Great Nation, Small Freshness (Imperial Examination) - Chapter 17

17: Growing Taller

Because his view of Qin Fanghe had changed, Mr. Sun unusually expressed some regret: “Last time was truly a bit of a pity for you.”

There were two storybooks in total. After Qin Fanghe completed the manuscripts according to the bookstore’s requirements, each was divided into four volumes, making eight books altogether. The previous print run was 100 copies each, totaling 800 books. At five wen per book sold, that would have earned Qin Fanghe four taels.

Now, for the second printing, the neighboring county town was far more prosperous than Zhang County. According to the shopkeeper, they planned to print another 120 copies per volume. If still divided by sales, Qin Fanghe would earn at least four taels and eight mace, totaling nearly nine taels.

If it spread further later and sold even more, exceeding ten taels was not impossible.

Upon hearing this, Qin Fanghe himself remained unmoved, but Qin Shan was the first to grimace in pain.

What a loss!

Qin Fanghe was amused by his reaction but felt no regret himself.

“Distant water can’t quench immediate thirst. The previous batch took a full four months to sell, and the second batch—who knows how long until settlement? If I kept staring at that, I’d be anxious all day. How could I study in peace?”

You can’t have the fish and the bear’s paw both—you can’t have it all.

And facts had proven that when one truly devoted oneself to studying, money flowed like water. In just a few months, he had spent four or five taels. If royalties were settled monthly, his earnings couldn’t keep up with his spending!

At that point, he would inevitably worry constantly about financial straits, fearing he might not have the next meal, restricted in everything he did. How could he have today’s ease?

Let alone a mere three or two taels—even three hundred or two hundred taels—if it couldn’t be grasped immediately, it was as good as zero.

Qin Shan’s pain contrasted sharply with Qin Fanghe’s calm. Mr. Sun was stunned for a moment and secretly felt ashamed.

Indeed, that made perfect sense. How could he, at his age, have been so muddled?

The principle was simple, but… but that was gleaming silver! It had been within reach… How many people in the world could remain so composed?

After quickly sighing inwardly, Mr. Sun brought up the earlier topic: “What about the new storybook?”

He had thought Qin Fanghe, who kept saying he was focused on studying, might decline once or twice. Unexpectedly, he agreed right away.

Mr. Sun was delighted. “Then still cash on delivery when you submit the manuscript?”

Qin Fanghe smiled and said, “No, monthly settlement.”

Now that he was in a different position, with over ten taels in hand, he naturally had the leisure to wait and squeeze out the maximum profit.

Mr. Sun: “…”

Are you made entirely of rebellious bones?

But this was actually better.

Whether he came to pick it up or delivered it himself, it meant they would meet at least once a month. With more comings and goings, wouldn’t their bond grow?

Immediately after, Qin Fanghe used the reasoning that “with the foundation of the first book, the second will surely sell better” to demand a higher share.

Previously, it was five wen per book sold, this time, he wanted six wen.

Mr. Sun said it was difficult, that it wasn’t done that way.

Royalties should naturally rise with fame, but demanding a raise on just your second outing was a bit too quick, wasn’t it?

“It’s uncertain how well it will sell, and besides, this isn’t something I can decide alone…”

Qin Fanghe looked at him with a smile, his expression seeming very sincere. “You’re right, it would indeed put you in a difficult position.”

Mr. Sun felt a bit pleased upon hearing this, only for the other to suddenly change tack: “How about this then—you rest a bit. In a few days, I’ll go to the Bai family’s main store in the county town myself. If it doesn’t sell well, that’s fine.”

The smile that had just begun to form on Mr. Sun’s face froze instantly, like dried wall plaster about to crumble at a touch.

“No need for such trouble. After all, I have to go back to the county every month to submit accounts… And the main store is busy with many people, a child like you might not handle it well…”

Under Qin Fanghe’s gaze, his tone seemed somewhat weak.

Had his little schemes been seen through?

No way—the boy was so young, no matter how clever, he shouldn’t…

Qin Shan, still in pain over the loss, couldn’t hold back and shouted, “It’s not like it’s coming out of your own pocket—be straightforward!”

Mr. Sun: “…”

Well, that was true.

But you shouldn’t say it outright!

After some back-and-forth bargaining, Mr. Sun finally gritted his teeth and said that for their sake, he would make a special trip to the city to ask the head shopkeeper.

Qin Shan was happy then, and as they left, he said to Qin Fanghe, “He’s an acquaintance now, Mr. Sun is starting to side with us.”

Qin Fanghe laughed at his naivety. “He’s siding with both sides.”

As the sole manager of a branch shop, Mr. Sun definitely had authority for price fluctuations. He was just showing his efforts so they would appreciate him.

Earlier, when Qin Fanghe lightly probed, Mr. Sun had revealed a flaw: he didn’t want Qin Fanghe to contact the people at the Bai family’s main bookstore in the county.

It was like a salesperson guarding their clients.

As for the Bai family business, as long as the price stayed within a reasonable range, they probably wouldn’t bother nitpicking over one extra wen or not. But Mr. Sun certainly wouldn’t miss this chance to claim credit…

Setting other things aside, one must actively fight for the rights one deserves.

It’s like asking for a raise in a private company—if you don’t bring it up, the other side is happy to pretend they forgot.

Qin Shan’s simple mind suffered another shock. He processed it on the spot for a moment, then jumped up.

“Good grief, he’s playing both ends—smooth as cutting tofu!”

A bit angry, a bit aggrieved: And here I thought so highly of him!

Qin Fanghe laughed heartily, pulled him along, and said, “To each his own, or heaven and earth will punish him. He’s a businessman, this is how it should be.”

Mr. Sun didn’t owe them anything and had even helped a lot along the way. Planning for himself was perfectly reasonable.

Even so, Qin Shan still had a face full of “the city is full of traps, I want to go back to the village.” When they got home, he recounted everything to his parents, still shaken.

Uncle and Aunt Xiulan weren’t surprised at all and poked his forehead while teasing, “You’ve only grown tall and foolish. Where in the world are there free benefits? In the future, when you’re out and about, learn more from boy He. Don’t believe everything people say.”

Qin Shan rubbed his forehead, grumbled a bit, but accepted it.

“I’m learning…”

Life returned to calm.

Qin Shan, as usual, spent mornings rounding up village children to study and afternoons learning from Qin Fanghe. Qin Fanghe, in his spare time from reading, wrote storybooks—both for leisure and profit, truly getting the best of both worlds.

Just like that, over a month passed. It was early March, with the chill giving way to warmth and fluffy new green buds sprouting outside. The new storybooks by “Chuanyue Ke” and “Xiao Changsheng” each had two volumes completed. Qin Fanghe went to town again.

Of the two pseudonyms, the one specializing in melodramatic, heart-wrenching romances—”Mr. Xiao Changsheng”—ultimately proved superior, appealing to young and old alike. Mr. Sun said that including the neighboring county, the first batch would print 200 copies.

The demon-slaying tales of “Chuanyue Ke” were exciting but far less broadly appealing than the down-to-earth “Xiao Changsheng.” They would only print 120 copies.

As Qin Fanghe expected, the royalty did rise to six wen per book. Mr. Sun had originally wanted to take credit in front of him, but upon meeting that knowing half-smile, he inexplicably felt guilty and glossed over it.

A person’s fame is like a tree’s shadow. The first time, a mere 100 copies took nearly half a year to sell, this time, with a bit of reputation, over half sold in the first month.

By the time he went to town in April to deliver the remaining volumes, the royalties for just the first month amounted to one tael and eighty wen.

Mr. Sun even wrapped it specially in red paper and handed it to Qin Fanghe with a smile. “A great start!”

Half of a two-tael ingot was cut open—a hefty chunk—plus eighty ancient copper coins with square holes, all lying obediently inside.

Qin Fanghe slowly exhaled.

Great.

This way, even with the hardships of studying, he had a steady long-term income.

In the following months, royalties stabilized at one to two taels each, with June being the highest at one tael and eight mace, and May at one tael and three mace.

In just these three months, Qin Fanghe earned over four taels.

At this point, he had finally achieved the first step of his initial three-year plan:

Economic stability with growth—income fully covering expenses.

During this time, he bought many chickens and ducks, letting them hatch and brood. He also planted vegetables in spring, turned the soil, caught insects and eggs to feed them. Now the small yard was full of clucking and quacking—over a dozen—and every few days, they stewed one, living quite comfortably.

At the beginning of each month when he went to town for royalties, he would buy meat on the way, get meat buns, and even fresh fish or big bones to stew creamy white soup for extra meals. The kitchen saw meat almost daily, and the black iron pot was polished shiny by the grease.

Occasionally encountering sellers of cow’s or goat’s milk, he didn’t mind the smell and gulped down several pots, striving for a balanced meat-egg-dairy diet, not wronging himself at all.

With ample nutrition and keeping up exercise, Qin Fanghe began growing rapidly.

In just three months, he shot up more than half a head taller. His teeth grew stronger, his hair blacker and thicker, he put on muscle, and beneath the flesh on his face emerged a healthy flush. He was visibly becoming a sturdy young lad.

Previously, one set of Taichi had to be split into two sessions, now he could do it twice in one go without effort!

In his free time, he went with Qin Shan to the nearby hills to play, picking wild fruits and vegetables for meals while relaxing, and even carried back firewood. He couldn’t help feeling proud.

Finally, finally, he could manage life independently!

Accustomed to modern summers often exceeding 40 degrees, the summer in Baiyun Village seemed like child’s play to Qin Fanghe. Occasionally, he and Qin Shan went into the woods to catch cicada nymphs.

Those things were all meat—roasted, they were fragrant and packed with protein, extremely nutritious. Qin Fanghe ate plenty.

Unknowingly, it was mid-June. This year’s scholar examinations had concluded, and thinking it over, Qin Fanghe went to town early.

“The exams?” Thanks to the storybooks selling well, Mr. Sun treated Qin Fanghe ever more warmly. Hearing his question, he immediately got up to fetch something from the inner room. “Indeed, the good news came from the prefectural city a while ago. I even specially copied the list. The top scholar is a ‘little three firsts’! The county magistrate ordered firecrackers in celebration—our Zhang County has really shown its face!”

As he spoke, he fetched a roll of paper from inside, shook it open, and right at the top was prominently “Kong Ziqing.”

As expected, it was him.

The so-called “little three firsts” meant being top in the county exam in February, the prefectural exam in April, and the academy exam in June—without exception.

The county exam had five sessions, prefectural three, academy two—ten exams over five months from late winter to midsummer. Kong Ziqing had dominated all the way, emerging victorious.

Having met him and received his active goodwill, it was only proper to offer congratulations.

So Qin Fanghe bought some gold-flecked plum-scented paper from the Bai bookstore on the spot, borrowed brush and ink, and wrote a congratulatory note right there.

“When you return to the county at the end of the month, could you conveniently deliver this for me?”

The academy exam was in the prefectural city and ended on the eighth, but afterward there would be the prefect personally leading the successful candidates to pay respects at the sage temple, plus various banquets and literary gatherings that couldn’t be refused. Moreover, the Kong family surely had relatives in the prefectural city, as a junior, Kong Ziqing would have to make rounds visiting them, which took time. By that calculation, when Mr. Sun returned to the county at month’s end to submit accounts, it would just about coincide with Kong Ziqing’s return home.

Earlier, when he was writing, Mr. Sun had politely stepped back. Now, coming closer to look, he was shocked and changed color.

“You actually have connections with the Kong family?!”