Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Shen Yuan had prepared ample stock for the first batch of books. The second batch was already being printed at the workshop in Qingyun County, where workers were working in three shifts around the clock. The new stock would arrive soon.

Every traveling merchant who entered the Storytellers' Union managed to purchase books. Although those who came later couldn't get as many as they wanted, they were at least able to secure some stock.

After finalizing the delivery dates, Shen Yuan added, "Our Storytellers' Union has also produced clothing and jewelry based on the stories. They will arrive in three days. If you're interested, you can take a look when you come to collect your books then."

"However, the quantities of these items are limited. First come, first served."

The merchants instinctively tightened their grip on their money pouches. *Oh no, this Storytellers' Union is going to drain us dry.*

...

"Nephew!"

Shen Ye, wearing a hooded black robe, called out to Shen Yuan with a beaming smile.

Hearing the voice, Shen Yuan stood on tiptoe and waved.

"Uncle, why did you come over?"

Today was the day for delivering the clothes and jewelry to the black market. Shen Ye took his cooperation with Shen Yuan very seriously. He had been overseeing everything personally these past few days and hadn't slept a wink last night, fearing any mishap that might disrupt Shen Yuan's business.

Shen Ye ruffled Shen Yuan's hair, chuckling. "What, can't I come? I haven't seen you in two days. Can't I miss you?"

"I actually dreamed about you last night, Uncle," Shen Yuan said.

Shen Ye perked up with interest. "What did you dream about me?"

Shen Ye's hand was still on Shen Yuan's head. "I dreamed you were rubbing my head so much it started to shine. You said we could save on lamp oil at home from then on, and I could just sit there and use my head to light up the place."

"You little rascal, hahahaha! If you don't want your uncle touching your head, just say so." Shen Ye was amused by Shen Yuan, but his hand didn't move an inch.

Shen Yuan simply let him be. He actually quite liked it and even leaned into the touch. But he was genuinely worried about going bald from all the rubbing.

After everything was handed over, Shen Yuan said to Shen Ye, "The household registrations for the group going to the Union are all settled. They can start work tomorrow."

Shen Ye knew whose doing this was. Just hearing or thinking about Xie Yulin's name was unbearable for him now.

He was afraid he might lose control and rush over to beat the man up.

His smile faded slightly. "Alright, your uncle knows. I'll send them over tomorrow."

Shen Yuan chose not to provoke his uncle further. Given his uncle's reaction after he came out to the family, this was actually the best he could have hoped for.

He still didn't know how he would break the news to his aunt later.

Shen Yuan led the delivery team back to the Storytellers' Union. The merchants, knowing it was first come, first served, were already lining up outside the Union's entrance.

After working day and night shifts for over half a month, the inventory from the black market was still not large.

For each of the three stories, Shen Yuan had selected three sets of ready-made clothing and three sets of jewelry, covering age ranges from ten to fifty years old.

The merchants from various countries were all present again. The merchant from Westmoon Country had initially considered leaving, as their country was renowned for jewelry, and no other nation's craftsmanship was worth looking at.

If not for wanting to see what the clothing and jewelry from *Love Between Human and Ghost* looked like, with the intention of buying some to sell to the nobility back home, he would have left long ago.

The clothes and jewelry from the black market were already sorted and packed in separate wooden crates. Shen Yuan only needed to open the crates and let the merchants come forward to view them.

To better display the clothing, Shen Yuan hung up one set from each story.

The moment he took the garments out of the crates, they immediately caught the attention of the merchants at the front of the line.

*Such craftsmanship, such styles! And they were actually made by people from Wu Country!*

Hearing the gasps of astonishment from the front, the merchants behind grew even more curious, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to see.

"This is Madam Chu's dress from *Love Between Human and Ghost*, suitable for ladies," Shen Yuan introduced to the crowd.

The purple fabric used for its production had been delivered along with this batch of books.

The Liu family, knowing Shen Yuan intended to sell to various countries and wanting to expand their own sales by hitching a ride on Shen Yuan's distribution network, had prioritized supplying all the fabric produced by their workshop to Shen Yuan first this time.

Otherwise, with the Liu family's financial resources and connections, they could only sell within the prefecture at most and had no means to distribute beyond it, let alone outside Wu Country.

Their goods would likely be plundered by bandits halfway.

Purple fabric was scarce even in its place of origin, the South Country, and was supplied to the nobility and wealthy merchants of various nations. Ordinary merchants simply had no means to acquire it; it wasn't even a matter of being able to grab it or not.

The ready-made clothes sold out in an instant. Hesitating for even a moment would have been disrespectful to money.

Those who failed to get the clothes cursed themselves for being too slow. Many also asked if the fabric itself was for sale.

The Liu family's dyeing process for purple cloth was relatively mature. A type of grass unique to Qingyun County increased the success rate.

They had a considerable stockpile. The Liu family also hoped to sell their fabric through Shen Yuan's channels to avoid having it seized by bandits or powerful nobles as much as possible.

Therefore, the Liu family had explained all the relevant information about the purple cloth to Shen Yuan.

Knowing the Liu family's process was stable and their supply consistent, Shen Yuan said, "It can be purchased, but delivery will only be possible after spring begins. Those who want it can place a pre-order with a deposit."

They had only asked casually, never expecting to actually be able to buy the fabric. The merchants were overjoyed and rushed to place their pre-orders.

When the jewelry was displayed, everyone gasped in awe.

Hairpins of a design never seen before, made with pearls, gemstones, gold, and silver, swayed delicately with every movement, exquisitely beautiful.

Just by looking at them, one could imagine how stunning they would be when worn.

Even the merchant from Westmoon Country widened his eyes and couldn't help but raise his hand to express his desire to purchase.

It was no exaggeration to say that the Storytellers' Union's jewelry surpassed even that of Westmoon Country.

Due to limited quantities, the jewelry was also sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The Westmoon merchant was quick, but having already purchased clothes and fabric, he only had enough silver left for two sets of jewelry.

He bought several sets of jewelry from *Love Between Human and Ghost*. Once he had them in hand, he didn't linger for a moment. He immediately instructed his men to load the goods, eager to rush back to Westmoon to capitalize on the first wave of profits.

It took a month to return to Westmoon Country.

By then, it was late autumn in Westmoon. The weather had turned cold, and fallen leaves littered the roadside.

The merchant Lu Yuan, with his two cartloads of goods, hurried back to Westmoon Country.

Books, clothes, jewelry.

All related to *Love Between Human and Ghost*. After much thought, Lu Yuan took a complete set of *Love Between Human and Ghost* merchandise to the first tavern that hosted storytellers.

The tavern manager was acquainted with Lu Yuan, though not deeply; they had occasional business dealings. Their transactions had always been pleasant, with the manager offering conveniences and Lu Yuan reciprocating with generous gifts. There was some goodwill between them, a nodding acquaintance.

Lu Yuan patted the box in his hand and spoke mysteriously to the manager, "I've truly brought back something good this time. Care to take a look?"

Hearing this, the manager’s interest was piqued.

"Then I must have a proper look," he said. "Mr. Lu, would you prefer to view it in the backyard or display it right here in the main hall?"

Viewing it in the back would imply keeping it under wraps. Unsure of Lu Yuan's intention, the manager simply asked him directly.

Lu Yuan had the merchandise and was actually worried people wouldn't find out about it. Naturally, he chose to show it in the main hall so all the diners could see.

"Let's open it right here."

The manager took the hint; it seemed the batch brought back this time was substantial, and it was truly something valuable.

As the box opened, the manager imagined many rare treasures. However, the contents were unfamiliar, and they didn't look particularly valuable at first glance.

Upon closer inspection, the manager noticed writing on the strange object. "'A Tale of Human and Ghost'? What kind of thing is this from a story?"

Hearing the title "A Tale of Human and Ghost," many diners were drawn in, looking over curiously.

Lu Yuan took the book from the box and announced loudly, "This is the complete version of 'A Tale of Human and Ghost,' written on Wu country paper and bound as a book. The author, Shen Yuan, calls it a 'novel.' It is a set of three volumes: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three."

What?

Paper!

And it recorded the complete "A Tale of Human and Ghost"?

The diners no longer cared about their food. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the object in Lu Yuan's hands. Lu Yuan confidently walked a circuit, holding it up for display so the diners in the main hall could see it clearly.

As he walked, he explained in detail, "Wu country paper is more resilient and whiter than paper from the North. The paper has a nice feel to it, and the characters are clear. There are two editions of 'A Tale of Human and Ghost.' The one I hold is the collector's edition, most suitable for those with literary knowledge to peruse and keep. It contains more details and conveys deeper meanings than the standard edition. This version also has illustrations of characters and scenes, which the standard edition lacks."

"How much is it?" a diner asked impatiently. The mere fact that a story was written on paper was a huge draw, let alone the extra features.

Lu Yuan had already decided on the price. He had only brought the collector's edition, which cost him fifteen taels per book—forty-five for the set. He planned to sell it for double.

"Not expensive, not expensive at all. A set is only ninety taels of silver."

This tavern was famous throughout the capital of Westmoon Country. Those who came to eat and relax here were either wealthy or noble.

Given that paper was currently in high demand but virtually unpurchasable, the complete collection of "A Tale of Human and Ghost" with portraits and scenes was well within their means at ninety taels.

The person who first asked the price immediately wanted to buy. "It really isn't expensive! Give me three sets!"

Someone not far away, worried that such a fine item had limited stock and might be bought out, immediately asked, "Why are you buying so many?"

The two had some existing friction. The one being questioned replied unhappily, "One set for my collection, one for reading, and one to toss around for fun. In short, they all have uses. It's not your silver I'm spending, so why do you care?"

Both were figures of some status. The manager had given Lu Yuan this opportunity to sell, and Lu Yuan didn't want to cause any unpleasantness. He immediately spoke up to soothe them, "This humble one has sufficient stock. Since you two gentlemen honor me with your patronage, I certainly won't let you leave disappointed."

He didn't forget to add, "I don't only have books. I also have related garments and jewelry. If the ladies in your households enjoy this story, these would make excellent gifts."

"However, the stock of these two items is limited..."

"I'll take every set you've got!"

The rich young lord who first inquired cut Lu Yuan off before he could even finish. Everyone in his household, from his grandmother down to his younger sister, loved the story of *Love Between Human and Ghost*. Even buying them all might not be enough for everyone.

As for the off-the-rack garments and jewelry being identical, that didn't matter.

His family employed tailors and jewelry craftsmen who could make modifications and additions to the original pieces. This way, they would be unique but still clearly part of a matching set. When close family members wore them, it would further reinforce their family ties.

Lu Yuan was a businessman; he wasn't about to turn away a customer. If a customer wanted something and he had it, he would sell it.

The deep-pocketed young lord bought up all the garments and jewelry in one go. Those who were a step behind were left empty-handed and disgruntled.

"That’s not right, Young Master Wang! Buying everything leaves nothing for anyone else!"

Young Master Wang shot back, full of swagger, "You snooze, you lose! If I’d been too slow and missed out, I wouldn't be whining about it. Besides, if there are no clothes or jewelry, there are still the books. Watch it, or I’ll buy up all the books next."

Someone protested, "What are you going to do with all those books? They all have the same content!"

"Maybe I just want to burn them to see the light!"

The Wang family was one of the wealthiest households in Westmoon, and their daughter from the principal wife was a favored concubine of the Emperor. Compared to other noble young masters, Young Master Wang was quite down-to-earth, but there was one trait no one could match: he was a man of his word.

No matter how outrageous his claim, he would follow through.

Those who knew him clammed up and rushed to place their orders with Lu Yuan, fearing that if they delayed any further, Young Master Wang might indeed buy all the books just to burn them for fun.

In no time at all, Lu Yuan had sold out.

His net profit tripled his initial investment.

He had marked up the garments and jewelry by several times. The more expensive they were, the more assured and delighted Young Master Wang became.

Lu Yuan understood these people's psychology all too well. To earn their money, one had to quote high prices.

Of course, having money didn't make them foolish. Quality goods were the top priority.

If the nobility were dissatisfied with the goods, not only would they refuse to pay, but sparing his life would be considered an act of great mercy.

Lu Yuan had set aside a special collector's edition of *Love Between Human and Ghost* for the innkeeper, giving it to him directly for free.

This was to thank him for facilitating the display inside the inn.

Otherwise, sales wouldn't have been so swift, and he would have had to spend much more silver on bribes and grease the wheels.

The set the innkeeper received was the one Lu Yuan had used for display. The innkeeper himself was extremely fond of *Love Between Human and Ghost*, especially since the story had brought considerable additional income to his establishment, making him cherish it even more.

When he learned what was in Lu Yuan's box, he had longed to own a set.

But he also knew that with his status, he would be at the back of the line behind those with power and influence.

By the time his turn came, there might be nothing left.

He never expected Lu Yuan to gift him a set and was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear. He repeatedly urged Lu Yuan to visit again and never to stand on ceremony.

Through this deal, the traveling merchant and the innkeeper grew much closer.

And the goods sold would soon stir up quite a commotion in the Kingdom of Westmoon.

The Wang family's autumn banquet was always packed with guests year after year.

Those who could attend were all influential, high-status figures in the capital of Westmoon.

During the banquet, guests of both genders networked and chatted, building connections to strengthen their family's influence and consolidate their positions.

Among the women of the Wang family, this year was strikingly different from previous years.

Old Madame Wang, along with her daughter-in-law, granddaughters, and grandsons' wives, all wore purple garments and adorned themselves with opulent yet tasteful jewelry.

The styles differed somewhat, and the details were not identical. But at a glance, they shared common elements, giving off a very different vibe—you could tell they were a family, and a very close-knit one at that.

A harmonious household is the foundation of prosperity.

Many observed the younger generation of the Wang family wearing clothes and accessories with matching elements as they gathered around the elderly matriarch. This scene of filial piety made onlookers envious.

Regardless of what happened behind closed doors, on the surface, one truly couldn't find a single fault.

It was no exaggeration to say that the Wang family set the trends among Westmoon's nobility. This style of dressing quickly became a sensation among the wealthy and powerful families in the capital.

However, when their own tailors attempted to replicate it, the garments always failed to hit the mark.

To achieve something similar to the Wang family's attire, they had to borrow the clothes from the Wangs, take them apart, and meticulously study the patterns and cuts.

Otherwise, the imitation would end up awkward—like drawing a tiger only to produce a cat—always feeling somewhat off.

The imitations lacked the same vitality and figure-flattering cut that the Wang family's outfits possessed.

The same went for the jewelry—no matter how they tried, it never looked as exquisite as the Wangs', only managing a rough approximation.

The good news was that after some inquiries, everyone learned where the Wang family's clothes and jewelry came from.

Many people had been present at the restaurant that day, so it was easy to uncover the whole story.

Before word could even spread, the *Love Between Human and Ghost* clothing and jewelry sets—which had been snapped up in their entirety—became an instant sensation in the Westmoon capital following the autumn banquet.

All the women who attended the banquet were eager to learn how those garments were made—so stylish and figure-flattering.

And the jewelry—wearing a full set exuded an unparalleled sense of luxury and refinement.

One could tell at a glance that such a family possessed deep cultural heritage.

The bad news was that even though they knew, they couldn't buy any—the entire stock had been bought out by Young Master Wang.

Not only was there high demand for the ready-made clothes and jewelry, but the collector's edition of *Love Between Human and Ghost* was also highly sought after.

A paltry hundred or so sets meant nothing; they weren't even enough for every member of a large family to have one.

Lately, Lu Yuan had been in a state of bittersweet agony.

His small courtyard saw daily visits from numerous servants and maids, all inquiring about when new stock would arrive.

Watching mountains of gold and silver slip away due to a lack of inventory pained Lu Yuan deeply.

The joy also came from money—many had placed deposits, asking Lu Yuan to deliver the goods directly to their mansions once available.

Seeing the accumulated deposits fill a large chest, Lu Yuan didn't hesitate. He immediately assembled a team and prepared to depart for Wu Country right away, without waiting for spring.

With goods selling so well, if he waited until spring, he would surely miss the peak of the trend.

When it comes to making money, sooner is always better than later.

As for the journey taking place in winter, with the freezing weather and increased bandit activity, Lu Yuan used his earnings to hire a team of top-notch armed escorts for protection.

In the Westmoon palace, the Emperor of Westmoon pushed the three volumes of *Love Between Human and Ghost* toward the person seated opposite him.

Song Zijun glanced at the characters on the cover—the handwriting looked very familiar.

It was Shen Yuan's handwriting.

He quickly averted his gaze, though his heartbeat couldn't return to normal in such a short time.

Ignoring the pounding in his chest, Song Zijun said calmly, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, this book should be banned."

The Emperor of Westmoon responded with a puzzled "Oh?" and said, "I've heard this book is quite popular among the nobility. The sacrificial methods described in the story are also being used by the royal family. It has even saved our country a significant sum of silver, as we no longer need to pay the North Country for the right to use their methods. Such a beneficial work—why would the Prime Minister suggest banning it?"