British writer

Smith looked at Lu Shi, then at Scott, a little confused,

What's happening here?

He pointed to the manuscript and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Lu, can I read it? Of course, this is an unpublished work. If you think it's 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 approvingly: "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 the writing is very authentic."

Lu Shi repeatedly waved his hands,

"You flatter me."

Seeing his modesty, the smile on Smith's face was even wider,

"You should be aware that this is not a compliment."

In Lu Shi's manuscript, the preface is a nursery rhyme, adapted from "Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes Collection\

,"Since this collection of nursery rhymes was at the end of the 18th century, the background of the dark era resulted in many bloody, cruel, and realistic sentences. Conservative people do not accept this aspect very well, so every time it is republished, it will be deleted. ,

The song cited in the preamble is among the cuts.

Lu Shi's ability to discover it and make good use of its weird atmosphere has far surpassed most of the authors Smith has seen. If Xia Mu hadn't introduced it, Smith would even think that Lu Shi had lived in London for decades.

This lad is a genius!

Smith said, "Also, the way you write it 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 finishing speaking, he himself denied it: "No, the murderer should be imitating nursery rhymes to commit the crime. How can there be any prophecy in this world?"

Scott on the side interjected: "There is another point that is well designed. The story takes place on a closed and isolated desert island. After the case happened, the police could not intervene for a short time, and the conditions in the closed environment are relatively limited. Only Can rely on pure reasoning."

"And there's more..."

"Yes, I think..."

"Look here..."

...

The two talked to each other, actively discussing the contents of the first three chapters.

This is the place where Shapo is awesome. Others can have one innovative point in a book, and it is considered amazing, and the book "No Survival" is the originator of the two modes:

blizzard villa,

Nursery rhymes kill.

Too many future generations have copied this isolated island serial killing model,

Readers may think it is normal after reading too much, but the fact is that they all copied Shapo.

Lu Shi coughed lightly, interrupting the discussion between the two of them.

He took back the manuscript on the table, with regret on his face, and said: "Mr. Scott, since the "Manchester Guardian" does not have a page for novel serialization, I can only submit it elsewhere."

Snapped--

Scott pressed his hand,

"wait!"

His face was uncertain.

Smith said: "Charles, don't be childish, you should know the value of this novel."

Scott nodded slowly, thinking about it.

As the editor-in-chief of a high-selling newspaper, his energy cannot be underestimated. Helping Lu Shi serialize in some weekly magazines and magazines is just a matter of effort.

It's just that it costs favors to ask for help.

Can this young man from China live up to 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 profiles 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 the words fell, Smith walked to the window,

"I look at the street view."

Scott said helplessly: "Fxxk, spoiler... It's the first time I hate my profession so much."

He took out a pen and paper and handed it to Lu Shi,

"please."

Lu Shi buried his head in the book and wrote without adding points. The sound of the pen tip rubbing against the paper came from the room.

Scott on the side read out in a low voice:

"

Lawrence John Wargrave, Judge, for condemning Edward Seton to death;

Vera Elizabeth Claythorne, teacher, for the murder of Cyril Ogilvie Hamilton;

Philip Lombard, soldier, guilty of mutilating twenty-one adults of an East African tribe...

"

Smith was furious and said, "Don't read it out!"

However, Scott didn't respond, he just frowned and seemed lost in thought,

After a while, he suddenly interrupted Lu Shi and said: "Can you put the crimes committed by Philip Lombard from East Africa in Bull? If you want, I can guarantee you that the book will sell for a good price, and be published in large quantities.”

Lu Shi took a deep look at the other party, and the corner of his mouth curled up,

"Bool?"

Inexplicably, Scott immediately had a feeling of being seen through, and he felt awkward.

He asked: "Can't you?"

Lu Shi replied: "No, I think it's pretty good. After all, the British Empire has fought back and forth with the Boers in South Africa. The newspapers are full of reports every day, and readers are already familiar with Boer. Yes, it is indeed more realistic than East Africa.”

He patted his forehead as if remembering something,

"By the way, yesterday's "Manchester Guardian" seemed to be headlined on the front page of the Anglo-Boer war. Mr. Churchill bombarded the government's policy in the Anglo-Boer war and firmly opposed the military expansion plan. Well, what a wonderful piece of news draft."

Hearing this, Scott knew that his little thoughts had been exposed.

That being the case, there is no need to pretend anything,

He tapped the table lightly with his fingers,

"Whether they support the war or oppose the war, the 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."

Art processing without singing praises?

Lu Shi whispered, "Hehe, Mr. Scott, you really should be in politics."

Scott froze for a moment, then laughed loudly,

"No, that's too boring. I'd rather run a newspaper, and use the Manchester Guardian to form an umbrella that can completely cover the sky in London."

He began to serve as the editor of the "Guardian" in 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 newspaper. famous newspaper.

And, Scott is a Liberal through and through,

He once declared: "Comments are free, but facts are sacred... The voice of the opponent has the same right to be heard as the voice of the friend."

But now it seems that this tendency may be a disguise to cover up the ambition?

Which is higher in his ranking of values, the vision of becoming a newspaper mogul or the ideal of adhering to the freedom of criticism?

Hard to say.

Lu Shi commented generously: "My mouth is full of doctrine, but my heart is full of business."

Scott didn't take offense,

"It's a pleasure to talk to a wise man."

Lu Shi nodded and said, "Then I'll change everything that can be changed. For example, the nursery rhymes in the preface, I'm going to change them into the original text."

At this time, Smith on the side also interjected: "Yes, I just thought it was strange that the original nursery rhyme is "Ten Little Niggers (Black)", how did it become "Ten Little Indian Boys (Indian Boys)"."

Of course it is because of the stupid political correctness of modern Europe and America~

Lu Shi didn't answer directly, but looked at Scott,

"How about it?"

This "how?" Naturally, the question is about the manuscript fee.

Scott can understand the overtones of Lu Shi's switch to "Ten Little Niggers", and he is also ready to hint at the Anglo-Boer war.

He smiled knowingly,

"Mr. Lu cooperates so well, of course I should show my sincerity. The quality of the first three chapters is very high, and I can offer a price of 50 pounds for one chapter. Of course, if the novel becomes popular, the price can be increased."

Lu Shi must be tied up with a high remuneration,

Otherwise, the boy would be at a loss if he went to work for those old bastards at The Times or The Daily Telegraph.

Lu Shi added: "The Manchester Guardian doesn't have a serial page, so where will my novel be published?"

Without thinking about it, Scott replied: "The Scotsman's Wednesday supplement 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?