The literary era since 1979

Chapter 227 Only today did you know that I am me

These joint defense team members!

Fangyan held the box of Dingsheng cake and curled his lips.

The atmosphere at that time was already there, and only one step was needed to further elevate the revolutionary friendship between the two!
He returned to Hengshan Hotel in a depressed mood. As soon as he arrived at the door, the waiter at the counter told him that he had received three calls that morning, noon and afternoon, all of which were looking for him by name.

Once was Wu Yigong, and twice was Xie Jin.

Fangyan was very surprised, obviously they were in a hurry.

Just at this moment, two Redology researchers who were also critics walked towards us, chatting as they walked.

"That person is really arrogant. He actually wants to write a historical novel about Emperor Kangxi."

"No one will take it seriously as a momentary arrogant remark."

"That's right, who would believe him?"

What the two were discussing aroused Fangyan's interest, and he immediately came over to inquire about the situation.

After asking, I found out that a farce happened today.

When many scholars were discussing Kangxi, many of them lamented that there was not a single literary work written about them.

As a result, Ling Jiefang immediately stood up and volunteered.

Since no one is willing to write it, just let him write it!

Such an unknown person naturally did not attract much attention from the public. Instead, he was regarded as a clown seeking to attract attention.

"If it were you, Teacher Fang, who wrote it, I would definitely look forward to it."

One of them said disdainfully: "As for his words, I can only regard them as a joke."

Another person was even more disdainful. "I did some research and found out that this person has never even written a short story. I don't know who gave him the courage to write a novel right away."

Fang Yan smiled without saying anything. After bidding farewell to the two of them, he put his things in his room and went straight to look for Ling Jiefang.

Who gave the courage?
I, General Fang!
………………

"Dong dong."

When Ling Jiefang heard the knock on the door, his first reaction was confusion.

It's so late, who could it be?
When he opened the door and saw Fangyan standing at the door, he was surprised at first, and then ecstatic, because he told him the purpose of his visit.

"Teacher Fang, do you really believe that I can write a historical novel about Emperor Kangxi?"

"I just want to ask you one question, do you dare to write?"

"I dare! Of course I dare!"

Ling Jiefang stood up suddenly with a firm tone.

"Then I dare to believe that you can write it."

Fangyan patted his shoulder and said, "Because for an author, the courage to write is more important than talent."

Ling Jiefang asked: "Really?"

"Needless to say!"

“No one is born knowing that they have a talent for writing, and no one is born with the word ‘writer’ printed on their forehead. Of course not. It is only through constant training and constant courage to try that one slowly discovers it.”

Fangyan added in his heart, except me.

"Yes, you are right!"

Ling Jiefang felt an unprecedented sense of trust.

"Ba Lao once gave me a sentence: put aside your worries, don't be timid, think boldly, write diligently, and write out all the beautiful things in your heart." Fang Yan patted his shoulder, "I will give you the same sentence today."

"Hearing what you said, I am even more determined to write a novel about Kangxi!"

"Is it just Kangxi?"

"what?!"

Ling Jiefang was confused. Teacher Fang, what are you talking about?
Small, less ambitious!
That's it, you still want to make progress?
Fangyan directly pointed him in the right direction, telling him to write a trilogy in the order of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong periods.

Ling Jiefang was shocked when he heard this, "Teacher Fang, you are kidding me, I don't even have Kangxi yet..."

“If you can write a historical novel about Kangxi, and write it well, are you still worried that you can’t write about Yongzheng and Qianlong?”

Fangyan shook his head and laughed.

Ling Jiefang thought about it carefully and realized that this was indeed the truth!
But after thinking about it, he couldn't help but hesitate and said, "I am very interested in Kangxi and Qianlong, but I may not be interested in Yongzheng. His image in the folk and historical studies is not flattering. Some people say that he is vindictive, cruel and cold, some say that he is very cunning and scheming. There are also rumors that the person Kangxi wanted to pass the throne to was not him, the fourth prince, but his younger brother, the fourteenth prince."

"Do you believe this unofficial history of 'passing the throne to the Fourth Prince'?"

Fangyan raised his eyebrows.

"I don't believe it, because the ancient '于' is not the simplified '于' of today." Ling Jiefang took the pen from his chest and wrote the word "于" on his palm. "Yes, this unofficial history is too outrageous. Don't forget that most of the imperial edicts of the Qing Dynasty were written in Manchu, Mongolian and Chinese."

Fangyan held up five fingers and said, "Sometimes, it is supplemented with Tibetan and palindromes. How can this be faked?"

"You are quite right!"

Ling Jiefang's eyes lit up, "But even if Yongzheng's succession to the throne was legitimate, his reputation is not good."

"That's exactly why it's worth writing a historical novel about him."

Fang Yan said: "To be honest, when I was choosing topics for reform literature, I thought about writing about Yongzheng."

“Yongzheng and Reform Literature?”

Ling Jiefang immediately became interested.

The two drank water and chatted.

"Neither Kangxi nor Qianlong can be considered the greatest emperors of all time. They bear great responsibility for the institutional corruption of the Qing Dynasty..."

"If Yongzheng had not implemented reforms to distribute the tax burden to the land, return the fire consumption to the public, and have officials and gentry pay taxes and serve as officials, how could there be the prosperous Kangxi and Qianlong eras?"

"..."

The more they talked, the more they got along.

"We need to realize that the anti-corruption measures they carried out were only to safeguard the interests of the family empire and the stability of the Qing dynasty's political order. From this perspective, the anti-corruption efforts during the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong periods could not have been thorough."

Fang Yan said: "It was precisely because of this reason of maintaining their own rule that there were many opportunities to bring China into industrial civilization, but none of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong dared to take this step."

"Teacher Fang, I think the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong dynasties can be called the 'last glimmer of light' of traditional feudal society."

Ling Jiefang said: "During the heyday of the feudal dynasty, the seeds of backwardness and decline were sown. The rapid disintegration of the late Qing Dynasty and the decline of Chinese civilization in modern times are the result of these three people shouldering certain historical responsibilities."

"It seems that you already have an idea."

Fangyan smiled and narrowed his eyes into slits.

"Teacher Fang, this is what I think."

Ling Jiefang followed his train of thought and prepared to write a "Falling Cloud Trilogy" of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, with Kangxi as the starting point. It would be critical but also, like "The Splitting of the Great Qin", draw allegorical lessons from the past.

For example, when writing about Yongzheng, it’s all about reform and anti-corruption.

"Very good. If you encounter any difficulties in your writing, please tell me. I and the editorial department of October will try our best to help you. Of course, you are also welcome to write for October."

Fangyan took a sip of water.

"Thank you, Teacher Fang! Thank you!"

Ling Jiefang was very excited and took the initiative to pour water.

Look, he even has to thank us!

Fangyan half-jokingly said, "You have to aim high and take steady steps. When you finish writing it, I'll take your manuscript."

"no problem!"

Ling Jiefang opened his mouth and said, "But Mr. Fang, can I use a pen name instead of my real name?"

Fang Yan nodded: "Of course that's no problem, but why do you suddenly want to take a pen name?"

"I'm going to write a long historical novel, but my name will include 'Liberation'."

Ling Jiefang confessed: "One is historical, the other is modern. Isn't this a bit inconsistent?"

Fangyan asked, "Have you thought about a pen name?"

"I also hope that Teacher Fang can help give me some advice."

Ling Jiefang's eyes were full of anticipation.

"I think it's better to call it 'Er Yue He'?"

"February River?"

"Look, ling means ice, and jiefang means thawing in spring. Isn't this exactly the scene of the Yellow River thawing in February?"

"February River, February Yellow River..."

"What do you think of this pen name?"

"Great! Great! The Yellow River is the mother river of the Chinese nation. This can always remind me that I must never forget my roots!"

Ling Jiefang's eyes lit up, he felt a strong attraction and exclaimed that this was a good pen name.

Then, he excitedly held Fangyan's hand and shook it continuously, his gratitude was beyond words.

In ancient times, an immortal touched my head, and now a teacher gave me a name.

In February, the river is flooded with ice. Today I know who I am!
(End of this chapter)