Shadow of great britain

With Hugo's introduction, Arthur and his two new friends quickly became acquainted.

But not long after, the polite French gentleman Charles Gassulin told Arthur his purpose. This famous publisher in Paris wanted to publish the French version of some novels under "The Brit", especially the masterpiece "Robin Hood" by Mr. Elder Carter.

Arthur was not surprised by Gassulin's intention, because even as early as a year ago, a French publisher had gone to London to discuss similar things with "The Brit".

But after many discussions between Arthur, Disraeli and other shareholders, they finally decided to stop the issue of publishing the French version of the book.

If the reason is to be mentioned, it is because doing business in this era is not as convenient as it is later. Because information transmission is not convenient, everyone's information channels are very closed, so the business field has gathered many crude scammers.

In this environment, if you want to do cross-border business, the most important thing is that the buyer and seller know each other well, trust each other, and it is best to have a friendship for many years. Otherwise, not only will the business fail, but even the principal will be swept away.

Take the publishing industry that Arthur is most familiar with as an example. Many publishers these days are actually enlarged versions of individual businesses. You can't find a company that can reach the scale of a publishing group.

"Oh, do you mean Mr. Alexandre Dumas?" Gasulin's eyes lit up: "We can take over "The Count of Monte Cristo"."

If Arthur is dealing with his own copyright, he can certainly do what he wants, but... this 12,000 francs... a full 600 pounds...

The interest rate of the six-month promissory note of 12,000 francs is directly given to 3%, which is much higher than the public debt of Britain and France.

This is a heavyweight, the Assistant Commissioner of the Greater London Police, and a member of the British Publication Review Committee.

A few familiar friends took out their savings, contacted a paper shop and printing factory, and then found a few unknown novelists or playwrights to authorize them to print seven or eight new books. This can add the title of a well-known publisher to their business cards.

The reason why these French publishers are so eager to buy Mr. Carter's masterpiece is that the works under the name of Sir Walter Scott are popular in France. If we want to select the greatest British writer in history, Shakespeare's position is of course unshakable. But if we want to select the best-selling British author in France, it must be Walter Scott.

In order to seize the agency to distribute Elder Carter's masterpiece, the Paris publishing industry has long been fighting for it in places where Arthur can't see. Everyone asked around who knew Mr. Elder Carter's address, and they were ready to go to London to discuss publishing matters with Mr. Carter himself.

"Mr. Gasulin is very interested in the book under the name of Mr. Elder Carter?"

Gasulin really didn't play tricks on the contract, and this publishing treatment didn't seem to be given to ordinary authors at all, but to a well-known writer.

Most importantly, Gasulin was introduced by Hugo, and he had just published the best-selling book "Notre Dame de Paris" last year, so he would not have any problems with funds in the short term, and there was no need to think that this guy would suddenly go bankrupt. Therefore, this six-month promissory note is likely to be fully redeemed...

But when they arrived in London, they were rejected by "The Brit" one after another, and were coldly told that Mr. Carter himself was overseas at the moment, and during his absence, the agency and distribution rights of all books had been transferred to Mr. Carter's close friend Mr. Arthur Hastings.

They were not in a hurry at all, because this ending was within their expectations. Because no matter what situation they encountered, they used other people's capital, not their own, to bet on the speculative gambling table.

The sudden death of Sir Walter Scott was of course the saddest for Britain, and the second was France.

The difference between "The Brit" and other magazines and publishers is that all its shareholders are authors of the company. Every penny they earn is earned by the shareholders one letter at a time. If they lose money, they really lose money, so it is difficult for them to be as free and easy as other peers in printing.

It's like a person who is about to die of thirst suddenly found an oasis in the desert, and a person who is about to starve to death is served at the king's table.

Gasulin laughed: "You are indeed a senior person in the industry. The most frightening thing about doing business is not knowing which group you serve. However, I do less business with the Republicans. I mainly do work for the Bonapartists, so I won't touch Shelley. Otherwise, not only will I not get orders from the Republicans, but my reputation with the Bonapartists will also be ruined. Doing so will damage my reputation."

Arthur saw that Gasulin's momentum was suppressed, and he gradually gained the psychological advantage and couldn't help showing his signature smile. He was going to start making conditions.

Here is the contract I prepared in advance. The terms are based on the most generous treatment in the current Paris publishing industry, and we will never violate the details. For ordinary authors, we usually issue promissory notes for nine months or one year, but we are very confident in Mr. Carter's strength, so we plan to issue a six-month promissory note this time, which is very convenient to discount and the interest will be borne by us.

Arthur snapped his fingers with a flash of inspiration: "In that case, do you want a copy of "Napoleon's Thought"? The Bonapartists will definitely like this."

"Of course, in addition to Alexander, we currently have many equally excellent works on hand. For example, Charles Dickens's "The Pickwick Papers" and "Boz Sketches", Benjamin Disraeli's "The Young Duke", Arthur Sigmar's "The Hastings Cases", and Alfred Tennyson's "Lyrics". By the way, Mrs. Shelley also agreed to hand over her own work "Frankenstein" and her late husband's posthumous work "Prometheus Bound" to our agency for full agency. In addition, Adam Mickiewicz's "Ancestors' Sacrifice" is also a very good choice."

For a moment, Arthur didn't know whether to sigh that Dumas was too strong or Elder was too lucky.

"Napoleon's Thoughts?" Gasulin was stunned and said, "Who wrote this?"

Arthur lied with his eyes open: "There is one thing I forgot to mention. In fact, most of the copyrights of the writers of "The Englishman" are bundled. I came to Paris this time not only to find a publisher for Mr. Carter's works, but also to find partners for our other authors."

Arthur's behavior of smashing his face with a masterpiece was very rough, but it was very effective.

Arthur saw that this guy was thinking about good things every day, so he raised his hand and stopped him and said, "For "The Count of Monte Cristo", you have to talk to Alexander yourself. Everyone knows that Alexander's books are not worried about selling in Paris, so publishers have contacted him long before you. But I must remind you that in Alexander's mind, 12,000 francs is not enough to negotiate "The Count of Monte Cristo", even if it is doubled, it is difficult."

"This..."

What's more, Shelley is also among them!

As for who Arthur Hastings is?

As expected, even Gasulin, who just made a fortune with "Notre Dame de Paris", couldn't help but feel his heart pounding when he heard it. Although the Paris publishing industry is separated from the UK by a strait, it does not mean that they do not know how well these books sell in London.

Ever since Walter Scott's historical novels became popular in France, the Paris publishing industry has paid special attention to British products. These publishers and bookstore owners have shown the courage of William the Conqueror, scraping the ground in London and desperately looking for works similar to Walter Scott.

But if they are unlucky and encounter works that only a small number of readers like and appreciate every day, or if there is a problem with the bills sent for discount, or if they are affected by the bankruptcy of others, these people will declare bankruptcy without any care.

So, Mr. Gasulin naturally ran at full speed, took out the "fast running" stunt he learned when having dinner with reporters, and rushed to Arthur first.

Of course, this group of people did not spend no money at all, but most of their expenses were usually used to treat reporters, writers and critics to dinner and theaters. Of course, restaurants and theaters do not accept promissory notes, only cash.

Gasulin said to Arthur enthusiastically: "Sir, I think we don't need to waste our breath. I have read the original version of "The Adventurers of Robin Hood". It has a strong literary flavor and is perfect for us. If you agree, we will immediately organize people to translate it and send the manuscript to the printing house within a week.

Arthur took a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and he pretended to be casual and said: "Mr. Gasulin, as a colleague in the publishing industry, I can see your sincerity at a glance. But..."

If we don't do this, if I want to go to the mainland to sell in the future, I will have to give those ignorant guys a lesson in British history."

Arthur glanced at the contract in his hand strangely.

The contract for Heine's "On Romanticism" and "The Englishman" was only 8,000 francs, while the French version of Elder's book made Gasulin offer a high price of 1.5 Heines.

The identity of the police had already made these publishers lose their courage, and the publication censorship was even more of a death sentence.

Although Gasulin had expected it in his heart, he was still shocked to hear that the price of "The Count of Monte Cristo" was so high, and even his attitude could not help but lower it: "Of course, if "The Count of Monte Cristo" is willing to leave my hands, I can pay 30,000 francs, but in view of the great financial pressure, I have to sell out the stock on hand first."

Arthur held the knife and slowly cut off the chicken leg on the plate. His tone of questioning was not heavy, but it was enough for Gasulin to hear his hesitation in his heart.

Of course, in order to better publish in Paris, we reserve the right to change the title of the book. Although the title "Robin Hood" is very good, we think it is a bit short and not enough to stimulate the curiosity of readers. French readers are not as familiar with Robin Hood as British readers, but there are many archers and thieves in the Middle Ages. They don't know where Sherwood Forest is. You have to point out to them that it is in Nottingham and that this is a story from the time of Richard the Lionheart.

However, at this time, Elder Carter suddenly appeared. Although this young author was not famous among French readers, French publishers who closely followed the development of British literature knew very well that Mr. Carter was the successor appointed by Scott before his death.

People in this business are very clear about the needs of their peers, but he is determined to get the agency rights for Elder Carter's books today. For this, he even went to great lengths to get connections, including Hugo and Henry Draisait, who is quite famous in London.

Henry Draisait, with his silver hair, looks like a kind businessman. The old banker observed Arthur and smiled gently: "Sir, I also have business contacts with Rothschild. When the time comes, the promissory note of Gassulin will be issued from me. Unless my business goes bankrupt, you don't have to worry about the discount problem."

"The Englishman" pushed Arthur to the front, and the Parisian publishers dared not use the usual tactics of pestering.

But what is unexpected is that Arthur Hastings resigned in London in just one year, and well-informed people learned that the gentleman was in Paris at this time.

In Paris today, if you randomly pick up a historical novel on the bookshelf, no matter what the plot is, the cover of the book will definitely have "Walter Scott's novel" printed in eye-catching large letters.

If you finish writing today, you can get cash the next day, so no matter what kind of flattering or scolding article "The Englishman" wants Heine to write, this great poet will never refuse.

But this way of business is not without any advantages. At least most authors like Heine like to cooperate with "The Englishman" because it is the only publisher he has met that uses promissory notes instead of promissory notes.

"But?" Gasulin's smile froze: "Do you have any objections to the terms of the contract? It doesn't matter, we can talk slowly. I dare to guarantee that there will be no publisher in Paris who is better at talking than me. If you are worried about my financial problems, look at Mr. Draisait next to me, he is also one of my partners. Draisait Bank should also have a small reputation in London?"

Elder is worth so much?

These people rarely pay cash for manuscripts from authors. They usually pay with promissory notes of six months, nine months or one year, which is commonly known as IOUs. The reason they use this payment method is that the books have not been sold yet. If the publisher and bookstore are trading within the same industry, the payment cycle will be even longer.

He can't stop Elder from making a fortune!

Money doesn't lie.

"Oh! Bonapartists?"

"No, you two may have misunderstood."

The paper and printing fees owed by bookstore owners are generally paid with promissory notes, so many publishers can publish a dozen works in a year without spending a penny. If two or three books are popular, the money earned can just make up for those that are not popular, so they can print books one after another, and the bookstore can barely survive.

"Oh, my God! Shelley! This is the favorite of those republicans!"

Arthur nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Byron and Shelley. As long as their names are put on the bookshelf, the sales will have a foundation. If you add the gimmick of posthumous works, maybe the Bonapartists and royalists will buy a copy to take a look."

Eld may not be able to earn so much money even if he sails around the world in the Royal Navy.

"Louis Bonaparte." Arthur smiled and clinked glasses with him and said, "If you print this book, from now on, you will definitely be able to do all the business of the Bonapartists in Paris. If they want to print some pamphlets, or want to publish something, they will definitely think of you first."

Gasulin's breathing stagnated. He picked up a handkerchief and wiped his shiny forehead, and quickly refused, "No! There is still a little difference between London and Paris. If I do this in Paris, it will seem too bold!"