1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 107 Novella Selection

"This novel has a strong storyline. If it can be written, it will definitely be quite shocking."

Wang Meng dares to say this because Jiang Xian’s creative techniques are mature enough.

Even a very simple and plain story, such as "Brown Lychees", which is simply "A Rider in Red Dust and the Concubine Smiles", is portrayed with such ups and downs in his writing. Every character is controlled by the hand of fate, and is vivid and full of personality.

"I haven't decided whether to write it or not." Jiang Xian said.

"Write it down! You must write it down!" Wang Meng's eyes were full of excitement and a sense of responsibility to save a novel. "You must trust my judgment. I have great confidence that this novel will be published."

Listening to Wang Meng's words, Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Since you said so, I will finish the manuscript as soon as possible and send it to you."

"Don't worry about this. Although I really want to see this manuscript sooner, I hope you can take your time to polish it."

"Don't worry, Teacher Wang, I understand." Jiang Xian nodded.

In fact, he was just talking.

He has always been clear-headed.

Wang Meng doesn’t even give him a monthly ticket, yet still wants to urge him to write articles, bah bah bah.

Having successfully arranged for the manuscript, Wang Meng was satisfied and left the Beijing Film Studio with Liu Heng.

Jiang Xian was sent to the gate of Beijing Film Studio, and walking back leisurely, he caught a glimpse of Zhong Acheng.

When Ah Cheng saw him, his face felt a little painful.

He had already read Jiang Xian's article "Lychee".

Take the Meiguan Road, arrive at Jizhou, turn northwest, head straight for Tanzhou, turn to the Xijing Road, abandon the horse and board the ship, change the water route, cross the Yangtze River from Dongting Lake, and then go along the Han River, Xiang River, and Dan River to Shangzhou, and finally go by land along the Shangzhou Road, rush into Guanzhong, go through Lantian, Baqiao to Chang'an!
From Zengcheng to Chang'an.

Only 11 days!
The color of lychees changes on the first day, the fragrance changes on the second day, the taste changes on the third day, and the color, fragrance and taste are gone on the fourth day, so their shelf life is only 3 days.

Jiang Xian used the cutting method to plant the branches and leaves with fruits in the soil, and picked them off when the leaves began to wither. He then used the Hu people's unique double-layer urn preservation method, replacing the stream water in the interlayer to achieve the purpose of cooling.

Can stay fresh for up to 11 days!
He didn't expect it at all.

Jiang Xian actually figured out a plan to send lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an!
He also went out of his way to look for information and try to verify this plan.

But at least from the information he found, he couldn't find any obvious flaws in this plan.

Think about that day, in front of Ba Jin, he still categorically denied it, and said shamelessly that this novel was completely wrong.
What a joke! What a joke!
I regret it! I regret it!
This is really embarrassing in front of Mr. Ba Jin.

"I've read your article." In order to avoid embarrassment, Acheng took the initiative to mention "Lychee".

"Oh? How does it feel?"

"Okay, okay, a litchi decree has deposed loyal officials, brought suffering to the people, and disturbed the world." He said in admiration, "You are quite good at it. You understand the Tang Dynasty."

The two chatted as they returned to their room in the guesthouse.

"Teacher Jiang!"

Before he reached the door, he heard a voice calling him. Jiang Xian looked up and caught a glimpse of Liu Xiaoqing waiting at the door. Her braid was draped diagonally across her chest. She was quite pretty.

"Jiang Xian, I'm going back first." Acheng was about to say goodbye.

Jiang Xian quickly grabbed him.

"Where are you going? I have something to tell you. Just stay here."

If you leave and something happens, I won’t be able to explain it!

It is well known in the industry that this actor is a ruthless person.

Jiang Xian could guess a little about her purpose.

If she wants to play some tricks, it will be difficult for him to deal with it.

Don't follow Jun's footsteps.

"Grandma Liu, Comrade Xiaoqing, why are you here? Is there something wrong?" he turned around and asked.

Liu Xiaoqing said smilingly.

"You're the writer of 'Traffic', so of course I have to come visit."

"Oh, please come in." Jiang Xian opened the door. It was the coldest time of the year, so he certainly couldn't leave him outside in the cold.

Be sensitive, but not overly sensitive.

"Don't bother me, don't bother me." Liu Xiaoqing saw Jiang Xian pouring water for her and waved her hand quickly, "I'll just sit for a while and leave."

Jiang Xian didn't bother to be polite with her and took a sip himself.

"Teacher Jiang, I didn't feel I performed well on the day of the audition. I want to talk to you about my understanding of the role of Ai Jinghua." Liu Xiaoqing took out a notebook from his bag, which looked like he had put a lot of effort into it. "I think Ai Jinghua is a positive person."

Jiang Xian said, "Stop, stop."

"Comrade Xiaoqing, this role is mainly decided by the director. It's no use for you to come to me."

"I know, I really like the character of Ai Jinghua, I think she is me."

"???"

Jiang Xian was puzzled and said earnestly, "Okay, Comrade Xiaoqing, don't make trouble with me. Go back and wait for notification. No matter what the final result is, please respect the decision of the crew. You don't have to play the leading role. In a movie, every role is important."

"."Liu Xiaoqing left helplessly.

Acheng glanced at her back a few times, and Jiang Xian waved his hand in front of his eyes.

"Don't look at her, she's married and has a husband."

Ah Cheng cried out that he was wronged, "I looked at her because I had seen the movies she acted in before. I didn't have that kind of interest. I have a partner."

Liu Xiaoqing just got married last year. His husband is a violinist in the General Political Department Opera Troupe. This was a purposeful marriage because Liu Xiaoqing wanted to be transferred to Beijing for work and the best way was to get married.

Later, Liu Xiaoqing became pregnant like Zhang Jinling, but their choices were completely opposite. Liu Xiaoqing decided not to have a child on her own, which resulted in harm to her body. Her husband could not accept her choice, and the two divorced.

A few days later, Zhang Dening came to see Jiang Xian.

She brought him a piece of good news: "Animals Are Dangerous" participated in this year's national selection of outstanding novellas. Although it was only selected as the second prize, it was already a very good result.

Soon, a call came from Harvest, telling him that his work “Brown Lychees” had been submitted for competition and was also selected for the second prize.

In other words, in this year's first novella selection, Jiang Xian alone had two novels selected, although both won second prizes.

Feng Jicai was preparing to return to Tianjin, and Jiang Xian and Wang Weiguo came to the station to see him off.

Feng Jicai's Ah! and Wang Weiguo's A Thrilling Scene were also selected as excellent novellas, winning first and second prizes respectively.

Facing Jiang Xian, a guy who only won the second prize, Feng Jicai finally regained a bit of confidence in front of him, felt a bit superior, and every pore of his body revealed a sense of pride.

"What a shame, what a shame, Lao Jiang. If there was a long-length award in China, you would definitely win first prize this year."

"."

Jiang Xian ignored this guy's sarcasm.

The domestic environment for novels is indeed not good. Writers work hard for several years on a novel, but in the end, they can only watch those writers of short stories and novellas walk the red carpet with satisfaction, enter the conference hall, and receive the highest award.

If Mao Dun had not always advocated writing novels and established the Mao Dun Literature Prize for novels, the enthusiasm of domestic novel writers would probably have disappeared long ago.

"Jiang Zilong is really at his peak this year!"

Wang Weiguo couldn't help but sigh, "Not only did his work "Director Qiao's Taking Office" win the first prize in this year's National Excellent Short Stories, but his work "Pioneer" was also selected as this year's National Excellent Novella. Although it was only the second prize, this result is impressive enough. I'm afraid he is the most watched writer this year."

"It's a pity for Jiang Xian, you are just one prize away from the first prize, a little inferior, otherwise you can be as famous as Jiang Zilon." Feng Jicai grinned beside him.

"The selection hasn't ended yet, right?" Jiang Xian asked.

He remembered that the selection was still ongoing and should end before February next year.

Because Chen Rong's "Middle-Aged Man" was published in the first issue of "Harvest" in 1980, it became famous overnight and won the first prize in the national excellent novella selection.

An announcement came from the loudspeaker, and Feng Jicai said goodbye to the two.

"I will come back to Beijing to see you guys next year when the awards are presented."

Jiang Xian hugged him and said goodbye.

"Don't blame me when the time comes."

(End of this chapter)