The literary era since 1979

Chapter 222 National Redology Conference
"Chinese classical literature has always had a magical realist style, and the typical representative of this style is Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio."

"Pu Songling made the magical stories of fox spirits and ghosts realistic, integrating gods, demons, immortals and heroes with realism..."

"But Dream of the Red Chamber is completely different."

Fangyan sat in the office, writing on paper, stroke by stroke, his analysis of the magical realist narrative of "Dream of the Red Chamber".

Zhang Shouren and others sat around, competing to pass around "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong" and "What is Magical Realism".

"Teacher Fang, your phone number!"

At this moment, Uncle Qin's voice came from downstairs.

Fangyan came to the mail room and when he heard that it was an inter-provincial call from eastern Guangdong, he guessed that it was from Han Yuemin and Mike.

Sure enough, the caller was Mike.

"Teacher Fang, this year's Nobel Prize in Literature winner is Gabriel García Márquez, and the winning work is One Hundred Years of Solitude."

"Thank you, Mike."

Fangyan asked him if it was possible to get information such as the Nobel Prize in Literature award speech and Marquez's acceptance speech.

"no problem."

Mike agreed readily and said he could ask his sister who was far away in the United States to help.

"Mike, you really helped a lot!"

Fang Yan changed the subject, "By the way, I heard that you have been wanting to see me for a while, is there something important?"

Mike said bluntly: "Teacher Fang, I would like to ask you to guide me in writing a military novel about the Second World War."

Fang Yan raised an eyebrow, "Guiding you to write a novel about World War II?"

"That's right!"

Mike explained that his father, Mike Sr., was a World War II veteran and a member of the American Legion.

Whenever it is an anniversary day like the World Anti-Fascist War, in addition to holding commemorative parades, the Veterans Association will also publish memoirs, biographies, or literary novels on the theme of World War II, thus setting off a wave of veterans publishing books in the publishing industry.

This is also a tradition of the US military. After retiring, they like to write memoirs or tell about their life in the trenches.

It’s a pity that old Mike’s talents are probably all in military and business, and he has no talent in literature at all.

"You wish to write a biography of your father?"

Fangyan vaguely guessed the intention.

"Yes, you Chinese have an old saying, 'Disciples should serve their parents' labors.'" As a son, Mike really wanted to fulfill his father's long-cherished wish with his own hands.

Fangyan hesitated for a moment, "I don't know much about the history of World War II, nor do I have any detailed military information..."

"Teacher Fang, I have it!"

Mike said excitedly that there was no need to worry about the information and he could provide it.

The reason why I asked Mr. Fang for guidance is simply because "Operation Sword" is so well written.

It combines military literature, war literature and military fantasy into one, and is simply a model among models of military literature.

What's more, after watching "Operation Sword", Old Mike also praised it highly and couldn't put it down.

"I don't remember Operation Sword ever being published in English?"

The dialect was a big surprise.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fang, I translated it secretly, but I swear to God, I never intended to do anything bad."

"Don't be nervous. I trust you."

"thank you for your trust."

Mike confessed awkwardly: "I just want to show it to my dad at this Canton Fair and let him evaluate it."

Fangyan asked: "Does your father like Operation Sword very much?"

"Haha, these days he has been urging me to quickly translate the remaining parts that have not been translated yet."

Mike laughed out loud, "And he also said that there is no teacher better than you to guide me."

Fang Yan teased, "I can see that you really want to improve, Mike."

"Teacher Fang, I really want to improve!"

Mike hopes to write this military novel for old Mike.

"I understand your feelings."

Even if Fangyan didn't consider Mike's help because of their friendship, he would still agree to lend a helping hand because of Mike's filial piety.

"Thank you, Teacher Fang!"

Mike's grateful tone was full of excitement.

"Don't expect too much from me. I can only say that I will do my best to help you."

After hanging up the phone, Fangyan walked back to the office.

Mike needs his own guidance, and he also needs guidance from Wan Jiabao and Wu Zuxiang.

Before the first draft of the article on "Dream of the Red Chamber" can be published, it must be reviewed and approved by Wan Jiabao and Wu Zuxiang.

…………

Time flies and it is October 10th.

Fangyan first went to Wu Zuxiang's house, presented the transcribed manuscript, and talked about "Dream of the Red Chamber" for a while, and got some great news. The third national academic discussion meeting on "Dream of the Red Chamber" will be held at Shanghai Normal University, starting on October 10.

When I thought about the venue being Shanghai, my heart couldn't help but feel warmed.

All the way to the National Theatre, he had a faint smile on his face.

At this time, on the stage with the words "Drama is More Important than Life" hung high above, a rehearsal of the drama "Shang Yang" was taking place.

"gentlemen."

Fang Yan greeted Wan Jiabao and Ouyang Shanzun respectfully.

"Come on, sit down."

Wan Jiabao pointed to the empty seat next to him.

After a brief greeting, Ouyang Shanzun suddenly said, "Xiao Fang, the final rehearsal is coming soon. Can Daoming come back to participate in the rehearsal in the next few days?"

"no problem!"

Fangyan promised solemnly.

When deciding to let Chen Daoming star in "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog", he and Guo Baochang had already thought about this issue.

During the days when Chen Daoming is not in the crew, the crew can shoot scenes for other characters, which basically will not delay the shooting progress.

"Since you have considered all this, that's good."

Wan Jiabao and Ouyang Shanzun looked at each other and were quite satisfied.

Fangyan smiled and said that fortunately Chen Daoming was just a minor role in the drama, so there was no serious problem of overlapping roles.

"When is the rehearsal for Shang Yang scheduled?"

“Tentatively scheduled for early November.”

Ouyang Shanzun said: "It was originally scheduled for the end of October, but Cao Gong and you are going to attend the Redology Conference, so there is a conflict in schedule."

"That's really unfortunate."

Fangyan sighed on the surface, but he was very happy in his heart.

Wan Jiabao waved his hand and asked him to take out the manuscript about "Dream of Red Mansions".

Fangyan handed the manuscript over with both hands, "Please take a look."

Wan Jiabao took it and took a look. "Magical realism? I've never seen anyone analyze Dream of the Red Chamber from this perspective."

"It just came to me on a whim to do some simple analysis from the perspective of magical realism narrative."

Fangyan repeated to them the entire cause and effect that he had told Wu Zuxiang.

The more Wan Jiabao listened, the more interested he became, and he began to flip through the book.

The manuscript is very thin, only three pages.

After a while, I saw the end.

"You started with the point of 'Illusionary Realm'. Although it is a bit unconventional, it is not aimless."

Wan Jiabao gave him a gratified look.

“When the false becomes true, the true is also false, and there is something inaction and nothingness.”

Fang Yan said: "Sir, I think the mystery hidden in the couplet on the stone archway of Taixu Fantasy Land is not only the key to unlocking the true meaning of "Dream of Red Mansions", but also fits the magical realist narrative style of the entire novel."

Wan Jiabao smiled appreciatively and looked at Ouyang Shanzun who was reading the manuscript. "What do you think of his opinion?"

“Be original and not follow the same old routine.”

Ouyang Shanzun exclaimed in amazement.

Wan Jiabao sighed: "Dream of Red Mansions is a vast subject. Although I have been reading it since my youth and have been reading it until I am 72 years old this year, I still feel that I have not understood and appreciated it enough."

Fangyan was stared at by the two big guys, but he remained calm.

Mr. Mao has accepted a good disciple!
Wan Jiabao showed a nostalgic look on his face and asked, "Has Comrade Zuxiang seen it?"

Fang Yan said: "Mr. Wu has already seen it."

Wan Jiabao asked, "What did he say?"

"Mr. Wu said that we need to make some more revisions. After the revisions are completed, he asked me to bring some samples of the October supplement to Shanghai."

Fang Yan said, "When the time comes, we'll bring it up for discussion at the conference, and if possible, reprint it in the Journal of Red Mansion Studies."

"Comrade Zuxiang is trying to promote you."

Wan Jiabao smiled and said, "During this period of time, we must prepare well."

"Yes, sir!"

Fangyan nodded solemnly.

Afterwards, the rehearsals on stage were smooth and well coordinated.

Ouyang Shanzun then pressed the doorbell, and with a "ding" sound, the actors stopped what they were doing.

"Okay, change people!"

"Please invite comrades Lu Chen, Jiang Wen, Zhu Lin and others to come on stage!"

(End of this chapter)