Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 866: Invitation to Lecture Room

After the "Let's Talk" reading club at Xuecheng Bookstore became a hit, some private bookstores in other places followed suit, and some even paid high prices to invite Fang Minghua and others to give lectures. The owners of Yenching Sanwei Bookstore, Hangzhou Pioneer Bookstore, and Quanzhou Fengyasong Bookstore all contacted Fang Minghua through various means to invite him to give lectures, but he refused every time.

He doesn't care whether others go or not, but he won't go anyway.

The reason I went to the lecture at Xuecheng Bookstore was because Lei Xuecheng and I have been friends for many years and I wanted to help him, and also because of a sentimental sentiment.

What’s the point of traveling thousands of miles to give lectures in other places?
As for money?
What I lack least now is money.

But someone still came to the door.

The weather was hot today, and Fang Minghua took a nap after lunch. He woke up at around two o'clock but did not go to work - he would not go if there was nothing to do anyway.

But this time, a staff member from the Writers Association Office called and said, "Chairman Fang, Director Xie Ruguang, the person in charge of CCTV's Lecture Room, has come from Yanjing and is looking for you."

"what's up?"

"Director Jie didn't say anything specific, but I want to meet you and talk."

"Okay, I'll be right over."

Fang Minghua changed his clothes, went out and drove straight to the unit. After entering the Writers Association compound, he stopped in front of the building and met two people from Yanjing in the reception room on the first floor.

One of them was a middle-aged man in his early forties, who was the famous Jie Ruguang. The other was younger, in his early twenties, and seemed to have just graduated from school. His surname was Liu. After a few brief greetings, Fang Minghua invited them to his office on the second floor.

Xie Ruguang did not beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly: "Chairman Fang, the "Let's Talk" literary salon you held at Xijing Xuecheng Bookstore is very popular and interesting. It just so happens that our column is planning to invite someone to talk about modern domestic literature, so I would like you to invite Baijia Lecture Hall."

The "Lecture Room" of this era is still quite good. It is not as boring as later generations which only talk about history or ancient literature, and all the guests on stage are academic internet celebrities.

The Lecture Room, which was launched last year (2001), had a very ambitious goal when it was created: to popularize knowledge to the public. At that time, there was also a slogan: "Build common sense of the times and enjoy a wise life." To this end, the column team covered everything from astrophysics to food, clothing, housing and transportation; from elegant to aesthetics to mundane research on infertility.

The first episode of "One Hundred Schools of Thought" was about physics, with Mr. Yang Zhenning as the guest speaker.

Not long ago, Fang Minghua listened to an episode titled "Modification and Restriction of DNA", which opened his eyes.

Fang Minghua was aware of Jie Ruguang's purpose when he arrived. If it wasn't for this reason, why would he come all the way from Yanjing to Xijing in such hot weather?
However, Fang Minghua didn't really want to go to give lectures on "Lecture Room". She didn't want to become an internet celebrity like Yu Dan did later, which was even more meaningless.

So he politely declined: "Director Wei, Chinese modern literature is rather boring. I think you also know that not all TV viewers are into literature, and many of them are not even literature enthusiasts. I am worried that no one will watch these boring things, which will affect your TV ratings."

What Fang Minghua said is actually not wrong.

"The Hundred Schools of Thought" initially talked about everything, but in the end, only history and some Chinese studies were left. The other content was boring and not many people were interested in it, which led to a drop in ratings and eventually had to be cancelled.

Can you imagine how many people can understand a master like Yang Zhenning's talk about quantum physics? The only ones left are some pseudo-academics from internet celebrities.

Unexpectedly, Xie Ruguang laughed after hearing Fang Minghua's words: "Chairman Fang, I expected you to say that. I have thought of a good way to let the audience feel the development and charm of contemporary Chinese literature without being boring."

"any solution?"

"Tell me about your experience in literature over the past twenty years! From the early 1980s to the late 1990s, these twenty years were the most active twenty years for my country's literary career. As a participant, you also experienced this magnificent era. Tell me about this history and some stories you have experienced. I have thought of a title: "My Twenty Years of Literature"!" Huh?
This angle is fresh.

Indeed, this history is worth recalling.

Seeing Fang Minghua's interest, Xie Ruguang smiled and said, "How is it?"

"Okay, I promise, but I have to prepare well."

"of course can."

The two discussed some specific details and finally decided that Fang Minghua would give three consecutive lectures, "upper, middle and lower", scheduled for mid-October. There would be two months of preparation time, and the rest would be recorded in advance at Yanjing CCTV.

But there was trouble when signing the contract.

According to the past practice of "Lecture Room", CCTV only paid the hosts 1000 yuan per episode, and 30 yuan of income tax had to be deducted!

And you have to take care of your own food and accommodation when you go to Yanjing!

What is even more speechless is that if the speaker wants to publish the content of the lecture into a book, CCTV still owns 50% of the copyright!
Fang Minghua couldn't accept this.

I'm too lazy to take your 1000 yuan. I'll pay for my own food and accommodation. Just treat it as a trip to Yanjing to relax, but I can't accept the copyright!

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I have no intention of publishing my lectures into a book in the future, but I cannot accept your unfair terms.

Fang Minghua raised his objection, and Xie Ruguang felt a little embarrassed.

"Chairman Fang, previous lecturers, including Professor Yang Zhenning, have all done this."

"I have no control over what Professor Yang does, but I won't do that." Fang Minghua's tone was relaxed, but his attitude was firm.

The negotiations reached a deadlock.

"Or, forget it. Director Jie, why don't you find someone else?" Fang Minghua said again.

"Hey, Chairman Fang, don't be anxious. How about I discuss it with the leaders of the headquarters and give you a reply tomorrow morning?" Xie Ruguang said hurriedly.

"That's fine." Fang Minghua nodded.

Then Xie Ruguang and his companion left the Provincial Writers Association and took a taxi back to their hotel.

In the car, Xiao Liu, who had been silent just now, couldn't help but speak up: "Director Xie, when others heard that we invited them to be on the Lecture Room, they signed the contract without hesitation and rushed to Beijing excitedly. But Chairman Fang is so reluctant and hesitant. Why is that?"

"Why?" Xie Ruguang glanced at him. "Let's not talk about the older generation like Yang Zhenning. Aren't the others attracted by the influence of CCTV? Think about it, giving a lecture on Lecture Room and becoming famous in front of the whole country, wouldn't their status in the academic circle also rise? Lectures, books and other good things come one after another, it's simply a double gain of fame and fortune! Otherwise, why would they come to CCTV for such a small reward? Are you stupid?"

"But Fang Minghua is different. He has long been famous both at home and abroad. Does he still need to be on Lecture Room to gain recognition?"

(End of this chapter)