Chapter Seventeen: A Brilliant Money-Making Scheme

Led by Instructor He, the three of them arrived at a large house in the side courtyard of the academy. Though slightly smaller than the main lecture halls where the students attended classes, it was still quite spacious. The room had not been cleaned for years, and dust covered everything, with a heavy musty odor lingering in the air. However, Feng Yuan had no time to tidy up.

The trio busied themselves, posting the novel on the walls, and then left the house, heading back toward the main courtyard. Along the way, Instructor He and Fat Zhang grew increasingly curious—how exactly was Feng Yuan planning to make money?

Soon, they returned to the main lecture hall. The students, having finished reading the novel, were still caught up in heated discussion, eager for more. Upon seeing Feng Yuan return, they hurried over to him.

“Senior Brother, is there more?”

“Senior Brother, it’s not enough!”

The group crowded around, voices anxious and overlapping.

Feng Yuan regarded them, raising a hand for silence. Instantly, the room fell quiet.

“Fellow students, how do you find your senior brother’s novel?” Feng Yuan asked.

“It’s excellent!” they cried in unison, as if rehearsed.

“Do you wish to read more?”

“We do!”

Seeing their restless and impatient faces, Feng Yuan allowed a sly smile to curve his lips. Now it was time for Feng the Great Schemer to take the stage.

His expression shifted, adopting a look of deep concern as he addressed the students. “Ah, it is rare to receive such affection from you all. Your senior brother is truly grateful. However, I must apologize to you. You all know that I am a poor scholar, barely scraping by from one meal to the next. To write these novels, I have spent everything I have, even sold household belongings to buy ink, paper, and brushes, all so I could write for your enjoyment. Thanks to your support, the fame of my novel has spread, attracting booksellers who wish to publish it. This should be a fortunate thing, but now, you may not have the chance to read any more, for the booksellers believe my novel is so popular that they plan to sell it at one silver tael per copy!”

“What! One silver tael per book? Who could afford it!”

“That’s outrageous—far too expensive!”

“I’d rather not read!”

Outraged, the students grumbled and protested.

Feng Yuan watched their indignation, secretly amused, and continued, “Fellow students, don’t be angry. I also feel this is unfair. Though it would benefit me, I cannot, in good conscience, betray my peers for profit. Yet, if I refuse, I might not even have supper tonight. I am caught between two hardships!”

“Senior Brother, you mustn’t collaborate with those profiteers. We can pool together funds for your writing expenses!”

“Yes, Senior Brother, we can help cover your meals!”

“That’s right, I’ll contribute ten copper coins!”

“I’ll give ten coins too!”

“So will I!”

The students were quick to respond, pulling out their money.

Feng Yuan looked at them, his face full of gratitude. “Such kindness from you all moves me deeply. If I were to disappoint you, I’d be an ungrateful wretch. I have decided—henceforth, I will continue to publish my novel daily for you. But I cannot write on an empty stomach. To resolve my meals, from now on, each installment will be sold for three copper coins. Pay, and you may read. I hope you’ll understand.”

“Of course, just three coins!” “That’s nothing!” “Exactly!”

They agreed readily. Three coins meant little to them, especially compared to a whole tael of silver.

Feng Yuan was delighted at their response. “Since you all agree, follow me. I happened to write an extra installment today and posted it in the side courtyard. Pay and register, and you may read at your leisure.”

“Great, I’ll pay!” “Me too!”

The students, eager for more, quickly pulled out their coins.

“Don’t rush—come with me first,” Feng Yuan said, gesturing to Instructor He and Fat Zhang, then led everyone over to the side courtyard.

Only now did Fat Zhang and Instructor He realize Feng Yuan’s ingenious method of making money, and couldn’t help but be impressed, giving him a thumbs up. It was brilliant—who would have thought to profit this way? Though three coins per person seemed little, with so many readers, it quickly amounted to a significant sum.

Soon, the group arrived at the entrance of the house. Feng Yuan had Fat Zhang bring ink, paper, and brushes, setting up a table at the door to collect payment and register readers before letting them inside.

The students were excited, paying eagerly. There were over four hundred of them, each handing over three coins—more than 1,200 coins in total, exceeding a silver tael.

Seeing the heap of copper coins, Fat Zhang and Instructor He were overjoyed. They knew that this was only a portion—many more students would come, and who knew how much they could collect?

“One thousand three hundred and fifty-two copper coins—we’re rich, we’re rich!” Fat Zhang counted the coins, looking at Feng Yuan with excitement.

“Feng Yuan, what a marvelous idea! No one ever thought of making money this way. You truly are a genius!” Instructor He gave Feng Yuan a thumbs up, lavishing praise.

“Oh, not at all. If I was able to come up with this, it’s thanks to the excellent guidance of my teachers. Thank you, sir!” Feng Yuan replied humbly, subtly flattering Instructor He, which pleased him greatly.

Of course, the sight of so much money made Instructor He even happier. His official salary each year was only twelve taels of silver, and now, with a thirty percent share in the novel’s profits, he could easily expect several taels per month. How could he not be delighted?

“Feng Yuan, how did you ever come up with such an idea?” Fat Zhang asked curiously.

“It came to me in a moment of inspiration,” Feng Yuan replied, smiling. In truth, it was the paywall model from web novels in his previous life—first offering free chapters to hook readers, then charging a modest fee. A few cents per thousand words, so reading hundreds of thousands each month cost only a few yuan, the price of a pack of cigarettes, and readers were happy to pay.

“Feng Yuan, why don’t I ever get such flashes of inspiration? My head’s bigger than yours!” Fat Zhang complained.

“What use is a big head if it’s filled with dung?” Feng Yuan retorted.

“Feng Yuan! A scholar should not be so vulgar!” Instructor He rebuked him sternly.

“Yes, sir. You are right. I admit my fault,” Feng Yuan replied quickly.

“Indeed, a scholar ought to be refined,” Instructor He nodded, then turned to Fat Zhang and said, “Your whole brain is full of excrement!”

“….”