Wu Rongzhao snapped back to attention and asked, "Isn't the Marquis of Anguo's move a bit risky..."
Throughout history, a surge in paper prices has often led to widespread chaos, reflecting underlying issues like material shortages and a decline in manpower – precursors to national weakness.
Liang Xiao's deliberate action to significantly increase paper prices was unprecedented.
Of course, this was an unusual commercial maneuver, not likely to cause national unrest. It would probably only result in losses for Liang Xiao himself, as it primarily affected paper used for printing.
However, this could indirectly lead to a small, temporary rise in the prices of other paper products, as paper mills that produced items like coarse paper might shift to manufacturing printing paper.
Liang Xiao explained, "This is a temporary strategy. I am indeed in short supply of printing paper for the time being. During this period, Mr. Wu will earn this profit. Once paper prices fall back, you can supply me again at the normal price."
Wu Rongzhao suddenly understood and nodded, "Five wen per ten sheets is a bit high. My purchase price is four wen for ten sheets. Selling to the Marquis of Anguo at four and a half wen for ten sheets, earning a meager profit and building goodwill, what do you think?"
Liang Xiao said sternly, "It will be five wen per ten sheets. As for raising the price to four wen per ten sheets, I want the Ouyang family to understand that no matter how much they increase their price, they will only suffer the consequences! Ensure all qualified printing paper is purchased, but only the best. I can pay a deposit of ten thousand taels of silver."
Wu Rongzhao no longer demurred and immediately promised, "We will supply you with the fastest speed possible!"
Liang Xiao then asked, "Will you accept ten thousand taels of silver paid with one thousand taels of gold of sufficient purity?"
Wu Rongzhao was stunned and nodded repeatedly, "Of course, we will accept!"
Gold was extremely rare. Ordinary people would not easily use it as currency. Its exchange rate with silver had never been less than ten to one!
The two parties signed an agreement on the spot.
With matters reaching this point, Liang Wen and Liu Fan naturally did not try to dissuade Liang Xiao further. They merely urged the workers to prepare for printing on the chosen day.
In Yanzhou, within the accounting office of the Ouyang family's "Ouyang Bookshop," the shopkeeper, Ouyang Ting, frowned deeply.
"Wu Rongzhao is buying at a price of four wen for ten sheets?"
Ouyang Ting clenched his fist, his face gradually turning ashen. "It seems Liang Xiao is behind this!"
The clerk nodded repeatedly, "Those merchants have sent people to inquire if we will match this price. If not, they'll sell to Wu Rongzhao..."
Ouyang Ting sneered, "We will not! Was our purpose in setting the price at three and a half wen for ten sheets not to force Liang Xiao and Wu Rongzhao to increase their purchase price? Let's see how long he can hold out! It's just that I didn't expect Liang Xiao to instruct someone to raise the price by half a wen directly. He's practically walking to his own doom!"
"Shopkeeper, the merchants say that Wu Rongzhao is prepared to purchase long-term, to buy everything. We may have to acquire at this price from now on..." the clerk said with worry.
Ouyang Ting was startled. He sat down and said coldly, "No need to rush. We have enough paper stockpiled for a while. Let's see what trick Liang Xiao is playing!"
Upon receiving the news, merchants rushed to supply Wu Rongzhao, eagerly signing agreements. They even, fearing Wu Rongzhao might go back on his word, accompanied him to the government offices to sign contracts, voluntarily bearing the associated contract taxes.
Paper, ink, and various viscous materials were massively acquired by Liang Xiao, clearing nearly the entire stock in Yanzhou within a single day.
"Shopkeeper, Wu Rongzhao is still buying!" the clerk exclaimed, anxious.
Ouyang Ting was startled by the news and a sense of foreboding washed over him. He rose abruptly, "Quickly send someone back to the capital to ask the family head for help!"
Liang Xiao kept his promise, acquiring the printing paper collected by Wu Rongzhao at the price of five wen for ten sheets and storing it in the bookshop.
During these three days, Liang Xiao occasionally visited the Northern Army camp and Anxi County to ensure his subordinates were training diligently before allowing himself to rest.
"Young Master, quickly tell us, the demon in Eagle Stream ate Tang Sanzang's horse. How can he continue his journey to the West?" Yue Lian pouted, clinging to Liang Xiao's arm.
There was no doubt that Liang Xiao had just employed his signature "To be continued" tactic, leaving the girls bursting with curiosity.
At this moment, Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan hesitated to speak, their eyes filled with unspoken grievances. Even Zhen Mi looked a little anxious.
Yue Lian represented the will of all the women present!
He couldn't keep them in suspense like this all the time!
"I'll tell you all properly when we return to the capital!" Liang Xiao said with a smile.
"We're returning to the capital?" Luo Qingxue's beautiful eyes lit up.
She had been eagerly anticipating returning to the capital to diligently manage Liang Xiao's household affairs.
Liang Xiao nodded, then patted Zhen Mi's small head, "Mi'er, you write very well. You've already written three chapters!"
Zhen Mi's memory was astonishing. She had transcribed the stories provided by Liang Xiao. Although there were discrepancies with the original "Journey to the West," her writing was fluid, and at the very least, she perfectly conveyed the content and the core ideas.
Liang Xiao did not rush to use the movable type printing technology to print copies. He only had five household servants in the mansion separately transcribe one copy each. The servants were also amazed by the stories after reading them.
Zhen Mi also had her own plans. Her two works could be written slowly. The immediate priority was to restore the content of "Journey to the West" for Liang Xiao.
During this time, perhaps her Xiao Gege would perform some new feats that would inspire her to create even more.
"Mi'er wishes she could finish writing 'Journey to the West' in a single day," Luo Qingxue sighed.
Everyone looked at Zhen Mi, who was clearly serious, with a sense of admiration.
This child was working too hard to repay Liang Xiao's kindness, practically forgetting to eat and sleep.
"Xiao Gege's newspaper might be released at any time. Mi'er cannot slack off!" Zhen Mi said earnestly.
Liang Xiao grinned, "To reward Mi'er, I shall reluctantly tell one more chapter!"
The girls' hearts instantly bloomed with joy!
"Young Master is the best!" "Xiao Gege is so good!" "Husband is amazing!" "The flower thief finally has some conscience."
...
"My Lord, are you abandoning your humble personal guard!"
Hearing that Liang Xiao was preparing to return to the capital, Yue Qingtian galloped from Anxi County and knelt before Liang Xiao, almost in tears.
"Tsk tsk, it seems this fellow indeed attracts more male admirers than female ones," Luo Qingxue, standing behind Liang Xiao, couldn't help but remark. Immediately, she met Liang Xiao's amorous gaze, her heart in a flutter, and quickly fell silent.
In order to not embarrass Liang Xiao in the future, Yue Qingtian had been diligently studying and learning to read in his free time. This was already common knowledge.
Liang Xiao helped Yue Qingtian up and comforted him, "Qingtian, I will be returning to Yanzhou. I hope that when I return, I will see the Qingtian Guard transformed beyond recognition. At that time, you can rest assured and become my personal guard commander."
Only then did Yue Qingtian chuckle heartily, "This humble servant will surely not disappoint your Lordship's high expectations. I will train according to your Lordship's requirements and await your return for inspection!"
Before his departure, Liang Xiao visited Sima Jing, who was conducting special training for the troops at the Northern Army camp.
Sima Jing solemnly stated, "Second Young Master Liang can rest assured to return. I can guarantee that this future elite force will be at least capable and obedient!"
These thousand elite soldiers were all natives of Yanzhou. Their families had been relocated to Liang Xiao's Anxi County and were being cared for, just like the relatives of the Qingtian Guard. They were properly protected, had their needs met, and had no fear of their families being taken hostage to coerce Liang Xiao's subordinates into betraying him.
Only then did Liang Xiao feel at ease and set off back to the capital.
As the news of Liang Xiao's intention to establish a bookshop spread, the capital and Yanzhou stirred.
Three days later, Liang Xiao returned to the capital with his entourage, only to find Liang Qing and Liang Feng with troubled expressions.
"Xiao'er, yesterday the Minister of Revenue, Ouyang Ji, directly intervened and prohibited us from acquiring printing materials under various pretexts!"