CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: FIRST PLACE IN THE COUNTY EXAMINATION

Meng Yao knew that the Qian family bringing her into the partnership was just about sharing a piece of the pie with her.

To put it bluntly, it was to take care of her.

Plus, Zhao Dahe was also chiming in on the side, and finally, Meng Yao agreed to the Qian family’s proposal.

"I have many trifling matters to deal with daily, so, Ayao, I’ll need you to often look after the bookstore. You don’t have to go out of your way; just take a look when you go to the town to see the small trees," said the Qian Family.

The shopkeeper and the staff are hired specifically, so why would someone with no experience like her need to look after it?

The Qian family said this to take care of her, to make her feel she was contributing.

Meng Yao accepted the Qian family’s goodwill.

"Mother, since you brought Aunt Meng into the partnership, what about me?" Qian Zhenzhen said eagerly.

After all, the travel notes were written by her.

Selling to others and to our own family is fundamentally different.

Selling to others has more limitations and restrictions.

If used in our own bookstore, would her authority be a bit larger?

What she hadn’t revealed was that she not only wrote travel notes, but she also wrote many chivalrous stories, which she thought were much better than those popular in the market.

If the family opened a bookstore, wouldn’t she have the early advantage to have her stories printed and sold?

Selling travel notes earns her one payment of silver.

Adding in the stories, wouldn’t that mean many more payments of silver?

"Bringing you into the partnership is impossible; after all, this is a business of the elders, and it’s meaningless for a young one like you to interfere," the Qian family said. "However, you can sign a contract with the bookstore to supply your stories to it. The bookstore will settle the silver with you according to the word count. For one travel note, the bookstore pays you once, and afterward, no matter how many are reprinted, it won’t pay you again."

She wrote dozens of travel notes, and each one could earn her silver; it seemed like she could make a lot.

Meng Yao laughed, this was the Qian family speaking business, maximizing the benefits.

Though she didn’t know what kind of contractual relationship existed between ancient bookstores and authors, what the Qian family said was likely to catch beginners in the trade.

One script payment to buy all rights.

Qian Zhenzhen apparently doesn’t understand this; she thinks this is fair and reasonable.

"Mother, besides travel notes, I have many stories, will our bookstore take them?" Qian Zhenzhen asked.

The Qian family pondered for a moment and said, "I cannot immediately answer you on this; we need to see the content before giving you an answer."

"Under the bed, there are a few rattan boxes containing all the stories I’ve written. Mother, when you get back, could you take some time to look if they’re suitable?" Qian Zhenzhen said happily.

"Alright. Let’s set things straight: just because you’re my daughter doesn’t mean we’ll accept anything," the Qian family said, "Everything must follow the rules."

"Rest assured, I won’t make you use the back door," Qian Zhenzhen replied happily.

Meng Yao also received a bit of inspiration; she wasn’t good at management, but what does a bookstore need to remain strong for a long time? Of course, the quality of books and the quantity of stored books.

She wasn’t good at writing, but she could explain things to Qian Zhenzhen so she could write. From the travel notes, it’s evident that Qian Zhenzhen has a talent in this area.

"Dahe, you also can’t stay idle. You may not be able to write travel notes and stories, but you can write something useful. For example, your experience in the exams or how you managed to read books so well!" The Qian family patted Zhao Dahe’s shoulder, "After all, this is a business your mother and teacher’s wife are partnering in, you should support it, right?"

What else could Zhao Dahe do but agree?

After everything was settled, the Qian family was busy hurrying back to implement things, a bit anxious to leave. Meng Yao offered to see her off, but she refused, saying she had things to discuss with Qian Zhenzhen and wanted Zhenzhen to accompany her.

The mother and daughter had some private matters to discuss, and Meng Yao understood this.

Qian Zhenzhen, a bit reluctant, went out with her, and when she returned, her expression was somewhat inscrutable.

Meng Yao noticed her quickly glancing at Li Chang’an.

It didn’t need much thought; surely, the Qian family asked Zhenzhen to consider Li Chang’an.

Love at first sight between these two was impossible, but spending more time together might nurture affection over time.

Of course, it’s not right for her, as an elder, to interfere in young people’s matters. Whether it works out or not is up to them.

Nearing lunchtime, Meng Yao called Song Xiu’er to prepare food, but before the stove was even lit, Zheng Chunhua came dashing in briskly.

"Dahe’s mother, Dahe’s mother!" Zheng Chunhua dashed in, her face nearly spilling over with smiles.

"Eh? Chunhua sister, why are you in such a rush?" Meng Yao was a bit puzzled.

In usual days she had never seen Zheng Chunhua this out of control.

"Good news, great news!" Zheng Chunhua exclaimed excitedly.

Meng Yao didn’t immediately catch on.

"How can you be so carefree as a mother about everything?" Zheng Chunhua scolded, "By my calculations, isn’t it the day the exam results are announced? You didn’t wait in the county, but at least have someone from the family on the village path waiting!"

Meng Yao realized, "Are you saying the government official bringing good news has come?"

"Exactly, hurry and welcome them at the door! And don’t forget to prepare the lucky money," Zheng Chunhua said.

Meng Yao looked at Zhao Dahe. This guy seemed calm, but in reality, his eyes were flickering; he was probably waiting for the news all along.

"How much is appropriate to give?" Meng Yao asked casually.

"It depends on the ranking; if the ranking is good, of course, give a bit more," Zheng Chunhua said.

"Alright."

Meng Yao pretended to head back into the room and when she came out again, she held several pouches.

Zheng Chunhua complained that Meng Yao hadn’t even prepared red envelopes, and now it was too late to go home and get them.

"Oh well, the pouches are nice too," Zheng Chunhua said.

While they were speaking, the sound of gongs began to ring.

"Zhao Dahe of the Zhao Family, Shanghua Village, Anyang Town, Huaiyuan County, won first place in the county exam."

The government official announcing the good news spoke in a loud voice and with great rhythm.

With each shout, he struck the gong once, and soon, the neighbors around the Zhao family came out upon hearing the news.

A chorus of congratulations sounded all around.

Placing first in the county exam, how impressive is that?

A company including arrest officer Xu came along; he was an old acquaintance, respectfully offering congratulations to Zhao Dahe.

When the list was released, he had looked at it with the County Magistrate.

Back then, the County Magistrate said that this young man had a boundless future.

Meng Yao quickly distributed the lucky money and invited the announcers inside for tea, but arrest officer Xu declined, "Madam Zhao, please don’t trouble yourself, we still have to deliver the good news to other students who passed. This is something the County Magistrate asked me to bring over as a congratulatory gift for Mr. Zhao."

Officer Xu presented a wooden box.

Zhao Dahe accepted it with a composed expression, "Officer Xu, please convey my message, saying that I will personally go to the county seat to thank the County Magistrate later."

"Rest assured, Mr. Zhao, I will report your words to the County Magistrate without missing a word," Officer Xu assured.

Officer Xu departed with the other officials, leaving Zhao’s door bustling with activity. Regardless of familiarity, everyone now acted like family.

Compliments and congratulations continued endlessly, Meng Yao nearly couldn’t keep up with it all.