The storyteller stood up and said loudly, "Everyone, it's not that I don't want to tell new stories, but there are only a few of them. How about I finish this story today, and tomorrow I will tell you the one I made up?"
The listeners refused to comply. "We've been customers for years, and everyone knows your skills. You're a first-rate storyteller, but why not make up your own stories?"
Although everyone was not buying it, the atmosphere had become much more stable.
The storyteller smiled and said, "I am not talented, please forgive me for making fun of you."
Someone held up a newspaper and said, "I don't think anyone wants to hear your story about the prime minister's daughter and the scholar. Why don't you tell us the story in the newspaper?"
"I don't know all the characters, and I can't understand them myself. I just bought one because I saw so many people bought them."
The storyteller took the newspaper and glanced at it quickly. The first page was an article about Mr. Shanhe, who was very popular recently. This was probably not what everyone wanted to hear.
After a quick scan, my eyes finally stopped at the second edition of the novel section.
As I watched, I gradually became absorbed in it and forgot where I was.
He was pleased with what he saw, but the audience next to him were not.
"What are you doing? Can you please give us a definite answer?"
Disturbed by the noise, the storyteller apologized and said in surprise, "This is such a well-written story! I've never heard of the term 'time travel' before!"
"Why do you need to tell me that? If this story is not good, would I be willing to spend money to buy it?" said the person who handed the newspaper.
The storyteller thought for a moment and said, "How much is this newspaper? I'll buy it, and I'll also pay for this guest's tea today."
The man agreed without hesitation as he could listen to stories and drink tea for free and earn back the money he earned from the newspaper.
I quickly handed the money for the newspaper to the other person, fearing that he would regret it.
"Everyone, this story is definitely unheard of by anyone. Let me read it first, and then I'll tell you in detail."
The conversation between the two had already raised the expectations of the audience, so they stopped urging them.
After the storyteller read the whole article and sorted out his thoughts in his mind, he slammed the gavel on the table with a "bang".
The other person told the story of a woman in the Republic of China who made a fortune by improving textiles in ancient times.
The audience in the lobby are all men. Although the story unfolds from the perspective of the heroine, it is not easy for them to empathize with it, but the story is novel.
"If you want to know what happens next, please listen to the next chapter!" The storyteller clapped his hands and said this reflexively.
Just as they were listening with fascination and wanted to see how the protagonist would overcome the difficulties he was facing, the storyteller suddenly stopped.
The audience members all clamored for the other party to continue speaking, and some of those who were rich threw a few dollars at him.
If you encounter a listener who wants to continue listening, you can give a few dollars to unlock the rest of the story.
But today, the storyteller looked at the several dollars on the stage with a painful look on his face and could only bow his hands in apology: "It's not that I don't want to continue, but this newspaper story ends here. I can't say anything more even if I want to."
No one bothered the storyteller anymore. After asking for the name of the newspaper, those who could read paid their bills and left, preparing to buy a copy to take home and read carefully.
"Kid, do you have any newspapers from Tongxing Newspaper Office?" the newspaper seller was stopped by someone and asked.
The newspaper boy politely said, "Sir, the Tongxing Newspaper Company has sold out of newspapers, but I still have a copy from the Huaxing Newspaper Company. Would you like one?"
The man waved his hand and walked forward hurriedly.
There were no newsboys there, let alone newsstands. When he arrived at the newspaper office in person, he found that he couldn't even squeeze in. The innermost part was occupied by the owners of major newspapers and magazines.
"Those 300 copies are not enough! They sold out in less than an hour. Give me another 500 copies!"
"We have a lot of traffic there, I need to make up a thousand copies!"
"Who stepped on my foot?"
"Which bastard stole my wallet?!"
"Stop pushing, stop pushing!"
Looking at the grand scene outside, Sanniang was both happy and worried.
I didn’t expect that this novel would be so popular. The newspaper sales were even higher than when I wrote the patriotic article.
After a few days of preparation and promotion by storytellers and the grassroots people, the pen name Shanhe became famous not only in the literary circle, but also among the grassroots people.
Good newspaper sales are of course a good thing, but they are too good. Their production cannot keep up. With so many people blocking the door, they will be in trouble if something goes wrong.
In the end, it was the old lady who brought some workers from the textile factory to help maintain order. According to An Jingzhi's request, she asked them to leave their contact information and deposit, and they would be notified as soon as the goods arrived.
If you are unwilling to leave a deposit, I'm sorry, you can only wait. Only when there are any left after the houses are sold out will it be your turn.
As a result, the people blocking the entrance of the newspaper office finally dispersed.
As for those retail investors who want to buy newspapers, they will leave on their own after watching for a while.
…
Ever since Zhang Tingyou visited and confirmed that An Jingzhi was indeed Mr. Shanhe, people have been coming to visit him in an endless stream.
An Jingzhi also welcomed them warmly. No matter what purpose they came for, he made sure to make them feel his broad mind.
After some discussion, everyone was impressed by his talent.
After learning that Mr. Shanhe actually wrote essays and novels, some people agreed while others questioned it.
Zhang Tingyou was the first to agree with the idea. There were not many people who questioned it, but there were quite a few. They felt that an orthodox scholar like Mr. Shanhe should discuss the world and give advice on state affairs, and how could he write those vernacular works?
"If you had read Mr. Shanhe's article 'Chang Ping Ji', I'm afraid you wouldn't say such words." Zhang Tingyou said seriously.
"There is nothing interesting about that kind of article. How can we read it?" someone objected with a frown.
Zhang Tingyou suddenly laughed, as if he was mocking the other person's ignorance.
"Every article of Mr. Shanhe is written for scholars like us to read, but there are so many people in the world. Can we, the scholars, alone, save the country?"
"Mr. Shanhe once said that the country belongs to the people. 'Chang Ping Ji' is an article about saving the country written for ordinary people!"
He spoke passionately, "To present the most profound truths in a novel using a popular, fictional approach is the highest level of returning to simplicity and nature!"
"This is exactly what Mr. Shanhe said in his article: people are not divided into high and low!"
"Mr. Shanhe wrote this novel to warn us, never to be too highbrow, never to be complacent, and to look down at the common people when we are on the road."
"Could it be that you claim to be patriotic, but you turn a blind eye to the suffering people and treat them like dirt?"
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