Parental Love: Jiang Weimin's Life of Lying Down

"President, I will arrange the typesetting and printing right away. How many copies should we print for the first time?"

Song Wenqing asked back, "How many volumes do you think are appropriate?"

“社长像战争题材新人画家一般首印5-10万册。知名画家首印才20-30万册。像这么优秀的作品咱们首印定15-20万册合适。”其实这和出版社的实力也有关系，大的出版社，名家作品首印都是100万起步。

After Song Wenqing pondered for a moment, he said firmly: "I see that the quality of this work is so high, so let's just print 30 copies."

"Boss, isn't 30 a bit too much?"

However, Song Wenqing shook his head, his eyes gleaming with confidence, and responded: "Not much, if you hadn't said that his painting skills were poor, 50 copies of such a good work would not be a lot. I have never seen such a wonderful and suspenseful comic strip. Even I am interested in the plot, and I want to share it after reading it."

His words revealed his high appreciation and affirmation of this work.

In Song Wenqing's view, this decision is not only based on personal preference, but also a keen insight into market demand. He believes that this work will arouse widespread attention and discussion and become the focus of heated discussion.

Therefore, although Liu Shuo may think that the print run of 30 copies is too high, Song Wenqing firmly believes that this is a risk worth taking, because only by daring to break the routine can one stand out in the fiercely competitive publishing industry and create remarkable results.

"Then let's follow the president's wishes. How much will the president's royalties be for Da Jiang Dong?"

连环画稿费单幅都共分5个等级，1级5元，2级8元，3级13元，4级17元，5级20元。

Generally, only famous comic strip masters such as Gu Bingxin of "Nan Gu" and Liu Jiyou of "Bei Liu" can get the fifth level of 5 yuan per painting. Most well-known writers below can only get the fourth level of 20 yuan per painting.

"Let's rate it as Level 2! If we rate such a good work directly as Level 1, we're afraid that it will become disloyal to us and be transferred to another publishing house later on. We can do a favor by rating it directly as Level 2." After all, a good painter is really in great demand nowadays.

"Okay, President. Then let's set it at 2 yuan per piece for level 8. There are 64 pieces in this work, and the total fee is 512 yuan. I'll apply for it later." Liu Shuo calculated it casually.

"Well, let's do it!" The president nodded.

"Then I'll go and arrange the typesetting and try to get it printed as soon as possible."

"Go! Arrange it as soon as possible. Also, contact this painter immediately and maintain a good relationship with him. Don't let anyone poach him."

Liu Shuo hurried to the workshop, found the relevant personnel, and quickly arranged the typesetting work. He felt that he could only feel assured if he personally watched it, after all, this work felt that it would have great significance for Qingdao Publishing House.

After finishing all this, Liu Shuo heaved a sigh of relief and returned to the office. He picked up the phone on the table and dialed Ding Jiqun's number.

"Lao Ding, I'm Lao Liu from Qingdao Publishing House! I have good news to tell you. The painting you recommended has been finalized, and I have just arranged for someone to typeset it." Liu Shuo said excitedly.

"Really? That's great! Thank you, Lao Liu, you really helped me a lot! Next time I go to Qingdao, I will definitely treat you to a drink!" Ding Jiqun was very excited.

"You're welcome, Lao Ding, I have to thank you! If you hadn't recommended such an excellent painter, we wouldn't have such a good work. You don't have to treat me to a drink, I should treat you!" Liu Shuo said with a smile.

"Haha, then it's settled! You treat me when you go to Qingdao, and when you come to my island as a guest, I'll treat you! We won't leave until we're drunk!" Ding Jiqun laughed heartily.

"Okay, it's settled. One more thing. Our president Song has rated "The Eastward Flowing River" directly as Level 2, with a single-piece fee of 8 yuan. Newcomers were originally rated as Level 1. But President Song saw that the work was so excellent that he directly upgraded it."

"President Song has a good vision, and I would like to thank you for your support."

"This is as it should be."

"Lao Liu, this painter is level 2, the fee for this time alone must be 400 yuan!"

"The total manuscript fee is 512 yuan. I have already applied to the finance department. Once the application is approved, I will remit the money to Dajiangdong."

"This much, more than my four-month salary?"

"If the work sells well, it may be upgraded later. The highest level is level 5, and you can earn 1000 yuan by drawing a picture album."

"There is still a future for being a painter!"

"Haha, you're so envious! Lao Ding, why don't you change your career and become a painter?"

“I don’t have the talent.”

"Haha, Lao Ding, tell me Da Jiang Dong Qu's contact information."

"Please transfer your call to Commander Jiang Defu's home and ask for Comrade An Jie. Call again at noon or in the evening. No one will be home during the day."

"Old Ding, the painter is a relative of the commander?"

"An Jie is the painter's mother. Da Jiang Dong Qu's name is Jiang Weimin. She just turned 15 this year, so you can just talk to Comrade An Jie about painting."

"At 15 years old, it's true that heroes emerge from youth!"

The two of them flattered each other for a while before hanging up the phone.

That night, Anjie was cooking when she heard the phone ring. When Anjie picked up the phone, she heard a questioning voice from the other end.

"Hello, are you Comrade Anjie?"

"It's me, who are you?" Anjie looked confused and didn't know who was calling.

"Hello! I am Liu Shuo from Qingdao Publishing House, an editor of the publishing house. First of all, thank you for cultivating such an excellent painter like "The Eastward Flowing River"."

An Jie was delighted and quickly said, "It's Editor Liu. Hello! I'm An Jie. Thank you very much for recognizing my son's work."

"You are too polite, Comrade An Jie. Da Jiang Dong Qu's work "Police Dog Attacks, Sees Through the Real Body" is really excellent. It has been finalized and is being typeset. It is expected to be officially published in one month."

"Really? That's great!" Anjie said excitedly.

"By the way, Comrade An Jie, when will the next work of The River East be completed? We are all looking forward to his work!" Liu Shuo asked curiously.

"Editor Liu, regarding this question... Actually, he hasn't started writing his second work yet. Because we were not sure whether the first work could be successfully published, we didn't dare to start a new creation rashly. However, he has already written the outline of his story a long time ago." Anjie explained a little embarrassedly.

"That's great. 'Police Dog Attacks, See Through the Truth' has been published. I'm now formally asking you to contribute to the series. I look forward to the second part being finished soon. I'm applying for the first part's fee, which is 512 yuan in total, and I'll be able to remit it to you this week."

Hearing this, An Jie showed surprise on his face: "So much royalties?"

“是的，本来新人定级都是 1 级的单幅稿费都是 5 元。但是我们宋社长看了大江东去的作品感觉很优秀，直接定级 2 级，单幅稿费 8 元。一共 64 张 512 元。”编辑微笑着解释道。

An Jie said gratefully: "Thank you President Song for your cultivation. I will definitely urge him to finish the second part as soon as possible."

“Haha, you’re welcome, he deserves it. I hope he can continue to maintain this level and create more wonderful works.”