The literary era since 1979

Chapter 110 Teacher Fang is Here
Just as "Under the Hawthorn Tree" was gaining popularity across the country, the latest issue of "October" was released as scheduled.

Far from being overshadowed, the magazine's brilliance became prominent among the national literary journals published in June thanks to Lu Yao's Life, and its sales have continued to rise.

Many mainstream newspapers, including the Literary Gazette and the Literature Newspaper, gave high praise to Life. Following the controversy surrounding Bitter Love, October finally made a great comeback.

When the good news came, the entire editorial department was excited.

Sweeping away the previous frustration and pressure, almost everyone ran out of the office, running in the corridor to tell each other and hug each other to celebrate.

Lu Yuanchi came over upon hearing the news, smiling from ear to ear.

Even when we were playing cards at noon, the laughter never stopped.

They were so happy that even Su Yu, who usually doesn't play cards, took the initiative to participate, and the editorial department soon became a chess and card room.

"From the time I saw Life from Xiao Fang, I expected this article to be a hit, but I didn't expect it to be this popular."

Su Yu, Fang Yan and the other two were playing cards while feeling emotional.

Lu Yuanchi said, "It's the same for me and the publishing house. The estimate was seriously insufficient, which resulted in less printing of the journal this time."

Tian Zengxiang played a card with a smile on his face:
"I think we'll have to keep printing. Recently, the editorial department has been receiving letters and even phone calls from readers in other provinces, saying that the local post office can't order October, and asking if there is any solution."

"President Lu, Editor-in-Chief Su."

Fangyan suggested adding a column preview and subscription method on the last page of the magazine, which is an alternative form of advertising.

In this way, the number of subscriptions to October nationwide can be increased.

"Good! That's a good suggestion!"

Lu Yuanchi was quite appreciative: "I can now tell you another piece of good news. Not long ago, the publishing house held a meeting to discuss and decided to completely lift the restrictions on the paper used by October."

Fangyan's eyes lit up, and they smiled at each other.

At that time, paper was allocated by the state according to plan. For example, Yenching Press only had 1200 tons of paper throughout the year. Once the consumption in a certain quarter exceeded the quota, every magazine had to tighten its belt.

In addition to October, the publishing house also has several editorial groups including literature and history, compilation, science and technology, political reading, and fine arts. Therefore, a single volume cannot be published whenever you want. It also depends on whether there is enough paper.

Are there any publishing plans and paper usage indicators?

When October was first founded, the paper quota was 120 tons.

Now, the "limited release" has been cancelled, which means there is no limit on the amount of paper used and no upper limit. The sales volume will undoubtedly break the record, not to mention that this time it is boosted by "Life".

"It seems that the first time that October breaks the record of 50 copies may be in this issue." Su Yu smiled with satisfaction.

“Not only that, I think 60 copies is a good chance.”

Lu Yuanchi smiled and said, "Whether it is 50 or 60 copies, the credit goes to you, Xiao Fang."

Fangyan smiled without saying anything and played his cards.

"Xiao Fang's contribution is not limited to this. He also put forward very constructive suggestions. We are preparing three issues of October in the second half of the year. We will focus on the theme of love and strive to produce one or two works like Under the Hawthorn Tree to make a comeback."

Su Yu looked at him with appreciation in his eyes.

Tian Zengxiang said: "Yanzi is very good at romance novels. With him checking, it is very likely that a good work will be produced. It's a pity that he is now the acting head of the novels section and cannot publish novels in October. Otherwise, I could ask him to write one..."

"I have to pay off my debt in the next article."

Fangyan raised his hands with a mixture of tears and laughter.

After "Under the Hawthorn Tree" became popular, Wang Jie, the creditor, called more than once to "collect debts". It was only right and reasonable that she had to write an article for "Yenching Literature".

Su Yu and others felt sorry when they heard this, but when they heard that Fang Yan was willing to hand over the single volume of "The Love Under the Hawthorn Tree" to the publishing house for publication, and had already asked Wang Anyi, Tie Ning and other classmates in the institute to write articles on the theme of love, they were immediately surprised and happy.

After a hand of cards was over, Lu Yuanchi quit the game, called Fangyan aside, and faced each other to get straight to the point.

The publishing house wanted to boost morale and commend outstanding employees in the first half of the year. In view of Fang Yan's performance in the "Bitter Love" incident and his achievements in the "October" editorial department, especially "Life", after a meeting and discussion, it was unanimously agreed to award him the honor.

At the same time, a Phoenix brand bicycle ticket is also awarded.

Fangyan was surprised, but not too surprised.

After all, I'm used to riding this second-hand Phoenix, so it doesn't really matter whether I change it or not. I can give it to Yang Xia, so it will be convenient for her to buy groceries in the future.

As I was thinking about it, I remembered what Fang Hong said last night.

If it was a ticket for a TV or a washing machine, that would be great. It was indeed time to buy some new appliances for the house. I immediately had an idea and decided to try my luck on the black market.

Or just get some foreign exchange coupons and go to the Friendship Store.

"This commendation ceremony won't be long. Before you go to Hangzhou to participate in the Golden Rooster Awards, you should prepare a good acceptance speech."

Lu Yuanchi patted his shoulder.

"Okay, I'll get ready when I get back."

Fangyan nodded.

"Also, this trip to Hangzhou will give me a chance to pay more attention to Hangzhou, as well as the writers in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, to see if there are any that I can dig up."

There was a hint of anticipation in Lu Yuanchi's tone.

"Yes, President!"

Fangyan's mind is as clear as a mirror.

"October" was founded not long ago and has a certain influence in the north, but in the south, it has almost no foundation and no fixed group of authors. I went to Hangzhou this time to explore the way.

Can General Fang expand his sphere of influence to the south? After all, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are blessed with outstanding people and good land. In contemporary literature, Lu Xun, Dai Wangshu, Wang Guowei, Xu Zhimo, Ai Qing...

Including his teacher, Shen Yanbing.

…………

"Life" and "Under the Hawthorn Tree" ignited the entire month of June, and the editorial office began to receive piles of letters from readers.

We receive hundreds of letters every day, including subscription applications from individual readers, but most of them come through the local post office.

In this festive atmosphere, a commendation meeting was held, Fangyan gave a speech to express his gratitude for winning the award and received a bicycle ticket.

As soon as she got it home, Yang Xia held it in her hand and said with a smile:

"I appreciate your kindness."

"But you should keep this new one for yourself. I don't go out often, so your second-hand Phoenix is ​​enough for me. When Yan Zi is a little older, let her ride it to school."

"Mom is right!"

Fang Hong said: "You can use this ticket yourself."

Yang Xia's face was filled with pride. "Hey, it's a big deal for ordinary families to have one Phoenix. It's only been a few years, and our family has three Phoenixes. We are the only one in the whole alley!"

"Mom, you just enjoy yourself first."

Fang Hong said: "Yanzi and I went to Yanda."

The two of them rode their bikes straight to Yenching University, and saw Su Ya standing at the door. She had obviously been waiting for some time and came to greet them.

After a few pleasantries, we walked into the campus.

Fangyan looked around and felt that there were a lot more pedestrians passing by, three or five people in groups, and they were walking in the same direction.

“They should be from other schools.”

Su Ya explained that although the large-scale recitation organized by the May Fourth Literary Society was nominally only for Yanjing University, it became popular because of "Love Life" and the school newspaper that published the dialect speeches.

Now, many students from other schools also come here to study.

Along the way, Fangyan saw young men and women holding one or two magazines in their hands, and "October" appeared most frequently. After asking, he found out that it was all because of "Life".

The entire Yenching University campus, or even all the universities in Yenching, is filled with people mourning Jingqiu and sighing for Lao San.

As for Gao Jialin, he felt sad about his misfortune and hated what he had done!
It creates a visual effect similar to that of "Desire".

“So many people!

Fang Hong followed the crowd and became more and more frightened the more she looked.

"Sister Hong, this is just the tip of the iceberg. When you get to the auditorium, you'll know how exaggerated it is."

Su Ya quickened her pace and walked forward.

Fangyan followed closely behind, but instead of queuing up like the other students at the gate waiting to enter, he took a shortcut and went through the side door.

As soon as I entered the venue, I looked around and saw it was crowded with people.

Some people even brought their own stools to sit on, or simply stood in the aisle. These literary youths were fanatically in love with poetry and literature. They took the bus for several hours just to come to Yenching University to attend the large-scale poetry recitation organized by the May Fourth Literary Society.

The enthusiasm of our school students is only higher.

Liu Jun, who had already named himself "Xichuan", and Bai Ruoxue organized a cheering group for the Spanish Department, and Yu Minhong was among them.

The law department, history department, and even science and engineering departments were mobilized.

Fangyan didn't expect so many people to come. Looking at those young people with shining eyes and excitement, even with a spontaneous team of student volunteers maintaining order, there were still a lot of people.

Thousands of words are not as direct as Fang Hong's words:
"Why are there so many people!"

Just as Fangyan was about to find a seat and enjoy his meal, a voice suddenly broke out from the crowd:
“Isn’t that a dialect?”

It's like a spark thrown into a powder keg, exploding instantly.

"Is Teacher Fang here too?"

"Where is Teacher Fang?"

"Is it really Teacher Fang? Really?"

The whole audience was in an uproar and looked in the direction of the sound.

Yu Minhong followed Liu Jun and Wang Qi and turned his head away.

There were bursts of screams beside my ears:
"it's him!"

"That's the one!"

"He is Teacher Fang!"

The entire venue was almost overturned by the shouts. Yu Minhong looked at Fangyan who was surrounded by the crowd. He was obviously about the same age as himself, but he looked so radiant and full of vigor.

And I am so ordinary, so unsophisticated.

He is just a student at Yan University, nothing special.

Looking at his figure, my heart was excited, my hands were shaking, and my eyes were full of admiration and passion:
As a true man, this is what you should do!

(End of this chapter)