Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 344: The Foolish Boy Gets Lucky
"Lian Chi" is a literary bimonthly sponsored by the BD City Federation of Literary and Art Circles of HEB Province. It was founded in 1979. Like many other local literary magazines of that era, it did not have large sales and little influence.

In the more than four years since its founding, what makes the editors most proud is that the magazine has published works by Sun Li, the founder of the "Lotus Pond School", Liang Bin, the author of "Red Flag", and Xu Guangyao, the author of "Little Soldier Zhang Ga".

However, there are also works by famous artists that have received mediocre or even no response, and the ones published in "Lian Chi" are of this type.

The editorial office of "Lian Chi" is located in a public house in the Lian Chi Park Management Office in BD City. It was borrowed by the Federation of Literary and Art Circles from the park management office, and the name of the magazine also comes from this.

The editorial office is not big, only about 20 square meters. Four desks occupy the four corners of the room. The manuscripts on the desks are piled high, and there are also quite a few in the corners on the floor.

Nowadays, except for a very small number of magazines that will return manuscripts to authors, the vast majority of magazines do not return submissions.

These manuscripts just sit there, unattended, and when they accumulate enough, they are disposed of.

Even though "Lian Chi" is just a local magazine with poor sales and average influence, who can blame the fact that there are so many literature lovers these days?
Not all of them, but most literature lovers have submitted works.

Moreover, literary magazines like "Lian Chi" are very popular among literary enthusiasts who have no publishing experience, because everyone thinks that if they submit to such an unknown magazine, the editor's requirements will be lower and the probability of being selected for publication will be greater.

Today's editorial department is as peaceful as usual. The three editors cover three generations. The oldest one, Mao Zhaohuang, is responsible for the editing of novel-themed works.

He is tall but thin, and the Zhongshan suit he wears makes him look empty.

When he was concentrating on reviewing the manuscript, there was a sudden "bang" sound, which scared him.

Mao Zhaohuang turned his head and looked at the young editor next to him. "Xiao Zhuang, I've told you so many times. Just review the manuscript, don't be so nervous. I'm old and my heart is not good. I can't stand your shock!"

Mao Zhaohuang's tone was full of complaints, and Xiaozhuang felt a little embarrassed, "Old Mao, I'm sorry, I forgot after reading the manuscript."

As he spoke, he threw the manuscript loudly, "Don't blame me today, it's just that the manuscript is not good enough. Listen to me read it to you..."

Mao Zhaohuang has been an editor for many years, how could he not know the level of submissions from amateurs?
He was about to stop Xiaozhuang, but it was too late.

"Little pencil, holding
Drawing pictures on the big round table

......"

Mao Zhaohuang sighed helplessly. Xiaozhuang is a good kid in every way except that he has a bit of a silly personality.

You are blind to these things, why do you use them to harm us?
Xiao Zhuang finished reading the poem in a rhythmic manner and said angrily, "Listen to this! Listen to this! Is this a poem? Isn't this just a random jingle? How dare you submit something like this?"

Mao Zhaohuang shook his head helplessly.

Like most young literary people of this era, Xiaozhuang is a big fan of Misty Poetry. In his eyes, only those Misty Poems that pursue individuality can be called poetry.

As for the kind of poetry he just recited, if it were seven or eight years ago, it would actually be called poetry and could even be published in magazines.

Times have changed!

Mao Zhaohuang was sighing in his heart when Qian Yongkang, the prose editor sitting opposite him, rebuked Xiaozhuang, "Enough, Xiaozhuang. Make fewer comments and read more manuscripts."

"I'll just tell you."

Xiaozhuang is a junior in the editorial department. Although he has a bit of a silly personality, he respects old comrades very much. He did not refute Qian Yongkang's reproach.

Qian Yongkang said to Mao Zhaohuang again: "Old Mao, I have something good to show you!"

He walked over with a smile and put a magazine on Mao Zhaohuang's desk. Mao Zhaohuang glanced at the magazine and said jokingly, "You are reading other magazines during work. I have to report this to the editor-in-chief."

Qian Yongkang smiled nonchalantly, "Then you have to be able to find the right person!"

There are four desks, one for each of the three editors, and one for the editor-in-chief. The editor-in-chief of "Lian Chi" is Xu Guangyao, the author of "Little Soldier Zhang Ga".

He is only a part-time editor-in-chief and does not work in the office.

"What do you want me to see?" Mao Zhaohuang asked jokingly.

Qian Yongkang flipped open the magazine and said, "Look at this!"

Mao Zhaohuang’s eyes followed his finger and saw, “Notes on Reading Novels 1…Xu Lingjun”.

"Xu Lingjun!" Mao Zhaohuang sighed unconsciously, "His comments are rare."

He said this, his eyes involuntarily looking down.

"A few months ago, I read Comrade Mo Yan's short story "Folk Music" published in "Lianchi"... The writing style of the novel is somewhat Europeanized, with some traces of imitation, but it is basically realistic.

The subject matter has an art-house quality to it, and the atmosphere is well-crafted, better than many things written by budding writers.

The most successful part of the whole novel is the image of the little blind man, which gives people a sense of ethereal floating in the air.
……

Recently, I read his article "Black Sand Beach", which vigorously exposed the dark black sand beach and pointed the finger at the social scum who tried to muddy the waters.
......"

The article was not long, taking up only two pages, but Mao Zhaohuang was more and more surprised as he read it. After finishing the article, he stood up excitedly.

"This silly boy Mo Yan got lucky!"

Seeing him like this, Qian Yongkang smiled and said, "I think you are happier than the author Mo Yan!"

"He is also an author cultivated by our Lotus Pond. Isn't it natural for us to be happy?" Mao Zhaohuang said with a smile.

"Not only was she cultivated by our Lotus Pond, but most importantly by you, Old Mao." Qian Yongkang complimented her, and then said with emotion: "Being favored by Xu Lingjun and even writing a special review to praise her, Mo Yan will probably be famous in the future!"

Mao Zhaohuang nodded happily, agreeing with what he said.

Xu Lingjun is not very old, but his fame and status in the country have long surpassed those of ordinary young writers. Mao Zhaohuang remembers that he has now become an editorial board member of "People's Literature".

Look at the list of names on the editorial board, which one is not a well-known figure in the Chinese literary world?

In the Chinese literary world, there has always been a precedent of seniors supporting juniors, and it has even been praised as a good story.

Mao Zhaohuang believed that Xu Lingjun's affirmation of Mo Yan must be of great significance in his creative career. He thought so in his heart, and he didn't know whether Mo Yan had read the article or not. He couldn't wait to tell Mo Yan about it.

Writing is too slow, I have to call.

So Mao Zhaohuang said hello to Qian Yongkang, went out, rode his bicycle all the way to the office of the BD Municipal Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and borrowed the phone there to call Mo Yan who was in the army.

Mo Yan was born in a rural area of ​​Shandong Province. He joined the army in 1976. His biggest wish in the army was to be promoted. He made a lot of efforts to this end, but he never achieved his wish.

By the end of 1979, he was already 25 years old. According to military regulations, there was no hope of promotion if he was over 24 years old.

Unable to be promoted and unwilling to return home, he was in a state of confusion.

After much thought, Mo Yan focused on writing because the army had an incentive policy.

If a soldier publishes an article in a provincial newspaper, he can be awarded a third-class merit. If he can publish an article in a military newspaper, he will become famous overnight.

He wrote for two years, one article after another, but none of his works were published.

It was not until 81 that Mo Yan's contribution to Lian Chi attracted the attention of the editor Mao Zhaohuang, who wrote to him and invited him to revise the manuscript.

A month later, the short story "Spring Rainy Night" was published in "Lian Chi", which was the first publicly published work in Mo Yan's life.

The following year, under the guidance of Mao Zhaohuang, Mo Yan published several works including "Ugly Soldier", "For the Children" and "Snowflakes Snowflakes".

Although it did not cause any response or attention, the publication of many novels made Mo Yan attract the attention of military leaders. His application for promotion was finally approved, and he was promoted from a soldier to a platoon-level cadre.

This year, Mo Yan has published several works including "Cotton Selling Road", "Folk Music" and "I am a Sheep". The local magazine "Lian Chi" is still his main battlefield.

He sometimes wondered when his works would be published in top magazines such as People's Literature, Harvest and Contemporary!
Mo Yan felt that God seemed to have heard the cries in his heart. A few months ago, he actually received a letter from an editor of People's Literature.

Mo Yan will never forget the name of this editor - Tao Yushu. He has never met Tao Yushu, but in his imagination, this editor must be as compassionate as the Bodhisattva Guanyin in the temple.

In September just past, his new work "Black Sand Beach" was published in "People's Literature". Mo Yan still remembers the joy he felt when he saw his work in the magazine that day.

After four years of hard work from 1979 to 1983, his works were finally published in the highest hall of Chinese literature, People's Literature. Mo Yan felt that his life had finally ushered in spring.

However, the publication of Black Sand Beach was not what he expected. The novel did not cause any discussion or response, and Mo Yan's dream of becoming famous overnight did not come true. He returned to reality and he still needed to continue writing diligently.

"Mo Yan, did you hear me?"

Mao Zhaohuang's distorted voice came from the phone, and Mo Yan came back to his senses. The past experiences that had just occurred while he was distracted flashed before his eyes like a kaleidoscope, making it difficult for him to control his emotions.

"I heard it! Teacher Mao, I heard it!"

"You need to take this matter seriously. A writer like Xu Lingjun would not write reviews easily. I remember that he had only written one or two review articles before, and both of them caused a great response.

His appreciation of you is enough to attract the attention of the literary world, which is not only of great significance to your creative career, but can also change your life.

You can't let down your guard, you have to keep working hard!"

Mao Zhaohuang's voice on the phone sounded old, and his earnest advice was filled with a kind of expectation.

Mo Yan couldn't help but think of the first time he received a letter from Mao Zhaohuang, the time when Mao Zhaohuang guided him in revising his manuscript, and the time when Mao Zhaohuang took him to collect folk songs in Baiyangdian...

Tears welled up in his eyes. "Teacher Mao, I understand. I will definitely write well! Thank you for your encouragement. I will never forget your help."

Mao Zhaohuang laughed with relief, "Silly boy, I think you are so happy that you are confused. You should thank Xu Lingjun, because he has helped you the most."

"You are the one who discovered me, and he is the general who led me to the battlefield."

Listening to Mo Yan's words, Mao Zhaohuang laughed and joked, "Are you thanking us or praising yourself?"

Mo Yan, whose heart was already filled with joy and excitement, was a little incoherent, but fortunately Mao Zhaohuang didn't care.

At this moment, he was even happier than Mo Yan. Seeing this young man he had discovered being valued by a literary celebrity was also an affirmation of his vision and past training.

He encouraged Mo Yan a few more words, and the two ended the call.

After hanging up the phone, while Mo Yan was still immersed in the great surprise, someone called his name.

"Mo Yan, there is your letter!"

Mo Yan came back to his senses and ran to get the letter. When he saw the signature on it, he couldn't help but get excited again.

It was written by editor Tao Yushu.

He couldn't wait to tear open the envelope, and after opening the letter, he saw the beautiful and elegant handwriting.

"Comrade Mo Yan:

Hello. It has been more than half a month since the publication of Black Sand Beach. The editorial department has received many letters from readers talking about this work. Generally speaking, the praise is greater than the criticism. I think this is good news for you.

I recently found your previous works published in "Lian Chi" and took a look. The progress is obvious. I hope you can keep up the good work.

If you have a finished novel, please send it to me. I believe that as your creative skills continue to improve, it will become easier and easier to publish. I wish you can write influential works as soon as possible.

In addition, Comrade Xu Lingjun published an article in "Yenching Literature" evaluating your work, which is another good news.

shake hands!

Tao Yushu

November 1983, 10"

(End of this chapter)