Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 34 - It's a Hit, Truly a Sensation

At Fuwen Bookhouse, Shopkeeper Zhao, who had previously been somewhat dismissive, was now so excited he could hardly contain himself, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He could almost envision the silver coins pouring in once the book was published.

But then, unexpectedly, Zhuang Jin changed his tune, “Spreading it across Nanyang Prefecture? Isn’t that a bit too ambitious? Let’s hold off on publishing for now.”

Shopkeeper Zhao’s face fell, and he quickly pleaded, “Please forgive my shortsightedness, young master! Your storybook is truly exceptional, unmatched in both heaven and earth!”

Zhuang Jin chuckled, “So, tell me, how much do you think such an outstanding storybook is worth?”

Pei Jian, Li Heyu, and Gao Qi all turned their attention to Shopkeeper Zhao, while Cui Xian leisurely sipped his tea and enjoyed the pastries. This was the advantage of having a big brother-he didn’t have to worry about anything from writing to publishing, to distribution, or even negotiating for royalties. He just had to collect the money and make a name for himself in Nanyang County Town.

Shopkeeper Zhao, ever the shrewd businessman, replied with a flattering smile, “If we’re talking about a flat buyout, such an excellent storybook could be worth 20 taels! But if you speak to the Proprietor, he might offer a price far beyond what I could estimate.”

What nonsense!

Zhuang Jin rolled his eyes and playfully responded, “My goodness, you’re saying this storybook is worth 30 taels? Shopkeeper Zhao, you have a discerning eye!”

Shopkeeper Zhao: ?

Before he could protest, Pei Jian nodded with a grin, “Indeed, indeed, 40 taels for the storybook, Shopkeeper Zhao is generous.”

Li Heyu chimed in, “What, you say the offer is 50 taels?”

Gao Qi decisively concluded, “I’ll name a figure-60 taels, no more! Anything more would be unreasonable.”

Zhuang Jin stood up and headed towards the cash register, “Deal! I’ll go get the silver.”

Shopkeeper Zhao’s face turned pale, “Oh, my ancestors! What storybook could be worth 60 taels? That’s almost the price of a house in Nanyang County!”

Seeing the shopkeeper’s anxious expression, Cui Xian finally spoke, “Big brother, esteemed brothers, 60 taels is too much. I can’t take advantage of this.”

Shopkeeper Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully looked at Cui Xian, “May I ask who this young gentleman is?”

Zhuang Jin proudly replied, “Cui Xian, our sworn brother. The storybook you’re holding was written by him; we four merely assisted.”

So young, yet capable of crafting such a thrilling tale? His future is limitless!

Shopkeeper Zhao was taken aback. After a careful look at Cui Xian and noting the warm camaraderie of the four young masters, he made a decisive offer, “Young gentleman, I’ll pay you an upfront fee of 30 taels. Additionally, for every copy sold, Fuwen Bookhouse will give you a 20% royalty, settled at the end of each month. How does that sound?”

This was an exceedingly generous offer. Had Cui Xian come alone, Shopkeeper Zhao would never have proposed such terms.

Pei Jian and the others looked at Cui Xian. He didn’t hesitate, smiling as he agreed, “Thank you very much, Shopkeeper.”

A short while later, Cui Xian left Fuwen Bookhouse with 30 taels in his pocket-or as one might say, ‘a small fortune equivalent to a portion of a house in Nanyang County Town.’ For someone his age, it was truly a significant sum!

The Cui Family in Hexi Village, with eight members working tirelessly and saving every penny for ten years, might not have been able to accumulate such wealth.

Feeling the weight of the purse in his pocket, Cui Xian was a bit thrilled.

After crossing over, he finally earned his first pot of gold.

With June approaching, his mother was about to give birth, and the family would be busy with the summer harvest.

Having been away from home for a while, it was time to pick a day for a “prosperous return to the hometown”!

Of course, Cui Xian knew that earning such a sum was all thanks to the support of his elder brothers.

So he waved his hand generously, “Today, I’m treating my elder brother and the three senior brothers to a good meal!”

Seeing Cui Xian’s joy, Pei Jian and the others didn’t dampen the mood and enthusiastically agreed to “feast on the rich.”

As the young lads cheered and left, Shopkeeper Zhao watched their backs, especially Cui Xian’s, murmuring, “This young master Cui Xian is bound to be someone significant in the future.”

Young, talented, and closely connected with four esteemed Young Masters.

How could he not succeed in the future?

Since leaving Hexi Village, Cui Xian, as a young Study Servant, mingled among the Young Masters, quite inconspicuous.

Even if he was favored by the elders of the noble families, he hadn’t yet showcased his talents.

Now, the time was ripe.

The young Study Servant Cui Xian was about to make a name for himself, boldly stepping into the public eye-

Ready to shine brightly!

That day, Cui Xian spent a full two taels of silver, treating his elder brothers to a sumptuous feast.

The elder brothers didn’t just eat for free.

Li Heyu rushed home and eagerly found his father, “Dad, you haven’t forgotten what I told you before, have you?”

Craftsman Li was engrossed in reading “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit,” and immediately assured, “Don’t worry, my son! The workers in our seven printing houses have already started printing this Storybook day and night! You all wrote it so well, I’m truly proud of you!”

For the first time in his life, Li Heyu was so praised by his father, and he blushed deeply.

But his heart was filled with joy!

Meanwhile, the richest man in Nanyang was even more excited than Zhuang Jin, “Within seven days, every bookstore in Nanyang must have at least twenty copies of ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’! My son has made me proud, my son has made me proud, haha!”

Zhuang Jin pouted, pretending to be annoyed by his father’s fuss, but his grin was almost reaching his ears.

At the Gao family.

The Honorable Commander was feeling guilty!

His son Gao Qi was angry with him, “Li Heyu, Zhuang Jin, Pei Jian’s families are all helping with ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit,’ but you’re the most useless! All you have are a bunch of soldiers who can’t help!”

The Honorable Commander awkwardly replied, “Well… I’ve got it! On the next day off, I’ll have my soldiers go into town and act as promoters, praising ‘The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit’ as a great book to everyone they meet!”

He had a full thousand soldiers under his command!

A thousand promoters-what a move!

Gao Qi’s eyes lit up, “Good, good, good, let’s do it!”

The Honorable Commander beamed with pride, “That’s my boy, son, you’re really impressive this time!”

Gao Qi replied smugly, “Of course!”

Pei Family.

Madam Pei was joyfully sending out invitations. “To everyone in Nanyang City who has dealings with our family, send them a notice! Let them know that those who used to mock Jian-Ge’er as Rotten Wood, now this old lady can hold her head high because of him!”

In the Young Master’s private courtyard.

The summer heat was intense, with the constant sound of cicadas.

Pei Jian fetched a bucket of well water, and he and Cui Xian took a refreshing cold bath. Afterwards, they sat under the shade of a tree, leisurely eating watermelon.

As they ate, Pei Jian couldn’t help but grin foolishly.

Cui Xian found himself smiling too. “Big brother, what’s making you laugh?”

Pei Jian’s eyes sparkled as he chuckled, “Xian, are you ready? You’re about to make a name for yourself throughout Nanyang County Town!”

As the elder brother, seeing his junior brother gain fame made him happier than gaining fame himself.

Cui Xian’s smile grew even brighter at the thought. “Not just me, big brother, you’re going to be famous too!”

Absolutely!

Pei Jian, thinking of this, felt a surge of excitement and pride. “When the time comes, we’ll dress up grandly and head to the clan school. Let those who mocked me drop their jaws in disbelief!”

Seven days later, in the morning.

A large group of burly men roamed the streets, boasting about a storybook called “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit” throughout Nanyang City.

Ladies and young misses at the Pei Family banquet also heard about this book.

The Li Family’s printing house worked tirelessly, day and night.

Fuwen Bookhouse, and indeed every bookstore in Nanyang County Town, displayed “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit.”

With the full support of four prominent families.

As expected-

The book became a sensation!