Chapter 56: Meeting with Kraevsky

Since that gathering, Mikhail had not participated in many social activities for two or three days, mainly accompanying his mother and sister, taking them to buy things in Saint Petersburg that they could not see back home.

In these times, no matter where you went, things were much the same, but Saint Petersburg was at least under the Tsar's feet, the foremost city; besides the noble lords being quite authentic, there were also some other quite authentic specialties.

Although Mikhail had given his mother and sister some money, they simply could not bear to spend it, and seemed frightened by the prices in Saint Petersburg; during the days they stayed at the inn, they hardly went out at all.

For this, Mikhail could only sigh that he was still not rich enough, but when his mother and sister came next time, the situation should be very different.

Anyway, since his mother and sister could not bear to spend, Mikhail naturally had to take the initiative to take them to buy some things.

So when the third or fourth day came, Mikhail touched his stomach, thought again about the time the Panayev family regularly held activities, then smiled slightly and happily headed for the Panayev home.

By the time he arrived, Belinsky, Nekrasov, Turgenev, and some other members of the group were already there, chatting while playing cards.

The moment they saw Mikhail, everyone stopped their hand movements; among them, Turgenev's reaction was the most exaggerated; he stood up directly, spread his arms, and said with his mouth open:

"Look who's here? Our newly risen great poet of Saint Petersburg, Mikhail! Do you know? Whenever I attend any gathering these past two days, I always hear someone reciting your poem; honestly, my ears are about to callus. Mikhail, this is all your fault!"

"Yes." Another young man in the group who often mingled at various gatherings also exclaimed: "Almost every Young Lady I have seen has been moved by your poem; what a wonderful piece! Mikhail, you are already talented enough in novels, I didn't expect poetry to be so as well!

You should give up novels to write poetry! Perhaps you could become the second Pushkin!"

"No, no, no, Maxim, you are wrong to say that!"

Although he had already heard Mikhail's poem from others and was indeed moved by it, upon hearing such words, Belinsky even put down the cards in his hand, shaking his head repeatedly while hurriedly saying:

"Writing poetry is certainly good, but Mikhail's novels contain something very scarce, which is what our Russia needs even more now! And who says he cannot write both poetry and novels?"

"Hmm? Which poem is it? How have I not heard of it yet? Can someone recite it for me to hear?"

"Old friend, that means you probably haven't attended any gatherings these past two days. As for reciting it to you, forget it! I only want to recite it to those lovely Young Ladies!"

Before Mikhail could open his mouth to speak, they had already turned into a chaotic mess; seeing this, Mikhail could only helplessly shake his head, then quietly came to the card table; after their voices gradually quieted down, Mikhail calmly opened his mouth and said:

"It's just a poem, nothing to make a fuss about. Let's play cards!"

"Come on, Mikhail!" Hearing this, Belinsky was frightened and quickly stood up: "My manuscript fees for this month are already running out; if I play with you for a while longer, I won't even be able to enter my own door when I go home tonight!"

Belinsky retreated, but the others still had some money and did not care about losing these trifles, so they followed Mikhail and started the card-playing session.

Although Turgenev was also a pauper now, because he was quite good at running up credit, he surprisingly did not leave the card table at this moment; while playing cards, he could not help but continue asking:

"Mikhail, why haven't you gone out to walk around more these past two days? I believe you would be very welcome among those ladies and Young Ladies; what a good opportunity!"

"Ivan, I must accompany my mother and sister." Mikhail shook his head and replied: "It is not easy for us to gather together; as for those Mr. s and ladies, we should deal with them later."

"Alright."

Slightly surprised again by Mikhail's composure, Turgenev was also somewhat envious of Mikhail's family; just before he could say anything more, Mikhail suddenly played the cards in his hand and then said: "Alright, I won. Let's continue with the next round."

Turgenev: "?"

What happened?

"Look, I knew it." Belinsky, observing from the side, sighed and at the same time thought of something, so he looked at Mikhail and said:

"By the way, Mikhail, that General's evaluation of you seems very good; even when drunk, he said this: Gentlemen, a very handsome young man, writes poetry well; although I don't quite understand his novels, they must surely have their unique merits. It's a pity his family background is too poor; I racked my brains and still couldn't figure out which family bears the surname Raskolnikov!

That's the only thing that doesn't work! Everything else is fine."

Regarding this General's habits, Mikhail had also heard; roughly, after every guest at his house left, he would comment on them.

Belinsky had also been commented on by this General, roughly: "You see, gentlemen, this is my situation. This shameless braggart, this rude-mannered..."

Let's say no more, poor Belinsky.

Anyway, after hearing this, Belinsky never wanted to go to his house again, but for some reason the General still extended a warm invitation.

After conveying a bit of gossip heard from others, Belinsky thought for a moment and continued: "By the way, Mikhail, do you have the idea of publishing this poem? Currently, it has not appeared in any magazine. If you have this idea, perhaps you can go with me to meet Mr. Kraevsky.

He has wanted to see you for some time, but it seems he has been waiting for you to visit him.

Oh God, I also have to mention my manuscript fees to him; you know how much I really don't want to deal with him. Why can't he just give me the manuscript fees directly, but often make me go ask him for it?"

Although his face showed some pain, Belinsky, as a man in his thirties who had just recently married, naturally had his own difficulties; expenses had already increased, and if he lost his job, it would really be too hard.

Of course, Belinsky had great influence in the critical world, but due to his temperament and some other reasons, he did not quite know how to monetize, and indeed needed someone to help him.

But before that, let's accompany Belinsky to meet this Mr. Kraevsky.

Perhaps we can also talk about raising manuscript fees.

So Mikhail nodded and said: "Good, dear Vissarion, I will go with you; let's keep each other company."

"That would be even better; with you there, I can at least breathe a little easier!"

Thank you all! Today I once climbed to second place on the new book chart; although the time was short, this is too exciting for a newcomer (fly rubbing hands).

Storing drafts, storing drafts; there will definitely be more updates later.

Thank you again to the big shots "Patrick Star Mobile Game", "Jian Er", "Wang Fu", "Book Friend 20181107123556783", "Good Drinking Little Orange", "Wonderful Explorer", "Shan Hai Feiyu", "Book Friend 20210405225212524", and "Really Don't Know What Name to Pick" for their donations; very grateful!

Thank you again for everyone's monthly tickets and support; I will continue to work hard (heart hands).

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(End of Chapter)