Chapter 558: Wang Er's Romantic History
Pan Yaoming's night visit surprised Lin Weimin. He asked a question and Pan Yaoming didn't beat around the bush and said straight to the point, "There is indeed something."
Lin Weimin and he went into the hotel restaurant and ordered two cups of coffee. After sitting down and taking a sip, Pan Yaoming said, "Weimin, if you have the opportunity to work in Hong Kong, would you be willing?"
Lin Weimin looked at Pan Yaoming in surprise, his face full of confusion. Why did he say that out of the blue?
"What kind of job?"
"My current job." Pan Yaoming said.
Pan Yaoming is now the general manager of Hong Kong Joint Publishing Company. Lin Weimin asked, "Did he get promoted? Or did he resign?"
Pan Yaoming nodded and said, "Resign."
"Is there a better place to go?"
Pan Yaoming did not hide anything and told Lin Weimin about his recent situation.
It turned out that not long ago, Pan Yaoming received a call from the editor-in-chief of Ming Pao, also a famous writer Dong Qiao, saying that Mr. Cha wanted to see him. The Mr. Cha Dong Qiao mentioned was naturally Jin Yong, the owner of Ming Pao.
Pan Yaoming was invited to the Ming Pao office building. After meeting Jin Yong, the two had a very pleasant conversation. Pan Yaoming gave him a job offer on the spot, hiring him as the editor-in-chief and general manager of Ming Pao Monthly.
Jin Yong now owns not only Ming Pao, a major newspaper with a daily circulation of over 180,000 copies, but also Ming Pao Monthly, Ming Pao Weekly, Ming Pao Evening News, Ming Pao Publishing House, Ming Chuang Publishing House and many other industries. He has long been a newspaper tycoon in Hong Kong.
Pan Yaoming was naturally flattered by his courtesy and accepted Jin Yong's invitation on the spot.
But the problem is that he still holds an important position in the Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong and cannot just leave.
The full name of Sanlian Bookstore is Life·Reading·New Knowledge Sanlian Bookstore. Its predecessor was Life Bookstore, Reading Publishing House and New Knowledge Bookstore founded in Shanghai in the 1930s. In 1948, the three bookstores merged in Hong Kong to form Life·Reading·New Knowledge Sanlian Bookstore.
In May 1949, the headquarters of Joint Publishing Company moved from Hong Kong to Yanjing, leaving six people to stick to Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong. After the liberation of China, Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong continued to publish and distribute books overseas, becoming one of the important publishing institutions in Hong Kong.
After the main body of Sanlian Bookstore moved to Yenching, its editorial department was merged into the People's Publishing House in 1951. Soon after, the distribution department was merged into Xinhua Bookstore. It was not until 1986 that Sanlian Bookstore was approved to regain its independence in Yenching.
At the same time as the Yanjing Sanlian Bookstore resumed its independent structure, the Shanghai Sanlian Bookstore was also officially established that year.
Since then, the three places and three links have become a great wonder in China's publishing industry, and it also indirectly confirms the status of this publishing house in China's publishing industry.
Just two years ago, several publishing organizations with mainland backgrounds in Hong Kong, led by relevant departments, established the Hong Kong United Publishing Group, whose members included Hong Kong Joint Publishing, Hong Kong Zhonghua Book Company, Hong Kong Commercial Press and China Commercial United Printing (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., and Pan Yaoming became one of the directors of the United Publishing Group.
The newly established Hong Kong United Publishing Group is the largest comprehensive publishing group in Hong Kong, with businesses including book publishing, book and magazine distribution and retail, books and magazines, commercial and security printing.
If the scale is not smaller than that of Ming Pao Group, then Pan Yaoming is a powerful figure in the group and has a board seat. It stands to reason that he went to Ming Pao Group to become the general manager and editor-in-chief of Ming Pao Monthly. This is a bit like a move towards a lower position.
But the problem lies in the red background of the Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong. Lin Weimin had visited the Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong and naturally knew their conditions. The treatment of Pan Yaoming, the general manager of the publishing house, was better than that of ordinary white-collar workers in Hong Kong, but it was somewhat inconsistent with his status in the Hong Kong publishing industry.
In contrast, Ming Pao Monthly was founded and edited by Jin Yong, and later had seven or eight editors-in-chief, including Hu Juren and Dong Qiao, all of whom were well-known figures. After years of operation, this magazine has established a fairly high academic level and cultural taste.
Pan Yaoming took over Ming Pao Monthly, and was both the general manager and the editor-in-chief. He held two positions and held great power. He could become a celebrity in Hong Kong's newspaper industry in one fell swoop, not to mention that his salary soared after he went to Ming Pao. Who could not be tempted?
After listening to his description, Lin Weimin understood the situation. "So, you mean to let me take over your position as general manager of Xiangjiang Sanlian?"
Pan Yaoming nodded, "Not bad."
Lin Weimin laughed, "Brother Yaoming, your idea is a bit fanciful. I work at the Chinese Literature Society, how can I come to Hong Kong?"
"We, Hong Kong Joint Publishing, have close ties with the mainland. As long as you give me a nod, I will take care of all the formalities for you without you having to worry about them. I have already discussed this matter with Dr. Li, and he agrees."
The "Dr. Li" mentioned by Pan Yaoming is Li Zuze, the chairman of the Hong Kong United Publishing Group. Pan Yaoming is going to resign and jump to Jin Yong's "Ming Pao Monthly". He must give an explanation not only to the Hong Kong Joint Publishing Group, but also to the United Publishing Group.
And Lin Weimin was the one given by Pan Yaoming.
Lin Weimin pondered and said nothing, and Pan Yaoming was not in a hurry either. He sipped his coffee and waited for his decision.
The Hong Kong Joint Publishing Company had an equal status to the Yenching Joint Publishing Company. After regaining its independence, the Yenching Joint Publishing Company, like the Guowen Publishing House, was under the jurisdiction of the Press and Publication Administration.
In other words, if Lin Weimin accepted Pan Yaoming's invitation to work at Hong Kong Joint Publishing, it would be a step forward. Not to mention, the salary and benefits alone would be much better than in the mainland, and he would be transferred to Hong Kong to work, which is something that many people of this era would love to have.
Pan Yaoming was waiting for Lin Weimin's decision with full confidence. In the past few days, he had been worrying about his successor.
Suddenly, when he heard Comrade Liu talking about Lin Weimin's business trip from the mainland to Hong Kong, his eyes suddenly lit up.
He has known Lin Weimin for several years. Although they have not been in contact, he occasionally hears news about him. He knows that he has now been promoted to deputy editor-in-chief of the National Literature Publishing House. At the same time, under his leadership, "Contemporary" has maintained its position as the top domestic literary journal in recent years. Needless to say, his work ability is beyond doubt.
It is the most suitable person to let him be the home of Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong.
After a long while, Lin Weimin looked at Pan Yaoming and said, "Brother Yaoming, thank you for your kindness, but I have no plans to change places."
Pan Yaoming was a little surprised when he heard this, and advised: "Weimin, I know that with your fame and wealth, you don't care about the income and status that work can bring you. But the fact that you have been in the publishing industry for so many years proves that you love this industry.
You also know us at Xiangjiang Sanlian. This is definitely a good place for your future development. When you come here, you will not only have the position of general manager, but also the position of editor-in-chief. This is not only a matter of further development, but also a rare opportunity for you to show your talents. "
Lin Weimin looked slightly surprised when he heard this. Just now, Pan Yaoming only asked him to take the position of general manager, but there was no mention of editor-in-chief.
Pan Yaoming looked at his expression and explained, "I didn't want to talk about this at first. The person I worked with is going to retire soon. There are two such important positions that are vacant at the same time, so I have to come forward and find a successor myself. I can assure you that as long as you promise me, both positions will be yours. I can take you to see Dr. Li."
Li Zuze is the chairman of the Hong Kong United Publishing Group. With his approval, it was naturally no problem for Pan Yaoming to agree to Lin Weimin's conditions.
While Pan Yaoming was speaking, Lin Weimin's expression returned to normal and he said, "Brother Yaoming, there's no need to say more. Your conditions are indeed very attractive, but I have been in Yanjing and Guowen Society for so many years, and I have long been accustomed to the environment there."
Pan Yaoming wanted to persuade him again, but seeing that Lin Weimin's eyes were determined and he was not moved at all, he could only swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
"You are indeed the most suitable candidate, what a pity!" Pan Yaoming said with a somewhat regretful tone.
After expressing gratitude to Pan Yaoming for his hospitality again, the two chatted for a while.
"How many days do you plan to stay in Hong Kong this time? Let's have dinner together tomorrow and get to know some friends in Hong Kong." Pan Yaoming said.
"I came to Hong Kong on a business trip. Things have been discussed and I plan to go back tomorrow!" said Lin Weimin.
"It was such a rush. I thought you could stay a few more days."
The two chatted for a while, and seeing that it was too late, Pan Yaoming said goodbye and left.
The next morning, Lin Weimin took a car to the airport.
With more than an hour left before boarding, he started wandering around the airport bookstore.
He found his own book "The Ming Dynasty 1566" on the bookshelf, as well as the collection of essays published specifically for him by Wandao Xindi Literature Publishing House.
Before 1997, Taiwan had a huge influence on Hong Kong, which can be seen from the film market. Since the 1970s and 1980s, the Taiwan market has always been the most important box office for Hong Kong films.
The same is true for the book market. The Taiwan market is several times larger than that of Hong Kong, and their economic strength is also comparable. Both use traditional Chinese characters, and the cultural and publishing circles cooperate very closely. There is not much difference in the tastes of readers in the two places, and the markets are infinitely converging.
So it is not surprising to see books published by Shin Di Literary Publishing House on display in Hong Kong’s airport bookstores.
Lin Weimin was flipping through the books on the bookshelf with great interest. As he was reading, a familiar name caught his eye.
Um?
Lin Weimin looked at the title of the book on the bookshelf, frowned, took the book in his hand, flipped through it again, and confirmed that it was correct. He couldn't help but laugh.
Book title: "The Romantic History of Wang Er", published by Hong Kong Prosperity Publishing House.
That’s right, it’s the collection of novels that Wang Xiaobo published in Hong Kong.
Most of the protagonists in his novels are named Wang Er, so Lin Weimin felt familiar with him at first glance.
He flipped through the novel again, with a teasing smile on his face.
Is this Hong Kong publishing house publishing Wang Xiaobo's work as a QS novel?
"The Romantic History of Wang Er" is a collection of novels, which brings together three novellas by Wang Xiaobo, "The Golden Age", "At Thirty" and "Like Water Flowing Time".
Lin Weimin recalled the contents of these novels in his mind.
If you say that Wang Xiaobo was wronged, it seems that there is some truth to that.
But if you say he is innocent, he doesn't seem that innocent.
How to say it?
We can only blame the unscrupulous publishing house for being so blind!
Lin Weimin denounced the publishing house's vulgar taste in his heart, then took two books from the bookshelf and paid for them decisively.
I must bring such a great souvenir back for Xiaobo to take a good look at!
Well, very memorable!
(End of this chapter)
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