The literary era since 1979

Chapter 76 Hindering Others' Progress

These days, Fangyan has gradually become familiar with the entire editorial department of October, but it is not through literature, but through playing cards.

During lunch break, the editorial office turns into a chess and card room.

Not to mention Yan Ming, the leader of the poetry and song art group, and Zhang Shouren, the leader of the short story group, even the president, editor-in-chief, and editors-in-chief of other magazines came to join in the fun, playing cards and combining work with rest.

Of course, I just played it for fun and never gambled with any money.

The games I usually play are either upgrade or bridge.

In the poker field, all are equal, regardless of editor-in-chief or chief editor.

A few days ago, Fangyan was just watching the game. He moved a stool and watched them play from the side, evaluating each person's card skills.

Among this group of people, He Xin was undoubtedly the best.

He likes to strike back after the opponent has been attacked, and often uses a killer move at the end of a round of cards, beating the opponent to the ground and forcing him to admit defeat.

When playing cards, he looks extremely focused, holding the cards in one hand and raising the other hand high. When he gets excited, he suddenly stands up and throws the cards down. It seems as if he is going to invest his entire life in the game.

But sometimes things go wrong and fail miserably.

Fangyan just watched quietly, observing the cards without saying a word.

After all, it is said that you can just play around and relax, but once you get into the state, or even get addicted, you still take winning or losing very seriously.

"Yanzi, play a few rounds for me, I want to drink some water."

Tian Zengxiang is very bad at playing cards and needs help from outsiders after playing for a while.

This foreign aid, of course, is the dialect.

"Xiao Fang, have you finished writing your commissioned work plan?"

Lu Yuanchi glanced at his cards.

"am writing now."

Fangyan pursed his lips.

In addition to casting a targeted net across the country to solicit manuscripts in accordance with the direction of each editor as usual, with the short story group looking for short stories and the essay group looking for essays, "October" also wants to take advantage of the opportunity of obtaining an official publication number and plans to launch a large-scale manuscript commissioning project this year, and to fix this format.

At least once a year, for at least a month.

Therefore, it is necessary to make a commission plan in advance.

It can only be implemented after being approved by the editorial office and the publishing house.

Write a plan at the end of this year and implement it at the beginning of next year.

"Have you planned where you're going?"

He Xin raised his eyes and stared at him.

"Tianjin, or northern Shaanxi."

What Fangyan currently has at his disposal are mainly the direct line troops led by Jiang Zilong and Tiening, as well as the Shaanxi troops led by Lu Yao, Mo Shen, Jia Pingwa and others. The rest are scattered and have not yet been formed into an army.

"Don't worry, take your time, and finish it before the end of the year."

Lu Yuanchi's face was full of smiles.

"Ah."

Dialects keep their eyes and ears open in all directions, just like top students who deliberately control their scores in exams, and they are also trying their best to control the situation on the field.

When you win and when you lose, when you win by luck and when you lose by cleverness, these are all experiences from the previous life. The game of cards is not about fighting, but about the ways of the world.

The atmosphere of the originally tense card game became more and more harmonious due to Fangyan's clever card feeding and winning.

"It's so enjoyable, this card game is so enjoyable!"

"As expected, playing bridge can help your brain rest."

"Come back another day, Yanzi, you must come next time!"

Everyone had a great time, talking and laughing.

"Yanzi, your "Love Life" has set off a climax of colloquial poetry. Poetry Magazine, Poetry Exploration, and many other journals are discussing this new style of poetry."

Yan Ming laughed and said, "People's Literature is also associated with 'positive energy'. I heard that this term was also thought up by you, right?"

"Is there such a thing?"

Fang Yan was stunned. He had been busy taking care of Shen Yanbing and paying attention to the transfer of "October" recently, and had no time to deal with this matter.

Yan Ming smiled and said, "Come and sit with me when you have time. I want to talk to you, the pioneer, about the new trends in spoken language."

"I will definitely go if I have the chance."

Just as Fang Yan watched him leave, He Xin's voice came from behind, "Yanzi, I think we should take care of our own work first and not get involved in poetry. The poetry world is very chaotic now." "Thank you for the reminder, I will pay attention."

"Our mid-length and long-length novel group is now considered a lagging unit in the entire editorial department. We must find ways to catch up, discover more writers, and be willing to be the supporting role, so that those writers can be the main characters."

"........."

While chatting with He Xin, Fang Yan gradually felt a little awkward.

Fortunately, at this time, Tian Zengxiang called him to taste the jade.

"Do you feel that the words are right, but when they come out of his mouth, it feels like something is wrong?"

"That's very accurate. Why do I feel like he's a different person? He's not like the He Xin I've known these days?"

"This is the real him. You'll know after spending some time with him." Tian Zengxiang reminded, "But you better think about it. He and Teacher Yan don't get along. If you go find Teacher Yan, maybe he..."

"Are they both in trouble?"

Fangyan raised his eyebrows.

"He Xin was in the poetry group before, but for some reason he was transferred to our group." Tian Zengxiang said with a smile, "According to He Xin, Teacher Yan is too arrogant, and the two of them have different ideas."

"Big airs? No way?"

"You don't believe it either, do you? In the entire editorial department, the most experienced person is Mr. Yan. He was the editor of Xinmin Daily before liberation, and he is also a senior in our literature and art group. I have known him for so many years, and I have never seen him act arrogantly."

"What's the reason?"

"According to gossip, Teacher Yan did not let him be the deputy leader of the poetry group. There was something unpleasant between the two of them, so I was transferred to our novel group..."

"Hindering others' progress?"

Fangyan suddenly understood.

"That's right. And it's not just Mr. Yan. You could also be a potential obstacle to him."

Tian Zengxiang lowered his voice.

"I?"

Fangyan was confused, but as he listened to Tian Zengxiang explain the publishing house's promotion system, he gradually gained a preliminary understanding.

Leaders like Zhang Zhonge and Yan Ming, who served as group leaders of the medium- and long-length novel group and the poetry and song art group, were equivalent to section-level cadres.

The next level up is the deputy director and director of the editorial office, which is equivalent to the department level.

Yan Ming also served as deputy director of the editorial office, while Zhang Zhonge and Zhang Shouren were at a higher level.

He was the deputy editor-in-chief of October magazine. He was in charge of two groups. Zhang Zhonge was the leader of medium-length and long novels and literary theory, and Zhang Shouren was the leader of short stories and essays. His status and voice in the entire journal were second only to the editor-in-chief Su Yu.

Although "October" has become independent from the literary and artistic group, it is still affiliated with Yenching Publishing House, so the deputy editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief are both at the county and department level.

Above these are the deputy editors-in-chief, editor-in-chief, president and other members of Yenching Publishing House, who are naturally at the department and bureau level.

"The position of deputy leader of the novel section is still vacant, and you are his number one rival."

Tian Zengxiang said quietly.

Fang Yan waved his hands. "How could it be me? I'm so young and I'm new here..."

"How is that impossible? You don't know how much effort our publishing house put into getting you."

Tian Zengxiang laughed and said, "When they were trying to recruit you, it wasn't just October. Fiction Quarterly, National Literature, and even People's Literature all wanted to recruit you as an editor."

Fang Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "That's impossible. I have so little experience. You are more qualified than me to be the deputy team leader."

"I am not interested in being a team leader or deputy team leader. I should not interfere in other people's affairs if I am not in their position."

Tian Zengxiang said: "As for me, I just want to do my job well and spend my limited time on jade."

Isn’t this Sun Liancheng who has the universe in his heart?

Fangyan smacked his lips and said, "Why don't you just call me Jade-faced Golden Buddha Tian Zengxiang? That makes me more Buddhist, right?"
"So the deputy team leader will be chosen from you and He Xin. Compared to him, I would rather have you be the deputy team leader."

Tian Zengxiang patted his shoulder.

Fang Yan asked, "You are not optimistic about me because of the jade, right?"

Tian Zengxiang said with a smile: "That's the reason. If it weren't for the fact that you and I are in the same boat, and I've observed you over the past few days, I've found that you're sincere and reliable, and I can get along with you!"

"Otherwise, I won't tell anyone about these things."

"You are such a nice person, thank you so much."

Fangyan was a little amused and confused. Such a small group of medium and long-length novels actually contained these two talented people.

And wouldn’t I have become a copy of Yu Zecheng? Then is He Xin the ruthless Li Ya, or the clumsy Ma Kui?
　This clearly states Fangyan's future career advancement path, without any complicated workplace struggles.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)