1979: Literary Master, Starting from the Return of Educated Youth

Chapter 126: Adaptation of "The Legend of Wukong"!
After returning from Xu Yuexin’s home, Zhu Chen went to work.

At this time, the unit gave Zhu Chen a task and asked her to go to Shanghai to conduct research on the prevention and control of schistosomiasis and hepatitis A.

Are you going to Shanghai too?
Zhu Chen thought to himself as he accepted it.

……

At this moment, SH city.

Xu Yuexin was discussing the publication of "The Legend of Sun Wukong" with Zhou Jieren, deputy editor-in-chief of "Shanghai Literature and Art".

Originally the two had agreed to meet in Beijing, but Xu Yuexin later planned to adapt "The Legend of Sun Wukong" into a comic strip, so he came to Shanghai.

In this way, he could discuss the publication of the novel with Zhou Jieren while visiting art institutions in Shanghai and arranging the publication of the comic book.

This was the second time Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren had met. The last time he contacted Shanghai Literature and Art to discuss publishing matters, it was Zhou Jieren who contacted him.

The two spent half an hour negotiating the print run, price, and tax rate for the royalties for "The Legend of Sun Wukong," but Zhou Jieren still felt a little unsatisfied.

"The Legend of Wukong is a wonderful novel. It would be great if it could be published overseas."

Zhou Jieren said hopefully, "This way, people from more countries can see our story."

“I have also thought about publishing overseas.”

Xu Yuexin nodded and said, "I just don't know if you have any channels."

"There is no distribution channel at the moment. But if you ask, we can contact them now."

After a moment's consideration, Zhou Jieren said, "Currently, the policy on overseas publication of literary works is gradually being relaxed, and Shanghai has abundant translation resources."

"Some foreign cultural communication companies heard about the reform and opening-up policy and are interested in cooperating with us."

“So there is still great hope that this can be accomplished.”

"Then I suggest you translate and publish The Legend of Wukong and the original Journey to the West together."

"Otherwise, many overseas readers won't understand the story's background and may not be able to understand it."

"You're right to remind us that foreigners haven't seen Journey to the West yet."

Zhou Jieren expressed his approval and said, "I will contact the translator and the channel tomorrow and will inform you first if there is any news."

"Okay, please take care of it for a while."

Xu Yuexin said, "I'll go to the People's Fine Arts Museum later, you stay busy here."

People's Fine Arts, whose full name is Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House, is currently the largest art publishing organization in the country.

Xu Yuexin wanted to see if he could reach an agreement with them to draw "The Legend of Sun Wukong".

"She's beautiful? I have a friend working there, why don't we go together?"

Zhou Jieren asked proactively.

"That's perfect."

"Well, let's go."

Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren walked out of the Shanghai Art and Literature Office Building together and walked along Julu Road.

If you were to say what impression Shanghai in the 80s gave Xu Yuexin, it was that there were too many factories!
Especially in the fields of electrical, light industry and chips, there is a factory every three steps.

Before the rise of the financial industry in the 90s, Shanghai was still an industrial city.

Turn left, turn again...

In the short two-kilometer journey, the two turned six or seven times among the densely packed factories and charming alleys, and finally arrived at Lane 672, Changle Road.

"This is."

At this time, Zhou Jieren stopped in front of a small courtyard and pointed at the gate. "You want to make a comic strip of "The Legend of Wukong", right?"

"You guessed it. I want to find Comrade Shang Renmei to learn about the comic book adaptation."

"Which department should someone like me go to?"

"Look for the picture department. Someone I know is there."

"follow me."

After Zhou Jieren finished speaking, he led Xu Yuexin into the courtyard without asking any questions from the security officer.

It seems he is a regular customer here.

Compared with the courtyards of various units in Beijing, Shangrenmei's courtyard is much smaller, but it is very well maintained and full of flowers and plants.

Blooming gardenias, fresh white magnolias, and osmanthus flowers about to bloom...

The whole yard is pleasing to the eye and the fragrance is refreshing.

Led by Zhou Jieren, Xu Yuexin walked into the small Western-style building of Shangrenmei, went up two floors, turned left and walked to an office.

"Here's where they take care of the comic strips."

“We’ve asked them to draw books before.”

Zhou Jieren introduced himself and knocked on the mottled wooden office door. "Open the door, I'm Lao Zhou."

"Old Zhou? Come on."

A young voice with a Shanghai accent and the sound of footsteps were heard from inside.

Then the door opened and a young, thin face appeared behind the door.

The young man was wearing a paint-stained apron, easy-to-clean rubber boots, and his fingernails were painted red and yellow.

Zhou Jieren began to introduce the two parties.

"Let me introduce you. This is Pang Xianjian, deputy director of the picture studio and a pioneer in the painting world. He is the one who drew the comic strips "The Incident at Xuanwu Gate" and "Class Teacher."

"This is Xu Yuexin, a well-known writer and a rising star in the literary world. Have you read The Garland Under the Mountain and The Horse Herder? They are all his works."

When Xu Yuexin and Pang Xianjian heard this, they immediately stretched out their hands and shook hands with each other.

"Hello Director Pang, nice to meet you today." Xu Yuexin asked as they shook hands, "Do you know Director Liu Xinwu? He and I are friends."

Since he has drawn the comic strip "Class Teacher", he must have dealt with the original author Liu Xinwu.

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. Of course I know him. I had tea with him several times when I went to the capital last time."

Pang Xianjian smiled and nodded.

As they were talking, the two of them walked into the picture room.

There were more than a dozen workstations in the painting room, some of which had painters sitting on them painting, while others were empty.

There are traces of paint on the cement floor, and on the walls hang famous works from the studio over the years.

Among them are main theme propaganda posters, adapted picture albums of classic works such as "Class Teacher", and some commercial oil paintings.

Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren sat down next to Pang Xianjian's workstation and explained their intentions.

"No need to pour water, let's just sit and talk."

Xu Yuexin stopped Pang Xianjian who was about to get the kettle and said, "Director Pang, have you ever heard of the book "The Legend of Wukong"? "

“I have not only heard of it, but I have also read it. It is a very exciting novel.”

"I remember the author's pen name was Chunfeng. Now it seems that it was written by you?"

Pang Xianjian originally didn't know that Xu Yuexin was the author of "The Legend of Sun Wukong".

However, when Pang Xianjian learned that he was the author of "The Garland under the Mountain", he understood the answer.

One pen cannot write two spring breezes.

"That's right. I came to visit you today mainly to consult you on whether a novel like this is suitable for being adapted into a comic strip."

“If it’s suitable, I intend to work on the adaptation.”

"Of course it is. The Legend of Wukong is derived from Journey to the West, and the comic strip of Journey to the West is the most popular of all themes."

"If we can adapt The Legend of Wukong into a comic book, it will definitely sell well."

After thinking for a while, Pang Xianjian gave a very affirmative answer, "By the way, since you have plans to adapt the book, would you like to consider cooperating with our publishing house?"

"In the area of ​​comic book production and publishing, we are first-class in the country."

“What was your adaptation model in the past?”

Xu Yuexin asked cautiously.

What Pang Xianjian said is true. Shangrenmei’s comic strips are indeed first-class in China. Many people born in the 70s and 80s grew up reading their comic strips.

However, Xu Yuexin not only has to consider the other party's level, but also has to weigh the issue of interest distribution.

Therefore, whether he was speaking in front of Zhou Jieren or Pang Xianjian, he always left room for maneuver. He did not express his desire to ask Renmei for adaptation right away, but only said that he wanted to understand the situation and seek advice.

“We have always bought the rights to adapt the works and then created the paintings.”

"As far as I know, all art publishers in the country are currently doing this."

"So, what's the approximate price range for the adaptation rights?"

"The least is about a hundred yuan, the most is about two or three hundred yuan."

Pang Xianjian told it vaguely.

Well, whether it is a hundred yuan or two or three hundred, it is a price that Xu Yuexin cannot accept.

And it is naturally impossible to break through the price ceiling.

With so many excellent works out there, how could the publishing house break the rules just for him?

Xu Yuexin pondered.

Just as he was thinking, Pang Xianjian asked tentatively.

"Why, are you considering the price issue during the adaptation process?"

"Yes. If the current price level is followed, the author will get too little profit from the adaptation process."

Xu Yuexin said bluntly.

Pang Xianjian was shocked by his straightforward language.

Most authors of this era are still relatively noble and do things with the attitude of a gentleman with a sense of righteousness. Few people would discuss the issue of profit distribution so directly.

However, after calming down and thinking about it, Pang Xianjian still agreed with Xu Yuexin's idea.

At present, in all aspects of comic book adaptation, the original author is indeed at a disadvantage in the distribution of benefits and is the party that benefits the least.

"Although it is a small amount, it is still difficult to break the current price pattern."

Seeing Xu Yuexin being so outspoken, Pang Xianjian also told the truth, "Each art publishing house has its own internal regulations on copyright prices."

"Well, I understand. So I want to follow the book publishing model and calculate the original author's income based on the number of copies printed during the adaptation process."

The price of comic books is much higher than that of books. If Xu Yuexin can calculate the profits according to the number of copies printed as he wishes, he will make a fortune.

Even if the provision ratio is lower, it doesn't matter. After all, the production cost of comic strips is high, and Xu Yuexin had anticipated this.

"Payment based on the number of copies printed? That's a bit new. We haven't had such a practice in the comic book industry before."

Pang Xianjian muttered, he understood that Xu Yuexin was actually testing his attitude.

However, paying according to the number of copies printed was too new for his industry.

"Everything has a first time. In the past few years, many comic strip themes could not appear, but now they are still being drawn."

At this time, Zhou Jieren, Xu Yuexin's partner, said, "I think there may be a publishing house that can accept Yuexin's idea."

Pang Xianjian remained silent for a long time. After thinking for a while, he looked at Xu Yuexin again: "Do you have any intention of cooperating with our publishing house?"

"If so, I can ask the leaders for you if they can calculate the benefits according to your request."

(End of this chapter)