1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 25 A Storm of Heresy
Zhang Dening took the manuscript and looked embarrassed.

"Jiang Xian, why don't you go back and rest first? It won't be too late to discuss this manuscript in the office tomorrow."

These days, work style issues are a big problem.

Even in broad daylight, single men and women in a room must keep the door open.

It was now late at night. If Jiang Xian was allowed to enter her room, he would be known as a "slut" and a "cheater".

"Teacher Dening, I won't disturb your rest." Jiang Xian said goodbye tactfully.

Zhang Dening lay back on the bed, wrapped in the quilt. His sweet dream was disturbed and he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep again.

My thoughts were complicated and erratic, and finally they fell on Jiang Xian's creative talk, and my heart felt itchy as if it was scratched by a cat.

What kind of creative talk did he write in such a short period of time?
I simply sat up with my clothes on, turned on the desk lamp, picked up the manuscript, and read it carefully line by line.

The capital city of Beijing had already been covered by cold waves and cold air in winter. The radiator in the guesthouse was not hot enough, and the room was like an ice cellar, making people shiver with cold.

Zhang Dening's teeth were chattering uncontrollably, but his eyes seemed to be staring into the manuscript paper.

She had always recognized Jiang Xian's abilities, but she didn't expect that she still underestimated him.

"Beijing Literature and Art" publishes several creative talks in almost every issue for communication and sharing. Zhang Dening has also personally guided and revised a large number of authors' creative talks, but none of them are as refreshing and interesting as Jiang Xian's.

For example, when talking about the original intention of creation, most writers will write: I write because I love literature.

But Jiang Xian is different. He wrote directly: "I write with a vulgar idea, that is, to earn some royalties and buy cigarettes."

This may seem self-deprecating and absurd, but if you read and savor it carefully, you will find that it is extremely meaningful in reality. While it attracts the eye, it can also easily reach the heart of the reader.

In slang terms, it means: down to earth.

He did not regard writing as a highbrow art, but instead plunged his feet into the real world, creating an image of a very down-to-earth writer.

This is very smart!
In China, writers who are down-to-earth are good writers that the people love to read!
Zhang Dening yawned, feeling sleepy and the night seemed so long.

She can't wait to share this creative talk with more editors for reading!

The next morning, in the small editorial office, Zhou Yanru was startled when she saw Zhang Dening just entering the room.

"De Ning, are you sick? Why do you look so haggard?"

"No, no, it was Jiang Xian who tormented me last night."

"What?!" Zhou Yan stood there in a daze as if struck by lightning.

Zhang Dening yawned.

"Teacher Zhou, this is the creative writing guide Jiang Xian handed to me last night. Please take a look."

"I see." Zhou Yanru calmly took a sip of water. "How do you think it is?"

"very good!"

very good?

Creative writing is nothing more than life experiences and thoughts and insights. How well can it be written?

Zhou Yanru was a little skeptical, so she took the manuscript from her hand, bent over the table, and read it carefully.

During this time, the security guard downstairs brought up another sack of letters, all of which were addressed to the author and editorial department of "Chess King". Zhang Dening sat across the table, browsing through several newly delivered daily magazines, and was surprised to find that there were several more critical articles and reviews of "Chess King" published.

The most interesting part is an interview with Zang Guozhu, the prototype of the "King of Chess". He has now been transferred to the Beijing Chess Academy to serve as a coach.

[Jiang Xian and I met at the construction site in Qiansanmen. He told me that he was writing novels. I thought it was just a hobby, but I didn't expect that he would become famous with his writing.

I'm not sure if the prototype is me, but when I think back now, many of the words in the article are what I have said to him.

I am not a chess master. Twelve years ago, I led my troops south, but encountered a "ghost wall". Two years ago, I regrouped, but encountered that natural disaster again. I was lucky to be alive. Now I am willing but unable to play chess.

I am better at chess than Jiang Xian, but my comprehension is not as good as his. For the rest of my life, I have never understood the truth that “the only way to relieve worries is through chess”.]
The 4,000-word talk on creation is not long, and Zhou Yanru took ten minutes to finish reading it.

She put the manuscript back on the table, and the noise startled Zhang Dening who was sitting opposite her.

Zhang Dening's eyes were full of anticipation. "Teacher Zhou, have you finished reading it?"

"how?"

“Very strange.”

Zhou Yanru used this phrase to express her feelings after reading the book, "If this creative talk about 'His life is like floating, his death is like resting' is published, it will attract more readers to pay attention to and love the author Jiang Xian!"

Zhang Dening nodded in agreement. "I have one more thing I want to discuss with you. Let's commission articles from Jiang Xian for Beijing Literature and Art at the standard of 7 yuan per thousand words for famous writers. He is simply obsessed with money!"

“This is what a writer in his purest form should be like.”

Zhou Yanru smiled and told an interesting story: "Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Lu Xun met a very demanding bookstore. The manuscript fee must be calculated according to the actual number of words, and punctuation marks are ignored. When Lu Xun wrote and translated books, he deliberately did not add any punctuation marks or divide them into paragraphs. Every sheet of manuscript paper was densely packed with words and filled with black text.

There is also Mr. Lin Yutang, who is always criticized for submitting the same manuscript to two different journals. For the same content, he would write one in Chinese and one in English and receive two royalties.

Poverty leads to work. Zhang Ailing said: "I like money because I have experienced the pain of being poor." Writing is something that will make you hungry. Without material security, how can you do art? Xiao Jiang Na"

Having said this, Zhou Yanru paused.

She had not been in contact with Jiang Xian for too long, so she could not say that he would be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lu Xun, Lin Yutang, and Zhang Ailing, but at least she could see the potential in him to approach and get closer to these people.

There was no need to revise the creative talk word by word. Jiang Xian simply revised it and published it in the 12th issue of "Beijing Literature and Art" published on December 10, and received a fee of 12 yuan.

This creative talk, "Jiang Xian: Some words written after 'The Chess King'", accurately touched the hearts of readers. Once it was published, it aroused cheers, quickly gained the enthusiastic pursuit of readers, and caused a great response.

The sales of the 12th issue of "Beijing Literature and Art" have skyrocketed. Although the growth rate is not as encouraging as the previous issue, it is not much worse.

The secular voices that resonated with Jiang Xian occupied the top of public opinion.

But it also attracted criticism from some critics, who denounced Jiang Xian as "little punk artist".

Literature is a great cause that inspires people's aspirations and is the spiritual home of cultural people.

How can it be a tool for them to make money!
In late December 1978, the capital city began to be shrouded in an unusual atmosphere.

Everyone is paying attention to the "two magazines and one newspaper", actively discussing new slogans, new decisions, and new institutional history, and at this moment, a turning point has arrived.

At the same time, in a six-square-meter farmhouse in Beijing, seven young people were working tirelessly on stereotypes and printing.

A storm of heresy is about to sweep in.

(End of this chapter)