Chapter 58: Expanding Overseas Markets?

Xu Yuexin knows that the law does not change and the reasoning of the past, and originally only hoped to start using a new contract with The Horse Herder.

As for High Mountain, in his eyes it is a historical leftover issue, to be set aside for later resolution.

He did not expect People's Literature to give him such a big surprise, also revising the contract for High Mountain.

"What, you don't want to re‑sign?"

Wang Chaoyin jokes, "Then I'll have to take the contract away."

"I never said I was unwilling to sign."

Xu Yuexin smiles, moves the contract to his own side, and says, "Forgot to bring a pen, do you have one?"

Wang Chaoyin reaches into his pocket, pulls out a Hero Emblem Fountain Pen, and hands it to Xu Yuexin.

"For this contract, we had extensive discussions at the leadership team meeting."

After borrowing the pen, Wang Chaoyin says with emotion, "Fortunately, Chief Editor Li has consistently stood on our side, allowing the contract to finally be approved…"

Wang Chaoyin's words are a bit understated, but Xu Yuexin can imagine what kind of extensive discussion he refers to.

Probably the supporters and opponents were evenly matched, arguing incessantly, and finally, with the top leader Li Ji's decisive stroke, it was settled.

Come to think of it, changing even a bit of the old stuff often requires a lot of effort.

"I trouble you both; thank all the leaders, including you, who support this contract."

"We also thank you for your suggestions. Without rules there is no order; the new contract is an important milestone for the Magazine Office on the path to regularization."

After sincere mutual thanks, Xu Yuexin, holding the pen, opens the contract before him.

All contract terms have been revised as Wang Chaoyin promised. It states that the first printing quantity of The Horse Herder's collection is 50,000 copies, priced at 2 jiao, with a royalty of 9%.

By this calculation, Xu Yuexin can receive a royalty of 900 yuan.

After carefully double‑checking, Xu Yuexin signs his name and the date on it.

Seeing Xu Yuexin finish signing, Wang Chaoyin takes the contract, confirms that all required signature spots are filled, then takes back the pen and signs on it.

"The other few novels in The Horse Herder collection will also be published in the magazine later."

"Still at the highest manuscript payment rate of 7 yuan per thousand characters."

While signing, Wang Chaoyin lowers his head and says, "Alright, finished signing. Wait here a moment; I'll go stamp it and give you the manuscript payment."

After leaving the reception room, Wang Chaoyin heads straight to the Chief Editor's office.

On the way, he remembers something, rushes back to the editing room, takes a list, and hands it together with the contract to Chief Editor Li Ji.

In the Chief Editor's office, Li Ji sees that the person pushing open the door is Wang Chaoyin and immediately shows a concerned expression: "How did the talk with Xiao Xu go?"

"It's settled; he is willing to accept the terms we offered."

Wang Chaoyin's eyes shine with celebration as he plops down in front of the desk and says, "This is the contract for The Horse Herder, this is the one for High Mountain; both are signed."

"As long as it's settled, that's fine."

"Authors, especially top‑tier writers like Xiao Xu, are the most valuable assets of the office."

"We must find ways to keep them."

Li Ji takes the contract from Wang Chaoyin, scans it, then opens a drawer, takes out the official seal and ink, and stamps bright red seals onto the contract.

"Honestly, on my way to the Chief Editor's office I kept thinking, since we hold the overseas publishing rights, could we spin some articles around that?"

While Li Ji is still stamping, Wang Chaoyin daydreams, "Selling books overseas and earning foreign money would be great."

"I've heard they're filthy rich; a book can sell for over ten dollars."

"Why wouldn't I want that?"

Li Ji says lightly, a far‑seeing look in his eyes, "But policies impose requirements; a publisher wanting to issue books overseas is as hard as reaching the sky."

"Comrade Wang Meng has always been very concerned about the Magazine Office's work."

Wang Chaoyin tentatively asks, "Could we ask him for information? Maybe he has a way?"

Ask Wang Meng? Li Ji thinks for a moment, then shakes his head.

"Regarding calculating manuscript payment by print run, Comrade Wang Meng has already put a lot of effort into it. 'It's better not to disturb him again in the short term.'"

After speaking, Li Ji hands the stamped contract to Wang Chaoyin, "Take a look, see if any pages are missing."

Indeed, venturing overseas still entails a certain degree of difficulty.

Wang Chaoyin takes a deep breath and tallies the publishing contracts in his hand.

"All stamped, none missing."

Wang Chaoyin says, picking up the list he just brought from the editing room and handing it to Li Ji, "This is our preliminary list of award‑winning excellent literary works from 1977 to 1980."

"The works you favor are all in there, and they were collectively nominated by everyone."

"Alright, let me see…"

Li Ji adjusts his reading glasses and studies the list carefully.

First Prize, short story category: The Horse Herder, Class Teacher.

Mid‑length Novel First Prize, Wreath Under High Mountain.

…

Li Ji smiles warmly at the list, nods slightly: "Very good, this is a high‑quality award list."

"You've worked hard; selecting these works must have taken a lot of effort."

"Not at all. During the selection I could discuss my views and feelings about the works with other comrades, which is a pleasure for me."

Wang Chaoyin, looking delighted, says, "By the way, the short story category has two First Prizes because everyone thought Class Teacher and The Horse Herder are rare masterpieces, so they decided to break the rule and place them together."

"Hmm, the solution's idea is fine, but it could be handled more thoroughly."

"Add a People's Literature Award above all other awards, grant it to The Horse Herder, and avoid breaking the rule."

Li Ji first shows approval, then instructs.

Naming the award after the Magazine Office! Wang Chaoyin feels a jolt in his heart, sensing the weight behind this award.

"Your opinion makes a lot of sense; we'll proceed according to your instructions."

Seeing his author receive such affirmation from the Chief Editor, Wang Chaoyin's tone turned proud, "I think only this Award can match the level of *The Horse Herder*."

"Indeed."

Li Ji, with a look of satisfaction, said, "Speaking of Xu Yuexin, that kid is really impressive."

"At such a young age, he can already write excellent novels like *High Mountain* and *The Horse Herder*."

"No matter which of them, placed on any other writer it would be a work one could be proud of for a lifetime."

"That's for sure."

Wang Chaoyin continued in a proud tone, "From the start I felt he belongs to the class of young talents to be feared."

Li Ji nodded approvingly, "I fully support him on the Contract matters, and that is precisely because of this consideration."

"Youth means he will have a terrifyingly long creative life. Maintaining a good relationship with him will allow the People's Literature Society to obtain a long‑term supply of high‑quality manuscripts."

"As for the Award ceremony, I'll leave it entirely to you. If you need a well‑known literary figure to appear, tell me and I'll handle the invitation."

"Alright, I'll still be trouble you then!"

Wang Chaoyin said joyfully.

The award ceremony for outstanding literary works is a major event for the People's Literature Society. The leadership entrusted him alone with the award matters, indicating great regard.

After reporting the list of winners, Wang Chaoyin took the stamped Contract to the finance office to withdraw the funds to be paid to Xu Yuexin.

Having completed the financial procedures, Wang Chaoyin returned to the reception room with the money and Manuscript Fee Slip, handing them to Xu Yuexin: "The total is 1728 yuan 5 jiao 8 fen; please confirm."

Over seventeen hundred yuan? In the reception room, Xu Yuexin looked at the thick stack of Great Unity on the table and felt a bit surprised.

(End of chapter)