Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 121 Royalty Negotiations Completed
The previous chapter has been reviewed.

On the first morning after the delegation returned to Paris, Liu Yimin was woken up by a phone call from the front desk. The embassy staff told him that a Frenchman who claimed to be from a publishing house had arrived.

After Liu Yimin finished washing up, he saw Massey Danny wearing a plaid shirt, clutching a newspaper tightly in his hand.

After Massey Dani politely introduced himself, Liu Yimin said with a puzzled look, "I think your publishing house was one of the publishing houses that came to see me last time!"

Marseille Dani quickly replied, "That's my colleague. I was too slow last time I went to Marseille, so I missed an opportunity. But I heard that the publishing issue hasn't been settled yet, so I wanted to come one last time to look for a chance to collaborate."

Inside the café, Marseille Dani handed today's newspaper to Liu Yimin, which contained Liu Yimin's rebuttal to a reporter from Le Monde in the Marseille University auditorium.

Le Monde described Liu Yimin as "a hawkish writer in China!"

But apart from them, the other newspapers overwhelmingly criticized Le Monde. A reporter from Le Figaro published the questions from the Le Monde reporter and harshly criticized Le Monde, describing them as destroyers of friendship.

The two major newspapers are constantly vying for market share, and they certainly wouldn't miss an opportunity to thoroughly annoy each other.

Some tabloids directly referred to the reporter who asked the question as a "stupid megaphone" and mocked Le Monde: Who did they shoot in the foot?
French leftists were very satisfied with Liu Yimin's answer, with the leftist newspaper Libération describing him as a "witty young man."

French readers learned for the first time from the Chinese about the ongoing self-defense counterattack in the East.

The phrase "Justice will prevail" is constantly being mentioned by young people.

Liu Yimin used Germany and Vietnam as examples to encourage the French to put themselves in each other's shoes, and finally praised both countries for winning just wars, leaving the French with no grounds for criticism.

"Danny, I've already read the newspaper. I'm not sitting here to have coffee and read the newspaper with you," Liu Yimin said casually, glancing out the window, taking a sip of his coffee, and then fixing his gaze on Danny from Marseille.

"Of course. Liu, to be honest, I'm very optimistic about the market for your book in France. You know, we have a large group of left-wing people who are eager to understand China. Let me tell you a number: ten years ago, in France with a population of 5000 million, ten million people took to the streets. That's a terrifying number."

Besides heroes and the bond between humans and dogs, your book also touches on the faith that the French have always longed for. The French have always believed that the Chinese people today are a nation with faith.

Therefore, on behalf of our publishing house, I can offer a payment of 26 francs per thousand words, plus a 10% royalty.

After Dani Marcel finished speaking, Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Dani, to be honest with you, out of all these editors, you're the first one to talk to me about royalties. This means we have a great start to our collaboration, but I want 14%!"

Finally, someone has brought up royalties!
“14%? Liu, I can’t do that. I really can’t do that percentage. In France, only very famous writers can get that. 10% is the limit I can give.”

Masse Dani gripped his coffee cup tightly and said excitedly.

"Danny, you won't lose out. I've already done the publicity for this book in the newspapers. You can say that this book is different from other books; you don't need to spend any money on publicity and you can still gain a large number of readers. As you said, there are a lot of people in your country who want to understand China."

That's why I'm talking to you. I feel that only the two of us can achieve this together; it's not possible with anyone else!

You are the most professional editor I have ever met in France. This book is a gift I brought to you, and believe me, its sales will not disappoint you.

Liu Yimin's analysis certainly held true for Massey Dani. He believed that the first batch of books, once released, would attract the attention of French readers, and even lead to a buying frenzy.

As for the second half of Liu Yimin's sentence, he found it very helpful.

“But it’s still too high!” Massey Dani said with a deep breath.

“Danny, you can talk to your editor. If the collaboration goes well, we can continue to work together in the future. You should believe in a light novel writer's future creative potential.” Liu Yimin spread his hands upwards, indicating that the future was infinitely bright.

After thinking for a moment, Masai Danny said, "Liu, I need to go back and report to the editor-in-chief!"

"Hurry up, I only have four days left before I leave Paris!"

After standing up, Marcelo Danny turned to Liu and asked, "Liu, can I ask you a question?"

"Say!"

Why don't you take the initiative to discuss royalties with my colleagues?

"I prefer the other person to take the initiative!"

After Marseille Dani left, Liu Yimin got up and returned to the guesthouse. He didn't intend to take 14%; he was just giving them room to negotiate. Moreover, according to Liu Yimin's estimation, in France, selling more than 50,000 copies of a book was already considered a success.

Even selling 10,000 or 20,000 copies is not an easy feat for a Chinese book.

In the afternoon, instead of Dani Marseille calling, Pierre called. He asked Liu Yimin again if he would be willing to be interviewed, and this time Liu Yimin did not refuse, but instead arranged the interview to take place in his room at the guesthouse.

Pierre faxed an interview outline to Liu Yimin in advance, and the two agreed to conduct the interview the following morning.

Liu Yimin glanced at Pierre's interview outline. Pierre was mainly interested in Liu Yimin's upbringing, writing style, and creative philosophy. To be on the safe side, Liu Yimin showed the interview outline to Ba Jin, who reassured him that he could confidently accept the interview.

The following morning, after Liu Yimin greeted the embassy staff, he led Pierre into the room.

"Sit down, Pierre, you are the first journalist I've ever interviewed!"

"That's my honor, and you're the first writer I've ever interviewed!"

Inside the room, Pierre sat opposite Liu Yimin, holding his interview outline. He seemed more nervous. His right hand gripped a pen tightly; he needed to quickly jot down everything Liu Yimin said during the next hour-long interview.

"Liu, could you tell me about your experience before the college entrance examination?" Pierre asked.

For over an hour, the two of them exchanged questions and answers in English. Liu Yimin told him about his experience of going from a mountain village to university, and why he has always emphasized the creative concept of realism, etc.

The interview officially ended at 11:00 AM.

"Liu, you are an inspirational role model!" Pierre said admiringly.

Liu Yimin waved his hand and said modestly, "I don't deserve such praise. I'm just someone who chases my dreams!"

“A person who chases dreams.” Pierre repeated it several times, then laughed loudly: “I think this interview could be titled with that. I believe your experience will inspire countless French students. After it’s published in the newspaper, I’ll send you a copy to China.”

Liu Yimin took out a folding fan from his bag and gave it to Pierre: "Pierre, do you know the meaning of the Chinese characters on this?"

Pierre shook his head. Liu Yimin told him that the two lines of poetry were, "Though separated by oceans and mountains, true friends are never far apart." "Chinese poetry is so interesting!" Pierre exclaimed, closing his folding fan.

Before leaving, Pierre left three hundred francs and a beret. The three hundred francs were his royalties, and the beret was a gift for Liu Yimin.

"Yimin, how did the interview go? Did the French give you any trouble?" Li Xiaolin asked impatiently. Xu Chi and Luo Sun, who were standing next to him, didn't speak, but their eyes conveyed the same meaning.

"No, no!" Liu Yimin quickly replied.

Xu Chi nodded: "That's good. When I came back from Marseille last time, I was scared when I saw these French reporters. If it were me, I definitely wouldn't be able to answer these questions perfectly."

"It's better not to be famous; you won't be burdened by fame," Luo Sun chuckled.

Liu Yimin, with his hands in his pockets, asked them if they wanted to go out that afternoon. He was about to return to China and wanted to buy some things to take back with him. It wouldn't be right to come all this way without bringing back some gifts, but Liu Yimin couldn't think of anything to buy right away.

Xu Chi and Luo Sun waved their hands, indicating that they didn't need to bring anything and wouldn't go out.

Liu Yimin entered the room, counted out 450 francs, handed them to Xu Chi, and told him that this was the money they had recently earned.

hiss!
"So much money!" Xu Chi kept counting the francs in his hand, his expression uneasy.

“You may not believe in the character of capitalists, but you can believe in their money! Four hundred and fifty francs should be enough to buy a TV!” Liu Yimin winked at Xu Chi.

Xu Chi took out two hundred francs and stuffed them into Liu Yimin's hand: "Four hundred and fifty francs is too much. You shouldn't get so much money just for translation!"

"Here you go, Comrade Xu! We agreed on this from the beginning!" Liu Yimin pushed the money back.

After declining several times, Xu Chi finally put the payment into his pocket. After a while, he smiled sheepishly and said, "Yimin, why don't we write another one? We still have a few days before we leave, so we can just give it to the newspaper in Paris and get the payment before we go."

Liu Yimin glanced at Xu Chi's panda eyes and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Sure, why not!" Xu Chi patted his chest, trying his best to appear as a young man in his twenties.

"Then let's try again. I don't know what to write anymore!" Liu Yimin shrugged and decided not to go out in the afternoon, since he hadn't decided what to buy anyway.

"I believe in you!" Xu Chi patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder.

During their last few days in Paris, there were no public events. Apart from Ba Jin receiving some private visitors, everyone else stayed in the guesthouse.

That evening, Massey Dani came downstairs at the guesthouse and told Liu Yimin that he could only give a maximum of 12% royalties, which was already the result he had negotiated.

"Deal!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Marcel Dani handed over a contract, which Liu Yimin took to Ba Jin's room. He then called Xu Chi over and carefully analyzed the terms to see if there were any problems.

"Yimin, you actually received the royalties?" Li Xiaolin was taken aback.

"Senior Sister Xiaolin, it's only twelve percent."

"But how much are you aiming for? Fourteen percent? You've got quite the appetite. If a book sells for 10 francs, you'll get 1.2 francs. Selling a million copies...that's outrageous!"

Li Xiaolin counted on his fingers, becoming increasingly alarmed.

Liu Yimin smiled wryly and said, "Senior Sister Xiaolin, do you think France is like China, where books can easily sell a million copies? In France, selling tens of thousands of copies is considered a bestseller, after all, their population is small. Plus, they have many more forms of entertainment, so the number of people who read books is much smaller than in our country."

Li Xiaolin didn't think too much about it; he simply brought his experience from China to France. Even so, earning a few dollars for each book sold was already quite impressive.

"You're about to become the richest writer in our country!" Xu Chi exclaimed.

Ba Jin tapped the table, signaling to focus the discussion on the contract and not stray too far from the issue. He didn't find any hidden traps in the text, but still uneasy, he called a lawyer friend in Paris and asked him to come and take a look.

After reviewing the document, the other party assured Liu Yimin that there were no problems, and only then did he feel relieved enough to sign the publishing contract with Massey Dani.

After signing, Liu Yimin tossed the contract in his hand, thinking he had finally earned the francs!
Upon hearing that Liu Yimin's book was to be published in France, Ambassador Han rushed over to congratulate him: "My fellow townsman, my good comrade, you've made a contribution to the country's foreign exchange reserves. Remarkable, truly remarkable!"

"My situation is largely due to a combination of circumstances. Compared to you, my contribution is insignificant."

"Haha, you're being modest. I read your speech in Marseille, and it was very well said. The French understand what you're saying!" Ambassador Han said with a smile.

“I always said he was suited to be a diplomat!” Xu Chi interjected from the side.

"Think about it, come work at the Chinese Embassy in France after graduation!"

"Hahaha!"

The next day, Liu Yimin walked alone on the streets of France, first stopping at a record store to buy four records: "Zigeunerweisen" (Songs of the Wanderers), "Carmen," and Chopin's "Nocturnes" and "Études." He gave two to Ba Jin and two to Cao Yu.

I bought my teacher's wife a beautiful French brooch and several boxes of chocolates.

He brought Liu Zhenyun and the others some beautiful notebooks. He also bought himself several Montblanc fountain pens from France.

After leaving the stationery store, I browsed the camera store and bought myself a French-made 35mm SLR camera, which is currently the most advanced camera in the world. I can use it when I go out to take photos in the future.

After half a day, Liu Yimin had spent all the francs he had, except for his royalties, the three hundred francs he had exchanged before coming, totaling more than a thousand francs, and the thirty US dollars given to him by the Writers' Association for pocket money.

It's true what they say: money earned in France is spent in France, and not a single penny is taken home.

Back at the hotel, Liu Yimin packed up the things he had bought. He gave Li Xiaolin a box of chocolates and also gave her a copy of Chopin's "Etude" and "Carmen" by Ba Jin.

"That's very thoughtful!" Ba Jin said with a smile.

The money spent on buying the record was equivalent to Ba Jin's translation fee, only it was given to Ba Jin by Liu Yimin through a different channel.

On the last day before boarding the plane, the embassy held a special farewell party for the visiting delegation to France.

(End of this chapter)