April 18, Yanjing Railway Station.
As soon as Yang Xiao received the letter in dialect, he and Yao Haijun rushed from Rongcheng to Yanjing as quickly as possible.
Unexpectedly, Fang Xiaojiang greeted them in person, especially those who came by car.
Men love cars. When Yao Haijun saw the Citroën CX20, his eyes widened, "Teacher Fang, is this your car?"
Fang Yan nodded with a smile, " Put your luggage in the trunk.”
Yao Haijun and Yang Xiao looked at each other. Rumors had been circulating in the literary world that Teacher Fang was a "rich man", but they never expected Kuo to be like this!
Fang Yan sat in the driver's seat, ""Science Fiction World" has been released for two issues, how is the situation now?"
"Okay! Great!"
Yang Xiao was excited, "It's all thanks to you, Teacher Fang, that our magazine and publishing house have come back to life."
Fang Yan inserted the key, "It seems that the results are good, how many sales of the magazine have you had?"
"The average monthly volume is 410,000, and this number is still increasing."
Yao Haijun was full of excitement. Even as radical as he was, he couldn't believe that the magazine's sales could go from an average of 600 copies per month before the name was changed. The price jumped nearly 700 times, and even the radicals felt that they were too conservative.
"Not bad, not bad. After two issues, it has returned to the average sales level of "Science Fiction Literature"."
Fang Yan said congratulations while driving.
“This is all thanks to Teacher Fang. Without the serialization of your "Midnight Ring", "Science Fiction World" would not be what it is today!"
Yang Xiao's tone was full of gratitude.
“Yes, I often tell people in the editorial department that it is Teacher Fang’s pen that holds up half the sky of science fiction literature!” It’s worth thousands of troops!”
“…”
Yao Haijun praised it without hesitation.
Fang Yan shook his head and laughed: "That's an exaggeration. Science fiction literature cannot be accomplished by just one person. There must be thousands of science fiction writers."
"You are right!"
Yang Xiao frowned and expressed his worries.
Currently, the sales of "Science Fiction World" are entirely supported by "The Midnight Ring". What if the serialization of "The Midnight Ring" is completed one day and there is no work comparable to "The Midnight Ring". Alternately, I am afraid that the magazine's sales will drop off a cliff again and no one will care about it again.
“Where are the other science fiction writers?”
Fang Yan then asked about the source of the manuscripts for "Science Fiction World".
Yang Xiao said that many veteran writers like Ye Yonglie have chosen to return to science fiction literature, but the quality of their manuscripts is hard to describe.
Fang Yan asked: "Are there no young faces or fresh blood?"
"Yes, but not many. I have brought all their works."
Yao Haijun said: "Please ask Teacher Fang to help you palm your eyes later and select the writers and novels in it."
Fang Yan didn't refuse, and couldn't help but wonder, would there be any works by Liu Cixin?
…………
Once we arrived at the guest house, after everyone settled their luggage, it was still an hour before 5 o’clock.
Taking advantage of this time, Yao Haijun finally got the coveted new work of Teacher Fang and took a closer look:
"Artificial Intelligence".
Yang Xiao also saw this word for the first time and felt it was new. "Teacher Fang, what is artificial intelligence?" Smart' explained clearly."
Dialect showed a mysterious smile and asked them to read the novel first.
Yao Haijun took out a thick stack of manuscript paper from his bag, "Teacher Fang, these are the manuscripts we received this month. Please take a look at them."
After Fang Yan took them, he casually After flipping through, "Descendants of the God of War", "Travel in the Dragon Palace"...
At a glance, they may appear to be science fiction novels, but in fact most of them are pseudo-science fiction, or even fantasy novels. The number of works that are truly science fiction literature can be counted on one hand, and among them is a manuscript called "Collapse of the Universe" .
When you look at the author, "New Bacteria", you can tell that it is a pen name.
Looking at the protagonist of the novel, it is obvious that he is a physicist, "Ding Yi", which has the same name as "Ding Yi" in "Three Body" and "Ball Lightning".
Could it be that the "new bacteria" is Liu Cixin?
With this idea in mind, I read it from beginning to end. The length is not long, but the content is quite complex and profound.
It is said that after the physicist Ding Yi created the unified field theory, he accurately confirmed that the universe, which had been expanding for 20 billion years, gradually stopped under the action of gravity, and then re-gathered everything in the universe and began to collapse, and time also collapsed.
That is, going back in time, just like a movie playback, walking backwards, reuniting after a broken mirror, and resurrecting people after death...
Seeing the ending of the novel, Fang Yan is even more convinced that this is written by Da Liu The writing is exactly the same as the ending of "Three Body 3: Death Reborn", that is, the universe needs to be restarted, and all the small universes need to be returned to matter to the big universe.
Perhaps the biggest difference is that Cheng Xin secretly hid the true mass of 5 kilograms and raised a goldfish.
Sure enough, the principle of "kill the Virgin first in troubled times" is definitely not unreasonable!
Seeing the corners of Teacher Fang's mouth rising sometimes and sometimes downwards, Yang Xiao said uneasily:
"Teacher Fang, what do you think of this novel?"
"The writing is a bit jerky. It’s rough and looks like a novice, but it contains enough imagination and a hard-core worldview.”
Fang Yan was amazed.
Yang Xiao was surprised, "Imagination?"
Fang Yanyan explained briefly and comprehensively, "This person is a good seedling of science fiction literature and must be cultivated well."
Yang Xiao silently wrote it down, "That teacher Fang, the 'hard core' is another What does it mean?"
"Science fiction literature is divided into three types: 'hard science fiction', 'soft science fiction' and 'pseudo-science fiction'."
Dialect stretched out his first finger, "What about hard science fiction, the key point is In 'scientific', it must be Based on science and technology, we use existing science as the theoretical basis to rigorously predict the future development path to describe the impact of new technologies on the future world."
Then the second root was extended. Finger said, "Soft science fiction is more relaxed. Like "The Ring", the themes and plots tend to focus on social, political, psychological, philosophical, historical and other issues. It mainly uses the form of science fiction to promote the development of the plot."
"As for pseudo-science fiction, it means creating a concept out of thin air without any scientific basis."
"For example, super powers, special functions..."
"Just like " "Superman"?" Yang Xiao suddenly realized.
“That’s right!”
Fang Yan nodded. Superhero movies like DC and Marvel are basically pseudo-science fiction movies.
Yao Haijun looked back, "Teacher Fang, is this "Artificial Intelligence" considered soft science fiction?"
Fang Yan said: "Although it involves theories such as the 'Uncanny Valley', it is still soft science fiction in essence. , the main discussion is the difference between robots and humans, whether robots can have human emotions, society’s attitudes and actions towards artificial intelligence, etc.”
Yang Xiao couldn’t help but sigh, this. The themes and stories are indeed suitable for teenagers and children.
“Many of the science fiction elements in it are also quite hardcore, such as mobile phones, the Internet, companion robots...”
Yao Haijun said: “I think Teacher Fang’s manuscript is very whimsical and wonderful. I think it’s enough for others to write more than ten novels.”
It's hard for Yang Xiao to disagree, "No, this is a world-class science fiction novel like "The Ring"!"
Fang Yan raised his eyebrows, "The more you praise me like this, how can I The more I feel something is wrong."
Yao Haijun smiled and rubbed his hands, "Teacher Fang, could you please separate the words 'hard science fiction' and 'pseudo science fiction' you just mentioned? "And the concept of 'soft science fiction', let's write an article in "Science Fiction World" in May?"
"What Lao Yao said is exactly what I want to say," Yang Xiao said: "Fang. Teacher, we hope that more writers and readers will have a clearer understanding of science fiction literature.”
"Please, Teacher Fang!"
Faced with the two's repeated requests, Fang Yan pondered for a moment.
At this moment, gurgling sounds came from Yao Haijun's stomach, one after another.
“Hahaha, it’s almost time for dinner, I’ll take you to Yili Fast Food Restaurant.”
Fang Yan waved his hand, “Let’s chat while we eat.”
…………
Yili Fast Food Restaurant is the first Western-style fast food restaurant in Yanjing. Not long ago, it opened at the west entrance of Xirongxian Hutong in Xidan.
Even the leaders of Yanjing personally cut the ribbon for the fast food restaurant.
Since the first day of business, the door has been packed with customers almost every day, with huge pomp and crowds and full seats.
The most frequent visitors were intellectuals, music, Western food, and gorgeous lights, all of which were the most fashionable things at the time.
It was the first time for Yang Xiao and Yao Haijun to see each other. They felt fresh and looked around. It was an eye-opener.
Especially after seeing other customers washing their hands, there is a hot air machine next to the sink, which can dry their hands in less than 1 minute.
“This is my first time eating foreign fast food.” Yao Haijun looked like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden.
You can see the menu hanging behind the counter, listing dozens of dishes such as braised sausage rice, vegetable salad, burgers, and ham sandwiches.
Fang Yan washed his hands and said, "I'll just make do with it tonight. Eat something simple, just a quick snack."
Yang Xiao took a breath when she saw the price list, "Teacher Fang, this price..."
"I will pay for tonight's meal."
Fang Yan still remembers the meal in Rongcheng. During the visit, the editorial department of "Science Fiction World" warmly entertained me.
"That, that cost Teacher Fang a lot of money."
Yao Haijun held a tray with everything placed on it. Cups, spoons, and straws were all disposable.
Seeing the waiter operating the computer quickly and accurately, Yang Xiao's eyes lit up, "Teacher Fang, is this the 'computer' in your book?"
"The one in the book must be more advanced than this one. More avant-garde."
Fang Yan took the tray and led the two of them to a newly cleaned place to sit down.
While eating, Yang Xiao said, "Teacher Fang, I don't know what we just said..."
"Let's talk about the classification of science fiction literature, right?"
After careful consideration, Fang Yan finally agreed.
"Teacher Fang, I respect you!"
Yao Haijun was overjoyed and immediately picked up the cup and drank Coke instead.
Fang Yan took a sip of Coke and couldn't help but think of the Coca-Cola stock that he had been increasing his holdings.
Yang Xiao tasted it carefully, "Is this the taste of Coke?"
Fang Yan said with a smile: "How do you feel? Which is better, Tianfu Cola or Coca-Cola?"
"Tianfu Cola tastes less sweet, but more refreshing and has medicinal effects."< br>
Yang Xiao said: "Drinking it is good for the human body."
When Fang Yan heard about the soda that is good for the human body, the name "Jianlibao" flashed through his mind.
Then the three of them started chatting about "Artificial Intelligence" and continued to talk about the advertising of "Science Fiction World".
Fang Yan said with a smile: "The magazine is obviously selling well, but your publishing house is still so short of money?"
"To tell you the truth, Teacher Fang, we have suffered from famine before. At that time, we had tens of thousands of dollars in our books, but In fact, the publishing house owes more than 300,000 yuan, especially the debt to the printing factory, which has not been settled yet. "
Yao Hai. Jun sighed, "I have to make a lot of money after these two issues, otherwise, the publishing house will collapse."
Fang Yan asked: "Then what would you have planned if I hadn't been there? What to do?”
Yang Xiao said: “We have indeed discussed this and plan to create another children’s book.”
Fang Yan raised his eyebrows, surprised.
Yang Xiao said that at present, many publishing houses and literary and art journals have adjusted their publishing purposes and transformed into popular literary journals, so they plan to follow suit and create a children's popular science book, and then all the editorial staff will work together Riding a tricycle, go to the streets and alleys, hawking along the streets.
"So do you have any plans to start a new publication now?"
Fang Yan looked left and right.
"New publication?"
Yao Haijun stopped eating and looked at each other with Yang Xiao.
“Yes, for example, magazines focusing on mystery themes, or miscellaneous talks for teenagers, including various types of stories.”
Fang Yan said: “Just like "Story Club" , "The King of Stories".
Yao Haijun slapped his thigh, "The children's book we wanted to create at that time was to be on par with "Story Club" and "The Story King"!"
"I want to invite your publisher Do yourself a favor.”
Fang Yan crossed his hands and looked serious.
Yao Haijun said: "If you have anything to say, just say it."
Fang Yan explained the cooperation plan with Science Fiction World Publishing House, focusing on the creation of a special issue.
Yang Xiao and Yao Haijun were so shocked that they couldn't react for a while.
"Teacher Fang, are you going to go into the sea too?"
"Ahem!"
Fang Yan coughed, why go into the sea? I am a serious person, why go into the sea!
Immediately afterwards, I gave the reason with some reservations. With the rise of Chinese mystery literature, we are duty-bound!
Yang Xiao suddenly realized: "It turns out that Teacher Fang is trying to promote mystery literature across the country."
"Our Chinese mystery novels are still at the stage of public case novels and must be improved to a higher level. Only layers will do.”
Fang Yan said: "And under the current severe crackdown situation, more mystery crime novels are needed to cooperate with the publicity."
Yao Haijun said sheepishly: "But we are not good at mystery novels."
>Fang Yan vowed that the editorial department only needs to be responsible for general publishing work, and he will be responsible for the writers of this special issue.
“Are you alone?”
“You don’t want to cover an entire magazine by yourself, do you?!”
The two of them were shocked again. If it were anyone else who wanted to run a magazine by himself, they would definitely think that this person was either crazy or stupid.
But if it’s the man in front of you, that’s a different matter.
Because of the creative ability of young general Fang, one person and one pen can equal an army of thousands! (End of this chapter)