Exciting 1979!

Chapter 18: Someone from "Yanjing Literature and Art" has arrived
Wei Ming and Wei Ping'an were joking around for a bit.

Wei Pingan said with a smile: "I like to have bitterness before sweetness, so let me tell you the bad news first."

"The bad news is, I can't go to dinner at home this weekend."

This is indeed bad news for Wei Ping'an. He was counting on Wei Ming to help take care of the children so that the couple would have time to pursue the great harmony of life together.

"Why? Do you think your aunt's cooking is bad?"

Wei Ming shook his head: "The reason is this good news. I want to go to the Magic City."

As he spoke, Wei Ming handed over the acceptance letter from Harvest. Instead of saying anything else, it would be better to present the evidence directly.

After reading the letter, Wei Ping'an went back to look at the envelope. His mouth became dry and he gulped down a teacup of water without spitting out the tea leaves.

Although he is not a literature major, he is very aware of the importance of "Harvest" in the literary world. It is basically equivalent to the status of Ba Lao in today's literary world. It is a holy place that countless writers flock to!

All novelists are proud to have their novels published in Harvest.

The editor who wrote to Wei Ming, Li Xiaolin, was none other than Ba Lao's daughter and the recognized future successor to the editor-in-chief.

From her words Wei Ping'an could see that her nephew had written an incredible masterpiece!
Finally, Wei Pingan leaned back in his chair, his face full of regret: "I'm sorry for you, if I had known you had this ability, I should have arranged for you to work in the office!"

However, it would be more difficult to run an office and would also bring him a lot of criticism. He had never thought of this option at the time. He felt that he must have subconsciously underestimated Wei Ming and therefore felt guilty.

Then Wei Pingan added: "But don't worry, as long as your novel is published in Harvest, I will definitely get it done for you!"

Wei Ming hurriedly said, "Uncle, please don't. I really like my current job. Brother Feng just said he wants to transfer me to patrol."

"No, patrolling is better than sitting in an office. You will be a brainworker from now on!"

Wei Ming smiled and said, "Writing novels is a form of mental work. Sitting in an office requires you to use your brain and even your mind. That would be too tiring. On the contrary, patrolling just requires you to move your legs. It not only combines work and rest, but also allows you to come into contact with more people and things, which is conducive to accumulating materials."

Another reason is that, can the sensational effect caused by a Peking University civilian writing a novel be comparable to that caused by a Peking University guard? !
From the perspective of marketing topics, maintaining his current persona will be more conducive to the spread of fame and public discussion, and can even make him an idol for contemporary grassroots youth!
Wei Ping'an felt that the writer's ideas were indeed different from those of ordinary people, and he did not force it.

"Okay, okay, you can do whatever you want, but I will definitely ask the HR department to make you a regular employee and get your household registration settled. Don't even think about a house for now, your Captain Qiao still hasn't gotten one after all these years."

Yes, Brother Feng is so pitiful.

Wei Ming is already very satisfied: "It's good enough to be able to solve the household registration problem."

As for the house, the unit does not make a distinction, so he will find a way on his own. Although it is difficult to buy a house now, as long as you have money, you can always overcome the difficulties.

As he was thinking, Wei Pingan started flipping through his notebook, then smiled and patted the table: "How about I buy you a ticket for the day after tomorrow."

"sure."

"But I have to give you another task," Wei Ping'an said, "Professor Qu Yude from the Chinese Department is going to Shanghai for a meeting. I'll put you on the same train. Remember to take care of her. She's Professor Jin Kaicheng's wife. She had cancer before and isn't in good health."

As the director of the General Affairs Office, Wei Ping'an knew almost all the major and minor things in the school. He just occasionally heard from Professor Jin that he was worried about his wife's long journey, and then he made an exception and upgraded Professor Qu to a soft sleeper compartment.

In colleges and universities, only professors or associate professors who are over 50 years old can receive this treatment. Professor Qu is currently an associate professor and is in his forties.

Wei Pingan told Wei Ming: "You are determined to become a writer, so it's a good idea to build a good relationship with the Chinese Department."

The Chinese department does not train writers, but it trains literary critics!

When it comes to literature, sometimes, in addition to the readers' reputation, it also depends on the guidance of the industry. If someone endorses you, you are awesome.

Wei Ping'an was actually paving the way for his nephew.

What Wei Ming was most concerned about was: "Are Professor Qu and I in the same carriage?"

When Wei Ming heard that Professor Qu was staying in the soft sleeper compartment, he began to have some fantasies.

Wei Pingan: "Of course not, just sit in your hard seat. The conditions in the soft sleeper compartment are very harsh. I can't even sit there."

He is of high enough rank, but not old enough.

"What about the hard sleeper?" This train journey takes almost a day and a night. My waist may be able to bear it, but my buttocks can't.

Wei Pingan smiled and said, "If you can afford the fare for a hard sleeper, we can buy one for you. But as far as I know, for a job like this, the magazine will only reimburse the hard seat ticket, and you have to bear the extra difference yourself. From Yanjing to Shanghai, a hard sleeper ticket is about 20 yuan more than a hard seat ticket."

Wei Ming immediately said: "Hard seats, choose hard seats, I love hard seats!"

20 yuan, I spent all the money for a fairy tale, how can this be tolerated!

However, it would take a day and a night to drive there, so Wei Ming felt that he needed to take some small measures.

"Uncle, can I use your sewing machine?"

"Can you use a sewing machine?"

"I can't, can you?"

"I don't know how to do it either, but your aunt does." Nowadays, there is almost no woman who doesn't know how to use a sewing machine, even if her family doesn't have one.

"Then let's wait until she gets off work. Besides, we need some old clothes and cotton that are no longer needed at home."

Wei Ping'an looked at him suspiciously. In the middle of summer, did he need to prepare winter clothes?
Next, Wei Ming went to the Security Department to ask for leave, starting from the day after tomorrow, and the number of days was uncertain.

At first the leader did not agree. After all, the National Games needs manpower, and even if you are Wei Ping'an's nephew, you cannot give up at this time.

But when Wei Ming took out the acceptance letter from Harvest magazine, the leader's expression immediately changed: "Xiao Wei, sit down, and talk..."

After a lot of talking, Wei Ming finally walked out of the office building. Since it was not yet time for him to go to work, he went to the library.

There were no mobile phones on the train, so the only way to pass the time was to read. He had to find a few books to take with him on the trip.

Besides, he also wanted to find some of Professor Qu Yude’s works so that he could have something to talk about. By the way, what kind of meeting was she holding?
Also, she and I are not in the same carriage, how can I take care of her?

~
At the same time, Zhang Dening, editor of the fiction group of Yenching Literature and Art, returned to her beloved alma mater.

She has graduated for several years, and this time she returned to her alma mater mainly for an article commission.

Don't look for those famous professors, look for students.

Don't underestimate these students. For example, Chen Jiangong, who studied Chinese in the 77 class, has already published his works in several famous domestic literary magazines. Huang Beijia, who is in the same class, has also published his own collection of short stories.

There is a saying in 77 Chinese that there are “five great talented women”, Huang Beijia is just one of them. Others such as Cha Jianying and Cen Xianqing are also very talented, and they are all potential contributors.

Chen Jiangong was the leader of 77 Chinese and had also published articles for Yenching Literature and Art, so Zhang Dening went to find him first.

Nowadays, men and women can enter university dormitories freely, except in summer, because people wear less in summer, so both men and women take off their clothes the first thing they do when they return to the dormitory.

It was mid-September and quite hot, so Zhang Dening called a boy and asked him to help her call Chen Jiangong down.

Liu Zhenyun was particularly enthusiastic: "Okay, I'll go right away."

Although Zhang Dening is an editor and a senior sister, Chen Jiangong is older than her.

"De Ning, you've even gone to the boys' dormitory to urge for manuscripts." Chen Jiangong came over with a smile, and Liu Zhenyun followed behind.

"I can't help it. Contemporary has become popular. Now all the authors around Beijing are submitting their works there. I can only ask my junior classmates for help."

"Contemporary", which was founded in July this year, has only published two issues so far, and then it quickly became popular thanks to new works by writers such as Shi Tiesheng, Ma Shi Tu, and Qin Mu. Its circulation is already approaching that of the "Yenching Literature and Art", which has a long history.

This doubled the pressure on the editorial department of Yenching Literature and Art, so Zhang Dening came directly to ask for manuscripts.

"You just published a new article in Huacheng. Do you have any stock on hand?" Zhang Dening asked.

"This really doesn't exist."

"What about Huang Beijia, and the other students in your class."

"As far as I know, there shouldn't be any. They are all busy with the launch of Weiming Lake recently, including me. Although I have written some articles for Weiming Lake, they are probably not up to your standards."

Zhang Dening asked hurriedly: "Hey, is 'Unnamed Lake' coming out? When?"

When she was studying at Peking University, the May Fourth Literary Society, which had a long history, had been closed down due to the movement. The literary society was not revived until the new generation of college students, Class of 77, entered school.

"We are currently working on the typesetting. You will be able to see it at the beginning of next month."

Zhang Dening: "Please leave me a copy when the time comes."

"definitely."

"Then please help me think of some ideas. Do you have any ideas in your mind? Or can anyone with good writing skills recommend one to me?" Zhang Dening has not given up yet.

Liu Zhenyun on the side wanted to say: I’m not bad either, I can also write novels!
"Got it!" Chen Jiangong finally saw Liu Zhenyun and pointed at him and said, "This is Liu Zhenyun, from the Chinese Department of 78..."

At this moment, Liu Zhenyun wanted to kowtow to Chen Jiangong. He is worthy of being the leader of our Chinese department. From now on, you are my real brother!
Chen Jiangong continued, "Zhang Manling in their class is quite good. She is an educated youth from Yunnan and has a lot of life experience. She published articles before entering school. To be honest, I think her ability is not inferior to mine, and I heard that she is writing a novella recently."

Liu Zhenyun: …

"A novella, great! I'm in need of a novella right now!" Zhang Dening said excitedly, "Where is she?"

Chen Jiangong looked at Liu Zhenyun.

Liu Zhenyun said with a stiff upper lip: "My elder sister should be in the editorial department of Weiming Lake at this time."

Zhang Dening grabbed Liu Zhenyun's arm and said, "Junior brother, how about helping me lead the way?"

……

(End of this chapter)