Era: Starting from Modu Translation Studio

This early in the morning, before Li Ruocheng had finished his first cup of tea, he received an uninvited guest.

Originally, he was still talking politely to the other party, but he never thought that the other party's words would make him confused.

If I had known that Gone with the Wind was a reactionary novel, Chief Editor Wu frowned and said, Let alone our chief editor, even I would never have come.

Reactionary novel? Li Ruocheng vaguely remembered Wei Yuanxing's smiling face: Your editor-in-chief has not read the content of Gone with the Wind?

I don't know if he has seen it, Editor Wu said with a bitter face:

But now the leaders above must have seen it, and they have made serious criticisms of Gone with the Wind.

Li Ruocheng nodded slowly: I already know what happened in the Liberation Daily not long ago.

Not long ago? Editor Wu smiled bitterly: Why do you think I came here so early in the morning?

I don't know where to go.

Take a look at this. After saying that, Editor Wu handed over another copy of Liberation Daily.

[Although this novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature, it was written purely from the perspective of southern slave owners.

Boasting about life in the antebellum South from the standpoint of a slave owner, and showing endless sympathy for the fallen slave owners.

It has become the pinnacle and model of beautifying slavery, and is a representative work of out-and-out reactionary overturning literature...]

Li Ruocheng's eyes scanned the lines of type in surprise, and then looked at the current day in the newspaper: This? Today's newspaper?

It just came out this morning, Editor Wu's eyes were filled with panic: In just a few days, two newspapers have published three articles criticizing it in a row. I don't know what will happen next!

Alas, Li Ruocheng pressed his forehead and said, How could it develop like this?

How come it didn't develop like this, Editor Wu asked rhetorically: Gone with the Wind is originally a reactionary novel. Of course the organization will criticize it when they see it.

After feeling that there was something in the other person's words, Li Ruocheng withdrew his eyes from reading the newspaper: Actually, what the Liberation Daily said was right, Gone with the Wind is indeed such a novel.

Seeing that Li Ruocheng had admitted it, Editor Wu's voice became louder: I mean, it would be great if you admitted it earlier!

Li Ruocheng put down the newspaper and looked at him strangely.

For a moment, he was a little confused: What should I admit earlier?

I admit that Gone with the Wind is a reactionary novel, Editor Wu said excitedly:

If you had explained the situation earlier, our newspaper would not have published the serialization of this novel. If it had not been serialized, we would not be in this embarrassing situation now.

You were the ones who insisted on publishing this novel in vain. Today's Li Ruocheng is not the Li Ruocheng who was speechless when he was so angry:

I couldn't stop you. I stopped you, and your editor-in-chief came to beg you again. I agreed to you because I really had no choice. What? Now you blame me?

Editor-in-chief Wu did not back down and said: That's because we only saw the sales volume of Gone with the Wind and did not understand the essence of Gone with the Wind. If...

Don't tell me this, Li Ruocheng waved his hand and said, I am just the translator of this book, not the author. Then the Liberation Daily criticized the novel, not the translation.

Li Ruocheng brought out all Jiang Shan's rhetoric.

Don't tell me this either, Editor Wu said unwillingly:

“When our newspaper came to ask for publication of this book sincerely, gifts were given and the manuscript fee was paid.

Now there are two mainstream newspapers criticizing Gone with the Wind by name. Not only will our Pujiang Daily be unable to continue serializing the novels of Gone with the Wind in the future.

You must also always be prepared to accept criticism from your superiors... You must give us an explanation for these losses.

Having said this, Li Ruocheng finally figured out the purpose of the other party's arrival so early in the morning.

An explanation? Li Ruocheng said amusedly, What explanation?

Of course it's the rejection fee, Editor-in-Chief Wu said forcefully: We, Editor-in-Chief Wei, have said that other losses will not be ignored for the time being, but you must return this manuscript fee to the newspaper.

What?

After so many years of working as a translator, this is the first time Li Ruocheng has encountered such a thing: You want me to refund the royalties to you...

Before he finished speaking, Li Huaiying, who had been staying in the back room, rushed out: Comrade, are you still being unreasonable?

Why are we being unreasonable? We paid the royalties because the novel you translated was published. Now that the novel cannot be published, the royalties will naturally be returned.

It's true that you paid the royalties, Li Huaiying argued rationally:

That's because you have the right to publish Gone with the Wind. As far as I know, your newspaper has also increased its circulation because of Gone with the Wind. Why didn't you come over at that time? Now that there is a problem, you have come over.

Aunt like you is still unreasonable.

Am I right?

Haha, it seems that you, like Gone with the Wind, have all been corrupted by money. You don't even want to spare the money of us working people.

I don't like what you young man says anymore, Jiang Ma hurriedly walked out of the kitchen: Mr. Li worked hard day and night to translate the novel. Isn't he a working people?

Where did this aunt like you come from? Editor Wu pushed up the glasses on his nose: How come he became a working people as soon as he picked up a pen?

Say one thousand, say ten thousand, Li Huaiying, who was already standing in a row with Jiang Ma, said firmly: We will not refund even one cent of this royalties.

You have nothing to say to me, Editor Wu, who was looking at Li Ruocheng for a moment, said:

Mr. Li, you haven't been in the translation industry for more than a year or two, and you don't want to give others any excuses because of this incident, right?

What other people? Li Huaiying said angrily: Who else would be so unreasonable besides you.

We are all intellectuals, Chief Editor Wu said seriously: You cannot gain or lose for personal gain, which affects the collective interests of our unit.

Li Huaiying: You are so embarrassed...

Okay, Li Ruocheng glared at his wife, and then said slowly: Don't say anything, and return the royalties to him.

But……

Give it back to him, Li Ruocheng said forcefully, That's how it will be done!

What I want to say is that my family doesn't have that much money, Li Huaiying told the truth: Who can put so much money every day? They have already deposited it in the bank.

What do you think... Editor Wu didn't say the word cheat, but his expression was already on his face: Oh, if it's really difficult, I can come back in two days.

No,

Suddenly, the door of the room next to him was pushed open, and Jiang Shanding, who had been staying in the room, walked out with messy hair.

Without saying anything, he picked up the Jiefang Daily that he had put aside.

Gone Fever and Rooted Fever, as soon as Jiang Shan saw this title, he immediately understood it.

Two articles that were originally supposed to appear in the Jiefang Daily in January 1980 appeared now.

Editor Wu stared blankly at Jiang Shan who suddenly appeared. They were colleagues in the same unit. Of course both parties knew each other.

Why is it you? he asked in surprise.

That's me. Jiang Shan, who had just woken up, said without a smile on his face: Uncle Li's royalties will be refunded to you immediately, but your company must issue a voucher.

What certificate?

Since the royalties have been refunded to you, Pujiang Daily will no longer be able to publish the novel Gone with the Wind translated by Uncle Li in the future.

That's for sure!

It's empty talk. Write this down and stamp it, and we will refund the money immediately.

Do you still want to get a stamp?

The faster you do it, the faster you can get the money, Jiang Shan smiled a little now: You don't want to bother with this anymore!

Okay, Chief Editor Wu said, getting annoyed whenever this matter was mentioned recently, I'll go back and issue the voucher right away.

After watching Editor Wu's figure gradually disappear, Li Ruocheng said slowly: Don't worry, third brother, I will ask your Aunt Li to withdraw the money in a moment.

That's right, Li Huaiying quickly took off his apron: I'll go to the bank right away.

Don't be busy, Aunt Li, it's okay. Jiang Shan smoothed his hair with his hands: Your uncle's royalties were paid by our newspaper society.

As soon as Jiang Shan said these words, everyone present was stunned.

How can that be done? How can I let you come out? Li Ruocheng glared: It's not like I don't have the money.

Don't worry, Uncle Li, Jiang Shan said with a smile: Our newspaper will not pay you this manuscript fee in vain.

What do you mean? You don't mean to say that Oriental Metropolis Daily will publish a serialization of the novel Gone with the Wind?

Jiang Shan smiled and nodded: That's right!

That's bullshit. Li Ruocheng waved his hand: How long has it been? Now even if you are willing, I won't agree.

What Editor Wu said is indeed true. In just a few days, Jiefang Daily actually published two articles criticizing Gone with the Wind.

I don’t know how it will develop next!

Li Ruocheng would never let Oriental Metropolis Daily take risks for his own royalties.

Don't worry, Uncle Li, Jiang Shan's smile was still bright: I will not joke about public affairs, and the serialization time of Gone with the Wind is not now.

Jiang Shan calculated the cooling time of Gone with the Wind: It is estimated that after the serialization of The Legend of the Condor Heroes ends, it will be almost time for Gone with the Wind to come on stage.

By then, no one will dare to block the limelight of Gone with the Wind.

After all, the one who speaks for it is the one who calls spring!

Jiang Shan's unhurried speaking attitude and the relaxed smile on his face made the three old people present feel at ease.

You're sure you'll be fine after a while, Li Ruocheng confirmed again: Third brother, I'm telling you, you can publish whatever you want in my Gone with the Wind, but you don't have to pay the royalties. You'll get paid by yourself.

The old man is right, Li Huaiying also said with a serious face: Who among our two families is following the other.

After staying up all night, Jiang Shan yawned and said, It's not my money you're taking. If you don't make money from the newspaper, you won't make it in vain.

Is this...appropriate?

Uncle Li, listen to me, Jiang Shan began to present the facts: Since Pujiang Daily serialized Gone with the Wind, the circulation has been rising sharply.

What you mean...Gone with the Wind is still good?

“It’s quite good!”

Okay, Li Ruocheng nodded and said, As long as it's helpful to your newspaper, I'll do whatever you want.

Just when Li Ruocheng accepted Jiang Shan's suggestion, Editor-in-Chief Wei of Pujiang Daily also accepted Jiang Shan's suggestion.

joke,

After listening to Editor Wu's report, Wei Yuanxing laughed and said, What? Are they still worried that we will publish Gone with the Wind again?

Editor Wu said: I guess he said it out of anger, otherwise the translator would be so shameless, and it would be returned after all.

Childish, Wei Yuanxing shook his head: Now this form shows that the higher-ups are beginning to renovate Gone with the Wind, and only fools would serialize it.

In that case, how about we write a voucher to him?

No problem, you write it and I'll stamp it. Let's get this over with! Wei Yuanxing said sternly, I don't want to hear anything about Gone with the Wind anymore.

Then... what about the gifts I gave to the old translator before? Do you need me to get them back?

Forget it, let's not argue with him about those things, so as not to say we are stingy.

I have to say that you, the editor-in-chief, have the most trouble, Editor-in-Chief Wu said angrily: This Gone with the Wind has caused us so much trouble. When the serialization stops tomorrow, we don't know how much opinions it will arouse from readers!

If you didn't mention it, I would have forgotten about it. Wei Yuanxing had already thought of a countermeasure: Tomorrow we will reprint the two articles from the Liberation Daily. I think half of the readers will shut up...

Okay, I'll make the arrangements right away, Chief Editor Wu nodded and said, Fortunately, we still have The Future of PHS to support us.

Yeah, it's better to worry about science fiction. It won't be related to reaction.

…

Just when Jiang Shan accidentally got the serialization qualification of Gone with the Wind, Jiang Hai also reached an agreement with the publisher about the publication of Up and Down Five Thousand Years.

Sure enough, as Lao San expected, when Section Chief Xiao of the publishing department heard Jiang Hai's suggestion, he immediately agreed.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to help you promote books every day?

If this is converted into advertising fees, it is not a small sum.

As for the royalties of the two authors of Up and Down Five Thousand Years, it naturally becomes the publisher's business.

One morning a few days later, the wind was warm and the sun was beautiful.

The Culture Department and Propaganda Department of Pujiang City also received an instruction: to cooperate in promoting Dunhuang, one of the first batch of tourist cities in the country to open to the outside world.

Soon, both departments held a meeting to this end.

Not long after, the phone in Chief Editor Jiang's office rang.

Is it Comrade Jiang Hai, Director Zhang of the Propaganda Department asked on the phone, I remember that your Oriental Metropolis Daily published several articles about Dunhuang murals, right?

... Jiang Hai didn't react for a moment: I have published a few articles.

Very good, Director Zhang said with a smile, your newspaper office is doing very well.

This is what we should do.

In this case, you should continue your efforts and be sure to publish a few more reports about Dunhuang within this period of time.

Okay, I promise to complete the task.

After saying that, Jiang Hai lowered his head and glanced at several reports about Flowers on the Silk Road that Lao San had just sent.

At the same time, Yan Dingxian, the director of Pujiang Meiying Factory, also received a call from the Ministry of Culture.

After putting down the phone, he was stunned for a long time before slowly saying to Wang Chang beside him: Director Wang, let me prepare in advance.

Which old man? Wang Xiang didn't understand for a moment: Qian Jiajun?

Yes, Yan Ding nodded and said, Tell him that his wish before retirement may come true.

Why, the superiors have agreed to allocate funds to the 'Nine-Colored Deer'.

The Ministry of Culture just called. They take the report of 'Nine-Colored Deer' in Oriental Metropolis Daily very seriously...