Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 120 Can’t I cure you?

With New Year’s Day just two days away, the Yanda campus is filled with an intense learning atmosphere, and the final exams are just a few days away.

Even at Yanda University, which is full of top students, you still have to review.

In the past half month, Tao Yushu and her colleagues have followed the crew to visit nearly half of the universities in Yanjing.

"The Best Restaurant in the World" has also been enthusiastically sought after by countless students. Watching this drama has become the most fashionable pursuit for students of Yenching University this winter.

However, as the end of the semester was approaching, Tao Yushu and his group had to stop their tour.

Although the suspension of performances caused dissatisfaction among some students in colleges and universities that had not yet been on tour, "The World's Number One Restaurant" had been performed for more than half a month after all, and it should be said that it still met the viewing needs of the majority of students to a certain extent.

After all, the members of this play are all students and cannot spend all their time on touring.

Without the pressure of touring, Tao Yushu has been coming home earlier recently and has been absorbed in studying all day long, while Lin Chaoyang slacks off at work every day, occasionally playing chess with Lao Zhu and going upstairs to chat with Lao Wu.

That evening, when Wu Zuxiang was chatting with Lin Chaoyang, he took the initiative to talk about "The World's Number One Restaurant". When this drama was performed at Yan University some time ago, the old man went to watch it specially.

"Everyone says your script has some flavor of Tea House, but I think it still needs a lot of work."

"It's others who said it, I didn't say it." Lin Chaoyang didn't have any unconvinced thoughts, but still wanted to hear the specific difference, "Where do you think the difference is?"

"When Lao She wrote Teahouse, he had political motives, but you didn't. That's the difference."

Lin Chaoyang liked to listen to the old man's "storytelling" and immediately asked: "What is Lao She's political motive?"

Wu Zuxiang glanced at his gossipy expression and said disdainfully, "Why are you acting like a gossiper?"

"What do you mean by nosy? I paid for it."

Lin Chaoyang's words scared the old man so much that he almost covered his mouth. He glanced towards the next room with a panicked look.

It vividly illustrates what it means to be soft-hearted when receiving favors from others and to be grateful when receiving favors from others.

"Lao She wrote a lot of plays in the 40s, but his main achievement was in novels. He returned to Yenching in 49, and at that time he was very enthusiastic about the new China.

The main reason why he devoted himself to drama creation at that time was that he believed that "given the current cultural level of some working people, reading novels may be somewhat difficult, but watching a play is not so troublesome."

So from 50 to 65, he wrote 23 plays. The quality of his plays during this period varied, but Teahouse was undoubtedly the peak.

Your "The World's Number One Restaurant" clearly borrows from "Tea House" in terms of structure and narrative tone, but it is neat but lacks details.

Contemporary writers are generally keen on grand narratives and historical generalizations, but this narrative style is often inseparable from political expression.

The brilliance of "Teahouse" lies in the fact that it magnifies the turmoil and changes in the society at that time in subtle ways, and indirectly shows the "big society" within the "small society".

As for "The World's Number One Restaurant", there are quite a few scenes involving Director Ha, the police, the guards, and the detective team, but the portrayal is still superficial. Lu Mengshi's final outcome also comes down to personal emotions, so the momentum is naturally weaker.

Tsk tsk, what a waste of this name! "

Wu Zuxiang praised "Teahouse" and belittled "The World's No. 1 Restaurant". Everything he said made sense, and Lin Chaoyang couldn't find any fault with it even if he wanted to refute it.

It's so frustrating to be the party A!
"Is there no merit?"

"It has advantages, didn't I tell you? It's neat.

The characterization is full, the arrangement is ingenious, the historical insight is clear, the cultural characteristics are rich, and the theme is prominent. "

After Wu Zuxiang finished speaking, he looked at Lin Chaoyang and said, "What? Do you want to surpass Lao She with just one script?"

Lin Chaoyang waved his hands repeatedly, looking guilty, "I didn't say that, don't talk nonsense."

"Ambition! Is it shameful to want to surpass Lao She?"

The old man looked down on Lin Chaoyang, but Lin Chaoyang said stubbornly, "I'm just being modest."

"I'll be weak when there are many people around, but what are you afraid of when there are only two of us?"

Lin Chaoyang thought so too, and said openly: "Lao She's scripts are indeed good, but I think he writes novels even better. It's a pity that he didn't write novels. Among the writers in the past, not many could write novels."

Wu Zuxiang chuckled, "I've always thought you were timid and cowardly, why are you so arrogant today?"

"We can just chat, there's no one else here." Lin Chaoyang was in high spirits and planned to let himself go today.

"Since the May Fourth Movement, among the writers who can write novels, I think Lao She is one, Lu Xun is one, Shen Congwen is one, and Zhao Shuli... maybe half of them!"

Wu Zuxiang had known Lin Chaoyang for more than a year, and finally noticed some of the unrestrained nature of a scholar in him. He smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

But just as he was halfway through laughing, he saw Lin Chaoyang glance at him sideways, "As for your novel... it's not worth mentioning."

"Asshole!" The old man slammed the table, "I'm not even half, but I'm at least a quarter!"

"One quarter? You really are good at flattering yourself." Lin Chaoyang got carried away and shook his head as he commented on the old man's novel, which made him taste the taste of his previous outrageous remarks.

"Let's go!"

After debating with Wu Zuxiang for a while, the old man became angry and embarrassed. Lin Chaoyang was kicked out of the door, but he was not angry.

Angry and humiliated, and having proved that he had won the friendly contest, he went home happily humming a little tune.

Two days later, it was the New Year's Day holiday. Although the final exams were still a few days away, I still had to relax.

There are many more students skating on Weiming Lake than before, and students from the south are the most enthusiastic.

Of course, it is this group of people who have brought a huge workload to the school hospital.

Ever since the ice of Weiming Lake froze solid, every day at noon in the cafeteria one could see students with their arms or legs covered in plaster or bandages. Needless to say, they all fell while ice skating, and most of them were students from the South.

He obviously has no natural skills, but he just acts recklessly. It's understandable that he breaks some parts.

Just after New Year’s Day, Zhang Dening came to Yanda and brought two pieces of news to Lin Chaoyang.

First, the Publishing Bureau has just issued the "Interim Provisions on Book Royalties", raising the royalties for original manuscripts to 3 to 10 yuan, and for translated manuscripts to 2 to 7 yuan. At the same time, it has also restored the payment method of "basic royalties plus royalties based on the number of print runs".

According to this level, the current remuneration standard is basically the same as before the buzz buzz buzz, but there is still a certain gap compared with the 1950s.

The second piece of news was that the editor-in-chief agreed to his request for a price increase and gave "The World's No. 1 Restaurant" a price of nine yuan per thousand words.

"Why is it only nine yuan? The new regulations set the maximum at ten yuan!" Lin Chaoyang said dissatisfiedly.

"Just be content. The regulations have just been announced. How can they be raised so quickly?"

"If I give it to October, they will definitely give me 10 yuan!" Lin Chaoyang muttered. Zhang Dening said anxiously: "What October? Can they compare with our Yenching Literature and Art? We are an old magazine that has been published for nearly 30 years."

"What's the point of having a long history? Your royalties are low!"

Zhang Dening was both angry and helpless when Lin Chaoyang confronted her, but for the sake of future manuscripts, she could only swallow her anger and said, "Next time, next time I'll ask you for ten yuan."

"Okay." Lin Chaoyang agreed reluctantly.

Zhang Dening asked Lin Chaoyang again, "Do you really not want to hold the symposium on "Little Shoes"?"

This was the second time that Zhang Dening, on behalf of Yenching Literature and Art, had come to inquire about holding a symposium for the work of Little Shoes. The editorial department had wanted to do it after The Horse Herder was published, but was rejected by Lin Chaoyang.

After the publication of "Little Shoes", it caused quite a stir in the literary world and was also widely popular among readers.

Not only did the issue of the magazine that published the novel set a new sales record for "Yanjing Literature and Art", but even the sales of the single volume after it was released were very gratifying.

Two months after the single volume of "Little Shoes" was released, the total print run has reached 20 copies.

It should be said that "Little Shoes" is another work with national influence published by "Yanjing Literature and Art" after "The Shepherd" and "The Traitor".

Once a good work is published, of course it must be promoted well. This is not only beneficial to the author, but also to the magazine.

In July, Zhang Dening came to talk to Lin Chaoyang about this matter, but was rejected by Lin Chaoyang.

"Your editorial department is really persistent!"

Lin Chaoyang sighed, he couldn't help but think of the scene when he went to the People's Art Theatre that day. It was just an informal exchange meeting, but it was still solemn and grand. He really couldn't imagine that if "Yenching Literature and Art" held a symposium, wouldn't the scene be filled with loud gongs and drums and firecrackers?
He said, "You ask me to chat with others, but if you ask me to sit there and listen to everyone flattering each other seriously, I can't do it."

Zhang Dening said helplessly: "Your thinking is flawed. How can a good symposium become so bureaucratic in your mouth? It has become a scourge."

"Holding a symposium is also to unify the literary community's evaluation of the works, which will be conducive to better dissemination of the works in the future." Zhang Dening persuaded earnestly.

"If you want to do it, you can do it on your own. Why do you have to ask me to do it?"

Lin Chaoyang couldn't resist her nagging and relaxed a little.

"How can an author not attend a symposium? Do you think this is a tactic? Really, other authors are eager to have a symposium on their works, but for you, it's just like hard labor."

"Because the symposium doesn't pay, I have to ask for leave, and if I don't, it will take up my personal rest time."

Zhang Dening was furious. "Look at what you have accomplished. You only care about money. How can you call yourself a scholar?"

"Literati also need to eat and sleep. I usually have to go to work, and I write in my spare time. In order to supplement my cultural knowledge, I have to go to school to attend a few classes from time to time.

My colleagues have often covered for me. If I ask for leave now because of a symposium, how will they look at me?

Besides, I wrote two novellas and a play this year. You have no idea how busy I am in a day.

Especially when Yushu was doing a play before, I had to write the script and rehearse, oh..."

Lin Chaoyang's shameless complaints left Zhang Dening helpless, but when she heard Lin Chaoyang mention Tao Yushu, she had an idea.

"What has your comrade Yushu been busy with lately?"

"I'm busy with the final exam." Lin Chaoyang replied casually, and then immediately became alert, "Why are you asking this?"

"It's okay, I just asked."

Zhang Dening's tone was relaxed, but the more Lin Chaoyang thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

"What time is it? It's time to go back to work!" He urged Zhang Dening to leave.

"It's okay. I've said hello to Lao Li. I'm out collecting manuscripts today. I don't need to go back."

Lin Chaoyang pointed at her and said, "You still blame your magazine for not having much influence. If you keep slacking off like this, it will be a wonder if your influence can be increased."

He changed the subject and said, "Go home and rest if you have nothing else to do."

"It's okay to go home. I'll be off work soon. I'll go to your house for dinner."

Zhang Dening's words were obvious to everyone. Lin Chaoyang glared at her, but Zhang Dening was fearless and refused to leave.

When it was time to get off work, Lin Chaoyang was reluctant to leave, and Zhang Dening ignored him and ran out first.

Lin Chaoyang quickly caught up with her and tried to persuade her earnestly.

"It's dark now. It's dangerous for a woman like you to stay out so late!"

"I live with my parents-in-law. If I bring a lesbian home for dinner, how will they look at me?"

……

They walked and walked for a long time. When they were almost at Langrun Lake Apartment, Lin Chaoyang gave up and went home with a sad face.

Tao Yushu had just returned home at this moment. When Zhang Dening saw her, he talked about the editorial department's plan to hold a symposium for "Little Shoes", and even deliberately exaggerated the two times he was rejected by Lin Chaoyang.

"This is a good thing!" Tao Yushu said happily.

Hearing this, Lin Chaoyang looked as pale as death.

"Really? I said this is a good thing! But your comrade is really adamant and is almost refusing to listen to you!"

Zhang Dening's behavior at this time was just like a model student who told tales to the teacher.

Tao Yushu smiled and said, "He is just a casual person. Apart from working, writing and studying, he doesn't care about anything else."

"I understand that. But this is a good thing for both him and the work. We only have one day, so we should go there at least."

Listening to Zhang Dening's words, Tao Yushu nodded and said, "I should go. When do you plan to hold the symposium?"

"Next week, Lao Li wanted to arrange it when The Horse Shepherd was being filmed, but..." Zhang Dening glanced at Lin Chaoyang with a treacherous look.

Tao Yushu turned to look at Lin Chaoyang, "Chaoyang, if you have time, you should go there. It's a good thing."

"Okay." Lin Chaoyang had a harmless smile on his face, without any trace of the impatience and evasion he had in the library.

Zhang Dening examined Lin Chaoyang's expression, his face full of pride.

Little guy, can't I cure you?

(End of this chapter)