The literary era since 1979

With the help of Mei Baojiu and other descendants of the Mei school, writing "Farewell My Concubine" was like adding wings to a tiger.

Whenever he writes about Peking Opera repertoires, his writing seems as if he were immersed in the opera tune, it's so authentic!
Fangyan was confident that he could finish the first draft of the novel before the end of the year. In a good mood, he hummed the lyrics of "The Drunken Concubine" and threw the package containing the manuscript of "Song Ci, the Chief Justice of the Song Dynasty" into the mailbox, waiting to be sent to the editorial office of "Science Fiction World" in Sichuan.

All the necessary formalities for the launch of "Mystery World" have been completed, and even the magazine has been included in the postal system's directory.

Now everything is ready except for the manuscript. The first issue of "Mystery World" will be the first shot of China's mystery novel magazine.

He got into the car leisurely and drove to Renwen Press without any obstruction. Then, as soon as he showed up in the editorial office, he immediately attracted attention.

"Director Fang!"

"You've been in the United States for more than a month. I must have missed you so much!"

Facing the crowds of people, Fangyan distributed the gifts he brought back from the United States with a smile, all of which were Olympic souvenirs.

After Zhu Wei took it, he thanked him repeatedly, "Teacher Fang, we have read all the news about you in the newspaper. The national flag that was raised when our first gold medal was won in the Olympics..."

"You want to ask me if I have it with me?"

Fang Yan looked around, everyone's eyes were full of anticipation, and he smiled and said, "I brought it, I brought it, I guessed you wanted to see it."

"Yanzi, hurry up, hurry up, stop dawdling and take it out!"

Not only Chen Xiaoman was impatient, but everyone in the editorial department came over, including Lu Shuyou, Yu Deli and others.

Three layers inside and three layers outside surrounded Fangyan, and every pair of eyes stared at the sacred five-star red flag in his hand.

I don’t know who in the crowd shouted the first “Wow”, but for a moment, there were wows one after another.

Such a big commotion naturally alarmed the leaders of People's Literature, such as Wang Meng, Liu Jianqing, and Cui Daoyi.

"Editor-in-chief, this is yours."

Fangyan handed over the gifts with both hands, not leaving any behind.

"Good good."

Compared with Olympic souvenirs, Wang Meng is more concerned about "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" which caused a sensation in the United States.

Fortunately, Fangyan was well prepared. Not only did he take out the Chinese version of "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" from his briefcase, but he also took out a bunch of works by foreign writers. Except for a small number from Random House, most of them were works from the "International Writing Project".

"Haha, your trip to America was not in vain!"

Wang Meng showed a satisfied smile, "If you have the chance, please also thank Ms. Nie Hualing for me and my colleagues at Renwenshe."

Fangyan nodded, and then talked about the 3000 people visiting China. He was afraid that he would have to be the hands-off boss for a while.

"Understand, understand. National affairs are more important."

Yu Deli shook his head and laughed, "It's just a pity that Director Fang will not be able to attend the Second Sino-US Writers Conference this year."

After asking Fangyan, I found out that since last year, a literary exchange conference for Chinese and American writers has been held in October every year. This time, the American side has sent writers and poets from the American "Beat Generation". I, as the leading figure on the Renwen Press's side, should have been the one to take charge.

"It really was an unfortunate coincidence this time."

Wang Meng had no choice but to hand over this task to Lu Shuyou, Yu Deli and others.

Fang Yan smiled and said, "That's fine. Director Lu and Teacher Yu are very knowledgeable about Western literary schools. It would be more appropriate for them to go than for me."

"Director Fang, you are too modest."

Lu Shuyou waved his hand and asked, "Is there anyone in the editorial department who is more famous than you in the American literary world?"

Yu Deli said with a hint of sourness in his tone, "That's right, Director Fang's Saving Private Ryan won the National Book Award. This time, Guns, Viruses, and Steel will probably win the title again, right?"

Fang Yan shook his head, "I'm afraid I can't get it."

"No way? I don't believe it."

Yu Deli curled his lips, but Lu Shuyou did not stop him and frowned. After all, being too humble would become hypocrisy.

Chen Xiaoman, Wang Meng and others also found it strange, and they heard Fang Yan say that the National Book Award is usually only awarded to novels, non-fiction, poetry, youth literature, translations, etc. "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" was not within the scope of the award nomination.

"But maybe I can try for the Pulitzer Prize in History next year."

After hearing this, Chen Xiaoman realized that she was being shrewd and said angrily, "Yanzi, you are playing tricks on us!" "Forget it, I'll let you off this time!"

Wang Meng, Liu Jianqing and others looked at each other and burst into laughter.

If "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" really wins the Pulitzer Prize for History, then the publishing company Renwen Press will make a fortune!
...............

The laughter in the editorial office came to an abrupt end with Wang Meng's cough.

"It doesn't matter if you missed the second China-U.S. Writers Conference. I'll send you to the third next year."

Wang Meng smiled and said, "But you absolutely cannot miss the Fourth National Congress of Writers at the end of the year!"

"Don't worry!"

Fangyan made a solemn promise, and then chatted with Renwenshe for a while before leaving for the second guesthouse.

This was the predecessor of the Yanjing New Capital Hotel. At this time, a large number of reception staff gathered in the lobby.

Ever since the leader made a bold statement last year, preparatory work has been carried out in full swing and quietly.

It took nearly a year from the initial preparations to the safe departure of the Japanese delegation.

Of course, the most important thing is the preparatory work. Especially in the country at that time, it was not easy to gather hundreds of people who could speak Japanese.

Almost all Japanese teachers from all over the country were transferred here to provide simple training to the waiters in hotels and guesthouses, so that they could learn some simple Japanese, such as "Konikiwa (hello)", "Kongbangwa (good evening)", "Sayonarala (goodbye)"...

Because the event had to receive 3000 people, students from Yan University, China Foreign Affairs University, China Foreign Affairs University and other universities were also asked to serve as interpreters.

If Bai Ruoxue hadn't gone to the United States to study and Hashimoto Yui hadn't returned to China to work, I'm afraid they would have been called over to help out temporarily.

However, among the vast crowd, Fangyan unexpectedly found Suzuki Yoko who stayed in China.

"Ms. Fang, please follow me. I'll take you to get your uniform first."

"uniform?"

"Yes, everyone in the reception group must wear a uniform suit."

Yoko Suzuki led the way and led Fangyan to pick up the clothes.

At any time, diplomacy is no small matter. In order to leave a good impression, the staff of the reception group began to dress up.

Many people also bought their first suit of suit in their life at this moment. Since they were all made by tailors in Hongdu, just like primary school students ordering school uniforms, they were not tailor-made at all, so they were loose when worn, but no one complained.

After all, a suit on the market currently costs 40 yuan, which is almost as much as an ordinary worker’s monthly salary!
Not to mention that ordinary people are reluctant to spend, even the country has to spend frugally because the total budget is only 800 million RMB.

This was eight million in 84, an absolutely astronomical figure, but nearly half of it was spent on international air tickets for 3000 people alone.

Therefore, the daily food allowance for each staff member involved in the preparatory work is 2 yuan.

Moreover, the company only reimburses part of the 2 yuan, and the individual also has to pay part.

"How much do you want to pay?"

Fangyan changed into a suit, the cuffs were a little longer and the trouser legs were a little shorter.

"It depends on whether your salary exceeds 100 yuan. If it exceeds, you have to pay 7 cents a day. If it does not exceed, then you only have to pay 5 cents."

Suzuki Yoko remembered it by heart, "But you have to pay another pound of food coupons."

Fangyan smiled and said, "Fortunately, I only have to pay 5 cents."

"For your royalties, it wouldn't be too much if you only pay 7 dollars," Yoko Suzuki joked.

As the two of them were talking and laughing, a familiar and unexpected voice suddenly came from behind:

"Teacher Fang!"

"Zhu Lin?!"

Fang Yan turned around and saw Zhu Lin, who had short curly hair and was wearing a suit. (End of this chapter)