Chapter 58 of 100

Chapter 58

14 min read3,563 words

Chapter Fourteen: Sun Lan's Assurance

"This is what kind of damn contract! In my opinion, this Koyama has no sincerity at all!" Su Aijun cursed as he drove the car. From the building to the car, he had already read through the contract roughly. In this contract, Fang Mingyuan had many obligations—submitting manuscripts on time, the manuscripts had to meet Japanese standards, complying with the publisher's promotional needs, and the adaptation rights, character image rights, and authorization for peripheral products all belonged to *Weekly Shonen*. What he could get was only a weekly income equivalent to 400 RMB, and that was pre-tax income.

On the other hand, *Weekly Shonen* had numerous rights, not just those mentioned earlier. The contract also listed various penalties for Fang Mingyuan if he failed to meet the requirements, such as a 10% deduction from his manuscript fee for failing to submit on time twice, or if the manuscript did not meet Japanese standards, with a maximum deduction of 50% of the total manuscript fee. Moreover, in the event of a breach of contract, Fang Mingyuan would face a claim of at least one million yen.

Fang Mingyuan, with a sullen face, flipped through the contract and said, "It also stipulates that if there is a dispute, the arbitration or appeal court must be within Japan. Regardless of whether the Japanese court will rule fairly, just to defend myself, I would have to travel to Japan, plus the litigation fees and lawyer fees, the money I earn wouldn't even cover the costs." This contract was indeed too harsh, so harsh that Fang Mingyuan was somewhat surprised.

Although as a new author and a foreigner, it was unrealistic to expect the same treatment as Japanese authors, this contract was too disrespectful. Exploiting surplus capital was not wrong, after all, capitalists had to make money. But such exploitation seemed to be killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. Fang Mingyuan was very clear that *Yuu Yuu Hakusho* had a bright future, not just in comics, but also in animation, games, and peripheral products, which would bring considerable profits. *Weekly Shonen* wanted to take all of these with a single contract, showing an insatiable greed.

"Fang Mingyuan, you can't sign this contract, it's like a bond of servitude! Are you still happy with 400 RMB a week? With this time, Fang Mingyuan, can't you do something else!" Fang Bin also said angrily. These Japanese were too disrespectful. Although the Fang family was not yet wealthy, they still earned several thousand RMB a month, not to mention the money from his nephew's stamps. Was it worth risking life and limb for 400 RMB? That would be like being kicked in the head by a donkey.

"Yes, Fang Bin is right, this contract shouldn't be signed!" Su Aijun said indignantly. He was not ignorant of Japan's situation; this monthly income was probably even less than what a part-time worker in Japan would earn!

"Mr. Sun, can they agree to such harsh contract terms?" Koyama Keiji asked with some concern. This time, the company sent him to negotiate with Fang Mingyuan mainly because the company's upper management was very optimistic about the prospects of *Yuu Yuu Hakusho*, believing that this manga might be the opportunity for *Weekly Shonen* to regain its glory. The competition in Japan's manga industry was extremely fierce. Although *Weekly Shonen* was a top publisher with many famous manga artists, the idea of being prepared for any eventuality was deeply rooted in the minds of the company's upper management. The continuous emergence of excellent works and the timely addition of new talent were the fundamental ways to ensure *Weekly Shonen*'s long-term success.

Although Koyama Keiji had only been in the company for three years, he was not an ordinary editor. His uncle was Koyama Iwa, the deputy editor-in-chief of *Weekly Shonen*. This time, Koyama Iwa sent Koyama Keiji to give him a chance to earn merit. If *Yuu Yuu Hakusho* became a huge success in the future, Koyama Keiji, as the signing editor, would naturally have great merit, and he could be promoted to a mid-level manager in the company, preparing for the day when he could take over from Koyama Iwa.

Sun Lan met Koyama Keiji when he was working part-time at *Weekly Shonen*. Because Sun Lan was not only eloquent but also very observant and deliberately flattered Koyama Keiji, their relationship was quite good. After returning to China, they still kept in touch. This time, when Koyama Keiji came to China and needed a translator, he thought of Sun Lan.

After returning to China, Sun Lan had already started working, arranged by his family to join the China Book Import and Export Corporation. Due to his familiarity with Japan and his fluent Japanese, he was assigned to the department handling Japanese business. When he heard that Koyama Keiji was coming to China, he immediately took leave from the company to accompany Koyama Keiji throughout his stay.

This contract was not the original terms of *Weekly Shonen*, but had been revised based on Sun Lan's suggestions.

"Mr. Koyama, you can rest assured. Although this manuscript fee may seem insignificant to you, even less than a temporary worker in your company, you don't know that in today's China, those who earn over a thousand RMB a month are a very small part of the population, especially in the northwest countryside. This money will definitely make him overjoyed, and he will beg to sign a contract with your company. This will also help your company reduce costs. When you return to Japan with the contract, your company's leaders will definitely look at you differently. Koyama Editor-in-Chief will be proud of you," Sun Lan said confidently.

"That would be the best outcome," Koyama Keiji nodded and smiled. "Although your country is vast and has a large population, it is very poor. Compared to our Japan, it is decades behind. If this matter goes well and I can be promoted to a mid-level manager when I return to Japan, then in the future, when you apply for Japanese citizenship, I can provide a guarantee for you!"

Sun Lan's face immediately lit up with joy. He had been flattering Koyama Keiji to rely on the Koyama family's influence when he immigrated. If the Koyama family provided a guarantee, his chances of getting his immigration application approved would increase by at least 40%!

"That would be wonderful! I, Sun Lan, will always remember Mr. Koyama's kindness!" Sun Lan said, almost in tears of gratitude.

"Alright, Mr. Sun, shall we go find a place to eat? Let me try some of your country's delicious food!" Since Sun Lan was so confident, Koyama Keiji put aside his slight worries—after all, the people who understood the Chinese best were the Chinese themselves, right?

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