The Great Ming in the Box-Chapter 75: Talking Business
Thirty-Two leaned in close to Bai Yuan’s ear, lowering his voice. “The Deity dislikes manifesting elsewhere. Only here in Gajiacun does he personally intervene.”
Bai Yuan froze instantly. “What? Is that true?”
Thirty-Two: “I’m not entirely certain, but… so far, that appears to be the case. Otherwise, have you heard of the Deity appearing anywhere else?”
Bai Yuan stiffened all over, his bravado instantly evaporating.
Without the Deity’s protection, he was deeply reluctant to lead men into the pitch-black, torchless mountains at midnight to rescue Wang Er. Wang Er had no connection to him, Bai Yuan. The man was a rebel, for heaven’s sake! Why should Bai Yuan risk his neck?
He didn’t want to go!
But he had just grandly declared he would do so. If he backed out now, wouldn’t it mean he was instantly breaking his word?
Once word got out, the world would say Lord Bai of the Bai Family Fortress was a man without honor. The ‘Courtesy’ part of the Six Arts of Gentlemen would be crossed right off his record.
Bai Yuan roared at Thirty-Two: “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Thirty-Two spread his hands. “Why yell at me? Are you… perhaps… afraid?”
The words “are you afraid” struck Bai Yuan like a blow to a pressure point. His face instantly smoothed back into its usual calm. “Hmph!” he scoffed. “Afraid? I, Bai Yuan, am a refined gentleman, proficient in both culture and martial skills, master of the Six Arts. How could I fear a mere few dozen bandits? Gao Chuwu! Zheng Daniu! Li Da! Gao Yiyi! And every capable young man in the village! Armor on! Weapons up! Follow This Lord! That man from Wangjia Village, White Cat, was it? You lead the way! Hmph! Afraid? This Lord, afraid? Heh heh… Ahem… Li Da! Got an extra set of armor? Suit This Lord up as well.”
Everyone: “…”
Gao Chuwu grinned broadly. “I don’t mind. Last time we went to the county seat, Wang Er escorted us. Now he’s in trouble, we ought to rescue him.”
Zheng Daniu also grinned. “You tell me to do something, I do it.”
“Then let’s go!”
Gritting his teeth, Bai Yuan led a large group of Gaojia Village’s toughest young men, torches lit, marching into the mountains.
Li Daoxuan felt a flicker of concern. But then he thought about their current gear and the physical strength built up from daily full meals, meat, oil, and salt. He concluded it wasn’t worth excessive worry. Let them have their adventure. Alright, nothing much left to watch in the box for now.
Li Daoxuan stretched. Time for him to sleep too. Right before sleeping, he’d upload the eighth video of “Daily Life in the Tiny Kingdom,” which he’d just edited, to TikTok.
Click upload. Sleep!
…
Dawn hadn’t yet broken when Li Daoxuan’s phone rang, waking him.
He’d stayed up late last night watching his little people fight their night battle and had only managed a few hours of sleep. This call was extremely unwelcome. Part of him wanted to ignore it, but since he was already awake, not answering felt like a double loss.
Slightly irritated, Li Daoxuan answered, “Hello? Who is it?”
“Hello, are you the creator of the TikTok account ‘Daily Life in the Tiny Kingdom’? I’m the Sales Manager from Ningyang Toy Company, hoping to discuss a business collaboration with you.”
Li Daoxuan glanced outside. It was still pitch black. Who calls this early to talk business? Seriously! What kind of person does this?
The caller sensed the brief pause conveyed dissatisfaction and hurriedly explained, “Apologies for the timing! I was worried another sales rep might snatch this commission, so I just wanted to reach you as quickly as possible.”
The man was surprisingly blunt about his motives. His honesty actually dissipated Li Daoxuan’s annoyance. “Alright, understood,” Li Daoxuan replied.
The caller continued, “I don’t wish to waste your time, so I’ll be direct. We’d like you to create a video featuring our company’s building block toys. Include a link to purchase our products in the video – distribute them through a ‘Little Yellow Bike’. Your commission will be…”
Li Daoxuan chuckled inwardly here it comes! I’ve been waiting for this. Out loud, his tone remained neutral. “How much commission?”
The caller answered, “Twenty-five percent of sales revenue.”
Li Daoxuan had no idea if this rate was reasonable. He just knew TikTok would take 5%, leaving him 20%. It seemed doable! Make some easy money; why overthink it?
Li Daoxuan said, “I’ll need to see your products first, to see if they suit the Tiny Kingdom theme. Don’t send me some huge toy; that won’t fit.”
The caller chuckled confidently. “Rest assured! Our company specializes in miniature toys, all tiny little things! Absolutely perfect for the Tiny Kingdom theme. Guaranteed to satisfy.”
“Alright!” Li Daoxuan agreed. “Send me samples to review.”
The caller: “We’ll send them express delivery immediately! Overnight! Delivered tonight! See? This early call was all about that timing!”
Li Daoxuan exchanged pleasantries before hanging up.
The call ended, but sleep was now impossible. He got out of bed.
A hint of dawn was just emerging outside his window. Li Daoxuan absentmindedly ordered some congee and cold noodles for delivery. His gaze habitually drifted to the scenic box beside his bed.
Inside the box, the sky was also just starting to brighten.
The first person up in Gaojia Village turned out to be the teacher, Mr. Wang.
The village’s late-night battle had involved every able-bodied man and woman, leaving everyone thoroughly exhausted and sleeping in late. Only Mr. Wang, who hadn’t fought but had instead huddled fearfully all night in his small room, was the first to rise this morning.
Being a poor scholar, he had no bad habits requiring servants. He cooked himself some congee, sprinkled in two salt-pickled chicken strips and some fresh greens, and savored the satisfying breakfast.
Then, Mr. Wang began organizing his teaching materials.
The children’s lessons had been canceled yesterday due to the preparations for war. Today, he needed to teach them properly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t deserve meals that good.
Seeing how serious and responsible Mr. Wang appeared, Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but smile. Yesterday, he’d introduced the “Seventh Set of Radio Calisthenics” on a whim. It had been a spur-of-the-moment joke, but now he seriously needed to consider educational reforms. Modern teaching methods needed to spread outward from this very teacher. Ancient scholars could be incredibly rigid. Getting him to willingly accept a new teaching method would be difficult. Li Daoxuan needed a plan, a way to convince him genuinely.
Just as he was pondering this, the children woke up too.
Gao Yiye led a large group of children, bouncing cheerfully into the courtyard where Mr. Wang lived. As soon as they saw him, the bouncing stopped. They bowed respectfully in unison. “Good morning, Teacher!”
It seemed children feared their teachers just as much in ancient times as they did today.
Gao Yiye smiled at Mr. Wang too. “Good morning, Mr. Wang. This little girl would also like to learn reading and writing with the children.”
Mr. Wang nodded, about to start the lesson when he suddenly remembered something. He looked up towards the distant watchtower.
Li Daoxuan knew exactly what he was looking at and smiled. He opened his phone app, reached his phone into the box so it hung suspended above the watchtower, and began the familiar routine: “Seventh Set of Radio Calisthenics… Group One… Stretching Exercises…”
Chapter 75: Talking Business
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