Chapter Eighty-Two: A Sudden Turn of Events

In this world, the speed of communication was truly impressive. Not only were there extensive networks of relay stations, but specially trained carrier pigeons made information exchange common and convenient.

Thus, after “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms” was placed on shelves at bookstores everywhere, the editors at YouShu Publishing waited nervously for the results of the first day’s sales.

The fate of YouShu Publishing’s branch hung entirely on this book. Fang Yi, along with the other editors, regarded “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms” as the future hope of their entire publishing house. If even this brilliant novel couldn’t change their fortunes, then the miserable ending of YouShu Publishing would likely be inevitable.

Days previously passed in a blur, but now they realized how excruciating time could be. Restless and anxious, they could barely sit still.

Meanwhile, Liu Ping continued his lectures with calm composure. In his view, as long as “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms” successfully reached the market, it would achieve decent results. Though he felt a touch of anxiety, his temperament prevented him from losing his composure.

Night fell. Bookstores closed their doors and sent their sales reports to Qingshan Publishing. A few shops, eager to share their disappointment, sent their sales reports directly to YouShu Publishing.

They were deeply disappointed. YouShu Publishing had strongly recommended “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms,” and the booksellers expected it to sell well. Instead, sales were dismal. Would these dozens of copies rot away in their warehouses after all? The booksellers, both angry and frustrated, blamed YouShu Publishing, though they failed to consider that they had placed the book in an inconspicuous corner where no one would notice it.

Their repeated complaints struck the editors of YouShu Publishing like lightning. What should have been a promising beginning left them stunned, their mouths tasting bitter, their minds reeling.

Compiling the first day’s sales results took a painfully long time, agonized by doubts and criticism.

Most bookstores sold zero copies of “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms.” Only six stores sold any, and even then only one or two copies each. In total, nine copies were sold on the first day.

From confidence and ambition, the editors were thrown into disbelief. How could this be? How could such a brilliantly written book sell so poorly? Not even breaking into double digits—was this a dream?

At first, they felt anger toward the booksellers’ dismissive remarks, thinking them blind to quality. Now, however, they could not refute their complaints.

Fang Yi nearly fainted from dizziness. He bit his lip, knowing he had to stay conscious. Glancing at the editors, he said, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t doubt yourselves. Don’t you trust your own judgment? We’ve read novels for years and all found this one exceptional—why wouldn’t readers agree? It’s only the first day; it means nothing yet.”

Though his words soothed them somewhat, deep disappointment remained. They forced smiles, replying, “That’s right, it’s only the first day—nothing to worry about.”

—

Within Tianqi Academy

Liu Ping closed his eyes, sensing the fate above him. It remained unmoved, and he knew the sales of “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms” were far from ideal.

“Is it destined to flop?” he muttered, unwilling to accept it. Using the divination technique his senior taught him, he made a prediction. The result surprised him: “Great fortune?”

—

Second day, morning.

“This book, ‘The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms,’ is absolutely amazing!” In the northern part of Zhang County’s capital, a young scholar who liked lounging in bookstores and reading for free exclaimed in astonishment.

The shopkeeper was intrigued. Two customers had reacted similarly yesterday, and now another today—three in total. This novel with its peculiar title, recommended so strongly by YouShu Publishing, was truly as remarkable as the reactions suggested?

The shopkeeper had once sworn never to read another YouShu Publishing novel, having suffered through several low-quality works the previous year that soured his mood. If not for his acquaintance with the chief editor, he would never have stocked “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms.”

Now, witnessing the scholar’s fascination, he hesitated. He’d wanted to look at the book yesterday but restrained himself out of stubborn adherence to his oath. The curiosity gnawed at him—could this novel really be so extraordinary?

While he debated, the scholar finished reading, brought the book to him, and said, “I’ll buy this copy!”

The shopkeeper was surprised. “So, Si Lang, you’ve finally understood the joy of buying books?”

Si Lang scratched his head and replied with a smile, “Most novels aren’t compelling; after a glance, I don’t want to see them again, let alone buy them. But this one is different—so wonderful I have to own it, to study it repeatedly. Otherwise, I’d be letting myself down.”

He handed over some silver.

After paying, Si Lang pointed to the corner. “Uncle Ming, how could you place such a masterpiece in a hidden corner, letting pearls be covered in dust? How many people would even see it there in a day? Are you doing this on purpose, or do you not care about money? Move it to the most prominent spot!”

With that, he hurried off, eager to show off the extraordinary book to his fellow readers.

The shopkeeper stared after him for a while before snapping out of it. He went to the corner, took out a copy of “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms,” and opened it.

Before long, he finished the first chapter.

“A masterpiece! Truly a masterpiece!” The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in disbelief. “YouShu Publishing has released such a good book? Incredible!”

He immediately moved the book to the most prominent spot, keeping a copy for himself to savor later.

Soon, another customer entered, intending to buy the final volume of “A Branch of Peach Blossoms.” Instead, she noticed “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms” prominently displayed, its cover featuring a fierce red-faced general wielding a long blade, with the title boldly inscribed.

“‘The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms?’” she murmured, intrigued by the unusual name. After a moment’s reading, she widened her eyes and called out, “Shopkeeper, I’ll buy ‘The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms!’ And ‘A Branch of Peach Blossoms’ as well—please pack them both.”

Over the next hour, thirty-eight customers entered. Twenty-five bought “The Investiture of the Three Kingdoms.”

Fifty copies in stock dwindled rapidly.

“It’s selling well after all! I underestimated YouShu Publishing,” the shopkeeper muttered.

—

Unexpectedly, within the next fifteen minutes, more than fifty people rushed in, eager to buy the novel. The entire stock sold out instantly. Watching the disappointed customers leave, the shopkeeper promised, “Tomorrow, there will be more copies!”

This phenomenon wasn’t limited to his store. Though many shops still kept the book hidden, several had already sold out.

—

That night.

The editors anxiously awaited the results. The previous night, none of them had slept, crushed by disappointment. Now, their faces were pale and weary.

Soon, the second day’s sales reports arrived.

Everyone stared at the letters, afraid to open them, dreading bad news.

Eventually, someone had to face reality. Fang Yi took a deep breath and opened one letter. It reported zero sales and discussed returning unsold books!

His face went white.

“Already asking for returns after only two days?” Fang Yi muttered angrily. Publishers allowed returns, but only after a month’s trial period. Now, after just two days, booksellers wanted to return stock—clearly, they had no faith in YouShu Publishing or the novel, seeing it as nothing but trouble!

His quiet complaint was overheard, and the other editors’ faces fell even further.

Fang Yi gritted his teeth and kept reading. When he saw the second letter, he was dumbfounded.

“Sold out already?!”

The contrast was staggering.

Hearing this, the other editors rushed over. “What? Sold out?”

“Yes. And they want two hundred more copies!” Fang Yi replied, stunned. Never in YouShu Publishing’s history had this happened before.

“Two hundred?!” The editors were overjoyed, quickly opening all the letters.

The results were soon tallied.

On the second day, three hundred copies sold! Booksellers ordered thirteen hundred more!

—

Recommending a friend’s novel: “Dominion Over Three Realms.” And please vote for recommendations!