1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 5 Nothing tastes better than dumplings
"Comrade Guozhu, isn't this the Four Olds?"

"It's not the Four Olds. It's just a pornographic book at best."

Jiang Xian listened and suddenly remembered the hand-copied "Memoirs of Mana", also known as "Girl's Heart" when he went to the countryside. The first round of copying began when the buzzing guards were linked together. Later, when a large number of educated youth went to the countryside, a larger-scale second round of copying began.

There are many people who have a lot of inspiration in the middle of the process, and they add fuel to the fire several times, which makes the copying more and more "obscene".

In that era, this book was feared, yet haunted. However, in Jiang Xian's opinion, it was not as good as the physiological and hygiene knowledge introduced in the "Barefoot Doctor's Manual".

"Comrade Guozhu, what do you mean? I am a gentleman." Jiang Xian hurriedly put the book into his bag, "I won't tell anyone about what happened today."

Zang Guozhu listened and explained seriously, "Xiao Jiang, don't get me wrong. I really think this is the best chess manual in the world. Chinese Taoists say: 'One yin and one yang is the way'. What is yin and yang? Isn't it the relationship between men and women? If you understand the relationship between men and women, you will naturally understand how to play chess. Let me give you an example. 'Too strong will break, too weak will drain'. If your opponent is strong, soften him, and at the same time, create a situation of defeat."

"Yes." Jiang Xian's face was full of seriousness. "Go on, I'm listening."

Zang Guozhu heard the hidden meaning in his words and his face turned red.

"Xiao Jiang, I really don't mean anything else. I haven't been to school, and I've only played chess all my life. I can't help but want to share some of my experience with you. It's rare to meet someone as obsessed with chess as you are these days."

"Comrade Guozhu, you misunderstood. To be honest, I am not obsessed with chess. I am planning to write a novel, and I play chess purely for collecting folk songs."

After hearing this, Zang Guozhu hurriedly looked at Jiang Xian again.

“Are you a writer?”

The guy shook his head.

"Not really. I've never written one before. This is my first work."

"Oh, Hina."

Zang Guozhu didn't take it too seriously, just thinking it was his hobby, and didn't think Jiang Xian could write anything outstanding.

“Good luck with your writing.”

"Thank you."

"I'm back. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Jiang Xian covered his bag with his hands, stepped onto the 28-meter-long bicycle, and went home to study the chess manual.

The next day.

Jiang Xian held his waist, got up early, rode his bicycle, loaded his tools, and went to the construction site.

"Inspiration [Chess] Current Progress (85/100)"

There are only 15 games left to successfully harvest [Chess].

The novel that had been itching him for a long time was now right before his eyes!

This guy swung the shovel very fast and worked very quickly, raising dust all around.

After finishing the work, he skillfully covered his bag and happily went to find someone to play chess with.

"Comrade, next game?"

"Wait a minute, I'll finish reading this."

The man squatted on the ground with a solemn expression, reading a crumpled newspaper in his hand.

Yes, read the newspaper.

These days, special emphasis is placed on the construction of spiritual civilization. Even when taking a break at the construction site, learning activities will be carried out whenever possible, allowing everyone to read newspapers, recite poems on the blackboard, and exchange work experiences.

Can you believe that they even organize cultural and artistic performances involving playing musical instruments and singing?
As the saying goes: literature and art serve the workers, peasants and soldiers.

The open air is used as a theater, the construction site is used as a stage, and model operas, dances, and dramas are performed to relieve workers' fatigue and refresh their spirits.

"Comrade Jiang Xian, take a look at this."

"What?"

Jiang Xian took the crumpled Wenhui Daily and spread it out. On it was an article that took up an entire page: "Scars", by Lu Xinhua, a first-year student in the Chinese Department of Fudan University.

There is a saying that goes: The tears shed by readers all over China when reading "Scars" could form a river.

Once the novel "Scars" was published, it quickly became a sensation across the country. Wenhui Daily printed 180 million copies of the newspaper containing "Scars", but it still could not meet the needs of readers.

Won the first Outstanding Short Story Award in 78!
But overall, it is highly social and less literary.

This kind of article is like the molting of a cicada; once it is out of touch with the times, it will wither and die.

Therefore, "Scars" had no fame in Jiang Xian's previous life.

He squatted on the ground, holding the newspaper, scanning it word by word, and finally put down the Wenhui Daily with boredom.

"How was it? What were your thoughts after watching it?" asked the person next to him.

Jiang Xian recalled the eight-character evaluation given by Comrade Xiansheng after reading this novel.

"You're just crying and whining, you're useless."

"Oh, you are so ruthless."

"Play chess."

Jiang Xian didn't say anything, he spread out the three-foot chessboard and placed thirty-two round chess pieces on it. The rumbling sound of construction on the construction site was drowned out by the neighing of the horses and carriages on the chessboard.

"Inspiration [Chess] progress +1, current progress (86/100)"

"Inspiration [Chess] progress +1, current progress (87/100)"

"Inspiration [Chess] progress +1, current progress (88/100)"

There are fewer people watching chess today.

The educated youth gathered together and expressed their opinions on the novel "Scars".

Some people praised it, saying it was "a spring thunder", while others criticized it, thinking it was hypocritical. The debate was endless, just like a microcosm of the literary criticism world at that time.
"Inspiration [Chess] progress +1, current progress (100/100)"

call.

After another game of chess, Jiang Xian breathed a sigh of relief.

In fifteen consecutive games, he won nine, lost four and drew two.

“【Chess】Current progress (100/100)”

Hey, it's finally full!

The afternoon sun was bright, and the sky was lit with clouds that made people feel light and agile.

"Comrade Jiang Xian, let's go have a drink together." A familiar "co-worker" called him from behind the mortar truck.

Jiang Xian couldn't refuse, so he had to accept it.

The place where we drank was Niujie. The restaurant had a very dirty front, but it was also a state-owned restaurant. It was narrow and crowded inside, full of diners. There was a small blackboard with a price list on the wall: "Today's fresh meat dumplings are 14/ cents."

A group of people squeezed in, jostling each other and sitting down at the round tables.

You look at me, I look at you.

Several gentlemen stared at the simple price list for a long time. Finally, Jiang Xian took the lead and plucked up the courage to order 14 dumplings each to satisfy their hunger, accompanied by a bottle of Erguotou.

"Comrade waiter, this is my food coupon." Jiang Xian carefully handed the Beijing food coupon printed with "Beijing Food Bureau" to the waiter, and then counted out five cents.

They were bored waiting and chatted for a while, then Zang Guozhu suddenly suggested to Jiang Xian: "Xiao Jiang, the dumplings are not ready yet, let's play a game of chess first."

The rest of the people laughed.

"Comrade Guozhu, Comrade Jiangxian, you two are really a big chess fanatic and a little chess fanatic."

Amidst the laughter, Jiang Xian opened his bag and placed the chessboard neatly on the dining table.

There was a huge difference in strength between the two men, so Zang Guozhu spared Jiang Xian one car and let him go two more times.

Jiang Xian's red chess player sacrificed a pawn at the beginning of the game, and his right chariot rushed to the river mouth to occupy a key position. Zang Guozhu's black chess player was not to be outdone, and his horse rushed out from the corner to cover the pawn crossing the river. The situation was ever-changing and the game was full of ups and downs.

Jiang Xian spent a long time pondering over each move. After dozens of rounds, someone patted him on the shoulder. When he looked up, the waiter had already brought the dumplings to him and was staring at him impatiently.

"You two, put your things aside!"

"Sorry, sorry." The others tried to smooth things over.

"The horse moves in the sun, the elephant moves in the field, a single bicycle cannot defeat a complete combination of scholar and elephant." Zang Guozhu sighed, then knocked on the table, "It's a tie, right?"

The others also echoed, "Let's make peace, let's drink!"

Then let’s make peace.

Jiang Xian quickly put away the chessboard and replaced it with a plate of steaming, white and plump dumplings.

After picking up a handful of food with chopsticks, three or five of them immediately rolled into his stomach, his Adam's apple shrank, and he shouted "It's so delicious."

At the same time, I felt a little regretful for not savoring the food carefully. This mentality was like Zhu Bajie eating the ginseng fruit.

I glanced at the other people and saw from their expressions that they all felt the same way.

"When I have money in the future, I will eat dumplings for every meal." The guy thought while sucking on his chopsticks.

No nightlife.

Jiang Xian returned home before the sunset.

There was no one at home, and he was no longer in high spirits. He took off his shirt, bare-chested, and fetched a basin of water, then used soap and a towel to wash his lower body.

Then he lay down on the table and opened the window.

The wind blows the banyan tree outside the window, and the yard is crowded with people. The chess box that has been with him for many days is placed on the table, covered with a lot of dust.

Jiang Xian's expression was sacred and solemn.

"System, synthesis."

The command was given, with a sound in the ear.

"Unlocked the first synthesis path:"

“【Educated Youth】+【Chess】=Short story "Chess King"”

(End of this chapter)