Chapter 127 Literary Skills Upgrade


Previous Chapter Table of Content Next Chapter

  Chapter 127 Literary Skills Upgrade

  Chen Chaoyuan and Lin Qingcai finally selected two barely readable articles from the last submission, and Su Ze returned to Changning Guard with these two articles.

  Together with the two articles selected by Su Ze, the second issue of "Surprise" finally has the space.

  Alas, copying short stories is still too tiring!
  When the "Literature" skill is upgraded, be sure to find a long series!

  The Yu family's opera troupe was also sent to Changningwei. This is a very standard Nanxi opera troupe.

  Where there is South, there is North. Before Southern Opera became popular, Northern Opera was popular, also called Yuan Zaju.

  Northern Opera and Southern Opera, among which Northern Opera troupes mainly sing historical koans, have very strict requirements on format and reached their peak in the Yuan Dynasty.

  Southern opera mainly sings folk stories, mainly romantic love stories, so it is more popular among the general public.

  In fact, strictly speaking, what is popular today is not the original Southern Opera, but the Ming Dynasty Zaju produced by the combination of Southern Opera and Northern Opera.

  However, the people prefer to call it Nan Opera, which is mainly popular among the people, and is distinguished from the "palace opera" popular in the royal family and the palaces of various vassals.

  In Nan Opera, there are four major tunes, namely Haiyan tune, Yuyao tune, Kunshan tune and Yiyang tune.

  Among them, Kunshan opera is the most widely sung, which is now known as Kunqu opera.

  This opera troupe of conductor Yu's family is a Kunshan opera troupe.

  Conductor Yu's family is a small theater troupe, with a total of only sixteen people including the accompanist.

  The Yu family troupe has six accompanists and ten actors, making it the smallest troupe in Southern Opera.

  Like later generations of Peking Opera, Southern Opera is divided into four types of roles: "Sheng Dan, Jing Chou".

  The smallest troupe also needs "ten pillars", which are: Jing, Guansheng, Jinsheng, Laosheng, Mo, Zhengdan, Wudan, Liudan, Fu and Chou.

  The actor who plays the role of "official student" is named Yu Ji. He is the leading actor of the entire troupe and also the leader of the troupe.

  The entire troupe was trained by the Yu family's children since childhood. Before Mr. Tuohu's troupe came, it was also top-notch in Nanping County.

  However, compared with Mr. Tuohu's troupe, the Yu family's troupe is not good enough.

  Yu Ji was very respectful to Su Ze, but seeing Yu Ji's effeminate appearance, Su Ze couldn't help but keep a distance from him.

  Men's fashion is prevalent these days, and this Yu Ji's dress is very androgynous. Su Ze doesn't want to be contaminated by this.

  Su Ze asked the theater troupe to set up a stage in Changningwei to sing a performance of Guan Hanqing's "Moon Worship Pavilion". The whole Changningwei was in a sensation, and people from three floors inside and outside gathered around the theater troupe to watch the play.

  Dramas these days were still a hobby for the upper class, but the plots and scripts were already written in vernacular that the common people could understand.

  For ordinary people in Changningwei, there are basically no spiritual and cultural activities.

  After Su Ze traveled through time, the ordinary people in Changningwei finally had enough to eat.

  After having a full meal, they naturally had spiritual and cultural pursuits. The Yu family opera troupe performed in Changningwei, which just met the spiritual needs of Changningwei.

  Some people are happy and some are worried.

  Huang Shixing was the biggest victim of the last time "Du Shiniang" became popular in the county.

  All the 200 copies of "Wenyuan Xinyun" he printed were thrown into his hands, and none of them were sold.

  The beautifully bound "Wenyuan New Rhythm" did not sell out, but Su Ze's rough "Surprise" sold out.

  This made Huang Shixing's face burn with pain.

  Now that he heard that "The Surprise" will be turned into a tabloid with two publications per month, Huang Shixing became even more unable to sit still.

  Lin Qingcai and Chen Chaoyuan also acted quickly. After renting the editorial office, they quickly solicited manuscripts from scholars in Nanping County.

  The editing fee Su Ze offered was three taels of silver for short stories, which was quite attractive to ordinary readers in Nanping County!
  Even if we only use two articles in each issue, we can use four articles in a month, and we have four opportunities in a month!
  The retouching fee is a temptation, but the bigger temptation is that the last issue of "Surprise" sold 500 copies!

  Of course, there are not so many scholars in Nanping County. Some of the five hundred copies were bought back for collection, and some were bought by businessmen for a few cents more and sold to other cities.

  But as long as you are a scholar in Nanping City, who has not read "The Surprise"? You have a chance to make your article famous in front of the scholars in the county.

  Not to mention "Surprise" paid the manuscript fee, even if people publish it at their own expense, some are willing to pay money.

  Huang Shixing was naturally very angry. His "Wenyuan New Rhythm" was printed at a loss, but now all the talk in Nanping City is about the surprise.

  Several of his followers also secretly submitted articles to "The Surprise". Chen Lin and Chen Lin were neither talented people, but they became celebrities in Nanping City.

  What's even more annoying is that Mr. Tuo Hu's play essay competition was finally awarded to Su Ze. Now "Du Shiniang's Furious Sinking of the Treasure Box" is the most popular in Nanping County. Some officials and wealthy gentry from other places even invited Mr. Tuo Hu to write it. When performing at home, Su Ze's name also resounded throughout the county.

  Huang Shixing spent a lot of money to buy a printing shop, but the "New Rhythm of Wenyuan" printed with the money he paid for could not be sold. In the early stage, he half sold and half gave it away, and no one discussed it. It was really lonely to run a newspaper by himself!

  The more he thought about this, the more Huang Shixing wanted to vomit blood.

  No, we can't give up!
  Huang Shixing has invested a lot of money, so naturally he cannot give up casually.

  At this time, he was holding "The Surprise" to study why this three-money tabloid was so popular.

  Below Huang Shixing sat his followers. At this time, everyone lowered their heads, for fear of being called by Huang Shixing's name.

  Afraid of what he was going to do, Huang Shixing threw away the newspaper in his hand and shouted to someone:
  "Brother Zhenshun, why is "The Surprise" selling better than "Wenyuan Xinyun"? What do you think?" The person whose

  name was called The scholar stood up reluctantly. His name was Lu Pang, whose courtesy name was Zhenshun, and he was also a student of Yanping Academy.

  Lu Pang came from a poor family and worked part-time at Yanping Academy. He was accepted as a follower by Huang Shixing.

  Lu Pang felt extremely guilty at this time. He had just submitted a manuscript to "Surprise" and was afraid that his identity would be revealed.

  However, when his name was called and he had to answer, Lu Pang said:

  "I think "Wenyuan Xinyun" is too expensive!"

  Everyone nodded, and Huang Shixing also started to think.

  Yes, "The Surprise" only costs three taels of silver, while "Wenyuan Xinyun" costs two taels of silver. Two taels of silver can't be sold for three taels of silver, so it's reasonable!
  "Is there any more?"

  "Well, "Wenyuan Xinyun" also needs a fixed sales place. They can't all come to you to buy it, right?"

  Huang Shixing nodded immediately, yes! Why haven't I thought about this problem?
  I should also find a bookstore to sell it on my behalf.

  Lu Pang added: "Master Huang should also announce the establishment of an editorial office in the city to accept submissions. This will also attract the attention of more scholars."

  Huang Shixing nodded repeatedly.

  The other readers present all rolled their eyes. Isn't this just copying "The Surprise"?

  Huang Shixing asked again: "The second issue of Paiben Surprise is about to be released. What should we do with "Wenyuan New Rhythm"?"

  Lu Pang said: "It's too late to print new ones now, or else sell "Wenyuan New Rhythm" at a reduced price? "

  Huang Shixing felt distressed again when he thought of the two hundred copies of "Wenyuan Xinyun" dropped in his hands. Lu Pang was right. Instead of throwing them in his hands, it would be better to sell them at a reduced price.

  "What's the right price?" Lu Pang said bravely: "One tael of silver?"

  "Wenyuan Xinyun" Lu Pang bought it for 2 taels of silver. Not only Lu Pang, but everyone present also paid for it. .

  They usually receive support from Huang Shixing, and of course Huang Shixing has to pay for it when he runs a newspaper.

  But everyone knew in their hearts that they would not spend even one tael of silver to buy "Wenyuan Xinyun", let alone two taels of silver.

  Huang Shixing gritted his teeth and said, "No! Three cents of silver!"

  Everyone was shocked. They all knew the cost of "Wenyuan Xinyun". Three cents of silver for one copy was a huge loss.

  "Only three coins! I want to compete with "The Surprise"!"

  July 4th.

  Fang Aizhu came out of the back house of the magistrate's office early in the morning. Today, he was ordered by the magistrate's lady to buy the new issue of "The Surprise".

  Miss Fang is very strict in running the family and does not dare to use her privileges. The magistrate's family has to queue up to buy newspapers.

  Fang Aizhu thought she came out early, but she didn't expect to be frightened by the long queue of people as soon as she arrived at the door of Yujia Bookstore.

  Fang Aizhu saw several figures, all of whom were servants of noble families in the city. Those with money would naturally have servants queuing up, while those without money could only come and line up on their own.

  Lin Xianliang hid in the bookstore, and the clerk looked at him sadly.

  "Shopkeeper, Chang Ning Wei just delivered 300 copies. There are almost 200 people queuing up at the door. What should we do?"

  Lin Xianliang was even more troubled. In addition to these people queuing up, there are many people who have already made reservations. , including his boss Yu Ergongzi, these people cannot afford to offend.

  Lin Xianliang was heartbroken and said: "Go and make a sign, each person is limited to one purchase!"

  "Send someone to Changning Guard quickly and ask them to print some more and send them over!"

  It's better to be conservative!

  When Su Ze asked Lin Xianliang how many copies of the second issue he would print, Lin Xianliang reported a figure of three hundred.

  The number of scholars with purchasing power in Changningwei is almost the same.

  But he didn't expect that 300 copies were still missing. Lin Xianliang regretted it, and could only take purchase restriction measures to try his best to allow customers in line to buy newspapers.

  The bookstore is open!

  I only saw the bookstore clerk walking along the queue to announce the purchase of one copy. Those at the back felt relieved that they would definitely be able to buy it now.

  By the time Fang Aizhu was surprised when he bought the second issue, the sun had already risen in the sky. He couldn't wait to find a corner, picked up the newspaper and started reading.

  The literate servants in every household are like him. Everyone knows that if the newspaper is delivered to the master's room, it will never be seen again.

  The story of the latest issue of "Surprise" is also a great source of conversation in the house. Fang Aizhu took notes while reading it. When he gets back, he will be the most handsome boy in the house.

  The front page is Su Ze’s exclusive page, the first story, huh? "Wolf"?
  This is a short story about a butcher who met a wolf on his way home.

  Although the story is simple, Fang Aizhu broke into a cold sweat after reading it.

  The butcher and the wolf battled wits and courage, and the process of life hanging by a thread made him breathe faster. He had never read such an article before, as if he was the butcher who encountered the wolf.

  This Mr. Su is truly a genius!

  Immediately following "Wolf" is another second story, there are actually two!

  "Painted Skin"?
  This story was much longer than "Wolf", so Fang Aizhu read it quickly.

  At the beginning, it was a story about an ordinary scholar rescuing a woman in trouble. Fang Aizhu was slightly disappointed. There were too many cliché stories like this. He didn't expect Su Ze to write such a story.

  But soon the scholar met the Taoist priest, and the Taoist priest pointed out the part where the scholar encountered evil spirits.

  Fang Aizhu's curiosity was suddenly aroused, and he quickly continued reading.

  When he saw the painted skin of the ghost, Fang Aizhu screamed and was so frightened that he threw out the newspaper!

  Several boys around had the same reaction, and the whole street was filled with screams!

  Fang Aizhu quickly picked up the newspaper and read it with fear and curiosity.

  Later, when she saw the plot of a scholar being murdered, a Taoist priest catching a ghost, and the scholar's wife asking for help from a stranger, Fang Aizhu was scared and pulled by the plot, and couldn't bear to stop no matter what.

  When the story ended, Fang Aizhu realized that she was soaked all over, and she shivered when the wind blew over her body.

  Fang Aizhu only felt that she had had a bizarre dream. Su Ze's description was so immersive that for a moment, Fang Aizhu just wanted to rush into the City God's Temple and wash away the ghostly aura from her body!
  So scary!

  But it happens to be so beautiful!

  Looking at the sun, it was too late. Fang Aizhu quickly folded the newspaper and hurried to the mansion.

  I passed another bookstore in the county again, which was owned by Cai Yuan's wife, a wealthy family in the county. Many people gathered at the door of the bookstore, and they seemed to be arguing about something.

  Fang Aizhu couldn't help her curiosity and leaned over to listen. It turned out that the quarrel was related to "Surprise".

  It turned out that Huang Shixing put his "Wenyuan New Rhythm" for sale in Cai Yuanwai's bookstore. Although the price was reduced to three cents, no one took it.

  Cai's bookstore and Yu's bookstore are also competitors. Seeing that the Yu's business is so good, they are naturally very jealous.

  So the shopkeeper of Cai's Bookstore made a cunning move.

  He had someone print the cover of "The Surprising New Story of Pai Ben", then put it on Huang Shixing's "Wenyuan New Rhythm", and then put up a sign saying "The Surprise Arrival of Pao Ben".

  Then he really got a few taken advantage of.

  But today the new "Surprise" was released, and those who bought the fake newspaper realized they had been deceived and came over to ask for their money back.

  Fang Aizhu shook his head. Fortunately, what he bought was genuine. The "Wenyuan Xinyun" was full of bullshit articles. It was stained with ink even if it was used to wipe one's buttocks. It cost three qian of silver to deceive people.

  At the same time, Su Ze, who was reading "General Essentials of the Continuing Martial Arts Classic" at the School of Health, finally heard the system prompt.

  ["Du Shiniang Angered and Sinking the Treasure Chest" became famous, literary skill experience +80, Lv4, 120/400]

  ["Du Shiniang Angered and Sinking the Treasure Box" has a great reputation, literary skill experience +120, Lv4, 240/400]

  ["Wolf" and "Painted Skin" have minor literary names, literary skill experience +40, Lv4, 280/400]

  ["Wolf" and "Painted Skin" became famous, literature skill experience +80, Lv4, 360/400]

  Four consecutive prompts made Su Ze feel happy, but why did the system get stuck?
  Are you stuck with 40 experience points without upgrading?

  At this time, the system popped up a prompt again.

  ["Nie Xiaoqian" has a small literary name, literary skills and experience +40, and her skills have been upgraded!

  Finally upgraded!
  (End of chapter)
 

Previous Chapter Table of Content Next Chapter