Chairman Wang Rongwen of the Far East Publishing Company elevated Jin Yong's novels to classic status through unique marketing strategies and bold initiatives. After Jin Yong’s passing in 2018, how did he ensure that chivalrous wisdom continued?

In January 1985 at Hong Kong’s Peninsula Hotel, bustling with activity, Wang Rongwen, Chairman of Far East Publishing Company after finishing work for the day, dragged his heavy luggage into the lobby and bumped into Jin Yong. At this time, Jin Yong's contract with Taiwan's Vision Book Co. was about to expire as he sought out another publisher. Although 36 years old at that point, Wang Rongwen had only met Jin Yong through work previously; originally thinking it would be an ordinary encounter, the master suddenly turned and offered him a cooperation invitation on the spot: 'Are you interested in publishing my novels?'

Surprised yet delighted by this opportunity, Wang returned to Taiwan with seven pages of manuscript expressing his determination against pirated books. He attached a memorandum detailing royalties for their collaboration, securing Jin Yong's nod through professionalism and sincerity, thus acquiring coveted rights over Jin Yong’s works.

Far East Publishing Company then employed precise marketing strategies, launching various editions such as the literary collection version, paperback edition, deluxe edition, pocket-sized edition to cater to different audiences. Since its publication in 1986 until now, sales of Far East's Jin Yong series have reached nearly twenty million copies. Each volume of the collector’s edition bears an authorization number from Jin Yong himself; this was a pioneering concept at that time known as 'buying books for value addition.' The classic image has made Jin Yong novels enduring treasures on many Taiwanese readers' bookshelves.

‘If I hadn’t been there, perhaps we wouldn’t have had these 33 years of cooperation,’ Wang Rongwen said in an exclusive interview with the magazine. He attributed his success to 'a stroke of luck.'
However, colleagues who've worked alongside him for decades believe that what sets Wang apart and makes him a sought-after collaborator is not just his honest character but also his unique innovative vision.

Even before meeting Jin Yong, Far East had already made its mark in Taiwan's publishing industry. In the first year after establishment, it gained fame with Wu Xianghui’s novel 'The Boy Who Refused to Take Exams,' which sold over 100 thousand copies; subsequently, Wang collaborated successively with writers like Sanmao (Chang Aichun), Pai Yang and Li Ao, carving out new market paths that repeatedly achieved sales records.
Wang Mingxue, the chief editor of Far East who has worked alongside him for more than twenty years, describes Wang Rongwen as having a 'Star Absorbing Technique.' He often asks authors: “What do you want to write most now? How can I help make your dreams come true?” It is precisely because he offers not just respect but comprehensive support that many famous writers are drawn in.
In the publishing industry for decades, Wang Rongwen sees connecting with authors as basic work; his ultimate goal is 'publishers and writers being each other's benefactors.' Bold innovation has been his unique strategy to win over major figures.

(Author: Chen Zixuan. Full article available at 'This Week Magazine'. Image used here is for illustrative purposes only, source: pixabay)