Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 223 The little temple demon is so powerful

Shuang Xuetao placed a manuscript in front of Zhang Chao. Zhang Chao picked it up and saw that it was a photocopy of a page of the Oriental Morning Post in Hong Kong Island a few days ago. Shuang Xuetao marked it with a marker. The title was "Is Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Not Enough?"

Without even reading the main text, Zhang Chao frowned at the title. He had spent a lot of time in Shenzhen in his previous life and was not good at speaking Cantonese. The title translated into Mandarin would mean: Is CSSA not enough?

After browsing the content, it basically criticized the contestants selected to go to the mainland to participate in the semi-finals of the "New Concept Composition Competition", most of whom came from literary societies that received funding from the Hong Kong government. It accused these societies of not only monopolizing a large amount of government funding, but also further squeezing out the development space for non-society literary newcomers.

"CSSA" is the abbreviation of Hong Kong Island's "Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme". It originally refers to providing social welfare to citizens who are unable to be financially self-sufficient in order to maintain their basic survival and development needs.

This article uses the term "CSSA" to disparage these writers and communities who are unable to survive through their creations and can only rely on funding from the Hong Kong government, just like the elderly, the weak and the disabled.

Although Zhang Chao knew some Hong Kong writers and works, he knew almost nothing about their development process, internal factions, current policies, and historical grievances, so he was a little confused after reading it.

After thinking for a long time, Zhang Chao asked, "Who is the 'Zhong Weiming' who wrote this article? Is it a pen name or a real name?"

Shuang Xuetao introduced: "There is not much information about him. We only know that he was probably in his 40s but not yet 50 years old. In the 70s, he won the Young Writers Award of Hong Kong Island for his new poems many times. Later, he published many poetry collections, as well as prose collections and novels. He worked as an editor for some newspapers.

His article is just one of the more representative ones in the series of disturbances in Hong Kong Island after we recently announced the list of semi-finalists. The public opinion in Hong Kong Island is now almost one-sided, so the students and young people who have qualified for the semi-finals dare not express whether they will go north to participate. "

Zhang Chao tapped the table lightly, lost in thought. In fact, Zhong Weiming was not important. What was important was that he said in the article that the contestants in the semi-finals were basically from a specific literary group.

What destroyed the old "New Concept Essay Contest" was the uniformity of aesthetics and the small circle of judges and contestants, which led to the fairness of the competition being questioned.

The literary market in Hong Kong is declining and has a shallow foundation, so it is not easy to organize a writing competition. Zhang Chao had no intention of making any splash here, but without these regions, the word "national" in the competition would seem incomplete.

He entrusted the essay competition in Hong Kong to Pan Yaoming of Mingchuang Society for publicity organization. The expenses were allocated from the royalties of "Your Name" in Taiwan in accordance with last year's agreement, which accounted for the majority; the other small part was sponsored and applied for by Pan Yaoming.

Pan Yaoming is not only the president of Mingchuang Society, but also Mr. Cha's right-hand man. He is also highly respected in the Hong Kong writers' circle and is the executive president of the Hong Kong Writers' Association. I originally thought it was reliable to entrust this matter to him, but...

He suddenly smiled and said to Shuang Xuetao, "You have found many more articles than these, right? Tell me, how do people in Hong Kong curse me or us?"

Shuang Xuetao's face turned red, but he quickly calmed down and explained: "I don't understand Cantonese very well, but the general meaning is that the 'Youth Youth Writing Project' you established last time is using 'financial bombing' to destroy the independence of Hong Kong Island literature.

The cultural circles of Hong Kong and Taiwan have always been linked. Taiwan also started to hype it up, and their media said it in an even more exaggerated and unpleasant way, so the contestants from Taiwan did not dare to express their opinions and were just waiting and watching.

Fortunately, no one has explicitly said no. After all, most of them are young girls and boys in their 20s. After participating in the competition, they have to return to their own circles, so it is normal for them to be cautious. "

Zhang Chao said with a "tsk". "Xue Tao, when did you learn to whitewash the situation? Considering the Hong Kong intellectuals and media's habit of saying shocking things, how can they be so gentle when scolding me?"

Shuang Xuetao said awkwardly: "I told you I don't speak Cantonese very well. I can't even translate their lewd words."

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "Well, I'll go to Hong Kong Island to meet them in person."

Shuang Xuetao asked in surprise, "You're going to Hong Kong Island? The competition is only a few days away, aren't you going to Shanghai to keep an eye on it?"

Zhang Chao said: "You and Lao Ma can go to Shanghai, and I will be responsible for the special semi-final questions. We can communicate online about this. I must go to Hong Kong Island - I am not sure whether I can bring the semi-final contestants to Shanghai, but I can't be kept in the dark and be taken advantage of, right?
The fact that you reported this to me instead of President Pan Yaoming of Mingchuang Society calling me directly is already very suspicious. If I don't go there again, I don't know what kind of trouble will happen later."

Shuang Xuetao nodded and said, "It's good that you know this. I'm actually quite curious about the literary ecology of Hong Kong Island... I'll get busy now."

After Shuang Xuetao left, Zhang Chao thought about it and booked the fastest flight to Guangzhou. Then, on the way to the airport, he called Zhu Yanling of Huacheng Society. After a few polite words, he gave a brief account of the situation he was facing. He then asked Huacheng Society to help introduce him to someone who was relatively neutral and familiar with the Hong Kong literary circle to give him the inside story.

Although Zhang Chao had been to Hong Kong Island and was quite familiar with Xu Zidong, the head of the Chinese Department of Lingnan University, he still hoped to avoid preconceived ideas as much as possible when he was unsure of the other party's position.

Zhu Yanling was naturally very happy. In the past year or so, the relationship between Zhang Chao and Huacheng Publishing House had been a little cold, and he had not given any new books to Huacheng Publishing House for publication. Now he was willing to get in touch again. Although it was not to discuss cooperation, at least they were back on track. Of course, she happily agreed.

In Guangzhou, it is hard to find a three-legged frog, but there are people who are familiar with Hong Kong Island everywhere. As long as Zhang Chao is willing, no matter whether it is the grudges in the literary world or the current prices of prostitutes, everything can be arranged clearly for him.

Before 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Chao appeared in the office of Huacheng Society.

His arrival caused a small commotion at Huacheng Publishing House. Many editors came to see him. There was even a young girl who had just joined the company who took a copy of "Youth Like You" to Zhang Chao and asked for his autograph.

Zhu Yanling smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for more than a year. You have become a complete 'adult' now."

Zhang Chao smiled slightly and asked, "Where is your President Xiao?"

Zhu Yanling said, "What a coincidence. President Xiao was helping you contact candidates this morning, but he left at noon because of something else. But he specifically told me that the company will try its best to meet any needs you have."

Zhang Chao almost laughed when he thought of the mysterious interaction between President Xiao and Dato Mac in the bathtub last year. He also understood why Xiao Jianguo wanted to avoid him. However, he was here to do business, so it didn't matter whether he met Xiao Jianguo or not.

So she went straight to the point and asked, "Where is the person President Xiao introduced?" Zhu Yanling led Zhang Chao to the small conference room in the president's office. There was a pretty girl who looked to be in her 20s sitting inside. When she saw the two of them come in, she hurriedly stood up to greet them. The moment she saw Zhang Chao, her face visibly blushed.

Zhu Yanling introduced: "This is Liang Wanting, from Yangcheng, an undergraduate of the Chinese Department of South China Normal University, and a graduate of the School of Literature of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is very familiar with the history of Hong Kong Island literature. She recently exchanged with the Chinese Department of CUHK and happened to visit our club a while ago. - Wanting, this is Zhang Chao, believe me, I don't need to introduce him."

Liang Wanting quickly reached out her hand and gently shook hands with Zhang Chao, saying, "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Zhang Chao. I've heard of your name for a long time, but when I see you today, I'm still surprised at how young you are. Sorry, sorry..."

It was a rare experience for Zhang Chao to be called "Mr.", but Liang Wanting's Mandarin was good, with only a slight Cantonese accent. Zhang Chao also hurriedly said, "No, no, I have a request to make today. I hope that some of my doubts about Hong Kong literature can be answered."

Zhu Yanling said tactfully: "You guys chat, I'm going to be busy. Call me if you need anything." After that, she turned and left, closing the office door behind her.

Liang Wanting and Zhang Chao were the only two people left in the small conference room. Liang Wanting was a little reserved, but Zhang Chao was the first to open up and ask, "Who exactly is that Zhong Weiming? I think he is quite dissatisfied with the current situation of the literary world in Hong Kong Island."

When it comes to the professional field, Leung Yuen-ting finally regained her composure and replied: "Chung Wai-ming has always been the 'traitor' of the Hong Kong literary world - which means 'thorn in the side' in Mandarin. In fact, since 1994, he has begun to criticize local serious literary writers, believing that these writers have no market and cannot support themselves by writing, so they accept government funding from Hong Kong. Not only is the operation of funds opaque, but the recipients of funding also lose their independent personality in creation..."

It has to be said that this Hong Kong graduate student introduced by Xiao Jianguo has done solid research in this area. Even if she didn't know the details Zhang Chao asked about for a while, she was able to search for relevant information in time to supplement it.

The key is that Leung Wanting herself is from mainland China and loves literature, but she is not a writer. Therefore, her introduction to the history and differences of the three schools of writers in Hong Kong literature is very pertinent, with basically no personal feelings involved. It is a very good reference material for Zhang Chao.

The two talked for more than an hour before Zhang Chao put down his notebook filled with writing and said to Liang Wanting with satisfaction: "Thank you so much. With your introduction, I have roughly figured out where the problem lies this time."

Liang Wanting quickly waved her hand and said, "You're welcome."

Zhang Chao sighed again: "I originally thought that Hong Kong Island is a small place that can't even compile a thick literary history, so there shouldn't be so many disputes. I didn't expect that some of the grievances can be traced back to the Anti-Japanese War.

It really fits the old saying - 'The smaller the temple, the more evil spirits there are, the pond...' " Suddenly, he felt something was wrong, glanced at Liang Wanting, and swallowed the rest of his sentence.

Liang Wanting didn't mind. She covered her mouth and chuckled twice, saying, "You can talk, it doesn't matter. I'm not from that circle. You can't scold me."

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "It's the same everywhere, actually."

Then Zhang Chao exchanged contact information with her so that he could consult her at any time, and then smiled and said, "I owe you a favor. If you need me to do anything in the future, I will do my best to satisfy you."

Liang Wanting's face turned red again. After a while, she asked softly, "Mr. Zhang, do you have a guide when you go to Hong Kong Island this time?" Then she looked at Zhang Chao with some expectation.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Chao nodded and said, "I plan to look for Professor Xu Zidong of Lingnan University first, and then visit Mr. Pan Yaoming, the executive president of the Writers Association. With them around, I shouldn't get lost."

Liang Wanting was a little disappointed, but did not show it. Then she heard Zhang Chao casually mention some well-known figures in the Hong Kong literary circle, and looked at his face that looked younger than hers, and she couldn't help feeling a little dazed.

Zhang Chao saw Liang Wanting's expression and had some idea in his mind, but he still asked calmly: "If you need to interview them for research, I can introduce them to you - it's just a small favor, not a favor."

Liang Wanting shook her head and said softly, "Not yet - I'll tell you when I remember it." After that, she tactfully stood up and said goodbye.

Seeing Liang Wanting had left, Zhu Yanling went into the office and asked Zhang Chao, "How was it, did Xiao Liang introduce it in detail?"

Zhang Chao gave her a thumbs up and said, "She has a solid foundation and is well organized. She is a talented person. If she is willing to work at Huacheng Society, you should seize the opportunity."

Zhu Yanling smiled and said, "You know she is... How much do our editors earn a month? It's not even enough to buy her a bag. The Huacheng Community Temple is small, and it can't accommodate this Bodhisattva."

Zhang Chao thought that she seemed to have a background, but he had seen many people, big and small, in the past few years, so he had no interest in digging into the details. So he took the initiative to ignore Zhu Yanling's hesitation and asked, "Are our Huacheng Society familiar with the media in Hong Kong Island?"

Zhu Yanling said, "The relationship is OK. After all, we organize writers to visit and inspect Hong Kong Island every two years, and publicity and reporting are indispensable, so we have some relationships with reporters and editors in the cultural field there."

Zhang Chao said with a smile: "Can you help me say hello to them?"

Zhu Yanling asked curiously, "What do you mean? With your current fame, if you want to create momentum, can't you just go find someone you know over there? Oh, I see. You don't want the media to report that you went to Hong Kong Island, so that they can investigate you openly and secretly?"

Zhang Chao wondered what kind of manuscripts Editor Zhu had reviewed recently, and how he could have such a rich imagination. He quickly said, "I am not Emperor Kangxi or Emperor Qianlong, and I cannot go on an incognito tour. Not only will I go, but I will also go in a big way!"

Zhu Yanling asked: "With great fanfare?"

Zhang Chao nodded confidently and said, "If I want to go, I must go openly. If I go sneakily, I will be looked down upon."

Zhu Yanling asked: "Well, when are you going to Hong Kong Island?"

Zhang Chao said: "You can communicate with the reporters and editors you are familiar with this afternoon. I will arrive in Hong Kong Island early tomorrow morning. By then, I will announce an important news to them!"

(Two chapters combined into one. I changed my mind today, re-checked the information, and overturned the original idea and rewrote it.)
(End of this chapter)