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

Chapter 503: The Book is Published on the Island
According to director Frank's description and US media estimates of The Redemption of a Slave's box office, the global box office will be at least $40 million.

In mid-June, the film will be released in various locations around the world where American films are permitted to be shown.

In fact, many countries are already releasing films simultaneously. For example, in Singapore, American films are released at the same time as the US films, and due to the time difference, they are even released earlier in Singapore than in the US.

The box office has now surpassed ten million, with seven million coming from the US domestic market.

"Liu, this is a great victory, the best film I've ever made. Without your script, I would be even further from my dream. It's a pity you're in faraway China and can't share this glory with me," Frank said regretfully at the end of the telegram.

Liu Yimin was calculating in his mind how much money he would get. His share was 0.5 percent of the box office. In addition to the domestic box office in the United States, the distributor's share would also be deducted. Based on the box office of 30 million US dollars, he would receive 1.5 million US dollars in revenue. After paying taxes, he would still have more than 1 million US dollars left.

For Liu Yimin, this amount of money already exceeds his entire net worth.

Jiang Zilong didn't ask Liu Yimin how much money he would receive, but simply exclaimed, "Yimin, your reputation as China's richest writer is shining brighter and brighter."

"This is just their wishful thinking; the exact amount is uncertain. Eat, eat! Ximei, get some more meat. If you two want to drink, I have a bottle of Wuliangye and a bottle of Moutai." Liu Yimin generously scooped up a large pile of meat and threw it into the hot pot.

Although Moutai was good in those days, most people still recognized Wuliangye. Until the phrase "National Liquor Moutai" completely overturned Wuliangye and made it the number one liquor brand.

Lu Yao rubbed her stomach and said, "I'm not drinking anymore. My liver has been a little uncomfortable lately, so I can't drink alcohol."

“Yimin, let’s have some. Lu Yao can’t drink, so let’s not try to persuade him,” Jiang Zilong said.

"What to drink?"

"Try Moutai, I see you like to drink it."

Xi Mei got up and brought the Moutai from the study. Liu Yimin opened it and poured a glass for Jiang Zilong: "I just think this stuff doesn't upset my stomach."

Jiang Zilong raised his glass and clinked it with his: "Yimin, congratulations on earning foreign exchange for our country again. I also like Moutai. In 65, in our factory canteen, Moutai cost four cents a tael, which was usually too expensive for us. One day, my essay was published, and to celebrate, I bought a tael, but unfortunately, it was all taken by my colleagues at the factory."

After everyone left, I held the bottle to my lips and shook it, but sadly, not a drop was left. I smelled the aroma of the wine, and my heart ached; it was so heartbreaking.

Jiang Zilong has a high alcohol tolerance; he drank more than half a bottle of Moutai and was perfectly fine.

Lu Yao gave Jiang Zilong a thumbs up: "Comrade Zilong not only has a good capacity for alcohol, but also good drinking etiquette."

"If I were to talk nonsense, I wouldn't dare drink in front of everyone; I couldn't bear the embarrassment." Jiang Zilong chuckled and poured himself another glass.

While they were drinking, Liu Zhenyun also came over to join in the fun. He had learned that Lu Yao had come to Yanjing and wanted to meet him.

I called the People's Literature and Art Guesthouse at noon and learned that Lu Yao and Liu Yimin were recording a program together today, so I knew they must be having lunch at the courtyard house.

Liu Zhenyun leaned closer and took a sniff of the aroma: "Give me a few pieces of meat, I'm so hungry, my mouth is watering if we wait any longer."

After Liu Zhenyun got married, although both he and his wife worked, they were always short of money and rarely had the opportunity to eat meat to their heart's content.

Lu Yao made room for Liu Zhenyun and personally served him several pieces of meat: "Eat more. Today is a day to celebrate the big fish. Yi Min's novel has been made into a movie in the United States, and it's a huge success. If I weren't feeling unwell, I would have joined Comrade Zilong for a celebratory drink."

"Hiss, then I'll have to eat more." Liu Zhenyun took the bowl and chopsticks from Ximei's hands, his eyes narrowing into slits from the steam from the hot pot.

Zhu Lin stood up and said, "I'll go cut a watermelon."

Liu Zhenyun stuffed a few mouthfuls of meat into his mouth. The aroma of mutton mixed with sesame sauce made his stomach churn.

After she had eaten her fill, she said contentedly, "I also have some good news. Guo and I are going to have our own house. We're moving next month. After living in Yanjing for several years, we're finally going to have our own place."

After Liu Zhenyun received his room allocation, he found his dormitory room unpleasant to look at. The two of them were lying on a small bed, and they couldn't even turn over.

Jiang Zilong looked at Liu Zhenyun's dark circles and whispered in his ear, "Young man, don't get too excited about the new bed. Your health is the most important thing."

Liu Zhenyun chuckled but didn't say anything. Liu Yimin could tell from their expressions that they were talking nonsense.

Liu Zhenyun had to go to work in the afternoon, so he didn't drink. After they had almost finished eating, he chatted with Lu Yao about their field trip experience, hoping to learn from Lu Yao's findings.

“I call this indirect field research,” Liu Zhenyun said, using an analogy: “It’s like when I was a child, my mother would always chew the bread herself before putting it in my mouth, afraid that I would choke on it.”

Liu Yu looked at Zhu Lin: "Mom, I want to eat it like this too."

"You little rascal!" Liu Yimin laughed and scolded, then explained to Liu Zhenyun, "She's copying me!"

Liu Zhenyun laughed and said, "It's alright, it's alright. For kids from Henan Province, calling someone 'mother' is the proper way."

Liu Lin tugged at Liu Yimin's sleeve: "Dad, my sister is being disobedient."

Zhu Lin handed Liu Lin a small piece of watermelon: "Eat it quickly, stop tattling. How old are you? You already know how to tattle on your little sister."

Lu Yao looked at Liu Yu with affection and said, "Xiao Yu is just like my daughter, clever and mischievous."

Liu Zhenyun also said, "I also want to have a daughter. Yimin, your Xiaoyu is so cute. Liu Lin has the sense of responsibility of an older brother."

Zhu Lin said with a smile, "Liu Lin used to take good care of Xiaoyu, but lately he's been tattling on her."

"Sister Lin is usually very good to Xiaoyu at home, but Xiaoyu often teases her brother, so she started complaining," Ximei explained.

At 1:50, Liu Zhenyun hurriedly got up to go back to work. Just as he left, Zhu Lin also grabbed his keys and left home.

At 2:30, the gathering at the courtyard house ended. Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong walked to the entrance of the alley, took a bus, and returned to the guesthouse.

Jiang Zilong drank some Wuliangye liquor at the end, and apart from his face being a little red, he was perfectly fine, which surprised Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin rested in the courtyard for half an hour before going into his study to begin writing.

Inspired by my last trip to Singapore, I realized that if we want to elevate the status of mainland China in the world of Chinese literature, we need to produce more best-selling literary works worldwide; domestic works alone are not enough.

However, when writing, Liu Yu would always peek into the study after waking up.

Liu Yimin picked her up and gently patted her bottom twice: "No wonder your brother complained, you really deserved to be hit."

Instead of making a fuss, Liu Yu kept giggling. Liu Yimin didn't dare to really hit her, so he could only let her pull him into the yard to play with her.

On May 31, Zheng Yuanjie, who had been investigating piracy for over a month, finally returned to Yanjing. Liu Yimin, seeing Liang Xiangdong next to Zheng Yuanjie, couldn't help but ask, "What happened to you?"

Liang Xiangdong gently touched the gauze on his forehead and groaned in pain: "We went to the printing factory to find evidence and were discovered, so we climbed over the wall to run away. When we came down, we weren't paying attention and bumped into a tree."

Zheng Yuanjie was covered in dirt but wasn't injured. He said angrily, "That was close! Yimin, these people are really vicious. They did bad things and then dared to chase after us and beat us up. It's a pity we couldn't find any evidence against this family in the end, but I bribed one of their employees. They'll help me get evidence if they have the chance."

"You've worked hard, Lao Zheng. I told you so. When you go out to investigate piracy, you need to bring an extra helper. Xiang Dong, you've worked hard too. Add some extra money for medical expenses and nutrition this month."

Xi Mei, who was playing with Liu Yu and Liu Lin, would glance at Liang Xiangdong from time to time, and several times she felt sorry for him and wanted to say something.

Liu Yimin glanced at the two of them: "Ximei, go to the third courtyard and water the apple trees. Head east, and help carry the buckets of water."

"Okay." Liang Xiangdong quickly went to find the water bucket.

Zheng Yuanjie held Liu Yimin's hand and recounted his experience. Despite the harrowing ordeal, he had no intention of backing down.

"This thrilling feeling can be used in fairy tales, to write adventure stories or martial arts animations like your 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes'," Zheng Yuanjie said optimistically.

Helpless, Liu Yimin could only tell him to be careful and inquired about the articles for the July issue. There was only one month left, and he wondered if he could finish writing them.

Zheng Yuanjie patted his briefcase confidently: "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten to write while I'm away. I've already written more than half of it. This kind of hectic life has made me write much faster."

Liu Yimin gave a thumbs up and said, "I'm impressed, Lao Zheng. You're a natural at writing fairy tales, even better than me."

"So-so, I still need to keep working hard." Zheng Yuanjie smiled smugly.

Liu Yimin invited Zheng Yuanjie to give a lecture on fairy tale writing at Yenching University when he has time.

"Me? I'm afraid I can't explain it clearly. I'm okay at writing, but if you really want me to talk about theory, I'm doomed. My cultural level is not even as good as a finger of a Peking University student." Zheng Yuanjie shook his head vigorously. "Old Zheng, you have to try. How will you know if you don't try? Besides, when you become famous in the future, you'll have to meet with readers, chat with elementary school students, and participate in literary and artistic symposiums. These are all things that matter."

Zheng Yuanjie said, "I need to talk about the harm of piracy. Okay, I'll go, but let's set the time for after July so I can be more prepared."

“Okay, go ahead and talk to the air. Students will be on holiday in July,” Liu Yimin said.

Before leaving, Zheng Yuanjie took with him the next issue of Liu Yimin's "Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes": "Of the 500,000 copies, 320,000 have already been sold. It seems we'll have to reprint the next issue."

"Haha, Lao Zheng, the best is yet to come." Liu Yimin patted Zheng Yuanjie on the shoulder.

As Liang Xiangdong left, Ximei stood at the door and couldn't help but watch him go for a while.

Liu Yimin joked, "Ximei, when are you two getting married?"

"Ah? Professor Liu. I...he...he's such a blockhead." Xi Mei said, her face flushed, her hands clasped together.

Xi Mei and Liang Xiangdong are both quite young; they both started working in the factory at the age of 16.

"Then I'll give this blockhead a good whack next time," Liu Yimin said with a laugh.

Xi Mei didn't say anything, her face flushed as she quickly returned to the courtyard.

In June, the crew of "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale" was finally about to head to Saihanba for filming. Compared to other film crews, the crew was practically a small production team, consisting of only fifteen people and one dog.

Although the crew was small, the filming equipment was very advanced, the highest-definition equipment that the August First Film Studio could provide.

Before setting off, Huang Zumo and Jiao Huang visited Liu Yimin again.

Jiao Huang was followed by a yellow dog and a dog trainer. If the dog didn't listen to Jiao Huang, the dog trainer would step in.

"Old Eight, lie down!" Jiao Huang commanded, and the yellow dog quickly lay down on the ground.

To better highlight the friendship between the owner and the dog, the name was changed from 'Xiao Ba' to 'Lao Ba'.

When Fugui saw the outside dog enter, it kept baring its teeth at it. Liu Yimin gave it a soft growl, and it obediently lay down under the tree and stopped talking.

"Ximei, let Lao Huang and Comrade Jiao Huang try the Sachima that Comrade Zilong sent!" Liu Yimin said.

Jiao Huang took a bite: "This tastes good, sweet but not cloying!"

"Not only is it not greasy, but it's also very nourishing. It's made with real dog milk and honey; Guishunzhai in Tianjin is very famous for it," Liu Yimin said.

"Dog's milk?" Huang Zumo paused, unsure whether to continue biting.

"It's goji berries, wild goji berries."

"So this is it."

Jiao Huang glanced at it and said, "When you reach middle age, you have no choice but to soak goji berries in your water cup at all times."

Seeing Ximei leave with the two little ones, Jiao Huang said mysteriously, "Goji berries aren't even the best. I checked the records of Saihanba in the Qing Dynasty. It used to be a place with abundant water and grass. To provide hunting opportunities for the royal family, they even raised deer. Deer blood is the real tonic. The Qing emperors drank it often."

Huang Zumo looked interested, but unfortunately he didn't know where to get deer blood.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "It's better to go to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital for treatment. Sometimes dietary therapy is also effective; it doesn't necessarily have to be deer blood."

"Comrade Yimin, do you know anything about this?" Jiao Huang asked.

"I don't understand it, and I don't use it."

"Yes!" Huang Zumo and Jiao Huang nodded heavily, clearly believing it!
After seeing the two off, Liu Yimin promised that he would definitely go to Saihanba to watch them film when he had time, and that if the two had any questions, they could come back and consult Liu Yimin at any time.

"Comrade Yimin, you must come." Huang Zumo grasped Liu Yimin's hand, afraid that he would not come.

"Definitely." Liu Yimin planned to go and take a look over the weekend, as he didn't have classes next Saturday.

In June, Liu Yimin sent off the latest graduating class of seniors into the workforce. This marks the third graduating class that Liu Yimin has personally seen off.

Looking at the new graduating class, Wu Zuxiang said with emotion: "Yimin, what you talked about in the symposium about youth is very good. After reading it, I miss my own youth very much. Just as you said, the wind that galloped in youth is more precious than gold."

But if I were to return to my youth, the scarred landscape wouldn't evoke such a feeling in me.

The speeches delivered at the symposium resonated with countless young people. The conversations between the three participants in "Youth Night Talks" further inspired many.

Lu Yao sent a telegram after returning to Yan'an. The workers at the Tongchuan coal mine wept bitterly after hearing the broadcast when they came out of the mine that night.

News reports about how "Ordinary World" and "Youth Night Talk" inspired laid-off young workers and young people are frequently seen in newspapers across the country.

Lu Yao also officially got a nickname, which young people called "the ascetic monk".

As the two were standing at the door sighing, Yan Zhen hurried over: "Professor Liu, your phone number is in your office."

"Hello, what's up?" Liu Yimin received a call from Mu Qing of Xinhua News Agency.

“Our Xinhua News Agency invited a reporter from the Hong Kong branch of the Central News Agency of Taiwan to the mainland for an interview. It’s Xie Zhonghou. After he arrives in Hong Kong, we would like to ask you to help us entertain him.”

"Marquis Xie Zhong?"

“Yes, the islanders said they were considering it, and they sent Xie Zhonghou over to investigate again. He expressed his intentions, so we extended an invitation,” Mu Qing said.

"Okay, when will it arrive?"

"He'll be here tomorrow. This Xie Zhonghou is so eager to come for an interview that he specifically requested to come to Yanjing this time."

"Row."

The next day, Liu Yimin met Xie Zhonghou at the airport. Xie Zhonghou was not dressed in a suit and tie like a foreign elite as before.

"Yimin, I specially changed into casual clothes because I was afraid you would scold me again." Xie Zhonghou showed off his clothes.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "You, Lao Xie, are you afraid I'll say that?"

Xie Zhonghou declined the Xinhua News Agency's offer of accompaniment and instead went to the courtyard house alone with Liu Yimin. Looking at the layout of the courtyard house, Xie Zhonghou said enviously, "This courtyard is full of cultural flavor."

"When you get old, come settle down in Yanjing," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Xie Zhonghou waved his hand: "The mainland allowed me to go home this time, but I declined. I'm really afraid that there will be no place for me in my family after I go back."

Liu Yimin patted Xie Zhonghou on the shoulder. Xie Zhonghou wiped his eyes and took out a note from his pocket: "Yimin, I have a friend who works at a publishing house. He asked me to ask you if you want to officially publish your work on the island. After all, piracy is too harmful to you."

"Can it be published?"

"It's possible, but it can't be published directly; there will be censorship. For example, your book, 'The Birth of a Nation,' can't."

Xie Zhonghou explained a roundabout publishing policy to Liu Yimin: mainland writers and publishers could not contact each other directly, but needed to find a middleman with Hong Kong identity to publish on the island through their entrustment.

"In addition, you have to pay lawyer fees. The middleman must sign a legal agreement, take the agreement and sign a contract with the publisher. They usually take a commission."

However, the royalties for publishing on the island are relatively higher, and it's paid in US dollars, with an 8% royalty rate. I know that in the US, you might get as much as 10-15%, but currently on the island, it's a fixed royalty rate.

Liu Yimin said, "It's not easy to find someone from the mainland. Among those with Hong Kong identities, I only know Zhang Xinyan. Publishing is possible, after all, even without publishing, piracy is rampant."

“I have a friend with Hong Kong residency who has done similar things before. He’s a reliable person. I can recommend him to you if you need him,” Xie Zhonghou said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)