Chapter 59: Do You Want to Publish and Distribute in Xiangjiang and Overseas?

People's Literature, did they just pay the royalties for the other several novels together?

Originally, Xu Yuexin thought he would have to wait until the eve of publication to receive the royalties, but unexpectedly they gave it today.

This way of handling things is truly spot‑on.

……

Carrying a fortune, Xu Yuexin pushed his bicycle away from Chaonei 166, and saw that elderly Hong Kong businessman stride out of the building with a spry gait.

Having met twice before, the two considered themselves acquainted and nodded to greet each other.

"I've never had the chance to ask your name, sir; may I know your family name?"

"No need for a formal surname; I am Xu, given name Yuexin."

"Oh… Xu Sheng, hello, I'm Ye Tianrong, I work in the cultural and entertainment business. I heard you are implementing reform and opening up, so I came to the mainland to seek a partner."

They chatted intermittently, and as they stepped out of the main gate, the elder told Xu Yuexin his purpose for coming today: "I came here to help them publish books in Xiangjiang, with a fifty‑fifty profit split afterward. The Magazine Office leaders refused."

"I see, that's a pity."

Xu Yuexin expressed a slight sympathy.

Ye Tianrong spread his hands and smiled helplessly: "Fortunately I was mentally prepared; at worst I can try a few more times."

"And you? You must be a senior writer here, right?"

The old man had a hint of indomitable spirit.

Hearing Ye Tianrong's idea, Xu Yuexin briefly felt some appreciation for him.

Since he now knew part of the other's background, dealing with him wouldn't be bad.

"I suppose so; I've been supplying them with manuscripts."

Xu Yuexin said lightly.

In the idle chat, the two reached the street, walking along the shade of the roadside trees.

"Hello, hello, esteemed writer friend, a pleasure to meet you today."

Contrary to Xu Yuexin's demeanor, Ye Tianrong instantly showed the enthusiasm a merchant has toward a potential partner, stepping forward to shake his hand and say, "To be frank, I've been watching you since the Xinqiao Hotel."

"I'd love to read your great works; could you kindly provide their titles?"

"The Wreath Under High Mountain, and The Horse Herder, both are my writings."

"Wow, impressive. I've long heard of these two titles; I just read them a couple of days ago. No wonder they're Luoyang‑famous works; they leave an endless aftertaste."

Hearing Xu Yuexin's works, Ye Tianrong's expression brightened instantly: "It's a pity these two books can't yet be released in our Xiangjiang, so the public misses the visual feast."

He's speaking between the lines.

Xu Yuexin listened to Ye Tianrong's implication—perhaps he wanted to cooperate directly with him on publishing? Or something else. One must know that nowadays an author privately contacting a Xiangjiang publisher to release works there is a sure‑fire self‑destructive move.

Unless there's an institution willing to endorse and shoulder the risk.

"Boss Ye, your compliment is overwhelming; I can hardly accept it."

After a modest apology, Xu Yuexin steered away, "By the way, may I ask how long Boss Ye intends to stay in Jingcheng?"

Ye Tianrong, newly arrived, was still unsure of the stakes and could not let his mind go hazy.

Even if he wants to publish in Xiangjiang and overseas, that's not his way.

"There's no fixed term; it lasts until the goal is achieved. A book in Xiangjiang sells for 20 Hong Kong Dollar; I believe with such a profit gap, eventually a publisher will be enticed to cooperate with me."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple."

Xu Yuexin looked at the enthusiastic Ye Tianrong and couldn't help to douse him with cold water. "What, are there still people who don't love money? Moreover, you're undergoing reform and opening up; eventually someone will take the first step, right?"

Ye Tianrong insisted on his view, clearly confident in his own logic.

"Your logic is commercial, whereas our Magazine Office is entirely a state‑run entity; that framework doesn't fully apply."

Xu Yuexin explained, "Leaders of state‑run units, big or small, hold cadre positions with administrative ranks. When confronting new situations, they usually prioritize stability."

"Even under the broad backdrop of reform and opening up, it doesn't mean everything can be boldly tried."

"If you don't grasp this layer of relationship, trying a few more times will likely still be futile."

Ye Tianrong, who knows people in higher echelons, understands policy trends, and even cleverly uses Coca‑Cola as an indicator.

The problem is, he is ultimately a Hong Kong businessman, still not very clear on some of the underlying logic here.

This determines why he hit a wall at the start.

Ye Tianrong's expression froze for a moment.

"It seems… indeed that's the case. I've dealt with several unit leaders here, and when they consider problems, they truly don't only weigh profit, but also many other things."

For example, superiors' opinions, whether there's precedent, and so on…

The young man in front summed it up well—very incisive.

Ye Tianrong had to admit Xu Yuexin's words made sense, even though he looks over thirty years younger.

"So you mean I should return home and come back after new policies are issued?"

After understanding, Ye Tianrong felt dejected and lost.

The round‑trip airfare and lodging are trivial; the key is precious time and opportunity.

As a businessman, Ye Tianrong is eager to seize the initiative.

Xu Yuexin didn't reply immediately, but pondered his initial proposal in his mind.

Publishing books in Xiangjiang and overseas truly yields massive profit.

If I can cooperate with him and get People's Literature to endorse me, the return would be astonishingly high and risk‑free.

Regarding how to sway People's Literature? Profit sharing alone isn't enough; as I just said, you can't apply pure commercial logic to this era's state‑run units.

The difficulty lies precisely in that. Ye Tianrong knows people in higher ranks; today he can only return empty‑handed, so the obstacles on this road are evident.

If one wants to publish in Xiangjiang and overseas, one must devise a strategy to eliminate these obstacles.

And before that, what I must do is keep Ye Tianrong steady, lest he runs away.

Thinking that, Xu Yuexin decided to give Ye Tianrong something to look forward to.

"Whether you come or go is Boss Ye's own business."

Xu Yuexin said calmly, "I just think that staying here a bit longer, being more active, will at least help you get to know contacts and improve your grasp of how things are done."

"Moreover, there's a phenomenon here of policies being rushed ahead. By the time you learn in Xiangjiang that a policy has been issued, others may already be acting on it in advance."

"Take publishing in Xiangjiang and overseas as an example; as far as I know, there's already an undercurrent, and many writers and publishers are eager to try."

"Of course, if Boss Ye prefers to leave, and after a while comes back to eat other people's leftovers, then consider that I never said anything."

(End of chapter)