The literary era since 1979

As the sun sets, its afterglow shines on Yulang International Company.

Ma Rongcheng hung up the phone, walked out of the office, and ran into his assistant, Cui Xingzhong.

"Boss Huang is urging us again."

Cui Xingzhong said that the company wanted to discuss the contract renewal with him in advance.

"My contract doesn't expire until next year, there's still more than a year left, is there any need to rush it?"

Ma Rongcheng frowned.

Cui Xingzhong pulled him back to the office and closed the door before he dared to reveal that the company's stock price had been halved and morale was low due to the impact of last year's global stock market crash. If at this time, the good news of "Ma Rongcheng, the pillar, successfully renewed his contract" could be announced to the public, it would be enough to boost morale both internally and externally. Although it cannot be said that it will definitely boost the stock price, it can at least stop the current decline in the stock price.

"But I don't want to renew the contract too early."

Ma Rongcheng said seriously, "Let me think about it carefully."

Cui Xingzhong lowered his voice and said, "Tell me the truth, was that strange phone call from another comic publisher?"

Ma Rongcheng glanced and said nothing.

"Why are you hiding this from me? We are in the same boat. If you want to change jobs, I will follow you. If you want to work alone, I will follow you without hesitation. But there is only one thing. Before you do anything, you have to tell me in advance."

Cui Xingzhong whispered, "Huang Yulang is not a good person."

"I haven't thought about it yet."

Ma Rongcheng said that he was going to meet the person who called tonight, and he also asked Cui Xingzhong to go with him.

"Okay! I may not be as good as you at drawing comics, but I am better than you when it comes to negotiating."

Cui Xingzhong readily agreed, "You haven't asked who called you just now?"

………………

The two showed up at the agreed hotel on time and, under the guidance of the waiter, came to the door of a private room.

"Dong dong."

There was a knock on the door and a voice saying "Come in" came from inside the house.

Cui Xingzhong and Ma Rongcheng pushed the door open and saw Fang Yan and Pan Yaoming's faces. They were so shocked that they didn't know what to do.

"Mr. Fang...Mr. Fang?!"

"It's coming!"

Pan Yaoming burst into laughter, and hurriedly asked the two to sit down, and then introduced them to each other as the host.

"I didn't expect Mr. Fang to come. I thought it was just Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan of Sanlian Bookstore who invited me to dinner..."

Ma Rongcheng then realized that this dinner party was actually specially arranged by Fangyan.

Cui Xingzhong said, "Since Mr. Fang and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan invited us to dinner, it must be more than just a meal and drinks. There must be something going on. If you have anything to say, just tell us. We will definitely help where we can, and you will definitely understand our difficulties if we can't help."

"If you're quick, then we'll speak frankly."

Following Fang Yan's hint, Pan Yaoming said bluntly, "I am not inviting you to dinner in the name of Sanlian Bookstore this time, but as a consultant for Mr. Fang's publishing company. While inviting you to dinner, I would like to discuss a cooperation with you."

Cui Xingzhong and Ma Rongcheng looked at each other, vaguely guessing the content of the cooperation.

"Our publishing company's business is not only focused on novels and magazines, we are also preparing to work hard in the comics field." Fang Yan said, "We have already secured the distribution rights for a large number of Japanese comics in Hong Kong. Of course, we also hope to recruit a group of excellent painters and cartoonists from Hong Kong to publish Hong Kong comics that will be loved by the majority of Hong Kong readers. I wonder if you two are willing to join us?"

"Mr. Fang and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan should all know that we are from Yulang International Company."

Cui Xingzhong remained calm.

Pan Yaoming smiled and said, "Of course we know that. We also know that Rong Cheng, as the pillar of Huang Yulang's company, will have more than a year before his contract expires. By that time, what you two do next will be a crucial decision."

"This...this..."

Ma Rongchen looked embarrassed and extremely conflicted.

The reason why he hadn't made a decision yet was because Huang Yulang was once his mentor and friend, and they were as close as brothers...

"Don't rush to answer. Why don't you listen to the conditions we offer?"

Fangyan picked up the bottle and poured wine for the two of them himself.

Ma Rongcheng was startled, and then he heard the offered salary from Pan Yaoming. Not only did he increase his original annual salary by 100 million Hong Kong dollars to 700 million Hong Kong dollars, but he was also willing to give a 5% dividend of the publishing company's shares and an additional 3% equity incentive.

"In addition, we would like to hire you as the company's vice president, in charge of the entire comic publishing department."

Seeing their excited expressions, Fangyan smiled.

"Mr. Fang, I only know how to draw comics. I have never had any experience in managing a department."

Ma Rongcheng's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you really confident in handing over the entire comic book publishing department to us?"

"I have always believed in the saying, 'If you pay enough, even non-talents will become talented'. If you don't have experience, then you can gain experience through training!"

Fang Yan said, "Besides, we have Assistant Cui. He is here to help you manage the comics department."

Pan Yaoming added: "Yes, we believe that you have the potential, ability and strength to run the comics business well."

Ma Rongcheng's heart was pounding. "Mr. Fang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan, you are really too kind..."

"Don't be so self-deprecating. You are the best comic artist in Hong Kong right now."

There was a hint of temptation in his tone, "Have you never thought about running a comics department or even a publishing house yourself?"

Ma Rongchen did have the idea of ​​going it alone, but when his real intention was brought to his attention, he suddenly fell silent, his mind working frantically as he weighed the pros and cons.

Pan Yaoming added fuel to the fire: "Although you are the highest-paid cartoonist in Huang Yulang's company, you don't have much say in creation and management. Under Huang Yulang's management system, the producer is the one who manages the entire cartoon team, including the leader of cartoon creation."

"May I ask what you two think of this supervisory management system?"

Ma Rongcheng stared at them straight.

“It’s a system that puts the cart before the horse.”

Fangyan said seriously. "Why do you think so?"

Ma Rongcheng's eyes suddenly lit up.

"A good system is indeed more effective and correct in managing comic creation. Comic drawing is a teamwork job. However, compared to a supervisor, a good editor can produce good comics, and then these good comics will have good sales."

Fang Yan said: "So the focus of a comic book should be on the main writer. We can't just follow the producer's wishes just because he likes to create something. If we do that, the main writer won't be able to give full play to his or her abilities. It should be the other way around. The producer should assist and cooperate with the main writer's creation."

"Yes! You are absolutely right!"

Ma Rongcheng felt as if every word touched his heart.

Cui Xingzhong was extremely surprised. He didn't expect Fang Yan to be so familiar with the management system of Yulang International Company.

"If we didn't know you, how could we invite you to join us when we first met?"

Pan Yaoming picked up a piece of steamed lobster.

Fang Yan said seriously, "Huang Yulang's starting point for corporatization of comics is wrong. He shouldn't restrict the freedom of the main writers, forcing them to just draw and not ask too many questions about the plot, publishing, etc. I think the Japanese comics industry has done a great job in this regard."

"That's right. The biggest failure of the company is that it uses the form of producer to manage the comics team!"

Ma Rongcheng slammed the table to vent his dissatisfaction. The reason why Huang Yulang wanted to set up a producer was to find ways to prevent the staff of the comics department from jumping ship, getting a raise, and playing tricks. He was called a producer, but was actually a supervisor. Not only was he of no help in the creation, but he became a stumbling block.

Pan Yaoming couldn't help but joked: "It seems that you have long been dissatisfied with this supervision system."

Seeing that his true identity had been revealed, Ma Rongchen simply admitted it openly.

"In fact, it is precisely because of the monopoly of Yulang International and the supervisory system that Hong Kong comics have stagnated. For so many years, the works have continued the narrative formula and aesthetic painting techniques of comics such as "Dragon Tiger Gate" and "Bruce Lee."

The dialect directly expresses the popular formula of Hong Kong comics in the 70s, which is the unchanging martial arts theme, and the protagonist has thick eyebrows and big eyes, exaggerated muscles, an immortal heroic halo and various bizarre adventures. However, more than 10 years have passed, and it is still the same path.

Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong nodded repeatedly, sharing the same sentiment.

"Compared to the stagnation of Hong Kong comics, Japanese comics are developing rapidly, and comics expression techniques have been constantly absorbing new things."

Fangyan raised his first finger: "Take Dragon Ball for example. Akira Toriyama's action storyboards are like a textbook in the industry, far surpassing the composition of fighting comics such as Fist of the North Star and Saint Seiya."

Then he held up a second finger, "Let's talk about the story. The basic formula of 'a lot of martial arts, a lot of training sequences, and a small amount of jokes' has become a model for other fighting comics to learn from. It is called 'hot-blooded and kingly' comics."

"Mr. Fang, to be honest, one of the reasons why I dislike this supervisor system is that those supervisors are against me making any innovative moves. They are worried that if I fail, my reputation will be damaged, so they always ask me to draw "Chinese Heroes"."

Ma Rongcheng sighed: "To be honest, I'm tired of drawing "Chinese Heroes". I want to draw some different themes and stories."

"Snapped!"

Pan Yaoming clapped his hands, "Since you said so, you should cooperate with us."

Fangyan said seriously that his publishing company is different from Huang Yulang's company. It does not have the so-called producer-led system. Instead, it draws on the Japanese comic publishers such as Shueisha. In addition to discovering potential newcomers, the editors also cultivate and assist the cartoonists who serve as chief writers.

"Of course, this is for the lead writer who has the ability to create stories."

"For those painters who are excellent at drawing but cannot tell stories, the company will also sign them depending on the situation."

"We will form a professional writing team, led by Brother Yaoming and I, and work closely with the painters to create comics."

"You two are personally in charge?!"

Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong looked at each other in shock.

"You definitely don't know..."

Pan Yaoming deliberately revealed that Fang Yan invested in a company called "Dengeki Bunko" in Japan, which mainly deals in two-dimensional comics, light novels and animations. Not long ago, he even wrote a script about urban romance for Dengeki Bunko himself for comic creation.

"Sigh~"

Ma Rongcheng took a breath and said, "Then, if Mr. Fang takes charge, I wonder what kind of story he will provide?"

"The current Hong Kong comics market is mostly dominated by martial arts and comedy, and has long been saturated. If we want to break the monopoly of Wong Yuk-long, we must open up new markets or new genres. The first ones are naturally the suspense mystery and feng shui tomb-robbing themes that I started."

Fangyan looked around and said, "Secondly, I plan to break away from the shackles of traditional martial arts and create works related to 'fantasy and cultivation'."

Pan Yaoming immediately became excited. The thing he had been waiting for so long had finally come.

However, Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong looked confused. The concept of "cultivation" was not difficult to understand. After all, even if they had not read "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" by Huanzhu Louzhu, they had seen "The New Sword and Fairy" directed by Xu Ke. But this was the first time they had heard the word "fantasy".

Fangyan gave Pan Yaoming a look, and Pan Yaoming immediately understood. He cleared his throat and began to introduce "Fantasy Cultivation" in a torrent of words.

Ma Rongcheng was struck by lightning, as if the door to a new world had opened.

It turns out that above martial arts there is "higher martial arts", "fantasy", and "cultivation"!

"Your "Chinese Hero" is somewhere between 'low martial arts' and 'high martial arts', and has not yet entered the level of 'fantasy'."

Pan Yaoming took a sip of wine.

Ma Rongcheng asked Xiang Fangyan impatiently if he already had any stories or ideas about the theme of "fantasy cultivation"?

Fang Yan held up three fingers and said, "I currently have three swords here."

The three people present had gleaming eyes and couldn't wait to know what the "three swords" meant.

"This first sword is called "Legend of Sword and Fairy". As the name suggests, it is a theme of cultivation."

"The second sword is called "Gu Jian Qi Tan", which is a fictional fantasy theme with the prosperous Tang Dynasty as the background of the story."

"As for the third sword, it's called Xuanyuan Sword. It contains both fantasy elements and a Xianxia background."

Fangyan smiled brightly. Any one of these three swords would be enough to be serialized in a magazine for ten or eight years, let alone all three swords at the same time.

Ma Rongcheng's eyes were burning, "Mr. Fang, I wonder what stories these three swords tell!"

“This is a trade secret.”

Fang Yan said playfully: "Only if you two become real family members can I continue to talk. Otherwise, I have nothing to say."

When Pan Yaoming saw the expressions of Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong, he could tell that they were already tempted. With a few more fuel, the deal would be done.

Fang Yan smiled but said nothing. If he had to choose one of the three swords as the first work of the magazine, he would probably choose "Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky". (End of this chapter)