Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 66 Youth Literature Front
Zhang Chao's decision to buy a house was not a whim. He didn't trade stocks so he didn't know the stock market's rise, but anyone who can breathe knows how the house price has risen.

When he passed by a real estate agency today, he saw that the most expensive housing prices in Yanjing's East and West Districts are just over 1 yuan per square meter, Haidian is around 7000 yuan, and Xuanwu and Chaoyang are both around 7500 yuan. That means a three-bedroom apartment of around 100 square meters would cost 3 to 70 million yuan.

Some time ago, he received the second payment of 150 million in royalties from Huacheng Publishing House, which was enough to cover the expenses.

As a psychological adult, he is more accustomed to living alone. And living alone is also conducive to his creation.

However, he had just arrived and was not very confident in handing the matter over to an agent. Thinking that Dongfang Xing was still studying for a doctorate at Qinghua University and might have some connections, he asked him for help.

After leaving "Blog China", it was already evening. Zhang Chao did not go to look for Lu Jinbo again, but found a small restaurant to have dinner, and then returned to the hotel.

After finishing "Your Name", he has not written for a long time except for a few sporadic reviews. Today, when I saw the housing prices in Yanjing, I felt something and thought that I might as well write a novel about houses and housing prices.

The current housing prices in the main urban area of ​​Yanjing are between 7000 and 1 yuan, which has caused the general income of citizens around 3 yuan to complain bitterly. Zhang Chao thought, it is not time for the price to really increase yet...

I turned on my laptop, plugged it into the hotel's Internet cable, looked up some information, and replied to some emails. Before I knew it, it was late at night.

The next morning, Zhang Chao first called Lu Jinbo to inform him that he was going to visit him, and then went to Beirong Culture's office in Yanjing.

Beirong Culture is headquartered in Hangzhou, but it also has an office in Yanjing. Lu Jinbo happened to be in Yanjing recently.

After the meeting, Zhang Chao first talked about the progress of the collection of essays he promised Lu Jinbo, saying: "Now there are more than 20 articles published in 'Blog China' and different newspapers, about 6 words. I have also saved a few manuscripts, also more than 2 words. It is expected to be completed in July..."

Lu Jinbo smiled and said, “There’s no rush for that. I want to ask, has anyone asked you for the publishing rights of the single volumes of Young Babylon and Your Name?”

Zhang Chao hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell the truth. He said, "Young Babylon is too short, so we don't have it yet. Your Name from Huacheng Publishing House is..."

Lu Jinbo asked hurriedly: "Did you sell it?"

Zhang Chao replied: "No, I didn't sell it... I think it's better to discuss publishing in person."

Lu Jinbo breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Don't sell it!"

Zhang Chao: “?”

Lu Jinbo quickly explained: "I mean, don't sell it to others, sell it to me!"

Zhang Chao asked, "This novel has only been published for less than a month, right? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Lu Jinbo said, "You don't know yet? This issue of Youth Literature is selling like crazy! Their magazine's printing press is smoking... Do you know what your fans are saying on the Internet?"

Zhang Chao: “?”

Lu Jinbo suppressed his laughter and said in a pinched voice: "GG wrote a novel that is easy to understand!"

Zhang Chao: "..."

Lu Jinbo went even further, "Do you want to see the chats in your fans' QQ group? I've been lurking in there."

Zhang Chao quickly waved his hand to refuse. He didn't want to die on the spot.

Lu Jinbo laughed out loud.

However, Zhang Chao did not directly agree to the copyright of "Your Name" but changed the subject: "What is the big deal you are talking about?"

Lu Jinbo kept the secret and said, "You don't have anything else to do tonight, right? I'll treat you at Fengze Garden at 7 o'clock. We'll talk there. I'll introduce you to some friends."

Zhang Chao did not refuse. After chatting for a while, they did not discuss copyright and left.

In the afternoon, Zhang Chao continued to look up information and even visited several real estate agencies to have a good chat with the agents, but they all wisely only left Fu Hai's number.

It was almost time for lunch, so Zhang Chao took a taxi to Fengze Garden. Fengze Garden is a well-known Shandong cuisine restaurant in Yanjing, located on the north side of Zhushikou West Street outside Qianmen, with a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles.

Their scallion-fried sea cucumber, dry-fried yellow croaker, and dry-fried meatballs are all famous dishes.

Zhang Chao reported Lu Jinbo's name and was led by the waiter to a private room with a large dining table that could seat ten people. Lu Jinbo had already arrived, and there were a few people Zhang Chao didn't know who were chatting with him.

Seeing Zhang Chao coming in, Lu Jinbo quickly stood up and introduced him to the others: "This is Zhang Chao, the famous 'Midnight Tide' is him."

Then he said to Zhang Chao: "Let me introduce you to these friends. They are all writers. This one is Qing Shan - oh, you will know when I tell you his pen name, 'Annie Baby'."

Qingshan looked quite cold, with a calm expression, and nodded slightly to Zhang Chao.

Lu Jinbo continued to introduce:

"This is Yang Hongying, Sister Yang, the author of "Diary of a Girl" and "Diary of a Boy."

"This is Ma Qianan. You probably don't know his name, but you'll know his ID. 'An Caishen', my good friend."

"This is Shi Kang, the screenwriter of Big Shot, who also writes novels himself."

"..."

Zhang Chao greeted everyone one by one, then found an empty seat and sat down. The other people were obviously more familiar with Lu Jinbo, and they were chatting very enthusiastically. Zhang Chao did not deliberately join in the conversation, but just listened quietly.

Soon two more people came, also writers, and the table for ten was almost full.

Lu Jinbo looked at his watch and said, "They're almost here. We won't wait for those who are late. Waiter, start serving the dishes." Soon, delicious food and wine were served like flowing water.

During the interval between serving the dishes, Shi Kang spoke first. He said, "You invited everyone here. If there is something important, please tell us quickly."

Lu Jinbo drank the wine in his glass in one gulp and said, "Then I won't keep you in suspense. This time when I get together with you all, I want to accomplish one thing - to establish a 'Youth Literature Front'!"
The readers covered by everyone's works basically range from 10 or 11 years old to around 30 or 35 years old, who are the most active group in the book market with the greatest consumption potential.

But before, everyone’s books were published by different companies here and there, and there was no synergy, that is, brand effect, so the actual sales volume was discounted.

If you guys would give me this favor and give me the copyrights, I will help you all plan together and occupy the "youth literature" market with the highest consumption power. That would be a win-win situation for all of us!
I am either a friend or a former partner with you all, so you should know my character. I promise that if you publish a book with me, the standard will be higher than that of other publishers!"

These words made everyone at the table fall silent, as they were all digesting Lu Jinbo's words.

Copyright is the lifeblood of a writer, and no one would promise to do so at this moment.

Lu Jinbo continued, “If we don’t do this today, then someone else will get there first! I heard that Guo Xiaosi has already formed a team of authors in Shanghai, all of whom are young men and women in their early twenties, and they are preparing to brand their works.

This is a trend! A huge and unstoppable trend! "

This made many people excited.

But perhaps only Zhang Chao noticed that what Lu Jinbo repeatedly emphasized was "I" rather than "Beirong culture."

At this moment, the door of the private room was pushed open, and a young man wearing a colorful racing jacket and long flowing hair appeared at the door, looking very tired:
"Sorry, I'm late. The team just happened to be busy!"

(End of this chapter)