Jian Qinwan felt so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
"Alright," Liang Xiao nodded seriously.
He agreed without a moment's hesitation?
Jian Qinwan's delicate body trembled, daring not to look at Liang Xiao's expression!
Only then did Qin Jiu break into a smile, holding Jian Qinwan in his arms and patting her shoulder.
"Then these million taels of silver, Second Young Master Liang, our master should definitely support you more generously."
She hadn't expected Liang Xiao to agree so readily, but on second thought, it made sense. Mu Xueqin had shown Liang Xiao immense kindness, and Jian Qinwan was the universally admired Qin Xian, a descendant of the Three Sages.
Apart from Princess Ning Shuang, Jian Qinwan was the woman most suited to Liang Xiao in terms of background!
Liang Xiao shook his head. "I've offended too many noble families and powerful clans. I cannot drag Qin Sheng and Old Marquis Dingguo down with me!"
Qin Jiu smiled proudly. "Offended noble families and powerful clans? It seems Marquis An Guo underestimated our Marquis Dingguo's mansion. Do you know why the enfeoffed kings of different surnames in our Great Gan are all attacked? It was our Marquis Dingguo who proposed strictly prohibiting kings of different surnames at the founding of the nation!"
Liang Xiao nodded slightly.
The Marquis Dingguo mentioned by Qin Jiu was the founding marshal of the Great Gan. His archery skills were unparalleled, and his martial prowess and achievements rivaled those of the King of Donghai in the Great Heng Kingdom. Half of the Great Gan's empire was conquered through the valiant efforts of Marquis Dingguo!
Yet, this man chose to retreat after achieving his success, refused to be enfeoffed as king, and directly stated that kings of different surnames were one of the roots of turmoil in the world, advising the Great Gan's founding emperor to sever the path for enfeoffed kings of different surnames, starting with himself, Marquis Dingguo.
The founding emperor racked his brains and could only bestow upon Marquis Dingguo a death-exemption token, promising eternal prosperity to the Marquis Dingguo's mansion. He also bestowed upon Marquis Dingguo the Tianqin Mountain range, which contained gold mines, as compensation.
Currently, Liang Xiao also possessed a unique death-exemption token bestowed by Xiao Qing.
As the current Eldest Daughter of Old Marquis Dingguo, Qin Sheng was almost the apple of his eye. Naturally, the riches of the Marquis Dingguo's mansion also belonged to Qin Sheng. As a woman, Qin Sheng was even permitted to inherit the title after Old Marquis Dingguo's hundredth year.
It was said that whenever a Great Gan emperor was in dire need of funds, the noble families and powerful clans were unreliable. The emperor could only turn to the Marquis Dingguo's mansion, and only the Marquis Dingguo's mansion could genuinely provide financial assistance!
The Duanmu family was known as the wealthiest family in the land, but high officials and noble lords all knew which family was the true behemoth of wealth...
Jiangnan, being far from the capital, was able to maintain stability. The Southern King, the Grand Tutor, and all the noble families and powerful clans in Jiangnan dared not to rebel rashly. This was due first to the Zhuo family of Zhuo Zifang, and second to the Marquis Dingguo's mansion!
"I underestimated the capabilities of the Marquis Dingguo's mansion. How about this, you don't need to support me. Just arrange for the most reliable personnel and artisans to open bookstores in some prefectures and counties in Jiangnan under my name. I will hand over the management methods, transaction rules, and techniques to Senior Qin Jiu, and I can also have peace of mind."
Qin Jiu appraised Liang Xiao with an approving gaze.
From their interactions, she had realized that the young man before her disliked relying on others for every little thing.
This boy was indeed suitable to procreate with Qin Wan...
Suppressing a strange thought that suddenly popped into her mind, Qin Jiu nodded. "No problem. Our Marquis Dingguo's mansion also has many artisans. Since we are using your techniques, we will bear any losses ourselves. If there are profits, we will split them fifty-fifty with you."
Liang Xiao shook his head again. "This movable-type printing will eventually be promoted nationwide. I am only temporarily gaining an advantage. There's no need for profit sharing. After all, walls have ears. You will offend the Ouyang family sooner or later because of this. This involves both profit and risk!"
Qin Jiu patted Jian Qinwan's back, marveling, "Qin Wan, you've truly found a good match!"
Why was I mentioned again for no reason!
"Aunt Qin Jiu!"
Jian Qinwan, who had been secretly delighted by Liang Xiao's understanding of propriety, now felt like smashing herself to death with a piece of tofu!
Qin Jiu merely smiled and said nothing.
Ever since she discovered she could tease this aloof child by mentioning Liang Xiao, she had been unable to stop herself.
This way, she finally seemed like a girl. Constantly walking around with a cold face and a sword, was that how a girl should be!
This time, Qin Jiu did not press money into Liang Xiao's hands but spoke to Jian Qinwan privately.
Qin Jiu instructed, "Qin Wan, whenever you feel he needs support, bring the Tian Shan knights and reveal your identity at the Dingguo Bank in the capital. They will provide unconditional support."
Jian Qinwan's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude. "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Aunt Qin Jiu!"
"Silly child, your master wants you to grasp the opportunity firmly and take the initiative. Don't wait until he has a harem and you're still waiting in place! If you miss him, you'll never find another suitable match in this world!" Qin Jiu said earnestly.
Having served Qin Sheng for many years, she naturally knew Jian Qinwan's personality. This child was too considerate, too soft-hearted, and couldn't overcome her internal hurdles. The elders could only worry for her.
Jian Qinwan finally lowered her head, not daring to respond.
Regardless, Qin Sheng's intention to open bookstores would, to some extent, accelerate Liang Xiao's plan to suppress the Ouyang family's bookstores.
Liang Xiao had his personal guards fetch several confidential documents and handed them to Qin Jiu.
Qin Jiu reviewed them and expressed endless admiration, immediately stating, "The Marquis Dingguo's mansion will not disappoint Second Young Master Liang. Please bring Qin Wan to Tian Qin Mountain to meet our master as soon as possible!"
Jian Qinwan blushed crimson beside him, not daring to breathe heavily.
Liang Xiao gladly agreed, "Once these matters are settled, I will definitely go to Jiangnan and resolve everything in one go!"
Qin Jiu finally left with peace of mind.
Another day passed, and Liang Xiao's grand bookstore, after several days of rush work, finally printed the same quantity of books: eleven types of books, ten thousand copies of each.
This was already the highest efficiency Liang Xiao could optimize. After all, some large printing factories in modern times could only print one hundred thousand books a day.
Of course, the process for these books in Great Gan was simple, and there were many workers. The selling price was higher than modern books, and ample preparations were made. Printing over eleven thousand copies in more than three days was not a problem.
Moreover, the Ouyang family was still preparing to "send him money"...
"Liang Xiao's bookstore has rushed out so many books again??"
Upon hearing that Liang Xiao had sent people to demand fulfillment from the Ouyang family, Ouyang Ji slammed the table in anger.
One hundred and eleven thousand copies were not a small number. Including the previous one hundred and eleven thousand copies, in the past, the entire capital would not have needed so many!
Books used to be a luxury item!
Ouyang Ping's face turned ashen as he said in a deep voice, "Father, I see it now. That scoundrel Liang Xiao is prepared to break our monopoly on bookstores at any cost, and then break the monopoly on education, allowing more and more common people the opportunity to read and write. The ultimate goal, naturally, is to have more and more commoners replace the official positions of us noble families!"
"This is outrageous! We absolutely cannot let him succeed!" The members of the Ouyang family were enraged.
Ouyang Ji nodded slightly, gritting his teeth. "Continue to acquire them. Keep buying until he can't print any more. We must not let his scheme succeed!"
The noble families and powerful clans of the Great Gan never concealed their title as "noble families and powerful clans." They even regarded it as a mark of superiority.
The members of these noble families and powerful clans held important positions all over the country, giving them the confidence to challenge the emperor. After all, the court could not function without them.
Without the Shadow Guard, they could even usurp imperial power!
But now, they discovered that Liang Xiao was actually encroaching upon their bottom-line interests, which was unforgivable!
After the elders of the Ouyang family left as ordered, Ouyang Ji stood up and said, "My son, come with your father to see the muddle-headed emperor. It's time to have a talk with the muddle-headed emperor!"