Smith looked at Lu Shi and then at Scott, a little confused.
What's happening here?
He pointed at the manuscript and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Lu, can I read it? Of course, this is an unpublished work. If you feel it is inappropriate, forget it."
Lu Shi said, "Of course, please."
Smith picked up the manuscript and read it carefully.
a long time,
"Huh~"
He took a deep breath, and then said with some approval: "No wonder Mr. Lu can see the artistry of the title "A Study in Scarlet". It turns out that it is because he is so familiar with English writing, and his writing is so idiomatic."
Lu Shi waved his hands repeatedly,
"You flatter me."
Seeing his modesty, the smile on Smith's face became even brighter.
"You should know that this is not a reward."
In Lu Shi's manuscript, the preface is a nursery rhyme adapted from "Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes".
Since this collection of nursery rhymes was written at the end of the 18th century, the dark background of the era led to many bloody, cruel, and realistic sentences in the content. Conservative people are not very receptive to this aspect, so every time it is reprinted, some of it will be deleted. ,
The song quoted in the preface is among the deleted ones.
Lu Shi's ability to discover it and make good use of its weird atmosphere was far beyond that of most authors Smith had ever seen. If it hadn't been for Xia Mu's introduction, Smith would have even thought that Lu Shi had lived in London for decades.
This guy is a genius!
Smith said: "Besides, your way of writing is very novel. Is this nursery rhyme... a prophecy? I mean, the main character dies in the same way as in the nursery rhyme?"
After saying that, he denied it himself: "No, the murderer was probably imitating nursery rhymes and committing the crime. How can there be any prophecy in this world?"
Scott on the side interjected: "Another well-designed point is that the story takes place on a closed and isolated desert island. After the case occurs, the police cannot intervene for a short time, and the conditions in the closed environment are relatively limited. Solving the case only requires Can rely on pure reasoning.”
"And there's more..."
"Yes, I think..."
"Look here..."
…
The two of them talked to each other and actively discussed the contents of the first three chapters.
This is where Sappho excels. If other people’s books have one innovative point, it’s considered great, but “No One Survived” is the originator of two models:
Blizzard Villa,
Nursery rhymes kill people.
Too many future generations have copied this isolated island serial killing model.
Readers may think it is unusual after reading too much, but the fact is that they all copied Sha Po.
Lu Shi coughed slightly and interrupted the discussion between the two.
He took back the manuscript on the table, with regret written on his face, and said: "Mr. Scott, since the Manchester Guardian does not have space for serialized novels, I can only find another place to vote."
Snapped--
Scott held his hand down;
"wait!"
His face was uncertain.
Smith said: "Charles, don't be childish. You should know the value of this novel."
Scott nodded slowly, calculating in his mind.
As the editor-in-chief of a high-selling newspaper, his energy should not be underestimated. Helping Lu Shi to be serialized in some weeklies and magazines was just a little effort.
However, asking for help costs money.
Can this young man from China shoulder his trust?
He asked, "Is there an outline?"
Lu Shi shook his head and said: "There is no outline. But I can make a table and list the relevant brief introductions of these main characters one by one. Of course, doing so will undoubtedly cause a certain degree of spoilers, so you have to be mentally prepared. "
As soon as he finished speaking, Smith walked to the window.
"I'll take a look at the street scene."
Scott looked helpless and said: "Fxxk, spoiler... It's the first time I hate my career so much."
He took out a pen and paper and handed it to Lu Shi,
"please."
Lu Shi was immersed in writing without adding any details, and the sound of pen tip rubbing against paper could be heard in the room.
Scott on the side read it in a low voice:
"
Lawrence John Wargrave, judge, for the crime of condemning Edward Seton to death;
Vera Elizabeth Claythorne, teacher, for the murder of Cyril Ogilvie Hamilton;
Philip Lombard, soldier, convicted of killing twenty-one adults of an East African tribe...
"
Smith was furious and said, "Don't read it out!"
However, Scott ignored him and just frowned as if he was deep in thought.
After a while, he suddenly interrupted Lu Shi and said: "Can you put the crimes committed by Philip Lombard from East Africa to Boer? If you are willing, I can guarantee that your book will sell for a good price, and Can be published in large quantities.”
Lu Shi looked at the other party deeply, and the corners of his mouth curved.
"Boolean?"
Inexplicably, Scott immediately felt like he was being seen through and felt awkward all over.
He asked: "No?"
Lu Shi replied: "No, I think it's good. After all, the British Empire is now fighting back and forth with the Boers in South Africa. There are endless reports in newspapers every day, and readers are already familiar with the Boers. It’s indeed more realistic than East Africa.”
He slapped his forehead as if he remembered something,
"By the way, the front page of yesterday's Manchester Guardian seems to be about the Anglo-Boer War. Mr. Churchill attacked the government's policy in the Anglo-Boer War and firmly opposed the military expansion plan. Well, it is really a wonderful piece of news draft."
When he heard this, Scott knew that his little mind had been exposed.
In this case, there is no need to pretend anything anymore,
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table,
"Whether they support the war or oppose the war, citizens of the British Empire have the right to know the truth, what do you think? At least, they cannot praise the war like the Daily Telegraph."
Instead of singing praises, just make art?
Lu Shi whispered: "Haha, Mr. Scott, you really should join politics."
Scott was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly,
"No, that would be too boring. I prefer to run a newspaper and use the Manchester Guardian to form an umbrella that covers the sky in London."
He served as editor of the Guardian from 1872 and lasted for 57 years. It was during his tenure that the Guardian developed from a local newspaper to a national newspaper and became a world-renowned newspaper. Famous broadsheet.
Moreover, Scott is a liberal through and through;
He once declared: "Comments are free, but facts are sacred... The voices of opponents have the same right to be heard as those of friends."
But now it seems that this tendency may be a disguise to cover up ambitions?
Which one ranks higher in his ranking of values, the vision of becoming a newspaper tycoon or the ideal of adhering to freedom of comment?
Hard to say.
Lu Shi generously commented: "We talk about doctrines, but our hearts are all about business."
Scott didn’t feel dissatisfied;
"It's nice to talk to smart people."
Lu Shi nodded and said, "Then I've changed everything I can. For example, I'm going to change the nursery rhyme in the preface to the original text."
At this time, Smith on the side also interjected: "Yes, I just thought it was strange. The original text of the nursery rhyme was clearly "Ten Little Niggers", but how did it become "Ten Little Indian Boys"."
Of course it’s because of the stupid political correctness of modern Europe and America~
Lu Shi did not answer directly, but looked at Scott,
"How about it?"
This "How was it?" naturally asked about the royalties.
Scott could understand the implication of Lu Shi switching to "Ten Little Niggers" and was also preparing to hint at the Anglo-Boer War.
He smiled knowingly,
"Mr. Lu is so cooperative, so of course I should show sincerity. The quality of the first three chapters is very high, and I can sell one chapter for 50 pounds. Of course, if the novel becomes popular, I can increase the price."
Lu Shi must be tied up with high royalties.
Otherwise, this kid would be at a huge loss if he went to work for those old bastards at The Times or The Daily Telegraph.
Lu Shi added: "The Manchester Guardian does not have a serialization section, so where will my novel be published?"
Without thinking, Scott replied: "The Wednesday supplement of The Scotsman is only a few days away."
Lu Shi blinked,
The Scotsman has its headquarters in Edinburgh.
Doyle's hometown is also Edinburgh,
Isn't this a coincidence?
