Chapter 274: Stupid People with a Lot of Money
"I have never heard of this kind of contract. You cannot deprive the author of his rights like this. Every work is the author's child. You are stealing our children."
After Jonina signed the contract and left, the other three authors came in one after another to discuss the contract with Pei Wencong.
Kibuda, the runner-up in the European region, was very excited and disagreed with the contract that combined the translation rights and distribution rights. He insisted on obtaining the full copyright of the translated works.
"Mr. Kibuda, please don't get excited. If this is your original work, it can be called your child, but this is just your translation, so it is inappropriate to describe it as a child."
Pei Wencong looked at Kibuda and said politely, "Of course, if Mr. Kibuda disagrees with this contract, then we can also discuss the simple translation authorization.
I wonder how much you are willing to pay for the translation rights of A Song of Ice and Fire?"
Kibuda: “.”
Looking at Kibuda's expression, Pei Wencong said with a smile: "Mr. Kibuda, you don't want to get the translation rights for nothing, do you?"
"Of course not," Kibuda straightened his back and raised his chin slightly, saying, "Because the original version of A Song of Ice and Fire is not very good, and after I translate and publish it, I can increase the popularity of your publishing house. I have a good cooperative relationship with several well-known media in the UK and Lighthouse.
I am willing to pay one thousand US dollars for the translation rights of the next 100,000 words, and then increase it to two thousand US dollars, and sign a priority distribution agreement with you. "
What Kibuda said was natural, because the British in Hong Kong Island told him that the identity of the colonial power brought invisible privileges in Hong Kong Island.
Even though Pei Wencong is the boss, the difference in skin color and hair between them determines who is on the higher ground.
“Hehe~”
Pei Wencong and Li Ye both laughed.
Kibuda received one thousand U.S. dollars as the prize for winning the second prize, and he didn’t pay a penny out of his own pocket!
As for the priority issuance agreement, it is just a piece of waste paper and there are many tricks that can be used to manipulate it.
We have been soliciting articles and conducting trial sales, and we have put so much effort into casting a wide net. We have finally created some popularity, and now we just need to find a tool to work for us. And you, a smart guy, actually want to turn the tables and become the master?
Fuck you! Your mom misses your dad!
"Okay Mr. Kibuda, we have understood your opinion and we need to discuss it seriously."
"Amin, take Mr. Kibuda to the reception room to rest and open a bottle of 1982 red wine."
Pei Wencong politely asked Jibuda to leave.
Kibuda was stunned for several seconds before he stood up reluctantly.
He found it incredible. If they were discussing cooperation, they should have gone back and forth for a few rounds, right? Why did they stop talking after just a few words?
Kibuda couldn't help but want to say something else, but Amin had already opened the door and made a cold gesture of "please go out".
[How dare you be so arrogant, you poor boy? Do you think you are the same as the person sitting on the sofa? ]
Amin accompanied Pei Wencong throughout his rise to fame, and knew the temperament of this Mr. Seven-Inch Blade too well. Once he gave a condition, you'd better not say a single "no".
Because if you say it, you will miss a great opportunity.
Once you leave this door, you will regret it!
The second person to come in was Mr. Jeff from Lighthouse. Readers said that his translations were "average", but his choice of words was exquisite, and the sense of history and scene was strong.
If Jonina's translation is a delicately written novel with a female protagonist, then Jeff's translation is a grand historical novel.
Later, Pei Wencong learned that Jeff was a history graduate, but now he is middle-aged and works as a car mechanic.
After reading the contract and confirming again and again that there would be "only profits and no losses" and that there was a guaranteed salary every month, Jeff signed it without hesitation. His straightforwardness surprised Li Ye and others.
When people in Lighthouse sign a contract, don't they usually find a lawyer to study the contract carefully three times? Wouldn't they feel at ease without paying several thousand dollars in lawyer fees?
Why is Jeff so careless?
But after Jeff signed, he asked Pei Wencong to send someone to take him to the airport. He came and left in a hurry, and the main point was to be quick and efficient.
Of course, it’s possible that this guy doesn’t even want to pay for the taxi fare himself.
However, as soon as Jeff walked out of the office, he was stopped by Kibuda.
"Mr. Jeff, have you signed it as well? This harsh contract is disrespectful to our authors. We should hold all the rights in our own hands."
Jeff looked at the anxious Kibuda, smiled bitterly, and said, "If you were the father of three children, then you would prefer this low-risk opportunity. Risks and benefits coexist. I don't have the ability to take risks."
“.”
Jeff's words made Kibuda feel a wave of pain.
Is it possible that he does not have the ability to take risks? If a good novel wants to be realized, it must cooperate with a publisher. But as long as the copyright is completely in his own hands, then Kibuda can sell the product to three parties like Talang did today, and the highest bidder wins.
But the cooperation conditions proposed by Talang now put the author in a passive position, so he feels at a disadvantage.
But seeing that Jonina and Jeff signed their contracts and left at an incredible speed, the anxious Kibuda finally lost his patience.
He returned to the door of Pei Wencong's office and said to Amin, "Hello, please tell your boss, I need to talk to him."
But Amin shook his head coldly and pointed behind Kibuda.
A secretary has brought Wu Jinyuan from Lijiaopo over.
Kibuda immediately said to Amin: "I agree to your request and am willing to sign a work distribution agreement."
Kibuda was really anxious. Originally, there was only a 25% failure rate in the four-choice contest, so Kibuda wanted to provoke Jonina and make the woman who obviously had mental problems lose control.
But now it seems that my idea was good, but my means were not smart enough, and my cleverness backfired.
Amin glanced at Kibuda, opened the office door, but stopped Kibuda and let Wu Jinyuan behind him go in.
“I can lower my share of sales.”
Amin looked at Kibuda with contempt and a sarcastic smile.
What were you doing before? You clearly don't have any bargaining chips, but you are still bluffing with pride. Doesn't you know that Li Ye hates the arrogance of the British the most?
Wu Jinyuan from Lijiaopo also glanced at Jibuda, walked into the office on her own and closed the door.
Kibuda's mind went blank for a moment, and then he felt as if he had backfired.
. . . . . . .
After Wu Jinyuan entered the office, she just glanced at the contract that Pei Wencong handed over, shook her head and put it down, then said lightly: "I want to buy the translation rights of "A Song of Ice and Fire", how much does it cost?"
"We are not considering selling the translation rights separately for the time being. In fact, our distribution agreement is not onerous, and the sales share is much higher than the industry practice."
Pei Wencong had already signed two translators and was not in a hurry at all. He immediately and calmly rejected Wu Jinyuan's request.
Wu Jinyuan thought for a moment and said softly, "One hundred thousand dollars."
“.”
Pei Wencong smiled and shook his head, glancing at Li Ye.
Wu Jinyuan immediately looked at Li Ye who was sitting on the sofa and stared at him for several seconds.
Then, she offered Pei Wencong again: "I'm willing to pay $200,000, is that okay?"
Li Ye couldn't help but mutter in his heart: "Is this woman stupid and rich? Even if she is rich, she won't be so direct."
Two hundred thousand dollars in 1983 was really not a low amount!
If this money is spent in the mainland, city-level bosses will have to come forward to negotiate and accompany it.
Pei Wencong was also surprised and could not help but look at Li Ye again, but Li Ye stopped him without changing his expression.
However, Pei Wencong's subtle behavior still made Wu Jinyuan notice something unusual.
She didn't turn her head, but her eyes glanced over and carefully looked at the calm and handsome boy.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
