Chapter 266: Eight Directions
Early in the morning of September, Leng Jiefang was waiting at the door of the editorial office of Contemporary Magazine. No one had come to work yet, so he stood alone at the door of the office, looking bleak.
I finally waited until someone came and entered the office.
In fact, the office door was not locked, but the staff were not there, so it was inconvenient for outsiders to enter under such circumstances.
Lin Weimin walked into the office carrying his bag and saw Leng Jiefang sitting at his desk with a cup of tea in his hand, a bit like a well-behaved elementary school student.
"Liberation is here, what's up?"
"Teacher Lin!" Leng Jiefang stood up and called out. After Lin Weimin sat down, he said, "It's nothing serious. I just wanted to tell you that I have to go back now."
This time Leng Jiefang learned his lesson and did not give Teacher Lin the chance to stop him from speaking.
Lin Weimin had a calm expression and smiled easily, "So fast?"
"Yeah, it's really fast!"
"How is it going? Where is the manuscript?"
Leng Jiefang said, "There are still tens of thousands of words left. I should be able to finish writing in a month or two when I go back."
"Oh, the progress is pretty good. How is it? You've been out for so long, your family must be getting anxious, right?"
Leng Jiefang nodded, "I am a little anxious."
"It's time to go back. I've been away for so long that I haven't been able to take care of my family and my work has been delayed."
Hearing Lin Weimin's words, Leng Jiefang was secretly happy that he could finally go home.
"You have been in Yanjing for more than 20 days. Are you going to buy something for your family?"
Speaking of this, Leng Jiefang smiled. "These are all specialties of Yanjing. Thanks to the subsidy from the editorial department."
He came to Yanjing this time entirely for personal reasons. He took more than 20 days off, so his salary would definitely be discounted. If it weren't for the two-dollar daily subsidy from the editorial department, he would not only have no money to buy things for his family, but he would also have a hard time explaining to his wife when he returned home.
At this point, Lin Weimin's expression was somewhat regretful. "It's a pity to say that. In fact, if you can submit your manuscript in the next few days, you can also return home with a large sum of royalties. That would be a great return home!"
Leng Jiefang thought that was right, but unfortunately he didn't have enough time. He suddenly asked, "Teacher Lin, if my novel is published, how much will I get for it?"
Lin Weimin thought for a moment and said, "Your novel has more than 300,000 words now, right? That means it's heading for 400,000 words. I discussed it with Lao Tan before, and the manuscript fee is 6 yuan per thousand words. What do you think?"
In 1980, the government restored the remuneration standards to the level of more than ten years ago, raising the remuneration for manuscripts to RMB 3 to 10 per thousand words and for translations to RMB 2 to 7 per thousand words. At the same time, the remuneration based on the number of copies printed was restored.
The remuneration standard of Guowen Publishing House is also based on this standard, so there is a saying that "ten yuan for every thousand words".
Leng Jiefang had never published a novel before the one he is writing now, so the price of six yuan per thousand words is in line with his current qualifications.
The fee Lin Weimin received for his first manuscript was even lower than this.
6 yuan for 1,000 words, 400,000 words, that's 400 times 6...
Leng Jiefang calculated silently in his mind and came up with a number that made him extremely excited.
Twenty four hundred dollars!
It’s more than what he would earn even if he worked for three years without eating or drinking!
Leng Jiefang's throat was a little itchy, and he touched his trouser line with his hand, "So many!"
Lin Weimin nodded slightly, "It's indeed a lot. I was planning to give you the bill for the manuscript directly after you submitted it, but I don't know how long I have to wait for it this time!"
Leng Jiefang was puzzled, "Teacher Lin, do we have to wait a long time?"
"Of course. Think about it, you have been able to concentrate on your work in the guesthouse for this period of time, and with the guidance of editors like us, you have only written 60,000 to 70,000 words. If you go back home, you will not only have to work, but also take care of your family. Your writing efficiency will definitely not be fast. I estimate that it would be fast to write this much in three months.
At that time you still have to send it to our editorial department, and we will need to review the manuscript several times. This will take at least half a month. If there are a lot of manuscripts accumulated, you have to wait in line, and it may take a month.
Then we have to wait for the layout. Yours is a long story, and we can only publish one part in one issue..."
At this point, Lin Weimin called out to Rong Shihui, "Teacher Rong, how many novels have we lined up now?"
Rong Shihui raised his head, looked over through his reading glasses, and said with a smile, "I remember it was three, right?"
“Three. We publish bimonthly, so three novels would take six months. This does not include the novels we received during the period when you were not finished and that we might publish. If they were sent to the editorial office before you, they would definitely be published before you.
So, ..."
Lin Weimin counted on his fingers, frowned, and then sighed, "It will take at least a year!"
Leng Jiefang listened to Lin Weimin's calculations one by one, and was horrified, "Do we have to wait that long?"
"Yes. There's nothing we can do about it. You revised the manuscript in the editorial department and handed it to us in person. You were busy for such a long time. The leader certainly wouldn't let you go home empty-handed.
But if I finish writing it at home and hand it in, then I can only do it in a businesslike manner. But..."
Lin Weimin patted Leng Jiefang on the shoulder and said, "It doesn't matter. As long as the novel is finished, the royalties will definitely not be bad. Don't worry, it's just a matter of sooner or later!"
What do you mean earlier or later? That's a whole year! Leng Jiefang shouted in his heart.
And from what Teacher Lin said just now, one year is a conservative estimate.
Leng Jiefang was anxious. No, the money would be in his hands immediately, so why should he wait another year?
If I put this money in the bank, the interest alone would be 132 yuan a year, which is equivalent to two months' salary for me.
Leng Jiefang quickly calculated in his mind and thought that only a fool would wait for a year.
"Teacher Lin, actually I..."
Lin Weimin looked at Leng Jiefang, waiting for his words.
"I think writing in a guesthouse is really efficient. If I stay in the guesthouse for another half a month, I should be able to finish the novel."
Lin Weimin was surprised. "Really? Our guesthouse has this function? Usually these guys say they are not at ease revising manuscripts on the third floor, so they go out to play when they have nothing to do."
Leng Jiefang smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Teacher Lin, why don't you respond?"
After a while of relaxing, Lin Weimin said, "How about you stay upstairs for a few more days and finish writing the manuscript?"
Leng Jiefang nodded hurriedly, "This is a good arrangement, I'll listen to you!"
"Will it delay work?" Lin Weimin asked with concern.
Leng Jiefang shook his head, "No delay!"
"My family shouldn't have any complaints, right?" Lin Weimin asked again with concern.
Leng Jiefang shook his head again, his tone firm, "No, I definitely understand."
Lin Weimin seemed relieved now. "That's good. I was really worried that you would neglect your work and family because of your creation!"
"No, no."
Lin Weimin patted Leng Jiefang's shoulder with a relieved expression, "It's good that there is no delay. Write well in the guesthouse, and try to finish the novel as soon as possible, and reunite with your family with the royalties!"
Feeling Teacher Lin's earnest expectations, Leng Jiefang nodded heavily, "Thank you Teacher Lin for your concern!"
"Don't be so polite. I'm your editor and you're my author. If I don't take care of you, who will?"
Leng Jiefang was deeply moved.
"Teacher Lin, I'll go back upstairs first."
"Do you need me to ask for leave from work for you?"
"No, I'll take the leave myself."
"good."
Watching Leng Jiefang leave the office, colleagues shook their heads.
Another victim!
Lin Weimin placed a box of Daqianmen cigarettes on Rong Shihui's desk.
"Teacher Rong, you have made great progress!"
Rong Shihui wiped his hand on the table, smiling like an old fox who stole a chicken, "Make progress together, make progress together!"
The other colleagues looked at each other and felt that Lao Rong was becoming worse the more he stayed with Lin Weimin!
At this time Tong Zhonggui happened to walk into the office.
"Xiao Tong is here!" Lin Weimin was in a good mood at the moment and asked with a smile.
"Teacher Lin!" Tong Zhonggui greeted Lin Weimin and politely greeted the editors.
"Xiao Tong is so polite!" Liu Yin sighed.
When Tong Zhonggui came to the office, the first thing he did was to work, and he was very diligent.
After working for a whole morning and having lunch, everyone chatted in the office.
Liu Yin and Yao Shuzhi were chatting, and they couldn't help but compare him with Lin Weimin, who had just joined the editorial department a few years ago. Finally, they came to a conclusion and made a few "tsk tsk" sounds with subtle expressions.
I don’t know if it’s because of my pregnancy, but Yao Shuzhi’s style has become more and more like Liu Yin’s recently, especially when it comes to arranging and leading the business behind the scenes, she has become more and more skilled.
Tong Zhonggui took out the manuscript from his schoolbag and handed it to Lin Weimin. "Teacher Lin, this is the manuscript that I have revised according to your suggestions. Could you please take a look at it for me?"
Lin Weimin chuckled as he took the manuscript and said, "Why are you being so polite?"
After quickly reviewing the manuscript, Lin Weimin nodded and said affirmatively: "Xiao Tong, you have a really good understanding. You only revised it twice."
Tong Zhonggui was overjoyed when he heard Lin Weimin's words, "Teacher Lin, can my novel... be published?"
"Don't worry, I'm not the only one reviewing the manuscript!"
Lin Weimin said this as he handed the manuscript to his colleague.
Although Lin Weimin said this, Tong Zhonggui knew that the publication of his novel was a foregone conclusion.
He has been in the editorial department for more than a month, and has never seen a manuscript approved by Teacher Lin being rejected.
This is "Contemporary"!
Tong Zhonggui was so excited that he trembled a little at the thought that his novel would be published there soon.
Zhu Changsheng smiled and said, "Our magazine has a new young author. Xiao Tong is only twenty this year, right?"
Tong Zhonggui nodded and said, "Yes, I was born in 1963."
Everyone sighed in admiration, and Liu Yin even said, "Another Lin Weimin!"
This sentence made Tong Zhonggui blush, "Teacher Liu, please don't look down on me. How can I compare with Teacher Lin!"
"Why can't he compare? He doesn't have more arms and legs than you. Xiao Tong, you are the future star of our editorial department, you can't lose your momentum!"
Under Liu Yin's sugar-coated bullets, Tong Zhonggui completely lost his resistance and could only grin and laugh foolishly.
"Weimin, come here!" While everyone was chatting happily, Meng Weizai popped his head out the door.
Everyone was gloating over his misfortune. Generally speaking, since Lao Meng called Lin Weimin, he must be going to assign him some work.
Lin Weimin stood up helplessly and went to Meng Weizai's office. "Leader, what instructions?"
Meng Weizai said: "No instructions, but there is an invitation to organize a manuscript..."
Lin Weimin knew that since the invitation to compile articles came from Meng Weizai and he asked him to speak up, there was no way he could refuse it.
Lin Weimin looked embarrassed, "Leader, you know, I just finished writing "Lover"..."
A writer is a bit like an old hen. After hatching eggs, it takes some time for them to rest.
"Don't be in a hurry to refuse." Meng Weizai waved his hand, and then explained in detail to Lin Weimin.
It turned out that the invitation to contribute articles came from a Hong Kong literary magazine called "Banfang".
To be precise, "Banfang" is not actually a literary magazine. It is clearly written in the publication that its full name is "Banfang Literature and Art Series".
The people who first planned to organize this publication were Hong Kong scholar Zheng Shusen and poet Dai Tian. They hoped to use "Banfang" to build a platform and bridge for writers and literary circles on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to interact. Therefore, "Banfang" received support from many people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in the early stages of its planning, including many pro-mainland people in Hong Kong who would help to solicit articles from the mainland.
The person who invited Lin Weimin this time was Mr. Luo Fu, a heavyweight figure in Hong Kong's cultural circle.
Mr. Luo Fu's official identity in Hong Kong is the deputy editor-in-chief of Ta Kung Pao and the editor-in-chief of the New Evening News. He is a very influential figure in the Hong Kong media industry. He also works at a barrel station in Hong Kong.
Last year, due to unspeakable events, I returned to Yanjing and have been living in seclusion ever since.
This time, I was commissioned by "Banfang" to ask Lin Weimin to write an article.
It is much more difficult to publish a literary magazine in Hong Kong than in the mainland today, and funds are not sufficient.
After several years of development, the mainland literary world is now thriving. "Banfang" has also noticed this trend and has been paying close attention, hoping to publish some works by mainland writers. Lin Weimin, who has risen rapidly in recent years, has become the focus of their attention.
"The call was made to Lao Yan!"
Meng Weizai added a sentence at the end, which can be translated as: It's hard to refuse the big boss, so just give in.
Lin Weimin said helplessly: "I have no inspiration!"
He thought for a moment and suggested, "How about giving 'Lover' to them?"
Meng Weizai groaned and said, "Not so good, right?"
"What's wrong with that? You don't really want to release 'Lover', do you?"
"No, I didn't say that, don't talk nonsense!"
What a triple denial! Lin Weimin was just guessing at first, but when he saw Meng Weizai's guilty look, how could he not know?
Lin Weimin pretended to be sad and said, "Alas! I wanted to turn my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon only shines on the ditch!"
Meng Weizai begged for mercy: "You have to understand us too."
"What can I understand about you? Have we also become a 'national publication'?" Lin Weimin teased.
"We are one family after all!"
Meng Weizai felt that he couldn't let Lin Weimin mess around, so he made up his mind and said, "That's it, let's send money from both sides at the same time."
"Send them together?"
"That's right, we'll publish it together!" Meng Weizai emphasized again, "Your novel hasn't been published yet, so publishing it with them is a courtesy. We'll publish it as usual in our magazine, so you won't have any complaints this time, right?"
What can Lin Weimin say about earning royalties twice from the same manuscript?
He's looking forward to it!
(End of this chapter)
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