Wei, the shopkeeper:…
In a prison environment, it’s better suited for ghost stories!
That Zhang Fang could create a new genre under such conditions is already a miracle!
Wei urged, “According to the law, if compensation isn’t provided to the plaintiff within a month of imprisonment, the defendant will be exiled to serve in the military. Doesn’t student Zhang worry at all?”
“We’ll talk about it later!” Zhang Fang had already realized that this Wei shopkeeper was not a sincere partner.
Wei was incensed by Zhang Fang’s attitude, feeling that the other party was being ungrateful. Clearly a prisoner, yet still trying to act aloof—what a lack of insight into his current situation! So he coldly said, “In that case, whenever student Zhang wishes to sign a contract, send someone to the bookshop to notify me. There are many tasks I must attend to at the bookshop, so I won’t disturb student Zhang’s quiet time here!”
Zhang Fang watched with a smile as Wei left.
Zhao, the prison guard, was stunned, wanting to speak but hesitating as he looked at Zhang Fang.
Just like that, Wei left. Would Zhang Fang’s story still be published? Would he continue writing it?
Seeing Wei walk ahead, Zhao could only hurry after him to see him off.
“Brother Zhang, what are your thoughts? Why not sign a contract with the bookshop immediately? Then you could get twenty taels of silver and be released! Wouldn’t that be mutually beneficial?” It wasn’t just Wei who couldn’t understand; Zhao also found Zhang Fang’s mindset perplexing.
Zhang Fang sighed, looking helplessly at Zhao, “Brother Zhao, that Wei shopkeeper isn’t genuinely interested in cooperating with me.”
According to Wei’s words, even if a contract was signed, there wouldn’t be any payment for some time. Moreover, the profit share would entirely depend on the bookshop’s discretion. Now, although Wei was willing to lend twenty taels to Zhang Fang, the amount he’d receive after publication might not match that, and he might even end up deeper in debt. Once the contract was signed, Wei would have Zhang Fang at his mercy! Even if Zhang Fang decided he no longer wanted to write, he would have to keep at it! After all, he owed Wei money!
Zhao looked astonished. He thought Wei seemed quite eager to partner with Zhang Fang and was even willing to lend twenty taels! Who these days would lend that much money to someone else?
“Brother Zhao, could you run an errand for me and bring back the manuscript? I need to revise it.” Wei had not brought the manuscript when he came to see Zhang Fang. To retrieve it, Zhang Fang had to ask Zhao to run an errand. After all, Zhao was the only one who could help him.
Zhao asked, a bit confused, “You’ve already written so well, why do you need to revise it?”
“Striving for perfection! Seeking to improve!” Zhang Fang replied with a smile.
Zhao felt it was strange and inquired further, “If you take the manuscript back, won’t the bookshop think you’re refusing to cooperate? Brother Zhang, do you really not intend to sign with this bookshop? This is the largest bookshop in Dou County!”
“Once I revise the manuscript, Wei will come to see me again!” In Wei’s eyes, Zhang Fang was just a poor scholar, and even if he’d written a decent story, he was still a novice who could be easily manipulated. Therefore, Zhang Fang needed to demonstrate his strength and influence to change Wei’s attitude and obtain a genuine collaboration.
Seeing Zhang Fang so confident, Zhao could only trust him and hurried to the bookshop to retrieve the manuscript.
Wei had expected Zhang Fang to come to him, but he was taken aback when Zhang Fang asked Zhao to bring the manuscript back, and his expression grew somewhat unpleasant.
Zhao also regretted helping Zhang Fang, knowing that the manuscript might be in rough shape. Seeing it would surely upset Zhang Fang! What if it affected his mood and he decided to abandon this story?
Wei clearly realized the issue as well. Anyone would be angry upon seeing their hard work treated carelessly. He began to suspect that Zhang Fang had already learned about this, which was why he refused to sign with the bookshop.
While asking Zhao to stay for tea, Wei went to fetch some items. He had Zhao take back some gifts for Zhang Fang. In addition, he also gave Zhao two jars of fine wine. Though he didn’t say it outright, the implication was for Zhao to help persuade Zhang Fang to sign with the bookshop.
Seeing how much Wei had prepared for Zhang Fang, Zhao felt that Zhang Fang had misunderstood Wei’s intentions. When he returned, he told Zhang Fang, “Brother Zhang, Wei particularly values the content you’ve written. He is sincere about publishing your work! Look, he prepared these wonderful items for you and asked me to bring them back.”
The prison cell was both dirty and chaotic. Even with Zhao moving in tables and chairs, there was hardly any room among the scattered stationery and books to place anything else. Zhao could only set those items on the floor.
Zhang Fang immediately opened the gift boxes. Inside were an inkstone, three fine brushes, and five pieces of ink stick. These things were worth at least one or two taels of silver.
Zhao pointed at the items, saying, “These things are worth quite a sum! This shows how much Wei values you! Brother Zhang, given your current situation, you should seize this opportunity to publish!”
After glancing at the items, Zhang Fang responded to Zhao, “Brother Zhao, could you do me another favor? Take the manuscript to the largest teahouse in Dou County and give it to the storyteller. I want to know how many people like this story. That way, I can better craft the following plot.”
Zhao couldn’t understand Zhang Fang’s thoughts at all. With a hesitant expression, he asked, “If you give the manuscript to the storyteller, won’t Wei at the bookshop get angry?”
Zhang Fang explained, “If this story is well-received by everyone, Wei will surely be pleased and come back to discuss cooperation again.”
Before the manuscript is published, Wei can manipulate Zhang Fang as he wishes. After all, Zhang Fang relies on the bookshop to publish his work. However, once the manuscript circulates widely and Wei sees how many people enjoy this story, he’ll rush back to persuade Zhang Fang to sign a contract. In this way, Zhang Fang can shift from being passive to taking control, allowing him to negotiate for better terms.
Convinced, Zhao took the manuscript and headed to the largest teahouse in Dou County, delivering it to the storyteller.
Old Cai, who had told stories all his life, was completely captivated when he saw such a novel theme for the first time. He pulled Zhao aside and kept asking questions, eager to rush to Zhang Fang and inquire about the plot that followed.