Volume One, Chapter 20: I Asked You to Open a Bookshop, Not a Brothel Branch
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After hearing all this, Xie Zheng understood that the two generals flanking him were selected by the late emperor and were temporarily in charge of the Divine Martial Army.
These two men, at least on the surface, had no factional ties and were considered harmless for the time being.
As for the biggest threat right now, it was probably that guy named Xu Tai, who served as a training instructor during the recruit period and was sure to give him a hard time.
But given Xie Zheng’s nature, he would endure whatever he had to. To get the better of Xu Tai, he just had to survive the three months of basic training in Anyang unharmed.
Once he came to power, he would deal with everyone who dared to make things difficult for him.
Therefore, upon arriving in Yuanzhou City, he must buy a small notebook to conveniently record those who gave him trouble.
On the way to Yuanzhou City, Ning Ling drove the carriage. All thirty-five women from Yichun Tower arrived early and set up an organizational point.
...
Yuanzhou City, Yichun Shop—same name.
But the business had changed. According to the young master’s prior instructions, this “Yichun Shop” would open as a bookstore.
In recent days, Ning Zhuo’er had been responsible for arranging the other women to purchase various books, and today marked the bookstore’s grand opening.
At first, they thought bookstores only attracted literary types, and hardly any casual visitors would come to read.
Yet today, the Yichun Shop was surprisingly crowded!
Several women, having changed into the simplest, plainest clothes, were busy opening the shop, moving piles of books.
They expected mostly scholars and poets, but many customers arrived today.
These visitors were not only common folk but also wealthy young masters, shop owners, and heads of noble families...
All of them were men!
Though ostensibly coming to buy books, their eyes darted everywhere, as if they had entered a brothel and were dazzled by the sights.
“Zhuo’er sister! The young master said to open a bookstore to mediate among the major powers, but it feels more like opening a branch of Yichun Tower?”
This feeling, this bustling crowd, was definitely not what they wanted.
Little did they know...
The women completely underestimated their own allure, which no simple clothing could conceal.
Though it was called a bookstore, rumors spreading through Yuanzhou City said otherwise!
“Have you heard? A new bookstore opened today in the city, fulfilling the saying ‘Within books lies beauty like jade.’ The women inside are stunning beyond compare!”
“Really? A bookstore with so many women? Is this a proper bookstore?”
“Who cares if it’s proper? Since they opened, there must be a reason! Hurry up and come see, or you won’t get in!”
“So lively?”
Many in Yuanzhou City moved upon hearing this, swarming around the Yichun Shop until it was packed. Even old men who came just to browse were pushed inside.
The old men thought, “What’s the point of reading at my age?”
But as they turned around, they saw over a dozen women as beautiful as blooming flowers, radiant and exquisite, arranging books. It was like entering heaven itself!
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The old men’s faces lit up, eyes sparkling. This was a tremendous blessing for an old man like them!
“Damn! This is a mess. The young master will arrive at Yuanzhou City soon. If he sees this scene, he’ll definitely scold us.”
Even Ning Zhuo’er and the others, who had been oblivious, now realized it was because of them that so many people were drawn here.
Their appearances were outstanding even by the capital’s standards, especially with their refined lady-like aura combined with perfectly trained martial physiques, giving them a unique charm.
They couldn’t be called ordinary mortals.
Zhuo’er sister’s complaints were echoed by the other women with sighs.
They had hoped to present a grand gift to their young master but ended up messing things up. How could they explain this?
“Zhuo’er sister, do you think the young master will spank us? We made such a mess, I’m really afraid he’ll pick up a paddle in anger.”
Hearing this, the women looked utterly wronged.
But Ning Zhuo’er was at a loss.
The young master’s mindset was always unpredictable; no one knew what he would do next.
Ning Zhuo’er showed a helpless expression: “We can only pray for mercy! I suggest stuffing something in your backside early, or if he really hits, I doubt he’ll hold back.”
“Oh heavens! Young master, please be gentle.”
“Otherwise, we’ll draw a curse circle on you.”
...
“Achoo!”
Xie Zheng rubbed his nose, puzzled. “What’s going on? Did I catch a cold from traveling too fast?”
Ning Ling said, “Young master, only ten more miles, then we reach Yuanzhou City!”
“Finally arrived!” Xie Zheng stretched, a hint of anticipation in his voice. “Ning Zhuo set up a ‘Yichun Shop’ here for me. I can write novels here and earn some living expenses.”
Mentioning ‘novels,’ Mr. Chen showed surprise.
“Your Highness knows literature?”
Mr. Chen was particularly interested in this matter.
Xie Zheng awkwardly smiled and explained, “Master, the novels I write aren’t literary works, just some online fiction, nothing to boast about.”
His novel, “The Great Ning Dog Emperor,” had flopped terribly. If not for the bad reviews and his bad mood one night leading him to wander, only to get hit by a carriage and die, it wouldn’t have happened.
In fact...
His transmigration was all because of that failed book!
“Online novels—a novel term. But Your Highness certainly surprises people. I believe this ‘online novel’ will become popular in Yuanzhou City!”
Mr. Chen said this with enthusiasm.
Xie Zheng felt embarrassed; with his scant skills, if his work ever caught fire, it would be a miracle that required several lifetimes of incense burning.
Still, Xie Zheng had no other skills. He was clueless about all martial arts but had written novels for years to earn a living.
Maybe trying a different place...
Could it become popular?
Thinking of this, he felt even more curious about what Ning Zhuo had done with the bookstore and how much potential it held.
...
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“Young master, we have arrived at Yuanzhou City!”
Ning Ling drove the carriage through the city gates, holding the pass permit. Xie Zheng was awestruck by the city’s grandeur.
The enormous city gate stood like a colossal statue guarding the northern seven provinces, blocking foreign invasions and protecting countless lives.
Yuanzhou City was vast and dazzling. Though it lacked the green hills and clear waters of the capital, it gave a refreshing and invigorating feeling. The cold breeze carried an intangible battle fervor, flowing like a gentle stream.
With its historical heritage, Yuanzhou City once served as an important fortress of the Northern Heavy State, preserving many traces of the previous dynasty’s culture.
Here...
One could trace the history of the former dynasty!
Having witnessed these sights along the way, Xie Zheng grew increasingly excited about the ‘Yichun Shop.’ He planned to write a story about a young general guarding the frontier alone, believing it would be very popular here.
“Ning Ling! Drive directly to Yichun Tower. I want to—”
“Open the new book!”
When Xie Zheng arrived at the Yichun Shop, the street was densely packed with people, so crowded that entry was impossible.
“What’s going on? Why are there so many people?”
Neither Ning Ling nor Mr. Chen knew.
The carriage inched forward slowly but was soon stopped by a passerby.
“Young master, don’t go further! Today is the Yichun Shop’s opening, and many have come. Previous carriages got stuck inside and can’t get out. If you go in, you might be stuck for ages.”
“What? Yichun Tower’s opening caused such a crowd?”
Xie Zheng was stunned. What on earth was Ning Zhuo up to?
It was just a bookstore! What had they done to attract such attention?
“Don’t you know? Well, I guess outsiders like you wouldn’t. The books at Yichun Shop are selling like crazy. Let me tell you quickly—I’m about to buy some!”
“Rumor has it that in less than a single incense stick’s time, over a thousand books were sold, not including tens of thousands pre-ordered by noble sons. So Yichun Tower’s books are said to sell by the millions daily, each book worth a fortune!”
“Alright, no more talking. If you don’t buy now, you might not even see the beauties, hehe... Yichun Tower’s women certainly live up to their reputation!”
After hearing this, Xie Zheng’s face darkened.
At that moment, if not for Ning Ling pulling him back and Mr. Chen intervening, he might have drawn his sword to punish Ning Zhuo.
“You were told to open a bookstore, not a brothel branch! What nonsense is this?”