The literary era since 1979

Chapter 104: Even the pigs in the production team don’t give birth like this
Monday, October 5.

Fangyan went to Yangfeng Alley and played cards for the whole afternoon.

When I came back, I took Huang Baizhi's car, but I didn't go back to the "October" editorial office immediately. Instead, I went to Renwen Press first.

Hand "Under the Hawthorn Tree" to Zhang Guangnian in person.

But more importantly, he had to tell his senior brother everything that happened in Yangfeng Alley, and that the person he played cards with was actually that person.

As soon as he arrived at the editor-in-chief's office, Zhang Guangnian raised his head and said with a smile:

"How was your bridge game today?"

"Brother, do you know everything?"

Fangyan opened his mouth in great surprise.

"Comrade Baizhi informed me when he asked you out." Zhang Guangnian joked, "Did you win or lose this game?"

"Won."

Fangyan smiled.

"Really? You can actually win?"

Zhang Guangnian was shocked.

"I wanted to lose, but the guy didn't allow match fixing, saying 'You should play cards with experts, and losing is fun.'"

Fangyan pursed his lips.

"Playing bridge is his unique way of relaxing. As for winning or losing, he doesn't care," said Zhang Guangnian.

“So there’s no pressure on me to win.”

Fangyan couldn't help but recall the scene at that time.

Three old men and one young man gathered together on the square card table, focusing on the changes in the card game. Bursts of joyful laughter were heard in the fierce competition. They were having a great time and made an appointment to continue playing cards tomorrow.

"It seems that you have gained a lot from this trip."

Seeing him take out Panda brand cigarettes, Zhang Guangnian smiled.

"Hey, I also received good news."

Fang Yan said that the criticism of "Bitter Love" should be moderated. The author and the editorial department of "October" could be asked to write a self-criticism, and then the "Wenyi Bao" could reprint the comments, which would be equivalent to giving the initiative of criticism to the "Wenyi Bao".

“It’s really good news.”

Zhang Guangnian was quite pleased and said: "The literary and artistic circles today are in a state of shock. They have encountered many 'bows' and 'bombs' in the past and have become very sensitive. Comrades Feng Mu, Zhou Yang and I also took this into consideration and disagreed with the escalation of criticism of Bitter Love."

"Brother, will all this be over soon?"

Fangyan cast a questioning look.

Zhang Guangnian shook his head and said, "The criticism of Bitter Love will continue, but I will pay attention to the methods and be more cautious."

"As long as they don't criticize as harshly as they did some time ago, it'll be fine."

Fangyan picked up the thermos and refilled the two people's cups with water.

"It won't happen again. When you go back, tell President Lu everything we said, including this good news."

Zhang Guangnian said: "Let everyone in the publishing house feel at ease."

"it is good!"

Fangyan nodded solemnly.

Afterwards, the two chatted about the card game at noon. After a cup of tea, they changed the subject. Zhang Guangnian asked:
"Did you bring your romance novel?"

"Bring it."

Fangyan handed over the manuscript.

The whole novel is about 25 words, neither too many nor too few. Zhang Guangnian read it roughly and turned the pages quickly, but sometimes he would slow down and carefully savor the details, especially the love letter at the end.

"Did you write this poem?"

“Well, it’s called ‘The Slow Times’.”

“Isn’t this poem incomplete?”

“Only half of it.”

"Write out the other half, too."

As a great poet, Zhang Guangnian felt itchy for a moment.

"What do you think, brother?"

Fangyan agreed and completed the first half.

Zhang Guangnian tasted it, his eyes lit up, and he applauded:

"Good! The poem is good! The novel is good!"

"A love story in a novel, too!"

"Not only does it describe love so cleanly, simply and purely, it also records the enthusiasm, difficulties, ideals and beautiful vision of the future of the motherland of the educated youth of that period. It is so natural to combine so many elements in one novel..."

After praising him profusely, he could not help but sigh: "Little Junior Brother has inherited all the true teachings of the Master! He has made further progress in writing novels!"

"You flatter me."

Fangyan talked to him about the idea of ​​the novel for a while, and then asked him for a favor, because serializing in the Literary Gazette was different from publishing in a journal, and the newspaper was not like a publishing house, which would give the author sample copies.

However, he also promised Fang Yan, Qiu Peining and others.

"It's a small thing."

Zhang Guangnian took the manuscript and walked out of the office with him.

When passing by the editorial office, editors of People's Literature including Liu Jianqing, Wang Chaogen, and Wang Fu all cast excited glances at him.

"Teacher Xiao Fang is here to submit manuscripts again?"

"He is going to send this article to the Literary Gazette."

Zhang Guangnian spoke for Fang Yan.

Liu Jianqing, Wang Fu and others looked at each other, exchanged glances, and then rushed forward and asked, "Can we take a look?" "This..."

Fangyan could tell what they were thinking at a glance.

Really just taking a look?
"Comrade Xiao Fang, let's take a look."

Editors such as Wang Fu looked at the two of them eagerly.

Just take a look?
Why does this sound familiar?
Fangyan raised his eyebrows. Although he could see that they were already keeping their eyes on the manuscript, he naturally couldn't refuse due to the emotional considerations.

Zhang Guangnian did the same. He handed over the manuscript and emphasized solemnly: "You can read it, but you can only read it. Xiao Fang's novel has already been decided to be submitted to the Literary Gazette."

"Don't worry, I promise I'll just take a look."

"Yes, yes. I won't try to snatch the manuscript from the Literary Gazette."

"We are a brother organization with the Literary Gazette!"

They all said so, but the hungry looks on their faces betrayed them instantly.

These days, even landlords have no surplus food!

"People's Literature" is also in need of good manuscripts!
It is common for manuscripts to be snatched away!

It is common for sister units to compete for manuscripts!

Besides, how can the poaching of authors by publishers be called poaching? It is called "striving for excellence" and "adding icing on the cake".

Everyone gathered around "Under the Hawthorn Tree" and passed it around.

"Long article! Another long article!"

"A love theme! This is really rare!"

"Teacher Xiao Fang is brave enough to venture into the forbidden zone of love."

"........."

Listening to their discussion, deputy editors-in-chief Liu Jianqing, Wang Chaogen and others did not approach them immediately, but instead talked with Fang Yan and Zhang Guangnian about "Under the Hawthorn Tree", especially the creative intentions.

Mr. Xiao Fang, who has many titles such as "the first person in reflective literature", "the pioneer of reform literature", "the father of spy war literature", and "poet", actually writes a pure love novel?
Using a cannonball to kill a fly? Why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken?

Incredible! Unbelievable! Unbelievable!

But when Fangyan expressed the intention of the creation, everyone was in awe.

"Ahem, I think it would be most appropriate to publish this article, "The Love of the Hawthorn Tree," in "People's Literature." What do you think?"

"That's right. People's Literature is absolutely duty-bound to take on the important task of speaking out for romance novels and liberating the concept of love!"

"..."

“Contemporary Magazine can also take on the responsibility!”

It was as if there were spies among the crowd. The editor of People's Literature looked in the direction of the voice and discovered that several editors of Contemporary Magazine had mixed in with them. This was because Contemporary Magazine and People's Literature were located in the front and back buildings of Renwen Press and they often visited each other.

I didn't expect that "Contemporary" would intervene at this time.

Just like when the college entrance examination results were announced, Shuimu and Yanda Admissions Office were in a frenzy to compete for students, and "People's Literature" and "Contemporary" were fighting for manuscripts in dialects, with a tense atmosphere.

I have to let Fangyan be a scumbag for once!
He cheated on Literary Gazette, or rather, he had an affair with someone else, and moved from Literary Gazette to People's Literature, or Contemporary Literature.

I wrote about love, but you asked me to be a scumbag?

“Teacher Xiao Fang, if this article ‘Love under the Hawthorn Tree’ wants to open up new prospects for love in literary creation, it must be published in a better literary journal. ‘People’s Literature’ is the most suitable one!”

"'Contemporary' is not bad either, Mr. Xiao Fang, please think about it again and consider our 'Contemporary'!"

Seeing the two sides arguing, Fang Yan tried to smooth things over: "You are all a step too late. I have already agreed to publish it in the Literary Gazette and cannot go back on my word. I am really sorry."

"The Literary Gazette hasn't received it yet..."

The editor of Contemporary magazine muttered secretly.

"Cough cough!"

Zhang Guangnian coughed, and the whole place fell silent instantly.

"How disgraceful to do this in front of others!"

He frowned and glanced at everyone. He said that "Under the Hawthorn Tree" would not be given to either People's Literature or Contemporary Literature, and he gave both sides a lash of the cane and scolded them.

"No, not really."

Fangyan generously said a few good words for them.

"It made you laugh."

Zhang Guangnian was ashamed, and leaders such as Liu Jianqing were embarrassed and helpless. They were all crazy because of poverty, and there were too few good manuscripts.

"People's Literature and Contemporary China are not short of good manuscripts, right?"

Fangyan acted as if the scene just now didn't happen.

"Shortage! Of course there is a shortage!"

“Every editorial department is in need of truly good manuscripts!”

Liu Jianqing sighed and said, "It's a pity that this piece of work, Love Under the Hawthorn Tree, has no chance to be published in People's Literature. We have to miss it. Teacher Xiao Fang, if you have any new works in the future, please give them to People's Literature first."

"........."

When Fang Yan heard this, the slight embarrassment in his heart disappeared instantly.

Listen, is this human language?
He has already contributed two works to People's Literature and has already had his second child, but now they want him to have a third child right away?

It would be fine if it was just People's Literature, but now Contemporary Magazine has jumped out again, expressing dissatisfaction with the favoritism towards dialects!
The two volumes of The Great Qin Splitting and Hidden have already had three children with People’s Literature. Why can’t they have one with Contemporary? Let them have one! Let them have one!

It hasn't been long since I finished writing "Under the Hawthorn Tree", and I'm already thinking about him having a third or fourth child. This is simply insane!

Fangyan really wants to ask directly, are you a human being?

Even the sows in the production team didn’t give birth like this!

Even the donkey in the production team was not used like this!

(End of this chapter)