Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 148: The royalties are overwhelming
Liang Junshu laughed and said, "These newspapers are really well-informed!"

He kept the secret, but Lin Chaoyang was still confused and asked, "It's no fun if you keep it a secret like this."

"Okay, I won't keep you in suspense." Liang Junshu stopped laughing and straightened his attitude.

He added: "They have their reasons for reprinting 'High Mountain'. The news came out two days ago, but there is no public news report yet."

"What on earth is going on?"

Liang Junshu suddenly lowered his voice and said in a mysterious tone: "It is said that General Hu purchased 3000 copies of "High Mountains" from Xinhua Bookstore at his own expense to give to the soldiers on the front line."

Listening to Liang Junshu's words, Lin Chaoyang was a little skeptical, "Is it true? Who told you that?"

"I don't know the exact source of the news, but that's what everyone is saying. Just wait and see, this is just the beginning, the royalties will be enough to make you rich."

Although Liang Junshu's words were a joke, they were also true.

This kind of half-true, half-false gossip is very popular among the people. As the news spreads widely, both official media and readers will develop a strong interest in "The Wreath under the Mountain".

Whether it is the growth in sales of single-volume books or reprints in newspapers and magazines, it is definitely inevitable.

Although "The Garland under the Mountain" has been very popular since its publication, if we really talk about its popularity, the novel can only cover a readership of millions. Even if its influence is further expanded, it will only be in the tens of millions at most.

But if the news that Mr. Hu purchased the single volume of "High Mountains" is true, then it can be said that it really brings this novel to a completely different new height.

I learned from Liang Junshu the reason why the two newspapers suddenly wanted to reprint "The Wreath under the Mountain". Regardless of whether it is true or not, it is a good thing to get the royalties.

The fact was just as Liang Junshu said. In the following days, Lin Chaoyang received calls and letters from several newspapers and magazines, all requesting to reprint the novel "The Garland under the Mountain".

He was naturally happy to agree to these requests.

Lin Chaoyang was not worried at all whether the reprinting of the book in newspapers and magazines would affect the sales of the single book. After all, these days people pay royalties based on the number of copies printed, not royalties.

The royalties from the publishing house for the number of copies printed are not as good as the royalties for reprinting!
The reprint fee is usually only one-third of the publication fee, but it accumulates. In the past half month, Lin Chaoyang has received nine bills for manuscript fees, and he has to go to the savings bank every two days.

This wave of newspaper and magazine reprints directly earned Lin Chaoyang 3509 yuan in royalties, and he was overwhelmed by the money.

Such a high frequency of income from royalties also opened Tao Yushu's eyes. She didn't expect that even though "The Wreath under the Mountain" had been published for a year, it would still continue to generate royalties, and each time it was higher than the last.

That night, she calculated her savings and found that the couple's savings now exceeded 10,000 yuan. She couldn't help but marvel at the speed at which Lin Chaoyang earned his royalties.

Of course, 6,500 yuan out of the 10,000 yuan is used to pay the balance for Lin Fugui's house.

But even so, the remaining 3,600 yuan is definitely a considerable sum of money.

After finishing the calculation, Tao Yushu stretched herself. The money for the final payment on the house that had been a burden on the couple was now available, as well as some savings. She was finally able to relax and began to plan how to use the money.

Tao Yushu knew that Lin Chaoyang had always wanted to bring Lin Erchun and his wife to Yanjing. She said, "I think the remaining money can be used to buy a house for my parents and bring them to Yanjing."

“There’s no rush to buy a house for them. They’ve lived in the countryside all their lives, and if we suddenly say we want to bring them to the city, they may not agree.

I want to let them come to Yanjing and stay for a while this year. We have heating here, which is just right for them to spend the winter and then go back in the spring.

Let them adapt to the climate in Yanjing, and then talk about buying a house next year."

After Lin Chaoyang finished speaking about his thoughts, Tao Yushu nodded and said, "Yes, we need to let them get used to it. I will write a letter to my parents tomorrow and tell them first."

"There's no rush to write the letter. We also have to think about how to improve our lives," said Lin Chaoyang.

Tao Yushu was puzzled, "How can we improve it further?"

Lin Chaoyang glanced around the house and said, "In such a big house, the only decent household appliance is your tape recorder."

Tao Yushu couldn't help but smile when he heard this. "You're talking about this. Then what do you want to buy? A TV?"

Lin Chaoyang shook his head. "The TV is not urgent. I think the washing machine is more important."

As he spoke, he pulled up Tao Yushu's wrist. Her fingers used to be slender and her skin was soft and smooth, but now, because of doing housework every day, her skin has become much rougher than before.

Lin Chaoyang's sudden sweet words made Tao Yushu smile, his face full of happiness, "You only know how to say nice things!"

"What do you mean by saying nice things? Is it wrong to buy a washing machine?

Think about it, after buying a washing machine, you don’t have to wash clothes for an hour or two every two days.

It saves both trouble and effort, how nice. ”

Tao Yushu was confused and said, "It's good, but do you think washing machines are so easy to buy? They are in short supply."

The world's first hand-crank washing machine was born in the mid-nineteenth century, but in our country, the washing machine industry started very late.

It was not until 1962 that the Shenyang Daily Electrical Appliances Research Institute trial-produced the first semi-automatic washing machine in New China. But at that time, washing machines were still high-end appliances that only served hotels and laundries, and were not available to ordinary people.

It was not until the 1970s that the scale of domestic washing machine production gradually expanded, and some Chinese people began to use household washing machines.

But even so, owning a washing machine is still out of reach for most families.

A cheap washing machine costs just over 100 yuan, while an imported one costs 200 to 300 yuan. You also need industrial coupons or supply tickets to qualify for the purchase. This kind of industrial product has always been in short supply.

And for the average working-class family, there are many more pressing needs in life than a washing machine.

“No matter how tight the supply is, there are still some that can be sold. At most, we’ll have to spend a little more money. We make money to spend!

Are you planning to save money for your whole life and leave it to a bunch of little bastards?" Lin Chaoyang said carelessly.

Tao Yushu gently hit his chest and said, "Don't talk nonsense."

"Okay, no nonsense. But I think buying a washing machine is still the top priority for our family. It can directly improve our happiness index."

Tao Yushu complains about the waste of water and electricity, but in his heart he also thinks that the washing machine is a good tool that saves time and effort.

"Washing machines are good, but where can we get industrial coupons?"

"Can a living person be killed by holding his urine?" Lin Chaoyang showed a mysterious smile on his face and said to Tao Yushu, "The other day I went to Li Tuo's house and heard him say that there was a 'number seller' next to the washing machine factory, 50 yuan a ticket."

"So expensive?" Tao Yushu asked in surprise.

The "number" that Lin Chaoyang mentioned refers to the qualification to buy a washing machine. Normally, in the planned economy era, buying industrial products must have a ticket or corresponding qualification.

Li Tuo's new home is in Dongdaqiao, not far from the East Factory Area of ​​Yanjing Washing Machine Factory which was newly established in 78.

Just last year, the Yanjing Washing Machine Factory developed the "Bai Lan" single-drum washing machine, and just started production this year.

As the capital's washing machine factory, the washing machines produced by the Yanjing Washing Machine Factory are naturally in short supply. There are cars queuing up in front of the factory every day to transport goods.

The goods that were taken away were all for public use. The washing machine factory also has a private department, which is the sales office at the factory gate.

Yanjing Washing Machine Factory supplies washing machines. What you look for is the "washing machine number". Only with the number can you get a washing machine.

"You said it too, it's in short supply. This is a good thing for us. It's better to solve the problem by spending money than to beg for help."

Lin Chaoyang's idea is a typical market economy thinking. Things that can be solved with money are the simplest.

Tao Yushu listened to his words and was touched. She nodded after thinking carefully. With their current income, what her husband said was actually very right.

Why waste energy and relationships to complicate matters when you can solve the problem with a small portion of your income?
"Well, it's up to you."

The next morning, Lin Chaoyang took a leave and ran to the Yanjing Washing Machine Factory at the northeast corner of Dongdaqiao.

To buy a washing machine, you need a washing machine number. There were very few people at the entrance of the washing machine factory store. Lin Chaoyang noticed a unique young man at a glance.

The young man was not like the average citizen who went to the store to ask the salesperson about the price of washing machines. He just wandered around the store entrance, looking aimless. Lin Chaoyang did not talk to the young man first, but went into the store to ask the salesperson.

“How much is the washing machine?”

There was only one salesperson in the store, a middle-aged woman who looked to be in her thirties. She listened to Lin Chaoyang's questions without even raising her eyelids.

"Do you have a number?"

"No." Lin Chaoyang answered readily.

The woman sneered, "What can you buy without a number?"

“Can I buy it if I have a number?”

The woman said impatiently, "You can buy a number, but you have to wait in line. I guess you have to wait for a week."

Lin Chaoyang didn't care about the woman's attitude. He nodded, walked out of the store, and waved to the young man who was a few meters away.

The young man looked around and confirmed that Lin Chaoyang was calling him, then walked over with an unhappy look on his face.

"What?"

Lin Chaoyang didn't waste any words and asked, "Do you have a number?"

Hearing this, the young man's attitude immediately became friendly, "Brother, do you want to buy a washing machine?"

"Well, do you have a number?"

"Yes, 100 yuan."

Lin Chaoyang glanced at the young man and asked, "Do you think I'm a fool?"

The young man chuckled and said defensively, "Brother, we are honest and trustworthy."

"Fifty."

When the young man heard this, he thought, well, he has met someone who understands the market, so he no longer asks for an exorbitant price.

He just shouted one hundred, purely with the idea of ​​trying his best first. What if he met a fool?

"As you say, fifty is fifty."

"I'm going to take it away today." Lin Chaoyang said again.

The young man frowned and said, "You are putting me in a difficult position. The factory only produces a few dozen washing machines a day, and the order is already scheduled for a week later."

"I'll give you another five dollars to help me coordinate this."

It takes half a day to go from the West Third Ring Road to the East Third Ring Road and back. Lin Chaoyang doesn't want to waste time on the road, so he might as well spend a few more dollars to solve the problem.

"Brother, you are so generous!" The young man gave Lin Chaoyang a thumbs up and then called out a price: "Ten dollars, I'll let you take the washing machine away today."

"It's just five dollars. If I can't take it today, I'll come back next week." Lin Chaoyang said firmly.

He knows very well that picking up the goods today or next week is nothing more than a young man saying hello to the person he is working with.

Earning five dollars for one sentence is not a small amount.

The young man hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Lin Chaoyang was determined, he seemed to be ready to leave if he disagreed.

"Row."

The two reached a consensus. Lin Chaoyang spent fifty-five yuan to buy the number, and then followed the young man's instructions to enter the store and find the middle-aged woman to pay one hundred and twenty-eight yuan.

Unlike when they entered the door just now, this time the young man led Lin Chaoyang in, and the middle-aged woman's attitude was much more enthusiastic.

After she had issued the ticket, the young man greeted Lin Chaoyang, "Brother, wait for me here for a while."

After saying that, he went into the washing machine factory.

All the tickets had been issued, and Lin Chaoyang was not afraid that the young man would run away, so he sat at the door of the store and waited for about half an hour.

I saw a young man pulling a washing machine out of the factory on a cart.

"Brother, your washing machine."

The young man was about to unload the washing machine from the cart, but Lin Chaoyang said, "Don't unload it, just take it home for me."

"Brother, we don't have home delivery service."

"I'll give you some extra money."

"It's not about money. I'm busy."

Lin Chaoyang glanced at the store entrance and then looked at the young man.

He touched his nose and asked, "Well, where are you from?"

"Garden Bridge."

After hearing this, the young man quickly unloaded the washing machine from the cart.

From Dongda Bridge to Huayuan Bridge, across the city of Yanjing, the round trip is nearly 30 kilometers. He must love money like his life to take this deal!
"I really can't take this job. Please find someone else."

Young people have no spirit of hard work and perseverance at all.

Lin Chaoyang complained in his heart, then he said, "Then can you help me find someone to tie the washing machine to the back seat?"

"alright."

The washing machine was not very heavy, but it was large in size. Lin Chaoyang didn't dare to ride his bike too fast and had to hold the washing machine with one hand. It took him almost two hours to get home.

There are two toilets in their house, sandwiched between the two north bedrooms. Lin Chaoyang placed the washing machine in the one on the east side. This room is usually used as a shower room, so it is just the right place for him.

When Tao Yushu came back, she found a washing machine at home. She was surprised and said, "You are so fast, aren't you? You said it yesterday, and you moved it back today?"

"It costs money, so of course it's faster."

"How much?" she asked.

"The washing machine costs 128 yuan, and the washing machine number is 50 yuan. I cut in line, otherwise I would have to wait a week and make another trip, which cost another 5 yuan."

Tao Yushu was shocked. The extra money he spent on buying a washing machine almost bought half of it.

"Change your clothes, so I can try it out to see if it works." Tao Yushu said.

The couple changed their clothes and threw the clothes they took off into the washing machine.

The washing machines at that time were all single-cylinder and semi-automatic, and could only wash but not spin.

Tao Yushu read the instructions for a while, added water, put some detergent into the tub, and then turned the knob.

"Buzzing..."

A dull mechanical sound was heard. Tao Yushu looked at the clothes soaked in water being stirred by the impeller, and clapped his hands excitedly with a bright smile.

"Ah! It's really spinning!"

(End of this chapter)