The literary era since 1979

Chapter 144 When I Grow Up, I Become You

"That Mountain, That Man, That Dog", 5 days have passed since it was published.

Because the protagonist is a postman, who is even rarer than underground workers, not only literary newspapers and magazines such as "Wenyi Bao" and "Xuexue Bao" spared no effort to promote the story, but also mainstream newspapers such as "Labor Daily", "Workers Daily" and "Guangming Daily" also participated in it.

From north to south, from east to west, after these days of fermentation, postmen and the postal system have received widespread attention from the public along with the popularity of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog".

Especially, rural postmen.

More and more newspapers have given it high praise, but some literary theory journals have always focused on "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog."

From a theoretical perspective, the essay genres, rural sentimental themes, and Xiangxi customs and humanities are analyzed and commented on one by one.

Even, compare "Border Town" and "That Mountain" with each other.

"If Shen Congwen's Border Town is an ink painting with the charm of western Hunan, then the novel written in dialect is a landscape painting with the charm of western Hunan. The romantic poetic prose characteristics, traditional family emotions and profound philosophical connotations constitute the unique flavor of the novel."

"This is the most beautiful novel about rural areas in western Hunan after Border Town, full of humanistic care for the countryside..."

Bai Ruoxue stood by the Weiming Lake, reading a magazine.

Sitting around them were members of the May Fourth Literary Society such as Su Ya and Luo Yihe, members of the Drama Club such as Ying Da and Tang Shengnan, and international students such as Suzuki Yoko and Mike.

Everyone present at this moment has one thing in common:

They are all fans and supporters of Teacher Fang’s books.

“That Mountain is indeed well-written, but aren’t these newspapers and magazines over-praising it when comparing it to Border Town?”

Luo Yihe looked left and right.

"How can it be over-praising? Mr. Shen even commented on Teacher Fang's "That Mountain" in the "Wenyi Bao" and gave it high praise!"

Tang Shengnan directly took out that issue of the newspaper.

With two literary reviews by Shen Congwen and Wang Zengqi, the doubts and criticisms about dialects immediately disappeared.

"Clap clap."

Bai Ruoxue clapped her hands lightly to draw everyone's attention back. "I think what Mr. Shen said is very right. Teacher Fang incorporated a lot of things into "That Mountain". It seems to be a traditional Chinese family, a traditional father-son relationship, a father's love as heavy as a mountain, a sensible and quiet son, a gentle and strong mother..."

"These ordinary objects have created incredible beauty. I think we need to dissect this sparrow carefully."

"But!"

Among the people sitting around, some expressed different opinions.

"That Mountain" is good, but compared with Fangyan's previous works, it does not have the momentum and structure of "The Qin Empire", nor the intention and ingenuity of "The Hidden Corner" and "The Dark War". Although it has the same empathy and delicacy as "The Shepherd" and "Under the Hawthorn Tree", it cannot be said to be "out of ideas", but it is at least "mediocre", losing the kind of eye-catching feeling.

"Yes, yes, that's what I thought too. It's too bland."

"I think it's because the conflict is not intense enough."

"If I were writing it, I would write more about the resentment and hatred of the wife and children, the injustice and difficulties of the father, and the hardship and boredom of the postal journey. In this way, the conflicts between father and son, and husband and wife would be highlighted."

"........."

People holding opposite opinions spoke out one after another.

"idiot!"

Yoko Suzuki blurted out in desperation.

Instantly, Bai Ruoxue, Tang Shengnan and others cast their eyes over. She was not at all nervous and said seriously, "According to your way of making changes, Teacher Fang's masterpiece will be ruined by you!"

"That's right!"

Yui Hashimoto stood up and said, "I never thought you would think Mr. Fang's work is bad."

Everyone present looked at each other in curiosity.

"If all of Mr. Fang's works were translated and introduced to Japan, I can tell you responsibly that the best-selling and most highly praised novel is not The Great Qin Splitting, Hidden, or Under the Hawthorn Tree, as you mentioned, but this novel."

Suzuki Yoko said with a firm look in her eyes.

All of a sudden, everyone looked at each other, half believing and half doubting.

Bai Ruoxue explained that Suzuki Yoko's family was engaged in the publishing industry, and she came to China to study in order to learn Chinese so that she could translate Chinese and Japanese literature.

Then, he turned to look at her, "Yoko, you are so sure, what's the reason?"

"Because the things in the novel that can move us are things that are being lost or even already lost in Japanese society."

Suzuki Yoko said seriously.

Bai Ruoxue, Su Ya and the others listened and gradually realized that in Japan today, people are indifferent to each other, family relationships are tense, parents don't care about their children, relatives don't take care of relatives, and the whole society has no sympathy for the weak and losers, and even adds insult to injury.

"The love that the postman father expressed in Mr. Fang's article for his wife, the villagers in the mountains, and his son is very touching!"

Suzuki Yoko said in a serious tone.

"So this is ah."

Su Ya and Bai Ruoxue looked at each other and couldn't help but sigh.

"So I really want to meet Mr. Fang and have a long talk with him about this masterpiece in person." Suzuki Yoko's eyes were burning. "I wonder if you can ask me to meet Mr. Fang?"

………………

"Teacher Fang!"

In the editorial office, Wang Shuo handed over the manuscript, "I have revised The Story of the Seagull. Please give it another review."

"After so many days, it's finally been modified to be presentable."

Fangyan took it and took a look.

"Really?!"

A light suddenly lit up in Wang Shuo's dead eyes, and he wanted to cry but had no tears.

The more than half a month-long manuscript revision made him, who had not even graduated from high school, feel that it was longer than the Chinese classes he had taken in his life. He revised the manuscript more than he had written essays, and he was about to vomit from it.

These hard days that are comparable to being in prison are finally over!
"The first draft has passed my review. Please give it to Mr. Zhang Zhonge, and he will review it."

Fangyan stared at him with a smile.

"What, review? Need to revise it?"

Wang Shuo’s eyes widened.

"What are you yelling about?"

Fangyan rolled his eyes and explained the difference between "reexamination" and "initial review". At this moment, Mr. Dong downstairs shouted:

"Teacher Fang, someone is looking for you!"

"right away.

Fangyan gave Wang Shuo a few instructions and went downstairs.

I saw Master Hu standing in the cold wind with a bright smile:
"Teacher Fang, I'm sorry to bother you at work."

"It's okay, it's okay, you are..."

Fangyan took a look at his mailbag, which was full of letters from readers.

"I'm coming here specially to thank you on my behalf and on behalf of everyone else."

"After your novel was published, everyone's enthusiasm was very high. Their enthusiasm was aroused and they all wrote to you."

Master Hu took it out solemnly.

"Thank you for your kindness."

Fang Yan laughed and said, "They are all in here, right?"

Master Hu nodded, "They are all inside. Our leaders hope to invite you to the bureau to give us a lecture if there is a chance." "I will definitely do that if there is a chance."

Fangyan said: "How is Xiao Hu? Have you figured it out?"

"This kid, I didn't take it seriously when I first got it. It was only when your novel became popular that I remembered to take a good look at it."

Master Hu said helplessly: "Look at what this is!"

"It doesn't matter if you watch it early or late. The key is whether you are willing to watch it and whether you can understand your good intentions after watching it..."

"That's the reason, hiss~"

"Your old cold legs are acting up again?"

Fangyan invited him to come to the office and sit down.

Master Hu waved his hand and said, "I've asked my family to send some dog-skin plaster to my workplace. I'll apply it when I'm done with the work."

…………

On the way to the post office, Xiao Hu was holding the bag of dog-skin plaster and looking around, when he heard the crisp sound of a car bell.

As soon as the postman appeared, the children in the alley immediately ran out of their homes, chasing after him, making noises, and following behind him.

"Uncle, uncle, how can I become a postman?"

"Why do you want to be one?"

"My mother said that being a postman is a golden rice bowl. You can eat public food, ride a phoenix, and marry a beautiful woman. It's really a good rice bowl..."

"Hahaha, if you only think about these things, you won't be a good postman. Do you recognize what is written on the uncle's backpack?"

The postman pointed to five large, glittering characters printed on the package, and the children who could read read them one by one:

"Serve the people."

Looking at this group of children, Xiao Hu had a strange look in his eyes. He quickened his pace and came to the post office. He saw that Master Hu's legs were shaking constantly.

The old friend said, "Your father has been suffering from this old problem a lot these days."

"Once he retires, my dad can go get treatment."

Xiao Hu heard this and comforted his father.

"It can't be cured."

Master Hu shook his head and sighed, applying the medicine silently.

Xiao Hu said nothing, just sat there quietly, looking at everything in the post office curiously and feeling the busy atmosphere of the entire post office.

"After delivering the medicine, go back quickly. The weather is getting colder."

Master Hu gave a gentle push.

"I'd better go back with you later." Xiao Hu looked at the postmen coming and going, and couldn't help thinking of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" in his mind. "I haven't been to your unit for a long time."

"This is the first time since you came back from the queue."

Master Hu snorted coldly.

The old friend looked at Master Hu on the left and then at Little Hu on the right. The father and son were not happy with each other and they never spoke to each other again.

It was not until the end of the shift that Master Hu stood up with difficulty:

"Let's go."

Xiao Hu remained silent and kept a distance from him. His pace became faster and faster, and he soon left Master Hu far behind.

Master Hu looked at his son's back, sighed, and took out the key from his bag. "Sit in the back seat. I'll take you home."

"Dad, let me do it. I'll take you back."

Xiao Hu snatched the key and unlocked the car.

"You'll give me a ride?"

"Yes, don't forget that there is a plaster on your leg."

"My legs are fine!"

Master Hu said this, but he sat in the back seat.

"Hurry up, let's go home."

Xiao Hu rode a dark green postal bicycle, slowly taking Master Hu home, and occasionally they would meet acquaintances on the road.

"Hey, Lao Hu, is this your son?"

"Looks like my son is going to take over my job, right?"

"Congratulations, Lao Hu. You finally have your son to take over."

Seeing that everyone mistakenly thought he was going to retire, Master Hu was about to clarify, but unexpectedly, Xiao Hu, who had his back to him, suddenly spoke:
"Uncle, from now on I will be the one delivering your family's letters!"

"..."

Master Hu's head was buzzing as if he had been electrocuted. He glanced sideways at his son who was greeting someone, his eyes blinking continuously.

"I just got started, so I'm a little slow, please bear with me."

Xiao Hu is increasingly finding the feeling of a postman.

"No, no, we won't make things difficult for Old Hu's child." The men, women, old and young in the alley seemed to have made an appointment. They either walked to the door or stuck their heads out of the window, staring at Master Hu with smiles on their faces and some waving their hands.

"Master Hu, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Master Hu waved his hand with a half-smile.

When we turned into the alley, he controlled his emotions and asked:

"You really think about it?"

"You've thought it through. You won't be reluctant to retire and change your mind at the last minute, right?" Xiao Hu joked.

"nonsense!"

Master Hu said with a stern face: "Why didn't you tell me when you were in the police station just now?"

"You didn't ask." Xiao Hu curled his lips.

Master Hu was silent for a while and patted him on the back.

Afterwards, every time he passed through an alley, he would openly introduce the people to whom he had delivered letters for many years, saying, "This is my son. He will take over my job from now on. If you have anything to send, just look for him. It's the same as looking for me."

I don't know how many times I said it along the way.

Xiao Hu sniffed with emotion, turned his head slightly, and noticed that his father was a little strange: "Dad, what's wrong with you?"

"The cold wind makes my eyes and legs hurt."

Master Hu rubbed his red eyes.

"Dad, I'll ride faster so we can go back earlier."

Xiao Hu couldn't help feeling worried.

"Ride slowly, ride slowly, it's just a short distance."

Master Hu's eyes were slightly wet, as if he was crying but not quite.

(End of this chapter)