After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 217 The Buds of Literature

"This one……"

Jiang Xiong didn't want to say it.

Zhou Haoran said in a deep voice, "The Writers Association is just a poor government agency. They spent millions all at once on this cultural project. They must have some important intentions."

Jiang Xiong was a little embarrassed and stammered, "Since the Mao Dun Literature Prize was established in 1982, it has become the most important literary award in China. Over the past decade, a total of 18 winning works have been selected nationwide, but not one of them is by Haigang."

"what?"

Zhou Haoran immediately realized something.

What is the seaport?
This is the Jiangnan region!

This was a cultural city during the Republic of China period. All the classic literary works of the Republic of China were written in the Shikumen houses in the harbor alleys.

It’s a new era, but literature is no longer popular?

This is really discouraging!

Jiang Xiong is a cultural person. When he was an editor at a newspaper, he had close contacts with the Writers Association.

He knows a lot of things.

"This kind of award can't be said to be unfair. The winning works are all well-deserved." Jiang Xiong shook his head. "But there's no objective standard for things like literature. Everyone's level is about the same, and their works are all excellent. Choosing who to choose and who not to choose is very important."

Zhou Haoran nodded and said, "Divide the cake."

Jiang Xiong said, "Yes, the pie needs to be divided, but after all these years, why hasn't Haigang been given a share? The Northwest, Southwest, South, North, and the capital have all been given pieces, especially the Northwest, which has received several pieces. It seems that Northwestern literature has dominated the literary world."

Zhou Haoran is not an insider in the industry, so it is difficult for him to comment too much on such matters.

But one thing is certain.

Harbor Literature couldn’t even win the Mao Dun Literature Prize; it must have been suppressed.

It is very likely due to the sense of superiority on the harbor side.

There is a sense of superiority and glory.

For a long time, I took the Mao Dun Literature Prize lightly, displaying a disdainful attitude and not putting in any effort in public relations. Northwest China is underdeveloped, weak in every area, and its only strength is literature, so of course I would invest more in this area, do more public relations, and win more awards.

Jiang Xiong lamented, "The uniqueness of the harbor has led to a less sociable mentality among local people."

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "This time, the Harbor Writers Association is taking the lead in printing 1 sets of the complete works of the Mao Dun Literature Prize. Is this a gesture of goodwill?"

"Yes, after these books are printed, a large portion will be donated." Jiang Xiong gave his analysis. "Other writers' associations are very poor. Haigang's biggest advantage is its wealth."

Zhou Haoran said, "A set of 18 books is not cheap. Only through donations can the influence of the Mao Dun Literature Prize be further promoted, allowing more people to read the best contemporary Chinese literature."

"That's what I mean."

Jiang Xiong explained the inside story in detail.

Zhou Haoran narrowed his eyes, "So, Haigang is determined to win the next Mao Dun Literature Prize."

Jiang Xiong smiled and said, "As long as you want to fight, you can still fight. It has not been given enough attention in the past few years."

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Hasn't that identified the demand? Now we just need to prescribe the right remedy. As long as we can help the Harbor Writers Association increase its influence nationwide, or even help them win awards, won't the orders come back?"

Once you have a direction, the rest will be easy.

First, comprehensively collect relevant information about the Harbor Writers Association to see in which areas they want to enhance their influence and what literary works they are aiming to participate in the next competition.

It only took three days for the news summary to come out.

Zhou Haoran used his foresight to keenly discover the most important key points from a lot of information!

If you want to grab the order, you have to provide help to the Harbor Writers Association.

But I can't help you for nothing.

It is best to have mutual benefit and win-win results.

Zhou Haoran found two key elements for mutual benefit and win-win results.

At noon that day, the five members of the "combat team" had lunch on the fifth floor of Friendship Shopping Mall.

Once upon a time, this place only welcomed foreigners.

Now it’s open, anyone can come as long as they have money.

Sheng Wenwan was a little nervous.

This was her first time eating Western food.

Zhou Haoran took the knife and fork, helped her cut the beef, and said casually: "Lao Jiang, I have already seen the situation of the Writers Association. It's easy to deal with!"

Jiang Xiong had no idea what to do. "Just tell me what I should do!"

"Wait a minute..." Li Changxing stopped decisively, his eyes fixed on the front, and whispered, "The enemy is narrow, and this person is Mai Liangping."

"Mai Liangping?" Zhou Haoran was slightly startled. "The boss of Sancai Printing?"

Li Changxing said in a deep voice: "It's him!"

Zhou Haoran was very interested.

Look at the person walking towards you.

He was very young, probably less than 40 years old, and he was accompanied by a girl... She was very impressive, a foreign girl with fair skin, a high nose, long legs, and golden hair.

Like Russian women.

Model figure, very stunning!

Mai Liangping, looking elated, walked over with his girlfriend on his arm, his eyes sharp and a smile on his face. "Boss Jiang? Oh, Boss Li is here too, what a coincidence?" Li Changxing said coldly, "Aren't there too many coincidences?"

"Oh, Mr. Li is really..." As the victor, Mai Liangping had the attitude of a great man who forgave the little man. "Mr. Jiang, I heard that you spread the word that you want to compete with Sancai Printing?"

"Everyone has a temper."

Jiang Xiong didn't treat him well either.

Li Changxing sarcastically said, "Some people are good at using shady tactics behind the scenes, operating privately and stealing orders. We at Zhongbo Bookstore don't do that. Even if we compete, we do it openly and squarely."

"Boss Jiang and Boss Li are truly partners. They even have the same temper." Mai Liangping smiled, unconcerned with the provocation. "In the market, whoever has the most power gets the spoils."

Li Changxing snorted, "Let's wait and see!"

Mai Liangping shook his head and didn't respond. He looked at Zhou Haoran and asked, "Who is this?"

Zhou Haoran nodded slightly, "My last name is Zhou."

"Oh, Mr. Zhou..." Mai Liangping didn't know him at all. Seeing that he was too young, he couldn't help but secretly mock him, "Mr. Li, Mr. Jiang, this Mr. Zhou, could he be the helper you two invited to deal with me?"

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Is this Mr. Mai? I just learned about the conflict between you two, and I don't want to get involved."

Mai Liangping nodded and said seriously, "Well, don't get involved. You won't get any advantage!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and called the waiter.

"This table is on my account!"

He behaved very heroically.

Zhou Haoran was not polite at all and said to the waiter, "Give me a case of Lafite, a good vintage, so I can take it home and drink it."

"what?"

Mai Liangping was slightly stunned and looked back at him in disbelief.

I have never seen such a shameless person!
Zhou Haoran looked at him innocently, "Boss Mai, a big boss like you is still short of this little money? If you don't want to treat us, I don't want this box of red wine."

Mai Liangping couldn't help but laugh angrily and looked at Li Changxing, "Where did you find this idiot?"

Li Changxing's face flushed red. "You look like a fool, why are you pretending to be so ruthless?"

The tone is very high.

This is a high-end restaurant, attracting attention from all around.

This made Mai Liangping feel a little embarrassed, especially since he had a foreign mistress with him.

These bastards can be shameless, but he can't!
"Serve him!" Mai Liangping glanced at the waiter, his tone cold and threatening, "A few bottles of red wine, for free! From now on, your printing factory will never get another order!"

Zhou Haoran said happily, "Boss Mai is really generous. Not only did he treat us to a whole table, he also gave us a case of red wine. He really is a big boss!"

A box of 6 bottles would cost at least or yuan in a high-end restaurant like this.

A great bargain for free.

Qiao Nuo covered his eyes in shame, unable to bear to watch it.

Li Changxing was also embarrassed and felt very humiliated. "This is the end of the story."

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "By keeping a low profile, we can effectively enhance the other party's sense of superiority. The other party's contempt can give us greater opportunities. Face is bullshit. Only winners deserve to talk about dignity."

Li Changxing's expression straightened, and he said in a deep voice, "Reputation is earned with our own hands! This time, we must snatch back the order from the Writers Association!"

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "It's easy. I already have a plan."

"Oh?"

The others were very curious and waited for the team leader's instructions.

Zhou Haoran said, "First, the Harbor Writers Association has lost its influence nationwide due to mistakes made in the past few years. Many local writers have to publish their manuscripts in literary magazines run by other writers associations, rather than local magazines."

Jiang Xiong said, "Yes, even Wang Anyi, the vice-chairman of the Writers Association, is one of them. Her new book, 'The Song of Everlasting Regret,' was published in a magazine affiliated with a foreign writers' association, not in 'Harbor Literature,' a magazine affiliated with the local writers' association."

Zhou Haoran said, "I'm optimistic about The Song of Everlasting Regret."

"what?"

Jiang Xiong was slightly stunned.

Zhou Haoran glanced at him and said leisurely, "'The Song of Everlasting Sorrow' is currently in its serialization phase, but I believe this novel has high literary value. Considering Wang Anyi's status as Vice Chairman of the Writers Association, there's a good chance that this novel will be awarded the next Mao Dun Literature Prize."

Jiang Xiong immediately understood what he meant and opened his eyes wide, "You mean?"

Zhou Haoran said without hesitation: "Sign this book and we will publish it! Now, immediately, do it immediately!"

"Literary books are more risky..."

Jiang Xiong was a bit hesitant. He was a man of letters, and of course he loved literature. But his first two literary novels had both failed, so he didn't dare to continue.

Li Changxing said anxiously: "Lao Jiang, just do whatever I tell you to do!"

Jiang Xiong gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll go find her later!"

Zhou Haoran nodded. "The second step is to cooperate with Mengya magazine, which is affiliated with the Writers Association. The influence of local literary magazines has seriously weakened, and their development has been too slow in the past few years. However, Mengya magazine takes a different direction, targeting young readers and mainly targeting the middle school student market."

"Mengya magazine..." Jiang Xiong frowned, not quite agreeing with the idea. "It's for young people, and it's written by young writers, many of whom are middle school students. To be frank, in the field of literature, Mengya is not yet up to par."

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "It's because it's not mainstream that writers' associations from other places don't pay attention to this market, which is why this blank market opportunity is left for Haigang. Haigang has been isolated from the mainstream literary market for the past decade or so, and has failed to break through, so it has been occupied by writers' associations from other places. If Haigang Writers Association wants to gain influence nationwide, it can only rely on young people."

"How can we cooperate?"

"We're collaborating with Mengya Magazine to launch a new national essay competition for middle school students. We're aiming to pursue new thinking and expression, and to convey the voice of young people in the new era. It's called the 'Zhongbo New Concept Essay Competition'!"

(End of this chapter)