1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 127 Looking up to him! Lu Xun's back

"So, Comrade Zhou Xu, you've agreed to give this novel to our magazine, Harvest?" Li Xiaolin finally asked Zhou Xu.

"Okay, I'll call you Harvest magazine after I finish writing it this month, okay?"

Zhou Xu has essentially agreed to Harvest's request.

However, in the past few months, ever since they learned that Zhou Xu had come to Nanjing, both the magazines "Zhongshan" and "Youth" have sent him requests to contribute articles.

Zhongshan has not declined; it remains a well-known literary magazine in China.

As for the magazine "Youth", it had a huge influence in the 80s and was listed as one of the "Four Little Stars" of youth literature journals.

Since Ba Jin had already commissioned him to write, Zhou Xu naturally skipped over these small magazines.

Zhou Xu was inside the room opening Ba Jin's letter.

"I'm so glad you were able to write a work like 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.' Later, I also read 'Lurking' and 'Wreath Under the Mountain,' all of which are excellent military-themed works..."

It almost entirely depicts an elderly person's care for a young person.

After all, older people tend to care about younger generations and want to leave something behind.

Wang Zengqi often mentored new writers; for example, Acheng, who wrote "The Chess King," received guidance from Wang Zengqi.

Wang Anyi, who won the Mao Dun Literature Prize for writing "The Song of Everlasting Regret," also received his support.

Of course, there is an old rule in the literary world. For example, when competing for a trophy, if the first and second place winners are equally matched, the trophy will be given to the younger person.

A few months ago, there was a writer who wrote "Muddy Pool" and became famous for talking about his girlfriend, right? He won the Lijiang Literature Award. Actually, the second place winner was more talented, but he was a newcomer, so the award went to "Muddy Pool".

The literary world has always been relatively supportive of newcomers.

In his letter, Ba Jin gave high praise to Zhou Xu, this emerging young man... "Perhaps with hard work he can catch up with the writers before the founding of the People's Republic of China."

"..."

These past few days, Zhou Xu has been writing scripts first, and then manuscripts.

As for regular classes, they will certainly continue.

Because the classes were taught to a group of middle-aged and young leaders in their thirties and forties, whose learning abilities were not as good as when they were in their teens or twenties, the classes were relatively slow. Zhou Xu, on the other hand, was at the peak of his learning ability, so he didn't have to put in much effort to learn.

Finally, before the end of November.

Zhou Xu had already polished the script, and he finished writing it before the deadline.

He took the script off campus.

After walking around, I arrived at the post office and mailed it.

Soon, Zhou Xu arrived outside the theater.

Yao Fanghua walked over and said, "I've been reading your book, 'The Boy in Striped Pajamas,' recently. To be honest, I've only read your 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain' and 'Lurking' before. I think this novel might have some depth compared to the previous ones, but it's very boring!"

Hearing this, Zhou Xu smiled and said, "The beginning is more colloquial, while the latter part is written in a literary style. There's no need to force it into parts you don't like."

"..."

Yao Fanghua squinted and asked, "What are you saying? You don't mean you think I have poor comprehension skills, do you?"

"No, that's not it!" Zhou Xu denied it outright. "Actually, literature and drama are both arts. If you understand theatrical art, you might not be ignorant of literature!"

"That's true." She smiled, the corners of her mouth curving upwards, revealing a distinct dimple on both sides of her skin.

"Come on, come on, let me treat you to a play first, a new one we're staging this year!"

After putting down the magazine, she quickly pulled Zhou Xu inside again.

Zhou Xu had no choice but to follow her inside, and the two arrived at a private room backstage.

Inside the house.

He was the only one there, a thin, elderly man. His double eyelids gave him a calm gaze, and although he was slender, he exuded an air of scholarly refinement. He also wore gold-rimmed glasses.

He looks like a particularly refined scoundrel.

Yao Fanghua laughed and called out, "Master Lu, look who I've brought for you!"

Lu Wenfu turned around and looked at the two of them: "Who is this? Your boyfriend? He's in the army!!"

Yao Fanghua shrugged: "I was thinking about it too, but it's unlikely, isn't it? Didn't you yourself say you wanted to meet him? The renowned young writer, Comrade Zhou Xu!!!"

Looking into Yao Fanghua's bright eyes, Zhou Xu asked softly, "Weren't you taking me to see the new drama?"

“Yes! But I’ll let you use someone else’s room while I’m at it!” she replied.

Soon, she pulled Zhou Xu over: "Let me formally introduce you, this is Lu Wenfu! Old Master Lu!! A famous writer!"

Zhou Xu then realized who this clever girl was referring to as Master Lu!
Hey! Another vice chairman of the China Writers Association!
Lu Wenfu is a representative writer of Jiangsu. His novels are characterized by their distinctive features. He is good at examining life from the perspective of historical changes, finding profound meaning in small things, reflecting deep social and historical connotations and ideological implications, and also has a strong sense of humor. He calls himself a "sweet and sour realist".

His representative works include the novel "The Nest of Man", the novellas "The Gourmet" and "The Well", and the short stories "Deep in the Alley", "Dedication", "The Peddler Family" and "The Wall".

You'll know if you read the novel; he's a seasoned gourmand.

"Hello, Comrade Lu!" Zhou Xu extended his hand.

Lu Wenfu also extended his hand: "It really is you! I heard you were here when I came to Nanjing, but I haven't had a chance to visit you yet! My apologies!"

This person is really funny.

People generally think that older people are particularly averse to electronic devices?

But Lu Wenfu wouldn't.

In the mid-to-late 1980s, when personal computers began to spread, he even became a computer enthusiast, talking about computers with great expertise and readily using technical terms. He upgraded his computer from a 286 to a 386, then from a 386 to a 486, and finally to a Pentium 586, showing great enthusiasm for upgrading his computer.

The young people in the editorial department were even less familiar with computers than he was; in fact, a group of them even went to ask him for help.

While some people born in the 1950s and 1960s reject mobile phones and computers in the 21st century, he, a person born in the 1920s, happens to like these things.

Zhou Xu immediately said, "I should be the one visiting you. Comrade Lu, you are really putting me down."

"No need, no need, you sit down first!" Lu Wenfu offered him his seat.

Zhou Xu sat down. He looked at Lu Wenfu; he did indeed have a certain air about him.

There aren't many handsome scholars, but Zhou Xu thought Su Tong was one. And looking at Lu Wenfu now, Zhou Xu felt that he must have been quite good-looking when he was young.

Yao Fanghua waved her hand: "Then I'll go first, you guys keep chatting!"

"..."

Lu Wenfu glanced at the girl; "What's your relationship with Fanghua?"

Zhou Xu explained, "Friend, don't overthink it, you're really a friend."

“Oh, this girl is someone I’ve watched grow up. We used to be neighbors. Later, she went to study drama and she really loves it!” Lu Wenfu nodded. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

Zhou Xu pursed his lips: "Beautiful! I think she's one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen!"

“Yes, it’s just that this girl is a bit stubborn,” Lu Wenfu replied. “You should be able to tell that once she’s made up her mind about something, she has to do it this way.”

Zhou Xu nodded; he had indeed noticed that.

"Yes, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. People always have to have something they stand up for."

After gossiping for a while, he brought up a new topic: "How old are you?"

"Yes, I was born in 60."

"Sixty? You're only twenty? Tsk! You're even more amazing than Wang Meng! Wang Meng was only 19 when he wrote 'Song of Youth,' and you were only 19 when you wrote 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain'!"
But Wang Meng stopped writing after finishing "Song of Youth," while you wrote "Lurking" and "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"!

Lu Wenfu patted Zhou Xu on the shoulder, genuinely feeling that this young man had a bright future.

He has met quite a few young writers who have achieved success.

Of course, these young writers are only somewhat famous within the province. As for writers who can sell millions of copies and become well-known nationwide, he has never seen them.

Besides, becoming famous at twenty is nothing compared to someone who doesn't die young! For example, Xu Zhimo died unexpectedly at thirty-five.

Their future achievements are still very high, just as Ba Jin said, "We can only look up to them!" For example, Lu Xun's back.

Zhou Xu took a sip of tea and found it wasn't tea dust at all, but rather Longjing tea. He said, "Old sir, you're really making fun of me. How can a mediocre writer like me compare to Teacher Wang Meng!"

However, Wang Meng was indeed Zhou Xu's dream and the pinnacle of literary achievement, as he went on to become the Minister of Culture.

Tsk! Lu Wenfu is talking about the heights of literature!
Zhou Xu was thinking about the political implications!
He really wants to join the department! He wants it his whole life!

"Oh? Wang Meng wasn't as famous as you were when you were young!" Lu Wenfu sighed. "Humility is a good thing, but there's no need to be too humble! When I was this young, Wang Zengqi and I..."

This is where Lu Wenfu begins his recollection and rant.

"Hmm!" To be honest, it always feels good to be praised. Zhou Xu was a little happy for a while after being praised by Lu Wenfu.

"Did I just mention Wang Zengqi to you?"

"Yes, yes, you said you wanted to eat the fish he makes, but he kept saying he couldn't buy it and it was postponed..."

Lu Wenfu slapped his forehead: "You mean at my age, I forget what I'm saying halfway through?"

"Oh? Don't say that! Your confidence comes from the years."

“Speaking of Wang Zengqi, do you young people still know him?” Lu Wenfu asked suddenly, taking a drag of his cigarette.

Before the 1970s, Wang Zengqi was not well-known in literary circles or among the younger generation.

However, he actually had some achievements in the theater world, such as in "Shajiabang". Here, there may be an unnamed person who invited Wang Zengqi to the city wall!

Therefore, Wang Zengqi was not without fame in the 1960s and 70s; on the contrary, he was very famous in Beijing.

But as time passed, he was forgotten along with the younger generation.

"Wang Zengqi? The novel 'Receiving the Precepts' published in the October issue of 'Beijing Literature' is his work, right?" Zhou Xu said.

Zhou Xu's novel "Lurking" sparked nationwide discussion due to its themes of love and hate! At that time, the People's Liberation Army Daily provided a satisfactory response.

just now.

Wang Zengqi's "Receiving the Precepts" was also published, which similarly sparked a great deal of discussion.

Things like writing about monks falling in love, or about young people...

Wang Zengqi became a literary sensation in the 1980s because of this novel! He became a well-known master of short stories and had a high level of literary experience.

"You know about this too?" Lu Wenfu asked in surprise.

"Yes, actually I work in the military, and many of his works have influenced me!" Zhou Xu said with a smile.

“That’s true. He was incredibly popular in the 1960s and 70s, and he’s still popular now, which proves he’s a true talent! Of course, I think his novel ‘The Novice’ and your novel ‘Lurking’ are quite similar in that they both deal with love,” Lu Wenfu said.

The two chatted about literature while watching the play.

The longer they talked, the more Lu Wenfu felt that Zhou Xu was talented. He couldn't help but praise him, "You are a real talent! The more I look at you, the more you resemble Lao Wang!"

His words were full of admiration!
There's no way around it; it would be strange if an old man didn't appreciate a talented person like Zhou Xu.

"Don't leave later, I'll treat you and Fanghua to dinner! I originally planned to meet you when I came to Nanjing on a business trip."

"Oh?" A vice chairman of the Writers' Association couldn't possibly be short of money, so Zhou Xu immediately said, "Alright, I'll make sure you eat and drink well!"

After watching the play.

Yao Fanghua wiped her makeup off with water and stepped out of the door. Her long hair was loosely tied back, with a few strands falling to the side of her neck, which added a touch of calm maturity to her originally gentle features, making her appear even more graceful and composed than usual.

"You're all better now? Comrade Lu and I were waiting for you to go out for dinner!"

Yao Fanghua looked at Lu Wenfu: "You two are having a good chat, aren't you?"

"Not bad, he's definitely a talented young man!" Lu Wenfu blinked.

Yao Fanghua ignored the gossipy old man and walked over to pat Zhou Xu on the back: "Since he said he'd treat us, then let's go to a more expensive place!"

They went to Liuhuachun, which originated in the late Qing Dynasty. The name of the restaurant is taken from the spring blossoms of the Six Dynasties scenic spot, and it is known as having all kinds of famous dishes from Beijing and Suzhou.

With such a prestigious reputation, it must be expensive.

Once inside the private room, Yao Fanghua ordered: "Scholars don't lack money, so Mr. Lu, shall I just order whatever I like?"

"It's been a long time! Order whatever you like!"

"Okay, braised embroidered fish and hibiscus goose slices! These are the most popular dishes here!" She looked at the menu, glancing at Zhou Xu as she spoke, also concerned about what Zhou Xu liked to eat.

"And you? Do you still like it?" Yao Fanghua asked.

Lu Wenfu retorted sarcastically, "Fanghua? I'm the one who treated you to dinner, shouldn't you be asking me?"

Fanghua replied, "Grandpa, you're from Suzhou, you eat Suzhou and Hangzhou cuisine every day. Zhou Xu is from out of town, what does he know?!"

"Tsk... So, do you think people from Suzhou like sons-in-law from other places?"

"You're talking nonsense again!!" Yao Fanghua glanced at Lu Wenfu.

The dishes were served quickly.

I must say, Huaiyang cuisine truly lives up to its reputation as the "First Banquet of the Founding of the Nation"!
After all, other cuisines have some shortcomings. The spiciness of Sichuan cuisine may not suit everyone, and some dishes are not aesthetically pleasing.

However, Huaiyang cuisine is beautifully presented and has a light and pleasant flavor, but the problem is that it is expensive, costing Lu Wenfu a lot of money!

(End of this chapter)