The literary era since 1979

Chapter 233 On the Eve of the Premiere of Shang Yang

Two days later, the sun fell on the table piled with manuscript papers.

The outline and character list of "Saving Private Ryan" were written densely on the graph paper, all in Chinese.

Fangyan originally wanted to write purely in English. Wasn’t that bold?
The whole novel, written in English!
It's the story of "Saving Private Ryan", but after thinking about it, I gave up because I don't have the level.

There is no big problem for daily communication and reading.

But my writing is terrible, it's just a half-baked one.

So, just like with "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog", I plan to hand over the translation work to Mike, or to Bai Ruoxue.

He stretched himself, and just as he walked out of the room, a series of "clang, clang, clang" sounds of metal collision were heard in the yard.

Look out through the window.

Yang Xia was holding the handle of the gas tank and shaking it a few times, then she lifted the tank up and placed the bottom of the tank in a basin of water to soak.

"Mom, it's not safe to use gas like this!"

Fangyan ran out quickly.

"Ouch, you scared me."

Yang Xia took out the gas tank and said that she was halfway through cooking when she ran out of gas, so she could only use this method to squeeze out some gas.

Fangyan shook his head and laughed, then moved the gas tank back to the kitchen.

"It would be nice to have another one."

Yang Xia sighed.

Fangyan teased, "Mom, when I first got this gas tank, you didn't dare to use it for seven or eight days, thinking it was a 'bomb'. How do you feel about it now? Do you think it's so satisfying that you don't even want to light the stove to cook?"

"Go away, stop talking about something that is not relevant to the topic."

Yang Xia rolled her eyes and said, "After breakfast, quickly load the gas tank and go to the gas station to get gas."

"Got it!"

Fangyan grinned.

Since their family was the first to use gas cylinders, more and more neighbors have followed suit and started to get gas exchange books.

Later on, it became hard to get a bottle and a book.

In the 80s, gas tanks were the treasures of every household, and some collective kitchens in tube-shaped buildings even had locks specifically for them.

Even, "Do you have a gas tank at home?" has become a question that cannot be avoided when looking for a partner. Without a gas tank, the blind date will definitely fail.

After breakfast, Fangyan tied the gas tank to the motorcycle.

In a flash, he ran straight to the nearest ventilation station.

When he came back from breathing, he said to Yang Xia:
"Mom, I went out to eat at noon."

"Are you coming back tonight?"

“Come back and eat!”

Fangyan picked up his briefcase and rushed to the People's Art Theatre.

The final rehearsal of "Shang Yang" will be this afternoon.

Before that, go to Renwenshe and ask my senior for a meal.

Fang Yan sat opposite Zhang Guangnian, eating the braised pork in an enamel cup, "Brother, what do you think?"

"Your martial arts novel is different from the one in Hong Kong."

Zhang Guangnian casually flipped through "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong".

"hey-hey."

With a grain of rice stuck to his lips, Fangyan said that the biggest similarity between his novels and the Hong Kong New School is that they incorporate martial arts elements into Chinese history, while the difference lies in the level of martial arts.

Zhang Guangnian nodded with satisfaction and prepared to ask the Humanities Publishing House to print out a few more copies, and then let Hu Muqiao pass them on.

"Brother, you have to give me a copy when the time comes."

Fangyan needs to send the revised version of "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong" and the creative talk to the editorial department of "Huacheng" by EMS.

"Are you full?"

Zhang Guangnian had a kind face and handed over a steamed bun.

"You're full, you're full."

Fangyan shook his head.

Zhang Guangnian said, "The nomination list for this year's Mao Dun Literature Prize has come out. Do you want to know if you are on the list?"

"Of course I do, Brother!"

Dialect comes out fluently.

The entire Mao Dun Literature Prize is decided by voting. The jury of the award committee will select no more than 10 nominated works based on reading and discussing the entries, and then select the winning novel from these 10 nominated works.

So far, there are 10 novels whose shortlists have not been announced in Literary Gazette.

"Are you so anxious to know?"

Zhang Guangnian narrowed his eyes into slits.

"I just want to know if "The Great Qin Splitting" was selected." Fang Yan said: "After all, this is the novel that my teacher personally guided me to write."

When "Shen Yanbing" was mentioned, the two brothers fell silent and the atmosphere became slightly sad.

After a while, Zhang Guangnian cleared his throat and said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother, The Great Qin Fission has been shortlisted."

"Thank you, senior brother."

The dialect was not surprised.

Compared to the nomination and his other works, what he cares most about is whether "The Qin Empire: Fission" can win an award, because this book is of extraordinary significance.

Zhang Guangnian said, "Don't be too happy too soon. This is just the preliminary round. Whether you can win the award depends on the final round of judging."

Fangyan didn't ask any more questions, stood up, said goodbye and left.

"Don't worry, I'll take you to the People's Art Theatre later."

Zhang Guangnian said that he also wanted to watch the rehearsal of Shang Yang. Fang Yan was surprised, "You want to go too?"

Zhang Guangnian jokingly asked, "Why, you're not welcome?"

"Look at what you said, of course you are welcome!"

Fang Yan originally thought that Zhang Guangnian participated just on a whim, but when he arrived at the People's Art Theatre, he found out that he was wrong.

At this time, Chen Huangmei, Zhou Weizhi, Feng Mu, Sun Luosun and other leaders of the Writers Association and the Ministry of Culture were sitting in the front row, talking to each other.

When I asked the teacher about his knowledge, I found out that this was all specially arranged.

After all, the old man, Grandma Yihao and others will be present at the premiere on November 11. Even veteran actors who have been in the industry for many years will inevitably be nervous, let alone these young actors.

The play "Shang Yang" must not allow any mistakes.

Therefore, Wan Jiabao invited his old friends to come to the final rehearsal to train the courage of the actors who would be performing in the play.

"Hello, Mr. Feng!"

"Hello, Mr. Sun!"

Fangyan greeted everyone one by one, and when he saw Wan Fang, his eyes suddenly lit up and he immediately went over. The two juniors sat together.

Diagonally opposite, sitting were Wan Jiabao, Hu Muqiao and others.

"Ding!"

After the doorbell rang, a loud announcement was heard.

Afterwards, actors such as Bao Guoan came on stage.

Act One, Act Two, Act Three…

Watching the scenes, Zhou Weizhi sighed:
"Mr. Jiabao, your sword is still sharp as ever."

"Old, old, already seventy-two."

Wan Jiabao raised his hand and said that his creativity was not as good as when he was young. Compared with "Thunderstorm", "Sunrise" and "Wilderness", the drama "Shang Yang" still had many flaws.

“Although not as good as it should be, it’s not far off either.”

Hearing such bold words, Fangyan looked around to see who dared to say that. When he saw it was Huang Yongyu, he knew everything was fine.

The "Father of Monkey Stamps" once wrote a letter criticizing Wan Jiabao, saying that he lacked grassroots spirit and that his new plays lacked vitality.

I thought Huang Yongyu would make a few more criticisms, but unexpectedly he suddenly started praising it. Although it is not as good as the life-like and warm dramas such as "Thunderstorm" and "Sunrise", it is better than the historical dramas such as "The Courage and the Sword" and "Wang Zhaojun".

Especially, they dared to use so many new young and middle-aged actors!
Fang Yan and Wan Fang looked at each other and spoke in low voices.

"Even this person thinks it's good, so it seems to be really good."

"you're right."

Wan Fang listened to his analysis and said, "No, Yanzi, why do I feel like you are just praising yourself in different ways?"

"Have it?"

Fangyan gave a playful smile.

Just as Wan Fang was about to speak, Huang Yongyu sighed, "It's a pity that Ba Gong and Ai Gong were unable to be here today."

"Yes, I really hope that Brother Ba can see this play." Wan Jiabao said with a complicated expression, "He always cares about his friends. When he was ill, he wrote to me and asked me to create. I wish I could finish Shang Yang as soon as possible so that he wouldn't have to worry about it. If the play is not successful, I will really let him down."

"Mr. Jiabao, Mr. Ba will definitely come to see your play."

Zhang Guangnian smiled and consoled him.

Feng Mu, Hu Muqiao and others also offered their condolences.

The first Mao Dun Literature Prize will be officially held on December 12.

Prior to this, Li Yaotang, as the chairman of the judging panel, had to work with other judges to select and determine the final list of winners.

At that time, I will go to Beijing with Li Xiaolin.

"Yes, Brother Ba called me specifically for this."

Wan Jiabao naturally knew about this as well.

At that time, I will go to the Capital Airport to pick them up in person.

Zhang Guangnian said that their Writers Association also wanted to go, so it was a good opportunity for them to go together.

Wan Jiabao readily agreed, as if he suddenly thought of something, then turned his head and scanned the back row from right to left.

Finally, he focused on Fang Yan and Wan Fang:

"You guys can follow along."

"Yes, sir!"

Fangyan nodded solemnly.

Following the voice, Hu Muqiao turned to look at him and asked casually about the results of the preliminary list for the first Mao Dun Literature Prize.

"Has Xiao Fang's The Great Qin Splitting been selected?"

"Elected with a high vote."

As soon as Zhang Guangnian said this, Fangyan immediately became alert, pricked up his ears, and wanted to continue eavesdropping.

However, Hu Muqiao, Zhang Guangnian and others deliberately lowered their voices so that no one could hear them.

Not to mention, "Shang Yang" was being rehearsed on the stage, and the actors' passionate voices echoed in the hall.

Everyone was talking in low voices, and Zhang Guangnian suddenly said:
"Some comrades have been concerned about Xiao Fang's lineage. If he is finally selected, it may cause unnecessary criticism."

“This concern did exist in the review committee.”

Feng Mu nodded, looking serious.

Wan Jiabao said seriously, "In my opinion, whether Xiao Fang will be selected in the end will be decided by the judges such as Brother Ba and others, and judged by the general public."

When this was said, everyone agreed with it.

Everyone cast their gazes towards Fangyan vaguely.

(End of this chapter)