APSIL -Chapter 162 Let’s Change It Into a Stage Play

“My teacher is a warm-hearted, refined, and upright gentleman…”

Lu Sanlang would never believe such a thing!

He simply could not understand why his own ancestor-like mentor Ge Yong, the emperor, and even those craftsmen just now all believed that Zhang Shou was the kind of gentleman who ignored everything outside his window and devoted himself entirely to studying mathematics.

Look at people like Chief Instructor Zhou, Vice Director Luo, and even his own father—they understood perfectly.

Zhang Shou only had a clean and elegant appearance.

In reality, he was someone ruthless and decisive!

At this moment, after watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Lu Sanlang turned back dejectedly.

When he saw Zhang Shou also standing at the entrance, his heart immediately became restless.

After mentally preparing himself for a long time, he finally forced a smile and walked forward.

However, Zhang Shou simply turned around and walked back inside without saying anything, leaving only his back facing him.

Lu Sanlang was startled and quickly followed.

Then he heard Zhang Shou say without even turning his head: “Take me to see those scholars who write books for you.”

Lu Sanlang originally wanted to say that everyone was asleep.

But before the words left his mouth, he suddenly felt that Zhang Shou might have some deeper meaning behind his request.

So he immediately rushed ahead to lead the way.

When they arrived before a room, he pushed open the door and immediately smelled a strong scent of alcohol.

He quickly turned around with an apologetic smile.

“I heard that after finishing their work last night, these people drank and caused trouble. They didn’t sleep until almost dawn, so they definitely won’t wake up now.”

If they can wake up, that would be troublesome.

Who knows what nonsense they might say in front of Zhang Shou and ruin the little reputation I have left?

Of course, Zhang Shou had no intention of wasting effort waking them.

He looked through several rooms.

In every room, there was a drunken man sleeping soundly.

The beds and furniture inside could not be called luxurious, but they were neat and complete. Although small, they had everything needed.

The clothes the scholars had not bothered to remove also showed that the fabric was of decent quality.

Zhang Shou immediately understood.

Although Lu Sanlang’s methods were simple and crude, fundamentally speaking…

Could this actually be considered a way of treating and saving people?

The little fatty’s worldview was probably something like this:

Rich people have the right to be lazy.

Poor people who are lazy deserve to remain poor and die poor!

Therefore, locking you in a small dark room is actually saving you, allowing you to have enough food and clothing and become wealthy.

Thinking this, Zhang Shou quietly turned around and left.

Once they stood in the courtyard, he examined Lu Sanlang and asked: “You locked these people here to write constantly, then used the money they earned to buy houses and land for them. Do you think you did this for their own good?”

“Of course!”

Lu Sanlang instinctively blurted out three words.

Then he immediately cursed himself inwardly for telling the truth.

He quickly explained: “I regularly send all the money to their families.”

“Some people have wives and children who depend on this money to survive.”

“Some have elderly parents who rely on this money for support.”

“Others are single men. With a house and land, they can marry a wife in the future…”

Before Lu Sanlang could finish, Zhang Shou smiled and interrupted: “How many copies can your books actually sell that they can buy houses and land in such a short time?”

“Ahem… they aren’t houses inside the inner city. They’re just small courtyards in the outer city. The land is also only scattered plots around the capital, maybe several mu or more than ten mu at most.”

“But at least they no longer have families without permanent property.”

Lu Sanlang awkwardly looked away.

But when he saw Zhang Shou stepping closer, he instinctively felt something was wrong and quickly explained: “Actually, not many people are willing to buy these leisure books.”

“But I bribed several book reviewers and publishers, asking them to sell my books together with theirs.”

Seeing that things had already reached this point, Lu Sanlang decided to stop hiding and simply spoke honestly.

“In those stories, if a scholar wants to pass the imperial exams and marry a noble family’s daughter, he naturally cannot succeed by empty words.”

“Before the examination, people have to review and study. They also need to know which collections of model essays are worth reading.”

“So there are naturally famous book selectors involved.”

“I negotiated with those people. I inserted their book titles into my stories, and everyone benefits.”

“Furthermore, anyone who reads my books often goes back and buys the new essay collections afterward because they want to know what happens next.”

“Of course, that shameless old man who called himself the number one essay selector in the capital—the one you criticized before—I’ve already stopped supplying books to his family!”

Zhang Shou could not help but sigh.

This little fatty truly understood modern marketing concepts.

Buy one get one free.

Product placement.

Cross-promotion.

He had actually turned it into a mutually beneficial business model!

Zhang Shou raised his five fingers together and lightly tapped Lu Sanlang’s forehead.

“Your brain works very well.”

“But you have far too many crooked ideas.”

“However, do you think this unconventional business can last forever?”

“Even if you have gathered these ten or twenty people now, others can gather even more.”

“Even if they simply imitate your books, they can disgust you enough.”

“Your business won’t last long. Prepare to release them sooner rather than later.”

Lu Sanlang widened his eyes.

“How did you know?”

“Actually, it really has become harder than before!”

Seeing Zhang Shou about to leave, he hurried after him.

“Nowadays, more and more bookstores are doing things the same way as me.”

“If not for my San San Bookstore having exclusive rights to publish Grandmaster Ge’s books, and other people coming because of his reputation, my business would have already collapsed.”

Of course, Lu Sanlang was not too worried about losing money.

After all, the profits from Tingyu were like a steady stream that would continue flowing.

Therefore, these scholars could barely maintain a comfortable life under him.

If they went elsewhere, they might be squeezed dry instead.

Zhang Shou walked directly outside and boarded the carriage.

Seeing Lu Sanlang also squeeze inside with an apologetic smile, Zhang Shou leaned out the window and ordered: “A-Liu, drive.”

After the carriage began moving steadily, Zhang Shou gently tapped the armrest with his fingers.

“Books are too easy to copy and too easy to imitate.”

“Since you have the backing of a place like Tingyu, have you never considered turning books into another form?”

“Teacher means…”

Lu Sanlang’s eyes brightened.

“Drama?”

Seeing that he had immediately understood, Zhang Shou smiled.

“Not opera. A stage play.”

“With opera, you need to carefully create catchy lyrics and find famous singers with good voices to practice.”

“But stage plays are much easier.”

“Most importantly, compared to storytelling, they create a much stronger sense of immersion.”

“After all, real people are acting.”

Zhang Shou briefly introduced the concept of modern drama to Lu Sanlang.

Seeing the little fatty’s eyes immediately shining as he seriously considered the possibilities, Zhang Shou calmly continued:

“Besides, in books, scholars achieving first place in examinations and marrying princesses…”

“How can that compare with actually performing it?”

“Spend effort on the stage design.”

“Choose beautiful girls from the Twelve Rain Pavilion to act.”

“It would definitely be very attractive.”

“Teacher, wait, let me think this through!”

Lu Sanlang quickly stopped him.

He rubbed his temples with both middle fingers and began calculating rapidly.

The more he thought, the more excited he became.

The more excited he became, the more possibilities he imagined.

Then Zhang Shou continued with another suggestion that made him feel as if a brilliant future had appeared before him.

“Since it is performed, you don’t need singing ability or traditional acting skills.”

“What you need is a different kind of stage presence.”

“The scholars you support—why not see whether any of them have such talents?”

“Furthermore, for wealthy young ladies, the male lead must be handsome and extraordinary.”

“For ordinary men watching, the female lead only needs to be beautiful like a flower…”

Zhang Shou casually explained the issue of audiences for stage plays in this era.

Seeing Lu Sanlang scratching his head, clearly eager to immediately start working, Zhang Shou suddenly tapped the armrest again.

After Lu Sanlang recovered, he continued: “Since ancient times, actors have been considered performers of a low profession.”

“So if girls from Twelve Rain Pavilion perform, perhaps there would not be too much resistance.”

“But scholars are different.”

“They may happily visit brothels and pleasure houses in private, but whether they are willing to stand on stage…”

“That is uncertain.”

“A small matter, Teacher, don’t worry!”

Lu Sanlang was already full of enthusiasm.

He laughed happily.

“The world has never lacked people willing to try boldly!”

“Why do you think people are willing to write these legendary stories for me?”

“Isn’t it because passing the imperial examinations has become almost impossible after generations of failure?”

At this point, Lu Sanlang suddenly noticed a problem.

Zhang Shou had casually given him an incredible idea.

If he discussed it with Zhang Kang, they could probably turn it into reality.

In the future, this business might even surpass his current bookstore.

But the profits would only belong to him and Zhang Kang.

That seemed somewhat unreasonable.

The clever little fatty rolled his eyes.

Immediately, he came up with a wonderful idea.

He leaned closer to Zhang Shou with a flattering smile.

“Teacher, this is my first time doing something like this. I have no experience.”

“How about you provide some guidance?”

“I know you are very busy.”

“So… Teacher, if you are willing to advise me, I will give you thirty percent…”

“No, forty percent of the shares!”

Zhang Shou had only casually mentioned the idea.

He had not taken it too seriously.

But now Lu Sanlang was treating it as a real business venture and was even offering him shares.

The joking attitude disappeared immediately.

After thinking for a while, Zhang Shou smiled.

“With intelligence like yours, how is it that so many people underestimated you in the past?”

Seeing Lu Sanlang becoming delighted from the praise, Zhang Shou calmly continued: “The idea came from me, and you came to me for help. That is only natural.”

“In that case, for the first play, don’t use those old stories about passing the exams and marrying princesses.”

“I will find a better story myself.”

Originally, Lu Sanlang only intended this as repayment and investment.

But hearing that Zhang Shou was willing to personally write the script, he almost thought he had misheard.

He considered himself a genius in mathematics.

But then what was Zhang Shou?

Now this man was saying that besides mathematics, he could also write fascinating legendary stories?

That was completely unreasonable!

However, Lu Sanlang knew that the stories written by his scholars were only mediocre.

Compared with the famous work of the founding emperor, Journey to the West, they were worlds apart.

If they truly wanted to stage a performance, even someone like the famous beauty from Twelve Rain Pavilion might not agree.

After hesitating briefly, he repeatedly nodded.

The teacher and student continued chatting along the road.

Suddenly, without warning, the carriage came to a sharp stop.

Then A-Liu’s voice came from outside: “Young Master, Miss has ridden over!”

As soon as the words fell, Zhang Shou heard the sound of approaching horse hooves.

He hurriedly leaned out of the carriage window.

The next moment, he saw Zhu Ying dressed entirely in red, riding toward them.

Not far away stood the great entrance archway of the Imperial Academy.

Before her horse had even fully stopped, she loudly called out: “A-Shou! Is that fatty Lu Sanlang with you?”