Chapter 73: Huge Money!

"Boss Ye, why don't you start by talking about the situation on your side."

Xu Yuexin's face was as calm as water, speaking neither hurriedly nor slowly.

Ye Tianrong's expression was equally tranquil, revealing no ripples: "I'm asking because an old friend told me there are some leads."

He paused after saying that.

Xu Yuexin listened quietly, making a brief analysis in his mind.

Since he didn't specify any leads, that means there are none.

Good, the initiative is now on our side.

Now we must force Ye Tianrong to tell the truth and admit he has no trump card.

This is crucial; the first interaction will determine the future mode of cooperation. If we gain the advantage the first time, we can secure it repeatedly thereafter.

To achieve that, we need to employ some persuasive tactics.

Because Ye Tianrong is ultimately a businessman who has weathered the commercial seas for years, regardless of past candor, at the negotiating table he will exhaust every means to maximize his own profit.

"Oh? I'm eager to hear the details."

Having made up his mind, Xu Yuexin slightly lifted the corner of his mouth and said.

Ye Tianrong laughed heartily: "My old friend won't tell me in detail, so I can't press further."

"Alright, I trust that Boss Ye's old friend won't deceive."

"Since he has connections, I no longer need to hustle over this matter."

Xu Yuexin rose to the chair, his demeanor extremely relaxed, as the waiter brought up tea and a kettle.

"Xu Sheng jokes, such matters require everyone's joint effort."

Ye Tianrong leaned forward slightly, adopting an enthusiastic posture, "It can't rely on just one person."

"I do want to help, but Boss Ye, you're not very forthcoming, which always makes me uneasy."

Xu Yuexin tilted his head toward Ye Tianrong, spread his hands, and shrugged slightly, "Now that we're at this point, I won't hold back; actually, there's no progress on your side, right?"

Ye Tianrong felt a little embarrassed by the question, laughing awkwardly: "It's not that bad, just no concrete news."

"Let me tell you the result on my side."

Xu Yuexin tossed the newspaper onto the table, hands in his pockets, "National Literary Circle First Person, Mao Dun and Mao Lao, have agreed to let me publish books in Xiangjiang."

"Mao Dun?"

As a businessman in the cultural entertainment industry, Ye Tianrong had certainly heard that thunderously famous name.

The young man before him actually managed to obtain the elder's approval?

Ye Tianrong was a bit skeptical until he read the contents of the newspaper clearly.

He saw Xu Yuexin and Mao Dun clasping hands tightly, with Mao Dun earnestly explaining something to him.

Now there was no room for Ye Tianrong not to believe.

"What a skill, getting into Mao Lao's good graces and having him give you the green light—not an ordinary person!"

Ye Tianrong cupped the tea cup with both hands, conceding, "Allow me to replace wine with tea and toast you."

The move has already decided the outcome; pushing further would be pointless.

Moreover, at this moment Ye Tianrong truly admired Xu Yuexin.

When he first arrived in Jing, he tried to be introduced by a high‑ranking friend to meet Mao Lao, now a literary giant, but failed.

Now Xu Yuexin has instantly accomplished what he wanted but couldn't, forcing Ye Tianrong to regard Xu Yuexin even more highly.

"Drink up, this place's tea is famous."

Xu Yuexin lifted the tea cup and said, taking a small sip.

"Since someone has already nodded on the policy side, the subsequent publishing and distribution steps will be easy," Ye Tianrong, as if smelling wealth, pressed the negotiation forward, "In Xiangjiang we implement a royalty system, that is, taking a certain percentage of the book price multiplied by the print run as the author's remuneration."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Please continue."

Xu Yuexin said calmly.

"According to current industry practice, the Royalty Rate is usually 5%–10%; I'll give you 10%, how about that?"

Ye Tianrong inquired.

"The book is written by me, the policy was secured by me, 10% is definitely unacceptable."

Xu Yuexin shook his head decisively and said, "It must be 20%."

Ye Tianrong was first stunned, then wore a wry smile.

"Xu Sheng, you have a big appetite."

Ye Tianrong said with a pained expression, "If I give you so much, I won't make any profit."

"Just kidding, does Boss Ye normally only make a 10% profit in business?"

Xu Yuexin smiled lightly, "Moreover, once you give a nod, you'll become the first person from Xiangjiang in over a decade to publish mainland books; aren't you tempted?"

In the 1970s, Xiangjiang was experiencing its golden age; even making plastic flowers yields a profit margin well over 10%.

Xu Yuexin was 100% certain that Ye Tianrong's usual profit margin far exceeds 10%, which is why he proposed the 20% condition.

Across the table, Ye Tianrong fell silent, not speaking for a while.

Xu Yuexin was unhurried, shifting his gaze out the window to let him think.

"Alright, consider it a friendship."

Ye Tianrong thought for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said, "Let's go with 20%."

"Boss Ye, you're generous. As for the Exchange Rate…"

While pleased, Xu Yuexin also made sure to clarify further.

The current Official Exchange Rate of Hong Kong Dollar to Renminbi is 3.2:1. However, in private commercial dealings, no one follows that figure; the actual Exchange Rate is roughly 1.6:1, meaning 1 Hong Kong Dollar can be exchanged for 0.625 Renminbi.

"Xu Sheng, rest assured; Ye is also a businessman and will naturally follow the rules."

Ye Tianrong immediately said, "Xiangjiang has few people; I plan to print 10,000 copies, each priced at 21 Hong Kong Dollars. At a 20% royalty, Xu Sheng should receive 42,000 Hong Kong Dollars."

"Converted into your currency, that's 26,250 Hong Kong Dollars."

"The calculation is fine; it's just that 250 on our side sounds a bit odd, haha."

"Done, 26,666! Wish Xu Sheng smooth sailing in the future."

Ye Tianrong finally displayed his generosity, waving his hand high and said.

"Boss Ye is generous, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Xu Yuexin and Ye Tianrong simultaneously raised their tea cups and each took a big sip.

Actually, during the negotiation, Xu Yuexin was curious about what kind of BJ Ye Tianrong possessed that allowed him to sit with the senior cadres during the Tribute Performance.

Considering today was their first formal interaction, Xu Yuexin didn't ask about his background, planning to find out after they became familiar.

After confirming the publishing details, Xu Yuexin and Ye Tianrong went straight to Xin Qiao Hotel, used the typewriter there to print two copies of the Publishing Contract, and each signed their name.

Before heading to Jingcheng, Ye Tianrong had already exchanged a batch of RMB, and once the contract was signed, he handed it to Xu Yuexin.

"Xu Sheng, enter the number."

When Xu Yuexin took the Book Bag full of a fortune from Ye Tianrong's hand, he felt the weight in his hand, but his heart seemed about to soar! (End of chapter)