The literary era since 1979

Capital International Airport.

A gust of wind blew, and the banners fluttered. People from various departments such as culture, film, and publicity stood on the tarmac, looking forward to it.

As the plane carrying Fangyan slowly descended, fire trucks on both sides sprayed water mist on both sides of the plane, forming a "water gate".

The "Watergate" ceremony symbolizes the tradition of glory and victory.

"Farewell My Concubine" won the Oscar for Best Picture, and it certainly deserves this honor!

Seeing Fang Yan, Jiang Wen, Zhang Yimou and others coming down the boarding stairs, the reporters who had been waiting for a long time picked up their cameras and started taking pictures.

Everyone was very well-behaved. They did not rush forward and steal the show, but instead gave the leading role to the department leaders.

As the highest-ranking leader present, Wang Meng was the first to hand the flowers in his hand to Fang Yan, patting him on the shoulder and saying:

"This time you have brought glory to the motherland and the Chinese literary and artistic community. On behalf of the cultural department, I would like to warmly welcome you back home!"

"Clap clap clap."

As soon as these words were spoken, applause broke out.

The next speaker was Teng Jinxian, who represented the Film Bureau. He said something similar to Wang Meng, but changed it to "bringing glory to China's film industry."

Although Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Gong Li and others were exhausted from the long journey, they were extremely excited inside. Even Jiang Wen, who slept with an eye mask on the plane, was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night when he thought about the scene of returning home with honor.

Surrounded by the crowd, Fangyan, who was regarded as a successful minister, and his entourage quickly left the airport and headed straight for the Great Hall of the People.

In the magnificent banquet hall, eye-catching banners were hung:
"Congratulations to Farewell My Concubine for winning the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar!"

“Congratulations to Farewell My Concubine for winning the Best Picture Oscar!”

"..."

A figure passed under the banner, and Teng Jinxian said with a smile on his face:
"Yanzi, you guys really worked hard this time."

"No matter how hard it is, it's worth it."

Dialects are in stride.

"That's true. Others can't even hope to endure such hardship."

Teng Jinxian looked around but didn't see Gong Xing and Zhang Guorong, so he couldn't help feeling confused.

Fang Yan said that as soon as the Oscars ceremony ended, Gong Xing and Zhang Guorong boarded a flight to Thailand.

"Thailand?!"

Teng Jinxian, Wang Meng and others were very surprised.

Fang Yan explained, “A play started at the beginning of the year, and now the crew is in Cayman, waiting for the director and the leading actor to arrive for filming.”

Teng Jinxian immediately smelled the scent of political achievement, and his eyes lit up:

"I see. I wonder if this movie will be presented at the Cannes Film Festival or at the Oscars next?"

"The original plan was to wrap up filming around April and submit it to the Cannes Film Festival in May, but it seems that plans can't keep up with changes, so the construction period will be postponed."

Fangyan couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

"This this……"

Teng Jinxian's heart skipped a beat.

"But fortunately, we have made preparations in advance. If we can't get into the Cannes Film Festival, we will apply for the Venice Film Festival."

Fangyan saw through his thoughts at a glance.

"That's great. I wish you the same success as Farewell My Concubine."

Teng Jinxian breathed a sigh of relief, as the Venice Film Festival is also a European film festival on par with Cannes and Berlin.

Fang Yan said: "Success like Farewell My Concubine is not easy to come by. It requires the right time, place and people."

"So later at the celebration party, Yanzi, you guys must speak out and share your experience and feelings about the Oscars, so that other film studios can learn from you." Teng Jinxian said enthusiastically, "Don't be shy, speak freely, and say whatever you want to say."

Fangyan readily agreed, but when the celebration banquet officially began, he still tried his best to give the opportunity to Zhang Yimou, Chen Kai and others.

In fact, after all, it's still the same old talk, it's just that the words of the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globe Awards are replaced by the Oscars.

However, it is quite different for Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, especially Zhang Yimou. The Oscar for Best Director completely reversed the negative reputation he had previously received due to his divorce. After all, personal morality is personal morality, and glory can always cover up some minor flaws that are not worth mentioning.

Their careers in the mainland are back on track now, and they no longer have to hide in Hong Kong like ostriches to avoid the limelight.

Fang Yan could feel the grateful eyes of Gong Li and Zhang Yimou, but his attention was not there at the moment.

Wang Meng asked abruptly, "What are your plans next?"

Fang Yan said that he planned to stay in Yenching for a while to discuss the adaptation of "Yenching People in New York" with Wang Shuo, Yu Hua, Zheng Xiaolong and others.

"I've read your novel recently. Regardless of whether it's well-written or not, the subject matter alone is very realistic."

Wang Meng's tone was quite appreciative. "Nowadays, there is a trend of going abroad. Many people want to go abroad without knowing the actual situation in the United States. 'Yenching People in New York' points out this point very well, and also reveals the problem of Chinese people's cultural identity in the United States."

"It must be a coincidence."

Fangyan briefly explained the original intention of the creation. Many people are busy all year round to go abroad. In many families, parents and children are separated from each other, and couples are separated by oceans. He hopes that in the overseas trend like "Da Shua Ba", he can capture the emotions of the Chinese people who "can't let go".

"It's a good idea."

Wang Meng smiled and said, "Thanks to you, this issue of People's Literature has stopped its decline."

Fangyan was very surprised. After asking, he found out that after he left, "People's Literature" had become somewhat weak and its sales began to decline.

“In fact, it’s not just People’s Literature that’s facing this dilemma. Many literary magazines are facing this dilemma.”

Wang Meng said, "Of course, popular magazines like Science Fiction World, Mystery World, Ancient and Modern Heroes, and Story Club don't have such problems." His expression suddenly became serious, and he said, "To be precise, serious literature and pure literature are on the decline."

"This is also an inevitable phenomenon in the market-oriented transformation."

Fang Yan said that since enterprises and institutions have been managing themselves, literary journals and publishing houses have begun to change from "pure production type" to "production and operation type". Except for a few literary journals that must be subsidized, all "independent accounting and self-financing and loss-making" means that literary works are no longer judged by writers and publishers, but must withstand the test of readers and the choice of the market.

"What you said makes sense, but the more so, the more we cannot just sit back and do nothing."

Wang Meng's eyes were determined.

"Then according to your opinion..."

Fangyan cast a curious look.

Wang Meng asked, "During these years in Hong Kong, you have made Sanlian Bookstore flourish, so I have discussed with your senior brother, Ba Gong and others and plan to transfer you back to Yenching to serve as the deputy editor-in-chief of Renwen Press and the editor-in-chief of People's Literature. What do you think?"

Although they discussed it, Fangyan knew that Wang Meng would never ask for it unless it was absolutely necessary. His heart sank, seeing that People's Literature was not going smoothly in the process of marketization transformation...

Whether it was because People's Literature was founded by his mentor Shen Yanbing, or because he had led People's Literature to its peak, Fang Yan could not bear to see People's Literature, the leading Chinese literary magazine, fall from grace and decline, so he resolutely agreed:
"It is my duty, Mr. Wang!"

“I hope you can bring your knowledge and experience from your time at Joint Publishing Company to People’s Literature and Renwen Press.”

Wang Meng smiled with satisfaction, "We can reverse the decline of People's Literature and set an example for other literary magazines."

Fangyan nodded solemnly, feeling a sudden weight on his shoulders.

"Your appointment is still under discussion, but don't worry, it will be done before I leave office."

Wang Meng made a solemn promise.

Fangyan was shocked. He knew that Wang Meng wanted to resign and retire, but he didn't expect it to come so soon!
"I have always been obsessed with power. I have been in this position of minister for long enough. It is time to step down and let someone more capable take over."

Wang Meng said: "If I don't move around, my thinking will become rigid and my brain will become dull. How much energy and ability will I have left for writing?"

Then he said earnestly: "I still hope to write a few more novels in my lifetime."

Fang Yan expressed his understanding and suggested that after he stepped down, he, like Shen Shuang, serve as an advisor and director of the foundation that sponsors the Mao Dun Literature Prize.

Wang Meng smiled knowingly and then sighed.

"It's a pity that you are too old and lack the qualifications now, otherwise I could recommend you to the organization and let you take over."

"You're joking."

Fangyan smiled awkwardly. A ministerial official in his 30s? Even Qi Tongwei couldn't kneel down and cry at his wife's grave!

"Ha ha!"

Wang Meng smiled bitterly, "Given your temper, you will probably be like me and refuse to do anything even if I ask you to do it. Moreover, literature is going downhill now. It is not easy to stop the decline. It is even more difficult to revive literature and even let Chinese literature go abroad."

Fang Yan smacked his lips and said, "I was thinking there might be a way I could try?"

"you say!"

Wang Meng's eyes flickered.

"That is to take advantage of the momentum of TV dramas and movies and vigorously promote literary works that can be adapted into films and TV series."

Fang Yan said that serious literature has always been a rich mine for film and television adaptations. Contemporary literature such as "The Record of Director Qiao's Taking Office", "Farewell My Concubine" and "Rising Star", modern literature such as "Four Generations Under One Roof" and "Fortress Besieged", as well as TV series adapted from the four great classics, are all classics of their generation.

This does not include the upcoming works "To Live", "Raise the Red Lantern", and "White Deer Plain"...

One of the key reasons why Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and other fifth-generation film directors have won numerous awards at European and American film festivals and attracted the world's attention to Chinese films is that it was Chinese literature, especially serious literature, that carried films to the world in those years.

"Like Farewell My Concubine, right?"

Wang Meng said some encouraging words, "Just do it if you have an idea. Ba Lao and I will fully support you!"

…………

The celebration banquet lasted until the night, and the news about the "Farewell My Concubine" crew's triumphant return to Beijing was also published in the "Yanjing Evening News".

After learning that Fang Yan had returned to Yanjing, Zheng Xiaolong called and made an appointment with the editorial department of "Mystery World" the next day. Then he brought Su Ya, Feng Xiaogang and others to the courtyard on Lama Temple Street fifteen minutes earlier than the appointment time.

Then I heard bursts of hearty laughter coming from the office and echoing in the sunny courtyard.

Yu Hua was very excited, "Teacher Fang, does this mean that Tiesheng is already well?"

Fang Yan said: "At least it's much better than before the operation. Of course, we still have to pay attention to maintenance."

Yu Hua asked: "When will they come back?"

"According to the hospital, you can be discharged and return home after recuperating for a period of time." Fang Yan said bluntly.

"Should we prepare some surprises?" Wang Shuo suggested, "Should we organize a grand wedding for them?"

Yu Hua waved his hand, "This is too much of a surprise."

Fang Yan said, "It's better for Tie Sheng and Xi Mi to discuss a date. It won't be too late for us to help."

Just as everyone was talking, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted them.

Fang Yan looked up and saw Zheng Xiaolong, Su Ya, Feng Xiaogang and others walking in with smiles on their faces and full of enthusiasm.

"Teacher Fang, congratulations!"

"You guys are here so early."

Wang Shuo glanced at the clock on the wall and couldn't help being surprised.

"As soon as they heard that Teacher Fang was coming back, Director Zheng and Section Chief Su wanted to come that very day."

Feng Xiaogang grinned, looking fawning.

Su Ya's tone was full of anticipation. "Speaking of Yanzi, Farewell My Concubine has won the Cannes Palme d'Or, the Golden Globe Award and the Oscar for Best Picture abroad, and the Mao Dun Literature Award, the Golden Rooster Award and the Hundred Flowers Award in China. Is there a chance for it to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?"

Hearing this, everyone was startled and all eyes were focused on Fang Yan.

"Well, that depends on the announcement of the Nobel Prize list in October."

Fangyan shrugged.

"Ugh."

Su Ya sighed. It was a pity that Shen Congwen passed away last year. At that time, he had been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature for two consecutive years and had been included in the final candidate list. He was also said to have won the support of most members of the Swedish Academy.

If he could live until October of that year, the award would definitely be his!
Everyone present, including Fangyan, agreed that Shen Congwen, a master of his generation, was absolutely qualified to receive the award.

Seeing that the atmosphere was somewhat depressing and dull, Zheng Xiaolong quickly changed the topic to the fundraising for the cost of "Yenching People in New York".

Su Ya said that these days, everyone in the TV Drama Art Center has been out looking for sponsorship, but no company is willing to sponsor.

"We are planning to expand the scope to eastern Guangdong and Shanghai. Perhaps there will be wealthy companies willing to sponsor us."

Zheng Xiaolong sighed.

Fang Yan touched his chin and said, "How about this, I'll try to help you raise some funds?"

Zheng Xiaolong, Su Ya, Feng Xiaogang and the others' eyes widened and gleamed with light.

"After all, the TV series is adapted from my novel, so I have to contribute at least a little bit."

Fangyan held up five fingers and said, "How about this, 5 US dollars, and you guys have to figure out the rest on your own..." (End of this chapter)