in2ebook Chapter 93 Domineering
Chapter 93 Domineering
Eight qian!
The moment the price was announced, the scene erupted in an uproar.
Eight qian (a unit of weight) may seem like a discount of only two qian (another unit of weight), but don't forget that once "Confucianism" is published, it will inevitably be worth tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands.
One tael of silver is equal to ten coins, and one coin is equal to one thousand copper coins. If this price reduction of two coins is truly calculated, the loss would be immeasurable.
If 100,000 copies of "Confucianism" were printed, Zhenxue Bookstore would suffer a loss of 200,000 taels of silver.
The larger the quantity, the greater the loss.
"That damned Goryeo Kingdom, they're clearly here to cause trouble."
Guo Shanxi raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but curse.
Before coming to the temple, Emperor Qin Tian of the Great Qi Dynasty gave instructions that the printing of "Confucianism" must be obtained at the lowest possible price, because the Great Qi treasury was empty and could not afford too much loss.
The moment Ke Zhenxue Bookstore opened its mouth, it had already hit Daqi's bottom line.
“Our Jurchen Great Manchu Bookstore is willing to publish it for seven coins.”
Gulna spoke calmly and steadily, but his gaze swept over the scholar from Goryeo with an extremely domineering look before he looked directly past Qingyun Bookstore and looked at Qin Xuan with a hint of expectation.
In Gourner's view, the only one who was qualified to compete with him from beginning to end was Qin Xuan.
After all, he had just completed two exorbitantly priced trades with Beining City before he came to Shanhaiguan.
In addition, with new things like refined salt, soap, and honeycomb briquettes now available in Beining City, Beining City is by no means short of money.
The only thing Gurner couldn't understand was what Qin Xuan used to print it.
Since ancient times, printing technology has been a closely guarded secret among all countries. Given the relationship between Daqi and Beining City, it is absolutely impossible for printing technology to be leaked.
"Six qian!"
Pan Ruoan spoke calmly.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Guo Shanxi became anxious and said repeatedly, "Chancellor Pan, you mustn't!"
"His Majesty instructed us beforehand that this price is far too low, and the national treasury cannot support it!"
Pan Ruoan gave him a cold look and said sternly, "The national treasury is empty, but the royal family is rich. If Your Majesty truly wants to encourage scholars to reach new heights, you should not be concerned with such mundane things as gold and silver."
Qingyun Bookstore is affiliated with the royal family, but in the last court meeting, the printing costs for this trip to the temple were to be borne by the national treasury.
This is absolutely shameless!
Profits go to the royal family, losses go to the national treasury.
Although Pan Ruoan was personally promoted by Emperor Qin Tian of the Great Qi Dynasty, he cared deeply for the people and naturally could not allow Goryeo and the Jurchen Kingdom to seize the "Confucian Classics".
"Five coins!"
After a brief silence, Korea released its latest price.
At this price, not only Guo Shanxi, but even Gourner couldn't help but frown.
As for the scholars who were watching the spectacle from all sides, they were already ecstatic.
The cheaper the copy of "Confucianism" was, the happier they were, except that the price was not set by the Great Qi Dynasty.
"Your Highness, aren't we going to make an offer?"
Seeing the situation becoming increasingly intense, Zhao Luoying couldn't help but ask.
Qin Xuan smiled and shook his head calmly: "It's not the right time yet."
With movable type printing technology already mature and Beining paper developed, Qin Xuan could completely drive the price down to the limit.
However, he wanted to take this opportunity to assess the financial strength of various countries, especially Goryeo, a country historically known for its fickle and petty nature. Although there had been no recent disputes, it was still a force to be reckoned with.
"Five coins? Forgive my bluntness, but Goryeo is simply unable to bear such a loss."
Gurna stood up and questioned him in a stern tone.
"Our country is willing to suffer losses, what does it have to do with your Jurchen Kingdom? Just because the Jurchen Kingdom is short of money doesn't mean that our Goryeo Kingdom is also short of money."
Cui Shiwen answered arrogantly, his gaze sweeping over the entire room, his lips curling into a haughty smile.
Gulna sneered, "Publishing 'Confucianism' concerns the reputation of the Confucian sage throughout his life. Even if your Goryeo Kingdom is willing to suffer losses, how can you, with Goryeo's printing technology, promote 'Confucianism' to the whole world in a short period of time?"
Unable to undercut his competitors on price, Gourner turned to printing technology.
Of all the printing presses in the world at that time, the printing press of the Daqi Longyun Bookstore was the best, followed by the Daman Bookstore of the Jurchens. It is said that the printing press of the Goryeo Kingdom was stolen from Daqi, but it was not complete.
“Gourner, in terms of printing technology, Goryeo and Jurchen are no better than the pot calling the kettle black.”
Choi Se-moon, as the head of Jeonghak Bookstore and a talented scholar from Goryeo Guktae Academy, and also a descendant of the Goryeo royal family, could make a decision with a single word.
He exclaimed, "As far as I know, apart from the Daqi Qingyun Bookstore, which can print two hundred books a day, the Jurchens can only print one hundred and fifty books a day."
"Although Goryeo is slightly inferior, it still produces a hundred copies every day. As long as the Confucian sage is willing to choose Goryeo, Jeonghak Bookstore is willing to print Confucianism day and night without stopping, so that it can be spread throughout the world and that every scholar in the world can afford to buy it."
Upon hearing this, Bai Mufeng couldn't help but nod slightly. He subconsciously turned his gaze to Qin Xuan and couldn't help but ask, "Beining Bookstore seems to have remained silent. May I ask what your intention is?"
As Bai Mufeng asked his question, Gulna and Pan Ruoan turned their heads to look, and even Yelü Huanxi, who was sitting below, couldn't help but raise her head and stare intently at Qin Xuan.
"Beining Bookstore doesn't engage in verbal disputes; it lets its strength speak for itself."
Qin Xuan's opening remarks were domineering, especially his phrase "verbal dispute," which directly insulted both Goryeo and Jurchen.
The scholars around immediately became excited, and one of them couldn't help but exclaim with enthusiasm:
"Finally, someone dares to speak out. The Confucian sage is clearly a man of our Great Qi. When did it become the turn of these barbarian nations to steal him?"
"That's great! I knew our Great Qi could never lose to outsiders!"
"Such a domineering personality, but I wonder if he really has the ability!"
"..."
Bai Mufeng hadn't expected Qin Xuan to be so aggressive when he did speak, and he couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Longyun Bookstore is affiliated with the Great Qi royal family. What is the status of your Beining Bookstore that you dare to speak to me like this?"
Cui Shiwen felt humiliated and immediately rebuked him in a cold voice.
Gulnaben was also somewhat annoyed, but seeing Cui Shiwen step forward, he immediately and cunningly fell silent. He even sneered in his heart that Cui Shiwen was just ignorant and fearless. He thought that when Cui Shiwen was beaten by the Shence Army, he would know what the man in front of him was capable of.
"Does publishing require a certain status? I had no idea."
Qin Xuan chuckled lightly and said sarcastically, "A mere little place dares to compete with the sun and moon?"
"Since you're so eager to know why I'm so domineering, then I'll show you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Xuan gave him a look, and Ning Yuanfeng got up and walked to Bai Mufeng. He took out a stack of brand-new books from a bamboo box on his back and handed them to Bai Mufeng.
"Mr. Bai, this book was printed by our Beining Bookstore using the latest printing technology. We print a thousand copies every day. Please take a look."
Qin Xuan introduced in a loud voice.
"A thousand copies printed per day?!"
The crowd erupted in uproar, gasps of surprise filling the air.
Gulner suddenly stood up, staring at Qin Xuan with a complicated look in his eyes, as if trying to see through the truth.
Pan Ruoan looked shocked, his lips moved slightly, but he ultimately said nothing.
Only Choi Se-moon from Goryeo was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "You brag without even thinking, printing a thousand copies a day? Do you think you're a god?"
"Shut up!"
But at that moment, Bai Mufeng suddenly shouted angrily, which shocked Cui Shiwen.