Chapter 283 Emperor Jiajing’s Thoughts
After listening to Huang Jin’s words, Emperor Jiajing chuckled.
Emperor Jiajing sighed: "San'er's idea is good, but this "Yongle Dadian" is all-inclusive, with 11,095 volumes. I asked the Hanlin Academy to copy it for several years, but it was only Less than a third of it was copied. If you want this book to become a famous book in the world, it is simply a fantasy."
Huang Jin handed over a freshly wrung towel and said: " Yes, that’s what the slave told Prince Yu at the time, but Prince Yu said it’s not that complicated, just think of a way to work around it.”
When Emperor Jiajing heard what Huang Jin said, he was also surprised. Immediately he became interested, "What kind of workaround did San'er say?"
Huang Jin continued: "Prince Yu said that the imperial court should establish a Daming Bookstore similar to a private bookstore, and ask the Daming Bookstore to recruit some booksellers who are good at management and business operations, and let them arrange some movable type printing workers and some workers who are good at plate adjustment. It turns out that the complex set of "Yongle Dadian" is divided into multiple batches and categories. Simply copy and print it and make it into a relatively general bibliography."
"Even if you just sell a catalog, you can sell a lot of money. Moreover, there are more than 10,000 copies of "Yongle Dadian". Even a simple printed version of 10 or 20 copies can be sold for hundreds of years."
As soon as Huang Jin finished speaking, Jiajing was stunned. The emperor immediately started laughing, "How did the melon seeds on San'er's head grow? How come he has so many fantastic ideas? How can he still make such money? It really enlightens me. But you still have to say it. As for him, a prince should study less on these businessman's skills, focus more on managing people, and learn more serious principles from Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng."
When Huang Jin heard this, he felt in his heart. He couldn't help but be shocked, what does the emperor mean? Is it necessary to build a reserve?
Why else would he ask Prince Yu like this?
Huang Jin replied in a low voice: "I remember this, slave."
Then Huang Jin respectfully reached out and took the towel that Emperor Jiajing had just wiped his face with.
At this time Emperor Jiajing said again: "The idea of Daming Bookstore is good, but there are also difficulties in it. "Yongle Dadian" is not only a set of books, but also an important classic of the country. It is stored in Wenyuan Pavilion Hanlin Even if I want to use it to make some money, I guess those Hanlin scholars will not agree. If this leak comes out, it will stir up a hornet's nest. How can the grand ceremony of the country be tainted with the smell of copper? Insulting the saints?"
"Remember to tell San'er again that you must never mention this matter to others. Once people know that he wants to use "Yongle Dadian" to make money, it will not be good for him. What a good thing."
Emperor Jiajing is still much smarter than the average person. He is very aware of the weight of "Yongle Dadian". This set of books can be eaten in the Wenyuan Pavilion or in the Hanlin Academy. There are table legs in it, but it just can't be used as a money-making tool.
Because once it has actual value, it will become a sacred object among scholars. Since it is a sacred object, how can it be contaminated by the despicable merchants?
So, Emperor Jiajing immediately rejected Zhu Zaijing's idea of using "Yongle Dadian" to open a Daming Bookstore to make money.
However, after rejecting the suggestion to make money from "Yongle Dadian", Emperor Jiajing was still a little interested in this Daming Bookstore.
Emperor Jiajing asked again: "What does San'er think of this Daming Bookstore? You must know that the book business is not that easy to do. Many books just make a printing mold without knowing how much it costs. How much energy."
"And paper is expensive, ink is also expensive, and the cost of books is high. The average book costs about one or two silver dollars. Except for wealthy scholars, the rest are poor. They are all copied from books.
"So it's hard for this bookstore to make money. It's not like the Yiran Candies and Bingxin Candies he encouraged. These candies are gone once you eat them. Those who like them will naturally continue to buy and eat them. But books are different. After reading the books After reading it once, you can read it over and over again. It’s not like reading it once and then disappearing.”
Huang Jindao: “That’s what the emperor said. That’s what I told Prince Yu at the time.” Prince Yu seems to have other tricks. He said that books can be made into general editions and premium editions, and some can also be made into collector's editions. Each book will also be given a special publication serial number for book buyers. You can have proof that your books are authentically published by Daming Book Company. "This way, book lovers can get a certain quality guarantee and psychological satisfaction. Secondly, it can also promote the spread of Daming culture and promote more excellent books." My books and works have been given an opportunity to be displayed, so that more readers can see more wonderful articles and stories.”
“My slave is stupid and didn’t respond when I heard these words. I understand very well what Prince Yu means. What do you think, Emperor?"
Huang Jin gave the words to Emperor Jiajing again. Some of these words were also new words that came up accidentally when Zhu Zaijing was talking to Huang Jin. Fortunately, these new words were easy to understand. Once he heard them, he knew what they meant, so Huang Jin just copied them. out.
After Emperor Jiajing listened to Huang Jin's words and heard Huang Jin's question again, he also showed an expression of sudden realization.
"San'er's method is wonderful. One book is made into three different grades, and what is the number of the book?"
Huang Jin immediately answered. : "Publication serial number."
"Yes, yes, publication serial number. This method is also wonderful. It is equivalent to the certification of the court, indicating the value of this book. If you really print books and buy books like this, say Maybe you can really make some money. But this money is just a small profit, so there is no need to bother. If San'er really wants to get it, let him do it, but remember not to touch the "Yongle Dian"."
In the end, Emperor Jiajing said this again. He was really worried that Zhu Zaijing didn't know the heights of the sky at the beginning. If "Yongle Dadian" stimulated some old-fashioned people, it would be more than worth the gain.
Huang Jin was overjoyed when he heard that Emperor Jiajing had approved this matter. He bowed to Emperor Jiajing and said, "Yes, I will tell Prince Yu about this good news now."
"Wait a minute."< br>
At this time Emperor Jiajing stopped Huang Jin again. He thought for a while and said: "Let's do this. This matter cannot be secretive and must be open and above board. Later, you can draw up a decree and say that I want to reset it." The Hongwen Hall allowed Prince Yu to preside over all affairs within the Hongwen Hall, and set up the Daming Bookstore under the Hongwen Hall, which was responsible for collecting and publishing the originals of official regulations and excellent folk legends and stories, etc. "
"This will correct the cultural context of the Ming Dynasty and promote the literary style of the Ming Dynasty! As for the actual candidates for the job." Emperor Jiajing thought for a while and said: "I think Li Chunfang and Zhao Zhenji are two young people who are good, so I arranged them as well. Go to Hongwen Hall and work under San'er. I want to see if San'er can control the balance between them and the previous Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng."
"This is my reward. A little exercise for him to see if he can control so many people.”
Emperor Jiajing now really has high hopes for Zhu Zaijing. The imperial doctors did not dare to guarantee the affairs of King Jing Zhu Zaizhen. Therefore, Emperor Jiajing could not help but think pessimistically. King Jing was probably dead, and he might not even be able to see him in the future. It’s hard for the heirs.
So, he may be the only one like Zhu Zaijing, but he must be well cared for, cultivated, and trained early to avoid being deceived by these intelligent scholars in the future. .
(End of this chapter)