Chapter 117: An Explanation at the Bookstore
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Song Mu walked into the Snow-Reflecting Bookshop. Shopkeeper Zhang was balancing the accounts behind the counter. When he saw Song Mu arrive, he immediately handed his work over to one of the assistants without a word, then led him toward a private room nearby.
Once inside, Song Mu came straight to the point.
“Shopkeeper Zhang, I would like to know how Tales of a Hundred Demons is doing.”
Shopkeeper Zhang entered with a broad smile and gestured for Song Mu to sit. At those words, his smile grew even wider, and he said with some excitement, “Extremely well. Within only three to five days of the first volume being released, it was already selling briskly.
“Of course, for now it has gained a reputation only within Ji Prefecture. I have already submitted the books for wider distribution, and by the end of this month, they should be available at Snow-Reflecting Bookshops throughout the Western Jiangnan Circuit. Even here in Ji Prefecture, I have hired several storytellers these past few days to perform the tales for free in taverns and teahouses. We also have them drum up interest outside our doors. On a good day, we can sell twenty or thirty copies.”
Song Mu was momentarily speechless. By rights, he had written the stories only a little over half a month ago, yet Shopkeeper Zhang had already been selling them for some time.
Seeing Song Mu’s astonished expression, Shopkeeper Zhang stepped outside and soon returned with a book.
The four large characters Tales of a Hundred Demons were printed across its cover. Beside them was a simple ink illustration of a scholar holding a brush and scroll as he battled demons and banished evil. The image was sharp and eye-catching.
Song Mu quickly flipped through the volume, examining several of the stories with care. Aside from a few sentences being rewritten in more colloquial language, he found that the endings remained exactly as he had written them.
This left him utterly puzzled. He raised his head and looked at Shopkeeper Zhang, his eyes filled with doubt.
Shopkeeper Zhang had evidently guessed what he wanted to ask. With a somewhat apologetic expression, he explained, “Young master, are you wondering why the contents of the book differ somewhat from the stories told by the storytellers?”
Song Mu nodded, and Shopkeeper Zhang continued.
“To tell the truth, we had never intended to alter anything. During the first couple of days, people came to listen because the stories were fresh and unusual. But can you guess what happened?”
At this point, Shopkeeper Zhang wore an expression of helpless amusement.
“The listeners would applaud and cheer during the first half of the performance. But the moment they heard that even the scholar had died, they would immediately start shouting that it was unacceptable. Sometimes they became so furious that they even tried to overturn the storyteller’s table.
“Alas, we are all merely trying to make a living. The storytellers cannot be beaten every time they perform. Besides, many listeners felt that the ending was too heartless, and they would not return for the next performance.
“So we discussed the matter among ourselves and made a few minor changes.”
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As Shopkeeper Zhang spoke, his face was full of apologetic smiles. He clasped his hands toward Song Mu and said, “We did intend to discuss it with you properly, but we heard that you had returned to your old home. We had no choice but to act first and report afterward.”
At that, the tension in Song Mu’s face eased, and much of the anger he had felt moments before dissipated.
Shopkeeper Zhang’s explanation seemed sincere, and no changes had been made to Song Mu’s own writing in the printed book. The alterations to the storytelling version truly might have been unavoidable.
Seeing that Song Mu’s anger had faded, Shopkeeper Zhang let out a quiet sigh of relief. Then he hurriedly added, “At present, the storytelling version consists only of our own abridgments and revisions. Some parts may differ considerably. Would you consider writing a separate version for us to use exclusively in performances?”
Song Mu waved his hand. Such a task would be far too cumbersome and did not fit into his plans. Moreover, the storytellers made their living from their performances and naturally had their own distinctive views on how the tales should be told. From what he had heard today, their revised version was quite engaging. There was no need for him to interfere unnecessarily.
Shopkeeper Zhang nodded at his gesture, then asked about something else.
“Then did you come today only to discuss this matter?”
“The payment for this month’s writing has not yet been calculated, but if you need silver, I can arrange it immediately.”
“That will not be necessary. We can discuss it later.” Song Mu lifted his teacup and took a sip before continuing. “I will bring you the story for the next volume in a few days. If it needs to be revised again, you may handle everything as you see fit. Just let me know.”
At this, a smile spread across Shopkeeper Zhang’s face, and he readily agreed.
Song Mu rose and began walking outside. Then he suddenly remembered that there was much more to study at the academy now, and that the examinations were only two months away. He stopped and asked Shopkeeper Zhang a few questions.
“Shopkeeper, could you recommend some books on solving examination questions? There is so much material at the prefectural academy that I do not even know where to begin.”
Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Zhang came forward again. After thinking for a moment, his eyes lit up.
“It is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I am only a bookseller. Still, many talented students from the prefectural academy frequent my shop, and I have records of the books they regularly purchase or borrow. Would it do if I recommended books based on their choices?”
Song Mu’s eyes brightened as well, and he nodded. Shopkeeper Zhang quickly led him to the counter, took out a ledger, and flipped through several pages before pushing it toward Song Mu.
“What about this man, Scholar Hong? He was the top candidate in the twenty-fourth year of the Chongwen era. Although he has since joined the frontier army, he borrowed a great many books from my shop before then.”
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Song Mu lowered his head and looked. The pages were densely packed with records of borrowed books, most of them concerning the classics and policy essays. The period covered was extraordinarily long, and the number of books was astonishing. Clearly, this top candidate, Hong, was no ordinary scholar.
“Then let us follow this list. But do you still have these books in stock?”
Shopkeeper Zhang took a look and slapped his forehead.
“We have most of them. Some, however, are collections of policy essays and classical-text questions that were published only temporarily. Other bookshops or the academy’s library may have them. I will have someone copy out the titles for you.”
Song Mu nodded and began searching the bookshop according to the titles on the list. Before long, he had gathered seven or eight volumes and brought them to the counter to pay.
“That will be four taels, seven mace, and two candareens of silver,” the assistant at the counter said.
Song Mu, who was reaching into his purse, froze.
He had only a little over ten taels of silver on him. The tea house earlier had cost him merely five mace, yet each of these books came to roughly five mace apiece.
He was suddenly in an awkward predicament. At that moment, Shopkeeper Zhang came over, sent the assistant away, and helped Song Mu sort through the seven or eight books again.
“You really need only these two: The Hanlin Examination Compendium and Counsel from the Eastern Residence. Official publications such as these are no cheaper than ancient classics. For the rest, you can purchase handwritten copies—or simply borrow them. That way, the total will be only two taels and three mace.”
Song Mu immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Embarrassed, he nodded his thanks and paid the money. Shopkeeper Zhang, however, accepted only two taels.
Song Mu looked at him in surprise, and Shopkeeper Zhang continued, “You are, after all, one of the patrons who made our Snow-Reflecting Bookshop what it is. Borrowing books costs you nothing. Just return them on time.”
Shopkeeper Zhang said this with a smile. Song Mu silently praised the arrangement, thinking that this must be one of the benefits of being an author of popular fiction. He nodded, picked up his purchases, and left the shop.
By now, even more people had gathered outside the bookshop. The storyteller seemed more energetic than ever, his voice booming like thunder as he shifted between rising and falling tones, prompting the crowd to cheer and applaud.
Song Mu turned and walked away, wondering what changes the future would bring to all of this.
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