Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 85 - 10 Senior Brother Sun

Chapter 85: Chapter 10 Senior Brother Sun

Gu Chengyu couldn’t care less if what he said was true or false, "How much will it cost then?"

"I’ll calculate it for you. Although this white porcelain inkstone isn’t made of precious materials, the porcelain is quite delicate—two taels of Silver for you; small brushes are two hundred copper coins, big ones three hundred copper coins, and the ink stick five hundred copper coins, adding up to three taels of Silver. How about that? The profit margins aren’t big. If you choose others, I can give you a discount." Manager Pan reluctantly let out a lot of good things, still feeling heartache. Although Shanhe Town is small, there aren’t many scholars around. If it weren’t for a small pier here, where travelers stop for supplies and occasionally pick up some ink and such, his business wouldn’t be great, especially since there’s another shop around!

Gu Chengyu estimated briefly—having arrived in this ancient time, he hadn’t ventured out much and wasn’t sure of the prices for study supplies. But seeing Manager Pan seemed adept at business, he figured Pan wouldn’t charge him too much, as he still hoped for future business. However, bargaining was essential.

"Can’t it be cheaper? This inkstone isn’t worth that much, you know!"

"Oh dear! Xiao Bao! This inkstone isn’t cheap! I don’t even stock inferior ones, which you surely wouldn’t fancy as they barely grind ink smoothly. You’ll understand once you use it. Otherwise, should I give you a ream of paper? See? Although the paper’s material is somewhat yellowish and coarse, it’s pretty decent for beginners like you. There’s even worse paper than this! This ream normally sells for a hundred copper coins; take it and cut it yourself—you can write on the scraps, right?" Manager Pan’s heart ached tremendously, but he did it for long-term business.

"Alright! Wrap it up for me! Can I go inside to look at books? I start school tomorrow and just want to flip through them, I promise not to damage anything." Gu Chengyu noticed someone copying books in the shop; it wouldn’t disturb anyone if he went in to look around for historical books, hoping to uncover more about this Dayan Dynasty.

"Of course you can! Uncle Gu, I’m really giving you a deal today, I’m honestly not making a profit here!"

"Studying is really expensive. Just today, I’ve spent five or six taels; it’s about a year’s worth of our household’s income. Sigh!"

Seeing his father engaging in idle chat with Manager Pan, Gu Chengyu quickly scanned the rows of shelves. After a while, he finally found a copy of Dayan Annals on the bottom shelf of the third row, pushed all the way inside. Judging by its layer of dust, it probably wasn’t frequented.

He opened the Annals to the first page and read quickly. Apparently, history had taken a turn after the Tang Dynasty. Shortly after its establishment, someone named Yuanqing overthrew it and founded the Qing Dynasty, which bears a resemblance to China’s last dynasty! After founding the Qing Dynasty, Yuanqing ruled for over thirty years. During his reign, he initially worked diligently, but with countless beauties in his harem bearing him eleven sons, his health waned. Naturally, the sons fought ruthlessly over succession, causing border invasions, and eventually a Zhao family from an aristocratic background took advantage, establishing the Dayan Dynasty.

The Dayan Dynasty has seen two rulers; the first reigned for thirty-three years, the Crown Prince ascended at twenty-five, as the second ruler has been reigning for twenty-five years now. Given this, Yuanqing might have been a time traveler, leveraging his skills to take the throne, though indulging excessively in women ultimately led to his downfall.

Understanding the Dayan Dynasty’s history took nearly a quarter-hour. Suddenly, he sensed a shadow looming behind him. Gu Chengyu was startled and turned quickly to find a scholar from earlier staring curiously at him from behind. Since he was in a bookstore, Gu Chengyu felt no danger, so he focused entirely on reading and hadn’t noticed the scholar’s approach. The timing indicated it hadn’t been too long, otherwise, he would’ve noticed earlier.

"You quite the interesting one, do you know how to read? Do you like historical books?" The scholar appeared around fifteen years old, donned in a well-worn straight robe typically worn by students, suggesting a modest background; otherwise, he wouldn’t be copying books at a store.

"I start attending private school tomorrow, today I just came to browse the bookstore. I don’t understand the books—just looking at the pictures! Which private school does Senior Brother attend?" Indeed, the Annals did include some small maps of borders, roughly sketched, likely not matching geographical records. But this served as an excuse, right?

"I used to study with Mr. Wen, but now I’m self-studying at home. Today, I’m copying books at Manager Pan’s for some copper coins to support my family. Which school are you attending?" Gu Chengyu saw the scholar didn’t show embarrassment about his situation, honestly revealing it, proving well worth befriending, especially since they could be schoolmates.

"What a coincidence! I’m attending Mr. Wen’s school tomorrow myself! I’ll surely have to call you Senior Brother then!" With that, Gu Chengyu hurriedly bowed.

"No need for formalities, Junior Brother. My surname is Sun, you can call me Senior Brother Sun; I’m no longer studying under Mr. Wen. Oops! It’s almost noon, I must head back, let’s chat another day." He returned the bow hastily and left swiftly.

Gu Chengyu felt curious and asked Manager Pan at the counter.

"Oh, you mean him? Alas, he has a tough fate. He started studying with Mr. Wen at eight, but after two years, his father succumbed to a sudden illness, leaving them as orphans. His mother’s health was perpetually frail, causing intermittent studying for three years. Mr. Wen waived half his tuition each year. This year, they really couldn’t afford it; all savings from his father got spent. Despite Mr. Wen’s insistence to let him owe tuition and repay later, he wouldn’t agree, prioritizing his mother’s care during the day and copying books at night to support the family. Lately, it’s said his mother’s health improved; hence he finally found time to copy books here. Of course, he had to return at noon to cook for her—it’s what your fellow students say, I just overheard. Nonetheless, his handwriting is quite nice."

Given that, he seems to have potential, otherwise, Mr. Wen wouldn’t offer to help him complete his studies. Saying he’d lend him money was merely to preserve his pride! But when could he repay it after earning a Scholar title and further attempting the scholar degree? Mr. Wen clearly never expected repayment.

"Where does he live?" Gu Chengyu curiously inquired.

"Lives in Xiasang Village! Not far from here really."

Gu Chengyu merely asked out of curiosity, letting the thought pass soon after. He let Mr. Gu carry the package of stationery, thanked Manager Pan, and prepared to take his leave. In the end, Mr. Gu gritted his teeth to pay the three taels of Silver.