Chapter 176: Those Kinds of Books?
The picture books were dazzling, exquisitely crafted, and of such high print quality they could even be called works of art.
Mr. Wang himself had a fondness for picture books, but only those of exceptional beauty, truly artistic creations.
But what in the world was San Shier holding? The print quality was subpar, there was no color—just black and white images utterly lacking in aesthetic appeal. Clearly not the work of a master.
This picture book was practically a child's scribble.
And they dared to sell this?
Mr. Wang's anger flared. Moments ago, he'd offered to buy a copy out of support, but now his beard practically bristled with indignation.
Yet, what he disdained, the villagers adored.
"These picture books tell stories!"
"Yes, each page's image leads to the next. I understood it right away."
San Shier smiled. "Indeed, Yang Liulang."
The craftsman was overjoyed. "Hahaha, I never thought I'd live to read! One look at this picture and I knew those three characters were Yang Liulang. I've heard that play; this is the story of Yang Liulang!"
The villagers were delighted. "This book is amazing!"
"It's so interesting!"
"Clink!" A handful of copper coins landed on the counter. Everyone turned to see that the person who'd thrown them was the Gao Family Village Chief, the old man who'd made a fortune selling chocolates—a certified illiterate.
Someone who'd never had anything to do with "books" in his life now spent money with carefree abandon. "I want a copy! Haha, I'll take it home and read it slowly."
The Village Chief set a good example, and a crowd of elderly Gao Family Village residents all reached for their purses.
Dozens of the small, toy-like picture books were sold in an instant.
Mr. Wang looked utterly bewildered. *They wouldn't buy proper books, but they'd rush to buy these shoddy picture books?* San Shier walked up to him, patting his shoulder. "Mr. Wang, wouldn't you like a copy?"
Mr. Wang shook his head like a rattling drum. "No, no! I only want exquisite picture books, not these carelessly printed black-and-white drawings."
San Shier chuckled. "Haven't you noticed, Mr. Wang? Those exquisite picture books lack a plot. But this set of 'picture storybooks' I'm holding? They *have* a plot, always telling a continuous story."
Mr. Wang froze.
San Shier continued, "For ordinary folk, the quality of the drawings isn't as important as the excitement of the story."
Mr. Wang suddenly grasped something. "Oh? This might... be a way for even those who haven't studied to learn a thing or two!"
Seeing that he understood, San Shier said no more, smiling as he moved past him. He announced loudly, "Don't worry, everyone, this is just the first volume! In a few days, we'll print the second, then the third... Once the whole set is finished, it'll be the complete story of *The Generals of the Yang Family*. If you're patient, you can wait until they're all printed. If you're eager, you can follow along as they're released. This is what we call 'Each to Their Own!'"
The Gao Family Village Chief shouted, "More updates! Faster!"
Gao Sanwa vigorously shook his mother's arm. "Mother, I want a set! I want the whole set!"
His mother replied, "Buy, buy, buy! Your mother helped the village sew several sets of Cotton Armor, we're not short on money. Just buy it, buy it!"
Gao Sanwa rejoiced, "Mother, you're the best!"
Young Master Bai, seeing Gao Sanwa get his way, quickly turned to Madam Bai. "Mother, your son wants that too..."
"Whack!" Madam Bai swung her hand and gave Young Master Bai a hard slap. "How many times have you read the text version of *The Generals of the Yang Family*? And you still want to look at these crummy pictures?"
Young Master Bai clutched his face. "Gao Sanwa has it..."
Madam Bai cast a sidelong glance. "Gao Sanwa often gets a beating; would you like one too?"
Young Master Bai pointed to his face, red from the slap. "I've offset his beating with this, but for *The Generals of the Yang Family* picture book, your son has nothing else to offer."
Madam Bai thought carefully, then suddenly broke into a cold sweat. *Oh no, I secretly mocked Gao Sanwa's mother for her crude parenting style, always giving her child a beating at the slightest provocation. And here I am, using the exact same method on my own son!* "Ahhh, I must compensate the child!" she declared. "Buy! Buy, buy, your mother will buy it for you!"
Young Master Bai was overjoyed. "Wow, Mother is too good to me!"
Just then, a figure subtly approached from the crowd, sidling up to San Shier and lowering his voice. "Manager San, there's a certain kind of book... I wonder if you can print it?"
San Shier was surprised. He turned to see Padi Tu. Ever since joining the militia, the fellow's income had risen, his clothes were now clean cotton, his ancestral rusty sword had been sharpened, and he'd even paid a labor reform prisoner to make him a scabbard during their free time. He actually looked quite presentable now.
But his way of asking was off. Such a furtive inquiry felt... suspicious.
San Shier immediately understood something, lowering his voice in return. "What *kind* of book do you want?"
Padi Tu replied, "That kind... you know."
San Shier let out a knowing chuckle, a particular nuance in his voice that only men would understand. "Ah, I get it. Those 'springtime... *ahem*... pictures,' right?"
Padi Tu scoffed. "Pfft! What nonsense are you talking about? Is this Rabbit Lord such a shameless person? I wouldn't want those worthless picture books you're thinking of!"
San Shier's old face flushed. "Oh, it's not? Well, you should have said so earlier! What exactly do you want?"
Padi Tu whispered, "Do you have swordplay manuals?"
San Shier grumbled, "Are either of those things so shameful? You had to sneak over and whisper so mysteriously, making me misunderstand you."
Padi Tu explained, "Well, I know secret manuals aren't sold openly, are they? Otherwise, how could they be *secret*? They're definitely sold discreetly, which is why I asked quietly."
There was no reasoning with this preposterous rabbit. San Shier shook his head. "No, no, how could there be?"
Padi Tu sighed deeply. "Ah, none? If your bookstore doesn't even have *those*, it's bound to go out of business sooner or later."
San Shier roared, "Get out! Get out right now!"
Padi Tu protested, "Hey? Why get angry? Even if a deal doesn't happen, goodwill remains, right?"
San Shier snapped, "What goodwill is there to discuss with someone like you? One more word, and I'll call Instructor He to turn you into braised rabbit head!"
Padi Tu jumped in fright. In Gao Family Village, he feared only two people: the Saintess and Instructor He. He immediately bolted, vanishing into the distance in a flash.
San Shier shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "That fellow! What on earth goes through his mind all day?"
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