Chapter 2: The Reverse Practice of the Horse Manual

The preliminary hype campaign was more than halfway complete; the next phase was to make money.

Only with money could he recruit talent, organize public opinion, and establish authority. With authority, he could then launch a massive social experiment. It was a pity there was no radio; otherwise, if he were to compose a few quotations or create some songs, he could become a living deity within three years.

That day, Li Chang'an groomed himself, dressing in wide robes with broad sleeves, wearing a tall cap and a grand belt—the very image of a master. A small donkey-drawn cart waited at the door. As soon as the driver saw him, he greeted him with a beaming, fawning smile.

"Master Immortal, just call me whenever you need to go out. If I let you ride in someone else’s cart, I wouldn't be able to sleep for days."

Li Chang'an boarded the cart, nodded with a smile, and asked about the business.

"It’s good, very good! The transport firm now has twenty donkey carts and twelve horse-drawn carriages. We’re clearing five strings of cash a day with plenty to spare. The best part is the peace of mind; it’s far better than being a groom for the Prime Minister."

This man was one of the commoners Li Chang'an had "enlightened." In less than a month, he had leaped from being a servant in a noble household to a small business owner.

Today, Li Chang'an was going to negotiate a lease for a schoolhouse. As someone who had never held a real job, he had thought it over and concluded that the education industry was the most reliable path. The market was clear, the process was straightforward, and the product was simple.

The site was an old warehouse covering about ten mu. It had been mostly renovated, needing only some flowers and plants to set the mood. As the cart arrived, a middle-aged man in his forties was already waiting at the entrance.

"Master Immortal, what do you think of my work? It can easily accommodate hundreds of students. Just lay some gravel to make a path, and the back area will be all set."

The location was indeed excellent—not far from the East Gate and right next to the canal, making the transport of supplies extremely convenient. After a tour, he was very satisfied.

"The feng shui is good. We shall settle on this place. How much is the rent?"

The middle-aged merchant bowed, then lightly slapped his own face. "Master Immortal, you insult me with that question. If not for your guidance, I would have hanged myself and met the King of Hell by now."

"Please, use this place as much as you like, for as long as you need. I’m no longer in the hemp rope business anyway, so this warehouse is useless to me."

Business was business, so money had to be paid. They eventually settled on a symbolic rent of one hundred strings of cash per year.

As they left, Li Chang'an suddenly turned back and pointed at the main gate.

"Since this is an act of charity, those who enter and leave this school should remember your kindness. Let’s pick a day to carve a stone statue of you here; it will help stabilize your fortune."

Hearing this, the merchant bowed repeatedly, nearly falling to his knees to kowtow. Such treatment was rare—it was almost as good as having a private shrine built in one's honor.

Returning to the money shop, Li Chang'an arranged for the follow-up renovations and equipment purchases. Once everything was settled, he instructed his personal attendant: "Guanghe, your crew has finished their training. Start the recruitment tomorrow."

"Understood! Just watch us; we’ll make it a success."

Having been with their young master for a while, everyone was eager to make money. But this time was different; besides their wages, there was a bonus of fifty wen for every person recruited.

***

"Extra! Extra! There’s big news! Come and listen, everyone!" After seven days of training, the clerk in charge of recruitment still didn't quite understand what "extra" meant.

When the rice is cooked, you just eat; when there is money to be made, you just earn it. He simply shouted whatever his employer told him to shout.

The Dongguo district was not wealthy; owning a rickety stool was considered good furniture. Hearing the shouting, those who were idle or without work ran out to watch the spectacle.

"Young man, what’s this about? Is the imperial court selling old grain?"

"Oh! Ma'am, this is an even better opportunity! Have you heard of the God of Wealth, Li? The Immortal Li who turns stones into gold? He has been moved by compassion and is helping us poor folk find work..."

The crowd grew, and the young man became increasingly spirited. The shopkeeper had promised an extra twenty wen for every person recruited; these onlookers were like walking silver.

"Listen up, everyone! The first term will only take five hundred people. We are introducing them to wealthy households or restaurants to work as cooks and servants, with a guaranteed monthly income of seven hundred wen!"

He followed the script the shopkeeper had taught him step-by-step; he couldn't afford to mess up the order.

The men and women, the aunts and grandmothers, were stunned. Could such a good thing really exist in this world? Employment agencies usually charged fees and were picky about appearance and background; unless your ancestors had blessed you, you wouldn't stand a chance.

"Young man, tell us, how do we get chosen?" The crowd was so eager they almost tore the clothes off the young man.

"Hey, hey, hey! Who’s pulling my pants? Quiet down and listen! First, you have to attend school before you can be recommended for work."

"What?..."

"Why do we need to be literate just to carry loads? Oh, my goodness! Even if the words were right in front of me, I wouldn't recognize them!"

The young man scrambled onto a discarded millstone to escape the mob.

"Think about it! In those grand mansions, their kitchens are bigger than your homes. If you don't learn the trade, you won't even know how to cut scallions, and you’ll fail the trial!"

The crowd agreed. If their mediocre cooking skills could earn money, no one would be sitting at home idle.

"Immortal Li has personally invited a porridge master from Luoyang—a veteran cook from a restaurant that earns eighty strings of cash a month—to teach you himself. Eight-treasure porridge, vegetable porridge, century egg porridge, fish fillet porridge, seafood porridge—things you’ve heard of and things you haven't. You’ll learn it all. Once you have the skill, you’ll earn at least one string of cash a month. That’s better than being a simple servant."

What kind of porridge? The crowd was bewildered. Millet porridge, barley porridge, gruel—they knew those. Who had invented all these strange names?

One string of cash! Oh, my heavens! If an old woman like her could earn that much, her son could get married two years earlier, and she might even live to hold a grandson.

By the end, the crowd was more excited than if they were gossiping about the village flirt.

Seeing the timing was right, the young man revealed the catch.

"Five years of employment guaranteed. Tuition is ten strings of cash. Those who want to sign up, follow me to the Huimin Money Shop to process the paperwork!"

Hearing "ten strings of cash" was like a bucket of icy winter water splashed on their faces. The crowd instantly sobered up. Damn it, if they had ten strings of cash, they wouldn't be huddled in these broken shacks; they would have moved elsewhere to make a living long ago.

"Look here, Immortal Li knows everyone is short on cash, so he has specially launched an [Employment Loan]! Anyone who wants to work can borrow the money for the tuition and pay it back over the next three years, without a single cent of interest."

What was this? Borrowing money to attend school? Wasn't that just the same old trick used by employment agencies?

The foolish were still fuming, but the clever ones had already sensed the opportunity. No collateral, no indentured labor contracts, free training, and then they would be placed in good-paying jobs. It was a gift from heaven—better grab it fast!

***

Without waiting for the young man to explain further, those who understood grabbed him and started running toward Maqian Street. Five hundred spots! If they went too late, they might end up as simple servants, and servants didn't earn as much as cooks.

Sure enough, when they arrived at Maqian Street, there was no room to stand. It was a sea of people; some even lost their shoes in the crush. Before the promotion had even officially begun, the spots were filled!

Li Chang'an was still drinking with the managers of the employment agencies, explaining his business model. The agencies would still collect their placement fees, but from a different source—the wealthy and the restaurant owners. He called it a "Human Resource Service Fee."

The contracts for the cooks and servants would not be signed externally but would remain with the agency. They could swap workers at any time until the employer was satisfied. As for the quality of training, they were welcome to visit anytime; all the instructors were the best in the business.

The agencies had existed for a thousand years, and this was the first time they were changing their model to collect money from the employers. Most were struggling to wrap their heads around it, eating and drinking in silence.

An old man with a small cap, acting as the guild leader, set down his chopsticks and raised his cup. "I have a question, if I may. Please don't take offense if I'm wrong."

Li Chang'an raised his cup in a toast, signaling his consent.

"Our agencies are regulated by the Kaifeng government, and the number of contracts we sign is fixed. I fear we cannot handle so many of your apprentices. How about this: I’ll take a few people to try it out, but the contracts will remain in your hands."

Since it was their first collaboration, he would start with a high bid and negotiate down.

"That works. Since Manager Xu has spoken, I will listen!"

With the upstream and downstream sectors connected, the school officially opened. Those who didn't get a spot could only slap their thighs in regret, watching others become apprentices, destined to earn a string of cash a month later.

Yet, this school was quite different. There was almost no paper, ink, or brushes, and not a single desk or chair. In the spacious hall, a row of stoves had been built, and a long table held knives, ladles, and various grains and beans.

When the master cook stood at the front, filled with the essence of his trade, one could even smell the fragrance of rice. The students finally settled down—they were going to learn a real trade! Since the days of the founding emperors, there was finally a place for the poor to learn a craft!

***

The news reached the palace, and Zhao Xu fell into confusion once again. What exactly was Li Chang'an doing? He claimed to be enlightening the world and helping people get rich, so why was he running a school for "mess hall cooks"?

He summoned Cao Rui. "Go and investigate. See if it's true or false. Tell the Kaifeng government to keep an eye on it, and make sure no trouble arises."

Gathering crowds was a grave taboo since ancient times. Emperors were always wary of large-scale projects and wished they could watch them with the full force of the Imperial Guard. Li Chang'an was at the foot of the Imperial City, right under the Emperor's nose; surely, he wasn't planning a rebellion?

No, he would have to go and see for himself.