The literary era since 1979

Niangziguan Power Plant, western Shanxi.

After lunch, Liu Cixin went to the mail room, picked up the Science Fiction World magazine he subscribed to, and returned to his single dormitory leisurely.

Since I was assigned here as an engineer after graduation, I have been working and living here for more than a year.

His work in the power system is extremely boring and monotonous. He has to stick to his post during the day, but there is nothing to do. The same is true at night. Because he doesn't have a girlfriend, he can only play cards with his colleagues. As a result, he played cards in the first month after joining the company, and in the second month after joining the company...

Playing cards in the third month of employment!

Da Liu, ah Da Liu, how could you be so depraved!
Have you forgotten the plan to write a science fiction novel? Confucius said, "I examine myself three times a day." This cannot go on any longer!
Liu Cixin suddenly came to his senses, but not completely. He continued to play cards as usual until one night, when he lost a whole month's salary in a single card game. It was this painful realization that made him truly realize that he could not continue to degenerate like this.

You have to do something to fill the time at night. Even if you can't make money, at least you won't lose money!

So, I thought of my favorite science fiction literature. I could just slack off at work and read science fiction novels, or even do some creative work.

Especially when the news that Fang Yan's "Midnight Ring" surpassed "Japan Sinks" and set a new annual sales record for novels was reprinted and reported by domestic media and widely publicized, and then a series of news such as Fang Yan's entry into the top five of the global writer income list with "Midnight Ring" and "Midnight Ring" won the Japan Nebula Award for the best overseas novel, continued to spread into the country, making him realize that science fiction literature has such a promising future!
I then picked up my pen again and created "Huaxia 2185", and unexpectedly won this year's Galaxy Award.

I was secretly delighted in my heart, thinking that I was indeed talented in science fiction literature, and that I had taken a step closer to becoming Teacher Fang.

When I thought of this, my steps became lighter involuntarily, and I felt a little light as I walked in the corridor of the dormitory building.

"Xiao Liu, do you want to come to my room to play cards tonight?"

As I passed by the single dormitory next door, I heard a middle-aged voice with a Shanxi accent coming from the room.

"Brother Wang."

Liu Cixin declined, saying that he often got together with three good friends to play cards, and they didn't need him, so he wouldn't go and join in the fun.

But Lao Wang next door said that one of them had taken a leave to visit his family and was not at home these days, so the card game was short of one person except Liu Cixin.

As he was talking, one of Lao Wang's poker friends walked out of the room and said, "Xiao Liu, let's play a few hands. Just let's catch up."

"That's right. If I remember correctly, Xiao Liu, you haven't played cards with us for a long time!"

Lao Wang next door said with a hint of resentment, "This is not the same as when you first joined the factory!"

Liu Cixin smiled awkwardly but politely. "This is not..."

Lao Wang next door noticed the "Science Fiction World" in his hand and said, "I really don't know why you like reading science fiction novels so much. Isn't science fiction a relatively poor type of literary work?" He almost said that science fiction is at the bottom of the literary contempt chain.

"Yes, science fiction is so wild and unrealistic that some of it even lacks scientific logic. It's just pure wishful thinking."

Lao Wang's poker friend nodded in agreement. Science fiction was not his favorite genre. Instead, he liked to read mystery magazines such as "Mystery World".

Lao Wang next door agrees with this. He thinks the series of stories including suspense, mystery, police and criminal investigation, and forensic crime-solving are really exciting.

"Especially 'Major Crime Squad', I love watching every episode."

"In fact, science fiction and mystery literature have some similarities."

An intriguing light flashed in Liu Cixin's eyes.

The two looked at each other in disbelief, "No way? What similarities are there between science fiction and mystery novels?"

Liu Cixin explained: "Science fiction only uses various scientific elements and fantastic ideas. In fact, what touches people most is the part of humanity that is shown in the work. Just like Mr. Fang's "The Ring" and "Artificial Intelligence", science fiction is just a pretext."

Lao Wang next door suddenly realized that the charm of detective novels, apart from the unexpected methods of killing, lies in the complex human motives.

Liu Cixin said in a serious tone: "Science fiction literature also has an important mission, which is to popularize scientific knowledge. The development of the country now requires a large number of scientists, physicists, and chemists. Chinese science fiction originated in the late Qing Dynasty, when people gradually began to describe the impact of technology on people. Lu Xun and Liang Qichao and other scholars strongly advocated the introduction of science fiction into China, hoping to use science fiction and science to enlighten the people. I hope science fiction can plant the seeds of love for science in children's hearts."

"That's true, but the situation has changed. Now the brain and body are upside down. Those who make nuclear bombs are not as good as those who sell tea eggs."

Lao Wang next door shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Okay, let's not talk about this kind of thing."

After the two people requested again and again, the shy Liu Cixin could not refuse and had to reluctantly agree to participate in the card game tonight.

After making an appointment, I went back to my workstation at the power plant to continue working. Since I had nothing to do anyway, I started reading "Science Fiction World".

As soon as I opened the catalog, I suddenly saw "The Three-Body Problem" written by Fang Yan appear in my sight, and my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Teacher Fang has released a new science fiction masterpiece? !

My eyes lit up instantly and I couldn't wait to flip through it. Although this issue of "Science Fiction World" only published a part of the first part of "The Three-Body Problem", its length was far beyond that of an ordinary science fiction novel, and it also had many differences from the previous "The Three-Body Problem".

For example, Liu Cixin’s most criticized writing style and character creation in the "Three-Body" series.

In the novel, Wang Miao is simply a tool, without personality or emotions, and the entire character is detached from the plot. Fortunately, the first part has a dual narrative structure. If it weren't for Ye Wenjie, the real protagonist, and the outstanding Dashi, the entire structure of the first part would have collapsed.

Therefore, dialects were incorporated into the TV version of “The Three-Body Problem” to make the character of Wang Miao fuller and more flesh-and-blood.

Of course, it is impossible to integrate the Netflix version. The American TV series "The Three-Body Problem" is simply a piece of trash, not even as good as the domestic TV series!
Especially when the so-called "death countdown" appeared in front of Wang Miao, Liu Cixin was deeply shocked from being kept in the dark to being shocked and unbelievable, to despair and fear of death, stopping nanotechnology research, and finally to enlightenment and restarting the project.

Not to mention, the incredible "Three-Body Virtual Game" and the unforgettable phrase "dehydration"!
"This this……"

All of a sudden, I was immersed in the world of "The Three-Body Problem" to the point that I forgot about time and didn't even realize that I had gotten off work.

It was not until Lao Wang from next door patted him on the shoulder that he woke up and his body trembled violently with fear.

"Xiao Liu, let's go eat together. After dinner, we can play cards in my room."

"Oh, good."

"Why do you look like you've lost your soul? Are you sick?"

Lao Wang next door held an aluminum lunch box in one hand and touched his forehead with the other hand, "It's not a fever, Xiao Liu, what's going on?"

Liu Cixin recovered and said that he had just been reading Teacher Fang's new work and was completely fascinated by it.

"Teacher Fang has published a new novel?!"

Lao Wang next door glanced at the Science Fiction World magazine in his hand.

Liu Cixin sighed deeply. He thought that by winning the Galaxy Prize, he would be able to narrow the gap between himself and Teacher Fang. He didn't expect that he was still too young and thought too simply. The two people's attainments in science fiction literature were so far apart that they could hardly compare.

"Is that so..." After Liu Cixin finished reading "Science Fiction World", Mr. Wang next door lent him the magazine.

Liu Cixin smiled and said, "Brother Wang, don't you dislike reading science fiction novels?"

"I don't even bother to read other people's science fiction novels, but Mr. Fang's, oh, and yours, Xiao Liu, are another matter!"

Lao Wang next door added with high emotional intelligence, his eyes full of anticipation, "Teacher Fang's science fiction novels are so good!"
………………

The latest issue of "Science Fiction World" was released three days ago, and soon many parts of the country knew about this new work in dialect.

Science fiction fans were naturally as happy as if it were Chinese New Year, and even enjoyed recommending "The Three-Body Problem" to their relatives and friends.

Even people who were not interested in science fiction literature bought a copy of Science Fiction World magazine because of the reputation of Fangyan, wanting to get a glimpse of The Three-Body Problem, just like Liu Cixin's Niangziguan Power Plant, so everyone scrambled for the magazine that it was out of stock.

After watching it, many people were more curious about the "Red Coast Project" that Ye Wenjie participated in than the "Three-Body System".

Even my younger sister, when she first saw the serialized novel, immediately ran to Shichahai and rushed to find Fangyan to ask him about it in person.

"Brother, does this Red Coast base that explores extraterrestrial civilizations really exist?"

"If I say yes, will you really believe it?"

"I believe it, I believe it. Hehe, I believe whatever you say, brother!"

The younger sister smiled and said, "I remember you once told me about Area 51 in the United States. It's a place dedicated to UFO research and it also hides the bodies of alien creatures. I believe we can't have a similar plan to search for aliens."

Fangyan tried hard to suppress his laughter. The "Red Shore Base" in "The Three-Body Problem", just like the "Special Forces Special Training" in "Operation Sharp Sword", was all made up by himself, the director of the Strategic Research Institute, with exaggeration. Moreover, his fabrication was even more mysterious than that of Liu Cixin, with three parts truth and seven parts falsehood.

The younger sister was very excited, "Brother, am I right?"

"Congratulations, you got the wrong answer." Fang Yan and Gong Xing smiled at each other.

Fang Yan cried out, and the excitement on her face instantly turned into disappointment. She said with a disappointed look in her eyes, "I didn't expect it to be fake..."

"Of course it's fake."

Gong Xing said: "If it is true, then the confidentiality level must be top secret. He wrote it in the book so openly, wouldn't it be a leak?"

Fang Yan felt that what her sister-in-law said made a lot of sense and was speechless for a moment. The next moment, she was lightly tapped on the head.

"Ouch!"

"Don't let your imagination run wild. If you really have the time, help Mr. Ni think about it."

Fang Yan said: "Can you design a software that allows the computer to have the ability to input and output Chinese characters at the same time? It can not only output Chinese characters directly on the computer, but also print out 24-dot characters that are more beautiful than the 64-dot typewriter."

"Brother, you are forcing me. I am just a freshman."

The little sister touched her forehead.

Fangyan smiled and said that in a few years, a man named Shi Yuzhu would develop a word processing software called "M-6401".

Thanks to this, Shi Yuzhu's Giant Group has made the sales of its Chinese cards rank first among similar products in the country.

Just as he was thinking about it, Gong Xing came over with newspapers such as "Literature Newspaper" and "Literary Newspaper", with a look of worry on his face.

It turns out that after reading "The Three-Body Problem", many people in the literary world looked down on it as a type of science fiction literature. At the same time, they inferred from Ye Wenjie's story that "The Three-Body Problem", even if it is not scar literature, is at least reflective literature. After all, Fangyan is one of the initiators of reflective literature.

In today's world where literary trends such as "hallucinatory realism", "root-seeking literature", "modernism" and "avant-garde literature" are prevalent, Fangyan's writing of such a literary work with a sense of scars and reflections, regardless of whether it is science fiction or pure literature, is undoubtedly a step backward in history.

Critics, writers, and literary theorists who had previously lost to dialects in literary discussions have finally gotten a rare opportunity.

Those who were already at a disadvantage in the debate on mainstream films also seized the opportunity and joined in the criticism of "The Three-Body Problem."

After all, what is contained in "The Three-Body Problem" has nothing to do with the "main theme".

"Is it going to be okay?"

Gong Xing frowned.

"It doesn't matter."

Fangyan didn't take it seriously. Instead, he was looking forward to whether the letter to Liu Cixin had arrived.

At the same time, in the office of Niangziguan Power Plant, engineers gathered in twos and threes to discuss "The Three-Body Problem" intensely.

"Do you think the 'Red Coast Base' written by Teacher Fang actually exists?"

"Whether you believe it or not, I don't believe it anyway."

"Don't believe it? You don't know about the mysterious Bureau 749, do you?"

"This this……"

"Xiao Liu, do you think the 'Red Bank Project' really existed or was it fabricated?"

"If it's fake, I hope it's true. If it's true, I hope it can continue and I hope it won't be terminated."

Liu Cixin smiled faintly. In fact, compared to the authenticity of the "Red Coast Base", he cared more about the subsequent plot of "The Three-Body Problem".

Teacher Fang's ability to break down passages is still as perfect as ever, and has reached the pinnacle.

How can it end here?

When I think of the signal Ye Wenjie sent to the Trisolarans, I realize that the fate of the Earth has been pushed into a desperate situation. The gap between the Trisolarans and the Earth's technological level is as huge as Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench. The Trisolaran fleet has set sail, and it seems that humanity has no choice but to perish, with no ability to fight back.

But as a science fiction writer, he is well aware that science fiction novels generally do not give people a suspenseful ending.

So what incredible method will Teacher Fang use to reverse the situation from so serious to desperate and save the earth?
Just as he was thinking hard, he heard the doorman's voice downstairs, calling him to go to the mail room, where there was a letter specially sent to him.

Liu Cixin was full of doubts. He took the letter and took a closer look. It turned out to be a letter addressed to him by name from Science Fiction World Publishing House! (End of this chapter)