Linxia

Chapter 143, Fragrant Dew

With the departure of Dabo, Erbo, Fang Caoer, and Fang Xiaoxiao, Fang Lin put his focus back on the bookstore. After the performance of the fireworks show "Passing Five Gates and Killing Six Generals", the impact brought about by it made the slightly cooled enthusiasm for "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" become hot again.

Taking advantage of this trend, two renovated branches are ready to open.

Guangfu Street, Liu Hongru is the manager of this branch, and Fang Lin brought Fang Chuanhui here.

As soon as Liu Hongru met him, he urged him to submit his manuscript: "Brother Fang, how is the second part of Romance of the Three Kingdoms going? Which chapter have you finished?"

"I'm writing, I'm writing."

Fang Lin was a little afraid of meeting Liu Hongru. Every time they met, he was asked, "Is this guy really a bookworm?" - That's right, if he wasn't a bookworm, who would think of coming here to work just to urge authors to submit manuscripts in person every day?

He didn't even mention which chapter he had written, and quickly changed the subject to introduce Fang Chuanhui.

It is true that Liu Hongru is a bookworm, but he is a good person in dealing with people. When he heard the surname Fang, he immediately knew that the person was probably a relative of Fang Lin, so he arranged the job for him in a friendly manner.

The other three shop assistants in the store, who were brought from nearby Xixiang Hutong, also looked up to Fang Chuanhui.

"There is one thing. After the opening, Brother Fang will be required to come and take charge for two days. After all, you are the star of the store," said Liu Hongru.

"Okay." Fang Lin knew he couldn't avoid this, so he agreed.

Afterwards, Fang He was sent to the branch on Yandaixie Street, and an auspicious day was chosen for the opening of the two branches.

……

The two branches on Guangfu Xie Street and Yandaixie Street are actually separated by one or two streets from the Moxiangguan bookstore and Qianzangwu bookstore. This can be regarded as touching the vested interest groups. If it were an ordinary person, it would be difficult to do business there, as people would use all kinds of shady tricks.

But Fang Lin's background is clearly written in the preface of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"! There is also the Hong brothers of Shuxiang Pavilion as a precedent, killing the monkey to scare the chickens, and their backers have been destroyed. There is no way, the background is not comparable, the two families dare not play dirty, and can only compete honestly in business.

On the same day when the two branches opened, Moxiangguan and Senzangwu bookstores also started promotional activities, and it was obvious who they were targeting.

But this kind of resistance is very powerless.

Against the backdrop of fireworks display once again bringing popularity to "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Fang Lin took turns to manage the two branches, promoting the reputation of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" as an authentic edition; the decoration of the two branches was simple and beautiful, a dimensionality reduction attack of cross-era aesthetics; the unified model and high-quality service quality of the store staff... He defeated the two bookstores with a crushing blow, snatched many customers from them, and made the two shops noticeably quieter in recent times.

The other bookstore owners in the city were watching the fire from the other side and laughing at the joke, but they were also shocked. According to their previous experience, they thought that Fang Lin had a great reputation, and Moxiangguan and Qianzangwu were old brands with old customers, so they could fight on equal terms. Such entanglement could also make Fang Lin's energy constrained and he would have no time to continue to expand and open branches, but he didn't expect that Moxiangguan and Qianzangwu were so useless that they didn't even hold on and collapsed.

To be honest, they made the same empiricist mistake as the former shopkeeper Liu.

After the advent of the popular novel trend, the bookstore market has entered a new era of fast pace. Wouldn't it be a big mistake to still stick to the old perspective and experience?
It’s true: My Lord, times have changed!
For a time, the book dealers in Huai'an City were in a state of panic, and everyone was in danger. They were really scared! Fang Lin opened two branches in Guangfu Xie Street and Yandaixie Street, which could steal most of the customers from Moxiangguan and Qianzangwu. If he opened a branch not far from their bookstores, wouldn't he also be able to steal most of their customers?
You know, the second part of Fang Lin’s “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” has not come out yet!
If Fang Lin opened branches everywhere in the city, one near every existing bookstore, and then sold the 2, 3, and 4 parts of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, they would be desperate to attract customers. They dared not imagine the scene. They were afraid that the entire Huai'an city bookstore market would be monopolized by Fang Lin alone!
The printing houses were also worried. Although bookstores always had to purchase books, and it didn't matter who made the money, once the downstream was monopolized, wouldn't their upstream be controlled by you? If Fang Lin opened another printing house, it would be a real rectification of the book business.

In short, Fang Lin's two branches defeated Moxiang Pavilion and Qianzangwu easily, making everyone in the bookseller community in Huai'an City feel insecure. They were all nervously watching Fang Lin's next move. If Fang Lin really continued to expand the number of branches, even if they were afraid of Prefect Pu, they would have to unite, otherwise they would be waiting for death if they were defeated one by one.

But at this moment, Fang Lin stopped and did not open any more branches. Two branches, a total of three shops, were enough for the future release of the second part of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". There would be no more store restrictions, which would affect delivery efficiency.

It is true that he wanted to make money, but he did not want to monopolize the book business in Huai'an City. He ate meat and did not let others have a sip of soup. Even if the rabbit is angry, it will bite! Making enemies with so many people is also a great force. He may not be able to withstand the backlash.

After Fang Lin restrained himself, the booksellers invited people to test the waters. After getting confirmation that he would no longer expand branches, they felt relieved and became good friends again. After all, Fang Lin entered the booksellers' circle with the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which actually expanded the market, and they also benefited from it.

As for Moxiangguan and Senzouya that were affected this time, it doesn’t matter. Everyone will remember them for taking the blame for everyone.

——It's not that the city's booksellers are naive. They just believe whatever Fang Lin says. In this era, people have to be trustworthy. They are all in the territory of Huai'an Prefecture. It is impossible for them to take advantage of it at any time. If they go back on their words, they will really be in trouble. Breaking their promises will only give others a pretext for their actions. Even Prefect Pu, Scholar Dong, Old Xu, and Shopkeeper Liu may have opinions.

……

Time passed quickly and the day of the provincial examination finally arrived.

"The provincial examination is divided into three sessions, each lasting three days, and you must enter the examination room one day in advance."

Fang Lin, Dong's father and Dong's mother saw Dong Zugao off and arrived at the Imperial Examination Hall in the southeast of the city in the rustling autumn wind.

When we arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall, we could immediately feel a tense atmosphere spreading out. This was not only due to the awe and panic of the exam before the test, but also the oppression brought by the surrounding troops.

These troops were transferred from the governor-general's office. They stood in front of the Imperial Examination Hall in two teams. There were four people at the entrance, two guarding the door and two searching. There were four watchtowers on the east and west sides of the examination hall, each with soldiers. Each soldier carried a knife and a gun, and their expressions were solemn and intimidating. It can be said that it was impossible not to be nervous when surrounded by these killer-like soldiers.

After the third drum beat, the scholars who had lined up in front of the Imperial Examination Hall walked forward one after another. Before entering, each of them had to undress and wait for inspection. The inspection was very careful, from the head to the soles of the feet, checking every inch, leaving no place unchecked. This process was extremely slow. According to Fang Lin's estimation, it would take several hours to complete the whole process.

"It's also a blessing that the weather is good today. It's a clear and cool autumn day, neither too hot nor too cold. I remember when I took the provincial examination in my first year, the weather was still hot and we had to stand in the sun for several hours. Some older people almost fainted." Dong Zugao sighed.

"The second time was not good either. I remember the weather turned cold and my teeth were chattering when I took off my clothes for inspection," said Dong's father.

"The weather was fine last time, neither too cold nor too hot, but you were assigned to the room next to the toilet..." Dong's mother also said.

"We can't have bad luck all the time. At least this time it should be Brother Dong's turn to be lucky." Fang Lin said with a smile.

"Yes, the provincial examination does require a bit of luck. Dad, Mom, Brother Fang, I'm leaving." Dong Zugao said goodbye and prepared to queue up.

"Go ahead, take care!"

"My son, do your best in the exam!"

"I wish Brother Dong success in the exam."

"Don't worry, Dad and Mom. Brother Fang, I appreciate your good words." Dong Zugao agreed and went over.

After queuing for inspection for an incense stick of time, Fang Lin, Dong's father and Dong's mother watched Dong Zugao enter. Not long after, there was a bang, and the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall was closed and locked.

……

Dong Zugao went in for inspection and walked forward with ease and confidence.

There are tens of thousands of rooms here, one next to the other, each independent, six feet high, four feet deep, three feet wide, with two wooden boards inside, the upper board as a table, the lower board as a stool. At night, the upper board is taken down and combined with the lower board to make a bed.

Every candidate has a number and can find a room according to the number, so there is no need to fight for it.

"I'm lucky this time. My room is in the middle." Dong Zugao checked and found that not only was his room in a good location, but there were no leaks in it. He secretly sighed at his good luck: "Come to think of it, my luck has never been bad since I met Brother Fang. Brother Fang is my benefactor!"

There were toilets at both ends of the number room. If you were unlucky and got a room at both ends, it would be terrible. If the weather was a little hot, the toilets next to it would be even more stinking. If you could still calm down and write your essay with peace of mind, you would have a strong mentality. There was a provincial examination in the hot weather. The examinee was fumigated by the stench for three days, felt dizzy, had chest tightness and shortness of breath. After three examinations, not only did he fail the examination, but he also fell seriously ill.

Not only was it hot, it was also cold, and there was also the worry of rain. Some of the test rooms had leaks. It was not a big deal to get wet, but it was a shame to get the test paper dirty. Therefore, experienced candidates would prepare tarpaulins. If there were leaks in the test room, they would block the rain. If there were no leaks, they would hang them in front of the test room. At that time, thousands of pieces of tarpaulins of different colors fluttered in the wind, which was also a spectacular sight.

In short, the provincial examination is not just a matter of the examination room, but also a part of luck and experience. "God helps those who help themselves. This time, God is helping me, so how can I fail?" Dong Zugao put down his things, and his confidence was lifted.

……

As the provincial examination began, the whole city focused its attention on it, and countless people prayed for good weather in the coming days.

But on the afternoon of the first day, the sky became gloomy and windy.

Fang Lin was worried about Dong Zugao in the Imperial Examination Hall, and was writing the manuscript for the second part of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He was a little absent-minded and in no mood, so he went back with Tian Xuan in the evening.

Back in Xixiang Hutong, under the gloomy sky and with the wind blowing, Mrs. Ou was sitting alone under the osmanthus tree, seemingly in a daze. When I walked closer, I heard her humming something.

After listening carefully, I realized it was from "Silang Visits His Mother": "I am like a bird in a cage, with wings that cannot be spread; I am like a tiger away from the mountains, feeling lonely; I am like a south-migrating wild goose, lost in the flock and scattered; I am like a shallow-water dragon, trapped on the beach..."

During this year, Fang Lin and Tian Xuan often listened to operas and could easily tell the difference. After listening to them, they both felt inexplicably sad.

At this moment, Fang Lin seemed to understand the sorrow in Mrs. Ou's heart: she was sick and in pain, but she could not die, and had to continue living in pain for the living; her body had a strange smell, and for the sake of her dignity, she avoided people and could not communicate... Her body and mind were doubly tortured.

"Mrs. Ou, why are you sitting here alone? It's cold outside."

"Yes, where is the Master?"

"He heard there was a famous doctor, so he went to see him. I told him that he had seen so many doctors, but it was useless... He didn't listen. I'm waiting for him!"

"Go back and wait. It's windy and your body can't stand the wind."

"Hey!"

Fang Lin and Tian Xuan helped Mrs. Ou into the house.

When they came out of the Ou family, Tian Xuan said, "Brother Lin, I feel so sorry for Madam Ou."

"Yes!"

Fang Lin agreed, and suddenly an idea came to his mind: "I don't know medical skills, so I can't relieve Mrs. Ou's physical pain, but it seems that I can find a way to cover up the smell and let Mrs. Ou live with more dignity."

He remembered the osmanthus scented oil and lily scented oil that Gu Yuyan and Shi Wenjun talked about at the Qixi Festival banquet.

'It's difficult to make osmanthus and lily scented oils, and the fragrance lasting effect is not good. If there is a more suitable one, it is actually perfume, and the main ingredient of perfume that lasts is alcohol.'

In this era, the alcohol content of the wine that ordinary people drink is generally 10 to 20 degrees. There are also high-proof liquors that reach 50 degrees, but they are only enjoyed by nobles. However, Fang Lin is confident that he can use distillation and other means to make alcohol with an alcohol content of 80 to 90 degrees and use it to make perfume.

……

It didn't rain that night, and many people in the city felt relieved. Fang Lin had the idea of ​​trying to make perfume to distract his attention and pay less attention to the provincial examination.

He went to Qinghuan Xiaoju to find Gu Yuyan and Shi Wenjun, and asked them in detail about the methods of using osmanthus essential oil, lily essential oil, etc., and recorded them for reference.

Because I had some free time and money, I hired someone to make a narrow-mouthed, long-necked porcelain bottle, and a device to purify alcohol. I also collected osmanthus flowers, etc., and distilled, pressed, and extracted...

After six or seven days, he actually made his own version of perfume, which was crystal clear. Fang Lin did not call it perfume. He followed the local customs and called it perfume dew according to the name of that era.

"This first version of the perfume test product will be a surprise for Mrs. Ou, Sister Xuan, and my mother. Let them try it, and then adjust and optimize it later." Fang Lin thought.

Although it is called a 'test product', it is actually completely natural, without any messy additives, and is absolutely non-toxic and harmless. The most that may happen is that the intensity of the fragrance, duration, and various properties may not be very stable.

"Sister Xuan, let me show you something good." Fang Lin went to find Tian Xuan with a small bottle of perfume.

"What a nice smell! Is this osmanthus scented oil?" Tian Xuan opened it and sniffed it, her face full of surprise, and she obviously liked it very much.

I can only say that women have absolutely no resistance to this kind of fragrant thing.

This is easy to understand. If you call a man a stinky man, he may just laugh it off and some may even be proud of it. But if a woman is called stinky, then it is a big deal.

Seeing Tian Xuan happy and receiving positive feedback, Fang Lin was also happier. He felt that the energy he had spent these days was nothing. He said, "It's not sesame oil, but fragrance dew. It can be regarded as an improvement on sesame oil. Compared with osmanthus fragrance oil, its fragrance retention effect should be better."

Tian Xuan poured a little bit on her hands, rubbed it on her face and neck, and asked, "Does it smell good?"

"Smells good." Fang Lin held her in his arms, buried his head in her beautiful neck and took a deep breath.

"Hehe!" Tian Xuan laughed out loud because she felt itchy.

……

When he returned that day, Fang Lin gave the fragrant dew to Mrs. Ou. Mrs. Ou was extremely happy. For her, the physical pain was bearable, but what was more difficult was the mental pain.

Mrs. Ou wanted to give money, but Fang Lin naturally refused to accept it. He just said that he made it himself, just like he made some food at home and gave some to her.

The next person to experience it was Fang's mother. Although she said it was a waste of money, she still happily took it.

……

Fang Lin originally thought that he would have to wait three to five days before receiving the first batch of usage feedback.

But I didn't expect that when I came back two days later, a group of neighborhood aunts and sisters-in-law came to me, hesitantly saying that they wanted the perfume and said they could buy it with money.

It turned out that Fang's mother said that Fang Lin was messing around and wasting money, but she couldn't help showing off when she went out. She said that her son made a perfume and generously let them try it.

This is a serious matter.

These neighborhood aunties and sisters-in-law applied some perfume and found that the men in their families regained their virility when they returned home at night. Especially the wife of the Lu family, she found that her husband had sex four times that night, a full four times. A man in his thirties or forties, four times, what does it mean? It was really like an old tree blooming with new flowers, a thunderbolt from heaven and a fire from earth, a rain in a dry field...

Isn't it? Even though she was scolded for Mrs. Ou's matter not long ago, she still came to the door with a sullen face.

Fang's mother quietly pulled Fang Lin aside and told him the whole story. Fang Lin was immediately confused: "So, you are treating my perfume as an aphrodisiac?"

……

(End of this chapter)