Chapter 471: Tianbao’s Father Can Fly!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Lin Yue knew very well how much money Stinky had earned. He had basically taken out all the money he had earned.
The child was filled with sincerity. Lin Yue accepted the 50 taels and smiled. “If 1 buy more books, that room won’t be able to hold them. Uncle will get someone to tidy up the second floor attic for everyone to read for free.”
Stinky said ambitiously, “I’ll earn more money in the future and build a big, big house so that everyone can go in and read.”
Lin Yue stroked his head. “Young Master Stinky is really amazing!”
Stinky returned home happily and told Sheng Huaixuan proudly, “Father, I donated another 50 taels of silver to buy books for everyone to read.”
Businessmen doing charity, firstly, could help them gain a good reputation. Secondly, they could gain the favor of the commoners and their business would become better.
Stinky seemed to have contributed a lot of money to charity, but Lin Yue was actually the one behind it.
The store area in the central area, the manpower to maintain order and clean up, and the new weekly magazine and newspaper that were regularly replenished all cost more than what Stinky had donated in half a year.
Since it was what Stinky wanted to do, how could he let Lin Yue pay for it?
Stinky knew that he had caused Lin Yue a lot of trouble, but he had basically donated all the money he had earned. He could not even afford to hire Xiaobai’s entire family.
If he borrowed money from Sheng Huaixuan, he might not be able to return it.
After all, he had sold all the fruits and vegetables in his mother’s residence.
His monthly salary was only five copper coins. How could he afford the rent and manpower cost?
Stinky was so troubled that he felt that his rice was no longer fragrant.
Just as he was feeling guilty and uneasy, he suddenly heard Sheng Huaixuan say that there was a way to resolve it. His eyes lit up. “Father, Father, Father?”
Sheng Huaixuan smiled and said, “Didn’t you say that there are many people in the reading room, so many that everyone can only queue outside?”
Stinky nodded in a daze. Sheng Huaixuan continued, “Since there are many people in the reading room and it’s troublesome to manage, why don’t we let them borrow the books to read at home?”
“To prevent them from damaging the books, we’ll collect a certain amount of deposit. If the books returned are intact, we’ll refund the deposit. This way, we can also reduce manpower cost.”
“As for the new books that Lin Yue’s Publishing House has just released, it’s specially divided into areas so that everyone can spend money to rent them. Compared to buying books, renting a book for a day is much more cost-effective. They will definitely be willing to rent books.”
“There are many people coming and going in the reading room. It can also increase the sales of other books in the publishing house. We can also set up a pantry in the publishing house, sell tea, and sell cultural products of various books to increase the profits of the publishing house.”
After saying that, Sheng Huaixuan lowered his head and saw Stinky looking at him with admiration.
“Father, you’re too awesome!”
Sheng Huaixuan thought to himself that this was nothing. If he was in charge of the reading room, not only would he be able to increase the sales of the publishing house, but he would also be able to take over the entire street.
He pretended to be low-key and humble. “Father still has many shortcomings.”
The little kid thought for a moment and nodded solemnly. “Indeed Daddy, you can’t fly, but Daddy Tianbao can!”
“Daddy, you don’t know how to make wood carvings, but Daddy Tianbao will make all kinds of wood carvings for me.”
“Daddy Tianbao even knows how to cook. Daddy can even burn the kitchen from cooking noodles.”
“Daddy Tianbao-”
Sheng Huaixuan’s glabella twitched. He suddenly changed the topic. “Shouldn’t you be looking for Uncle Lin Yue?”
Stinky stopped abruptly and ran out of the door. When he reached the door, he thought of something and turned his head to give Sheng Huaixuan a fragrant kiss. “Thankyou, Daddy.”
Sheng Huaixuan chuckled. This child was not that infuriating.
Stinky had a good memory. He found Lin Yue and repeated Sheng Huaixuan’s words almost word for word.
Lin Yue picked up Stinky and rubbed his rough face against him. “Aiyo, you’re Uncle’s money-maker!”
He hugged Stinky for a while and said solemnly, “Uncle has decided to help you build the largest library!”
Stinky said excitedly, “Uncle, it will cost a lot of money!”
Lin Yue laughed loudly. “I earned a lot of money selling the weekly magazines for the bosses. Don’t worry, the method your father mentioned will earn a lot of money in the future!”
As there was too little printing s.p.a.ce on the newspapers and weekly magazines, Lin Yue’s publishing house also had a new business.
Printing flyers for everyone.
If the price was average, they only printed ordinary black and white flyers.
If the price was high, they would print colored flyers.
If the price was especially high. Sheng Huaixuan would also collaborate with Qin Xiao’s design studio and get them to design higher-standard and unique flyers.
Stinky only wanted everyone to realize the freedom to read. He did not mind the person who was building the library.
Lin Yue said that it was all thanks to him that he had money, so he was naturally overjoyed.
He turned around and excitedly told Bai Wutong and Chu Tianbao about this.
After Stinky worked hard, the remaining silver was only enough for Xiaobai’s entire family to eat a meal.
Bai Wutong’s heart ached and she felt grateful for Stinky’s kindness. She pinched his chubby little hand and decided to pa.s.s on this positive energy.
She discussed it carefully with Chu Tianbao and decided to make the Great Empress’ residence a charity trademark.
Every autumn, they would recruit ail kinds of high-quality merchants. After obtaining the approval of the Imperial Court, they would sell things for charitable reasons.
The quality and price of the goods from the merchants would be a.s.sessed. If the merchants earned money within a reasonable range, a portion of the profits would be donated for charity.
The event would last for a quarter of the year. The Imperial Court would pay for the venue and all the maintenance activities. It was equivalent to a modern exhibition hall, allowing the commoners to understand the new products at the forefront of the market better and faster.
Obtaining the certification of the Imperial Court meant that the quality of the goods was very good. Even if the exhibition was over, the merchants would gain reputation and earn more profits.
Moreover, after the exhibition ended, every merchant who partic.i.p.ated could also obtain a charity honor medal and souvenirs. Those with great potential could even apply for the support of the merchants in Carefree Kingdom.
Therefore, merchants partic.i.p.ated in the exhibition and donated a portion of their profits to repair public toilets, provide a.s.sistance to children from families in remote areas, help families with major illnesses, and so on. The benefits were far greater than the cost.
When the news that the charity exhibition would be held the following year spread, it immediately caused a commotion.
When Madam Zhao saw that everyone had surrounded the noticeboard, she immediately went up and asked, “What is all this about?”
A pa.s.serby explained kindly, “The Imperial Court has launched a merchandise charity event to select high-quality goods. It provides a venue and advertises for a charity sale. If it catches the Great Empress’s eye, she will even give money to support the merchant.”
Madam Zhao thought of their Zhao Lanzhi’s rouge workshop. “It’s so good? What are the conditions for the selection?”
The pa.s.serby said, “There are too many people and I didn’t see it. Anyway, there must be different industry standards. It’s survival of the fittest.”
Madam Zhao tiptoed and looked around. There were many people around and she really could not see the board. She thanked the pa.s.sersby and rushed home to find Zhao Lanzhi. “Do you know about the new event that the Imperial Court has?”
Zhao Lanzhi reached out and placed the newspaper in front of Madam Zhao.
She said calmly, “The Imperial Court has long invited me to partic.i.p.ate..”