1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 86: People's Literature Called

After watching the movie.

Two or three boys ran towards Zhou Xu and shouted to him:
"Comrade Zhou! Comrade Zhou!!"

Zhou Xu turned around and saw that Chen Hai was leading two or three people out. The young man in the lead, who looked to be around twenty-five, said, "Comrade Zhou, hello! We've met in the studio before!"

"Oh! Little Li!!!"

Xiao Li scratched his head and immediately said, "My name is Li Ziqiang!"

“Oh, Li Ziqiang!” Zhou Xu looked at the other two people.

One of the men introduced himself: "Comrade Zhou, my name is Zhang Yibing..."

"Oh! I remember you! You're from the drama troupe, right?" Zhou Xu nodded.

"Yes, yes! Comrade Zhou, this is a love letter I wrote. I'd like you to take a look at it!"

Tsk? Putting everything else aside, he might not be interested in novels for himself, but he was still a tiny bit interested in gossipy love letters, so he took a look.

Zhou Xu thought to himself, "Written for Han Rong?"

Thinking about it, when I was taking a bath just now, the one with the best figure in the drama troupe was named Zhang Fangfang, and the one who was very attractive was named Han Rong... If it were Zhou Xu, he would definitely choose the one with the best figure.

Isn't there a problem?

Which is more important, body shape or face?

"Oh...reading love letters!" Zhou Xu glanced at it, coughed, and said, "I'm good at this, but whether I can win her over depends on your...impression."

"What impression?" Zhang Yibing asked immediately.

"This impression refers to the impression you make in the eyes of that girl!" Zhou Xu said slowly.

Many people are unaware that they are being a "simp" because their first impression isn't good enough. If they already think you're handsome and talented before pursuing someone, it's actually quite easy.

"I do not know either!"

"Wait a minute, let me take a look first!" Zhou Xu picked up a pen.

Now, in their eyes, Zhou Xu is like a literary giant. After all, newspapers and magazines are full of news about Zhou Xu's novels, and he is already a well-known writer.

Zhou Xu changed a few words and added a few more.

The difference between literary masters and ordinary writers lies in their choice of words and sentence structure. Take Wang Zengqi, whom Zhou Xu admires, for example. He can write the same passage with tender emotions... Zhang Ailing's novels are as gentle as water.

However, the meaning of the same passage is roughly the same! This is due to the difference of one or two words or phrases.

After reading Zhou Xu's new love letter, Li Ziqiang immediately exclaimed, "Miracle doctor! Miracle doctor, Comrade Zhou, I also have a copy. Could you please take a look at it?"

Zhou Xu looked over with a gossipy expression: "Give it to me?"

Li Ziqiang took out a painting from his military uniform pocket, with two short poems written next to it... Zhou Xu looked at the painting and chuckled: "You painted Zhang Fangfang? That's impressive! Are you one of the painters in our studio?"

Li Ziqiang scratched his head: "I haven't been ranked yet! I'm just in the top rank."

At this point, Li Ziqiang really envied Zhou Xu, who had surpassed him to become a full-fledged company commander in less than a year.

"Okay, I'll revise it for you!"

After finishing the revisions, Li Ziqiang exclaimed, "These lines of poetry are truly beautiful! I'll treat you to dinner if I succeed!!!"

……

Inside the People's Literature magazine.

Zhou Ming rushed in from outside, muttering, "This is terrible!"

"What?" Cui Daoyi asked Zhou Ming.

"I'm speechless. I heard that the sales of 'PLA Literature and Art' this month have reached 1.08 million copies!?" Zhou Ming gasped.

In this day and age, the mainstream literary magazines, led by the Four Great Dan (female role models), typically sell around 200,000 copies per month, with fluctuations, but generally remaining within the range of 500,000 to 600,000 copies. It's truly rare for a magazine to break the million mark.

Of course, the literary circle is just a small circle, and people in the editorial department share all kinds of information. Everyone knows what their rivals are all about.

However, People's Literature also compared itself to PLA Literature and Art, and this time the latter's sales were simply too low. That's why it caught the editorial department's attention.

"Is it 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain'?" Cui Daoyi asked.

"It must be the influence of this book," Zhou Ming nodded.

After all, the people walking on the street were talking most about "The Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" rather than other novels.

"One million copies! 'PLA Literature and Art' really struck gold! I don't remember 'The Wounded' being this popular back then, right?" Cui Daoyi shook his head. "Who is the author?"

"Zhou Xu, a minor writer! He published a piece called 'Changjin Lake' before! I don't know about his previous works, he's just recently become famous." Zhou Ming searched for information.

"Huh?" Upon hearing that he was a newly famous author, Cui Daoyi was slightly intrigued: "Let's find his contact information! Shall we send him a letter requesting an article as well?"

"No, no!" Zhou Ming said. "Sending a letter is not appropriate. I think we should contact each other by phone instead."

Do you have contact information?

"That's easy! I saw he works in the Political Department of the Wuhan Military Region. I happen to have a friend in the army, and after some back and forth, I found out he works in the creative studio of the Victory Art Troupe." Zhou Ming said proudly. Information like addresses and phone numbers within editorial and author circles can't be kept secret; anyone with the will can find them.

Hearing this, Cui Daoyi looked at Zhou Ming with excitement: "Old Zhou, I didn't expect you to be so reliable! You found this information so easily?"

"You go ahead and contact them. I'm going to rest and look at the manuscripts," Zhou Ming said cheerfully, patting Cui Daoyi on the shoulder.

They were all old friends of the editorial department, so they didn't fuss over such a small matter as who solicited the article: "Just treat me to a meal at Cuihualou once you successfully solicit the article."

"it is good!"

Cui Daoyi picked up Zhou Xu's file and went straight to his office. He picked up the phone and called Zhou Xu.

beep.

Zhou Xu had just returned to his studio from outside when the phone rang!
"Hello?"

Hearing the new voice coming from the other end, which seemed different from the Liu Jiaju he knew before, Zhou Xu asked, "Hello?"

A voice immediately replied, "Hello, Comrade Zhou Xu, I am Cui Daoyi, an editor from People's Literature!"

Zhou Xu was stunned for a moment. Cui Daoyi? He seemed to have heard of him before. He was later known as one of the four great editors of Beijing!

He also discovered Liu Xinwu's "The Class Teacher," which enjoys a very high reputation in the literary world.

However, Liu Xinwu had a benefactor named Zhang Guangnian. It was Cui Daoyi who discovered "The Class Teacher," and then Zhang Guangnian strongly protected "The Class Teacher."

"Hello, Editor Cui?" Xiao Zhou, now a junior author, was quite respectful to him.

"What do you want from me?"

But the editorial department of *People's Literature* magazine is quite powerful, isn't it? They were able to get my troupe's phone number directly?

"Is that so? We've finished reading 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain,' and it's indeed an excellent military-themed novel. You've probably heard of 'People's Literature,' right? Our editorial department would like to commission a novel manuscript from Comrade Zhou Xu!" Cui Daoyi immediately said.

Zhou Xu thought to himself: Bullshit, who hasn't heard of your People's Literature?
"Oh! You're asking for a manuscript? But I'm a writer in the military, can my work be published in your magazine?"

Cui Daoyi chuckled: "Of course! Our magazine just published Comrade Zhang Tianmin's 'Soldiers Crossing the Minefield'! They're both military writers! The military also supports publishing in literary magazines, which is a way to promote development from multiple angles!"

Of course, Zhou Xu is a writer in the military, not a writer for "PLA Literature and Art". His works can be published in the magazine of the "Four Great Dan".

After all, it's fair competition! And I haven't forgotten my roots! I've already given two short stories to "PLA Literature and Art," so it's the highest bidder wins!
Zhou Xu spoke slowly and deliberately, and the other person couldn't figure out his attitude.

"Oh! I see... but I haven't had any new works lately?"

"Hmm..." Cui Daoyi thought Zhou Xu had agreed, but it turns out he was being so tactful!

But he knew all the writers' weaknesses.

Those writers made up very grand stories. For example, Mo Yan said he wanted to buy leather shoes, but actually his purpose in writing was because he was about to be discharged from the army, but he couldn't get promoted and had to leave, so he thought about becoming a professional writer.

To put it more realistically, Yu Hua writes for a better future.

Writers write things nowadays, unlike the chaotic early 20th century, simply for money and fame.

"Can I offer you a high price? Would you like to reconsider?"

"How much is the high price?" Zhou Xu asked, barely holding back his question.

In 77, the State Administration of Press and Publication issued the "Notice on the Trial Implementation of the Measures for Remuneration and Subsidies for News and Publication Manuscripts," which stipulated that manuscripts should be paid 2 to 7 yuan per thousand words.

"Seven yuan per thousand words, shall we?" Cui Daoyi said.

"But the People's Liberation Army Literature and Art Magazine also gives this much, right?"

Cui Daoyi hesitated for a while... not knowing what to say. There was no such rule if he brought it up further.

He was stunned for a moment, but Zhou Xu spoke up then: "However, I see that Editor Cui is very sincere... Do you have any requirements for the manuscript? I have an idea."

At this point, Zhou Xu was giving Cui Daoyi face and doing him a favor. Who knows, he might think of him when there are benefits to be had in the future!
"Really? Could you tell me roughly what it is?"

Zhou Xu said, "It's a military-themed novel... I can give you a general overview like this... would you like to hear it?"

Zhou Xu briefly explained the ideas for his new novel to Cui Daoyi, who immediately nodded frantically on the other end of the phone.

"Hmm... I'm so excited after hearing your story! If it could actually be written down, it would definitely be an excellent novel!! Comrade Zhou Xu, when will you be able to write the novel?"

Zhou Xu thought for a moment: "Probably within two months?"

"So, you mean you can give it to me before September? I'll reserve a spot in the magazine in advance, and wait for you then..."

After talking about these things.

After hanging up the phone, Cui Daoyi said to Zhou Ming, "It's done. Zhou Xu has agreed to give me his next novel manuscript."

Zhou Ming clapped his hands: "Alright, let's go to Cuihua Tower!!!"

"...The manuscript hasn't been paid yet!"

"Tsk? How are you going to renege on your debt?"

"Alright, I'm in a good mood today, please go and have a look at Cuihua Tower!"

(End of this chapter)