Back to 80: My Literary Life

Fang Minghua was a little surprised: "Brother Yuemin, do you know all this?"

"One of my high school classmates, who is now a director of the Provincial Department of Culture, accidentally mentioned this during a meal not long ago. Aren't you in a magazine? So I asked a few more questions."

"My friend said that the province is planning to find a newspaper and magazine to carry out a pilot project, and one of them is your Yanhe magazine."

Song Yuemin said it was indeed true.

Editor-in-chief Zhang retired before the Spring Festival this year, but the magazine’s editor-in-chief has not yet been decided. President Huang will serve concurrently for the time being.

The Provincial Writers Association, the magazine’s parent unit, did not give a clear answer to the reason why this situation occurred, but how could Fang Minghua, as the vice chairman of the Writers Association, not know?

The province should establish a competitive recruitment system for editor-in-chief at Yanhe magazine.

The editor-in-chief is no longer directly appointed by the Provincial Writers Association. Instead, those who meet the requirements can sign up, compete for the position through public examinations, publish a "policy program", and then the Provincial Writers Association makes the final decision.

This decision has been submitted to the Provincial Propaganda Department and will be announced immediately after the approval is issued.

So today, when Fang Minghua heard the news from Song Yuemin, he nodded: "You are right. A consensus has been reached within the Provincial Writers Association. Now we are waiting for the approval of the Provincial Propaganda Department."

"The Propaganda Department of the Provincial Party Committee will probably agree soon. Minghua, do you want to compete for the position?"

Fang Minghua did not answer, but asked: "Brother Yuemin, do you think I can do it?"

Song Yuemin didn't say anything, but his mother-in-law Zhou Yunjuan intervened: "Minghua, I don't think you should compete for the job."

Hearing this, everyone looked at Zhou Yunjuan.

"Minghua, you know, why did you choose "Yanhe" for reform? Is it just because editor Zhang retired and the position was vacant? Then why not choose "Chang'an"?" Zhou Yunjuan asked.

"Jia Pingwa, your friend is now the vice-chairman of the Provincial Writers' Association and the chairman of the Municipal Writers' Association. Now he will soon be the editor-in-chief of "Chang'an"! He was appointed by the organization, not through competition. Is he Minghua?"

Fang Minghua nodded.

Recently, Jia Pingwa is also very proud and her career is prosperous.

He successively served as vice chairman of the Provincial Writers Association and chairman of the Municipal Writers Association, and the city was planning to introduce the magazine "Chang'an" to him.

Although "Chang'an" is not as good as "Yanhe", it still ranks second in the province.

"Why are we competing for the editor-in-chief position of "Yanhe"? That's because we have too many problems and difficulties in Yanhe! No one is willing to do this!"

What Zhou Yunjuan said makes sense.

Now, some of the first generation editors of Yanhe have reached retirement age, such as editor-in-chief Zhang Pixiang, former poetry group leader Dong Mo, novel group Lu Meng, Gao Bin, Zhang Wenbin, etc.;

Some will start a theoretical journal "Novel Review", which is an independent journal sponsored by the Provincial Writers Association. Wang Yu and Li Xing, etc. of the theoretical team have to leave, and the editorial department has a shortage of jobs.

But that's not the main thing.

The main thing is that competition in the domestic periodical market is becoming increasingly fierce. On the one hand, the emergence of popular literary magazines has taken away some readers. On the other hand, serious literary magazines are also secretly fighting among themselves to compete for articles and excellent authors.

In this regard, "Yanhe" magazine does not have much advantage.

If the magazine cannot be sold, the bonuses and benefits of employees will be greatly reduced, so as the editor-in-chief, there is a lot of pressure.

Regarding his mother-in-law's public opposition, Fang Minghua did not directly express his position. He just smiled and said that I have not considered this issue yet and will wait until the Writers Association documents are officially announced.

After eating, the young couple sat for a while, and then rode back to the Xingfu Community outside the south gate.

"I'm home." Song Tangtang entered the house, happily put on his cotton slippers, took off his woolen coat, revealing his graceful figure, and picked up the kitten on the sofa.

Song Tangtang originally planned to raise a dog, but this is a commercial building unlike her parents' exclusive home, and she was away from home all day long and couldn't walk the dog, so she got a kitten.

To be honest, Fang Minghua is not very interested in puppies and kittens, but his wife can do as she likes.

He also took off his coat and put on cotton slippers. The heating in Xijing is only turned off on March 15th every year, so the home is very warm.

After arriving home, Fang Minghua did not sit down on the sofa and turn on the TV like some people did. Instead, he went to the innermost room - which he called his studio - to look at his collection of calligraphy and paintings.

This room was usually locked, and outsiders were basically not allowed to enter. He would admire these calligraphy and paintings every day when he entered. Most of them were stored in several large boxes, and only a few were hung on the wall.

According to Yan Bingchu's advice - calligraphy and painting should not be left in the box for a long time and should be taken out frequently for ventilation.

Fang Minghua hung a piece of "Ink Bamboo Picture" by Zheng Banqiao as a decoration in his study. Fang Minghua bought it from Yan Bingchu for 3,000 yuan, and the rest are in the studio.

Hanging on the wall in the middle of the studio is Zhang Daqian's "Picture of a Couple", a splash-color and ink painting with lotus as the theme. Fang Minghua stood in front of it with his hands behind his back to admire it.

Slowly, he was able to appreciate the beauty of these paintings and calligraphy.

At this moment, Song Tangtang came in with the cat in his arms and asked, "Minghua, what did you think about what my brother said during dinner tonight?"

"I want to hear your opinion on this matter." Fang Minghua turned around and looked at her.

"I think it's actually two different paths for you, whether you're competing for or not competing for this editor-in-chief."

"Oh, you said?"

"One is like Lu Yao and Chen Zhongshi, who only write novels as professional writers. For them, being the vice chairman of the Writers Association is a recognition of their status and status. Their minds are focused on novel creation."

"You're right." Fang Minghua said as he put his arm around his wife's shoulders, and the two returned to the living room and sat on the sofa. "Is there another way?"

"Just like Jia Pingwa, on the one hand she writes novels, but on the other hand she is also very interested in writing for Xiehe Magazine and wants to do something within the system."

"Then which one do you think I'm suitable for?" Fang Minghua asked, looking at the motionless kitten in Song Tangtang's arms.

"You are a person who doesn't attach much importance to fame, wealth and status, and you are not too keen on things within the system. It stands to reason that it is best to engage in professional creation like Lu Yao and Chen Zhongshi, but in my opinion, you'd better compete for the editor-in-chief this time. .”

"What you said is a bit contradictory." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"Because "Yanhe" is indeed encountering difficulties now and sales are declining, just like my mother said, but I think that is the case. You take up this burden and do it well! Just like when I was in Southern Xinjiang When I was in the art troupe, in Faka Mountain, when I encountered difficulties or dangers, I would stand up. If others were not willing to go up, I would go!

Ah?

Fang Minghua stopped holding Song Tangtang's shoulders.

As my daughter-in-law, she does have the aura of being a woman and not letting men down.