Reborn in 1977

Returning the folder, Chen Fan took a drag of his cigarette and chuckled, looking at the two of them. "I remember the first one was a story about the War of Resistance Against Japan, right? So, does that mean those little guys actually like watching stories about beating up those little guys?"

He Qingsheng was about to speak, but upon hearing this, he choked on his cigarette smoke, ran to the side and coughed a dozen times, then quickly gulped down two mouthfuls of tea before gasping for breath and jokingly scolding, "While the logic is sound, could you please phrase it a bit more nicely?"

Xu Qizhen was also beside him, unable to contain her laughter, chuckling non-stop.

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds, then said with a straight face, "Then, an anti-war story?"

He Qingsheng waved his hand, returned to his seat, and waited until his breathing was steady before saying, "Anyway, that's the situation. The words might be rough, but the meaning is correct. War of Resistance stories are indeed more popular in Japan. This is something we never expected."

Chen Fan smiled and didn't speak.

From the 1970s to the mid-1980s, the two countries could indeed be considered to be in a honeymoon period. Whether official or unofficial, various cultural and economic exchanges were constant.

Although the Japanese government didn't explicitly state it, various forms of self-reflection were frequently seen in unofficial exchange activities.

It's not surprising that War of Resistance novels would sell well in Japan.

However, the honeymoon period only lasted a few years. Afterwards, with the signing of the Plaza Accord, the purchasing power of the Japanese Yen soared, which also fostered Japan's self-confidence.

When it came to talking about reflection and repentance, apart from a very few reasonable people, the rest, to borrow Cao Chengxiang's words, would say, "Impossible, absolutely impossible."

At this moment, He Qingsheng glanced at Chen Fan, tossed him a cigarette, then coughed dryly twice, lowered his head and blinked, "Well, there's something I want to talk to you about."

Chen Fan looked at him, "Why are you being so coy? You wouldn't have sold me to the Japanese, would you?"

He Qingsheng immediately choked with anger, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

He coughed dryly again, turned to look at Xu Qizhen beside him, then turned back, gesturing and smiling, "This is the situation. Some comrades in the association heard that your works are selling quite well in Japan, and that these kinds of War of Resistance stories are quite popular. So, well, we connected with them over there to see if they need more works like this.

Then, I gave Takahashi Hideo a call and discussed this issue.

It just so happened that they also had this idea. After all, although you have a lot of works, not all of them are in this category. There are also rural, realistic works, etc. Those few War of Resistance works aren't quite enough, right..."

Hearing this, Chen Fan understood what he meant, and immediately nodded in realization, looking at him and saying, "So, you, in the name of the organization, reached a cooperation agreement with Takahashi Hideo, where our writers provide him with works for publication in Japan?"

He Qingsheng chuckled and rubbed his hands together, "That's the situation. This matter is being handled by Lao Duan from the Asia-Africa division of your department. He's been extremely busy these past few days, reviewing suitable works, arranging for translation, and sending them over there.

But don't worry, they're all ranked after your works, so there won't be any random insertions. After all, we have to prioritize based on who came first, right?"

Chen Fan smoked his cigarette, nodded gently, his face quite serious, "Okay, I understand the situation."

Then he looked up at him, and asked with a straight face, "I only have one question."

He Qingsheng's expression turned serious, and he pointed at him, "You say it."

Chen Fan frowned, "The 'some comrades in the association' you mentioned, is that you?"

He Qingsheng's face darkened, "Am I that kind of person?"

Xu Qizhen quickly added from the side, "We know that you were the first to know Takahashi..."

Chen Fan suddenly laughed heartily, "Oh, I thought it was a big deal. You guys made it sound so serious. So that's all it is."

Xu Qizhen was stunned, turned to look at He Qingsheng, then turned back, "You have no objections?"

Chen Fan chuckled, "What objections would I have? Takahashi Hideo's publishing house isn't just for me. Anyone can cooperate with him.

Moreover, having works go abroad is a great thing. Not only can it generate foreign exchange, but more importantly, it can let more Japanese people know about that history and understand our views and attitudes towards that history. I think that's even more important."

He Qingsheng breathed a long sigh of relief, clapped his hands, pointed at Chen Fan, and turned to Xu Qizhen, "See, see, I said Comrade Xiao Chen is enlightened. I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Xu Qizhen also nodded seriously, "I've always believed that."

They were worried that Chen Fan would have objections. After all, Takahashi Publishing's capacity is limited. If others also rushed in, the publishing resources allocated to Chen Fan in the future would be greatly reduced.

This is different from China, where the royalties are fixed. In Japan, there are royalties, and the number of publications is directly linked to the royalties... They only learned that foreign writers could actually get a share after seeing the contract Chen Fan signed with the other party.

It was precisely because of this royalty that some writers became envious and hoped to get this opportunity.

Even if they had to pay a management fee to the organization, it would still be much better than the royalties in China.

Chen Fan watched the two of them perform, a smile on his face, but he felt some emotion in his heart.

He's run into good people.

If he had met bad people, there would be no explanation. They would directly tell you to hand over the resources you have.

Don't give it? They'd slap a label on you and see if you still wouldn't give it.

Those with a little conscience might leave you some soup, but the most ruthless ones would take it all and kick you aside.

He Qingsheng's good-natured negotiation only shows that he has good character, and that Chen Fan has a strong background. If either of those were missing, Comrade Xiao Chen would have to suffer in silence.

In this day and age, in terms of works going abroad, apart from a provision requiring content review, there are no other restrictions or requirements. Even the content review isn't aimed at Chen Fan's situation, but rather is an internal regulation of foreign language publishing houses.

Because there was no need for this before, so there was no precedent for private cooperation with overseas publishing houses.

So, in this case, how these resources should be handled is up to "people".

This is when you can see people's character.

Chen Fan had long expected the confiscation of resources. He was even a little surprised that they hadn't mentioned it for half a year. He wondered if they were secretly contacting each other, or if they hadn't thought of doing it.

But he didn't expect that they were waiting for the results of his work being published.

Now that the results are out, the situation is great, and he has earned tens of thousands of dollars more. Those people naturally can't sit still.

As for sharing the channels, he really doesn't care.

First of all, there isn't just one Takahashi Publishing in Japan. As long as you can make a name for yourself there, many publishing houses will take the initiative to come to you for cooperation.

Secondly, Europe and the United States are his creative focus now.

He earns US dollars there.

The European and American book markets are dozens of times larger than Japan's. A Western fantasy novel can create a millionaire. What's a little money like this?!

Moreover, Western Fantasy is my own exclusive work. Let me ask, how many people in China can write Western Fantasy novels?

Serious literary writers aside, even these popular fiction writers, if given the chance, might not be up to the task.

If literary creation were so easy to copy, some traditional writers wouldn't have been both envious and frantically disparaging after the rise of online novels.

Wouldn't joining in and making money be great?!

Having settled this matter, He Qingsheng had nothing more to say.

At this moment, Chen Fan slowly took out the manuscript paper with the outline and handed it to him, "Uncle He, please handle this for me."

He Qingsheng took it, looked at it, and then looked at him, "What is this? Your new book?"

Chen Fan lit another cigarette and smiled, "My uncle has a publishing house, and he asked me to write something to publish through it, so I can earn some pocket money. So I wrote this."

He Qingsheng opened his mouth wide, stunned for several seconds, before saying in astonishment, "So that's why you're so generous! You have a way to earn US dollars!"

Chen Fan's face darkened, "Are you saying I should send a telegram to Takahashi saying I don't agree?"

He Qingsheng was speechless and simply ignored him.

Then he looked at the outline in his hand and asked, "When do you need it?"

Chen Fan, "Ideally today, at the latest tomorrow morning. I've finished writing the book and am just waiting for this to be printed."

He Qingsheng's gaze lingered on the title of the manuscript for a few seconds, and he nodded slightly, "Okay, I'll help you take a trip later…"

He paused, looked up at him, "Are you staying at the school or the guest house?"

Chen Fan, "I can't stay at the school anymore, it's never quiet. The guest house is more peaceful."

He Qingsheng, "Okay, after it's done, I'll have someone send it to you."

Chen Fan flicked the ash from his cigarette and turned to look at Xu Qizhen, "Sister Xu, when will our unit's dormitory be completed? I'm still waiting to be assigned a room."

Xu Qizhen smiled, "Construction has already started. We'll build the apartment buildings first, and then the small courtyards on the island. If you choose an apartment building, it should be capped in November. As for the courtyard, it will probably have to wait until the Spring Festival."

Chen Fan, "I definitely want a courtyard. It's so much better to have your own private space. By the way, please tell the construction company to build an extra waterfront platform outside my courtyard, I want to fish."

He Qingsheng's eyes lit up, "Hey, that's a great idea!"

He immediately turned to Xu Qizhen and said, "Add one for me too."

Xu Qizhen couldn't help but shake her head, "Building a waterfront platform just for fishing? You guys are too extravagant."

He Qingsheng waved his hand repeatedly, "Hey, you don't understand the joy of fishing. It's all about having complete equipment and showing off your style."

Pointing at Chen Fan, he said, "Think about it, he'll be sitting on the platform fishing, and I'll be standing in the grass. How embarrassing!"

Xu Qizhen covered her forehead, "You, Lao Tan, and several other department directors, you all chose the small courtyards, could it be just for the convenience of fishing?"

Chen Fan coughed lightly, "That's not the case. It's more comfortable to live in a courtyard. Of course, it's even better to have a fishing platform."

Xu Qizhen, "Okay, then let's just build a waterside boardwalk around the lake, and whoever wants to use it can use it."

Chen Fan and He Qingsheng looked at each other and nodded in unison, "That works too."

…

After leaving the office, Chen Fan first went back to say hello to Bian Huifang, and then drove his Jeep slowly out of the agency compound.

Looking at the time, it was already close to evening. He couldn't go to school today, so he returned to the guest house, picked up Liu Lu, and went to the game restaurant for a big meal.

This time, they didn't go to the private room upstairs, but stayed downstairs, ordered two bowls of game noodles and a plate of fried sparrows, which cost a total of just over two yuan.

Back at the guest house, they went back to their rooms to sleep, and nothing happened overnight.

The next morning, Chen Fan drove back to school early.

First, he took the materials to register, and then went to Professor Xu's office to report.

At this time, Xu Zhirui was preparing for his lesson. In addition to Chen Fan, his graduate student, he also served as a lecturer in the Chinese Department, teaching two classes every day, without fail.

Moreover, the lecture notes were constantly revised and updated. Even if you listened to the same class at different times, you could still hear some new ideas.

Seeing Chen Fan coming in, Xu Zhirui showed a knowing smile.

But the next second, he deliberately put on a stern face and said in a deep voice, "School started on the 1st, and you only came to register on the 2nd. What's wrong? You're finally willing to come back."

Chen Fan took out the gift from his satchel and put it on the table, grinning, "Teacher, this is what I got from the old forest in Changbai Mountain a few days ago. They are all good mountain products. Take them back and try them with your wife."

Xu Zhirui snorted twice, "Oh, you've learned to give gifts."

He patted the oiled paper package, looked up at Chen Fan, "What did you go to Changbai Mountain for?"

Before Chen Fan could speak, he waved his hand, "I don't care what you went there for. Since you went there, you can't go in vain. Write an article with Changbai Mountain as the subject. There are no restrictions on the genre. Give it to me when you come next time."

Chen Fan's face fell. Why did he start assigning homework before he even said anything?

But just like Liu Lu didn't dare to refuse his homework, he didn't dare to push back his teacher's homework, so he said "Oh" miserably.

Seeing his bitter face, Professor Xu felt refreshed. He leaned back in his chair and looked at him, "I received news, and the public notice will also be released in the next two days. On September 15th, the Ministry of Education will publicly select qualified foreign language students in major cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Harbin, Shenyang, Changchun, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Xi'an, and Guangzhou.

The selection quota is 3,000, and all those who pass the exam will have the opportunity to be selected for studying abroad."

He stared at Chen Fan, "This is another major initiative in the education sector after the restoration of the college entrance examination and the restoration of graduate students. Although you are studying Chinese, it is not that there is no chance to be selected to go out, after all, culture also needs to be exchanged.

Moreover, I heard that your English is very good. If you participate in the selection, you will likely be selected. What are your own thoughts? Do you want to study abroad?"

Hearing this news, Chen Fan couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Wasn't the first batch of students studying abroad only 52 in total after the reform, and they were all sent to the United States? How did it become 3,000? And there are no restrictions on majors?

After thinking for a few seconds, Chen Fan quickly reacted.

The 3,000 should be the total quota for the first batch of students studying abroad. So many people will definitely not be sent out together. Only a small number of people can be sent to explore the way first, and at the same time, they must contact relevant countries to restore the interrupted student system, and then select them on a large scale later.

I just didn't expect that I would have the opportunity to encounter it?