Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Poaching Talent
Qu Fulan divided "Journey to the West" into three volumes: upper, middle, and lower.
Currently, the first volume ends at the "Three Battles with the White Bone Demon".
The second volume plans to stop at the dangerous crossing of the Tongtian River.
The third volume will directly conclude the story.
"Journey to the West," as a classic, is worth collecting. It contains a wealth of profound principles, each reader can derive different meanings. So, even if storytelling continues at the tavern, it won’t affect future book sales.
During the interval, Qu Fulan plans to release one volume a month. It will take three months to complete "Journey to the West." Therefore, the bookstore’s business, in the meantime, has to be maintained by writing other tales.
The role of Manager Wu came into play. Qu Fulan knew he was writing a new tale. She had read Manager Wu’s previous stories and was confident about them.
When she has time, she will also consider the new tale.
On the other side, Heir Pei was also busy.
The messages sent to him daily were handled that very day, and based on various information, he gave different instructions for Qiao Qi and Xiao Ba to pass on.
The documents in front of Pei Ji’an piled up about ten centimeters high, but he always casually picked them up and leisurely reviewed them.
But Qu Fulan had seen that his reviews were insightful.
The two were busy like this until lunchtime.
Miss Fang came bouncing in from outside.
"Second brother, the Old Ancestor asked me to call you for lunch."
When she pushed the door open and saw the scene inside, the smile on Fang Yuan’s face faded.
Pei Ji’an looked up and saw Fang Yuan bursting in, frowning slightly, "You’ve become more unruly, don’t you know to knock before entering?"
Fang Yuan first gave Qu Fulan a surreptitious glance, then went over and tugged on her second brother’s sleeve, pulling him along, "Does it matter at such a time? Hurry up, don’t keep the Old Ancestor waiting."
Pei Ji’an pulled his sleeve out of Fang Yuan’s hand, "If you continue being so impertinent, I’ll send you back home."
Fang Yuan’s carefree nature meant that notions of strict gender roles had little effect on her.
"I just got here, and you’re already chasing me away. The old lady wouldn’t agree," Fang Yuan said, full of confidence.
Pei Ji’an was helpless and turned back to tell Fulan not to follow them.
Qu Fulan was relieved; otherwise, going over on an empty stomach would be torture for her.
Now, she just called for someone to deliver food to her room, enjoying her freedom alone.
Fang Yuan, hearing her second brother’s words, huffed and walked away sullenly, then turned back after a few steps, "Just a maid, yet you indulge her like this. Beware of spoiling her, or you’ll suffer the consequences."
Whose maid doesn’t first serve the master before taking their own meal?
Wanfu Bookstore.
Cai Youliang held a copy of "Journey to the West," looking more displeased with each page.
The shopkeeper couldn’t help but ask, "Is the writing poor?"
This book cost ten taels of silver to purchase. Although their shop sells at the same price, buying from others always feels like a loss.
And it was his personal account, causing him much heartache.
If the writing were poor, it would be an even greater loss.
Yet, if it were poor, why would so many buy it?
Cai Youliang put down the book. Without further reading, he already understood, just as he was about to speak, a person came from their boss.
"That ’Journey to the West’ was written by Manager Wu from ’Ten Thousand Books Bookstore.’ The boss wants you to find a way to bring him to our bookstore; money is not an issue."
"What?" Cai Youliang stood up abruptly, "That’s impossible! ’Journey to the West’ clearly bears the name Wu Chengen, how could it be the shopkeeper from ’Ten Thousand Books Bookstore’? He doesn’t have that name!"
Could he possibly have such talent?
"This is what our boss found out. What, are you questioning the boss’s capabilities?" the messenger said displeased.
Cai Youliang immediately shook his head, "I don’t mean that. I just think there might be a mistake somewhere..."
Even though his master was talented, he couldn’t be this talented.
The book he painstakingly crafted earlier was his limit. Otherwise, Cai Youliang wouldn’t have stolen it, knowing his master was old, and his creativity exhausted, he sought other opportunities.
But now, if this "Journey to the West" was truly from his master’s hand, then he...
No, it couldn’t be, he dismissed the thought, there must be a mistake.
That person sneered, "Don’t you know about pseudonyms? Who says you have to use your real name to write a book? Besides, if it weren’t him, how could this book be sold in ’Ten Thousand Books Bookstore’? Remember, before this, ’Journey to the West’ was the star tale of ’Flower Garden Ode.’ If it weren’t his, would ’Flower Garden Ode’ sell it?"
Cai Youliang, initially certain it was impossible, suddenly became enlightened at the messenger’s words. Following this logic, everything seemed to make sense.
Indeed, if not, why would they sell it for him? Clearly, in this street, their bookstore had the best business.
Manager Zhang was also astonished, "Did Manager Wu truly write such an amazing tale?"
The messenger snorted, "Believe it or not, the boss’s intention is clear: do everything possible to invite him over, understand?"
The two nodded like marionettes on strings.
After the messenger left, Manager Zhang and Cai Youliang exchanged significant glances.
Both had the same thought: What to do now?
"Let me think, I need a foolproof plan..." Manager Zhang finally said, mumbling as he walked, hitting his right fist into his left palm.
Behind him, Cai Youliang had an inscrutable gaze, thinking of something unknown.
Meanwhile, at Ten Thousand Books Bookstore, in a certain tavern, or perhaps in a certain noble’s residence.
People holding "Journey to the West" read with great interest.
Especially the latest Chapter, Sun Wukong’s "Three Battles with the White Bone Demon," a part not yet told in "Flower Garden Ode," was written in the book, getting readers excited.
However, as they read on, they increasingly became frustrated.
"Oh dear, I’m so angry! What’s wrong with Tang Seng, not distinguishing between demon and man, yet blaming Sun Wukong for being reckless! It’s so infuriating!"
"Ah, this demon turned into an old lady looking for her daughter to trick Tang Seng again. If I were Great Sage, I’d let him get eaten!"
"The monk actually started to recite the Tightening Spell. Poor Great Sage..."
This reader was none other than Prince An.
He had long been a regular at "Flower Garden Ode" and more so a fan of "Journey to the West." Sun Wukong was an idol to him, and seeing his hero misunderstood and maligned felt heartbreaking.
But that wasn’t the most worrying part. When he read Sun Wukong kill the demon that turned into an elder and was expelled by Tang Seng despite pleading on his knees multiple times...
Prince An directly burst into tears.
"Boohoo, my Great Sage is so pitiful, doing good and saving people yet being slandered. I’m so sad..."