Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

noon.

Shuyuan Street.

At noon in the past, the academy street was the liveliest time. Customers flocked to the doors of the various bookstores, most of whom were dressed as scholars and literati. They were also the most important customers of these bookstores.

Behind these bookstores are many great Confucian scholars who have devoted their lives to their studies.

Their understanding of the scriptures was profound, and the scriptures annotated by them would sell out as soon as they were released to the market.

Even the poorest students would try their best to buy a copy.

Among them, Wenyuan Bookstore had the best business.

Everyone knows that behind Wenyuan Bookstore is Dou Wenhuan, the Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy.

Grand Secretary Dou was in charge of the Hanlin Academy and often served as an examiner for the imperial examinations. The Grand Secretaries under his command were the most learned scholars in Da Ning. Wenyuan Bookstore frequently published their works, and students in the capital would list these books as essential reference books for the imperial examinations.

Customers came and went at Wenyuan Bookstore. At one moment, a figure appeared in front of the bookstore.

Today, Chen Chang'an was dressed in coarse cloth clothes, his hair was simply tied up, and Baoqin gave him a special makeover, making his face look dark and rough. Not to mention people who didn't know him, even Qing Shuang was stunned for a while before recognizing him.

Chen Chang'an looked up and saw that the gilded plaque of Wenyuan Bookstore was extremely eye-catching.

Of all the academy streets, only Wenyuan Bookstore had the most magnificent facade, with a constant stream of carriages and horses in front of it. The customers who came and went were all wealthy and noble, far surpassing the other small bookstores.

This was the leading bookstore in the capital, and also Dou Wenhuan's private property, which he firmly controlled.

As Chen Chang'an stepped into the bookstore, he was greeted by rows of bookshelves filled with classic texts.

Unlike the other bookstores on the street with their messy and old books, Wenyuan Bookstore displays many unique classics.

For example, the "Explanation of the Essentials of the Imperial Examination System" annotated by various Grand Secretaries, the collection of essays on the imperial examinations published by the Hanlin Academy, and selections of excellent poems...

Chen Chang'an even saw his poetry collection in the most prominent position in the bookstore.

He cursed inwardly, "Damn Dou Wenhuan, he's using my stuff to make money and then keeps making things difficult for me..."

Seeing Chen Chang'an enter, a shop assistant came up and said with a smile, "What kind of book would you like to buy, young master? Our bookstore has all kinds of books. We just got a copy of the 'Six Classics with Commentaries' by a Grand Scholar. Only our Wenyuan Bookstore can sell it. Would you like to take a look...?"

Chen Chang'an pretended not to know and asked in surprise, "Only your Wenyuan Bookstore can buy it?"

The shop assistant, beaming with pride, said, "Of course. Young master, you must be from out of town. It's not surprising that you don't know these things. Behind Wenyuan Bookstore is Headmaster Dou, a high-ranking official in the cabinet and the head of the Hanlin Academy. No one dares to privately reprint Wenyuan Academy's exclusive classics..."

Chen Chang'an nodded, handed over the silver notes, and said with a smile, "Oh, I see. Then give me one of each of your best-selling exclusive books..."

Seeing that this was a big spender, the waiter's smile widened, and he quickly said, "Please wait a moment, sir, I'll go get it for you right away..."

A short while later, Chen Chang'an walked out of Wenyuan Bookstore carrying a thick stack of books.

The waiter saw him to the door, waving enthusiastically and saying, "Young master, welcome back again!"

Chen Chang'an held the books, a slight smile playing on his lips...

……

a few days later.

Wenyuan Bookstore.

Dou De, the bookstore owner, sat behind the counter, his brow furrowed, muttering, "Strange, why are there so few customers today?"

Although the business of a bookstore is not static, it is rare to see a sudden loss of half of its customers.

"Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened, shopkeeper!"

Just then, a shop assistant rushed in, shouting, "Boss, our books have been pirated!"

"What?!"

Dou De slammed his hand on the countertop and roared, "Who dares to steal our books!"

Behind Wenyuan Bookstore are Hanlin Academy Grand Secretaries and Cabinet ministers. Who dared to piracy books on their behalf?

Enraged, he immediately sent people to investigate.

He soon discovered that the few classic books that were originally only sold at Wenyuange suddenly became available everywhere, in all the bookstores, large and small, on Shuyuan Street.

Although the paper used in those pirated books was not luxurious, the printing was excellent, the text was clear, the content was complete, and the price was only 20% of that of Wenyuan Bookstore.

The books aren't anyone else's property. The content is the same, but one sells for ten taels and the other for two taels. Even a fool would know which one to choose.

For a time, Wenyuan Bookstore was deserted.

They made their living off these exclusive books, and now that they're being pirated and copied, it's like their lifeline has been directly cut off.

Wenyuan Bookstore sent people to continue the investigation, and the results were shocking.

All the books that are reproduced and sold as exclusive classics from Wenyuan Bookstore are from the batch of small and medium-sized bookstores that were acquired in bulk some time ago. And the secret backer behind these bookstores is none other than the Zhenyuan General's Mansion.

The Zhenyuan General's Mansion is a prominent military family. When did a military family get involved in the bookstore business?

Such a behemoth was not something a small bookstore owner could afford to offend, so he immediately sent a message to Grand Secretary Dou.

Hanlin Academy.

"This is outrageous!"

Inside the headmaster's office, Dou Wenhuan was so angry after hearing the report that he stood up abruptly from his chair, slamming his teacup down on the table, splashing tea everywhere.

He was already troubled by Chen Chang'an's matter, and now the bookstore's exclusive classics were being pirated on a large scale, and his business was being stolen. How could he not be angry?

Even though the Xiao family is powerful, he is in the right this time, and he is not afraid even if the matter is brought to the Emperor's attention!

Dou Wenhuan was furious and immediately left the Hanlin Academy, heading straight for the Zhenyuan General's Mansion.

Not long after.

The front hall of the General's Mansion.

General Xiao sat in the main seat, extended his hand to Dou Wenhuan, and said, "It's Grand Secretary Dou, please sit down."

Even if Dou Wenhuan was furious, he dared not vent his anger on General Xiao. When he stepped into the Xiao residence, he suppressed all his emotions.

After he sat down, he clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute to General Xiao and said, "General Xiao, the bookstores under the Zhenyuan General's Mansion have been privately copying the exclusive classics of my Wenyuan Bookstore for profit. You must not know about this, General?"

General Xiao looked at him and said frankly, "I know..."

Dou Wenhuan was taken aback and didn't know what to say for a moment.

General Xiao looked at him and continued, "The laws of Da Ning do not stipulate that others cannot print the books from your bookstore. Besides, how often do you piracy and printing of other people's books?"

This sentence once again shut down what Dou Wenhuan was about to say.

General Xiao glanced at him and continued, "Since there's no law prohibiting it, why can't we print them? If you're so capable, then get the court to legislate that only you can print your books. Otherwise, you should go back..."

Dou Wenhuan suddenly stood up, his chest heaving violently.

Isn't this bullying?!

As officials serving in the same court, we would usually show each other some respect. I never expected the Xiao family to be so unruly...

But he couldn't say that only they could pirate other people's books, and that others couldn't pirate theirs.

Dou Wenhuan's chest heaved several times, and in the end, he could only leave in anger...

Qing Shuang sneaked in through the door. General Xiao glanced at her and shook his head, saying, "You silly girl, you get all the benefits, while I always have to play the bad guy..."

Qing Shuang went behind him and gently massaged his shoulders, saying with a grin, "Oh dear, at worst, I'll just steal a jar of Chen Chang'an's treasured wine for Grandpa tonight..."