Exciting 1979!

Chapter 180: Make friends, the king of literary connections (7500 monthly tickets plus more)

In Wei Ming's impression, Zhang Mingmin's singing style is relatively old-fashioned, so Wei Ming took great pains to select songs for him.

"Dream Camel Bell" was sung by Fei Yuqing and is extremely popular. "North Wind" was sung by Taiwanese-Korean singer Zhang Haozhe. I believe Zhang Mingmin should be able to perform it.

Later, he selected Li Shuquan's "Every Time I Want to Call Your Name" and Zhou Zhiping's "That Romantic Affair". Although they are about love, the singing styles are relatively traditional, and love songs have a wide audience, so he added them.

Wei Ming's letter was entirely based on considerations of Zhang Mingmin's musical style, but he didn't expect that Amin had thought so much about it. She even began to consider hinting at Amin's emotional state in the letter.

As for his current relationship status?

Still in the state of heartbreak, waiting for love.

Both sisters were very nice to him and would help him with anything he needed, but they did not show any romantic interest in him.

Wei Ming was talking to Gong Xing on the phone at the time. She told Wei Ming that the comics had passed the publisher's review and could be published as long as they were large enough to be a comic book.

"Sister Xue, do you know that my brother went to two publishing houses but neither of them gave him a chance? You are the one who really gave me face. Thank you. Please thank Auntie for me."

"My mother actually didn't have the decision-making power. It was mainly because you wrote good stories and drew good comics," Gong Xing also revealed. "Mr. Zhang Leping also said it was good when he saw it."

"Is it Mr. Zhang Leping who painted Sanmao?"

"Yes."

If Wei Ming told Aaron about this, he thought he would be extremely happy.

Without further ado, Wei Ming went straight to the Film Academy to find Liu Rulong and told him the good news.

Next, Aaron needs to continue creating with his team. This comic book "Heroes Have Always Been Young" can probably draw four or five comics, which is enough to earn thousands of dollars.

Drawing comics also requires scripts. It is not appropriate to use novels or movie scripts directly. Wei Ming also brought them the first text script this time.

However, Wei Ming hopes that Aaron can complete the subsequent scripts independently in his own style, as he is a quick learner.

After leaving the Film Academy, Wei Ming went to the Yenching Library again to borrow books.

The certificate of membership of the Writers Association is still very useful. He can borrow many books that ordinary readers cannot.

However, Wei Ming could not borrow many of the rare books in the library. At most, he could just read them in the library. Those were all ancient books and he could not use them for the time being.

After finishing the comic book business and several movies were on track, Wei Ming could concentrate on preparing his own novel. Besides preparing the novel and taking exams, he even had more time to do his job at the school magazine.

That day, he and Yang Hao followed up on the reporting of an Italian delegation of four people who visited and gave speeches at Peking University.

Wei Ming can speak a few sentences in French, but he is really bad at Italian. When talking about Italy, all he can think of is the Sicilian football star.

Why do I suddenly feel hungry and thirsty again?
He saved up a few days off during the May Day holiday and planned to visit the crew of "The Shepherd".

When I finished my work and returned to the dormitory, Wu Tianming came again, alone.

Wei Ming asked: "Isn't my dad here?"

Wu Tianming said with a smile: "Your father has already returned to Gouzi Village with three cows."

After Lao Wu found Lao Wei, Lao Wei took him to the brigade headquarters and asked him to repeat what he had just said at home.

Then, in front of the village cadres and villagers, Wu Tianming, as the director of Xi'an Film Studio, formally invited the special talent Wei Jiefang to assist in the filming of the movie.

And he said that he would not let his work be in vain.

If we can really train cows to be obedient, we can save a lot of film and greatly reduce the cost of movies.

Afterwards, Wei Jiefang was invited away by Wu Tianming amid the envy and disbelief of the whole village.

Old Wu heard that there was a dairy farm near the outskirts of Beijing, so they went straight there and found three cows that were very similar in color, size, and demeanor.

All three were dairy cows that had just given birth and were in the milk-producing period.

The reason there are three is for insurance purposes. If one cow doesn't cooperate, the other two can at least serve as substitutes.

Wu Tianming said that he hoped to start filming in July or August, and at that time Liu Xiaoqing would be in between two dramas.

Wei Jiefang also promised to help him train the cows within two months. Of course, as the animal trainer, he would also have to personally participate in the filming at that time.

As for the remuneration, Lao Wei was very generous.

"My son wrote in the letter that you, Old Wu, are a kind person. I won't make any demands. Just give me the same treatment as the crew members. The milk produced by the other three cows during this period will belong to me."

So before Xiaohong took the college entrance examination, she had fresh milk to drink every day, and Lao Wei specially bought a second-hand bicycle to send it to school every day.

It was not enough for her to drink alone, so her grandmother, cousin Yunyun, and mother all had some to drink, of course, they were all boiled.

Wu Tianming told Wei Ming: "The cow issue has been resolved. Next, the Xi'an Film Studio will send someone to accompany me to the Yimeng Mountains to scout locations. We will say goodbye now."

"I wish Director Wu a safe journey."

Wu Tianming took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and asked a question that had been in his mind for a long time.

"Who do you want to let The Sheep Class shoot? Director Xie Fei?"

Wei Ming shook his head.

Wu Tianming: "Then I understand."

He said goodbye to Director Wu, and as the bus left, he saw Mr. Wu Zuxiang chasing after him with a pile of books.

"Wait for me, wait..." But the bus had already gone far away.

Old Wu looked at Wei Ming and suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Are you free?"

"What's the matter?"

"Take me to the city."

"Do you think I'm a motorcycle taxi?"

Wu Zuxiang smiled and said, "I'm giving a lecture, it's not good to be late."

"lecture?"

Wei Ming recalled an incident that happened last month. Old Wu asked him to attend a class to learn how to write novels.

Wei Ming thought, why should I learn it? Besides, he was busy at that time, so he refused.

"Yes, it's the one you're thinking of. The fifth literary workshop of the Writers Association. They asked me to go over and give them a few lectures on the Dream of the Red Chamber."

This was the first literary training institute restored by the Writers Association after Buzz Buzz, which was later called Lu Xun Academy of Literature. Internet writers would also go to participate in the training after reaching a certain level, which was considered a necessary step for advancement.

Wei Ming had no plans to make a big splash in the Writers Association system, so naturally he had no interest in joining, but he was still interested in making friends.

Nowadays, it’s not enough to have money when you go out, you also need connections and networks, otherwise it will be very difficult to get around.

Wei Ming smiled and said, "Fortunately, I recently bought another helmet. Please wait for me."

Soon, Wei Ming drove the motorcycle over.

The old man didn't want to wear a helmet because he felt it would mess up his hair, but Wei Ming insisted: "I'm going too fast, it's safer to wear it."

On the way, the two chatted about the literature workshop. Wei Ming asked, "Who is attending? I know some of them."

"You must be familiar with Jiang Zilong. He participated."

Wei Ming was surprised: "He has already joined the Writers Association, why is he participating in this?"

Most of the participants in this workshop are potential members of the Writers Association, and Jiang Zilong has already achieved success.

Wu Zuxiang said, "I guess he was provoked by you. You two became famous for your reform literature at the same time. The evaluation of "Director Qiao" was even higher than that of "Duck Prophet". However, more than half a year has passed, and he is still stuck in reform literature. The influence of his works is far less than when he first started. As for you, when the Duck, Donkey, Cow, Horse and Sheep series came out, no young people could compare to you."

Wei Ming felt elated by Old Wu's words. He also understood Jiang Zilon's mentality. He probably hoped that this study would allow him to step out of his comfort zone and enter a broader world of literature.

"You've heard of Jia Pingwa, right? He's from the Northwest Gang." Wu Zuxiang asked again.

"Of course, I've read Full Moon. The writers in the northwest are all very good. I remember he was an editor at Chang'an. He wrote me a letter last year asking me to write for him."

Compared with Chen Zhongshi and Lu Yao, Jia Pingwa has less experience and is younger. He became a father just last year and had a daughter named Qianqian.

In order to go further on the road of literature, he left his toddler daughter behind and came to study at Yenching University. This spirit is so precious.

The other writers were even less well-known and had never published articles in national literary journals. Wu Zuxiang assumed that Wei Ming did not know them and did not mention them.

He said to Wei Ming, "Actually, it's right for you not to attend this workshop, Xiao Wei. Although you are young, your knowledge and experience far surpass this generation of new writers. How about I apply to the Writers Association to let you give them a lecture?"

The car body shook, and Wei Ming said earnestly: "Teacher Wu, please let me go. I am not at the right level, and I am still teaching others. Wouldn't that make you a laughing stock? I am sending you there this time just to make friends."

~
When they arrived at the Party School where the writers were taking classes, Wei Ming asked the security guard to look after his car while he helped Mr. Wu carry the lesson plans into the classroom.

When the students saw the two men come in, they initially thought that it was Teacher Wu who brought an assistant with him, but Wei Ming was soon recognized by Ye Wenling, a female writer who also participated in the Writers' Congress.

Then it was Jiang Zilong's turn. He stood up and bowed, "Brother Wei."

"Hello, Brother Jiang, Hello, Sister Ye."

Wu Zuxiang looked at them with a smile and asked them to get to know each other first.

"Hello, Comrade Wei Ming. My name is Gu Hua."

"Hello, I'm Ye Xin."

"Hello, Comrade Wei Ming, this is Wang Anyi from the Demon City."

"Hello, I'm Aikebai Mijiti, a young Kazakh from Xinjiang."

Wei Ming made a special note of this young man from Xinjiang, so that he would have no shortage of companions when he went there in the future. Unfortunately, he was in a hurry this time and did not bring a camera.

However, a memorable dinner can also make them remember Wei Gongming deeply.

After getting to know everyone, Wei Ming smiled and said, "I'm here to take Professor Wu to class today. I'm just a driver, but I'm considered a half-host in Yanjing. I'll treat everyone to a meal after class. Everyone, get your food coupons ready."

It has been a long time since Wei Ming last ate out in the city, and he was itching to eat out again. It didn’t count the small restaurant he had with Wu Tianming.

When everyone heard that Wei Ming was going to treat so many people, they were very excited and it was very lively.

Professor Wu doesn't look very happy. Can't you wait until the class is over before talking about it? Who can calm down and listen to me talk about Baoyu and Daiyu now?

Wei Ming added: "Mr. Wu, please come along as well."

Wu Zuxiang: Oh, that’s fine.
(End of this chapter)