In fact, it was difficult to make money by publishing books in ancient times. First of all, paper and ink these days are expensive, or they are the four treasures of the study. Secondly, the process is complicated. Although there is movable type printing, it is still the oldest and the basis for later generations.
It can't be compared, there are quite a lot of workers needed, and if there are more workers, the wages will naturally be more, and now they have to provide food, how can they be such a cheater?
Fortunately, Bai Qiannuo had a father who was a prime minister, otherwise the cost would have been more than this.
And the most critical point is that there are not many literate people in this era. Who do you sell your books to? It’s not just those scholars and talented people. The consumer group is too narrow. No matter how beautiful your book is, it will not be read.
Not many people will buy it, so publishing the book will definitely cost you nothing.
Generally, people who publish books are Internet experts, some of them are very rich, or they are high-ranking officials, like Sima Qian and Sima Guang. They are all for fame, not profit. This is similar to Cai Jing's academy.
It's the same reason.
Li Qi was quite lucky. Firstly, there were many literati in the Northern Song Dynasty. Secondly, he made the Romance of the Three Kingdoms famous first and then published the book. If not, he would have suffered even more losses.
Under Li Qi's friction, Bai Qiannuo felt an itching sensation in her chest, and her cheeks suddenly felt dizzy. She twisted her body unconsciously, avoiding Li Qi, and said softly: "Brother, thank you for your concern.
But I really don’t feel tired.”
Li Qi raised his head, looked at Bai Qiannuo with tears in his eyes, and said, "I'm still not tired. Look at you. You've lost so much weight. I can feel it when I touch you." As he spoke, one of his big hands moved.
It has covered Bai Qiannuo's plump breasts. I was secretly surprised, huh? Why are they getting plumper? Well, this is all my credit.
Bai Qiannuo didn't expect Li Qi to be so bold, so she exclaimed, pushed him away, and said coquettishly: "Brother, this is a temple, you---"
"What's wrong with the temple? Youdao would rather demolish ten temples than one marriage. It can be seen that love is higher than the temple. The Bodhisattva doesn't dare to say anything when he comes. Come here and let me hug you again." Li
Qi Li said confidently and hugged her tightly again, but he didn't use his hands any more. He just felt that he hadn't held this smart little woman in his arms for a long, long time.
When Bai Qiannuo heard his nonsense, she smiled knowingly. Lying in his arms, the warm feeling made her look dim, and she said softly: "But we are not married yet."
Huh? Something doesn't sound right about this. Li Qi was stunned for a moment and frowned slightly. In fact, he had wanted to marry Bai Qiannuo for a long time. Although it was sometimes exciting to be secretive, he was still used to being aboveboard, but at this time
He had to worry about the thoughts of that silly girl Ji Hongnu, and he felt very embarrassed.
Bai Qiannuo raised her eyelids, glanced at Li Qi secretly, and saw that his face was solemn. His eyes were suddenly filled with tears, and he hesitated for a while. Then he said: "Brother, are you unwilling to marry me because of Sister Hongnu?"
Come through." There was a bit of nervousness in his voice.
There was a bang in Li Qi's head, he was stunned for a moment, and said in a trembling voice: "Qi--Qiniang, you---what did you just say?"
Bai Qiannuo sighed softly and said, "Brother, you don't have to hide it from me. In fact, I already know about you and Sister Hongnu."
This surprise was really extraordinary. Li Qi thought he had concealed it well, but he didn't expect that he would still be discovered by this little girl. He felt an inexplicable fear in his heart. As for why he was afraid, he didn't know, so he asked: "How do you know?
of?"
The implication of these words was undoubtedly an admission. In fact, Li Qi didn't want to hide it from Bai Qiannuo, but he couldn't find a good entry point. Now that Bai Qiannuo brought it up, he simply confessed and tried to be lenient.
Bai Qiannuo's voice was slightly choked as she said: "Actually, I noticed something was wrong between you and Sister Hongnu a long time ago, but I didn't think about it carefully at that time until the heavy snowfall not long ago. I remember that night, I and I
The red slave sister stayed at my house very late working on the refugees, and then she was really sleepy, so she went back to bed to sleep."
It seemed that the red slave was talking in his sleep and she heard it. When Li Qi heard this, he already understood in his heart.
Sure enough, I heard Bai Qiannuo say: "After I settled the accounts, I was getting ready to go to bed when I suddenly heard Sister Hongnu say - 'Brother, don't leave me, I - I like you so much'."
"
No way. When did the red slave become so unrestrained? Li Qi was sweating profusely. He was always eloquent, but now he couldn't even utter a word.
Bai Qiannuo added: "I didn't react at first, so I called Sister Hongnu softly twice. When she didn't respond, I realized that she was talking in her sleep. I know that Sister Hongnu doesn't know many people, and her words
My eldest brother, there can be no one else besides you, but I wasn’t sure at that time, so I kept Sister Hongnu at home for a few more days. I took the opportunity to explore her voice. Sister Hongnu was relatively simple and couldn’t hide her heart.
I've tested her a few times and determined that her relationship with you is definitely unusual. Brother, am I despicable to lie to Sister Hongnu like this?"
Li Qi felt extremely guilty, hugging him tighter and tighter, shaking his head and saying: "This is all my fault, I shouldn't hide it from you, it's just--" At this point, he couldn't say any more.
.Although he was sincere to both women, he really didn't have the courage to say this, and even thought it was a bit ridiculous.
Yes, there is no shortage of women around him, and he has always been decisive when it comes to relationships, but after all, he is facing a woman and a relationship. He really has no experience of loving two women at the same time, and this situation is not likely.
It may appear in later generations. Even after Mrs. Qin's advice last time, he understood that men can have three wives and four concubines these days, but he still didn't know how to deal with it, so he put it off again and again.
Bai Qiannuo didn't know what Li Qi was thinking, so he thought to himself: "When I learned about this, I felt really sad. I was afraid to see you in those days because I was afraid that you would do something for Sister Hongnu.
Don’t want me.”
No wonder I couldn't find her in those days. It turned out to be this reason. Li Qi said softly: "Qiniang, how could I not want you anymore? Even if you trade the throne with me, I won't trade it. I can meet you
You are already God’s greatest gift to me.”
Bai Qiannuo said hurriedly: "Brother, you can't say this nonsense."
Although these words are said, it still feels sweet in my heart. Women are always the most easily moved animals in the world.
Li Qidao: "Then you can't say that kind of thing again in the future."
Bai Qiannuo hummed softly and said, "At that time, I really wanted to ask you to find out, but I didn't dare. Later---then I asked my mother."
Li Qi's face tightened, and the terrifying mother-in-law appeared in his mind. He suddenly felt a dark wind behind him, and said, "Have you told your mother about this?"
Bai Qiannuo nodded and said, "I can't tell others about this, and I was so worried that I went to find my mother."
Li Qi said anxiously: "Then what did your mother say?"
Bai Qiannuo said: "My mother said, brother, your future is limitless. You will definitely be in a high position one day. Three wives and four concubines are inevitable. If I force you, I'm afraid it will be counterproductive. Since you can't stop it, why not stay behind your back?"
I support you and let you remember how good I am. I also say that Sister Hongnu is kind-hearted and easy to get along with. She is a good child who can complement me very well and help you together."
Damn. I didn’t expect that this mother-in-law really sees things through. She has done me a big favor. I will definitely ask her for advice someday. Li Qi said sarcastically: “Then the mother-in-law must have treated my father-in-law like this, right?
?”
Bai Qiannuo rolled her eyes at Li Qi and said coquettishly: "I talked about you, why did it involve my mother again? But my father is not as carefree as you."
Li Qi said dissatisfied: "No, I heard that your father has several concubines, who are much better than me."
Bai Qiannuo said: "My mother found it for my father. My mother said that since my father is the prime minister, if he doesn't even have a concubine, he will inevitably be laughed at. Moreover, she also hopes that the Bai family can spread its branches.
That's why I helped my father find several concubines, but my father only loves my mother in his heart."
This mother-in-law is really an extraordinary person. She can do such things. It seems that Lao Bai has been trained by her to be obedient. If not, I still don't believe that she dares to be so arrogant in finding a concubine for her husband.
Li Qi admired Madam Bai in his heart. He asked nervously: "Qiniang, what do you think now?"
Seeing his nervous face, Bai Qiannuo pretended to hesitate for a while, and then said: "I also think what mother said is reasonable. You don't know something. Sister Wang has always regretted not letting her husband find a concubine, so that Qin
We have no heirs. Moreover, Sister Hongnu and I are as close as sisters, and I don’t want to be separated from her. To be honest with my brother, there were times when I thought about letting Sister Hongnu stay with you.”
As soon as Li Qi heard this, he let out a deep breath and felt a hundred times more relaxed. He coughed lightly and said seriously: "Qiniang, I know it's a little hypocritical to say this now, but I really mean it. I've been there for two years."
How about I go to your house to propose marriage tomorrow?"
Bai Qiannuo was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Li Qi said depressedly: "Why are you laughing? I'm serious."
Bai Qiannuo chuckled and said: "My mother said at the beginning that the reason why you haven't come to my house to propose marriage is because you are worried about Hong Nu. She also said that once I confess to you, you will definitely say yes immediately.
We came to propose marriage. Now it seems that my mother was really right."
Li Qi was dumbfounded. After a while, he said, "Did your mother really say that?"
"Yes!" Bai Qiannuo nodded.
Damn it! It seems that I have rarely escaped from the clutches of my mother-in-law in this life. Li Qi's heart is full of mixed feelings now, which he can't describe.
Seeing Li Qi's expression, Bai Qiannuo pursed her lips and smiled, and then said seriously: "But brother, my mother said that your career is bright now. If you marry me at this time, something will happen, so I hope you can wait a little longer.
.”
Li Qiwei pondered for a moment and then understood. Nowadays, the party struggle in the court is very fierce. Although he is closely related to all parties, he still remains aloof and does not choose sides. This is a situation that many people want to see.
Yes, if he becomes Bai Shizhong's son-in-law, he will definitely be involved in this dispute. In that case, he will undoubtedly be attacked by many people, which is really not a good thing for his career. Moreover, since the current situation is unknown
, who will win or lose is still unknown. What Mrs. Bai did is just hoping that if the political situation changes, he can come out as a surprise soldier to help Bai Shi.
Li Qi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, it seems that there is still a big gap between me and this mother-in-law. Bai Shizhong is really lucky to have such a good wife to help him.