Chapter 367 Re-election
Such a high-level symposium on the work was held two months after the publication of "The Ming Dynasty 1566". There were even rumors that it was the Great Elder who personally instructed it.
This, to some extent, represents the future status of this novel in Chinese literary circles.
Although many readers who like "Li Zicheng" and "Emperor Kangxi" are reluctant to admit it, the fact is that this novel has become the ceiling of historical novels in contemporary literary circles.
This has not only been confirmed by the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, ministries and CCTV, but also has the reputation of readers and critics.
The October issue of "The Ming Dynasty 1566" sold over 2 million copies two months after it was released.
When the editorial department of People's Literature received the news, they were not too surprised.
Because a week ago, the editorial department had just decided to print an additional 300,000 copies of the October issue.
This is the fourth reprint of the October issue since it was released nearly two months ago, with a total print run of 2.1 million copies.
Although there was no surprise, the spirits of everyone in the editorial department were high.
Breaking such an unprecedented record is something to be proud of for any publication.
After everyone was excited for a while, another key question was put before the editorial department, which was: should the October issue be reprinted?
The editorial department discussed it for a long time, and finally even asked the president Meng Weizai and chief programmer Zaochun for instructions.
The final decision was: no reprinting.
The reason is simple. The total print volume of 2.1 million has broken the sales record of domestic pure literature journals. If these already printed publications can be sold out, even if more can be sold in the future, the potential will not be too great.
Although it feels great to continue breaking records, it is just a false reputation after all, so we still need to be rational. After all, if a publication is unsold, we need to sell ten or eight more copies to make a profit.
Another biggest reason is that Lin Weimin’s works have always been the treasures of the National Literature Society.
Isn’t it more fun to sell single books than magazines?
Judging from the sales performance of "The Ming Dynasty 1566" in the two months since its publication, the future book sales of this novel will probably break records. At this time, forcibly reprinting it is not a wise choice.
After comprehensive consideration, the October issue was not reprinted, but this does not prevent the November issue from being reprinted.
The November issue, which has been on the market for more than a month, has sales momentum that is in no way inferior to that of the October issue, and may even surpass it.
After all, with the previous word-of-mouth reputation, many readers will buy it even if they don’t read this type of novel.
The craze created by "The Ming Dynasty 1566" is still continuing.
Apart from the manuscript and the seminar, there was not much direct impact on Lin Weimin.
As January approaches, the pace of work at the Contemporary editorial department is getting faster and faster.
The upcoming revision, from a bimonthly to a monthly publication, will be a major test for everyone in the editorial department.
After two months of running-in, the new colleagues have gradually adapted to the work pace here. The relaxed and harmonious working atmosphere of the editorial department allows everyone to quickly become familiar with it.
Such an atmosphere in the editorial department is inseparable from the relationship with the leader.
The editor-in-chief is Qin Chaoyang, whose seniority is second only to the group of leaders who founded the company. He is now retired. He does not fight for anything, is kind, and has strong professional skills.
Editor-in-chief Lin Weimin is a nationally known writer at a young age. His works have countless readers and have won numerous awards, bringing him both fame and fortune.
In terms of professional ability, he discovered new generation writers such as Lu Yao, Yu Hua, Ma Yuan, Mo Yan, and Shi Tiesheng.
When it comes to welfare benefits within the company, we also don’t fight over them, and whenever there is something good, we always share it with colleagues in the editorial department.
Moreover, he would invite everyone to dinner and watch a play from time to time. It is hard to find such a leader even with a lantern.
When colleagues in the editorial department reviewed the interpersonal relationships within the Guowen Publishing House during private chats, they had to admit that the atmosphere at Contemporary was the best and the relationships were the most harmonious.
Look, Chief Editor Lin is treating everyone to dinner again today.
The reason is that yesterday the Yanbing Literature Award Jury just announced the list of winners of the second Yanbing Literature Award.
Li Jun's "The Yellow River Flows East", Zhang Jie's "Heavy Wings", Liu Xinwu's "Bell and Drum Tower" and Lin Weimin's "Horse Lassoer" jointly won the award.
Compared with the six winning works in the first session, there are fewer winning works this session, proving that the number of truly outstanding long works in the domestic literary world has also been decreasing in recent years.
Among these winning works, Li Jun, Zhang Jie and Liu Xinwu all won the award for the first time, while Lin Weimin won the award for the second time and won the award consecutively.
Such results are enough to prove the quality of the work "The Horse Tamer".
If the work was not so outstanding, who would dare to take the risk of giving the award to Lin Weimin?
At the age of 25, Lin Weimin won the Yanbing Literature Award for two consecutive years. His achievements also shocked and impressed his friends and colleagues.
Because the award results were just announced yesterday, only a few newspapers followed up with the report, so public opinion has not yet swept in.
Lin Weimin took the initiative to offer to treat everyone to a meal, firstly to celebrate winning the award, and secondly because New Year's Day was approaching.
Next year, the publication will be reorganized and everyone will be busier, so now is the time to reward everyone.
When entertaining guests in winter, Donglaishun is the unique choice.
This place is 100% compatible with the winter in Yanjing.
In this era, eating is really just eating. No one will easily start a topic until they are full.
Only after everyone had eaten half full did anyone at the table start talking.
The topic naturally revolves around the Yanbing Literature Award that Lin Weimin just won.
For this year's Yanbing Literature Award, in addition to caring about Lin Weimin, one of their own award-winning family members, the staff of Guowen Publishing House also focused on the publishing house of the winning work.
Of the four winning works, except for Li Jun's "The Yellow River Flows East" which was published by Yenching Publishing House, the remaining three works were all published by Guowen Publishing House.
Zhang Jie's "Heavy Wings" was published in "People's Literature", Lin Weimin's "Horse Tamer" was published in "People's Literature", and Liu Xinwu's "Bell and Drum Tower" was published in "Contemporary".
They are all publications of Guowen Publishing House, so the publication of single volumes is naturally inseparable from Guowen Publishing House.
Winning the Yanbing Literature Award is beneficial not only to writers, but also to editors-in-chief, editorial departments and even publishing houses.
There will be bias in awards from higher authorities, bonuses within the publishing house, and even in the unit’s welfare policies.
As for the winner Lin Weimin, it takes courage for the new Yanbing Literature Award to be awarded to the same writer twice in a row.
At the same time, everyone is more concerned about what to do during the next selection.
The Yanbing Literature Award is awarded every three years. We don’t know what happened in 1987 and 1988, but we can be sure that in 1986, “The Ming Dynasty 1566” will be published as a single volume.
If even "Li Zicheng" can win an award, there is no reason why "The Ming Dynasty 1566" cannot win one.
What will the jury do then?
Is this the third time to award Lin Weimin the prize? If this trend continues, the Yanbing Literature Prize should simply be renamed the Weimin Literature Prize.
Everyone jokingly brought up the hypothetical content for discussion, but Qin Chaoyang said seriously: "It is unlikely that the award will be given for the third time. No matter how excellent Weimin's work is next time, the jury is unlikely to give him the award."
Everyone looked at Qin Chaoyang, their smiles faded, and their expressions became serious.
Yao Shuzhi asked: "Director, since it has been awarded twice, what's the harm in awarding it again?"
Qin Chaoyang pondered for a moment and said, "I think the award itself represents a certain attitude of the jury. This attitude, first of all, recognizes the quality of the novel "The Horse Catcher" and Wei Min's creative ability. Secondly, and most importantly, this may also be a signal."
"What signal?" everyone couldn't help but ask.
"This is the second time I've given you this award. Don't participate in it from now on."
After Qin Chaoyang said this, Liu Yin was the first to burst out laughing.
"Old Tan, why are you talking like you're sending away the god of plague?"
Everyone started laughing and discussing the matter.
Qin Chaoyang had a faint smile on his face, "Don't you think this is sending the God of Plague?"
After he finished speaking, the laughter of the crowd died down, and some people looked thoughtful.
Zhang Zhong'e said: "What Lao Tan said makes some sense! Winning two awards in a row can be said to be a testament to the writer's own strength and the quality of his works, and the jury is also courageous in taking on the responsibility.
But as the saying goes, three times the limit, if the award is given out like this, even if the industry has no objections, readers will get tired of it. Every award is for the people, so isn't this a disguised monopoly? What's the point of giving awards then?"
What Qin and Zhang said seemed a little confusing at first, but they really touched people’s hearts, and the more everyone thought about it, the more they seemed to make sense.
Yao Shuzhi then asked: "Then, let's interview Comrade Lin Weimin, the winner of this year's Yanbing Literature Award. What do you think of what Comrade Lao Tan and Comrade Lao Zhang said?"
Lin Weimin pulled Yao Shuzhi's hand away, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and said, "What can I say? If it's awarded to me, I'll take it. If it's not awarded to me, I can't ask for it. Awards are just icing on the cake. Gold and silver cups are not as good as the reputation of the people."
"good!"
Lin Weimin had just finished speaking when Tong Zhonggui clapped his hands excitedly, shocking everyone.
Qin Chaoyang praised with a smile: "You are still very conscious of serving the people!"
Colleagues also immediately offered flattery, and as soon as one finished flattering, another ordered a few more plates of mutton.
Leaders focus on spiritual enjoyment, while physical enjoyment is enough for comrades.
It was the coldest time of winter outside, but the house was filled with steam, the aroma of meat, laughter and joy, and a carefree and comfortable atmosphere.
A few days later, just as Lin Weimin had expected, news spread that he had won the Yanbing Literature Award for the second time.
Various media reported on it and interview invitations came in one after another.
In December of this year, Lin Weimin once again became a big star in the Chinese literary world.
As usual, Lin Weimin ruthlessly rejected media interview invitations. Even when his old acquaintance Li Xiangyang approached him, he refused the interview.
"I'll treat you to a few more meals later, but there's no need for an interview," Lin Weimin said to Li Xiangyang.
There are too many media outlets that want to interview him, and this opportunity cannot be opened, otherwise there will not be enough time.
On New Year's Day holiday, Lin Weimin invited Qu Xiaowei and his wife and Zheng Guo and his wife to have dinner at his home with their children.
In the past year or two, because we have children, we rarely get together like this.
Early in the morning, Lin Weimin went out to buy groceries with Tao Huimin. The crew of "Legend of a Female Doctor" also had a holiday today.
Not long after the two of them came back from buying groceries, Qu Xiaowei's family and Zheng Guo's family also arrived.
While everyone was cooking, the door of the house rang.
When Tao Huimin went to open the door, she saw a weathered face.
"For the people, Brother Yimou is here!"
This is how Tao Huimin called Zhang Yimou on the crew. Just looking at this face, she really couldn't bring herself to call him "Yimou" like Lin Weimin did.
Lin Weimin came out of the kitchen wearing an apron and asked with a smile, "Yimou, why are you here?"
Zhang Yimou was a little surprised to see so many people at home, "Teacher Lin, I'll come another day!"
"It's okay, we're all family."
Lin Weimin took off his apron, pulled Zhang Yimou, who was about to leave, into the house, and introduced him to everyone.
"It's better to be lucky than to be early. We're having a family dinner today. You can eat here later. We're all friends."
Everyone continued to be busy. Lin Weimin poured a cup of tea for Zhang Yimou and the two sat on the sofa in the living room.
"It's a rare day off for the crew today!" Lin Weimin said casually.
Zhang Yimou nodded and said, "Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have the time to come to you."
Lin Weimin looked at Zhang Yimou, smiling meaningfully, and asked, "What brings you here today?"
Zhang Yimou took out from his bag the book "Contemporary" that Lin Weimin had given him during dinner.
"Teacher Lin, this magazine..."
A hint of embarrassment appeared on Zhang Yimou's honest face.
"To be honest, I have read this volume of Contemporary Literature at least eight or ten times, but I still don't understand what you mean."
Lin Weimin couldn't help but burst out laughing when he heard this, leaving Zhang Yimou confused and bewildered.
"This isn't some martial arts secret manual. I'm showing it to you just to let you read the novel on it!
How was it? Is there anything you particularly liked?"
Zhang Yimou then realized that he had been overthinking.
At the same time, he felt a little disappointed, as he thought Teacher Lin had some profound advice for him!
"There are some novels that I like." Zhang Yimou replied, suppressing his disappointment.
Lin Weimin immediately became interested and asked, "Oh? Which one?"
(End of this chapter)
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