Jia Heng suppressed the dissatisfaction of being "exploited by channels" in his heart, nodded, and said with cupped hands: "Thank you, Mr. Liu, for your understanding."
"Easy to say, easy to say." Liu Tong put down the brush in his hand and said with a smile: "The contract for purchasing the manuscript has been written. Mr. Jia has a look. Is there anything wrong that needs to be discussed and changed?"
With that said, he handed over the written document and a box of red clay.
Jia Heng examined it carefully, and found that there were 240 bibliographies, one for two liang, and three months for each... He nodded and said: "The old gentleman's writing is meticulous and the contract is fair. There is nothing wrong with it."
As he spoke, he picked up the brush resting on the washer, inscribed his name on the two deeds, and made his fingerprints.
Seeing Jia Heng signing the contract, Liu Tong twirled his beard under his chin with his hand, a smile appeared on his face, and said: "Master Jia, according to the rules of the industry, I originally paid the deposit for the first fifteen chapters, but Jia
I can trust the young master's background and character. This is fifty taels of deposit, please keep it, Mr. Jia."
As he spoke, he took out a neatly folded fifty-tael bank note and explained: "This is a bank note from Sitong Bank. It can be redeemed on sight."
The so-called deposit, this world also has a "deposit penalty". If Hanmo Zhai defaults, the deposit will not be returned. If Jiaheng defaults, the deposit will be doubled.
Jia Heng collected the banknotes and said, "Don't worry, old man, I will submit the first fifteen chapters at the end of the month."
After the contract was agreed upon, Jia Heng breathed a sigh of relief.
Two hundred and forty taels was also a huge sum of money for him.
This can be compared to the previous life. This amount of money was two to three hundred thousand yuan, which could afford a car of comparable quality.
Once the Romance of the Three Kingdoms became famous, he could negotiate the price if he wanted to sell other manuscripts.
Like Journey to the West?
"Journey to the West" was published in the previous life during the Wanli period. After the fall of the Jiajing Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, Chen Han settled in the capital of Beijing. Where are Longqing and Wanli?
"The four great masterpieces are Water Margin, Dream of Red Mansions... Well, I can't write this one. After I finish copying Journey to the West, I will copy Jin Yong's The Condor Trilogy..." Jia Heng thought.
If you want to take the imperial examination and become an official, you can't do business in a big way.
But if there are no merchants, there will be no money. Let’s not talk about the daily waste, let’s talk about the future. Even if it is to raise the army, where will the money and food come from?
"Actually, maybe we can find some... white gloves?"
Jia Heng's eyes flashed, thinking that maybe Aunt Cai could buy a bookstore and then support some literati who were struggling to make a living as writers...
Even other businesses are not impossible.
"This matter needs long-term consideration." Jia Heng suppressed the matter in his heart, raised his head and said goodbye to Liu Tong.
Liu Tongtong: "The old man will send Mr. Jia to you."
With that said, he followed Jia Heng down to the second floor.
Jia Heng went down to the second floor of Hanmo Studio, came to the counter, took the collected collection of contemporary texts from the clerk, saluted Liu Tong from Hanmo Studio, and said, "Mr. Liu, stay here."
"Master Jia, let's go slowly." Liu Tong smiled and nodded to Jia Heng, watching him leave the Hanmo Studio gate. He twirled his beard under his chin with his square hands, took the manuscript, turned around and came to the counter, still couldn't put it down, squinting his eyes.
Watch.
"Unexpectedly, the Jia family still has such a romantic figure." Liu Tong became more and more satisfied as he looked at it.
But Jia Heng left Hanmo Studio and was about to walk home when suddenly he heard a clear call.
"Brother Jia, please."
Jia Heng froze his figure, raised his eyes, and saw a young man in a straight green shirt, holding a folding fan, looking at him with a smile. The young man wore a scholar's square scarf, and his face was elegant, making people feel like spring breeze. There was another person beside him.
The young man, taller in stature, with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, looked at Jia Heng.
"Brother, Jia is very polite." Jia Heng returned the greeting with his hands raised.
Then, the two of them exchanged their first and last names.
The young man in the straight green shirt is named Han Hui, whose courtesy name is Zisheng; the other is named Yu Zhen, whose courtesy name is Wendu. Both of them are studying in the Imperial College.
Han Hui said with a smile: "Brother Jia just made a poem called "Linjiang Immortal". He was so quiet and far away, so heroic and generous. It really opened Xiao Ke's eyes."
Yu Zhen smiled and said: "The atmosphere is majestic and has the style of a great master of the generation. However, the words are broad-minded and desolate, which seems to have other reasons. But the words are so sharp that people dare not look at them."
In a word, the mentality of the words is like seeing through the world, the afterglow of the setting sun in the ups and downs of the official world, but the words are like the rising sun, its way is bright.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "A few days ago, when I read the history of the Three Kingdoms at night, it was inevitable that I would have a strong and iron horse yesterday and a dog's sigh tonight, so it was revealed in my poems."
This is also a reasonable and reasonable explanation.
People's emotions change at any time and with things. For example, many literati have written poems about history and nostalgia. They may not have experienced the harsh conditions of the world. They are more of a feeling of seeing others and seeing the world.
Even Li Bai once wrote poems about boudoir from a woman's perspective. Could it be that Li Taibai was still a woman?
Yu Zhen's face showed sudden realization and he laughed loudly: "No wonder, he is generous, tragic and high-spirited."
Han Hui said with a smile: "Brother Jia, it's noon, why don't we just borrow one and not talk. I heard that a new restaurant called Linglong Pavilion has opened in the building. Why don't we talk while drinking."
Han Hui is indeed good at socializing and dealing with people, and Yu Runwu feels comfortable in his silence.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "Since Brother Han invites you, it's better to be respectful than to obey."
He also intended to make friends with scholars. Since he decided to take the imperial examination, such friendships were indispensable.
As they spoke, they headed towards Linglong Pavilion.
This is a five-story restaurant with exquisite decoration. Judging from the carriage parked in front of the door, it seems that it is rich and noble.
Han Hui led the way and introduced with a smile, "This restaurant opened at the beginning of the month. I heard that the chef inside is an imperial chef from the palace, and the lion head he makes is also excellent."
Jia Heng followed Han Hui upwards to the second floor.
I called the waiter and found a side room, which was partitioned off by a screen. The space inside was spacious and several tables were bright. At this time, the rings were jingling, and the fragrance of orchid and musk was floating in the air. There were several women with bright clothes and beautiful appearance.
Offer refreshments and then leave slowly.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "Brother Han, it's our first time meeting you. How can I make you spend so much money?"
He and Han Hui had only just met each other for the first time, and it was difficult to understand why this man entertained him with such a feast.
This may be somewhat of a persecution paranoia.
Han Hui said with a smile: "Brother Jia, you're welcome. Even if we don't meet Brother Jia, Wendu and I are going to come here to have a try. Brother Jia just sit back and sit quietly. Next time, if you have no idea, just find a noodle stall on the roadside and eat while you are there."
Talked."
Yu Zhen also smiled and said: "Brother Han is right. We eat in the Imperial College every day and it's just for this meal."
Seeing the two of them singing along and talking frankly and interestingly, Jia Heng just laughed and said, "I'm rude."
Then, I accepted it calmly.
Han Hui's eyes flashed and he nodded secretly. This Ning Guogong's son, Jia, behaved well, neither humble nor overbearing. He didn't look like he came from a small family. He thought to himself, he is worthy of being able to write "Many things in ancient and modern times are all made up of jokes."
The character in sentences such as "中".
There is a saying that no noble can be raised in three generations. If you are from a humble background and meet powerful people, you will either flatter yourself and be humble, or you will rely on your talents and be arrogant.
Han Hui has a wide circle of friends and may not have other abilities, but this ability of observing faces has been developed through experience.
He brought this down-and-out young man from Ningguo Mansion here intentionally just to see his character.
No matter from the appearance of the pretty maid just now, to the fact that Brother Jia's expression remains unchanged and his eyes are pure, to the calmness and calmness of hearing about Chuhua Tower, he does not look like a child from a poor family.
The three of them ate tea and talked.
After chatting with him, he saw that his answers were fluent and his knowledge was extraordinary. Han Hui nodded secretly.
As soon as we talked, we mentioned the imperial examination.