The literary era since 1979

Fuxing Road, Training and Supervision Compound.

Wang Shuo stood in front of the mirror, changing his usual sloppy attire from a vest and wide pants with flip-flops to a suit and leather shoes, and even a red tie. He looked neat and tidy, at least like a successful man.

"Hey, the sun is rising from the west."

Seeing this, Ye Jing, who was visiting, couldn't help but tease: "Why are you dressed so well today? What are you doing?"

Wang Shuo curled his lips and said, "Go away, don't make fun of your uncle."

"When you put on a suit, you become a 'master'."

Ye Jing joked, "You're dressed like this, aren't you going on a date with Shen Jiaxu? What's going on, are you two really together?"

Wang Shuo rolled his eyes, "Love affairs are just a small matter, buddy, we are going to do something big this time!"

"Big thing?" Ye Jing asked, "What big thing can you have in mind?"

"Teacher Fang asked me to go to Maxim's for a drink. Is this a big deal?" Wang Shuo said.

Ye Jing said in disbelief: "Teacher Fang? Asking you to drink? How dare you let Teacher Fang invite you to drink?"

Seeing his best friend talking down to him, Wang Shuo was not annoyed. "Did you forget? A few months ago, my article "Air Hostess" was published in "People's Literature". Guess what? It became a big hit! Hey, there are so many letters from readers that I have to learn from Teacher Fang and buy a courtyard house specifically for storing letters."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you've said this eight hundred times. My ears are numb from hearing it so much."

Ye Jing waved her hand. "Just tell me the truth. Why did Teacher Fang invite you to drink, and why did he go to such a high-end place like Maxim's?"

"You ask me, who should I ask? Teacher Fang didn't explain it clearly on the phone, but I guess he's probably asking his friends to write an article for him."

Wang Shuo tied his tie and posed in front of the mirror.

"Okay, stop showing off."

Ye Jing smiled and said, "Can you let me take advantage of your help and add me as one?"

Wang Shuo asked, "Do you also want to go to Maxim's to see Teacher Fang?"

"We mainly go to Maxim's to drink," Ye Jing said. "I've never been to a place as fashionable as Maxim's."

"I'm going to talk about literature, not just drink. Let's do it another day, another day."

Wang Shuo said, "If I earn some more money from my writings someday, I'll treat you to a meal at Maxim's out of my own pocket. How about that?"

Ye Jing smiled and said, "That would be great!"

"Let's go."

Before leaving, Wang Shuo reminded him to remember to close the door when leaving, and then rode his bicycle straight to Chongwenmen.

The sun is shining and the breeze is not dry.

As soon as I arrived at Maxim's Restaurant, I walked up the stairs and into the lobby, what caught my eye was Cui Jian and others playing rock music on the stage.

Ever since Fangyan gave a good review of "It's Not That I Don't Understand", the Qiheban Band has regarded this song as its main hit.

But soon, the attention shifted from Cui Jian to Song Huaigui, who was wearing a high-end suit.

Compared to his innocent girlfriend, she was obviously much more seductive and charming. Wang Shuo's eyes widened and his heart was pounding.

Hearing the box number he called out, Song Huaigui smiled and said, "Are you here to see Teacher Fang? Please follow me over here."

Wang Shuo followed closely behind and came to the luxuriously decorated and magnificent box, but saw a strange face sitting on the sofa.

He wore a pair of glasses, a white double-breasted jacket and cloth shoes, looking like a gentle and cultured man.

"Teacher Fang hasn't arrived yet. He asked you to order first. Just order whatever you want to drink."

After Song Huaigui got the answer, he smiled and said, "The wine will be delivered soon, please wait a moment."

Soon after, they were the only two strangers left in the huge box, and the atmosphere was awkward in the silence.

However, this did not faze Wang Shuo, who took the initiative to introduce himself.

"Are you Wang Shuo, the writer of 'Stewardess'? Nice to meet you, my name is Zhong Acheng!"

Zhong Acheng's eyes lit up and he shook hands happily.

Wang Shuo asked, "Did you write the article "The Chess King"?"

Zhong Acheng nodded: "What a coincidence! Our two novels appeared in the same issue of People's Literature."

"Yeah, it's fate!"

The relationship between the two quickly became closer. After all, it was thanks to Teacher Fang's discovery that the novel was published in People's Literature.

If we round it off, the two of them could be considered classmates! They were both students of Teacher Fang!
However, Wang Shuo thought that when he was in the editorial department of October, he followed Teacher Fang and was at least a first-term student.

Although Zhong Acheng in front of him wrote his "graduation thesis" "The Chess King" a hundred times better than his own, he is still only a fourth-term student anyway!
I'm in the first period!

…………

After the waiter brought the wine, Wang Shuo and Zhong Acheng clinked glasses, addressed each other as brothers, and started chatting.

"Ah Cheng, why did Teacher Fang invite us here?"

"I think it has something to do with the novel."

"Just as I thought!"

Wang Shuo slapped his thigh and looked around, taking in the murals and handicrafts around him. He couldn't help but sigh:
"Teacher Fang is the one who knows how to enjoy it."

"When can I live such a fairy-like life..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a door being pushed open was heard, and Song Huaigui and Fang Yan were standing at the door with smiles on their faces.

"If you want to live a life like this, it depends on how strong your pen is."

"Teacher Fang!!"

Wang Shuo and Zhong Acheng stood up immediately and bowed stiffly and respectfully.

Fang Yan closed the door and walked leisurely in front of the two people. "Sit down, sit down, don't be so nervous."

Wang Shuo bravely asked: "Teacher Fang, what did you mean by that just now..."

Fang Yan said: "Don't you want to know why I asked you to come here today?"

Zhong Acheng immediately cast an inquiring look.

"I asked you to come here so that you can use your pens."

Fangyan spoke of his plan with some reservations.

In particular, he planned to establish a studio that specializes in providing scripts for film and television production studios. The members of the studio are a group of young and middle-aged writers who have been active in the literary world recently and whose abilities he has selected. They are gifted, in good shape, and full of vigor and vitality, and are worthy of great use.

"write script?"

"So you want us to write a script!"

Wang Shuo and Zhong Acheng suddenly realized, but their understanding was not thorough enough.

They originally thought that Fang Yan was attracted by the "Stewardess" and "The Chess King" they had on hand, but when a thick stack of "Once Upon a Time in China" script outline was thrown in front of them, they finally understood that Teacher Fang had already set the story framework and asked them to be responsible for adding details and portraying characters.

That is, there is one main screenwriter and two assistant screenwriters.

“That was the first script for the studio.”

Fangyan looked left and right, "What do you think?"

"Teacher Fang, why don't you leave this task to the professional screenwriters in the studio?"

Zhong Acheng was very surprised.

Fang Yan said: "The reason is simple, because most screenwriters in the studio don't have the mindset of commercial films, nor do they have the experience of making entertainment films."

"That's right! Teacher Fang, you are absolutely right!"

Wang Shuo said: "Nowadays, movies are getting more and more boring. It's really hard to pick out a few worth watching." Zhong Acheng readily agreed and listened to Teacher Fang pointing out the problem. The film and television industry has seen a contradiction between the people's growing demand for spiritual entertainment and culture, and the backwardness and insufficiency of film and television entertainment works. Where there is a contradiction, it should be resolved, and where there is demand, it should be supplied.

“Where there is demand, there is a market.”

Wang Shuo couldn't help but understand, "Teacher Fang, is this what I mean?"

"It seems that I have found the right person."

Fangyan smiled. Although Wang Shuo was still immature in literature and scriptwriting, his previous experience of traveling around the country had broadened his horizons and knowledge. In addition, he had a quick mind and was more receptive to entertainment films and commercialization, unlike traditional pure literature writers in the literary world.

"Hehe, to be honest, I have always felt that pure literature is something I pursue."

Wang Shuo said: "But only by engaging in popular culture can you support your family."

Zhong Acheng also relied on literature to support his family. He opened his mouth and said, "Teacher Fang, what about the remuneration..."

Fang Yan said, "1500 for each of you two."

"1500?!"

Wang Shuo and Zhong Acheng were both shocked.

According to the new film royalty regulations issued this year, the maximum royalty for a feature film like "Once Upon a Time in China" can be 4000 yuan. If the two of them each get 1500 yuan, then doesn't that mean that Mr. Fang will only get 1000 yuan? How can this be possible?
Fang Yan said: "Why, you think it's too little?"

"Teacher Fang, you misunderstood what we meant."

Wang Shuo shuddered, "What we mean is that you gave us 3000, but you only got 1000. We feel bad about this."

"You two still have a conscience and still care about me."

Fangyan gave a mysterious smile.

Although "Once Upon a Time in China" was a joint production between Xu Ke Studio and Shanghai Film Studio, the money was paid by each side.

Xu Ke promised 5 Hong Kong dollars and the copyright fee for the novel, but it did not prevent the Shanghai Film Studio from giving him a screenwriting fee.

The 3000 yuan was divided equally between Wang Shuo and Zhong Acheng, so that they could taste the sweetness and work hard.

Unlike those companies in later generations that bring blessings and shout about "wolf culture" all day long, at least give us some meat to eat!
A wolf travels thousands of miles to eat meat, so it is not enough to just draw pie in the sky. Even if you don’t give the wolf meat, you have to give him some soup, except for chicken soup for the soul.

I thought about it, but I couldn't say it out loud, so I skillfully found a bunch of plausible and touching reasons.

"It's not easy for you either, you have to support a family", "The more capable you are, the more work you should do, your abilities are worth the price", blah blah.

"Although that's true, Mr. Fang, isn't 1500 yuan a bit too much..."

Zhong Acheng looked at the already-framed script of "Huang Feihong" and always felt that he was taking advantage.

After all, the royalties for a novel of more than 10 words were only over 1600 yuan.

"That's too much, how about 1000 per person?"

Fangyan looked around.

"Don't worry, don't worry! Teacher Fang, I'll take the job. We'll write it the way you say!"

Wang Shuo nudged Zhong Acheng with his elbow and thanked him repeatedly.

Zhong Acheng was startled and echoed: "Thank you, Teacher Fang! Thank you, Teacher Fang!"

They have to thank us!
Fang Yan smiled mysteriously, "This is just the first script. There will be more in the future. I can't write them all by myself."

"Teacher Fang, just leave everything to us."

Wang Shuo couldn't help but think about it when he thought about how the money earned from movie and TV scripts is much higher than that from novels.

"Not just you, there will be more and more members in the studio in the future."

Fangyan already had his favorite candidates in mind, such as Su Ya, Shi Tiesheng, Yu Hua, Liang Zuo, Lu Wei, etc.

Zhong Acheng became worried, "Teacher Fang, what about this script from now on..."

"Are you worried that there will be too many people and not enough porridge to drink?"

Fang Yan said, "Don't worry about it. The demand will be huge in the future. Believe it or not, you can make as many TV series and movies as you have good scripts." He tapped the table lightly, "For example, "The Chess King", if you make some changes, it can be made into a movie. And Wang Shuo, your novel is full of character dialogues, and it can be a script if you make some changes. For example, "Air Hostess", are you willing to make it into a TV series?"

Wang Shuo said: "As long as the money is in place, I have no problem with that!"

"Look, it's over now."

Fang Yan said: "In the future, literature and film and television will be a big cake. If we want to eat it, we will eat it with our stomachs full!"

Wang Shuo and Zhong Acheng looked at each other and gulped, "Then won't we get rich?"

Fangyan said: "Yes, how can a person who can make a lot of money count small accounts?"

"Teacher Fang, I understand!"

The two raised their glasses and assured each other almost in unison.

After clinking glasses, Fang Yan drank the wine in one gulp and said, "If you find any good candidates, you can recommend them to me."

Wang Shuo's tone was full of excitement, "Teacher Fang, what is the name of our studio?"

"Tianxia, ​​Tianxia Studio."

The dialect was spoken slowly, and all the heroes in the world were within the grasp of our young general!

…………

It was already afternoon when we returned to the compound from Maxim's Restaurant.

The smile on Wang Shuo's face never stopped. He walked up the stairs humming a song and shaking his head.

I bumped into Ye Jing head on, and he joked, "Hey, your face is so red, it looks like you drank a lot."

"I'm happy today, buddy, I'm going to be rich!"

"What fortune?"

"Of course it's a fortune! It turns out that doing art makes more money than doing business!"

Wang Shuo and his childhood friend talked arm in arm and told each other everything about writing the movie script for Fangyan.

Ye Jing was stunned. Didn’t he say before that it was impossible for him to work and that he would never work for others in his life.

"Then who do you think you are? Serving Teacher Fang is truly a blessing for me!"

Wang Shuo was drunk and his face was flushed. "One script is 1500 yuan. 1500 yuan."

"So many?!" Ye Jing asked in surprise.

"Now I don't want to write novels anymore. I just want to write scripts. I can write one in ten days or three or four in a month, and earn several thousand yuan. It's much easier than writing manuscripts." Wang Shuo said, "Teacher Fang is going to recommend my "Air Hostess" to Yanjing TV Station."

Ye Jing was envious, "Then you will be rich."

"Of course not! When my royalties arrive, I'll take you to Maxim's for a drink."

Wang Shuo burped contentedly. "It's true that the taste of brandy is different from that of our liquor."

"You can drink that wine anytime." Ye Jing pretended to cough, "We are close friends, right?"

"Of course, Tieci!"

"Does that mean if you become rich and powerful, don't forget each other?"

"That's no problem. The rich will help the poor. But you have to wait until your buddies become rich first."

"Okay, when you become rich, I can call you 'Shuo Ye'!"

"Don't call me 'Master'. The one who deserves the title of 'Master' is Mr. Fang, Master Fang! Who the hell am I?"

Wang Shuo planned to write the script for "Stewardess" immediately after finishing the script for "Huang Feihong".

The heroine is closer to the image of Gong Xing. Teacher Fang treats me so well, I must return the favor!
There is no two suns in the sky, but there is only one sun in my heart, and that is General Fang! (End of this chapter)