Shi Chuanfeng is a middle-aged man who looks slightly overweight, wearing black-rimmed glasses.
However, he also has a youthful and lively demeanor, his eyes sparkling when he speaks, with a strong ability to engage others.
"Li Chencan, Rongcheng Literature and Art Publishing House is indeed one of the major publishers here, but big stores can be overbearing to customers. Moreover, their books tend to be rather rigid and serious. Nie Yuan, that kid, works there, and I always joke that he’s becoming an old antique," Shi Chuanfeng spoke casually to Li Chencan, his conversational style easily drawing people into his rhythm and quickly bridging the gap between them.
"Actually, I’m not very good at evaluating these things, but since this book doesn’t meet their requirements, I’ll have to look elsewhere," Li Chencan smiled slightly. "I believe there will always be a place for it."
A flash of surprise crossed Shi Chuanfeng’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Li Chencan to be so composed at such a young age. Most young people his age would immediately feel a sense of camaraderie if someone criticized their enemy, but Li Chencan showed no reaction to his comments about Rongcheng Literature and Art Publishing House.
"So, you’ve met me now," Shi Chuanfeng said with a smile. "How about it? Li, hand over 'Those Ming Dynasty Things' to me. I promise it will receive the best publishing treatment."
Li Chencan had already thought a lot about it. If Baihua Publishing House could publish the book, its prospects would still be quite broad, but what he needed most now was money.
On this point, he had to be careful.
"The copyright is fine, but Mr. Shi, let’s talk business and discuss the price of the book."
Shi Chuanfeng was slightly taken aback. Li Chencan was indeed an unusual young man. Others would usually be hesitant about such matters, eventually losing their leverage, but Li Chencan was straightforward. How was he to know that Li Chencan’s eighteen-year-old body housed the soul of a man in his thirties?
"Alright, I’ll give you a fair buyout price, 50 yuan per thousand words. How does that sound?" Shi Chuanfeng said.
"Fifty yuan?"
Li Chencan immediately frowned.
A great book shouldn’t be so cheap.
Even though he had many books in his head that could be as popular as 'Those Ming Dynasty Things,' he felt this one shouldn’t be so undervalued.
Shi Chuanfeng found it hard to read Li Chencan’s expression. This young man displayed an unusual composure and was hard to fathom.
"Fifty yuan is a bit too low. Can we have a royalty split?" Li Chencan proposed another possibility. "I can guarantee that this book will become a bestseller."
"Fifty is not low," Shi Chuanfeng shook his head. "For a new high school student like you, getting 30 yuan per thousand words is already quite good, let alone 50. As for a royalty split... that’s a privilege for big-name authors. Li, don’t make it too difficult for me."
Although Shi Chuanfeng said this, he was thinking about his bottom line.
He had a feeling that this book would be a hit.
"Alright, 100 yuan per thousand words," Li Chencan said. "I’ll only sign for the first volume, and then we can renegotiate the price based on its sales. How about that?"
"100 yuan per thousand words?" Shi Chuanfeng shook his head. "That’s too much, I can’t offer it." Moreover, he was surprised that this guy wanted to publish the first volume and then renegotiate the price! This foresight was truly astonishing.
Li Chencan said, "If that’s not possible, then I’ll have to trouble Mr. Shi. I’ll keep looking for another publisher for this book."
Oh no! Shi Chuanfeng inwardly groaned.
He carefully observed Li Chencan’s expression. This guy didn’t seem to be pretending; he really intended to leave. If he didn’t try to retain him, Li Chencan would really take the manuscript and leave.
Why did he have to encounter such a difficult young man today?
Is he really eighteen?
"80 yuan per thousand words, that’s the highest I can offer, no more," Shi Chuanfeng gritted his teeth.
Li Chencan frowned and thought for a moment. At 80 yuan per thousand words, the first volume, which is 230,000 words, would net him nearly 20,000 yuan, and after taxes, about 16,000 yuan. As a newcomer, this was a decent amount.
So, Li Chencan nodded. "Alright, but this is the price for the first volume. We’ll discuss the next volumes based on the sales of the first one."
In fact, this was a double-edged sword. If the first volume sold well, the second and third volumes would naturally command higher prices. But if the first volume flopped, the publisher wouldn’t have to pay him as much and could renegotiate the price. However, Li Chencan seemed determined that his book would be a hit.
Shi Chuanfeng, intrigued, said, "Li, are you really that confident in your book?"
Li Chencan nodded. "Yes, I have absolute confidence. But, Mr. Shi, what about you?"
Shi Chuanfeng suddenly felt infected by Li Chencan’s calm and confidence. He said directly, "Alright, since you’re so confident, I can’t let a young man outdo me! 80 yuan per thousand words for the first volume! For the second volume, we’ll discuss the price based on the performance of the first one! However, Rongcheng Baihua Publishing House will have the right of first refusal for the next volumes."
Li Chencan smiled and extended his right hand. "Mr. Shi, thank you for this opportunity."
"Let’s have a pleasant cooperation!" Shi Chuanfeng shook Li Chencan’s hand.
Leaving the teahouse, Li Chencan felt a great sense of relief.
The culture of the Empire, while lagging behind the brilliant five-thousand-year civilization, is actually quite advanced in modern Han culture, rivaling English culture. Many industries have their own established structures. The 16,000 yuan would soon be in his account.
At that time, it would help ease some of his parents’ worries.
Li Chencan looked at the sunlight casting a glow over Rongcheng, feeling much better.
Compared to Li Chencan’s ease, Shi Chuanfeng’s brows gradually furrowed after leaving the teahouse. He had signed a new author’s book for 80 yuan per thousand words, and although he was confident in the book, he would face significant resistance.
His immediate obstacle was Yan Xiaokang, another chief editor at Baihua Publishing House.
Yan Xiaokang and Shi Chuanfeng had equal influence at Baihua Publishing House, and they often competed openly and covertly. Each bestseller from their teams became a point of pride to show off to the other.
But if one of them published a book that didn’t sell well, it would immediately become a point of attack for the other.
Now, Shi Chuanfeng had signed a new author’s book for 80 yuan per thousand words. How would Yan Xiaokang use this to his advantage?
Thinking about this, Shi Chuanfeng felt a shadow of doubt.