1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 311 CCTV's Mission

Wang Meng's request was not a sudden whim.

Since joining the editorial board of Beijing Literature, Jiang Xian has discovered many good manuscripts, including Wang Anyi's The End of This Train, Wang Zengqi's The Rite of Initiation, and Shi Tiesheng's Half an Hour for Lunch.
And Lu Yao's masterpiece "Life".

Wang Meng is not bragging.

During the two years that he was the editor-in-chief, "Capital Literature" produced many excellent works, with good works in every issue.

Because there were good works in every issue, it attracted more good works to "Beijing Literature", making "Beijing Literature" gradually become a famous magazine recognized by the literary world.

Among these excellent works, several that can be called classics were basically manuscripts discovered and commissioned by the editor Jiang Xian.

Using the most popular "syllogism" of this era, it is easy to infer that the transformation of the appearance of the magazine "Beijing Literature" is inseparable from the addition of Jiang Xian as an editor.

Thinking of this, Wang Meng's eyes looked at Jiang Xian more and more passionately.

"How about it? Come with me to People's Literature, and I'll help you adjust the relationship."

Jiang Xian was also surprised.

"I want to work for People's Literature? I'm so young, I'm afraid I don't have enough experience to work for such a prestigious magazine."

"Don't belittle yourself."

Wang Meng waved her hand, "You are just a little young. In terms of work ability, I believe that most of the comrades of People's Literature are convinced by you. "The Rite of Initiation" and "Half an Hour for Lunch".
You have a very keen sense of judgment about manuscripts.

What I am talking about is not just the ability to proofread, not just the ability to polish and correct errors and publish a book, but a kind of professional subconscious.

No matter how round you draw the periods or how smoothly you edit correct nonsense, you still cannot be a good editor.

This ability is innate. When reading seemingly ordinary works, speeches, and characters, one can quickly and keenly capture the political risks hidden behind them, foresee the potential classic value of literary and artistic works, predict the academic status and application prospects of certain academic viewpoints and results, and feel the author's personality and academic background.
I can definitely see these qualities in you.”

"Uh"

Jiang Xian scratched his head. He could tell from Wang Meng's praise that Wang Meng was very eager to invite him to People's Literature.

But he wasn't that excited.

Wang Meng has taken office as the new editor-in-chief and is going to reorganize the editorial board. With so many senior members of People's Literature, it is inevitable that he will run into obstacles and offend people.

If he goes with him at this time, he will inevitably get himself into trouble.

And he is a person who fears trouble.

So he looked embarrassed and said, "Teacher Wang, I can't think this through all at once. How about you wait for me to think about it for a few days? I'll go back and think about it and give you an answer."

Wang Meng felt a little disappointed when she saw that Jiang Xian did not agree directly.

After all, in the adult world, not taking the initiative is the answer, and no response is rejection.

However, when he heard that Jiang Xian would give a reply in a few days, he felt a little more hopeful:
"Then go back and think about it carefully, and discuss it with your lover."

"Ah."

Jiang Xian agreed with some nods.

Wang Meng gave several more instructions.

The desire to take Jiang Xian to People's Literature together was really strong.

After saying goodbye to Wang Meng, Jiang Xian ran into Wu Zuxiang and Chen Huangmei in the courtyard, who were talking and laughing.

"Comrade Huangmei!" Jiang Xian greeted Chen Huangmei and then looked at Wu Zuxiang.

Wu Zuxiang is not only the leader of the Writers Association, but also Jiang Xian’s teacher at the Institute of Literature. Jiang Xian immediately greeted him warmly.

"Professor Wu."

"Jiang Xian."

Wu Zuxiang smiled at him and turned to introduce Chen Huangmei.

"I taught him a class at the Literature Institute, and he knows Dream of the Red Chamber very well."

Wu Zuxiang was deeply impressed by Jiang Xian because when he was at the Institute of Literature, Jiang Xian always came up with some brilliant insights in class when he was lecturing on "Dream of the Red Chamber".

"You wrote Red Sorghum very well. I wish every one of my students could be as good as you," said Wu Zuxiang.

"A good teacher produces good students. You're too polite." Jiang Xian said modestly.

Wu Zuxiang shook his head. "Students' achievements have little to do with teachers. Most of the time, teachers are just guides."

He gave an example, saying that he had a Swedish student who studied "Dream of the Red Chamber" with him for three years. Before graduation, the student asked him a question: From a geographical point of view, Yihongyuan and Xiaoxiang Pavilion are not far away, so why can't Daiyu and Baoyu live together or run away?
Wu Zuxiang said disappointedly, "After listening to his questions, I feel like my three years of teaching have been in vain."

"Don't be discouraged."

Jiang Xian comforted him: "He doesn't understand Chinese society, so he doesn't understand Baoyu and Daiyu's tragedy."

"You see, he understands." Wu Zuxiang looked at Chen Huangmei with a smile.

Chen Huangmei glanced at Jiang Xian and said, "I only knew that you have good handwriting and good writing skills, but I didn't expect that you also studied "A Dream of Red Mansions"?"

"He has a deep understanding," said Wu Zuxiang.

Chen Huangmei became interested, "Jiang Xian, let me test you, why does Daiyu always quarrel with Baoyu?"

Feeling that what he said was a bit general, he added some explanation to the problem.

"Why is Daiyu so awkward? She always wants to test Baoyu, and once Baoyu reveals his true feelings, she will accuse him of bullying her?"

Wu Zuxiang listened to this question, his eyes slightly narrowed, a hint of amusement on the corner of his mouth, looking forward to Jiang Xian's answer.

Jiang Xian was also helpless. Why did Chen Huangmei insist on testing him?

He thought for a moment and said, "Men and women are strictly prohibited from having any sexual relations before marriage. Otherwise, even if Baoyu and she are in love, they will inevitably look down on her. So if they want to talk about love, they have to use other things."

"What's the matter?" Chen Huangmei asked.

Jiang Xian recalled, "I think the most decisive exchange in the history of Daiyu and Baoyu's love was when Baoyu was beaten by Jia Zheng. Daiyu went to visit him and said, 'You should change from now on.' Baoyu replied, 'Don't worry, don't say such things. I am willing to die for these people.'

I think this is very meaningful. It is actually Baoyu's sincere confession to Daiyu, and Daiyu also understood it. Therefore, after this incident, Daiyu never had a temper with Baoyu again. "

"it is good!"

After hearing Jiang Xian's answer, Wu Zuxiang couldn't help but applaud, "You're right, that's it!"

But soon he became angry again.

"Such an important plot, what about the Yue Opera version of A Dream of Red Mansions? It turns out that they can reverse the order of the plot, putting the scene where Daiyu is turned away from the Yihong Courtyard and has a rift with Baoyu after Baoyu is beaten!
Is this reasonable? It’s not reasonable! It’s totally different!”

Wu Zuxiang was excited, but Chen Huangmei just looked at Jiang Xian with a smile and nodded.

"Well, you answered very well."

After saying goodbye to the two and returning home, Jiang Xian didn't expect that her sister Jiang Ke was also there. She was sitting on the sofa and talking with Zhu Lin.

"Why are you here? Have you finished school?"

Jiang Ke choked up her voice, like a sweet girl, "Brother, don't you see what time it is? I got out of school a long time ago."

"Why are you here when you're not going home after school?"

Jiang Ke's cheeks puffed up. "When I get home, my mother scolds me, saying that I don't study hard and don't help her get into college. Anyway, I can't stay at home any longer. If you drive me away again, I, your sister, will just go to the countryside. How does that saying go? 'We have two hands too, we don't want to eat free meals in the city.' I'm going to the countryside and I'm going to the Farmers' University."

"Do you still want to be an educated youth?"

Jiang Xian had an amused look on his face as he took out several handfuls of melon seeds from his pocket and placed them on the table.

"Do you know what the conditions are like in the countryside? Ask your sister-in-law whether it is better to live in the capital or in the countryside."

“I’ve only been in the country for a few years.”

Zhu Lin rolled her eyes and said, "You two brothers and sisters, stop talking nonsense. There is no such policy now. Going to the countryside is history. It's all a thing of the past." After saying that, she glanced at the melon seeds on the table.

"Where did you get it from?"

"I took it from the table during the meeting just now."

"Oh, you really are! This is so bad. It will be seen by the leaders." Zhu Lin grabbed a handful, held it in his hand and started to eat it.

Jiang Xian looked indifferent.

"It's okay. They all pretended. Comrade Li Tuo pretended the most."

"Alas, you cultured people, why do you still do such things?"

"Why can't we do it? Kong Yiji said it, it's something that scholars do, it can't be called stealing."

Zhu Lin was so happy that she was shaking with laughter.

Jiang Ke felt jealous, thinking that the couple were flirting with each other and feeding her a lot of dog food.

"Brother, when will you arrange for me to go to film?" Jiang Ke seized the opportunity, hugged Jiang Xian's arm, and acted coquettishly and cutely.

Jiang Xian pushed her away and said, "You think the film studio is owned by our family, how can I arrange for you to film? Even if the director of the Beijing Film Studio comes, I can't arrange it."

Jiang Ke became melancholy.

"Brother, I've heard from our teacher that many of my seniors are unemployed after graduation. What do you think I should do if I become unemployed after graduation?"

"Then you can go to the front door and sell big bowls of tea."

"Brother~~~"

Jiang Ke's face turned red with anger, and she threw herself into Zhu Lin's arms again.

"Sister-in-law, look at my brother~~~"

Zhu Lin smiled bitterly.

"Ke'er, acting is not that easy."

"Sister-in-law, I know. I study hard every day in the opera school, and the teacher says I have talent."

Jiang Xian just watched Jiang Ke and Zhu Lin arguing with a smile. Jiang Ke was his biological sister, so of course he couldn't just ignore her. At this moment, he was also trying to test Jiang Ke's temper.

There are also benefits to Jiang Ke moving in. At night, Zhu Lin is no longer so embarrassed to actively ask for public grain.

That day, Jiang Xian came to "Film Creation", took a shit, read the manuscript for a while, and then prepared to leave work on his own.

At this time Liang Xiaosheng came to him mysteriously and told him that someone was looking for him.

"Who?"

"Editor-in-chief, you also know this person." Liang Xiaosheng replied with a smile.

Jiang Xian looked up and looked out the door, and caught a glimpse of a young man with small eyes, a high hairline, and no glasses.

"Comrade Xiaolong?"

Jiang Xian laughed, "Why are you here?"

The person who came was Zheng Xiaolong, the actor who filmed "The Legend of Zhen Huan". He had submitted a manuscript to "Film Creation" before and came to Beijing Film Studio to revise the manuscript. Jiang Xian also reviewed it for him.

"Editor-in-Chief Jiang." The young Zheng Xiaolong greeted Jiang Xian with a smile, his eyes clear but with a hint of stupidity, he looked like a complete rookie.

Jiang Xian poured him a glass of water and said, "Sit down, sit down, don't be shy, just treat it as your own home."

After Zheng Xiaolong sat down, Jiang Xian asked, "You should have graduated, right? Where are you working now?"

Zheng Xiaolong smiled shyly.

“CCTV.”

"Oh, it's a big unit."

"Not really, it's just a small department called the Television Art Center. It's not far away, near the Zaojun Temple in Haidian."

"Oh, Zaojun Temple."

After a while of greeting, Jiang Xian asked, "Are you looking for me to hand in a manuscript?"

"no no."

Zheng Xiaolong waved his hand, "Oh, you may not know that our Television Art Center, together with CCTV's TV Drama Department, TV Drama Group and several other departments, is now in charge of TV dramas.

The station now has a task to film "Dream of Red Mansions."

"Filming Dream of the Red Chamber? Oh, this is a big deal, it's one of our four great classics."

"No."

Zheng Xiaolong continued, "The task was handed over to Director Wang Fulin. The director was worried, and so was Director Dai Linfeng. Just think about it, how many people in the country have watched "Dream of Red Mansions" and how many people like it. If "Dream of Red Mansions" is not filmed well, we have to apologize to the people of the country."

"Yes."

"So, the station and Director Wang Fulin discussed this, and guess what? They planned to set up an advisory group and include all the well-known Redologists in society, such as Zhou Yang, Cao Yu, Wu Zuxiang, Zhong Dianwei, and Comrade Shen Congwen."

"Teacher Shen is here too."

"Mr. Shen Congwen is an expert in ancient costumes," Zheng Xiaolong explained.

Some people who have watched the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" may find that the actors' clothes are particularly fitted, unlike many other costume dramas where the clothes look flat and soft, like an actor who can only be viewed from a distance and not up close.

This is actually thanks to Shen Congwen, who is an expert in ancient costumes.
If you look closely at the costumes in the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions", from the imperial concubines to the peddlers and even the cooks and servants, the clothes are not only suitable for their status, but also look as if they were tailor-made and are extremely exquisite.

Zheng Xiaolong talked to Jiang Xian for so long, but Jiang Xian still didn't quite understand what he was here for.

"Xiaolong, why did you come to me today?"

"Editor-in-Chief Jiang, our station would like to ask for your opinion. Would you like to join the advisory group for the TV series Dream of the Red Chamber?"

"I'm here as a consultant?" Jiang Xian was completely surprised. "I'm not a famous scholar of the Dream of the Red Chamber, and I don't even know about ancient costumes."

"Comrade Chen Huangmei recommended you to us," Zheng Xiaolong explained. "Comrade Huangmei said that you have done a deep study of Dream of the Red Chamber. Comrade Wu Zuxiang also recommended you to us."

"."

Jiang Xian reacted quickly. No wonder Chen Huangmei insisted on testing him that day. It turned out that he was waiting here.

"I see."

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was not a big deal. He was quite interested in it. It would be nice to go and see Lin Daiyu when the time comes.

"Since Comrade Huang Mei has recommended me, I will join this advisory group."

"You agreed?"

Zheng Xiaolong became happy and stammered:

"But Comrade Jiang Xian, I have to tell you first that our advisory group should not be paid much. Each expert will get about 15 yuan."

"15 yuan?"

Jiang Xian smiled helplessly. This TV drama department was really a run-down place, but he didn't come here for this.

"15 dollars is 15 dollars."

Zheng Xiaolong still looked embarrassed:
“I have to tell you something.

We don't have any cash, so each of us can use a cloisonné vase as collateral, is that okay with you?"

(End of this chapter)