Chapter 53: I'm Speaking the Spirit of Rule of Law

Negotiable? Then it shows I have a chance to secure better terms.

Xu Yuexin, upon hearing the proposal, instinctively replied.

"The conditions the office previously offered me were already fine."

Xu Yuexin said politely, "The royalty rate can remain at a steady 9%."

"My biggest current expectation is to draft a more complete publishing contract, so that any future undertaking will have a comprehensive basis," he said.

When *The Flower Wreath Under High Mountain* was first printed, Xu Yuexin had signed a contract with People's Literature.

According to his research, the contract, only a few pages long, was actually very rough, even riddled with loopholes.

Of course, no one can be blamed; the courts have been back in operation for less than two years, and everyone's rule‑of‑law awareness is still vague.

At the time, Xu Yuexin thought he was a newcomer with limited bargaining power, and that raising revisions too early would be to his own detriment, so he set it aside.

Now he has two acclaimed works in hand; it's time to resolve the contract issue.

"The royalty issue is easy to discuss. As for the contract, which specific clauses are you referring to…?"

Wang Chaoyin said with a hint of hesitation.

"We'll go through the previous contract clause by clause."

"Then wait a moment; I'll go fetch a copy of the contract."

Wang Chaoyin finished speaking, left the reception room, retrieved a new contract from outside, placed it on the coffee table before them, and opened the cover.

The contract was identical to the publishing contract for *High Mountain*. Starting from the first page, Xu Yuexin pointed out each incomplete provision and offered his corresponding comments.

This time, Xu Yuexin was no longer courteous.

Every clause in the contract involves real silver and gold.

Moreover, he sensed that the adjustments would determine the parties' profit distribution for years to come, leaving nothing that can be concealed.

Since he's decided to pursue commercial literature, he must straighten out the profit relationships early on. Only then will disputes not trip him up later.

"The wording granting Party A publishing and distribution rights is too vague; it doesn't specify whether it's exclusive, limited to domestic, or includes overseas."

"It should be changed to Non‑exclusive Publishing Rights, limited to the domestic market. The office lacks overseas distribution capability, so holding that right has no practical meaning."

"The contract stipulates that each subsequent reprint of the signed book will follow the original contract terms. This clause should also be revised: each reprint should require a new contract—One Print One Sign."

"A good book has a long lifecycle; it may still be printed twenty or thirty years later. By then, social conditions and market dynamics will have changed, and mechanically applying the old contract would be like forcing a shoe onto a foot that no longer fits."

……

Xu Yuexin ranted on, pointing out the errors, and Wang Chaoyin, sitting beside him, listened with a stunned expression, his emotions a little tense.

This kid isn't simple; when his own interests are at stake, he's so decisive and incisive, the listed revisions are all critical, and most importantly, the reasons he gives are irrefutable.

Ironically, Wang Chaoyin himself isn't well‑versed in law, and when Xu Yuexin reached the complex points, his head spun from listening.

"Wait a moment, I'll write down your demands first."

Wang Chaoyin interrupted, pulled a steel pen from his pocket, took a sheet from the back of the contract, and jotted it down.

"Non‑exclusive Publishing Rights, right, and the overseas part…"

As Wang Chaoyin recorded, he muttered the words, confirming with Xu Yuexin.

Xu Yuexin waited for Wang Chaoyin to finish noting the earlier points, then continued pointing out contract issues and his corresponding demands.

"If we can reach agreement on the new contract, I would like to re‑sign the contract for *High Mountain* as well. When adjusting the parties' interests, the new contract should be the standard."

Finally, Xu Yuexin made his request to Wang Chaoyin.

"Alright, I'll note everything down." Wang Chaoyin wrote for a while longer, then set down his pen, "Some requests exceed my authority. After you leave, I'll consult the leadership, and they'll decide."

Amending the contract means reshaping the cooperation model; Wang Chaoyin estimated that Chief Editor Li Ji couldn't decide alone and would need to convene a leadership meeting for deliberation.

"Hmm, the office can consider it gradually."

Xu Yuexin said calmly, "I'm not in a hurry."

What will the outcome of the contract revision be? Xu Yuexin had already formed a mental expectation.

People's Literature certainly can't meet all his demands, and the magazine office isn't his own family business.

Having a clear Non‑exclusive Publishing Rights clause and One Print One Sign would be great.

Those two demands are the core; the others are nice to have but acceptable if unmet.

Letting go of minutiae and focusing on core interests is called perspective. Moreover, while protecting his own interests, Xu Yuexin doesn't want to make Wang Chaoyin's life difficult.

After Xu Yuexin left, Wang Chaoyin copied the recorded demands into his notebook and sought Chief Editor Li Ji.

"When Yuexin discussed the publication of *The Horse Herder* with me today, he suggested improving the contract; that's his idea."

In the chief editor's office, Wang Chaoyin sat at Li Ji's desk, handed over the densely written notebook, "The demands are quite detailed; I guess someone in his family is a judge."

He was puzzled; most authors he's dealt with, especially young ones, lack the awareness Xu Yuexin possesses.

Xu Yuexin truly is an exception among exceptions. Both his literary achievements and his demeanor give the impression of someone beyond his age.

"Oh? Xiao Xu wants to amend the contract,"

"I'll take a look; you wait a moment."

Li Ji took the notebook, read it carefully, and his expression was not stern but rather intrigued.

He had actually known for a while that the magazine's contract was merely a rough draft and should be refined.

But after the special years, the office had countless pending issues, leaving no time to address it.

Now Li Ji was curious about what suggestions a newly‑emerged writer like Xu Yuexin could offer for the contract.

Li Ji's eyes scanned line by line through the notebook, occasionally pausing to interpret the intent and reasonableness of a point.

Wang Chaoyin sat as tense as a needle on a cushion.

He worried that Xu Yuexin's demands might displease the chief editor, and also feared that refusal to amend the contract would drive Xu Yuexin to another publication.

Since last year, literary periodicals across the country have resumed publication one after another. Shanghai Arts is thriving, and Shaanxi's *Yan River* is also booming, known as "Little People's Literature."

Jingcheng's newly founded *October Magazine*, just by its name, suggests a deep background and should not be underestimated. In fact, it has indeed developed rapidly.

The choices for submissions are becoming increasingly diverse, and People's Literature faces the risk of its authors being poached.

And a high‑quality author like Xu Yuexin is undoubtedly a valuable asset of the Magazine Office that must not be lost.

Wang Chaoyin feels a bit anxious, uneasy, and waits for the Chief Editor to take a stance.

"The demands Xiao Xu raised are crucial and worthy of serious study."

After a long pause, Li Ji puts down the notebook, composes himself, and says matter‑of‑factly, "All the team members will be present tomorrow, so we can hold a meeting to discuss this."

"You are the Editor Group Leader, and also his responsible editor; tomorrow you must attend this meeting."

"Alright, I'll go back today and thoroughly prepare my remarks for the meeting."

Wang Chaoyin answers anxiously, trying to read Li Ji's attitude from the details.

(End of chapter)