Back to 80: My Literary Life

Going to work on time this morning, Fang Minghua first turned on the coal stove and made a cup of tea. Then he sat at the desk and took out a large stack of envelopes and read them slowly.

These were sent by readers from all over the country during his trip to Gansu Province. Fang Minghua read and sorted them out. Some needed to be replied to, while others were skipped.

One of them is very important. It is a letter from the literary and art editorial department of "The People's Liberation Army". The letter told Fang Minghua that the first printing of the single volume of "Youth" will be 50,000 copies, and it will be decided whether to print additional copies based on the feedback from various bookstores and readers.

50,000 copies. In later generations, it would be a great thing to be able to print so many physical books, but in this era, it is really not that much.

The first printing of "Life" by Lu Yao next door was 130,000 copies, and I heard that the magazine is planning to pursue additional printings.

Fang Minghua responded politely and expressed his gratitude to the magazine.

Li Li, a student at Western University, also wrote a letter, describing some of her troubles: “Teacher Minghua, I like poetry very much, but I found that I can’t write poetry as good as you, and even other students in our literary club The writing is not comparable.

My classmates all like to hear me recite poetry, but they don’t like the poems I write myself, alas.

Fang Minghua smiled when he saw this.

There seemed to be a girl in front of him, holding her chin, sitting in front of the desk in a daze.

So cute.

Gotta comfort her.

"Classmate Li Li, since the classmates like to hear you recite poetry, then you should recite it to them. Recitation is a very meaningful thing. You can appreciate the beauty of language and rhythm of poetry and articles, and appreciate the poetry. Isn’t it great to feel the beauty of the rhythm of the article, the emotional beauty of the poem, and appreciate the beauty of the artistic conception of the poem, so that you can appreciate the charm of Chinese language and language art?"

"As for writing poor poetry, you don't necessarily have to be a poet. It's fine as a hobby. You can just like it. And poetry, if you read more, you will naturally write better. You don't have to read modern poetry. Poetry, ancient Chinese poetry including the Book of Songs and Songs of Chu are very beautiful, it will be better to read more ancient poetry."

Seeing that he had written a whole page eloquently, Fang Minghua suddenly felt more and more like a close sister in front of Li Li.

It took Fang Minghua a whole morning to process all the letters, replying what should be answered and sending what should be sent.

When it was time to eat at noon, Wang Juan ran to the backyard where he lived and said, "Xiao Fang, President Huang asked you to go to his office first."

"What's up?"

"I don't know, but two soldiers came to the president's office."

"Soldier? Male or female?" Fang Minghua asked quickly.

Wang Juan glanced at him and said, "Of course he's a man."

I got distracted.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Fang Minghua quickly tidied up his appearance and hurriedly left the courtyard and went to the president's office on the third floor of the front office building.

Knocking on the door and going in, President Huang was talking to two middle-aged soldiers. When he saw him coming in, he immediately smiled and said: "Xiao Fang, let me introduce you. These two are Director Zhao and Director Yang from the General Political Repertory Theater."

"This is the author of "Youth", Comrade Fang Minghua."

"Young, younger than I thought." Director Zhao, who was a little older, shook hands with Fang Minghua and said, "I didn't expect that he could write such a good novel at such a young age."

"you flatter me."

After a few words of greeting, Director Zhao revealed the purpose: "Comrade Xiao Fang, we are here to discuss with you. We want to adapt your "Youth" into a drama. Do you agree?"

Agree, why not?

The General Political Repertory Theater.

It is one of the most powerful drama troupes in China at this stage, not to mention that this is the military theme that they are best at. I definitely agree.

"I agree." Fang Minghua immediately expressed his stance.

"That's good, we will sign the agreement in a moment." Director Zhao said: "Also, Comrade Xiao Fang, do you have any good opinions and suggestions for adapting this novel into a drama?"

forget it.

In front of Zhu Lin, I can still say a few words, but in front of other professionals, how dare I do whatever I want to do?

"Director Zhao, you're welcome, I don't understand drama." Fang Minghua said.

"I heard that President Huang said that you also wrote the script for the novel "Into the Dust" that you wrote."

yes

But movie scripts and drama scripts are two different things.

In fact, Fang Minghua also knew that the other party was just saying a few polite words to express respect for the author.

The few of them chatted for a while and signed the adaptation agreement on the spot. Finally, Director Zhao said:

"Comrade Xiaofang, when our drama is rehearsed and performed later, we will invite you to Yanjing to watch it."

This is a good thing.

Can I go to Yanjing on official business again?

Fang Minghua happily accepted the invitation.

The two soldiers left in a hurry without even eating, saying they had to rush back to Yanjing to prepare for the play.

There is still 100 yuan left. Drama adaptation copyright fees.

Fang Minghua's life became leisurely.

When I go to work, I drink tea and read books and newspapers. Then I go out for a walk, which is called patrol inspection. Then I drink tea and read books and newspapers in my room.

But, why are all the comments about Yao Yao's "Life" published in newspapers?

After returning from Gansu Province, Fang Minghua discovered that the craze for "Life" in newspapers and magazines not only did not cool down, but intensified.

Readers at different levels engaged in fierce confrontations from different angles regarding the right and wrong of "Gao Jialin". The voices of understanding and affirmation, and the completely opposite voices of condemnation and criticism, became uproar and lively. A peculiar landscape in contemporary cultural life.

Fang Minghua looked at it and shook his head.

In fact, Lu Yao didn't think that at all, right?

It's just readers over-interpreting it.

There is no way, the literary world has always been like this.

Lu Yao was probably busy enough, so no wonder he didn't see him later.

After eating in the workplace cafeteria at noon that day, Fang Minghua saw that the weather was nice and the sun was warm, so he walked around the street and returned to the workplace. As soon as he walked to the door, he saw Lu Yao holding a cigarette in his hand and heading towards this side. Come out in a hurry.

"Brother Lu." Fang Minghua greeted with a smile: "The magazine office hasn't started work yet."

"I'm here to find you. Go to your dormitory and you're not here."

"I went out for a walk, what do you want from me?"

"Didn't I lend you 15 yuan some time ago? I almost forgot about it because of so many things going on recently, but I just remembered it now."

Lu Yao took out the money from his pocket.

Fang Minghua accepted it after a few polite words, and then said: "Brother Lu, I see that newspapers and magazines are discussing your book "Life". Brother Lu, you are a famous person now."

Unexpectedly, Lu Yao sighed after hearing this: "Oh, I wanted to be famous when I was not famous, but when I became famous, I did a lot of bad things. Now I'm bored to death."

"What's wrong?" Fang Minghua asked concernedly.

"Let's go to my house and have a chat. Your sister-in-law is at work and I'm not worried about Mingming being alone at home. I have to go back and watch.

"good."

Fang Minghua agreed, since he had nothing to do now, so he followed Lu Yao towards the Writers' Association compound.

Thanks to book friend 20170710100020358 and book friend Chen Dezhu for their monthly votes.