Chapter 126: Wukong Legend Adaptation!

After returning from Xu Yuexin's home, Zhu Chen went to work at the office.

At this time, the office assigned Zhu Chen a task, sending her to Wuhai City to conduct research on the prevention and control of schistosomiasis and hepatitis A.

"I also have to go to Hu Hai?" Zhu Chen thought to herself as she accepted.

……

At this moment, SH City.

Xu Yuexin is together with Deputy Editor-in-Chief Zhou Jieren of Hu Hai Literature, discussing the publication of Wukong Legend.

They had originally agreed to meet in Jingcheng, but Xu Yuexin later decided to adapt Wukong Legend into a comic, so he set off for Hu Hai.

In this way, while discussing the novel's publication with Zhou Jieren, he can also visit Hu Hai's art institutions to arrange the comic's publication.

This is the second meeting between Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren. The last time he contacted Hu Hai Literature about publication matters, the person he met was also Zhou Jieren.

The two spent half an hour agreeing on Wukong Legend's print run, pricing, and print run Manuscript Payment tax rate, and Zhou Jieren still seemed a bit unsatisfied.

"Wukong Legend is a very brilliant novel; it would be great if it could be published overseas."

Zhou Jieren said with hope, "In this way, more people in other countries can see our story."

"I have also thought about overseas publication."

Xu Yuexin nodded and said, "It's just that I don't know whether you have any channels."

"We currently have no distribution channels. But once you give the green light, we can contact them right away."

Zhou Jieren, after a brief consideration, said, "The policies for overseas publication of literary works are gradually loosening, and Hu Hai's translation resources are abundant."

"Some foreign cultural communication companies, hearing about the reform and opening policies, are also interested in cooperating with us."

"Therefore, the hope of making this happen is still great."

"Then I suggest you translate and publish Wukong Legend together with the original Journey to the West."

"Otherwise many overseas readers won't understand the story background and may not be able to follow."

"You're right; foreigners haven't read Journey to the West yet."

Zhou Jieren said with strong approval, "I'll start contacting translators and channels tomorrow; I'll be the first to inform you when there's news."

"Alright, please take the trouble."

Xu Yuexin said, "I'll go to People's Art in a moment; you stay busy here."

People's Art, officially the Shanghai People's Art Publishing House, is currently the largest art publishing institution in the country.

Xu Yuexin wants to see if he can negotiate with them to illustrate Wukong Legend.

"Shang Renmei? I have a friend working there; shall we go together?"

Zhou Jieren offered proactively.

"That would be perfect."

"Alright, let's go."

Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren walked out of the Hu Hai Literature office building together, heading forward along Julu Road.

To describe what impression 1980s Hu Hai gave Xu Yuexin, it was "lots of factories!" Especially in electrical, light industry, and Chip sectors, there seemed to be a factory every three steps.

Speaking of it, before the rise of the financial industry in the 1990s, Hu Hai was still an industrial city.

Turn left, then another turn…

In just two kilometers, the two turned six or seven times among densely packed factories and charming alleys, finally arriving at Lane 672, Changle Road.

"This is it."

At this moment, Zhou Jieren stopped in front of a small courtyard, gesturing toward the gate, "You want to make Wukong Legend into a comic, right?"

"You guessed it; I want to find comrades at Shang Renmei to understand the comic adaptation situation."

"Which department should someone like me go to?"

"Go to the illustration department; I have an acquaintance there."

"Come with me."

After saying that, Zhou Jieren led Xu Yuexin into the courtyard, and the Security Officer didn't even ask.

It seems he is a regular here.

Compared with the courtyards of various Jingcheng units, Shang Renmei's courtyard is much smaller, yet meticulously maintained, with a dazzling array of flowers and plants.

Blooming gardenias, fresh magnolias, budding osmanthus…

The whole courtyard is pleasing to the eye, and its fragrance permeates the heart.

Xu Yuexin, led by Zhou Jieren, entered Shang Renmei's small Western‑style building, went up two floors, turned left, and arrived in front of an office.

"This is where they handle comics."

"We've had books commissioned to them before."

Zhou Jieren introduced, stepped forward and knocked on the weathered wooden office door, "Open up, I'm Old Zhou."

"Old Zhou? Come in."

From inside came a young voice with a Hu Hai accent, along with footsteps.

Then the door opened, revealing a young, gaunt face behind the door.

The young man wore a paint‑splattered apron, rubber boots easy to clean, and his fingernails were dyed red and yellow.

Zhou Jieren began introductions for both sides.

"Let me introduce, this is Pang Xianjian, Deputy Director of the Illustration Department, a pioneer in the art world. He drew the comics for 'The Change at Xuanwu Gate' and 'Class Teacher.'"

"This is Xu Yuexin, a renowned writer, a rising star in the literary world. You've read 'Wreath Under High Mountain' and 'The Horse Herder,' right? Those are his works."

Xu Yuexin and Pang Xianjian, upon hearing this, immediately extended their hands and shook each other's.

"Deputy Director Pang, hello, a pleasure today," Xu Yuexin said while shaking hands, "You know Liu Xinwu, Director Liu, right? I'm friends with him."

Since he has drawn the 'Class Teacher' comic, he must have dealt with the original author Liu Xinwu.

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you, I of course know him. The last time I went to Jingcheng, I even had tea with him several times."

Pang Xianjian smiled and nodded.

While speaking, the two walked into the illustration room.

Inside the illustration room there were a dozen workstations; some had artists sitting and drawing, others were empty.

The cement floor bore traces of paint, and the walls displayed the room's well‑known works from past years.

Among them were main‑theme propaganda paintings, adaptation albums of classic works such as Class Teacher, and some commercial oil paintings.

Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren sat beside Pang Xianjian's workstation and explained their purpose.

"There's no need to pour water; we can just sit and talk."

Xu Yuexin stopped Pang Xianjian from getting a kettle and said, "Director Pang, have you heard of the book Wukong Legend?"

"Not only have I heard of it, I've read it; it's a very exciting novel."

"I recall the author's pen name is Chunfeng; it looks like you wrote it, right?"

Pang Xianjian originally did not know that Xu Yuexin was the author of Wukong Legend.

However, when he learned that Xu Yuexin authored Flower Garland Under the High Mountain, Pang Xianjian understood the answer.

One pen can't produce two Chunfengs.

"That's right. I came to see you today mainly to ask whether a novel like this is suitable for adaptation into a comic book."

"If it is suitable, I intend to start the adaptation work."

"Suitable, of course. Wukong Legend derives from Journey to the West, and the Journey to the West comics are the most popular among all subjects."

"If we can turn Wukong Legend into a comic, sales will certainly not be a problem."

Pang Xianjian thought for a moment and gave a very affirmative answer, "By the way, since you plan to adapt it, would you consider cooperating with our publishing house?"

"In comic production and publishing, we are top‑tier in the country."

"What has been your past adaptation model?"

Xu Yuexin asked cautiously.

Pang Xianjian spoke the truth; Shang Renmei's comics are indeed first‑class domestically, and many people born in the '70s and '80s grew up reading them.

However, Xu Yuexin must not only consider their level but also weigh the profit‑sharing issue.

Therefore, whether speaking to Zhou Jieren or to Pang Xianjian, he left room for negotiation, never immediately stating a desire to have Shang Renmei adapt it, only saying he wanted to learn the situation and consult.

"We have always purchased the adaptation rights before proceeding with the illustration work."

"As far as I know, all art publishing houses nationwide currently follow this practice."

"So, what price range does the adaptation right usually fall in?"

"The low end is about a hundred yuan, the high end two or three hundred yuan."

Pang Xianjian vaguely informed him.

Fine, whether it's a hundred yuan or two‑three hundred, it's a price Xu Yuexin cannot accept.

Trying to break the price ceiling is naturally impossible.

With so many excellent works, how could a publisher break the precedent for just one?

Xu Yuexin pondered.

As he was thinking, Pang Xianjian tentatively asked.

"What's up, are you thinking about the price issue in the adaptation process?"

"Yes. At current price levels, the author's profit from the adaptation would be too low."

Xu Yuexin said bluntly.

Pang Xianjian was shocked by his straightforward words.

Most authors of this era are still rather lofty, adhering to the gentleman‑by‑righteousness approach, and few would discuss profit sharing so directly.

However, after calming down and reflecting, Pang Xianjian still agreed with Xu Yuexin's idea.

At present, in every link of comic adaptation, the original author is indeed at a disadvantage in profit distribution, being the least benefited party.

"The lower the amount, the harder it is to break the current price pattern."

Pang Xianjian, seeing Xu Yuexin's bluntness, also spoke the truth, "Each art publishing house has internal regulations on copyright pricing."

"Mm, I understand, so I want to calculate the original author's earnings based on print‑run manuscript payment, following the book publishing model."

The price of comics is much higher than books; if we can indeed calculate earnings by print run, Xu Yuexin could make a fortune.

Even a slightly lower percentage is fine, since comic production costs are high, and Xu Yuexin had long anticipated this.

"Print‑run manuscript payment?" That's a bit new; our comic industry hasn't used that method yet."

Pang Xianjian muttered, realizing that Xu Yuexin was actually testing his attitude.

However, calculating remuneration by print run is indeed too novel for his industry.

"Everything has a first time. A few years ago many comic subjects were prohibited, yet now we still draw them."

At this moment, Zhou Jieren, as Xu Yuexin's partner, spoke from the side, "I think it's unlikely any publisher would accept Yuexin's idea."

Pang Xianjian was silent for a while, thought it over, then looked back at Xu Yuexin: "Do you have an intention to cooperate with our publishing house?"

"If so, I can ask our leaders whether we can calculate the earnings according to your proposed method."

(End of chapter)