The literary era since 1979

Chapter 93 Crane Sings in the Sky
Fangyan originally thought that Lu Yao, Jia Pingwa and others had exaggerated the sensation caused by "The Great Qin Splitting" in northern Shaanxi.

But after the second part was published, I realized that what they said was too conservative and the reality was far more exaggerated than I had imagined.

Not to mention the endless reports in newspapers and periodicals such as "Yanhe", "Chang'an" and "Culture and Art News", in Yanchuan alone, there was a long queue in front of the only bookstore in the county. The second issue of "People's Literature" was sold out on the same day and was temporarily out of stock through official channels.

Unexpectedly, it appeared in the black market.

There is even a handwritten version of the two parts.

It was not until the 90s that China joined the "World Copyright Convention". At that time, there was generally no concept or awareness of "copyright".

In addition, libraries at all levels, including Yanchuan, have basically established a new rule that the first and second issues of "People's Literature" are prohibited from being loaned out and are only allowed to be read in the library.

"The Great Qin Splitting" has become extremely popular in northern Shaanxi.

He didn't know who leaked the news that he was staying in Yanchuan Guesthouse, but soon, not only old friends like Chen Zhongshi and Jia Pingwa came to see him, but also a large number of young literary people and writers came to see him.

More and more people came, which affected the revision of "Life". Eventually, Fang Yan and Lu Yao were forced to move to Lu Yao's house.

"Yanzi, come quickly! The manuscript has been revised!"

In the room, Lu Yao shouted excitedly.

Fang Yan came over upon hearing the sound. As soon as he opened the door, a thick smell of cigarettes hit him in the face, choking him so much that he couldn't help coughing.
"Ahem, how many cigarettes did you smoke?"

"Can't remember."

Lu Yao said he consumes at least two or three boxes a day.

"Good fellow, let me do the math for you."

Fangyan picked up the empty shell of Yunyan, "Even if you smoke cheap Friendship cigarettes, it's still a big expense if you smoke like this. But you still smoke Yunyan. At least you can downgrade a little and go back to the old Baocheng. At least you can live within your means."

"Yunyan, I also smoke occasionally."

Lu Yao said that he was not trying to show off, nor was it a physiological need, but a psychological need when creating.

"If you save the money from cigarettes, you can buy some milk and eggs to supplement the nutrition for yourself, your sister-in-law and your niece."

Fangyan shook his head.

"You don't know me. I don't care what I eat."

Lu Yao said: "Haha, I'm particular about smoking."

"You can't do that. You're trying too hard."

Fangyan reminded with concern.

Lu Yao was a heavy smoker and often did not take a rest. He was like an old ox, working the fields day and night. Each time he wrote, it would take him the entire night. It was because of such high-intensity investment that he finished the manuscript in just three nights.

"I have to fight."

Lu Yao had dark circles under his eyes. "Like you said, Life is likely to be a turning point in my literary career, and also a turning point in the fate of my entire family. Your sister-in-law is transferring to another job, and our family of three may all depend on it. I must go all out."

He said in a firm tone: "Even if it costs me my life!"

"You should also take care of your health. Lie down on the bed and rest for a while." Fang Yan patted his shoulder. "Let me take a look at the manuscript."

"You take a look first. Only when everything is OK can I feel at ease."

Lu Yao said: "Otherwise, how can I sleep?"

Fangyan met his gaze and read the book from beginning to end. It was almost the same as the "Life" he read in his previous life. In fact, under his own stimulation, he wrote it more brilliantly and with more emotion.

"I can't find any fault with this manuscript."

"Hearing you say that, I feel half relieved."

"What about the other half?"

"The other half is at the Baiyun Mountain Taoist Temple."

Lu Yao invited him to draw a lot at Baiyun Mountain Taoist Temple.

"The Baiyun Mountain Taoist Temple is in Yulin, which is far away from here!"

Fangyan was stunned. Does literary creation involve divination?

How about throwing the Holy Grail in front of Lord Guan?
"Don't laugh at me, brother, for being superstitious."

Lu Yao smiled bitterly. He didn't ask for a fortune or a divination. He was still worried and couldn't let go. He just wanted to ask for peace.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Fang Yan couldn't help but laugh and said, "What about my sister-in-law..."

"Don't tell her yet."

Lu Yao decided to tell others if he drew a good lot, and if he drew a bad lot, it meant that the lot in this Taoist temple was not effective.

………The Taoist temple on Baiyun Mountain is nestled in the mountains and beside the water, surrounded by clouds and mist.

There are towering pines and cypresses, and many temples. There is a four-pillar, three-door, and seven-story archway. The three big characters "Baiyun Mountain" carved on the gate were an imperial decree from Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, and the mountain got its name because of its effectiveness in fortune-telling.

Not long after, Jiaxian locals Li Youyuan and Li Zengzheng combined folk songs from northern Shaanxi to create a song here:

"The East is Red".

Lu Yao had also heard about this, so he wanted to draw a lot for his own fate and the outcome after the publication of "Life".

"Yanzi, what are you smoking?"

"Su Dongpo travels on the river."

Fangyan smacked his lips and said, "I don't know why."

"Are you looking for a career?" Lu Yao asked.

Fang Yan laughed and said, "That's right. The Great Qin Splitting has caused a huge uproar. I want to pray for good luck and peace of mind for myself."

"I thought you would seek marriage at your age."

Lu Yao joked.

"I can't help it. I'm just like you. I want to improve so badly."

The dialect is used in a joking tone to ridicule.

"That's right, for a man your age, progress is the most important thing! Women will only affect the speed of your creation!"

Lu Yao glanced at his signature and smiled even more brightly.

The fortune I drew was "Crane Singing in the Sky", a very good fortune.

Of course, Fangyan’s draw was not bad either, it was also a very good one.

Listening to the Taoist interpretation for him, "You will be a mighty hero, and you will be lucky. When a deer walks, a horse will appear. You will meet a noble person and be blessed with many joys."

"A majestic appearance shows the true qualities of a hero."

"Good luck, everything goes well..."

"'Meet the noble and be filled with joy' means that when you meet a noble person, the clouds and fog will naturally clear, and joy will come one after another, all the way to the ninth heaven."

"Yako, your lottery ticket sounds better than mine!"

Lu Yao said: "Especially 'Su Dongpo Traveling on the River'. Su Shi was a great writer of his generation. Maybe you will become a great writer in the future too."

"Haha, let me lend you some good words."

Both of them drew the best lot and were very happy.

When walking to a hilltop, Lu Yao suddenly pointed down the hill and said, "I used to herd sheep in northern Shaanxi wearing a ragged cotton jacket. Now I am going to turn the tide here. Do you believe it?"

"I believe."

Fangyan put his hands on his hips and smiled.

"Yanzi, I have something to say. It may not sound nice, but I still want to say it." Lu Yao said, "Your "The Great Qin Splitting" has caused such a sensation in northern Shaanxi and across the country. I am really envious. Can you guess what I am thinking?"

He asked himself and answered: "After Life, I also want to write a long novel, a novel that can rival or even surpass The Great Qin Splitting, and shock the whole of northern Shaanxi and the whole of China!"

"I believe you can do it."

Fangyan patted his shoulder.

Isn’t that what “Ordinary World” is all about?

"Thank you. Because of you, I have never wanted to surpass someone so much. You are simply the driving force for my progress."

Lu Yao grabbed the hand that patted his shoulder and shook it hard.

"Then let us make progress together in literature!"

"That's right, let's learn from each other in a friendly way and make progress together!"

"But let me be clear, your work, which is comparable to The Great Qin Splitting, must be handed over to me."

Fangyan blinked playfully.

"Needless to say, given our friendship!"

Lu Yao laughed out loud, and Fang Yan also laughed.

"Ordinary World" is now in my hands.

　After Lu Yao finished writing "Life", he took the manuscript to the Taoist Temple in Baiyun Mountain to have his fortune told, and this was the fortune he got.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)