Lanting prelude

Chapter 71 Postscript Can Be Humble As Dust, Not Distorted Like Maggots

Writing novels was a dream of mine in my teenage years, and I'm well past my age when that dream comes true today.

The span in between is 30 years.

A person's life is only a few 30 years. It can be seen that this dream of mine is really a bit long.

During this long period of time, I actually wrote a lot of novels, but they all lay in drawers or in computer files, and have never seen the light of day.The reason for this is that I have almost strict requirements on myself, and I always feel that they are not enough.Now, I have finally published this novel, which at least shows that it is a passing product in my own mind.

People don’t finish their first novel until they are middle-aged. On the downside, it may lack the unrestrained imagination and unrestrained passion unique to young people, but on the upside, it can mobilize half a lifetime of thought accumulation, knowledge accumulation and Writing Skills.From another perspective, I can say that I have been preparing for this novel for 30 years.Such "accumulation and thin hair", such 30 years of sharpening a sword, must be in line with the so-called "artisan spirit" that is popular today, right?

Of course, when I say this, I don’t mean that I started drafting or collecting information for this novel 30 years ago, but that I have prepared for myself the ability and “dry goods” in all aspects required to master this novel , so that I am qualified for this work, so as to be worthy of thousands of readers.

"Lanting Preface" is a historical and cultural suspense novel.Careful readers should be able to see that its benchmark work is the famous "Da Vinci Code" that was all the rage back then.To this day, I still remember the amazing feeling when I read this novel - such a profound, complex and astonishing secret is hidden behind a painting, the author has such a big brain!
Although we all know that all the secrets and conspiracies are told by Dan Brown, they just tell you to convince you and make you suspect that those things are real history.In all fairness, the story of "The Da Vinci Code" is not particularly good-looking, the plot is somewhat routine, and the characters are somewhat facial, but the flaws are not concealed——Dan Brown’s contribution to Western history, culture, religion, especially art history and semiotics His knowledge and accomplishments, as well as his ability to embed fictional conspiracy theories into historical gaps, are enough to make people overwhelmed and amazed.

As a milestone work of historical and cultural suspense novels, "The Da Vinci Code" will definitely have different degrees of inspiration and influence on all subsequent novels of the same type, and my book is naturally no exception.Although I did not consciously imitate "The Da Vinci Code" when I conceived and created "Lanting Preface", but due to the consistency of the two types and its subtle influence on me, my work must be There will be no shadow of it, and its smell.To paraphrase the comment of Mr. Bao Muxiao, a Niu × reader on Douban, he said that my work can be regarded as a "Chinese reflection" of "The Da Vinci Code".I think this evaluation is quite fair.

Readers who know me well know that my previous creations focused on popular history and traditional culture, and the corresponding main work results are the seven-volume "Bloody Tang Dynasty" and "Wang Yangming's Psychology".With these necessary precipitation and accumulation, there is this novel presented to everyone.To borrow Mr. Bao Muxiao's words again, it is: "The author, Mr. Wang Jueren, has another identity besides the profession of writer and screenwriter as a researcher of traditional culture. His "Wang Yangming's Mind Study" has a deep academic foundation. "The Bloody Tang Dynasty" can be regarded as laying a solid foundation for the writing of "Lanting Preface." "Wang Jueren's description of the official system, clothing, etiquette, customs, architecture, music and other aspects of the Tang Dynasty is very solid." Although these evaluations are somewhat overrated, I am ashamed to take them, but at least they outline the general context of my study and writing over the years, and also reveal a fact from the perspective of a bystander-my creation of "Lanting Preface" is indeed a "Coming prepared".

The Buddha said that everything in the world is born from the harmony of many conditions. Now let's talk about the origin of this book.

The topic and idea of ​​this novel originated from a chat on QQ with an editor friend I have known for many years two years ago.At that time, for some reason, while chatting, we came across Wang Xizhi’s famous post “Orchid Pavilion Preface”. A friend suggested: “Can you use this classic cultural symbol as a button to write a good-looking historical suspense novel?”

I immediately had a flash of inspiration: Yes, why not?
As we all know, Tang Taizong Li Shimin is Wang Xizhi's "bone powder". Wang Xizhi's reputation and status in the history of Chinese calligraphy is largely the result of Li Shimin's efforts to promote it. So I thought at the time: If the real reason for Li Shimin's praise of Wang Xizhi is It's not just that I like his calligraphy, but there is some ulterior motive hidden deep in it. Wouldn't it be fun to find out (make up) this motive in a novel?
So, we hit it off and the project started.

After that, I plunged into the pile of old papers, collected all the materials I could find about "Lanting Preface" and Wang Xizhi, and spent almost a year digesting the historical materials and completing the conception.During this process, I have experienced more than once the pleasure of "articles are made by nature, and you can get them by chance"-my fictional mysterious organization Tianxingmeng and its corresponding conspiracy theories can be compared with many things that actually happened in history. It snaps on perfectly, which is amazing!
Whether it is the essence of the Lanting Club, the inside story of the Battle of Feishui, or the entanglement between Li Shimin and the "Lanting Preface", and the imaginative poems in the "Lanting Collection", all are excellent materials for weaving conspiracy theories.These inconspicuous things that were originally scattered in the pile of old papers are like soldiers and horses hidden in the dark corners of history. As long as I shoulder the big banner of the Tianxing League, they will swarm to attach and gather under my command. I commanded and dispatched, and worked together to complete a wonderful "killing game".Because too many historical details coincided with my fictions, even I was in a daze later: Is all this my fabrication, or is it true in history?
When I successfully "fooled" myself with the above conspiracy theory, I thought it should also be able to "fool" some readers.

Getting the idea done is only half the battle.When I started writing next, I realized that my original knowledge accumulation was far from enough.Although I have written the nearly 300-year history of the Tang Dynasty, and I am fairly familiar with the Tang Dynasty’s laws and regulations, major events and historical figures, but these alone are not enough to build a realistic novel world.An excellent historical novel should not only achieve the ingenious combination of history and fiction, but also make the characters' speech and behavior, basic necessities of life, food, drink, and casual activities fit the times they live in as much as possible.In short, the plot is fictitious, but the details must strive to be true.

I personally don't like some costume dramas that are currently on the air. One of the reasons is that there are too many flaws in the details, which is horrible.Give a few examples that everyone is familiar with.Domestic costume dramas, whether they are called historical dramas or ancient puppet romance dramas, and no matter which dynasty the story takes place in, everyone spends "money" when they go out. This is actually a low-level mistake.Silver as a currency in circulation only existed after the Ming Dynasty.Prior to this, the main currency was copper coins.For example, in the Tang Dynasty, copper coins were used for small consumption, and "cloth and silk" were used for large consumption.If it is due to the needs of film and television presentation and it is inconvenient for characters to pull a cart of cloth to go shopping, then gold can be used instead in large transactions (this book uses "gold ingots" as a substitute).In addition, in most current historical novels and costume dramas, officials, big or small, are called "adults", which is also embarrassing.Calling officials "adults" was actually a matter after the Song and Ming Dynasties, but in the Tang Dynasty, officials were called by their titles or titles, such as the prime minister as "Xianggong" or "Gelao", and the six officials as "Shangshu". ""Shilang" refers to the governor as "Emissary", the county magistrate as "Mingfu", the county captain as "Shaofu", and so on.In addition, the title "eunuch" was only found in the Ming Dynasty, but it was also abused by many people.Before the Ming Dynasty, its correct title was "eunuch", and it could be called "internal envoy" in dialogue.In other aspects, it is also very common for characters to utter poems or common sayings unique to later generations.

There are many similar issues, and due to space limitations, I will not repeat them one by one.

Of course, we can only do our best to be true to the details, and it is impossible to be perfect.Some undocumented things or things that seriously violate the cognitive habits of contemporary people can only be ignored or made mistakes.Let me give you an example: In the Tang Dynasty, children usually called their father "Aye", but this word is really inconsistent with today's readers, so I have thought twice, and I still respect the habits of readers, and use "Daddy" in this book. " or "father".

I conceived this novel for a year, and wrote it for another year. A considerable part of the time was spent on the research and examination of various folk customs and details of life in the Tang Dynasty.Sometimes a detail is off and I spend hours figuring it out.Although I have tried my best, there must still be many fallacies and omissions in my work, and I implore readers to correct me.

Finally, I would like to talk about Xiao Junmo, the protagonist of this book.

Some people say that the protagonist described by the novelist is often the embodiment of the author.I wholeheartedly agree with this.Therefore, no matter intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or unconsciously, there must be a shadow of myself in Xiao Junmo.Although I am not as perfect as him, he ultimately entrusts my disposition, likes and dislikes, and carries my three views and feelings.Readers who have finished reading this book will find that the Xiao Junmo I have shaped has not only the spirit of Confucianism to help the people, but also the compassion of Buddhism to save all living beings, and the thought of Taoism that is indifferent to fame and fortune. It can be said to be a typical Chinese. Ideal personality in cultural context.The darkness, injustice, conspiracy, and suffering that Xiao Junmo encountered in the novel are all my worries about this world; and Xiao Junmo's responsibility for the mission, the warmth and devotion to the loved ones, the indomitable struggle against the dark forces, and The relentless pursuit of peace, justice and political clarity are my expectations and hopes for myself and the world.

Xiao Junmo lived in an era more than 1000 years ago, but in a sense, our world is not much better than his world.The sun still rises every day, but there are still many corners in the world where the sun does not shine; civilization and technology have greatly improved, but human nature has not become better; we have much more material wealth than before, but not necessarily Live safer, happier and more dignified than the ancients...

In order to survive, Xiao Junmo has made great efforts, but what he pursues is not just survival, but many meanings and values ​​that are much higher than survival.

So, besides survival, what are we pursuing, and what should we pursue?

As I wrote this, I suddenly remembered a passage from a media person: "If the sky is dark, then survive in the dark; if it is dangerous to make a sound, then keep silent; if you feel powerless to shine, then crouch down But don’t justify the darkness when you’re used to the darkness, and don’t be proud of yourself, let alone ridicule those who are braver than you. We can be as humble as dust, but not twisted like maggots.”

In the turbulent torrent of history, Xiao Junmo, who fought all the way, was humble after all, just like you and me; but even if he was knocked down in the dust again and again, he never allowed himself to become a "distorted maggot".

I hope Xiao Junmo's story can give you strength.

I hope that this "sword" that I have honed over the past 30 years can help you move forward in this restless world with hope in mind.

Wang Jueren

December 2017, 12 in Zhangzhou, Fujian
(End of this chapter)