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

Chapter 19: Slender and charming

"Since there is support from above, I feel relieved and can give it a try boldly."

Wang Chaoyin felt more at ease when he learned the truth from Wang Meng. "There are some senior people in the magazine who have experienced the era of royalties. I asked them for advice on what to do."

"The most important thing is Xiao Xu's own opinion. We may have to work hard to convince him to accept it."

"It's getting late, let's go inside and talk."

After Wang Meng finished speaking, he stood up and took Wang Chaoyin into the house.

The two literary giants held a candlelight discussion late into the night regarding the royalties for the book High Mountains.

……

After a while, Xu Yuexin received a telegram from Wang Chaoyin, inviting him to People's Literature to discuss important matters.

After arriving at People's Literature, Xu Yuexin was invited to the reception room by Wang Chaoyin.

The reception room is decorated in a fresh and elegant style, with antique furniture such as tables, chairs, and bookshelves. The blue and white porcelain vase on the carved table is warm in color, and every issue of the magazine since its establishment in 1949 is displayed on the bookshelf.

On the plain wall, cover photos of outstanding works over the years are displayed in chronological order.

"A Young Man Came to the Organization Department", "Six Poems" and "Class Teacher" by the great man...

The latest issue is "The Wreath under the Mountain", and the author is named Chunfeng.

"It was just posted a few days ago. I guess your interview with reporter Li will also be published in the People's Daily in a while."

Wang Chaoyin pointed to the cover photo of "High Mountain" on the wall and said with a smile, "The higher-ups are very optimistic about your book and hope you can make some breakthroughs in it."

"Team Leader Wang, please speak."

Xu Yuexin understood from the beginning that Wang Chaoyin had specially invited him here today, definitely not to chat.

When he said the word "breakthrough", Xu Yuexin had a vague premonition about something.

"We want to try out a royalty system on your book 'High Mountains'."

"In the past, authors were paid according to the number of words they wrote. Some senior leaders hope to implement a more flexible remuneration system, where authors receive a share of the revenue according to sales."

"In the past, this was called royalties, but it has been gone for some years now. What do you think?"

Wang Chaoyin gave a brief introduction, his eyes falling on Xu Yuexin, waiting for his reaction.

At this moment, Wang Chaoyin felt a little worried.

Having experienced the special times, many people have a deep fear of new things, and dare not accept them even if there are clear benefits. The reason is simple: everyone is afraid that one day the wind will change, and those who dare to embrace new things will be investigated and implicated.

If Xu Yuexin is unwilling to try royalties, then there will be trouble.

According to Wang Meng's instructions, Wang Chaoyin was ready to carry out some arduous persuasion work.

Because there are few novels suitable for mass publishing, "High Mountains" is currently the best choice.

Royalties?

Xu Yuexin is no stranger to this term, as later authors of physical books all make money from it.

But in today's era, royalties are a concept that has been forgotten for a long time.

In 1960, the literary community announced the abolition of royalties, and the only source of income for authors was royalties. It has been 19 years since then.

There was a period in the middle when even the remuneration was cancelled.

According to Xu Yuexin's understanding of literary history, the country will have to wait until next year, which is the 20th anniversary of the abolition of the royalty system, for it to issue an official document to restore the royalty system.

There is still about half a year before the country officially issues royalty regulations, and it looks like I will be the one to break the ice.

When Xu Yuexin realized that he was participating in the process of leading history, he had a wonderful feeling. Of course, this was not resistance, but joy.

"I would like to implement a royalty system on my books."

Xu Yuexin agreed straightforwardly, "But I don't know what the specific conditions are?"

Wang Chaoyin was overjoyed at Xu Yuexin's statement.

Young people accept new things quickly, and even the ideological work needs to be done.

"This time we plan to print 30000 copies, each priced at 2 cents, and the royalty rate is 8% of the selling price. The payment method is advance payment of royalties. Do you agree to this condition?"

Wang Chaoyin asked.

After hearing this series of numbers, Xu Yuexin did a quick calculation.

8% royalties, that's a full 480 yuan, paid in advance, so the terms are quite generous.

"I agree to this condition."

Xu Yuexin agreed, "May I ask if the publishing house has any plans to print more copies later?"

"You've got the point. We are planning to reprint the next edition. For each subsequent reprint, we will continue to pay you royalties based on the ratio just mentioned and the book's price at that time."

Wang Chaoyin said with a congratulatory expression, "As long as the book is still selling, you can continue to make money."

"From now on, you have a cornucopia."

Xu Yuexin also smiled: "I hope that the book "High Mountains" can become an evergreen tree and provide long-term income for the magazine and me."

"Well, I hope so."

Wang Chaoyin said in an excited tone, expressing his high expectations for the subsequent sales of Xu Yuexin's works.

After discussing with Xu Yuexin, Wang Chaoyin took out the contract that he had prepared long ago, signed it, and took it to the Finance Department to collect the advance royalties issued to him.

Currently, there is no item of royalties in the invoicing items. Fortunately, Wang Chaoyin had already made arrangements with the editor-in-chief Li Ji before today, and the reason given was to pay the author's royalties according to the number of copies printed and the sales price of the book.

In fact, this is the essence of royalties, but in the early stages of reform, it needed to be expressed in a different way.

After receiving the royalties, Wang Chaoyin returned to the editorial office and handed the brown paper document bag containing the money to Xu Yuexin: "A total of 480 yuan, all the receipts and the contract with the official seal are in it."

The file bag is heavy and feels very solid.

Xu Yuexin took the document bag, counted the money and took a look at the contract inside.

This is the first royalty contract since the reform and opening up. In the years to come, it will become a precious historical souvenir in his hands.

After checking the money, Xu Yuexin took a bus back to Wudaokou.

When he was about to get out of the car, he saw through the car window that Chen Qiaoqiao was waiting for him outside the wall downstairs of the faculty and staff building.

At this time, Chen Qiaoqiao also saw Xu Yuexin, and immediately waved to him and walked towards him quickly with joy.

Xu Yuexin waved back at Chen Qiaoqiao through the car window. After getting out of the car, he quickened his pace and greeted her from a distance: "How long have you been waiting?"

Today, Chen Qiaoqiao was wearing a pink and white corset dress with a mutton-fat jade pendant tied around her delicate white swan neck, and her pretty face was slightly flushed.

When the breeze blew, the hem of her dress swayed gently, making Chen Qiaoqiao look even more graceful and charming.

"Just arrived a while ago."

Chen Qiaoqiao walked up to him, winked mischievously and said, "I'm going to treat you to a meal to celebrate today."

(End of this chapter)