0p0 Chapter 128 Tabloids are a big hit!
Chapter 128 Tabloids are a big hit!
Ten days passed in a blink of an eye.
It was the day when the Lin'an tabloid went on sale, and it happened to be the mid-month holiday of the academy.
Early in the morning, the Jixiang Bookstore was surrounded by a crowd of people.
"Why are you all up so early? I've gotten up half an hour earlier than usual, and there are still so many people queuing?"
At this time, the scholar in the queue in front heard the complaints and turned back, "Brother Lin, what's the point of you getting up half an hour earlier! I got up almost two hours earlier and I'm still here."
The scholar who was previously at the front of the line no longer cared about his manners.
"Waiter, two tabloids."
"Waiter, one serving."
Fortunately, there were guys maintaining order in the queue, otherwise the bookstore would have been crushed by the swarm of people.
There’s no way, the Lin’an tabloid is too interesting.
Not only the students of the academy, but also the teachers of the academy were queuing up, as well as storytellers from the nearby teahouses.
A boatman who was moving the goods passed by and asked his co-worker, "What's going on? Do we have to snatch books to buy them now?"
The workers were from a village near Lin'an Prefecture. They were used to this kind of thing, but there were just a lot of people here today.
"Have you heard of Lin'an Tabloid? Jixiang Bookstore publishes three issues a month, and every time the day comes, it's always packed with people. A tabloid costs 100 wen a copy, which can buy several kilograms of flour."
"What the hell, is there a test question in the tabloid?"
"Have you heard of the case of the headless man in the moat? Does the martial arts villain Xing Hentian who upholds justice know about it?"
"How can you still uphold justice when you're a villain? Why are you talking nonsense?"
"Hey, you don't understand."
The boatman who spoke had pride in his eyes.
Of course, he heard those as well.
Even the women at home were discussing this while washing clothes by the river.
The scholar who bought the Lin'an tabloid first flipped through the tabloid in his hand as he walked.
"Hey, why is there no "Notes on the Case Solving by the Dali Temple Shaoqing" this time?"
"Yes, how come it's gone?" The scholar turned to the other side, "Look, The Terror in the Ancient Temple is still there."
"How can we forget Lord Mo! Lord Qi, the Minister of the Dali Temple, has retired and returned to his hometown, but he didn't tell us whether Lord Mo was promoted or not!"
"Yes, let's go and ask the shopkeeper for clarification!"
Similar discussions were endless, and many scholars who read the tabloids discovered that the latest issue of Lin'an Tabloid had an additional article titled "A Strange Case in the County Government," written under the pen name Wang Buzhong.
When Wang Baogen bought the Lin'an tabloid, the waiter asked him to sit at the back.
When leaving, Wang Baogen's steps were unsteady and the five hundred copper coins in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
The notebook he wrote was actually selected!
Wang Baogen, who had not yet read the tabloid, couldn't wait to run to an open space and sit on the ground.
Ignoring the inquiring looks from those around him, he carefully read the Lin'an tabloid.
The "Strange Case of the County Court" he wrote was in the lower right corner of the first page. When he saw the three words "Wang Buzhong", his joy was beyond words.
If I had known I would be selected, I would have chosen a better-sounding pen name.
Wang Buzhong was the pen name he took in anger when he thought the story he submitted would definitely fail like the examination for students of higher learning.
Who would have thought that even though I am not good at reading, the stories I write can still be appreciated by others.
Although I cannot be a powerful and wise official, it would be nice to be a writer in the future.
When the time comes, I will travel all over the country with a pen and write down all the strange stories and things on paper.
Just think about it and it’s beautiful.
Wang Baogen stood up and brushed off the dust stuck to his clothes. When he looked up, he met his classmates who looked shocked.
"Brother Wang, you used to be casual, but now you're sitting on the ground with a wry smile. Did you submit your story to the bookstore but it wasn't selected?"
"Brother Wang, I'll be honest with you. I submitted my story as well. Hey, I just asked the shopkeeper, and only two of my stories were selected this time."
After the scholar finished speaking, he patted Wang Baogen on the shoulder and said, "Brother Wang, we are both in this world, so think positively."
Wang Baogen, who was secretly delighted, saw his classmate in so much pain. He wanted to tell him that Wang Buzhong was him, but the idea that he was Wang Buzhong suddenly disappeared.
Only two of his articles were selected by Jixiang Bookstore. If he told his classmates about this now, it would seem like he was showing off, so he better not tell them.
When Wang Dad got home, he saw his son and asked, "Are you buying the court newspaper again?"
Wang Baogen nodded with a guilty look on his face. Unexpectedly, the next moment, Wang's father came closer and asked, "Baogen, I heard that Lin'an City has published a Lin'an tabloid. Do you know about it?"
Wang Baogen, who was already feeling guilty, was so frightened when he heard what his father said that his hands began to shake and he could hardly hold the tabloid.
He was about to say no, and the words were on the tip of his tongue, but suddenly he remembered that the Lin'an tabloid was so popular, and if he said he had never heard of it, wouldn't it arouse great suspicion?
So he changed the topic and said, "I heard that my classmates bought some."
"Did you read it?"
Wang Baogen was quite cautious: "I read some, but they were all storybooks. I have read enough of those storybooks. There is no difference."
Father Wang looked at Wang Baogen, "Really? Then why did I hear from the guy at the foot shop next door that the stories in the Lin'an tabloids are very interesting. What about the heroes who fight against violence and protect the good, and Mr. Mo who eliminates harm for the people..."
"Dad, are you interested too?"
"Interested? I'm also interested in the lambs born by Li Mazi's family next door! I just heard that the tabloids that cost 100 wen a copy were snapped up by scholars. Have the students in the academy become stupid from studying too much? How much can 100 wen buy in our grocery store?"
"I am content as long as there are books on the shelf, and I am content even if there is no rice in the steamer. Dad, this is what a scholar is like."
Wang Baogen now has a deep understanding of this.
"I think you have become stupid from studying too much. You are almost starving to death but still holding a book to study. Aren't you a bookworm who doesn't know how to adapt?" Old Man Wang scolded and stared at Wang Baogen, "Don't become stupid from studying too much!"
Wang Baogen didn't dare to continue speaking and just wanted to go back to his room and hide the tabloid.
By the way, hide the first money you earn.
-
The demand for tabloids in Lin'an Prefecture was in short supply. In addition to scholars, there were also passing merchants who bought them and resold them.
If you arrive late, even if you queue, you risk being told halfway that the tabloid is sold out.
I waited in line for more than an hour but still couldn't buy it. It's very difficult for scholars.
The shopkeeper of Jixiang Bookstore, who was already quite old, bowed and nodded to the readers, and the shop assistants also bowed their heads repeatedly to apologize.
Gu You didn't expect that the tabloid published by a few kids would become popular in Lin'an Prefecture.
With his sensitivity as a businessman, Gu You saw the huge profits hidden behind the Lin'an tabloids.
He specifically called Gu Changsheng and asked him to do it freely.
Whether you want money or people, just ask!