Fang Yu had indeed been treating his studies more seriously lately than before. Once content with a more leisurely pace, the sudden appearance of a love rival had startled him awake.
As he watched Qiao Hezhi's brush move across the paper, another thought struck Fang Yu. If he lacked the time to explore and write these guides, surely others did not. Furthermore, relying solely on his own and Qiao Hezhi's experiences limited the scope of places they could feature. With the shop's guidebook now in high demand, why not open the process to the public? He could solicit entries from anyone interested in sharing their recommendations.
Once this idea emerged, he found it feasible. Wasn't that how it was done in later times? He could collect submissions, review them, and select suitable ones for the publication. It would be faster than personally scouting locations and writing them himself.
"Shall we post a notice at the Book and Tea House entrance calling for submissions?"
Qiao Hezhi nodded in agreement. During his occasional visits to oversee the shop, he had noticed patrons who were not only avid readers of the guidebook but also keenly interested in the idea of contributing to it themselves.
People often discussed which shops or places they favored that hadn't been featured, saying it was a pity, and if they could write it themselves, they would write about that one first... So he immediately began considering channels for collecting submissions.
"Not for now. Let me first ask my classmates at the academy, to test if anyone would submit. If there are, then we don't need to post a notice at the shop. I'm just afraid too many submissions might come in and I wouldn't be able to review them all."
Qiao Hezhi nodded: "That's good too. Everyone at the academy is a scholar, most adept at writing essays."
The next day, after watching Master Zhang leave the classroom for the teachers' room, Fang Yu cleverly used his duty of sitting at the lectern supervising his classmates' reading and essay writing.
He cleared his throat: "Let me interrupt everyone for a moment. I have a few words I'd like to chat with you all about."
The reading sounds in the classroom gradually quieted down, all eyes turning to Fang Yu.
"Everyone knows of the Book and Tea House, right?"
Thinking Fang Yu was about to assign homework, but he was publicly talking about a leisure spot, everyone immediately relaxed: "Of course we know. Probably few in the city nowadays don't know the Book and Tea House. The pastries and snacks are delicious, and there are travel and food guides to read... Why do you ask, Brother Fang? Are you planning a visit as well?"
"I'm a regular at the Book and Tea House, the shopkeeper knows me. If Brother Fang wants to go, come with me, I guarantee we can get a private room."
Fang Yu waved his hand. If he wanted to sit in a private room, he could choose any he liked.
Liang Minxu scoffed quietly: "If you don't want to study, others still do. Publicly disturbing everyone's study time, you really have the nerve..."
As he spoke, his voice gradually weakened. The previously noisy classroom had somehow fallen silent, making his voice particularly loud.
"Liang Minxu, if you're not interested in listening, then don't. No one is compelling you. An extra stick of incense's worth of reading hasn't miraculously transformed your essays before. Even when the Master is present, he occasionally engages in casual conversation. You're suddenly very diligent about this timing."
Liang Minxu's face flushed red, embarrassed at having his muttered complaints exposed so publicly before the entire class.
Fang Yu said, "Let me get to the main point without delaying everyone's time. As you all know, the Book and Tea House has guidebook introducing Yuncheng's food, drink, and leisure spots. Currently, the shop is collecting submissions. Interested classmates can submit their manuscripts to me."
"Really? They're actually accepting submissions now!"
Even the grumbling Liang Minxu couldn't help listening carefully to Fang Yu.
"Brother Fang, are there any requirements? I've long wished I could be featured in the guidebook!"
The Book and Tea House enjoyed bustling business and a steady stream of customers. Every day, countless patrons browsed its popular guidebooks. To have one's own writing featured within those pages would certainly become a point of pride and a worthy topic of conversation.
"Don't rush, everyone, listen to me slowly. Currently, the shop accepts several categories for publication. Those interested can take note." Seeing everyone eager and spirited, it seemed they were all quite interested. "Introductions to restaurants and travel guides go without saying—the previous issues of the Book and Tea House guidebooks covered these. Currently, we're opening some additional columns."
Fang Yu took out the list of submission categories he wrote last night: "Submissions are welcome across four main categories: Clothing, Food, Shelter, and Transportation. The literary form is flexible—it can be classical poetry in five or seven-character lines, lyrical ci poetry, or prose essays. The only strict rule is that all content must be your original work, with no plagiarism tolerated. Furthermore, we are now accepting longer narrative works, tales of the strange, and accounts of interesting local happenings. For these longer pieces, you need not submit the complete manuscript initially; providing a compelling opening section will suffice."
[Lyrical ci poetry: a classical Chinese poetic form that originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty, characterized by its use of fixed tonal patterns and line lengths set to specific musical tunes, often expressing delicate and personal emotions]
The classroom immediately erupted.
"Clothing, food, shelter, and transportation can all be written about? That's a pretty broad scope."
"Are there any restrictions on story themes?"
Fang Yu said, "No. Free rein. The main thing is the story needs to be engaging."
Someone laughed: "What if someone submits something about love and romance?"
The classroom burst into laughter.
"That's acceptable too. Many young ladies and gers come to the shop for tea. They enjoy reading that. The proprietor says you can submit it."
Romance novels were a mainstream favorite among young ladies and gers. Thinking about it, Fang Yu added, "As for the policy essays and articles you all usually write, no need to consider submitting those. Most people drinking tea don't enjoy reading that."
Everyone laughed again.
"Once a submission is accepted, a reply will be sent, including the publication schedule and remuneration."
"There's remuneration too?"
Some impoverished scholars who had remained silent couldn't help speaking up.
Fang Yu nodded: "The remuneration is generous, making it well worth the effort. One final point, I would advise contributors to use a pen name. And this opportunity isn't confined to our classroom alone. Please feel free to inform your friends and family—submissions from all are welcome. In short, we eagerly await contributions from everyone!"
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