The literary era since 1979

Chapter 243 You Still Say You Don’t Know Martial Arts

Almost half a month after the release of "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong", the sales of "Hua Cheng" in the country exceeded 200 million copies.

Fan Hansheng told Fang Yan the great news immediately, and his tone was filled with endless gratitude.

"Huacheng" has not only become one of the top magazines, on par with "October", "Dangdai" and "Harvest", but also has been called one of the "Four Famous Dan" in the literary world.

Most importantly, Huacheng Magazine has taken up the literary banner that no other journal could possibly carry: "Lingnan Literature".

All of this is brought about by the literary beacon of dialect!
"Huacheng" is happy, but "October" is jealous.

After all, Fangyan is the favorite of the entire editorial department and even Yenching Publishing House, but his work is never included in "October".

Fortunately, Fangyan got Feng Jicai's manuscript, which soothed the "wounded" hearts of everyone in the editorial department.

These days, in addition to helping Feng Jicai conceive the outline and plot of "The Divine Whip", Fang Yan is also planning his next work.

How can you buy more than 9000 calligraphy and paintings without earning more money?

At this time, he was sitting at the table, thinking quietly.

Outside the yard, there was a sudden sound of trivial footsteps.

"Teacher Fang! Teacher Fang!"

There are male voices and female voices mixed together.

Fangyan glanced through the glass and saw Bai Ruoxue, Su Ya, Tang Shengnan, Suzuki Yoko, and Hashimoto Yui coming together.

Walking in front was Mike, who was wearing a suit.

After asking, I found out that today is December 12st, and they came to invite me to the Friendship Hotel to attend the New Year's Eve party tonight.

"Teacher Fang, you deceived me."

Mike shook his head, looking serious.

Fangyan found it interesting and asked, "What did I lie to you about?"

"Teacher Fang, you lied to me and said you don't know martial arts."

"I really don't know martial arts."

"And what is this?"

Mike took out "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong" from his briefcase, "Teacher Fang, you still said you don't know martial arts?"

Fangyan was at a loss for words and explained that people who write martial arts novels may understand martial arts, but they may not necessarily be proficient in martial arts.

Mike asked in confusion: "But if you don't know Chinese martial arts, why do you know it so well?"

"Because there is guidance from an expert."

Fangyan said that he found a martial arts coach from the Shichahai Sports School as his guidance consultant, and the fighting scenes were specially designed.

Mike couldn't help but get excited, and immediately asked if he could ask them to be his teachers and teach him the best Chinese martial arts.

Fangyan was very surprised, "You want to become my disciple?"

Mike nodded excitedly: "I came to China because I wanted to find someone who really knows Chinese Kung Fu to teach me Chinese martial arts and then become a master like Bruce Lee."

As he spoke, he struck one of Bruce Lee's signature poses, uttered a strange "Ah Da" and touched his nose with his fingers.

"I can't make the decision on this matter. It depends on whether others agree or not."

At Mike's repeated request, Fangyan agreed to take him to Shichahai Sports School, and then went straight to Shichahai with everyone.

…………

When the bus arrives at a station, it will stop for a while.

On the way, Mike and Bai Ruoxue talked about "Saving Private Ryan". The translated draft had been mailed to the United States together with "Blood and Sand" a few days ago, and old Mike would receive it soon.

During the conversation, Fangyan asked about the manuscript fee seemingly casually.

Mike directly used the example of the Science Fiction Magazine he loved to read. Basically, short stories with less than 7500 words would be paid 6 cents per word, while novellas with more than 1.25 words would only be paid 5 cents. Manuscripts between the two would be priced at a uniform price of $450, and no bargaining was allowed.

Of course, different magazines and publishing houses have different payment standards. For example, the payment for Fantasy and Science Fiction is higher, at 6 to 9 cents per word.

"What's the highest you can get?"

Dialects are very curious.

"If you are willing to sign an exclusive writer agreement, you can basically get $2 per word, which is the highest per-word fee that top magazines and publishers can offer. Of course, there are exceptions."

Mike changed the subject.

Publishers will occasionally offer higher royalties, but this depends on how urgent the need for the manuscript is and the author's fame. Only very few best-selling authors are eligible for this.

“What if I don’t sign an exclusive writer agreement?”

"The publishers I asked only paid around $1 to $1.5 per word."

"That's right."

Fangyan frowned. After translation, the total number of words in "Saving Private Ryan" was only 9.3. If calculated at 6 cents per word, the basic fee would be 5580 US dollars.

The US royalty rate is an incremental mechanism, that is, when the number of prints reaches a baseline, the royalty rate will increase accordingly.

Of course, all this is before tax.

"Teacher Fang, there is a popular saying in the United States that there are two things in life that are unavoidable, and that is death and paying taxes." Mike held up five fingers. "If I'm not mistaken, I should pay 5% high-income income tax and federal tax."

Everyone, including Fangyan, was surprised.

“It’s a little high, but it’s much better than before.”

Mike smiled helplessly and said that the current president, Lingzong, had carried out tax reforms, lowering the highest personal income tax rate from 70% to the current 50%. Fangyan listened patiently and heard him give an example.

Stephen King, who wrote masterpieces such as "The Shining" and "The Shawshank Redemption", is also currently a top-notch best-selling author in the United States. He wrote a short story and received a royalty of two thousand US dollars, but he actually only got US$769.5. In addition to paying taxes, he also had to give commissions to his agent and his business manager.

After a mental calculation, I realized that only about 30% to 40% was left for me.

My money! My money!
Damn it, 7% of it belongs to others!

…………

When they arrived at the Shichahai Sports School, Fang Yan introduced Mike to Wu Bin, Wu Junfeng and others.

"Do you know Chinese Kung Fu?"

Mike looked up and down at the plain-looking Wu Bin.

"Yes I will!"

Wu Bin narrowed his eyes but remained expressionless.

"Can I try it then?"

Mike likes free fighting and has also learned boxing. His only requirement for choosing a teacher is that he must be able to beat him.

So, without any preparation, the two of them started fighting with their bare hands.

Mike made a boxing move, and Wu Bin took a step forward while he was moving, and slapped him in the face, knocking him unconscious. At the same time, his foot was hooked, and he fell down instantly.

Yoko Suzuki widened her eyes and shouted "Siguoyi".

"I'm not ready yet, can we do it again?"

Mike rubbed his face, feeling unconvinced.

Old comrade, you have no moral principles and actually launched a "sneak attack"!
"can."

Wu Bin and Fang Yan smiled at each other.

This time, it was Mike who took the initiative to attack and kicked.

Wu Bin dodged sideways, hugged his legs with both hands, and knocked him down with a hook kick again, looking down at him condescendingly.

Seeing that Wu Bin didn't sweat at all, Fang Yan shook his head and laughed, he was worthy of being the master of Jet Li, Zhen Zidan, Wu Jing and others.

A connoisseur will know if it is there as soon as he reaches out his hand.

Although Mike was knocked to the ground, he was not angry at all. Instead, he became even more excited.

"Chinese Kung Fu is awesome! So awesome!"

Then he clasped his fists and said, "Coach, I want to learn Kung Fu from you! Can you accept me as your apprentice?"

Wu Bin glanced at him and said, "Teacher Fang, what do you think?"

Fang Yan smiled and said, "I think this is a good opportunity to promote Chinese martial arts. I just wonder if it's convenient for you?"

Li Junfeng lowered his voice and said, "This matter involves foreign affairs. We need to consult the leader, but I think it should be approved."

Wu Bin then told Mike that if his superiors agreed, he would be allowed to stay in the Shichahai Sports School to study martial arts.

"When the time comes, I will take one day a week to teach you. Before each class, you need to make a cup of tea in advance."

"Tea?"

Mike didn't understand the ins and outs of this.

Fang Yan explained: "To learn martial arts, one must first learn morality. If you want to learn Chinese martial arts, you must respect your teachers and promote martial ethics."

"Oh! OK, OK..."

Mike suddenly realized and agreed readily.

Fangyan looked around, but was surprised to see Jet Li and Zhen Zidan nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, Zidan has finished her studies and has been taken back to the United States by her mother."

Wu Bin said, "He said he was going to participate in an international martial arts competition."

When it was Jet Li's turn, Fang Yan noticed that he had a complicated expression, sighing and feeling sad.

Li Junfeng continued, saying that Jet Li was seriously injured in training some time ago. His medial ligament, cruciate ligament and meniscus were all injured. The operation took seven and a half hours. Although he has recovered and can live a normal life, it is impossible for him to continue his martial arts career.

Fangyan's eyes flickered, as if he was thinking about something.

Bai Ruoxue said: "That's really a pity."

Wu Bin waved his hand. "Alas, actually, after Lian Jie finished acting in Shaolin Temple, he wanted to leave the martial arts team and become an actor, but the leaders of the unit have always refused to let him go. Now, how can I say that he has finally got his wish."

Then he paused and said, "Teacher Fang, if there is a chance, I hope you can give him a thumbs up."

"Don't worry, I've said it before."

Fang Yan laughed and said, "If The Grandmaster Huang Feihong is made into a movie, he will definitely be asked to play the role."

Wu Bin thanked him repeatedly: "Then I would like to thank you, Teacher Fang, on behalf of Lianjie!"

At this moment, a childish voice came from behind.

"Teacher Fang, what about me! What about me!"

Fang Yan turned his head and looked at Wu Jing who was jumping up and down. He stroked his head and thought:

"As for you..."

(End of this chapter)