Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 122 Overseas Chinese Apartments
Yenching Literature and Art put a lot of thought into the symposium on "Little Shoes", and those present were all figures of considerable status and influence in the Yenching literary community. Although there were conflicting opinions, the overall atmosphere of the symposium was harmonious.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, the symposium finally ended in harmony. Lin Chaoyang stood up and shook hands with everyone to express his gratitude.

Wang Zengqi smiled and said to him, "Chaoyang, what you said at the meeting was really good and your ideas were unique."

"I just like to think about random things when I'm reading. It's just my personal opinion." Lin Chaoyang said modestly.

"Before, 'The World's Number One Restaurant' was widely circulated in Yanjing City, but I never had the chance to watch it. Qingquan told me this morning that the script might be published in a magazine next month, so I must take a good look at it then."

"Thank you, and please give me some advice."

"I heard that the script has been given to the art theater?" Wang Zengqi asked again.

"Yes."

Wang Zengqi nodded, "Okay! At your age, it's really rare. I have worked with Lao She for many years..."

He looked a little sentimental when he said this, then he immediately calmed down and said with a smile: "You write novels and scripts, you really have his style."

Wang Zengqi was also one of the editors of "Yenching Literature and Art" at that time. He worked under Mr. Lao She and was highly valued by him. They also had a good personal relationship. In the 1980s, he even wrote an article specifically recalling Mr. Lao She, "August Sun", to express his nostalgia.

Lin Chaoyang said quickly: "How can a junior like me, a firefly, be compared with the seniors?"

"If it were thirty or fifty years earlier, everyone would be a latecomer."

Wang Zengqi patted Lin Chaoyang on the shoulder, gave him a few words of encouragement, and then left.

Five days after the symposium, news appeared in the Literary Gazette about Yenching Literature and Art holding a symposium on "Little Shoes". Tao Yushu was happy for a long time when he saw the news in the publication.

For writers or authors, holding a symposium is undoubtedly the greatest recognition of their influence.

A symposium on Lin Chaoyang's works was successfully held, and the news was also published in such an authoritative media as the Literary Gazette, which to a great extent satisfied Tao Yushu's desire for her husband to become successful.

After she was happy, she did not forget to buy an extra copy of "Wenyi Bao" as a New Year's gift to take back to Northeast China.

During the Chinese New Year last year, Tao's father said that he would go to Northeast China to visit his relatives this year. With more than a month to go before the Chinese New Year, Tao Yushu started preparing New Year's goods to bring back to Northeast China.

Recently, most students have left YNU to go home for the winter vacation. The YNU campus has become visibly deserted. The library work is not as busy anymore, and colleagues in the library have more time to slack off.

That morning, Lin Chaoyang was on duty in the library. He had nothing to do, so he came across a copy of Jean Renoir's "The Southerner", a translated version from the 1960s published by China Film Publishing House. It is not commonly found in bookstores outside.

This is also the advantage of working in Yanda Library. You can always see books that you can't see outside.

He was reading a book seriously when Tu Mansheng downstairs sent him a note saying that someone was looking for him.

Lin Chaoyang went downstairs and saw that it was Du Feng.

"Why are you here? Didn't you go home?"

Du Feng smiled and said, "Let me tell you about the house."

He pulled Lin Chaoyang aside and said, "There's an overseas Chinese in Huayuan Village who wants to sell an apartment."

Listening to Du Feng's words, Lin Chaoyang immediately became interested.

The apartment that Du Feng mentioned is the Huayuan Village Overseas Chinese Apartment located near Huayuan Bridge in the western suburbs, not far from Yanjing University. It was built in 1962.

In the late 50s, an Overseas Chinese Apartment was built on Yuqing Road in Shanghai. It was the first commercial housing built in New China. It was nicknamed "Patriotic Apartments" at the time because these apartments were sold to overseas Chinese in order to absorb their foreign exchange.

In 1962, Yenching University copied Shanghai's experience and built overseas Chinese apartments in Huayuan Village in the western suburbs. It is said that even the construction materials were left over from the construction of the People's Hall that year.

At that time, the hardware conditions of the Overseas Chinese Apartments were undoubtedly the most advanced in China, and they were far away from the city and had a quiet environment.

"I heard that place is very expensive, hundreds of thousands!" Lin Chaoyang asked.

"Listen to those Kanye Huqins? It's all bullshit. Do you think overseas Chinese are all taken advantage of? At that time, hundreds of thousands of dollars could be converted into foreign currency to buy a big house in a big city in the United States."

Du Feng was dismissive of the false information. Lin Chaoyang nodded, believing that folk rumors could not be fully trusted.

But since those apartments were sold to overseas Chinese back then, ordinary people can’t buy them now, right?

He expressed his doubts, and Du Feng nodded. "At first, the apartment could only be traded between overseas Chinese, but later it was relaxed. Wu Zuoren bought the house from an overseas Chinese in 72 and has lived there ever since. Moreover, the management has not been as strict as before in the past two years. The main reason is that didn't the old man make a special speech on the housing issue two years ago? Now everyone basically turns a blind eye."

In 1978, the old man made a speech on the housing issue, the gist of which was to broaden the approach to the housing issue, allow private housing construction or private housing construction with public assistance, installment payments, mobilize personal money, and allow the state to provide materials.

Although this speech was not finally implemented as a document, it did cause some ripples among the people. The biggest change was that there were more private housing transactions among the people than before, and the government departments' management efforts were relaxed.

After hearing what Du Feng said, Lin Chaoyang felt relieved and then began to care about the most important issue.

"What's the condition of the house? How much does it cost now?"

"Actually, the biggest problem is this." Du Feng hesitated, "His house is a bit expensive."

The price that could make Du Feng look like this must be expensive. Lin Chaoyang asked, "Just tell me how much it is."

"twelve thousand."

"Hiss~" Lin Chaoyang took a breath of cold air.

It shouldn't be difficult to buy two courtyard houses with one entrance in Dongcheng or Xicheng with 12,000 yuan.

Based on Lin Chaoyang's salary, he would have to work without eating or drinking for more than 20 years to save that much money.

Even if he was writing a novel, assuming that the manuscript fee was 10 yuan per thousand words, he would have to write more than million words to earn that much money.

“The Overseas Chinese Apartments were mainly sold to overseas Chinese at that time. The country only wanted foreign exchange, so they were regarded as so miraculous.

When it was sold, it was several dozen US dollars per square meter, which is about 160 to 170 yuan in RMB.

The owner wants 12,000 yuan and wants to sell it quickly, which is 100 yuan per square meter, which is much cheaper than when they bought it. "Du Feng said.

Although the housing prices put a lot of pressure on Lin Chaoyang, he also knew that what Du Feng said was the truth.

He has been in Yanjing for more than a year, and occasionally hears people mention Huayuan Village Overseas Chinese Apartments. As China's earliest commercial housing, Huayuan Village Overseas Chinese Apartments far exceeds the general apartment buildings of this era in terms of design and construction standards.

There are many Kanye Wests in Yanjing. Some people who are curious about the situation compared the Overseas Chinese Apartment in Huayuan Village with the Minister’s Building in Muxidi and the Ministry Building in Baiwanzhuang. The result is undoubtedly that the Overseas Chinese Apartment in Huayuan Village wins.

There are only two buildings in the Overseas Chinese Apartment, both of which are four stories high. There is a large area of ​​green space in the park, which is six or seven times the area of ​​the building. The environment is beautiful and quiet.

And because it was sold to overseas Chinese at the time, it also learned from foreign styles and implemented closed management. It was the first community in Yanjing with property management.

The property fee is eight yuan per month, which is nearly one hundred yuan a year, equivalent to two or three months' income of an ordinary worker.

It can be said that in Yenching at this time, except for the single-family villas where some truly high-ranking officials and old scholars lived, the living conditions of the Overseas Chinese Apartments in Garden Village were basically the ceiling of Yenching.

So to be honest, the price of twelve thousand is indeed not expensive.

But the reality is that this price is still too high for Lin Chaoyang and his wife.

Not counting the 1 yuan given by Lin Erchun and his wife, Tao Yushu only had yuan in his hand. Then there was his own little treasury. He had already spent most of the money from the manuscript of Qiu Ju’s Lawsuit this year, and the novella was said to be published this January.

The royalties should arrive in the next few days, at most a little over a thousand yuan.

This is less than four thousand yuan, which is still a long way from twelve thousand yuan.

It's a pity that there is no royalties based on the number of copies of the single volume of "Little Shoes". Otherwise, with the sales of 200,000 copies of "Little Shoes" in just two months, I could make at least an extra 1,800 yuan a year.

Lin Chaoyang then thought that fortunately "The Wreath under the Mountain" would definitely implement the policy of "basic remuneration + remuneration based on the number of copies printed", and the income from the royalties would definitely be more than that of "The Little Shoes".

But when he thought about it, the money he could earn was far from the number "twelve thousand".

But Lin Chaoyang didn't care too much. If he really liked the house and wanted to buy it, the worst that could happen was that he would just write more novels.

Du Feng said: "I also know that it is very expensive considering everyone's current income, but this house has one advantage."

"What's the benefit?"

"Didn't I just tell you that the owner of this house wants to sell it as soon as possible? What do you think he wants to do with it?"

"What does he want to do?"

"Now that the country is more open, there are more private real estate transactions than before. He wants to use the money from selling the house to buy a courtyard house."

There was a gleam in Lin Chaoyang's eyes. What a talented person!

In the late 1970s, when national policies had just been opened up, he was able to target the domestic real estate market. With his own vision combined with the dividends of the times, it would be hard for such a person not to become rich.

"He is certain that housing prices in Yanjing will rise in the future," said Lin Chaoyang.

"Who knows? Everyone says that with reform and opening up, the economy is getting better. I think it's just that." Du Feng said indifferently.

Young man, you have nephritis!
Du Feng is in the army and in the north, so this feeling is not obvious. If he were in Guangdong, he might not think so.

"The landlord is a young overseas Chinese. The house was given to him by his family. I guess he doesn't feel bad about selling his grandfather's land." Du Feng said again.

Lin Chaoyang shook his head.

Those who are half a step ahead of the times are geniuses; those who are one step ahead of the times are madmen.

To exchange the top mansions in Yanjing City at that time for dilapidated courtyard houses, what the small overseas Chinese mentioned by Du Feng did is incomprehensible to many people today.

Du Feng continued, "There aren't many people who can afford a house worth more than 10,000 yuan in Yanjing City. Even those who can afford it may not need it. He also knew this situation, so the price he asked was not expensive. Moreover, he also said that the house price could be paid off in one year."

As Du Feng said, it is somewhat embarrassing to sell the houses in Overseas Chinese Apartments at this stage.

At that time, the gap between the rich and the poor in society was not that big. Those who could come up with so much money to buy a house were all prominent figures in society, but the living conditions of such people would definitely not be too bad. This is a paradox.

Lin Chaoyang frowned. He could see that this landlord was not simple. He even arranged the installment payment. He really followed the old man's speech closely!
"The house is definitely expensive, but this landlord is quite interesting. There aren't many houses that meet the requirements of you and my sister right now. I'm just saying this. If you want to see it, I'll take you to see it. If you don't want to go, forget it."

Du Feng also knew that no matter whether the landlord lowered the house price or provided installment payment, the houses in Huayuan Village Overseas Chinese Apartments were still too expensive for the general public at this stage.

Although my brother-in-law earns a lot of money from writing now, it is not something he can just buy. He may have to spend his income for the next few or even more years.

But then again, you may only buy a house once in your life. Isn't it the same for everyone when buying a house?
Although the Huayuan Village Overseas Chinese Apartment has been built for more than ten years, it can still be regarded as one of the residences with the best hardware conditions in Yanjing. There are few houses for sale to the public, so this opportunity is indeed rare.

After listening to Du Feng's words, Lin Chaoyang looked thoughtful and finally said, "I know about this. I will discuss it with your sister when I get home. If you want to go and see it, I will contact you again."

"Buying a house is a big deal. You two really need to discuss it carefully. I'll wait for your news."

After Du Feng left, Lin Chaoyang returned to the library. Not long after, someone downstairs said that someone was looking for him.

He went downstairs and saw a strange middle-aged man, who introduced himself as Liang Junshu, an editor at the Warrior Publishing House. He came on behalf of the publishing house to discuss with Lin Chaoyang the publication of the single volume of "The Wreath under the Mountain".

"Hello, Editor Liang!" Lin Chaoyang shook hands with Liang Junshu enthusiastically.

"Hello, Comrade Chaoyang!"

Previously, Renwen Press wanted to publish a single volume of "The Wreath under the Mountain". Lin Chaoyang called Du Ruolin, but he asked Lin Chaoyang to wait, but was vague about it. Now it seems that the decision was made by Zhanshi Publishing House.

No wonder my uncle told me not to worry.

The Warrior Press is under the leadership of the General Staff and mainly publishes military textbooks. In 66, it officially became a comprehensive publishing house. Its full name is the Chinese People's Liberation Army Warrior Press, abbreviated as "Warrior Press".

"The Garland under the Mountain" is a military-themed novel in itself, and it has caused such a great response among domestic readers before. There is nothing wrong with entrusting it to the Warrior Publishing House for publication.

The only thing that bothered Lin Chaoyang was the issue of royalties. Du Feng had just brought news about the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

If they really want to buy a house like the Overseas Chinese Apartment, the couple's savings will still be far from enough.

"How much royalties does the publishing house plan to pay?" After the two chatted for a while, Lin Chaoyang asked bluntly.

Liang Junshu looked slightly surprised, and then said, "For such an influential work as The Wreath Under the Mountain, we will naturally pay the highest fee. Our publishing house just received a notice from above a few days ago that the fee will be adjusted. The standard fee for The Wreath Under the Mountain is 10 yuan per thousand words."

"Is there any remuneration based on the number of copies printed?" Lin Chaoyang asked again.

Liang Junshu nodded, "We are completely following the new rules, with a print-run fee of 2% (basic fee) for every copies. Considering the popularity of The Wreath Under the Mountain, this print-run fee should be quite substantial."

Lin Chaoyang calculated in his mind that the full text of "The Wreath under the Mountain" was 720 words, and at ten yuan per thousand words, that was yuan.

Considering the popularity of "The Garland under the Mountain", it should not be a problem to get 100% of the royalties based on the number of copies printed, which is 1440 yuan.

Including the royalties from Harvest, he and Tao Yushu will have 5,000 yuan.

But even so, there is still a big gap between the price of the house and that of the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

After Lin Chaoyang finished calculating the accounts, his brows furrowed. It seemed that he would have to write more.

Liang Junshu wondered in his heart as he looked at his expression, "Are you not satisfied with such a high fee?"

"Okay. Editor Liang, then "The Wreath under the Mountain" will be handed over to you. I hope to see the single volume published as soon as possible." Coming out of his depressed mood, Lin Chaoyang said to Liang Junshu.

"You are so kind. It is also a good thing for our publishing house to be able to publish "The Wreath Under the Mountain"."

The two chatted for a few more words, and then Liang Junshu said goodbye and left.

In the evening, Lin Chaoyang returned home and told Tao Yushu the news brought by Du Feng.

The last time Du Feng helped them find a large compound in Weigong Village, Lin Chaoyang never even mentioned it to Tao Yushu.

Langrun Lake Apartment is nothing in later generations, but in this era it has surpassed the living standards of ordinary people in Yanjing City. His wife has lived in such an environment since she was a child, and he doesn't want his wife to have to live in a slum after marrying him.

After listening to Lin Chaoyang's introduction to the Overseas Chinese Apartments in Huayuan Village, Tao Yushu's expression became serious and his brows slightly frowned.

"The house is indeed good, and it's close to Yan University and Yan Normal University, but the price is too expensive. I'm afraid the money we have now is not enough, right?"

(End of this chapter)