It had to be said that Kong Yingda's actions were very fast. One by one, the Kong Family's descendants went to all the major bookstores in Chang 'an City. When they saw the printed books, they didn't need to say anything and just went on a shopping spree.
"The Kong Family must be crazy! They actually bought so many books! "A bookstore owner was dumbfounded as he watched the Kong Family's descendants moving books from the bookstore beside him.
"The Kong Family is a scholarly family. It's understandable for them to buy books. However, most of the books in the Kong Family's collection are unique copies. I'm afraid they don't need to buy these common books in the market." A bookstore owner was overjoyed but couldn't help but wonder. The Kong Family didn't lack books. Even if they needed books, they didn't need to buy 20 copies of each book.
A Kong Family's descendant shook his head and said, "This is the Libation Lord's order. We are just following orders! As long as there are engraved books in your bookstore, buy 20 copies of each book. "
Time was also extremely tight for Kong Yingda. For the books that were already in the market, he directly used the simplest method, which was to buy them. Buying all the books that could be bought in the market would save him half of the effort. As for the unique copies in the Kong Family's collection, those were the books that needed to be printed with movable type.
The bookstore owner couldn't help but hold his breath. This was a big business! Once the engraved books were printed, they would have nothing to do anyway. Printing 20 copies at once wasn't a big deal. However, it couldn't withstand such a large quantity!
"Please rest assured, this lowly one will definitely give the Kong Family the best price." The bookstore owner hurriedly said in a clear voice. This was the Kong Sheng's descendant. If this spread out, it would be good for his bookstore's reputation.
"And these books, give me 20 copies of each!" The Kong Family's descendant frowned as he pointed at a row of books.
The bookstore owner immediately said with difficulty, "These are Mohist books!"
As everyone knew, Confucianism and Mohism didn't get along. He didn't want to offend the Kong Family because of this.
The Kong Family's descendant boldly said, "Not only Mohist books, as long as it's a book from the Hundred Schools of Thought, the Kong Family wants it!"
"Ah!" The bookseller was dumbfounded. He had no choice but to do as he was told. He carried the books onto the Kong Family's carriage.
However, this was only the portrayal of one bookseller in Chang 'an City. Following that, the children of the Kong Family attacked everywhere and almost emptied the stock of all the booksellers in Chang' an City. At the same time, they left a long list of book orders. The booksellers in Chang 'an City were in a frenzy, and the behavior of the Kong Family spread like wildfire in Chang' an City.
"Chancellor Kong used his entire family's wealth to buy books." Someone quietly did some calculations for Kong Yingda. The total value of these books was probably more than half of the Kong family's wealth. This was a crazy act for anyone.
"What is the Kong Family's intention?" Zheng Chang asked with a frown as he watched carts of books being pulled into the Kong Residence.
Right now, the Five Clans and Seven Scions were paying close attention to the Kong clan and the Mo clan. Kong Yingda's strange behavior of buying large quantities of books naturally attracted his attention.
"I heard that this time, the Kong Family is desperately trying to find a doctor. As long as it's a book from the Hundred Schools of Thought, they won't let it go. Right now, the Kong Family has bought at least a few thousand books. " Uncle Zheng said. Although the price of books had dropped greatly since the invention of engraving printing, a few thousand books with 20 copies per book was still close to tens of thousands of copies. It was still a shocking number.
"It's just a few lousy books. What can they do?" Zheng Chang sneered.
"Young Master, we have to be careful. According to my sources, the Kong Family has also bought large quantities of paper and ink. As for their use, we still don't know." Uncle Zheng said worriedly.
"A scholar's rebellion failed after three years. Just a few books and a few pieces of paper to contend against the Five Clans and Seven Scions is simply wishful thinking." Zheng Chang said proudly. He wanted to see what tricks the Kong Family had up their sleeves.
After spending a total of five days, the Kong Family finally bought all the books that could be bought on the market. Looking at the mountain of books in the Kong Family Residence, the entire place was filled with the thick scent of ink. Kong Yingda couldn't help but smile. The Kong Family was a family of scholars and had a special attachment to books.
"Second Uncle, has the location of the library been chosen?" Kong Yingda looked at Kong Desheng and asked.
Kong Desheng took a deep breath and said with a look of enjoyment, "Don't worry. The Old Man has personally taken care of this matter. The location of the bookshelves has already been prepared."
The reason why the Kong Family Residence wanted to bring the books back was not only to keep it a secret, but also because the bookshelves in the library had yet to be completed.
"Good! Now that Chang 'an City is in an uproar, the Kong Family Residence shouldn't keep them waiting. "Kong Yingda said proudly.
Kong Desheng nodded and said, "After tomorrow, the world will know that the Kong Family Residence has the best collection of books in the world."
"Then I'll have to trouble Second Uncle!" Kong Yingda said solemnly.
As the Chancellor of the Imperial College, Kong Yingda naturally couldn't manage the library. Thus, Kong Desheng was the most suitable candidate.
Following Kong Desheng's order, carriages of books were pulled into the prepared shops under the cover of the night.
The next day, just as the sky was bright, the shops on Vermilion Bird Avenue opened for business. Only one shop in the center of the avenue was closed, and the signboard was covered with red silk. The surrounding shops were not surprised. Every year, shops would be transferred and reopened. The opening of a new shop was a common thing.
"This is the place?" Zheng Chang stood in front of the unopened shop and frowned.
Uncle Zheng nodded and said, "Young Master, last night, the Kong Family said that the books they bought were sent here overnight."
Although the Kong Family's actions were concealed, they couldn't hide from the Zheng Family who had been keeping an eye on the Kong Family. When they found out about the Kong Family's actions, they immediately came to investigate.
At this moment, the door of the shop creaked open. Kong Desheng walked out proudly and ordered the servants to tidy up the shop. Through the door, Zheng Chang could clearly see the rows of bookshelves.
"Young Master, what should we do?" Uncle Zheng asked.
Zheng Chang smiled and said, "The descendant of Kong Sheng is actually doing business on the street. For such a grand occasion, us juniors naturally have to present a congratulatory gift."
Zheng Chang was very pleased with himself. He didn't expect that the Kong Family would cut off their own path of retreat and actually do business on the streets. If this were to spread, the Kong Family's thousand-year reputation would probably be destroyed in an instant. At that time, if the Kong Family wanted to promote primary schools again, he wouldn't even need to do anything.
"Junior Zheng Chang pays his respects to Senior Kong Desheng. When Senior came to Chang 'an, you stayed overnight in the Zheng Family. This junior was fortunate enough to witness Senior's splendor once!" Zheng Chang walked out of the carriage and greeted Kong Desheng.
"So it's you, junior!" Kong Desheng couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he saw Zheng Chang outside the shop. Zheng Chang was the son of the first wife of the Zheng Family. Kong Desheng had some impression of him, but Kong Desheng didn't expect him to be the one who came to Chang 'an from the Zheng Family. It was likely that the one who was secretly plotting against the Kong Family was Zheng Chang.
"Junior suddenly heard that Senior Kong is purchasing a business on Vermilion Bird Avenue. How would I dare be rude? I specially came to deliver a congratulatory gift." Zheng Chang said respectfully.
Kong Desheng looked at Zheng Chang and couldn't help but sigh inwardly when he compared him to Mo Jiazi. Although Mo Jiazi didn't get along with the Confucian school, his actions were open and aboveboard, making it difficult for others to dislike him. On the other hand, Zheng Chang had the demeanor of a young master from an aristocratic family, but his actions were extremely sinister and disgusting.
"There's no need for a congratulatory gift. The Kong Family's business is free of charge!" Kong Desheng said indifferently.
"Free of charge? Senior Kong must be joking. There's no business in this world that doesn't require payment. Senior Kong has really opened this junior's eyes! "Zheng Chang couldn't help but laugh.
Kong Desheng said indifferently, "Since that's the case, then just wait and see!"
Zheng Chang couldn't help but sneer and raise his eyebrows slightly. Uncle Zheng immediately understood and left. Soon, the news of Kong Sheng's business spread throughout Vermilion Bird Avenue. More and more people rushed over.
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