Literary Master 1983

Chapter 140 Unkind Invitation
Sure enough, after entering the editorial office, after drinking a few sips of tea and chatting about family matters, Wang Meng's "unwelcome request" was exactly what Zhang Shouren had thought:
"Can we let People's Literature publish this manuscript?"

Yu Qie was at a loss for words. He looked at Zhang Shouren of October, who asked him, "Why did you publish this manuscript? Does it really fit the tone of People's Literature?"

Wang Meng first talked about what was good about "The Grandmaster":
"After reading it, I felt that this was not a martial arts novel, but more like a novel with metaphors - at present, we are negotiating over historical issues, and we must unite again. This is the common wish of millions of people. This novel gave me this feeling."

"How many great things will happen to us next? History will remember 1984 as the year of the Olympics, National Day, negotiations, and the big investment... If we were small streams separated by the times and rushed away separately, now I can hear the excitement of us joining together. This is an unstoppable torrent."

Yu Qi was stunned. Wang Meng was worthy of being the editor-in-chief of People's Literature. Yu Qi himself did not expect that he could reach such a high level.

But Zhang Shouren also agreed with Wang Meng's statement: "People's Literature once suppressed Yu Qie. How can you treat this article in the future?"

“——No! I am speaking on behalf of People’s Literature! We have never suppressed Yu Qie. That was the action of a certain person. He cannot represent our big family!”

Wang Meng immediately refuted.

Yu Qie was curious about what Liu Xinwu did afterwards, so he asked Wang Meng, "Did he really resign from People's Literature?"

"I resigned! I've now joined China Youth, which is of course a high-quality magazine because it's sponsored by a government agency. But let's be realistic. It's not a first-rate publication in terms of literature."

Yu Qie understood that Liu Xinwu had been exiled to the frontier. Half of his literary life was gone.

Think about what kind of articles Liu Xinwu reads every day in China Youth? What kind of writers does he talk to? The result of NBA players playing in the CBA for a long time is that they can only play in the CBA in the end.

Even if you count all the top ten literary journals, you still can’t find China Youth.

Zhang Shouren then asked Wang Meng about the reform plan of People's Literature for next year. Wang Meng told him affirmatively, "I am fully capable of doing this. This magazine will be presented with drastic innovative measures and a brave and aggressive appearance! I have both the confidence and the ability to do so!"

"Okay!" Zhang Shouren agreed. "Sending this novel to People's Literature might be a better choice at the moment. Yu Qie, we respect your opinion more. Who do you want to send this article to?"

If Yu Qie didn't understand Zhang Shouren's meaning, his life would have been in vain. He would definitely agree to send it to People's Literature.

Wang Meng was very excited and told Zhang Shouren: "I will definitely do what I promised you. I will go back to the magazine and read this manuscript carefully again."

Then, Wang Meng left.

Zhang Shouren and Yu Qie explained why they wanted to publish "The Grandmaster" in "People's Literature".

In the magazine "October", there is a main task which is to carry forward the "New Realism" genre, and everything else can be appropriately sacrificed for this goal.

"The Grandmaster" obviously has nothing to do with the "new reality" and can be strategically sacrificed.

In order to make the single volume of "Da Saba" an instant success, "October" and the Beijing Publishing House behind it have made a lot of efforts, inviting literary critics to warm up and praise it, and advertising on many radio stations. In addition, it was rare in this era to go to Guangzhou in the south to advertise the book.

Why do you say that?

Because Guangdong Province was open at that time, what people listened to and played were a little different from those in the inland areas. Many people only listened to programs from Hong Kong and were not interested in the northern radio stations that spoke Mandarin.

As one of the top three literary journals, October has reached its limit.

But People's Literature still has many resources to use.

Moreover, Yu Qie will eventually cooperate with other journals. He had stayed in Ba’s home for a few days before. If Li Xiaolin asked him to write an article, could he refuse?
"Teacher Yu, Teacher Yu!"

Yu Qi happened to meet Luo Yihe when he went out.

Luo Yihe was very excited to see him, "Teacher Yu, you're back from Japan!"

After a brief greeting, the two of them brought out Cha Haisheng and went to eat Western food again. This time it was at the famous Lao Mo Restaurant in Yanjing, and Luo Yihe was the one to treat them.

When the two saw Yu Qie’s motorcycle, they praised him again, saying that he was the first in China to upgrade his motorcycle.

No where.

Cha Haisheng wanted to ride a motorcycle, step on the accelerator to the maximum, and feel the speed of lightning. Yu Qie politely refused with the reason that "I forgot to bring you a helmet".

Cha Haisheng said, "Then let me experience the feeling of flying and smash my brain. Maybe I can write some good poems."

Yu Qie said helplessly: "Cha Haisheng, if you live in a few decades, you might have feelings for Li Huowang. You are all quite "special", but you don't think so."

"Who is Li Huowang?"

"I made this up. This person can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy."

Cha Haisheng yearned: "Isn't that exactly what poets want? The White Jade Palace in the sky, with twelve towers and five cities, where immortals touch my head and I will be immortal after I get married."

In the eyes of some people, Yu Che is a "heretic", but compared with a talented player like Cha Haisheng, Yu Che is like Wang Yanbing seeing the ace company.

He then asked Luo Yihe: "Luo Yihe, have you made any money recently? Come to Lao Mo to treat the comrades to a meal?"

Luo Yihe waved his hand: "I don't spend much on a daily basis, and I give all my money to my friends."

"Who did you spend it on?"

Cha Haisheng raised his hand consciously: "I lent him some money."

“How much have you borrowed so far?”

"About 700 to 800 yuan..."

Yu Qie was surprised. This was a huge sum of money. Although he spent money lavishly, it was because he made money from Japanese yen and knives. There was a scissors difference in the exchange rate, and he knew how to pick up bargains. Cha Haisheng made 180 yuan a month.

Seeing Yu Qie's expression, Cha Haisheng felt embarrassed himself: "Luo Yihe lent me so much money. He is my best friend. I am willing to sacrifice my life for him!"

"Why do you want to borrow so much money, Cha Haisheng?"

"What else can there be but love?"

Yu Qi suddenly remembered that he spent a lot of money to buy the helmet for Chen Xiaoxu. Although it was not bought specifically for her, Yu Qi's consumption concept might cause Chen Xiaoxu to misunderstand.

Thinking back on Chen Xiaoxu's recent abnormal behavior, something was not right.

The corner of his mouth twitched: No way, Chen Xiaoxu has a boyfriend. I don’t work out, make money, and pursue my career to make mistakes.

Lao Mo is the first Western restaurant (Russian restaurant) in Yanjing, and was once the sentiment of a generation of children from the compound.

Go through the revolving door and walk up the stairs, and you will see a palace-like decoration, with a seven-meter-high roof, a gorgeous gilded chandelier, and four large bronze pillars standing in the center... It is a great experience for ordinary people.

After the relationship with the north deteriorated, in order to survive, the restaurant Lao Mo changed from a restaurant that only catered to foreign guests and foreign affairs personnel to a restaurant for the general public with high consumption in the past few years.

The three of them ordered borscht, braised beef, bread slices, grilled sausage, cream of mushroom soup, salad, etc.

Among them, only cream of mushroom soup, braised beef and grilled sausage were edible.

I have to say that there is a reason why Russian food is not popular. It is indeed not delicious. From Yu Qie's point of view, he has always refused to admit that this is "Western food".

Cha Haisheng was mumbling to himself, saying that he had been doing eye exercises quite well recently, but he always felt something was not working, as if they were not working.

Luo Yihe and Yu Qie didn't respond to him, as they were discussing the personnel changes in the Writers Association:

Wang Meng joined People's Literature in 83. After a year and a half of personnel struggle, Wang Meng has gained absolute voice in the magazine. He was also elected as a cadre and became the deputy goat in the new Writers Association Congress.

At the same time, the "stream of consciousness" literature he pioneered has also been recognized, that is, his literary status is no longer in doubt. At this time, Wang Meng has gained authority in many aspects, and in Yanjing, this place has begun to enter his era.

He wanted to promote a group of writers who could make a name for themselves, and Yu Qie, who had already made a name for himself, was naturally the first on the list. Not only did the two of them have a good personal relationship, but the obstacles had also left.

Is this the ups and downs of the 1980s?

Because a few years ago, Wang Meng was still a down-and-out man. Not only did his literature not receive recognition, but he could also be imprisoned at any time.

Luo Yihe inferred: "I'm afraid you will have to send more articles to People's Literature in the future. Of course, October will always be your backyard."

After the meal, the bill was twenty dollars.

They went their separate ways. Yu Qie got on his Yamaha. A young man with a crew cut came out. He had been squatting there watching for a long time. He took out a cigarette and handed it to Yu Qie: "Dude, your bike is so damn cool. Where did you buy it from Japan?"

"department store."

"Stop bragging. I grew up in a compound and I have a lot of experience. You can't buy this car in China."

Another motorcycle buddy?
Yu Qi looked at this person carefully and suddenly realized: Feng Kuazi’s great benefactor, Wang Shuo.

Comrade Wang Shuo lost a lot of money last year because of the failure of his roast duck restaurant business. He thought about making money by writing novels. He wrote "Air Hostess" and published it in "Military Literature and Art". Because it was too similar to Yu Qie's "A Moment of Romance", although the novel was a great success, some of Yu Qi's die-hard fans in the 1980s wrote to accuse Wang Shuo of plagiarism.

This unlucky guy didn't dare to mess with Yu Che. Yu Che was no longer the same person he used to be. He could only relax and have fun everywhere.

He wanted to buy a motorcycle to show off, and finally found one he liked. He would never have thought that this good thing was also Yuqie's.

Yu Qie said: "I tell you honestly, this car came from the Tokyo Motor Show, and you won't be able to buy it in the next five years."

"What if I pay? I have money."

"Three hundred and fifty thousand yen."

"I'm not good at math, how much is that?"

"Twenty-four thousand. But since we're entering the country, it'll have to be at least doubled, fifty thousand."

"——Is there anyone in China who rides a 50,000 yuan motorcycle? I have never heard of such a playboy. Stop bragging. I really want to buy one. Give me a real price."

"Are you really buying it?"

“Really bought it!”

"That's one hundred thousand dollars, because it's something I used before, a cultural relic, you know."

"The price has increased again? Are you kidding me? I'm telling you, I'm not someone you can mess with!"

Yu Qie ignored Wang Shuo. Wang Shuo had no money at all, so there was no point in talking to him. Yu Qie rode away on his motorcycle. Wang Shuo took a taxi to follow him, but the taxi couldn't keep up and asked for a starting fare of 10 yuan.

Wang Shuo stamped his feet in anger: "Where did this gangster come from? He has no manners!" He carefully identified the direction, "He just went along the central axis? Do you live in Zhongnanhai? I believed you lived there!"

"This motorcycle is so flashy, next time I see it, I'll definitely know where you live!"

(End of this chapter)