The literary era since 1979

Chapter 200 Let the Storm Come Even More Violently
August, People’s Art Theatre.

Outside the theater, the wind was blowing hard and the rain was pouring down.

Inside the theater, "Shang Yang" entered the rehearsal stage and the rehearsal was in full swing. The rehearsal rooms on the first and third floors were crowded with people.

Even the rehearsal room on the first floor was split into two halves.

This play is being rehearsed on the stage, and that play is being performed below the stage.

The air was hot and humid, and the actors were bare-faced and sweating profusely.

"Stop, stop, stop, Zhu Lin, let's take a break."

Jiang Wen wiped his forehead, his hand was covered in sweat.

"How can this be done!"

Zhu Lin frowned. Ever since he watched the performances of actors from the National Art Theatre such as Song Dandan and Liang Guanhua, he felt inferior to them and was under tremendous pressure.

"Just for a little while."

Jiang Wen said: "It would be nice if I could have a popsicle."

"You have a pretty good idea."

Zhu Lin looked around and reminded, "Hurry up and practice again. Teacher Ying asked us to perform more to get the feeling."

"It's okay, Mr. Ying won't say anything."

Jiang Wen said confidently that Ying Ruocheng was the father of his childhood friend Yingda, and he called Ying Ruocheng "Uncle".

"I have little talent, no stage experience, and no acting skills..."

Zhu Lin lacks confidence.

After all, he had only attended amateur acting classes at the Beijing Film Academy and had not systematically learned formal drama performance. His performance state was very different from that of Lan Tianye and others, and it would be impossible for him to catch up with them in a short period of time.

"Don't talk about you, I feel the same way!"

Jiang Wen said: "I am looking forward to a sudden inspiration someday, and Teacher Fang will possess me and help me get into the groove."

Zhu Lin chuckled, "Didn't Teacher Ying say that as long as you are willing to work as hard as Daoming and correct your habit of blinking, you can play the role of 'King Huiwen of Qin' even better."

"It can't be changed, it's innate!"

Jiang Wen pointed at his own face and said, "Just like these protruding ears, small eyes, and sweeping eyebrows."

Then he said with emotion: "My childhood friends always laughed at me because none of my facial features stood out. My classmates called me 'horse monkey', but who would have thought that I would be chosen by Teacher Fang!"

"So we must not let down Teacher Fang's trust."

There was a gleam in Zhu Lin's eyes.

"That's true."

Jiang Wen was very curious. "But it's strange. Teacher Fang showed up at the audition and hasn't come to the People's Art Theater to see our rehearsal for so many days."

Zhu Lin shook his head, thoughtfully.

Jiang Wen looked around and saw Yu Shizhi, Lan Tianye and Bao Guoan discussing the script in the audience. Then he turned his head and saw Wan Jiabao sitting in the back row, whispering something with the person next to him.

"Xiao Fang put on a great show in Shekou."

Hu Muqiao smiled with satisfaction.

Wan Jiabao learned from an old friend what Fang Yan did in Shekou. "He sometimes has some creative ideas and can always surprise us in places we least expect."

"Yes, the changes from Zhou to Qin, the changes from ancient times to the present."

Hu Muqiao said with a smile that the old man was very satisfied with Fang Yan's lecture and had asked newspapers such as Xinhua Daily, Red Flag and Guangming Daily to publish the content of the speech, so as to spark another big discussion in society like "The Splitting of the Great Qin".

Wan Jiabao looked worried. "I think we should let Xiao Fang stay in Yangcheng for a while to avoid the limelight. What do you think?"

"Don't worry, I'm still in eastern Guangdong."

Hu Muqiao said: "According to reports from comrades in eastern Guangdong, he is visiting Guangzhou, Foshan and other places to collect materials."

"It looks like he's going to write something new."

Wan Jiabao relaxed his brows and breathed a sigh of relief.

Hu Muqiao said with emotion: "Xiao Fang's creative output is extremely rare in the entire literary world."

"The more this happens, the harder I have to work."

Wan Jiabao said: "We must not fall behind the younger generation. Xiao Fang has already laid the groundwork and set up the stage. Now it is our turn to take the stage and perform the grand drama of reform and opening up."

"He has done a great job this time."

Hu Muqiao smiled knowingly and said that the old man had prepared a special gift for Fangyan and would give it to him when he returned.

...............

Along with mainstream newspapers such as the Literary Gazette, the Literature Gazette, and the Xinhua News Agency reprinting and commenting on the report of the Yangcheng Daily on the literary lecture on dialects, a single stone caused a thousand ripples.

People from all walks of life, including the theoretical, economic, and historical circles, immediately started heated debates and arguments around topics such as "Changes from Zhou to Qin", "Changes from ancient times to modern times", and "Reform".

The scene is no less than a real standard discussion.

Zhu Lin learned from the newspaper that the reason why Fang Yan did not come to the People's Art Theatre these days was that he was in eastern Guangdong, and he had done such a big thing in eastern Guangdong, causing a stir in the whole city, and the storm was getting more and more serious.

At this time, the latest issue of "Huacheng" was released nationwide. Fangyan's brief discussion on "pure literature" sounded like a thunderbolt in the literary and art circles. Writers, editors, critics, and literary theorists all came out, some supporting and some opposing.

Divided into two factions, arguing endlessly.

A storm sweeping across the country is getting more and more severe.

Even the library-run newspapers in various districts of Yanjing, such as "Dandelion", "Fangcaodi", "Maple Leaf" and "Bell and Drum Tower", got involved.

The streets are full of passers-by holding newspapers and magazines.

Ye Jing was setting up a stall and said unhappily, "Hey, buddy, can you stop reading magazines and come over to give me a hand?"

"Right away, right away."

Wang Shuo stared at Huacheng.

"Didn't you say you would never write in your life? Why are you still reading this?" Ye Jing rolled her eyes. "It has nothing to do with you if you keep reading it."

Wang Shuo said: "Damn, Teacher Fang is really awesome."

Just as Ye Jing was about to speak, she heard a scream from the crowd, "The police are here!" For a moment, the stall owners on the entire road panicked and quickly packed up their things and ran away. "Don't look! Run!"

"If we get caught, we'll both be killed here!"

"Hey, my book!"

In an instant, everyone greased their feet and fled in all directions.

The magazine "Huacheng" was also accidentally dropped on the ground.

But it was soon picked up by passers-by. This issue of "Huacheng" was very popular and was sold out at the newsstand long ago.

Although Yu Hua did not get it, fortunately he subscribed to a bunch of literary magazines in the hospital. At this moment, he tucked "Huacheng" under his arm, leisurely came to the morgue and lay on the bed.

Whenever the summer heat is scorching, I will hide here to cool off.

"Teacher Fang is so right!"

“What does it matter whether it’s pure literature, serious literature, or popular literature? As long as it allows me to avoid having my teeth pulled, not have to go to work, sleep in, and keep the royalties, it’s damn good literature.”

"Alas, when can I live without an alarm clock?"

"I wonder if October has received my manuscript?"

As time went by, Yu Hua fell asleep in the morgue.

………………

Even a county town like Haiyan is buzzing with discussions about its dialect. From Jiangsu and Zhejiang to Shanghai, the entire East China is a hot topic.

"Finally I got my hands on 'Flower City'!"

"Dad, Xiaoxiang, come and look, come and look!"

Gong Chu ran over hurriedly with several newspapers including "Shanghai Daily", "Wenhui Daily" and "Huacheng Daily" in his hands.

When Gong Xing heard the noise, he immediately ran out of the room.

Then I saw Mr. Gong put on his reading glasses and looked carefully at "Huacheng".

"I didn't expect that Mr. Fang, at such a young age, has such profound insights into history and literature. What he said was so good..."

"That's right. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to write The Great Qin Splitting."

Gong Chu was flipping through the Shanghai Daily.

"Dad, can you show me?"

Gong Xing's anxious eyes were full of anticipation.

Gong's father handed it over kindly, and then Gong Chu asked:
"Dad, do you think Teacher Fang will be in trouble?"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caught Gong Xing's attention.

"I can't really say, but one thing is certain."

Mr. Gong said that in the current discussion about "pure literature" in the literary and art circles in Shanghai, most people support dialects, and even Li Yaotang has spoken out for it.

“I think Mr. Fang’s point of view is correct.

"Mr. Wu, Director Bai and others think so too."

Gong Xing read the magazine from beginning to end, line by line.

Gong's father and Gong Chu looked at each other and suddenly asked about "Under the Bridge", "I heard from your mother that this movie is not being made anymore?"

"Well, no more filming for now."

There was a look of loss in Gong Xing's eyes.

Due to the situation, the film "Under the Bridge" had to be shelved and wait and see.

After all, the protagonist is a self-employed person, and the image of him having a child out of wedlock is too controversial, and if not handled properly it could bring disaster upon itself.

"Alright, alright."

Father Gong said, "We should not perform this play if we can avoid it."

"Dad, why do you say that too?"

Gong Xing pursed his lips.

Gong Chu sighed and said, "Xiaoxiang, we are all doing this for your own good. We are just worried that your performance will have a negative impact."

Just as Gong Xing was about to speak, his father came out to smooth things over: "Didn't Xiao Xing say that we won't be filming for now? Whether we will film it or not depends on whether the wind direction changes." Then he changed the subject, "Since this play can't be filmed, does the studio have any new arrangements for you?"

"No."

Gong Xing shook his head, but he did not look depressed.

A few days ago, the Guixi Factory called me and invited me to star in "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" and play the role of a Dong girl in the movie.

"Guixi Factory?"

Gong Chu and Gong's father looked at each other in surprise, "Is it the Guixi factory you auditioned for last time?"

Gong Xing smiled sweetly. According to Guo Baochang, it was Fang Yan who recommended her. After completing other preliminary work, the crew will go to Beijing to confirm the final casting audition list with him.

"Teacher Fang again?" Father Gong saw his daughter nod, "If you have the chance to meet Teacher Fang, you must thank her."

"I will!"

"Dad, I'll take this copy of Flower City first."

Gong Xing held the magazine in his arms and ran back to the room.

Looking out the window, the sky was covered with dark clouds and it was drizzling.

"Clap clap clap."

A string in Gong Xing's heart was touched, and he couldn't help but take out a box of Teresa Teng's tapes from the drawer and put them into the tape recorder.

After a while, it slowly began to play:

"The breeze blew the clouds and the drizzle fell slowly onto the ground.

Let it drench me, let it drench you, and let the world be filled with poetry..."

(End of this chapter)