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In Chu Village.

Chu Qingzhi toured the old house to check if there were any issues with the cured meats.

Upon leaving the old house, she was stopped by Chu Chunfeng and his wife, Zhou Cuiju, the village chief’s eldest son and daughter-in-law.

Zhou Cuiju asked with a smile, “Qingzhi, we also want to cure some meat. Can you tell us which spices to use?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Auntie Cuiju, I can’t tell you which spices to use, but I can sell you the prepared spices.”

After thinking it over, Zhou Cuiju decided that making the spice mix herself might be cheaper but also prone to failure. Buying a ready-made mix would ensure it tasted as good as Chu Qingzhi’s, “Alright, I’ll buy the ready-made one.”

Chu Qingzhi inquired, “Auntie Cuiju, how much pork do you plan to cure?”

Zhou Cuiju said, “Twenty pounds of cured meat and another twenty pounds of salty sausages. Qingzhi, could you prepare the spices for me?”

Chu Qingzhi responded, “Sure, wait here for a moment. I’ll fetch them from the old house’s storeroom.”

“Hold on,” Zhou Cuiju stopped Chu Qingzhi, “Qingzhi, how much will it all cost?”

Chu Qingzhi answered, “Four hundred copper coins will do, but you’ll need to provide your own alcohol. Ordinary white wine is fine, use two cups for every ten pounds of sausage, and for the cured meat, make sure to rub it all over.” Zhou Cuiju, who had seen the curing process before, said, “Qingzhi, I got it.” Chu Qingzhi returned with the spices, placing them in a bowl, “Auntie Cuiju, it’s best to use the spices within three days, or the fragrance will fade, and the cured products won’t be as aromatic.”

Zhou Cuiju hastily replied, “Okay, I’ll remember that.”

After saying goodbye to them, Chu Qingzhi headed back home, picking up Wu Yaqing’s book to walk towards the county town.

Reaching the village entrance, she saw the duty room door open, so she went over, “Uncle Chu Yi, Uncle Chu Ren, you’re up early?”

Chu Yi and Chu Ren, both disabled villagers with one having lost a leg and the other an arm in a mining accident, had been crushed under a collapsing mine shaft in their younger years.

With Chu Qingzhi’s help, they had received prosthetic limbs and were now working at the duty station to pay off their debts.

Seeing Chu Qingzhi, they immediately stood up from their stools with smiles, “Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi asked with concern, “How are you doing, are you adjusting well?” Chu Yi, his eyes full of gratitude, said, “We’re adjusting, adjusting. Qingzhi, thank you. We’ll work hard.”

Chu Qingzhi smoothly said, “Then I’ll leave the reception of guests to you two.” “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure the guests feel at home.”

“Alright, then I’ll leave it to Uncle Chu Yi and Uncle Chu Ren.” Chu Qingzhi waved to them and continued towards the direction of the county town.

Chu Yi and Chu Ren watched Chu Qingzhi leave, their eyes filled with endless gratitude.

At Yaqing Bookstore.

Ye Zixing opened the bookstore doors early in the morning and then wrote down the day’s events on a wooden board for display outside.

Today’s event was: with a purchase of one tael of silver worth of items, customers could either get a cup of lemon honey tea or have a chance at a free raffle. The prizes ranged from items in the store such as a book, a beverage, or some type of snack…

The small event was very attractive, drawing many wealthy young masters to buy things specifically for the raffle, bringing a lot of business to the store.

Chu Qingzhi arrived at the bookstore entrance and looked around. Surrounding her were small food stalls, bustling with activity, making the bookstore, serene and quiet in comparison, stand out. The bookstore’s elegant decor was out of place with the street’s layout, giving off a vibe as if a fairy had descended to the mundane world.

Chu Qingzhi entered the shop, finding only Ye Zixing busy inside, with the other employees yet to arrive.

The shop had hired a total of five employees, all literate and capable of engaging in conversation with the customers. Their humorous and witty nature had made many people fond of their bookstore.

Ye Zixing turned around and was pleasantly surprised to see Chu Qingzhi, “Miss Chu, you’ve come?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, handing over four books to Ye Zixing, “I have a task for you. These are novels written by Yaqing. Sell ten thousand copies before the New Year.”

Ye Zixing’s expression became serious as he took the novels and examined them closely, “No problem, I will complete the task.”

Chu Qingzhi made a promise, “If you complete the task, the New Year’s bonus will surely satisfy you.”

Ye Zixingsmiled, “Thankyou, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi didn’t say anything more and left the bookstore. She had no doubts about Ye Zixing’s capability; otherwise, she wouldn’t have appointed him as the manager of the bookstore.

Indeed, Ye Zixing had his methods. After Chu Qingzhi left, he immediately sprung into action.

He first posted a recruitment notice for scholars to copy books, then headed to the tea house.

The tea house had storytellers. Ye Zixing asked the storytellers to help advertise, knowing that the more people knew, the more books they could sell.

The customers at the tea house, who came to listen to stories, were the most interested buyers. Advertising there was sure to be profitable.

Next, he approached several bookstores to help sell the books, offering them a commission for each sale. This was a win-win arrangement.

He also didn’t overlook individuals who were paid to spread news.

Lastly, he hung an eye-catching wooden sign outside the bookstore door, chalked with, “Want to know about a princess’s adventures after eloping? Want to know what kind of man a princess likes? ‘The Princess’s Elopement’ will tell you…”

With Ye Zixing’s vigorous promotion, soon people specifically came to buy the novel.

Tao Mingan approached the counter, knocking on the table, “Give me a copy of ‘The Princess’s Elopement’.”

After being reprimanded by Chu Qingzhi, he had become much more subdued. Seeing him come to buy a book, Ye Zixing quickly fetched a newly copied book, “Young Master Tao, please.”

Ye Zixing had hired many people to copy books; a new book could be completed in a quarter of an hour.

Tao Mingan flipped through the book, “Next time you have such exciting books, remember to send someone to inform my mansion. I will definitely buy.”

Ye Zixing flattered him, “Of course, of course. Thank you, Young Master Tao, for your interest.”

After accumulating a certain number of copied books, Ye Zixing took one to

Chu’s Paper Mill, “Zihui, I’ve brought you a novel.”

Ye Zixing used to work under Yu Zihui, and the two were well-acquainted.

However, Yu Zihui didn’t reach out to take it but asked cautiously, “How much for a copy?”

Ye Zixing responded cheerfully, “Not expensive, just one tael of silver.”

Yu Zihui waved him off, “No money, not buying.”

Ye Zixing pleaded, “Don’t be so stingy. You earn more than ten taels a month; you can afford a book. Come on, support me a bit.”

Yu Zihui was exasperated, “Who does business like you, forcing sales?”

“I’m not forcing anything,” Ye Zixing handed the book to Yu Zihui, “Just read the first few pages. If you like it, then buy. Okay?”

Yu Zihui looked at Ye Zixing skeptically, seeing he wasn’t joking, he took the book.

Bringing a book specifically for him, could it really be that good?

With a very skeptical attitude, he opened the book…