Upon hearing this, the authors erupted in fury. Shock and anger crossed their faces, and they eagerly pulled out the contracts they had signed with the Jiangnan Booksellers Alliance to carefully examine them. The bearded man was the first to leap up in fury, his face red as a ripe tomato. He waved the contract tightly in his hand and roared, "Old Li is absolutely right! That wicked thief, Shopkeeper Qian, only gave me half the fee and wouldn't even let me sign my name on the book! I toiled day and night on this project, and for what reason should he just sit back and reap the fruits of my labor?" His voice was thick with anger and resentment, as if he wanted to vent all the pent-up resentment he had been harboring.
Just as the authors were in a frenzy, their tempers rising, Jiang Yan, clad in a solemn and dignified official robe, appeared at Zuixianlou with the appointment of the Grand Court Justice. Jiang Yan's gaze swept across the room like a hawk, steady and powerful, as if he could see into everyone's heart. He slowly unfolded the copyright declaration carefully written by Su Jinli and announced in a resounding voice, "The terms proposed by Su Jinli have been submitted to Your Majesty and will soon be promulgated as the 'Dajing Book Authorship Regulations.' From now on, authors may choose to cooperate with bookstores of their own accord, and no alliance may coerce them!" Jiang Yan's voice was firm and commanding, resounding through Zuixianlou like a huge bell. The voice seemed to carry an invisible force that instantly lifted everyone present and ignited the flame of hope in their hearts.
The authors were stunned at first, as if still in shock. Then, they erupted in a passionate and prolonged cheer. The long-simmering anger and dissatisfaction within them melted like ice and snow meeting the warm sun, instantly transforming into fervent hope for the future. They deeply realized that they were no longer lambs to be bullied and slaughtered. With the unwavering support of the imperial court and the unwavering commitment of Jinyun Bookstore, their rights and interests would be effectively protected.
When Shopkeeper Qian learned the news, he was drunk at a celebration banquet. His face flushed, his eyes dazed, and he was immersed in the euphoria of his self-righteous victory. When his subordinates hurried over and whispered the devastating news, the wine glass he was holding suddenly dropped to the ground with a clatter, shattering instantly. His eyes widened in disbelief, and the fat on his face trembled uncontrollably, as if he had just heard the most terrifying and unbelievable thing in the world.
"How...how is this possible?" Shopkeeper Qian muttered to himself, his voice filled with confusion and helplessness. He couldn't believe that everything he had meticulously planned, everything he thought was foolproof, had been so easily undone by Su Jinli and Jiang Yan. He had naively believed that as long as he could firmly control the authors, he could manipulate the entire publishing industry. However, he never expected that Su Jinli and Jiang Yan would be so resourceful and cunning. They not only successfully won the wholehearted support of the authors, but also cleverly obtained the strong support of the court.
Inside Zuixianlou, Jiang Yan and the Dali Temple Minister methodically began to soothe the authors. They patiently and meticulously explained the various provisions of the "Dajing Book Writing Regulations," each detail explained in a simple and accessible manner, leaving the authors rapt and engrossed. Smiles of relief and reassurance gradually appeared on the authors' faces, their hearts filled with confidence and anticipation for the future. They all expressed their unwavering support for Jinyun Bookstore, working together to promote the vigorous development of Dajing's cultural endeavors.
Meanwhile, Su Jinli, at Jinyun Bookstore, was closely monitoring the situation at Zuixianlou. When she learned of the drastic shift in the authors' attitudes, a heavy weight finally settled in her heart. She knew that while this fierce battle with Shopkeeper Qian had yielded a temporary victory, it was only the beginning. The road ahead was still long and arduous, with countless challenges awaiting her and Jiang Yan.
In the days that followed, with the official promulgation of the "Dajing Book Regulations," the capital's publishing industry ushered in a profound transformation, like a spring breeze and rain. Authors' rights were clearly and effectively protected, like a beacon of hope in the darkness, allowing them to devote themselves to their creations with greater peace of mind and focus. Jinyun Bookstore, for its steadfast stance and exceptional wisdom during this turmoil, earned the deep trust and strong support of even more authors. The bookstore's submission box returned to its former bustle, with manuscripts, imbued with the talents and dreams of authors, pouring in like snowflakes, a symbol of cultural resurgence and a foreshadowing of a new prosperity for Jinyun Bookstore and the entire capital's cultural community.
Su Jinli and Jiang Yan weren't complacent or resting on their laurels because of their recent success. They knew this was just a new starting point, and there was a vast world waiting for them to explore. To further promote the prosperity of Dajing culture, they began to carefully plan a series of colorful new activities. They planned to hold a large-scale literary competition to discover more emerging literary talents among the people and inject a steady stream of fresh blood into Dajing's cultural undertakings. They also planned to deepen cooperation with academies across the country and actively carry out various forms of cultural exchange activities, so that more people can appreciate the infinite charm of literature and experience the profoundness of culture.
Following this incident, the reputation of Qian and his Jiangnan Booksellers Alliance plummeted, seemingly plunging into an abyss. They were forced to re-evaluate their past actions and seek a way to salvage the situation. However, their previous unscrupulous actions had already completely lost the trust of many authors and readers. Under the new market rules, they were like a ship lost in the vast ocean, struggling to adjust their business strategies and adapt to this rapidly changing era, but it seemed so powerless.
Throughout this turbulent journey, Jinyun Bookstore shone like a dazzling pearl, radiating the most brilliant light in Dajing's cultural landscape. With the bookstore's flourishing growth, the names of Su Jinli and Jiang Yan spread throughout Dajing, becoming legendary figures. Their stories have inspired countless dreamers to bravely pursue fairness and justice, and to actively contribute their wisdom and strength to the development of cultural undertakings. Under their leadership, Jinyun Bookstore, with unwavering conviction and fearless courage, will continue to write its own glorious chapter, playing an irreplaceable and important role in Dajing's cultural heritage and innovation, and becoming a lasting monument in Dajing's cultural history.
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