1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 274 Encountering some difficulties
"October" has also encountered the problem of having its manuscripts snatched away before.

That was an earlier time when Liu Xinwu had commissioned Ding Ling's manuscript and was just about to typeset and publish it when the editors of People's Literature came to him and said that there was an arrangement from above that Ding Ling's works after her comeback must first be published in People's Literature.

Then Choi Do-yi snatched the manuscript from them without any hesitation.

As the "royal publication", "People's Literature" has a unique status in the literary world. Although "October" felt aggrieved, it had to hold it in. After all, the higher-ups had said that Ding Ling's works must be handed over to "People's Literature".

Although there was such a precedent, that was Ding Ling!

As the first director of the Institute of Literature and Art, it can be said that Ding Ling’s students are spread all over the current literary world, not to mention the influence of her works.

She was so famous that she won the Stalin Literature Prize for her work The Sun Over the Sanggan River. Her reputation in the cultural circle was at its peak at that time.

So "October" is not convinced, but can understand it.

But this time, Warrior Publishing House came to them to ask for Jiang Xian’s works.

While Zhang Shouren felt aggrieved, he also felt a little relieved.

It was the same matter of competing for the manuscript, but this time it was Jiang Xian's manuscript that was snatched away.

It can be seen to what extent this novel "The Garland under the Mountain" has pushed his fame.

At the Warrior Publishing House, Yuan Houchun settled the royalties with Jiang Xian.

The total amount is two thousand yuan, including the basic fee of nearly one thousand yuan and the fee for the first print run of 50,000 copies.

"It's really too little." Such an amount of royalties would be enough to make other people excited, but Jiang Xian felt a little disgusted.

"The Wreath" was really popular, and at the same time, he received a lot of royalties.

In the months after the release of the novel "The Garland under the Mountain", it was reprinted by various media.

The first was the Workers' Daily, which serialized the novel "The Wreath under the Mountain" and published an "Editor's Note":
"The novella "The Wreath under the Mountain" published in the fourth issue of October in 1981 caused a strong response among readers.

Some famous figures in the literary and art circles believe that this is a rare masterpiece in my country's literary creation field in recent years.

The work reflects the people's deep affection for their soldiers. The emotions are sincere and the love and hate are clear. It is tear-jerking and inspiring to read.

In order to meet the needs of our readers, this newspaper will reprint the full text of this novel from today onwards."

Then came Dazhong Daily, which serialized “Wreaths under the Mountains” and also published an “Editor’s Note”:
"The novella "The Wreath under the Mountain" written by Comrade Jiang Xian caused a strong response in the domestic literary world after its publication.

This is another excellent work in the field of Chinese literary creation since the SZ Plenary Session. The heroism and patriotism of the characters in the work give people confidence and strength. It is thought-provoking and tear-jerking to read.

This newspaper will serialize this work from today for the benefit of readers."

In the same month, more than ten newspapers including Guangxi Literature, Wenhui Daily and China Youth Daily either serialized the full text or published the story outline, introducing "The Wreath under the Mountain" to a large number of readers.

In October, Shanghai's Youth Daily even published a special "Red Flower Issue", using a total of sixteen pages to reprint the full text of "The Wreath under the Mountain".

Paper was in great demand in Luoyang, and the occasion was unprecedented.

Jiang Xian went to the Bank of China in Longfu Temple and carefully deposited the royalties.

Now it is late October, and the capital city is a sea of ​​gorgeous orange, yellow, tangerine and green scenery, bleak and sad.

Jiang Xian first went to the courtyard in Cuihua Hutong. When he opened the door, he found the courtyard was deserted.

Wu Qinghua's family has already moved out. Now the yard is deserted and weeds have grown on the ground, so it has to be left uncultivated.

"What the hell"

Jiang Xian felt quite surprised.

This is the capital city, how can he leave such a big yard here like this? !
He strolled around the yard and returned to the yard of Jingshan East Hutong.

After passing through the hanging flower gate and entering the front yard, the scenery is different from before.

Behind the hanging flower gate, there is a stretch of arms extending from the left and right sides, first to the sides, then forward, and then back to the middle from both sides. Its shape is like two arms put together, surrounding the hanging flower gate, wing rooms and main house.

The corridor was painted vermilion, and there were some stained glass windows on the side facing the outer courtyard, as well as carved railings and painted buildings, and the corridor was winding.

"Don't worry, my dear love, I will hold your red sleeves only for you in this life." Humming a progressive little tune, Jiang Xian walked and sat down, turning around under the scoop.

Looking at the yard now, it is completely different from when he first bought it, and he is very satisfied with it.

When he entered the main house, his mother and Jiang Ke were both at home.

As soon as Rao Yuemei saw him, she asked him about Zhu Lin's recent situation.

"She's fine." Jiang Xian answered casually, and then poured himself a cup of hot tea.

Soon his father arrived home, and Jiang Xian immediately discussed the matter with him.

"Dad, please help me tidy up the yard over in Cuihua Hutong when you have time."

Jiang Guoqing glared at him when he heard this, "Do you think I'm a yard builder?"

"You are experienced, aren't you?" Jiang Xian said flatteringly, "Just go and clean up the place. I just went over to take a look and the whole yard is full of weeds."

Jiang Guoqing couldn't persuade him and took the job reluctantly.

Jiang Xian had a meal at home before returning to Hufang Road.

As soon as I climbed up the stairs, I saw a tall man squatting at the door.

"Who are you?" He frowned.

Li Chengru stood up and touched his head, "Comrade Jiang Xian, have you forgotten me?"

Jiang Xian saw that it was this grandson, and felt a little helpless. He opened the door and said, "Come in and talk."

Li Chengru followed him in, looked around carefully, and glanced at the complete set of modern home appliances, and couldn't help but marvel at it.

Jiang Xian poured him a cup of hot water and said, "Comrade Li Chengru, what brings you to my house?"

"Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me."

Li Chengru felt like there was something stuck in his throat, like a thorn in his back, and like he was sitting on pins and needles.

He sat upright, "I know that Comrade Jiang Xian's every minute is extremely precious, so I will make it short. This matter, to be honest, is embarrassing. Oh, where should I start?"

"Just tell me what you have to say."

This kid was talking in circles and wouldn't get to the point, Jiang Xian urged him impatiently.

Li Chengru smiled awkwardly, "I came here just to ask you if there is anything you can do for me."

Jiang Xian looked at him and couldn't help laughing.

He finally understood.

Li Chengru came to join him.

Now that the matter was brought out, Li Chengru was no longer shy.

"Comrade Jiang Xian, I know you have a lot of things to shoot here. If you need actors, please let me know. Comrade Zhu Lin and I are classmates. You can ask Comrade Zhu Lin about my performance in class. I'm definitely not bad."

Li Chengru's development is a bit embarrassing. He is a worker in a sewing factory, but he has a dream of becoming an actor. He thinks he has a handsome face and is very talented. However, reality slaps him in the face. After joining the crew, the directors only let him be a production manager.

After being in the industry for about ten years, he finally got a role in "The Story of the Editorial Department" when he was middle-aged.

"I'm not a director, and I don't make movies. I just write some stuff as a screenwriter. What's the point of you coming to me?" Jiang Xian said helplessly.

"What you said is true. I know you have a lot of connections." Li Chengru took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, with a look of eagerness to make progress, "Brother Jiang, please give me some advice." ""

Jiang Xian was silent for a while.

"Well, I'll arrange a job for you."

Li Chengru’s acting is average at the moment, but he can definitely be a stage manager.

He was later transferred to the TV drama production center of CCTV and was responsible for the filming of "Journey to the West".

It was he who recommended Zhu Lin the role of the Daughter Queen.

In addition, he is also a good businessman. He opened the "Bie Te" large shopping mall in Xidan, and his clothing business is booming.

Jiang Xian thought that the documentary "Chinese Literature" was in need of a production manager, and it would be appropriate to send Li Chengru to take over.

He told his idea and discussed it with Li Chengru, who immediately became excited, agreed quickly, and left with his small briefcase, thanking him profusely.

Jiang Xian felt it was very dreamy.

If this matter gets out, it will be so inhumane.

He tricked Li Chengru into selling herself to him, and he kept saying thank you.

"The World's Number One Restaurant" has been established in Beijing People's Art Theatre for some time. Regarding the rehearsal of this drama, Beijing People's Art Theatre's director Xia Chun humbly listened to the rehearsal experience of Liang Zuo and Wang Xiaoping.

The performance of the play "The Number One Restaurant in the World" at Yanda was undoubtedly a success and became a hot topic at Yanda and other universities in Haidian for a long time.

Xia Chun respected these students very much and carefully asked them about some details and ideas during the rehearsal.

This includes stage design.

Although the choreography of the Yanda students was rather crude, one thing caught Xia Chun's attention.

In Liang Zuo's first version of the stage design, there was a large wine jar in the middle of the stage, with a thick board placed on top of the jar as a dining table.

Later, he and Wang Xiaoping experienced life at Quanjude and felt the grandeur of Quanjude. They knew that Quanjude was one of the four major restaurants in the old capital, and all the important people went there to eat. It would be inappropriate to put a wine jar on the stage as a dining table.

So the crew changed it to a "one table and two chairs" setup with a square coffee table, an armchair and a stool.

Xia Chun agreed very much and said, "While telling Chinese stories well, we should also pay attention to Chinese style."

He felt that the couplet that was played at the end of the play was undoubtedly the highlight of the whole play, but the small details by Liang Zuo and others were also the highlight of "The World's Number One Restaurant" where thunder is heard in silence.

Liang Zuo and Wang Xiaoping were so excited to receive Xia Chun's praise.

The members of the drama troupe were also happy for them, especially the members who participated in "The World's Number One Restaurant", whose faces were filled with joy.

He’s the director of Beijing People’s Art Theatre!

The director who staged the famous work "Thunderstorm"!

Yingda had a smile on his face, but he felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart.

For those who call themselves "geniuses", the most torturous thing is to have their brilliance overtaken by others in the field they are most proud of.

But he still had nothing to say.

There is no way, "The World's Number One Restaurant" is too good, so good that Yingda feels that his own work is as childish as a street performer in front of him.

After returning to Beijing People's Art Theatre, Xia Chun made two decisions.

First, we invited Quanjude’s top chef to give a report to the crew, and then we took the main creative team to Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant to experience life for a while.

After all this was over, the main creators of the crew entered the rehearsal room.

At the end of October, on the eve of the premiere, Beijing People's Art Theatre invited some critics and journalists to discuss "The World's Number One Restaurant" in order to build momentum for the work, identify problems and plug loopholes.

Most critics at the meeting gave extremely high praise to "The World's No. 1 Restaurant".

“The character designs in the play are unique and colorful.”

“It’s a good script that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.”

"This work has many benefits, which are difficult to describe in one sentence, as it is rooted in life and meets the public's expectations for literature."

Jiang Xian, as the creator of the drama, also attended the symposium.

As a writer, he has participated in many novel symposiums, but this is his first time at a drama symposium.

But the form is similar.

He listened to a group of drama industry professionals commenting on "The World's No. 1 Restaurant" and nodded frequently.

He was sitting not far from the lead actor, Tan Zongyao, and the two started chatting.

Tan Zongyao is a bit dull.

"How many years have you been at Beijing People's Art Theatre?" Jiang Xian asked him.

"ten years."

Tan Zongyao sighed.

He was a drama actor who graduated from the PLA Art Academy, but unfortunately, he graduated at a time when drama was "dead".

After going around in circles and wasting his youth, he finally returned to the drama industry in his middle age.

During his ten years at Beijing People's Art Theatre, he could only play minor roles at the beginning, but later on he finally came to the fore and played Group B roles.

The roles in Group B are commonly known as B-roles. A drama is divided into A and B-roles. The first-line lineup in a drama is commonly known as A-roles, and the second-line lineup is commonly known as B-roles.

When role A is unable to perform due to illness or some other reason, role B comes in as a substitute.

Tan Zongyao said with a wry smile that because he played too many B roles and never played a A role, some comrades called him a "spare part actor."

Last year was even more heartbreaking. Tan Zongyao was assigned four Group B roles. As a result, due to various unexpected factors, these four B roles were either unable to go on stage or were temporarily replaced.

Against this background, the starring role in the first performance of "The World's No. 1 Restaurant" was handed to him.

“It takes ten years to sharpen a sword.”

Jiang Xian patted Tan Zongyao on the shoulder, "It is said that the B-role is the one who 'saves the play like putting out a fire'. Lu Mengshi is also a fire-fighting role. There are so many main performers in the Beijing People's Art Theater, and I think you are the one who is most like Lu Mengshi."

After hearing this, Tan Zongyao took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

The site selection for the Literature Museum is also being arranged in full swing.

The preparatory committee held a small meeting. Ba Jin and Bing Xin were not present due to their advanced age, but everyone else attended the preparatory committee meeting.

The main issue being discussed is actually one thing: choosing a location for the literary museum!

Ye Shengtao has already written the nameplate for the China Modern Literature Museum, but the site has not yet been found.

Jiang Xian was a little confused. "Didn't we discuss and decide before that Wanshou Temple is the most suitable place?"

Kong Luosun looked at him and sighed.

"It's a bit difficult to take the Wanshou Temple."

"We want it, but the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe won't give it to us."

(End of this chapter)