My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 138 ０Wen Group!

More than ten days ago, Chen Baitang bought a street-side store in Anle Lane and began decoration and preparation work, waiting for Jie Yuanlang's instructions and looking for the right time to open the store.

These days, Boss Chen has been visiting Huazhou Tongxing Bookstore to learn more about the situation in the city's literary world. He just felt the aura of a woman coming towards him, which really made him feel cold.

The ambitions that were originally ready to go have now shrunk a bit.

Especially when I see the female heroes in the newspapers brazenly attacking each other, they not only insult each other passionately, but also call on readers to attack, smear, spread rumors, insult, satirize, report, plagiarize, and counter-plagiarism. Some readers even buy newspaper space at their own expense to release the so-called "palette" and publicly execute those involved.

As for starting with publishing in newspapers or even posting exposés, writing lengthy articles to make sharp comments and ridicule on a certain book word for word, it is even more basic operation. The vast Huazhou is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and the reader culture is terrifying. Every time Boss Chen sees it, he feels that the supreme beings are going to destroy the avenue, and he, a small boss of the men's channel, can only tremble in fear.

After all, only the website owner knows how pornographic and violent the books under his name are.

Seeing the various magical powers of the Huazhou heroes, Chen Baitang couldn't help but break out in a sweat.

——Batian, those vulgar words you wrote would be a capital crime if put here!

Damn it, here even if the heroine is a little obedient to her husband, she will be ridiculed as a "little wife" and beaten in the newspapers. How can Long Zhantian survive in Huazhou when he has a harem in the book?

Boss Chen was terrified and even ran to report to Jie Yuanlang, cautiously asking whether he should not put "Legend of Huangji Zhantian" on the shelves yet.

I don't know why, but I felt a chilly wind blowing around me at that time.

Jie Yuanlang just patted him on the shoulder, smiled kindly, and said, "I'll take care of everything."

He said that "Legend of Huangji Zhantian" must be put on the shelves, because he wanted to use this book as bait to lure out some groups that are keen on cyber violence, and then strike them hard with an iron fist.

That's it!

Upon hearing this, Boss Chen secretly groaned in his heart. Now, Jie Yuanlang was not only his investor, but also the current official in charge. Not only that, he was also a local celebrity in Lin County and was in charge of Chen's future.

Since the old man had spoken, Boss Chen had no choice but to obey... but he still mustered up the courage to say a few words.

"Xie, Xie Yuanlang, it's like this, I'm afraid that old thief Batian will be angry."

He said carefully, "You don't know, that guy is lazy, petty, and has a bad temper. If he knew that I pushed his book to the forefront and had his book hung up and beaten by a group of women, with his narrow mind and temperament, he would probably cause trouble. I'm afraid he would offend the adults..."

Jie Yuanlang seemed to smile even more kindly.

"If he has any dissatisfaction, let him come directly to me."

Upon hearing this, Boss Chen could only smile bitterly in his heart.

Long Batian is a bully who only bullies the weak and fears the strong. How could he be willing to offend you? He would only take it out on me. Fortunately, Jie Yuanlang is magnanimous and willing to reason with me on everything...

Alas, speaking of it, there has been no news about the deceased Batian for a long time. I wonder if the fifth volume has been written?

Does he know that I have come to Huazhou?

Such feelings would ripple in his heart from time to time. Every time he touched the cover of "Legend of Huangji Zhantian", Chen Baitang would always think of that ordinary night. That was the first time that Lao Zei came to submit a work. All the laughter, anger, and intrigue started from that night.

Volume One, Volume Two, Volume Three, Volume Four.

Without knowing when, he had begun to look forward to the appearance of that person, to the unpleasant "submit your manuscript", and to the reunion after a long time. When that time came, what should he say? Should he say "welcome back" in a normal tone?

--etc!
So fucking weird!
Chen Baitang felt horrified and quickly shook his head to get rid of the thought.

Damn, I've been reading too many gay books in Huazhou recently!
The thoughts in my mind unconsciously went down that path!
terrible!

Chen Baitang came back to his senses, the cool morning air filling his lungs, making him clear-headed.

It's another morning, and today is the auspicious day for the opening of the business. The guys have hung up the firecrackers, the invited troupe is already in place, and Boss Chen is standing outside the door with his sleeves rolled up, suppressing his excitement.

Spreading the book business to Huazhou was just an absurd fantasy in my youth, but I never expected it to come true today.

He opened the pocket watch in his hand. The creation of Fenglin Volcano was exquisitely crafted. The auspicious time had arrived. He nodded to the waiter, a flash of fire passed by, and crackling explosions echoed through the streets.

Boss Chen, like everyone else, covered his ears and watched the fireworks exploding.

It is said that the use of firecrackers for celebration can be traced back to the thunderous sounds of celebration that filled the sky when the Xuanyuan Sect's Taoist faction won the civil war. The continuous explosions are regarded as the essential BGM for the victory group's settlement.

This custom first became popular in Yuanzhou, the ancestral land of Xuanyuan, and then slowly spread to various parts of Da Qi, becoming a sign of good luck for opening a business and celebrating a new one.

Ordinary people don’t have the skills of the Taoist priests, so they can only use inferior firecrackers to simulate the occasion and make it lively.

As the firecrackers started to pop, the guys cheered and began distributing red envelopes, book discount coupons and other items to the spectators, and theater troupes also began to enter.

Four beauties in gorgeous clothes sing and dance in a pair, followed by four musicians playing wind and instruments. After the erotic opening, the martial arts troupe enters the stage. The martial arts troupe, which performs martial arts, also has a martial arts heritage, but is despised by mainstream martial artists because they pursue visual effects and always focus on looking good, neglecting actual combat.

The transparent silk thread pulled the flying sword, the flowing light rotated, the flying knife danced in the air, like lightning, and the female warrior in light clothes had a delicate figure, constantly leaping into the air, dancing and whirling, revealing her seductive figure, which was enough to make the audience cheer and attract passers-by.

Chen Baitang looked at it with a smile, and saw a crowd of people on the right.

The bosses of Qu Shi Wen Hui came together.

Colleagues are enemies, and the competition and confrontation are obvious to everyone. But on a happy day, no one should hit someone who smiles at them. Besides, all the bosses know that if they spank Chen's butt, they are actually slapping someone in the face.

As they shook hands and congratulated each other, Zheng Xiuyuan whispered, "Boss Chen, let me ask you a question. Is the contract signed for the authors of your store a buyout or a royalty split?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked over.

The dozen or so bosses who control the state's literary scene looked solemn.

Chen Botang had already expected this question.

He said calmly, "In the past, our shop always bought out the books and periodicals it had purchased. Starting with The Legend of the Imperial Battle Heaven, we started sharing profits from it. The results have been very good, and we are planning to promote it more widely."

Everyone couldn't help but change color.

You traitor!

"The artist is just a brushstroke, a stroke, a line, a line. How can he understand the risks and hardships of running a shop like us?"

Zheng Xiuyuan whispered, "Boss Chen is also in the same industry, doesn't he know the truth?"

The words were polite, but everyone's eyes revealed the same meaning.

——Your mother! You betrayed your class!

These bookstore owners have joined forces to create a monopoly environment in Huazhou. In order to make more money, they have to exploit authors. According to the self-evident contracts they have drawn up, authors are only entitled to a one-time buyout fee after their manuscripts are selected.

The sales revenue of future works, and even the income from further adaptations, have nothing to do with it.

Even so, they are still not satisfied. Some people are afraid that the author will run away, so they are trying to pay the author a salary, just like hiring a worker. If the work sells well, they will pay him a monthly salary, and occasionally give him some tips to support him to work.

If the sales are not good, then their salary will be reduced... Bullshit! If they can't make money, of course they will be fired!
It is certainly good policy for bosses to pay authors and use dismissal threats as a spur.

This is good for Huazhou's cultural heritage, as it prevents these guys from making too much money, becoming lazy and no longer willing to write, leaving readers waiting in vain and the masters unable to make any money.

Who knew Chen Botang would actually break the rules!
You actually want to share the profits with the author?
Paying a buyout is the ancestral law. If you change the rule, won't it make us all look like bad people?
Zheng Xiuyuan held Chen Botang's hand and said in a lower voice, "My dear brother, you are like a fierce dragon crossing the river when you enter this industry. We dare not stop you. After all, the people should not fight against the officials. But since you are in this industry, you should know that the so-called royalties are to undermine our foundation. Although Huazhou's cultural heritage is small, it will never sit and wait for death. If you insist on your own way and offend the public, I am afraid there will be endless troubles. After all, Governor Li will be transferred one day..."

Chen Botang sighed in response.

The reason why he agreed to the contract with Batian Laozei was because of the dog author's vigorous commercial efforts and painstaking persuasion. The old thief's unremitting persistence finally moved him and made him voluntarily give in.

Now, the royalty sharing contract will no longer be an exclusive treatment for Long Batian, but will further benefit every author under it.

As a bookstore owner, he actually does not approve of this model.

But now he is no longer a bookstore owner, he is about to become a mature capitalist.

So he will agree and promote it.

Because mature capitalists are patriotic and can talk about anything.

Whatever dad says, that’s what it is.

So he patted Zheng Xiuyuan's hand and said softly: "Old senior, I am loyal to the court and follow the teachings of Governor Li. The governor said that anything that is beneficial to the court must be done regardless of gains and losses."

Zheng Xiuyuan slowly exhaled.

My son's letter was delivered last night because it took a faster route within the Cao Gang.

He had previously written to his son, who had passed the imperial examination, for advice, but he was helpless. Unexpectedly, his eldest son actually pointed out a way for him.

This gave him some confidence.

Zheng Xiuyuan said solemnly, "My dear brother, your words are too full of confidence. The court does not have only one voice... Governor Li is taking risks. You should leave yourself a way out so that you can have a decent life in the future."

"Senior, your words are too grand." Chen Baitang said softly, "How dare merchants like me talk nonsense about the court? We can only focus on Huazhou."

Before he finished speaking, a waiter shouted loudly.

"Temporarily acting as the prefect, temporarily acting as the co-prefect, the governor of the Tongwen Bureau, Mr. Li, is here!"

"Temporarily taking over the magistrate's duties, the judge Zhang has arrived!"

"The old master has arrived!"

Voices rang out one after another, the crowd was moved, the yamen runners made way, and the officials of Huazhou escorted a distinguished official in a red robe as he came.

The man was very young, walking with his head held high, looking very proud. A group of men in black stood beside him and stretched out their hands coldly to keep away the crowd who did not want to surround him.

A group of newspaper editors followed behind and shouted.

"Sir, please say a few words to everyone!"

"May I ask what instructions you have for the Four Ones Loyalty Award Essay Competition?"

“Can I participate in the competition with published works?”

"I heard that the winning works will be published by the Tongwen Bureau as a gift to the court, and the profits will be shared with the authors. Is this true?"

In response, Lord Li just gave an ambiguous smile and nodded.

Seeing this, Chen Botang smiled eagerly and hurried to greet him. Before leaving, he pulled his hand out of Zheng Xiuyuan's grasp and asked, "Old senior, how many voices can you hear?"

Looking at the other party's flattering look as he warmly welcomed Li Bailong, Zheng Xiuyuan's eyes were gloomy.

Boss Ye beside him lowered his voice: "Damn it, even if it's nothing else, we have to suppress his arrogance!"

Chairman Zheng said decisively: "Let's do it this way."

The consequences of the fight between the people and the officials are unpredictable, but his son's letter gave him confidence.

King Zhao was not the only one with a voice in the court.

In Huazhou, Li Bailong may not be able to always cover the sky with one hand.

He looked inside the bookstore, which was filled with books and guide signs. "Legend of Huangji Zhantian" was placed in the most conspicuous place. He had finished reading the book yesterday.

As one of the founders of Huazhou Women's Channel, he believes that this book is full of flaws.

With just a little guidance, that group of brainless and easily fooled readers can use all kinds of excuses to drown this crappy book and that incomprehensible author in their saliva.

Then this boycott trend will spread from "Legend of Huangji Zhantian" to this crappy bookstore... By the way, what is the name of the bookstore opened by Mr. Chen?

They exchanged glances, sneered, and followed Chen Baitang to pay their respects to the adults in Huazhou.

The dirty officials and businessmen were laughing and talking to each other, but they were secretly planning disgusting ideas.

Amid the fierce sound of firecrackers, Chen Baitang invited Governor Li to come forward and cut the ribbon. The two smiled at each other and together pulled open the red silk on the plaque, revealing the large iron-painted and silver-hooked characters underneath.

Everyone looked closely and saw only two words written on it.

"Zero."

"Zhowen Group was established today... This is the first bookstore, the headquarters! It's the starting point!"

Chen Baitang's face turned red. He thought of Li Yuanlang's promise and the bright future.

He introduced the name enthusiastically: "I am fortunate to be a fellow villager of Jie Yuanlang. A month ago, it was Jie Yuanlang who saved my life. He is known as the perfect moon. I dare to pick a character and name this store '０文' to express my gratitude... ０文 Group will become the most conscientious bookstore chain in the world!"

Everyone thinks this is a crappy name.

But under someone's smiling gaze, I had to praise the merits of ０文 against my conscience.

Only the friendly competitors sneered in their hearts, looked at each other, and reached a consensus.

——I want to die!
I originally wanted to use the last sentence as the title...

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(End of this chapter)