Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 290 A Plague-like Booklet! (Bonus Chapter for 13,000 Votes)

After the hustle and bustle of the first day of school, schools are gradually getting back on track.

At the prestigious Saint-Louis Boys' School in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, fourth-grade student Pierre Bellin is looking at a small booklet lying open on his desk, deep in thought.

His little face scrunched up, and his big blue eyes were filled with confusion and frustration.

The booklet in front of him had a simple title printed on the cover: "Montier's Secret Works (French Edition, Senior Grades)", with a line of smaller print below:
[Focusing closely on the textbook, analyzing key exam points, and helping students get into better schools]

Pierre poked at a sentence-making exercise in the booklet with his quill, muttering, "...'Please use "not only...but also..." to make a sentence, demonstrating causal logic.'..."

What kind of question is this? Wouldn't "The sun not only emits light, but also emits heat" be acceptable? Why did the teacher say it lacks a "profound causal connection"?
Does it have to be written as 'He not only stole bread, but he was also sent to jail for it'? What the hell!"

He grew angrier the more he thought about it, and shoved the Montiel Scrolls aside. This thin booklet had become his nightmare for the past few nights.

Almost everyone in the class had a copy, and even the most mischievous students discussed the questions inside after class.

Although Mr. Ralph, the teacher, said it was "for reference only," the questions he asked in class and the homework he assigned were clearly highly related to the contents of this secret book.

Anyone who doesn't buy it or doesn't do it seriously is practically like they didn't bring their ears to class.

At that moment, Mr. Ralph's authoritative voice seemed to ring in my ears again: "Pierre, where is your homework?"

Pierre sighed, pulled the booklet back, bit his pen, and continued to rack his brains.

------

In the evening, the door to the general manager's office at Bering Publishing was pushed open.

François Behring Jr. returned home after a long and tiring day.

He rubbed his temples, his face full of weariness.

The battle for textbook printing rights was far more intense and expensive than he had anticipated. Although "Behring" secured orders in some regions thanks to its past connections, its profits had been squeezed to a very thin margin.

Moreover, new competitors are constantly emerging, grabbing market share with lower prices, and it remains to be seen what the situation will be like next school year.

He had intended to go to his study to have a glass of brandy and find some peace and quiet, but instead he saw his youngest son sighing deeply over a small booklet.

François Behring Jr. went over, wanting to show his father's concern: "What's wrong, Pierre? Is your homework difficult?"

He glanced at the book in front of his son; it wasn't the familiar "Two Children's Trip to France" or "French Reader," but an unfamiliar booklet.

Pierre looked up, his face contorted with grief: "Dad, this 'Montier's Secret Scroll' is too difficult! I can't do so many of the questions!"

But Mr. Ralph said that to get into a good high school, you have to master the questions in here... and all the students are doing them..."

François Behring Jr. glanced at the cover and frowned: "The Montiel Scrolls? 'Charpentier's Bookshelf'?"

He felt the name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before, but couldn't quite place it. So he picked up the booklet and started flipping through it.

Initially, François Behring Jr., with the professional habits of a publisher, criticized the book for its flaws:
The paper quality is so-so, the ink smell is a bit strong, and the binding is rather rudimentary.

But soon, his expression changed. As a veteran in the publishing industry, he keenly sensed that this booklet was unusual.

The content is arranged in a highly targeted manner, completely revolving around the articles designated by the "Ministry of Public Education and Fine Arts", especially "Two Children's Travelogue in France".

The explanations were clear and well-organized, highlighting the key points; but the practice questions… François Behring's breathing quickened. These questions were cleverly designed, with tricky angles, directly targeting the knowledge points in the textbook that might be tested, and some even had a clear predictive nature.

This is definitely not something that an ordinary teacher or scholar could write casually!
François Behring Jr. asked urgently, "Where did you get this thing from?"

Pierre replied matter-of-factly, “Everyone at school uses it! Mr. Ralph recommended it to us, saying it helps with our studies.”

"Dad, isn't the 'Charpentier's Bookshelf' amazing? Is it even more amazing than our 'Behring'?"

François Behring Jr. muttered to himself, his face deathly pale: "Charpentier...Georg Charpentier..."

He finally remembered that it was a publisher that specialized in publishing literary books and almost never dabbled in education.

Poetry, novels, essays, plays... and those boring art reviews have nothing to do with "Behring".

François Behring Jr. shivered, as if something very important had slipped away from his heart.

He originally thought that the decentralization of textbook printing rights was just a redistribution of traditional publishing spheres of influence, a game of money and connections that he was still able to participate in.

He believed the biggest threat would come from Hachette, a former ally, and other restless educational publishers.

But he never expected that the real threat would come from such a seemingly insignificant "byproduct"!
George Charpentier did not directly compete with them in the traditional textbook printing arena, but instead took a different approach and opened up a completely new market.

He hasn't yet been able to give the market a precise name, but he already senses its immense size.

Charpentier's bookshelves abandoned the competition for a pie with profits that were too thin, and instead peddled "knives and forks" to thousands of students and teachers!
As long as exams and selections exist, and as long as the pressure to get into a good school exists, the demand in this market will be virtually unlimited!
Moreover, this market is directly aimed at teachers and students and is almost unaffected by the bureaucratic system!
This thin booklet is priced at only 12 sous, making it affordable for almost every family.

But if each main course were to have its own copy, the sales and profits would be terrifying!

Seeing his father's sudden change in expression, Pierre called out fearfully, "Dad?"

François Behring Jr. did not answer; he clutched the Montiel Scroll tightly.

He seemed to see countless such pamphlets, like a plague, flowing through teachers throughout France to the hands of millions of students like his son.

They have changed the way we learn silently and fundamentally, and have also overturned the rules of the game in the publishing industry.

“Necessary sacrifices…” Charles de Blanch’s cold voice echoed in his ears again.

Could it be that "Behring" sacrificed its huge investment in the "textbook war" and it was all a conspiracy?
What secret relationship did Charles de Blanchard have with "Charpentier's Shelf"?

Anger swept over François Behring Jr., and he slammed the Montiel Scrolls onto the table with a loud bang.

Pierre shrank back in fright.

François Behring Jr. slumped back in his armchair, muttering, "Charpentier... Charles de Blanch... you... how ruthless..."

He had no desire to drink brandy anymore. Instead, he hurriedly put on his coat and hat and called his coachman: "Get the carriage ready right away!"

"Master, where are we going?"

"To Mr. Hachette's mansion!"

(End of 6 chapters)
(End of this chapter)