An old lady's life

The bookstore didn’t close until almost the end of Xushi, and there were no customers at this meeting. Only Jia Amnesty, Jia Zheng, and Jia respected Jia Zhen, who stayed in the bookstore all day. Lin Hai and Tian Gaojie appreciated the bookstore, such a quiet environment , and can discuss studies with others, it is indeed a rare good place for students.

Watching the two sons-in-law leave at the door, Jia Zheng turned and closed the door of the bookstore. The shopkeeper Tian Er had already placed the accounts and money on the table, and everyone couldn't wait to know how much money they had earned today.

Today, a total of more than ten students came here "attractively", and they all bought some books, paper, and writing brushes, but each person bought no more than two taels of silver, or less, and the turnover of the day was only a little over 18 taels. Excluding the cost, there is only less than three taels of profit.

Three taels of silver?Jia Amnesty showed a disgusted face, it was not enough for him to go out to have a meal with friends before, but now he has changed his ways.

"Second brother, let's do the math. It cost more than 1 taels when I bought Guiyuan Bookstore, and it cost no less than 5000 taels for the decoration, bookcases, tables and chairs, etc., and it was 7000 taels back and forth. Counting the profits of two or three taels, how many days will it take to pay back?" Jia She wiped his face and said angrily, "I found that I was too wasteful before, if I could start my life again, what the fuck will I make those people eat? People who drink what I eat, and who still think that I am not generous enough spit out what I eat!"

The corners of Jia Jing and Jia Zheng's mouths twitched. Jia Zhen was already spread out on the table like a dead dog, looking hopeless. After several months of hard work, she only made less than three liang of silver on the first day of opening. It's really not enough for him to go out for a meal with his friends years ago.

"Uncle Pardon, Uncle Zheng, let me do the math, basically it will take 15 years to get back the money." Jia Zhen still knows how to settle accounts, and he came to such a conclusion with his abacus for a long time, which immediately made everyone feel uncomfortable .

Jia Amnesty reached out and knocked Jia Zhen on the head, "It will definitely get better and better. Is it possible that the bookstore will only earn a couple of taels when it becomes famous in the future? You kid actually said despondent words!"

Jia Zhen refused to accept it, and it was clearly proposed by Uncle Xi, and the uncle and nephew immediately had a quarrel.

Jia Zheng just pondered for a while, then asked Tian Er, the shopkeeper of the bookstore, to collect the account book and money. Today is the first day of business, everyone can't help but wonder, this number was actually in Jia Zheng's expectation, but it didn't make him feel uncomfortable. accept.

Jia Jing thought for a while and said: "When the library has a reputation and students come here admiringly, the business of Guiyuan Bookstore will improve." Many books in the building cannot be bought outside, which is enough to attract many students to come here.

The four of them went back to the mansion in a carriage. The carriage stopped at the gate of Ning Mansion, put down Jia Jing and Jia Zhen, and then went on for a certain distance to the gate of Rong Mansion.

It was the first time to work together with their son, and both Jia Jing and Jia Zhen felt that it was a novel experience.The father and son entered through the side door and saw Mrs. Xu waiting for them in the front hall.

"Master, Zhen'er, have you had dinner yet?"

Jia Zhen looked at Jia Jing, Jia Jing looked away, and said, "I've already had dinner, but I'd like to trouble my wife to order the kitchen to make two bowls of noodle soup, but I'm a bit hungry now."

People who do things are always hungry quickly, even if they don't actually do anything today, but under mental stress, it is easy to cause hunger.

Jia Zhen happily pestered her mother to put forward conditions, adding green onions, peppers, etc., and the boy from Cong Lvtang asked the master and the son to see the old man.

Xu said with a smile: "The old man is thinking about the old man and Zhen'er, go, talk to the old man and come back to eat noodle soup."

Jia Daihua estimated that his son and grandson would be busy outside all day, so he slept enough during the day and asked his servants to wake him up around Haishi so that he could talk to his son and grandson.

Regarding Lin Hai's promotion, Jia Daihua and his son analyzed it, and asked his son to wait patiently. After the assessment in September, everything will come to fruition.

Jia Daihua sighed in his heart. When he was young, he worked hard and managed to keep his title, but he was faced with the dilemma of having no heir in his old family. He knew that he should have stopped and taught his son and grandson more.

Both Jia Jing and his son would look at their father (grandfather) once a day. The light was a little dark at night. For some reason, they felt that their father (grandfather)'s eyes were extraordinarily bright, as if they were shining.

Jia Jing asked the old servant who took care of his father, how is the old man today?Jia Zhen started talking to Jia Daihua, and Jia Daihua signaled Jia Zhen to talk about today's events. Jia Zhen herself is somewhat similar to Jia She, both of whom are good at dealing with people.After talking about what happened at the bookstore today, he curled his lips and talked about checking the accounts at night and found that he only made three taels of silver. After being disgusted, he scratched his head again, with a helpless face. seam.

Jia Daihua was full of smiles, stretched out his thin hands, and stroked his grandson's head, but his heart was full of emotion. At least his grandson knew that people's livelihood was difficult, and if he had fear, he would not be as lawless as the children of other families in Beijing.

On the other side of the Rong Mansion, the butler also left the door for the two masters, and when he heard the sound of horseshoes, he opened the side door to welcome the two masters in person. The two brothers first entered the Rongxi Hall together.

Hongye was still waiting for the two of them, seeing that the two of them were no longer as energetic as when they went out in the morning, it seemed that they were overwhelmed by the business of the bookstore today.In fact, she also used her spiritual sense to observe during the day. There were no guests in the morning (Yu Qiu's classmates were not counted), that is to say, a dozen or so guests arrived one after another after the late afternoon.

"Mother." Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng entered the house, bowing their heads to greet their mother.

Hongye waved her hand: "Okay, sit down. Could it be that you have been hit? Tell me about today's situation."

Jia She rested his chin on the chair, "He said about the second brother himself."

With a somewhat ashamed expression on Jia Zheng's face, he gave a detailed account of the situation of the bookstore today, and spent a quarter of an hour working on it, Hong Ye didn't interrupt him.

Jia She squinted his eyes as if he had fallen asleep. He was already thinking about how to improve the bookstore's business. Only when the bookstore's business improved, would his mother not be too concerned about the old man. Second body.

After Jia Zheng finished speaking, Hongye nodded in affirmation, "During this period of time, your hard work and hard work have been seen by your mother. Hard work and hard work may not bring you the greatest rewards, but there must be rewards. Don't be intimidated by temporary difficulties." Stop it, if you have a problem, use your brain to find a way to solve it. If you can’t think of it, you can ask others for help. And after you have passed the filial piety, you will have to take the autumn exam, so the business of the bookstore must be taken into account, and the study must also be taken into account , You can’t lose sight of the other, you can’t do things like throwing watermelons and picking sesame seeds.”

Jia Zheng nodded, thinking that it was just the beginning, his bookstore and library have obvious advantages, and the business will definitely improve, so we can wait for a while.

Jia Amnesty opened his eyes, put his head close to his mother, and said with a smile, "Mom, what about me? What am I going to do in the future?"

Hongye shook her head with a smile, and poked the head away with five fingers, "You, there are still two years left, first pass the Taifeng Law Examination."

Hong Ye doesn’t know what Jia She should do, everything is low-class, but reading is high, and the ultimate goal of studying is to become an official. Jia She was born in a prince’s family and is the heir of the Rongguo Mansion. Even if he doesn’t take the imperial examination, he will still have a title In the body, he is not much worse than a first-rank official, and he himself is not very capable. Apart from collecting some antiques, he has no other hobbies.

But Hongye still has to wait, after the filial piety, to see if the emperor has arrangements for Jia's amnesty.

Jia Amnesty's eyes widened: "Is it really going to take two years?"

Jia Zheng silently looked away, unable to bear to look directly at the astonished expression of his elder brother.

Hongye nodded: "Naturally, Sheer doesn't want to disappoint mother, does she?"

How could he disappoint his mother, Jia Amnesty naturally agreed in every possible way, and after leaving Rongxi Hall, his expression collapsed.

The next day, before the hour of the hour, shopkeeper Tian and several waiters had already opened the door, and did a little cleaning first, waiting for the arrival of the two masters.The advertisements posted yesterday had an effect. Before Jia Zheng and the others arrived, the bookstore had already had two customers, both of whom came here to buy cheap paper and ink.

The sun is setting, the sun is not so poisonous, and there are more people walking on the street. Only those who walk through this street find that there is an additional bookstore here. After walking around the bookstore, they find that the decoration is refreshing. , and it is very quiet, against the background of the quiet surroundings, whether it is a customer or a shopkeeper, the voice of the waiter is relatively quiet, this is the correct way to open the bookstore.

When the bookstore opened, Jia Amnesty never thought of sending invitations to his old cronies, and this is a place where those people would not pass by, so he couldn't meet them.

It's just that Prince Qi, who was idle all day long, was not among them. He brought his two unmarried sons and walked over from a distance. He was about to pass by, only to find out that there was a new bookstore here, so he couldn't help being curious. Went to the bookstore for a stroll.

Feng Yu drooped her head, she really didn't know what his father meant by taking him to go shopping together, hadn't his father been busy with his wedding all the time?

It was an unexpected surprise to see Jia Amnesty, "You opened this bookstore! Tell me earlier, I will patronize your business from now on."

Jia Amnesty immediately pulled Jia Zheng over, "Third Master, Little Third Master." As for the young man he didn't know, he didn't know what to call him, "The bookstore is run by my second brother, I am ignorant and incompetent." , but I can’t open a bookstore.”

"Third Master, Little Third Master, young master, on the second day after the bookstore opens, everything in the shop will be [-]% off." Jia Zheng opened his mouth to come, and then he realized it, and closed his mouth in embarrassment.

Feng Yu looked around curiously, King Qi said with a smile: "It's quite smooth, like a businessman."

Facing King Qi, Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng tied their hands and feet, feeling uncomfortable. King Qi wandered around the bookstore and said, "It's clear at a glance, very good, very good, I will come to you when I buy books from now on."

Just as he was about to leave, a few more people came in from the bookstore, all of them were old men, starting with Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Zhang's eyes fell on the plaque, his eyes were full of satisfaction. His son-in-law paid him a lot of care for this plaque. For the sake of being filial to his son-in-law, he "reluctantly" took up the pen.

"Prince Qi." Seeing King Qi, Mrs. Zhang was surprised for a moment. The other old men also saw it. Fengya has different functions in the fields of calligraphy or painting, but it is not enough to be an official.

King Qi hurriedly cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Teacher Zhang, it's a coincidence to meet you." He looked at the other old men and greeted them with a smile. They were indeed old men with excellent reputations in different fields.

Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng were taken aback by this, Prince Qi?The two of them went through it in their minds, Prince Qi is indeed the third among brothers, when the first emperor was around, Prince Qi was the third prince, so what about the fifth prince?

Jia Amnesty stretched out his hand to poke his younger brother, Jia Zheng glanced at his elder brother, and said silently: "Calm down!" Mother said that one must be calm in life, as Mount Tai collapsed before him without changing his face!

Mrs. Zhang stroked his beard and said with a smile, "My lord, it's a coincidence to meet you." He was not afraid of dealing with Lord Qi, he could see that Lord Qi was very self-aware, knowing that the emperor was firmly seated in the dragon chair, so naturally he didn't He will do it again and again, and it is not clear which prince he particularly values.

Those old people had already wandered around in the shop, after reading the books sold in the bookstore, Old Master Zhang asked Jia She to take him to the back library.

It was only then that King Qi realized that there was a mystery behind the bookstore, he followed him in and took a look, he was a little surprised, Guiyuan Bookstore, the name is simple and easy to understand.Entering the first floor, looking around, there are row after row of bookcases displayed, and several young scholars are reading books quietly.

Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng followed and obeyed the orders, and asked Jia Zhen to welcome the guests with the shopkeeper at the bookstore.

After entering the library, Mrs. Zhang and King Qi were not together, and Mr. Qi went to the second floor after looking at it like a horse on horseback. Mrs. Zhang and his old friends watched it more carefully.

It wasn't until half an hour later that the sun left only a ray of red in the sky, and the two parties left.

Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. After Jia Zhen knew the identity of King Qi, she became more obedient and had no other feelings. However, Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng were different. Be steady so you don't lose your composure.

Halfway through the hour, the sky was completely dark, and the bookstore didn't have any customers staying, so it was time to close the bookstore. Once again, we counted the turnover, roughly excluding the cost, and today there is a profit of five taels of silver, which is gratifying!

Back in Rong Mansion, Jia She and Jia Zhengcai felt that they were top-heavy and almost floated to Rongxi Hall to find their mother. Seeing them like this, Hong Ye thought that today's business was not as good as yesterday, and they had suffered a further blow.

It turned out that he had discovered the identity of the former fifth master.

"Okay, it doesn't matter if you know it or not. At most, you will be respectful when you see the emperor wearing the fifth master's shell in the future. Is it possible that you have something worthy of the emperor's fancy? It's not the mother who hit you, pardon your son." Mother reminds you that your current status is just a dude who eats and drinks. What about Zheng Er? Your status is only a student who will take part in the imperial examination two years later. There are tens of thousands of students like you in Dafeng. Wan, don't expect the emperor to reuse you once he knows you, without real talents, even if the emperor wants to use you for your father's sake, it is impossible!"

Jia She was embarrassed for a while: "Mother is right!" Although he thought he had improved now, he still couldn't erase the fact that he had accomplished nothing.

Jia Zheng nodded, that's true. Although the emperor didn't make great achievements like establishing the Tai/Zu, he is still an emperor who knows people well, and he is still far from the level of letting the emperor "know people", so don't be unreasonable. The actual dream is to study honestly and take care of the business of the bookstore.

Hong Ye gave the two brothers a knowing blow, and Jia She went back to the East Courtyard to complain to Mrs Zhang, Mrs Zhang analyzed the cause and effect to him, since he could not be born in the imperial examination, he could only wait honestly after he was awarded the title Make plans again, since my mother is going to take the Dafeng Law Examination, she should read this book carefully.

When Jia Zheng returned to the west courtyard, his son Jia Zhu had already fallen asleep, and Mrs. Wang was still waiting for him in the room. Seeing him come back, he immediately brought up the warm porridge in the small kitchen, let him eat, and then the couple went to bed. .

Since the observance of filial piety, the daughter-in-law of the Rong Mansion has never left the Rong Mansion for a single step. In the past, the Wang family had set a lot of rules for herself, but she could always return to her natal home every other month or two or three months. After the management rules of the Rong Mansion changed, , there are not many affairs assigned to her, and she has a very boring life every day. Fortunately, Jia Zheng did not rest with his two aunts during the mourning period. Although his personality has not changed much, his temperament is very different. But I have a deep understanding.

"Have you memorized the Three Character Classic?" Wang babbled, and Jia Zheng could hear it. She was locked up in the mansion every day, and she couldn't sit still.

Mrs. Wang immediately shut up and muttered after a while: "I know all the characters in the Three Character Classic, but I haven't memorized them yet."

"I came back late during this period, and I didn't check your handwriting. You bluffed before, and you will practice your handwriting well, and you will be able to write with your own character." Jia Zheng said with his eyes closed.

Feeling depressed, Mrs. Wang stretched out her right hand and pulled it into a small fist, and hit Jia Zheng's chest hard, saying something disappointing!

Jia Zheng's chest trembled, and he sighed, "It's true that you will be bored when you stay in the mansion every day. When you're tired from reading and practicing calligraphy, you can talk to your sister-in-law and your mother to relieve boredom. I know you have prejudice against my sister-in-law, but What you care about is the truth, let go of your inexplicable self-esteem and communicate more with your mother and sister-in-law, so that you will not be suspicious all day long."

Wang couldn't help raising her head, her upper body was on Jia Zheng's body, and she said angrily, "You're only suspicious all day long!" After a pause, Wang said, "You are cautious about the heart of a gentleman."

Jia Zheng couldn't help opening his eyes, and said in surprise, "That's right, I've learned to use idioms." He couldn't see clearly in the dark, but he could still see Wang's eyes full of spirit.

Well, Mrs. Wang couldn't say a word.

The next day, the bookstore continued to offer a [-]% discount for the first three days of opening. Compared with yesterday, today was an improvement. At least there were repeat customers, even though those students were attracted by the bookstore.

When it was almost noon, Feng Yu brought a group of people over for a walk, and then walked away. Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng couldn't figure out the meaning of what he did.

This morning, Jia Zheng counted. There were many people coming and going, more than the total number of the previous two days, and most of them had bought things. Those who couldn't afford books always bought paper.

In the afternoon, Jia Hu's sketching class was over, so Jia Zhu was naturally indispensable for pestering my husband to come to the bookstore.

Yu Qiu went to the library at the back to look for classmates, Jia Hu held his younger brother's hand and stayed in the bookstore, sitting peacefully on a small stool at the cash register.

Until a little boy about ten years old, he looked timidly at the door for a long time, but he didn't dare to come in. Jia Hu took his younger brother's hand and walked out, looking like a little adult.

"Do you want to buy something?"

The child bit his lip and nodded: "I want to buy a stack of paper."

Jia Hu heard the words and said: "Come in, there is paper here, what kind of paper do you want?" Listening to the shopkeeper and Xiaoer explaining the types of paper to the guests, Jia Hu remembered it.

Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng ignored Jia Hu and Jia Zhu, and asked them to communicate with the little guest. Jia Zhu kept interrupting, and then Jia Hu thought he was confused, so he asked the shopkeeper Tian next door for help.

I paid the money with one hand and delivered the goods with the other. I bought a lot more paper than usual with the same money as a little boy, and left very happy.Although the shopkeeper reminded him that it was only so cheap when it opened, and the price would return to normal tomorrow, he still decided to come here to buy pens, inks, papers and inkstones when he has time in the future.

Because he was afraid that he would not be able to take care of the children, Jia Amnesty put Jia Hu and Jia Zhu in the back, and told them to go play in the library, just don't disturb the uncles reading.

As the sun set, Yu Qiu took Jia Hu and Jia Zhu back to Rong Mansion. He also found a good book from the library. Because of his friendship with Jia Zheng, he could take it back and return it after reading it. He planned to copy it as soon as possible. After that, return to the library.

When Jia Hu and Jia Zhu returned home, they asked their grandmother and mother for credit, saying that they made a deal in the afternoon, and the two children were chattering and chattering, which was very lively.

Afterwards, there were relatively few shoppers in the bookstore, but relatively more scholars came to the library to read and copy books. There were more than a dozen people in the morning or afternoon.

What makes people feel funny is that there are quite a few business-minded people. The bookstore does not provide lunch, and scholars who do not bring dry food at noon can only go a mile away to eat lunch and then return. Chaotic small vendors selling noodles, pancakes, and steamed buns do business in this street, which is convenient for these scholars who are stationed in the library from morning till night.

The next day was the tenth day, the emperor left the palace to go to the palace to escape the summer heat, and took away many officials in the capital. The wives and children of those officials also left with them, and the capital seemed to be quiet all of a sudden.However, the emperor's trip was not related to the scholars who forgot to sleep and eat, so the business of the bookstore gradually increased due to word of mouth.

The author has something to say: This is the main chapter and it has been replaced.