1980 My literary era

At the beginning of the new year, Lin Weimin set fire to the Chinese Literature Society again.

In the past few days, the most heated topic discussed in the Chinese Literature Society is naturally the "World Literature Masterpiece Library".

"World Literature Masterpiece Library", just hearing the name is scary enough.

There were both supporters and opponents in the club. Everyone expressed their opinions in private, and the discussions went back and forth endlessly.

There are several reasons for those who oppose it. First, it wastes people and money, second, it may not have economic benefits, and third, it seems to be a great success.

The reasons for those in favor are also very fair. Other big countries in the world, especially developed countries, have their own world libraries, but China does not. World libraries help domestic people understand world literature, which is the unshirkable responsibility of the Chinese Literature Society; If the "World Literature Classics Library" can really be published, it will become an unprecedented feat in the history of Chinese publishing. The Chinese Literature Society and even every editor who participated in the editorial review will leave a name in history.

While everyone in the club was noisy and noisy, Lin Weimin welcomed several guests into his office.

Jiang Lu, Lu Yuan, and Wen Jieruo are all senior editors and reviewers of the Chinese Literature Society, and they are also masters of foreign literary translation. They each have other identities, such as writers and poets, and they were all involved in the founding of the Chinese Literature Society. Senior and highly respected.

A few days after the editorial meeting, news about the "World Literature Masterpiece Library" spread throughout the agency. Although several people have retired, they will still participate in the work of the agency in terms of business, and they also have the title of consultant.

The three people came to Lin Weimin's office mainly to express their support for Lin Weimin's plan to publish the "World Literature Masterpiece Library".

The older generation of publishers have exceptional idealism and enthusiasm.

Publishing the "World Literature Masterpiece Library" is not only a major event for the Chinese Literature Society, but also a major event for the domestic publishing and literary circles. They have actually had this idea for a long time, but a few years ago, the Chinese Literature Society simply did not have the strength to undertake such a large project.

As Jiang Lu spoke, he handed Lin Weimin a large pile of information. When he opened it, he found that it was a bibliography of the "World Library" published by the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, Nihong and other countries, followed by his A specially written review of the pros and cons, pros and cons of each country's library bibliography.

Lin Weimin looked at these materials and was filled with emotion.

Nowadays, there is no Internet, and domestic information is relatively limited. Jiang Lu was able to collect so much information from foreign libraries and write about its pros and cons one by one. It was definitely not something that could be accomplished overnight. Without years of attention and dedication, he would never have been able to do this. detailed.

But the problem is that before Lin Weimin, no one from the Chinese Literature Society had ever mentioned the concept of "World Library".

The information collected by Jiang Lu was entirely based on his ideals and enthusiasm as an editor.

Jiang Lu said: "Part of this information was accumulated by my work over the years, and some of it was a whim a few years ago. I thought that if the company really wants to publish a series of books like Qixing Library in the future, it might come in handy."

"Teacher Jiang, this information of yours... is so valuable. It will save us many detours!" Lin Weimin said gratefully.

"As long as it comes in handy. We, the old guys, support you from the bottom of our hearts when you develop this "World Literature Masterpiece Library" and we will definitely support your work fully."

Lin Weimin's face was full of emotion, "Thank you so much to the teachers. With your help, this matter will definitely succeed."

After getting excited, Lin Weimin discussed with several people the details of libraries in various countries, striving to extract the essence and eliminate the dross.

Finally, after some discussion, everyone generally believed that in the past, the "World Library" of various countries focused on the West and undervalued the East, on their own country and undervalued other countries. Many libraries lacked the true meaning of the word "world".

Therefore, in the process of editing and reviewing the "World Literature Masterpiece Library", the Chinese Literature Society must stand at the height of the history of the development of world literature and restore the true face of the history of world literature without any prejudice.

Lin Weimin finally concluded: "We should be impartial, neither belittle ourselves nor be arrogant, and in a pragmatic spirit, collect important literary works from various countries and periods in the World Literature Masterpiece Library. This is This is the gist and true meaning of World Library."

"Well said for the people."

"We will be relieved if you have this kind of awareness!"

After listening to Lin Weimin's thoughts, several old comrades had smiles on their faces. With such a high level of thought and mentality, why worry about not being able to write "World Literature Masterpiece Library"?

"World Literature Masterpiece Library" is destined to focus on world literature. Jiang, Lu, and Wen are master translators and highly respected seniors in the literary and literary rooms of the society. They are still responsible for some translations and final review of foreign literary works. They are three of them. With people's support, Lin Weimin's pressure has been reduced a lot.

A few days later, the purchased works from various libraries were mailed to the Chinese Literature Society one after another.

These libraries were often counted in hundreds of volumes, which cost a lot of money, and it was not easy to purchase the books. Lin Weimin entrusted the International Book Trading Corporation to purchase them in the name of the Chinese Literature Society, which made Cheng Wanchun feel very distressed for a few days.

But the money must be spent. These books not only provide a basis for the planning and argumentation of the Chinese Literature Society, but also provide a reference for the editors and reviewers of the "World Literature Masterpiece Library".

Hundreds and hundreds of volumes of foreign language original works are constantly being moved into the front building. The foreign language room has become the busiest place in the Chinese Literature Club these days.

The Foreign Languages ​​Department is the main editor and reviewer of the "World Literature Masterpiece Library", and only they can understand and interpret these original foreign works.

Naturally, not all of these books will be translated. Many works included in the libraries of various countries have been imported and translated by the Chinese Literature Society, including some that are not suitable for the "World Literature Classics Library" and will be eliminated. Therefore, the workload of the foreign language department is far less than that of everyone. See big.

Thousands of volumes of foreign language original works were filled into the Foreign Languages ​​Room. Suddenly, there was no room to move around in the office. However, the editors of the Foreign Languages ​​Room were delighted. Even the director Chen Jiangen, who had previously resisted the "World Literature Masterpiece Library", had a look on his face. Everyone is happy.

Although these original works in foreign languages ​​are used as reference for the editors and reviewers of the "World Literature Classics Library", the benefits of the foreign language room are also real, and these books will become nourishment for the editors of the foreign language room.

Not only the foreign language department, but also many colleagues from other editorial offices came to borrow these books.

Those who can enter the Chinese Literature Society are all college students. They cannot speak other languages, but they have no problem with English. Therefore, works from the British and American libraries are the most borrowed.

The foreign language room was harassed for several days, and Chen Jiangen couldn't bear it anymore.

Because there were so many people borrowing books, the foreign language department didn't pay much attention at first, but a few days later, it was discovered that the entire library was almost empty. How could it continue its work?

Chen Jiangen hurriedly asked someone to go back and ask for it. Books are easy to borrow if they are lent out. If it was really difficult to go back, everyone had only read them for a day or two, and the foreign language department was urging them to return the books, which immediately caused many colleagues to feel weird.

Chen Jiangen had no choice but to send all these foreign language original works to the chief editor's office, and the foreign language office would come and get them if needed.

In this way, everyone will not dare to be so arrogant.

As the library catalogs from various countries have been purchased one after another, the argument for the "World Literature Masterpiece Library" project has also been put on the table.

As the editor-in-chief of the Chinese Literature Society, Lin Weimin was obliged to hang the flag of being a commander-in-chief. He also invited many respected old editors and editors in the society who were still alive, such as Tu An, Yan Wenjing, Meng Weizai, Qin Chaoyang, Lu Yuan, Jiang Lu, Wang Yangchen...

Many famous writers gathered together to provide suggestions for the argumentation of the "World Literature Masterpiece Library", and several old comrades even volunteered to personally participate in the planning and editing work.

The establishment of the "World Literature Masterpiece Library" can be called the most important project of the Chinese Literature Society in the past ten years. The last time it had such momentum was in 1981 when the Chinese Literature Society mobilized the entire society to re-edit "The Complete Works of Lu Xun".

Even Balao's collection of essays does not have this scale and momentum.

It took more than half a month for Lin Weimin to gradually smooth out the project division of "World Literature Masterpiece Library", and the demonstration progressed rapidly because of the participation of many seniors and famous figures.

After many arguments, many seniors and experts have gradually reached a consensus.

It is entirely feasible for Guowen Publishing House to publish the "World Literature Classics Library". This series of books fills the gap in the world literature library in the domestic publishing industry and has great political significance and social benefits.

As for the economic benefits that many people are worried about, the seniors didn’t even mention it. We are all revolutionaries who have walked through the mountains and seas of fire. Compared with the political significance and social benefits displayed by the library, those economic benefits are nothing. Is it still possible to be enlightened?

On the day when the demonstration documents were released, Lin Weimin organized a dinner party and brought a group of elderly people to Donglaishun.

No one could miss his mouthful of mutton-boiled meat, but the joyful and joyful atmosphere of the banquet made many seniors couldn't help but recall the days when they struggled in the Chinese Literature Society.

The seniors recalled their sorrows and sweetened their memories, while Lin Weimin waited on the sidelines, which fully demonstrated the respect for the seniors and made this group of people feel happy.

“It’s great to serve the people!”

"Yes, I have seen him as a good prospect since joining the club."

"How old are you? You are the editor-in-chief. Mr. Tu was older than him when he was the editor-in-chief, right?"

"Can it be compared like this? Not to mention our Chinese Literature Society, looking at the publishing industry in China, Weimin is unique. With outstanding abilities, professional excellence, and talent, when such a young man becomes the editor-in-chief, we old guys That way you can rest assured.”

These seniors were in a good mood today and praised Lin Weimin like a flower.

As the banquet came to an end, several former presidents and editor-in-chief sent a few words.

Tu An: "For the people, the idea of ​​"World Literature Masterpiece Library" is very good. Now we have given you a good start. The next step is up to you young people!"

Yan Wenjing: "You have only been the editor-in-chief for one year, and the idea of ​​​​"World Literature Masterpiece Library" is a severe test for you. You must hand in a perfect answer to all colleagues of the Chinese Literature Society and the superior departments. "

Meng Weizai: "Everyone has watched you grow up. The success of "World Literature Masterpiece Library" cannot be achieved without the help of many colleagues in the club. Remember, we must unite everyone more. Things cannot be done by one person." .”

The Chinese Literature Society is a cultural unit, and the official tone is not that strong. After everyone said a few words, it was Lin Weimin's turn to express his position.

He raised his glass and said solemnly: "This time, the project establishment and demonstration of "World Literature Masterpiece Library" cannot be separated from the help of many leaders and seniors. I am afraid that we will have to trouble everyone in the future. Here, I assure you that "World Literature Masterpiece Library" The editing and review of "Library Library" will ensure quality and quantity, and be completed as quickly as possible, so that this project will become the 'Great Wall' of our Chinese Literature Society and even the domestic publishing industry!"

Lin Weimin's statement was impassioned and full of confidence.

"Okay!" Everyone cheered loudly, full of expectations for the birth of "World Literature Masterpiece Library".