1980 My literary era

Around National Day, when the weather in Yanjing is the best every year, the novel writing seminar organized by the Chinese Literature Society was held as scheduled in Yanjing.

This seminar is mainly aimed at Shaanxi writers. Cheng Zhongshi and Lu Yao are now considered leading figures in Shaanxi literary circles. The "Shaanxi Army" led by them can be said to be strong.

Jia Pingwa, Gao Jianqun, Jingfu, Wang Peng...

Writers who are in their prime of life in their late 30s to early 50s are the time when a writer has the most creative energy in his life.

The first day of the novel writing seminar was held at the Chinese Literature Society. In addition to Lin Weimin, the chief editor, the Chinese Literature Society also attended several senior editors and reviewers, such as Qin Chaoyang, He Qizhi, Zhang Zhonge, Wang Yangchen and others.

Another part is the invited experts, scholars and literary critics, headed by Chen Yong, Radar and others. The lineup can be described as luxurious.

Chen Yong looked at the powerful Shaanxi writers in the conference room and couldn't help but sigh.

"It is said that emperors are buried in mounds in Shaanxi. Looking at it now, not only many emperors will be buried in the future, but also many great writers will be buried."

Many experts and scholars attending the meeting wholeheartedly agreed with Chen Yong's words. Not to mention others, just the two of them sitting there, Cheng Zhongshi and Lu Yao, were enough to shock most of the Chinese literary world.

Coupled with several other writers in their prime and with full potential, the number of "literary stars" in Shaanxi literary circles is simply enviable.

The atmosphere of the seminar was generally cheerful and warm. A group of writers from the Shaanxi literary circle were invited by the Chinese Literature Society to attend the seminar in Yanjing. It was a very honorable thing to say that it was a seminar specifically for writers from one place. In the Chinese Literature Society This is the first time in the society’s many years of history.

There was just an episode in the middle of the seminar. Professor Liu from Yan Normal University, who is engaged in contemporary literature research, joked with Cheng Zhongshi during the break: "Comrade Zhongzhong, why didn't you write after "White Deer Plain"? Several times." You haven’t produced any works in years, is it because you haven’t experienced life and gone deep into the masses?”

Everyone around him laughed out loud at his joke, but Cheng Zhongshi smoked a cigarette and answered mercilessly in his tough Shaanxi dialect.

"You know a hammer!"

The laughter of the people around him stopped suddenly. Professor Liu looked embarrassed. He didn't know where he had offended Cheng Zhongshi. He didn't expect that a joke would arouse such strong disgust in him.

"Old Cheng!"

Lin Weimin, who was talking to Chen Yong, also heard what Cheng Zhongshi said. Seeing that the situation was very embarrassing, he quickly called out to Cheng Zhongshi, who got up and walked over.

Lin Weimin pulled him over and said to Chen Yong: "Mr. Chen, some people have been saying that "White Deer Plain" has historical bias issues. This view is also widely circulated in the literary circle. You are an old-timer, and it is just right for Lao Cheng to listen. Listen to your opinion.”

Chen Yong is an older generation literary critic born in Yan'a, the same generation as Liu Feiyu, and is also one of the judges of the Yanbing Literary Award.

In recent years, because I have often attended seminars of the Chinese Literature Society, I have a pretty good relationship with Lin Weimin.

Previously, Lin Weimin criticized the Yanbing Literature Award and competed with Liu Feiyu. Meng Weizai and Chen Yong, who are also judges, were embarrassed, but it did not hinder their private communication.

Of course, Cheng Zhongshi knew Chen Yong. The two had met a few years ago when the Chinese Literature Society held a seminar on "White Deer Plain". At that time, some people had already questioned the "historical tendency" of "White Deer Plain". .

At that time, Chen Yong had a lot of defense for Cheng Zhongshi and "White Deer Plain". However, "White Deer Plain" has become so popular in recent years that people still bring up this issue and talk about it again and again, which leads to this matter becoming a There is a hurdle that Cheng Zhongshi cannot overcome, and he will be criticized from time to time.

Chen Yong pondered for a moment, chatting privately, not speaking in public, so he didn't have too many taboos.

"I think that since you published your novels in the 1970s, you have always been a writer who has continued the tradition of realism in the past. You have rarely been affected by other artistic methods. You fully understand the complexity of real struggles and the long-term nature of the Chinese revolution. , complexity and cruelty, but we also clearly see the development trend of Chinese history.

Although in the process of exploring China's social relations and social struggles, there are also some problems with my own subjective understanding, the overall ideological tendency is correct and deserves recognition.

"White Deer Plain" is also a work that profoundly reflects the reality of China before liberation. The only thing I am not satisfied with is that there are too many descriptions of X, and some of the length is very unnecessary. "

After listening to Chen Yong's words, Cheng Zhongshi felt relieved.

Chen Yong is senior enough and qualified enough, and he also plays an important role in the literary criticism circle. Being able to receive such an evaluation from him, Cheng Zhongshi feels that he no longer needs to worry about some people's criticism of him.

"Lao Cheng had already revised the description of Lin Weimin said with a smile.

Cheng Zhongshi looked at Lin Weimin with a bit of gratitude. He was well aware of the contradiction between Lin Weimin and the Yanbing Literature Award. He said such words openly at this time entirely because of his support.

Chen Yong said with a smile: "Of course "White Deer Plain" is qualified. However, "White Deer Plain" alone may not be enough, right? "Dust Settled" is also a seed candidate. And there are several works like yours..."

At this point, Chen Yong had a bit of ridicule on his face, "I'm afraid I won't sign up for "Promotion", right?"

"If you want to apply, just apply for "Promotion"." Lin Weimin also joked.

"You, this grudge lasts really long."

"This is called repaying grievances directly. I will no longer participate in the Yanbing Literature Award. You are unreasonable." Lin Weimin waved his hand and said.

Chen Yong joked again: "You also have to give the 'young people' a chance."

Lin Weimin smiled bitterly. The old man was really good at bickering. Wasn't this the reason why the Yanbing Literature Award was used to frustrate him?

After chatting with Chen Yong, Lin Weimin walked with Cheng Zhongshi and warned: "Don't be so angry. Professor Liu said it unintentionally."

Cheng Zhongshi nodded, knowing that what he just said was a bit excessive.

Lin Weimin patted him on the shoulder, "I understand, "White Deer Plain" almost wiped out your life."

This sentence immediately made Cheng Zhongshi feel like a close friend. He devoted so much effort to "White Deer Plain" that he almost emptied out all his life and life experience in the first half of his life.

"Don't put pressure on yourself. With this "headlining" thing, you have enough skills in your life. Leave the rest to God. If you can write, just write. If you can't, it doesn't matter. Besides, Now, you have to give 'young people' a chance."

Lin Weimin winked at Cheng Zhongshi at the end, and Cheng Zhongshi smiled knowingly, feeling happy in his heart.

After chatting with Cheng Zhongshi, Lin Weimin found Professor Liu. After all, he was a guest invited by the Chinese Literature Society. If he was treated like this every time, but the Chinese Literature Society did not express his position at all, who would dare to attend the seminars of the Chinese Literature Society in the future?

After appeasing Professor Liu, during dinner in the evening, Lin Weimin suggested that Cheng Zhongshi and Professor Liu have a drink.

Cheng Zhongshi was a real person. He raised his glass and apologized to Professor Liu, then drank the wine in one gulp.

With Cheng Zhongshi's apology, Professor Liu was reasonable and respectful. He drank the wine happily and said, "What I said during the day was inappropriate. It was too frivolous and I didn't consider your feelings at all."

The two held hands together and drank away their grudges over a glass of wine.

Lu Yao was a little silent during dinner. He and Cheng Zhongshi had the same troubles.

Lin Weimin comforted him again with the same words, and the effect was extraordinary.

After the seminar on the first day, the project arranged for the second and third days was to collect stories, which was actually a sightseeing tour. The Chinese Literature Society hired a bus to take this group of Shaanxi writers to various scenic spots in Yanjing. What made everyone say that this trip was worth the money was because the Chinese Literature Society was so generous in its work.

The activity arranged on the fourth day is a reader meeting. The reader meeting is not arranged in a bookstore. If it is in a bookstore, it is indispensable to sign books.

At that time, everyone's popularity will be different, and the situation will definitely be very embarrassing.

Therefore, the venue for the reader meeting was chosen to be Professor Liu’s unit, Yan Normal University.

Many Shaanxi writers appeared in the auditorium of Yan'an Normal University, causing a sensation in the school. Countless students poured into the auditorium, and in the end there was not even room to stand inside.

Although when it came to the question and answer session, Cheng Zhongshi and Lu Yao were still very popular, but at least everyone was fair in terms of face.

In a flash, the four-day novel writing seminar came to an end. The Shaanxi writers could not be more satisfied with their trip to Yanjing, and their relationship with the Chinese Literature Society has also taken a further step.

The effect of the seminar was immediate. Gao Jianqun's "The Last Huns" experienced a manuscript loss incident and was about to complete the first half of it. He said that he would hand over the manuscript to the Chinese Literature Society.

In addition to Gao Jianqun, Jingfu also mentioned the novel "Eight Miles of Love" that he is currently writing. The novel has not yet been completed, but Jingfu has promised He Qizhi that after the novel is completed, the manuscript will be sent over as soon as possible.

With the commitment of these two people, this novel writing workshop was a fruitful one.

It's a pity that Jia Pingwa has been in a low mood these past few days. Everyone knows that he has been restless at home recently, so they don't pay much attention to it.

Only Lin Weimin said to Jia Pingwa before leaving: "If you can't stay in Shaanxi anymore and feel bored, you can come to Yanjing again in the future and I will arrange a place for you."

Jia Pingwa was grateful that Lin Weimin valued him, and whispered: "I will definitely do it if I have the opportunity."

On the train back to Xi'an, many writers talked endlessly about their trip to Yanjing in the past few days, but they still had unfinished ideas.

The Chinese Literature Society’s creative writing seminars are basically “pen meetings”, but they are different from the pen meetings held by most publishing houses or magazines. There is not such a strong emphasis on skill, and their editors will not look at you and force you to write a manuscript, but will take the initiative to lead It was a great experience to travel around the mountains and rivers with everyone.

Everyone was chatting, but Jia Pingwa sat silent by the window.

He was thinking about Lin Weimin's words. He had been exhausted by life and marriage this year. He should find a place to have a good rest and pick up the creations he had left behind.

He became famous very early, second only to Cheng Zhongshi among the young writers in Shaanxi, and published a book at the age of twenty-three.

Now seeing that each of his colleagues around him has produced or is about to produce a masterpiece, he feels anxious in his heart.