Chapter 737: Chapter 737: He’ll Raise a Fuss

It’s evident that this is related to a surefire method, but Mr. Songshan couldn’t guess it and asked, "What does this mean?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "The secret cannot be revealed, Mr. Songshan. If you can’t guess it, it seems the time is not yet ripe."

Mr. Songshan didn’t ask any further and simply said, "As long as Madam knows in her heart, it’s good enough."

He no longer had the previous demeanor of wanting to get to the bottom of everything.

Hong Ye saw this and couldn’t help being a little curious, but she also knew she shouldn’t interrupt, so she poured more tea for Mr. Songshan.

Qin Yuan tilted her head slightly and saw Shen Changle peek his head in and then quickly drew it back outside the door.

"Let Shen Changle in, why didn’t he have someone announce his arrival?"

Cui Ming responded and went out to call him in.

Shen Changle hurried in, his round face full of joy, and said, "Greetings to Madam and Mr. Songshan."

He saluted, then said, "It’s not that I didn’t have someone announce me; I have great news to report, but I was afraid of interrupting Madam and the Sir’s discussion. If I didn’t watch, I feared Mr. Songshan would leave, so I peeked."

Unexpectedly, Madam, with her keen senses, caught me right away."

This flattery, Hong Ye secretly gave a thumbs up in her mind.

"What good news?" Mr. Songshan was also intrigued.

Qin Yuan smiled, "It must be about Zhegui Square."

"Oh?" Mr. Songshan raised an eyebrow.

Shen Changle laughed, "Madam guessed correctly, but it’s not just good news about Zhegui Square. Let me slowly explain."

Cui Ming quickly brought a small stool and placed it at the lower seat, saying, "I forgot to bring you a small stool, so sit here and speak slowly."

Hong Ye poured another cup of tea.

Shen Changle thanked them continuously, held the tea, and sat sideways, his eyes squinting with laughter.

He hadn’t even started speaking yet, but he already made people anticipate eagerly.

"I’ll first talk about Zhegui Square. Recently, talents from all over have come to the Ranxiang Inn to buy incense pills and poetry collections, and they’re seeking to pre-order the small newspaper from Zhegui Square. So far, nearly seven hundred people have pre-paid. Manager Leng said the incense pills business has also improved significantly because of this."

Hong Ye and Cui Ming’s faces were also full of smiles.

Qin Yuan leisurely waved a round fan, saying, "It’s alright, but future matters cannot be predicted."

Mr. Songshan nodded, "Certainly, it started well, but sustained effort is needed."

Shen Changle laughed, "Once this issue of the newspaper is released, surely more people will come. Like with the poetry collection, if we set up a competition, wouldn’t we attract submissions?"

Mr. Songshan laughed, "You indeed have a clever mind. Are you asking Young Master Nantang and me to take the lead again?"

Qin Yuan appeared quite lazy, "Aren’t there many Doctor Lecturers from the Imperial College? Next spring’s examination will bring new Advanced Scholars, and the Hanlin Academy’s compilers can be contacted for submissions. Offer generous remuneration, and naturally, people will be willing to write."

Everyone knows the Doctors and compilers are poor officials in the capital, and living in Chang’an is not easy, so as long as there’s money, many will be willing to write.

Mr. Songshan said, "Initially, we might rely on the two of us."

Qin Yuan nodded slightly, "With Mr. Songshan here, what is there to worry about? It all depends on you."

Mr. Songshan glared angrily.

Shen Changle quickly said, "There’s another good piece of news. If this works out, I’m afraid all the Advanced Scholars and examinees in the Capital City will want to showcase their talents in Zhegui Square’s small newspaper, and they might even be willing to pay for it."

Seeing him speak with certainty, Mr. Songshan urged, "Don’t keep us in suspense. What exactly is it?"

Shen Changle said, "This matter is interesting. That night, Young Master Nantang mentioned Wuxi, and it so happened there was an examinee from Wuxi listening in, and he’s from the Wuxi An Family."

"Oh my, the Wuxi An Family," Mr. Songshan straightened up.

Shen Changle proudly said, "Exactly, he came looking for me and said the An Family’s Gui Po Hall also wants to print and sell these poetry collections, and he also said..."

"And what else?"

Mr. Songshan urged.

Shen Changle said, "Heh, heh, he also asked if Zhegui Square’s small newspaper could be published simultaneously in Jiangnan. Gui Po Hall is willing to print and sell it on their behalf."

After speaking, he laughed foolishly.

Mr. Songshan clapped his hands and laughed, "Oh my, if we don’t run Zhegui Square’s small newspaper well, it would be a disservice to the An Family’s copper movable type."

Shen Changle gave a thumbs up.

"Mr. Songshan is knowledgeable! The Wuxi An Family’s and Hua Family’s copper movable type prints elegant and clean works, loved by scholars, and others can’t even get in line.

For them to come seeking us shows they see the potential in this business."

Even Qin Yuan said, "The Wuxi An Family is immensely wealthy. If they’re willing to print and sell, our southern business is secured."

Mr. Songshan joyfully said, "Our Zhegui Square hasn’t officially opened, and the business has already expanded to Jiangnan. Wuxi is the Four Wharves, and from there, circulation will be quick and far-reaching."

Shen Changle chuckled.

"I thought I misheard. That examinee wants to visit the owner to discuss this. I didn’t dare make decisions lightly and hurried to ask Madam."

Qin Yuan laughed, "You may handle the negotiations on my behalf. The business of Zhegui Square isn’t appropriate for me or Mr. Songshan to face publicly; it would degrade our status."

Mr. Songshan also nodded.

Shen Changle hesitated, "Though the Shopkeeper of Book Sea Pavilion conducts business externally, everyone knows the owner has the same background as an Advanced Scholar. Our Zhegui Square’s owner..."

Implying, there needs to be a reputable person at the forefront.

Qin Yuan pondered briefly and said, "Then we shall invite the Sixth Master."

"The Sixth Master as the owner?" Shen Changle asked in surprise, hesitating further.

Qin Yuan laughed, "In terms of suitability, only the Sixth Master fits. He likes to associate with scholars and currently holds a title. Furthermore, we initially did this to get back for the Sixth Master."

Shen Changle hesitated, "But this is the Madam’s dowry business."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but interject.

"Shen Changle makes a valid point; this was initially Madam’s dowry business, but letting the Sixth Master take the spotlight might be difficult to explain later. Besides, people might gossip behind the scenes."

The fact that a younger brother manages his sister-in-law’s business could lead to endless rumors.

Even though the Sixth Master and the Marquis share deep brotherly love.

When it involves interests, it’s best to keep clear accounts among even close kin.

Qin Yuan laughed, "You’re overthinking. It’s just to let the Sixth Master be a nominal owner. If he’s willing to invest, won’t it solve the cost of his painting materials too? Since the Sixth Master doesn’t wish to be an official, having an additional role when socializing is beneficial as well."

Shen Changle was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing, "So that’s Madam’s intention. That’s quite good. The Sixth Master will surely be happy."

Mr. Songshan coughed heavily several times, and when everyone looked over, he loudly said, "Then I must have a share too. Not only do I contribute ideas, but I also have to write and exhaust myself. If I hold a share, then I wouldn’t need payment for my writings in the future."

No one likes to miss out on a good deal.

Everyone benefits together.

If he doesn’t get a portion, he would make a fuss.

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