A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 129: Explosion (st update)
After the Silk Guild meeting ended, Mr. Lei did not leave in a hurry, but exchanged a few more words with President Zhao.

When he walked out the door, he listened to the servant's report.

It was said that seven or eight people had already headed towards Song Xuan’s Twelve Bookstores, obviously wanting to see what was going on.

Lei Yuanwai smiled slightly, and understood in his heart:

These people really wanted to test Song Xuan's background and see if this novel business was risky.

They all didn't know what kind of profound background Song Xuan had.

After all, looking at the entire Song Dynasty, not everyone can force a Hanlin scholar to hang himself and get away with it.

Mr. Lei, who knew Song Xuan's background well, naturally knew that Song Twelve had no great background.
He himself is his greatest reliance, but as long as he follows Song Twelve's footsteps closely, there will be no problem!
"Don't worry about them."

Mr. Lei waved his hand, with a bit of confidence in his tone:

"I just want them to be curious and buy some to show their support for Shi Er Lang!"

After he finished speaking, he boarded a mule cart and headed to his next social event.

No matter what, he had to help Song Xuan liven up the atmosphere first.

After all, Song Twelve's business skills are not comparable to those of ordinary people.

But even good wine needs to be hidden within a remote alley.

At the same time, President Zhao in the room picked up the teacup and squinted his eyes to carefully look at the flyer in his hand.

Such typographical advertisements take into account the large number of people who cannot read.

This flyer is very cleverly designed, with the pattern and text complementing each other perfectly.

Even people who can't read can understand at a glance what the advertisement means.

"The highest lottery prize is ten cents, and the lowest is two cents. Buy a chapter and get a free number. Everyone has a chance to win a thousand cents!"

Nowadays, the purchasing power of ten cents is enough for ordinary people to buy five liters of japonica rice, and for students to buy a low-quality brush.

Of course.

There are also small-denomination lottery tickets that cost two cents to buy one number.

That is the price that ordinary people can afford for a big bowl of tea.

"This Song Twelve knows how to set prices."

Chairman Zhao muttered to himself: "Two cents can be exchanged for a thousand cents. I have to try it in front of anyone."

Looking across the entire Song Dynasty, everyone is willing to play the buying game.

He admired Song Xuan's intelligence, but was also curious about Prefect Yan's attitude towards the matter.
"He even added a high-sounding excuse and brought it to the academy. I wonder how Prefect Yan would view this?"

Song Xuan's reputation, coupled with the unique flyer, has aroused the curiosity of many people.

On the opening day, a large group of idlers and common people had already gathered in front of the Twelve Bookstores to watch the fun.

Song Xuan did not stand in the shop, but mixed in the crowd, observing everything quietly.

Zhang Fangping lived close to home, so after he returned to tell his family the good news that he had ranked first in the exam, he was very proud for two days.

Then a matchmaker came to propose marriage.

Zhang Fangping quickly said that he was still young and could not be distracted, and he was also unable to support his family.

After passing the imperial examination, he considered getting married and then hurried back.

For this, he was ridiculed by Song Xuan.

However, Zhang Fangping already knew that his twelfth brother had said that it would be nice to pass the imperial examination and get married in the future.

If you are noticed by a prime minister and chosen as his son-in-law, it will be of great help to your future career.

In a person's lifetime, there are probably only three chances to change his or her destiny through external factors.

One is birth, one is the imperial examination, and the other is marriage.

Our birthplaces cannot be changed, so we can only elevate our status through the imperial examinations, so that we can ultimately get married without falling behind.

When you first entered the court as an official, someone protected you and led you, while you, a person with no background at all, climbed up the ladder.

Those are two concepts and states.

Among the chief judges of the Song Dynasty, Song Ci dared to defy everyone, and he had his father-in-law backing him up.

Many people have to look at his father-in-law's face.

He is a first-rank official with great power.

How many people have been able to climb to this position from ancient times to the present?

How many imperial examinations have been held since the founding of the Song Dynasty?

During the reign of Emperor Renzong, there were more than 20,000 people who passed the imperial examination and became Jinshi, but in the end only a few of them could obtain high positions.

Most of the Jinshi were just minor officials.

Zhang Fangping regained his composure and asked:
"Twelfth Brother, why should we mingle with the crowd and watch the fun?"

"I have to go undercover myself and listen to the voices of the people before I can make a good judgment."

The first group of people to enter the bookstore to buy the novels were a group of idlers.

They have some money and usually rely on finding out information to attract customers.

Now that Song Shier has something new, they naturally want to be the first to find out what it is.

In the middle of the bookstore, a sealed box was surrounded by a fence, and Zhao Si was standing inside the fence.

His eyes were as big as copper bells, and he held a short stick in his hand, vigilantly guarding the safety of the equipment.

Zhao Si wanted to make sure that no one came close to tamper with him.

He wore new clothes and new shoes today, and stood hard inside the fence to maintain the safety of the equipment.

If this breaks, the business is over.

Among the three people, Zhao Si is slightly stronger and can keep an eye on things.

He also had a short stick in his hand, which he used to stop others from touching him.

There was also a big sign next to it saying "Do not touch".

Most people cannot read, so they drew corresponding pictures as warnings.

This bellows is not only Song Xuan's business, but also the future food supply for his whole family, so he cannot afford to treat it carelessly.

"If anyone dares to move, don't blame me for being rude!"

Zhao Si shouted loudly, his voice so resonant that it frightened many people who wanted to get closer.

A short stick and the unique military tattoos on his face.

Even in the Song Dynasty, many people looked down on military men, but were unwilling to make enemies with them.

What if these bandits remember your face and send them to guard the city gate?

Although they dare not take your things to accept bribes, they may deliberately bully you.

I'll give you a good scolding for wasting the things you brought with you.

Just for fun, just to disgust you!
It makes you feel miserable but unable to express it.

He San and Jiang Da had already engraved the ten capital numbers in their minds. Whenever someone paid, they would press the number in front.

He would only start stamping the lottery ticket after he had read it out loud and asked the buyer to confirm it to avoid any mistakes.

Finally, tearing off the lottery ticket and leaving the ticket stub is also part of anti-counterfeiting.

Everyone held a chapter of Journey to the West in their hands, and also a three-star lottery ticket that they had a chance to cash in.

Listening to Tao Hong emphasizing it over and over again.

My young master wanted to increase the popularity of the book Journey to the West, so he did something that would lose money but gain publicity.

Winning the prize depends entirely on the blower blowing the number balls into the grid. After determining the first winning number, the ball is gently pushed into the jackpot. Then, the bellows are slowly pulled to mix it in before the second number is drawn, ensuring that the probability of each draw is the same.

"If you pick one number out of a thousand, only a thousand people will buy it from beginning to end, or one person will buy all a thousand numbers, but then they will lose money."

"That's right, everyone." Tao Hong said with a smile:
"We're new here, so we're just doing this little game to make friends. Everyone can just buy some books from our shop and have some fun."

"Boss, what if I really win the prize and you don't admit it?"

An idle man asked loudly, with a hint of doubt in his tone.

"My dear, please take a look at our lottery rules. The lottery ticket must not be damaged. If it is dirty or broken, it cannot be exchanged."

"It's originally for making friends. If an expert comes to cheat, they can still do it. If you really want to win, just keep it for two days."

"On the third day at 9:00 PM, the winning numbers will be drawn publicly. The next chapter of Journey to the West will also be sold, and new lottery tickets will be given away."

"Boss, if I win this lottery ticket, but I'm out of town and can't claim the prize on the third day, what should I do?"

"That is, how many days can it be exchanged?"

"You can redeem it within five days from the day the prize is drawn." Tao Hong explained with a smile:

"After five days, even if you win the prize, my store won't recognize it. It will be invalid after the expiration date."

Song Xuan stood in the crowd, listening to Tao Hong's explanation, and nodded secretly in his heart.

He had anticipated that there would be doubts, so he deliberately formulated strict rules to ensure that there would be no mistakes.

If someone could forge it in five days, Song Xuan would really admire such a master and would definitely ask for advice if he had the chance.

Fight poison with poison, this is the only way to block the path of other big men.

Or if someone imitates this business, Song Xuan can also ask a big shot for help.

Anyway, most business wars are very simple.

There aren't so many conspiracies and intrigues; they're all just the writer's fantasy.

Song Xuan looked at the people coming in and out, and what Tao Hong said was entirely based on his luck.

Whoever is lucky will win the prize.

"Brother Twelve, it looks like a lot of people are coming to buy. I estimate there will be even more people tomorrow."

"Ah."

Song Xuan responded.

We have prepared 20,000 copies in the past few days, and will formulate the next production plan based on the sales.

From the richly dressed to the beggars, some came to join in the fun.

Anyway, the money is begged for, so it would be great if I could win the prize.

If you don’t win the prize, it’s normal to go hungry.

Two cents can buy about ten red dates.

Then Zhang Fangping saw Yan Shu, Fan Zhongyan and others entering the shop to buy books.

"Twelfth Brother." Zhang Fangping lowered his voice:

"Even Mr. Yan has come to support you?"

"Calm down."

Song Xuan also lowered his voice, fearing that others would hear him:

"The money from my shop also needs to be shared with the academy."

"what?"

Zhang Fangping was horrified.

Subconsciously, I want to ask, how did you bribe all the teachers in the academy and drag them into this?

But there were so many people in the crowd, and he didn't say much.

Zhang Fangping thought about it and realized that his twelfth brother was good at long-term planning.

This shop will definitely encounter difficulties in the future, so I spent a little money to let the academy protect it from disaster.

"Understood!"

Zhang Fangping completely understood the reason why Song Xuan acted this way.

Yan Shu pretended to take out ten cents and bought a lottery ticket. He held the first chapter of "Journey to the West" in his hand, with a look of curiosity and amusement on his face.

He deliberately changed into ordinary clothes today and mingled with the crowd, wanting to see with his own eyes what the secret behind Song Xuan's novel business was.

"This Song Twelve is indeed a wonderful person. Perhaps I can really win the bet between me and Gong Chui."

Yan Shu smiled secretly in his heart and glanced at the bustling crowd.

It was discovered that people of all kinds, from wealthy businessmen to beggars, were attracted by this small lottery ticket.

He couldn't help but nod secretly. Song Xuan's pre-promotion was indeed very good. Even beggars were willing to pay two cents to try their luck.

Yan Shu mingled in the crowd, listening to Tao Hong standing in front of the counter, patiently explaining to everyone the rules of winning and redeeming prizes.

Tao Hong's voice was loud and clear, with a hint of confidence in his tone, which was obviously carefully prepared.

"Everyone, this three-star lottery is entirely based on luck. Whoever is lucky will win."

Tao Hong smiled and bowed to those around him:
"We're new here, so this is just a little game to make friends. Everyone buys books from our shop, and this lottery is just for fun, don't get too carried away."

Yan Shu nodded secretly after hearing this, and his evaluation of Song Xuan became even higher:

"major."

Song Xuan's business methods and acumen are truly extraordinary.

This lottery ticket is so cheap that even a beggar can spend two cents to buy one and try his luck.

I don’t want this guy to say that he makes money by dirty means. He even makes money from beggars!
However, looking at the beggar's serious expression, Yan Shu thought that he was doing it voluntarily, and there was a smile on his face.

It seemed as if these two cents were his only chance to change his fate.

After all, this is his only chance to make "big money".

Investing two cents is really no big deal.

Fan Zhongyan stared at the opening story of Journey to the West with a look of surprise in his eyes. Although the quality of the paper was not good, the beginning of this story was really well written.

Just as Yan Shu was listening attentively, Fan Zhongyan came over with a lottery ticket and the first chapter of "Journey to the West" in his hand.

"Mr. Yan, have you also read this story written by Twelve Lang?"

Fan Zhongyan gave Yan Shu a look with a hint of excitement in his tone.

Yan Shu took over the story and read it carefully.

He had heard from his subordinates a long time ago that Song Xuan had told a story about a monkey in prison. He had asked someone to repeat it a few times and thought it was indeed quite good.

Now that Song Xuan brought out this story as a bonus, Yan Shu couldn't help but laugh and cry.

It's really like buying the box and returning the pearl!

Song Shou also finished reading it. He stroked his beard and said:
"In fact, there's no need for this little lottery ticket. Song Twelve's story can also make the story of a monkey spread throughout the streets and alleys."

"This kid really bought the casket and returned the pearl!"

Listening to the two people's comments, Yan Shu laughed in his heart, thinking that Song Xuan's behavior was really "unprofessional".

There was also a story about Xuanzang's journey to the West during the Northern Song Dynasty, but the beginning written by Song Xuan did not give any indication that Sun Wukong would go on a journey to the West.

Yan Shu glanced at the two of them and couldn't help but smile:
"You still don't understand. The main point is that Song Twelve sold the lottery ticket. This story is just a side story. You two are just scholars!"

Song Shou and Fan Zhongyan looked at each other, and felt that Song Xuan's operation was really brilliant, but also a little helpless.

Is this the world of genius?
Even the stories used as extras can be written so wonderfully!
(End of this chapter)