The literary era since 1979

Chapter 3 Yanjing Literature and Art
"We've arrived at Yanjing Station! We've arrived at Yanjing Station!"

Without the conductor shouting much, there was already a long line at the door of the carriage waiting to get off. Fangyan was carrying a military green luggage bag, which he brought from home when he went to northern Shaanxi to work in the countryside. It contained his spare clothes and books, nothing else.

At the train station, I waved goodbye to Lu Yao and others.

The Fourth National Congress of Writers and Artists would last for half a month, and no one was sure whether they would have the chance to return to northern Shaanxi together, so they could only agree to meet after the closing ceremony on November 11. If Fangyan was still in Yanjing and had completed the revision of the manuscript, they would travel together.

"See you later, Xiao Fang!"

"See you later!"

After watching them leave, Fangyan carried his luggage and did not go home immediately. Instead, he took bus No. 10 and went to No. 7 West Chang'an Avenue, where Yanjing Literature and Art is located.

It was originally located in a large courtyard on Xia Gongfu Street, but in the 60s, it moved with the Yenching Federation of Literary and Art Circles to this corner of the city next to the loudspeaker of the Telegraph Building. The editorial office was located in an inconspicuous small building with yellowed exterior walls and a narrow corridor.

Who would have thought that one of the important literary bases of Yanjing and even China is right here!
After turning around a few times, Fang Yan finally saw an office with a sign that read "Yenching Literature and Art". The door was closed, so he reached out and knocked.

"Please come in."

"Hello, Teacher Zhou Yanru asked me to revise the manuscript."

Pushing the door open, what caught his eye was a thriving evergreen. Fangyan looked around, taking in the layout of the entire room. Except for the table facing the potted plant, which was empty, the other four tables were occupied by people, and all their glances were cast in his direction.

"Oh, you are Fangyan!"

Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw a young woman wearing yellow Dacron and floral sleeves, standing up from a desk piled with manuscripts, smiling.

"Are you Teacher Zhou?" Fang Yan asked in surprise.

"Ah, I'm not. My name is Wang Jie."

Wang Jie was full of enthusiasm. "I was your primary review editor. I found your works "Loess Plateau" and "Horse Herder" from the free manuscripts and then gave them to you for review."

"So that's how it is. Thank you so much."

Fangyan expressed sincere gratitude.

If it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't have the chance to return to Beijing.

"no, I'm fine."

Wang Jie waved her hands shyly, "I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. I thought it would take a few days."

"I just arrived in Yanjing and headed straight here."

Fangyan grinned and chuckled.

"Put the things here with me first."

Wang Jie took off her sleeves and said, "I'll take you to see the master."

Fang Yan put down his luggage bag, followed Wang Jie, and entered the editor-in-chief's small room in full view of everyone.

Then an old lady with a lot of white hair mixed in with her black hair put down the manuscript she was reviewing, stood up, and poured water into the enamel cup with a smile.

“You are Fangyan, right?”

"Hello, Mr. Zhou."

"Come on, boy, have some water."

Zhou Yanru handed over the cup.

Fangyan thanked him and sat down.

"I didn't expect you to be so young."

Watching Zhou Yanru and Fang Yan chatting, Wang Jie sat aside, staring straight at this polite but not stage-frightened man.

He was completely different from the young writers I had met before. He didn't seem nervous or restrained at all, and every move he made exuded a sense of calmness.

Zhou Yanru opened the drawer and took out two novel manuscripts he had written. "This one, 'Loess Plateau', has nothing to change except for some typos, so it can be published directly. But for this one, 'Horse Herder', I'm curious about how you came up with such a story?"

I'm coming!
Just like a murderer has a motive for committing a crime, a writer also has a motive or inspiration for writing. It is impossible for him to say that he plagiarized.

Fangyan blurted out his prepared words: "It was a coincidence that one of our educated youths had overseas connections. He took advantage of this opportunity to be adopted by a relative as his son and successfully went abroad. The rest of us educated youths discussed this matter."

Then he took a sip of water and said, "If we were him, would we stay or leave? Would we make the same choice?"

"The results of it!"

Without waiting for Zhou Yanru to ask, Wang Jie was already impatient.

Fangyan replied: "Most of them choose to go abroad with their overseas relatives. Of course, a few choose to stay."

"That's why you wrote Xu Lingjun like this at the end."

Zhou Yanru suddenly realized.

“Maybe this is reality.”

Fangyan sighed.

"Which part are you from?"

Zhou Yanru stared at him with a smile.

"I'll stay."

Fang Yan said: "Although I may not be able to make any contribution, I only have a passion, but if I can spread this passion on the mountains and rivers of China, I will have no regrets."

"Yes, this is how the article "The Horse Shepherd" should be written!"

Zhou Yanru tapped the table lightly.

Wang Jie blinked, looked left and right, and saw Fang Yan flipping through his manuscript, with Zhou Yanru's revision comments written at the end. The two of them discussed patiently and had a very harmonious chat. So she listened in obediently and silently poured them water.

Zhou Yanru said: "There is actually no need to make any major changes this time, except that the ending is a bit gloomy, so it needs to be changed to be brighter."

Fangyan said cheerfully: "As long as it can be published, I can revise it from beginning to end to make it bright."

"Pfft!"

Wang Jie couldn't help laughing and immediately covered her mouth.

Zhou Yanru shook her head and laughed, "No need, let's end it."

"Are you going to change it now?" Fangyan asked.

"Don't worry. We have arranged a guest house for you. Put your luggage away first and then come back here to revise the manuscript."

Zhou Yanru smiled and said, "Xiao Wang, you take him there."

"Um, do I have to pay for the accommodation?"

Fangyan thought that if he had to pay for his own accommodation, he might as well just go home.

"How can I let you go?"

Wang Jie adjusted her glasses and said, "Don't worry, we'll pay for your accommodation and your round-trip train tickets."

"That's daring."

Fang Yan heaved a sigh of relief and followed Wang Jie away.

But when passing the only empty table, Wang Jie suddenly stopped and whispered, "No one is here for now. You can revise your manuscripts here these days."

"no one?"

Fang Yan glanced at the empty table opposite Wang Jie's seat.

"Yes, this position is reserved for contract workers."

Wang Jie replied: "We have just resumed publication, and the editorial department is very short-staffed now. We are not as well-off as Renwen Press."

Fangyan's eyes lit up and he stared at the table, looking at it again and again.

Isn’t it time to recruit workers?
Don’t take planned temporary workers as improper indicators!

On the way to the guesthouse, Fang Yan chatted with Wang Jie and indirectly found out the recruitment requirements for temporary workers of "Yanjing Literature and Art". He narrowed his eyes and wondered whether to change his original plan.

As soon as I got everything settled, I couldn't wait to go back.

"You don't have to be so anxious."

Wang Jie said with a smile: "You can take a rest for a day and start revising tomorrow. You don't have to leave right away after you finish revising. This is a rare opportunity. Just stay in Yanjing for a few more days and have fun for a few more days."

"Really?"

Fangyan was very surprised. He had originally wanted to deliberately procrastinate and drag his feet when revising the manuscript and stay in Yanjing for a few more days.

It turns out that there is no need at all!

"of course."

Wang Jie said that not only would his accommodation expenses be covered during this period, but he would also receive a subsidy of 2 yuan per day. Of course, not everyone would have such treatment. Apart from established old writers, only newcomers who were recognized to have writing talent were worthy of long-term development.

Only in this way can we ensure a stable supply of articles to the magazine.

"So this is ah."

Fang Yan was surprised and happy in his heart, but he looked calm on the surface, "Then I have to fix it as soon as possible, so that I can play for a few more days."

His eyes were determined. "Besides, I have been thinking about it on the way and I already have an outline. After talking with Teacher Zhou just now, I seem to have some inspiration. I have to write it down quickly."

"Ah, why didn't you say so earlier!"

Wang Jie said anxiously: "Let's go back immediately!"

The two got on the bus and hurried back to the small building.

"Hey, Xiao Wang is back."

At this time in the office, a middle-aged woman with short hair and black clothes was cleaning. When she saw them, she stopped what she was doing.

"This is Teacher Ji Xiuying, deputy head of the fiction group."

"This is Teacher Li Yue, in charge of the poetry group."

"This is Mr. Huang Zhongguo, in charge of the prose group."

Since he had to stay here during the revision period, he naturally had to get to know the people in the editorial department. With Wang Jie's introduction, Fangyan greeted them one by one, and they were all polite to each other.

"You're already revising the manuscript right after you arrived. Xiao Fang is really diligent."

Ji Xiuying praised him.

"Hehe, that's right."

Wang Jie, however, acted as if she was guarding against thieves. She asked Fang Yan to sit at the empty table opposite her and handed him a piece of paper and a pen. "Here, write. I'll take you to the cafeteria when it's time for dinner."

"it is good."

Fangyan nodded, looked at the blank draft paper, twirled the ballpoint pen in his hand, and fell into deep thought.

I had already prepared the ending of "The Horse Shepherd" in mind.

But should it be written all at once to impress everyone?
(End of this chapter)