1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 259 You Must Be Prepared for Both Situations
Early in the morning, Jiang Xian rode his bicycle to No. 51 Dongxinglong Street outside Chongwenmen.

This is the office of the Beijing Municipal Publishing Bureau and also the editorial office of October magazine.

This courtyard was later demolished and turned into Xinyi Home.

No. 51 Courtyard has three floors facing the street. On the east side of the main gate is the message room. After entering the gate and passing through the small courtyard, the main office building is located to the north. There are bungalows on the west side of the courtyard, and the canteen is at the westernmost end.

Jiang Xian walked in and listened to the two comrades in the communication room talking.

"Have you heard? The third brother doesn't want to come back."

"Hey, no matter what, we are all family. You said this is outrageous."

"Of course, even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected."

Jiang Xian sighed after hearing this.

At the end of last month, Mr. Song passed away in Beijing.

The news was sent to the United States as soon as possible, and the funeral committee hoped that the third brother could come back to see his second sister off.

Unexpectedly, the third brother only replied with eight words:

"I'm not feeling well and can't make the trip."

"Hello, comrade." Jiang Xian interrupted the two of them and took out two cigarettes familiarly. "I want to find Comrade Zhang Shouren. Can you help pass a message for me? I have a manuscript to give to him."

"Are you here to submit a manuscript?" The tall man took the cigarette and thanked him, thinking that Jiang Xian was here to submit a manuscript.

He pointed and said, "If you want to submit an article, just leave it here. We will deliver it to you later."

"Yes, just leave it here with us."

"Uh"

"Don't worry, they won't get lost." Seeing that Jiang Xian still had concerns, the taller one pointed to a few sacks in the corner and said, "Look, those are submissions to October. We will send them to the editors in the end, so no one will be missing."

"It's like this, I'm not submitting a contribution, I've already made an appointment with Comrade Zhang Shouren," he explained with a smile.

"promised?"

The comrade in the message room was very easy to talk to, and besides, it wasn't uncommon for authors to come to the editor, so he hurried upstairs to pass a note.

Zhang Shouren received the letter and came down quickly.

He smiled as soon as he saw Jiang Xian.

"It looks like the manuscript is finally finished?"

"It's finished."

Jiang Xian nodded and took out the article "The Wreath under the Mountain" from his bag.

The story of the novel itself is very touching, but it lacks in artistic quality. Jiang Xian made some renovations to the novel, which is why it was delayed for so long.

"Come, come up and have a cup of tea first." Zhang Shouren pulled Jiang Xian to the editorial office of "October".

Although October is the first large-scale literary journal founded after Buzz Buzz Buzz, it did not obtain an official publication number until last year. It is a formal bimonthly journal published under the name of "Literary Series", with 6 issues per year, issued on the 10th of every odd month.

"October" is definitely a good name.

"October" shines exceptionally brightly in human history.

The Russian October Revolution took place in October, the people became masters of their own country, and the new China was founded in October. Even the buzzing ended in October.
Zhang Shouren brought a chair to Jiang Xian, poured him a glass of Gaomoer, and spread Jiang Xian's manuscript on the table.

“Has it been modified before?”

“It’s changed a little bit.”

Zhang Shouren picked up the manuscript, looked through the changes, and said affirmatively.

"Well, it's better written than the last version. I'm going to take a closer look at it now."

"I'll go back first." Jiang Xian stood up.

"Then I won't go to see you off." Zhang Shouren smiled, "I can't wait to see what's written next."

"wait for your news."

After Jiang Xian left, Zhang Shouren held the manuscript of "The Garland under the Mountain" and soon became fascinated by it.

There were not many people in the editorial office of "October", and the sound of footsteps could be heard from time to time in the corridor, but it did not prevent Zhang Shouren from immersing himself in the novel "The Garland under the Mountain".

Many people may be familiar with the name "The Garland under the Mountain". The movie adapted by Xie Jin is a classic enough even in later generations. It is the ceiling of national war films and its level is far superior to "Assembly" and "Eight Hundred".

The original novel of this movie is a representative work of modern Chinese literature that cannot be ignored. It has the same name as the movie, "The Garland under the Mountain".

In another time and space, "The Garland under the Mountain" caused a huge sensation as soon as it was published. The author Li Cunbao became famous overnight, the novel was serialized in full by more than 180 newspapers, adapted and performed by more than theater troupes, and the printing volume of the single volume reached million copies.

Brother Shu even bought two thousand copies at his own expense and gave them to the soldiers in the south.

From a literary perspective, "The Garland under the Mountain" also made outstanding contributions. It set a precedent for reflecting war and military life in a tragic form and was a decisive breakthrough in military novels.

Starting from this novel, the creation of military novels has been comprehensively expanded in the subject matter.

"Mengsheng led all the comrades of the Ninth Company and me, carrying wreaths woven from fresh flowers, and slowly came to the Martyrs' Cemetery.

Everyone presented wreaths one by one in front of the martyrs' tombs. The martyrs' cemetery, shaded by pine and cypress trees, was filled with carefully cultivated flowers.

In front of the tomb of martyr Liang Sanxi, there is a cluster of cannas with lush leaves and blooming flowers.

Alongside the tombstone of Liang Sanxi are the tombstones of Jin Kailai, deputy commander of the 9th Company, Lei Kaihua, a soldier of the 82nd recoilless artillery squad, and Jin Xiaozhu, a bugler who was less than 17 years old.
Standing silently in front of the martyrs’ tomb surrounded by fragrant flowers, I suddenly felt that the most gorgeous gems and the most dazzling colors in the world are all gathered under these towering green mountains.

The latter part of the novel was not long, only 43,000 words. Zhang Shouren read it very carefully and it took him more than two hours to finish it.

He raised his eyes from the manuscript, feeling melancholy in his heart. It seemed as if the clusters of colorful wreaths under the towering green mountains were still before his eyes.

After a moment of trance, Zhang Shouren closed the manuscript.

After sorting out my thoughts, the melancholy in my heart was soon replaced by ecstasy.

"It's so well written, worthy of being Jiang Xian!"

The novel is told from the first-person perspective by the protagonist Zhao Mengsheng, and can be roughly divided into three parts: before the war, during the war, and after the war.

After reading it, Zhang Shouren had a strong premonition.

This novel will definitely be successful!
"Old Zhang, come and take a look at this." He handed "The Wreath under the Mountain" to the editor Zhang Zhongye's desk like presenting a treasure.

Zhang Zhongye was an ordinary editor of October, but his ability was obvious to all.

In later generations, he was also included in the "Four Famous Editors" and had edited and published such well-known works as "Heavy Wings", "Old Well" and "New Star".

Another time, he received a submission from an unfamiliar author and was pleasantly surprised after reading it. He felt that the author's greatest strength was his unique language, and that he was fluent in the language of Beijing's alley dwellers.

This article is called "Stewardess".

The author is a shy boy named Wang Shuo.

After helping him publish his debut work, he did not forget to encourage Wang Shuo.

With his encouragement, Wang Shuo was unstoppable and wrote "Half Sea Water, Half Flame", "Rubber Man", "Troublemakers", and "I Am Your Father" in one go.
There is also an author named Wang Shuliang, who once handwrote a manuscript of 150 million words and put it in a large sack. The editors threw it away without even reading it carefully.

Zhang Zhonge felt sorry for the author, so he picked up the manuscript and read it carefully. He thought the content was quite good, but unfortunately the author was obviously not a literary person and did not know how to edit or understand structure.

He called the author over and originally intended to tell him his suggestions for revision, but he found out that the author was a bedridden patient with lower limb paralysis. He needed enema for defecation and a bladder fistula for urination and was unable to take care of himself.

With such physical condition, he was able to handwrite a manuscript of 150 million words. He is simply a modern-day Pavel Korchagin.

Zhang Zhonge simply started to revise the manuscript for him. It happened that an earthquake happened, and he squatted in an earthquake shelter in the middle of summer, sweating profusely, working for others. Finally, the manuscript of 150 million words was published, and the cover was prominently written with "Mountain Forest Detachment", author: Wang Shuliang.

"Whose manuscript is this?"

Zhang Zhonge took the manuscript from Zhang Shouren and glanced at it. "Wreaths under the mountains?"

"Jiang Xian's manuscript." Zhang Shouren replied.

"Jiang Xian? You got his manuscript?" Zhang Zhonge was quite surprised and became interested in the manuscript.

Although he is old, he admires the writer Jiang Xian very much.

At that time, many people questioned whether "The Chess King" and "Animal Fierceness" were "rogue literature". Zhang Zhonge responded directly and decisively:

"The circulation of any journal that publishes Jiang Xian's works can exceed one million copies. Which Chinese writer can do this? His fame is worth pondering."

"What's it about?"

"Military novel."

“Why would he write this?”

"Maybe he got the inspiration after responding to the call of the Writers Association and going to the south." Zhang Shouren speculated.

In his opinion, the story of "The Garland under the Mountain" must have a prototype, just like Ba Jin responded to the call and went to North Korea, and then wrote the novel "Reunion" after returning to China.

Jiang Xian also wrote this novel after returning from the south. There are traces of it. Their editors have very sharp eyes and they know this truth very well: the birth of every novel has traces to follow.

"Take a look at it first." Zhang Shouren handed over the manuscript, still unable to hide the excitement on his face.

Seeing him like this, Zhang Zhonge felt a little moved.

He took the manuscript and was quickly attracted by the words on the paper and became obsessed with them.

When I looked up again, it was almost evening.

The soul-stirring words in the text flashed through Zhang Zhonge's mind uncontrollably.

"War, this is war! It compresses the experience of life so intensely and violently: victory and defeat, hope and disappointment, excitement and sorrow, life and death in an instant."

“As for repaying a debt of gratitude, we should repay the people’s kindness and generosity for our entire lives, rather than treating ourselves as the people’s saviors.

The revolution was fed by the people with millet; victory was pushed out by the people with carts! "

Zhang Zhonge was immersed in the content of the novel, his heart was filled with ups and downs.

"Old Zhang, what do you think of this novel?" Zhang Shouren asked.

Zhang Zhonge let out a long sigh, holding the manuscript in his hand, "What a great article!"

His throat was a little hoarse, and after taking a sip of water to moisten it, he added:

“Currently, readers are not very interested in military-themed works. I think the reason is that there is no real feeling of war.

This novel not only does not smooth out the sharp contradictions, but is also bold and sharp enough, and once published, it will definitely shock the hearts of every reader."

Zhang Zhonge praised the poem "The Wreath under the Mountain" generously, but his words were a little hesitant at the end.

Can this novel be published?
It wasn't until this year that the situation finally eased.

Not long ago, Bai Ye wrote a letter to the editorial offices of the Jiexijun Newspaper and the Literary Gazette, in which he made a self-criticism. The People's Newspaper reprinted the letter, and the storm began to subside.

If a meeting was held to discuss this novel, Zhang Zhonge would definitely support the publication of "The Wreath under the Mountain", but it would be difficult for him to express the opinions of other comrades and editorial board members.

The feedback was unexpectedly strong, with unanimous applause. Some comrades from October even clamored to publish the headline of the next issue.

Even Liu Xinwu, who had always been at odds with Jiang Xian, couldn't help but applaud after reading "The Wreath under the Mountain".

"Great work! What a great work!"

As the originator of scar literature, Mr. Liu naturally likes novels like "The Garland under the Mountain" which carries the scar colors of military novels.

What's more, this novel touches the heart of every Chinese!
No matter what you say, no matter what your stance is, the South is something that every Chinese person is concerned about.

Before the editorial board members met to make a decision, the comrades in the editorial department had already reached a consensus.

"October" magazine is bold and wise, and is ready to work together to grandly launch the masterpiece "The Garland under the Mountain".

There was also an editor who was in charge of reviews who volunteered to show the manuscript to Feng Mu, the party group secretary of the China Writers Association, in the hope that he would write a review of The Wreath under the Mountain.

Jiang Xian waited for several days but received no news from Zhang Shouren, so he had to call him and ask October's opinion on the manuscript.

Zhang Shouren said: "Jiang Xian, your manuscript is very well written. The editorial staff all agree that it is good. We will definitely publish your article on the headlines.

But you have to be prepared for two things:
First, the novel has the potential to cause a national sensation and you will be surrounded by reporters;
Second, something might go wrong with the novel.

Don't be afraid, if there is any problem, I will take all the responsibility."

(Some people may question that I wrote Zhang Shouren as being too selfless, but he is not a fool.

I would like to explain here that these are the original words of the editor.)
(End of this chapter)