Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 39: Fermentation

1995.

Because of the "Information Superhighway Initiative" proposed by the United States government and the wealth myth created by the Netscape Company’s IPO.

Any topic related to the internet drew intense attention from the public.

Not to mention the incident involving online infringement of literary works reported by the New York Times, which had a relatively high degree of credibility.

Suddenly, all kinds of media outlets were following up with their reporting, intentionally or unintentionally ignoring the issues of major websites like Cadabra and Yahoo.

Instead, they chose a small site without a strong background, wangwen.com, as a negative example and initiated a verbal and written attack.

At this moment, Wang Jian, Tom, and Jack Dorsey were looking at the newspaper with bowed heads, then they raised their heads to check the website’s backend data statistics.

The three men looked at each other, baffled.

The real-time visitor count of the website had already surpassed that of some medium-sized websites and was still increasing rapidly.

Besides the comments "resist piracy" and "infringement is shameful" on user messages,

The majority of comments were: Is this "Arcane Throne"? It’s actually pretty good.

And below that, mother-fucker, what’s next?

US Dollars is a rip-off, but I still want to see it. Oh well, I’ll go buy a copy...

Just as Wang Jian and the other two didn’t know what to do, sitting in front of the computer,

The telephone suddenly rang.

Wang Jian answered the call, and on the line was the editor responsible for the publication of "Arcane Throne" at Random House.

"Congratulations, Mr. Wang," a pleasant baritone voice reached Wang Jian’s ears, "The first volume of ’Arcane Throne’ has sold another twenty thousand copies today, and the popularity has rebounded noticeably."

"Even conservative areas like Texas have bookstores sending in restocking requests."

"This is an achievement difficult to achieve for minority authors!"

Wang Jian thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you think this has to do with the online infringement reported in the news?"

"Of course." The editor on the other end said excitedly, "I don’t know which guy thought of pirating online and only pirated half of it. He’s really adorable!"

Wang Jian was just about to admit that he was the adorable guy when the person on the other end apologized and hung up the phone.

The last thing he heard through the phone was: "Thirteen bookstores in North Carolina are rushing ’Arcane Throne’—thirty thousand copies!"

By the time Wang Jian, somewhat absentminded, put down the phone, he saw Tom and Dorsey looking over.

Wang Jian was about to speak when he heard footsteps outside the door.

The takeaway must have arrived.

He took out a US Dollar bill and handed it to Tom, indicating that he would treat them to this meal.

Then, he sat on the sofa, prepared to eat and talk later.

But just as Tom opened the door,

He saw several people with cameras and microphones standing at the doorway, filming inside.

While they were filming, they also said into the microphone, "This is the IP address of the piracy website drawing nationwide attention—wangwen.com."

"We pinpointed this location using technical means, even before the FBI arrived." Then the reporter gestured to the camera to film Wang Jian and the others, saying, "Let’s take a look at the founders of this piracy website."

Wang Jian and Dorsey had not yet reacted.

But Tom quickly stood in front of the camera and scolded loudly, "You are committing an illegal act."

"Don’t use the tactics for dealing with celebrities on us!"

"Journalistic freedom!" the reporter said loudly, "Moreover, you’re engaging in online piracy, and you dare talk about illegal behavior?"

Wang Jian finally reacted.

This was the treatment of top stars.

While grumbling to himself, he took out his social security card, the manuscript of "Arcane Throne," and the publication contract with Random House.

Then he took a breath, stood up, and walked toward the door.

He had to clear this up, otherwise he would become labeled as a pirate for no good reason.

Seeing someone approaching, the reporters instinctively pointed their cameras at Wang Jian.

The host even leaned the microphone forward, almost stepping inside the door.

Wang Jian, looking at the camera, said into the microphone, "I own wangwen.com, but we are not pirates."

"Don’t you think publishing literary works online is a piratical act?" the reporter looked excited, hoping for a big scoop, and asked with anticipation.

"Of course it’s not a piratical act," Wang Jian paused, then continued, "as long as you have the author’s permission."

"You have the author’s permission?" The reporter became genuinely curious.

Which author would authorize the online distribution of their hot-selling work?

Isn’t that like turning their back on money?

"Of course," Wang Jian calmly said, "because I am the author himself!"

"Here’s my social security card, with the SSN xxx, which can prove my identity."

"This is the original manuscript of ’Arcane Throne,’ and this is the publishing contract with Random House for ’Arcane Throne.’" Wang Jian showed them the evidence one by one, continuing, "And here I am, in the place where you claim the founder of a so-called piracy website would be."

"I think this should clarify many issues."

The reporter was getting ready to ask more questions.

But Wang Jian had already signaled to Tom to close the door, shutting the reporters out.

As Wang Jian and Tom sat back on the sofa, they and Dorsey first were silent, then slowly started to laugh.

This incident had put a lot of pressure on the three of them.

Now, they could finally explain the situation clearly.

Outside, after hearing Wang Jian’s words, the reporters were at first stunned.

Then, excitement began to spread across their faces.

Even more so than when they first found the location.

Because reporting about a piracy operator isn’t as shocking as revealing a mistake in a New York Times report.

Especially since their respective media groups have long coveted the credibility that the New York Times possesses.

As for the fact that their media had also followed up with reporting on the piracy website previously?

Haha, does that matter?

Their journalistic ethics told them: not at all!

So, the reporters left in a hurry, not even bothering to greet each other.

They were preparing to submit today’s news to their media seniors as quickly as possible.

Then, they might potentially become representatives in the journalistic fight against authority.

Just like the predecessors who reported on the "Watergate scandal."

While the various media conglomerates, upon receiving news of their competitor New York Times’ reporting error,

Immediately removed topics about "online piracy" from the inconspicuous corners of their newspapers.

Then, they placed the photos of Wang Jian and the interview content on the front page.

The headline of the news also changed from "Where is the bottom line in the spirit of sharing on the internet?"

Into "Is there still a spirit of truth-seeking in journalism today? — On whether wangwen.com is a piracy website."

And the New York Times’ main competitor, News Group, had The Times, The Sun, News of the World, and New York Post all cover the story,

Eager for English-speaking countries around the world to know about their competitor’s reporting error as soon as possible.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by free(w)ebnovel(.)com