1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

Seeing that Su Mao had already lowered his head, Zhang Shouren could only swallow his words.

……

"Comrade Chen Weidong's storytelling ability has improved again, and his creative ability has also increased significantly. He is truly a writing genius!"

Su Mao put down his reading glasses and said with a sigh.

"Then, editor-in-chief, do some of the content and plot need to be revised appropriately? Should it be written in a more subtle way?"

"No need. Comrade Weidong's writing is already quite good. It's not like two years ago anymore. As editors, we must protect the hard work and dedication of our authors."

Here's the arrangement: this article, "Hibiscus Town," will be published directly in our next issue of the magazine, without a single word changed!

Please also contact Comrade Chen Weidong and let him understand the stance of our October editorial department.

"Okay, editor-in-chief, I'll go to Wei Dong's house in person to inform him."

"Hmm? Comrade Weidong is back?"

"Yes, they just returned to the city and went home."

"Great, then you go there yourself. Oh, and this time, pay him seven yuan per thousand words."

Su Mao made a decisive decision. Through the two articles, "The Herdsman" and "Hibiscus Town," she no longer had any doubts about Chen Weidong's creative abilities.

I dare not say that Chen Weidong will become a literary giant like Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Lao She, and Cao Xueqin in the future, but based on Chen Weidong's current creative ability, he can definitely become a great writer like Zhao Shuli, Ai Qing, Ding Ling, Zhou Libo, and Ye Shengtao.

Such a promising future writer, with such a strong creative drive, will definitely be poached by other magazines if "October" doesn't try to win him over.

Zhang Shouren nodded. Even if Su Mao hadn't said anything, he would have tried his best to fight for it. After all, the single story "The Herdsman" had brought a huge influence to "October," and it would be unreasonable not to give such an author a top salary.

"So, should 'Hibiscus Town' be published separately, just like 'The Horseman'?"

"No need. This is a supplementary issue, and it will be published all at once. As for the publication time, it will be announced after the symposium."

"Yes, editor-in-chief, I'll go and arrange it right away."

When Zhang Shouren returned to his office, he didn't rush to Chen Weidong's house. Instead, he carefully read through "Hibiscus Town" again, marking out some typos until he had corrected them all.

The next day, he finally rode his bicycle out the door.

"Hello comrade, is this No. 17 Mao'er Hutong?"

"Yes, comrade, who are you looking for?"

Liu Juan looked Zhang Shouren up and down. He looked scholarly and didn't seem like a bad person.

"I'm an editor from the Yenching 'October' magazine. I'm looking for Comrade Chen Weidong. I wonder if he lives here?"

Zhang Shouren found his way here using the mailing address Chen Weidong had given him, as he was still relatively unfamiliar with Mao'er Hutong.

"Looking for Wei Dong? He does live here, but I don't know if he's here now, comrade. I'll take you in."

When Liu Juan heard that the person was looking for Chen Weidong, and that he was a colleague from the editorial department, she immediately led the way with great enthusiasm, but a series of doubts arose in her mind.

"Thanks."

As the two stepped through the hanging flower gate, Liu Juan called out to the main house, "Aunt Chen, someone is looking for Weidong. Is he home?"

"He's here, he just got back, Weidong~"

Chen's mother came out with a few scraps of cloth in her hand.

At this moment, Chen Weidong also heard the noise, put Chen Xiaoan on the kang (a heated brick bed), and came out from the east wing.

"Sister Liu, who's looking for me?"

"Wei Dong, it's me."

Zhang Shouren took a step forward.

"Brother Zhang, come in and have a seat."

Chen Weidong was somewhat surprised to see Zhang Shouren. He had just visited the October editorial department yesterday, and Zhang Shouren was here today. Could it be that "Hibiscus Town" had been rejected?

"No need, it's fine just to stay in the yard, it's cool there."

Zhang Shouren waved his hand. Chen Weidong had a woman and a child at home, so it would be inconvenient for him to go in. Besides, it was hot now, so it would be more comfortable to cool off under the jujube tree.

"That's fine then, honey, pour Brother Zhang a cup of hot water."

Chen Weidong gave an instruction to Su Man, who had followed him out, and then introduced her to everyone.

"Mother, this is Zhang Shouren, the editor of the magazine 'October' where I submitted my work."

"So you're Editor Zhang. It's all thanks to you taking care of Weidong that his article was able to be published. Don't rush off later, have a simple meal at home, I'll go buy groceries."

"Auntie, you don't need to bother. I'll just sit for a bit and then leave."

Before Zhang Shouren could refuse, Chen's mother had already left through the hanging flower gate.

"Brother Zhang, is there something you need? Is there a problem with the manuscript?"

Liu Juan, who hadn't left yet, immediately perked up her ears upon hearing Chen Weidong's words.

"There's no major problem. After Chief Editor Su read the article you submitted to me yesterday, she immediately decided to publish 'Hibiscus Town' in the next issue of 'October'. She was afraid you'd be waiting too long, so she specifically asked me to come over today to tell you."

This is your royalty statement. Please check if it's correct.

Also, there are some typos and grammatical errors in this manuscript; you need to revise them.

Zhang Shouren took out an envelope and the manuscript of "Hibiscus Town" from his bag.

"Payment for the manuscript!?"

"The manuscript?"

"Chen Weidong has written another novel?"

Liu Juan was deeply shocked and couldn't help but take a step forward, craning her neck to see what was going on. However, when she saw Su Man looking at her, she gave an embarrassed smile and took a step back.

As for leaving directly, that's impossible. If she doesn't understand the situation today, she won't be able to sit still when she gets home.

Chen Weidong opened the envelope, and inside was a post office receipt for royalties.

One thousand one hundred and fifty-five yuan.

1155!

Su Man glanced at him from behind, her mouth agape, almost letting out a gasp.

Somewhat unbelievable, I took another closer look, and it really was 1155 yuan!

Not to mention Su Man, even Chen Weidong raised an eyebrow. To receive this payment, "October" magazine was paying him the maximum rate of seven yuan per thousand words, which was already the highest treatment before the payment was increased.

"Many thanks to Editor-in-Chief Su, and even more thanks to Brother Zhang for his continued support."

Chen Weidong was a man who had seen the world. After all, even if it were ten thousand yuan, let alone a thousand yuan, it wouldn't last long and wouldn't be enough to cover a child's tuition for a year.

Not to mention the later Internet era, when even money was almost no longer needed and was replaced by payment codes. Back then, when he wanted to spend money, he couldn't find the change in many places.

This enabled Chen Weidong, at such an advanced age, to later learn how to pay with his mobile phone.

"This is what you deserve; I was just running errands."

Zhang Shouren did not take credit. Although he contributed some effort, in the end, it was Chen Weidong's own talent that mattered, and each of his novels was of higher quality than the last.

Otherwise, even if he had fought for it for Chen Weidong, Su Mao wouldn't have given Chen Weidong such a high fee.

How much exactly is it?

Liu Juan was practically a clairvoyant; she waited for ages, but still didn't hear any specific details.