Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 550 Visit to Qian Zhongshu

"Hmm? Grandma?"

Fang Minghua put down the book and looked at her grandmother.

"I understand what your grandma means." Grandpa, who was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, took over the conversation.

"Your grandma means that if you want to find common topics with Qian Zhongshu, or even impress him, you don't have to read his books or say what he likes."

"For example, when your grandma and I were young and in love, she liked to read books and newspapers, but I was a rough man. When we were in love, I never mentioned poetry or books, nor did I talk about my wars. I only talked about what I had seen and heard during my years of fighting and traveling around the country, as well as the local customs and practices. Your grandma was just a lady from a wealthy family who had always lived in the big city of Nanjing. How could she have heard so much? She was immediately fascinated by me, hehe."

"Hey, don't talk nonsense in front of the youngsters. That's not the case." Grandma couldn't help but say angrily, but the smile on her lips betrayed her inner thoughts.

Oh my god.

Grandpa, you are really an expert at flirting with girls.

The next morning, Fang Minghua changed into clean clothes and went to Qian Zhongshu's house.

Qian Zhongshu lived in Sanlihe, where there was a high-end residential area directly under the State Council. It consisted of a number of small houses and was home to some high-level special people.

The Nanshagou community where Qian Zhongshu lived was a quiet courtyard in a bustling area. Fang Minghua took a taxi there and saw many tall trees and green lawns in the courtyard, which was quiet in a bustling area.

Fang Minghua carried the apples and went to knock on the door. The door creaked open and an old lady with short hair and a kind face came out. Fang Minghua knew it was Qian Zhongshu's wife Yang Jiang and spoke politely.

"Hello, Mr. Yang. My name is Fang Minghua. I'm from the Qin Province Writers Association. I came here specially to visit Mr. Qian."

"I heard Yuan Chong say that you can come in."

Fang Minghua was delighted. As long as he wasn't turned down, there was hope.

After entering, I found that it was a living room, but it looked more like a study. There were several bookcases around, all filled with books.

Qian Zhongshu was quietly looking at something at his desk.

Fang Minghua followed Yang Jiang in, and Qian Zhongshu just raised his head and nodded slightly as a greeting.

Yang Jiang was quite enthusiastic. She asked Fang Minghua to sit down and poured him some water.

This was the first time Fang Minghua entered the homes of these masters of the Republic of China.

Ordinary people have a sense of mystery about them, and many people enjoy talking about the anecdotes and interesting stories about the talented men and beautiful women of the past.

For example, during a special period, Qian Zhongshu's family had a fight with others, and Yang Jiang had a quarrel with another talented woman, Lin Huiyin.

In fact, if you think about it, we are all just ordinary people. We all have our own troubles, joys and sorrows. It’s no big deal.

Fang Minghua was naturally not interested in these things. She was not familiar with Qian Zhongshu. Thinking of what her grandmother said last night, she did not beat around the bush and directly stated the purpose of her visit: to invite Mr. Qian to serve as a member of the jury for the upcoming World Chinese Literature Award.

Fang Minghua briefly explained the reasons and purpose of establishing this award, and finally said earnestly: "Mr. Qian, you are a famous master of Chinese studies and a literary scholar, and you have a very deep understanding of Western literature. We established this award not only for Chinese but also for writers around the world, so we would like to invite you to serve as a member of the jury."

Before Qian Zhongshu could speak, Yang Jiang, who was walking beside him, said, "Comrade Xiaofang, thank you for your kindness. My husband Qian has not been feeling well recently. He went to the hospital for a checkup and the doctor said that he has some kidney problems and should not overwork. You also know that being a judge is very energy-consuming and physically demanding, so..."

This is a polite refusal.

Fang Minghua felt disappointed.

But this reason was so sufficient that Fang Minghua could not make any more requests.

So he hurriedly said a few words, asking everyone to take care of themselves, and prepared to leave.

At this moment, Qian Zhongshu, who had been silent, suddenly looked at him and said, "Comrade Xiao Fang, I heard that you attended Shen Congwen's funeral? Are you familiar with Congwen?" "No, no, I have never met Mr. Shen. I just read his book "Border Town" and I admire him very much." Fang Minghua hurriedly explained, "It was also a coincidence that I attended Mr. Shen's funeral."

After attending the board meeting of the Writers Association, Fang Minghua went to his friend Shi Tiesheng's house. After seeing the news of Mr. Shen's death in the newspaper, he decided to attend the funeral as a junior to bid farewell to Mr. Shen.

"Haha, Chongwen (Shen Congwen's pen name) never wrote another novel after the founding of the People's Republic of China. I thought that people like us, the so-called old people of the Republic of China, had long been forgotten. I didn't expect that there is still a younger generation who remembers him." Qian Zhongshu laughed and suddenly said, "Comrade Xiaofang, I accept your invitation to be a judge."

"Thank you, thank you." Fang Minghua was overjoyed.

"Aji, you..." Yang Jiang was about to say something, but was interrupted by Qian Zhongshu: "You won't die, just read a few novels, it's okay."

Fang Minghua then talked about the current preparation status of the jury, left his contact information and then left.

Finally done!
Fang Minghua was very happy.

In the afternoon, Fang Minghua went to the Writers Association to find Wang Meng again, mainly to hear Wang Meng's opinions on the selection of judges and reading class members.

Wang Meng generally agreed with the people on the list, but also changed a few people and put forward her own opinions.

"Let Liu Xingwu join the reading class as well."

Fang Minghua naturally knew Liu Xingwu. After he was forced to resign as editor-in-chief of "People's Literature" due to the "tongue coating incident" in 86, although he returned to the magazine to take charge of the work after making a self-criticism, his position was very delicate. Later, he simply devoted himself to studying "Dream of Red Mansions".

Fang Minghua didn't have any opinion on this matter. He just heard that when he was in charge of the editorial department of "Yanhe" a few years ago, Liu Xingwu regarded him as the biggest competitor and was not very interested in him, so he did not include him in the study class.

But Liu Xingwu is a writer and has worked as an editor-in-chief, so he has very strong qualifications. When he heard what Wang Meng said, he agreed readily.

Although he was not very clear about the personal relationship between Wang Meng and Liu Xingwu, Liu Xingwu succeeded Wang Meng as the editor-in-chief of People's Magazine!

In fact, the literary world is a big world.

After everything was done, Fang Minghua told Wang Meng about her meeting with Chen Yingzhen and Qian Zhongshu, and Wang Meng laughed out loud.

"Xiao Fang, you are really amazing. You even managed to invite Mr. Qian." He then added emotionally, "These scholars were very famous during the Republic of China period, but became unknown after the founding of the People's Republic of China. However, I believe that their knowledge and articles will definitely be understood by more and more ordinary people in the future."

"Lenin said it well, forgetting history means betrayal. It seems that it was not Lenin who said it, but a line in a dialogue. But no matter what, history cannot be ignored or forgotten."

Wang Meng's words are quite meaningful.

After finishing his business, Fang Minghua did not rush to leave Yanjing and went back to his own Liuya Hutong for a walk.

After Wang Zi left, no one lived in the yard. Although there were no flowers, it was not overgrown with weeds. Song Tangtang's grandfather would send someone to help clean the yard every once in a while.

Fang Minghua also met with Shi Tiesheng, Xichuan Luo Yihe and others. In addition to chatting with friends who had not seen each other for a long time, he also talked about his idea of ​​establishing the World Chinese Literature Award.

Everyone was very supportive. Fang Minghua asked about Haizi's condition again. Xichuan said that he was still hospitalized in the Sixth People's Hospital and his condition was sometimes better and sometimes worse.

"Minghua, do you want to go see him?"

Fang Minghua was silent.

"Next time."

Fang Minghua originally left Yanjing to visit Palladium in Shencheng, but before leaving, he suddenly received a call from Zhao Hongjun in Xijing.

Tell him not to leave Yanjing in a hurry, saying that a friend who is in real estate in Yanjing has introduced six courtyard houses to him, and we should take a look at them together.

(End of this chapter)