1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 47 Novel
The Story Club magazine was short of staff, so the editor-in-chief He Chengwei personally accompanied the author to stay in the guesthouse.

The recipients of manuscripts for Story Club are mainly rural "storytellers", but the conditions at the author's guesthouse of Story Club magazine are extremely good, with a separate bathroom, flush toilet and shower.

Many children from rural areas have no idea how to use these things, which causes many inconveniences in their lives. They are also introverted and embarrassed to ask. When they have a stomachache, they have unbuckled their belts and don’t know where to go to relieve themselves.

The editors had no choice but to enthusiastically make arrangements for these authors in advance.

"Editor-in-Chief He!"

As soon as He Chengwei returned to the office, Bian Huawei came up to him and slapped a manuscript on his desk.

"You should take a look at this first."

He Chengwei took a glance at the thickness and saw that it was about 20,000 to 30,000 words.

"This is a very good story," Bian Huawei continued.

He Chengwei took a sip of tea and said, "Hua Wei, 'When faced with great events, stay calm. I don't believe there are no wise men in the past.' Don't get so excited over a small matter."

"Editor-in-chief, please read it first."

He Chengwei had no choice but to pick up a chair, sit down, and review the manuscript:

As the saying goes, money makes the world go round.

The Hangzhou government accepted bribes and sentenced Yang and Ge to death, which aroused public indignation among the students in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and they jointly appealed to the governor's office.

The governor's office accepted bribes of 50,000 taels of silver, and when the three judges held a trial, they beat Yang and Ge half to death.

Xiao Baicai was tortured into confessing, but she changed her statement in court. Yang Naiwu denied it and angrily said to the imperial envoy: "Now I have sentenced him to death, but I will execute him in the autumn."

When Sister Yang heard this, she was heartbroken.

She cried and shouted:
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Is there not even one honest official in the Qing Dynasty?
What do you mean by laws and regulations? These corrupt and law-breaking officials! "

He Chengwei stood up excitedly, clapping his hands and saying:
"Good, good, good!"

"What a great Yang Naiwu and Xiao Baicai!"

"So audacious! So brilliant!"

The best stories are those that are easy to understand at first glance, but send chills down your spine when you think about them more carefully.

In short, it’s terrifying when you think about it.

For example, Snow White dies after eating the poisoned apple and is placed in a crystal coffin by the dwarfs. Prince Charming arrives and kisses the princess without hesitation.
As for this article, on the surface it presents the unjust case of Yang Naiwu and Xiao Baicai, but behind the scenes it is a power game in which people sitting in the darkness of the Qing court schemed against each other and engaged in intrigue.

The author describes the "Yang Naiwu Case" as a suppression by Empress Dowager Cixi against former members of the Hunan Army in the Liangjiang area and Zeng the Barber.

At the end of the case, Yang Naiwu and Xiao Baicai were released, but more than ten officials from Liangjiang were implicated, all of whom were former members of the Hunan Army.

"Hua Wei, where did you find the manuscript?"

".An author has submitted it." Bian Huawei lied, fearing that the magazine would send him to ask Jiang Xian for the manuscript.

“It’s a good story.”

He Chengwei said with great excitement: "You always complain about the small number of manuscripts and the poor quality, and complain that I asked you to go to the fields to learn from the farmers. Look, aren't the real good stories among the people? I advise the gods to shake themselves up and send down talents in all kinds of ways!"

"Editor-in-chief, do you think we should publish this article?"

He Chengwei paced back and forth for a few steps, then suddenly stamped his feet and waved his hand.

"hair!"

Their Story Club was bold enough to copy and publish many manuscripts from the Buzz Buzz period that involved erotic taboos.

As for this article, although the word "adultery" is mentioned many times, the scale is well controlled. It touches the surface lightly, making people feel itchy, but without crossing the red line. The author seems so professional as if he has undergone some rigorous training.

"I don't think there's anything to revise. We'll help fix the typos and publish it in the April issue. As the main work of the second issue, the title will be printed on the cover to make it eye-catching."

"What is the standard for authors' royalties?"

"Let's start with 7 yuan per thousand words to win people's hearts. I have a feeling this author will have more than one good story."

"161 yuan."

Jiang Xian counted the royalties sent by Story Club.

Bian Huawei also sent him a letter.

The content is basically that Mr. Chen writes really well, etc., and I hope Mr. Chen will continue to provide more works to "Story Club", and I also welcome Mr. Chen to visit the Story Club magazine.
In a word, just three words.

I want more.

Of course, if he wanted it, Jiang Xian also had the ability to give it to him. By contributing to Story Club, he could not only make some extra money for himself, but also help his brother-in-law increase his sales, killing two birds with one stone.

What else should I write?

He was quite prolific.

At the Beijing Film Studio.

When Ling Zifeng saw Zhu Lin, he thought she was really beautiful.

Every frown and smile is captivating.

Unfortunately, this temperament was really not in line with Cuicui, but he also felt a sense of appreciation for her talent, so he asked the supporting actress if she was willing to play the role.

Zhu Lin immediately agreed and took on two supporting roles, playing two roles at once.

The role of Cuicui was not given to Cai Ming either.

Cai Ming has the same pain as every child star: Liu Xing is still Liu Xing when he grows up, Xia Xue is still Xia Xue when she grows up, Shi Xiaolong is still Shi Xiaolong when he grows up, and Xiao Haixia is still Xiao Haixia when she grows up. They just can't get out of that role.

However, her transformation was quite successful. Later, she followed Chen Peisi to perform sketches and became very popular. She appeared on the Spring Festival Gala for 27 consecutive years. She transformed from "Xiao Haixia" into the most "annoying" old lady for the audience on New Year's Eve every year.

Little-known fact: Cai Ming last appeared on the Spring Festival Gala five years ago.

3 month 16 day.

The list of winners of the "1978 National Outstanding Short Stories" has been announced.

Among the 25 winning works, based on the number of votes recommended by the public and the opinions of the judges, Jiang Xian's "The Chess King" beat Liu Xinwu's "Class Teacher" and won the first place in this selection.

"Beijing Literature and Art" was delighted.

On this award-winning list, there are as many as 12 works from "People's Literature", which almost filled the list. Instead, the work selected by their "Beijing Literature and Art" won first place.

The day of the awards ceremony.

Li Qingquan and Jiang Xian congratulated him, and then proposed that Jiang Xian come to the editorial department as an editor in name only.

"I won't be written into the "Bi Chen Zhuan" when I go back, right?" Jiang Xian asked tentatively.

Everyone laughed happily.

Mao Dun entered the meeting venue accompanied by Yan Wenjing and Wei Junyi. Given Mao's status and influence, he must have come well prepared and would have expressed his views on some issues in advance at the meeting.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the podium.

Mr. Mao’s speech was very interesting. He praised the artistry of "The Chess King" and "Chili".

This sounds like a roundabout way of complaining that today's literary works are not artistically sophisticated enough.

In fact, in 1978, the greatest achievement of Chinese literature was Lust, Caution, published by Eileen Chang in a certain province, although that was also a work of Zhang’s from the s, and her last good work was more than years ago.

At the meeting, Mao Dun also mentioned that young and middle-aged writers should try to write novels.

Jiang Xian agreed with this statement.

A writer needs a novel to establish his status. The only thing Mr. Lu Xun was criticized for is that he did not have a novel, which is really a pity.

In fact, Mao Dun himself is a leading writer of medium-length and long novels. He has always encouraged Chinese writers to write novels. The "Mao Dun Literature Prize" is also an award for novels, which is the encouragement he left to future generations.

While I was daydreaming, I suddenly heard Mao Dun on the stage ask:

"Is Jiang Xian here?"

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Jiang Xian.

He quickly stood up and saw Mr. Mao's old and kind face in the strong light of the headlight on the stage.

When their eyes met, the young men's blood boiled.

Mao Dun smiled.

"Okay, Jiang Xian is here too, your "Chess King" is well written.

But you should also make new contributions to our literary career and write long novels."

Jiang Xian was stunned.

Are you going to add more burden to him?

(End of this chapter)