The literary era since 1979

Chapter 232 The Landlord Has No Surplus Food
One afternoon, Fang Yan, accompanied by the curator and others, visited some of the 9046 paintings in the Foreign Guest Services Department's inventory.

"Teacher Fang, you have to think it over carefully."

The curator said seriously, "This is not a small amount. It's not 10,000 or 20,000 yuan, but more than 200,000 yuan!"

"Just like you guys can't bear to let these calligraphy and paintings spread overseas, I can't bear to do that either."

Fangyan acted as if “If I don’t go to hell, who will?” After all, such opportunities to “go to hell” are rare.

Even if it means losing everything, I have to raise the money!

Stud is a kind of wisdom!
"..."

The curator and others looked at each other in confusion, feeling very emotional.

Fangyan said with embarrassment: "But you have to give me some time to raise the money. After all, this is a large sum of money."

"Understand, we can totally understand."

The curator nodded and said that there were procedures to follow in order to disband the Foreign Guest Service Department, and that it would take at least until the beginning of next year to complete all the procedures.

In addition, counting and organizing these more than 9000 paintings requires comparing them with the ledgers, which will take a long time.

A rough calculation shows that we have five months to raise the money.

"That would be great."

Fangyan opened his briefcase and prepared to pay part of the deposit first.

Stacks of big unity fell on the table, as if hitting the hearts of everyone present. Such a scene was so visually impactful!

The curator and others were very happy to see the economic strength of the dialect.

However, the state-owned unit could not accept his practice of paying a deposit. It required the money and goods to be delivered at the same time, and the money and goods must be settled.

"OK then."

Fang Yan sighed: "But if these foreign businessmen knew about this news..."

"Teacher Fang, don't worry!"

The curator assured him solemnly: "Even if they want to buy it, we will give priority to you."

"Thank you, Director!"

Fangyan shook hands with him.

"No way, we should thank Teacher Fang."

The curator said, "It's better to give these paintings to you than to those foreign merchants."

"I'm going to find a way to raise the money now."

Fangyan was thinking in his mind.

The average price of each painting is 24 yuan, and the total cost is 21.7 yuan.

If you add up the royalties from "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong" and the screenwriter fees from "The Garland under the Mountain", it would be just a drop in the bucket.

However, the reason why he dared to make such a bold statement and take over the whole thing was because of the book "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" published in Japan.

The sales of the novel were disappointing, with only 1.51 copies sold at a price of 600 yen per copy.

The first print run of 1 copies of Yuhikaku was sold out within two months, and was then reprinted three times, each time with 2 copies.

Although only more than 4200 individual readers bought the single volume, fortunately most of them were purchased and consumed within the postal system.

There is still some distance before Lord Yufei can reprint it.

It is estimated that the novel will have to wait until the movie "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" is released in Japan and becomes well-known before it can help to open up the market.

But no matter what, the royalties have to be paid based on the total printing volume of 1.6 copies. Fangyan has received about 11 foreign exchange coupons in total, all after tax.

According to the exchange rate of "1:1.3" on the black market, it can be exchanged for 14.3 RMB.

Adding the remaining royalties from before, there is still a shortfall of 21.7 to to reach .

With General Fang's connections, he could easily borrow the money.

But why borrow money unless it's absolutely necessary?

………………

After walking out of the warehouse with the curator and others, Fangyan met up with Han Yuemin and others who had been waiting for a long time. He saw that Mike had already picked out gifts for his family and took out a stack of foreign exchange coupons from his bag.

The money has been counted, the change has been made, the invoice has been issued, the handicrafts have been packed and sorted, and the payment has been completed.

The curator and others enthusiastically escorted Fangyan and his friends out of the History Museum, and stood at the door, waving goodbye.

Han Yuemin was completely confused, as if he was still in a dream and had not woken up yet, especially when he heard the decision made by Fangyan.

"Yanzi, are you really going to spend so much money to buy paintings?" "Brother-in-law, what do you think?"

"But...but..."

Han Yuemin felt it was not worth it.

With so much money, you can do a lot of more meaningful things. Not to mention the distant future, if you have this huge sum of money, you can buy a bunch of sock knitting machines and open a sock factory directly.

And my brother-in-law actually spent so much money on seemingly worthless calligraphy and paintings. It was such a huge waste!
"Brother-in-law, have you ever heard of the saying, 'Gold in troubled times, antiques in prosperous times'?"

Fang Yan smiled and said, "These calligraphy and paintings have great potential for appreciation. What I am doing is equivalent to investing in the future."

“Investing in the future?”

Han Yuemin blinked and figured out what was going on.

Fang Yan smiled and said, "Gold will always shine."

Han Yuemin said doubtfully, "But this amount is too large. Can you really afford it?"

"Indeed, I can't afford that much for now."

Fangyan spread his hands, already having an idea in mind.

"If I hadn't used the money to buy a stocking machine, I could have lent you the whole thing."

"You should keep this money for business. Let the chicken lay eggs, and the eggs will hatch chickens. When the time comes, I will count on you to help me out."

"Needless to say, we're on our own!"

Han Yuemin patted his chest.

Fangyan shook his head and laughed. After buying more than 9000 paintings, he felt like he was back to the time before liberation overnight, with no food left.

"Teacher Fang, do you really need money?"

Mike looked left and right, "How much do you want? If it's not much, I can lend it to you."

Fangyan said: "No need to borrow money, but I need you to do me a favor."

"You say."

"Can you lend me your materials? I'm planning to write a military novel about World War II."

"what?!"

Mike was surprised at first, then overjoyed, "Wow, of course no problem, just take it and use it."

As Fangyan walked toward the motorcycle, he said, "After I finish writing, I hope this novel can be published in the United States."

Mike couldn't help but understand: "You want me to help you find a publishing company willing to publish it, right?"

"Yes, help me find a suitable publishing house."

Fangyan got on the motorcycle and asked, "Are there any difficulties?"

"It depends mainly on the quality of the novel, but with your level, I believe there won't be any problem."

Mike listed many famous publishing companies like Random House and Penguin, but he recommended Random House the most because he planned to ask Random House to publish "Blood and Sand".

"I'll leave this to you. I'm at ease with you doing the job."

Fangyan patted his shoulder.

"Teacher Fang, can I ask you one more question? How are you going to write it?" Mike tied the box of handicrafts to the rear rack of the motorcycle with a rope.

Dialect said bluntly: "I intend to model it on the memoirs of Fritz Niland."

"Is that the one who returned home under the 'single survivor policy'?"

Mike couldn't help being surprised.

"it's him!"

Fangyan gave a meaningful smile.

Mike collected a lot of information, which was very complete.

Faced with so much material about the 101st Airborne Division, I actually had two choices, one of which was "Saving Private Ryan".

Another one is "Band of Brothers".

But the materials Mike had on hand were not enough to write the entire story of "Band of Brothers" because key information was missing.

Once you think of this, make a decision.

Originally, I had no plan to write "Saving Private Ryan", but now I have, for those more than 9000 pieces of calligraphy and paintings!

Now, even the donkey in the production team didn't dare to rest!
(End of this chapter)