Back to 80: My Literary Life

After a while, Shu Bin suddenly looked up at Fang Minghua and asked:

"Chairman Fang, you are here on behalf of Mr. Zhao, can you make the full decision?"

"Of course." Fang Minghua smiled: "Because this Shengshi Bookstore is jointly opened by Zhao Hongjun and I."

Is that so!

Shu Bin suddenly realized.

"Okay, Chairman Fang." Shu Bin said, suddenly picked up the briefcase on the side, took out a book from it and handed it to Fang Minghua.

"The Analects of Confucius? Nan Huaijin?" Fang Minghua saw the cover of this traditional Chinese book and couldn't help asking: "This book seems to have not been published in the mainland yet? Did you buy it from Hong Kong?"

"When I was a graduate student at Xiangtan University, I had a classmate named Stephen, who was an American studying abroad. Last year, through him, I met Mr. Nan Huaijin who lived in Hong Kong."

Shu Bin explained: "What I want to ask now is, Chairman Fang, do you think this book can be published in the mainland?"

Fang Minghua smiled and did not answer directly but asked back: "What do you think?"

"I think Yes, this is a lecture record about "The Analects", but it is not difficult but interesting, reflecting the essence and value of Chinese culture. This type of book is almost blank in the domestic market. I guess readers will like it and it has a certain sales market. "

"Of course, from another perspective, there are no such books in China now, so how is the sales market? I am not sure. Now more popular in China are Western books, such as Bacon's "On Reading" and Plato's "Republic", but this type of book is already saturated. "

Shu Bin finished speaking and looked at the other party with bright eyes.

Fang Minghua took his time, picked up the wine glass and took a sip before saying: "If you are the manager, you can publish it."

"Really? !"

"Yes, I have the final say on this matter!"

"Okay! I'll drink it!"

"Okay, come on, let's drink a glass, happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

The two raised their glasses.

Shu Bin decided to join Shengshi Books, and he took the initiative to speak. He said, "Chairman Fang, we are about to enter the 1990s. I predict that with the development of economy and technology, readers' tastes will change and will not be limited to literary novels. Similarly, the books published should cater to this change and expand their horizons."

"For example, the book by Nan Huaijin you mentioned?" Fang Minghua said.

"Yes, traditional Chinese studies are one category, and the other should be economics and finance, and emerging technologies such as computers. Of course, it is not professional books but popular science. Readers will definitely be interested."

"That makes sense. There is a girl named Dai Jiali in Haikou Company. She graduated from Yenching Foreign Language College and is now the director of the company's office. Her ideas are very similar to yours."

"Really? I'll talk to her later."

The two had a good chat at the dinner.

Of course, this is only a preliminary agreement. As for Shu Bin's treatment after coming here, and the adjustment of the relationship between the two Shengshi Books in Haikou and Xijing, it will take more time to discuss.

However, Fang Minghua did not want to participate in these. He had achieved his goal of persuading Shu Bin to join. The rest was what Zhao Hongjun, as the general manager, had to consider.

That night in the hotel, Fang Minghua called Zhao Hongjun and Song Tangtang to briefly explain the situation here.

"Hongjun, Shu Bin has agreed. The rest is up to you. I will be back tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Come and have a good talk with him. He is a very thoughtful person."

"Why don't you continue to talk to him?"

"You are the general manager, I am not." Fang Minghua replied lazily.

Fang Minghua really wanted to go back. The first draft of "Skywalker" was only more than half written, and the progress had to be accelerated.

But before leaving Haikou, Fang Minghua wanted to see someone.

Han Shaogong.

"Hainan Records" was closed, and most of the editorial staff returned to their hometowns. Han Shaogong stayed to help prepare for the Hainan Writers Association.

Fang Minghua found Han Shaogong on the third floor of the three-story building behind the provincial government compound.

"Chairman Fang, why did you come to Haikou?" Han Shaogong was surprised to see Fang Minghua.

"It's just some personal business. I came to see you after I finished it."

"Come, sit down, sit down." Han Shaogong hurriedly greeted him: "It's a bit messy and the conditions are difficult. Don't laugh at me."

The conditions are indeed very difficult. In the office of only a dozen square meters, all kinds of materials are piled on the table, chairs, and even on the ground.

Han Shaogong still brought a chair from the next door and poured him a cup of tea.

"How is the preparation of your Writers Association going?" Fang Minghua asked with concern.

"We are rushing to prepare. It is estimated that it will be officially listed next year. Then we will invite you to participate in our listing ceremony."

"Okay." Fang Minghua agreed very happily.

The two chatted for a few more words, and Fang Minghua asked tentatively: "Chairman Han, I saw that the "Hainan Records" you published was discontinued at the street newsstand?"

"Yes, I have to listen to the meaning of the above."

Han Shaogong's tone was somewhat regretful.

"Actually, it's good to put it down and have a good rest for a while. It's very tiring to run a magazine, especially for someone like you." Fang Minghua comforted. "I also resigned from the position of editor-in-chief of Yanhe magazine."

Hearing this news, Han Shaogong was a little surprised.

"You are no longer the editor-in-chief? Isn't Yanhe quite popular?"

"I am tired, physically and mentally, trembling with fear, treading on thin ice, just worried about something going to happen."

"Yes." Han Shaogong also felt it quite well: "If the domestic environment is slightly disturbed, the literary world will be the first to be unlucky. To be honest, I feel tired and ready to pick up the pen again and write something."

"However, Chairman Han, I saw that the first issue of "Hainan Record" was quite unique." Fang Minghua added.

Mentioning "Hainan Chronicle", Han Shaogong's mood was obviously high.

"To tell you the truth, in October last year, the first issue of "Hainan Chronicle" was officially published. Do you know the circulation number? 600,000 copies!"

600000?

This number also surprised Fang Minghua.

When I was the editor-in-chief, the highest circulation of "Yanhe" was only 600,000 copies, which was achieved in the first issue.

"We didn't take a penny from the country, but we earned millions in profits, taxes and fixed assets for the country in one year." Speaking of this, Han Shaogong was quite proud.

"It can indeed make money." Fang Minghua laughed after hearing this.

"Yes, but making too much money may not be a good thing." Han Shaogong suddenly changed his tone: "More money leads to two directions for people: some people will take money more seriously, and some people will have more reasons to see through money. ”

"Chairman Han, you belong to the latter."

"Well, compared to literature, it seems much simpler. Choosing literature is actually choosing a spiritual direction, choosing a way of life and attitude - this has nothing to do with whether a person can become a writer or a famous writer. Chairman, are you right?”

Fang Minghua nodded after hearing this: "However, we are about to enter the 1990s. The writing environment in the 1990s will probably be very different from that in the 1980s."

"Yes. Times are about to change." Han Shaogong said with emotion.

Driving back to Wanghailou from the Writers' Association, Fang Minghua thought about the conversation he had just had with Han Shaogong, and also thought about his recent visit to Yinchuan and his contact with Zhang Xianliang.

Neither of them are literati in the traditional sense, and both have a commercial flavor. However, Zhang Xianliang is more thorough and market-oriented, and has a keen insight as a businessman. Therefore, he founded the Western Film and Television City and became a generation of literati tycoons.

Han Shaogong, on the other hand, has more of a utopian flavor. He drafted a document with reference to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the Red May Convention signed by Europeans on the Mayflower ship bound for America, Sweden's socialist welfare system, etc. The "Hainan Documentary" magazine was established based on the "Hainan Documentary Magazine Covenant", which was a hodgepodge of communist ideals, capitalist management rules, and gang habits.

But in the coming 1990s, there is no need for these. The tide of market economy is sweeping across all markets.

"got windy."

Fang Minghua watched the coconut trees on the street begin to sway and sighed.