Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 101 Qinghua University Demonstration
Xia Da was quickly attracted by this story about a princess of the prosperous Tang Dynasty and quickly finished reading the thin dozen pages.

What Zhang Chao provided was not the complete content of the novel, but more like a comic script without storyboard descriptions, similar to a script. It is relatively brief, with less than 1000 words per chapter. Here are the contents of the first 20 chapters.

Although brief, Zhang Chao's excellent writing skills still make the story gripping. Especially the scene settings, which are either grand or delicate, perfectly match the process of the girl Changge's growth in displacement, and almost every detail is written to Xia Da's heart.

After reading it, Xia Da was silent for a long time, and then handed the script of "The Long Ballad" back to Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao was stunned and asked, "Don't you like this story?"

Xia Da shook his head and said, "On the contrary, I like this story very much... I like it very much. However, I can't draw a story that is destined not to belong to me. So after finishing "Your Name", I will still leave."

Zhang Chao heard Xia's answer and asked, "Is it because of copyright?"

Xia Da lowered his head and said nothing, agreeing.

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "Since the script I gave you this time is an unpublished story, then of course the copyright ownership and profits will be divided according to the cooperation model between the scriptwriter and the artist."

Xia Da looked up at Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao continued, "My initial idea is that we will split the revenue from comic series and single volumes equally; you will take the lion's share of the derivative revenue from posters, figurines, animations, etc. that use images as the main carrier; and I will take the lion's share of the derivative revenue from film and television adaptations that use stories as selling points.

Of course, no matter which one, it will be announced to the public through Midnight Tide. We can confirm the specific details before signing the contract. "

Xia Da thought about it for a long time and felt that this distribution was reasonable, so he nodded.

Zhang Chao felt relieved after resolving Xia Da's problem. "The Long Ballad" was one of the few Chinese cartoons he had watched, and he later followed the TV series, so he could still remember the plot.

After several days of "talking business" with others, he couldn't wait to go back to school. After explaining various matters to Huang Jiefu, he slipped back to his home in the East Courtyard of North Street.

As soon as get out of class was over on Tuesday afternoon, Cheng Xin, Cong Zhichen and several other Yanda students dragged him to watch a play. Cheng Xin said, "Qinghua will come over tonight to perform the play they prepared for us."

Cong Zhichen said: "They are preparing for the 5th College Student Drama Festival next year, and they are also preparing to 'demonstrate' to us."

Zhang Chao was surprised and asked, "Demonstration? What's there to demonstrate about?"

Cheng Xin said: "It's impossible for every school to participate in the drama festival, right? There is a selection process. There are only 40 to 50 places in the country, and each region only has a few places. So from the end of each year to the first half of the second year, the drama clubs of several schools in Yanjing will go to each other's turf to perform.

After a few rounds of rehearsal, some schools automatically withdrew. So we call this a 'demonstration'."

Zhang Chao suddenly realized what was going on, but he still refused, with a very good reason - "Tonight is the award ceremony for the 9th Zhuang Zhongwen Literature Award. I was notified that I won the award. The award ceremony is in Yanjing, so I have to go there anyway."

After that, the students left in silence.

Cong Zhichen and Zhang Chao were not very familiar with each other, so he asked, "Is he showing off?"

A boy patted his shoulder and said, "Just get used to it."

The Zhuang Zhongwen Literature Award is a youth literature award funded by Zhuang Zhongwen, a patriotic businessman in Hong Kong, and sponsored by the Chinese Literature Foundation. The reason why Mr. Zhuang Zhongwen established this award was because of Mr. Da.

Zhuang Zhongwen's original name was Zhuang Birong. While studying in Xiamen Island, he met a great teacher who was teaching at Xiamen University at the time. With the teacher's encouragement, he changed his name to "Chongwen" and forged an indissoluble bond with culture and education.

Since this year's award ceremony is held in Yenching, it will of course be held in the auditorium of the Writers Association.

Almost all the top leaders of the Writers Association were present, and the person in charge of presenting the awards was Zhuang Shaosui, chairman of the Zhuang Group and son of Zhuang Zhongwen.

There are 11 award-winning writers this year. In addition to Zhang Chao, there are also Bi Feiyu, Xichuan, Guan Renshan, Diao Dou and other well-known writers. They are generally around 40 years old and have been famous for more than 10 years.

Zhang Chao, a young man who had just risen to prominence this year, stood out among the crowd. Almost everyone was looking at him with curiosity.

In fact, Zhang Chao himself was also worried. Although he had written some good novels this year, except for "Young Babylon", none of them could be considered serious literature. Judging from the ages of the winners present, he would be too young to win in 10 years, so why did it become his turn?
But he still had the necessary calmness. Among all the winners, he was the last to go on stage. The host read out the reason for his winning:
"Zhang Chao captured the special spiritual qualities that are prevalent among the youth groups in the county with his keen eyes, and transformed this observation into the language of the novel with a mature writing style that does not match his age, constructing a literary world that belongs to him alone and opening up a literary territory that has never been valued. ..."

Zhang Chao received the golden trophy and the bright red certificate from Zhuang Shaosui and gave a speech: "For me to receive this award, I would first like to thank ..."

After the award ceremony, Zhang Chao, who was about to go back, was suddenly stopped by someone. It turned out to be Xu Zidong, whom he had met once in "Three Generals Going Together".

Zhang Chao was able to go to university because of the "stirring up a storm" caused by Xu Zidong, a student from the Chinese Department of Lingnan School in Hong Kong Island, during an interview. Therefore, he was very grateful in his heart. When he saw it was him, he immediately stopped and walked towards Xu Zidong.

Xu Zidong smiled and said, "Congratulations!"

After Zhang Chao finished his polite conversation, he sincerely thanked him: "Professor Xu, thank you very much for helping me go to college - although I don't have the opportunity to go to Lingyuan."

Xu Zidong waved his hand and said casually, "It's just a small matter. I just said what I wanted to say. It can't be considered as helping."

Zhang Chao said: "I didn't notice that you were here today..."

Xu Zidong said, "I am a member of the judging committee for the Zhuang Zhongwen Award in Hong Kong Island. Your winning of the award this time has really put us in a difficult position."

Zhang Chao asked, "Because I'm too young?" Xu Zidong said, "Yes. But in the end it was Vice Chairman Wang Meng who spoke up, and we decided to give it to you."

Zhang Chao asked: "Teacher Wang Meng?"

Wang Meng was the chairman of the jury of the previous New Concept Competition. It should be said that she had "offended" him. Now he can speak for herself. I have to admire the old man's broad mind.

Xu Zidong said: "He said that the original purpose of the establishment of the 'Zhuang Zhongwen Literature Award' was to encourage young writers and to inspire more young people to join the literary career. But look at the recent winners, how many of them are young? Some even have gray hair.

The last person to win the award before the age of 30 was Chi Zijian in 1993, at the age of 29; Zhang Chao's winning this time will help bring literature back into the mainstream public opinion..."

Zhang Chao said with emotion: "I will definitely thank him in person if I get a chance."

Xu Zidong asked, "I would like to invite you to come to Lingyuan next year to give a seminar to our Chinese Department students. I wonder if you are free?"

Zhang Chao readily agreed: "No problem, just set a time and let me know."

On the second day, Zhang Chao mainly attended classes at Yanshi University. After returning by taxi in the afternoon, he saw Cheng Xin, Cong Zhichen and other Yanshi University classmates waiting for him at the gate of the East Courtyard on Beida Street.

Zhang Chao asked, "Why are you here?"

Cheng Xin asked anxiously, "Why can't I get through to you on the phone?"

Zhang Chao took out his cell phone and said helplessly, "I forgot to bring the spare battery, it's out of power - since you're here, come up and sit with us."

After saying that, he led a few people into the community and went upstairs.

This was also the first time that Zhang Chao brought his classmates to his home. Fortunately, his parents came for a few days during the National Day holiday and bought some necessary teacups, teapots and other hospitality supplies for the family, so that Zhang Chao would not have to make hot water for others in the middle of winter.

Several classmates came into the room, and seemed to have forgotten what they were looking for him for. They looked around the room first, then sighed, "It's great to have money."

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "You are welcome to come and sit more often when you are free. What do you want to talk to me about that is so urgent?"

Cong Zhichen sighed and said, "Our school may lose to Qinghua this time."

Zhang Chao asked, "What's wrong? Did they perform well last night?"

Cheng Xin said: "They were rehearsing Sifan: Double Descending the Mountain, a classic play by Meng Jinghui of the Experimental Drama Troupe. The performance was excellent. After watching it, everyone in our drama club lost some confidence."

Cong Zhichen said, "Originally, the drama club was a small club in Qinghua, and our biggest rival has always been Yan University of Science and Technology. But this time, they invited a savior from somewhere, and the performance was suddenly improved to a level that didn't seem like that of college students."

Cheng Xin said: "It is said that someone from the Central Academy of Drama was invited to guide us, but we don't know who it is."

Zhang Chao asked, "What is our Yanda Drama Club rehearsing?"

Cong Zhichen said: "We staged Chekhov's "The Idiot". The effect was actually quite good, but compared with others, it was..."

Another boy added, "I don't know what tricks the Sun Club of Yan University of Science and Technology will come up with next year - they took first place last year."

Cong Zhichen said: "Comparing people will make you die, and comparing goods will make you throw them away. When we go to Qinghua to perform, we don't know how we will be laughed at."

Zhang Chao asked: "So why are you looking for me...?"

Cheng Xin said: "Many people in the drama club are very discouraged, but a few of us feel that we still have a chance. If we can have an outstanding original script, then maybe we still have a chance. But writing a script is too professional, and after thinking about it, you are the only one... We can lose to anyone in Yanda Drama Club, but not to Qinghua!"

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "How do you know I can do it?"

Cong Zhichen said, "Don't be so modest. The movie script you wrote is so good that even the top students in the Chinese Drama Department can't make changes. This has spread all over the circle."

Cheng Xin said, "Yes. And he was recognized by He Jiping - who is that person? The screenwriter of "The World's No. 1 Restaurant"!"

There are many universities in Yenching, but the circle of drama enthusiasts among the top universities is not large, so it is normal for them to know about it.

Zhang Chao fell silent, calculating his time - "Dwelling Narrowness" had already been written, and he would send it to Shan Yingqi after reviewing it. The company's business was mainly handed over to Huang Jiefu to promote - in fact, there was not much business at this stage.

So he nodded and said, "Okay. When do you want it?"

Cong Zhichen said, "Of course the sooner the better... but it also depends on you. The drama festival is in August, and the plays to be performed are usually confirmed before May. We also have to leave time for the drama club to rehearse, right?"

Zhang Chao said: "That's no problem, just wait."

After seeing his classmates off, Zhang Chao went to his study and turned on his computer. His mind first flashed back to the joys and sorrows of the play that he had watched at least a dozen times. Then he created a new document and entered the name:

Wotou Guild Hall

(End of this chapter)