The literary era since 1979

The two chatted for a while, but the candidate for the next editor-in-chief of People's Literature has not yet been decided.

Wang Meng wanted to recommend Fang Yan for the position. There was no problem with his ability, reputation, and achievements. The only flaw might be his age and qualifications. After all, to be promoted to deputy editor-in-chief at the deputy department level before the age of 30 was already a rocket-like promotion.

The editor-in-chief of People's Literature is at the same level as Qi Tongwei, and that was achieved by him kneeling down to propose marriage and crying at the grave.

Fang Yan, however, walked forward while standing. With his speed, why would he choose to attack in a series? He can just take you directly to the moon!
But as to what to do next, Wang Meng suggested that he go to Zhang Guangnian to discuss it, and Fang Yan did so.

The first thing he did was to call his senior, who asked him to meet him at the bathhouse he often went to, which was of course Guo Degang’s alma mater, Tsinghua University.

In ancient times, not only did the old people in Yanjing seldom take a bath in winter, the whole north and even the whole country were the same. Otherwise, there would not be the saying that people only took a bath a few times in their lifetime. It was almost the same all over the world. After all, boiling water for a bath was an absolute luxury.

Otherwise, French perfume wouldn’t exist. Isn’t it just to cover up body odor?

Bathing and changing clothes were rituals of worshipping gods in ancient times. If it were really easy, would it be necessary to make it so grand?

But nowadays, it is a common thing, and you can go in as soon as the door opens in the morning, and come out when the sky is full of stars at night. As long as you are not afraid of getting soaked, you can soak in it as long as you like, and no one will rush you. It's so authentic!

On winter nights, the moon flickers in the misty dark clouds.

Moonlight poured in through the glass ceiling. In the five-beam bathhouse lounge, young and old men from Yanjing were sitting on couches.

Groups of old men had just finished their "head-washing" and were talking about the mountains and playing chess, while the back-scrubbing master was pounding and kneading their backs skillfully.

Fangyan sat in the big hot pool. The hot water relaxed his muscles and activated his blood circulation, causing sweat to break out from his bones.

Zhang Guangnian sat beside him, "Do you really want to be one?"

Fang Yan smiled and said, "If I say I don't want to be one, I would be lying."

“Indeed, thanks to the joint efforts of you and Comrade Wang Meng, People’s Literature is doing much better than when I left office.”

Zhang Guangnian said: "If we want to continue this high momentum, the best way should be to let you, the deputy editor-in-chief who has contributed the most, take the position."

Fang Yan smiled without saying anything, but when he heard his senior brother say "but", his eyebrows slightly frowned.

"But this is against the rules."

Zhang Guangnian said, “At your age and with your qualifications, it is customary that before becoming the editor-in-chief of People’s Literature, you would first work for other literary magazines or publishing houses, just like Comrade Wang Meng was the editor-in-chief of Yenching Literature before he was transferred to People’s Literature. Or you could work in cultural departments such as the Writers Association or the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Comrade Wang Meng was previously the chairman of the Yenching Writers Association…”

"Then I'd rather go to a publishing house, preferably Yenching Literature or October."

Fangyan touched his chin.

"You have a nice idea. One carrot, one hole. You have to check whether there is already a carrot in the hole."

Zhang Guangnian joked, "In addition to these, you can also go to the cultural department and continue to work with Comrade Wang Meng. I remember you still hold the title of consultant of the Film Censorship Committee. Or you can go to the Film Bureau and become the deputy director to make contributions to Chinese-language films?"

Fangyan touched his nose awkwardly, "That's good, but with this identity, it will be inconvenient for me to study and exchange abroad in the future."

"That's a big problem."

Zhang Guangnian pondered for a while.

"Don't worry about it, brother. I'm just asking out of curiosity. I haven't really decided to leave Renwen Press yet!" Fang Yan said, "I must live up to your and Teacher Wang's high expectations and make People's Literature more prosperous before I leave."

"I am satisfied with your words, but everything should be prepared in advance, so that we can leave room for maneuvers and avoid panic."

Zhang Guangnian, wrapped in a towel, came out of the bathhouse and walked into the lobby specially used for rest.

Uniformed waiters were walking around, some were doing pedicures, some were doing massages, some were doing cupping, and some were making tea...

Fangyan chose an empty space and sat down. Not far away was a bookshelf filled with magazines on literature, military affairs, current affairs, etc.

Zhang Guangnian took a quick look and when he suddenly saw "Reading", his eyes narrowed into slits:

"I remember you have cooperated with Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong many times, right?"

"Not only that, they also want to recruit me into their group."

Fang Yan said that Xiao Zi and Pan Yaoming wanted him to join the Joint Publishing Company of Hong Kong and were even willing to give up the position of editor-in-chief.

"That's true. Comrade Xiao Zi did write a letter, hoping that a capable person could be sent to save the Hong Kong Joint Publishing Company, which was suffering from continuous losses." Zhang Guangnian said, "It's just that the letter for help was not sent to the Writers Association or the Ministry of Culture, but to the People's Publishing House."

Fang Yan raised his eyebrows: "People's Publishing House?"

"Yes, when the People's Republic of China was founded, the three Sanlian Bookstores merged and jointly published magazines. The headquarters moved from Hong Kong to Yanjing, and later it was merged into the People's Publishing House. It still retains the name of 'Sanlian' to publish books, and a few years ago it also founded the magazine 'Reading'."

Zhang Guangnian pointed and said, "It is known as the spiritual home of Chinese intellectuals, but it is a pity that it has never been published in Hong Kong."

Fang Yan patiently listened to him talk about the history and current situation of Joint Publishing Company, "Brother, do you want me to support Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong?"

"Sanlian Bookstore may resume its independence after the new year, and the original editor Fan Yong will continue to serve as the editor-in-chief of Yanjing Sanlian Bookstore."

Zhang Guangnian said: "As for Hong Kong, we may send some capable people to improve the economic situation in response to Comrade Xiao Zi's request."

Fang Yan's eyes suddenly lit up. The sales of People's Literature had undergone a tremendous change after he came. In addition, he had his own fame and popularity in Hong Kong, his unique insights into business logic and the commercialization of literary magazines, and his attainments in popular literature and pure literary novels. No matter how you looked at it, he was the best candidate. The only problem was that he was from Renwen Press, not People's Publishing House.

"Are you used to the outside world? That's why you want to go to Hong Kong so eagerly?"

Zhang Guangnian said with a smile.

Fangyan looked at the nose with his eyes and the heart with his nose, and said that if he was willing to accept the appointment to the Hong Kong Joint Publishing Company, it was entirely because of the relationship between Xiao Zi and Pan Yaoming. He wanted to give them a hand and help the Hong Kong Joint Publishing Company get out of its predicament. Of course, he also had selfish motives in his words.

After all, Gong Xing will be studying and observing in a film company in Hong Kong for a year, which can be considered as a solution to the problem of the couple being in different places.

"You are able to take care of both work and family without suffering any loss."

Zhang Guangnian couldn't help but make a joke.

"hey-hey."

Fangyan's mouth curled up. There's nothing wrong with People's Literature. It's just that Hong Kong makes it easier for me to invest now, and I have more opportunities. (End of this chapter)