Chapter 232: Printing Novels

Under Cheng Dong's guidance, Liu Bing has arrived at a residential house on Sock Street.
This is a simple residential house.
The courtyard is not big, with a paved front yard and a charming small garden at the back.
Though simple, it is exceptionally clean.
The interior furnishings are also very simple. Besides daily household items, there are no other burdensome objects.
There is no one indoors, but the sound of children playing can be heard from the backyard.
Cheng Dong apologetically said, "My aunt should be taking care of the children in the backyard. I will go and invite her."
Liu Bing smiled and nodded.
正房东侧用一个格木门板隔开了，搭建了一个临时的书房。
书房的架子上放满了一捆又一捆的竹简。刘病已翻开了一个，发现竟然是自己曾经说过的评书故事，被程谦记忆下来，誊抄下来。
So many of them are actually my own storytelling stories.
Liu Bing couldn't be more pleased. He thinks Cheng Qian is just too thoughtful.
A small window lets the sunshine in and shines on the wall to the north.
那个墙壁上正好挂着一个细密竹帘制作的画卷。画卷上写着两个大大的篆字：“至简”。
Liu Bingyi smiled slightly. This is precisely the key point he discussed with his great-grandfather a few days ago. Unexpectedly, it aligns with Cheng Qian's lifestyle and habits.
Getting rid of the burdens and complexities of life, we are left with the simplest things. This not only allows our hearts to breathe, but also relieves the pressure on our minds. We won't waste too many fearless experiences on things that don't matter.
前生曾经有一个词叫作“断舍离”。一个生活极为憋屈的老头子，一生酷爱收藏东西，自己用过的东西也舍不得丢。到了晚年，本来就狭窄的房间变得更加紧蹙。
After his spouse passed away, he sat alone in the room and spent a few days with the sunlight. Finally, he came to understand a truth: the most precious thing in life is not one's own life. As for external possessions, we can't take them with us when we die, so what's the use in holding onto them?
The old man who had figured it out started throwing away these self-proclaimed "treasures" one by one. Every time something was thrown away, the house became more spacious and his mood improved. Until there was only a table, a sofa, and a bed left in the room, he suddenly felt much younger.
投射到人身上，
道理岂不是一样吗？放弃那些让毫无价值却让自己负重的，轻松上路，过好每一天。
也许是思考地太过深入了。当程东和大伯母站在门外时，刘病已并未感觉得到。
当两个孩童叫嚷着从后花园奔跑过来时，才把刘病已从思索中惊醒。
刘病已一看到两个四五岁的孩童闯进屋里有些局促不安，便微微一笑，从怀中掏出一个油包，慢慢打开来，里面赫然是两支糖葫芦。
Liu Bingyi gave one to each of them.
Mrs. Cheng quickly instructed her children to say thank you.
Liu Bingyi waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for thanks. The two children happily enjoyed their sugar-coated haws and went off to play in the backyard.
Cheng Dong stepped forward: "This is the owner of our family, and this is the Aunt."
The Aunt bowed slightly: "Cheng Qiao Shi has seen the master."
"Illness pays respects to Aunt." Liu Bingyi still presented himself as a junior.
It is not surprising for Cheng Qiao to have heard about the character of this lord from Cheng Qian.
Cheng Dong has sharp eyes and after introducing the two, he excused himself by saying that he had to go to the store and left.
"Aunt's surname is Qiao? Where is she from?" Liu Bingyi seems to have heard that Cheng Qian's hometown is near Qixian, Shanxi.
"My family's ancestral home is in Qicheng, Taiyuan County."
Liu Bingyi has investigated the geographical names of this time and concludes that the present-day Qicheng is the future Shanxi Qixian.
Whenever he mentions this place, he recalls that the Qiao family in the future will become a leading figure among the Shanxi merchants, and his descendant Qiao Zhiyong will become a prominent businessman in the late Qing Dynasty. At this point, Liu Bingyuan really wants to tell the person in front of him, "Your descendants will become a great merchant."
大商贾，难道说因为自己的缘故，程谦家也因此发迹，从而让乔家也受了影响，将这商业基因传承了下去？
古代的商业还是禁锢于家财。一人富裕，会带领七大姑八大姨的亲属一起参与其中。乔家作为程谦的母系表亲，受到扶持当然责无旁贷了。
Liu Bing suddenly realized that being rich as an individual is not true wealth. Only when the majority of people become prosperous can it be considered genuine wealth. Liu Bing intends to expand the number of stores and involve the people around him, creating a massive commercial empire.
Have you always been worried about not having a solid foundation?
Just expand yourself. Expand the business territory and quickly achieve success.
I didn't expect to finally find the answer to the problem that has been troubling me for a long time. Liu is overjoyed with excitement.
"I heard Cheng mentioned it before. Who else is in your aunt's family?"
"I have an older brother and two younger brothers. They all work in farming to make a living. These years have been tough due to natural disasters, and we have been living a very difficult life."
"My aunt can bring them to Chang'an and arrange for them to work at Baoyuan Zhai."
"My husband doesn't want them to come, fearing that they are all reckless men who will damage the reputation of the master."
"What kind of talk is this!" Liu Bingyi had just said this, but then he saw Cheng Qian running into the courtyard.
"Lord, why are you here?" Cheng Qian came running while wiping his sweat.
"If I don't come, my conscience will hold me accountable!" Liu Bing blamed angrily.
"Where did you hear such words!" Cheng Qian quickly tried to explain.
"Grandfather passed away, why didn't you inform me? How long has Aunt been in Chang'an? Do you still consider me a family member? Why are you treating me like a thief?"
Cheng Qiao Shi saw that the two were talking aggressively and made an excuse to go and make tea before leaving.
Cheng Qian hurriedly explained: "Lord, when my father passed away, I naturally felt great sorrow. But at that time, our Baoyuan Studio was just in the initial stage of opening, and the demand for our products exceeded supply. In order to prevent confidential information from being leaked, I couldn't entrust this matter to others. How could I just abandon my responsibilities for personal reasons? I sent some of my six-month salary back to take care of things, and my father's funeral was also well done and decent. Even resting in peace below, my father would understand his son's intentions."
Cheng Qian's tears streamed down his face. Liu Bei gently patted Cheng Qian's shoulder and sighed, saying, "Once a person dies, they cannot be brought back to life. Cheng Shu, please grieve."
Cheng Qian wiped away a tear and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Lord, for your concern."
Liu Bing was quick to change the subject, allowing Cheng Qian to escape from sorrow. He pointed to the bamboo slips covering the walls and asked, "Are these all the stories I've told?"
"Yes, Lord!" Cheng Qian's face was full of pride upon hearing this.
Considering that the family's business relies entirely on Cheng Qian's management, while I rarely take part in it. Although the family fortune keeps growing, Cheng Qian doesn't take a single penny, and continues to adhere to his fixed monthly salary. Despite having received a fortune, our family's living conditions remain so humble. Liu has witnessed this scene and feels indebted to him. It's necessary to find a way to make amends properly.
“把这些交给苏师父，刻板印刷，我付给你版税！”
程谦听了，满脸的惊讶。“主公，可这些故事都是出自你的口中。我怎敢占有。”