Under the deliberate manipulation of Shopkeeper Qian and his cronies, within just three days, the capital's once vibrant cultural scene was suddenly plunged into a suffocating, eerie silence, as if struck by a sudden frost. In the past, authors roamed the streets, carrying their passion and dreams for literature, shuttling between bookstores and contributing to the flourishing of culture. But now, as if manipulated by an invisible hand, they reached a tacit understanding overnight and collectively chose to stop writing.
Jinyun Bookstore, a cultural sanctuary that held countless hopes and dreams, has inevitably suffered a devastating blow. The submission box, once witnessing the birth of countless brilliant works, now stands alone in a corner of the bookstore, like a forgotten guardian. Its emptiness mirrors the bookstore's current desolate state, silently revealing the dire predicament it faces, as if expressing to the world the helplessness and sorrow of cultural coercion.
In stark contrast, inside Shopkeeper Qian's bookshop, a scene of extraordinary bustle and activity unfolded. The shop was festooned with lights and colorful decorations, and the atmosphere of a celebratory banquet was vibrant and lively. Shopkeeper Qian was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, intricately embroidered with patterns that shone brightly in the candlelight. He wore a tall official's hat, and beneath the brim, his plump face was beaming with triumph, as if victory were assured and the world was his.
He stood in the center of the hall, paunchy, surrounded by a coterie of fawning cronies. Shopkeeper Qian boasted, "Hmph, that little girl Su Jinli dares to challenge me? She's simply overestimating herself! All the authors in the capital now obey me. I wonder how much longer her little Jinyun Bookstore can survive! It won't be long before I, Qian, will dominate the publishing industry, and all the bookstores in Dajing will be forced to follow my lead!" He threw back his head and let out a wild laugh that echoed throughout the shop, each chuckle brimming with arrogance and self-importance, as if filling the entire space with his pride.
"Miss, what should I do?" Lingge looked at the empty shelves in the bookstore, her heart pounding. Her feet tapped the floor involuntarily, her eyes red with anxiety. Normally, this area of the bookstore was always bustling. When new books were put on the shelves, the busy figures of the staff shuttled around, and the rustling sound of readers flipping through the pages was like a beautiful piece of music. But now, it was deserted and silent. This stark contrast filled Lingge with panic, as if the bookstore's future was plunging into endless darkness.
Yet, Su Jinli remained unfazed, like a rock amidst the storm. Dressed in simple, elegant attire, she looked composed and composed as she sat quietly at her desk. The clamor and chaos of the outside world seemed unable to penetrate her inner tranquility, as if she were already at the center of the storm, yet she observed everything with a detached air.
She slowly unrolled the rice paper, her movements gentle and steady, as if performing a sacred ritual. Then, she picked up her brush and dipped the tip into the ink, letting it soak in until it was saturated. Then, she began writing furiously across the rice paper, writing letters to each author. Her brushstrokes were firm and powerful, each stroke imbued with her unwavering determination and exceptional wisdom, as if conveying her faith to each author through these letters.
"Tell them that if they stop writing for one day, Jinyun Bookstore will give them an extra 10% in royalties," Su Jinli said slowly, writing intently. Her voice, though soft, carried a clear and gentle spring breeze, reaching Lingge's ears. It carried a reassuring power, like a beacon lighting a bright light in the darkness.
"This...isn't this a huge loss?" Lingge stared at Su Jinli with wide eyes, as if she had just heard an absurd fairy tale. In her opinion, the bookstore was already under tremendous pressure, like a shaky building, and increasing the royalties would undoubtedly be another heavy blow to the already fragile foundation, making the bookstore's situation even more difficult.
"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child." Su Jinli raised her head slightly, looking at Lingge with a firm and sharp gaze. Her eyes revealed a wisdom and courage, as if she had already seen through every aspect of this game. "This is a war without gunpowder. We must let the authors truly see the sincerity and determination of Jinyun Bookstore. Only in this way can we completely thwart the insidious plot of Shopkeeper Qian." After saying this, she carefully folded the letter she had written, as if cherishing an inestimable treasure, and then handed it to the secret guard who had been waiting beside her for a long time. "By the way, give this to Jiang Yan." The letter was short and powerful, with only eight words: "Please review it quickly, Dali Temple Minister."
Time slipped quietly through a tangle of tension and anticipation, each minute and second stretching out. Finally, three days later, inside Zuixianlou, the capital's bustling and bustling restaurant, storyteller Lao Li broke another shocking revelation. Dressed in a gray robe and clutching a folding fan, he ascended the podium with a brisk stride. Gently waving his fan, he cleared his throat and began to speak vividly: "Ladies and gentlemen, did you know? The Jiangnan Booksellers Alliance paid the author less than half of what Miss Su paid! Furthermore, they coerced the author into signing a sell-out agreement. This means that even if the book turns out to be a lucrative business, the author will have nothing to do with it!" Lao Li's voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the restaurant, like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up waves.
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