Literary Master 1983

Chapter 50 Three Axes

The story of "Da Saba" is not without problems.

Luo Yihe felt that the fate of international students was portrayed too cruelly, and that it might have broken the positive impression that the Chinese people had of foreign countries at that time.

"There is a kind of work called 'student literature' that is popular now. It was originally created by writers from Taiwan. Now a group of mainland writers have gone abroad, such as senior sister Zha Jianying and Yan Geling... They have gradually sent their works back to China and taken over this baton... In their eyes, foreign countries are civilized, open and tolerant. But the America in "Big Scatter" is not like that."

Yu Qie said: "There are two Americas, parallel to each other. Yan Geling comes from a family of scholars and officials, and Zha Jianying's father is a professor at the Academy of Social Sciences - they see the glamorous America. But the lower class people cannot see the splendor of Fifth Avenue. They are also part of the America, but the America that is not glamorous."

It's more than just that.

Ji Xianlin, the director of the Department of Literature who had previously interviewed Yu Qi, is also considered the first generation of overseas student literary creators. Ji Xianlin originally wrote a book called "Ten Years in Germany", in which he praised the Germans for growing flowers on their balconies and the loving nature of the Germans. "They grow flowers for others to see. The Germans have the most sense of public morality."

This article was even included in elementary school textbooks.

Then, while Ji Xianlin was studying abroad, flower-growing Germany launched World War II and killed all the neighbors around.

We cannot say that overseas students’ literature is complete nonsense, but what they write about is certainly not the life of the lower-class people in foreign countries.

At this point in the conversation, Wang Shimin was already very satisfied. The subject matter written by Yu Qie alone was novel enough.

Moreover, Yu Qie was studying at Yanjing University and could come to revise the manuscript at any time. He also proved his ability to write long articles through A Moment of Romance.

Wang Shimin asked Yu Qie, "How are the other two works?"

Yu Qie said: "There is no specific plot yet. The second part is about young people from other provinces and lonely old people in Beijing, and how they gradually develop a family relationship. The third part is about a child who comes to a big city to learn the violin. The huge difference between the capital and the countryside means that he can only vent his emotions by playing the violin..."

"Great!" Wang Shimin said, "Small characters, big themes, this is indeed the 'neo-realism' trilogy you mentioned. Luo Yihe, come and listen too!"

Luo Yihe said: "I knew long ago that Yu Qie is not interested in popular topics. However, love, family affection, teacher-student affection... who doesn't have such feelings? Yu Qie is right. Literature that is too closely tied to the times will eventually be abandoned, but these most essential feelings will always have vitality!"

Wang Shimin extended his hand to Yu Qie, "On behalf of our October magazine, I implore you to leave the opportunity to publish the trilogy to us. We can't wait to see the trend of 'new realism' emerge in the literary world!"

"There are only two journals with a higher status than October. One is the re-launched Harvest, founded by Ba Lao. Their team is in Shanghai, so it's not suitable for you. The other is the largest People's Literature. I know that you have some conflicts with the editor-in-chief Liu Xinwu... So, this is a two-way choice between us, and we should have a relationship!"

Luo Yihe reminded the editor-in-chief: "Where is our axe?"

"Oh, yes, Yu Qie! If your works are published in our October, I will give you 7 yuan as a special writer's fee - the highest is usually yuan. This is our first move."

"What about the second trick?" Luo Yihe asked on behalf of Yu Qie.

"The second trick is that the October team will help you promote 'New Realism'. Of course, you have to write well and make people like it! Otherwise, the comments may not be good."

The list of authors behind "October" almost covers the entire capital city, and there is not much difference between it and "People's Literature".

Some creators make a living by evaluating other people's works. When writers are out of inspiration, they will sell their own fame to promote books... in order to get a portion of the royalties.

The person being reviewed can also get publicity again.

When this drainage mechanism reached its peak, the "waistband" was created. The waistband is usually made of strong paper. It is wrapped around the waist of the book cover, and its width is generally equivalent to one-third of the height of the book.

Readers can see from a distance that on the outside of a book it is written: Highly recommended by Teacher Yu Qiuyu, xxx is the representative of Chinese xx literature, a must-read book!

A bunch of well-known literary giants praised the novel to the skies, but it turned out that none of them had actually read it. "Where's the third trick?" Yu Qie asked himself.

"Teacher Zhao Deming is writing a research manuscript on Latin American literature. He recommended your research manuscript to me, saying that your level is higher, but it lacks a little professional reputation. October can become such a platform. It can be published as soon as possible without being restricted by others."

Wang Shimin said in a deep voice, "We have gradually heard about your relationship with Liu Xinwu. It was originally just an academic debate. Is there any room for mediation?"

Yu Qie asked, "Did Liu Xinwu ask Editor-in-Chief Wang to tell you?"

"I told him that."

"Then I think it's unlikely."

Although the words are simple, they are actually very powerful.

After all, Liu Xinwu is a person who is ahead of the times.

Wang Shimin took a deep breath and stopped trying to persuade her. "That doesn't matter. Liu Xinwu has already left our magazine. Truth is not afraid of debate. The more you debate, the clearer it becomes. You've waited for four months. I'm afraid you can't stand it anymore?"

"I really can't wait any longer." Yu Qi said calmly, like thunder.

"Yu Qie..." Luo Yihe suddenly said, but it was not an attempt to persuade, but an inexplicable excitement.

Luo Yihe is an editor, but also a poet, and Yu Qie is exactly the kind of character that should appear in poetry.

As far as Yu Qie knows, in the past few months, he has not seen People's Literature introduce "magical realism" novels, nor has he seen it promoted vigorously.

Perhaps Liu Xinwu himself had already realized that something was wrong, and he was not convinced at the time. But later he found a bunch of people who studied Latin American literature, and of course he was completely convinced.

Damn it, who came up with this "magical" realism and led me into this ditch?

But this is not enough. Once a literary debate has been started, the other party cannot stop it by pretending to be dead. No matter how long it takes, like those debates in history that lasted four, five, or even more than ten years, there will always be a winner.

The longer it drags on, the bigger the stakes and the more gamblers there are.

Luo Yihe sent Yu Qie back to Yanda and told him a piece of news:
"Teacher Yu, I've learned that your novel A Moment of Romance won this year's National Excellent Novella Award. Editor-in-Chief Wang just said that October won several awards, but you are the only one for Red Rock."

“Is this October’s fourth move?”

"No! You got all this by yourself!"

　Magical realism later developed into a word with a specific meaning.

　　But it itself is not accurate to describe this type of literature. I have read several contemporary translators of "One Hundred Years of Solitude", and they were not very satisfied with the word "magical", but there is no way to change it.

　　Marquez himself liked to write about sex, horror, and disgusting things like feces and urine - this later influenced other domestic novelists, who also followed suit. Of course, it was all put into the basket of magical realism.

　　There is a translator named Fan Ye, also from Peking University, who has a relatively detailed explanation of the ins and outs of these things. After all, this is an online novel, so it is not easy to do more popular science.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)