The literary era since 1979

Chapter 295 Welcome Teacher Fang

Chapter 295 Welcome Teacher Fang
As soon as "A Bite of China" was broadcast, it immediately caused quite a stir and heated discussions across the country.

Soon, the heat of the previously controversial first Outstanding New Poetry Award event was suppressed.

Newspapers of that year reported that television sales in China were increasing at a rate of 12% per year. In 1982 alone, more than 840 million units were sold. Today, the television penetration rate in China's major cities has reached 86%.

The television penetration rate in small cities is also over 70%.

Although most of them are black and white, there are at least 100 televisions for every 75 urban households in China. Of course, the penetration rate of television in rural areas is not that high, less than 5%.

Therefore, statistics on television ratings in the 80s were mainly concentrated in cities.

It just happens to be the target audience of "A Bite of China". After all, those who can afford a TV these days, even a black and white one, cannot be said to be "ten thousand yuan per capita households", but at least they are wealthy households who have solved the problem of food and clothing.

The traditional Chinese home-cooked dishes showcased in "A Bite of China" immediately turned the audience into "captives of food."

Some people even adjust their meal times to the time when the program is broadcast, and watch "A Bite of China" while eating!

"Gift from Nature", "Food is the First Thing of the People", "Nostalgia for Taste Buds", "Harmony of Five Flavors", and "Taste of Time", each episode is about 40 minutes long, but the audience not only do not think it is long, but rather complain that it is a bit short.

One call after another came to the hotline prepared by the Central Radio Station, from men, women, young and old, especially veteran cadres.

In addition, CCTV also drew on the experience of the Yanjing TV Station in organizing the Spring Festival Gala, and cooperated with newspapers such as the Literary Gazette and Guangming Daily to set up a temporary column specifically for publishing readers' letters about "A Bite of China".

For a time, the ratings were off the charts, public opinion was boiling, the response was enthusiastic, and the praise was rave reviews. The only thing missing was the sound of gongs and drums and firecrackers.

As a consultant and original author, Fang Xiaojiang would receive half a basket of letters from readers every now and then.

Moreover, just when the third episode of "A Bite of China" was broadcast, the cultural department held a related seminar.

As the first-class contributor, dialects, like the chief consultant Wang Zengqi, naturally cannot be absent.

"Xiao Fang!"

"Old Wang!"

Fangyan looked at the naughty old man Wang Zengqi and they started greeting each other.

Wang Zengqi asked: "Do you feel wronged for not receiving the Outstanding New Poetry Award this time?"

"I wouldn't say I feel wronged, but I just feel it's weird."

Fang Yan frowned, "Why is the arrangement of the first and second prizes so strange?"

Wang Zengqi told the truth, saying that some "enthusiastic people" wrote to the organizers, specifically asking how young authors like Shu Ting and Fang Yan could be listed alongside great poets like Ai Qing.
But in fact, no one had seen the original document. Instead, it was conveyed by a secretary of the Writers Association who was in charge of poetry awards. It was under his strong suggestion that the selection results had to be reconsidered.

One can vaguely hear from the dialect that someone in the Writers Association is interfering.

However, Wang Zengqi did not say who it was specifically, and Fangyan tacitly did not ask any further questions and chose to change the subject.

Wang Zengqi whispered, "Have you thought about how to talk about the success of A Bite of China later?"

Fang Yan smiled and said, "I just thought of a few points. I'll just give them as a starting point."

Wang Zengqi patted his shoulder lightly and said, "That's great. You should speak more next time."

Fang Yan was startled, "What about you?"

Wang Zengqi smiled and said, "Of course I am cheering for you and giving you encouragement."

Fang Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "You... you are the chief consultant."

"You're also the chief planner! We're both equally capable, so stop pushing the issue around. It's settled!"

Wang Zengqi said earnestly: "When I get old, I have to leave opportunities to you young people."

"What Lao Wang said makes sense."

Suddenly, Xia Yan appeared behind them.

Also accompanying them were leaders of the Film Bureau, such as Shi Fangyu, and directors of major film studios.

"Mr. Xia, Director Shi..."

Fangyan greeted everyone one by one, and when it was the turn of the News Documentary Studio, Qin Ming excitedly shook his hands and shook them vigorously!
After all, "A Bite of China" was an achievement produced during his tenure, and further progress is just around the corner.

"In addition to discussing A Bite of China, this seminar will also discuss various arrangements for the visit to Japan."

Xia Yan said with a kind look.

After asking, Fangyan found out that besides himself, those representing the Chinese literary and art circles on this trip also included Xia Yan, Shi Fangyu and others.

There are very few people from the literary world, and most of them go to the film industry.

"Teacher Fang, a copy of A Bite of China has been sent to Japan."

Shi Fangyu said that in addition to these, copies of films such as "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog", "A Little Reunion", "A Generation of Demon Empress", and "The Burning of the Old Summer Palace" have also been sent to Shochiku Film Company. If nothing unexpected happens, they will be released one after another during the visit to Japan.

As the screenwriter and writer of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog", Fang Xiaojiang naturally had to meet with people from Shochiku Film Company.

"Have you decided which TV station will broadcast A Bite of China?"

As one of the members of the delegation, Wang Zengqi was very curious.

Shi Fangyu smiled and said, "It's decided, Fuji TV." Fangyan listened patiently. Fuji was jointly founded by Shochiku, Toho, and other major Japanese film studios, and they cooperate very closely with each other.

Since part of the investment and equipment for "A Bite of China" came from the sponsorship of Shochiku, Shochiku obtained the distribution rights in Japan. Of course, Fuji is one of the most influential TV stations in Japan and even in East Asia.

As for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the television aspects will be handed over to ATV, while the cinema chains will be handed over to Xia Meng.

"Unfortunately, we are completely in the dark about Europe and America."

Shi Fangyu sighed and said that he didn't know which TV station to find or through what channel to broadcast "A Bite of China".

Fang Yan said: "I have a suggestion. We can contact Channel 18 in Los Angeles."

Xia Yan's eyes lit up, "Xiao Fang, continue."

Fangyan said that Los Angeles Channel 18 was established in 1977 and is the first multilingual TV station in Los Angeles. It includes a Chinese-language TV channel exclusively for Chinese people, and its audience covers almost all Chinese and overseas Chinese in the United States.

Shi Fangyu asked anxiously: "Can you get in touch with the TV station?"

"I was interviewed by this TV station when I was promoting my new book Saving Private Ryan."

Fang Yan said: "I can try, but I can't guarantee that I can do it."

Xia Yan waved his hand, "Don't feel pressured."

"Yes, yes, don't feel any pressure."

Shi Fangyu and the others were extremely excited. Regardless of success or failure, they would always remember this favor from Teacher Fang!
Fangyan considered that it was very inconvenient to write letters or send telegrams, so he planned to make a long-distance call when he arrived in Japan.

After all, there aren’t many places in China where you can make international long-distance calls.

…………

After the seminar, multiple departments including culture, diplomacy, and publicity jointly organized a temporary intensive training course.

Basically, all members of the visiting delegation have to participate.

Fangyan was no exception, and met Yui Hashimoto and Yoko Suzuki in the training class.

"Teacher Fang, we have lived up to your expectations. The translation of the first part of The Ring has been preliminarily completed."

Yui Hashimoto grinned.

Fangyan clapped his hands in approval, "I really didn't make a mistake. You guys have worked so hard!"

"Where."

Yoko Suzuki raised her hand and thanked Teacher Fang for continuing to give them this rare opportunity.

Yui Hashimoto readily agreed. After all, not everyone is as lucky as them to be able to help great writers who have won the National Book Award and the Akutagawa Ryunosuke Award and do translation work one after another.

Fangyan was very curious, "Akutagawa Ryunosuke Award?"

"I have received a reply to the letter you asked me to send to my father," Suzuki Yoko said. "My father asked me to tell you the good news that you have been named the winner of the 89th Akutagawa Ryunosuke Award."

"Is there such a good thing?!"

"In fact, the award has already been announced. He originally wanted to wait until you visit Japan to tell you and give you a big surprise."

“Haha, now I’m already feeling the surprise.”

Fangyan was very surprised. Just as he was about to ask further questions, he suddenly came towards him and saw an old acquaintance he hadn't seen for a long time.

Wang Yi!

He extended his hand enthusiastically, "Teacher Fang."

"Xiao, no, you should change your words."

The dialect affectionately addresses this attaché in the Asia Department.

Wang Yi smiled and said, "No, no, no, please continue to call me 'Xiao Wang'."

Fang Yan half-jokingly said, "I heard that you drafted the speech for the senior leader this time?"

Wang Yi became very excited when he mentioned this.

I never expected to receive such an important task, even though I am still a low-level clerk.

"It's really amazing!"

Fangyan smiled and said, "I'll be counting on you for the next trip to Japan."

"It is my duty, Teacher Fang!"

Wang Yi was decisive and his eyes were firm.