1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 21 The Dream Lover of Girls All Over the Country
Jiang Xian learned from Zhang Dening that the 11th issue of "Beijing Literature and Art" had been reprinted to 80 copies.

This is an exaggerated number.

Unfortunately, in this era, reprinting and hot sales of magazines will not increase the author's income.

In later generations, there are three ways for publishing houses to pay for literary works: one is basic remuneration plus remuneration for the number of copies printed; the second is royalties; and the third is a one-time payment.

There is no such mature concept at all at this moment.

In China, the first person to engage in commercial writing was Wang Shuo. He took the lead in negotiating royalties with publishing houses. His move of "not wanting royalties but wanting royalties" left publishing houses confused.

Having said that, although the income did not increase, the influence of "The Chess King" continued to expand, and more and more people knew Jiang Xian's name.

In the second week after the publication of "The Chess King", a reporter from Youth Daily came to the Beijing Literature and Art Editorial Department.

The reporter's name is Pan Ying, he is in his 30s, carrying a shoulder bag with a Seagull 120 camera in it.

At that time, Jiang Xian was playing basketball with seven or eight men on the basketball court between the front and back buildings.

Pan Ying and Zhang Dening stood quietly on the sidelines for a while.

"These are writers seconded from all over the country, and they are revising the manuscripts here." Zhang Dening took the initiative to explain to Pan Ying.

Pan Ying nodded. This practice was not only adopted by "Beijing Literature and Art". It can be said that all top publications were implementing this model, and the largest one was the "royal publication" "People's Literature".

"Teacher Dening, is there anything wrong?" Jiang Xian trotted to the sidelines and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Pan Ying smiled and extended her hand. "Hello, Mr. Jiang. I am Pan Ying, a reporter from China Youth Daily. I am here to interview you."

"Interview?" Jiang Xian was surprised.

Even more surprising was the group of writers who were eavesdropping on the conversation in the back.

"What happened?"

"A reporter came to interview Jiang Xian."

"Oh my god, China Youth Daily?!"

"Niu Dafa!"

A group of writers became agitated and looked at Jiang Xian with envy and jealousy.

Although Youth Daily is not one of the “two magazines and one newspaper”, it is also a mainstream media with significant influence in China.

Being interviewed by Youth Daily can be described as bringing honor to the family.

Zhang Dening was quite tactful. "Reporter Pan, you guys go ahead and chat first. I still have a few manuscripts to deal with."

Pan Ying thanked her and then looked at Jiang Xian with a smile, "Teacher Jiang, I won't disturb you for too long. Can I just ask you a few questions?"

Jiang Xian nodded, "I never thought that I would be interviewed one day."

Pan Ying took out his notebook.

"Can you briefly introduce yourself?"

"Jiang Xian, male, single."

Pan Ying quickly wrote it down, "I've also read your book The Chess King. Is Wang Yisheng really a real person?"

Jiang Xian nodded. "The original image of Wang Yisheng is actually a fusion of many images. One of them is a chess player I met during my previous 'unemployment' period: Zang Guozhu."

Pan Ying keenly captured the points that could be explored.

“Were you an unemployed young person?”

"I retired due to illness and returned to Beijing half a year ago. Before I started writing, I was an 'unemployed youth' like 40 gay men in Beijing."

“What do your parents do for a living?”

"My father's job is not convenient to disclose. My mother is an ordinary worker in a garment factory."

“Which garment factory?”

"Garment Factory No. 3."

"It's a pretty good company. Didn't you take her shift?"

Jiang Xian sighed, "My mother had this idea, and I was tempted to accept it, but I recalled the teacher's teachings: the world is vast and there is a lot to do.

It was this call that inspired me, a junior high school graduate, to form a collective household with several classmates and go to the countryside to receive re-education from the poor and lower-middle peasants, hoping to make a big difference in the vast world.

But now that I'm back in the city, I want my parents to sacrifice themselves to help me achieve my goal. I can't accept that.

The world is vast and there is much to be accomplished!
Since I have hands, feet and education, why can't I use my own hands to create a world for myself? "

Pan Ying wiped the corners of his eyes.

No wonder he can write novels of that level.

Teacher Jiang Xian’s ideological realm is far beyond that of ordinary people!

What a respectable writer.

“When did you start creating?”

"I have always loved literature, but I have never written anything. The Chess King is my first literary work."

“How long did it take you to write the story of The Chess King?”

"The story took shape in my mind a long time ago. It only took me four days to write it in one go," Jiang Xian confessed honestly.

"4 days?!"

Pan Ying exclaimed.

It only took 4 days to write an excellent novel that caused a sensation across the country?

Still a debut work!
This talent, the word genius alone may not be enough to describe it!

"Teacher Jiang, you are so outstanding!"

“I still need to learn more and make more progress.”

"Can I take a picture of you?"

"Photograph?"

"I have some photos I took in the past here." Pan Ying put down his notebook and took out a few cut-up old newspapers from his bag, with black-and-white photos inserted on the pages.

Jiang Xian picked up one at random and took a glance at it.

The picture shows a girl with pigtails and a large flowered jacket. She is sitting at a table reading a book, with three bricks in her left hand.

The following text: He Jinying, deputy squad leader of the female militia squad of the militia company of the commune’s urban production brigade, did not forget to exercise her hand strength while reading.

"Forget it. I think it's better for writers to keep a veil of mystery." Jiang Xian rejected the suggestion.

He didn't want to be like a monkey and be watched by people all day long.

Pan Ying still did not give up, "Teacher Jiang, many readers in China are curious about what you look like."

Jiang Xian pondered for a moment and came up with an idea.

"How about you briefly describe it in words at the end of the interview?"

Pan Ying left with regret.

A few days later, an article titled "In-depth Dialogue: Getting to Know the "Chess King" and Jiang Xian" was published in the China Youth Daily that day.

This article occupies a very prominent section in the film.

The content of the interview caused an uproar.

What is even more eye-catching is the description of Jiang Xian’s appearance in the last part of the interview.

[Jiang Xian has an undoubted intellectual temperament, but there is something on his face that reminds people of a simple rural youth. This is particularly attractive. Even Jiang Xian's deep and bright eyes, while shining with thoughts, are also filled with childlike innocence]
Sufficient blank space gives readers unlimited room for imagination, and also reveals that the author is not only talented in writing, but also has handsome appearance.

Industrial College Family Courtyard.

Zhu Lin discovered that her sister Zhu Hong had a copy of the 11th issue of "Beijing Literature and Art".

According to her, "The Chess King" was extremely popular in the High School Affiliated to the Industrial College. Many female students admired the author and regarded him as their ideal partner.

Zhu Hong's words were full of nonsense, but Zhu Lin sneered.

"At such a young age, you have wild thoughts."

"Sister, what are you doing with my magazine?"

"Confiscated."

(End of this chapter)