1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 106 Results of Autonomous Synthesis

Wang Meng is a very talented writer.

His article "A Young Man Comes to the Organization Department" can be regarded as "In the Name of People" of that era.

When "scar literature" was popular, Wang Meng did not integrate into the mainstream and was called an "incurable optimist."

He has a deep affection for Soviet Russian literature, and his writing has a strong young Bolshevik complex, which is reflected in "Long Live Youth".

However, after Wang Meng took over from Guang Weiran as the host of People's Literature, his focus was no longer on novels, and what he wrote became less interesting.

Jiang Xian looked at the two random inspirations in his mind, [Landlord] and [Incest].

He carefully recalled the idea that had just flashed through his mind and felt that it was completely feasible and worth a try.

He chose to randomly combine [landlord] and [incest].

Extremely nervous.

A novella appeared in his mind.
"Are you writing scripts at the Beijing Film Studio?" Wang Meng's voice came to my ears.

His expression is always slightly deep.

Wang Meng is not young, about forty years old, but there is not a single wrinkle on his face, his hair is as black as that of a young man, he is gentle and wears a pair of glasses.

“I’ve been busy with this lately.”

The two exchanged a few pleasantries and simply left Liu Heng alone to stroll around the yard of the Beijing Film Studio.

Wang Meng took the initiative to mention "Brown Lychee".

After the article "Brown Lychees" was published in the sixth issue of "Harvest", it did not cause much sensation among readers or receive much warm welcome, but it sparked quite extensive discussion in the literary world.

"I was chatting with Zhang Kengkeng the other day and we talked about your novel. Zhang Kengkeng gave it a very high evaluation."

"Is it."

Everyone knows Zhang Kengkeng, right? She has a bad reputation in the later generations. She is a good friend of Wanwan. Her husband is also a writer named Jiang Rong. He wrote a book, which was later made into a movie.

"Wolf Totem"

"Although I did some research when writing this novel, I am ultimately an outsider, and my writing is still not rigorous enough. If some academic experts really read it, they might laugh at me." Jiang Xian said sincerely.

"Don't be so modest. I was shocked when I read it for the first time. Your knowledge and insights into certain things far exceed those of most people of our generation. At least I am ashamed of myself."

Wang Meng talked about his views on "Brown Lychees" and Jiang Xian's proposal for an official's way of being: "harmony in society, rain and dew are shared equally, and the sedan chair is carried by everyone." He quite agreed and thought it was a very insightful summary.

This is the true feeling. Even when it comes to compiling manuscripts, Wang Meng does not need to flatter Jiang Xian. He now holds an important position in the Writers Association and can be said to be the backbone of the association.

Wang Meng's praise made Jiang Xian feel a little flattered and he gained a lot of emotional value from it, and he immediately gave back the compliments.

"Speaking of which, I was inspired to write these articles by your article, 'A Young Man Came to the Organization Department,'" said Mr. Wang.

"Is it?"

"I am also learning from you, Teacher Wang. I really want to improve!"

“Haha.” Wang Meng was a serious person, and even when he laughed, he looked very serious. “Anyway, Jiang Xian, whether you have a manuscript now or not, we have already agreed on your next manuscript with Beijing Literature and Art.”

"." Jiang Xian pondered for a moment and glanced at the novel in his mind, "Teacher Wang, I do have a novel, but it's still in the conception stage." Wang Meng's eyes lit up, "You see, the manuscript is like water in a sponge. As long as you are willing to squeeze it, there will always be something."

"This was just a fleeting thought. I had no intention of writing it down originally. I felt it would not be published." Jiang Xian pretended to be depressed.

"Why not write it?" Wang Meng was a little anxious. "Good ideas must be written down and turned into articles."

"The subject matter of this article is quite bold. I don't think any magazine would dare to publish it."

"What's the subject matter? What's the content?" Wang Meng frowned. "Let's talk about it, okay?"

Under the leadership of Li Qingquan and Wang Meng, the quality of "Beijing Literature and Art" has been rising steadily, with good works in almost every issue. This has made them more stringent in their requirements for the quality of manuscripts submitted in each issue, and the demand for good manuscripts has also been increasing.

The several articles Jiang Xian had previously published, no matter in which magazine they were published, were all remarkable, and several of them even caused a sensation across the country. For such a writer, every idea is worthy of attention.

"As for the subject matter, this is a rural-themed work, but the content is somewhat extreme and explicit," Jiang Xian deliberately kept the topic a secret.

Wang Meng understood immediately.

Rural themes are always earthy and if they are extreme and explicit, they describe primitive sexual worship.

"That doesn't matter. There's no one else here today, so let's just talk about the content." Wang Meng suggested.

The bolder the subject matter, the more unique it is. The more Jiang Xian was secretive, the more curious he became about the novel he was talking about.

Jiang Xian wasn't worried that Wang Meng would do anything to hurt him because of today's conversation.

"Teacher Wang, do you know the Oedipus complex?"

Oedipus complex is a term used in the psychoanalytic school of psychology. In the Greek myth "Oedipus Rex", Prince Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Although he was careful all his life and tried his best to avoid it, he still committed the two major crimes of killing his father and marrying his mother unknowingly.

Wang Meng naturally knew that Greek mythology was introduced and spread in China in large quantities during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, and the grid books published in the "Foreign Literature Classics Series" also include "The Odyssey", "Two Tragedies of Aeschylus" and other famous Greek literary works.

“Using Oedipus to rural themes?” Wang Meng was a little surprised, and then asked impatiently: “Tell me in detail!”

“That’s probably the story.”

Jiang Xian didn't mind giving the manuscript to Wang Meng and to Beijing Literature and Art, and he was not reluctant to tell Wang Meng about it.

The two of them talked as they walked, intermittently, and after smoking four or five cigarettes, Jiang Xian finally finished telling Wang Meng about this eventful novel.

"Teacher Wang, how do you feel?"

"Shocking!"

Wang Meng recalled the content of the novel he had narrated, "The simplest desire, and the perseverance and worship of supreme power and love that it brought. The ending was also very clever and deeply moved."

"That's not just a sloppy idea, you've clearly already thought of the whole novel!"

Wang Meng understood.

He finally figured it out.

Jiang Xian didn't have a manuscript. He clearly had one. He was just waiting for someone who could appreciate it!

(End of this chapter)