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

Chapter 433 Liu Yimin and Zheng Yuanjie collaborate on publishing a magazine

Inside the study, Zheng Yuanjie remained silent after listening to Liu Yimin's words. He held the teacup in both hands, his fingers constantly tracing the inside of the cup, revealing his inner turmoil and hesitation.

The northwest wind rattled against the wooden window. Zheng Yuanjie listened to the wind outside, but felt that the room was warm and quiet, so quiet that only the clock and his own heartbeat could be heard.

Liu Yimin sat silently beside Zheng Yuanjie, waiting for him to make a decision.

After a long while, Zheng Yuanjie suppressed his turbulent emotions, looked up at Liu Yimin, and finally asked the question that had been troubling him the most: "Why? Why did you help me?"

Anyone would ask why, since it was the first time the two had met. This wasn't just ordinary help; it involved taking risks.

If problems arise with the content of the literary magazine in the future, the Institute of Literature and Art Research will bear the responsibility for its management.

"Why?" Liu Yimin repeated with interest, then drawled, "Yes, why? If I said it's for the future of children's literature, would you believe me?"

Zheng Yuanjie first shook his head subconsciously, then quickly nodded emphatically: "I believe you. Comrade Liu Yimin, you are now a leading figure among young writers, and at the same time, you have led our Chinese literary world to make a name for itself in the world."

I don't believe others when they say this, but I believe you.

"Comrade Zheng Yuanjie, no need for formalities, I'm younger than you," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zheng Yuanjie immediately said, "There is a sequence to learning, regardless of age."

After he said that, Liu Yimin ignored him and tapped the table with his hand, stating his reasons: "First, I think your children's literature works can be successful; second, our Institute of Literature has a cultural industry research project, which includes a domestic animation project."

Comrade Dai Tielang from the animation studio recently said that there's a lack of original animated film scripts in China. He added, "I think if your fairy tale is well-written, it could be submitted to the animation studio for production. This would provide you with another source of income."

After he finished speaking, Liu Yimin asked, "What do you think? Is this reason sufficient?"

"Adapt it into a movie? I've never even dared to think about that," Zheng Yuanjie said bitterly.

"With me here, you can think like this. As long as you have a good story, I will recommend it to the art factory. Fairy tales are related to children's healthy growth, and the department has already begun to pay attention to them."

If you're affiliated with the Institute of Literature and Art, you won't need to worry about the publication number at all. However, you'll need to pay a certain management fee to the Institute.

Zheng Yuanjie asked cautiously, "How much is the management fee?"

"We still need to discuss the specifics, but don't worry, it won't be very high, just a token amount. Think about it. Yenching University has its own publishing house, and we can handle the whole process."

Zheng Yuanjie nodded hurriedly and said, "I'll think about it and give you an answer later. I have this idea, but starting a magazine is indeed not an easy thing. It also requires funding. I need to discuss it with my family."

Liu Yimin laughed, "You may not have money, but I do!"
"If you trust me, we can work together. I'll provide the funding, you'll write the content, and you'll be responsible for the specific operations."

“I’ve never been in business, but I know that whoever invests the most has the final say. You should be the one to call the shots,” Zheng Yuanjie quickly stated.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Authors are the core of a magazine. Without authors, a magazine is like a tree without roots; a rabbit's tail can't grow long."

These words struck a chord with Zheng Yuanjie, giving him an instant feeling of having found a worthy master and a discerning mentor, a feeling that seemed surreal to him.

Liu Yimin told him that he was willing to contribute 50,000 yuan to help him start a magazine, and he could have a 30% stake in it.

"That's too much, too much. Fifty thousand yuan could buy two courtyards," Zheng Yuanjie said hurriedly.

This was exactly the effect Liu Yimin wanted—to overwhelm the other party with money. With Zheng Yuanjie's abilities, he could earn back that 50,000 this year.

"This is just my suggestion. Go back and think about it. Even if you want to run the magazine on your own, you can contact me about affiliation. What I said today is valid no matter what."

Zheng Yuanjie floated out of Liu Yimin's study and saw the nanny reading the story he had written. He thought to himself that Comrade Liu Yimin had indeed recognized his talent.

In an instant, Zheng Yuanjie's motivation for writing fairy tales jumped from satisfying his survival needs to realizing his self-worth and meeting the reading needs of all children in China.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, please wait, I'll head back now." Zheng Yuanjie bowed slightly to show his respect.

The luxurious feel of the apartment was gradually hidden by the wooden doors, and Zheng Yuanjie secretly made up his mind that he would also live in the Overseas Chinese Apartment in the future.

The howling wind outside sobered Zheng Yuanjie up considerably. He tightened the scarf around his neck, carefully tucking the patched parts inside, before riding away on his bicycle.

On the way home, Zheng Yuanjie was still deeply moved. When he got home, his wife, Guo Weiwei, had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him.

Zheng Yuanjie didn't say anything, picked up the bowl and started eating. He stuffed a few mouthfuls of bland potato shreds into his mouth, and two lines of clear tears slid down his cheeks.

Seeing Zheng Yuanjie's expression, Guo Weiwei quickly asked, "Old Zheng, what's wrong? Did you not see him today? Did you not have a good talk? It's alright, Comrade Liu Yimin is a great writer, it's normal for him to have a temper."

Guo Weiwei used to be an editor, so she knows that there are very different kinds of writers.

"No, Weiwei, I've made you suffer because of me. I promise I'll earn more money so you can live in a big apartment too." Zheng Yuanjie put down his chopsticks, grasped Guo Weiwei's hands, and swore.

Guo Weiwei didn't know how Zheng Yuanjie had become like this until she heard him finish speaking and then she suddenly realized.

Zheng Yuanjie wanted to visit Liu Yimin to discuss children's literature and, incidentally, to find out how to negotiate with magazines to increase royalties and how to quickly earn money through his work.
I only realized after I went there that good writers don't need to make their own recommendations; the country just needs to set the standards.

"Old Zheng, why is that? What's he after?"

Zheng Yuanjie said, "Yes, I also asked him what he was after, and he said it was for the future of children's literature."

"You believe it?"

"That's what he said!"

"Do you believe what he said?"

"Others say I don't believe it, but he says I do."

Guo Weiwei frowned and said, "There are risks involved in affiliation. I heard that some disputes have already arisen in the south."

“We can’t do it without affiliation; we can’t do it on our own. Besides, we can’t trust anyone else as much as Comrade Liu Yimin. Someone of his status and position, the ministry’s darling, wouldn’t do anything that would be beneath him.”

When trust between the two parties was low, Zheng Yuanjie was betting on Liu Yimin because he valued his reputation!
"Besides, he's willing to spend money to support us, so there's no need for us not to believe him."

Both of them thought it was okay, but neither of them was adamant. After dinner, they lay in bed still debating, and they talked until midnight without reaching a conclusion.

When Zheng Yuanjie woke up the next morning, he looked at the cramped tenement building. The sounds of his neighbors' shovels and pots clashing outside sounded unusually jarring today.

"Weiwei, I'm betting!" Zheng Yuanjie said through gritted teeth.

Ignoring the cold wind, he quickly got up, put on his clothes, and headed towards the Overseas Chinese Apartment without even having time to eat.

He knocked on the door and saw Ximei, who told him that Liu Yimin had gone to work at Yenching University.

He rode off towards Yenching University without stopping, and when he found Liu Yimin, Liu was arranging work at the Institute of Literature.

Upon seeing Zheng Yuanjie, Liu Yimin smiled slightly and invited him to sit down.

Zheng Yuanjie hadn't eaten and had caught a chill, so his stomach was upset. Liu Yimin poured him a cup of hot water and asked Yan Zhen to go outside and buy some steamed buns in a lunchbox.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, I've made up my mind, I'll follow you."

"No, no, no, you do it yourself, you're just affiliated with them."

Zheng Yuanjie quickly said, "Is the money still a factor?"

He thought that Liu Yimin only mentioned affiliation because he was unwilling to invest money.

"Yes, it counts. It will always count."

“No need for that much. I’ve calculated it, 30,000 yuan is about right. With 30,000 yuan, you’ll get 35% of the shares, how about that?” Zheng Yuanjie asked.

"Thirty-five? Wasn't it supposed to be thirty? It's still fifty-three thousand!"

"Thirty is too much of a loss for you. Since you're so generous, I can't be stingy. Thirty-five, or else we won't cooperate. I'd rather do it myself! Besides, you can handle the publication number, publishing house, and printing!" Zheng Yuanjie put down the steamed bun and looked at Liu Yimin, clearly indicating that he would leave if he didn't agree.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Alright, alright, thirty-five it is."

The two began discussing the details of the collaboration, with Zheng Yuanjie owning the copyright and Liu Yimin participating in the distribution of the magazine and publishing profits.

Looking at the terms, Zheng Yuanjie couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude, realizing how much respect this showed him.

Liu Yimin saw Zheng Yuanjie out of the office and told him to wait for his news.

He ran into Cao Wenxuan as he went out. Zheng Yuanjie greeted him with a big smile. The two of them both wrote children's literature and had met a few times before.

Cao Wenxuan saw Liu Yimin standing next to Zheng Yuanjie and was puzzled, but he still shook hands with Zheng Yuanjie, his enthusiasm hiding a hint of arrogance.

After seeing Zheng Yuanjie off, Cao Wenxuan asked in confusion, "Professor Liu, how did you get to know Zheng Yuanjie?"

"what happened?"

“He never went to university,” Cao Wenxuan blurted out.

Liu Yimin looked at Cao Wenxuan's shoulder: "Professor Cao, there are many writers who haven't gone to university. Literature isn't all about academic qualifications; the most important thing is ideas. Professor Cao, Yenching University is a free Yenching University, so let's not have this kind of academic or non-academic thinking."

“Yes, Professor Liu, you are right,” Cao Wenxuan said. “I’ll leave the selection of this year’s academic scholarships to Professor Cao.”

"understand!"

After returning to the Institute of Literature and finishing his work, Liu Yimin thought about the application for a publication number.

Nowadays, applying for a publication number is not difficult, as there are many magazines published in various regions, and the review process is relatively lenient. Furthermore, the State Administration of Press and Publication is now under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, not an independent ministry.

Based on this calculation, the Institute of Literature and the Publishing Bureau are sister units within the same system.

As Liu Yimin was about to leave, Yan Zhen stopped him: "Chief, this is the New Year's welfare plan I've drafted. Please take a look."

Liu Yimin glanced at it and said, "Our institute is mostly full of senior professors, so you have to take them into consideration. Prepare fifty yuan for each person!"

Stepping outside, he thought of Dai Tielang's matter, then turned back and said, "Shanghai is too far away, let's just distribute the money directly!"

Yan Zhen said, "Okay!"

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin went directly to the Ministry of Culture to find Xia Yan. As the director, he had to inform Xia Yan about this matter. With Xia Yan's help, Liu Yimin wouldn't need to go to the Publishing Bureau in person.

"Start a magazine? Affiliate with it?" Xia Yan was confused for a moment. He thought Liu Yimin had something else to ask him!

Liu Yimin explained the whole story to him again: "Comrade Dai Tielang said that there are few good animated film scripts. I think that having such a magazine can provide good material for domestic animation. In addition, children's stories are related to children's growth, so I think it's a good thing."

After a long pause, Xia Yan said, "If that's the case, we can start our own children's magazine. There's no need to be affiliated with one."

"Comrade Zheng Yuanjie has his own ideas, and some of our children's magazines do not respect the achievements of children's literature writers. They do not agree to raise the remuneration standard by even one cent."

"If we create our own professional children's magazine, the workload will be much greater."

Xia Yan laughed in exasperation when he heard this. "It's only a dollar more for every ten thousand words!"

"He writes a magazine all by himself? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?" Xia Yan was also a little skeptical about Zheng Yuanjie's writing speed.

"He publishes many articles in children's magazines at once, so he could easily run a monthly magazine on his own."

Xia Yan said, "I thought you were the fastest, but I didn't expect there to be someone even faster!"

After much consideration, Xia Yan nodded in agreement. Liu Yimin would handle the publication number application.

Before leaving, Liu Yimin told Xia Yan about his investment of 30,000 yuan. Xia Yan asked Liu Yimin to write a statement and give it to him for filing.

“He is fully responsible for the day-to-day operations; I am not involved,” Liu Yimin said.

"Okay, I understand. Since you've decided to do it, then go for it. This is also a way for you to explore new business channels for the Institute of Literature. We can't just wait for funding. Doing something for children's literature and making some money for the Institute of Literature on the side is not bad. If anything happens, I'll take care of it." Xia Yan reassured Liu Yimin to go ahead and do it.

After leaving Xia Yan's office, Liu Yimin turned and went into the Publishing Bureau's office, where the current leader was Bian Chunguang.

Bian Chunguang is a veteran revolutionary who has worked on the literary and artistic front since the beginning. He served as the director of education at the East China Youth League School and later entered the publishing industry.

Bian Chunguang turned sixty after New Year's Day. When he saw Liu Yimin, he warmly invited him to sit down and asked what was wrong.

Upon hearing that Liu Yimin wanted to start a children's magazine, Bian Chunguang asked in confusion, "Why are you thinking of starting a children's magazine? You're in children's literature, isn't that a waste of your talents?"

"You could say that children are the future of the country!" Liu Yimin said.

"It's still a bit of a pity."

"I am not completely devoted to creating children's literature."

Bian Chunguang slapped his thigh and said, "Oh dear, I forgot. Writers can write whatever they want; it's not all black and white! Did you talk to Mr. Shen about that?"

"I just came out of his office!"

Bian Chunguang said, "Okay, leave the materials here, I'll have someone process it for you right away. Once the publication number is issued, I'll have someone call you."

Liu Yimin said thank you, got up and left the publishing bureau.

After leaving the publishing bureau, I went to the Beijing People's Art Theatre and sat for a while, watching the rehearsal of the play "The Battle of Taierzhuang".

The play "The Battle of Taierzhuang" was rehearsed by Lan Tianye and Su Min. In order to select actors, the two read almost all the information of the generals who participated in the battle and carefully read "Li Zongren's Memoirs" to improve the accuracy of the play.

Lan Tianye said to Liu Yimin, "With so many people and such a grand scene, we're worried we won't be able to capture the right feel."

"Especially for large-scale scenes, such as sieges and counterattacks, there are far too many actors needed; it would take drawing a large portion of the actors to complete the scenes," Su Min exclaimed.

Judging from the war scenes, the number of people involved was even greater than in "The Birth of a Warrior".

"is it hard?"

"Disaster!"

Liu Yimin joked, "If it's difficult, let Director Shan Zun do it?"

Lan Tianye and Su Min's expressions changed, and they immediately straightened their chests and said, "Actually, it's not that difficult!"

"Directors, I believe in you."

The two inquired about the film studio's plans for filming, and when they heard that the studio was going to select actors with suitable appearances, they couldn't help but marvel at how serious the studio was.

"It's a stage play, so let's not compare it to a movie. They're planning to spend a lot of money on this; it's a huge production in the current film industry."

As soon as Liu Yimin finished speaking, Su Min couldn't help but ask, "How much? Could it be a million?"

"Director Su is being stingy. If we really wanted to film it, even doubling the price of one million wouldn't be enough," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Hiss!" Lan Tianye and Su Min gasped, then began to feel envious. They could make a fortune with the two million yuan in funding.

The production team plans to spend a huge sum of money to build a real set of Taierzhuang, as well as other scenes that need to be filmed, which will cost a fortune.

The Guangxi Film Studio alone certainly couldn't afford it; they would have to apply for special funding from the Guangxi cultural department.

After selling them, they can only earn an extra sum of money thanks to subsidies from the Ministry of Culture.

Amidst the sighs of Lan Tianye and Su Min, Liu Yimin found Zhu Lin, who had just finished rehearsing "The Most Beautiful Youth." The two got on their motorcycle and left the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

When Ximei returned home and mentioned Zheng Yuanjie's visit to him, Liu Yimin said, "I know, we've already met at school."

That evening, Zhu Lin asked Zheng Yuanjie why he wanted to see Liu Yimin, and Liu Yimin told him about their joint venture to publish a magazine.

"A children's magazine? Can he really run a publication all by himself?" Zhu Lin asked incredulously.

"Why not? You have to believe that human potential is limitless. Even if you do nothing for a month, writing five or six fairy tales shouldn't be a problem."

"Teacher Liu, have you discussed this with Comrade Zheng Yuanjie?"

"Really not!" Liu Yimin picked up the phone and called Zheng Yuanjie, telling him that the publication number was being processed and would probably be available before the Spring Festival.

Zheng Yuanjie was overjoyed, but when he heard Liu Yimin say it was a monthly magazine, his smile faded.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, could we change it to a bimonthly publication first?"

"You can't do it?"

"It's not that I can't, it's that I'm afraid the intensity is too high. What if I can't write it and make a fool of myself?"

Liu Yimin nodded and said, "It's my fault for not talking to you about this beforehand. It's okay, bimonthly it is. We can switch to odd-monthly when the time is right."

"I will definitely work hard to write and try to adapt to the intensity of a monthly publication as soon as possible." Zheng Yuanjie breathed a sigh of relief and was very happy that Liu Yimin could "respect" him.

"King of Fairy Tales" started as a bimonthly publication, then became a monthly publication in the 90s, and later a semi-monthly publication. Liu Yimin overlooked this change and only thought about Zheng Yuanjie's incredible speed.

Zheng Yuanjie hung up the phone, excitedly ran back to the tenement building, and hugged and kissed Guo Weiwei.

"It's done!"

"What's done?"

"The magazine is finished, and the publication number will be issued soon."

"So fast?"

“It’s difficult for us to get a publication number, but it’s not difficult for Comrade Liu Yimin. The director of the Institute of Literature is Xia Yan from the Ministry!” Zheng Yuanjie said excitedly.

Upon hearing the good news, Guo Weiwei hugged Zheng Yuanjie tightly. Zheng Yuanjie said again, "Weiwei, I promised you that I would give you a good life. Our good days are coming soon."

The two fell onto the bed, their intimate sounds filling the air. Just as they were about to begin their intimate act, the neighbor impatiently kicked the wall and angrily complained, "Time to sleep! You're making so much noise!"

(End of this chapter)