at the same time.
Xuan Nan Academy was bustling with activity.
Those who enjoy listening to storytelling are mostly older people.
The bookstore owner, surnamed Zhang, looked at the people with a smile.
Some regular customers, seeing that the owner was in a good mood, half-jokingly said, "Hey, Mr. Zhang, it seems like business at the bookstore has been good lately. Your good mood is written all over your face."
Mr. Zhang, though seemingly amiable, looked at the small group of listeners below with a hint of unease.
"Oh dear, business at the bookstore has been tough lately. We're relying on old friends to patronize it. We can't compete with the Beijing Opera Bookstore next door; we're just barely surviving..."
Despite what he said, his old friends could tell that Mr. Zhang seemed very confident.
I was genuinely curious.
I originally planned to support them, so after paying for tea, I went to the Beixi Bookstore next door. I heard that they recently hired a writer of historical fiction to write a detective story, which is said to be very exciting.
The storyteller was also somewhat uneasy, occasionally tugging at a few strands of his beard, twisting them back and forth.
"Mr. Zhang, is this storytelling really going to work?"
Boss Zhang smiled at him easily and lowered his voice, saying, "Relax, don't be too nervous. Just act like usual. Anyway, our audience has already been absorbed by the neighboring Beijing Opera House. Even if you speak badly, how bad can it be?"
Upon hearing this, the storyteller breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm relieved to hear you say that, Mr. Zhang. I was worried that you would ruin the reputation of Xuan Nan Academy."
Mr. Zhang waved his hand and said, "Brother, don't worry too much about temporary success or failure. That's how business is. There are gains and losses. We run a storytelling hall, and we can't attract people for every story."
As long as the seats aren't completely empty at each show, we'll make a profit.
Don't worry, if... I mean, if I don't know anything about storytelling, I do enjoy reading stories. Just the beginning, and the character of "The White-Browed Hero," really grabs my attention..."
Hearing this, the storyteller became more and more relaxed.
He sat on the high platform, holding a folding fan, dressed in a blue robe.
He stood tall and straight.
He cleared his throat.
"Speaking of which..."
The audience below were somewhat curious.
[Text: This is the Chang'an Prefectural Government Office. Who would dare to be so bold?]
dun?
Is that possible?
Old Xi thought about it for a while, but still couldn't figure it out, so he stopped the waiter and asked, "A group of people just kidnapped a woman. Do you know who they are?"
The waiter lowered his voice and said, "Sir, please enjoy your meal. Don't ask questions you shouldn't!"
After the storyteller finished the first episode, he patted the gavel and said, "To find out what happens next, please listen to the next episode."
The audience below began to chatter in disarray.
"This is the first time I've heard of a combination of martial arts and government affairs. Is 'The White-Browed Hero' the main character?"
Someone chuckled softly: "This is really interesting. Usually, no matter what kind of storytelling we listen to, the protagonist must be handsome, tall, and dashing. I've never seen anyone look so bizarre before..."
"A weirdo? Brother, you're really giving him too much credit. Sloping shoulders, two big cranes, legs as black as dried sesame seeds, and one or two white eyebrows hanging over his eyelids. At night, he looks like a hanged ghost... It's hilarious... He'd be more like a demon!"
"This storytelling is so interesting! It portrays the protagonist's appearance as if he were the villain!"
Some people started shouting, and even those who were planning to leave joined in, saying, "Sir, please tell us one more episode, just one more episode?"
The storyteller glanced at Boss Zhang.
Mr. Zhang nodded and chuckled.
"Okay, then let's talk about one more episode and let the gentleman rest for a while."
Although he remained calm, he was suddenly overjoyed when he saw the reactions of the audience below, especially his old friends who had not yet left him. Had he succeeded?
He suddenly remembered the gray-haired man's plan, and frowned slightly. Did they really have to do it?
Looking at the noisy audience below, he gritted his teeth.
He stood on the high platform, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a calm voice: "To give back to our many old friends, I have decided that if you bring three people from outside into our library right now, you will not have to pay for tea today."
"Someone exclaimed in surprise, 'Is this for real?'"
Free things are always appealing.
One of the more quick-witted young men asked in surprise, "Mr. Zhang, if the friend I invited invites also invites three other people to listen to the storytelling, and he was invited by me, will he get the chance to have his tea and drinks waived?"
Mr. Zhang nodded.
"certainly."
"All you need to do is gather three people to come and listen to the storytelling within two days, and then you can collect your money directly from the accountant."
Goodness.
The men, young and old, began rushing out of the door.
I went next door to recruit people.
What could be more convenient than easily pulling people from next door?
The Beixi Bookstore used to be very lively, with every seat filled.
The boss was fiddling with an abacus inside the tent, humming a little tune.
If this continues, no one in the entire storytelling hall of Daxing Town will be his match.
As for the neighbor next door, it's barely alive and not worth worrying about.
Without good storytelling, even the most skilled storyteller cannot save the day.
His storytelling of legal cases was adapted from a storybook written by Qingyunlou.
He had heard of this old scholar who wrote storybooks. Previously, this old scholar had written love stories about talented scholars and beautiful women. He never expected that this person was also good at writing detective stories.
Moreover, the shopkeeper has already spent a lot of money to sign a contract with Qingyunlou.
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