Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 208 CCTV Invites
Zhang Chao had just come out of Yu Hua's office when a short, stocky, middle-aged woman with delicate makeup and neat short hair came up to him. When she saw Zhang Chao, she said, "You are Zhang Chao, right? I heard that you came to see Teacher Yu Hua, so I came here in a hurry. Don't leave in a hurry, I have something to talk to you about."

Zhang Chao saw that the person in front of him looked familiar. Before he could say hello, Yu Hua came out and introduced him to Zhang Chao: "This is Teacher Yu Dan from the School of Art and Media of our school. She told me before that she wanted to see you for something, but I had a lot of things to do at the end of the semester and I forgot about it."

Zhang Chao called out, "Hello, Teacher Yu." Then he asked, "What can I do for you, Teacher Yu?"

Yu Dan glanced at Yu Hua's small office and said with a smile, "Why don't we go to my place to discuss it? If Teacher Yu Hua is interested, he can come along."

Yu Hua quickly declined, "Since you're here to see Zhang Chao, I won't join in the fun. You guys can chat."

He then told Zhang Chao, "Teacher Yu Dan is very familiar with CCTV. She is the planner and writer of many large-scale TV special programs. She must have good things in mind when she comes to you."

Yu Dan joked, "Don't worry, Mr. Yu Hua, I promise to give you a living Zhang Chao."

Seeing this, Zhang Chao had no choice but to follow Yu Dan to her office at the School of Art and Media of Yanshi University.

After Yu Dan poured a cup of tea for Zhang Chao, she sat opposite him and chatted with him about his graduation before saying, "Actually, I'm graduating this year just like you."

Seeing Zhang Chao's curious look, she continued, "I started studying for a doctorate in 'Film Studies' at Yanshi University in 98. Because I was too busy with work, I studied for eight years and only graduated this year."

Zhang Chao asked, "Teacher Yu Hua just said that you mainly work on TV documentaries?"

Yu Dan nodded and said, "Yes. I have cooperated with CCTV a lot, including "Zhengda Variety Show", "Dialogue", "Art Life", "Eastern Time", "Today's Statement"... too many.

Actually, it’s not that high-sounding. I mainly help with ideas, writing articles, and finding people.”

"Another smart guy" - this is what Zhang Chao thought in his mind, but he still said: "These are all programs I have watched since I was a child. I didn't expect you to participate in them."

Yu Dan showed a hint of pride, but still had to be modest: "It's all behind-the-scenes work. I guess no audience will pay attention to the ending."

Zhang Chao didn't want to be polite anymore, so he asked directly: "Teacher Yu Dan, why did you come to me...?"

Yu Dan smiled and said, "Your defense live broadcast a few days ago performed well. Friends from Channel 10 told me that it broke the ratings record for that time period. I thought that with your image, your conversation style, and your influence, you could definitely play a bigger role.

Director Xie Ruguang, the chief planner of Lecture Room, is very familiar with me, so he asked me to ask if you are interested in speaking on Lecture Room for a few episodes.

Zhang Chao hesitated for a moment before saying, "Lecture Room wants 'masters' and 'experts'. I'm still young and not an 'expert' at all. Is it not appropriate for me to be on Lecture Room?"

It is undeniable that Zhang Chao was indeed "moved". After the 2004 revision of Lecture Room, many "academic stars" were introduced. The royalties of Yi Zhongtian, Yan Chongnian, Ji Lianhai and others after they became famous were often millions or even tens of millions of yuan each year.

Of course, what moved Zhang Chao was not the royalties, but the influence of Lecture Room among the public. If he could give a few lectures on contemporary literature, then the problems Yu Hua had just raised would be solved immediately.

As for the fact that Lecture Room invited some idiots and slackers later, which led to the decline of the program's reputation and even its collapse, that is a matter for the future. At least in 2006, there were few platforms more suitable for popularizing knowledge than Lecture Room. Yu Dan said: "What does it matter? The key to Lecture Room is not professionalism, but popularity. We are not short of experts and scholars, but we are short of communicators who are willing to introduce common knowledge in professional fields to ordinary audiences in popular and vivid language.

As long as you are willing to come, no matter what you talk about, as long as you know what the audience likes to hear, can arouse their curiosity, and make them feel that they have learned something new after listening, then you will definitely be popular. "

Yu Dan's first sentence was quite insightful, but the second sentence was too "communication-oriented". Although it made sense from the perspective of the program producer, it treated the audience as toys that could be manipulated and controlled, which made Zhang Chao feel uncomfortable.

But thinking that Yu Dan is a specialist in communication, maybe it is just her professional habit? Zhang Chao patiently asked, "Then what does Director Xie want me to talk about? I am good at modern and contemporary literary history, and I am familiar with most writers and works.

At that time, it was also possible to talk about writing. But this is too personal and not easy to talk about well..."

Seeing that Zhang Chao was ready to agree, Yu Dan said quickly, "Director Xie doesn't want you to talk about literature, he wants you to talk about Chinese studies."

Zhang Chao: "Hmm? Chinese studies?"

Yu Dan explained: "Nowadays, there is a craze for Chinese studies. Teacher Yan Chongnian teaches the history of the Qing Dynasty, Teacher Yi Zhongtian teaches the Three Kingdoms, and Teacher Liu Xinwu teaches Dream of the Red Chamber... These are all Chinese studies. The majority of viewers love to watch Chinese studies programs, because everyone wants to be knowledgeable.

If you talk about literature, it is indeed a bit too highbrow. Although people are very interested in you, they may not be interested in the writers and works you talk about..."

Yu Dan was talking nonstop, and suddenly noticed that Zhang Chao's face turned ugly, so he stopped and asked, "What's wrong? Is this direction not okay? Don't feel psychologically burdened. Look, Yi Zhongtian is not a historian, but he still talks about the Three Kingdoms; Teacher Liu Xinwu is not a Redologist, but he talks about Dream of the Red Chamber so well..."

"It is not only Director Xie's idea but also my suggestion that you talk about Chinese culture. You are very young, and having you talk about our traditional culture not only represents the inheritance of Chinese culture among the younger generation, but also stimulates the curiosity of the audience."

Zhang Chao shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I know nothing about Chinese studies, and my explanation might mislead the students." Suddenly he smiled again and said to Yu Dan seriously, "Teacher Yu Dan has a family background in Chinese studies and is a good speaker, why don't you explain it yourself?"

Yu Dan blushed, as if Zhang Chao had hit upon something that was bothering her, but she returned to normal in an instant and asked, "Do you really not want to go to Lecture Room to give a lecture on Chinese studies?"

Zhang Chao said calmly: "If it's about literature, I can consider it. But forget about Chinese studies."

Yu Dan said, "That's a pity - but you can think about it again when you get back. This is my business card. If you change your mind, you can call me anytime."

Zhang Chao took Yu Dan's business card, nodded, and said goodbye and left.

Yu Dan saw Zhang Chao disappear at the stairs, and a faint smile appeared on her face. She returned to the office and made a phone call:
"Hello, Director Xie, this is Yu Dan. I just met and talked with Zhang Chao... The young man was too modest and felt that he couldn't speak...

No trouble, no trouble... Director Xie, I think our "Lecture Room" has all the history, classics, and ancient poetry, but there is still one thing missing in the category of Chinese studies, that is, the classics of the various schools of thought...

Yes, yes... That's what I mean. Talking about "The Analects", "Zhuangzi"... I actually have researched these. Let's talk about them next time we meet? ... Okay..."

(There will be another chapter later)
(End of this chapter)