The literary era since 1979

The next day, early in the morning.

Fangyan went to work as usual. When he pushed the door open, he found that the atmosphere in the editorial department of People's Literature was very different from usual.

It was quiet and silent. It was not that the room was empty with only a few people in it. On the contrary, it was almost full.

However, everyone was listless and their attention was not focused on their work at all. Instead, they were directing their criticism at yesterday's Chinese national football team.

Zhu Wei stood up suddenly, "Teacher Fang, did you watch the game yesterday?"

Fang Yan nodded first, then sighed and said, "I didn't expect that I would be so careless and lose the game."

When the word "losing" was mentioned, the people who were dead silent just now suddenly became energetic and said fiercely:
"That's right, this game is so damn infuriating!"

"As long as the game was a draw, they could have shown up, but they ended up playing like this. What the hell!"

"In my opinion, the runner-up in the Asian Cup is the peak. It will definitely go downhill from now on. After losing to Japan, we lost to South Korea, and then lost to Thailand, Annan and Cambodia. There will be nothing to lose next. They have no face left!"

"........."

There was a hint of disappointment in their voices. Seeing this, Zhu Wei cursed himself for wasting money to watch the game at the Workers' Stadium:
"It's really pitiful and unfortunate that the fans at the scene made a big commotion because of this."

"Really!"

Chen Xiaoman, Wang Fu and others looked at him curiously.

I already knew the dialect well, so I listened quietly and heard Zhu Wei narrate it vividly:
"The fans in the stands were reluctant to leave. They were all filled with anger, resentment, disappointment, irritation, confusion, and frustration. All of these things intertwined together and then burst into an earth-shaking roar, scaring the national football team's coach and players so much that they didn't dare to come out. They were afraid that they would be torn to pieces and eaten alive..."

"The result was that the crowd ran out of control and overturned the team bus. Even the cars parked on the roadside and the traffic booth were not spared, and the windows were smashed."

"This is too crazy!"

Chen Xiaoman was shocked. "Even if we lost, there's no need to be like this."

Zhu Wei said: "It's useless. The fans have completely lost their minds. Just today, many fans held beer bottles and blocked the door, asking the national football team to come out and ask for an explanation."

Fangyan shook his head and smiled bitterly. This was why he didn't let his family go to watch the game in person. It was too chaotic and crazy.

"In addition to the traffic booths that were damaged, it is said that more than a dozen buses and even the glass of the Dongsishitiao subway station were damaged."

Zhu Wei sighed quietly, "This time, the news has spread to the world."

At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind:

"Our football team hasn't even made it to the World Cup yet, but the behavior of some of our fans has caught up with international standards."

"Editor-in-chief!"

Everyone turned around and Wang Meng's figure came into view.

"I think there is something to be said for this."

Fangyan touched his chin.

Wang Meng said, "Tell me, what can you write?"

Fangyan suggested: "I think we can use this as a subject to write a report or a documentary novel?"

Zhu Wei, Chen Xiaoman and others were all surprised. Reportage was still within their comprehension, but nonfiction novels were extremely rare...

Fang Yan explained: "Non-fiction is to use fictional characters and stories to show real social events and changes." Zhu Wei was puzzled and said: "But Mr. Fang, the so-called documentary should be a news work, such as correspondence and reportage, while novels are fictional works derived from life through artistic refinement. This is a mixture of documentary and fiction. Is it really feasible?"

"Why not?"

Fangyan emphasized that documentary literature is equivalent to novelized reportage.

Although the plot is somewhat fictional, the general framework is based on real people and real events, and there are strict requirements on the authenticity of the story. This "May 19th Incident" is one of the most coveted materials for reportage and documentary novels.

"But the entire incident has not yet been thoroughly characterized. Should we wait for the official handling results to come out before making any decisions?"

Chen Xiaoman hesitated for a moment.

Wang Meng fell into a brief contemplation and quickly made a judgment, "Reportage should be fine. Although it is a literary genre, it is between news reports and novels and can truly and objectively reflect reality. However, I think that documentary novels with fictional elements should be put aside for the time being."

"But……"

Fangyan tried to fight for it again.

“Even if it can be written, who will write it?”

Wang Meng said bluntly: "As the deputy editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief, you can't do it yourself. If your article is published by People's Literature, it will easily lead readers to misunderstand and think that this documentary novel represents the attitude and position of our editorial department."

Chen Xiaoman said: "Yes, the editor-in-chief is right, the risk is really too great."

Fangyan thought about it seriously and finally had to give up the idea.

"But we really can't act rashly."

I also strongly support Wang Meng's innovative exploration of introducing typical literary characters against the backdrop of key social issues. Although People's Literature does not work, other literary magazines do not have to have so many concerns, such as China Writers.

Fangyan raised his eyebrows, very surprised.

Wang Meng smiled and said, "Didn't you propose documentary literature to Mr. Feng at the opening ceremony of the Lu Xun Academy of Literature?"

Fang Yan nodded and said, "I think nonfiction is also a branch of realism. Since China Writers wants to support realism, it is a good direction to pay attention to emerging literary genres such as nonfiction."

Everyone was talking among themselves, discussing non-stop. There was basically no opposition, only support, recognition, and praise...

"Why don't you give Mr. Feng a call and ask him if he's willing to let Chinese Writers publish a documentary novel?"

Wang Meng said with a kind look.

Fang Yan responded, immediately went to his office, and quickly contacted Feng Mu by phone.

As expected, Feng Mu agreed with gratitude and satisfaction, and was ready to let Liu Xinwu be the special author to write the novel.

"Liu Xinwu?"

"Yes, he was at the game yesterday and can be considered an eyewitness to the entire incident. It would be most appropriate for him to write this."

"That's good. Comrade Xinwu's writing style is solid. When describing characters and narrating stories, he focuses on restoring and being close to reality itself."

"That's why I decided to entrust him to write it. By the way, Xiao Fang, have you got any ideas for your realistic work?"

"Got it. I'm going to write a magical realist novel!"

A mysterious smile appeared on Fangyan's lips. (End of this chapter)