Restart life

Chapter 65 0063 [Composing a poem in seven steps? A miracle before the public!]

Zhang Xinping smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, just treat it like a normal chat."

"Okay," Chen Guiliang said.

Zhang Xinping: "What prompted you to participate in the New Concept Writing Competition?"

Chen Guiliang: "Admission with lowered college entrance examination scores."

Zhang Xinping: "Is it not a love for literature? Or is it influenced by alumni?"

Chen Guiliang: "I'm a senior in high school."

Zhang Xinping: "What kind of books do you usually read? Be more specific, don't just give a few words in your answer."

Chen Guiliang: "I read everything. In elementary school, I would pick up books from garbage dumps to read. In junior high, I would borrow martial arts novels from my classmates. In high school, I would go to secondhand bookstores or pirated bookstores to find books."

Zhang Xinping: "Looking for books in a garbage dump?"

Chen Guiliang: "Yes. There's a huge garbage dump in the village next to ours, which is used to dump factory ash and urban waste. The pencils I used when I was in elementary school were all picked up from the garbage dump. I also found books like '100,000 Whys,' which were stained and missing pages, but they were enough to keep me entertained."

Zhang Xinping: "Are you from the countryside? Is your family very poor?"

Chen Guiliang: "Left-behind children. Their families are well-off, and they don't have to worry about food or clothing."

The interview continues.

Zhang Xinping's question was well-intentioned and did not make things difficult for a high school student.

Especially after hearing that Chen Guiliang was a left-behind child, she even deliberately asked very simple questions, trying to create the image of a simple rural boy who studies hard and loves literature.

……

The literary seminar has a basic procedure.

Li Qigang, Director-General of the New Concept, first delivered a welcome speech, introduced the theme of the seminar, and then introduced the participants present.

Then, Chen Guiliang, as the author, gave a general overview of his article.

"I won't go into the preface, as all the teachers are familiar with it."

"Regarding the poem, I'll talk about its structure. This poem doesn't pile up fancy words; every line has a specific meaning."

"The first eight sentences summarize the whole story. That is, the black bird breaks through the primordial chaos and flies to Yingzhou to seek immortals."

"The following sixteen sentences elaborate on the process of seeking immortality. This includes the help and encouragement the black bird received, as well as the various hardships and difficulties it encountered, and how it persevered and overcame dangers."

"The following eight lines describe how the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history are like fleeting clouds, but the spirit of the black bird remains undying, and the Chinese people should inherit this spirit."

"The last four lines describe my personal aspirations."

After Chen Guiliang finished speaking, a round of applause broke out.

It was the first-prize winners who were clapping; they had already received the poems, but there were parts they didn't quite understand.

Moreover, some award winners genuinely believe that Chen Guiliang was simply piling up flowery language.

Now that it's explained, and then compared with the poem, it becomes very easy to understand.

The next step is the defense and discussion.

Wang Meng asked, "What do you mean by 'Immortal of Gushe' and 'Goddess of Luochuan'?"

Chen Guiliang said, "It can be understood as the spirit passed down by the sages of the past, encouraging the black bird to move forward bravely. It can also be understood as the people, good teachers and helpful friends, who nurture, teach and help the protagonist."

"What about Kunpeng and Qiulong?" Chengcun asked.

Chen Guiliang said: "Pioneers. They were trapped, they all failed, but they left their footprints, giving Xuan Niao lessons and inspiration."

"Are you planning to study abroad?" Fangfang asked.

"Huh?" Chen Guiliang was completely dumbfounded.

Fangfang said, "Fangzhang, Penglai, and Yingzhou are the three immortal mountains overseas. Why is it that Penglai trapped Kunpeng, Fangzhang trapped Qiulong, and Xuanniao insisted on going to Yingzhou to seek immortals?"

Chen Guiliang was somewhat annoyed: "Professor Fang Fang should know these most basic literary techniques better than I do, right?"

Some people in the audience burst out laughing.

Fangfang kept a cold face and stopped talking.

Chen Guiliang couldn't help but retort in the end.

After answering several questions in a row, Wang Meng skipped the group discussion and read and appreciated the poems in front of everyone.

Wang Meng said, "[In the winter of the year Guiwei, I went to Shanghai and came across a fable, which I then wrote down.] In just sixteen characters, the time, place, people, and events are clearly explained. The word 'wrote' in particular is used very cleverly. If it were 'narrated,' it wouldn't work; half the meaning would be lost..."

After the analysis of the poems and prose was completed, the media reporters began to ask questions.

After all, they received a considerable amount of money for the journey.

The amount of travel expenses depends on which page the article is published in. Even within the same page, there can be different placements.

The magazine "Mengya" offered a lot, so reporters naturally had to be more proactive.

Dong Hongkang of Wenhui Daily still believes that high school students cannot write this kind of article.

He planned to test his abilities on the spot: "Do you think you can win the first prize because of good luck, or because you have real skills?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people from the Budding and New Concept groups turned extremely ugly.

What does this mean?
Do you suspect they leaked the exam questions, or do you suspect someone else wrote them for you?
Chen Guiliang smiled and replied, "I'm lucky, and I also have some minor skills."

Dong Hongkang said, "Your article was truly amazing. Now, I'll give you a topic: how about you write a classical poem on the spot? With your skill level, it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

"I'll give it a try," Chen Guiliang said.

Dong Hongkang had already decided on the topic: "Wild geese, small boats, river water, time. Use these four images to write an ancient poem."

Chen Guiliang asked, "Do you want me to walk seven steps?"

"Hahahaha!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

He was using Cao Zhi's story to complain that Dong Hongkang was being too arrogant.

This topic isn't difficult; it's simply about lamenting the passage of time and the passing of youth.

But how can you expect a teenager to write this?
Writing it down would be like forcing a new rhyme to express sorrow; this kind of poetry is more suitable for middle-aged and elderly people. Chen Guiliang could only stall for time. He said to Hu Weishi, "Sister Weishi, could you get some writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone?"

"I'll go find it right now."

Hu Weishi ran downstairs quickly and called the magazine: "Bring me the brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Don't rush."

We can't just sit idly by on site.

Another reporter asked, "Guo Xiaosi is your schoolmate. What's your opinion on his plagiarism scandal?"

Chen Guiliang said, "I haven't read either of those novels, so I can't comment on them. But plagiarism is wrong."

Someone has already come up with a title: "Two generations of New Concept Writing Competition winners are alumni; junior student angrily denounces Guo Jingming for plagiarism."

In the press box, Feng Wenya whispered, "Brother Dong, aren't you putting them in a difficult position?"

Dong Hongkang said, "Mengya insisted on inviting me. How can a prestigious supplement of Wenhui Daily report things so carelessly? If we don't figure this out now, what will happen if there are scandals about leaked exam questions or ghostwriting? How will I explain this to my superiors then?"

“But the question you set is too difficult. How can someone in their teens answer it?” Feng Wenya said.

Dong Hongkang said, "Since 'Mengya' magazine asked me to promote someone, he has to pass the test! Given the level of classical Chinese literature shown in 'Yinghaixing,' this short poem is not difficult."

The reporters continued to ask questions, not only to Chen Guiliang, but also to other writers.

Yu Hua whispered to Su Tong, "Can you write it?"

Su Tong said, "I need to go home and think about it slowly; I can't write it down on the spot. Chen Guiliang is quick-witted and knows how to stall for time."

Tie Yi buried herself in writing and drawing; she was trying to write that poem.

After one reporter finished asking their questions, the staff who were supposed to bring the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones still hadn't arrived.

The media outlets are getting increasingly excited, purely out of a desire to see more drama unfold.

Even if it's a small matter, they can make it big!

Hu Weishi stood at the entrance of the hall, waving frantically at Chen Guiliang, then pointing behind him, roughly meaning that the things had been delivered.

Chen Guiliang nodded slightly.

Hu Weishi wiped his sweat and asked a colleague to bring in the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Chen Guiliang joked, "I'll just take seven steps instead."

Paper and pen were placed in front of him. Chen Guiliang took seven steps and turned around, then picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and flicked it.

His calligraphy is mediocre, but nobody cares about calligraphy these days.

Many people immediately gathered around.

Dong Hongkang also stood next to Chen Guiliang.

It's one thing for him to pose a difficult question as a test, but if Chen Guiliang can actually write it down, and write it well, he's willing to do his best to promote this young man.

"The boat sails on the vast, misty waters."

There were so many people at the scene that those outside couldn't get through, so a reporter helped read the first sentence.

He read the poem aloud, line by line, until the entire poem was finished, and then the hall fell silent for half a second.

It immediately became lively.

"What a poem!"

"I've finally witnessed a poem composed in seven steps!"

"What seven steps? They've been stalling for half an hour."

"You're amazing, you write one."

"This time there's a story to tell, it's sure to attract attention."

"..."

Chen Guiliang blew the ink dry, presented the poem to Dong Hongkang, and said in a deliberately literary tone, "A humble work, presented to you."

Dong Hongkang wasn't embarrassed at all. He accepted the gift with a smile and promised, "The day after tomorrow, when the full text of 'Journey to the Sea' and this poem are published in 'Pen Club,' I'll write a commentary article for you!"

He's not a journalist; he's a senior editor.

"Pen Club" was a supplement to Wenhui Daily. A few years ago, it held a writing competition, with Ba Jin serving as the chairman of the judging committee. It also held an essay contest, and people like Ji Xianlin submitted their works.

This supplement is extremely important. The fact that they even came today is already a big favor, and now they've agreed to publish an article.

Dong Hongkang held up the paper, and it read—

The boat sails across the vast, misty waters, while wild geese fly past the evening clouds.

This life is but a journey, why bother asking about the passing years?

The first two lines describe the scenery, creating a vivid image.

The last two sentences are argumentative and unconventional. Instead of lamenting the passage of time, they are full of youthful vigor and a spirit of striving and high aspirations.

It also perfectly incorporates four keywords: wild geese, small boats, river water, and time.

The passing years are simply the time that has gone by.

For those who have been reborn, the last two sentences have a different meaning, and Chen Guiliang expressed his feelings about them.

However, if someone knowledgeable is involved, they can still spot the "flaws" in the writing.

Yu Hua muttered, "That's fucking awesome!"

Wang Meng smiled but didn't say anything. He liked to mentor young people and was happy to see them shine.

Zhang Xinping, a reporter from the Shanghai Youth Daily who had previously interviewed Chen Guiliang, quickly copied down the poem. She planned to return to Chen Guiliang's hometown for a more in-depth report!
It's free; no travel expenses will be charged.

The other winners, who had been sitting far away watching the spectacle, were all stunned into silence.

After the seminar, Li Haiyang went straight to a nearby internet cafe.

He logged onto the Mengya Forum, typed out the entire poem he had copied, "A Journey to the Seas," and posted it. Then he typed out a second poem and embellished it with details of what happened.

What title should I give the post?

Li Haiyang thought about it carefully and typed out a line of text: "Seven steps to compose a poem on the spot, I ask you if you are convinced!"
(End of this chapter)