Price wars often end cruelly.

There are at least hundreds of bookstores in Chang'an City, not to mention the small ones, but the large ones.

During this period, these bookstores were almost in a state of emptiness.

Although these bookstores are generally self-owned properties and will not be unable to pay the rent like later generations, but without making money, these shopkeepers are all anxious.

If you don’t lower the price, you won’t be able to sell it!

Price reduction? Blood loss!

The key is that there is no future in sight.

"Shopkeeper Wen, an invitation has just been sent from Prince Chu's Mansion."

Xishi Wenqu Bookstore used to be second only to Sanwei Bookstore, but now it has not sold a single book for three consecutive days.

The shopkeeper Wen Qiming was thinking about a way out with a sad look on his face. Unexpectedly, the waiter in the shop suddenly handed over an invitation.

"Invitation from Prince Chu's Mansion?"

Wen Qiming was stunned for a moment. Although he relied on nobles to gain a foothold in Chang'an City, his status was vastly different from that of King Chu.

It is impossible for him to receive an invitation from Prince Chu's Mansion in his spare time.

"Yes, the man said that at noon tomorrow, he will be waiting for you, the shopkeeper, to attend the meeting in Wuhe Juya Room."

"Our Wenqu Bookstore has never had any interaction with Prince Chu's Mansion before. If you invite me to an appointment this time, could it be that the rumors are true?"

Wen Qiming held the invitation and thought about the reason behind it.

"Shopkeeper Wen, there are rumors that Xinhua Bookstore is the property of the Prince of Chu. The books and papers in it are all produced by the newly built papermaking and printing workshops by the Wei River. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was even written by His Highness the Prince of Chu.

, it seems that this news is probably true."

"Well, only in this way can we explain clearly why Prince Chu's Palace invited me to the appointment. Anyway, the situation cannot be worse than it is now, so I will go and see what His Highness Prince Chu wants!"

…

Like Wenqu Bookstore, there were a lot of people who received the invitation, including almost all the major bookstores in Chang'an City.

In other words, these books together basically monopolized Chang'an City's papermaking and printing market.

"Shopkeeper Wen, you're here."

"Shopkeeper Chen, you are here too."

"Brother Zhou, long time no see."

Before noon, shopkeepers from various bookstores came to Wuheju one after another, and today Wuheju has been booked by the Prince of Chu's Palace.

Wang Xuance greeted the shopkeepers there in advance. The atmosphere couldn't be said to be very cheerful, but everyone was still full of expectations for today's banquet.

Of course, some people are worried that today will be a Hongmen Banquet, and there is no way to avoid this.

"Brother Wen, have you heard anything about it? This sudden appearance in Prince Chu's Mansion is completely incomprehensible."

"I don't know as much information as you do, so my eyesight goes dark and I take every step I take. Anyway, I can hardly maintain the current situation in the shop. I only go out every day, but don't come in. Who can stand it?"

"

"I originally thought that the low price offered by Xinhua Bookstore at the beginning was a gimmick, but I didn't expect that it had persisted for so long without raising the price. If the cost hadn't been really low, even if the Prince of Chu's family had a big business, it probably wouldn't have been able to sustain it.

"

"Yes, the most important thing is that such reluctance makes no sense. Xinhua Bookstore has already made its name."

"It seems that the papermaking workshop and printing workshop under the Chu Prince's Mansion are using processes that we don't understand at all. Otherwise, the cost would not be able to drop so fast."

A group of bookstore shopkeepers gathered together in twos and threes, waiting for Li Kuan's arrival.

"His Royal Highness the King of Chu has arrived!"

Li Kuan only brought Wang Xuanwu, Xi Junmai, Chu Suiliang and Wang Fugui with him, and came to Wuheju in a low-key manner.

Due to the huge difference in status, no one of the businessmen on the scene took the initiative to say hello to Li Kuan, and they all stood there quietly.

"Everyone, please sit down. Don't be too formal." Li Kuan waved his hand and motioned for everyone to sit down. "Don't worry, today is not the Hongmen Banquet."

"Sit down and talk while eating. His Royal Highness the King of Chu comes to see you today with sincerity." Wang Fugui saw that the businessmen were still submissive and stood up to speak quickly.

Although the industries are different, many people have heard of Wang Fugui's name, and even some businessmen know him and have dealt with him. Only when they saw him standing up to greet everyone, they dared to sit down one after another.

Seeing this scene, Li Kuan knew that there was no point in playing tricks like corporal courtesy.

"It seems that if I don't explain today's purpose clearly, everyone will not be in the mood to eat. So I will say a few words first."

Li Kuan simply stood there and immediately became the center of the audience.

"Everyone must be aware of the matter of Xinhua Bookstore. Many people also have various speculations. Today I will tell you that it is my industry. The papers and books are produced in the newly established workshop of the Prince of Chu's Palace.

Come out."

"Ah! It's actually true!"

"As expected!"

As soon as Li Kuan finished speaking, there was a slight sound of surprise.

"Speaking of this, many people may have a question, Xinhua Bookstore sells books and paper so cheaply? Is it to suppress everyone, or is the cost really that low?" Li Kuan glanced around, "Today I want to say

What’s more, the Prince of Chu’s Mansion never engages in loss-making business, and these books and papers, even if they are sold so cheaply, are still profitable!”

"Isn't it possible?"

"It's over, my shop is hopeless!"

"Really or not?"

"How?"

After Li Kuan said this, the response from the scene was even greater.

Although some people had guessed this result before, almost no one believed it.

now……

"Everyone, be quiet!"

Wang Fugui saw the commotion at the scene and stood up unhappily and said loudly.

"After the prince has finished speaking, everyone will have plenty of time to discuss."

Li Kuan showed a smile that was in line with social expectations and said nonchalantly: "Don't mind Fugui, everyone will take some time to digest the news when they hear it."

Basically all the businessmen present have a small fortune, even agents like Shopkeeper Zheng have a lot of money.

No one wanted to lose face in front of their peers, and soon the scene became quiet again.

"It must be that everyone's business has not been easy in recent times, right?"

"My lord, not only is it difficult to do, but in the past three days, not a single book in my shop has been sold." Wen Qiming boldly continued.

His Highness the King of Chu doesn't look as scary as the legend says.

"That's right! Those who buy books are not stupid. There are obviously better and cheaper ones, so why should they buy yours?"

Li Kuan's words were like a sharp sword piercing the hearts of the businessmen, and then he had to sprinkle some salt on them.
Chapter completed!