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

Chapter 4 Huge royalties!

"Publication is naturally not a problem. Good works should be made public for the world to appreciate."

Li Ji put down the manuscript, closed his eyes to calm down, and said slowly, "The only thing we need to consider is how to deal with the possible impact after this article is published."

"Just like what happened just now, you have been arguing with people in the editing room over this work. Once the novel is released to the public, there will be thousands of different opinions."

"That's his own fault. He doesn't know anything, but he likes to interfere in everything and criticize at will."

Wang Chaoyin raised his head and said nonchalantly.

"You, you, ah."

Li Ji couldn't help but smile and said, "Think about a question carefully now."

"Traditional military themes like to portray characters as perfect. This novel goes the other way and does not shy away from the shortcomings of human nature."

"Besides, readers are used to seeing happy endings. Can they accept the final sacrifices of Liang Sanxi, Jin Kailai, and Little BJ?"

"So, there are bound to be some people who are uncomfortable with the content. Although their number is not large, they are able to create a lot of noise and public opinion. How do you plan to deal with it?"

Faced with the editor-in-chief's question, Wang Chaoyin fell into silence.

Once the content of a novel causes controversy, not only the work will be affected, but the author himself may also be implicated.

At the very least, it will affect the author's creative mentality, and at worst, it will cause the author to become devastated and fall into self-doubt.

When you meet an excellent author like Xu Yuexin, you have to protect him well.

Wang Chaoyin said with determination.

"I plan to include an editor's comment when the novel is published, stating my position and expressing my support."

"This way, even if there is controversy, it will all be directed at me and will not interfere with the author."

Wang Chaoyin said firmly, "He is a young man, only in his early twenties, and we cannot let him be affected."

"Oh? You're not afraid?"

Li Ji is very interested.

Wang Chaoyin smiled brightly, revealing his full set of white teeth: "If I can't protect the author, my position as editor-in-chief is meaningless."

"Okay, once the editor's review is written, give it to me to revise and add my name to it."

Li Ji suppressed his smile and spoke calmly.

Wang Chaoyin was surprised by his superior's statement. He waved his hand quickly and said, "You... should just give up. I am enough for you."

"You are still young, and I am old. It doesn't matter."

Li Ji's vicissitudes of life reveal wisdom and determination. "We publish a magazine based on our stance. What is a stance? It means that we have the courage to express our views on major junctures and major issues, and we will not compromise or sit on the fence."

"The spring breeze of reform has already blown, and the literary world cannot lag behind. It must ride on the wave and strive to be the first."

“And the way we strive forward is to continuously publish works with new ideas and content that are called for by the times.”

"You see, the style of the article "The Wreath under the Mountain" is obviously different from traditional military literature, and its conception and content do not avoid sharp issues."

"It ruthlessly exposes some ugly phenomena in society, such as using connections and taking backdoors."

"At the same time, the author also expressed his own distinct views through the mouths of the characters in the text."

"For example, can someone like Jin Kailai, who has flaws, be called a hero? The answer given in the article is absolutely yes. Even the sun has sunspots moving around, so people with flaws can certainly shine."

"For example, the novel fully reveals the whole process of Zhao Mengsheng's mother's fall from nobleness to meanness, and her final education and repentance."

"This points out a way to transform many negative phenomena in today's society. Whether it is effective in reality or not, it is at least an attempt."

"Based on my decades of experience in literary and artistic work, the article "High Mountains" will not only bring changes to military themes, but will also bring a new trend to the entire literary and artistic world."

"I signed my name not only to further protect the author, but also to make the magazine's position clear and to gain more room for development. Do you understand the reason now?"

"I understand. You really mean it."

After listening to Li Ji's words, Wang Chaoyin seemed to have realized something and gained more insights into how to publish a magazine.

Since the publication of "Class Teacher" in 1977, People's Literature has always been bold in the content it publishes, playing the role of a pioneer in reform in the literary and art circles. It has received rave reviews from readers and has established a broad market.

The determination to explore and boldly innovate are the magic weapons that enable the magazine to grow and develop.

The superiors saw this and attached great importance to people's literature. This is the reason why Wang Chaoyin and Li Ji dared to endorse Xu Yuexin's works.

"What do you think about the royalties?"

After discussing how to respond to possible situations, Li Jifa asked.

"My personal opinion is to give him the highest rate, 7 yuan per thousand words."

"How much do you think is appropriate?"

Wang Chaoyin asked for instructions.

"I agree. Take this and go to the finance department to get the money later."

After saying this, Li Ji opened the drawer, took out paper and pen, quickly wrote a line of words, stamped it with the official seal, and handed it to Wang Chaoyin.

Wang Chaoyin took the note, said "You're busy here", then left the office and walked quickly towards the Finance Department.

In the editorial office, Xu Yuexin was waiting for Wang Chaoyin to return, feeling a little uneasy. Why had he not come back after being gone for so long? Did the editor-in-chief have any opinions about the novel?
It would be fine if they just asked for the content to be modified, but I'm afraid they would think there's something wrong with the idea and directly reject it.

Xu Yuexin had this worry because he had just considered a problem, that is, the original work of "The Wreath under the Mountain" was published in 1982, and now it is 1979.

After the reform and opening up, people's thoughts and understandings have undergone new changes every year. The public's mentality and ideas in 1979 were very different from those in 1982.

What readers can accept three years later may not be accepted three years ago. Not to mention that when the novel "High Mountain" was published in 3, a small number of people found it difficult to accept and strongly demanded that the plot in which Jin Kailai failed to win the medal be revised.

Forget it. The more I think about it, the more upset I get. I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Xu Yuexin forced himself to stop thinking, since it would be a disaster whether he stuck his head out or shrank his head.

"Comrade Chunfeng, your royalties."

It was not until he heard Wang Chaoyin's festive voice that Xu Yuexin finally recovered from his trance.

Published article fee?

Xu Yuexin felt as if he was hearing heavenly music, and his spirits were lifted.

He quit his job to devote himself to writing, wasn't it just to make money and become famous?
Xu Yuexin stood up and looked in the direction of the voice, and saw Wang Chaoyin holding a large bulging envelope in his hand and walking towards him with brisk steps.

"Team Leader Wang, thank you for your hard work."

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and took the envelope from Wang Chaoyin.

It feels so heavy!

"We have decided to pay you 7 yuan per thousand words. The total amount in the envelope is 651 yuan, 6 cents. Please count it in front of me."

"The manuscript fee slip is also in there."

An expression of congratulations was written on Wang Chaoyin's face, and he patted Xu Yuexin's shoulder with a smile.

More than six hundred yuan?

Xu Yuexin paused for a moment, unable to believe this was true.

In 1979, the average salary of workers in Beijing was just over 600 yuan. This meant that he earned a year's salary in just half a month's work.

"Don't just stand there, count quickly."

Wang Chaoyin was not surprised by Xu Yuexin's reaction. He said with a kind smile that this was also the highest single payment he had paid in recent years.

"okay."

Xu Yuexin opened the envelope, counted the items and made sure that every penny was included, and left his home address at Wang Chaoyin's request.

When the novel was published, People's Literature would send a sample copy to his home.

After Wang Chaoyin wrote down the address, he confirmed it with Xu Yuexin and reminded him, "Next time you have manuscripts, continue to send them to me."

"Okay, I'll give it to you if there's a similar style manuscript."

When Xu Yuexin made the promise, he specifically added a limitation.

It’s not that I’m trying to play tricks on Wang Chaoyin, but the style of People’s Literature itself tends to be serious. To put it bluntly, it is a serious drama, and there are certain requirements for the overall ideological content of the work.

The selection of materials for my future creations will be different from this time, and may not be suitable for publication in People's Literature.

"That's settled."

Wang Chaoyin said as he walked Xu Yuexin down the stairs.

After leaving the No. 166 compound, Xu Yuexin put the large envelope containing the royalties in a cloth bag, thought about it for a while, and then called a tricycle to go home.

At present, more and more educated youth are returning to the city. Many of them cannot find jobs. In addition, some of them developed bad habits of stealing when they were in the countryside, and thus ended up like cheaters.

If I take the bus home, I might get my wallet stolen on the way and end up working for Mr. Buddha.

Just as Xu Yuexin got on the tricycle, Chen Qiaoqiao's mother Zhou Zhifeng had returned to their three-bedroom, one-living-room home and talked about what she had just seen and heard.

"Hey, this is really new. Xu Yuexin has resigned for half a month, but his mother didn't even know about it. I had to tell her."

"If you ask me, this kid is really useless. No matter how hard coal mining is, it is still a job. How can he just give up?"

Zhou Zhifeng said disapprovingly, "There are so many educated youth who have returned to the city and are struggling to find a job. I heard that some people are willing to work even without being paid as long as they have food and accommodation."

"Mom, Yue Xin saved my life and he has very good character. I don't allow you to say that about him."

At this moment, the bedroom door was creaked open from the inside, and a young girl in a plain white dress and with an extremely beautiful face walked out, saying with an unhappy look on her face.

When Zhou Zhifeng saw her daughter, her face immediately lit up: "Qiaoqiao, why are you wearing a skirt? Who are you going to meet?"

Chen Qiaoqiao is Zhou Zhifeng's pride. She ranked 9th in Beijing in the college entrance examination and was successfully admitted to the Chinese Department of Yenching University.

Coupled with Chen Qiaoqiao's outstanding appearance, Zhou Zhifeng has always hoped that she could marry into a family with a higher social status and live a wealthy life.

"Go see Yue Xin. I couldn't write to him a while ago, so I have to explain everything to him in person."

Chen Qiaoqiao walked to the door, put on her shoes, and said without turning back.

Go meet Xu Yuexin? My daughter is obviously dating him!

Zhou Zhifeng suddenly felt like the sky was falling: Why did she have to follow that unemployed vagrant when she could get along with anyone else?
(End of this chapter)