"Does your shop still have that iron plate duck? I ca early especially today; surely you haven’t run out of stock again?"
"Yes, how many would you like, sir?"
"Give two, no, three. I have friends coming over later."
"Sure, please wait a mont, sir."
Inside the "Flower Garden Ode," because of the popularity of the iron plate duck, the dish was illustrated and posted outside the entrance. The large picture was so mouthwatering that passersby couldn’t resist coming in to try it.
The result? The taste was truly superb.
"I never thought roast duck could be further pressed and enhanced with so spices, making the flavor incredible."
"Your restaurant really knows how to do business. Whoever ca up with this dish must be a foodie."
"Yet, this delicious dish is limited to just 300 ducks a day. Once sold out, there’s no more. I ca late once and couldn’t have any; it’s really unfair."
Qu Fulan ca over from the bookstore and overheard the guests discussing. In fact, she already heard so guests talking about it on the way.
"The iron plate duck is a bit too heavy for my taste; I don’t like it."
"Indeed, you need to drink more water after eating it. I still prefer sothing lighter."
"I think it’s great. I like strong flavors, especially when I have no appetite. Only such dishes can stimulate my appetite."
Anyway, there were both praises and criticisms, which is quite normal.
Qu Fulan categorized the iron plate duck as a type of snack. If there were no quantity limits, it probably wouldn’t maintain its popularity for long.
Now, limiting it to just 300 a day creates a sense of urgency among custors, making them rember and want to co back the next day.
These are just business strategies, after all.
As the days passed, Qu Fulan also had so suits and modern dresses made. It wasn’t about wearing them right away but having them ready for future needs.
Besides that, she also had grapes bought to make wine at ho.
By the end of the month, the bookstore event finished, which ant it was onto the review stage.
After ten judges selected twenty good articles, and then further narrowed it down to ten from those twenty, they would choose a suitable day to announce the rankings publicly. The good and the bad would be visible and audible to all.
During this event, Ten Thousand Books Bookstore once again enjoyed good business. Although it couldn’t match the peak when "Journey to the West" was sold, considering the current market, it was still the best in sales among its peers.
The event rewards were trivial compared to the money earned.
On the day the verdict was announced, the owner of Ten Thousand Books Bookstore indeed awarded the top ten publicly.
But don’t think it’s over; Qu Fulan then had the shopkeeper strike while the iron was hot and signed those ten people with a generous offer. These people were still unknown and ca from humble backgrounds; otherwise, they wouldn’t have participated for the prize money.
But being able to stand out from a sea of contestants ant they were better than most people, and perhaps success was just a matter of ti. Qu Fulan wasn’t stingy about signing them with a handso offer.
She also crafted a monthly magazine for them—"The Best Storybook."
The implication was the best storybook.
A book compiled from the articles of ten people, published monthly in serialized form, selling based on their talents.
Because of this event, these ten people gained so fa, and naturally, people bought the collaborative book they released.
Indeed, the first month’s publication of "The Best Storybook" boosted the bookstore’s sales.
Initially, people ca to check it out due to the fa of the ten authors, and so previous contestants who lost felt indignant.
Seeing that they released another book in serialized form, they couldn’t help but buy it to compare.
Upon reading, so praised it. They found it deserving of the top ten, with consistently stable quality.
Particularly the first prize winner, who serialized a work called "Contemporary," telling the story of four brothers in a family, each taking different paths because of their personalities.
One pursued martial arts, one literature, one business, while the fourth just inherited the family business, doing nothing.
The summary seed simple, but the story content was remarkably exquisite as written by the first prize winner.
The emotional dynamics between the four brothers, sotis good, sotis bad, represented reality and ideals, constantly tugging at everyone’s heartstrings.
Truly worthy of being written by soone who stood out from "one in ten thousand."
Of course, there were also criticisms. So could nitpick here and there, thinking the person was rely lucky to be chosen, with unremarkable talent.
Overall, no matter the public opinion, it couldn’t affect Ten Thousand Books Bookstore’s business.
Their peers were truly envious and jealous.
Who was the mastermind behind Ten Thousand Books Bookstore? How did they co up with such brilliant ideas that others couldn’t?
In short, "The Best Storybook" beca a sensation in the circle.
Manager Zhang of Furui Bookstore was so jealous he got ulcers, "We can’t let Ten Thousand Books Bookstore make all the money; we should also follow up with an event."
But saying was easier than doing. Never mind the first prize’s reward of a hundred taels, which even he coveted, they couldn’t even invite prestigious scholars.
When reporting to the main house, Ji Nishang being a woman was of no use, and Xiao Shiqing wouldn’t listen to her about inviting renowned scholars.
In the end, Furui Bookstore couldn’t replicate Ten Thousand Books Bookstore’s event and had to rely on high paynts to select talents. But without professional judge evaluations, the chosen talents were questionable. They also launched a monthly magazine.
How it would sell was yet unknown.
Even Qu Fulan bought a copy of "The Best Storybook" to read, finding it better than she imagined.
One person’s serialization might not be very engaging, but ten people’s serialized works in one book ant that as long as one person’s talent attracted readers, the book would sell.
What’s crucial is that the other nine writers’ skills didn’t drag down, and their stories were all captivating, worthy of careful reading.
Qu Fulan was so absorbed in reading that she didn’t even notice when Pei Ji’an returned.
"What are you reading so intently?"
Qu Fulan snapped out of her trance and looked at him. Before she could speak, he was standing there with his arms outstretched.
Qu Fulan put down the storybook and walked over to embrace him.
Pei Ji’an bent slightly, lowering his head so she could hold him by the neck. He nestled in her neck hollow, taking a deep breath, enjoying her unique fragrance that imdiately brought comfort and joy.
Qu Fulan giggled as his nuzzling tickled her, "Why are you back so early today?"
These days, he was busy, and she was too, both leaving early and returning late. She was slightly better, often coming back at dusk, but he usually returned just before bedti, making days like today rare and leisurely.
Young couples reunited, naturally being affectionate, especially now in late autumn as the weather turned cool, making it even more fitting to huddle for warmth.
The maids stood afar, not daring to disturb them.
"One must co ho to hug their wife; otherwise, what fun is there in life?"
"Have you eaten?"
"I just finished the work and rushed back to see you; I didn’t have ti to eat."
"Flatterer."
Despite her words, she quickly summoned the maids to serve the al.
After he finished eating, he shared important news with Qu Fulan.
"There’s news from Yunzhou."
Was there news about the Li family’s case?
Reviews
All reviews (0)