Chapter 8: Pay royalties on the same day?
"Old Zhang!"

"Old Zhang!"

Before the people arrive, the sound arrives first!
In the editor-in-chief's office of the People's Literature Editorial Department, Editor-in-Chief Zhang Guangnian listened to the voice of Deputy Editor-in-Chief Liu Jianqing outside and couldn't help shaking his head.

Afterwards, Liu Jianqing pushed the door open and hurriedly came to Zhang Guangnian.

"Lao Zhang, take a look at this manuscript!"

Zhang Guangnian put on his glasses slowly and said gently, "Old Liu, don't be anxious!"

"Let me see what kind of manuscript it is that makes you so excited!"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Guangnian's joke made Liu Jianqing calm down.

"It's okay, you take a look first, I'm not in a hurry!"

After saying that, Liu Jianqing sat down there with a swagger.

Zhang Guangnian didn't mind and picked up the manuscript to read.

As he read on, his brows slowly furrowed.

Until the end!
Zhang Guangnian put down the manuscript slowly and then said carefully: "This manuscript..."

"how are you feeling?"

Liu Jianqing asked seriously at this time.

"new!"

“It’s so new!”

“New genre, new structure, new critique!”

Zhang Guangnian slowly gave his evaluation.

Unlike the manuscripts that eulogized the emperor in the previous decade or so, Zhang Guangnian saw a lot of new things in this manuscript.

First of all, in terms of writing style, this manuscript abandons the previous style of praising one's merits and instead depicts suffering, focusing on the sadness of life experiences.

The structure is also different from previous novels that do not have a core story genre. Instead, it has twists and turns and constant plot reversals.

Every time you think you have guessed the ending, he will give you a new answer.

"Yeah, you also feel it's eye-opening, right? Especially his final sublimation of the theme. To be honest, I think it's too eye-catching."

"I felt very depressed and angry when I read the beginning, but when I read to the end, I was suddenly relieved!"

"That state of mind immediately made me feel open-minded and profound. It's amazing!"

Liu Jianqing said seriously.

If Li Changhe were here, he would definitely tell him.

Of course, this is a fusion of "Scars", "Flesh and Soul" and the popular online chicken soup for the soul.

Each of these is a literary essence that has stood the test of the general public.

When integrated into one character, how can it not appear glorious and majestic!
However, Li Changhe also knew that the character he created was too glorious and majestic, which was not a good thing.

To put it bluntly, suffering is one thing, but to acknowledge it and continue to shine is simply talking without any pain.

Especially since the author Li Changhe himself retired due to illness while serving as an educated youth, this is definitely a stain!
But there is no other way now. Li Changhe chose this ending because he took into account that Xu Lingjun made the same choice in "Spirit and Flesh", also known as The Shepherd.

If Xu Lingjun can do this, then his protagonist can do the same!

In the office, Zhang Guangnian was still considering it.

The manuscript is a good one, but he needs to consider some sensitivities.

"Lao Liu, I think this manuscript can be published, but I guess we'll have to wait!"

"You know, to be honest, we still don't know the specific intentions of the higher-ups on the cultural front."

Zhang Guang said in a young voice.

Liu Jianqing also sighed.

"I just can't figure this out, that's why I came to you!"

"The manuscript is a good one. I think it will resonate with many people once it is published. With this argument, who knows what will happen?"

Liu Jianqing is not without sensitivity. After all, who among those who have come this far over the years lacks this?

"Put it on hold. After reading this manuscript, I have some ideas."

"What do you think? Let's hold a symposium based on this manuscript?"

Zhang Guangnian said thoughtfully.

"A forum? You mean?" "Throw a stone to test the waters, and see how some people will react to the situation!"

"By the way, who wrote this manuscript?"

【Ling Jue】

"This guy's pen name is quite interesting. It means "standing on the top of a mountain, overlooking all the other mountains". It's quite domineering!"

"Yes, he is still sitting in my office. He looks like a young educated youth, probably in his early twenties."

"The young man is chivalrous, standing and talking, sharing life and death, very much like this."

Liu Jianqing said with a smile.

Zhang Guangnian nodded, then suddenly asked, "Then how did he get in?"

Although the number of manuscripts received by People's Literature every day is not as many as before, it is not a small number either. If all of them could be submitted to the editorial department, then their editorial department would have nothing to work for.

Liu Jianqing was stunned for a moment, then he realized: "Yeah, how did he get in?"

Then he said in a daze: "I didn't ask!"

"You, go call him over first, and I'll talk to him!"

Zhang Guangnian said softly at this time.

The main reason was that he had some ideas and wanted to communicate them with Li Changhe.

A moment later, Li Changhe came to Zhang Guangnian's office.

Looking at the young Li Changhe, Zhang Guangnian nodded.

Yes, only such young educated youth can write such an article.

"Little comrade, sit down!"

"Did you write "The Death of an Educated Youth"? "

Zhang Guangnian didn't ask how the other party got in, it didn't matter.

"Yes, sir, what's the problem?"

"No, that's what I meant."

"This manuscript is quite good. We at People's Literature are willing to publish it, but before that, we would like to hold a symposium with this manuscript."

"You should be aware that this manuscript of yours is very different from your previous style and is somewhat sensitive."

"It's hard to say how long it will take. It could be a month, it could be two months, or it could be something else."

Zhang Guangnian didn't say anything, but Li Changhe understood that it was possible that it could not be sent.

"Of course, I ended up talking about the worst-case scenario."

Li Changhe nodded, then frowned and asked, "So you want me to?"

"That's right. For some reasons, I mean that you'd better block the pen name [Ling Jue] first. If the manuscript is not published, it's best not to use the pen name [Ling Jue] in the future."

"At another forum, I will ask Lao Liu to hand-copy a new manuscript. I will not sign my name at that time, so as to protect you as much as possible."

"But during this period, my advice is not to submit manuscripts of this style anymore!"

"Finally, it's about the remuneration. Because your manuscript may take too long to be completed, we decided to prepay you the remuneration. I'll give you an invoice later and ask Lao Liu to pick it up for you."

"This way you don't have to leave your address or name. It's our way of protecting you!"

Zhang Guangnian was very experienced. He knew that the manuscript might cause a sensation once it was published, so he tried his best to protect Li Changhe in many ways.

Hearing this, Li Changhe was still very moved. These people of the older generation were indeed very methodical in their conduct and work.

Especially the one about paying the manuscript fee in advance, it’s so kind.

"I'm OK!"

Li Changhe said happily immediately.

"Okay, that'll do!"

"As long as your novel is published in the newspaper, it means that all my previous concerns have been solved. You can just write boldly from now on!"

Zhang Guangnian said with a smile.

Li Changhe nodded. He understood that he might become the knife that cuts through the shackles of the literary and art circles.

Just for the pleasure of being the butcher myself, shouldn't you, Old Zhang, give me a high price for my royalties?
Not long after, when Liu Jianqing brought him the royalties, Li Changhe was delighted to see the amount.

(End of this chapter)