The Multiverse Starting from White Deer Plain

"Yes, it will be sold on a trial basis in Tokyo and nearby Saitama, Chiba and other places in a few days."

Bai Gui nodded.

The news that the Great Qin Empire issued a single volume was not only advertised in the Minjin Newspaper and the Asahi Shimbun, but also published in many newspapers, so it was not surprising that Akutagawa Ryunosuke knew this.

At this time, reading and subscribing to newspapers is a must for those with a little wealth and knowledge.

"Then I wish seniors great success in selling the first issue!"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa expressed congratulations.

The two shook hands again.

…

April 11th, Tuyao day.

This day is the time set by the Asahi Shimbun Press for the release of the first issue of the novel about the Qin Empire.

There are five sales outlets in Tokyo for the first issue of the novel.

Maruyama Bookstore is a bookstore owned by the Asahi Shimbun and the only sales point in Bunkyo Ward.

A total of 500 single volumes have been prepared for sale this time.

There were already many readers waiting outside the store, about a hundred people, both men and women, 90% of whom were men. They were all students from major schools who had heard the news, and they all lined up neatly.

In the bookstore, the clerk has finished selling the goods and will start selling them as soon as the time comes.

The time is set at 12 noon.

Bai Gui was also waiting in the bookstore. He came early in the morning and was a little worried about whether the first issue would be sold successfully.

It is not uncommon for novels to be well-received but not a hit. It only costs a few dollars to subscribe to one issue of a newspaper, but paying for the bill all at once costs 3 yen... Readers who are not very loyal are not willing to pay such a sum of money...

So this time he came in person and planned to rely on his celebrity effect to get autographs if he bought the book.

This increases sales.

This is also the norm for most new writers.

Ordinary great writers don't have this need. As long as they have a single volume, many people can buy it based on their reputation. Although Bai Gui is famous, it is not to that level yet. Signing autographs on the day of release is undoubtedly a good way to increase sales...

"Time is up!"

Bai Gui looked at the self-ringing clock in the bookstore and said.

The clerk nodded and immediately changed the small wooden sign hanging on the sales shelf from "Pre-sale" to "Real Sale".

"I'll buy one!"

"I bought three books, one for collecting, one for reading, and one for passing on..."

"Hurry up, I can't wait."

"..."

Readers poured in.

Bai Gui also signed immediately.

One noon, the initial issue of 500 copies quickly sold out more than 200 copies, leaving less than 300 copies. In the afternoon, the crowds were sparse and there were not as many people as there were in the morning, but more than a hundred copies were still sold.

"Editor Bai, I went to the other four sales points to inquire. Except for Maruyama Bookstore, which sells well, the other sales points have only sold a total of more than a hundred copies so far..."

Nobuo Nakajima walked into Maruyama Bookstore and said to Bai Gui when no one was around.

This time, although it is said that Asahi Shimbun owns the copyright, it is selling single volumes. However, Bai Gui and Nobuo Nakajima have a good relationship and trust each other, so he asked Nobuo Nakajima to investigate the situation at other sales points.

"Together with those sold by Maruyama Bookstore, there are more than 370 volumes."

"The price is still a bit expensive, 3 days..."

Bai Gui sighed.

If it were an ordinary short, medium, or full-length novel, it would definitely sell much faster than it does now. valley

However, this speed was within his expectation and was actually pretty good. The scheduled sales time for the first issue is ten days. Within ten days, it is estimated that 2,000 copies can be barely sold out in Tokyo.

But he was still a little disappointed.

Asahisha will also investigate the sales situation of the first issue. If the sales response is good, the second issue will be printed in larger quantities. But on the other hand, if the sales are unfavorable, although the second issue will not be printed, the quantity will be greatly reduced.

Now it seems that the results of his sales have been mediocre. Not too bad, but not too hot either.

"Brother Meihe, I just came from the embassy. The embassy said that it would order 100 separate volumes to be sent to the country."

Liu Mingda rushed in.

"embassy?"

"Does the embassy have money?"

Bai Gui couldn't help but frown. The current embassy must have a lot more money than him, but this is the embassy of a country, not a person. It seems to have a lot of money, but it can't spare much funds and is stretched thin.

"This is Ambassador Wang's own money. Firstly, it is to encourage students studying in Japan to study hard. Secondly, the novel you wrote has also received a good response in China. He plans to donate these 100 copies to schools in various provinces..."

Liu Mingda couldn't help but smile and explained.

Since the students studying abroad have traveled across the ocean, apart from the initial money they received, they have never seen any subsequent allowances. Fortunately, those who study abroad are from good families and have high academic qualifications, so it is easy to find a part-time job with a good salary. Otherwise, with the subsidies sent by the embassy..., they would probably have starved to death long ago.

"I will also donate a hundred copies to schools in various provinces. This will not need to be recorded in the sales records."

Bai Gui sighed.

Ambassador Wang is the ambassador to Japan who succeeds Ambassador Hu, who has been transferred to China for promotion. Ambassador Wang was also the last ambassador to Japan in history. He later served as the Director-General of Education and had a close relationship with President Cai.

"Why not record it?"

Liu Mingda frowned. This was the result of his hard-fought trip to the embassy to sell it.

Bai Gui shook his head and told him the reason.

Asahisha is not a fool. If one person buys a lot and boosts sales, the second issue will definitely still have the same status as the unsold one, or even worse. However, Asahisha not only printed these two thousand volumes, but also had many preparatory books, amounting to several hundred volumes.

It would be easy for him to buy these unsold books.

Anyway, it’s only about 100 yen!

"Okay, okay, now I will ask my classmates to go to major colleges and universities to promote it..."

Liu Mingda hurried out of the door again.

The sale of Bai Gui's first issue this time is not only important to him, but also a great honor for students studying in Japan. Similarly, Bai Gui is also the deputy minister. He has repeatedly defended them and tried his best to do nothing.

As evening approached, many students suddenly poured in.

"Buy a copy of The Qin Empire."

"Well, it's The Qin Empire written by Bai Meihe. Buy a copy..."

At Maruyama Bookstore, the remaining three hundred copies were sold out immediately.

Books at four other outlets are also close to being sold out. It can be said that the first issue was sold with great success.

"How is this going?"

Bai Gui was slightly startled.

Although there are many students studying in Japan, a considerable number of them are Japanese students, and the school badges on the uniforms are not the same.

He quickly stepped forward to inquire.

Only then did I realize that it turned out that many teachers from colleges and universities had recommended the purchase of the Great Qin Empire a few days ago. Liu Mingda and others happened to go to colleges and universities to promote this, so they knew the release time and rushed over.

"You have me to thank for that!"

"It was me who asked the professors to recommend this book through my father's connections..."

Female reader Mitsuko Yamada broke in, placed three thick books on the signing table, raised her head, and said seriously.