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

Chapter 2 is very well written!
The distance from Xu Yuexin's home to People's Literature is more than ten kilometers, but fortunately there is a direct bus between the two.

After getting on the bus, Xu Yuexin sat in a window seat and took in the view of the street scene that was constantly receding on the side of the road.

"It has been more than a year since the novel "Class Teacher" was published, and the discussion surrounding it is still ongoing. Many critics believe that this novel fully exposes ..."

"Jeans, five yuan a pair, genuine Guangdong products! If you are not satisfied with them, you can return them within seven days!"

"In recent years, my country's literary industry has flourished. However, at the same time, the quality and quantity of military-themed works have shown a double downward trend. Many readers are looking forward to the emergence of refreshing works..."

The sound of broadcasting and vendors' calls come one after another, but it doesn't seem noisy, it just makes people feel full of energy.

The warm, lively and fresh breath of spring is spreading across this historic city at an unprecedented speed.

There are more bicycles on the road than when Xu Yuexin first went to the countryside to work in the production team. In addition to traditional Zhongshan suits and work clothes, pedestrians can occasionally be seen wearing windbreakers and jeans...

The buses in those days were slower than those in later generations. After two hours of bumpy ride, Xu Yuexin finally arrived at No. 166 Chaonei Street, Dongcheng District, where the magazine was located, from the HD district.

The five-story Western-style building stands out among the surrounding low-rise bungalows. Like most units in Beijing, the building has a circle of blue brick walls downstairs.

Right in front of the building was the unit's security guard. When he saw the large envelope in Xu Yuexin's hand, he immediately shouted to persuade him to leave: "Are you here to submit an article?"

"Go back and mail it to the address. In principle, we do not accept in-person submissions."

Before the restructuring in the 90s, security personnel in various state-owned units had their own organization and were mainly retired military officers. They all spoke with full vigor, unlike the old gatekeepers of later generations.

Xu Yuexin did not back down in the face of difficulties.

Since it is a principle, it means there are exceptions. Aren't principles... meant to be used for flexibility?
"Comrade, I came here from the Northeast just to hand over this manuscript to the editor personally."

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and said earnestly, "Besides, my novel is about military themes."

He saw clearly that the security officer in front of him had a short haircut and stood as strong as a pine tree. He was most likely a veteran. If he revealed the subject to him, he would most likely get help.

"Oh? Military theme?"

Something flashed in the security officer's eyes, as if he was thinking.

As a staff member of People's Literature, he often reads books and knows that in the past two years, the number of works describing military life has dropped sharply, and the most popular is scar literature.

As a veteran, he still prefers military themes and hopes that someone can produce good works in this area.

After some thought, the security officer unconsciously stood on Xu Yuexin's side and planned to give him some convenience.

"Well, there are rules. I can't let you in. Otherwise, the leader will criticize me."

"How about you hand me the manuscript, and I'll check it to make sure it's all right, then send it in for you?"

"Okay, please!"

Xu Yuexin was waiting for this moment. He quickly stuffed the envelope into the security officer's hand without giving him time to regret.

The security officer opened the envelope, took out the manuscript, glanced through it, made sure that it was not a mess, then put it back in the bag and walked into the compound carrying the envelope.

He didn't read it carefully just now and only remembered a few names in the article.

Liang Sanxi, Zhao Mengsheng, Jin Kailai...

……

After a while, Wang Chaoyin, the editor-in-chief of the People's Literature Editorial Office, saw the envelope handed over by the security officer. After listening to the brief explanation of the whole story, he took the envelope, opened it, and reviewed the manuscript without saying anything.

The publishing house does not allow face-to-face submissions, mainly to learn from past lessons. When the publication was just resumed a few years ago, it was very common for authors to come and submit their manuscripts.

Later, some authors became mentally unbalanced after being rejected in person, and made inappropriate remarks and actions in the editorial office. As a result, their paths became narrower, and the magazine then issued a regulation prohibiting in-person submissions.

It's not a big deal if it's handed over by security personnel like today.

"The wreath under the mountain..."

Wang Chaoyin flipped through several pages and repeated the title with great interest. In recent years, military themes have declined, and the war in southern Xinjiang has just ended, so there are even fewer works with this theme.

The identities of the characters in the novel are very interesting, including the company commander Liang Sanxi from the poor mountainous area, the young master Zhao Mengsheng from the capital, and the grumbling platoon leader Jin Kailai...

The specific plot description is also very good, making people feel the urge to continue reading.

Liang Sanxi put the army and the interests of the country first from the beginning to the end. He was worried about the company and voluntarily gave up the rare opportunity to reunite with his family. In the end, he sacrificed his life to protect his comrades and practiced his love for the motherland.

Jin Kailai usually talks a lot and likes to complain, but in battle he always charges forward without any weakness, becoming the spearhead of the company.

Zhao Mengsheng went from being an excluded playboy to integrating into the company, and finally growing into a combat hero who annihilated the enemy...

War destroys people but also shapes them, turning weaklings into heroes and making gold shine more brightly after being forged.

The author's intention is very brilliant, and the arrangement of characters and plot is just right, making it hard to put the book down.

Based on his experience, Wang Chaoyin concluded that this was an experienced author with rich writing experience, otherwise he would never have been able to write such a good work!

The security officer saw that Wang Chaoyin was reading with great interest and felt it was inconvenient to disturb him, so he turned around and left.

At this moment, Wang Chaoyin was reading with fascination. He had already seen the plot where after Liang Sanxi's death, his mother and daughter-in-law came to the army to visit him and repay their debts.

What great soldiers and what great family members!

Wang Chaoyin was filled with emotion, and his heart was surging with excitement. He slammed the table, ignoring the fact that this was an office, and said, "Good, this is really well written!"

The editors were attracted by his movements and all looked over at him.

What is the quality of a novel that can make the editors applaud?
Everyone is curious.

"What a great article! Let me take a look."

Someone came forward and said.

"Look, I have to invite Comrade Chunfeng over to have a good chat."

Wang Chaoyin read the ending of the novel carefully and spoke in a depressed tone.

Chunfeng is Xu Yuexin’s pen name, and Wang Chaoyin thinks it is a good name.

"Shall I go down and notify them for you?"

A young editor asked.

"No, no, I'll go by myself."

Wang Chaoyin put down the manuscript and shook his head, then walked quickly to the door, fearing that if he delayed any longer, people would leave.

At the entrance of the magazine, Xu Yuexin was chatting with the security officer when Wang Chaoyin hurried over.

"Secretary Liu, is the comrade who submitted the article just now still here?"

Wang Chaoyin asked loudly.

The security officer quickly ended the conversation, turned around and trotted towards Wang Chaoyin, pointing his finger at Xu Yuexin: "He is it."

As they were talking, the security officer was very surprised: How good must the articles written by this young man be to make the editor-in-chief come downstairs in person to invite him?
When Wang Chaoyin heard that Xu Yuexin had not left, he was overjoyed. He walked forward with a smile on his face and shook hands with Xu Yuexin: "Hello, Comrade Chunfeng, I am the editor-in-chief Wang Chaoyin. I just finished reading your manuscript and wanted to go upstairs to talk with you. Are you free?"

Xu Yuexin shook Wang Chaoyin's hand vigorously, and felt relieved: the editor-in-chief came to him in person, which showed that he recognized the quality of the manuscript.

"Hello, Team Leader Wang. My name is Xu Yuexin, and I hope to have the opportunity to communicate with you."

Xu Yuexin spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, yet polite and friendly.

He was very willing to communicate with this literary giant in front of him, and of course he was more looking forward to confirming the royalties with him face to face.

(End of this chapter)