I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 80: Reaching out to Belinsky
When the time came for another gathering at Panaev's house, Mikhail simply drank a cup of tea at his landlord Pavlovna's house and went out. On the way passing by places like cafes, Mikhail seemed to still hear some people discussing the works in the "Petersburg Anthology".

Mikhail didn't hear which work it was, but he did see a few young people gathered together, then raised their heads and passionately recited verses to the gray sun in St. Petersburg at that time:

"I came into this world to see the sun,

And once the light goes out,
I will still sing... I will sing the praises of the sun

Until the last moment of life!"

Mikhail, who felt like he had seen this kind of scene often, said: "."

It has to be said that Mikhail's novels are still widely discussed, but his poems seem to have spread more widely during this period, especially among the upper class, who discuss Mikhail's poems far more than his novels.

Mikhail could understand this phenomenon, after all, he could see some clues from Nadya's letter:
"I want to warmly congratulate you on the publication of 'The Petersburg Anthology' that you and your friends have published. People are talking about it everywhere now, and I've heard it mentioned many times in our circle. And people don't seem to buy just one copy. I can tell that they are very interested in your limited editions and seem to think of them as a status symbol.

They said: We have to be distinguished from those mediocre buyers. After all, how can some people have the same love for reading and good upbringing as we do?
I've also been promoting this collection for you within my circle. It's truly excellent and deserves to be known by more people. I should also remind you that you could raise the price of the collector's edition a bit. How about fifty rubles? I think someone in our circle would be willing to pay for it. It wouldn't be a big deal for them, and they might even be proud of it!

Mikhail saw this at the time: “.”

Fifty rubles, a price that a rich person casually says is beyond the reach of the poor person's imagination.
This is indeed a good idea, but Mikhail is a conscientious publisher after all, and he would not be so black-hearted, so forty-nine rubles and ninety-nine kopecks might be enough.
If I have to say, it seems that it is not impossible to launch a supreme edition series later?
Let’s get back to the reply for now:

"I really like the novels and poems in your collection, and so does my father. He said of your novel: 'What a wonderful novel, full of wisdom! It warns us that no matter what time it is, we must be strong and never be too cowardly.

Ordinary people have no future, and people who are so cowardly are not worthy of sympathy!
I don't agree with his opinion, and I'm even worried that such an opinion will make you uncomfortable, but since you mentioned that you want to hear it, I'll write it down. I hope it won't make you angry.

As for your poem, I am sure that half of the upper class is singing it. I have heard people reciting this poem at banquets more than once. Every time they finished reciting, they refused to say the author's name, but just stood tall amid everyone's speculation and discussion.

Every time this happens, I will stand up and tell them that the author of this poem is Mikhail, a respected writer and poet, and then the person reciting the poem will mumble and dare not speak.

This was the beginning. I believe that by now, everyone knows who the author is. My father loves this poem very much. He always reads it aloud in front of us. He even said that if he had the chance, he would definitely read this poem to the emperor himself!

Mikhail: “???”

Don't do this kind of thing.
The general also seemed to have started to fantasize about meeting the emperor, winning his favor, and then taking a step forward.
In short, the girl's letter is almost as described above. It can be seen that she is happy for Mikhail's success from the bottom of her heart. While saying these things, she seems to be asking why Mikhail rarely participates in various salons and parties, so that many people are now very familiar with Mikhail's name but have never met him.

Mikhail can only say to keep a low profile. It is better for people to keep a low profile.
But no matter what, Mikhail will probably have to be active next. After all, meeting and interacting with more people may be helpful for their future careers.

Back to the topic, Mikhail spent a lot of time on the road, so when he arrived at Panaev's house, almost everyone else was already in place.

Seeing Mikhail's arrival, everyone who had recently seen a certain craze and heard some news also looked over at this moment and said with a smile:
"Look! Here comes our rich man! I've heard it said that the Petersburg Anthology will be sold out as soon as it appears in a bookstore or a cafe! There won't be a single copy left! Now everyone is proud to have a copy of the Petersburg Anthology."

"Mikhail, how many copies did you and Nikolay print? At first, I thought we wouldn't even be able to sell 500 copies. Now it seems I was completely wrong! Mikhail, you're right! I should have trusted your judgment!"

"Look, I told you Mikhail and Nikolay's business would be a success!"

"Sergey, you were the loudest in the opposition! Look, Ochumelov from our group has appeared!"

"It is said that the collector's edition has not yet been released. How much money must it cost? I guess Mikhail and Nikolay won't have to worry about money for a long time." Hearing these voices, Nekrasov, who was already sitting in his seat, smiled and looked in a certain direction from time to time. As for Mikhail, he waved his hand calmly, and sat down with a smile amid the exclamations of the crowd.

For him, the success of this matter was almost expected, but for others present, Mikhail's success was simply a miracle.

After all, who would dare to take out all their belongings, or even take on a huge debt, to do something so uncertain when they were relying on royalties to make a living? The most important thing is that he succeeded!
Now when people in the circle talk about Mikhail, they are not only talking about his moving novels and poems, but also about his sharp vision and amazing mind!

After Mikhail sat down, he looked at Nekrasov and asked about the recent sales of the collection.

Nekrasov has always been responsible for this aspect, and Nekrasov responded excitedly:

"We've already sold over 3,000 copies! We estimate that our collection will be sold out by next week at the latest! By then, we'll almost be able to release a collector's edition. Mikhail, our collection is an unprecedented success; there's no other example like it before us!"

"Yeah, we have to find some time to celebrate."

After laughing with Nekrasov for a long time, Mikhail continued to ask: "So when will the money come?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, the first installment of money should have arrived. What's the matter? Do you need it urgently? Then I'll give it to you as soon as the money reaches my hands."

"I'm not in a hurry, but perhaps I should give dear Vissarion some money first."

After saying this with a smile, Mikhail looked at Belinsky who was talking to someone not far away.

Speaking of the novel "Cowardice", Belinsky could be said to have empathized with the girl and was excited for a long time because of the novel. After all, his situation might be even worse than that of the girl in the story.

It was because Kraevsky often treated Belinsky like a beast of burden. He took advantage of Belinsky's enthusiasm for work and, in addition to important books, sent him some booklets such as literacy textbooks and children's grammar, all of which he asked him to comment on.

When the intensity was at its highest, Belinsky would write for sixteen hours a day, and his hands were almost swollen from writing.

But after Belinsky realized this exploitation, he could only endure it temporarily because of his marriage and his wife's pregnancy.

However, after reading the novel "Cowardice", Belinsky was excited, but also deeply reflected on his own weaknesses, and perhaps he will take some action next.

But before he could act, Mikhail had already walked towards him. As if sensing something, Belinsky leaned over to look, and then saw Mikhail walking towards him as if wrapped in sunlight.

After the conversations at the first two gatherings, Belinsky had basically understood what Mikhail was going to do next. However, perhaps because the final sales and profits of the collection had not yet come out, the few of them had not yet completely clarified this matter.

But now.
Belinsky's heart began to beat uncontrollably, so much so that he could not move or do anything.

And perhaps he didn't need to do anything. Mikhail walked straight over, immediately stretched out his hand, and said bluntly:
"Dear Vissarion, let us begin the work of publishing a new magazine. We all hope that you will be the editor-in-chief. You are absolutely indispensable to this matter. And as we said before, eight thousand rubles a year, not a penny less."

"What else can I say?"

Trembling, Belinsky shook Mikhail's hand and said, "For our common cause."

(End of this chapter)