1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 571 Come prepared
"At least it's no worse than 'The Grass House'."

As Wang Yi spoke, he took out a copy of "The Little Prince" from his bag and handed it to Xu Dexia.

Xu Dexia quickly took a look.

With just a quick glance, I was immediately moved by the words in "The Little Prince" and attracted by the simple yet profound story.

Xu Dexia was quite annoyed when Wang Yidi interrupted her.

"Time is tight, and we can't keep the news about Jiang Xian's manuscript secret. It would be bad if another publication beat us to it. Our Children's Literature needs to hurry up," Wang Yidi explained.

"it is good."

The two immediately got into Wang Yidi's car and headed to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles building at No. 10, Nongzhanguan South Lane.

Looking at the magnificent building, Xu Dexia couldn't help but envy the office space of People's Literature, which was far superior to that of their Fairy Tale King. She wondered when their Fairy Tale King would be able to move into such a building.

"Pharaoh!"

As soon as the two entered the building, they bumped into a celebrity in the cultural world, none other than the famous writer of scar literature, Liu Xinwu.

Liu Xinwu, once a rising star in the literary world, had extensive social connections throughout the literary community and was no stranger to Wang Yidi.

"Why are you here?"

"Old Liu."

Wang Yidi smiled and shook hands with Liu Xinwu, "Well, I've come to visit someone."

"The visitor? Who is it?"

"Uh"

Wang Yidi had also heard about the old grudge between Liu Xinwu and Jiang Xian, and hesitated slightly before saying, "It's Comrade Jiang Xian."

".oh."

Liu Xinwu was slightly dazed for a moment, then answered and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"Oh, I just heard that Comrade Jiang Xian just wrote a manuscript. Our Children's Literature magazine is contacting him to see if we can get this manuscript published in our Children's Literature magazine."

"That"

Liu Xinwu paused for a moment, then asked, "Shall I take you up?"

"This is troublesome."

After the three finished speaking, they took the elevator up together, and the atmosphere was not as warm as when they first met.

Xu Dexia was of a slightly younger generation, so she didn't dare to speak at this moment. The conflict between Jiang Xian and Liu Xinwu was no secret, and she had certainly heard about these gossips.

Not only gossip, but I've also heard some really outrageous rumors, like "Jiang Xian drunkenly beats up Liu Xinwu." It's said that at a writers' association banquet, Jiang Xian and Liu Xinwu got into an argument because of some differences in their literary views. Jiang Xian happened to have drunk some alcohol, and on the spot, he performed a drunken punch that punched Liu Xinwu right in the eye socket. Luckily, Wang Meng was there and managed to stop the fight.

Xu Dexia didn't know if it was true or not, but she knew that there was a real conflict between the two. They had both been candidates to succeed each other as editors-in-chief of People's Literature, but unexpectedly, the one who became editor-in-chief became editor-in-chief and the other became deputy editor-in-chief, and the two were placed in the same unit.

Xu Dexia didn't know what the leaders of the Writers' Association were thinking. They didn't get along, yet they put them together. Weren't they afraid that these two would cause chaos at People's Literature?
However, it's also possible that the two have already reconciled. After all, she had heard a rumor that Liu Xinwu had "beared thorns to apologize" to Jiang Xian, but she couldn't say whether it was true or not.
The atmosphere was awkward, so Wang Yidi took the initiative to start the conversation, saying, "People's Literature looks really well-organized now."

"Yes." Liu Xinwu nodded.

"Yes, there have been quite a few classic works published in recent years, as well as newly emerging writers. I think Ge Fei and Liu Zhenyun are both very capable authors. It seems that it was a correct decision to have Comrade Jiang Xian take over from Comrade Wang Meng to preside over People's Literature. Under his leadership, People's Literature has achieved great results." As Wang Yi spoke, he quickly realized that he had touched on Liu Xinwu's sensitive area again and promptly stopped talking.

Liu Xinwu didn't seem to mind too much, and instead asked Wang Yidi, "Old Wang, are you saying that Comrade Jiang Xian has written a new manuscript? Why is your Children's Literature magazine asking for a manuscript? Is it a children's literature work?"

“Yes, it is indeed a children’s literature work,” Wang Yi nodded.

"Oh, he writes children's literature? That's rare," Liu Xinwu said with a shrug. In his mind, a writer like Jiang Xian should continue to challenge new heights in literature and should spread the wings of literature more freely. This has always been the hope that he, as the deputy editor-in-chief, placed on the publication "People's Literature".

Jiang Xian surprisingly started writing children's literature at this time.
In Liu Xinwu's view, this seems to have a "retirement" connotation.

Asking a writer like Jiang Xian to write children's literature is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut—a waste of talent.

He couldn't help but feel that Jiang Xian might have given up on the idea of ​​making further progress in literature, and that for a writer like him to write children's literature would be to willingly regress.

"Fortunately, there are other authors publishing good articles," Liu Xinwu sighed softly.

Just now, Liu Xinwu read an autobiographical novel recommended to him by a friend. It tells the story of the author's life experiences and mental journey in Tibet. The title is catchy and eye-catching: "Show Your Tongue, or Empty."

"Xiao Zhu." Liu Xinwu called out to Zhu Wei, who was passing by, and told him about Wang Yidi and Xu Dexia, asking him to take the two of them to Jiang Xian's place on his behalf.

This deputy editor-in-chief usually kept his distance from Jiang Xian. Zhu Wei understood his thoughts and agreed with a smile.

So, Wang Yidi and Xu Dexia successfully met Jiang Xian in his small office, where he was looking down at a manuscript with a furrowed brow.

"Editor-in-Chief!" Zhu Wei, who brought Wang Yidi and Xu Dexia over, called out to him. Jiang Xian looked up from the manuscript on the table and glanced at the people in front of him.

"Huh? This is... Dexia?"

"Comrade Jiang Xian, how have you been?" Xu Dexia greeted him with a smile, then introduced, "This is our editor-in-chief of Children's Literature, Comrade Wang Yidi." "Oh, it's an honor to meet you."

Jiang Xian stood up, shook hands with Wang Yidi, and then handed the manuscript on the table to Zhu Wei. "There's a problem with this manuscript. Send it back and tell the editors that it can't be published."

"it is good."

Zhu Wei glanced at the manuscript and was a little surprised. It was a reportage work. He had heard about it before. Originally, the editors responsible for the final review at People's Literature were Cui Daoyi or Wang Chaoyin. However, this manuscript was recommended by Liu Xinwu. He specially arranged for Zhou Ming, who was in charge of reportage, poetry and prose, to be in charge of the final review, and completed the process of three reviews and three proofreadings.

Logically speaking, this manuscript should have been fine and ready for printing.

Unfortunately, Jiang Xian had too much control over People's Literature, and coupled with his grudges with Liu Xinwu, he paid close attention to every move of the deputy editor-in-chief, Liu Xinwu.

Upon hearing about this, he immediately asked for the manuscript, saying he needed to review it personally.

What he just knocked down was this manuscript that had already gone through "three reviews and three proofreadings"—"Show Your Tongue, or Empty."

After Zhu Wei left, Jiang Xian arranged for Wang Yidi and Xu Dexia to sit down and poured them tea.

“I’ve been friends with Children’s Literature for a long time. Back then, my novel ‘The Grass House’ was published in Children’s Literature. At that time, I was the deputy editor-in-chief of the film magazine at Beijing Film Studio,” Jiang Xian recalled.

“Yes.” Xu Dexia nodded. She remembered that when Children’s Literature published Jiang Xian’s “The Grass House” in full, it took up space that belonged to other authors. As a result, one writer was very indignant and went to Jiang Xian’s door, feeling that this was a privilege.

Now, this writer's own personal magazine has gained considerable fame in China.

Even more outrageous, Xu Dexia ran into this writer, Zheng Yuanjie, on her way here. He was tall and very conspicuous, huddled alone in front of a desk in People's Digest. After talking to him, she learned that he was now an editor for the children's section of People's Digest.

Who could have imagined this?
Xu Dexia couldn't help but sigh.

Who would have thought that the guy Zheng Yuanjie wanted to beat up back then would now be his superior?

"The reason we came here is actually for the novel 'The Little Prince'," Wang Yidi said, getting straight to the point.

"Your Children's Literature magazine is really well-informed. My piece 'The Little Prince' was only just sent to Peking University, and you already know about it," Jiang Xian joked.

"You probably don't know this yet."

Wang Yidi put down his teacup. "The Lu Xun Academy just held a discussion on your novel. I, writer Jin Jin, and many experts in the field of children's literature attended. Now, there are quite a few people who know about your novel and have read your 'The Little Prince'."

"Oh?"

Jiang Xian was somewhat surprised, "So, you've all seen it too?"

"It's more than just seeing it!"

Wang Yidi's voice rose several decibels, filled with sincere admiration, "To be honest, I've read this novel more than once. This manuscript is incredibly inspired, unlike anything I've ever seen before!"

"You're too kind," Jiang Xian said modestly.

"I just say what I think."

Wang Yidi spoke sincerely, “The rose, the fox, the little prince, and those wonderful planets—these seemingly simple fairy tales flow with pure emotions and philosophical thoughts. The novelty of the writing style and the magnificence of the imagination are like a clear spring in our current children's literature creation. No, they are like a suddenly appearing, sparkling treasure!”

Jiang Xian did not respond to Wang Yidi's generous praise. At this point, it was inappropriate to be modest; excessive modesty would be hypocritical.

He changed the subject and asked, "Which part is your favorite?"

"Um"

Wang Yidi pondered for a moment, "What impressed me most was the lamplighter who turned the light on and off every minute. His planet was spinning faster and faster, and his work became endless repetitive labor, but he still adhered to the 'orders' and 'rules'."

This seemingly absurd situation metaphorically represents the alienation of people in contemporary society, the blind obedience to rules, and the sense of powerlessness of individuals in the face of a vast system.

But the Little Prince felt he was the only one who wasn't 'absurd,' because he wasn't acting for himself, but for the lamp and the star. This highlights the preciousness, even the tragedy, of upholding a simple duty amidst absurdity. This allegorical critique of social phenomena, wrapped in the guise of a fairy tale, is both sharp and subtle, thought-provoking.

As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with eagerness: "This is precisely the unparalleled value of 'The Little Prince'! It's like a multifaceted diamond, reflecting brilliant intellectual light from different angles. It possesses the power of emotion that touches the heart and the philosophical depth that transcends time. I believe that if this work can be published, it will not only move today's children but also transcend the years and become an eternal classic."

"Publish it!"

Seeing that Jiang Xian was considering, Wang Yidi said very sincerely:
"Comrade Jiang Xian, to be honest, I, Wang Yidi, have been the editor-in-chief of Children's Literature for so many years and have handled countless manuscripts, but a work like The Little Prince, which makes people feel shocked on the first reading, has endless aftertaste on the second reading, and still feels profound on the third reading, is really rare!"
This edition of *The Little Prince* possesses both the innocence and fun that children can directly experience, and the profound depth that allows adults to reflect deeply. This is precisely the kind of classic work that *Children's Literature* has been dreaming of—one that can truly move generations of readers!

He calmed his excitement slightly, but his tone became more solemn: "Therefore, I am here on behalf of the editorial department of Children's Literature to formally extend to you our sincerest invitation to submit a manuscript! We hope that The Little Prince can be published first in our Children's Literature magazine."

"I know you're in a hurry, but please don't rush."

Jiang Xian interrupted Wang Yidi's impassioned speech, "Children's Literature is certainly an excellent literary journal, but I believe you can also tell that children's literature stories are either written for children or for adults. In my mind, The Little Prince is actually a novel written for adults. Is it really appropriate to publish it in Children's Literature?"

"Comrade Jiang Xian, you're wrong about that."

Wang Yidi shook his head. "Yes, to truly understand 'The Little Prince,' one must be an adult, but to read 'The Little Prince,' a child is enough. And you should think about it: a child at six, sixteen, twenty-six, and thirty-six years old, reading 'The Little Prince,' will have different experiences at each stage of life, right? So giving these children the opportunity to read 'The Little Prince' during their childhood is definitely of paramount importance."

He paused, then continued, "Don't worry, as long as you hand over this copy of *The Little Prince* to me, we will feature it as our main work for the next quarter, publishing the full text and giving it prominent placement on the cover and table of contents. Furthermore, we will utilize all our resources, including publishing reviews in authoritative media outlets such as the *People's Daily* supplement and the *Guangming Daily* culture section, to enthusiastically introduce this masterpiece to readers of all ages across the country. Moreover, we promise to fully respect the author's creative intent and the integrity of the text, conducting only necessary proofreading before publication and making absolutely no deletions or alterations that would damage the work's artistry or intellectual content."

Wang Yidi clearly came prepared, and very sincerely presented a series of conditions.

As Jiang Xian hesitated, someone knocked on the door three times. He looked up and answered, and Liu Xinwu pushed the door open and came in.
(End of this chapter)