19: Little Alpaca: Is "A Dream of Red Mansions" written for me?

Chapter 19: Little Alpaca: Is the story of the stone written for me?

The value of the luxurious Prince Yong's Residence was about three hundred thousand taels of silver, which significantly boosted Li Chang'an's wealth ranking.

There were many rich people in this world; the wealthy class had at least a million taels of wealth, and big merchants' assets were tens of millions of taels.

【Your wealth ranking has risen to 3950th!】

【Your power ranking has risen to 180th!】

Li Chang'an's power ranking did not see a substantial increase, mainly because he lacked actual authority.

It was truly not easy to make progress.

Among the five dimensions—power, wealth, martial prowess, charm, and artistry—martial prowess was the most important, and Li Chang'an had never stopped Cultivating.

Since he had the System, Li Chang'an naturally wanted to reach the top in all five rankings, so establishing his own influence was the most crucial step.

As the saying goes, 'soldiers and horses move, provisions go first.' The foundation for establishing influence was money; without money, he couldn't support so many people.

The fastest way to accumulate wealth was through business; with the first pot of gold, he could make money generate more money.

So, the first thing Li Chang'an had to do was earn his first pot of gold without arousing Emperor Qing's suspicion.

Although Qing Kingdom's official System somewhat resembled the former Ming Dynasty, the restrictions on princes were not as strict.

Princes secretly associating with court officials was taboo, but doing business and investing was permissible.

Many of Li Chang'an's abilities could directly earn money, especially with his widespread reputation for talent. Combining poetry, calligraphy, and painting would surely fetch high prices.

the story of the stone, originally intended for publication, could also be sold alongside calligraphy and paintings, merging the bookshop and commercial store into one.

Among the Net's Ten Evils, there was an assassin adept at calligraphy, whom Li Chang'an called Shu Xiong.

He could set up the calligraphy and painting business, and then, with Zhao Gao's cooperation, gradually establish an intelligence network in the capital.

Li Chang'an gave the remaining Nine Evils some money, instructing them to establish strongholds in major cities across the capital, Southern Qing, and Northern Qi.

These individuals all possessed extremely high espionage talent, along with a top-tier (third-grade or higher) talent in areas such as blacksmithing, medicine, commerce, or carpentry.

With Li Chang'an's financial support, they could first establish roots in various places, laying the foundation for the Net's future omnipresence.

Half a month later, a calligraphy and painting shop named San Yong Pavilion opened in a prime location in Kyoto Prefecture.

San Yong Pavilion opened discreetly, without even an opening ceremony, and sold only ordinary calligraphy and paintings, with business being lukewarm.

The name was too common; Li Chang'an's three odes had made him famous at five years old, and San Yong Pavilion on the street was as ubiquitous as a Renhe Supermarket in ancient times.

A month later, San Yong Pavilion released the novel the story of the stone, with only the first ten chapters of the first volume.

In the third month, the story of the stone had issued a total of three volumes, the first thirty chapters, finally causing a huge sensation throughout the entire Kyoto Prefecture!

Inside Prince Yong's Residence.

Li Chang'an was diligently practicing painting; his calligraphy had already reached the ninth grade, and his painting ability was about to reach it as well.

Several hours later, Li Chang'an added the final stroke, “It’s finally done!”

Xiren, who was attending to him, immediately offered him tea. She looked at the lifelike flower and bird painting, her eyes filled with admiration.

“Your Highness’s flower and bird painting is even superior to those of the current masters. Paired with Your Highness’s unique Slender Gold style, this painting is truly a divine creation!”

Li Chang'an possessed a full ninth-grade talent. In the palace, he had specially invited teachers, and after leaving the palace, he frequently sought out renowned masters.

Coupled with his memories of Emperor Huizong of Song's famous flower and bird paintings from his previous life, he had completely mastered the calligraphy and painting abilities of that fallen emperor.

Only when he practiced to the very end did Li Chang'an realize that this unique form of calligraphy and painting required a wealthy mindset from a young age to truly master.

In other words, his current calligraphy and painting abilities were unique in the world; it would be difficult for others to imitate him!

Just then, an excited shout came from outside, “Uncle Prince Yong! Uncle Prince Yong! the story of the stone is written for me, right?”

Li Chang'an looked outside to see the handsome young man Li Chengze, with his alpaca-like hairstyle, eagerly rushing towards Li Chang'an's study.

Behind him followed Qingwen, who hadn't had time to announce him, and his own accompanying eunuchs and palace maids.

The Second Prince wore a grand red brocade robe over a light green long gown, appearing enchanting and noble.

He held three well-preserved volumes of the story of the stone. After entering, he grabbed Li Chang'an's sleeve, his eyes practically overflowing with enthusiasm!

“Uncle Prince Yong, Master Sanyong, the author of the story of the stone, is you, right?”

“I truly can't imagine anyone else in this world possessing such talent besides Uncle Prince Yong!”

“My nickname is ‘Stone,’ so is the story of the stone written for me?”

“Today, San Yong Pavilion is releasing the fourth volume of the story of the stone. My Imperial Mother and I specifically left the palace to get our hands on it!”

Li Chengze’s enthusiasm was within Li Chang'an’s expectations; after all, both he and his mother were lovers of art and literature.

Li Chengze, who was only eleven years old now, had not yet been used as a whetstone, and was still relatively pure, which could be seen from his eyes.

Li Chang'an pressed him into a chair and then said with a smile, “Chengze, where is Noble Consort Shu? Did you run over by yourself?”

The Second Prince eagerly said, “Imperial Mother is waiting at the entrance of San Yong Pavilion. She still doesn't quite believe that you are the author of the story of the stone!”

“But I just know it! The names of the characters in the book are exactly the same as your Twelve Golden Hairpins. This book must have been written by you!”

Li Chang'an did not reply, but instead looked at the panting Qingwen, “Qingwen, how are things at San Yong Pavilion?”

Qingwen quickly replied, “They’re crazy! Everyone’s gone crazy! It’s simply a sea of people!”

“San Yong Pavilion hasn’t even opened yet, and the entire street is lined with people. If someone hadn’t notified the Kyoto Prefecture to maintain order, there would probably be a fight!”

Li Chang'an said, “This Prince never said that the fourth volume would be released today. Who spread such a rumor?”

Hearing Li Chang'an’s words, Li Chengze became even more excited. It seemed he hadn't guessed wrong; this book was indeed written by Li Chang'an!

Qingwen blinked her beautiful big eyes, looking quite pleased, “The first three volumes of the story of the stone were all updated on the fifteenth of every month, and those who bought the books have all found that out!”

Li Chang'an turned his gaze to Li Chengze, saying with a half-smile, “One volume, ten chapters, a total of eighty thousand characters. How could I write that in a month!”

“The previous three volumes were all drafts saved over the past few years. Now that they’re all used up, I can’t produce the next volume!”

Li Chengze’s eyes were actually a little teary, “Uncle Prince, then San Yong Pavilion won’t open today?”

Li Chang'an said seriously, “Of course it will open. This Prince needs to sell books to earn money.”

“Didn’t you say you haven’t written the next volume? Then what will you open to sell?” Li Chengze looked confused, a glimmer of hope sparking in his heart.

“Selling chapters thirty-one and thirty-two of the story of the stone, at double the price!” Li Chang'an replied cheerfully.

Li Chengze immediately jumped up, “Uncle Prince, you’re so cruel! The content is only one-fifth of a volume, and the price is doubled!”

But then, he revealed a fawning smile, “Good Uncle Prince, we are close uncle and nephew. Would Uncle Prince be willing to give me a copy?”