The Emperor Arrives at the History of Needle

  "Are you relying on yourself?" Chen Chang said with a slanted gaze: "You haven't even agreed yet and you're already tearing up the contract, Zhang Baozi. Let me tell you, if you agree to it, this gold ingot is yours, Chen won't say another word. But if you don't agree or agree poorly, be careful of getting into trouble with the authorities."

  Even if Chen Chang were beaten to death, he wouldn't believe that Zhang Pangzi, who was defeated in the wine game at the Yangzhou jewelry store three years ago and became a laughing stock, could get it right. Although this guy has been practicing hard and studying poetry books since then, Chen Chang still doesn't believe it.

  With this kind of ability, you dare to run here and cause trouble?

  Everyone was also discussing and preparing to see which talented person could come up with such a wonderful couplet.

  Zhang Pangzi raised his head, gave Chen Chang a white eye, and snorted with his nostrils facing the sky. He didn't even bother to argue with him, took over the four treasures of the study beside him, and started writing brush by brush.

  Zhang Pangzi, who had only attended a few years of private school, didn't have much literary talent, but fortunately, he had practiced writing accounts and had good handwriting. Under the gaze of everyone, Zhang Pangzi wrote a few large characters on a piece of xuan paper with a flourish, then threw down his brush and blew on the paper a few times before holding it up with both hands to show off his couplet to the crowd in front of him.

  Everyone held their breath and saw the five big characters on the rice paper: Two people are made for heaven.

  Everyone suddenly fell silent, and the idea of watching him make a fool of himself was gone. One wood is grain, two men are heaven, not only matching perfectly, but also the meaning of the lower couplet is even higher than the upper one... wonderful, wonderful!

  For a moment, everyone present was immersed in the wonderful atmosphere of this couplet, while Chen Chang on the side had his eyes wide open and sweat dripping from his forehead.

  They saw that the Jin Yu family had only a few pairs, but they were doing very well, and the store that was about to close down suddenly came back to life. The momentum even surpassed that of their own carefully managed Yu Man Lou. According to reports from the partners who went out, the other side's cash register was ringing non-stop, and it just so happened that his brother-in-law had a pair of unparalleled good earrings that no one had been able to break for a long time. He felt that spring had arrived for Yu Man Lou, so he gritted his teeth and had someone cast a hundred taels gold ingot to attract people's attention.

  Chen Chang had actually planned to cancel the activity after just ten days or half a month, and with that, he would have gained fame, business, and money. His calculations were going smoothly, but then something unexpected happened. Just as he had put up the notice, before even half a day had passed, that damned Zhang Baozi... actually came out with it.

  One hundred and two, one hundred and two gold, don't look at Yuemanlou's business being good, with official recognition and also monopolizing the Yangzhou Teaching Office's business, in fact, every month has to be filial, and gifts during holidays cannot be interrupted. Back and forth, profits are also reduced by a large margin. This one hundred and two gold is something that even Chen Chang can only accumulate after more than a year, but as soon as it emerged, this gold ingot was gone.

  It hurts like cutting flesh, this sum of money can buy dozens of new Luo Bu's.

  If it were to be taken by a great writer or master, it wouldn't be so heart-wrenching. What's most infuriating is that Zhang Wangcai actually came out with it, and looking at his smug and arrogant expression, Chen Chang had the urge to strangle him to death.

  Chen Chang forced a smile: "This is still quite neat, but~~~~"

  "Great! Too good, too wonderful!" Just as Chen Chang was about to say "however", Zhao Lao Fuzi, who had been savoring the profound meaning with his eyes closed, suddenly clapped his hands and shouted in approval, abruptly interrupting him.

  Mr. Su also nodded and paid homage: "This couplet is not only well-crafted, but also has a profound and far-reaching atmosphere, it's well-matched, well-matched."

  Chen Chang's face suddenly turned iron-green.

  Just now he said that this is not good, and we need to invite people to evaluate it again. Later, if someone says something new, they will try to find a way to share the credit, and finally, they can take advantage of him. Unexpectedly, before he could even speak, two of Yangzhou's most renowned literary masters, Mr. Zhou and Mr. Su, both exclaimed in praise, leaving no room for him to criticize.

  "Mr. Chen, does this couplet of mine still make sense?" Zhang asked with a smile.

  "It's all because of you." Chen Chang's words seemed to be forced out of his stomach with a hard breath.

  "Haha...Alright, I won't be polite then."

  Zhang Pangzi finished speaking, amidst the crowd's applause and admiring glances, he walked onto the stage with both hands holding up the hundred-tael heavy golden ingot. The scholars and literati below responded with warm applause. As soon as they heard the applause, Zhang Pangzi raised the golden ingot high with both hands, his face turning a deep crimson color from excitement.

  "Good, good, very good."

  "Isn't this Zhang the shopkeeper from Jinyuzhai? I didn't expect him to be so talented."

  "Perfect! You really can't judge a person by their appearance, I underestimated him just now."

  "Wow, wow, wow... wonderful, wonderful."

  ...........

  The applause was thunderous, the cheers were overwhelming. Zhang felt that he had never been so triumphant before. So many talented and refined people were applauding for him, a small merchant, and even Mr. Su, who was revered throughout Yangzhou, smiled and nodded in approval of him. Having such treatment once in his life made it all worthwhile.

  In the crowd, Liu Yuan from the Jinyu family also smiled and applauded for himself. The sincere smile moved Zhang Daguan deeply. He was a good brother who gave him such a big opportunity, and he didn't know how to thank him enough. Looking at his sincere smile and energetic applause, Liu Yuan's slender figure suddenly stood out in the crowd, making him very noticeable.

  Exquisite craftsmanship, transforming decay into magic techniques, novel designs and astonishing literary talent, in Zhang Dagou's heart, Liu Yuan was like a firefly on a dark night, shining brightly, an extremely stylish man.

  I must thank him afterwards.

  Next to him, Chen Chang saw that Zhang Guizi, whom he had just been belittling, was so impressive. Many people below recognized him as the boss of Jinyu Zhai and it seemed like he had stolen all the attention. He hastily stood up and said: "Thank you for your visit, brother, and congratulations to Boss Zhang on his first move. In ancient times, there were a thousand pieces of gold in the market, today I, Chen, also spent a hundred pieces of gold to ask for a good phrase. After this, we will have a full house at Yumanlou."

  "Boss Liu, Boss Liu..."

  Chen Chang of the Jade Mansion was furious, but he had to put on a show for the promotional event. Just as it was about to end, someone snatched away the thick stack of prize money - and to make matters worse, it was his arch-nemesis. The industry was like a battlefield, after all. Chen Chang stepped forward to promote his own Jade Mansion, but just as he was hitting his stride, a young servant loudly interrupted him.

  The gaze from the stage towards Xiao Shuai was as if they wanted to devour him whole.

  "Anything wrong, Ah Chun?" Liu Yuan recognized that the person who came to call him was a fellow named Ah Chun from Jin Yu Zhai.

  Ah Chun ran with a head full of sweat, not even bothering to wipe it off, ignoring Chen Chang's hungry gaze. Panting, he said: "Quick... quick, Zhang the shopkeeper, Cui the historian has arrived, and brought a noble guest who specifically wants to see you, hurry, hurry back!"

  What?

  Cui Xie, who holds the entire Yangzhou regime in his hands, has also arrived? And he specifically wants to see me?

  As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Liu freeze in shock, but everyone present was also left staring in stunned silence.

  In the old days, the class hierarchy was strict, with the emperor at the top, followed by officials, then civilians, and finally slaves. The officials held themselves in high esteem, always looking down on others, rarely interacting with the common people. Even among the common people, there were distinctions between scholars, farmers, artisans, soldiers, merchants, etc. Merchants had a relatively low status among the common people, as they were seen as not engaging in productive activities, but rather making profits through speculation and profiteering, which was considered shameful.

  Now the highest official of a province personally came to the door, specifically asking to see a small businessman, what an honor it was, what a great favor, everyone present was stunned at once.

  "Liu, hurry up, the governor is waiting!" Zhang was quick to react and ran to Liu's side, pulling him along as he went.

  Maybe by associating with his elder brother, I can gain some prestige and even get to talk to the Governor.

  Zhang Baozi's abacus was clicking away loudly.

  "It's really cool"

  "Yes, it must be for those two perfect couplets."

  "I guess so too, I heard that these pairs of lovers have spread to the capital city, and even those officials and scholars are thinking about it."

  "Governor Stab won't think of it, will he?"

  "What's strange about it? Lord Choi is from the Cheonghae Choi clan, a first-rate aristocratic family. He speaks eloquently."

  "Brother Li, let's hurry up and take a look."

  "Yes, the couple here is broken too, it's meaningless, let's go."

  "Go away~~~"

  In no time, all the people inside and outside the house had dispersed, rushing to the Jin Yu family's residence to watch the commotion.

  Chen Chang's words were cut off halfway through, and then he watched as person after person retreated like a tide, leaving the vast Yueman Tower entrance empty.

  His face turned iron-blue and he didn't speak for half a day.

  PS: Various requests for new books

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