Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 295 - 131 Chengxin Hall Paper

After a good night’s sleep, Gu Chengyu got out of bed and opened the window. At this moment, South Street across the way was already bustling with traders hawking their goods, and a pedlar with a shoulder pole was carefully arranging rouge and powder on his racks. The street was filled with hurried people, most of them were robust men still wearing short brown jackets; they must be the porters from the docks.

Gu Chengyu spread out the paper for practice writing and began practicing his calligraphy.

He practiced for about an hour, then set down the brush and prepared to do some painting. At that moment, Ming Mo entered the study.

"Young Master! Xiao Sanzi is here, waiting outside the inn!" Ming Mo took the opportunity to report to Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu tilted his head slightly, recalling Xiao Sanzi, a boy with some determination and persistence. He happened to have a lack of useful people around him, so it might be worth grooming Xiao Sanzi.

"Let him be, I’ll deal with it after I finish painting!" Xiao Sanzi left early yesterday, not even knowing if Gu Chengyu and his people checked into Qunying Building. In such circumstances, Gu Chengyu wanted to see if Xiao Sanzi would persevere.

Ming Mo was a bit surprised and glanced at Gu Chengyu, feeling quite puzzled. After all, the young master had asked him and Ming Yan to go with Xiao Sanzi to look for a shop yesterday! Could it be that he changed his mind today? Then he thought of a possibility and quietly retreated. It seemed that Xiao Sanzi was about to become one of his own.

Gu Chengyu touched the paper he’d painted on and frowned slightly as he noticed the poor quality of the paper; it didn’t absorb water well. He thought about having many modern-day papers in his space, which were white and smooth for writing. Perhaps he could set up a paper workshop; if not for selling, at least for his own use.

During the Dayan Dynasty, the finest paper was Chengxin Hall Paper, as thin as an eggshell membrane, firm and pure like jade, delicate and glossy. However, this paper was very expensive, costing a hundred taels of silver for just one knife. In the Dayan Dynasty, one knife of paper was only ten sheets, so its value was no exaggeration; it was even difficult to purchase without connections.

Such expensive paper was only suitable for collection; those who could afford to use it were families of wealth and status, or wealthy merchants. In short, Gu Chengyu hadn’t reached the level of extravagance to practice writing and painting with Chengxin Paper daily.

The Xuan paper for painting, he had tried to buy the best he could, yet the paper-making technique in the Dayan Dynasty was inadequate. The Xuan paper wasn’t white at all and didn’t absorb water well.

"Let him come in! I have something to instruct him!" Gu Chengyu had just finished painting a bustling morning market scene and was coloring the figures in it.

"Yes!" Ming Mo knew Gu Chengyu referred to Xiao Sanzi, turned to let Ming Yan come inside to wait, and then went downstairs.

Ming Yan saw Gu Chengyu had finished painting and went to fetch water for Gu Chengyu to wash his hands.

"Young Master! Xiao Sanzi is here, standing outside!"

"Let him in!" Gu Chengyu washed his hands and then sat down on the adjacent armchair.

Xiao Sanzi stood at the door, nervous, not knowing what this lord wanted from him. He glanced at the wooden floor inside the room and then at the shoes on his feet, pulling his feet back a little.

He couldn’t forget the looks he received when he entered the inn, as if saying that he was only slightly better than a beggar, yet had dared to step inside.

While Xiao Sanzi was lost in thought, he heard the clear voice of the young man inside. It was the gentleman from yesterday, who seemed only a bit older than him, already a Scholar.

Xiao Sanzi touched his sleeve and followed Ming Mo into the room. He dared not look around, only stared at the floor, noticing from the corner of his eye that it was quite a large room. So, the upper-class rooms in Qunying Building were this big?

"Is your father better?" Gu Chengyu looked at Xiao Sanzi, who seemed more subdued than yesterday, perhaps due to suddenly finding himself in such a luxurious environment.

"Reporting to young master, we invited a doctor yesterday, who prescribed medicine; he’s getting much better but still needs a few months of recovery at home." Xiao Sanzi was a bit surprised that Gu Chengyu would ask this first.

"Injuries to muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal, so recovery isn’t much to fear. I won’t beat around the bush; your father needs to recover, your sister is young, and girls shouldn’t be out and about. Your family is relying on you to make a living. If you’re willing to help me, I’ll give you some monthly salary."

Gu Chengyu planned to observe for a period before saying more, so at first, he’d only assign Xiao Sanzi some errands. Xiao Sanzi, having wandered the Capital for years, was familiar with the roads and clever, as well as honest. As long as his family’s situation was confirmed true, he’d give him some opportunities and let him learn from Yu Tuanzi.

"What? Is this real?" Xiao Sanzi raised his head in surprise, looking at Gu Chengyu with skepticism. It wasn’t surprising; he had met Gu Chengyu only yesterday, and moreover, he had deceived him yesterday. Now, he doubted how genuine this offer to work was.

"Why? You think our young master would deceive you? Just say if you’re willing!" Ming Mo received a signal from Gu Chengyu and said to Xiao Sanzi.

"Of course, I’m willing, I’m just afraid I’ll perform poorly and delay the young master’s matters." Xiao Sanzi was still caught in the surprise, not having studied nor able to read, thus his capabilities lay in running errands, yet even inns and taverns wouldn’t hire him.

Inns and taverns opted for familiar hires; besides, those jobs weren’t bad. If they encountered a wealthy guest, even a casual tip could equate to a day’s wage.

"Since you’re willing, follow Ming Mo and others in the next couple of days. There’s a steward arriving in a few days; you’ll join him once he’s here!" Gu Chengyu finished speaking, stood up, and prepared to leave the room, hoping to explore the Capital now that he was here.

"Young master, there’s one more thing..." Xiao Sanzi spoke hesitantly.

"Say whatever it is, and don’t call me young master. Call me young lord!" Gu Chengyu frowned; the title "young master" felt awkward, as though aging him decades.

"Yes, young lord! I wanted to say, I’m not going to sell myself; my father doesn’t allow it." Xiao Sanzi finished speaking, nervously awaiting Gu Chengyu’s reply.

No matter how difficult the situation was at home, his father wouldn’t let him enter the ranks of the indentured. His father would rather die than sell him and his sister; he couldn’t disobey his father’s wishes.

"I never said anything about selling yourself, you’re overthinking!" At this point, Gu Chengyu remembered that the Capital’s brokerage must have capable servants, and when Yu Tuanzi arrived, he needed to have him buy a few more people; his crew was still too small.

"Miss! Xing is here, I asked him to bring some of mom’s pickled vegetables, would you like him to come in to report?" Qing Dai lifted the curtain and entered the inner chamber, informing her lady.

Yao Mengxian knew Xing was here with news. "Yes, let him in. It’s been a while since we’ve had your mother’s pickled vegetables; I’ve been craving them."

Lianxin quickly helped Yao Mengxian to walk outside; they exchanged several words with Xing from behind the screen, and after a while, seeing the gesture Qing Dai made, Yao Mengxian finally asked about the matters she had previously asked him to investigate.