1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 273 Warrior Press

"Success?!"

Jiang Xian's spirits lifted.

He took a look at the novel in his mind which was a combination of "Dancer" and "Gang".

The result was just as he expected, a novella with the flavor of old Shanghai, set in another time and space, written by one of his favorite writers.

The writing style is very delicate, and it describes old Shanghai, but it is very different from the Shanghai described by Eileen Chang.

Bian Huawei was still chattering on, and changed the topic to "The Garland under the Mountain".

"Your novel is so famous now. No matter where I go recently, I can hear people discussing it. How did you write it?"

Jiang Xian explained, "Some time ago, the Writers Association organized a trip to the south for interviews. I heard a lot of stories there and wrote them down in a booklet. After I came back, I reorganized these stories and wrote this novel."

"I see."

Bian Huawei suddenly realized, "No wonder the characters in the novel are so real, their deeds really happened."

"Sister, have you been in contact with Mr. Zhang Leping recently?" Jiang Xian asked Jiang Qin.

"Have."

Jiang Qin nodded, "I followed your advice and visited Mr. often."

Jiang Xian wasn't too surprised. "Recently, many publishing houses have been negotiating with me about the comic strip of this novel. I still want to let you do the novel "Wreath"."

"'The Wreath'? I'll do it?"

Jiang Qin was a little flustered.

Different from "Huo Yuanjia" and "Supreme King" which were previously published in "Story Club", "The Garland under the Mountain" published in "October" was a novel that truly caused a sensation across the country.

"If I don't do it for you, who else should I do it for? Good things should be kept within the family." Jiang Xian explained with a smile.

Jiang Qin was worried: "Second brother, I'm afraid I can't do it well. I'm just a worker. The novel "Wreath" has attracted great attention from people all over the country."

"Sister, don't be so unconfident."

Jiang Xian encouraged him, saying, "Although you are not a professional artist, how many painters in the country can be appreciated by Mr. Zhang Leping?
When you are making it, show it to Mr. Zhang Leping and ask him for his advice. I believe your work will be good."

"Yes." Bian Huawei also said: "What's wrong with being a worker? Being a worker is the most glorious, no worse than the students."

"Then I'll give it a try." Jiang Qin was no longer shy, and ambitions began to rise in her heart.

Jiang Xian also felt relieved.

Previously, after the release of "The Garland under the Mountain" in "October", its sales were well received by the market.

But no matter how high this amount is, it can only increase Jiang Xian's fame, but cannot increase his royalties.

But if it is adapted into a comic book, the income from royalties will be linked to sales.

You know, "The Garland under the Mountain" once set a record of 180 million copies of a single volume.

If the picture book adapted from "The Garland under the Mountain" is successfully released, it will definitely bring Jiang Xian and Jiang Qin a considerable amount of income.

Jiang Xian still wanted to help improve the lives of his sister's family.

Nowadays, this small dormitory at his sister's house can be said to be extremely cramped.

In a space of less than 6 square meters, a family of four squeezed into a double bed made of wooden boards, and that was only enough for the two children to sleep on.

Shanghainese people jokingly call this living condition "monkey playing tricks."

What do you mean?

Because the monkeys on the Monkey Mountain are scattered around, and Shanghai people's homes are too small and crowded, when people go to bed at night, there may be people sleeping on the bed, under the bed, or even under the table, just like the Monkey Mountain.

That’s why it’s called “monkey playing tricks”.

His brother-in-law Bian Huawei's house has not been divided up yet.

Houses in Shanghai are no easier to find than those in Beijing.

In 78, the per capita living area in Shanghai was only 4.5 square meters.

In the nearly 30 years since then, the average living area of ​​SH citizens has not increased by more than 1 square meter, truly "building a temple in a snail shell".

In 1980, only 100 million square meters of housing were completed in Shanghai throughout the year, and only million square meters were available for distribution.

Among them, 40 square meters of housing are used to solve the problems of particularly difficult households.

What is a particularly difficult household?

According to the unified definition of the State Administration of Urban Construction at the time, a poor household refers to a family with an average living area of ​​less than 4 square meters per person and men and women over the age of 12 living in the same room.

The particularly hard-pressed households are those for which Shanghai has discounted the hard-pressed households standard. If houses were distributed according to the hard-pressed households standard, there would be more than 90 households in Shanghai that would need to solve their housing problems.

In order to distribute the limited houses to those who need them most, Shanghai has set its own standard for particularly difficult households: the per capita living area is less than 2 square meters and the age is over 16 years old.

There are nearly 7 extremely poor households in the city that meet the requirements, but only more than 2 of them have been allocated houses.

Given the situation, Jiang Xian felt that Bian Huawei should not wait any longer, as he might not be able to get a share even after retirement.

Seeing his two nephews growing up day by day, Jiang Xian thought that after the picture book "Wreath" was successfully published and he made some money, he would do some ideological work on his sister Jiang Qin and try to get her family to buy a new house and move out of this small dormitory.

After dinner, Jiang Xian first called Li Xiaolin, and then went to Ba Jin’s residence at No. 113 Wukang Road, Xuhui District.

After the greetings, I sat down with Ba Lao and started by talking about the novel "The Garland under the Mountain".

Ba Jin praised Jiang Xian, thinking that he was able to write with courage and insight, break through spiritual shackles, get rid of rules and regulations, and transcend good people and good deeds. This is a writing attitude worthy of respect.

He gave a very high evaluation of the novel "The Wreath", saying that it was the first military-themed novel that vividly presented the harsh truth of war and the vivid hearts of soldiers to readers.

"While vigorously praising the military's great achievements and heroic sacrifices, it also truthfully reveals the deep contradictions within the military."

Ba Jin admired and liked Jiang Xian's attitude of "telling the truth" and this novel that "tells the truth".

After talking about novels, we started talking about the Literature Museum.

During this period of time, the planning and construction of the Modern Literature Museum has been formally approved by the Propaganda Department.

At the presidium meeting held by the China Writers Association, it was decided that Ba Jin, Bing Xin, Cao Yu, Yan Wenjing, Tang Tao, Wang Yao, Feng Mu, Kong Luosun, Jiang Xian and others would jointly form the "Preparatory Committee for the China Modern Literature Museum."

Among them, Kong Luosun served as the chairman.

Kong Luosun is almost 70 years old this year. He is a veteran literary critic. He has served as editor-in-chief of the Literary Gazette and executive secretary of the Secretariat of the China Writers Association.

At this point, the preparatory work for the Modern Literature Museum finally officially began.

"I also want to give all the royalties from future books to the archive. I have made it clear to the publishing house that all the royalties will go to the literature archive, and I am also preparing to raise funds for it."

Ba Jin spoke excitedly and took out a blank printed letter to publishing houses to inform them to pay the royalties directly to the Literature Museum.

"In short, we should get this business started as soon as possible and make it develop rapidly."

The old man was very enthusiastic, and Jiang Xian couldn't help but be moved by his expression.

In this era, being a "ten thousand yuan household" could make the news, and Ba Jin was not a wealthy businessman. After liberation, Ba Jin explained to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles that he did not receive a penny of salary, so every penny he had was the royalties he earned from his hard work writing.

He had donated 15 yuan before, and all his future royalties will be donated as well. His resolute donation for the construction of the literature museum can be described as "selfless".

"Jiang Xian, I would never be able to accomplish this task on my own, thanks to you," Ba Jin said with relief.

Jiang Xian smiled shyly, "Thank you for your trust. There is still a lot of work to be done. I will try my best to make it happen."

"You should try to focus on the novel."

Ba Jin reminded him: "You have done enough for the Literature Museum. You can write a novel of the level of "The Garland under the Mountain" at this age, which means that your future heights will not be limited to here. You are at the peak of your creation. Don't waste your most precious creative energy."

"Yes, Jiang Xian, you should focus on novels and continue to write novels of the same level as "Wreath"."

Li Xiaolin also agreed with Ba Jin's statement, but as she spoke, she became a little angry.

"Look, we are such good friends, why did you give the novel "The Wreath Under the Mountain" to "October"? You should give us "Harvest" instead."

Her tone was one of regret.

"Harvest" actually missed a novel of the level of "The Garland under the Mountain".

In today's literary world, "The Garland under the Mountain" is undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching novels.

According to statistics, more than a dozen newspapers and periodicals across the country have reprinted the novel in full, and the review articles on "The Wreath" in various print media total nearly 50 words.

More than 50 words.

This is five times the length of the novel "The Garland".

The comment has more words than the novel!

Jiang Xian had no choice but to tell her how "Hualuan" was asked to go away by Zhang Shouren of "October".

Li Xiaolin also felt helpless after hearing this.

At this point, I can only blame myself for not being diligent in inquiring about Jiang Xian’s recent works, which is why "Harvest" ultimately did not have the opportunity to publish "Wreath".

She was inspired again and asked, "Jiang Xian, are you going to have your next novel soon? Please give it to us, Harvest."

Ba Jin laughed, "Xiao Lin, how can you ask such a question? Do you think writing a novel is like laying eggs?"

After hearing what Ba Lao said, Jiang Xian felt embarrassed to embarrass the old man, so he said that he was indeed very productive and indeed already had an article in mind.

He implicitly promised, "Sister Xiaolin, let's make a deal. I will give my next novel to Harvest."

I didn't stay in Shanghai for long. It was already mid-October when I returned to Beijing.

Jiang Xian, the most popular star in the literary world, has finally returned to the public eye.

And during the time he disappeared, the discussion about "The Wreath" never decreased, but instead intensified.

In October, the 10th issue of Red Flag published the literary review "My Reading of 'The Wreath under the Mountain'" by Ding Ling, Vice Chairman of the China Writers Association.

This is the third extremely important literary review that "Wreath" has received after Feng Mu and Liu Baiyu.

Ding Ling affirmed the artistic achievement of the novel "Wreath" and commented:
"Behind Jiang Xian's youthful appearance, there is an extremely sensitive and empathetic heart. His sensitivity to suffering, self-esteem, morality, love, and the good and evil of human nature often surprises us."

In addition, the Beijing Writers Association and the Beijing Literary Institute jointly organized a creative seminar for "The Wreath under the Mountain".

In the same month, the Art Bureau of the Propaganda Department and the editorial department of October jointly held a symposium on "The Wreath under the Mountain" attended by readers from all walks of life.

With such momentum, the novel "The Wreath" has been upgraded from an ordinary novel published in 1981 to a literary masterpiece published in 1981.

A few days after Jiang Xian returned to Beijing, an editor named Yuan Houchun came to his door.

He first introduced himself and said that he was from the Warrior Literature and Art Publishing House.

Jiang Xian brought him a chair and poured him a cup of tea himself.

Yuan Houchun took a sip and said with a smile:
"Comrade Jiang Xian, I have been looking for you for a long time."

"Oh?"

"You don't know, I have been asking around for your whereabouts during this period.

I heard that you were in Jinan, so I followed you to Jinan. As soon as I got off the train, I heard that you went to Shanghai. I hurried to Shanghai and asked around for news about you, but you had actually returned to Beijing.

Jiang Xian burst out laughing.

I didn't expect that while I was hiding from place to place, there was an editor following me closely.

He asked, "Comrade Yuan Houchun, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Yuan Houchun said sternly, "Comrade Jiang Xian, the commander ordered you to give the single volume of The Wreath Under the Mountain to our Warrior Literature and Art Publishing House for publication first, and never give it to the local authorities."

"."

Jiang Xian was stunned.

The troops are too domineering.

He is not a soldier, so why did the leader give him orders?

Yuan Houchun then explained: "The leader instructed that since you can write a novel like "The Wreath Under the Mountain", our Warrior Literature and Art Publishing House must pay attention to it and let the soldiers of our army read the novel "The Wreath" as soon as possible."

"I can understand."

Jiang Xian said, "But I have already agreed with the editor of October that the novel Wreath has been handed over to them for publication. Now the typesetting work has been completed and it will be ready for publication soon. I'm afraid it's unlikely that they will change their minds now."

Yuan Houchun's face changed and he immediately went to find October.

"October" is no pushover either. They are backed by the Beijing City Publishing House, and when they heard the army's overbearing decision, they immediately protested.

"We have put in so much work and it's about to be released. Why don't you let us release it? Do you want all our work to go to waste?"

As they are all colleagues engaged in literary and artistic work, Yuan Houchun can understand.

He immediately went back to report to his leader.

Finally, the General Political Department’s Department of Culture issued an instruction, expressing its willingness to make concessions.

Jingcheng Publishing House is allowed to publish a collection of literary works including "The Wreath under the Mountain".

However, the single volume of "The Wreath under the Mountain" must be submitted to the Soldier Publishing House for publication, and the single volume of the novel "The Wreath" must be distributed within the army first.

When the news reached October, the editors were still very angry, but they had no choice but to accept it.

After all, they also knew that they would not be able to defeat the army in a real arm wrestling match.

Zhang Shouren didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The army actually competed with their magazine "October" for the publishing rights just because of a novel.

He has been an editor for so many years, but has never encountered such a thing.

(End of this chapter)