1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 349 Jiang Xian, old thief!

In the CCTV yard.

"Hey, why are there so many again? Are they sent to Huang Yihe's office?"

"Of course I have. I have already delivered three sacks today, and I am not even done yet. My mailroom is almost flooded with letters from the audience."

An old man from CCTV's mailroom carried a sack of letters to Huang Yihe's office.

These letters were all sent to the Spring Festival Gala planning team.

Some praised, some expressed condolences, some asked questions out of curiosity about the behind-the-scenes, and some offered valuable suggestions.

I don’t know how many, but in less than a day, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, we received several thousand letters.

Huang Yihe did nothing on the first day of the Lunar New Year. He sat in the office early in the morning reading letters, alternately crying and laughing.

All in all, the 1983 Spring Festival Gala was a complete hit.

Huang Yihe knows very well whether it is popular or not.

During the live broadcast, the enthusiasm of the audience in participating in the on-demand program is shocking!

The four hotlines in the background are really hot!

It kept ringing from beginning to end.

The specific form of on-demand service is that the operator records the audience's opinions, fills out a form, writes a note and then hands it to the director.

The result? The telephone operator's note had to be put on a plate!
One plate after another, they come faster than the dishes!

Each plate is piled up like a small mountain!

"Director Huang, this is another letter for you."

"Hey, what are these sacks all about?"

"Both, ouch."

The old man put the sack on the ground and wiped his sweat. "I didn't even visit my relatives today. I just worked as a laborer for you."

Huang Yihe smiled embarrassedly and handed over a cigarette.

"You have worked hard."

The old man smiled and lit a cigarette. "It's okay if it's a bit hard. After all, your party was really good. I had a lot of fun watching it, especially the chicken-eating game. Oh, to be honest, it was your hard work to put on such a party."

"You're welcome, you're welcome."

Huang Yihe smiled and shook hands with the old man.

I was so happy.

Their first live evening party was held under tremendous pressure.

Because live broadcast cannot have any problems.

If someone says something wrong and it is escalated to a serious level, not only the director but the entire program team will be punished.

Even Director Wang Feng above is likely to be implicated.

So when Huang Yihe placed the pile of audience request notes in front of Director B of Radio, Film and Television, Comrade B's forehead was sweating.

why?
Because it says "Homesickness" above.

Looking back now, every step was full of uncertainty, but I have finally made it through.

Huang Yihe has infinite visions for the future.

Well, but judging from the audience feedback, the show with the best effect is "Chicken Eating".

This further strengthened Huang Yihe's belief:
Next year, we will have to invite Jiang Xian to be a consultant!
Of course, there are praises, but there are also various criticisms and critiques, saying this is not good, that is not good.

But it didn't cause any trouble.

In a word:

"The people like it, but you don't like it. Who do you think you are?"

Since the first day of the Lunar New Year, audiences have been sending continuous letters to the Spring Festival Gala planning team.

In the end, CCTV was forced to do nothing.

The leaders discussed and made a decision:

A separate mailroom is set up for letters related to the Spring Festival Gala.

When Jiang Xian heard the news, he was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Is this also a single-page family tree?
The pace of life is slow these days, and the New Year celebrations seem endless. It slowly builds up from the Little New Year, reaches its climax on New Year's Eve, and lasts until the lingering aftertaste on the seventh day of the first lunar month. People do other things in between, and only after eating Yuanxiao on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month can the year be considered to be slowly coming to an end.

By the way, the annual leave now is not 7 days, only 3 days. Most people are employees of state-owned enterprises, so they can’t take 3 days off. They have to work in three shifts in between. But 3 days are enough, and 7 days are not necessary. After all, there is no need for 996 now, and not many people work outside the province, let alone stimulate consumption.

Jiang Xian had just celebrated the Chinese New Year when he received a letter from Nie Hualing.

He was quite surprised that after he rejected Nie Hualing, she actually wrote him a letter back, which was really a great honor for him.

Take it apart and take a look.

“Dear Mr. Jiang Xian:

I have received your letter and apologize for the delayed reply.

I feel deeply sorry that you cannot visit the United States. My wife and I both want to meet you, an outstanding young writer. Not long ago, I asked someone to send your works from China and read a few of them."

The first part of the letter contained Nie Hualing's brief greetings and her regret for Jiang Xian's decline of her invitation, while the latter part contained her comments on some of Jiang Xian's works.

The most space is devoted to Jiang Xian’s latest work, "The Last Hun".

"From this work, I seem to see a melancholy troubadour walking towards me, a dancer who is adept at dancing between the two spaces of history and reality, and a person who is good at telling 'dignified lies' (Balzac's words).

I even had an urge to ask Mr. Jiang in person:

I don’t understand how the Xiongnu, a great nomadic people who once shook the East and the West, could disappear from the course of history just by saying they were gone.

At the end of the letter, Nie Hualing once again sincerely invited Jiang Xian.

She once again explained the "International Writing Program", saying that during this period, no one would restrict you, you could write or not, participate in activities, smoke and drink, and hold various parties, everything was free.

In addition, Nie Hualing suggested that she very much welcomed Jiang Xian to bring several family members to the United States, and if necessary, she would ask a friend to apply for a special visa for pregnant women for Zhu Lin.

At that time, Zhu Lin could give birth locally in the United States. After all, the medical conditions here are better. Nie Hualing is quite prestigious in the local area and has friends in the hospital.

After watching to the end, Jiang Xian was really moved.

There was no way, he couldn't refute Nie Hualing's words.

Jiang Xian also knew that there was no such thing as heaven on earth in this world, only another human world.

But let’s talk about medical care.

There is really no comparison in China right now.

Put down this letter.

Nie Hualing's sincerity and the conditions she proposed really attracted Jiang Xian.

If it is really as Nie Hualing said this time.

Then.

First of all, Jiang Xian would not miss the opportunity of this "International Writing Program".

Secondly, Zhu Lin can also receive better medical services.

Jiang Xian is still struggling.

Wang Meng has arrived at Jingshan East Hutong.

The early spring air was a little chilly. Wang Meng arrived at Jiang Xian's door as if he knew the place well. He looked up and strode in.

He also received a letter from Nie Hualing, who told him about Jiang Xian's situation and hoped that he could help persuade Jiang Xian.

Wang Meng was quite shocked.

How valuable are the places in the “International Writing Program”?
I only started to have the opportunity to participate in China a few years ago, and I have only participated for 3 years in total.

Every year, with the help of the Writers Association, Nie Hualing carefully selects several of the best writers in the country to go to the United States.

What level are the people who go there?
Xiao Qian, Ding Ling, Ai Qing, Chen Baichen
Each of them is a master and veteran in the literary world.

Such a precious opportunity now falls to Jiang Xian, and he still doesn't want to go?

Wang Meng hurriedly crossed the Chuihua Gate.

"Teacher Wang Meng? Happy New Year!"

"Jiang Xian, why did you reject Ms. Nie Hualing?" Wang Meng immediately noticed that his tone sounded like he was accusing her, and he immediately changed his tone because of his concern.

"Ahem, I mean, you should think about the International Writing Project more and communicate with us. Don't reject it outright. After all, this is a good opportunity that many writers want to strive for. If you hadn't won the Mao Dun Literature Prize this year, you might not have gotten it."

Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Teacher Wang, you don't need to be a lobbyist for this matter. I have seen the sincerity of Ms. Nie Hualing. She wrote to me again. This time I have to think carefully about it."

"."

Wang Meng nodded after listening to this. He also understood Jiang Xian. After all, he was a family man and he had to balance his family and career.

"Okay, then I'll be relieved."

"Teacher Wang, come in and have a cup of tea."

"No, no, no."

"Oh, you're welcome."

"Well, I heard that you were a consultant for CCTV's Spring Festival Gala?"

"Just a little suggestion."

Wang Meng smiled and said, "It's more than just a small suggestion, right? Director Huang Yihe praised you highly. I heard that you even suggested the name of the Spring Festival Gala."

"I just mentioned it casually." Jiang Xian said modestly.

Wang Meng talked to Jiang Xian again about taking up the position at People's Literature. She will be taking over soon after the New Year, and will be busy again.

"As for you going to the United States, I am more reluctant than anyone else. This is exactly when I need you. But I still want to persuade you to go and broaden your horizons. It will be good for you."

"Ah."

After Wang Meng said goodbye, Jiang Xian talked to his family about the "International Writing Program".

Rao Yuemei became excited when she heard this.

"What? Going to America? Oh, I can't understand foreigners talking. Dad, can you?"

Jiang Guoqing coughed lightly, "We all studied Russian at that time."

"They just ask you if you know English. If you don't know, you don't know. And you still don't forget to flatter yourself."

Rao Yuemei complained and asked Jiang Xian some details. She became more and more excited the more she listened.

These days, you can’t get anywhere without a letter of introduction.

It’s difficult to leave the capital.

Rao Yuemei never dreamed that she would have the opportunity to travel abroad.

"I support it." Jiang Guoqing said, "You, your son, and Zhu Lin, all three of you should go. I won't go."

"You're not going?"

"If I go, the birds, dogs, and cats at home will all starve to death. Besides, the main purpose of going there is to take care of Zhu Lin. We men will not be able to do much if we go. It is better to give this opportunity to Lao Liu. You two can take turns to take care of our daughter-in-law."

What Jiang Guoqing said was so righteous.

Jiang Xian caught a glimpse of the ecstasy of a man who had been married for many years on his face.

"Dad, don't do anything rash when you're home alone." Jiang Xian reminded in a low voice.

Hooliganism is a serious crime this year.

"What have I done wrong?" Jiang Guoqing was dumbfounded.

"Well, that's all I said." Jiang Xian said perfunctorily.

Having said that, he still has great faith in Comrade Jiang's character.

After all, Comrade Lao Jiang doesn’t have any bad hobbies. His only bad hobby is playing cards.

Soon it will be March.

Wang Shuo's roast duck restaurant business is not very good.

With nothing to do, he bought a newly published second issue of October in 1983 and started reading it.

The above article by Jiang Xian about his creation quickly attracted his attention.

——"Jiang Xian talks about the story behind 'Xiongnu'"

In the article, Jiang Xian first talked about how he, Lu Yao and Chen Zhongshi were in the dormitory of Wang Guansheng, the editor of Yanhe, and heard Wang Guansheng lament that northern Shaanxi lacked an epic with a grand narrative.

After this discussion, this subject has been lingering in his mind and he could no longer let it go. It was from this time that Jiang Xian began to come into contact with northern Shaanxi culture intentionally or unintentionally. At the same time, a novel gradually took shape in his mind.

"'Do you know there is a feeling called desolation?' This is the words of a song. I felt that way at the time. 'Desolation' is not only because I was in a desolate area, but also because in my glimpse, I saw the human mind. I trembled and almost had a spasm.

It was Picasso-style paper-cuts and folk paintings, the Ansai waist drum that was completely different from the gentle, honest, peaceful and kitsch Chinese folk dances that impressed American researchers, the folk songs of northern Shaanxi sung with naked language and passionate lips, the resounding suona, and 450 million Don Quixote-like and Spartacus-like men and women.
In the 1930s, all the red bases in China were lost, but northern Shaanxi still stood.

Careers will flourish on this golden plateau, and so on.

The more Wang Shuo read, the more awesome he thought it was. He hadn't read Jiang Xian's newly published novel yet, but just reading this creative talk written by Jiang Xian made him feel it was truly amazing.

Wang Shuo really likes this kind of grand historical narrative deep down.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that most of his novels are about the troubles of the Beijing gangsters.

Wang Shuo understands the market and knows how to cater to readers, disgust himself and make others happy.

Think about what kind of book Wang Shuo will write when he has enough money?

In the Beginning: Chronicles

Just by hearing the name, you can tell how grand and historical it is.

In short, after reading this creative talk, Wang Shuo felt as impatient as ants crawling on his body.

"I have to find this novel and read it."

Editorial department of Yanhe.

"Editor-in-chief, editor-in-chief, this is incredible!"

Editor Pu Baifeng ran to the editor-in-chief with an anxious look on his face.

"what happened?"

“Hey, readers are writing in.”

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"There was a lot of scolding!"

The editor frowned, "Which article are you criticizing?"

"The last Hun."

"what?"

The editor-in-chief was confused, "Why would you criticize this article?"

"The Last Hun" is so popular!

The salary, bonuses and annual awards of the Yanhe editorial department before the New Year all depend on this book.

Pu Baifeng paused and explained, "Readers are anxious to read the second half. Jiang Xian sent a creative talk, saying that he still needs to think carefully about how to write the second half. Readers are anxious and call him in the letter..."

"What to shout?"

"Jiang Xian, old thief!"

"."

The editor-in-chief gasped, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

But soon became alert.

"Creation talk? Where did the creation talk come from? How come I don't know about it?"

"It's from October!"

"Yo."

The editor-in-chief sensed a strong sense of crisis.

He paced back and forth a few steps, then quickly stopped and waved his hand.

"Tell Comrade Lu Yao to take the train to Beijing immediately!"

"We must get the second half of Jiang Xian's "The Last Hun"!"