The literary era since 1979

Although the World Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu has come to an end, its influence has only begun to emerge in China.

Mainstream newspapers and periodicals such as the Literary Gazette, Literature Newspaper, Guangming Daily, and China Youth Daily vied with each other to report on the event, promoting and commenting on it from multiple angles, including the "World Science Fiction Convention", the "Hugo Awards Ceremony", and "The Three-Body Problem Winning the Hugo Award".

Even the "News Broadcast" made the "World Science Fiction Convention" a special feature, which was extremely rare, and reported for a full 10 minutes.

It was highlighted that Fang Yan's "The Three-Body Problem" series won the Hugo Award, which affirmed and praised his contribution to the cause of Chinese science fiction literature.

The "Nobel Prize in Science Fiction Literature" instantly ignited the enthusiasm and attention of the whole country for Chinese science fiction novels.

It is no surprise that a novel like "The Three-Body Problem", which has won the Nebula Award, the Hugo Award, and the Galaxy Award, has been snapped up and sought after.

In such a popular situation, more and more media that failed to interview Fangyan, under the orders of their leaders, rushed to Sichuan in large numbers. However, they did not expect that Fangyan had disappeared without a trace in Chengdu. No matter how hard they looked, they could not find him, as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth.

It was not until I watched the news broadcast on Yanjing TV tonight that I realized Fang Yan was in Yanjing at the moment, attending a meeting.

Although the meeting was short, it was of vital importance to the entire Yenching literary world, and even the entire Chinese literary world.

First of all, the meeting clearly stated that the "Hua Xia Writers Association Yenching Branch" would be officially renamed the "Yenching Writers Association"!
In addition, the conference elected a total of 39 members of the board of directors, as well as the chairman and vice-chairman for the newly renamed Yenching Writers Association.

Fangyan, who has been the subject of exposure and discussion during this period, has unsurprisingly become the person in charge of the Yanjing Writers Association!

When Fangyan received the appointment notice, he was completely confused.

I just came to a meeting to join in the fun, how did I end up becoming the leader of the Yenching literary world?

So, as soon as the meeting ended, he immediately found Zhang Guangnian who had "persuaded" him to come to Yanjing.

"Brother, isn't this too sudden?"

"This is not sudden at all. Your taking this position is the result of careful consideration and voting by everyone!"

Zhang Guangnian said solemnly.

"Can……"

Fangyan opened his mouth, wanting to refuse.

However, before his fellow apprentice could speak, Zhang Guangnian interrupted him immediately.

"Given your current literary achievements and international reputation, no one is more suitable than you to take on this important task. Don't refuse."

"But you know me."

Fang Yan said that he was not being modest, but he was currently the editor-in-chief of the Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong. If he were to take on the role of the leader of the Yenching Writers Association, he would have to run back and forth between the north and the south for this job, so he should find someone else to take on the position of leader.

Hearing that he was willing to step down and take the initiative to become a deputy, Zhang Guangnian smiled:

"You don't have to worry about this."

"what?"

After asking, Fangyan found out that the Yanjing Writers Association implemented a system of resident vice chairman responsibility, who was responsible for arranging and organizing all the daily work of the association. As for his identity as the decision-maker of the Writers Association, it was actually more like a second-route marshal or an incense master, and was an honorary position.

"In other words, the resident vice chairman is the inside, and you are the 'face', 'signboard' and 'glory' of the Yenching Writers Association."

Zhang Guangnian explained.

"I can rest assured that."

Fangyan felt relieved.

"Just do your job conscientiously!"

Zhang Guangnian said in a serious tone: "The waves behind push the waves ahead. Now the literary world of Yanjing has been dominated by you young people. It is time for you to step up to the forefront, take over our burden, and shoulder the responsibility of leading Yanjing literature and promoting its prosperity..."

Fangyan said nothing, just listened quietly, and suddenly felt heavy in his heart, as if a heavy burden was pressing on him.

"This World Science Fiction Convention was well organized. It brought more attention to Chinese popular literature and gave it a chance to go international."

Zhang Guangnian sighed, “The only drawback is that it is still very difficult for pure literature and serious literature to be exported overseas. Apart from the works of our older generation, the most popular works overseas today are probably your Farewell My Concubine and The Hunt…”

"After all, literature is art created with written language."

Fangyan said a few words of comfort.

"Yes!"

Zhang Guangnian said worriedly: "Language and writing are the basic tools for cross-cultural communication, but they are also important obstacles that restrict cultural exchanges. Especially for a language as broad and profound as Chinese, it is inevitable that it will affect learning and communication in depth and breadth during cultural exchanges. It is like a reef lurking in the channel of daily conversations, which can cause collisions, misunderstandings and conflicts if not handled with care."

"So I think if we want to promote our literary works abroad, we can't just rely on literature itself."

Fangyan picked up the teapot and refilled both cups with tea.

"You might as well put it more clearly."

Zhang Guangnian's eyes sparkled.

"Take Farewell My Concubine for example. Although the novel was a bestseller in many European and American countries before the movie was released, that was all thanks to Random House's global marketing and distribution network, as well as my own fame."

Fang Yan said that after "Farewell My Concubine" was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Palme d'Or, the novel became a global hit.

"You mean, to promote Chinese literary works, we need to make good use of movies as a medium, right?"

Zhang Guangnian narrowed his eyes into slits.

"Compared to literature, movies are more likely to break down national and language barriers and are more conducive to cultural exchange and dissemination."

Fangyan nodded.

"That's indeed a good idea."

Zhang Guangnian frowned, "But I heard from Wang Meng that the Chinese film industry is in a mess from top to bottom."

"This is the inevitable pain period of transitioning to commercial, market-oriented, and entertainment films."

Fang Yan said: "This is only a temporary problem. The real big problem is how Chinese writers can tell Chinese stories well."

Zhang Guangnian readily agreed, "The Chinese story still needs to be told by us Chinese people ourselves. For example, although The Last Emperor tells a Chinese story and is beautifully filmed, it is ultimately from a Western perspective. In my opinion, it is not as good as The Burning of the Old Summer Palace and The Empress Dowager Cixi."

“This is the clash and divergence of Eastern and Western cultures and perspectives.”

Fang Yan said: "So I think that Chinese writers can tell other stories besides telling Chinese stories well."

When Zhang Guangnian heard him say "To tell the Chinese story well, you don't have to tell the Chinese story", he was stunned.

How can we tell the Chinese story well if we don’t tell the Chinese story?

But as he listened to the endless explanation in dialect, his frown soon relaxed and he felt enlightened.

"European and American movies often film other countries' history from a Western perspective. In fact, we can also make works about other countries' themes from our own perspective. I think the Chinese people's interpretation of other themes is itself a part of Chinese thought and culture..."

"Just like the 'Rise of the Great Powers' you published in the French newspapers, right?"

"That's right, brother!"

Fangyan brought up the example of Shi Tiesheng's "The Intouchables", which was originally a story about Shi Tiesheng and his friends, but has been adapted into a heartwarming movie about the pure friendship between American Negroes and white people. In fact, what he wanted to talk about was the fun game "Showa American Story".

"It really was the right decision to let you take this position in the Yanjing Writers Association!"

The gloom on Zhang Guangnian's face disappeared, revealing a long-lost bright smile.

………………

When they left the building, the sun was setting and the afterglow fell on Fang Yan and Zhang Guangnian's faces.

Before leaving, Zhang Guangnian specifically asked about The Rise of Great Powers: "How many articles do you have on hand now?"

"There are only four articles at the moment: Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK."

Fangyan told the truth, and together with the American chapter, these five chapters actually cover the history of the succession of global maritime hegemony after the Age of Exploration. "Leave these four chapters to me first."

Zhang Guangnian gave a meaningful smile.

"what?"

Fangyan blinked.

"What? Do you know how many people have been thinking about the rest of your 'France Chapter' after reading it?"

Zhang Guangnian deliberately kept a stern face.

"Uh……"

When Fangyan thought about the countless big guys waiting eagerly for him, he couldn't help but shiver, fearing that he would be locked up in a small dark room one day.

"After I review and revise these four articles for you, let People's Literature publish them serially."

Zhang Guangnian said, "As for the photocopied manuscript, I will pass it on to those old comrades on your behalf."

"Thank you, senior brother."

If Fang Yan hadn't noticed the intriguing smile on the corner of his mouth, he would have almost believed it.

Oh my god, my senior brother’s abacus beads are about to hit me in the face!

What do you mean by "help me revise"? What do you mean by "forward for me"? I guess you can't wait and want to see it first!

…………

After the two parted, Fang Yan did not go home directly, but went to Yuebin Restaurant and packed some delicious home-cooked meals.

When I returned to Shichahai, the lights in the study were as bright as day.

Gong Xing was sitting at the table, rubbing his pen under his round chin, his brows furrowed, worrying about the script of "Ghost".

"Dong dong dong."

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the window glass in front of me.

Gong Xing looked up and saw Fang Yan holding large and small foam fast food boxes with the corners of his mouth curled up.

"time to eat!"

"Coming!"

"It's a nice autumn night tonight. How about we eat in the yard instead of going back to the house?"

"Okay, I'll go get the pressure cooker and the dishes."

Gong Xing glanced at the foam fast food boxes and asked, "Why did you buy so many? Did you encounter any good luck again?"

"You understand me. But it's not just for celebration. I thought Zhu Lin would be here too. I'm afraid there won't be enough food."

Fangyan looked around and when he returned to Beijing, Zhu Lin stayed with him for one night at their invitation.

However, at this moment, the room she once stayed in was silent, even dark, and she couldn't help but let out a sigh:
"Why is she gone?"

"Of course Zhu Lin is going home to visit his relatives."

As Gong Xing arranged the dishes and chopsticks, he said, "She will be going to Hong Kong with us in a while, so let's take this opportunity to say goodbye to my aunt and the others."

Fang Yan opened the pressure cooker, put some rice into the bowl and said, "It's strange, but Emei Film Studio is so willing to let its leading actress go to Hong Kong so easily?"

"That's a long story."

Gong Wei sighed quietly and said that Zhu Lin was temporarily "hidden" by Emei Film Studio and had not filmed a movie for more than half a year.

"The leading actress is being left sitting on the bench. Did something happen?"

Fangyan raised his eyebrows.

"It's all because of rumors!"

Gong Xing said in a rather dissatisfied tone: "I don't know which gossiper in the crew of Journey to the West spread rumors that when Zhu Lin played the role of the Queen of the Kingdom of Women, he fell in love with the actor who played the role of Monk Tang. I didn't expect that the rumor would spread with details and even made it to the newspaper."

Fangyan understood all at once that the scandal between the Queen of the Kingdom of Women and the royal younger brother in the previous life was indeed widely spread and known to everyone.

"As a result, the matter became more and more serious, not only destroying her reputation and acting career, but also ruining her marriage."

There was a flash of anger in Gong Xing's eyes.

"Zhu Lin is divorced?"

The dialect was a big surprise.

"Yes, it's a big deal. No, it's a nationwide uproar. How can they continue to live apart from each other?"

Gong Xing shook his head and said that Zhu Lin's divorce seemed to have confirmed the rumors. Coupled with the media's deliberate fanning of the flames, the Emei Film Studio had to consider the social impact and had to let Zhu Lin temporarily "retire from the screen" until the limelight and public opinion had passed.

"No wonder Emei Film Studio is willing to let Zhu Lin go to Hong Kong."

Fangyan suddenly understood.

"Changing the environment and relaxing can not only avoid rumors, but also help you adjust your mindset."

Gong Xing said: "The most important thing is to restart my acting career."

"I see."

Fangyan picked up a piece of braised pork.

"It's good for you to know these, but don't tell anyone else."

Gong Xing warned sternly, "Especially be more careful in front of Zhu Lin."

"yes, madam!"

Dialect is spoken in a joking tone.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t figured out how to help Zhu Lin.” Gong Wei said in embarrassment: “The only drama I have on hand right now is Ghost. When I was writing the script just now, I occasionally thought of letting Zhu Lin replace Xiao Xian as the heroine.”

"Forget it. Zhu Lin's image doesn't quite fit the heroine of Ghost."

Fangyan shook his head.

"Ugh!"

Gong Xing pursed his lips, and fell into confusion and distress.

"The bigger problem is her current level of Cantonese. Even if she does dubbing, it will be difficult for her to shoulder the responsibility of playing the heroine for a while."

Fang Yan said with a serious face.

"So what do you think we should do?"

Gong Xing looked sad and had no appetite.

"Let's take a step and see."

Fang Yan comforted her, "When we get to Hong Kong, we'll see if we can find a suitable role for her."

Then he put a piece of pork ribs into her bowl and said, "If there is really nothing left, we can get some later!"

Gong Xing heaved a sigh of relief. With Fangyan's help, there was no need to worry about Zhu Lin not being able to make a comeback! (End of this chapter)