Tokyo Literary Masters: Starting from the Late 1980s

Chapter 68 The Real Method

In his previous life, Kitahara Iwa, as a student in the Department of Japanese Literature at the University of Tokyo, naturally read this book by Takahashi Yoshio.

It can be considered a first-rate popular novel of its time, but it is far from reaching the level of a classic in literary history.

Back then, the professors in the department assigned this book as homework for their popular literature analysis course, requiring students to submit an in-depth reading comprehension and reflection.

To complete that assignment, Kitahara Iwao disassembled and studied the entire book repeatedly.

His analytical report, which combined the objective perspective of later generations and directly addressed the pain points of the work, was even regarded as a perfect essay by an extremely picky professor at the University of Tokyo and was publicly displayed in the entire literature department's classroom.

Therefore, now that Kitahara Iwao possesses a model essay with what can be considered the standard answer, it can be said that he understands the shortcomings of this book, "The Secret Treasure Moon Mountain Maru," better than Takahashi Yoshio himself is standing in front of him!

At this moment, Kitahara Iwao looked at Takahashi Yoshio and said, "You are too obsessed with displaying those meticulously researched documents."

"As a result, the characters' dialogues throughout the book are less like exchanges and more like reciting historical timelines to the reader. The characters' fates are entirely driven by the heavy historical background, without any struggle of their own desires or any tearing of their souls."

"In this era where everyone is driven mad by money and desire, readers are gasping for breath in the mire of reality every day."

"When they open the book, they want to see the choices humanity makes in extreme circumstances, and the vibrant lives that resonate with them."

"Your 'The Secret Treasure Moon Mountain Pill' is too meticulous and too restrained. It's like displaying a perfect ancient skeleton through bulletproof glass in a museum; the reader can't even smell a trace of its true nature."

"you--!"

Hearing Kitahara Iwao's merciless words, Takahashi Yoshio gripped his wine glass tightly.

His face flushed red, and he subconsciously wanted to assert his seniority and use the harshest words to rebuke this arrogant newcomer.

However, his lips trembled violently a few times, and the words of rebuttal stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered.

Because every word Kitahara Iwao uttered was like a precise scalpel, completely striking at the most hidden and unacknowledged pain points he had experienced during his creative process over the past few years—

He himself felt that the plot was becoming more and more boring, but in order to maintain the so-called orthodox literary foundation, he forcibly suppressed the unconventional vitality of the characters.

The young man is right. His book lacks a sense of real life; it's just a dry pile of historical materials.

Faced with the dissection that was a perfect score from the University of Tokyo, all his arrogance seemed so pale and powerless.

"Hahaha! That hits the nail on the head!"

In the dead silence, Kenzo Kita, who had a distinctive beard, suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.

This renowned literary heavyweight suddenly stood up, patted Kitahara Iwao heavily on the shoulder, and said with admiration in his eyes, "Takahashi, don't pretend anymore. I have to admit, this kid has exposed the most embarrassing truths that we traditional novelists dare not face!"

As he spoke, Kitakata Kenzo casually picked up a sake bottle and filled the empty glass in front of Takahashi Yoshio. His tone was firm but carried a hint of peacemaking: "Your book, 'The Secret Treasure of the Moon Mountain Maru,' is indeed based on solid historical materials, and there are very few people in all of Japan who can write with that kind of weight and depth."

"But Kitahara isn't wrong either. People in this era are restless. They'd rather see people who can bleed and cry than antiques in museums."

"We old bones sometimes need to hear the harsh words of young people, just to wake us up, don't you think?"

Yoshio Takahashi pursed his lips, his face still ashen, but the drink and words offered by Kenzo Kita finally gave him a way out.

Seeing this, Beifang Qiansan turned around, his tiger-like eyes staring directly at Beiyuan Yan. He raised his cup boldly, inviting him to drink, and said, "Your name is Beiyuan, right? You're a very interesting lad. I like your arrogance!"

Seeing the stepping stone offered by Kita Kenzo, Kitahara Iwao also softened his previous aggressive edge, took the opportunity to gracefully raise his sake cup and clink it with this tough-guy senior.

"You flatter me, senior from the North. I am just a straightforward person."

The wine glasses clinked lightly, producing a crisp echo.

Seeing that Kitahara Iwa had given him plenty of face, Kita Kenzo laughed heartily with satisfaction and drank it all in one gulp.

Upon seeing this, Editor-in-Chief Sato, who was standing to the side, suddenly relaxed his tense shoulders and let out a long sigh of relief.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking that at least Kitahara Iwao and Takahashi Yoshio didn't fight in this private room.

Just as Editor-in-Chief Sato was about to take advantage of Kita Kenzo's words to once again arrange a toast and try to smooth things over, that's when...

boom!

The heavy door to the private room was suddenly pushed open from the outside without any politeness.

The huge commotion instantly drew everyone's attention.

Kadokawa Haruki, dressed in an extremely flamboyant custom-made suit, exuding a strong Cuban cigar smell and a terrifyingly oppressive aura befitting a superior, strode in.

He was followed by several burly bodyguards and an assistant carrying documents. He completely ignored the literary luminaries who were having a lively discussion in the private room and walked straight towards Kitahara Iwa.

"President Kadokawa? What brings you here at this hour?"

Kitahara Iwa raised an eyebrow slightly and stepped forward to ask.

According to the plan, Haruki Kadokawa should be preparing for tonight's press conference.

Haruki Kadokawa chuckled coldly, his eyes sweeping around the private room before finally settling on the black telephone that symbolized entry into the literary world.

Then, without even glancing at the editor-in-chief Sato beside him, Kadokawa Haruki completely ignored these so-called famous writers and walked straight to Kitahara Iwao.

"Kitahara-kun, are you still sitting here drinking this bland sake?"

Haruki Kadokawa pulled a large Cuban cigar from his pocket, and the bodyguard next to him immediately bent down to light it.

Then Haruki Kadokawa took a deep breath, and thick smoke instantly filled the elegant private room, causing several old-school writers to choke and frown.

"Don't wait for this damn phone call."

Through the smoke, Kadokawa Haruki said with a contemptuous tone, "Those old fogies in Kyoto not only plan to crush you tonight, but they've also prepared an exceptionally generous gift for you."

With that, Kadokawa Haruki took the crumpled fax from his assistant and slapped it open in front of Kitahara Iwao.

"This is their smear campaign. Before the results were even out, they had already contacted the arts and culture sections of major newspapers."

Haruki Kadokawa pointed to the contents of the faxed document and explained, "Tomorrow morning, all of Japan will see your 'Confessions' defined as vulgar trash and a disgrace to the literary world."

"They not only want to get you eliminated, but they also want to completely ruin your reputation."

Upon hearing this, the writers and editors in the private room all gasped in shock. The literary luminaries who had just been so self-righteous were now filled with astonishment and disbelief.

They just couldn't understand why those guys from the Kansai faction would target Kitahara Iwa like this.

Kadokawa Haruki took another deep drag on his cigar and said sternly, "Kitahara, I take their insults as just petty squabbles among intellectuals; I have no interest in them."

"But they dare to damage the film's reputation now, which is tantamount to jeopardizing Kadokawa Pictures' multi-billion dollar profit-making plan!"

"Those who dare to cut off my Kadokawa Haruki's source of income, I'll make sure these old bastards are utterly disgraced!"

At this point, Kadokawa Haruki suddenly turned to Kitahara Iwao and said, "Since they want to play media warfare, then I'll show them what real tactics are."