The literary era since 1979

When Liu Cixin received the letter from the editorial department of Science Fiction World, he immediately called Yang Xiao and got straight to the point.

"Editor Yang, is what's written in this letter really true?"

"Of course it's true. Why, do you suspect it's false?"

Yang Xiao said half-jokingly.

"It was so sudden that I couldn't believe it."

Liu Cixin would never have dreamed that he, a small engineer at the Niangziguan Power Plant, would have the honor to go to the annual meeting of the World Science Fiction Association held in Paris, France with Yang Xiao, Fang Yan, Yao Haijun and others. He did not feel relieved until he got a definite answer from Yang Xiao.

"We have to thank Mr. Fang for all this. If it weren't for him, we definitely wouldn't have this opportunity."

Yang Xiao sighed.

Liu Cixin was quite surprised, and what was even more surprising was that he was the one who got the spot because Teacher Fang nominated him.

"Teacher Fang said that this time we are attending the World Science Fiction Association Annual Conference, in addition to applying to host the World Science Fiction Conference, we are also trying to restore the reputation of Chinese science fiction, so it would be best to bring a few young writers who are already famous in science fiction literature or have potential, and you are the latter."

Yang Xiao simply explained, "How about it, would you like to go to Paris with us?"

Liu Cixin thought about it again and again, "Editor-in-Chief Yang, is this at my own expense, or..."

"You don't have to worry about the cost."

Yang Xiao smiled. The basic expenses of this trip to Paris were all paid for by Teacher Fang.

"Really? Thank you so much, Teacher Fang!"

Liu Cixin no longer had any concerns and agreed without hesitation.

After all, no science fiction writer would refuse the annual meeting of the World Science Fiction Association, a top international science fiction literary event.

So, I excitedly took the letter, asked for the first long vacation since I joined the factory, and bought a train ticket to Yanjing.

Two days later in the afternoon, I arrived in Yanjing. Following the route instructions provided in the letter, I settled my luggage at the designated guesthouse. Then I took the bus without stopping and came to the editorial office of "Mystery World" on Lama Temple Street, which secretly belonged to Fangyan personally.

But on the surface, it is affiliated with the Science Fiction World Publishing House, and has always claimed to be the Beijing branch of the publishing house.

In the yard, Shi Lan, who was hired as a logistics staff, was sweeping the dead yellow leaves with a broom.

Liu Cixin stood at the gate, knocked gently a few times with his hand, and then politely introduced himself.

"You are the 'Liu Cixin' that Brother Fang mentioned?"

Shi Lan stretched out her hand and pointed to the reception room, saying that Fang Yan, Yang Xiao, Yao Haijun and others were already inside.

Liu Cixin's heart was pounding and he quickened his pace towards the reception room with the door open. Before anyone entered or left, he could hear the sounds of conversation.

"This trip abroad is not only to showcase Chinese science fiction to the world, but also to take this opportunity to introduce excellent foreign science fiction works to China. The creation of science fiction literature must not be done behind closed doors, so the editorial department must organize a group of translators."

Fang Yan said: "When the time comes, we can translate the science fiction novels and comics we brought back."

Yang Xiao hesitated and said, "Teacher Fang, let's not talk about the cost for now, just the copyright issue..."

"You don't have to worry about that." Fangyan said nonchalantly. At present, China has not yet joined the World Copyright Convention.

Therefore, publishing houses can organize the translation of large numbers of foreign literary works without obtaining authorization, which has caused certain copyright confusion while popularizing literature, such as "One Hundred Years of Solitude" and "The Catcher in the Rye".

For any foreign literature that is popular in China, there are countless versions on the market, and the quality of the production varies.

"If there are no copyright issues, then it is worth a try."

Yao Haijun said: "There is no limit to the imagination of science fiction. Our Chinese science fiction literature must keep up with the world."

Just as everyone was talking, Liu Cixin's knock on the door brought the discussion to an abrupt end, and a series of scrutinizing glances were cast over.

"Xiao Liu is here, come in quickly!"

Yang Xiao waved his hand and introduced him to Fang Yan.

The two shook hands and exchanged a few words, and Fangyan showed a playful smile:
"I've read your books "Universe Collapse" and "Huaxia 2185", and I've also heard Editor-in-Chief Yang and others mention you. You are indeed a rare talent in science fiction literature. I wanted to meet you at this year's Galaxy Awards ceremony, but I was too busy to make time."

"Teacher Fang had already agreed to be the guest presenter for this year's Galaxy Awards, but I didn't expect to encounter the exchange program with Japan in China."

Yang Xiao added that during Fangyan's trip to Japan, he also brought back a Japanese Nebula Award for the Best Overseas Novel for Chinese science fiction literature.

"It's just a Nebula Award."

Fangyan waved his hand and looked Liu Cixin up and down, "It's really not a coincidence, otherwise we wouldn't have met for the first time today."

"What are you talking about? It's my honor to meet Teacher Fang."

Liu Cixin was flattered and said that he was a loyal fan of Fangyan's books. He was greatly inspired by the science fiction designs such as "spiritual realm" and "micro world" mentioned in "Artificial Intelligence" and "The Ring", and thus he wrote "China 2185" and "The End of the Microcosm".

"Really!"

The dialect is unexpected, but also quite satisfying.

"Teacher Fang, I have been reading your serialized version of The Three-Body Problem recently. It is so well written, but the only flaw is that it is too short. It is not worth reading at all." Liu Cixin couldn't wait to know how Fang Yan could resolve the issue of the Sophon blockade of the Earth and the upcoming Three-Body invasion of the Earth.

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry yet."

Fangyan said: "We can talk about this slowly on the flight when we go to France."

Liu Cixin nodded, and then listened to Yang Xiao telling him to join the newly established Science Fiction Literature Committee.

Yao Haijun said: "Everyone who attends this conference must be a member of the Science Fiction Literature Committee."

Liu Cixin agreed without thinking, but he was curious if there were only four of them on this trip to France?
"No, there is also Teacher Ye Yonglie."

Yang Xiao's eyes were burning. Compared with other types of Chinese literature, even though the monthly subscription volume of Science Fiction World had reached 65 copies, and more and more science fiction magazines were appearing, science fiction literature was still relatively niche and could not attract widespread attention from national media and readers.

Therefore, we must win the right to host this World Science Fiction Conference so that more people can learn about science fiction literature at home and abroad.

We can also use this to build Chengdu into China's capital of science fiction literature, and make Science Fiction World the best science fiction magazine in China and even in the world! (End of this chapter)