The literary era since 1979

As the night lights came on, the hotel's neon lights kept flashing.

Huang Zhan, Jin Yong and Cai Lan arrived at the box 10 minutes in advance and glanced at the time on their watches from time to time.

About 5 minutes later, Fangyan arrived as promised and pushed the door open, "I'm not late, am I?"

"No, no, you came at the right time."

Huang Zhan laughed and was the first to stand up to greet him.

"Yeah, it seems we both had the same idea. We were both afraid of being late before the other, so we both came early."

Jin Yong and Cai Lan looked at each other.

"When I think of the three of you guys' kindness in inviting me here several times, I can't be ungrateful and let you down again and again."

Dialects are full of smiles.

Jin Yong said: "There is no need for me to introduce Huang Lao Xie. This is my old friend Cai Lan, and he is also the host of this trip."

"Nice to meet you."

Fang Yan and Cai Lan shook hands and got to know each other.

"Speaking of which, although this is the first time Fang Sheng and I have met, we still have a history."

Cai Lan said that when he first entered the industry, he went to work for Shaw Brothers Films, where he was mainly responsible for overseas film purchasing, publicity and distribution. Later, he worked his way up to become the general manager of Shaw Brothers Films. However, it happened that Zou Wenhuai and others left Shaw Brothers to start their own companies, so he switched to Golden Harvest.

He is now not only a screenwriter for Golden Harvest, but also the producer of Cheng Long's films such as "Wheels On the Road" and "Armour of the Dragon".

"I see."

Fangyan sat down.

"In the company, I often hear Boss Zou and Boss He praising Fang Sheng. Besides, when I was drinking and eating with Huang Lao Xie and Brother Jin, they always mentioned you. This made me more and more curious about Fang Sheng, especially when Fang Sheng brought back the dying Shaw Brothers with his miraculous healing skills."

Cai Lan cupped his hands and said, "That's why I specifically asked you two old friends to help me introduce some people to Mr. Fang."

"You're welcome. You're really welcome."

Fangyan noticed that the waiter handed over the menu respectfully.

Cai Lan introduced: "The Cantonese cuisine here can be ranked in the top three in Hong Kong, such as the braised sea cucumber in abalone sauce and the blanched geoduck..."

"I heard from Old Huang that Mr. Cai is a famous foodie in Hong Kong. Why don't we let Mr. Cai order the dishes?"

Fangyan gave up the initiative of ordering food.

"I am just a foodie in Hong Kong, but you, Fang Sheng, are a top gourmet in China."

Cai Lan said that he had watched both the documentary "A Bite of China" and the collection of essays, from which he had learned about the profound Chinese food culture and the charm of the other seven major cuisines besides Cantonese cuisine. It was truly an eye-opener that was beyond imagination.

"Mr. Cai is too modest."

Fang Yan said: "In fact, many leaders have approached me to plan the second season of A Bite of China."

Then he pointed at the cold dishes on the glass turntable and said, "In my imagination, there must be Cantonese cuisine, so the shooting range will not only include western Guangxi and eastern Guangdong, but also Hong Kong. I wonder if Mr. Cai is willing to serve as one of the consultants for this issue?"

"It's a dream come true!"

There was a hint of excitement in Cai Lan's tone.

Fangyan smiled. In his previous life, he had watched many travel and food programs hosted by Cai Lan, such as "Cai Lan's Famous Dishes", "Cai Lan's World", "Cai Lan's Taste", etc. In particular, if he hadn't interfered, he should have been the chief consultant for the documentary "A Bite of China".

"Hey, let's order first!"

Huang Zhan said this out of the blue.

Jin Yong smiled and saw Cai Lan start to order food, so he changed the topic to the magazine "Comic World".

Fang Yan said that his publishing company was preparing to enter the comics field and expand its business, so he thought of establishing a comics magazine. "No wonder you wrote a story about Xuan-Yuan Sword yourself."

Jin Yong raised his doubts, "But I still don't understand what you mean by 'fantasy'?"

Fangyan then began to explain in a concise, easy-to-understand manner, and he spoke fluently. He not only talked about "fantasy", but also "low martial arts", "high martial arts", "fantasy", "cultivation" and other types, as well as the similarities and differences with Western fantasy.

"I never thought there would be so many levels above martial arts."

Jin Yong couldn't help but sigh.

"I've also read your "Xuan-Yuan Sword"."

Huang Zhan was quite curious. Since the historical background was the end of the Sui Dynasty, the comics must have involved the social turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the power struggles between the government and the opposition, various grudges, or deeper philosophical thinking and social analysis.

"Old Huang, you are obsessed."

Fangyan waved his hand and said that there are two plot lines in "Xuan-Yuan Sword". One obvious plot is that Tuoba Yu'er, Chen Jingchou and Xue'er sing in the world, wield swords in the rivers and lakes, go through life and death, and save the people. The other hidden plot is that Yuwen Tuo bears the infamy but has a sense of justice and silently struggles to save the people. Generally speaking, the theme of "Xuan-Yuan Sword" is peace, and it is a peace that includes "righteousness for the people."

"Indeed, whether it is martial arts or fantasy, popular works do not necessarily need grand narratives."

Jin Yong nodded.

Fang Yan said: "The most important thing about popular literature is that it can be enjoyed by readers, otherwise everything is in vain."

"That's exactly what it means!"

Jin Yong sighed and said it was a pity that his golden period of creation had passed, otherwise he would really like to try to write a fantasy novel.

"Each generation has its own talented people, each leading the trend for hundreds of years. Now is no longer the time for martial arts to flourish."

There was also a hint of loneliness in Huang Zhan's eyes.

"It is precisely because martial arts are no longer popular that we need to break them down and then rebuild them, and bring forth something new and innovative."

Fang Yan said, "Feng Shui, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, mythology, immortal heroes, ghosts and monsters can all be used as materials for oriental fantasy."

Jin Yong's eyes flickered as he asked what the requirements were for the comments on "Xuan-Yuan Sword".

Fang Yan half-jokingly said, "Haha, of course I only want good reviews, not bad ones."

"It's natural!"

Jin Yong said that he no longer has the energy to write fantasy novels, but he still has the energy to write fantasy book reviews, and he is willing to write more!

"Count me in too!"

Huang Zhan was eager to try, "When do you want it? How about I publish an article in Brother Jin's Ming Pao tomorrow?"

"No rush, we can wait until Xuan-Yuan Sword has been serialized for two or three more issues."

Fangyan raised his hand.

"Since you all are going to make comments, I might as well join in the fun."

Cai Lan ordered the dishes and asked, "I wonder if Mr. Fang is willing to give me this opportunity?"

"Of course, no problem. I've heard that Mr. Cai is also a famous writer in Hong Kong. He seems to be known as a 'talented man' just like Old Huang and the others."

Fang Yan glanced at the three people in front of him.

"Don't say that. Compared to you, we old guys are already old-timers. How can we be called talented people?"

Huang Zhan blurted out that after all, when it comes to music creation, Fangyan is as good as himself.

In terms of food appreciation, Cai Lan said he was "not as good as" and in the field of literature, let alone, "Ghost Blows Out the Light" alone defeated "Wei Sili" and made Ni Zhuo look ugly and a laughing stock. The so-called Four Talents of Hong Kong are simply not comparable to Fang Yan, a literary giant from the mainland! (End of this chapter)