The literary era since 1979

Chapter 128: We are proud of you (Happy May th Youth Day!)

"Then the selection criteria for the literature award are set."

"We will publish a competition announcement on the last page of the fourth and fifth issues of the magazine. Readers can vote for the works on our shortlist, send a letter to the editorial department, or call..."

In the conference room, Su Yu looked around and read out the specific details of the October Literature Prize that were finally agreed upon.

"If there are no objections, then let's adjourn the meeting!"

With these words, the meeting came to an end.

"Teacher Zhang, please stay."

Fangyan called out to Zhang Shouren.

Zhang Shouren was the head of both the short story group and the prose group. When he heard that Shi Tiesheng had a prose to submit to October, he was pleasantly surprised and said, "Yanzi, thank you."

"but……"

Fangyan said that Shi Tiesheng had an unreasonable request, which was to hope that his work could be published in the fourth issue, which is the October issue.

Zhang Shouren asked in surprise: "Why is that?"

"The title of the essay is "Autumn Nostalgia."

The dialect revealed that publishing it in October, the golden autumn season when chrysanthemums are in full bloom, has special significance for Shi Tiesheng.

Zhang Shouren did not ask any more questions. "Then you have to hurry up. We will have a meeting in a few days to discuss the layout and typesetting of the fourth issue."

"That's no problem. He asked me to come to his house the day after tomorrow to pick up the manuscript."

Fangyan arranged everything before leaving the publishing house.

Riding a bike, I arrived at the south side of Fuxingmenwai Street as promised.

"Coming."

Wan Fang opened the door, "Dad, Yan Zi is here!"

Fang Yan followed her to the living room and saw Wan Jiabao pointing to the seat next to him, motioning for him to sit down, and then handed him a newspaper.

"The play Under the Hawthorn Tree has been published in the newspaper."

Wan Fang said as she poured water.

Fangyan took a closer look and saw that the Literary Gazette had reported on the Yanda drama and art performance, and gave it high praise, especially to Under the Hawthorn Tree, calling it "a breakthrough in the forbidden area of ​​subject matter and a re-emergence of romantic drama", and mentioned his own contribution in it.

"She has told me everything that happened yesterday."

Wan Jiabao looked at him meaningfully.

Fang Yan took the cup of water, and Wan Fang smiled and said, "It's not just me. Aunt Feng even called me and kept praising you."

Wan Jiabao looked him up and down and said with great satisfaction, "I didn't expect you to make such great progress in drama and play."

"This is all thanks to your guidance during this period."

Fang Yan said modestly: "And the books you lent me."

Wan Jiabao said: "But I didn't teach you that Greek drama, Chinese opera and Indian Sanskrit drama are the three major drama systems in the world."

"Since Master Ji and the others said that I was innocent, I spoke without hesitation." Fang Yan smiled, "Even if I was wrong, I think for the sake of you and the teacher, you won't hold me, a junior, accountable."

Wan Jiabao's tone was full of praise: "It's great that you think this way. Young people should think seriously, speak boldly, and write freely. What's more, what you said is not without reason and is worth discussing and studying."

"That would be great."

Fangyan took a sip of water.

Wan Jiabao told him that Feng Fengzi and others hoped that he could write articles about his ideas on "world drama system" and "performing arts system" and publish them in newspapers and periodicals such as "People's Drama", "Opera Art" and "Literary and Art Newspaper".

"Sir, you know me well. I am good at writing novels."

Fangyan smiled and said, "Writing a paper..."

"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to write an academic paper. Just touch on the subject and talk briefly." Wan Jiabao waved his hand. "As long as you can write your theory clearly and make sense, that's enough."

"I understand. I'm just throwing out some ideas to stimulate discussion."

Fangyan suddenly understood.

"Where can I find such expensive and rare bricks?"

Wan Jiabao couldn't help but laugh.

Fangyan listened patiently and gradually understood.

The statement of "three major drama systems in the world" has elevated the status of Chinese opera in world drama, which is very meaningful in itself. Compared with the drama world, the opera world is more active and eager to see the theory of dialects come out and spread widely.

After all, in the early 80s, opera genres from all over the country sent performance troupes to countries around the world and spread overseas.

The term "world drama system" is a great honor for traditional opera. It sounds very grand and prestigious, and it also has face when promoting it to the outside world. "If you need any help, please feel free to contact us."

Wan Jiabao said that if they had questions about Greek drama, they could ask me, if they had questions about Sanskrit drama, they could ask Ji Xianlin, and if they had questions about opera, they could ask Mei Baojiu and others. As for other issues with the article, Feng Fengzi and others would be in charge of it.

Wow, this is such a nanny-level arrangement!

Having achieved all this, I have no choice but to write in dialect.

Wan Jiabao stared at him and couldn't help but sigh: "Strictly speaking, you are only half of my student. I didn't expect that you didn't benefit much from my teacher. On the contrary, I have benefited from you twice."

"You are really exasperating me."

Fangyan shook his head and laughed.

"Haha, you, follow me into the study."

Wan Jiabao said: "Let's talk about the script adaptation of Shang Yang."

Wan Fang also followed in to listen and saw that the two were talking enthusiastically. One was the screenwriter of the drama "The Great Qin Splitting" and the other was the screenwriter of the movie. Sparks flew between them.

"It's a movie script, it's a theoretical article, and I heard from Lao Ding that you also participated in this national professional writers' creative activity." Wan Jiabao couldn't help but joked, "You are busier than me."

Fangyan said: "Although there are many things to do, fortunately they are not crowded together. There is enough time for me to finish them one by one."

"Have you got any ideas for the novel?"

Wan Jiabao said with concern.

"There are some signs of progress."

The plot of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" was succinctly told in dialect.

"The Countryside Postman, this is a good subject. It sounds like a rural novel." Wan Jiabao's eyes lit up.

Fangyan nodded, "It is indeed a rural novel."

Wan Jiabao's eyes dimmed. "If your teacher is still here, you can ask him for advice on rural novels. Rural novels are one of his best areas."

Fangyan remained silent and sighed.

Shen Yanbing's rural trilogy, "Spring Silkworms", "Autumn Harvest" and "Late Winter", depicts the reality of rural survival and daily sufferings.

"Cough cough!"

Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, Wan Fang quickly spoke up: "Yanzi, which journal are you planning to publish this manuscript in?"

Fangyan replied, "Yenching Literature."

Wan Jiabao's eyes lit up, "I remember Comrade Zeng Qi was the editor-in-chief of Yenching Literature, right?" Seeing him nod, Wan Jiabao suggested, "When your manuscript is ready, you can ask him to take a look. He has made great contributions to rural novels."

Fangyan was greatly impressed and said, "Thank you for your advice, sir."

Wan Fang continued to shift the topic to a lighter direction, such as "Under the Hawthorn Tree" deserves a bigger stage.

Wan Jiabao did not object, but it was obviously impossible for him to be on the stage of the People's Art Theatre. However, he could be recommended to the China Youth Art Theatre.

Fangyan knows that this is the predecessor of the National Theatre of China, and it does not disgrace "Under the Hawthorn Tree" at all.

Even if "Under the Hawthorn Tree" can get top three places in the National College Students' Drama Art Festival, the China Youth Art Theatre will not have to provide actors, but will directly provide the stage for Bai Ruoxue and other original cast members to perform freely.

“It’s not that this opportunity cannot be given.”

Wan Jiabao smiled and said, "But it depends on whether Yanda's "Under the Hawthorn Tree" can be done."

"I believe those students from Yanda University will not let me down."

Fang Yan and Wan Fang looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

The atmosphere gradually became cheerful, and we spent the entire afternoon talking about the drama "Shang Yang" and had a great time.

The conversation lasted until dusk. Wan Jiabao watched Fangyan's back disappear at the door. He was still not satisfied and could not help but sigh:

"I originally agreed to teach him because of Brother Shen's kindness, but I didn't expect that he would have such a high talent in drama."

"dad?"

"Brother Shen has accepted a good disciple."

"Dad, isn't Yanzi also your student?"

Wan Fang comforted him in a gentle voice, saying that although he was only a teacher of drama, like Li Yaotang, a half-teacher was still a teacher.

"hehe."

Wan Jiabao consoled himself by saying, "Having such a student really brings honor to Brother Shen, Brother Li and me."

(End of this chapter)