Chapter 100

This is the worst of times, this is the best of times; this is an age of cunning foxes, this is an age of foolish pigs; this is a time of praise, this is a time of abuse. In short, sharp critics love to use superlatives to describe what they see and feel, whether to attract attention or to prove their existence.

In the world of literature and art, people like to use more brutal and direct words to treat the films, novels, or plays they have seen. When they say something is good, it is brutal; when they say something is bad, it is also brutal.

Under the joint promotional efforts of Xingyue and Qianhong, "Xiao Shiyi Lang" had already climbed to the top of various online search lists even before its release, causing chaos and unease in the publishing industry. When the story finally came before the public, a predictable storm of discussion swept the entire online world, and the scale of this discussion cloud was on par with, and even surpassing, "Baima Xiaoxi Feng."

...

"Among all the martial arts novels on the market, even without the words 'martial arts,' the opening of 'Xiao Shiyi Lang' still ranks in the top three. Because after I finished reading Feng Siniang's appearance, I was genuinely worried for the author. Since the book is named 'Xiao Shiyi Lang,' it must be a male protagonist story, but the female protagonist's appearance is so vivid and lively. How can the male protagonist outshine her? The great author quickly gave us a perfect answer!"

Luotou has always been a loyal reader of "Yuanshangcao," and because he once wrote an article for the magazine at Han Shuo's request, he immediately posted his views on microblogging after finishing the new book by Gu Yongsheng, sparing no praise or joy.

...

"Feng Siniang's appearance almost steals the show from the protagonist Xiao Shiyi Lang, but upon closer analysis, the author ultimately uses her to highlight Xiao Shiyi Lang. The more capable and at ease Feng Siniang is with other men, the more her helplessness and feminine demeanor in front of Xiao Shiyi Lang highlights his uniqueness. This is a subtle and rare stroke of genius!"

"Then, Gu Yongsheng, have you finally decided to write a smooth and enjoyable martial arts novel? Have you finally decided to let us have a good time and feel satisfied? So, Xiao Shiyi Lang, draw your sword!"

A well-known reader on Douyadushu, "Tian Dao You Chang," was not to be outdone and quickly gave his own review.

Because there were not many chapters available, the topics people could discuss were basically the two points mentioned by Luotou and Tian Dao You Chang, so the positive reviews were also represented by these.

Unlike the fiery book reviews of "Baima Xiaoxi Feng," the heated discussion about "Xiao Shiyi Lang" online was mainly due to the protests, accusations, and subsequent abuse that joined the discussion.

In any field, once the criticism and trolls form a scale, the topic's heat is impossible to extinguish.

"All dialogue and short sentences. Is it to make it easier to meet the word count? Is it to save on layout? Extremely disappointed. From today on, I will no longer read Gu Yongsheng."

"So, has Gu Yongsheng finally bowed his noble head to money and the market? The opening scene of a woman bathing, the crude and straightforward language, the pretentious and cool male protagonist. In short, the transformation has failed, and the evaluation is complete."

"The author completely sees himself as God, writing wherever his thoughts take him. Whatever he makes the characters do, they do; whatever he makes them think, they think, giving the readers no sense of anticipation. This is a very failed transformation. If the author continues, I will have to stop reading."

...

These are the more extreme but seemingly thoughtful comments. Comments like "a pile of dog shit," "scum," and "the author is an idiot" are as usual, worthless and not worth laughing at.

The negative comments that the author and the publishing company took more seriously were those from readers who were truly caught off guard by this change.

"I know the author is trying to innovate, I know this is a novel tailored for a script. Perhaps the female protagonist is very unique, perhaps the male protagonist is very charming, they are all very good, but I just don't like it. I don't like this writing style, I don't like this description, I don't like this directness... I hope Gu Yongsheng finishes this book quickly and returns to his original style."

"Ha, does the author need to eat too? Since it's a commissioned work, it should have a commissioned look, but I hope the author doesn't forget his初心 (original intention), and doesn't think that a naked woman will definitely turn her hair white overnight. The girl leading the white horse is cuter."

"I don't like this style of writing, but fortunately, Gu Yongsheng's collection of short stories is about to be published, so I'll take my leave here."

...

These readers are clearly old readers of "Baima Xiaoxi Feng," "Baima Xiaoxi Feng," or "Qijian Xia Tian Shan." They are used to the semi-classical narrative, the subtle emotions, and the elegant sentences. So when they see such sharp and direct sentences, they instinctively reject them, feeling that these are texts without technical content. Older and more educated readers even directly criticize "Xiao Shiyi Lang" as a vulgar work.

This is a legacy of traditional education for Chinese students. In our vast student population, there is always a mysterious reverence for classical Chinese, perhaps because they are the wisdom passed down through the ages by our ancestors, or perhaps because we always have to memorize and be tested on them, leading to this sacred tendency.

Another point they cannot accept is that as an ancient woman, how could Feng Siniang have such a long internal monologue about her age, feeling like a fashionable怨妇 (complaining woman), which is too out of place.

In "Baima Xiaoxi Feng," after Lian Nishang's hair turned white overnight, the sorrow is poetic. If written in this style, Lian Nishang would have to lament by the river, "I am not yet eighteen, why did my hair turn white overnight?" which is too vulgar.

...

"Besides the mindless smears, the main trend of public opinion is the large influx of new readers and the complaints of some old readers."

Qianhong's PR manager Hong Ming confidently reported at the company meeting.

"Why are new readers a large number, and old readers a part?" The CEO, Lu Yichou, asked calmly from his seat.

"First, the magazine's sales have been increasing, with the first batch of 500,000 copies almost sold out, and the additional 300,000 copies will start distribution tomorrow. Moreover, according to our online surveys, more than 70% of the old readers are a bit uncomfortable but will continue to follow the story." Manager Hong spoke with data and facts, full of confidence.

Lu Yichou nodded and did not press further.

"Our main work now is to promote positive reviews, guide readers to focus on the story itself, and highlight Gu Yongsheng's efforts and diligence."

"Um." Lu Yichou nodded, indicating his satisfaction with the PR department's work. Hong Ming felt relieved, showing a modest and pleased expression.

"According to the cooperation agreement with Xingyue, they need the full manuscript by the end of February because they need to apply for the film project as soon as possible, hoping to align with the TV series of 'Baima Xiaoxi Feng.' This means we have two more serializations."

"Wasn't the cooperation between them and Gu Yongsheng?"

"Yes, but according to the initial division of labor, we are responsible for urging the manuscript," Lu Yichou suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly, "They pay, we work."

Wei Wuzhi smiled slightly and then frowned, "Then Gu Yongsheng..."

"I left him a message on WeChat. He replied that he can finish the manuscript by mid-February, and it will be less than 500,000 words."

The meeting room immediately fell into a flurry of discussion. In less than a year, he had published three long novels and a collection of short stories. This speed was astonishing, although from their perspective, more is always better.

"With the release of 'Xiao Shiyi Lang,' Xue Mulang's top spot for the year might be in jeopardy," Vice President Hou Lei said with a smile.

"After this 'Shiyi Lang,' Gu Yongsheng should take a break. I discussed this with him; he still needs to study," Lu Yichou said.

"If he doesn't do well in the college entrance exam, he can directly apply to be Professor Chen Shi's student."

"When we signed the contract, he said he would give at least three books. Now he has fulfilled his promise. For the next two years, even if he doesn't write another book, I have no complaints."

...

While Qianhong was holding an expanded meeting, the Yellow River Literature was also conducting a confidential video conference, with only three participants: President Cui Song, Chief Editor and Deputy President Mo Yuzhi, and Deputy Chief Editor Xue Mulang.

"Lu Yichou is really ruthless this time," Cui Song did not seem displeased by the opponent's success, his tone full of indifference, "In less than a year, he squeezed out six or seven books and proudly called himself a model worker. Is this how things are done?"

"Maximizing benefits while the popularity is high," Xue Mulang analyzed.

"Cui President, Xiao Liang, you are thinking too simply," Mo Yuzhi said with a confident smile, "I had a suspicion before. I felt that this Gu Yongsheng was strangely low-key and published books at an unusually fast rate. Until 'Xiao Shiyi Lang' came out, I finally understood the reason."

Cui Song and Xue Mulang immediately grasped Mo Yuzhi's deeper meaning and said in unison, "Team operation?"

Mo Yuzhi nodded, "This is not the first time Lu Yichou has done this. Do you remember Xu Lu before?"

"The Xu Lao who published seven long novels in a year? Ha, I forgot about that."

"Back then, Boss Lu invested millions to form a top team to produce bestsellers, which caused a sensation in the industry, but it was short-lived. How many people still remember the assembly line author Xu Lu?"

Knowing the "truth," Xue Mulang finally relaxed and asked Mo Yuzhi, "Sister Mo, then what about us..."

"We can't take action directly, but there are people who would be happy to do it for us. Haven't you been following the industry gossip recently?"

"Which one, Sister Mo?"

"Zheng Qiushi vs. Nie Changfeng."

"I know a bit about it." Xue Mulang continued, while Cui Song had already guessed his old partner's thoughts and smiled without a word.

Mo Yuzhi nodded, "Not long ago, when the two were fighting, Lu Yichou couldn't help but jump in to support his author Nie Changfeng. You know Zheng Qiushi's style—so you don't need to worry about this. In a couple of days, I'll find a way to pass some information to our debunking warrior." (To be continued. Please search for Piaowenxue for better and faster updates!)

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