deltrittennovels Chapter 156: Fame in One Day
Chapter 156: Fame in One Day
With the addition of dozens of bookstores selling the Beijing Daily in the capital, its sales skyrocketed daily. It was thanks to Wen Zongji's foresight in finding several more printing houses that the market demand could be met; otherwise, it's uncertain whether the supply could keep up.
Amidst this immense popularity, the third issue of the Beijing Daily was published.
The newly launched "Recommended by Great Confucian Scholars" section has sparked heated discussions.
Having gained Yuan Tianxi's approval and received his personal comment, Zhou Zhou, the author of the first article in "Recommended by a Great Confucian Scholar," experienced fame for the first time.
This is probably what it means to become famous overnight.
Zhou Zhou lived in the outer city of the capital. His family was of average means, but his ancestors had been wealthy and were considered a fallen noble family. Therefore, there were many books in his home, and reading was Zhou Zhou's favorite thing to do from childhood to adulthood.
Having finished reading the books but lacking the money to buy new ones, Zhou Zhou wrote his own books in his spare time.
He has only average luck in the imperial examinations and is currently only a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). His family has several brothers, and the entire family is supporting his studies, so the pressure is actually quite great.
The sisters-in-law have complained about it openly and secretly many times.
Zhou Zhou knew that even if he passed the provincial examination, he would not be able to pass the metropolitan examination. He had already planned to find a job to support himself while preparing for the exam.
Just then, the Beijing Daily appeared!
Upon learning that the Beijing Daily was accepting submissions, Zhou Zhou carefully crafted an article and sent it to the Ministry of Justice. In truth, he didn't know if his article would be appreciated by the great scholar; he simply subconsciously regarded it as a way to escape his current predicament.
His confidence grew even more after seeing the second issue of the Beijing Daily and learning that it would be launching a "Recommended by Great Confucian Scholars" section.
He certainly wouldn't dare compare his writings with those of great Confucian scholars and renowned authors, but compared to other scholars who were also unknown, Zhou Zhou was confident.
Despite his confidence, Zhou Zhou had no idea when his article would catch the eye of a great scholar, or when it would be published in the Beijing Daily.
But now the resentment in the family has reached a point where it must be resolved.
In the Zhou family courtyard
After breakfast, while everyone was home, Zhou Zhou said, "Father, Mother, I've decided to find a job as an accountant."
Although he was only a scholar, in the eyes of others, a scholar was still a person with academic achievements, so it would be easy for him to find a job.
He can be competent in both the role of an accountant and a teacher.
Upon hearing this, the brothers and sisters-in-law at the dinner table exchanged glances, but none of them spoke.
Zhou's father slammed his fist on the table and angrily rebuked, "Nonsense! If you want to concentrate on preparing for the provincial examination and becoming an accountant, when will you have time to study?"
Given Zhou Zhou's status, he could find a better job than anyone else in his family, so why didn't he go out to work before?
It's because going out to work means sacrificing time for studying.
Zhou Zhou said, "Father, the provincial examination just ended last year, and there are still two years until the next one. I can focus on preparing for the exam for the last year."
In fact, he had already planned to work while preparing for the exam. At worst, it would take a few more years, which was better than staying at home and being constantly complained about by his sisters-in-law.
Zhou's father was adamant: "I disagree! You are the only scholar in our family. Only by passing the imperial examination can you bring honor to our ancestors. As for making money, your brothers and I can handle it. We don't need you."
After saying that, Zhou's father's gaze fell on Zhou Zhou's older brothers: "Could it be that you didn't want to support the fourth son's education, and you said something to him?"
The older brothers quickly shook their heads: "No, absolutely not."
They naturally wouldn't say it, only their wives would.
That's human nature, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Father Zhou sneered, "That would be for the best! I've said it before: as long as the fourth son passes the imperial examination, he'll become an official, and our whole family will benefit from his success. Don't be so short-sighted."
Zhou's father had been saying this since he started supporting Zhou Zhou's education, and he had been saying it for more than ten years.
Even the biggest pie can't withstand this kind of dry drawing.
Zhou Zhou said, "Father, it has nothing to do with my brothers. I really want to go out and find work. I think the reason I haven't been doing well before is because I'm bored at home. Going out and meeting more people might make a difference."
Mr. Zhou was taken aback: "But they all stay at home and bury themselves in their studies?"
"People are different, and since the provincial examination is still a long way off, why don't you let me give it a try, Father?"
Zhou Zhou knows her father very well. He has a typical patriarchal mentality, and there is no point in confronting him head-on. You have to know how to be tactful.
He knew what Zhou's father cared about, and all he had to do was bring up the provincial examination; it was sure to have an effect.
As Zhou Zhou had predicted, his father wavered.
Just as I was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.
Zhou Zhou's sister went to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, several scholars rushed in excitedly: "Brother Zhou, you're famous now!"
"Brother Zhou, you are amazing! Mr. Yuan has a very high opinion of you."
"Brother Zhou..."
The group was talking all at once, chattering away, and Zhou Zhou couldn't hear a word they said.
He asked, bewildered, "Gentlemen, what are you talking about?"
Seeing Zhou Zhou's puzzled expression, the others said, "Brother Zhou, haven't you read the third issue of the Beijing Daily published today? Take a look, the literature section has been changed to 'Recommended by Great Confucian Scholars,' and the first article in 'Recommended by Great Confucian Scholars' is one you wrote."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhou's heart suddenly raced. He forcibly suppressed his excitement, took the Beijing Daily, and immediately flipped to the "Recommended by Great Confucian Scholars" section.
Sure enough, I saw familiar words and phrases!
It is indeed my own article.
Rather, he also understood why these people were able to confirm immediately that it was his article.
The author's section not only listed Zhou Zhou's name but also indicated which workshop he belonged to.
These people were familiar with Zhou Zhou and knew that he wrote excellent articles.
With this correspondence, it's not surprising that he was found.
The rest of the Zhou family were still in a daze.
Father Zhou asked, "Fourth son, what happened?"
Zhou Zhou said with a hint of excitement, "Dad, my article has been published in the Beijing Daily."
Mr. Zhou was familiar with the Beijing Daily, but he didn't quite understand what it meant: "What's the use of this?"
The person next to Zhou Zhou explained, "Uncle, this means that Brother Zhou has become famous. If Brother Zhou is willing, I'm afraid many people will be willing to pay a lot of money to have him write articles."
That's the benefit of fame.
Once you become famous, making money becomes incredibly easy; you can earn money without even doing anything.
Hearing this, Zhou's mother, who had been silent until now, instinctively asked, "Really?"
She kept the household chores and understood the family conflicts better than Zhou's father, but she couldn't change his decisions, nor did she have the confidence to persuade her sons to work hard to support Zhou Zhou's education.
Now that she heard that Zhou Zhou might have earned a lot of money, her first thought was that this family should not fall apart.
This is Zhou's mother's simplest thought!
Zhou Zhou understood his mother's thoughts. He suppressed his excitement and held his mother's hand: "Mom, I will support this family from now on."
He wouldn't let his sisters-in-law's complaints make him forget the support his brothers had given him over the years.
To put it bluntly, the words are all empty promises, but the money is real.