Chapter 131: The Biography of the Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty
Xu Jixin already believed half of Lin Xiaoguang's identity. This was Zhong Wenzhang's role. Of course, the other half was doubtful and needed investigation to prove it.
He naturally admires Lord Chang'an.
The famous literati in Hong Kong are all wealthy people, such as Jin Yong, Ni Kuang, etc. They can easily buy a thousand-square-foot mansion with hundreds of thousands or millions of Hong Kong dollars in royalties, even though he is a wealthy person like Oriental Daily News.
The editor-in-chief of a newspaper has a distinguished status and appearance, but it is useless.
The status and honor are of no use. I have no shares and limited salary. If I do something wrong, I will be kicked out by my boss.
This is a migrant worker. How can a writer be as good as one who has both money and status?
A heroic chronicle of Chang'an Jun and a book of immortality in Xiangjiang have brought Xiangjiang Commercial Daily, a subsidiary newspaper, from a daily sales volume of less than 10,000 to a daily sales of 100,000 not long ago, which has been the highest since Oriental Daily News.
After Sing Tao Daily and Ming Pao, it is the fourth major newspaper with a daily sales of more than 100,000 copies and has considerable influence among the citizens of Hong Kong.
Although not long ago, the serialization of "Heroes" ended and sales dropped slightly, to as low as 80,000 copies, but after the serialization of the new work "Kunlun", it has returned to the current daily sales of 100,000 copies.
This is enough to show that Chang'an Jun's book has the power to bring the newspaper company back to life, so how can he underestimate it.
Although he might be looked down upon, he still used honorifics.
Lin Xiaoguang said with a smile: "Editor-in-Chief Xu, you are too polite. Oriental Daily is a major newspaper in Hong Kong. No author can ignore it. You are in charge of such a major newspaper. It should be me who is currying favor with you."
When people give him face, he will also give people face and immediately say complimentary words.
When Xu Jixin heard this, although he knew it was a compliment, he felt very comfortable as the sedan chair was being carried by everyone. He waved his hands and said more eagerly: "Mr. Chang'an, don't be ridiculous, I'm just a manager, you are the great talent.
"
Lin Xiaoguang complimented him a few words. Seeing that this person was endless, he was too lazy to deal with it anymore, so he got down to business: "Since Editor-in-Chief Xu said that I am a great talent, I won't be polite. I am here to submit an article this time, but
The price is high, so don’t be angry, Editor-in-Chief Xu.”
"I don't know what kind of book Chang'an is going to submit? According to the rules of my submission, great authors usually write ninety words per thousand words."
Lin Xiaoguang handed him the manuscript: "I voted for a martial arts novel called The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty."
Xu Jixin reached out and took it, and found that it was not an original manuscript, but a typed manuscript. He was stunned and a little suspicious.
"Editor-in-Chief Xu doesn't have to doubt that I'm a very productive person, but writing by hand is too laborious, so I bought a printer and hired someone to do the printing for me, which is more efficient." Lin Xiaoguang explained.
"Oh!" Xu Jixin said he understood and lowered his head to read.
The opening chapter of The Legend of Two Dragons of the Tang Dynasty was different from that of Jin Yong Gu Long, but it was in the same vein as Heroic Ambition. They were both related to the court, and they were closely related. He couldn't help but be entranced as he watched it, and he could not help but be fascinated for most of the day.
Lin Xiaoguang didn't bother him and sat quietly drinking tea.
After a long while, Xu Jixin came back to his senses. He looked up and smiled apologetically: "I'm sorry, Lord Chang'an's masterpiece is so well written that I even forgot to eat and sleep."
Lin Xiaoguang waved his hand and said: "As long as Editor-in-Chief Xu likes Datang, then we can discuss the price of the manuscript fee, right?"
"certainly."
Xu Jixin nodded and asked, "I wonder if Mr. Chang'an still has any doubts about the price of ninety thousand words?"
"When I was in Xiangjiang Commercial Daily, it was 90 per thousand words. The price was the same. Why should I come to Oriental Daily? Isn't it good to stay at Xiangjiang Commercial Daily?" Lin Xiaoguang asked with a smile.
"This?" Xu Jixin hesitated and asked tentatively, "How about Mr. Chang'an agree on a price?"
"Five hundred Hong Kong dollars for one thousand words."
"This is impossible!" Xu Jixin suddenly changed his face.
"How is it impossible?" Lin Xiaoguang shook his head: "Ni Jiji's novel only has 500 words per thousand words? Does Chief Editor Xu mean that I am not as good as Ni Jiji?"
Xu Jixin sighed and said with a smile: "The remuneration cannot be used as a standard. Huang Yulang built up the momentum by buying horse bones for thousands of gold. You have to know that the current remuneration for Ni Jiaxing in Ming Pao is only 180 words per thousand words. For a full-length novel
It's five hundred for a thousand words. To be honest, no newspaper in Xiangjiang offers this price. It's the same if you go to Mingpao."
Lin Xiaoguang smiled and said: "It didn't happen before, but it doesn't mean it won't happen in the future."
"Chief Editor Xu, your daily sales volume is now over 120,000, right?" Seeing him nodding, Lin Xiaoguang continued: "I am very optimistic about my work, because it can increase the sales of Oriental Daily. Otherwise, the sales volume will be reduced.
From 120,000 to 130,000, the settlement will be one hundred per thousand words, and from 130,000 to 140,000, it will be settled at two hundred per thousand words.”
"Three hundred words for 140,000 to 150,000 words, 400 words for 150,000 to 160,000 words, 500 words for 160,000 to 170,000 words, and more for those above 170,000 words according to the echelon, how about?"
Xu Jixin was dumbfounded when he heard this. How arrogant is this Chang'an gentleman? His arrogance can make the daily sales of Oriental Daily exceed 170,000. Let alone 170,000, even at the peak of Mingbao, the daily sales were only 150,000.
He took a deep breath, stared at Lin Xiaoguang, and said, "Has there never been such a rule before?"
"Rules are made by people."
"I can't be the master of this. I have to ask my boss for instructions."
"Then you go and ask for permission. I believe my novel is good enough. Compared with the manuscript fee of 500 words per thousand words, the money you earn from advertising fees alone is just a drop in the bucket compared to my manuscript fee. Why bother to insist on it?"
The petty profit in front of you? The largest newspaper in Hong Kong with a daily sales volume of 170,000, isn’t this a good name?”
"Although I really want to agree, I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to ask my boss for instructions."
"Then you go ahead. This book is estimated to have five million words. I hope to advance the manuscript fee. I will wait here and give you an answer today. Whether it is successful or not, in one word, be happy. Chief Editor Xu, tell the truth.
I’m still quite busy.”
After he was told his crime, Xu Jixin took his leave and hurried out.
As soon as he left, Zhong Wenzhang was dumbfounded. He looked at Lin Xiaoguang and looked him up and down. After a long time, he said: "Two million Hong Kong dollars. I have seen arrogance, but I have never seen anyone as arrogant as you. Do you want to be a dragon?"
"The Dragon Crossing the River? You won the prize. It's just a small fight. Without a billion dollars, it's nothing like the Dragon Crossing the River."
"A billion dollars? How dare you think that."
They stayed in the chief editor's office for a long time. Before lunch, Xu Jixin hurried over, sweating profusely. As soon as they met, he said: "The boss agreed, but the advance payment for the manuscript is not enough. When will it cross 134,000?"
The threshold, when was it last tied?"
"Okay, that's it for the time being. This is a manuscript of 100,000 words. You can take it and I'll come over to collect the royalties another day."
Lin Xiaoguang then took his leave.
After leaving the house, he and Zhong Wenzhang parted ways. He returned to the company and the latter went to apply for an ID card.
As the assistant to the director, he is not too busy. He can stay in the company and work, or go out to find business. He wants to be broad in management, so it is okay if he does not come in the morning.
The entire business department, just him and the director, has no one in charge.
When he arrived at the company, Director Luo was not there. When he got down, he slipped out and went to the house on Hollywood Road to look for Fu Qingtong. Still unsuccessful, he felt sad again.
A few days later, the daily sales of Oriental Daily increased to more than 130,000, and he went to collect his royalties that day.
The serialization has already started, with 5,000 words per day, 30,000 words in six days, and the manuscript fee is only 3,000 yuan.
After receiving the royalties, I returned to the company the next day. Luo Yaoguo was there. When he saw him, he said: "I reported the plan to the general manager and went to inspect it again. He said it is feasible. Huarun Wanjia can be started."