1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 541 "Where do you come from, my friend?"

Jiang Xian's actions against Lü Liping were purely motivated by a desire to rid society of a scourge.

But dealing with him is one thing, he wouldn't do anything illegal or criminal just because of Lü Liping.

It would be so much better to send Lü Liping to the United States.

She has an average appearance, no special skills, and can only act, but the American film and television industry would never be interested in someone like her.

Jiang Xian trusted her completely.

What benefits can someone who can't even speak English expect to get in America? Don't worry, the harsh realities of America will teach her a lesson.

Filming for "Stories from the Editorial Department" was very quick; the first three episodes were completed in less than a month.

While filming was taking place here, Jiang Xian led his team to search for people in the capital to provide background music for the TV series.

Art and literature are inseparable. Although Jiang Xian is from the cultural circle, he has also gotten to know many people in the music industry over the years, such as Shi Guangnan, Jiang Dawei, and Yan Su.
That day, after being introduced by Shi Guangnan, Jiang Xian took a car to a hutong in Dongcheng District.

"Stop, stop." Jiang Xian patted Xu Chenhui.

"Hey."

Xu Chenhui braked and stopped the car. Soon, a man lay down next to the car. It was Shi Guangnan.

"Comrade Jiang Xian, over here."

The two met and exchanged a few words. Led by Shi Guangnan, they navigated the complex alleyways, turning left and right. Xu Chenhui parked his car and immediately followed, keeping a close watch on them.

"This musician used to work at the Central Song and Dance Troupe and composed quite a few pieces. However, she made some mistakes a few years ago, and now she runs a training center on her own, teaching students."

As Shi Guangnan was speaking, the two arrived at a courtyard. "Hey, this is it, Comrade Jianfen."

Shi Guangnan called out inside, and soon a short woman in her fifties wearing glasses came out of the house.

"Guangnan." The other person greeted Shi Guangnan with a smile.

Shi Guangnan nodded. "Comrade Jianfen, let me introduce you. This is the famous Comrade Jiang Xian, the author of 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain'."

Shi Guangnan smiled and first introduced Jiang Xian's identity, then turned to introduce the woman in front of him to Jiang Xian.

"This is Comrade Gu Jianfen. She used to be my colleague at the Central Drama Troupe. Well, she encountered some things a couple of years ago, and now she is a teacher at this training center."

But don't underestimate her. She has a student named Su Hong, who won first place in the popular singing category of the professional group at this year's National Youth Singer Television Grand Prix, and sang a song written for her by Comrade Gu Jianfen.”

Shi Guangnan spoke at length, seemingly afraid that Jiang Xian would underestimate him.

However, Jiang Xian didn't need any further introduction from him.

Gu Jianfen, huh?

How could he not recognize him?

Even if you don't know her, you must know Mao Amin, Liu Huan, Han Lei, Sun Nan, and Na Ying, right?
Yes, they are all her students.

Gu Jianfen is considered a godmother figure in the Chinese music scene. She was born in Japan and later returned to China with her parents, where she gradually revealed her musical talent.

In 1980, lyricist Zhang Tongmei published his work "The New Generation of the 1980s" in the journal "Lyrics".

Gu Jianfen set it to music, and changed the first line of the lyrics to become the song title.

—"Young Friends Come to Meet":
"Young friends, let's meet today, row our little boats, and feel the gentle breeze."

"The flowers are fragrant, the birds are singing, and the spring scenery is intoxicating."

"Laughter and songs fly around the colorful clouds."

Later, she composed even more representative works, most of which were catchy and easy to sing along to.

"Songs and Smiles": "Please take my song back to your home, please leave your smile behind."

"Mother in the Candlelight": "Oh, Mother, Mother in the candlelight, your black hair is now streaked with frost."

"The Little Girl Picking Mushrooms": "The little girl picking mushrooms, carrying a big bamboo basket, sirlo lolli ...

"Today is your birthday": "Today is your birthday, my China."

She even monopolized the entire Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward: "The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away the heroes of the past."

"This Bow": "With this bow, spring breezes bring joy and a kindred spirit; even the peach blossoms smile upon the altar."

Other works include "The Ballad of the Crouching Dragon", "Diao Chan Has Gone with the Breeze", and "Walking on the River".

It's worth mentioning here that, as everyone knows, Gu Jianfen's good apprentice Yehenala Ying and Dao Lang had a deep-seated feud. Later, Dao Lang released a song called "Luochahai City," and some people said that Gu Jianfen criticized Dao Lang for this song.

Uh, of course that's a rumor. How could someone of that age and level get involved in something like that?

Of course, that's a story for another time.

Gu Jianfen is in the same awkward position as Dao Lang, as most of her songs are not yet accepted by the mainstream music scene.

Many people believe that her songs are vulgar and unorthodox, so her songs have been boycotted and television stations have refused to broadcast them.

Gu Jianfen felt wronged, but she had no way to voice her opinions and no one sang her songs. However, if she wanted to prove her songs, she needed someone to sing her works.

Therefore, she sold all the valuables in her house and scraped together tens of thousands of yuan to officially open the "Gu Jianfen Vocal Center," determined to cultivate a group of promising singers and have them sing her songs.

This is the small house of about thirty square meters that Jiang Xian is standing in front of now.

“Comrade Jiang Xian, Comrade Jian Fen’s training course is different from those training courses in society.”

Shi Guangnan explained to Jiang Xian, "This training class is different from other training classes. Not only do you not have to pay tuition fees to learn music here, but Comrade Jianfen also gives each of them a subsidy of 45 yuan per month."

"Oh my, you're paying people to teach you?"

"Yes."

"Can there be enough room for all the people who come to register?"

"hehe."

Shi Guangnan smiled and said, "Comrade Jianfen doesn't accept just anyone. There are only two criteria for recruiting students here: first, the singing must be able to move Comrade Jianfen, and second, the student must have good character. So, all the students here are selected by Comrade Jianfen. This is the first batch. I heard that only a few people have been recruited in total?"

"nine."

Gu Jianfen replied and poured tea for Jiang Xian and the others.

"Yes, nine. Look at my memory."

Shi Guangnan smiled and pulled Gu Jianfen to sit down.

"Jianfen, don't bother. Comrade Jiang Xian is short on time, so let's skip the formalities."

"Okay, okay."

"Let me tell you why I came here this time."

Shi Guangnan explained the purpose of his visit to Gu Jianfen:

"Comrade Jiang Xian is currently producing a TV series, and no one has taken over the music composition yet. He came to me, and I immediately thought of you, wondering if you could send him a few drafts."

"Ouch!"

Gu Jianfen was flattered and overwhelmed.

She was struggling because no one wanted to use her songs, but unexpectedly, someone came to her door.

"Sure, of course! If you're willing to use my music, I'll do it for free!" Gu Jianfen exclaimed excitedly. "What TV series are you working on?"

"Comrade Jiang Xian, what TV series is it?" Shi Guangnan turned to look at Jiang Xian.

Jiang Xian put down his teacup. "The TV series is called 'Stories from the Editorial Department'."

"Stories from the Editorial Department?"

Gu Jianfen scratched her head. "What are you talking about?"

“Just give her a general overview,” Shi Guangnan said with a smile. “If you don’t give her a brief introduction, she won’t know what topic to write about.” “It’s about the daily life of a magazine editorial department, and the topic… well, it’s roughly… ‘world peace’.”

"World Peace!"

Gu Jianfen was stunned, but fortunately she managed to keep her expression in check. "You are truly a compassionate person."

"Well, to put it broadly, it's about world peace; to put it more specifically, it's about a harmonious society. Do you understand what harmony means?"

"understand."

Gu Jianfen pondered for a moment, "I have a song here that I've never used before. Why don't you listen to it first and see if it suits you?"

Do you have a song?

Jiang Xian didn't mind. "Sure, I'll listen."

"Please wait."

Gu Jianfen stood up and quickly called over a girl in her early twenties who looked healthy and had regular menstruation.

"This is my student, Mao Amin."

"Hello." Mao Amin was very excited when her teacher told her that the person coming was Jiang Xian.

She was from Shanghai, came from a working-class family, and later became a worker herself. She often participated in singing competitions in the chemical industry. Often, as soon as she stepped on stage and sang only two or three lines, everyone would say, "No need to compete anymore, she's the champion."

Over the years, she has participated in many national competitions, but due to insider dealings, she was squeezed out of the gold medal and could only get second or third place. She even got the nickname "Mao San" (meaning "Third Place Mao").

"Amin, sing that song for this comrade," Gu Jianfen instructed.

"Right here?" Mao Amin asked.

“Yes, a cappella,” Gu Jianfen said.

On the other side, Jiang Xian adjusted to a more comfortable sitting position in his chair and stared at Mao Amin.

"Let me warm up my voice first," Mao Amin said with a smile.

After all, she's a professional singer, so she's not coy. She just coughs twice and strikes a pose, a typical bel canto style.

Mao Amin's breathy voice is quite terrifying.

She can open her mouth completely, which is very academic. Of course, she, Wei Wei, Fan Linlin, and most of the so-called "powerhouses" of recent years can do this.

Unfortunately, this vocal technique cannot adequately support their singing style, because it has bright but no dark tones, strong but no weak tones, and solid but no breathy tones. In terms of vocal timbre, it cannot meet the requirements of a so-called "international" singing style.

Therefore, this group of people were only popular for five or six years, and after that, when Hong Kong and Taiwan songs entered the mainland market, they had no choice but to retreat to the second line.

"Is it done?" Gu Jianfen asked.

"All right."

Mao Amin nodded and smiled at Jiang Xian. Her performance skills had become an integral part of her life; she started singing as soon as she opened her mouth, and her voice was melodious and pleasant to listen to.

As soon as she opened her mouth, Jiang Xian's eyes widened involuntarily, and his body became uncontrollably excited.

Gu Jianfen was quite satisfied with Jiang Xian's reaction.

After all, Mao Amin is also her prized student, with very strong singing ability. Moreover, under her guidance, Mao Amin's popular singing style is very fashionable in China.

Therefore, Gu Jianfen was confident that Mao Amin could grab Jiang Xian's attention as soon as she opened her mouth.

On the other hand, Jiang Xian's excitement wasn't because of how well Mao Amin sang.

It's not because they found a treasure!

"Where do you come from, my friend, like a butterfly flying into my window?"

Mao Amin sang a classic and beautiful song, "Longing," which is extremely popular.

"Where do you come from, my friend, like a butterfly flying into my window?"

"I don't know how long I can stay, we have been apart for far too long."

"Where do you come from, my friend, like a butterfly flying into my window?"

"Why did you leave without a word, leaving only longing in my heart?"

"."

A song that uses the image of a butterfly to express the deep feelings of parting and reunion with friends.

It's both light and catchy.

Using this song in "Stories from the Editorial Department" doesn't feel out of place or conflict at all.

This is truly a treasure trove.

Although in later generations, in the film and television industry, there has always been the phenomenon that "bad movies produce great songs".

However, when a hit song is paired with a classic film or television work, they can complement each other perfectly.

The most classic example is, of course, "Shanghai Bund".

Did the classic status of the TV series make the theme song famous, or did the theme song make the TV series famous?
It can only be said that they complemented each other.

The combination of songs and films generated massive traffic, creating two classics in the music and film industries.

"Comrade Jianfen, I want this song. You must give it to me." After Mao Amin finished singing, Jiang Xian immediately made the decision, "This song is perfect for our drama."

Gu Jianfen was very happy to hear that.

Why did she go to such great lengths to establish the "Gu Jianfen Vocal Center"? Wasn't it so that people could hear her music again?
Now, another opportunity seems to be available, and this time it's to be featured on CCTV as background music for a TV series.

This is the perfect opportunity.

The two sides hit it off.

On the other side, Mao Amin was also extremely excited.

Not long ago, Liu Huan, a member of their school, sang the theme song for a TV series.

Unexpectedly, she got such an opportunity so quickly.

After May, the weather in the capital city gradually warmed up, though not too hot, not as stifling as if "a cow had been licked."

The first three episodes of "Stories from the Editorial Department" were almost finished, and Jiang Xian immediately took them to Zheng Xiaolong to discuss, of course, the matter of CCTV buying the TV series.

"Let me check first. Did you bring the tape?" Zheng Xiaolong asked.

"Take it and have a look."

The group sat in the film and television center, and soon the newly produced "Stories from the Editorial Department" began playing on the television.

The opening theme song started playing first.

As soon as the melody started, Zheng Xiaolong found it very catchy.

As the singer performed, the whole song became surprisingly catchy and beautiful.

"What's the name of this song?"

"miss."

"Not bad, not bad." Zheng Xiaolong listened to the song and watched the TV series with great interest.

Not long ago, their television art center broadcast the TV series "Plainclothes Policeman," adapted from Hai Yan's novel.

The TV series produced a hit song, written by composer Lei Lei and sung by Liu Huan, called "Young Ambition Knows No Sorrow".

As the TV series aired, the song and the series unexpectedly became mutually reinforcing and popular.

In Zheng Xiaolong's view.

The same approach could easily be replicated with "Stories from the Editorial Department".

(End of this chapter)