Exciting 1979!

Chapter 74: Invitation from the Writers Association (Please read!)

The Yenching Writers Association has not yet been officially established, so the Writers Association Liu Zhenyun is referring to is naturally the Chinese Writers Association led by Mr. Mao Dun.

"People's Literature", "Poetry Magazine", and "Wenyi Bao" are all under the supervision of the Writers Association, so these three newspapers and periodicals have an exclusive status.

Although Chen Jiangong is only a sophomore, he is a year older than Wei Ming. He is 30 years old. He started publishing poems and novels six years ago when he was still a coal miner.

In the past two months, he has published short stories in "Yenching Literature and Art" and "Huacheng". It really takes some effort for him to be the leader of the Chinese Department. Wei Ming was not surprised that he was accepted by the Writers Association.

Liu Zhenyun was just curious: "Brother Wei, didn't the Writers Association contact you?"

In Liu Zhenyun's opinion, Wei Ming's ability is still very strong. Although the number of his works is not as good as that of his senior brother Chen, his article "Duck Prophet" and song "Ideal" are well-known to everyone. It is said that half of the letters Dongdaemun receives every day are from him, so people nicknamed him "Wei Half".

Wei Ming waved his hands: "I have only been in the industry for a few days, at most ten days or half a month, how could they possibly find me?"

The pen name "Wei Ming" became well-known starting with "Duck Prophet", and it has only been about ten days, so I am a complete newbie.

As the two were talking, Chen Jiangong came over and asked, "Can we join us?"

Liu Zhenyun quickly made room for his senior. There were no tables or chairs in the dining hall, so everyone could only squat to eat, which was good for the people of Shaanxi.

Chen Jiangong is from Guangxi, but he moved to Beijing with his parents when he was a child, and he doesn't look like a Guangxi native at all.

Wei Ming had known him before, but because they were almost two generations apart, he usually hung out with young people like Liu Zhenyun or female classmates.

Big Brother smiled and tried to blend in: "What were you guys talking about?"

Wei Ming: "Talking about you."

Liu Zhenyun: “…”Brother, you’re too direct, be more roundabout!
"Ah I?"

Wei Ming: "Zhenyun told me that you joined the Writers Association."

"Yes, that's true."

Wei Ming smiled and said, "Congratulations. Will I get paid for joining the Writers Association?"

"If you become a full-time writer for the Writers Association, you will get paid, but I don't."

Although full-time writers have a regular job and a salary, they have less freedom and sometimes need to accept topics provided by the Writers Association and write based on them.

Wei Ming asked again: "Who are the people with you?"

"Oh, I also know Jiang Zilong and Ye Wenling," Chen Jiangong replied honestly, "Speaking of which, you and Brother Zilong are the two banners of reforming literature."

Wei Ming: "Ah, do people in the industry think so highly of me?"

Chen Jiangong scratched his head awkwardly: "This is my evaluation in my heart. Director Qiao and Duck Prophet are based on cadres of state-owned factories and small people in the great era, respectively. They have their own merits."

Hearing others' praise made him very happy and even boosted his appetite, so Wei Ming asked Liu Zhenyun to make him another portion of rice noodles.

"I don't have any meal tickets anymore~" He was used to exchanging meal tickets with his classmates from the south for noodle tickets, making a profit from the difference so he could eat more noodles.

"Then have another steamed bun."

Liu Zhenyun said in a low voice: "Brother Wei is worthy of being called Wei, your stomach is really elastic."

Wei Ming laughed: "I'm just growing up."

Chen Jiangong couldn't help laughing after hearing this. Comrade Wei was indeed as humorous as his writing. Then he talked to Wei Ming about his recent creative activities.

Chen Jiangong was currently working on one of his masterpieces, "Phoenix Eyes," and Wei Ming told him, "I'm writing a fairy tale."

"Ah, fairy tales? For children?"

Wei Ming nodded.

Chen Jiangong was very surprised. Such a promising pioneer of reform literature was actually engaged in child studies?

"Brother Wei, have you heard some rumors in the literary world? Are you feeling a little discouraged?"

Huh? Rumors? Disappointed? No.

However, Wei Ming deliberately sighed and said nothing.

Chen Jiangong said hurriedly: "They just think that the popularity of Duck Prophet is due to luck and lacks some ideological and humanistic care, but they still recognize your writing style. One senior thinks that your writing is a rare commodity in today's literary world."

Wei Ming seriously suspected that Chen Jiangong's words were embellished. No wonder the comments on "The Duck Prophet" in the newspapers were all based on practical significance, while those involved in literature seemed indifferent.

I guess they all think that "Duck Prophet" was praised by the authorities to a height that it doesn't deserve, and it's just luck.

Wei Ming smiled bitterly and shook his head. At this time, Liu Zhenyun came back and handed him a steamed bun: "What were you talking about?" Wei Ming said: "I said I was writing a fairy tale now, and then Jiangong got anxious, thinking that I would never touch serious literature in the future."

Liu Zhenyun laughed and said, "Brother, you don't know this, right? Wei Ming was originally a children's writer. His first work was published in Children's Literature magazine. His pen name was Wei Something."

Chen Jiangong: “Ah!”

He felt extremely embarrassed now, and in a moment of haste, he expressed the unfavorable opinions of some veteran comrades in the literary world about Wei Ming.

However, Wei Ming did not take it too seriously. "Duck Prophet" was just a casual game he created. It was a pleasant surprise that it could cause such a big stir.

So what if I'm lucky? Luck is also a kind of strength!
He touched his pocket and found the banknotes in it were the most real.

Facing the various sights of Peking University while working in the afternoon, Wei Ming became more determined to buy a camera.

He was patrolling with Mei Wenhua that day, and when they arrived at Langrun Garden, they saw a familiar figure.

"Hello, Professor Wu."

It was Mr. Wu Zuxiang, whose class Wei Ming had taken in the morning.

The old man looked at the taller and more handsome one and said, "You must be Wei Ming."

"it's me."

"Since you have taken my class, you can call me Teacher Wu."

I was sitting at the back and he recognized me.

Wei Ming hurriedly said, "Hello, Teacher Wu."

"How was the class this morning? Did you follow it?"

"It's good, and very helpful for my current creation. But I went there too late, so some things were missing. Later I found Liu Zhenyun from the Class of 78 to make up for it."

Wu Zuxiang nodded and continued, "I've read your novel. It has a very down-to-earth flavor, which is rare in the current literary world. What's rare is that you've only lived in the Magic City for a few days."

"Thank you, Mr. Wu, for the compliment." Wei Ming thought, could the literary senior that Chen Jiangong was talking about be Mr. Wu?
Mr. Wu suddenly asked again: "Do you want to join the Writers Association?"

"Ah?" Wei Ming didn't expect to be asked this question suddenly.

Mei Wenhua: I didn’t expect this at all. I was just patrolling with him, and then I got shown off!
He quickly ran to the side to patrol, he was very angry.

"Will joining the Writers Association help in obtaining a Yenching hukou?" Wei Ming asked a question that Wu Zuxiang had not expected.

Old Wu thought about it and said, "It might be helpful. We can also allocate housing in the future."

After all, the number of members in the Writers Association is relatively small, and they are considered scarce talents. So when Wu Zuxiang saw a talent like Wei Ming, he wanted to bring him in, and after all, they were all from Peking University.

Wei Ming: “Then let’s add it.” After all, more titles mean more paths. If you’re not happy, you can just withdraw. Just set an example for Zheng Yuanjie.

"Okay, I'm a member of the Writers Association, so I'll nominate you this year. You have one article, 'Duck Prophet', and one song, 'Ideal'. You're definitely qualified. I think we can get it done next year. It's a pity that you won't be able to attend this year's Writers' Congress."

"Ah? The Literary Congress?"

"Yes, it will be held at the end of the month. It will be the Fourth National Congress of Literary and Art Workers after more than ten years!" Old Wu looked very happy when talking about this.

After listening to him talk about who might attend the meeting, Wei Ming was not very interested in attending the meeting, but he became very interested in taking photos at the meeting.

After work, Wei Ming immediately took some things and went to visit Uncle Ping'an.

Very good, the whole family of four is here this time.

I brought the three usual things: white wine, hot sauce, and salted duck eggs. I brought them all last time, and this time I also brought two pairs of tiger-head shoes that my mother sewed for Xile. Old Wei had asked about the sizes when he came last time.

"Oh my, this is so cute, it's simply a work of art. My sister-in-law has such a skillful hand!" Lu Xiaoyan couldn't let it go and was reluctant to let them wear it. Forget it, let Lele wear it, and Xizi can just look at it.

"The food is here!" Uncle Ping'an served the food wearing an apron.

Wei Ming arrived at a clever time, just in time for dinner.

Seeing Xizi's active eating, the aunt couldn't help but say: "You are the best at eating. I have never seen you so active in doing homework. Have you finished your homework?"

Wei Ming: "Ah? You already have homework at such a young age?"

Lv Xiaoyan: "It's just some simple numbers, from 0 to 9. If you don't finish writing next time, you won't be allowed to eat."

Wei Ming said "Oh" and was about to pick up his chopsticks when Aunt Xiaoyan asked with a smile, "Xiao Ming, have we finished writing our new work?"

(End of this chapter)