Chapter 274

"I have never heard of such a contract. You cannot deprive authors of their rights like this. Every work is an author's child; you are snatching away our children..."

After Jonina signed the contract and left, the other three authors came in one by one to discuss the contract with Pei Wencong.

The second-place winner in the European region, Kibuda, was very excited. He did not agree with the contract that bound translation rights and distribution rights, and insisted on obtaining the copyright of the translated work completely.

"Mr. Kibuda, please don't be excited. If this were your original work, it could be said to be your child, but this is only your translated work, so using 'child' to describe it is inappropriate."

Pei Wencong looked at Kibuda and said very politely, "Of course, if Mr. Kibuda does not agree with this contract, then we can also discuss simple translation authorization.

I don't know how much money you are willing to pay to purchase the translation rights for 'A Song of Ice and Fire'?"

Kibuda: "..."

Looking at Kibuda's appearance, Pei Wencong said amusingly, "Mr. Kibuda, you don't want to obtain the translation rights for free, do you?"

"Of course not," Kibuda straightened his back and slightly raised his chin, "Because the original version of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is not outstanding, and after I publish the translation, I can improve the popularity of your publishing house. I have a very good cooperative relationship with several well-known media outlets in Britain and the Lighthouse...

I am willing to pay 1,000 US dollars to purchase the translation rights for the subsequent 100,000 words. After 100,000 words, it will increase to 2,000 US dollars, and I will sign a priority distribution agreement with you."

Kibuda said it as a matter of course, because the British people in Hong Kong all told him that the status of the suzerain state possessed invisible privileges in Hong Kong.

Don't look at Pei Wencong as the boss; the difference in their skin color and hair destined who was the party standing on high ground.

"Hehe~"

Pei Wencong and Li Ye both laughed.

1,000 US dollars was the prize money Kibuda received for winning the second prize; he wasn't paying a single cent of his own money!

As for the priority distribution agreement, that was a piece of waste paper; there were many tricks that could be played.

They had done essay contests and trial sales, spent so much effort casting a wide net, and finally managed to stir up the heat. They were looking for a tool person to work for them, and you, a smart aleck, actually wanted to turn the tables and become the master?

Get lost!

"Alright, Mr. Kibuda, we have understood your opinion. We need to discuss it seriously."

"A-Min, take Mr. Kibuda to the reception room to rest and open a bottle of '82 red wine."

Pei Wencong invited Kibuda out with great demeanor.

Kibuda was stunned for several seconds before standing up in a tangle.

He found it unbelievable. Since it was a discussion of cooperation, there should be a few rounds of back-and-forth tug-of-war, right? How could they stop talking after just a few sentences?

Kibuda couldn't help but want to say something more, but A-Min had already opened the door directly and coldly made a "please leave" gesture.

【You loser, how can you be so arrogant? Do you think you are the same as the person sitting on the sofa?】

A-Min had accompanied Pei Wencong's rise throughout the whole process and knew the temperament of this "Seven-Inch Blade" gentleman too well. As long as he gave the conditions, you had better not say half a word of "no."

Because if you said it, you would miss out on a huge opportunity.

Once you walk out of this door, you can go regret it!

The second person to enter was Mr. Jeff from the Lighthouse. Reader reactions said his translated work was "standard," but his word choice was exquisite, and his sense of history and scenes were very strong.

If Jonina's translated version was a delicate "big heroine" story, then Jeff's translation was a grand historical story.

Later, after Pei Wencong understood, he learned that Jeff was a history graduate, but he was middle-aged and was now an auto mechanic.

After Jeff looked at the contract and confirmed repeatedly that it was "only making money without losing any" and that there was a guaranteed monthly salary, he signed it without hesitation. His crisp and neat appearance surprised Li Ye and the others.

Didn't Lighthouse people usually have the habit of finding a lawyer to study the contract carefully three times, and not feeling at ease without paying a few thousand in legal fees when signing a contract?

How could this Jeff be so carefree?

But after Jeff signed the contract, he requested Pei Wencong to send someone to take him to the airport. He came in a hurry and left in a hurry, focusing on being crisp, neat, and fast.

Of course, this guy might also not want to pay for a taxi himself.

However, Jeff had just walked out of the office door when he was intercepted by Kibuda.

"Mr. Jeff, did you sign it too? This kind of harsh contract is a disrespect to us authors. We should hold all the rights in our own hands."

Jeff looked at the anxious Kibuda, smiled sourly, and said, "If you are a father of three children, then you will prefer this kind of low-risk opportunity. Risk and return coexist, and I don't have the ability to bear the risk."

"..."

Jeff's words made Kibuda feel a burst of stinging pain.

Did he not also lack the ability to bear the risk? If a good work wants to be monetized, it always has to cooperate with a publishing house, but as long as the copyright is completely in his own hands, Kibuda could be like Ta-Lang today, selling goods to three families and getting the highest price.

But now the cooperation conditions proposed by Ta-Lang put the author in a passive position, so he felt it was a big loss.

But seeing Jonina and Jeff sign the contract and leave at an incredible speed, the anxious Kibuda finally lost his patience.

He returned to the door of Pei Wencong's office and said to A-Min, "Hello, please tell your boss that I need to talk to him."

But A-Min shook his head coldly and pointed behind Kibuda.

A secretary had already led Wu Jinyuan from Singapore over.

Kibuda immediately said to A-Min, "I agree to your requirements and am willing to sign the work distribution agreement."

Kibuda was really anxious. Originally, it was four choosing three, with only a 25% elimination rate, so Kibuda wanted to anger Jonina and make that woman, who clearly had psychological problems, lose control.

But now it seemed that his idea was good, but his methods were not clever enough; he was too clever for his own good.

A-Min glanced at Kibuda, opened the office door, but blocked Kibuda, letting Wu Jinyuan behind him enter.

"I can lower the sales share..."

A-Min looked at Kibuda with disdain and revealed a mocking smile.

What were you doing earlier? Clearly having no chips in your hand, yet you were proudly bluffing. Don't you know that Li Ye hates that arrogance of the British the most?

Wu Jinyuan from Singapore also glanced at Kibuda, walked into the office on her own, and closed the door behind her.

Kibuda's brain went blank for a moment, and then he felt as if he had been too clever for his own good.

After Wu Jinyuan entered the office, she just glanced at the contract Pei Wencong handed over, shook her head, put it down, and then said lightly, "I want to buy the translation rights for 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. May I ask how much money it will take?"

"We haven't considered selling the translation rights separately for the time being. In fact, our distribution agreement is not harsh, and the sales share is much higher than the industry convention."

Pei Wencong had already signed two translating authors and was not in a hurry at all, so he immediately refused Wu Jinyuan's request calmly.

Wu Jinyuan thought for a moment and said softly, "100,000 US dollars."

"..."

Pei Wencong smiled and shook his head, and by the way, looked at Li Ye.

And Wu Jinyuan immediately looked at Li Ye on the sofa and stared at him for several seconds.

Then, she offered Pei Wencong again, "I am willing to pay 200,000 US dollars. Is that okay?"

Li Ye couldn't help but mutter in his heart: "Is this woman stupid and rich? Even if she doesn't lack money, she shouldn't be this direct."

200,000 US dollars in 1983 was really not low!

If this money were thrown into the mainland, it would require city-level big shots to come forward to receive and accompany her.

Pei Wencong was also very surprised and couldn't help but look at Li Ye again, but was stopped by Li Ye, who kept his expression unchanged.

However, Pei Wencong's subtle performance still made Wu Jinyuan notice the abnormality.

She didn't turn her head, but her gaze slanted over, carefully sizing up the calm and handsome teenager.

(End of chapter)