Chapter 52: Published Works Collection!

Lists were handed to Wang Chaoyin, and the titles of the works flashed before his eyes.

Report Literature: Goldbach Conjecture, Light of Geology.

Short stories: Class Teacher, The Horse Herder, The Child Who Came from the Forest, The Sacred Mission…

Mid-length Novels: The Wreath Below the High Mountain, The Dead Light on Coral Island.

……

Wang Chaoyin finished reviewing the list and made a rough assessment.

In Report Literature, Goldbach Conjecture received the most nominations.

In short stories, The Horse Herder and Class Teacher have the highest acclaim; the First Prize should come from these two.

In Mid-length Novels, The Wreath Below the High Mountain and The Dead Light on Coral Island, each distinctive, received unanimous recommendation.

After grasping the situation, Wang Chaoyin set the list down, looked at the editors in the group, and said, "Comrades, the list you just handed over, I have already read."

"The submissions are all good works, showing that the comrades have put in effort."

"Now we will proceed with the First Prize selection for short stories; everyone may voice their opinions."

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly became lively.

"I think we can consider awarding The Horse Herder the First Prize. It is very popular among readers, and its content is thought‑provoking, with an uplifting tone."

"Class Teacher is also good. It is a pioneering work of our new‑era literature, leading the critique of those harmful elements, and its significance cannot be ignored."

The editors all vigorously recommended the works they deemed excellent, and the atmosphere grew hotter.

At the conference table, Wang Chaoyin, as Editor Group Leader, constantly restrained the impulse to voice opinions, attentively listened to everyone's views, and only occasionally offered a comment.

Li Jichang advised him that a leader should have the bearing of a great general; in public meetings one need not speak often, but when one does, it must be decisive.

……

Meetings to discuss the award‑winning works were held several times in a row, yet the list remains unsettled. The debate focuses on the First Prize for short stories and for Mid‑length Novels.

Since the magazine launched with Class Teacher in 1977, People's Literature has seen so many outstanding works that it is normal to find it hard to choose.

Wang Chaoyin was mentally prepared for this and did not feel anxious, only that the continuous meetings were taxing his stamina.

One day, after Wang Chaoyin finished a meeting and felt a bit weary, a staff member from the Magazine Office arrived at the editorial room looking for him.

"Wang Team Leader, an author named Xu Yuexin has come to submit to you."

"You were in a meeting earlier; I asked him to wait in the reception room."

"Xu Yuexin? Good, I'll go right away."

Wang Chaoyin could not rest, rose immediately, and the fatigue vanished.

In the reception room, Xu Yuexin drank the Tieguanyin tea brewed by the staff while waiting for Wang Chaoyin.

A file bag sits on the coffee table before him.

Inside the bag are his recent works, several short stories led by The Story of Old Man Xing and the Dog.

If The Horse Herder is successfully published thereafter, these stories will be placed together with it in the collection.

Besides that, Xu Yuexin also needs to ask Wang Chaoyin a question about royalties, whose answer is very important to him.

"Squeak…"

Xu Yuexin was deep in thought when the reception room door was pushed open from outside; Wang Chaoyin entered with his characteristic bright smile. "A day apart feels like three autumns. Lately I've been looking forward to your submissions every day!"

"Did you come to the Magazine Office today because you have another great work to publish?"

While speaking, Wang Chaoyin poured himself a cup of tea, sat close to Xu Yuexin, and added some to his cup as well.

"I'm truly delighted to be valued by you so highly."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully, picking up the file bag on the table, "Didn't I tell you last time about publishing The Horse Herder? I've written several short stories and brought them today for you to glance over."

"Alright, I thought so; there will definitely be new works."

Wang Chaoyin took the file bag, opened it, pulled out a thick stack of manuscripts, placed them on the coffee table, and began reading attentively.

……

"The quality is quite good; placed among the short stories already published in the magazine, it is also of high caliber."

After a while, having read all the stories, Wang Chaoyin evaluated, "You want to, as we discussed last time, publish them together with The Horse Herder, right?"

"Exactly that."

Xu Yuexin nodded, then looked at Wang Chaoyin, "Also, High Mountain has been published twice, and I've received royalties twice; may I ask if anyone has said anything about it?"

It won't be until 1980, i. e., next year, that the state will officially issue regulations permitting authors to receive royalties.

Moreover, in the earliest statutes, this income could not be called royalties; it could only be termed manuscript payment calculated by print run.

In substance they are the same; the difference lies only in terminology, which nevertheless reveals some clues.

In this era, royalties remain controversial, especially since Xu Yuexin is the first to venture into it.

Earning money is fine, but one must not lose the minimum of vigilance.

"I was just about to bring this up."

"Comrade Wang Meng, the one who was with us during the last interview, knows some leaders in the cultural department."

"According to him, the leaders have internally reached a consensus on receiving manuscript payment based on print numbers, deeming the practice reasonable."

Wang Chaoyin said contentedly.

"Consensus?"

Xu Yuexin realized that Wang Chaoyin's wording today was clearly different from the previous mention of royalties.

Last time he said some leaders wanted to promote it; this time it has become a consensus.

It's good to achieve this, meaning he can continue to confidently and boldly take royalties in the future.

Xu Yuexin's mood relaxed.

"It seems the official policy won't be far off."

Yes. As long as the leaders have no objections, the matter will be easy to handle.

I took care of the ISBN you'll need for this publication a couple of days ago; shall we discuss the specific terms for publishing The Horse Herder today?

Wang Chaoyin suggested enthusiastically.

(End of chapter)