[040] As soon as the gold mouth is opened, the silver is ten thousand taels
At this moment, Shi Ding had basically believed that what Jia Chen was telling the truth, but he did not immediately expose the lies of the bearded shopkeeper, but wanted to see how Jia Chen responded, so he asked with a smile:
"My subordinate insisted that you stole it. You have other evidence. Can you prove that this book was written by you?"
Jia Chen thought about it and smiled calmly:
"My nephew's maid Qingwen was copying this manuscript at home. If Uncle Shi Er believes it, you can go to my house to see the copied manuscript."
Hearing this, Shi Ding had already believed in Jia Chen's words, but he became very interested in Jia Chen. He wanted to see where he lives? Who are his parents? He was able to cultivate such talent.
The son, then smiled:
"Okay, then you can take us to your house and have a look!"
"Okay, Uncle Shi, please!" Jia Chen led Shi Ding, Shi Xiangyun, and the bearded shopkeeper and other followers back home together.
When he saw that Jia Chen's residence was a dilapidated second-entry courtyard, Shi Ding sighed:
"The mountain is not high, but there is immortality, but it is famous; there is no deep water; there is a dragon, but this is a humble house. Only my virtue is so hearty, and a noble son will come from a poor family!"
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, class solidification was not as serious as the late Qing Dynasty. If it were serious land annexation and colluding with officials, businessmen, officials and bandits, the people would be cut like leeks, not only would their property be cut off, but their waists and lives were even left.
In the late feudal dynasty where corruption and bribery became popular and tyrants harmed the country and the people, it was difficult for poor families to have noble sons.
Hearing this, the bearded shopkeeper suddenly felt something was wrong. Why did he listen to the second master's words? He seemed to have a lot of eyes on this kid?
Amid the anxiety of heartbeat, the beard followed the last of everyone and walked into Jia Chen's yard.
Shi Ding asked, "Are your parents at home?"
Jia Chen replied: "I have been living both parents since childhood and have been living alone."
Shi Ding sighed lightly:
"I didn't expect that you can still be diligent and frugal in such a difficult family and become a self-taught one. It's really rare and valuable! Among the descendants of our historians, no one can compare with you."
"The second uncle of Shi is too famous. His humble house is simple and he can only treat guests with rough tea. I hope that the second uncle of Shi will be willing to let him go." As he said that, Jia Chen
Lead Shi Ding and his group into the hall to sit down.
After Qingwen served incense tea, Jia Chen ordered:
"Qingwen, bring the "Four Lessons of Life" you copied."
"Yes!" Qingwen responded and took out a stack of snow-wave paper from the study.
Jia Chen took the stack of manuscripts, took out the second page, handed it to Shi Ding, and said with a smile:
"Please check it out if it's exactly the same as the manuscript I gave you just now?"
Shi Ding quickly browsed it and nodded slightly:
"It is indeed the same, which is enough to prove that you are the author of this "Four Lessons of Life".
As he said that, he looked at the trembling bearded shopkeeper and said coldly:
"You have been with me for many years, but you didn't expect that you would be so arrogant that you robbed property on my back and bully the weak. I thought that you had no contributions and had worked hard for so many years. I only waived your job, get out!
After hearing this, Xiaomoustache almost fainted.
If he had known that he had offended Jia Chen, he would have lost his fortune as a shopkeeper. Even if he had traumatized him, he would not have had any bad thoughts.
But it's too late to regret now.
The bearded man was very regretful and looked ashamed. It was useless to say too much. He only gave Shi Ding a big gift and ran away in shame.
Shi Ding looked at the manuscript in his hand again and joked:
"My nephew, your maid is as beautiful as a silly flower, but this word is crooked and extremely ugly. The words you write are so good, you have to take the time to teach her more."
As soon as these words came out, Shi Xiangyun laughed heartlessly.
Several of Shi Ding's followers also agreed and smiled.
Qingwen rolled her eyes and curled her lips, and her pretty face turned red. If she weren't a maid, she would have been wisely retorted according to her charcoal-like temperament.
Jia Chen knew Shi Ding was joking, so he simply followed the conversation and smiled warmly at Qingwen:
"Since Uncle Shi Er has spoken, you must follow me to study hard in the future. When you practice good handwriting, you will give it to Uncle Shi Er to read Yazheng."
"Well! I will definitely practice writing hard and live up to Brother Chen's expectations!" Qingwen pursed her lips and nodded firmly.
Shi Ding smiled and said:
"Chen'er, although I only read the second page of "The Four Lessons of Life" you wrote, I was already shocked. The content of this book is so high that it is amazing. I wonder what you want to estimate it?"
Jia Chen smiled indifferently and said:
"How much is Shi Erbang willing to pay?"
Shi Ding thought for a moment, smiled and stretched out five fingers.
Jia Chen raised his eyebrows and asked, "Five thousand taels?"
Shi Ding shook his head and smiled sly: "I mean, five hundred taels."
Jia Chen smiled and said:
"This is definitely not possible, to be honest, I wrote a book before, called "The Rules of Disciples", with only 1,080 words in the whole text, but I made 240 taels of silver last month.
The book "The Four Lessons of Life" has more than 11,600 words, which is ten times the number of words in "The Rules of Disciples".
Even if you give me five thousand taels at a time, I can't sell them to you."
Shi Ding's eyes lit up and he suddenly realized:
"I heard that this book "The Rules of Disciples" has become popular in Shenjing City recently, and it turns out that the author is also you!"
Jia Chen smiled indifferently and said, "That's right."
Shi Ding sucked his teeth and asked, "How old are you?"
"Nine years old!"
Shi Ding exclaimed:
"I didn't expect that you had already written two books at a young age. It's really awesome for a younger generation! I dare not say whether you are a future generation or not, but it is definitely unprecedented.
For thousands of years, no one has ever written two books at your age."
Jia Chen said modestly:
"Uncle Shi Er is over-reputable. "The Rules of Disciples" has helped me gain popularity. I wonder if Uncle Shi Er, how much should I pay now?"
Shi Ding smiled brightly:
"Chen'er has become famous, so naturally he can no longer refer to the market price of newcomers. In my opinion, it can be priced according to the remuneration of contemporary famous artists."
He pondered for a moment, stretched out his two fingers and said:
"I'm willing to pay you 20,000 taels of silver notes at one time to buy out your book."
Jia Chen pondered for a moment, raised three fingers and said with a smile:
"Thirty thousand taels, if you can pay me thirty thousand taels at one time, I will sell it to you."
Shi Ding was slightly stunned, frowned slightly, and looked hesitant.
Jia Chen smiled and said:
"I last book "The Rules of Disciples", each book is priced at one ounce of silver, and this book "The Four Lessons of the World" has ten times the number of words that is "The Rules of Disciples", and it can be priced at least one tael of silver, you only need to sell it
If you take 30,000 copies, you can get the money back.”
In fact, it is impossible to recover the cost by selling only 30,000 yuan, because there are also woodblock printing and paper ink costs, as well as store rent and labor costs.
But when it comes to business, Jia Chen, as a seller, naturally, can say whatever he wants to benefit himself.
Shi Ding narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, his eyes suddenly widened, and he gritted his teeth and said:
"Okay! I'm very optimistic about the sales prospects of your book, I agree!"
Jia Chen immediately ordered Qingwen to take paper and pen, draft two documents, and sign and seal them.
Shi Ding asked Jia Chen to go back to his marquis' mansion with him, took out a stack of silver notes worth 30,000 taels from the bank warehouse, and handed them over to Jia Chen.
Jia Chen also handed over the full text of "The Four Lessons of Life" to the other party.
When Jia Chen returned home with 30,000 taels of silver notes in his arms, Qingwen asked curiously:
"Brother Chen, I remember that you signed a share agreement with Ning Rong's two mansions in the "Rules of Disciples". Why are you willing to sell it to Marquis Shi at the price of one-time buyout this time? If you also sign a share agreement, how can you