1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 265 Don’t Cause Trouble for Your Brother-in-law
On this day, Jiang Xian was writing the script of "Shaolin Temple" at home when the young Zhang Yimou came to his house and excitedly slapped a newspaper on Jiang Xian's desk.

"Boss, look!"

"What are you making so much noise about?"

Zhang Yimou has always been relatively calm and reserved. This uncharacteristic behavior made Jiang Xian curious about the newspaper on the table.

He put down his pen and took a closer look. It looked like a copy of People's X Newspaper.

"What's going on?" He looked at Zhang Yimou.

“Look at this article!”

Zhang Yimou pointed to a very long commentary article in the commentary column "Today's Talk".

The title is "Every word is a burning cry", and the subtitle is "Mao Dun, the Chinese people will never forget him."

The article mainly commemorates Mr. Mao.

“The tree of literature and art is evergreen, and revolutionary literature and art is eternal.

Mao Dun showed us what true literature and art are, and what true party members and people's artists are! "

In the article, the commentator also mentioned the documentary "Chinese Literature" and affirmed the significance of the film.

"Comrade Wei Tao said that since Mao's death in March, many "conversation records" have appeared in various tabloids in the form of recording Mao's conversations, so the society regards them as first-hand materials for studying Mao Dun.

But this is not the case. Mr. Mao did not know about the existence of such a "Conversation Record" during his lifetime. It contains many inaccuracies and falsehoods, so its authenticity is questionable.

However, Chinese Literature has left precious first-hand materials for Mao Dun researchers in the form of recorded conversations, which are authentic: First, the records are true events, and the content of the conversations comes from Mao Dun’s mouth. Second, the filming was allowed by Mao Dun and the consent of his family was obtained.

If false and untrue materials such as "Conversations" are sought after by researchers, circulated, and used as first-hand research materials without giving Mao a chance to express his opinion, it will damage Mao's reputation.

The emergence of Chinese Literature has eased the eagerness of researchers and readers, and left solid and authentic evidence for reference."

At the end of the article, the commentator mentioned.

"There are still many misunderstandings about writers in history. Writers said things they never said, did things they never did, and all kinds of strange life stories were fabricated.

The documentary nature of Chinese Literature plays a key role in helping readers understand the real side of writers.”

The "Today's Talk" column in the People's Daily was founded in January 1980 and appeared on the first and fourth pages of the People's Daily. It had many commentators, including Xia Yan, Xiao Qian, national defense leader Zhang Aiping, economist Yu Guangyuan, and even Comrade Qiao Mu wrote articles under a pseudonym.

The power of a commentary article in a column of such status can be imagined.

Jiang Xian had just read this comment in the morning, and in the afternoon he received a notice from the China Writers Association to attend a meeting at No. 2 Shatan North Street.

The content of the meeting was very simple. First of all, his filming work was affirmed. This previously inconspicuous project was finally taken seriously by the China Writers Association.

"I didn't expect you to do such a big thing." Chen Huangmei was quite unbelievable.

Zang Kejia said: "You filmed this first episode well, and the poem you wrote in summary is also very good."

Half a lifetime of wind and rain has burned the red flames, and the lights are still bright after midnight.

Old comrades who were familiar with Mao Dun couldn't help but nod their heads. This was truly the best summary of Comrade Mao Dun's life.

The China Writers Association plans to apply to the higher authorities to support Jiang Xian to continue filming this film.

However, a committee needs to be set up and the content of the filming will be decided after discussion by the committee.

Jiang Xian had no objection.

He also suggested to the leaders, "I don't think we need to start a new project for the Chinese Literature journal. We can merge the journal into the Museum of Modern Literature."

The Museum of Modern Literature is being built as a key national cultural unit, and the "Chinese Literature" project can naturally become its internal institution.

In later generations, there were many institutions managed by the Modern Literature Museum, even Mao Dun’s former residence was under their management.

After hearing this, Feng Mu and the others thought that it was not impossible.

Today, the China Writers Association is actively undertaking the planning and preparation for the construction of the Modern Literature Museum.

Previously, the China Writers Association held an enlarged meeting of the presidium, and Ba Jin was elected as the acting chairman of the presidium. At the meeting, the issue of the preparation and construction of the Modern Literature Museum was also included in the agenda.

Once the preparatory work is formally approved, this work can be officially launched.

"We can do as Comrade Jiang Xian said."

"It's a good idea. When we visited Japan before, we saw Japanese children watching writers' films in the literature museum. "Chinese Literature" can also be shown in the modern literature museum in the future."

"We can make this happen, so that we can take charge of the Literature Museum."

Jiang Xian's proposal was quickly supported by other comrades.

Chen Huangmei thought of something. "The amount of money approved for your film seems to be not much, only 1000 yuan. I see that the production quality of the film is quite high, almost comparable to some studios' films. How did you do it?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Jiang Xian.

Jiang Xian said generously, "I added some royalties to the manuscript myself, and my wife also supports it.

If we want to contribute to Chinese literature, it doesn’t matter if we tighten our belts a bit.”

His tone was full of sympathy.

I also have to play the victim.

There are not many investors at the moment, so he has to pay for the filming out of his own pocket. He can't always pay like this, so he has to strive for support from above. Otherwise, if he continues to shoot at this pace, with so many writers in China, he won't be able to afford it even if he spends all his money.

After hearing what Jiang Xian said, Chen Huangmei, Guang Weiran and others blushed and couldn't help but sigh that Jiang Xian was so conscious.

If he had not voluntarily donated generously, they would probably not have been able to see this precious footage of Mr. Mao.

"The money should be reimbursed by the China Writers Association. This is really outrageous," Feng Mu suggested.

"It's my duty." Chen Huangmei nodded. "The film 'Chinese Literature' is also part of the construction of the Modern Literature Museum. We can't make things difficult for Comrade Jiang Xian alone."

Jiang Xian gained a lot from the meeting of the China Writers Association.

The filming of "Chinese Literature" is more legitimate as it is under the banner of the Modern Literature Museum, which means it has been approved by the propaganda department.

The financial pressure was also resolved. Although it was still tight, it was at least much better than paying out of his own pocket.

"Comrade Jiang Xian!"

Just as I was thinking about it, I was called again.

Jiang Xian turned around and saw Comrade Lin Jinlan and Comrade Xiao Jun.

Jiang Xian greeted them.

At the Beijing Writers Association's congress in the middle of last year, Xiao Jun was elected vice chairman.

Later, poetry group, children's literature group, film and drama group, novel group, and literary criticism group were formed, and Comrade Lin Jinlan was elected leader of the novel group.

It can be said that these two people are now the leaders of Jiang Xian, the young director.

“Your film is well shot.”

Xiao Jun sighed and said that Mr. Lu Xun once hosted a banquet in Shanghai at a Henan restaurant, and he invited Xiao Hong, Mao Dun and him.

Xiao Jun still remembers that the dishes served that day were sweet and sour soft carp, iron pan baked eggs, hot and sour shredded tripe soup, and fried walnut kidneys.

"Eat, disperse, eat again, disperse again. All good things must come to an end."

At the end of the story, Xiao Jun sighed. Now looking back on the past, all the old friends are gone.

Lin Jinlan also sighed, and the three of them talked about business. "Comrade Xiao Jun and I came here because we have something to discuss with you."

"Something's wrong? What's the matter?"

Xiao Jun said seriously, "The Beijing Writers Association is preparing a list recently and plans to transfer some writers to the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles to become professional writers. We want to include you on the list, so come and ask for your opinion."

"A professional writer from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles?"

Jiang Xian was immediately attracted.

Being able to become a professional writer of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles shows that the writer's literary achievements and creative abilities have been recognized by the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

If you can get into this group, you will be able to enjoy the salary and benefits issued by the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, be evaluated for administrative level, have no more worries, and devote yourself wholeheartedly to creation.

This shows how valuable the positions for professional writers are.

"Comrade Jiang Xian, why are you still hesitating?" Lin Jinlan was a little surprised when he saw that Jiang Xian did not respond for a long time.

Anyone who gets such a good opportunity would be ecstatic and agree immediately. But when it comes to Jiang Xian, he seems a little reluctant.

"It's naturally good to be able to join the Federation of Literary and Art Circles."

Jiang Xian stated his concerns, "But I think there will be a lot of things to do after I get in. I'm worried that the organization will assign me writing tasks, which will affect my own writing progress."

He weighed the pros and cons of joining the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

It is naturally a good thing to be able to enter the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, but with this title, it will not be so convenient to write some things in the future.

"Besides, I am so young and have only been creating for a few years. I am afraid that many comrades of the older generation will not accept it."

"Why would you not accept it?" Xiao Jun directly advised: "There is no order of learning, the one who has achieved success is respected. Just look at your current achievements, how many writers older than you can surpass you?

Moreover, with the talent you have shown now, it would be a pity if you don't join a professional creative team. You should not waste your talent and energy on other things, but should wholeheartedly contribute to the prosperity and development of literature."

"This"

"Okay, it's settled." Xiao Jun was very chauvinistic and finalized it to Jiang Xian without further ado. "Remember to prepare the materials when you go back. We will take care of the rest for you."

"Okay then." Xiao Jun and Lin Jinlan invited him warmly, and Jiang Xian no longer hesitated and agreed to it.

Even though he had all these concerns, joining the Federation of Literary and Art Circles was something he could not refuse.

When he got home, he told Zhu Lin what happened today.

"Then from now on, you will be a real writer," Zhu Lin said jokingly.

Jiang Xian also felt quite surprised.

In the past, he wrote novels and articles, but after finishing them he only dared to say that he was an author, a novelist, and never said that he was a writer. Perhaps it was because he had been writing online articles for a long time and he had an instinctive humility towards the sacred title of writer.

But from now on, he can legitimately call himself a writer, an officially recognized professional writer.

This era was different from later generations. The college entrance examination was fixed on July 7, 7, and 8, and the weather was extremely hot.

As soon as Zhu Hong finished the exam, her mother asked her about it.

"How is it going? Did you take your brother-in-law's essay in the college entrance examination?"

Zhu Hong felt a little jealous.

How come the first thing her mother cared about was not how she did in the exam, but whether her brother-in-law's essay was on the college entrance examination paper.

"I didn't take the test, but my brother-in-law guessed several questions correctly in the literary knowledge fill-in-the-blank test," said Zhu Hong.

The literary knowledge fill-in-the-blank question was about the author of the short story "Water Algae". Zhu Hong was allowed to watch Jiang Xian's "Chinese Literature" program before the exam and immediately filled in the name "Mao Dun".

“And composition.”

Zhu Hong said, "The essay was about 'The Beauty of Human Nature', and I immediately thought of my brother-in-law's novel 'The Grass House', so I simply quoted some wonderful sentences from the novel as material for my essay."

Mother Zhu was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. "You are lucky to have benefited from your brother-in-law. How can it always be such a coincidence?"

"This is no coincidence."

Zhu Hong disagreed with her mother's statement. It was obvious that her brother-in-law Jiang Xian's influence in the cultural circle was growing, which was why so many things related to him appeared during the college entrance examination.

As a brother-in-law, Jiang Xian also promptly asked about Zhu Hong's performance in the exam.

Zhu Hong was full of confidence and felt that her answers were perfect, so applying to Yanjing University would not be a problem.

Jiang Xian was somewhat impressed after hearing this.

My sister-in-law is a really good student.

You have to know that this is a unified issue across the country, and the Beijing household registration has not yet played its due role.

"Brother-in-law, didn't you promise to take me to see a play? You can't lie to me."

"Why would I lie to you?" Jiang Xian smiled.

He had promised Zhu Hong that he would take her to the Capital Theatre to watch a drama performance by Beijing People's Art Theatre after she finished her exams.

Of course I won’t break my promise now.

He picked a nice day with clear sky and took the sisters Zhu Lin and Zhu Hong to the Capital Theatre.

This year, Beijing People's Art Theatre re-staged "Sunrise" with a brand new lineup, directed by Diao Guangtan, with Yan Minqiu playing Chen Bailu and Yang Lixin playing Fang Dasheng.

Since its creation, the play "Sunrise" has been performed in turn by various drama troupes across the country.

But the version that really satisfied Cao Yu was the 1981 re-staging by the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

After the performance ended and the curtain fell, Jiang Xian did not leave immediately. Instead, he said he had something else to do and led the two of them directly to the backstage of the theater.

"Mr. Jiang." Some actors who had met Jiang Xian before greeted him one after another.

Jiang Xian also nodded and greeted them.

Zhu Hong looked at the actors of "Sunrise" who were removing their makeup backstage and swallowed a few times. She felt even more proud of her brother-in-law.

Jiang Xian found Ying Ruocheng and asked him about the crew of "The World's Number One Restaurant".

Previously, "The World's No. 1 Restaurant" had passed the review of the Beijing People's Art Theater Art Committee and the project was officially approved.

Jiang Xian asked about the actor who played Lu Mengshi, and Xia Chun said that he wanted to find Tan Zongyao, an actor who always played the B role before, to play the role.

After a brief chat, he stood up and said goodbye.

Zhu Hong held him back and whispered.

"Brother-in-law, I want Chen Bailu's autograph."

Zhu Lin gave her a reproachful look and said, "Don't cause trouble for your brother-in-law."

"It's okay, I'll ask."

Jiang Xian found Comrade Yan Minqiu and told him about the signature matter.

Yan Minqiu covered his nose and smiled, "That's easy, but Comrade Jiang Xian, you have to give me an autograph."

(End of this chapter)