1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Chapter 141: With Ge You’s sudden intrusion, what will the filming of The Shepherd look like?

“It’s the novella I just finished writing!”

Seeing Zhang Guangnian's confusion and exclamation, Cheng Xuemin followed up and explained.

"What? That novella? Didn't I say I'll give Teacher Gu to your mother-in-law?"

Now Zhang Guangnian was even more surprised and puzzled. How could the manuscript, which had already been in Teacher Gu's mouth, be spit out and given to their "People's Literature"?
Could it be that the writing was not good enough and was rejected by his mother-in-law?
It is not unreasonable for Zhang Guangnian to have such concerns. After all, Cheng Xuemin is indeed an excellent writer of short stories, but so far he has not published a novella.

So to be honest, no one has ever seen the quality of a novella.

And there are quite a few such authors!
I am great at writing short stories, but I can’t write long ones because they tend to get boring later on, so writing long novels is a little bit off.
There are also people who are good at writing long and medium-length novels, but just can't write short stories.

Could it be that Cheng Xuemin is one of the above-mentioned people, who was very successful in writing short stories, but even his mother-in-law rejected his novella?
But soon, Zhang Guangnian directly denied this idea in his mind.

If the manuscript had been rejected, Cheng Xuemin's mother-in-law would definitely have asked him to revise it instead of sending it directly to People's Literature.

Even October doesn't want to publish this manuscript, and it needs to be rejected for revision. This quality is definitely not going to pass the People's Literature.

It is impossible for Cheng Xuemin in front of him not to understand this truth.

"I wrote another manuscript for her later. She discussed it with Teacher Liu and decided to use that manuscript first. She asked me to send this novella to you, Teacher Zhang!"

Cheng Xuemin explained, and then said, "Teacher Zhang, please take a look at the manuscript first to see if it can be used!"

Although my mother-in-law asked me to submit the manuscript directly to People's Literature, they still had to read and review the manuscript.

Although Cheng Xuemin didn't think so, the novella would not pass the review of People's Literature and could not be published.

"Xueminni, you wrote another manuscript for Teacher Gu?!" Zhang Guangnian seemed to react and realized something after hearing this, and asked, "Is it aimed at Tianjin?"

Tianjin Daily is now launching a fierce attack on Cheng Xuemin, publishing very sharp articles for three consecutive days. Moreover, as time goes by, it seems that other parts of the country are following suit.

Therefore, if they don’t fight back, they will be beaten one-sidedly.

Regarding this point!
Mr. Wu has already clearly asked them at People's Literature to find as many authoritative manuscripts as possible to suppress the influence.

But it is best not to let Cheng Xuemin, "Old Joe", personally take the lead and write an offensive article to fight back. That would be very unwise.

So Zhang Guangnian was commissioning articles, but he did not approach Cheng Xuemin himself to do so.

But who knows!

He was too young. He couldn't wait to write the relevant manuscript. Even his mother-in-law went crazy with him. He didn't even want the novella and went straight to the manuscript.

Isn't that too unwise?

"No, no, Mr. Zhang. Mr. Wu told me to stay calm and wait and see for a few days. It's nothing to me personally!"

"The article I wrote for my mother was not targeting Tianjin Daily, but responding to the call for articles on reform and opening up!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded repeatedly. Why did people of his generation think that Cheng Xuemin was writing retaliatory and offensive articles?
"That's right then!"

"We, as scholars, need to remain calm. It is not wrong to have voices of opposition, after all, we are all crossing the river by feeling the stones."

Zhang Guangnian nodded secretly, believing what the young man said. Because from what Cheng Xuemin said, his tone was very calm and steady, without any gunpowder smell.

Then he nodded and looked down at the manuscript in his hand, but just after glancing at it, he couldn't help but look up at Cheng Xuemin and said in surprise, "Parental love? Xuemin, are you writing about your parents, or your father-in-law, mother-in-law, Mr. Gu, and Mr. Feng?"

If it is written about the mother-in-law or father-in-law, then wow, this son-in-law is so awesome!
"Teacher Zhang, it's just the title of an article. It's about your generation. It doesn't specifically refer to my parents or my mother-in-law or father-in-law!"

“Really, it’s a microcosm of an era!”

"How about I change the title of the manuscript?"

Everyone is saying that Cheng Xuemin was writing about his mother-in-law, but he is really being wronged.

An Jie, the petty bourgeois lady in "Parents' Love", is indeed the epitome of too many women of this era, especially in Yanjing.

Which intellectual woman has not experienced the petty bourgeois years of the Republic of China?
In that era, women who were able to go to school, especially university, generally came from good family backgrounds and were basically capitalist ladies who grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths.

So Cheng Xuemin copied this manuscript as a tribute, and the mother-in-law must have been naturally substituted into the story, very smoothly.

"No, no, no, no!"

"Xuemin, let me take a look at the manuscript first, let me take a look at the manuscript first!"

Zhang Guangnian had a look on his face that said, "I understand your vulgarity. The more you emphasize and say this, the more it is certain that you are writing about the affair between my mother-in-law, Teacher Gu, and Old Feng."

This instantly aroused Zhang Guangnian's curiosity. He really wanted to know what his son-in-law Cheng Xuemin could write about the affairs between his mother-in-law and his father-in-law.

I hope there are some unknown unofficial history in the book, it will be even more exciting.

"By the way, young comrade, don't be shy. Just read it if you want to. It's not a big deal!"

Zhang Guangnian sat down and looked through the manuscript in his hand. Seeing that the skinny guy standing behind Cheng Xuemin looked very uncomfortable, he said something to comfort him.

"Oh, ok, ok, hello, Teacher Zhang! My name is Ge You, and my mother has often mentioned your name to me!"

Since entering the editor-in-chief's office of People's Literature, Lao Ge has been feeling very uneasy.

But it seems that Lao Cheng is familiar with the job. As soon as he came in, the editor-in-chief gave him two manuscript fee bills. What's going on?
Didn’t you say that Lao Cheng has never published a manuscript in People’s Literature, and is here to give it a try today?
How come as soon as I walked in, the editor-in-chief had already prepared the payment invoice!
and!

From what Lao Cheng said to the editor-in-chief, it seems that Lao Cheng has written quite a few manuscripts, and People's Literature is vying for them?
What about Jinmen Daily?
What happened to Jinmen Daily? From the tone of their voice, did Jinmen Daily offend Lao Cheng?

What did Lao Cheng say about the manuscript related to the reform and opening up? Is he also good at writing this?

Lao Ge has also heard his teachers mention manuscripts related to the reform and opening up. The "Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office", published in "People's Literature" last month, is considered the pioneering work of the reform and opening up.

But the author is called "Lao Qiao", not Lao Xu who plays Lao Cheng in "The Shepherd".

The series of doubts made Ge You, who was standing next to him, confused and puzzled.

Seeing the editor-in-chief of People's Literature taking the initiative to talk to him, Lao Ge quickly bowed and introduced himself with excitement.

"Ge You?! Your mother often mentions me? Comrade, which unit does your mother work for?"

When Zhang Guangnian heard that the young comrade was called Ge You, he thought about it in his mind, wondering if there was anyone with the last name "Ge" in their circle. But the boy quickly said that his mother often mentioned him, which surprised him.

"Teacher Zhang, my mother is in the literature department of Yanying Studio. Her name is Shi Xinwen!" Ge You said immediately afterwards.

"Hey! Teacher Shi! Xiao Ge, you turned out to be her kid. I was wondering why you looked so familiar!"

Zhang Guangnian nodded repeatedly. Xiao Ge’s mother, Teacher Shi, was in the circle and was considered a knowledgeable editor. They had worked together before.

"Sit, sit, sit!"

Then, Zhang Guangnian asked Cheng Xuemin and Ge You to sit down first. Ge You was so excited that he really wanted to sit down, but Cheng Xuemin waved his hands and said, "Teacher Zhang, you won't be able to finish reading this manuscript in a short time, so we won't bother you anymore. We'll go back first!"

"It's true that I can't finish reading it in a short time. Xuemin, your manuscript must be more than 200,000 words, right?" Zhang Guangnian weighed the thick manuscript paper in his hand and asked with a wry smile.

"A little more than 260,000 words!" Cheng Xuemin nodded.

"Two hundred and sixty thousand words?! That's exactly one hundred and thirty thousand words per issue, and I'll send it to you, Xuemin, in two issues!"

This was what Zhang Guangnian had promised to Cheng Xuemin before. A novella divided into two parts, it was sent to Cheng Xuemin within one month!

"Teacher Zhang, why don't you take a look at the manuscript first!" Cheng Xuemin certainly hoped that it would be as fast as possible, but it would not be a good idea to take a back door, as the review procedures had to be followed.

"Xuemin, I know your manuscript. It has a good reputation and quality. Our review is just a formality!"

Zhang Guangnian only read the opening chapter and knew that the character Cheng Xuemin, a son-in-law, was about his mother-in-law, Teacher Gu, but he knew that the manuscript was good.

"How about this! Xuemin, if you don't have anything urgent to do, you can wait here and have lunch at our office at noon! I will try to finish looking at the results and give them to you before I get off work this afternoon?"

"Teacher Zhang, we still have two final exams to take this afternoon!"

Of course, Cheng Xuemin wanted to wait for the result here. It would be best if he could take the manuscript fee receipt back with him. The woman Feng Jiayou would definitely be so happy.

But I have two exams in the afternoon, and I have to rush back to make lunch for my woman at noon, so I really don’t have time to wait here for the results.

"Final exam?!"

The corners of Zhang Guangnian's mouth twitched twice, and then he realized that this kid was very proud of his writing skills, but he was actually a senior high school repeater, preparing for next year's college entrance examination.

No, now it should be this year's college entrance examination. It has been half a month since the New Year's Day of 1979. "Okay then! I will try to get the results tomorrow and call your mother-in-law, Teacher Gu, so that you don't have to make another trip!"

Zhang Guangnian nodded. This was the only way for now!

"Okay, okay. Teacher Zhang will be waiting for your news!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded politely, but thought to himself that it was really okay for him to make the trip. If you want the manuscript, Lao Zhang, you can just notify him to come over and get the payment tomorrow!

However, Lao Zhang did not mention the matter of the royalties, so Cheng Xuemin should not be too materialistic.

Anyway, the issue of manuscript fees has been mentioned before. The price that Lao Zhang offered for the manuscript was also the maximum price of seven yuan per thousand words.

Moreover, given Cheng Xuemin's status in various newspapers and magazines, the price of his royalties is the highest possible.

Who would have the nerve to ask Cheng Xuemin to write for him without paying the highest price?
So even though Lao Zhang didn't mention it this time, if he uses the manuscript, it's basically the same, 7 yuan per thousand words should be no different.

"Are you leaving now?! Didn't you say the exam is in the afternoon? Have lunch first!?"

Seeing Cheng Xuemin was about to leave after talking, Zhang Guangnian quickly put the manuscript in his hand on the table and stood up to try to keep him.

The most polite thing to do in this era is to eat before leaving, and this is the same everywhere in the country. In this era, when guests come to your home, giving them a meal is also the most polite way to entertain them.

After all, no one had much surplus food in those days.

So for those of us who have come from this era, "eat before you leave" has become a catchphrase to retain customers.

"No, no! Teacher Zhang, please don't be so polite. I have someone at home waiting for me to take care of her!!"

Cheng Xuemin also followed suit and waved his hands repeatedly.

"There's another one at home!"

"Yes, yes, I remember now! Xuemin, you are really a good husband who cares about your family!"

Zhang Guangnian sent Cheng Xuemin and the others to the door, and happened to meet Li Shuguang from the Humanities Society who was coming down from upstairs, and he couldn't help but say a few polite words to him.

Li Shuguang stopped Cheng Xuemin and talked about the single volume of "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office". Mr. Wu has already decided to publish the book directly. Old Li is now preparing to ask Zhang Guangnian to contact Cheng Xuemin, the original author.

Of course, Cheng Xuemin fully supported the idea of ​​publishing a separate volume of "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office" and there was no reason for him to refuse.

I am just surprised that at this juncture, Li Shuguang's Renwen Publishing House is actually going to publish a single volume, which shows that they are under pressure.

By this calculation, with the addition of Renwenshe, Cheng Xuemin and his mother-in-law's united front will be even more influential.

"Old Cheng! No way! I just heard from Mr. Li from Renwen Press that you wrote "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office"?"

On the way back, Ge You asked with an incredible look on his face.

It turns out that the author 'Lao Qiao' who was touted by their teacher as 'the first person in the reform and opening up' was his desk mate and best friend Cheng Xuemin!
"I wrote it! Lao Ge, don't you know? Didn't I tell you before?"

Cheng Xuemin really had no impression of him, but Feng Jiayou's classmates knew that this 'Lao Xu' was actually Lao Qiao.

As for whether Ge You knew about it, Cheng Xuemin really had no impression of it!

"I didn't say it!"

"Old Cheng, you rarely go to class all day long. You didn't tell us about it!"

Ge You had a stupid look on his face. He knew that Lao Cheng's 'Lao Xu' was awesome, but he didn't expect that his 'Lao Qiao' was even more awesome.

Since "People's Literature" published "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office" last month, "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office" has been almost everywhere in the past month.

It was that old, broken radio that was broadcasting "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office".

I really didn’t expect it!
This popular book "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office" was actually written by his best friend Lao Cheng.

If he hadn't followed me to the Humanities Society today, he really wouldn't have known.

"That means I forgot to tell you! Old Ge, now you know it!"

Cheng Xuemin smiled bitterly.

"Wow, wow, wow, Lao Cheng you're awesome! Lao Cheng you're really awesome! No wonder when I mentioned you to my mom, she didn't believe you were my deskmate!"

Ge You kept yelling, it was really like he saw a ghost.

"Oh, Lao Ge! Did you just say your mother is from Yan Film Studio?"

Speaking of Lao Ge's mother, she is from Yan Film Studio. When the crew of "The Shepherd" starts filming in the spring after the New Year, Cheng Xuemin can be considered half a member of Yan Film Studio.

Besides, it has been a while since Xie Jin returned to Shanghai, so the feedback from the Shanghai film studio should be coming soon, right?
Now Cheng Xuemin doesn’t care about fame or not, making money is still his top priority.

Xie Jin is in the Shanghai Film Studio, and Cheng Xuemin is a name on the list there. If there are any good manuscripts in the future, they will definitely be given priority to be adapted into movies.
The same goes for the Xi'an Film Studio in my hometown. I was planning to go back before the New Year to visit the Xi'an Film Studio, get familiar with its faces, and also put my name on the list.

Not to mention the Yan Film Studio, with my brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao there, he is also considered to be a figurehead.

However, my brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao’s qualifications at Yanying Studio are a little lacking.

Now Lao Ge said that his mother also worked at Yanying Studio, so we should get closer, as this relationship will be useful for helping each other in the future.

"Yes! I'm the chief editor of the literature department, but my main focus is scripts!"

Ge You nodded, and then seemed to remember something, and said: "By the way, my mother mentioned to us that Old Cheng, your "The Shepherd" is going to be made into a movie. Did you know?"

Chief editor, that means he is at the same level as his mother-in-law at October?

But Lao Ge’s news was a little delayed, and he continued, “The Wrangler is indeed going to be made into a movie. If nothing unexpected happens, I may go to the northwest to shoot The Wrangler after the New Year!”

"What!? Old Cheng, you know!"

"Old Cheng, are you still going to film The Wrangler? Are you going to film it, or are you going to play Xu Lingjun? "

Ge You's face was full of surprise again. How come his best friend was so free and open-minded and so outstanding?
Not only is the manuscript well-written, but he is actually going to make a movie after the New Year?

"Director Xie asked me to play Xu Lingjun..."

"Fuck, Old Cheng, you've really become Old Xu!?" Ge You didn't wait for Cheng Xuemin to finish and shouted, "No, no, I have to talk to my mom and ask her to arrange a role for me. Then we can go to the northwest to film The Shepherd together."

"This……"

Cheng Xuemin was completely speechless. With Ge You's sudden appearance, he really didn't know how Director Xie would make "The Shepherd".

When passing by Quanjude Roast Duck, Cheng Xuemin had an idea and went straight in to pack up some stir-fried dishes, a roast duck and rice.

I'm too lazy to cook when I get home, so I'll just make do with this for lunch.

"Old Ge, I was originally planning to treat you to a meal outside, but you know, I have three little ones to take care of at home!"

"So let's go together and just eat something at home. I just packed a few side dishes!"

It's not good for Lao Ge to be hungry after running around for the whole morning. If it were any other day, I would definitely treat him to a meal outside.

But unfortunately today, Feng Jiayou and her two nieces and nephews were at home, so she had to take the meal back.

"Old Cheng, you are so extravagant. You ordered a whole Quanjude roast duck and so many delicious dishes. Do you think you can just make do with it?"

"Go, go, go, go home quickly. I, Old Ge, will not be polite to you. I am really crazy about it!"

Seeing Cheng Xuemin buying a Quanjude roast duck, Ge You was already drooling with envy and was more anxious and motivated to go home than Cheng Xuemin.

When I got home, it was already past twelve o'clock!

The three young aunts and nephews of the Feng family were at home. They were indeed very hungry and were looking forward to it in the direction of the courtyard gate.

When she saw Cheng Xuemin come in, her little niece Feng Liqin jumped for joy.

Because she could smell the aroma of the roast duck from far away.

……

(End of this chapter)