My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 133 We Are Not Debt Collectors

The next morning, Zheng Xiuyuan, president of the Huazhou Qushiwen Association, got up early.

After washing up with the help of the maids, the housekeeper was already standing by. Mr. Zheng took out four tender leaves of spiritual tea from the golden box on the tray, put them in his mouth and chewed them 108 times until his mouth was full of saliva. Then he slowly swallowed them. The warm and gentle spiritual energy slowly seeped into his no longer young body.

After a while, the sleepiness disappeared and energy gradually returned.

Zheng Xiuyuan exhaled and said with a smile: "Ordinary people can also get a glimpse of the joy of warriors."

The housekeeper smiled and said, "It is also the eldest young master's filial piety."

Hearing the housekeeper talking about his eldest son, Zheng Xiuyuan's eyes flashed with pride. That was his pride and the foundation of the Zheng family's rise. He asked, "Has the letter been sent?"

"Yes, I went to Shunfeng Escort Agency early this morning and took the Cao Gang's special line that will arrive the next day." The housekeeper answered clearly, "It will be delivered to the young master tomorrow, and I think you will receive a reply the day after tomorrow."

Zheng Xiuyuan nodded.

The eldest son passed the imperial examination, but has not yet been officially appointed as an official. He is still interning in Beijing. It stands to reason that he cannot provide much help. However, he and Li Bailong's eldest sister were both admitted to the imperial examination in the same year. The friendship between classmates is considered a close relationship in officialdom, so they can have some say and build bridges.

Now Li Bailong is coming with great force, asking for a huge amount of money, and his motives are unclear, which makes him feel very uneasy. He has no choice but to use the friendship between his son and Li Bailong's senior sister to pass on a message to see what Li Bailong really wants and what his requirements are, and it would be better to make it clear.

At this time, a servant came to report: "Master, there is a countryman from Lin County who came to visit you. His surname is Chen. He said he wants to open a small bookstore in Huazhou and came to visit the president of the Qushiwen Society."

Zheng Xiuyuan snorted.

The so-called chamber of commerce is nothing more than a product of local protectionism.

Locals band together, formulate rules, prevent vicious competition and involution, and exclude outsiders to achieve a certain degree of monopoly effect.

Huazhou's cultural industry was well developed, so the poetry and prose meetings were large in scale and extremely successful. The merchants brought in government officials, forming an unbreakable community of interests.

They strike hard internally, exploiting authors, squeezing actors, hyping up traffic, and poisoning readers, using every possible means. The prosperity of the cultural industry has made them rich and wealthy, and their authors, actors, storytellers and even technicians are accustomed to making a living under this pricing.

Over time, everyone would think, "What's wrong with this contract? This has always been the rule. If I earn less, it must be because I don't work hard enough. The men who earn more than me must be because they are more hardworking."

Most of those who are smart and want to change their contracts have already jumped off the building.

In this environment where everyone can make money easily, members of the Qu Shiwen Society certainly don't want any newcomers to come in and grab the food. Even if a person from outside the province with a strong background and amazing financial resources wants to open a shop and do business, he will be blocked by the Qu Shiwen Society, not to mention a country bumpkin from Lin County... Wait?
Lin County?

Zheng Xiuyuan was in doubt and thought for a while, but he didn't dare to take the risk: "Please come in!"

Seeing that the master looked serious, the butler went to invite Zheng Xiuyuan personally. Zheng Xiuyuan quickly came to the flower hall. Soon, the butler brought in a wealthy man in his thirties, and the two sides greeted each other.

The Linxian country bumpkin was very polite: "I am Chen Botang from Linxian. I have loved writing since I was young. I also opened a small bookstore in my hometown, printing some superficial texts and selling them to villagers and idle people. I have always admired the cultural heritage of Huazhou and dreamed of opening a bookstore in Huazhou one day."

He placed the wooden box in his hand on the table: "I heard that Mr. Zheng is the leader of my Huazhou cultural lineage. I am a newcomer and I must pay my respects to the mountain master. I heard that the waves in Yunjiang are strong. How can a small fish like me survive? Regarding the opening of the store, I need more advice and care from the senior..."

Zheng Xiuyuan was slightly shocked.

The saying "Huazhou has strong winds and waves" had spread yesterday and has become a popular buzzword, referring to the story of "Governor Li beating the unruly woman with a stick and the little white dragon angrily spreading grass across the Yunjiang River."

Director Li's comeback against the odds was simply a hot topic. The bustle of Huazhou's public opinion field before was doubled. The officials and businessmen who previously hired people to discredit and ridicule Li Bailong and add fuel to the fire to attract traffic to him have now backfired twice as much. What is Chen's intention in saying this now?
Zheng Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and decided not to beat around the bush.

He got straight to the point and asked, "Boss Chen, are you old friends with Li Zhishi of Tongwen Bureau?"

Chen Baitang said solemnly: "Governor Li is a man of integrity and honesty. He is the most upright hero I have ever met. When I was in Lin County, he saved my life twice. When I told him about my dream of opening a store in Huazhou, he encouraged me and helped me. I will never be able to repay the governor's kindness!"

Grass.

Chairman Zheng was furious when his guess came true... No wonder Li Bailong was so rude last night! It turns out that he had been wanting to get a piece of the pie and rob our business!

Gao Bi Jin was just robbing people by trickery. He found ways to take over the shares of Yunjiang Bookstore and replaced the original owner. At least he saved face for us Huazhou people. Why the hell did you just invite your fellow villagers to open a store?
When he thought of this, he couldn't help but sneer.

Huazhou cultural context, do you think a stinky outsider can understand it?

Chen Baitang opened the wooden box on the table and took out three or five books. "The layout of Linxian bookstore is different from that of Huazhou. We opened a bookstore in Huazhou. In addition to adapting to local customs, we also want to bring some exotic atmosphere to Huazhou readers. These are the best-selling books in Linxian. Please appreciate them."

What good can there be in a book that a country bumpkin likes to read?
Zheng Xiuyuan glanced at the book on top. It was called "Legend of the Imperial Battle of Heaven". Can the word "emperor" be used casually? And "fighting Heaven", you are quite courageous. If the Tongwen Bureau was not named Li now, I would write a note to ask the Tongwen Bureau to deal with you just based on the title of the book... Wait.

Grass.

The guy from Tongwen Bureau is named Li.

Zheng Xiuyuan couldn't help feeling depressed when he thought about this.

He picked up the imperial book casually. The author's name was actually Long Batian, which was so disrespectful. Even Li Bailong named himself Mo Feng when he wrote a book. How could he be like this?

He turned the page and read on with a critical mind.

The writing is crude and straightforward, without even an opening poem. It just starts with "Qi volume, three bells". Okay, okay, I know you're a loser who can't even gather Qi into meridians. So who is this person, a supporting role?
He frowned and read on.

The once genius boy, for unknown reasons, has made no progress in his cultivation and has become the laughing stock of the family. His loving father has been servile and begging for his help, which makes Chairman Zheng feel very emotional. However, his already difficult life suddenly became even worse. His fiancée, who had been engaged since childhood, turned out to be...

Zheng Xiuyuan was so angry that he shouted, "——This is too much!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that he was reading a book, and showed a look of shame and annoyance. However, Chen Baitang did not laugh at him. Instead, he whispered: "Don't worry, senior, I will retaliate later, and..."

After hearing Boss Chen's story of revenge and slapping him in the face, Chairman Zheng finally felt relieved, relieved and expectant. Then he suddenly came to his senses - you beast! Who told you to tell me this?
You have told me what will be new and interesting when I watch it later!
He was furious when he heard this and shouted, "This is too much!"

Chen Baitang raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

He suddenly understood how the old thief Batian felt when he spoiled the plot for him before handing it in.

——So happy.

Zheng Xiuyuan's mood was like a roller coaster. He felt that the book in his hand had a strange magic. The writing style of this book was rough, without any romantic or eloquent stories. Instead, it told the story in a simpler and cruder way, but it had a great appeal and urged him to continue reading.

Let him look forward to how this young man will change his destiny...and so on.

juvenile?

He was shocked, and after confirming it again, he looked up at Chen Baitang. His voice was a little awkward: "The protagonist... is a man?"

Chen Botang nodded gently: "Yes."

My hands are trembling, my heart is trembling, and my soul is trembling.

Male protagonist... A story that unfolds from a male perspective.

The country bumpkin from Lin County wanted to open a shop and sell this kind of book in Huazhou.

He probably has the support of Li Bailong behind him.

——What a joke!
We have already tamed the Huazhou market! Now is the most profitable model! We are the ones who lead and decide what the audience and readers like to watch and what they should watch!
You not only want your fellow villagers to open a shop and get involved.

Do you still want to sell this kind of book and disrupt our layout?

This is not how you make money!
Zheng Xiuyuan took a deep breath and asked directly: "Boss Chen, are you willing to sell the exclusive sales rights of this book to me? In other words, the sales rights of all your exclusive books..."

Chen Botang interrupted him.

The small boss from the countryside leaned forward slightly, revealing a sense of oppression that made Zheng Xiuyuan uneasy.

"I want to open a store in Huazhou and do business. I will be responsible for my own profits and losses." He also asked directly, "Senior Zheng, do you support me in opening a store?"

Zheng Xiuyuan closed his eyes and said, "Okay, very good."

When he opened his eyes again, he already had the bearing and gaze of a Huazhou tycoon.

The president of the Qushiwen Association said calmly: "You have Governor Li supporting you, so you don't need my support."

In that case, there is no point in talking.

Chen Botang left the book box behind, stood up, took out another invitation and put it down, then said with a folded hand: "No matter what, this store will definitely open. Chairman Zheng, please be sure to attend the opening ceremony in two days."

Zheng Xiuyuan responded calmly: "Okay, I will be there on time."

Upon seeing this, the steward asked Chen Baitang to leave. Zheng Xiuyuan did not even stand up. He sat there stiffly for a moment, then suddenly threw "Legend of Huangji Zhantian" to the ground, and swept away the book box and invitation.

The servant heard the noise, came in and saw what was happening, and was at a loss as to what to do.

After a while, the steward hurried back, looking somewhat uneasy. Zheng Xiuyuan saw his irritable look and shouted, "What? A country bumpkin scared you like this? What did he say?"

"No, I didn't say anything."

The manager wiped his sweat and whispered, "Master, the people from the Tongwen Bureau are waiting outside. I sent Boss Chen out, and he nodded to them and said, 'It didn't work out.' So they came straight to our door!"

——You don’t even want to act!
Zheng Xiuyuan was furious, but the people should not fight against the officials, so he gritted his teeth and signaled for someone to come in.

As soon as the lackeys from the Tongwen Bureau came in, they shouted without hesitation: "President Zheng, today is the second day. When will you pay off the six years of tea fees you owe us?"

Chairman Zheng swallowed his anger and said, "Everyone, please give me a few days. This is not a small amount. Even if I want to raise the money, it will take time."

"That's fine. We're not some evil debt collector. Governor Li said that you have made great contributions to the literary and artistic work of Huazhou, and we won't force you to do anything."

An officer came forward and held out a piece of paper: "Just trouble President Zheng to sign the IOU, and we can talk about debt collection later. Our Governor Li said that if all the bosses can always cooperate with the many affairs of this government office and actively participate in the construction of Huazhou's literary and artistic front, then there is no rush to pay back the money and return the stolen money."

Do you still need to write an IOU?
The wolfish ambition was extremely obvious. Zheng Xiuyuan was so angry that his eyebrows stood up: "Your Excellency, whether this amount should be paid and how much should be paid have not yet been determined! We have clearly already..."

"Good church president know."

The officer said in a cold tone: "Last night, the corrupt officials in our yamen confessed that you didn't pay so much money at all. We traced and investigated their assets and found that it was true. They didn't have so much money at home. So the question is, you all claimed to have paid the money, but the corrupt officials who received the money didn't have so much money at home. So, where did the money go?"

Zheng Xiuyuan said angrily: "Of course they are distributed to their respective government offices..."

When he said this, he felt a chill down his spine. The other party was already looking at him sinisterly.

"It seems that you know something about this." The Tongwen Bureau official extended his hand to invite him. "Since we both have our own opinions, why not go to the Tongwen Bureau and have a lawsuit? Ask Chairman Zheng to go there, and then invite the officials you pointed out to come and confront them. Once the two sides meet, we will know who took the money and who paid less, right?"

He said sincerely, "Our Governor Li took office and the atmosphere in this office has changed. He repeatedly warned us not to slander a good person and not to let a bad person go... President Zheng, you are a good person, right?"

"..."

Zheng Xiuyuan stood there like a wooden sculpture.

The officer from the Tongwen Bureau gently shook the IOU in his hand.

Either write an IOU or go to Tongwen Bureau now and explain clearly where the money went.

Now he is alone, without any colleagues in the Chamber of Commerce to support him.

Defeat them one by one.

He sighed and said woodenly, "I will sign it. I owe money to the Tongwen Bureau."

As the officials from the Tongwen Bureau walked away, Zheng Xiuyuan swayed and almost fell.

The housekeeper came to help, only to see the president clench his teeth and suddenly explode in anger: "...This is too much! We are not made of clay! Go! Invite the heads of all the major newspapers!"

He also has a secret weapon!
Not long after, the butler came back alone.

"...Sir, all the directors of major newspapers have been invited to have tea by the Tongwen Bureau."

Zheng Xiuyuan was furious: "The publication of the newspaper is not the responsibility of the Tongwen Bureau! Isn't it the responsibility of the Instructor?"

"I have inquired about it. This morning, the government office sent an official document saying that the newspaper publishing will be transferred to the Tongwen Bureau for management." The manager found out everything and sighed, "Master, don't forget that the seals of the prefect and the deputy prefect are in his hands now..."

(End of this chapter)