Dream of the Red Chamber Becomes a Smash Hit, Part Two

More and more people came to the Liusheng Bookshop. Some had come to watch the commotion, while others, without knowing what was going on, followed the crowd and joined in cursing its owner, Yan Liusheng.

Many people who had no idea what was happening saw the growing crowd around the Liusheng Bookshop. Curious, they too came over to watch the commotion.

Watching a commotion really was something that transcended all eras and ages!

Seeing the crowd around the Liusheng Bookshop grow, Yan Liusheng knew that if this went on, many of the more extreme people would rush inside to smash things and loot the place. That was not what he wanted to see.

The situation had reached just the right temperature, so Yan Liusheng smiled and stepped out of the Liusheng Bookshop. Taking out a homemade megaphone, he called out, "Friends and fellow readers, folks, please quiet down!"

Hearing the Liusheng Bookshop's owner call out, everyone present fell silent. They all waited to hear what Yan Liusheng had to say.

A few of the more extreme scholars, however, cursed at Yan Liusheng. "You black-hearted merchant, you finally decided to show your face! You profit-obsessed bastard!"

When he finished, several people beside him chimed in, and they all began condemning Yan Liusheng again.

Yan Liusheng was indeed good at keeping his temper. Rather than trade insults with the scholars, he smiled and continued, "I am Yan Liusheng, the owner of the Liusheng Bookshop. By gathering to make trouble at our storefront, you have already violated the laws of the Great Zhou State. I can report this to the authorities and have those causing trouble arrested."

Hearing the Liusheng Bookshop's owner say this, the people at the front stepped forward one after another to curse him. "Yan Liusheng is selling a novel with only ten chapters per volume for two taels of silver! If that doesn't make him a black-hearted merchant, what does?"

Yan Liusheng did not argue with them. Instead, he smiled and explained, "What these scholars have said is correct. I have priced the first ten chapters of this novel, Dream of the Red Chamber, at two taels of silver per volume."

"Not only are these ten chapters selling for two taels a volume now, but the later contents of Dream of the Red Chamber will also be sold at two taels for every ten-chapter volume, until the entire novel is finished."

Everyone present was shocked and incredulous to hear Yan Liusheng, the Liusheng Bookshop's owner, say this. At a time like this, shouldn't he be humbly apologizing to the scholars and everyone else present?

He should also invite the scholars causing trouble to a banquet, apologize, and offer them gifts. Only then would the matter be settled.

But this wasn't how things were supposed to go! Given the situation, had Yan Liusheng, the Liusheng Bookshop's owner, gone mad? Wasn't he courting death?

The scholars leading the trouble, on the other hand, were overjoyed to hear what Yan Liusheng, the Liusheng Bookshop's owner, had said.

In fact, the other bookshops in Stone County had sent them specifically to cause trouble for the Liusheng Bookshop. Best of all would be for it to shut down and go bankrupt immediately.

Such a golden opportunity, a gift from heaven, lay before them today. How could they not put on a good show? After all, when you took someone's money, you dealt with their troubles.

At that moment, the scholar making the most trouble shouted, "Yan Liusheng, your Liusheng Bookshop is too crooked! You're nothing but a black-hearted merchant, driven mad by greed! We scholars are all ashamed to be associated with you. We'll all boycott your Liusheng Bookshop and refuse to buy your books or the four treasures of the study. We'll put you out of business!"

Someone beside him chimed in, "We'll all boycott your Liusheng Bookshop and put you out of business!"

With these people fanning the flames, some of those present who had no idea what was going on began joining in the abuse against Yan Liusheng, the Liusheng Bookshop's owner, once more.

At that moment, Yan Liusheng shouted, "Scholars! Folks! Things aren't as you imagine. There are many misunderstandings here. Please, scholars and folks, give me a chance to explain!"

As soon as Yan Liusheng finished speaking, someone suddenly called out, "We'll give your Liusheng Bookshop a chance to explain right now. Let's see what you, its owner Yan Liusheng, have to say."

The others present chimed in, "Then hurry up and explain!"