Chapter 40: The Horse Herder Published! (Seeking Follow‑up Reading)

Wang Chaoyin reached across the table and pressed Zhang Chuzhang's hand down.

"Add some more, one hundred thousand copies."

Wang Chaoyin said confidently, "Printing only eighty thousand copies is too conservative, like a woman with bound feet walking."

Zhang Chuzhang was momentarily stunned, then, after recovering, slapped the table: "Fine, we'll do as Lao Wang said."

"The Magazine Office has taken in so many educated youths these past two years; people are eating horse fodder, so we should find ways to generate revenue."

In the past two years, educated youths have been returning to the cities en masse, and the higher‑ups have ordered all state‑run units to expand recruitment to solve employment issues.

People's Literature implemented the policy, causing internal staff numbers to swell by nearly double and operating costs to rise sharply.

Zhang Chuzhang essentially also wants to uncover new profit sources to cope with this situation.

"That's exactly the reasoning."

Wang Chaoyin snapped his fingers excitedly and said, "And Lao Zhang, I was only using an analogy earlier, not targeting you. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, it's all for the Magazine Office's development."

Zhang Chuzhang waved his hand, unbothered, and said, "I also have to thank you for discovering comrade Chunfeng, who has contributed so much benefit to us."

"It's just my luck."

Wang Chaoyin remarked with some emotion, "To have met such a promising seed."

After discussing the print run with Zhang Chuzhang, Wang Chaoyin poured out the two people's leftover tea, went to the telegram room to send a telegram to Xu Yuexin, inviting him to discuss the additional printing.

……

At Xueyuanlu Jiedao, Xu Yuexin, after escorting Chen Qiaoqiao back to school, held "The Flower Wreath Under High Mountain" in his hand and headed to the Street Office telegram room.

Since his book went viral, Xu Yuexin has developed the habit of strolling to the telegram room every other day, ensuring that when the Magazine Office or other parties look for him, he receives the telegram instantly.

The telegram room is filled with the clatter of clicks; several operators wearing mono‑earpieces record the received code, while others translate the messages.

"Comrade, hello, may I ask if my telegram has arrived?"

Xu Yuexin asked a free‑standing operator.

He had been to the telegram room several times and had become familiar with the staff, so everyone could recognize his face.

"Xu Yuexin, right?"

The operator stood up from his seat and said, "I'll look for it for you."

After speaking, the operator led Xu Yuexin to a stack of translated telegrams, searched briefly, and pulled out one: "Here, this is yours; after reading, remember to sign the receipt."

"Thank you."

Xu Yuexin picked up the telegram and saw it was sent by People's Literature Magazine.

"Add‑print, please come."

It meant that "The Flower Wreath Under High Mountain" was to be re‑printed once, and he was asked to go to People's Literature to discuss the matter.

So quickly for a re‑print? Xu Yuexin hadn't expected the re‑print to come so fast.

Every extra copy meant real silver in his hands! With an excited heart and trembling hands, Xu Yuexin, after reading, put the telegram away, borrowed a pen from the operator, and signed his name on the telegram receipt, indicating he had seen the telegram.

After signing, Xu Yuexin set off for People's Literature; shortly, a taxi carrying him stopped at the gate of Chaonei 166 Hao Dayuan.

Compared with early April, the courtyard's trees had become even more luxuriant, and some fruit trees bore unripe green fruits hidden among the dense foliage.

Xu Yuexin entered the courtyard, went upstairs, found Wang Chaoyin, and the two greeted each other before walking into the reception room together.

"I invited you over, didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."

Inside the reception room, Wang Chaoyin beamed, lifted a kettle to brew tea for Xu Yuexin, and said, "Perfect, I'm also impatient; we're a good match."

"I came as soon as I saw the telegram."

Xu Yuexin sat opposite Wang Chaoyin, took the tea cup with both hands and said, "You wanted to discuss the additional printing, right?"

"Yes, the last run of 30,000 copies sold very well."

"We plan to add another 100,000 copies to meet the broad readership demand."

After setting down the kettle, Wang Chaoyin sat on the chair, full of vigor, and said, "The price stays the same, still 2 jiao."

"Regarding the royalty rate, I'm initially thinking of raising it to 9%; it still needs leadership approval."

"What do you think of this proposal?"

The split ratio increased? Hearing Wang Chaoyin's plan, Xu Yuexin felt very delighted.

The royalty rose from 8% to 9%, which is not just a one‑percentage‑point increase but a 12.5% rise.

One hundred thousand copies at 2 jiao each, multiplied by a 9% royalty, equals 1,800 yuan.

He really is going to make a fortune!

As for Wang Chaoyin's need for leadership approval, it's probably just a procedural step; Xu Yuexin could see that his words carry weight inside the Magazine Office.

"Thank you for looking after this; the proposal is excellent."

Xu Yuexin answered in one breath, "Also, The Horse Herder—do you have any plans to publish it?"

When Wang Chaoyin heard that, he knew Xu Yuexin already had an idea.

"What, you want to publish The Horse Herder as well?"

"Exactly. The only problem is The Horse Herder is too short to be a standalone book. I plan to add a few short stories and publish them together."

Xu Yuexin needed to share his plan with Wang Chaoyin in advance, because publishing requires a book number, a limited resource.

He certainly didn't worry about lacking a book number, but a heads‑up would let Wang Chaoyin arrange things early and save the time needed for publishing.

"Combine them into a collection, right?"

After a brief thought, Wang Chaoyin replied, "Sounds good. We'll keep the total length between 100,000 and 150,000 characters, focusing on concise, punchy content."

"That's what I thought too."

Xu Yuexin said he had already started pondering which novels could be paired with The Horse Herder.

(End of Chapter)