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

Chapter 52: Publish a collection of works!
Lists after lists were handed to Wang Chaoyin, and the names of the works on them came into his eyes one after another.

Reportage: "Goldbach's Conjecture" and "The Light of Geology".

Short stories: "Class Teacher", "Horse Herder", "Children from the Forest", "Sacred Mission"...

Novellas: "The Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" and "The Death Light on the Coral Island".

……

After reviewing the list, Wang Chaoyin made a rough assessment.

Among the reportage, "Goldbach's Conjecture" was nominated the most times.

Among the short stories, "The Shepherd" and "The Class Teacher" have the highest popularity, and the first prize should come from these two.

Among the novellas, "The Garland under the Mountain" and "The Death Light on the Coral Island", two novels with their own characteristics, were unanimously recommended by everyone.

After Wang Chaoyin understood the situation, he put the list down and looked at the editors in the group: "Comrades, I have read the list you just handed over."

"All the works that are pushed up are good ones, which shows that the comrades have put their heart into it."

"Now we will proceed to the selection of the first prize for short stories. Everyone may express their opinions."

The atmosphere in the conference room immediately became lively.

"I think The Horse Wrangler should be considered for first prize because it is very popular among readers and its content is thoughtful and uplifting."

"'Class Teacher' is also good. It is the pioneering work of our new era literature, taking the lead in criticizing those who bring disaster to the country and the people, and its significance cannot be ignored."

The editors were all strongly recommending the works they considered to be excellent, and the atmosphere in the conference room became increasingly lively.

At the conference table, Wang Chaoyin, as the editor-in-chief, always restrained the urge to express his opinions, listened carefully to everyone's views, and only expressed his views occasionally.

Li Jichang taught him that as a leader, one must have the demeanor of a general and not need to express his opinions frequently in public meetings, but once he did express his opinions, he had to make them final.

……

Several meetings were held to discuss the winning works, but the list was still not finalized. The focus of the debate was on the first prize for short stories and the first prize for novellas.

Since the publication of "Class Teacher" in 1977, there have been so many excellent works emerging in the People's Literature magazine that it is normal that it is difficult to choose.

Wang Chaoyin was mentally prepared for this and did not feel anxious about it. He was just a little physically exhausted from attending meetings for several days.

One day, Wang Chaoyin had just finished a meeting and was feeling a little tired when a staff member from the magazine came to the editorial office to find him.

"Team Leader Wang, an author named Xu Yuexin is here to submit a manuscript to you."

"You were in a meeting just now. I asked him to wait in the reception room."

"Xu Yuexin? Okay, I'll be right there."

Wang Chaoyin didn't bother to rest, he immediately stood up and said, all the fatigue in his body was swept away.

In the reception room, Xu Yuexin drank the Tieguanyin tea brewed by the staff and was waiting for Wang Chaoyin.

A file bag was placed on the coffee table in front of him.

The bag contained the results of his recent work, including several short stories, including "The Story of Old Man Xing and the Dog".

If The Horse Herder is successfully published, these novels will be included in the collection together with it.

In addition, Xu Yuexin also wanted to ask Wang Chaoyin a question about royalties, and the answer to this question was very important to him.

"Squeak..."

When Xu Yuexin was immersed in his thoughts, the door of the reception room was pushed open from the outside, and Wang Chaoyin walked in with his signature bright smile. "It feels like a long time since we last met. I've been looking forward to your submissions to me every day!"

"You came to the magazine today. Do you have another masterpiece you want to publish?"

As Wang Chaoyin spoke, he poured himself a cup of tea, sat down next to Xu Yuexin intimately, and added some to his cup.

"I am so glad to be valued by you."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully, picking up the file bag on the table, "Didn't I tell you last time about the publication of The Shepherd? I have written several short stories, and I brought them to you today for your approval."

"Okay, I told you, there must be new works."

Wang Chaoyin took the file bag, opened it, took out a thick stack of manuscripts from it, put it on the coffee table and began to read it carefully.

……

“The quality is quite good, and among the short stories published in the magazine, they are also top-notch.”

After a while, Wang Chaoyin finished reading all the novels and gave his comments, "You want to publish them together with The Shepherd as you said last time, right?"

“That’s exactly the idea.”

Xu Yuexin nodded and then looked at Wang Chaoyin, "Also, 'High Mountain' has been published twice, and I have received royalties twice. Does anyone have anything to say about this?"

It will not be until 1980, next year, that the country will officially introduce regulations allowing authors to receive royalties.

Moreover, in the earliest laws, this income could not be called royalties, but only royalties calculated based on the number of copies printed.

The two are essentially the same thing, the only problem is that they are called differently, which can always reveal some clues.

In this era, royalties are ultimately a controversial issue, not to mention that Xu Yuexin is the first person to try it out.

Making money is one thing, but you must not lose your basic sense of vigilance.

"I was just about to tell you that."

"Comrade Wang Meng, the one who was with us during the last interview, knows some leaders of the cultural department."

"According to him, the leaders have reached a consensus on the issue of paying royalties based on the number of copies printed, and they believe that this approach is reasonable."

Wang Chaoyin said with relief.

consensus?

Xu Yuexin realized that Wang Chaoyin's wording today was obviously different from the last time he mentioned royalties.

Last time he said that some leaders wanted to promote this matter, but this time it has become a consensus.

It’s good to be able to do this, which means that I can continue to collect royalties with confidence in the future.

Xu Yuexin felt relaxed.

"It seems that the official policy will not be far away."

"Yes. As long as the leaders have no objections, things will be easy."

"I got the book number you need for this publication two days ago. How about we discuss the specific terms of publishing The Horse Herder today?"

Wang Chaoyin proposed enthusiastically and proactively.

(End of this chapter)