Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Xingshan County is so small that if there were such a powerful figure, they could not possibly be unaware of him.

“He must not be from Xingshan County, but I can’t quite recall who he is,” Wei Mingting replied, having just observed the unfamiliar young gentleman but unable to place him.

Yun speculated, “Could he be the distinguished guest staying in the meditation chamber at Fahua Temple?”

It was rare for important people to visit Xingshan County; it seemed unlikely two would arrive at once by coincidence.

“That’s possible,” Wei Mingting agreed.

“Then, husband, do you think the nobleman will hold a grudge against our family for what happened that day, or because Yichen won the contest today?” Yun’s worry deepened.

“Don’t dwell on it. If he truly takes offense over such trivial matters, I have nothing to say. Besides, the young gentleman’s demeanor just now didn’t seem that of a petty person,” said Wei Mingting.

He was upright and honorable. If the court wished to punish him for failing in the fight against the pirates, he would accept it. But if he were dealt with over such minor incidents, then truly heaven would be unjust.

Having failed to uncover the identity of the nobleman in brocade, Wei Yichen handed the ink treasure of Hermit Canglin, won in the contest, to Wei Mingting.

Wei Mingting refused. “Keep it for yourself. I know you are fond of Hermit Canglin and have always hoped to become his disciple.”

Just as Wei Ruo was about to board the carriage, she heard this and glanced at Wei Yichen, but quickly turned away, climbed inside, and began munching candied fruit.

Wei Qingwan, seated opposite Wei Ruo, gazed thoughtfully out the window, the image of the young gentleman lingering in her mind.

Recalling her parents’ earlier conversation, she worried whether she’d left a bad impression on him that day at Fahua Temple.

If the distinguished guest was indeed from the temple, then he was of royal blood. But why would a member of the royal family come to such a small place as Xingshan County?

###

After the contest, Chu Lan did not leave immediately. He had his attendant queue up for paper as well.

Holding the paper, Chu Lan became more convinced that it was superior to what was sold in the capital.

Lu Yuhong also noticed that the paper Chu Lan bought was unlike their usual supply—thicker, whiter, finer, and smoother.

“I never would have guessed this shop had such quality. Not only do they attract customers with clever tricks, but their products are also much better than elsewhere. This shop is wasted here—it ought to move to the capital! Business there would be a hundred times better!” Lu Yuhong commented.

---

“Yuhong, opening a shop in the capital is not so easy,” Chu Lan replied.

“Oh, true, the capital isn’t like this small town,” Lu Yuhong nodded.

Then, joking, Lu Yuhong said to Chu Lan, “Your Highness, since their paper is so good and so loved by scholars, what if I go talk to the owner and see if I can source their goods? I could open a shop in the capital and make some silver myself!”

No one ever thinks they have too much silver, not even a nobleman like Lu Yuhong.

“You can try, just don’t let them think you’re bullying others for profit.”

“Of course not! Do I look like a scoundrel? If I bullied the people, my grandfather would be the first to whip me to death!”

###

The contest ended, and today’s supply of paper was sold out.

Shopkeeper Jia closed the shop and went to the small courtyard behind it, where a burly, honest-looking farmer was chopping wood.

As Shopkeeper Jia approached, he reported on the contest and the store’s sales.

Overall, it was a great success. With just a piece of Hermit Canglin’s ink treasure and a small contest, Four Treasures Studio had promoted itself in Xingshan County and sold 7,200 sheets of paper.

“Good, good, thank you for your hard work,” Xu Zhushan replied with a simple smile.

Looking at Xu Zhushan’s honest face, Shopkeeper Jia once again marveled. He looked so clumsy, yet had so many clever ideas.

For instance, today’s business-attracting strategy was Xu Zhushan’s idea; Shopkeeper Jia merely followed instructions.

Shopkeeper Jia could never be sure whether his boss was pretending or simply wise beyond appearances.

After a moment of inner reflection, Shopkeeper Jia continued, “Also, earlier, a young gentleman came to the store to inquire about you, Boss. I answered as you instructed, saying our boss does not meet guests.”

“Oh, okay.”

“The gentleman said he wanted to cooperate with you, to source your goods and open a shop in the capital. I remembered you mentioned supplies are limited, so you would never collaborate or provide stock to others. I relayed your intent to him.”

---

“Right, just say that,” Xu Zhushan nodded.

“Boss, forgive my curiosity, but is our daily paper sales really limited by supply?” Shopkeeper Jia couldn’t contain his curiosity.

“Yes,” Xu Zhushan replied.

Then Xu Zhushan remembered something important. “By the way, starting tomorrow, we can’t sell paper individually. We need to… need to…” He paused mid-sentence, thinking hard before continuing, “We need to require customers to buy paper along with pens, ink, or inkstones. I have a written note for you!”

Xu Zhushan ran inside, and soon returned with a sheet of paper densely covered with writing. The handwriting was clumsy, like that of a seven- or eight-year-old child.

Shopkeeper Jia took the paper and, surprised, exclaimed at its cleverness!

In their shop, only the paper was special; the other three treasures were standard items sold elsewhere.

This meant the paper sold best, while the other items barely moved. Today, they sold out of paper, but only four pens, inksticks, and inkstones combined.

But Xu Zhushan’s note outlined the new rules: customers could buy a maximum of twenty sheets of paper alone, but if they purchased other items together, they could buy fifty, or even eighty sheets.

After reading, Shopkeeper Jia still had doubts. “Boss, if we sell like this, won’t people refuse to buy?”

“No matter. We don’t force anyone. If they don’t want to, they can still buy twenty sheets,” Xu Zhushan said.

Shopkeeper Jia nodded. “Then I’ll follow this rule tomorrow. For today, I’ll take my leave and come back in the morning.”

“Good, good, thank you for your hard work,” Xu Zhushan nodded.

After putting away the account books, Xu Zhushan prepared to fetch his wife. She had been busy with mountain affairs for days and was getting thin; tonight, he’d slaughter a chicken for her to nourish her.

With a simple smile, Xu Zhushan slung the bamboo basket over his back to help his wife carry things, and if he found pig fodder by the roadside, he’d gather some too.