1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 208: Try Writing a Play
On the western extension of Chang'an Avenue, three miles outside Fuxingmen, there is a place called Muxidi.

This area used to be outside the city of Yanjing. Alfalfa grew particularly well there, so it was called Alfalfa Field. Later, the name was considered indecent because alfalfa was used as horse fodder, so it was changed to Osmanthus Field.

Jiang Xian got off the No. 13 bus. The BK640 had a round head and was red and white. People in Beijing called it a little mule. It looked like a copycat version of Skoda.

From afar, you can see two high-rise residential buildings on the south side of Fuxingmenwai Street. Almost all the celebrities in the cultural circle live here.

Jiang Xian first went to the street and bought some fruits from farmers in the suburbs of Beijing, while the people around him whispered to each other.

"Have you heard that? He has also moved into the Minister's Building these days."

"Who?"

"Learn from Daqing in industry and agriculture"

"Hey, what's the matter with him? He quit?"

"I quit a long time ago. The newspapers and other places scold me every day. It would make anyone upset."

"What you said, this is really a changing world."

"Who says it's not?"

Jiang Xian carried a net bag of fruit, covered his ears and ran away quickly.

Why the hell are you talking about state affairs in broad daylight? Beijing is such a small place. If the people of Chaoyang hear you, they will wipe you out.

The reason I came here today was naturally because of the call from my instructor Cao Yu. I followed the address given by Wan Fang and entered Gate 22 of Building 6. It is a large unit with an elevator.

Knock three times.

The person who opened the door was a female comrade of the same age as Jiang Xian. She had short hair, was quite pretty, and had the graceful temperament of an old-fashioned scholar.

"You are Comrade Wan Fang, right?"

Wan Fang nodded, "Comrade Jiang Xian, right? Please come in."

Cao Yu was already waiting, and when he saw Jiang Xian, a smile appeared on his face.

"I'm so sorry for taking so long." He looked apologetic.

Jiang Xian was shocked. "Don't say that. If you hadn't accepted me, no teacher in the Institute of Literature would want me."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and Jiang Xian took a tour of the room.

The house is quite large, with a sofa, a coffee table, and walls full of books in the living room. There is a banner of red plum blossoms hanging on the wall.

Jiang Xian glanced at the signature

——Guanshan Moon.

Oops.

Let me mention two of Guan Shanyue's representative works, "Such a Beautiful Countryside" in the Great Hall of the People and "Spring Herald" in the China Hall of the United Nations.
The two sat down, and Jiang Xian drank the tea that Wan Fang poured. "I really wanted to hear your lecture last time."

Cao Yu once gave a lecture at the Institute of Literature, which was very good. He had experience in teaching, having been a teacher at Fudan University and the vice-president of the Central Academy of Drama. In every class, there were so many students climbing up the windows to attend his lectures.

He was very unique when he lectured. While speaking, he would transform himself into the characters in the drama. For example, when he was talking about George Bernard Shaw's "Candida", he would immediately play the role of Candida himself and recite passionately.

Because he is not only a playwright, but also a professional drama actor.

I have to mention this. Can you believe that Mr. Cao dressed as a woman back then? He even became a pillar of the troupe by dressing as a woman and was even reported in the newspapers.

Of course, this was because men and women could not perform on the same stage at that time, so he had no choice but to wear women's clothing.

"I visited Britain, France and the United States this time, and Britain left the deepest impression on me because I watched their opera "Armandes."

"Armandès" tells the story of Mozart's death, the cause of which is the eleventh unsolved mystery in the world. This opera presents it as Asharey murdering Mozart out of jealousy.

Cao Yu talked about the end of the opera, and came to the most exciting part -

The protagonist Ashari admitted to the murder, walked to the front of the stage, faced the audience in the hall, and asked loudly:
"Who among you is not the executioner who kills genius?!"

When he recited this line, Cao Yu stood up suddenly, pointed at Jiang Xian in a stern voice. His scalp went numb.

It was like someone suddenly took off the mask, revealing the darkness and filth.

What is a master?

At this moment, Jiang Xian felt it completely.

He also talked with Cao Yu about the literary museum, and Cao Yu was very excited and strongly supported it, even willing to donate all the materials.

Jiang Xian said goodbye with his insights from the class.

Before leaving, Cao Yu said, "You might as well write a drama script boldly. I'll take it and read it, and I can tell you about it in a targeted way, of course, if you are interested."

Write a play script?

Jiang Xian seemed to be thinking about something, then nodded and said goodbye.

Cao Yu's daughter Wan Fang came out to see him off, and they walked into the elevator together.

"Comrade Wan Fang, I'm sorry to bother you today."

Wan Fang smiled and said, "It's okay, this is my first time listening to my dad's lecture."

"You've never heard him talk about anything?" Jiang Xian was surprised.

As far as he knew, Wan Fang also dabbled in literature. He had served as the editor of "Script Monthly" and now worked as a screenwriter at the Central Opera House. It was impossible that he had not received guidance from Cao Yu.

"No." Wan Fang shook his head. "He and I have always created our own works and never interfered with each other. I have never heard him say anything, and he never told me anything either."

"."

Jiang Xian was surprised. This was something he had not expected.

"I used to be very resistant to watching his work, and I haven't watched several of his plays in their entirety." Wan Fang looked shy.

Her mother was in a special position, she was quite rebellious before, and the environment
"But your novels are very good." Wan Fang was delighted. "I have read every one of your novels. I didn't feel comfortable showing them to you just now. I have bought several of your published works."

"Thank you, thank you." Jiang Xian smiled embarrassedly.

I couldn't help but feel happy in my heart. I didn't expect that he had such a loyal reader.

"I have a heartfelt request."

The two walked out of the elevator, and Wanfang looked embarrassed. "I wrote a short story, but it was not accepted for submission. Can you please help me to revise it?"

"I correct it? Why don't you give it to Sister Xiaolin?" Jiang Xian was surprised.

Wan Fang's face flashed with a hint of awkwardness, "I don't really want to trouble her."

Jiang Xian could probably guess something, as Li Xiaolin was always straightforward in his speech and Wan Fang seemed to be more concerned about his reputation.

"Okay, I'll help you take a look."

"Do you like watching opera?" Wan Fang discussed with him, "I won't ask for your help in vain. I will give you two tickets to the Central Opera House."

"Opera? Sure."

Jiang Xian gladly accepted it. He remembered that Zhu Lin liked watching operas, especially "Madame Butterfly".

It was created by Puccini and has nothing to do with Madame Luxembourg.

He said goodbye to Wan Fang and left the Minister's Building.

Looking at an old man and an old woman walking hand in hand, Jiang Xian guessed that they might be Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang, after all, they really lived in this building.

He didn't bother her.

Taking bus No. 13 back, on the way I was thinking about Cao Yu asking him to write a play.

(End of this chapter)