Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 289 Stone and Badge (seeking votes at the end of the month)

A sentence feels different to different people.

Xu Ruiya was the first to react. Her eyes were immediately filled with tears. She opened her mouth to comfort Zhang Chao, "Don't worry..."

Zhang Chao immediately interrupted the spell when he saw something was wrong and said, "Don't worry, he doesn't have a terminal illness, he doesn't want to commit suicide, and he won't go to jail..."

Xu Ruiya finally wiped away the tears in her eyes and said awkwardly, "In the United States, 'It's time for me to leave' is sometimes a euphemism for... something like that."

Zhang Chao pretended to let out a long sigh and said, "Good fellow, you almost got me killed."

Huang Jiefu asked nervously, "Boss, what do you mean by 'leave'...?"

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "It means exactly what it says - I want to hand over 'Chaoxi Culture' to you, then leave here and start a new life or journey."

As soon as Zhang Chao finished speaking, Huang Jiefu subconsciously said, "No, you can't..." Then he felt that he was too blunt, and quickly lowered his voice and said, "You mean, like the previous six months, you don't come to the company and handle the work remotely?"

After Huang Jiefu finished speaking, almost everyone looked at Zhang Chao with expectant eyes. It was hard for everyone to imagine what "Tide Culture" would be like without Zhang Chao...

Zhang Chao noticed that only Ma Boyong and Shuang Xuetao's eyes quickly changed from astonishment to calmness, as if they knew what Zhang Chao's final answer was and accepted it.

"He is a writer after all..." Zhang Chao sighed inwardly.

But this matter has been lingering in his mind for several months. Now that he has called everyone together, this decision cannot be changed.

Zhang Chao said casually, "No. When I say 'leave', I mean completely leaving the daily work of 'Tide Culture', including being the editor-in-chief of two magazines, as well as planning books, movies, and peripherals."

This one sentence extinguished the little hope that everyone had left. Everyone looked at each other in great shock, not knowing what to say for a moment.

After a long time, Xia Da asked, "Why so sudden?"

Zhang Chao said: "It's not sudden. Since the second half of last year, I have been coming to the company less and less. After the release of Your Name, I was basically out of the daily operation of Chaoxi Culture.

Now that you are all capable of standing on your own, there is probably no one in the industry who dares to look down on you, right? So, I think now is the most appropriate time to leave.”

Huang Jiefu said anxiously: "You don't have to worry about the daily operations, but we can't do any of the things like signing writers, promoting works, marketing, and peripheral creativity as well as you!"

Zhang Chao said: "But haven't we all been doing this for the past six months?"

Huang Jiefu was blocked by Zhang Chao's words and could only say angrily and arrogantly: "No, you can't leave! I remember what you said - 'You are working for the future George Martin, JK Rowling and Akira Toriyama!'

You are not George Martin, JK Rowling or Akira Toriyama yet, you have to fulfill your promise! "

Zhang Chao spread his hands and said, "I didn't say I would give my work to other companies. It must still be owned by 'Chaotide Culture'. Don't be nervous."

At this time, Xu Ruiya asked the most crucial question softly: "Can we know why?"

Zhang Chao hesitated for a moment before answering, "The original intention of establishing 'Tide Culture' is actually very simple - I think my books are worth more than just royalties or manuscript fees - it's very tacky, isn't it!"

The atmosphere in the office was a bit depressing and no one laughed.

Zhang Chao looked at Xia Da and said with a smile: "Do you remember the conditions I offered when you asked me for the copyright of the comic adaptation of Your Name? What did you think of me at that time? It doesn't matter, just speak up."

Although Xia Da has become much more mature and capable, like a porcelain doll version of a "strong woman", she still blushed when she heard this, and said shyly: "I think you... are quite... smart."

After thinking for a long time, Xia Da finally found a neutral word to describe it.

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "That's too polite. Shouldn't I say 'money-obsessed' be more appropriate?"

Xia Da blushed and shook his head, "No, no... I couldn't afford the adaptation fee at that time, so your offer was already very good."

Zhang Chao teased her and said, "If someone asks you to sign such an outrageous agreement again, you must throw the contract in his face."

Xia Da finally couldn't help laughing and lowered his head to cover his mouth and laughed.

Zhang Chao then looked around at everyone and said, "You see, that's actually how I was from the beginning - I just wanted to make more money! And I did make quite a bit of money."

There is no objection to this. The Forbes list of the richest writers is updated every year, and Zhang Chao has been ranked first for three consecutive years, and is far ahead of the second place.

This only calculates the royalties of various books he published publicly in China, because Zhang Chao's royalties are relatively transparent in China.

As for his publishing income in Japan and the United States, because of the strict confidentiality of the agreement, no one knows exactly how much he earned except himself and Huang Jiefu. Some people only estimate that it may be double that in China.

This does not include all kinds of peripherals and the net profit of "Tide Culture". At present, "Tide Culture" is still his sole proprietorship, and in theory, all this money is his personal income.

Since 2006, some people have been discussing that in a few years, Zhang Chao should be removed from the writer rankings and ranked on the main list.

Zhang Chao continued: "After making a lot of money, I tried to do many different things - organizing the 'New Concept Essay Competition', signing domestic and foreign writers, investing in "Your Name"...

The results are pretty good, right?" Although he asked in the end, no one answered. After all, this was a question that didn't need an answer.

Zhang Chao paused and said, "But no matter how successful these things are, deep down in my heart, what I want to do most is still to be a writer. Last year's 'clash' with Huayi may seem like I 'won', but the whole process also made me feel unprecedentedly tired.

I gradually found that the faster the "tidal culture" developed and the larger its scale became, the further I would be from creation. But I didn't want to affect everyone's motivation to move forward because of my personal - well, laziness, I guess.

Because I know that everyone is doing well now. Not only you, but also many contracted writers are pinning their hopes on 'Chaoxi Culture'. 'Chaoxi Culture' is running faster and faster, but I just want to walk slowly.

In this way, it won’t be long before I become a stone blocking the way of the ‘tidal culture’.”

Zhang Chao's words made everyone fall into deep thought. After several years of getting along with each other, everyone was very familiar with Zhang Chao's personality - he was happy to create, tired of running around, and tired of daily life.

As the structure of "Tidal Culture" became more and more complete, Zhang Chao's symbolic significance gradually became greater than his actual presence in the organization.

This is also the reason why "Tide Culture" can still operate normally even though Zhang Chao has not been here for half a year.

As Zhang Chao explained slowly, everyone in the office gradually began to accept the fact that Zhang Chao was about to "leave" - ​​this departure was not a complete break or a parting, but Zhang Chao's fulfillment of everyone.

It's just that I haven't completely gotten over this hurdle emotionally.

Zhang Chao first looked at Huang Jiefu and said, "Jeff, is your dream just to run a literary agency like this, publish books, and invest in movies?"

Huang Jiefu was a little embarrassed, but still said frankly: "Of course not. 'Tide Culture' has the potential to become China's most valuable cultural product operating brand.

At the current rate of development, it will take at most five or six years to reach the listing standards.”

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "I knew you wanted to be the CEO of a listed company."

Huang Jiefu straightened his chest and raised his head, saying: "A CEO who doesn't want to take the company public is not a good CEO."

Zhang Chao asked the others, "What about you?"

The other people in the office looked at each other and nodded instead of lying.

After all, we are all young people in our 20s, and the oldest is no more than 30 years old. Over the years, we have seen one business miracle after another happen in China before our eyes, with so many young wealthy people coming on stage one after another. How could we not be tempted?
"Tide Culture" is the platform that is closest to accomplishing such a miracle. Even writers like Ma Boyong and Shuang Xuetao can't help but feel jealous when they think of "listing" and "wealth freedom". Since Zhang Chao is chatting with everyone openly today, there is no need to hide anything.

Zhang Chao nodded and said, "This is why I want to 'leave'. Although I founded 'Tide Culture', I have never had the ambition or interest to lead it in the direction that Jeff and everyone else want.

I know the scenery there is beautiful, but the troubles I have to face, the dealings I have to make, the trivialities I have to deal with along the way... are so complicated that I am daunted and can only be a 'deserter'.

I know my importance in the 'Tidal Culture' - it is because of this that I cannot stay and block everyone's way. If I don't leave now, in a few years, when everyone wants to move on from me, it will be too late."

This statement made everyone fall silent. This was the first time that Zhang Chao said that he had no interest in listing "Chaoxi Culture". This was unexpected, but also reasonable.

What is surprising is that Zhang Chao, who is only 22 years old, doesn't care about the "listing" that everyone is rushing to do; it is understandable, considering the wealth Zhang Chao has now, that "listing" does not seem to motivate him.

If this is true, then no matter how amazing Zhang Chao's marketing abilities were before, he is no longer suitable to continue leading "Chaotidal Culture" as a "leader".

At this time, Ma Boyong, who had been silent since the beginning, suddenly said: "There are many kinds of stones, and they don't necessarily block the road. There are also ballast stones, whetstones, touchstones, and magnets..."

Zhang Chao was amused and asked quickly, "Are there any paving stones or stepping stones?"

Everyone then started laughing.

Ma Bo smiled lazily, then restrained his expression and said seriously: "You can 'leave', but you can't 'break away'."

Zhang Chao smiled and asked, "Oh? Old Ma, tell me about it."

Ma Boyong said: "You can leave 'Tide Culture' formally, but this organization has been deeply marked by you from the beginning, and all of us were recruited by you.

If you leave like this, I'm afraid that 'Tide Culture' will soon disband. So your 'leaving' can only be in terms of business, not in terms of spirit or culture.

There can be no wife in "wife cake", and there can be no husband and wife in "fuqi lung slice", but there cannot be no Zhang Chao in "tidal culture".

Ma Boyong's words made everyone happy, and they all agreed with him. Everyone thought, yes, Zhang Chao, don't you just want to not deal with daily business and become a hands-off boss?
This has been the situation for the past six months. Although there are a lot of work emails going back and forth every day, if you think about it carefully, there are really not many things that must be handled by Zhang Chao. At most, Zhang Chao's ideas are often more creative.

Another thing is the copyright of Zhang Chao's works, which is still the most valuable core asset of "Tide Culture". Most of the cooperation is also for this. As long as Zhang Chao is still the actual controller of "Tide Culture", he will not give the copyright of these works to others.

After figuring this out, everyone felt a little more relaxed.

Ma Boyong said: "If you don't want to be a stumbling block, then be a ballast. With your reputation and your works, 'Chaotide Culture' will always be the most competitive brand in the market.

We are not in such urgent need of your "explosive ideas" to sell books, movies, and peripherals. But as long as you are still in "Tide Culture", everyone will feel more at ease. "

Zhang Chao said "hmm" without making any comment, and motioned Ma Boyong to continue.

Ma Boyong continued, "You can also be a whetstone and a touchstone. Do you know what ability of yours I admire most in recent years? It's not marketing, but your nose for literary works and writers.

If Tide Culture wants to continue to develop, it needs to constantly attract better writers and works. Although I don’t know how you do it, you have never failed to pick the writers and works you have chosen.”

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "Including you and Xue Tao and the others."

Ma Boyong didn't hesitate to agree, saying, "Including me and Xuetao. For example, I had a hunch about becoming a writer, but I didn't expect it to come true so soon."

Zhang Chao secretly felt ashamed. It was not because he had good vision, but because he was taking advantage of his rebirth. However, he remained calm and said, "Anything else? Go on."

Ma Boyong said: "There is also a magnet. As long as you are here, it is very easy for us to talk to writers, businessmen, or the government. Most of the attraction of 'Tidal Culture' is maintained by you.

If you really 'break away', we will be just an ordinary, mediocre small company, and we will not have the development we have now. "

After Ma Bo finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.

He accurately extracted the most valuable parts of Zhang Chao's "Tidal Culture" - and these most valuable parts have nothing to do with daily affairs.

At this time, Shuang Xuetao also spoke up: "In the past two years, your influence has been growing, and the sales of your works have been increasing. In fact, you have surpassed the entire organization in all aspects.

Having 'tidal culture' as a badge on your chest may indeed be more beneficial to the development of 'tidal culture' than having you at the helm of it."

"That's a very accurate description!" Huang Jiefu praised. He was just listening to the speeches of others while thinking deeply about the pros and cons of Zhang Chao's "departure". To be honest, as the person in charge of the daily operations and business development of "Tide Culture", Huang Jiefu has already gained some fame in the industry.

If Zhang Chao leaves, "Tide Culture" will have no future, and he may choose to leave. With his "performance" in the past two years, it is not difficult for him to find a job in China with an annual salary not less than here.

Huang Jiefu is, after all, a business school graduate, so it is his instinct to weigh interests and weigh the pros and cons.

Shuang Xuetao's "badge theory" made him see the clear sky as if the clouds were clearing away, and he understood the logic of the whole thing - "tidal culture" is a subset of the cultural image carrier "Zhang Chao", and not the other way around.

In this case, the best choice for "Tide Culture" is, as Shuang Xuetao said, to become the most shining badge on Zhang Chao, and be worn by him everywhere. Only in this way can the value of "Tide Culture" be maximized.

Since it is a "badge", it cannot be so heavy that Zhang Chao feels it is inconvenient to wear or a burden. Only in this way will Zhang Chao be willing to wear it.

As Zhang Chao's fame grows and his works increase, his weight in the domestic cultural circle becomes more and more important. The badge of "Tidal Culture" will become brighter and more eye-catching.

This is the most perfect model for both parties to get along with each other.

Zhang Chao's "leaving" is not really "leaving", but adjusting the proportion of "tidal culture" in his life. The reason why he had to "retreat" to Shilei Village was because he was overwhelmed.

Following Huang Jiefu, everyone else also understood the meaning of Shuang Xuetao's metaphor, and they all agreed with it, completely resolving the last bit of knots and worries in their hearts.

Zhang Chao thought about it and found that he was the one who was confused. After thinking about it for several months, he was not as accurate as Shuang Xuetao. So he said, "If everyone thinks there is no problem, then what should we do?"

Everyone looked at each other again and nodded in agreement, without any more fear or uneasiness.

Zhang Chao smiled sincerely and said, "That's good."

Xu Ruiya then asked: "If you 'leave', can we still see you?"

Zhang Chao was stunned, then laughed out loud, "I'm not missing, how can I not be seen? I usually stay in Yanjing more often, and I also travel around the country, and sometimes I may have to go abroad."

Xu Ruiya patted her chest, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I thought you were going to 'retreat' again."

Zhang Chao smiled and turned to Huang Jiefu and said, "In this case, the company's structure will also need to be adjusted. You will be responsible for it. The most important thing is that 'Tide Culture' has always belonged to me. Now that I'm 'leaving', the work will be handed over to you, so -

From today on, 'Chaoxi Culture' belongs to 'us'. Jeff, you and Xuetao should work together to design the company's equity plan. Since we are going to go public, we should seriously lay a solid foundation. "

When everyone heard Zhang Chao say the words "equity plan", even though they had expected it, they still felt their breathing become heavier when they actually heard it.

Huang Jiefu and Shuang Xuetao quickly responded, "Okay!"

Zhang Chao glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was already 7pm, so he said, "Don't go back for dinner today. Let's have hotpot downstairs. I'll treat you!"

The crowd cheered, feeling relieved, packed up their things, and went downstairs.

Zhang Chao stopped Ma Boyong and Xu Ruiya and said, "You two stay for a moment. I have something to say."

(End of this chapter)