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

Chapter 58 Expanding overseas markets?
Xu Yuexin knew that the law would not last forever, and had only hoped to start using the new contract from "The Horse Wrangler".

As for "High Mountains", he considered it a historical issue and planned to put it aside for later resolution.

He didn't expect that People's Literature would give him such a big surprise and even change the contract for "High Mountains".

"Why, you don't want to re-sign?"

Wang Chaoyin joked, "Then I'll take the contract away."

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to sign.”

Xu Yuexin smiled and moved the contract in front of him and said, "I forgot to bring a pen. Do you have a pen?"

Wang Chaoyin reached into his pocket, took out a Hero brand pen and handed it to Xu Yuexin.

“We had a lot of discussion in leadership team meetings about this contract.”

After borrowing the pen, Wang Chaoyin said with emotion, "Fortunately, Editor-in-Chief Li insisted on standing by our side, so that the contract was finally approved..."

Wang Chaoyin's words were a little subtle, but Xu Yuexin could imagine what the extensive discussions he was talking about meant.

It was probably because the supporters and opponents were evenly matched and arguing fiercely, and finally it was the top leader Li Ji who made the final decision.

Come to think of it, it often takes a lot of effort to change something old.

"Thank you both, and thank you and all the leaders who supported this contract."

"We also thank you for your opinions. There is no order without rules. The new contract is an important milestone for the magazine on the road to formalization."

After sincerely thanking each other, Xu Yuexin took the pen in his hand and opened the contract in front of him.

All the terms of the contract have been amended according to Wang Chaoyin's promise. It states that the first print run of the collection of works to be published by The Horse Herder is 50000 copies, the price is 2 cents, and the royalty is 9%.

According to this calculation, Xu Yuexin can receive royalties of 900 yuan.

After Xu Yuexin carefully confirmed it, he signed his name and date on it.

After seeing Xu Yuexin sign, Wang Chaoyin took the contract, confirmed that all the places requiring signatures were complete, and then took back the pen and signed on it.

“Several other novels in the collection ‘The Shepherd’ will also be published in the magazine later.”

"It's still based on the highest standard of 7 yuan per thousand words."

Wang Chaoyin said sullenly as he signed, "Okay, it's signed. Wait here for a while, I'll take it to stamp and get your manuscript fee."

After leaving the reception room, Wang Chaoyin went straight to the editor-in-chief's office.

Halfway through, he remembered something and hurried back to the editorial office to take a list and handed it to the editor-in-chief Li Ji together with the contract.

In the editor-in-chief's office, Li Ji saw that the person who opened the door was Wang Chaoyin, and immediately showed a concerned look: "How was the talk with Xiao Xu?"

"It's settled. He is willing to accept the conditions we offer."

Wang Chaoyin's eyes were filled with celebration as he sat down in front of his desk and said, "This is the contract for The Wrangler, and this is for High Mountain. They've both been signed."

"It's good that we can come to an agreement."

"Authors, especially first-rate writers like Xiao Xu, are the most valuable assets of the publishing house."

“We must find ways to keep them here.”

Li Ji took the contract from Wang Chaoyin, glanced through it, opened the drawer, took out the official seal and ink, and stamped the contract with a series of bright red seals.

"Well, to be honest, on the way to the editor-in-chief's office, I was thinking, since we have the overseas publishing and distribution rights in our hands, can we write some articles around this?"

While Li Ji was still stamping, Wang Chaoyin began to daydream, "It would be great to sell books overseas and earn money from foreigners."

"I heard they are extremely rich and a book can be sold for more than ten dollars, in US dollars."

"I don't want to, either."

Li Ji said calmly, with a profound look in his eyes, "It's just that the policy requires that publishers publish books and periodicals overseas, which is extremely difficult."

"Comrade Wang Meng has always been concerned about the work of our magazine."

Wang Chaoyin asked tentatively, "Can we ask him about this? Maybe he has a solution?"

Looking for Wang Meng?
Li Ji thought for a while and finally shook his head.

"Comrade Wang Meng has already spent a lot of time to calculate the remuneration according to the number of copies printed." "It is better not to disturb him for a while."

Li Ji handed the stamped contract to Wang Chaoyin and said, "Take a look to see if there are any missing pages."

Sure enough, it is still difficult to expand overseas.

Wang Chaoyin took a deep breath and counted the publishing contracts in his hand.

"It's all covered, nothing's leaking."

Wang Chaoyin said, picking up the list he had just brought from the editorial office and handing it to Li Ji, "This is our preliminary list of winners of outstanding literary works from 1977 to 1980."

"All the works you like are in there, and they were recommended by everyone."

"Okay, let me take a look..."

Li Ji adjusted his reading glasses and looked at the list carefully.

First prize for short stories: "The Horse Shepherd" and "Class Teacher".

First prize for novella: The Garland at the Foot of the Mountain.

……

Li Ji looked at the list with a smile and nodded slightly: "Very good, this is a high-quality award list."

"Thank you for your hard work. You must have put a lot of energy into judging these works."

"No. During the selection process, I was able to exchange my views and feelings about the works with other comrades, which was a real pleasure for me."

Wang Chaoyin said with a look of great enjoyment, "By the way, the reason why there are two first prizes for short stories is because everyone thinks that "Class Teacher" and "Horse Herder" are both rare masterpieces, so we decided to break the rules and put them together."

"Well, the solution is fine, but it can be handled more perfectly."

“We can set up a People’s Literature Award on top of all the awards and give it to The Horse Wrangler without breaking the rules.”

Li Jimian first expressed his approval, then gave instructions.

Name the award after the magazine!
Wang Chaoyin's heart skipped a beat and he felt the weight behind this award.

"Your opinion makes sense. I will follow your instructions."

Seeing his author being so recognized by the editor-in-chief, Wang Chaoyin's tone became proud. "I think only this award can match the level of The Shepherd."

"really."

Li Ji said with satisfaction, "Speaking of which, Yue Xin is a really good kid."

"At such a young age, he was able to write such excellent novels as 'High Mountains' and 'The Horse Herders'."

"Any one of these books would be a work that other writers would be proud of for the rest of their lives."

"That's not."

Wang Chaoyin continued with a proud tone, "From the beginning, I felt that he was one of those young people who are to be feared."

Li Ji nodded approvingly: "I fully support him on the contract matter, and it is based on this consideration."

"Being young means you will have a frighteningly long creative life. If we maintain a good relationship with him, the publishing house will be able to obtain a long-term supply of high-quality manuscripts."

"As for the award ceremony, I'll leave it to you. If you need a well-known artist to appear, tell me and I'll invite him."

"Okay, I'll have to trouble you then!"

Wang Chaoyin said happily.

The award ceremony for outstanding literary works is a major event for the People's Literature Society. The fact that the leaders gave him the right to decide on the award alone shows that they value him.

After reporting the list of winners, Wang Chaoyin took the stamped contract to the Finance Department to withdraw the money to be paid to Xu Yuexin.

After completing the financial formalities, Wang Chaoyin returned to the reception room with the money and the manuscript fee receipt and handed them to Xu Yuexin: "The total is 1728 yuan, 5 cents, please count it."

More than 1,700 yuan?
In the reception room, Xu Yuexin looked at the thick stack of big unity bills on the table and felt a little surprised.

(End of this chapter)