The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1026: Chapter 68 Partners of ”British” _3

”No, you two might have misunderstood.”

Arthur shamelessly said, ”There’s one thing I forgot to mention: actually, most of the British writers’ copyrights are bundled. I’m here in Paris not just to find a publisher for Mr. Carter’s works, but also to find partners for our other authors.”

”Oh, are you talking about Mr. Alexander Dumas?” Gasoline’s eyes lit up: ”’The Count of Monte Cristo’ we can definitely handle together here.”

Arthur saw this fellow dreaming big daily and quickly raised his hand to stop him: ”’The Count of Monte Cristo,’ over there, you’ll have to negotiate with Alexander yourself. Everyone knows Alexander’s books are easy to sell in Paris, and even before you, there have been publishers in contact with him. But I must remind you, in Alexander’s mind, twelve thousand Francs won’t cut it for ’The Count of Monte Cristo,’ and even doubling that would be difficult.”

”This...”

Gasoline, although he had anticipated it, was still somewhat shocked to hear the price for ’The Count of Monte Cristo’ was this high. Even his posture involuntarily lowered: ”Certainly, if ’The Count of Monte Cristo’ is willing to come from my hands, I can offer thirty thousand Francs, but given the immense financial pressure, I need to clear the inventory in hand first.”

Seeing Gasoline’s momentum suppressed, Arthur, gradually gaining psychological advantage, couldn’t help but reveal his signature smile; he was about to start negotiating terms.

”Sure, aside from Alexander, we currently have many equally excellent works in hand. For example, Charles Dickens’ ’The Pickwick Papers’ and ’Sketches by Boz,’ Benjamin Disraeli’s ’Young Duke,’ Arthur Sigma’s ’Hastings Case Files,’ Alfred Tennyson’s ’Lyric Poetry Collection.’ And Mrs. Shelley has also agreed to leave her personal work ’Frankenstein’ and her deceased husband’s ’Prometheus Bound’ to our agency for full representation. Besides, Adam Mickiewicz’s ’Forefathers’ Eve’ is also quite a good choice.”

Arthur’s behavior of throwing major works in his face, though rude, was highly effective.

Sure enough, Gasoline, who had just profited generously with ’Notre-Dame de Paris,’ couldn’t help but feel his heart race upon hearing this. Although the Paris publishing industry is separated by a channel from Britain, it doesn’t mean they’re unaware of how well these books sell in London.

Moreover, there’s Shelley!

”Oh, my God! Shelley! That’s the favorite of those republicans!”

Arthur nodded slightly: ”Exactly, Byron and Shelley. Just placing their names on the shelf lays the foundation for sales. If we add the hype of posthumous works, there’s no telling if the Bonaparte Party and Royalists might also buy a copy to take a look.”

Gasoline laughed heartily: ”You indeed are a seasoned industry expert; the biggest fear in business is not knowing which group you’re serving. However, I do little business with the republicans; I primarily work with the Bonaparte Party, so I won’t touch Shelley. Otherwise, not only won’t I get orders from the republicans, but I’d even tarnish my reputation with the Bonaparte Party—doing so would be too damaging to my brand.”

”Oh! Bonaparte Party?”

Arthur had a sudden flash of insight, snapping his fingers: ”In that case, do you want a copy of ’Napoleonic Thoughts’? The Bonaparte Party will surely love this.”

”’Napoleonic Thoughts’?” Gasoline asked, puzzled: ”Who wrote that?”

”Louis Bonaparte,” Arthur replied with a smile, clinking glasses with him. ”If you print this book, henceforth, all the Bonaparte Party business in Paris will surely go through you. If they want pamphlets printed or want to publish something, you will definitely be the first they think of.”

Gasoline’s breath hitched; he picked up a handkerchief to wipe his shiny forehead, hurriedly refusing: ”No way! London and Paris are a bit different; doing this in Paris would be too bold!”