Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 291 Shen Congwen

The May Fourth Youth Literature Award Ceremony lasted for half the morning and ended at 10:30 in the morning. There was also a symposium in the afternoon.

Only judges, award-winning writers and some guests attended the symposium, which had just ended.

There were many acquaintances attending the conference. Lin Chaoyang first chatted with Li Tuo for a few words, and then Wang Zengqi pulled him aside and asked, "Chaoyang, I remember that Yushu's father studied history, right? Has he studied Han history?"

"Han history is one of his research directions."

"That's great. I just happen to have some questions I want to ask him." Wang Zengqi said happily.

Lin Chaoyang was just about to ask him what he wanted to ask, when he suddenly remembered that Wang Zengqi seemed to have talked about this topic when he went to Huangdao to attend a writers' meeting last year.

"Are you going to write about Emperor Wu of Han?"

"good."

"I have also read some history books of the Han Dynasty. Maybe I can help you solve your doubts." Lin Chaoyang said eagerly.

He had no limitations when it came to reading. He read all kinds of books, both diverse and numerous, including quite a few history books. He had a lot of confidence in himself.

Wang Zengqi didn't want to discourage him, but seeing his attitude, he seemed to underestimate his own preparations for the creation.

"Okay. Then do you know whether Taishigong cut off his stick or his eggs? Or did he cut off both?"

After Wang Zengqi asked this question, Lin Chaoyang couldn't help but gasp.

The old comrade has a very tricky angle when thinking about problems!

His question sounds simple, but it is actually very difficult to answer.

Anyone who has studied history textbooks knows that Sima Qian was castrated, but who has ever researched the specific details of the operation?

In particular, Sima Qian was different from ordinary eunuchs. He was punished for a crime, so at least he had to retain some dignity as a scholar-official.

Lin Chaoyang's mind flashed through the records of castration in several ancient books such as "Yijianzhi" and "Yunhui", but he did not dare to say with certainty what happened when Sima Qian was tortured.

After thinking for a while, he said helplessly: "I can't say for sure."

Wang Zengqi felt much more relieved when he saw his attitude.

Don't think that you know everything just because you are good at writing novels. Do you think I have never checked history books?
"When you have time to come to Yanda, I will introduce you to each other after work." Lin Chaoyang said.

"it is good."

After the May Fourth Youth Literature Award ceremony, the news appeared in several newspapers and magazines. Overall, the influence of this essay contest was good.

At least it has a greater influence than most of the awards activities nowadays, and has also earned China Youth, a magazine aimed at cultivating young people's thoughts, a lot of praise in the literary world.

Tao Yushu was flipping through today's China Youth Daily, looking at it very carefully, and said to Lin Chaoyang who had just returned from outside: "The photo here is too blurry. I guess others won't be able to recognize you if they see it."

It was only the beginning of June, and the temperature outside had already reached 30°C. Lin Chaoyang came back from outside, sweating all over. He washed his face and wiped it as he replied, "It's okay, who cares about that photo!"

"Mom cares. You're a judge, and she's going to cut this photo out."

"Then we have to ask the journalists to return the negatives and develop them ourselves." Lin Chaoyang said jokingly.

Zhang Guiqin collected information about her son's participation in activities. Her biggest purpose was of course to show off. How could she show off when she couldn't even see his face?

"Be careful not to let mom hear!"

Tao Yushu smiled and warned him, then asked, "How was the talk?"

At the May Fourth Youth Literature Award Ceremony yesterday, Wei Junyi invited Lin Chaoyang to Renwen Publishing House to discuss the publication of "Shutter Island". He went to Renwen Publishing House today as invited.

Lin Chaoyang shook his head, "Not very good."

"What do you mean not so good?"

"After talking for a long time, she just doesn't want to increase the royalties. She knows very well that Yanjing Publishing House pays more than Renwen Press."

Speaking of today's conversation, Lin Chaoyang felt regretful.

He wanted the Humanities Publishing House to increase his remuneration based on the number of copies printed, but Old Lady Wei was only willing to increase his basic remuneration by two yuan. The two sides had too big a difference in opinion and ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

The remuneration for the number of copies printed is linked to the sales volume of the books. In fact, Renwen Publishing House will not suffer any loss if the remuneration increases. After all, the more works are sold, the more money Renwen Publishing House will earn.

However, Renwen Press felt that Lin Chaoyang's royalties for the number of copies printed had already increased to 5% per copies, a figure no other writer in the country had ever enjoyed, and any further increase would be too outrageous.

Even if his basic remuneration is increased, Renwen Press is actually not very willing to do so.

It is easy to increase royalties but difficult to reduce them. What if the news gets out and other writers also want to increase their royalties?
With such a large family and a huge business, Renwenshe's decision-making is inevitably constrained, which Lin Chaoyang can understand, but he cannot give up his own interests.

He had originally planned to ask Renwen Press to raise the price so that he could talk to Yenching Publishing House again, following the actions of several previous studios when they were competing for the adaptation rights of "The Garland under the Mountain".

"What a pity!" Lin Chaoyang sighed with regret.

"Be content, how many people are jealous of your current royalty?"

Tao Yushu's words are right. Whether in terms of publication and publishing royalties or basic and print-number royalties, the royalties Lin Chaoyang earns every year are higher than 99% of his peers.

"Well, who would complain about the royalties being too high?"

Two days later, Wang Zengqi came to Yanda on a weekday afternoon, and then Lin Chaoyang introduced him to meet Tao's father. The two talked until the evening, and Wang Zengqi left Tao's house. He also agreed with Tao's father to come back for advice when he had time in the future.

When we came out of Langrun Lake, it was already late at night, but there were still many students active on the Yanda campus, making it very lively.

Wang Zengqi and Lin Chaoyang chatted along the way. Looking at the energetic figures in Yanyuan, they couldn't help but recall the time when they were studying at Southwest Associated University.

He talked to Lin Chaoyang for a while, and suddenly said, "I went to see Mr. Cong Wen yesterday, and I mentioned you."

The "Mr. Congwen" mentioned by Wang Zengqi is naturally Shen Congwen. When Wang Zengqi was studying at Southwest Associated University, Shen Congwen taught him literature. The two have been in contact for many years and have a very good teacher-student relationship. "What are you talking about me?"

"He read the article "The Creative Characteristics of Shen Congwen" published in Yenching Literature and said that you have done a thorough study of his works, better than those pedants."

Lin Chaoyang smiled and said: "It's my honor!"

"I also told him that you have always respected him very much. He was very happy to hear that and said he would like to meet you if there is a chance."

"I'm relying on you for this. When you have time, take me to visit him."

Wang Zengqi said loudly: "No problem, let's go there when you are free."

"Sunday then."

"Okay, it's settled."

After returning home, Tao Yushu heard that Lin Chaoyang was going to visit Shen Congwen on Sunday, and he also clamored to go.

On Sunday, the couple brought gifts, met Wang Zengqi, and came to the dormitory of the Academy of Social Sciences on Qianmen East Street.

This dormitory building was built in the 1960s and is neither new nor old. Shen Congwen's home is located on the fifth floor.

There was no elevator in the dormitory building, so the only option was to walk up the stairs. Tao Yushu was three months pregnant and her belly was already showing. She was a little out of breath when she walked upstairs.

After knocking on the door, an old lady opened it for the three of them. She had a head full of silver hair, not a single strand out of place. Although her face was old, one could vaguely see the charm of her youth.

When the old woman saw Wang Zengqi, she smiled kindly, "Zengqi is here!"

"Teacher's wife!"

Wang Zengqi greeted the old lady and introduced Lin Chaoyang and his wife behind him to her.

"Hello, please come in!"

Listening to the conversation between Wang Zengqi and the old woman, Lin Chaoyang and the others knew that the old woman in front of them was Mr. Shen Congwen’s lover Zhang Zhaohe, and the love between them was quite legendary.

At that time, Shen Congwen was teaching at China Public School. He fell in love with Zhang Zhaohe, who was then a female student, at first sight. He then pestered and pursued her relentlessly, but Zhang Zhaohe was indifferent to Shen Congwen.

The president of China Public School at that time was Hu Shi. In order to help them become a perfect couple, he wanted to help Shen Congwen to introduce Zhang Zhaohe to someone else.

Unexpectedly, before he could take any action, Zhang Zhaohe found Hu Shi, the school principal, with the love letter written to her by Shen Congwen, hoping that Hu Shi could persuade Shen Congwen to give up the idea.

But what Zhang Zhaohe did not expect was that after reading the love letter, Hu Shi not only did not scold Shen Congwen, but also smiled and praised Shen Congwen for his deep love for her.

Zhang Zhaohe was so angry that she thought the two were birds of a feather. Fortunately, in the end, Zhang Zhaohe was moved by Shen Congwen's talent and sincerity, and the two finally became a couple.

Zhang Zhaohe let the three people into the house. Seeing that Lin Chaoyang and his wife were holding gifts, he politely declined them before accepting them.

Only then did Lin Chaoyang and his wife have time to greet Shen Congwen. The old man is now over eighty years old and is very old. He has a full and broad forehead. If he hadn't been wearing glasses, he would have looked somewhat like Tao's father.

"Please sit down, please sit down!"

The dormitory where Shen Congwen's family lives is a very typical apartment building nowadays. It is somewhat similar to the Langrun Lake Apartment where the Tao family lives, but it is even smaller in size.

After a brief chat, Shen Congwen mentioned that this house was allocated to him by the Academy of Social Sciences two years ago. It has a total area of ​​36 square meters and is a small three-bedroom apartment without a living room.

Before this, the couple's living conditions were even more humble than they are now.

When people in later generations mention Shen Congwen, many of them praise him, and he can be almost compared with "Lu, Guo, Mao, Ba, Lao Cao". However, few people know about the unfair treatment Shen Congwen suffered in the second half of his life.

Shen Congwen had a legendary life. He was born in western Hunan. At the age of 14, he joined the local armed forces, which had a large and complex composition. Therefore, there was a rumor in the literary world that "Shen Congwen was a bandit when he was young."

Because of his good handwriting, he was promoted to librarian in the army. He met a secretary named Wen who had studied in Japan. He read a lot of books with the secretary and gradually understood things.

Later, the army was defeated and Shen Congwen was sent home. He went to live with his relatives and learned a lot of skills in composing poetry, writing and carving seals.

In 1924, Shen Congwen decided to go to Yenching University to take the college entrance examination and make a living.

But he had never received a Western education before. He studied hard in the library of Yenching University for half a year, but not only did he get a zero in the entrance examination, he also lost two dollars in registration fee.

So he could only audit classes at Yenching University. His dream of studying was shattered, and he began to write again. In the beginning, his submissions were rejected everywhere. When he was at his lowest point, he wrote to Yu Dafu for help.

There was a trend in the literary world at that time that many famous writers liked to support younger generations, and Yu Dafu's literary reputation was well-known.

After meeting Shen Congwen, Yu Dafu was moved by his experience and wrote an article entitled "An Open Letter to a Young Literary Man", using Shen Congwen's experience to criticize all kinds of unreasonable things in society.

After that, Shen Congwen's articles were published one after another, and he gradually became successful and famous.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he repeatedly helped friends who participated in anti-Japanese activities and spoke up for friends who were imprisoned.

After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, he returned to Peking and became a professor in the Department of Literature at Yenching University. However, at this time, he was criticized for offending many people with the reviews he wrote in his early years.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he transferred to the History Museum to engage in cultural relics research, but encountered political storms several times and faced difficult circumstances. Most of the articles he created in the first half of his life and his reputation were suppressed for a long time due to political issues and had not been published for decades.

Even students who went to school in the 1950s and 1960s hardly studied or read his works.

However, at almost the same time, Yale University, thousands of miles away, published a chapter on "History of Modern Chinese Fiction", which specifically discussed him and compared him with Yeats and Faulkner.

After the Buzz Buzz ended, Shen Congwen's situation finally improved gradually. In the past two years, the literary world has paid more and more attention to him. A group of people have begun to cheer for him, and Lin Chaoyang is the loudest among them.

A few days ago, "Yenching Literature" compiled the content of what Lin Chaoyang said in his class to the students of Yenching Literature Institute and published it in the magazine.

Such lecture articles would certainly not cause any response among the readers, but they attracted the attention of many people in the literary world.

This also included Shen Congwen himself. It happened that Wang Zengqi came to visit him that day. Wang Zengqi mentioned Lin Chaoyang's admiration for him, which made the old comrade very happy.

"It's hard to find a soulmate!" Shen Congwen sighed at the time, but it contained all the pain and sadness of his half-life.

(End of this chapter)