Peasant Girl Bookseller

Chapter 240
After returning from Cao’s house, Mai Xiang was a little worried, because Cao Xueqin just told her that newspapers are no better than publishing books. As long as publishing books does not involve the government, people can publish them at will. Newspapers are related to news after all, and news must be published. It will be related to the government, and once it is involved in the government, the relationship will be great.

What Cao Xueqin meant was that it would be best for Mai Xiang to get a permit, or report to the Yamen Gate.

When Mai Xiang was debating whether she should go to Yong En, Yong En and Ji Xiaolan came to the door.

"Brother-in-law, I just came out of my husband's house, and my husband just mentioned my brother-in-law." Mai Xiang said.

"I'm not here to find your husband, I'm here to find you." Yong En looked at Mai Xiang and said, this girl can always give him too many surprises and surprises, of course, there are also troubles.

"Looking for me?" Mai Xiang was taken aback.

"I came from Huaici's side and saw him making a lot of noise there again. I heard that you want to start a newspaper." Yong En asked.

"Actually, I'm also planning to go to the capital tomorrow morning to talk about this with my brother-in-law and master, and ask if it's possible." Mai Xiang quickly turned the corner.

"You, let me tell you what's good about you. You actually decided on such a big matter without discussing it with us. Do you know what's involved? The news in the mansion newspaper is all about the government, and the government is also yours. Can the people discuss it?" Yong En shook his head.

"Brother-in-law, I didn't want to talk about government affairs. I just wanted to publish some news that is close to ordinary people. I just wanted to ask, where should I report this?"

Mai Xiang really didn't think about it at first, she thought it was as simple as books, she just had to sign up at the gate of the yamen and wait to pay taxes.This is not because Cao Xueqin just reminded her that although there were many folk newspapers in the previous dynasty, it was because there was no literary inquisition in the previous dynasty, but this dynasty is different.

"You really want to do it?" Yong En looked at Mai Xiang.

Mai Xiang thought for a while, then smiled and said: "I want to try, my brother-in-law will help me to test the tone first, if it really doesn't work, forget it, it's the same when I concentrate on publishing books, I'm going to prepare the second issue of "Yi Jia Wei Mo" [-] copies have been published, and our "Newly Compiled Three Character Classic" has almost been carved, and it is estimated that it will be printed next month."

"It's good that you understand. Remember what brother-in-law said. Brother-in-law didn't say anything, so don't publish it without permission. I'm going to find your husband now, and I have to rush back to Chengde tomorrow. Your sister is thinking about you, so she sent me to send you some fresh ones." Here comes the venison."

When Mai Xiang heard that she wanted to find Cao Xueqin, she quickly said with a smile, "I'll go with brother-in-law and master."

Ji Xiaolan glanced at Mai Xiang and said with a smile, "Girl, haven't you talked to your godfather yet?"

"I have to rely on the master a lot. Anyway, the master can handle it. If the master doesn't work hard, I will deduct the master's retouching fee next time." Mai Xiangyi is a small seller.

When the first book came out, Mai Xiang not only gave Ji Xiaolan a share of dividends, but also gave him 50 taels of retouching fee. This amount is not low, because Ji Xiaolan only spent a few days reviewing those articles .

"Hehe, don't tell me, Miss Mai Xiang, the master is a poor man, and the master is still waiting for your filial piety. If there is no good tea and cigarettes to refresh the mind, the master will not be able to read books at night. If you can't read books, you won't be able to write articles. , Master, I can’t complete the apprentice’s task.” Ji Xiaolan said while proudly raising the cigarette pouch in her hand.

"Master, you old man is old and cunning. In the words of my godfather, you are a ghost. You said that you old man entered the Hanlin Academy to learn what is wrong, but learned this bad habit of smoking." Mai Xiang muttered .

"I said why I can't sit still at home. It turns out that you guys are talking about me." Cao Xueqin came in and said.

Just as he was about to go out for a trip, he saw the carriage at the door and knew that Yong En and Ji Xiaolan were coming, so he came over.

"I just want to pay a visit to Brother Cao. I wonder how Brother Cao is thinking about it?" Yong En asked.

"Didn't the girl tell you?" Cao Xueqin asked.

"Brother Cao, I'm going to Chengde tomorrow. What I mean is, I'll take that novel with me. If the Queen Mother brings up this matter, why don't I go along with it." Yongen said.

"It's not necessary, but it seems too deliberate. If the queen mother really likes it, I'll trouble Prince Li to make another trip." Ji Xiaolan shook her head.

"It's okay, I'm wrong." Yongen thought for a while, and then he understood.

"Brother Cao, what my younger brother means is that you don't have to think about anything these days, just concentrate on writing books at home, and write everything according to your own original intentions. It is not our original intention to change beyond recognition." Ji Xiaolan said solemnly.

"Thank you, Mr. Ji. Don't worry, Mr. Ji. In fact, I have already published the outline of the manuscript, but there are still many things missing. Therefore, the concept and ending of this book will not change." Cao Xueqin also said seriously.

Mai Xiang didn't know whether he was talking about the framework of "The Story of the Stone" or the framework of "The Precious Mirror of Fengyue". The basic content should be almost complete, and Mai Xiang doesn't understand why he hasn't seen it out.

In the countryside these days, Mai Xiang read the ten chapters he wrote recently, Ping Er throws the bracelet, Qing Wen mends the clothes, Tan Chun butler, Zi Juan tries Bao Yu. After finishing ten chapters, what has he been doing for so long?
"Girl, why are you in a daze?" Seeing Mai Xiang bowing her head, Cao Xueqin gave her a push.

"Sir, I'm very curious, how did sister Lin die, and how did Baoyu become a monk?" Mai Xiang unconsciously asked.

"Well, Sister Lin died of tears. She was here to repay the tears. When the tears were dried up, she should go where she should go." After Cao Xueqin finished speaking, she touched the teacup with a little force. , clear joints.

It's not easy for Mai Xiang to ask again, but she knows that Cao Xueqin should have a relatively complete set of first drafts. If Mai Xiang's guess is correct, it should be "Zhi Yanzhai's First Comment on Stone".

As soon as Mai Xiang thought of this, she heard Ji Xiaolan ask: "Brother Cao, to be honest, you should have finished this book, right? Can I have a sneak peek?"

"The finished manuscript? By the way, Brother Cao, what you have on hand is "Zhiyanzhai's Re-evaluation of the Stone". What about the first edition of Zhiyanzhai's review?" Yongen also reacted.

"I said Mai Xiang is a ghostly girl. I didn't expect that everyone around her was smarter than the other. Hehe, nothing can be hidden from your eyes."

"Brother Cao, who are you praising? Don't forget, you are Miss Mai Xiang's godfather." Ji Xiaolan took a puff of cigarette, and Mimi smiled.

"However, I really can't lend you the manuscript. Mine is only a first draft. Some of them don't have a table of contents, and there are no chapters. There are also many poems missing. Besides, I'm busy revising it now. At most, I promise you. Give me two years, and I will try to finish the draft."

When Ji Xiaolan and Yong En met, they couldn't say anything more, but instead ordered Mai Xiang to prepare food and drinks, and the three of them should have a good drink.

While Mai Xiang was busy in the kitchen, Ye Dafu and Liu Shi came back. They went to Bafu's new house early in the morning, where they hired people to make furniture.

"It's hot, it's so hot, it's so hot to me, Mai Xiang, you are in the kitchen, cut some slices of watermelon and bring them here, Maple Leaf, go and pour me a cup of herbal tea." As soon as Jiufeng entered the yard, he saw Mai Xiang and Maple Leaf's busy figure in the kitchen said casually.

"Girl, is it hot?" Seeing Mai Xiang working in the stove, Ye Dafu felt distressed. Who would like to stay in the stove on such a hot day?But in the past two days, there were people working on the Eight Fortunes side, and they borrowed the mother-in-law in the kitchen. Mrs. Zhao went back to her mother's house and took Ye Zi away, so there is no one in the family at this time.

"It's okay, Dad. There are guests at home. I'll cook some side dishes for them myself. You can go and accompany the guests."

When Mai Xiang and Ye Dafu were talking, Jiufeng and Liu Shi had already entered the house. Jiufeng definitely did not expect that there would be a distinguished guest at home. She looked at the young man sitting at the top in surprise.

She recognized Yong En, remembering that last time it was this man who swept away the majesty of the Wan family that was once unattainable in her mind, and it was because of this man's protection that Mai Xiang had such a smooth journey, she could wear whatever she wanted Whatever, do whatever you want, even Wanjia depends on Mai Xiang's face.Mai Xiang recognized a god-sister and that's it. If she married this man, would she be more prestigious than Mai Xiang?
Thinking of this, Jiufeng took a good look at Yong En.Yongen was already gentle and handsome, and he is only 26 this year, so he is not very old. In addition, he is wearing a powder blue robe today, a wide-brimmed belt of the same color, and there are a pair of belts on the neckline, cuffs and broadband of the clothes. The exquisite lace circle, what's more rare is that the lace is extended with a circle of gold thread. This attire makes him look more jade-faced and springy. It's hard not to let Jiufeng fall in love with such a gentle and beautiful young man.

Jiufeng only looked at Yong En while thinking about his own thoughts, and felt a little dazed. Liu Shi saw that her daughter was abnormal, so she pushed Jiufeng quickly, and said with a smile: "I'm sorry, my old girl didn't When I went out, I saw a few distinguished guests at home, and I was a little shocked, just like country children."

The three people here are all human beings, how could they not see Jiufeng's thoughts?It's just that I don't want to point it out for Mai Xiang's sake.

But when Jiufeng came in, Yong En heard the familiar tone of Jiufeng calling Mai Xiang, it was as casual as calling a maid, presumably he used Mai Xiang a lot in normal times.Also, Yong En naturally didn't miss it, Mai Xiang was wearing a cotton shirt, but this girl was wearing brand new yarn, I'm afraid it wasn't cheap.

When Yongen was looking at Jiufeng coldly, Ye Dafu came in. He first greeted Yongen with a smile, and then said hello to Ji Xiaolan and Cao Xueqin. In this way, he diverted what Yongen wanted to say , Liu hurriedly dragged Jiufeng into the house.

(End of this chapter)