The literary era since 1979

Chapter 13: One Flower Leads to Hundreds of Flowers
The latest issue of "Yanjing Literature and Art" has passed through countless hands. Nearly half of the delegations to the National Congress of Literature and Art have read "The Shepherd", and it has even been passed to the presidium.

"Why do I always have tears in my eyes?
Because I love this land so deeply."

Wang Zengqi, the former editor-in-chief of Yenching Literature and Art, was the first to speak. "This poem by Mr. Ai is well quoted in this novel and fits the theme. What do you think?"

"I wrote this poem in 38 or 39. It's been more than 40 years, but I didn't expect someone would still remember it and use it so well. Is this young man called 'Dialect' here at the meeting?"

Ai Qing sighed with emotion: "I want to meet him."

Wang Meng shook his head. "He is a writer we just discovered. He is very young, but very talented."

Li Yaotang (Ba Jin) said with a smile: "Going to the countryside and mountains threw a large number of young people into the melting pot to temper them, taught them how to write, and then a large number of young writers emerged from life. Those attending the conference this time are just their representatives, only a small part of them."

"Yes."

Wang Zengqi pointed to the journal and said, "But this dialect is different from that of Liu Xinwu and Lu Xinhua. Although The Shepherd is fictional, it is full of emotions, yearning for beauty, and reflecting on the past, but it is set in the future. There are not many works that can reflect life in this period so deeply. It is rare."

"We chatted with this young comrade, and he said that he wanted to try something different from scar fiction in The Horse Herder, reflecting on the various scars and finding the strength to move people forward."

Wang Meng smiled and said, "Let's call this 'reflective literature'."

“Reflection on literature?”

Li Yaotang, Wang Zengqi and others looked at each other.

"Yes, we should delve deeper into scar literature and examine that period of history with a more calm, mature and positive attitude."

Based on the original dialect words and his and the entire editorial team’s understanding, Wang Meng tried to define this “reflective literature”.

"Review? Reflect?"

Li Yaotang pondered for a moment, "I had the same thought recently when I was translating Alexander Herzen's Past and Thoughts. Looking back on that period of history, there will always be new thoughts."

"Does Ba Gong have the same idea?"

Wang Meng was surprised and happy.

"Well, I'm going to write a book called Random Thoughts, which will record everything I've seen and heard in the past ten years, as well as my right and wrong, self-examination and reflection."

Li Yaotang said in a deep tone.

"When Mr. Ba finishes writing, I will definitely read it."

Ai Qing turned to look at Wang Meng, "You Yanjing Literature and Art have done a great job in exploring this dialect. He and his The Shepherd may be able to provide the entire literary world with a new way of thinking outside the framework of scars, a kind of reflective literature."

Wang Meng said excitedly: "Our editorial department also thinks so. Yanjing Literature and Art will use "The Shepherd" as a starting point to strive to launch a series of reflective literary works."

"Okay."

Wang Zengqi clapped his hands and said, "Just like what the speaker said in his congratulatory speech at the National Congress of Literature and Art, the spring of our literary and artistic circles has arrived. I think this reflective literature may be able to inject a different kind of vitality into the entire hazy and scarred literary world."

"This is also in line with the 'Double Hundred' spirit reaffirmed by the National Congress of Writers and Artists."

Li Yaotang smiled with relief.

Today, the literary world includes veterans from the May Fourth period, writers who emerged in various stages after the May Fourth Movement, writers of various schools cultivated since the founding of the People's Republic of China, emerging newcomers, and returning writers and comeback writers who have returned to the literary world.

Five generations living under one roof, unprecedented prosperity.

The literary trend of scars alone is a bit monotonous.

"The Horse Shepherd" is just a small beginning, and perhaps it can become the flower that triggers all other flowers to bloom.

Everyone in the lounge quickly reached a consensus.

"I think we should cultivate and cherish young writers like Fang Yan." Ai Qing suggested, "Mr. Ba, how about letting Harvest reprint The Shepherd?"

"Not only Harvest, but also editors from Shanghai Literature and Sprout are in the delegation this time. I think we can just reprint it together and bring The Shepherd to Shanghai."

Li Yaotang had a beaming smile on his face.

"In my opinion, it would be better to take advantage of the opportunity of literary publishers from all over the country gathering at this literary congress and ask them to reprint The Shepherd in their journals, so as to create a national momentum and push this wave of reflective literature to a new climax."

Wang Zengqi looked left and right. "Mr. Wang's idea goes one step further than ours. We originally planned to set up a review column in Yenching Literature and Art to comment on The Shepherd. If we can really do what Mr. Wang said..."

Wang Meng was excited: "It's really great!"

The people around looked at each other and thought it was a good idea.

Not only major publishing houses are willing to contribute, but literary newspapers such as "Novel Monthly" and "Wenyi Bao" are also helping.

Li Qingquan and Wang Meng gained a lot from this trip.

As soon as the meeting ended, the two went straight to the editorial office of Yenching Literature and Art, gathered everyone together, and announced the great news on the spot.

Wang Jie, the editor who was in charge of exploring dialects, was stunned with shock. Although the person was still there, his soul had actually left for a while.

"For this issue, at least 3 more copies will be printed."

Wang Meng smiled and said, "No, print another 5 copies!"

“Is it really that successful?”

Li Yue and others looked at each other in surprise, more than joy.

“Yes, the dialect version of The Horse Wrangler won a great applause.”

Li Qingquan was in charge of commissioning articles for the commentary column. He thought it would take some effort, but unexpectedly, when Ding Ling, Tang Ben, Hu Depei, Li Jingru and others heard that it was a review of "The Shepherd", they all agreed.

"But it's a pity that Mr. Mao and Mr. Cao are busy with the overall affairs of the Writers Association and the Dramatists Association. Otherwise, please ask them to take a look. They, like Mr. Ba, Mr. Ai and Mr. Zeng, like to support young writers."

Wang Meng sighed happily.

"No matter what, the dialect is going to be a big hit."

Zhou Yanru looked at Wang Jie, who was still in a daze, with relief.

"And us!"

Wang Meng's eyes were full of expectation. "If The Shepherd can fire the first shot of reflective literature, Yenching Literature and Art can also take advantage of the momentum and carry the banner of reflective literature."

"Teacher Ji, Xiao Wang, I have already made an appointment with Wang Jie, Ru Zhijuan and others. The manuscripts are all written in the direction of reflection."

Zhou Yanru reported truthfully.

"That's good."

Wang Meng looked around. "Oh, and Fangyan, where is he? He usually comes to the editorial office quite frequently."

"Xiao Wang!"

When Wang Jie heard Zhou Yanru calling her, she woke up as if from a dream. She realized that everyone was looking at her and said hurriedly:
"Fangyan didn't come today. He said he went to Xiangshan to see the maple leaves."

"Climbing Xiangshan Mountain? He is quite romantic."

Wang Meng shook his head and laughed, "Then wait for him to come to the editorial department. Teacher Zhou, Xiao Wang, please talk to him about writing the article."

Wang Jie patted her chest and said, "Teacher Wang, Master, don't worry, I'll take care of it. Fang Yan still owes me three manuscripts!"

"Really!"

In an instant, everyone burst into laughter.

The room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Zhou Yanru restrained her smile and whispered to Li Qingquan and Wang Meng, "I have something to discuss with you about the dialect."

(PS: In reality, the original work of "The Horse Herder", "Soul and Flesh", was also promoted by the publishing and literary circles across the country)
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(End of this chapter)