1979: Literary Master, Starting from the Return of Educated Youth

Chapter 18 Looking Forward, Breaking New Ground

"During my time in the countryside, I heard stories of soldiers fighting bloody battles on the front line on the radio and in newspapers. I was deeply moved and this inspired me to create."

"During the writing process, I thought a lot about the good and bad of human nature that I had experienced in my past studies, joining the team, and working. Ultimately, I think a good work should praise the sunshine and not shy away from the darkness."

“The yearning and pursuit for sunshine is the source of hope for human society. Not avoiding darkness is to eliminate the sediment and mud that block the spring of hope, so that the spring of yearning for goodness and beauty can gush out.”

Xu Yuexin spoke eloquently without showing any sign of stage fright.

Hearing what Xu Yuexin said, Wang Chaoyin immediately cheered him with his eyes.

These words are not only well-reasoned, but also brilliantly written, with a very wonderful expression effect.

Wang Meng also nodded slightly, his expression showing admiration for Xu Yuexin.

This young man in front of me not only writes good articles, but also has a high overall cognitive level. He is a rare and good seedling.

Journalist Li Renchen was excited about Xu Yuexin's remarks: As journalists, they like interviewees with strong expressive ability and frequent golden sentences, which will create excellent interview results.

"Comrade Chunfeng, I agree with your idea just now. Now I want to ask a question, that is, what do you think of the current debate on 'looking forward' or 'looking backward'?"

When Wang Chaoyin and Wang Meng heard his question, they both looked at Xu Yuexin with gentle eyes.

Whether to "look forward" or "look backward" is a major debate currently taking place in the literary and art circles.

"Looking back" means focusing the creation on the social turmoil in recent years. Representative works include "Scars" and a group of other works.

"Looking forward" advocates focusing on the new look of the people since last year's congress, the current situation of continuous progress in society, and especially the ongoing reforms.

The debate between the two was so intense that sparks flew, and some discussions went beyond the scope of literature and became major social issues.

Wang Chaoyin and Wang Meng agreed that since so many leading figures in the literary world have been arguing about this issue and have not reached a unanimous conclusion, Xu Yuexin can just try to respond and does not necessarily have to come up with an answer that convinces everyone.

Facing the question, Xu Yuexin smiled faintly and asked back: "Reporter Li, do you think the book "The Wreath under the Mountain" is "looking forward" or "looking back"?

Based on Xu Yuexin's previous explanation of the darkness of Sunshine Bath, Li Renchen gave a direct answer: "I think this should be a work that 'looks forward'."

"I would like to ask you again, what is your most intuitive feeling after watching "High Mountain"? "

Xu Yuexin was not in a hurry to give an answer and continued to ask.

Wang Chaoyin, Wang Meng and Li Renchen thought about it and came up with answers one after another.

"I feel inspired. The sacrifices of Liang Sanxi, Jin Kailai and others in the article are indeed regrettable, but while sighing for the heroes, I feel the heroic sentiment in my heart surging, and I am more convinced that our country is invincible and full of hope and prospects."

When Wang Chaoyin mentioned this, his expression shone with brilliance as he said, "The hero burned himself as a torch to illuminate us."

Xu Yuexin agreed with what he said.

"The meaning of the style of writing 'Looking Forward' lies here. What do the public need? They yearn for light and pursue hope. And 'Looking Forward' can provide hope for everyone."

"On the contrary, 'Looking Backward' often over-expresses personal emotions and has a dark tone, which makes people feel discouraged after reading it. Accordingly, such literature is unlikely to have long-term vitality."

As a former typist, Xu Yuexin understands the readers' mentality to some extent.

People read books when they have nothing to do, just for fun. If the books are enjoyable to read, rewards and monthly tickets will come naturally.

Physical works in this era should be able to inspire readers and give them positive emotions after reading them.

A literary genre that cannot do this is doomed to go nowhere. In fact, scar literature has been declining since 1981, and has been ignored since the 90s.

Xu Yuexin's remarks were very advanced. Wang Chaoyin, Wang Meng and Li Renchen felt that what he said was very true and digested it in their stomachs.

"You are quite right. Excessive personal expression and a dark tone can only harm a novel when combined."

After pondering for a long time, Wang Meng showed great approval and said, "This is an issue that deserves great emphasis in subsequent work. The prosperity of literature is inseparable from excellent writing style." "Well, Comrade Chunfeng's article "High Mountains" is a representative of excellent writing style."

After this conversation, Wang Meng felt more and more that Xu Yuexin was not a simple person and had a very profound view of issues.

Li Renchen was recording the conversation and felt extremely happy for having successfully completed the interview mission.

The interviewee spoke eloquently, with profound insights, and the conversation touched directly on social hot spots. There is no doubt that this was an extremely successful interview, and the effect after it is edited and sent out will surely be very sensational.

……

That evening, after Xu Yuexin left, Wang Meng and Wang Chaoyin were still discussing this unforgettable exchange and the follow-up arrangements for the work "High Mountains".

"According to my judgment, Xu Yuexin is a rare and promising young man who should be given special training. What do you think, Chao Yin?"

As the vice chairman of the Beijing Writers Association, Wang Meng was still immersed in the joy of having another talented person in the literary world, and spoke in an appreciative tone.

"I agree with you. What do you mean by focused training?"

Wang Chaoyin asked curiously.

According to traditional thinking, the focus of training is nothing more than sending them to further studies and attend literary seminars to give writers a professional experience to facilitate future professional title selection.

Wang Chaoyin believes that what his old friend meant by the focus of training is nothing more than this.

Wang Meng smiled gently, looking at the setting sun in the distance, and did not give a direct answer: "Authors of your generation and mine fought hard in public newspapers and periodicals in our youth."

"Xiao Xu and his friends are different. In the future, they will most likely face the era of commodity economy. As writers, they must also be tested by the market."

As a writer who wrote "A Young Man Comes to the Organization Department" in 1957, Wang Meng was recognized by some senior leaders as early as his youth.

He is much more informed than anyone else in the literary world.

According to recent news, Wang Meng believes that the era of commodity economy will come sooner or later, and writers will earn income not only by submitting articles to newspapers and magazines and receiving royalties.

For example... publishing a book and collecting royalties?
This was the first time that Wang Chaoyin did not understand what his old friend meant.

He smiled and patted Wang Meng, who was sitting opposite him, on the knee: "Great, now that you're a leader, you're playing dumb with me. Tell me, what are your plans for Yuexin?"

"Publish Xiao Xu's "The Wreath Under the Mountain" as a separate article and collect royalties."

Wang Meng said in a firm tone, his eyes revealing great determination.

Wang Chaoyin was shocked by him: "What? Wasn't the royalty abolished in 1960?"

"No, what do you want to do, Lao Wang?"

Wang Meng took a deep breath and looked at Wang Chaoyin with a smile: "Who stipulated that something that has been abolished cannot be restored?"

There was so much information in Wang Meng's words that Wang Chaoyin couldn't take it all in at first.

From the abolition of royalties in 1960 to the present, all authors have lived on royalties. There was a period when even royalties were abolished.

When Wang Chaoyin heard his old friend say he wanted to try his hand at royalties, his first reaction was not excitement but worry for him.

"Will there be any problem if we do this?"

Wang Chaoyin probed cautiously.

"I wouldn't do it if I wasn't sure. To be honest, a leader told me that restoring royalties is on the agenda, and everyone wants to see what the effect will be after it's implemented."

Wang Meng said with confidence, "I think it would be best to start with Xiao Xu. His work "High Mountains" is the most likely to be successful after publication."

(End of this chapter)