叭哒漫画

Xingshan County is so small that it would be impossible for them not to know if such a person of status was present.

“It mustn’t be someone from Xingshan County but I can’t think of who it might be.” Wei Mingting also observed the unfamiliar gentleman earlier, yet he can’t recall who he was.

Madam Yun speculated, “Could it be the noble man who is residing in Huafa Temple?”

Very few influential people come to Xingshan County, it’s unlikely that two would arrive at once.

“That’s a possibility.” Wei Mingting agreed.

“My Lord, could it be possible for the noble man to vent his anger on our family because of the previous incident and the fact that Yichen won the competition today?” Madam Yun’s concern deepened.

“Don’t think about it too much, if he is enraged by such trivial matters, nothing can be said. Moreover, from his behaviour earlier, he doesn’t seem to be narrow-minded.” Wei Mingting advised.

He is upright and just. He admitted to his crime of failing to manage anti-Japanese samurai. However, if he was punished for such trivial matters, it would be a gross injustice.

After failing to determine the identity of the gentleman clothed in brocade, Wei Yichen handed over the ink treasure of the Tibetan layman that he had won back to Wei Mingting.

Wei Mingting refused it: “You keep it. I know how much you admire the Tibetan layman, even considering him a potential mentor.”

Wei Ruo, who was about to get in the carriage, overheard this conversation and glanced at Wei Yichen. She quickly turned back, climbed into the carriage and started munching on candied fruit.

Gazing through the window slit on the opposite side sat Wei Qingwan, who was lost in thought. The face of the nobleman kept surfacing in her mind.

She also remembered what her parents had said that the noble man was likely from Huafa Temple, worrying about the impression she had left on him that day.

If it was indeed the nobleman from the Huafa Temple, he must be a member of the Royal Family. What would induce a royal family member to visit a small place like Xingshan county?

###

After the competition, Chu Lan did not leave immediately. He let an attendant queue up and buy more paper.

With the paper in hand, Chu Lan is certain that it’s much better than what is sold in the capital city.

Lu Yuhong also noticed that the paper Chu Lan bought was different from what they usually used, thicker, cleaner and smoother.

“It’s surprising, this store truly is renowned. Not only do they come up with unique ways to attract customers, but the products they sell are superior to those in other places. This store should be located in the capital city! The business will surely be a hundred times better!” Lu Yuhong commented.

“Brother Yuhong, setting up shop in the capital isn’t that easy,” Chu Lan said.

“Oh, you are right. Life in the capital is not like in these small places.” Lu Yuhong nodded.

Lu Yuhong jokingly said to Chu Lan: “Your Highness, since their paper is so good and beloved by scholars, what if I talk to their boss about it, see if he can supply me, and I can open a store for him in the capital city. This way I could also make some profit!”

No one would mind having more money, not even someone like Lu Yuhong who is a gentleman from a well-established family.

“You can try, just don’t act like a bully.” Chu Lang replied.

“Of course, do I look like a scoundrel? If I ever oppress the common people, my grandfather will be the first one to whip me to death!”

###

With the competition ended and the day’s stock of paper sold out,

The shopkeeper Mr. Jia closed the store and went into the small courtyard at the back of the shop. A strong and honest-looking farmer stood in the courtyard.

When Mr. Jia arrived, the farmer was chopping wood.

Mr. Jia stood by the farmer and reported the day’s competition and sales situation.

Generally speaking, it was a huge success. Just with a piece of ink treasure from the Tibetan layman cubicle and a small competition, Four Treasure House was promoted in Xingshan County and successfully sold 7,200 pieces of paper.

“Good, good. You’ve worked hard.” Xu Zhushan had a simple-minded smile on his face.

Looking at Xu Zhushan, Mr. Jia, for the umpteenth time couldn’t believe that an unsophisticated man like him could have so many bright ideas.

Like the promotional method executed today was taught by Xu Zhushan; Mr. Jia, the shopkeeper, simply followed his instructions.

Mr. Jia still couldn’t determine if the boss was pretending or if he was an idiot savant.

After a brief moment of reflection, Mr. Jia continued to tell Xu Zhushan, “Moreover, a gentleman came to the store asking about your, the boss’s, affairs. I responded as you instructed, saying that our boss doesn’t see guests.”

“Ah, okay.”

“The gentleman also said he came to cooperate with you. He wanted to get goods from you and open a store in the capital city. I remember that you once said that due to limited daily stocks, you would never cooperate with others or supply paper to other people. So I conveyed your thoughts to him.”

“Correct, just like that.” Xu Zhushan nodded.

“Boss, forgive my curiosity, we only sell so many sheets of paper every day. Is it because of a shortage of goods?” Mr. Jia couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes.” answered Xu Zhushan.

Then Xu Zhushan thought of an important matter: “Oh yes, starting tomorrow, we can’t sell paper alone, we have to… have to…”

He broke off halfway and took a moment to think before he could continue, “We should sell it along with the stationery in the store. I have a detailed plan for you!”

Xu Zhushan ran back into the room and returned with a paper. It was filled with words, the handwriting wasn’t good, it looked like the scribblings of a seven or eight-year-old.

Mr. Jia took the paper and was amazed. It was ingenious!

Among the four treasures of the study that their store sells, only their paper is unique. The other three are regular items that can be found in other places.

This resulted in the paper being the best-selling product in the store while the other items rarely sold.

Today, they sold out of paper, yet only four items among brushes, ink, and inkstones were sold.

However, Xu Zhushan’s paper detailed the purchasing rules for the shop in the future. There will be a “bundling system”. You can only buy up to twenty sheets of paper directly, but if you purchase it with other items in the store, you can buy up to fifty, even eighty sheets of paper.

After reading it, Mr. Jia still had doubts: “Boss, if we sell this way, will people refuse to buy?”

“It’s okay. Sell it this way. We don’t force anyone. Those who don’t want it can still buy twenty sheets.” Xu Zhushan responded.

Mr. Jia nodded, “Then I’ll sell it this way starting tomorrow. I will take my leave for today and come back tomorrow.” Mr. Jia bid Xu Zhushan goodbye.

“Alright, you’ve worked hard.” Xu Zhushan nodded.

After Xu Zhushan finished accounting, he prepared to go pick up his wife. She had been busy with mountain affairs during the past few days and had lost weight. He planned to kill a chicken for her tonight as a replenish.

Xu Zhushan chuckled to himself as he picked up the basket in the yard. He can use the basket to carry things for his wife, and if there was pig grass by the road, he would also cut some to take home..