I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 95 A Young Man Arrives in the Russian Literary World (Part 2)

In summary, although the offices of *Modern People* magazine were indeed impacted to some extent, fortunately, the magazine's editorial team included some quick-thinking individuals who, before facing even greater disruption, immediately assured each visitor:
"Yes, yes, the magazine is already considering expanding the length of the novel section. The next issue will likely have a much longer section than it does now!"

"That's right, we've already put expanding the novel's length on the agenda! We're discussing it now, and we're sure to get a result that will satisfy our readers!"

Of course, while it seemed like a guarantee, it didn't actually say a single thing that was accurate.

However, in the eyes of these editors, as long as the esteemed Mr. Mikhail still had manuscripts, expanding the length of the novel was almost a certainty. After all, esteemed Mr. Mikhail, you wouldn't want our magazine to become something else because of your negligence, would you?
In reality, only a minority of people came directly to the magazine to inquire about information. Most subscribers of "Modern People" expressed their opinions by writing letters. In addition to common requests such as "the need to expand the length of 'The Insulted and Hurt'", many subscribers also tried their best to find out about the past and present of their favorite authors, asking what class they were born into, what kind of people they associated with, and so on.

The profession of writer hasn't been devalued so much these days; otherwise, given Mikhail's commoner status, he wouldn't have been invited to so many nobles' banquets.

This kind of thing had already happened when Mikhail was still publishing his novels in "Chronicles of the Fatherland." Many readers, after reading those works, were eager to know what kind of person Mikhail was.

Mikhail used to think it was best to keep a low profile, but now that his fame and prestige are constantly rising, keeping a low profile has become almost impossible. Since that's the case, he might as well accept it calmly.
As a result, news about his identity and situation gradually spread. While ordinary readers certainly knew relatively little about it, most people in the St. Petersburg cultural circle gradually became aware of it.

However, some people always get the news faster than others. For example, Krajevsky, the publisher of "Chronicles of the Fatherland," already knew about Mikhail's specific situation, but he did not spread the news.

After all, a brilliant college student in dire financial straits sounds like someone who is very easy to manipulate; a little favor and he could be made to do whatever he wants.
But now it seems that, let alone making him work like a slave, he's about to be ridden on top of us!
Krajewsky was furious, his face turning ashen, just thinking about the information he had gathered and the sales figures for this issue of "Chronicles of the Fatherland".

Putting everything else aside, the number of subscribers alone decreased by a full five hundred due to the departure of Belinsky and his friends.

Not to mention the losses in other areas.

According to the information he had gathered, the newly revamped magazine "Modern Man" had a great start. In addition to the novel it serialized receiving a warm welcome, the other works in the magazine also received very good reviews.

In short, if this quality can be maintained, the growth of Modern Man's subscribers is almost a certainty.

Even if the other works don't start to perform well, the existence of that novel alone is enough to keep this fledgling magazine busy for quite some time!

Before the publication of "The Contemporary," Krajewsky anticipated that the magazine might be a hit for a week or two because of the short stories by the college student who had dropped out of school, but who knew that the seemingly honest college student would secretly write a novel?

And it just so happens to coincide with the release of a new magazine.

In short, you don't know until you think about it, and Krajevsky was really shocked. From his perspective, this college student first became famous in his magazine, and then, based on his accumulated fame, published a collection of articles with others. After having start-up capital, he couldn't wait to poach some very important people from their magazine.

And that's how it turned out to be what it is today.
Could it be that this was his original plan?

He was just like the duke he depicted—a thoroughly hypocritical and insidious capitalist.
Just as Krajewsky was becoming increasingly disturbed by the thought, at a party he was attending, several cultural figures, who seemed to have just learned the age of a young writer, immediately exclaimed in surprise:
"Is that renowned genius just a college student? College students these days are so capable? It's unbelievable."

"That means he's only in his early twenties, but all the people working under him are in their thirties or forties, and it's rare to see something like this."

"I've read the new magazine, and it's definitely very different from other magazines. I think it will sell very well."

"It seems they'll soon be able to establish themselves in the publishing industry; it's hard to imagine a new magazine doing so well."

At first, Krajewsky was lost in his own thoughts, but the more he listened to the conversation, the more familiar it seemed. Just as he was about to say something in response, he suddenly felt so frustrated that he couldn't speak when he thought of the information he had gathered about the new magazine.

Now that things have come to this, it's best to think carefully about how to deal with it.
While Krajevsky was considering countermeasures, Mikhail was in his new home reading letters from readers and letters that Nadya had recently sent.

As mentioned before, with the help of his landlady Pavlovna, Mikhail finally found himself a decent place to live.

This is a detached suite. Although it is not very big, Mikhail can jump around in the house without bumping his head. There is a living room and two bedrooms, with proper sofas and armchairs for guests, as well as a fairly clean and comfortable bed.

After officially moving here with his meager belongings, Mikhail finally began to truly grasp his identity as the magazine's owner.

After all, what kind of boss used to act like a godfather, entertaining all sorts of people outside, only to end up sleeping on a hard sofa at night?
The rent wasn't low, almost ten times the price of Mikhail's small suite, but fortunately he could afford it now. In fact, some people thought that Mikhail's place of residence was not worthy of his status, but Mikhail was quite satisfied with this environment.

Moving itself isn't too troublesome; what's really troublesome are some of the customs associated with moving.

To be honest, Russians are also burdened by mortgages. There's a Russian saying: "My house is my fortress."

Therefore, there are actually quite a few things to consider when moving.

This includes, but is not limited to, inviting a priest to perform a blessing ceremony for one's new home. The priest will sprinkle some holy water, light an incense burner, place a holy image, and then look at Mikhail, waiting for him to take some money from his pocket to offer to God.

Another custom is to let the cat enter the new house first, apparently because many people believe that cats can drive away unclean spirits, and they also bring salt and bread, which symbolize peace and wealth.
Mikhail wanted to keep things simple, but his landlady Pavlovna and the old maid Nastasya shook their heads at his hasty approach, complaining about his carelessness while helping him make arrangements.

“Mikhail, it is essential to do these things well. There are not many happy days in a person’s life, so how can we neglect such an important and joyous occasion as moving? God will bless you, but you cannot be so negligent.”

To be honest, Mikhail felt that Pavlovna, this robust woman, seemed to have become much gentler, and even her attitude towards other guests was perhaps no longer as harsh as it had been at the beginning.

After all these things were settled, it was time for a relatively joyful banquet.

During Mikhail's move, many friends offered their help. The small landowner, Tusenbacher, wanted to use his extensive life experience to judge the feng shui of the new location. His method was to throw three large round loaves of bread together; if they all landed crust-side up, it meant it was an auspicious place; if they landed crust-side up, he should consider other options. Although this method puzzled Mikhail, the result seemed quite good. After throwing the loaves, Tusenbacher immediately nodded with satisfaction and said, "Mikhail, a kind person like you, your new place should also be auspicious."

The small-time merchant Versilov sold Mikhail some cheap and very practical furniture, while the junior civil servant Smirnov ran errands for Mikhail, handling some matters requiring him to deal with the government. Before leaving, he patted his chest and assured Mikhail:
“Dear Mikhail, if you ever encounter any trouble in this area, no matter how big the trouble is, just come to me and I will help you solve it.”

Mikhail: “?”

Really?

However, after thinking about Smirnov being only a fourteenth-rank civil servant, Mikhail couldn't help but ask, "So what do you plan to do then?"

"I'm going to tell them a joke!"

Despite the hardships of life, Smirnor, who still managed to support his large family, said cheerfully, "They'll be so happy to hear that they'll surely let you go!"

Mikhail: “.”

Go talk to the Tsar!

Of course, it was just a little joke, and although it was a bit lame, Mikhail still laughed for a while after hearing it.

Nekrasov had also come to see Mikhail's situation. Having worked his way up from the bottom for several years, Nekrasov was indeed a master at bargaining, but unfortunately, he was still too inexperienced in front of Mikhail's landlord.

So his wish to help Mikhail negotiate the price didn't come to fruition, so he simply bought Mikhail a card table and the corresponding cards, and said, "Well, Mikhail, your landlady was able to negotiate such a price for a house like this, so she must be a shrewd businesswoman who hasn't been discovered yet."

"In that case, I'll give you your favorite thing, but please, whatever you do, don't tell Vesalion it's from me."

If Nekrasov is like this, then Turgenev can't be counted on. Although he wrote that he would be back soon, given his personality, it's quite possible that he would forget about it immediately.

As for Belinsky, he personally visited Mikhail and delivered some precious philosophical books, which were explicitly banned from circulation by the current Russian government, as well as other books, and then solemnly said:

“Mikhail, I think you should read these books carefully. I believe that if it were you, you would be able to understand them more thoroughly than others and have your own ideas!”

Mikhail: “.”

You overestimate me, Lao Bie. Some of the books I read just make me want to sleep.
As he was leaving, Belinsky immediately noticed the conspicuous card table. After a moment of stunned silence, he asked tremblingly, "Mikhail, did you buy this? My God! How can a smart man, a self-evident genius, waste his energy on meaningless cards!"

Mikhail: “?”

You play cards much more aggressively than I do.
“Dear Vesalion, I did not buy this.”

Remembering Nekrasov's instructions, Mikhail coughed lightly and quickly explained, "This is a housewarming gift that Turgenev sent me through someone. I didn't want to accept it, but because it was him, sigh!"

So Belinsky left, trembling.
So many people have helped Mikhail a great deal, so it is only right that Mikhail should choose a good day to host a banquet for them.

Mikhail was already purchasing food, drinks, and snacks, and before these things arrived, he took the time to read the letters from his readers.

With a rather pleasant mood, Mikhail opened the first letter:
"Put the rest of the content in the next issue of the magazine right now, or I'll kill you!"

Mikhail: “???”

The opening ceremony was struck by lightning, right?
Where did this grumpy guy come from?
Wiping non-existent sweat from his brow, Mikhail hurriedly went to open the second package:
"Although there is a respectable duke in the book, please make sure to kill him off, otherwise I will definitely find a way to come to you!"

Mikhail: “?”

Oh no, the Duke really isn't going to die.
Mikhail, whose forehead was indeed covered in a cold sweat, continued opening the third letter:

"Could you please tell me what happened next? I assure you, I swear to God! I will never reveal a single word of what you tell me!"

Mikhail: “.”

To be honest, I think you are a heretic.
Mikhail felt increasingly uneasy as he read through these letters, so he simply opened the letter Nadya had sent:

“Most kind and respectable Mikhail Romanovich, I want to ask you about your novel. Judging from the beginning, it seems you are planning to write about the Duke’s son having a previous relationship with the butler’s daughter. I wonder if I’m right.”

So do you think the Duke's son would have a chance to marry the butler's daughter? Or, to put it another way, if their roles were reversed, what do you think?

Mikhail: “.”

Oh no, you guessed right! But their ending wasn't so good.

And what does it mean to switch their roles?
Mikhail was sweating profusely again, but this time in a different way.
(End of this chapter)