The group naturally had no objections.
Qin Jijiu said, "Since we are to print and sell, we naturally need to select the best. If we come up with good verses, we may revise them before they are printed."
Qin Siyuan agreed.
Qin Heng was indifferent either way, just resting his head while listening.
Sixth Master Gu said delightedly, "It should be so. I thought through the night and came up with an even better poem."
Qin Yuan said, "Why don’t we have breakfast first, and when Shen Changle arrives, we can ask him in detail. I vaguely remember him saying that the poetry collection sold well. Both selling and gifting, there was neither a loss nor a profit. With works from two lords included, Shen Changle is planning to distribute them to other provinces."
Qin Siyuan was so excited that his cheeks turned slightly red.
The more widely it is sold, the wider his reputation will spread.
Sixth Master Gu was even more overjoyed, but knowing he was just along for the ride, he pressed his joy down into his heart.
They all happily finished their breakfast and sat for a while, when they heard Gu Shiliu outside say, "Marquis, madam, Shen Changle has arrived."
Gu Jinghui said, "Let him come in and speak."
Shen Changle tiptoed in, paid his respects, and stood aside with his hands down, waiting for the master’s questions.
Qin Yuan asked, "How are the sales of the poetry collection?"
Glancing around the room, Shen Changle began calculating and said, "The poetry collection is selling well. The initial five hundred copies printed have been all sold. The second batch printed an additional fifteen hundred copies, all of which have covered the costs, leaving the account balance at zero now."
Mr. Songshan remarked, "Not bad."
If the poetry collection of "Jade Spring Pond" sold well, this one should do even better.
Sixth Master Gu said joyfully, "Did you really print so many? Shen Changle, you must have high hopes."
With a wide smile, Shen Changle immediately responded, "Sixth Master, of course, at first the Marquis suggested printing five hundred copies, and the owner of Book Sea Pavilion even mocked Brother Sixteen. When I took over, I was trembling with fear, afraid the task would collapse in my hands. Fortunately, the poetry is good, and we didn’t lose money. Students from other regions heard about the poetry of Lord Academic Administrator and Lord Minister included in it and said they wanted to bring it back for their fellow students and townsmen to read. I hurried to print more and even received quite a bit of down payment."
Sixth Master Gu was even more pleased, "You even took down payments?"
"Naturally," Shen Changle said earnestly, "doing business requires caution."
Sixth Master Gu rejoiced, "Good, good, good. Shen Changle, you handle matters well, I trust you the most. With you, the task is sure to succeed. We plan to print another poetry collection, what do you think?"
Glancing around at the expressions of everyone again, Shen Changle chuckled, "I am the lady’s servant, once a servant at Jiujie Mansion, naturally more knowledgeable than other slaves because of my long service. Brother Sixteen has also been a great help in this matter. I selfishly think if we can achieve it so that the owner of Book Sea Pavilion comes begging, then we’ve truly succeeded."
Immediately, those outside, Gu Shiliu, inside, Marquis Gu, and Qin Jijiu, all beamed with pride.
The usually charming and gracious Sixth Master Gu heard this and slapped his folding fan on the table with a gallant spirit, saying, "You’re right; people must strive to succeed. We have to do it grandly, let the owner of Book Sea Pavilion see, and force him to come begging us."
Mr. Songshan hurriedly asked for the reason, and Shen Changle vividly narrated it, arousing indignation in those present for Sixth Master Gu and Gu Shiliu.
Shen Changle sighed at last, "I now manage this little shop under the lady’s name, hoping to print more good books, spread our name, and invite more talented individuals to create poems and essays. Then, the owner of Book Sea Pavilion would surely regret looking down on us."
Sixth Master Gu quickly said, "Speaking of which, did you think we called you here just for the previous matter? It’s precisely to print a new poetry collection, better than the last. The poets include Lord Sacrificial Officer, Mr. Qin, and the brilliantly talented Mr. Songshan, as well as another extraordinary individual named Young Master Nantang, who is also an outstanding poet."
Shen Changle joyously said, "That is wonderful. I will make arrangements accordingly."
Mr. Songshan frowned, "I suddenly thought of something. The firefly is like a poetry worm with a unique aesthetic of emptiness, silence, dampness, coolness, and beauty. Many people throughout history have written poems about it, with excellent works before us. While we do well, we cannot claim to be unique. We must think of a way to entice people to buy."
Qin Jijiu nodded, "Mr. Songshan is very considerate."
Qin Siyuan pondered for a moment and said, "What if we compile a collection of historical poems about the firefly, and our own works in another volume, and call it a new compilation?"
Qin Jijiu said, "If we split it into two volumes, one thick, one thin, with esteemed works preceding ours, who would want to buy what we’ve written? Moreover, poets have always looked down on each other, favoring the old and disdaining the new. We could easily become the target of ridicule. If we merge it into one volume, they might say we are self-aggrandizing."