bought food just now.
"Where did you go just now? No one found you."
"I have to report to you where I am going?" Wei Cheng stared, his beard rising.
"Don't dare, don't dare, the students just saw that you didn't eat anything for lunch..."
"Is that food for human consumption? I think you want to starve me to death on purpose!"
Dean Qiu looked innocent. The food served from the kitchen was the best food in the academy. He couldn't eat it twice a year.
"But the taste doesn't suit your taste?" Dean Qiu asked cautiously.
"Huh! It tastes terrible. I don't need to give you lunch in the future."
"Then what if you don't eat?" Dean Qiu wanted to say that he couldn't be hungry, but seeing Wei Cheng's face darken, he swallowed back what he said.
"I found a place to eat." Wei Cheng smacked his lips. The braised pork rice made by the little lady was so delicious. I just don't know what I will make tomorrow and whether it will be as delicious as today.
Dean Qiu didn't dare to say anything when he saw him like this, but he was curious about who captured Mr. Wei's appetite.
"All the homework for the academy students is here. Can you see if there is anything you like?"
Wei Cheng came to recruit disciples this time, and some well-informed students submitted their best articles. Those who were not serious about their homework were destined to be eliminated.
