Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 432 "The King of Fairy Tales" is affiliated with the Institute of Literature and Art Research?

Inside the guard post at the Film Bureau entrance, a few people finished their trembling conversation and prepared to leave. Seeing that Liu Yimin wasn't heading towards the western suburbs, they looked puzzled. Liu Peiran couldn't help but ask, "Yimin, aren't you staying at the Overseas Chinese Apartments now?"

“It’s at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, but tonight is the premiere of ‘The Stage,’ so I have to go to the Beijing People’s Art Theatre,” Liu Yimin explained.

“The Stage, what a great script! It’s a pity I couldn’t get tickets, otherwise I would have gone with you to join the fun,” Liu Peiran said.

Liu Yimin generously said, "I'll save one for you next time there are tickets available."

“Yimin, what about me? I’ve also read the novel ‘The Stage,’ it’s very good, but I wonder how it would be if it were adapted into a stage play?” Wei Bida interjected, his face showing an expression that said, “Give me a copy too.”

"Okay, if I have any, I'll give one to everyone." Liu Yimin waved his hand, twisted the accelerator, and drove away.

It took three or four months from the submission of the script to the premiere of "The Stage," which is considered a long time for all script rehearsals.

However, the actual rehearsal time was not long. In the middle, because the Beijing People's Art Theatre had many plays in rehearsal at the same time, it was impossible to gather all the actors for "The Stage" and rehearsals could not be carried out. It was not until after the premiere of Zhu Lin's "Good Luck Building" that "The Stage" slowly began to be rehearsed.

Upon arriving at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Liu Yimin covered his ears and ran to the canteen for lunch. The December wind was biting cold, and Liu Yimin felt like his ears were about to freeze off.

Inside the cafeteria, the steam from the food slowly dispelled the chill from Liu Yimin's body.

"Master, give me a spoonful of soup to warm myself up," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

The cook smiled, picked up the bowl from the cafeteria, washed it again, and then ladled a bowl of porridge for Liu Yimin: "Why don't you try some steamed white buns first? They're delicious!"

Liu Yimin warmed his hands with a bowl of porridge, then got two more meals and sat down at a table in the cafeteria, eating while waiting for Zhu Lin.

After Zhu Lin ran in rubbing her hands, she saw Liu Yimin waving at her and quickly walked over: "Teacher Liu, I saw the motorcycle but not the person, so I knew you were in the cafeteria."

"It's too cold, you should eat quickly, or it will get cold soon." Liu Yimin pushed Zhu Lin's food in front of her seat.

Zhu Lin took a sip of the porridge: "It's already a little cold."

"It's my fault. I should have let you get your own food," Liu Yimin said.

"It's alright, the temperature is just right." Zhu Lin quickly picked up the steamed bun and ate it with the vegetables.

During the break from lunch, the other directors also sat down nearby. Ouyang Shanzun and Gu Wei, as the directors of "The Stage," quickly finished their meal and rushed backstage to prepare.

Lan Tianye said, "Gu Wei has made great progress under the guidance of Shan Zun. I think it won't be long before he can stand on his own like Xiao Zhu."

“Teacher Lan, Director Gu is much more capable than me,” Zhu Lin quickly said.

Su Min laughed and said, "Xiao Gu is older than Xiao Zhu, but he mainly works as a screenwriter and actor. In that respect, Xiao Zhu is more experienced than Xiao Gu."

After dinner, everyone walked towards the performance hall together. Su Min had something to do that evening and left early.

The audience kept moving in, and soon the theater was full. Everyone was excitedly discussing the novel "The Stage," wondering if the play could capture that joyful spirit.

After the performance began, Liu Yimin looked at the stage with great interest. Ever since the character "Hong Dashuai" appeared, the entire set was filled with laughter.

His distinctive Tangshan dialect immediately drew laughter from the audience. The Tangshan dialect sounds like it has a hundred turns and twists, and with the actor deliberately drawing out the sounds, it has a lingering resonance.

"You've practiced your Tangshan dialect quite a bit!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zhu Lin said, "That's right. The actors went to Tangshan in person just to learn the Tangshan dialect."

As Commander Hong did absurd things, the audience gradually went from finding him amusing to hating him intensely.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Several gunshots rang out from the stage. The gang leader who had been fighting with Hong Dashuai for the theater's private venue met his end in the theater, and the entire performance hall was filled with a suffocating atmosphere.

Afterwards, seeing Commander Hong threaten everyone with a gun, I felt even more desolate.

When Commander Hong mistook the sounds of Sixth Concubine and Jin Xiaotian's moans during sex for actors practicing their voices, the audience laughed again.

However, this sound is very different from a real sound, and the Beijing People's Art Theatre would not dare to actually perform moaning sounds in public.

The lovemaking between the sixth concubine and Jin Xiaotian was portrayed in a particularly subtle way, but people in this era already enjoyed it.

The audience repeatedly experienced both laughter and sorrow. When Jin Xiaotian sang the opera without changing a single word despite the threats, the audience cheered.

Liu Yimin was also moved and clapped enthusiastically.

With the thunderous roar of cannons, Commander Hong's rule came to an end, Commander Lan entered the city, and the entire play came to a close.

The audience applauded again to express their gratitude for the actors' superb acting skills. Liu Yimin went backstage and learned a few words of Tangshan dialect from the actor who played Commander Hong.

"You don't know!"

"When people from Tangshan say they don't know, they mean they don't know. If they say they're going to do something, they mean they're going to beat someone up."

"Good, good, good, thank you all for your kindness!" Liu Yimin said a few words of encouragement before leaving the backstage area.

Zhu Lin and Liu Yimin braved the cold wind to return to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Once home, they clung to the heating pipes tightly.

"The weather in Yanjing is much colder than back home, but there's no heating back home, so it's always cold in bed," Yang Xiuyun said, sitting on the sofa.

"Mom, are the two little ones asleep?"

"Already asleep."

"Mother, why don't you go to bed earlier?" Liu Yimin asked.

"I'm getting old and need less sleep. I'll wait for you two to come back before I sleep, otherwise I won't be able to sleep peacefully." After saying that, Yang Xiuyun got up and went back to her bedroom to prepare for bed.

After showering, Zhu Lin and Liu Yimin returned to their bedroom. Zhu Lin asked, "Teacher Wan saw me today and asked me how your script for 'The Battle of Taierzhuang' is coming along!"

"The play script has been revised. Take it to your teacher when you go to work tomorrow!" Liu Yimin said.

Zhu Lin poked Liu Yimin's ribs with her finger: "Teacher Liu, you're amazing! You finished writing it so quickly."

"Don't stab me," Liu Yimin said instinctively.

"Reciprocity is reciprocated."

Liu Yimin suspected Zhu Lin was being inappropriate, but had no proof. So he grabbed her wrist and said, "Then let's return the favor. I'm going to stab you hard today."

Zhu Lin chuckled, quickly burrowing under the covers, her hands teasing Liu Yimin relentlessly.

The house is well soundproofed, so the two of them don't need to worry too much about other rooms hearing them.

Afterwards, Zhu Lin put her arm around Liu Yimin's neck and said, "Teacher Liu, you were great today! You're getting better and better!"

"I'm getting better and better, but why do you seem to be getting more and more irreverent?" Liu Yimin said jokingly.

"I'm asleep, I can't hear you, I don't understand!" Zhu Lin pulled the blanket over his head and began to pretend to be asleep.

Wei Bida from the Guangxi Film Studio spent several days at the August First Film Studio with Yang Guangyuan, and they discussed the filming plan for "The Battle of Taierzhuang" with Zhai Junjie from the August First Film Studio.

Before the Lunar New Year, both sides carried out preparatory work for "The Battle of Taierzhuang", including casting, equipment procurement, troop support, prop procurement and other preliminary work. By June next year, they will try to complete the casting work and all other preparatory work.

We aim to finish filming by 85 and release it in early 86. If casting goes smoothly, it could be released in 85.

Before leaving Yanjing, Wei Bida visited Liu Yimin again, holding a remittance slip for 4000 yuan.

“Yimin, this is what you deserve. Writing such a script took a lot of effort,” Wei Bida said.

After accepting the remittance slip, Liu Yimin said, "You came here today just to deliver this?"

"There's one more thing. I'd like you to come with me to meet with Mr. Cheng Siyuan and Mr. Zheng Dongguo to discuss their views on the script. The main purpose is to invite them to serve as consultants."

The two arrived at Zheng Dongguo's house again, where Cheng Siyuan, Zheng Tingji, Qin Yizhi, Zhai Junjie, and Yang Yuanguang were already there.

Not long after Zheng Dongguo finished reading the script, he was sharing his thoughts on it when he saw Liu Yimin. He immediately stopped, walked up to Liu Yimin, and patted him on the shoulder several times: "Well written! It's like a dream of bugles echoing through the camps!"

“If Lord De could know this from beyond the grave, he would have no regrets,” Cheng Siyuan sighed.

Zheng Dongguo said, "This is the first film in our country to tell the story of the main battlefield, setting an example for those who come after. Merits are merits, and faults are faults!"

"I've come here to hear if any of you four have any opinions," Liu Yimin said after sitting down.

"Opinions? No objections. I was just talking to Director Yang and Director Zhai. They said they have no objections if we are their consultants, but they would have objections if they are not."

Seeing that none of the eyewitnesses had any objections, Wei Bida felt more confident about the script's prospects. Zheng Dongguo and Cheng Siyuan earnestly explained to everyone the various types of firearms and other weapons that both sides had used at the time, emphasizing the importance of accuracy when purchasing props.

Liu Yimin interjected, "The Japanese don't need to choose actors who are that tall; real Japanese people aren't very tall."

“Yes, the Type 38 rifle with a bayonet inserted was probably shorter than the Japanese soldiers.” Zheng Dongguo added, “Actually, the average height of soldiers in various countries was not that high back then, including American soldiers, but the Japanese were the shortest.”

“I’ve noted that down,” Zhai Junjie said. Cheng Siyuan and Zheng Dongguo made many arrangements regarding the details, fully demonstrating their role as consultants.

When the conversation got really interesting, they wouldn't let them leave, and they didn't leave until the afternoon after the meal.

In the study, Liu Yimin held a copy of "The Most Beautiful Youth" sent by Li Shu from People's Literature Publishing House. The cover, with its depiction of sandstorms and the resolute faces of young people, was very eye-catching.

Now that Liu Yimin has handed over the publishing rights to People's Literature Publishing House and Commercial Press, the two companies no longer need to fight over them. The only concern is whether Liu Yimin will revoke the authorization in the future.

Cui Daoyi said, "The graphic design of the covers published by People's Literature Publishing House has improved by leaps and bounds!"

"We can't afford not to improve. If we don't improve, the people won't vote for us," Li Shu hurriedly said.

"Haha, Comrade Li Shu, this is how the market forces companies to improve!" Liu Yimin put "The Most Beautiful Youth" aside.

“Yimin, the book of merits cannot be left lying around for too long. Now, when I look at this book, I find it much more pleasing to the eye.”

"How many did you print in your first run?"

"The first print run was 800,000 copies."

Liu Yimin nodded and said, "That's good, this quantity is sufficient."

“Our issue of People’s Literature sold 1.5 million copies. Your first printing could actually be a bit more aggressive,” Cui Daoyi said with a smile.

"We do think that, but now there are a lot of pirated books on the market, and the book market is getting more and more chaotic. It's not easy for us legitimate publishing houses to operate."

Li Shu said with distress, "Although the main sales channel is Xinhua Bookstore now, and Xinhua Bookstore resists the sale of pirated books, the economy is becoming more and more active, and various channels are also increasing. Piracy is becoming increasingly difficult to prevent."

"Sigh!" Cui Daoyi sighed. Their magazine was relatively okay, basically unaffected.

Cui Daoyi looked at Liu Yimin and asked, "Yimin, have you read children's literature?"

“They don’t read much, but with my two little ones around, Ximei bought some children’s magazines for them to read to. Of course, the two little ones are still too young to understand them,” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Do you know Zheng Yuanjie?

"I remember, what's wrong?"

"He asked a children's literature editor to contact me, saying he wanted to visit you."

"Visit me?"

"I don't know what it is, they just asked me to pass on a message and see if there's an opportunity."

“Okay, senior brother, give him my phone number. He’s welcome anytime he wants to come over,” Liu Yimin said.

"Okay, I'll go back and tell them."

After Cui Daoyi and Li Shu left, Liu Yimin looked out the window, wondering why Zheng Yuanjie had come to see him.

After Cui Daoyi returned, he informed the other party. That evening, while they were having dinner, Zheng Yuanjie called.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, I often read your works. Although we write about different things, you have always been a role model for me to learn from and emulate." Zheng Yuanjie's voice was urgent and excited, and he exhaled a lot of white breath as soon as he opened his mouth.

Liu Yimin smiled slightly: "Comrade Zheng Yuanjie, I live in the North Building of the Overseas Chinese Apartment. You are welcome to call me anytime you have time."

"Would tomorrow morning be okay?"

"Okay, let's go!"

Zheng Yuanjie happily hung up the phone, took out the money, quickly rubbed his ears, and ran towards the tenement building where he was.

The next day, around nine o'clock, Zheng Yuanjie knocked on the door on time. Zheng Yuanjie was dressed neatly, wearing a navy blue cotton coat, a gray scarf with a patch on the scarf, and a hat. He looked very nervous.

Xi Mei opened the doorway and looked at Zheng Yuanjie, asking, "Are you Writer Zheng?"

"Yes to me."

"Professor Liu is waiting for you in his study, come in quickly!"

"Comrade, who are you?"

"I am a nanny, my name is Ximei."

Zheng Yuanjie's heart skipped a beat. Good heavens, they're both writers, but this guy already has a nanny. Stepping inside, he saw a bright apartment that wasn't cramped at all; his family could probably even fit comfortably in the living room.

Thinking back to his own tenement building, Zheng Yuanjie felt even more cramped.

Upon arriving at the study, Zheng Yuanjie immediately joked, "Comrade Liu Yimin, today I'm truly like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden; my eyes have been opened!"

"Hello, Comrade Zheng Yuanjie, you're quite good too. My two little ones are listening to your work," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

After serving the tea, Xi Mei quickly left the study.

Zheng Yuanjie is an extroverted person. After his initial awkwardness disappeared, he started talking non-stop with Liu Yimin.

At first, we mainly talked about our views on Liu Yimin's works, but soon we shifted to the topic of our own fairy tales.

"Comrade Zheng Yuanjie, your fairy tales are very good. I believe you will become China's Fairy Tale King in the future," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zheng Yuanjie looked at Liu Yimin and remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly trying to determine whether Liu Yimin was praising or mocking him. After confirming it was praise, he said helplessly, "King of Fairy Tales? Sigh, he's lucky if he can even get enough to eat."

Comrade Yimin, how did you manage to get the magazine to increase your payment for articles?

"How could I give it to them? I didn't mention it; they were the ones who brought it up," Liu Yimin said casually.

Zheng Yuanjie was speechless for a moment: "Really?"

Seeing that Zheng Yuanjie was speechless for a moment, Liu Yimin took the initiative to ask, "Is there a problem you're having?"

"Sigh, to be honest, I think it's unfair. An editor friend of mine told me that my fairy tales boosted the sales of children's magazines to 100,000 copies, but when I asked to increase my payment, I was refused. Do you think that's fair?" Zheng Yuanjie complained.

"How much do you charge per thousand words for your fairy tales now?"

Zheng Yuanjie stammered, "A few yuan, I guess."

He was too embarrassed to say how much he earned. He was paid two yuan per thousand words, while Liu Yimin was paid for writing a thousand words. He would have to write fifteen thousand words.

"This magazine is a real piece of work. The writers are the core of the magazine. The content is supposed to be for children, but the organization itself is incredibly childish."

Zheng Yuanjie was worried that Liu Yimin would think it was vulgar for writers to ask for royalties, but seeing that Liu Yimin was on his side, he no longer had this concern and immediately retorted sarcastically, "People ask why I think it's my work that drove the sales? I can't find a reason either!"

"I knew that children's magazines paid low fees, but I didn't expect them to be this low."

"I only want to raise it by one cent, not one dollar."

"Comrade, I understand how you feel, although I haven't experienced it myself."

"."

"Are there really publishers who would offer to pay extra?" Zheng Yuanjie asked incredulously.

Liu Yimin said, "Last year the manuscript fee was ten yuan, and this year it's thirty yuan. Harvest magazine automatically increased it."

"If Harvest magazine could publish a children's version, I would definitely submit my work," Zheng Yuanjie said enviously.

Thirty yuan per thousand words! If Liu Yimin weren't there, this standard would make him green with envy.

Liu Yimin looked at Zheng Yuanjie, his eyes suddenly darting around: "Comrade Zheng Yuanjie, since that's the case, why don't you start your own magazine? I just don't know if you can handle the content creation on your own?"

“Creating a book? Of course I can, I’m full of energy. But I’ve also thought about starting a magazine. I subconsciously wanted to start one, but starting a magazine is no easy task. I can’t even get an ISSN,” Zheng Yuanjie said helplessly.

Liu Yimin crossed his legs and said, "Is getting a publication number easy?"

“It’s very difficult for an individual. There’s no example of an individual starting a publication in our country. If I were to run an underground publication like those young people in the past, it wouldn’t work. I have elderly parents and young children to support, so I can’t do that.”

"If you can't do it yourself, you can get affiliated with a government agency."

“This is a publication, there are risks involved, and people we don’t usually associate with would definitely not agree. Our family isn’t any kind of influential family, we’re just an ordinary military family,” Zheng Yuanjie said honestly.

Zheng Yuanjie's background, though seemingly ordinary, was not exactly ordinary; his father was a military officer. When Zheng Yuanjie first founded "King of Fairy Tales," it was actually affiliated with a state-owned unit, specifically the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League.

Liu Yimin said, "Our Institute of Literature is a research institute under Yenching University, directly managed by the Ministry of Culture. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)