Records of the Lost Cases of Helaitang in the Ming Dynasty

Before Mrs. Cheng finished speaking, Xiaocai's smile slowly condensed.

How could Mrs. Cheng not know the young man's thoughts? She concluded: "So I took my family to teach. Fortunately, I had a job, and the whole family was able to avoid being cold and hungry. I also gradually finished writing "Golden Bullet", and I worked a little bit. With a small name, I have some book friends."

After hearing these words, Xiaocai was dejected.

It happened that Yingniang, the old maid of the Cheng family, came to invite them to dinner. Although the food was very rich and Yingniang's craftsmanship was not bad, the young lady only used a few chopsticks and put down her rice bowl. She sighed and said: "I may not be able to print a book even if I write it. Even if you print a book, you may not be able to sell it, and if you sell it, you may not be able to get royalties.”

Cheng Xiucai couldn't bear to see the young man's face turned ashen and haggard. He smiled and said, "Young man, don't be discouraged. I made up my mind on the boat when I came back. I will go to Suzhou City to be an apprentice in a bookstore. I will start a business in the future." This is a small bookstore that can give you an idea of ​​what kind of popular storybooks are on the market, and at the very least, it can introduce your storybooks to the owner."

Fei Yue'er also said: "There are many people who are poor and depressed when writing novels, and there are also many people who make a lot of money. Maybe Xiaocai brother will have great wealth waiting for you. From now on, all of us will have to rely on you. Help."

"The fragrance of wine is also afraid of the dark alleys. Proper packaging is essential. Being original is half the battle." Wang Heng said unhurriedly, showing a scheming expression. Everyone listened attentively to what he had to say.

"My elder brother Chenyu's Nanyuan, my uncle wanted to expand it to the west in the early years. There is a pastry shop in the west of the garden. The pastry chef is good at craftsmanship, but the business is only ordinary. The shop owner is also stubborn. No matter how much money the uncle allows him, he will keep it. None of them are for sale.”

"The uncle then came up with an idea. From now on, every time during the New Year or the festival, he would always send a few boxes of cakes from the pastry shop to each other. If he gave them in person, he would also say something mysterious and profound: 'Wonderful, wonderful.' '"

"The goods of that pastry shop were good, but after my uncle Wangge praised him, the villagers nicknamed him Taishi Cake. Business suddenly prospered, and the money flowed in. It became so popular that the first store in Nanyuan West was not enough for use. I bought another three-bay store from Wuling Street. Because my uncle paid a high price, the owner took the land deed and sent it to Wang Yamen."

Everyone was confused and didn't understand what Wang Heng meant. Wang Heng said confidently: "I have thought about it. When I get the official position, I will put a few words of young talents in the yamen. Whether it is to meet the Shangguan or not." , or to receive the gentry and the people, flip through a few pages of the storybook at any time, and say a few words of praise, "It's wonderful, it's wonderful." Just wait for others to ask: "What's so wonderful?" Xiaocai will help you sell it."

Everyone tried to persuade her with great affection and great effort, but Xiaocai had no choice but to turn his sorrow into joy as everyone wished, showing a smile that made him cry.

After dinner, Wang Heng and the others said goodbye to Cheng Xiucai. They wanted to send Fei Yue'er back to Fei's residence. Cheng Xiucai had just returned home and had some things to do, so he made an appointment to visit Fei's residence in a day or two.

The Dixi Pavilion of the Cheng family was very close to Fei's house, so the three of them led their horses and watched the autumn wind rustling the maple leaves and flowers on the country road.

Soon we reached the intersection of Mengjiangtang and Feizhai to the west.

Wang Heng suddenly stopped on the path and asked, "Miss Yue'er, how is the injury on your foot?"

Yue'er smiled and said, "It's okay. I can move freely in the morning. Since there are only three horses, if I don't ride in the sedan, Cheng Xiucai won't have a mount."

Xiaocai thought to herself, she is really a transparent, smart and considerate girl. Wang Heng immediately said: "Yue'er, please don't force me. If your legs and feet are fine, lead the way to Bixiao Palace immediately. Otherwise, it's the same as asking your servant to lead the way."

Before she finished speaking, Yue'er mounted the stirrup and galloped away with her whip raised. Her words came to her ears: "It's not far, come with me."

"Hey, there's no need to be in such a hurry. Sister Yue'er, wait for me." Xiaocai quickly got on his horse and followed.

Yue'er went all the way north, turned back to the Mengjiang Hall, and seven or eight miles further north, leaving all the shops and restaurants in the alleys behind.

Gradually, we saw the rolling Clam Mountain. The mountain road was rugged and desolate, and the road was very uneven. We dismounted and led them along. After walking for three to five hundred steps, we turned around and saw an ancient palace with red walls and green tiles. The momentum was dignified, but also in a state of decline.

The mountain gate is ajar, and the wooden door is rotten. When you open the mountain gate, you will see moss growing on the stone pavement and fallen leaves covering the courtyard, telling the story of infinite loneliness.

Walking a few steps inside, I saw a middle-aged Taoist nun sweeping fallen leaves with a broom and dustpan. When I saw a group of three people entering the door, they put down their brooms and saluted: "Are the donors here to offer incense or ask for divination?"

Wang Heng bowed to the Taoist aunt and said, "What would you call me, Taoist aunt? Is Taoist Master Huayang here?"

The middle-aged Taoist nun said: "My little Taoist name is Lingsu. Master has not returned from visiting friends today."

Wang Heng deliberately looked up and down the palace, showing a hesitant look. Aunt Lingsu understood that these young scholars with extraordinary bearings disliked their palace for being dilapidated, so she greeted them with a smile: "Come with me to have tea, our palace." The fried tea in Suzhou is also famous in the city of Suzhou. The cousin of the Lord in Lou County, Miss Wang, the sister of Wang Yushi, and the lady of General Luo's family all praise the tea in our palace."

Wang Heng stood on the spot and asked: "Taoist Master Lingsu, let's not be busy having tea for now. Does Wang Yushi's family who lives in Wuque Bridge have any dealings with your Bixiao Palace?"

Taoist Aunt Lingsu said: "Sir, you also recognize Wang Yushi. Master has an old relationship with the Wang family. The Taoist temple of Wang Yushi's family was created by Master and Xiaodao."

Wang Heng said vaguely: "It's just a few acquaintances, we can't be considered acquaintances. We are the Fei family of Taiping Town. We want to do a good deed for the deceased old grandmother. I heard that Aunt Lingwei of Bixiao Palace has a profound Taoism. We would like to invite She’ll host it.”

Aunt Lingsu was a little displeased and said, "Sir, where did you hear this? Junior sister Lingwei has been my disciple for only half a month, and she only knows a few scriptures and spells. How can we do a dojo? Our Bixiao Palace performs rituals , it was all done by Master and Xiaodao."

Wang Heng said in surprise: "It has only been half a month since Taoist priest Lingwei entered Taoism? Those bastards said nonsense about her great magic power. It is really unreasonable. Could it be that Taoist priest Lingwei was just an ordinary folk girl before she entered Taoism?"