The literary era since 1979

June 4, afternoon.

The day before Fang Yan left Japan, he received a call from Pan Yaoming, so after arriving in Hong Kong, he rushed to the company without stopping.

Pan Yaoming immediately invited him to his office and said, "You, the hands-off boss, finally came back from Japan."

"Isn't this just to let you experience the feeling of being the boss?"

The dialect teased.

"Forget it. You don't know how busy I have been during these days when you were away." Pan Yaoming complained that he had been running between Sanlian Bookstore, publishing companies, distributors, etc. all day long and almost broke his legs.

"I remember the company gave you a Mercedes-Benz, right?"

Fangyan said something out of the blue.

"hey-hey."

Pan Yaoming stopped joking with him and took out a novel and a magazine from the drawer.

After Fangyan took it, he looked carefully and saw the words "Broken Void" clearly written on the cover of the novel.

"This is the sales of Shattered Void in the past few days. I asked someone to put them all on this table."

Pan Yaoming then handed over a sales statistics sheet.

Fangyan took a quick glance and saw sales records for Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Wan Chai, Tsuen Wan and other places.

"The first print run was 1500 copies, and about a third of them have been sold so far. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It's barely passing."

Pan Yaoming poured hot tea for them.

"The passing score is exactly what we expected Huang Yi to be."

Fang Yan said: "'Broken Void' is his first martial arts novel and also his trial work. I hope that as long as he is given enough time to develop, he will be able to make great achievements and write high-level martial arts novels, or even fantasy novels."

"I hope so."

Pan Yaoming revealed that after listening to the general plot of "Xuan-Yuan Sword", Huang Zuqi suddenly had an idea and decided to write a fantasy novel.

"Did he tell you what the story would be like?"

Dialects are very curious.

"It seems to be the same as your "Xuan-Yuan Sword", which is also set in the late Sui and early Tang dynasties. However, you are trying to restore the country and search for treasures, while he is trying to compete for the Central Plains and dominate the world." Pan Yaoming revealed everything.

Good guy!
Really good guy!

Fangyan raised his eyebrows. He didn't expect that Huang Yi would draw inspiration from "Xuan-Yuan Sword" and come up with the plot of "The Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" in advance!

The corners of his mouth could not help but rise, "Lao Pan, where is he now?"

“I guess he is in seclusion in Lantau Island creating his works.”

Pan Yaoming said that after Huang Zuqi got the inspiration, he couldn't wait to write the outline of this fantasy story.

Fang Yan said: "Then wait until he is released from confinement, then ask him out, and we can sit down and chat together."

Pan Yaoming responded, "As for Shattered Void, I'll wait and see. If sales can reach half of the first print run in the next month or so, I'll consider printing an additional 500 copies, and I'll also discuss the possibility of publishing it in Taiwan with the publisher."

"That's it."

Fangyan then turned his attention to the magazine.

"This is the sample copy of Comic World. Take a look."

Pan Yaoming had a beaming face.

The dialect is not read from front to back, on the contrary, it is turned from back to front.

Just like there is a reader opinion survey form in every issue of the "Weekly Shonen Jump" comic magazine, Fangyan also deliberately borrowed this point when designing the magazine. In order to attract readers to give feedback to the editorial department, he even set up several small prizes.

The entire questionnaire will list the comic characters and stories published in the current issue of the magazine, and allow readers to choose their three favorites.

In addition, there are many small questions to investigate readers' specific preferences.

It is precisely because of this questionnaire that after receiving the readers' questionnaires, the editorial department will judge what each age group likes to read according to age groups. If any work is not liked, the serialization will be stopped immediately. If the work has more opinions, the editorial department will provide suggestions for revisions to the cartoonist. The editorial department will also select comics that are more suitable for publication in the magazine based on the public's tastes.

Take "The Prince of Tennis" for example. Originally, it was a passionate sports manga at the beginning, but because more and more readers gave feedback on the "Murderous Tennis" setting, and because it needed to improve its ranking in "Weekly Shonen Jump", it began to cater to the readers and be drawn more and more like "Murderous Tennis".

After turning this page, turn the pages forward and you will see, in order, reprinted and translated Japanese comics, original four-frame comedy comics, and the new work of Wen Rilian, who the company has just poached. It is titled "If I Were the Emperor," a work about the battle between gods and demons that incorporates Western religious elements.

"I discussed it with Cui Zai, Niu Lao and others, and finally decided to put Ghost Blows Out the Light on the front page."

Pan Yaoming explained: "As for "Xuan-Yuan Sword", it is placed third because of Chen Zai's work."

The dialect understands the intention very well, which is also what is called "tiger head", "pig belly" and "leopard tail" in typesetting.

After all, "Comic World" had just been launched. If it wanted to make a name for itself in the Hong Kong comics market, it had to make good use of the "Ghost Blows Out the Light" comics. This was a novel that was all the rage in Hong Kong and even in Asia. Such a traffic-generating artifact would naturally be placed in the "tiger head" position.

Even if the quality and level of subsequent comics are not satisfactory, "Ghost Blows Out the Light" can still generate good sales.

What's more, the place for the "pig's belly" is occupied by the "Xuan-Yuan Sword", which Fang Yan and Pan Yaoming consider to be no less excellent than "Ghost Blows Out the Light".

"As for publicity and promotion, I have already contacted TVB, Hong Kong Radio, Asia Television, Wen Wei Po and other media."

Pan Yaoming's tone was full of excitement, "Before and after the release of Manga World, they will definitely promote us well."

"That's not enough."

Fangyan's eyes flickered.

"not enough?!"

Pan Yaoming couldn't help but be shocked.

"not enough!"

Fang Yan said, "These arrangements are all to promote Comic World with a focus on Ghost Blows Out the Light. Once the comic magazine has been published for a while, and fantasy themes like Xuan-Yuan Sword gradually spread among readers, we will do a second round of promotion."

"What are you going to do?"

All Pan Yaoming could think of was to let TVB, ATV, Hong Kong Radio and other media promote "Xuan-Yuan Sword" again.

"Jin Yong, Cai Lan and the others have always wanted to treat me to a meal, haven't they?" Fang Yan said, "Then before the banquet, they have to show some sincerity, such as publishing a few reviews about "Xuan-Yuan Sword" and "fantasy themes" in Ming Pao. What do you think?"

"What a great idea!"

Pan Yaoming clapped his hands excitedly. Jin Yong was not only the owner of Ming Pao, but also a master of martial arts novels in Hong Kong. It was impossible for him to comment on Xuan-Yuan Sword, a fantasy comic derived from martial arts, under his own name without attracting the attention of the media and readers!

………………

The news that "Ghost Blows Out the Light" will soon be published in a comic version spread quickly in the streets of Hong Kong through the promotion of TVB, ATV, Hong Kong Radio and other media. More and more people know that the "Ghost Blows Out the Light" comic will be serialized in a newly launched "Comic World".

So, on the day when "Comic World" was officially released, a group of students called their friends and ran all the way to the bookstore.

"Liu Haonan, hurry up!"

At the urging of his friends, Liu Haonan used all his strength to run. But he was too weak to bear the pain. After all, in order to save enough money to buy Doraemon, Lodoss War and Comic World, he had not eaten breakfast these days and saved the money his mother gave him for meals. He barely managed to collect the money.

Among the students, Chen Fei was the first to run to the bookstore he frequently visited.

I saw a sign standing at the door with a promotional poster of "Comic World" on it.

Liu Haonan took a quick glance and was first attracted by the eye-catching "Ghost Blowing Out the Light" on the poster, but was soon attracted by "Xuan-Yuan Sword". The style of this comic was completely different from any Hong Kong comic he had read before, and instead had a feeling of a Taiwan comic.

"Wow, Xuan-Yuan Sword is Fang Sheng's new work!"

Chen Fei was surprised and happy, and reminded everyone.

Liu Haonan followed the direction his finger pointed and saw the words "Produced in dialect, must be a masterpiece" written beneath the promotional poster of "Xuan-Yuan Sword".

Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up, and they could no longer contain their excitement, and rushed into the bookstore.

However, I was immediately shocked by the scene before me.

The cashier counter was crowded with people, and everyone was talking at once. But if you listened carefully, they were all saying the same thing:

"Boss, give me a copy of Comic World!"

The boss's face changed, his expression twisted into a ball, with embarrassment, reluctance, and anxiety. He shouted loudly:
"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. There are only 7 copies of Manga World magazine left in the store."

As soon as the words fell, the crowd immediately burst into exclamations of "Ah" in unison, and then started scrambling for it.

A few of them were clamoring desperately to get the book, and no one would give in to anyone else. They even raised the price to buy one of the books.

Before I knew it, it had risen to 50 Hong Kong dollars!

The boss was also shocked. It was 50 yuan per copy, and the purchase price was only 20 Hong Kong dollars. He made a profit of 30 yuan in just one transaction!

However, instead of being happy, I felt extremely regretful. Why didn't I eat a little more in the first place?
After the last copy was bought at a high price, the customer left in disappointment and hurriedly called out:
"Wait a minute, everyone. Wait a minute. If you are willing to wait, you can register. We will notify you immediately when the goods are available."

"So when will the goods be available?"

Chen Fei, Liu Haonan and others were extremely depressed. Before they even started queuing, the "Comic World" magazine had already been sold out.

"Very soon, very soon, I will call the publisher to urge them to ship the goods, and I will definitely order more this time!"

The boss looked at the densely packed names on the list, there were more than thirty people, and that was just the number that was left.

Including those who did not leave their names, there are at least 50 people.

"Students, do you want to register?"

"Forget it, let's go look somewhere else first."

Chen Fei waved his hand, and as the leader of the small group, he called Liu Haonan and others and hurriedly left the bookstore.

"Boss, I haven't bought Doraemon and The Record of Lodoss War yet!"

Liu Haonan hesitated.

"Why buy Doraemon? You can buy comics anytime. The most important thing now is to grab the Comic World!"

Fade Chen patted him on the back of his head and said, "Didn't you see so many people scrambling for a copy just now?"

Everyone agreed and prepared to go to the nearby newspaper stands and bookstores that they frequently visited, vowing to grab at least one magazine.

Immediately, a crowd of people rushed around and visited every place nearby that might sell "Comic World", but without exception, all the copies were sold out. As soon as they entered the store, they ran into the boss who was making a phone call to urge the publisher to ship the goods, and each order was for hundreds of copies.

But Chen Fei, Liu Haonan and others still did not give up and further expanded the scope. Although the number of students competing with them decreased, the buying team did not shrink but expanded further. They were all office workers, especially white-collar workers who had just got off work.

After a lot of running around, everyone finally bought two copies of "Comic World" magazine.

One copy was given to Liu Haonan to read first, and the other was taken home by Chen Fei.

With a click, as soon as the door opened, I saw Father Chen sitting on the sofa in the living room with a stern face:
"It's been such a long time since school ended, why did you only come back now? Where did you go to play secretly again?"

"Dad, I didn't go out to play. I went to the bookstore with my classmates to buy books."

Fade Chen shrank his head.

"You're the only one who bought a book? Are you buying a comic or a novel? Take it out and show it to me."

Father Chen's face was still gloomy.

Under the gaze of others, Chen Fei timidly took out the "Comic World" magazine from his schoolbag.

"I knew your character. You went to buy comics."

Father Chen raised his lips imperceptibly, and then continued seriously: "I will confiscate this comic book for the time being."

"what!"

When Chen Fei thought about how he had to go to countless newspaper stands to buy a copy, he suddenly felt reluctant.

"Ah what? Wait until you finish your homework and I'll show it to you for another half an hour."

Father Chen showed no mercy.

Chen Fei curled his lips and muttered in a low voice: "You just want to read the "Ghost Blowing Out the Light" comics, if you have the ability, get yourself a copy..."

Father Chen glared at him, "What are you mumbling about!"

Chen Fei shuddered and waved his hands repeatedly, "No, nothing, Dad, you have to keep your word."

"I've always kept my word. Stop talking nonsense and go wash your hands. Dinner will be served soon!"

After sending his son away, Chen's father could no longer suppress his smile and the corners of his mouth rose wildly.

Then, he sat comfortably on the sofa, opened the "Comic World" magazine, and couldn't wait to read "Ghost Blows Out the Light".

The images of Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Pangzi and others are completely designed based on real people such as Cheng Long, Lin Qingxia and Hong Jinbao.

Of course, Cheng Long’s version of “Hu Bayi” is completely different from the “Cheng Long” in “The Adventures of Cheng Long”.

I flipped through the pages one by one, enjoying the reading. Many of the scenes in the comics coincided with what I had imagined when I read the novel.

The only drawback is that it is not enough to read. I only flipped through a few pages and the first issue of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" was gone.

Not yet satisfied, Father Chen decided to read other comics and flipped back to the catalog.

I saw the name "Fangyan" clearly written as the "chief writer" in the "Xuan-Yuan Sword" line, and my eyes lit up instantly.

The name sounds like a martial arts novel?
However, when I saw that there was no "martial arts" label in the "type" column, instead there was a "fantasy" that I had never seen before.

What type of fantasy is it? !

With great curiosity, Mr. Chen casually turned to the designated page, and once he started reading, he couldn't stop.

At this moment, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen and reached his nose, but he remained motionless and indifferent. (End of this chapter)