Chapter 26

The middle-aged university scholar laughed and said, "What if he has new poems next month? Should we postpone it month by month?"

The elderly university scholar also looked at the young university scholar. The young university scholar was from the Qing state, while Fang Yun was from the Jing state, and the Jing state and the Qing state had been at war for many years. To say he had no ulterior motives, no one would believe it.

"If he has new poems next month, we will publish as many as he has," the young university scholar said calmly.

The two university scholars exchanged glances, both showing a look of helplessness. The young university scholar was named Qu Zhengxiang, a disciple of a half-saint, and they couldn't offend him over such a small matter.

Just as they were about to agree, a commotion came from outside.

The elderly university scholar, who was already displeased, impatiently waved his sleeve, and the door of the Review Hall was pushed open by an invisible force.

"Who is making such a racket!" A huge voice echoed in the Holy Way Compilation Academy.

A clerk ran over excitedly, holding a piece of paper, shouting, "A national-stabilizing poem! A national-stabilizing poem has emerged! It's an urgent recommendation!"

The three university scholars all showed signs of joy, and the previous discomfort vanished.

Any national-stabilizing poem was extremely rare. If such a poet focused on border poems, it was very likely that he would create a timeless war poem, which would greatly benefit the human race.

There were only a few war poems that the current scholars could use, and each additional one would strengthen the human race.

Qu Zhengxiang was even more delighted. With this national-stabilizing poem, no one would care when "End of the Year" was published, and his pressure would be greatly reduced.

"Heaven blesses the human race!" The elderly university scholar said, then reached out to the clerk from a distance, and the paper flew to him like an arrow. He read the poem aloud.

When he read "Cock crows at the thatched inn, frost on the wooden bridge," the expressions of the three scholars changed simultaneously.

All three were well-versed university scholars and could see the brilliance of "Cock crows at the thatched inn, frost on the wooden bridge" at a glance. They subconsciously compared it with their own poems, finding that either the antithesis was inferior, the scenery was less vivid, or the layers were insufficient.

They then compared it with famous poems, and the difference was equally clear. The words were not inferior, but the artistic conception was lacking. And those with a good artistic conception could not match the brilliance of the word-by-word antithesis.

The middle-aged university scholar, full of excitement, said, "Excellent! This is an unprecedented masterpiece! It deserves to be called a national-stabilizing poem. The use of words is rarely seen in this world!"

Qu Zhengxiang praised, "The talent in this poem is reminiscent of Tao Yuanming, and I am far inferior. I wonder which country's master wrote it?"

The elderly university scholar continued reading and, upon reaching the end, suddenly put down the poem, his expression slightly strange, not answering Qu Zhengxiang's question.

The middle-aged university scholar, puzzled, made the poem fly over to him and, after a careful look, remained silent, his expression equally strange.

Qu Zhengxiang hesitated for a moment, then took the poem and, after a careful look, turned red.

"Ji County, Fang Yun, Jing State," these six words were extremely prominent.

A national-stabilizing poem must be published in the next month's "Holy Way," and the first-place poem from the county examination, "Spring Dawn," must also be published. Even if Qu Zhengxiang tried to obstruct it, even if his half-saint teacher came personally, it would not change the fact that Fang Yun's two poems would be published in the "Holy Way."

Qu Zhengxiang could no longer sit still, stood up, and said, "I am not feeling well. I resign from the position of editor for next month's 'Holy Way.' Please replace me promptly. I take my leave." He then left.

After Qu Zhengxiang had walked far away, the elderly university scholar sighed lightly, "Qu Zhengxiang achieved success at a young age, rose rapidly, and became a university scholar before the age of thirty, second only to the four great talents. Now, a young genius has given him a wake-up call, which might be good for him."

"But Fang Yun is from the Jing State, which might not be good for him."

"Hmph! Already a university scholar, and he still makes things difficult for a young man over a small matter, thinking only of the Qing State and not the human race. This is not good for him, but it is a great blessing for the human race! However, he is quite clever. If he continues to make things difficult for Fang Yun, his literary courage will waver, and he will not become a great scholar."

The middle-aged university scholar laughed bitterly, "Let's not talk about him. Let's talk about Fang Yun. His 'End of the Year' will also be published next month. Three poems shining together, unprecedented. Even the great poet Tao Yuanming only had two poems published at once, and at his most prolific, he had six poems in six consecutive issues of the 'Holy Way,' making him the unmatched master of poetry. But this Fang Yun, just a child scholar, is not inferior to Tao Yuanming, truly a prodigy."

"This boy is too extraordinary. I fear his brilliance might be detrimental to his future growth."

The middle-aged university scholar said, "I have another page you haven't seen. It says that Fang Yun was injured before the county examination but was blessed by a mysterious master who gave him guidance. He took the child scholar examination the next day with his injuries, and the local county magistrate even wrote a poem for him. Fang Yun wrote a poem in response. The two poems are not the key; the key is the identity of the master."

"That puts my mind at ease. A master who can teach such a student must be at least a great scholar. Even Chen Guanhai, the holy one, would not be surprising."

"Unfortunately, Fang Yun is still young and just a child scholar. If he were a scholar, he might be able to surpass one of the four great talents, the 'Poetry Prince.'"

"It's too early to say. Poetry does not shock the saints, but articles reach the heavens. Throughout history, no one has become a saint through poetry alone, even Tao Yuanming relied on his essays and strategies. However, if this boy focuses and forgets about fame, his achievements will surpass ours."

"Regardless, I want to meet him."

"Who doesn't want to meet him?"

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily.

In the Dahuang Prefecture, Fang Yun and the first lady discussed teaching at the Fang family school in five days.

In the afternoon, Fang Yun gathered Liang Yuan and the hired staff to discuss the development direction of the bookshop.

Liang Yuan and others made conventional suggestions, and Fang Yun did not reject them but improved upon their suggestions, providing very specific details, such as how to advertise, market, and select target customers.

Liang Yuan and others were stunned, but as experienced people, they immediately realized the feasibility of Fang Yun's suggestions, even considering them revolutionary. They carefully noted them down and followed them according to the existing conditions.

Finally, Fang Yun set the development direction of the bookshop to focus on popular novels.

However, popular novels were currently in decline, and bookshops specializing in them generally did not make much money. Although others had concerns, they could not contradict the owner and could only listen.

Fang Yun instructed them to immediately produce a batch of hard paper bookmarks, at least 50,000, with "Three-Flavored Bookshop" written on them, and to design a trademark. They were also to write famous sayings, maxims, and classic quotes on the bookmarks, which would be given with new books.

This seemingly ordinary design left Liang Yuan and the staff speechless.

"Master, do you have a seven-jeweled heart? Your poetry is so good, and your business acumen is also impressive. If you didn't pursue a literary career and went into business, other merchants would be doomed."

"Yes, your marketing ideas are amazing. They don't seem extraordinary at first glance, but we just couldn't think of them."

Fang Yun smiled, "Buy some popular novels first. I will finish a novel manuscript in five days and then have it printed, with an initial print run of 10,000 copies."

An old man hurriedly said, "Master, you don't know this business. Publishing a book is not so easy. There is only one 'Literary Gazette' and one 'Holy Journal' in the world. Why don't others publish journals? Because the Holy Academy does not allow it. The Holy Academy does allow publishing books, but they must be reviewed by the Literary Academy. If you want to sell your book in Jiangzhou, it must be reviewed by the Jiangzhou Literary Academy. If you want to sell it in the Jing State, you need the approval of the 'Jing State Academy.' If you want to sell it in ten states, you must get the Holy Academy's approval. Five days are far from enough; at least fifteen days are needed, and printing also takes time. It will take a month for the book to reach the store."

"Shouldn't the 'Literary Compilation Academy' of the state literary academy be responsible for this?"

"Yes."

"Then there's no problem. After I finish the book, I will visit the chief clerk Zhou of the state literary academy, show him the manuscript, and ask him to write a preface. I believe the book can be printed within five days."

"Ah? You know Chief Clerk Zhou? And you can get him to write a preface? Then there's no problem. He is in charge of the Literary Compilation Academy, so there will be no issues." The old staff member said enviously, unconsciously straightening his back.

The others' eyes lit up, seeing hope. If the new master knew Chief Clerk Zhou, the Three-Flavored Bookshop might really grow.

"I will go home to write the book and should finish it by dinner tomorrow, then I will visit Chief Clerk Zhou."

Fang Yun stood up to leave, and Liang Yuan, surprised, reached out to stop him, "What did you say? Your book isn't finished yet? Don't tell me you haven't even started."

"I am writing a mid-length popular novel, about 20,000 to 30,000 words, and I should finish it in five days. If necessary, I won't sleep tonight."

"A novel written in two days?" Everyone looked at Fang Yun with doubt.

"I have a draft in my mind, and the content is all there. Now, go and get busy."

Fang Yun and Yang Yuhuan left together, buying some paper and incense on the way, and also a book introducing novelists, then returned home.

At this time, Jiang Laotai and Fang Da Niu had already tidied up Fang Yun's east wing room. Fang Yun and Fang Da Niu would live there, while Yang Yuhuan and Jiang Laotai would live in the west wing.

Fang Yun glanced at the little fox, which was placed in a bamboo basket with a blanket, still unconscious.

The room was filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance, making one feel refreshed and energetic.

"Could the fox's scent make one's mind clear?"

Fang Yun dismissed this thought and began to read the newly bought "Shilu Pavilion Notes."

This book was written by a literary figure from one of the Hundred Schools, the novelists, but the novelists had declined and never produced a half-saint, so they gradually fell into obscurity.

Fang Yun first stored the book in the Wondrous Book World, then began to read it, as the reading speed in the Wondrous Book World was dozens of times faster than normal.

Reading the classics of the saints too quickly was not good, but for research, the Wondrous Book World was more convenient.

In just half an hour, Fang Yun had a clear understanding of the development of popular novels in this world. Like the Tang Dynasty before it, there were only strange tales, and the first milestone in the history of novels, the "Tang Legends," had not yet appeared.

The Yuan Dynasty's operas, the Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties' novels were greatly influenced by the Tang Legends, which can be considered the ancestor of the Ming and Qing novels. Works like "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" and "Three Words and Two Shots" almost completely inherited the style and form of the Tang Legends.