With the help of Mei Bao, a descendant of the Mei School, writing "Farewell My Concubine" was even more powerful.
Anywhere where Peking Opera repertoire is written, the words and ink are as if immersed in the opera's tune, that is called authentic!
Fang Yan was confident that he could finish the first draft of the novel before the end of the year. In a good mood, he hummed the lyrics of "The Drunken Concubine" and threw away the package containing the manuscript of "Song Ci, the Punisher of the Song Dynasty" It goes into the mailbox and is waiting to be sent to the "Science Fiction World" editorial office in Sichuan.
All the formalities for the launch of "World of Reasoning" have been completed, including the catalog for the postal system.
Now everything is ready, but the manuscript is missing. The first issue of "Mystery World" will be the first shot of China's mystery novel magazine.
I got into the car leisurely and drove smoothly to the Humanities Club. Then I showed up in the editorial office and immediately attracted attention.
"Director Fang!"
"You have been to the United States for more than a month, and you are going to die!"
Facing the crowds of people, Fang Yan smiled Gifts brought back from the United States were distributed everywhere, all of which were Olympic souvenirs.
After Zhu Wei took it, he thanked him profusely, "Teacher Fang, we have read the news about you in the newspaper. The flag on which our first gold medal was raised in the Olympic Games..."
"I want to ask if I have it with me, right?"
Fang Yan looked around, his eyes full of expectation, and said with a smile: "I have it, I have it, I guess you want to see it . ”
“Yanzi, hurry up, stop dawdling, take it out quickly”
Not only Chen Xiaoman was impatient, but the entire editorial department joined in. Come over, including Lu Shuyou, Yu Deli and others.
Three floors inside and three floors outside surrounded Fang Yan, with pairs of eyes staring straight at the sacred five-star red flag in his hand.
I don’t know who in the crowd yelled “Wow” first. For a moment, there was one wow after another.
Such a big movement naturally alarmed Wang Meng, Liu Jianqing, Cui Daoyi and other leaders of "People's Literature".
"Editor-in-Chief, this is yours."
Fang Yan handed over the gifts with both hands, without leaving any behind.
“Okay, okay.”
Compared with Olympic souvenirs, Wang Meng is more concerned about "Guns, Viruses and Steel" that caused a stir in the United States.
Fortunately, Fang Yan was prepared. Not only did he take out the Chinese version of "Guns, Viruses and Steel" from his briefcase, but he also took out a bunch of additional works by foreign writers, except for a small part from Other than those from Random House, they are basically all works from the International Writing Project.
“Haha, this trip to the United States was not in vain for you!”
Wang Meng showed a satisfied smile, “If you have the opportunity, please also thank Nie Hua for me and the comrades of the Humanities Society Ms. Ling thanked her. "
Fang Yan nodded, and then talked about the visit of 3,000 people to China. I am afraid that I will have to be a hands-off shopkeeper for a while longer.
"I understand, I understand, national affairs are important."
Yu Deli shook his head and laughed, "It's just a pity that Director Fang didn't have the chance to attend this year's second meeting of Chinese and American writers."
After asking Dialect, I found out that since last year, a literary exchange meeting between Chinese and American writers has been held every October. This time, the American participants are all writers and poets from the American "Beat Generation". The Humanities Society was originally It should be up to him, the arrowhead, to take action.
“It was really an unlucky thing this time.”
Wang Meng had no choice but to hand over this task to Lu Shuyou, Yu Deli and others.
Fang Yan said with a smile: "That's fine. Director Lu and Teacher Yu are very knowledgeable about Western literary genres. It's more suitable for them to go than for me."
"Director Fang, you are being humble."
Lu Shuyou waved his hand, "Who in the editorial department is more famous than you in the American literary world?"
< br>Yu Deli said with a hint of sourness in his tone: "That's right, Director Fang's "Saving Private Ryan" won the National Book Award. This time, "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" is very likely to win. Defend the title again?”
Fang Yan shook his head, “I’m afraid I can’t win it.”
"No way? I don't believe it."
Yu Deli curled his lips. Seeing this, Shuyou Lu did not stop him and frowned. After all, being too modest would be hypocritical.
Chen Xiaoman, Wang Meng and others also found it strange. They heard in dialect that the U.S. National Book Award is usually only awarded to novels, non-fiction, poetry, youth literature, translated works, etc. "Guns, Viruses and "Steel" was not included in the award nominations.
“Maybe next year’s Pulitzer Prize for History can be a shot in the arm.”
Only after hearing this, Chen Xiaoman realized that he was leaning forward and looking back, and he was upset. Said: "Well, you Yan Zi, you are playing tricks on us!" "Forget it, I will spare you this time!"
Wang Meng, Liu Jianqing and others looked at each other and laughed.
If "Guns, Viruses and Steel" really wins the Pulitzer Prize for History, then the Humanities Society responsible for publishing it will make a fortune!
…………
The laughter in the editorial office stopped abruptly with Wang Meng’s cough.
"I didn't make it to the second Sino-US Writers Conference. It doesn't matter. I'll send you to the third conference next year."
Wang Meng said with a smile: "But the fourth session of the Conference at the end of the year, You can’t be absent!”
“Don’t worry!”
Fang Yan promised firmly, and then chatted for a while in the Humanities Club before leaving for the second guest house.
This is the predecessor of Yanjing New Metropolis Hotel. At this time, a large number of reception staff gathered in the lobby.
Since the leader made some bold promises last year, the preparation work has already begun in full swing but quietly.
It took nearly a year from the preliminary preparation to the safe departure of the Japanese delegation.
Of course, the most important thing is the preparation work, especially in China at that time, it was not easy to gather hundreds of people who could speak Japanese.
Almost all Japanese teachers from all over the country were mobilized. First, simple training was given to the waiters in hotels and guest houses, so that they could learn some simple Japanese, such as "Kong Nijiwa (Hello)", "Kong Bang Wow (Good Evening)", "Sayo Nala (Goodbye)"...
Because we have to receive 3,000 people, even students from universities such as Yan University, China Foreign Affairs University, and the Second Foreign Language School were also Hire me as a translator.
If Bai Ruoxue hadn't gone to study in the United States and Hashimoto Yui had returned to work in China, she would have been called over to help at short notice.
But among the vast crowd, Fang Yan unexpectedly found Suzuki Yoko, who stayed in China.
"Teacher Fang, please come with me. I will take you to get your uniforms first."
"Uniforms?"
"Yes, everyone who receives the group will Wear a uniform suit.”
Suzuki Yoko led the way and led Fang Yan to collect the clothes.
No matter when, diplomacy is no small matter. In order to leave a good impression, the staff of the reception team began to dress up.
Many people also bought their first suit in their lives at this moment. Because it was made by a tailor in Hongdu, it was just like an elementary school student ordering a school uniform. It was not custom-made at all. They were all baggy, but no one complained.
After all, a suit on the market currently costs 40 yuan, which is almost as much as an average worker’s monthly salary!
Not to mention that most people are reluctant to spend money, even the country has to save some money, because the total budget is only 8 million RMB.
This was eight million in 1984, an absolutely astronomical figure, but the international air tickets for 3,000 people alone cost nearly half of it.
Therefore, the daily meal standard for each staff member participating in the preparatory work is 2 yuan.
And the unit only reimburses part of the 2 yuan, and the individual also has to pay part.
“How much do you have to pay?”
Fang Yan changed into a suit. The cuffs were a little longer and the trousers were a little shorter.
"It depends on whether your salary exceeds 100 yuan. If it exceeds, you have to pay 70 cents a day. If it doesn't exceed, you only need to pay 50 cents."
Suzuki Yoko remembers it well, "However, you have to pay another One pound Food stamps."
Fang Yan smiled and said, "Fortunately, I only have to pay 5 cents."
"For your royalties, even 7 yuan is not an exaggeration. ." Yoko Suzuki joked.
While the two were talking and laughing, a familiar and unexpected voice suddenly came from behind:
"Teacher Fang!"
"Zhu Lotus?!"
Fang Yan turned around and saw Zhu Lotus with short curly hair and a suit. (End of this chapter)