As the sun sets, the afterglow shines on Yulang International Company.
Ma Rongcheng hung up the phone, walked out of the office, and ran into his assistant, Cui Xingzhong.
"Mr. Huang is here to urge him again."
Cui Xingzhong said that the company wanted to negotiate with him about the contract renewal in advance.
"My contract will not expire until next year. There is still more than a year left. It is necessary to urge me so urgently!"
Ma Rongcheng frowned.
Cui Xingzhong pulled him back to the office and closed the door before he dared to reveal that the company's stock price was halved due to the impact of last year's global stock market crash, and his morale was low. If it could be announced at this time that the good news of "the successful renewal of the contract by Ma Rongcheng" would be enough to inspire people, both for the outside world and for the inside. Although it cannot be said that it will certainly boost the stock price, it will at least stop the current decline in the stock price.
"But I don't want to renew my contract too early."
Ma Rongcheng said with a serious look on his face, "Let me think about it again."
Cui Xingzhong lowered his voice and said, "Tell me honestly, did the strange phone call just now come from another comic publisher?"
Ma Rongcheng glanced at him and said nothing.
"What are you and I doing when you hide it? We are grasshoppers on the same rope. If you want to change jobs, I will follow you. If you want to do it alone, I will follow you without saying a word, but there is only one. Before doing it, you have to breathe out with me in advance."
Cui Xingzhong whispered: "Huang Yulang is not a good guy."
"I haven't thought about it yet."
Ma Rongcheng said that he was going to meet the person who called tonight, and at the same time he also called Cui Xingzhong to go together.
"Success! Maybe I'm not as good as you in drawing comics, but when it comes to negotiations, I'm better than you."
Cui Xingzhong agreed, "I haven't asked who the person who called you just now?"
……………………
The two of them appeared at the agreed hotel on time and, under the guidance of the waiter, they arrived at the door of a private room.
"Dongdong."
Accompanied by a knock on the door, a "please come in" came from inside the house.
Cui Xingzhong and Ma Rongcheng pushed the door open and Fang Yan and Pan Yaoming's faces came into view, and they were suddenly shocked and overwhelmed.
"Mr. Fang...Mr. Fang?!"
"Here you come!"
Pan Yaoming burst into laughter, hurriedly asked the two to sit down, and then introduced each other as a host.
"I didn't expect Mr. Fang would come too. I thought it was just Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan of Sanlian Bookstore invited me to have a meal..."
Ma Rongcheng realized that this dinner was actually specially arranged in dialect.
Cui Xingzhong said: "Since Mr. Fang and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan invited us to dinner, I guess I won't just eat and drink. There must be something wrong. If you have anything to say, just say that we will definitely help wherever we can. If you can't, you will definitely understand our difficulties."
"Let's say it quickly, then we'll just say it."
With Fang Yan's eyes hint, Pan Yaoming said bluntly: "This time I did not treat you to dinner in the name of Sanlian Bookstore, but as a consultant of the publishing company under Mr. Fang, I would like to discuss cooperation with you while treating you to dinner."
Cui Xingzhong and Ma Rongcheng looked at each other and vaguely guessed the content of the cooperation.
"Our publishing company's business is not only on novels and magazines, but also preparing to work in the field of comics." Fang Yan said, "Now we have won the right to distribute a large number of Japanese comics in the Xiangjiang area. Of course, we also hope to absorb a group of excellent painters and cartoonists from the local area of Xiangjiang to publish Hong Kong comics that the majority of Xiangjiang readers like. I wonder if you two are willing to join?"
"Mr. Fang and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan should know that we are from Yulang International Company."
Cui Xingzhong's expression did not change.
Pan Yaoming smiled and said, "Of course we know, and we also know that Rongcheng, as the pillar of Huang Yulang Company, has more than a year left, and the contract will expire. By that time, where you two will go, is a crucial choice."
"This...this..."
Ma Rongcheng looked puzzled and was extremely entangled.
The reason why I have not made a decision for a long time is that Huang Yulang once was both a teacher and a friend and was as close as brothers and sisters...
"Don't rush to answer first, you might as well listen to the conditions we gave?"
Fangyan picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for the two of them himself.
Ma Rongcheng was shocked, and then heard the treatment offered from Pan Yaoming. Not only did he increase his original annual salary by HK$1 million, which increased to HK$7 million, he was also willing to give a 5% dividend of the publishing company and an additional 3% equity incentive.
"In addition, we will also hire you as the company's vice president, responsible for the entire comic publishing department."
Seeing them looking moved, Fang Yan smiled.
"Mr. Fang, I only know how to draw cartoons and have never had any experience in management departments."
Ma Rongcheng's eyes widened, in disbelief, "Are you really safe to hand over the entire comic publishing department to us?"
"I have always believed in the saying, 'If you give too much money, you will become a talent if you don't have any experience. If you don't have experience, then you will train your experience!"
Fang Yan said, "What's more, there is Assistant Cui, he will help you manage the comics department."
Pan Yaoming added: "Yes, we believe that you have the potential, ability and strength to run the comics business."
Ma Rongcheng's heart was pounding, "Mr. Fang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pan, you are really too proud..."
"Don't be so arrogant. You are the number one person in Xiangjiang comics now."
Fang Yan's tone was a bit tempting, "Have you never thought of hosting a comics department or even a publishing house in person?"
Ma Rongcheng did have the idea of doing it alone. At this time, he was said to be the central thing and suddenly became silent. His mind was running wildly, weighing the pros and cons.
Pan Yaoming added another fire: "Although you are the highest-paid cartoonist in Huang Yulang's company, you don't have a high voice in creation, management, etc. Under Huang Yulang's management system, the producer is the leader in managing the entire comic team, including comic creation."
"Can I take the liberty to ask, what do you think of this supervision management system?"
Ma Rongcheng stared straight at them.
"This is a system that puts the cart before the horse."
The dialect is a serious way. "How can I see it?"
Ma Rongcheng's eyes suddenly lit up.
"A good system is indeed more effective and very correct in managing comic creation. The comic drawing industry requires teamwork, but compared to a producer, a good writer can have good comics, and then this good comic will have good sales."
Fang Yan said: "So the focus of a comic should be on the main writer. You cannot obey his intentions just because the producer likes to create something. In this way, the main writer cannot do his best. It should be the other way around. The producer should assist and cooperate with the main writer's creation."
"Yes! You're so right!"
Ma Rongcheng felt that every word seemed to have entered his heart.
Cui Xingzhong was surprised. He didn't expect Fang Yan to be so familiar with the management system of Yulang International Company.
"If we don't understand, why wouldn't we invite you to join the team when we first met?"
Pan Yaoming picked up a piece of steamed lobster.
Fang Yan said seriously: "The starting point of the companyization of comics like Huang Yulang is wrong. The freedom of the main writers should not be restricted, so they are forced to draw calmly and not to inquire about too many plots, publishing and other matters. I think the Japanese comics industry is doing very well in this regard."
"Yes, the most failure of the company is to use the form of supervision to manage the comic team!"
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Ma Rongcheng slapped the table and vented his dissatisfaction. The reason why Huang Yulang wanted to set up a producer was to try every means to prevent the staff of the comics department from changing jobs, increasing salaries, and playing tricks. It was called a producer, but it was actually a supervisor. Not only did it not help much in the creation, it became a stumbling block.
Pan Yaoming couldn't help but quip: "It seems that you have been disliked by this kind of supervision system for a long time."
Seeing that Ma Rongcheng was revealed in one sentence, he simply admitted it openly.
"In fact, it is precisely because of the fact that Yulang International Company is the dominant one and this production system that Hong Kong comics are now stagnant. The works of so many years still continue the narrative formulas and aesthetic painters of comics such as "Dragon and Tiger Gate" and "Bruce Lee". "
Fangyan directly said the Hong Kong comic sales formula in the 1970s, which is the unchanging martial arts theme. The protagonist has thick eyebrows, big eyes, exaggerated muscles, and has a heroic halo that can never be killed and various bizarre adventures. However, more than 10 years have passed, and this is still the way.
Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong nodded repeatedly, feeling deeply.
"Compared with the stagnation of Hong Kong comics, Japanese comics have developed rapidly, and comic expression techniques have been constantly absorbing new things."
Fang Yan stretched out his first finger: "For example, "Dragon Ball", Toriyama's action storyboard is comparable to that of industry textbooks, far exceeding the composition of fighting comics such as "Bei Dou Shen Fist" and "Saint Seiya". "
Then stretch out the second finger, "Let's talk about the plot story, the basic formula of 'a large number of martial arts, a large number of training sequences, a small number of jokes' has become a model for other fighting comics to learn from now, and is called the 'hot-blooded king' comic."
"Mr. Fang, I'm not to hide it. One of the reasons why I dislike this production system is that those production companies oppose me to make any innovative moves and are worried that if I fail, my fame will be damaged, so I always ask me to draw "Heroes of China."
Ma Rongcheng sighed: "To be honest, I am tired of painting "Chinese Heroes". I want to draw some different subjects and stories."
"Bang!"
Pan Yaoming clapped and said, "Since you said that, you should cooperate with us more."
Fang Yan said seriously that his publishing company is different from Huang Yulang's company. It does not have the so-called system dominated by production, but draws on Japanese comic publishing houses such as Shueisha. In addition to exploring potential newcomers, the editor is also to cultivate and assist cartoonists who are good at being the chief editor.
"Of course, this is for the main writer who has the ability to create stories."
"For those painters who have outstanding painters but cannot tell stories, the company will also sign contracts depending on the situation."
"We will form a professional screenwriter team, with Brother Yaoming and I personally led it, and worked with the painters to create comics."
"You two are in charge?!"
Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong looked at each other and were shocked.
"You definitely don't know..."
Pan Yaoming deliberately revealed that Fangdian invested in a company called "Electric Shock Library" in Japan, which mainly deals in two-dimensional comics, light novels and animations. Not long ago, he even wrote a script for Electric Shock Library with an urban love theme for comic creation.
"Hiss~"
Ma Rongcheng took a breath, "So, if Mr. Fang takes charge, I don't know what kind of story will be provided?"
"The current Hong Kong comic market is mostly mainly martial arts and comedy, and has long been saturated. If you want to break the situation where Huang Yulang's family is dominant, you must open up new markets or new types. First of all, it is naturally the suspense reasoning and Feng Shui tomb robbery themes that have emerged from me."
Fang Yan looked around, "Secondly, I am ready to break free from the shackles of traditional martial arts and create works related to 'fantasy and cultivation'."
Pan Yaoming was immediately excited and finally waited for it.
Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong looked confused. The concept of "cultivation" is not difficult to understand. After all, even if you have never seen "The Legend of Shushan Swordsman" by the owner of Huanzhu Lou, and have also watched "New Shushan Swordsman" filmed by Xu Ke, it is the first time that the word "fantasy" has been heard.
Fang Yan gave Pan Yaoming a wink, and Pan Yaoming immediately understood, cleared his throat, and talked endlessly about "fantasy cultivation".
Ma Rongcheng felt like it was struck by lightning, as if it opened the door to a new world.
It turns out that there are also "Gao Wu", "fantasy" and "cultivation" in martial arts!
"Your "Chinese Heroes" is between 'low martial arts' and 'high martial arts' and has not yet entered the level of 'fantasy'."
Pan Yaoming took a sip of wine.
Ma Rongcheng asked Fangyan impatiently if he already had a story or idea about the theme of "fantasy cultivation"?
Fang Yan stretched out three fingers, "I currently have three swords here."
The three people present had their eyes shining brightly, and they couldn't wait to know what the "Three Swords" meant.
"This first sword is called "Legend of Sword and Fairy", as the name suggests, this is the theme of cultivation."
"The second sword, called "The Ancient Sword" is a fictional fantasy theme based on the prosperous Tang Dynasty."
"As for this third sword, called "Xuanyuan Sword", it not only contains fantasy elements, but also integrates the background of fairy tales."
Fang Yan has a smile on his face. Any sword in these three swords is enough for a magazine to serialize for ten or eight years, let alone the three swords are released together.
Ma Rongcheng's eyes were hot, "Mr. Fang, I don't know what stories these three swords tell each!"
"This is a trade secret."
The dialect plays: "Only if you become your own people can I continue to say it, otherwise there is nothing to tell me."
When Pan Yaoming saw the expressions of Ma Rongcheng and Cui Xingzhong, he could see that they were already moved. If he adds a few more fires, the matter will be done.
Fang Yan smiled but didn't say anything. If he wanted to choose one of the three swords as the pioneering work of the magazine, he would choose "Xuanyuan Sword and Sky Seal". (This chapter ends)