The literary era since 1979

Chapter 74 Promotion
The entire transfer process from "Yenching Literature" to "October" took quite a long time.

During this time, Fang Yan took turns with Shen Shuang and his wife to take care of Shen Yanbing. In order to entertain him, they specially brought a radio.

In addition to news and storytelling, what Shen Yanbing listened to the most was the radio drama of "Dark War". When he got tired of it, Fang Yan would read to him newspapers and magazines, or even "The Hidden Corner" which he was currently writing.

Once you hear it, you can’t stop.

After all, Shen Yanbing was once a member of the hidden front.

As Zhongyang's first full-time transportation liaison officer, he was co-editor of "Novel Monthly" at the Commercial Press at the time. Every letter written to Zhongyang by local officials would be sent to Shen Yanbing for forwarding.

"I often send letters to Miss Zhong Ying, and people always think she is the person I am dating. In fact, Zhong Ying is the homophonic code name of Zhongyang." Shen Yanbing became more and more interested in talking about the past.

During the conversation, Fang Yan realized that the special regard of Shen Yanbing, Ding Ling and others for him was also due to spy literature. These elders had more or less worked on the secret front.

It was an unexpected blessing that I gained favor!

While drinking water, he joked, "Teacher, how about I arrange a role for you in "Insidious"? "

"Oh, tell me, what are you going to do with me?"

Shen Yanbing narrowed his eyes into slits.

"Yu Zecheng is hiding in Jinmen Station, so he must have arranged a liaison officer." Fang Yan was about to change "Manager Qiu" to "Manager Shen" and smiled. "What do you think?"

"Haha, you!"

There was a kind light in Shen Yan's eyes.

"If you don't mind, I will write it."

"Write it, but don't write me to death."

"Don't worry, it won't happen."

Fang Yan talked about the incident of biting his tongue to protect Yu Zecheng.

After listening to it, Shen Yanbing couldn't help but sigh: "This "Hidden" is obviously better than "Dark War" in terms of concept, characters, and story. If you hadn't written "The Great Qin Splitting", would you have written this?"

"Yes, teacher."

Dialects admit it bluntly.

Shen Yanbing stared at him admiringly. "It looks like you put a lot of effort into it. Very good, very good. This article can also be published in People's Literature. Once you're done, give it to me and I'll help you revise it."

"But your body..."

"You won't die for a while, so you don't need to see Ma Kesi."

"Thank you, teacher!"

Fangyan couldn't refuse, so he had to thank him repeatedly.

...............

In early November, Shen Yanbing's low-grade fever subsided and he was able to be discharged from the hospital.

Fangyan was immediately "sent" back to the editorial department. In order not to delay the work, he went straight to West Chang'an Avenue.

"How is Mr. Mao's health?"

Zhou Yanru asked with concern.

Fang Yan smiled and said, "It's much better now. The condition is under control. You can be discharged after staying in the hospital for observation for a period of time."

"That's good."

Zhou Yanru breathed a sigh of relief.

Afterwards, the two went to the editorial office of October. The entire publishing house was located in an old wooden building on Dongxinglong Street outside Chongwenmen.

"October" was originally founded by the literary and artistic editorial department of Yenching Publishing House, but after the first issue, it officially became independent.

The first editor-in-chief, Su Yu, was also the first editor-in-chief of October. He was about the same age as Zhou Yanru.

With silver hair and elegant temperament.

She was accompanied by the company president Lu Yuanchi.

With Zhou Yanru's introduction, Fang Yan got to know them. After a few pleasantries, Lu Yuanchi smiled and said:
"Xiao Fang is Mr. Mao's disciple, right?"

"No, no, you've given me the prize."

"Speaking of Mr. Mao, he also has a long history with October. When the magazine was first published, he was asked to write the introductory remarks."

"It's so predestined?"

“It’s just fate!”

Lu Yuanchi laughed a few times to ease the atmosphere. He did not rush to welcome Fang Yan, but first apologized to Zhou Yanru and "Yenching Literature". After all, he had poached the talent that others had worked hard to cultivate.

Moreover, he is a great talent!

Not to mention the published works "The Shepherd" and "Secret War", which have set off a craze for reflective literature and spy war literature in the entire literary world. The poem "Love Life" alone has blazed a new trail in the poetry world shrouded by Misty Poetry. What a great talent!
What the entire October magazine lacks is talent.

There are four groups: medium-length and long stories, short stories, literary theory, poetry and song art, as well as a relatively independent children's literature group.

"I am a brick. I will be moved wherever I am needed." Fangyan expressed his position confidently, knowing what he was doing.

It had already been decided which group I would be assigned to.

As expected, he was assigned to the medium-length and long novel group, which is also the weakest but most important group of "October".

Su Yu said: "Teacher Zhou should also know that in the first half of this year, October held a symposium on novellas and invited many writers and editors to participate, hoping to further promote the development of the novella genre."

Zhou Yanru nodded and said, "Indeed, your symposium has set off quite a craze for novellas."

"Yes, next we plan to take advantage of the situation and pursue them."

Su Yu turned to look at Fang Yan, "So I really hope that Xiao Fang can give full play to his talents here."

"I will definitely try my best, Teacher Su."

Fang Yan could feel that Lu Yuanchi and Su Yu had high hopes for him, which could be seen from his job title.

In November this year, the "Interim Provisions on Professional Titles for Editorial Cadres" was just promulgated, and editorial titles are divided into four levels.

Review Editor, Deputy Review Editor, Editor, Assistant Editor.

Deputy editor and editor are equivalent to associate professor and full professor.

It is impossible for editor-in-chief and deputy editor-in-chief to hold the positions without such titles. Of course, professional titles require assessment and evaluation.

Like Wang Jie, who worked as an assistant editor at Yenching Literature for three years, was finally promoted to editor this year.

As soon as I become a full-time employee, I will be promoted to editor.

At this time, salary and benefits are linked to job titles.

Only after leaving the gate of Yenching Publishing House did I know from Zhou Yanru why Lu Yuanchi and Su Yu valued me so much.

Just like TV stations in later generations competing for the exclusive rights to broadcast TV dramas, the literary world at this time was also full of people and insufficient resources.

There are few good works to begin with, and novellas are the most sought-after by major publishing houses.

Because publishing too many short stories did not meet the standards of large literary magazines such as "Harvest" and "October", and because novels were becoming increasingly less popular, with varying levels of quality and very few in number, novellas became hot commodities.

"As for you, you have demonstrated your outstanding talent as an editor of novellas and short stories in Oh, Xiangxue and Furong Town."

Zhou Yanru said, "You are a student of the fifth term of the institute, and you are classmates with writers like Jiang Zilong, Gu Hua, and Tie Ning who are good at writing novellas and short stories. How can they not respect you?"

"I see."

Fangyan raised his eyebrows.

"Moreover, you have been taught by Mr. Mao and have a good ability in writing novels. It can be said that you have the potential to be an 'all-round editor'. No matter which publishing house you are placed in, you will be a treasure. But they snatched you away halfway."

Zhou Yanru was unwilling to accept this.

"Teacher Zhou, no matter which publishing house I work for or what I do in the future, Yenching Literature will always have a place in my heart."

There was a firmness in the dialect tone.

"Go back, we have prepared a farewell party for you."

Zhou Yanru patted his arm, sighed, and didn't say another word along the way. The atmosphere was solemn and sad.

Back in the editorial office, the sad atmosphere became increasingly intense.

Even though it was a farewell party, and even though everyone had a smile on their face and said congratulations, they finally couldn't hold it back.

"Don't forget, you still owe me two manuscripts, remember to pay me back!" Wang Jie choked up, "Even if the debt is paid off, I will ask you to write for Yenching Literature when the time comes, and you are not allowed to refuse."

"Of course, of course. I'll consider it as the interest I owe you."

Fangyan held up the enamel cup and clinked glasses with hers.

"Yanzi, time is tight, and I can't write a poem for you, so I'll just recite two lines. A bosom friend is a friend indeed. Don't worry about having no bosom friends on your road ahead, because everyone in the world knows you."

Li Yue replaced the wine with water and drank the glass on his own initiative.

Then, it was Huang Zhongguo, Ji Xiuying, and Zhou Yanru's turn to send their blessings one by one, saying similar words at the same time:

The editorial department of "Yenching Literature" is the home of dialects.

These people are all the dialect’s mother’s family.

Finally, it was Wang Meng. He picked up a box from the table, which contained a brand new Hero pen, and said with a smile:

“This is a token of our appreciation.”

"Don't refuse. A writer without a pen is like a soldier without a gun. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

Just like awarding a medal to General Fang, he put the Hero brand fountain pen in Fang Yan's chest pocket and patted his chest:

"Don't embarrass our Yenching Literature editorial department."

"Yes, Editor-in-Chief!"

Fang Yan's nose felt slightly sour, and then he bowed to Zhou Yanru and the others, "Thank you all teachers for taking care of me during this period of time!"

(End of this chapter)