The two first went to the bookstore where Xiao Hanzheng copied books.

It was also the largest bookstore in the county.

The shopkeeper saw Xiao Hanzheng and said with a big smile, “Duke Xiao, you are here. Do you want to take the books back to copy again today?”

Xiao Hanzheng was the only xiaosanyuan or small three yuan (小三元: a candidate who came in first place in three consecutive scholar examinations) in Nanxi county for so many years, so he was very polite.

Xiao Hanzheng replied with a faint smile, “I’m not copying books today. I wrote a novel and want to show you. Do you accept it here?”

The shopkeeper was stunned. “Ah, what did Duke Xiao write?”

Xiao Hanzheng had copied books from him for many years, but he had never written a novel before.

It seemed that he wasn’t really interested in those romance novels.

So he was a little curious about what manuscript Xiao Hanzheng would write.

Xiao Hanzheng took out the manuscript he had written and handed it over.

The shopkeeper asked the waiter to serve them tea while he sat at the side and started reading.

Initially, he felt a little puzzled when reading the first two chapters.

What was this plot about?

There was no love, and there wasn’t a horror or strange storyline.

The writing was very good, but it was a pity that the storyline wasn’t that great.

However, he still endured and read on patiently.

Then, he became engrossed in it.

When he saw that the main character had entered the path of immortality and was about to enter the sect, that was the end of the manuscript.

He spoke without expressing himself fully, “Duke Xiao’s storyline is very innovative. This is the first time I’ve seen someone write a novel on immortal cultivation, and I really want to continue reading.”

He asked, “Are you preparing to write a longer story?”

Xiao Hanzheng nodded. “If the price is right and it sells well, I will continue to write.”

The shopkeeper smiled and said, “According to my experience, this manuscript should sell well.”

“I just don’t know what price Duke Xiao wants to sell it for.”

Before Xiao Hanzheng came, he had already discussed with Shi Qingluo. “I don’t want to negotiate the price of the novels alone. Instead, I want a share.”

His little wife came up with his idea and he felt that it was very good. This way, if the sales were excellent, he wouldn’t lose out.

The shopkeeper was puzzled. “What is a share?”

Xiao Hanzheng said, “It means that after deducting the costs of printing and renting, you will give me 40% of the profits.”

This was the first time he had seen someone selling manuscripts like this.

He said awkwardly, “This… our shop has never received manuscripts like this before.”

Xiao Hanzheng smiled indifferently. “Then I’ll take them to another bookstore.”

When the shopkeeper heard this, he was in a bad mood.

He felt that these novels were going to be popular.

If they were sold by other families, not only would they lose money, but also a lot of business.

Hence, he smiled awkwardly and said, “I can’t make the decision. It just so happens that my duke is coming to the bookstore today to check on the accounts. How about I go upstairs and ask for permission?”

Xiao Hanzheng also knew that he could not make the decision on this matter. “Sure.”

The shopkeeper smiled and greeted him.

Then he took the manuscript and went upstairs.

Upstairs, Bai Xu was flipping through the accounts of the bookstore.

He was somewhat dissatisfied with the bookstore’s profit in the past few months.

The Wu Family’s bookshop had produced several new books in the past six months, and it had taken away a lot of their business.

Just as he was thinking, the shopkeeper walked in.

“Young master, I have a new manuscript here. It has interesting themes and climaxes, and it’s not just those tacky love stories. I think it might be popular.

“But the person who wrote it wants 40% of the profits as a reward. I can’t make the decision, so I will leave it to you.”

He then handed the manuscript over.

This was the first time Bai Xu had heard people selling manuscripts like this.

He took it curiously. “Let me take a look first.”

When he saw the plot of the main character turning from danger to safety, or when he met a treasure, he couldn’t help but clap his hands in approval.

After he had finished reading, he was also undecisive like the shopkeeper.

He asked, “Do you still have more manuscripts?”

The shopkeeper shook his head. “No.” He also wanted to continue reading.

Bai Xu’s interest was piqued. “Invite him up for a chat.”

He continued to ask, “Oh right, do I know the person who sells the manuscript?”

The shopkeeper replied, “Yes. It was Elementary Scholar Xiao who won a xiaosanyuan.”

Bai Xu was surprised. “Has his body recovered?”

The shopkeeper nodded. “He looks good. His body should be fine now. They say that it’s because of the chongxi.” He was starting to believe the rumours.

When Bai Xu heard this, he thought of Xiao Hanzheng’s troublesome wife.

“Alright, invite them up.”

“Yes!”

Soon, the shopkeeper led Xiao Hanzheng and Shi Qingluo into the private room upstairs.

When Shi Qingluo saw Bai Xu sitting in the private room, she was stunned. “So this bookstore is run by your family!”

This was even easier to handle.

Bai Xu felt that the way she was looking at him as if she was a dog looking at a bone.

Ptui, he was not a bone.

He smiled. “Yes, this is owned by the Bai family.”

Then he stood up and cupped his hands to Xiao Hanzheng. “Greetings, Duke Xiao!”

Xiao Hanzheng also cupped his hands to him. “Duke Bai, you are too courteous!”

Bai Xu raised his hand. “Please take a seat.”

Xiao Hanzheng and Shi Qingluo sat down opposite him.

Bai Xu asked, “Duke Xiao, did you write this immortal cultivation manuscript?”

Xiao Hanzheng nodded. “That’s right. What do you think, Duke Bai?”

Bai Xu answered truthfully, “It’s very well written.”

He changed the topic. “It’s just that it is the first time I heard someone wanting to claim profits like that.”

Xiao Hanzheng smiled. “If there’s one person who started it, there would be followers. Duke Bai, you will get used to it.”

He didn’t beat around the bush. “Then what do you think of my proposed earnings?”

Bai Xu tapped the table with his fingertips. “I think that 40% is too high.”

Xiao Hanzheng wasn’t good at bargaining, so Shi Qingluo went ahead.

She shook her index finger. “You’re wrong. 40% isn’t high at all.

“Let’s not talk about the profits that this book will bring to you and the reputation of the bookstore if it becomes popular.”

She emphasised, “As long as you cooperate with us, you’ll be rich. You are definitely taking advantage of us who are receiving 40% of the profits.”

Bai Xu was speechless. How could he take advantage of them?

In the past, the total amount paid to all the writers wasn’t even 10% of their profits.

He raised his eyebrows. “Tell me, how can I take advantage of you if I cooperate with you?”

Shi Qingluo replied, “If this book is good, it is just giving you a little benefit. If this book becomes popular, my husband will work with your bookstore for his next novel.

“Our family has also made tofu that no one in Daliang had eaten before. Have you heard of it?”

Bai Xu shook her head. “No.”

The shopkeeper interrupted, “Young master, I know about this. It’s a new type of food that’s been popular in the past two days.

“My wife bought a piece of tofu yesterday to cook. It’s really delicious.”

Bai Xu turned to look at Shi Qingluo. “What does this have to do with this?”

Shi Qingluo replied, “Of course it has to do with it. Isn’t your family’s restaurant fighting with the Wu Family?

“If you get the tofu and other soy products from our family and sell them with other vegetables, not only would it be exclusive in Nanxi county, but it would also be the first in the entire Daliang.

“I also know a lot of tofu recipes. I can give them to you as a gift when the time comes.”

Having a big client is a bonus.

She reckoned that she would have to collaborate with Bai Xu and others in the future.

Otherwise, it would be too troublesome to sell them in pieces as she would need to find a wholesaler.

Footnote:

xiao san yuan 小三元: In the imperial examination system, all the tongsheng participate in the county exam 县试 (xian shi), the prefectural exam 府试 (fu shi), and the court exam 院试 (yuan shi). Top scorers are called anshou 案首. A candidate who has clinched three consecutive anshou is a xiaosanyuan or small three yuan. There is also a dasanyuan or big three yuan, for those who topped the countryside exam 乡试, the hui exam 会试 and palace exam 殿试.