Chapter 504: The Difficult Birth of the Yanbing Literature Award
It is the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, and as New Year's Eve draws closer, the working atmosphere in the editorial department of Contemporary and even in Guowen Press becomes more and more relaxed, and everyone is looking forward to the New Year.
The printing factory is stepping up the printing of the second issue of the publication in 1989. The Chinese New Year is in two days, and the printing factory will have to close for the holiday. To coincide with the Chinese New Year, the publication's release date will be postponed for a few days. Once the printing factory resumes work, the publication will be sent to all parts of the country immediately.
The editorial department's workload has become easier, and there is a joyful and peaceful atmosphere in the office.
While everyone was chatting and laughing, Lu Yao came to the editorial office.
When he came to Yanjing this time, he first went to the editorial office to ask Lin Weimin for a favor, and then he and his hometown County Mayor Tian went to Lin Weimin to beg him to include their area as an alternative site for building a Hope Primary School.
His hometown, Qingjian County, is located in the central and western part of the country and is a poor county, so it naturally meets the requirements.
In addition, Lu Yao’s main purpose of coming to Beijing this time was for the TV series "Ordinary World".
Last year, China National Radio broadcast his novel "The Ordinary World" in the form of a lecture in the "Long-Form Serial" program, which won the love and welcome of countless readers across the country. Many local radio stations across the country also followed suit, forming a powerful trend and rapidly expanding the influence of "The Ordinary World".
As the influence of "Ordinary World" continues to expand, CCTV also took a fancy to this novel some time ago, contacted Lu Yao, planned to adapt the novel into a TV series, and invited Lu Yao to Beijing.
During the few days in Beijing, Lu Yao has already communicated with CCTV about the adaptation of the novel.
This time he did not serve as the screenwriter of the adaptation, but only communicated with CCTV about the general ideas of the adaptation.
Since being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, Lu Yao has been recuperating for more than a year.
The completion of "Ordinary World" fulfilled one of his biggest wishes. Now, seeing that this novel, which has condensed countless of his efforts, is becoming more and more popular, Lu Yao is not as radical in his creation as before.
After chatting with everyone for a while, Lu Yao pulled Lin Weimin out alone.
"Weimin, why is there no news about the Yanbing Literature Award?"
Lin Weimin's eyes showed a hint of ridicule, "You didn't come to Yanjing just to ask this, did you?"
"That's impossible. I'm just curious! It's already the end of the year, why is there no movement at all?"
There was some concern on Lu Yao's face, and it was obvious that he had high hopes for this award.
The original rule for awarding the Yanbing Literature Award was to review it every three years. The first award was quite special, as the selection period was from 1977 to 1981, a total of five years, and the results were announced at the end of 1982.
The second award ceremony lasted for three years from 1982 to 1984, and the results were announced at the end of 1985.
Logically speaking, the third award ceremony should have been held at the end of 1988, and the selection period was from 1985 to 1987.
But now it is almost February of 1989 and there is still no news about the award, which makes many writers who think they are strong contenders for the award a little anxious.
Lu Yao's "Ordinary World" has been published for several years since the first part, and has never been well received by critics. It was finally completed last year, and he was waiting for the third Yanbing Literature Award to see if he could win a prize. Unexpectedly, the award was difficult to come by, so he was naturally concerned.
Although Lin Weimin has withdrawn from the Writers Association, he is still in Yanjing and is well-informed.
"Hehe, this is a bit fucked up." Lin Weimin laughed with a gloating look on his face.
"What's going on?" Lu Yao saw his expression and knew that he must understand the whole story, so he immediately asked.
“According to the regulations, this year’s Yanbing Literature Award should indeed be held at the end of the year.
The Yanbing Literature Award is given to novels, and the reading volume is a huge project. It takes about a year before and after each award ceremony. The Creative Research Department of the Literary Association had already started preparing for this in December 1998.
But at the beginning of the year, the China Literary Association discussed the establishment of the Lu Xun Literature Award. This award is not intended to evaluate a single article or work by a writer, but to evaluate the writer's entire creation and achievements.
I don't know what the Chinese Writers Association was thinking, but they insisted on combining the third Yanbing Literature Award and the first Lu Xun Literature Award together, and held the award ceremonies in Beijing in October 1989, the 40th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
So this is what we are experiencing now.”
Having said that, Lin Weimin spread his hands, looking helpless.
Lu Yao frowned upon hearing this, "This... is a bit bureaucratic!"
"Hey, be careful with your words!"
Seeing Lin Weimin's smug expression, Lu Yao couldn't help but retort to him, "You're the one who cursed so harshly, and now you're acting like a good guy!"
"My love for you is so deep, and my criticism is so severe, you don't understand."
After joking for a while, Lu Yao asked seriously, "So, the third award will be decided in October 1989?"
“I think so!”
Lin Weimin's answer was ambiguous. The move by the Writers Association was a good idea, but unfortunately the plan could not change quickly enough and this year's awards were delayed until 1991 due to force majeure.
Lin Weimin couldn't say these words to Lu Yao.
Lu Yao said with some regret: "Then we have to wait for more than half a year."
"Good things are worth waiting for! Don't worry, "Ordinary World" will definitely win an award!" Lin Weimin said with certainty.
Lu Yao looked at him and said, "You are more confident than me as an author. If someone didn't know you, they would think you were a judge!"
"The most important thing for the award is the quality of the novel. I am confident in the quality of your novel!" Lin Weimin said with a laugh.
Lu Yao laughed, feeling somewhat relieved.
Few people were optimistic about "The Ordinary World" since its release. Not only did the critical reviews seem low, but even when it was sent to the editorial department, the general reaction was not good.
If it weren't for Lin Weimin's determination to overcome all objections, he really didn't know what the fate of this novel would have been.
Now that the novel has been published, broadcast, and will soon be adapted into a TV series, if it can win another award, Lu Yao feels that he will die with his eyes closed.
Looking back at Lin Weimin, who has pushed him and "Ordinary World" forward along the way, Lu Yao feels that having a close friend in life is enough!
After talking about his own affairs, Lu Yao asked Lin Weimin: "Aren't you getting married soon? If you go traveling, why don't you visit us?"
"You can go there when you are free. I plan to take Huimin abroad to relax for a while after getting married."
Lu Yao said enviously: "You are so cool and free, you can go abroad whenever you want."
"It's not difficult to go abroad. When Lao Cheng finishes writing that novel, I'll come visit you for a few days."
"Is Lao Cheng's novel about to be finished?"
Lu Yao and Cheng Zhongshi are both writers from the Shaanxi Writers Association and they know each other.
However, Cheng Zhongshi has been staying in his hometown in recent years to concentrate on writing. He rarely contacts the outside world and has little contact with Lu Yao.
"The first draft has been completed, and it still needs to be revised. It will probably take at least a year and a half!" said Lin Weimin.
Lu Yao felt a little emotional when he heard this. He and Cheng Zhongshi had participated in the writers' club of "Contemporary" together, and they both had the idea of writing a grand epic.
Several years have passed in a flash. I have already finished writing my "Ordinary World" for a year, but Brother Cheng's work has not yet been published.
"He really needs to write a book to fill the void!" Lu Yao exclaimed.
"Old Cheng is very patient. Once this novel is finished, it will be a world-shattering success!"
Lu Yao looked at Lin Weimin in surprise, "Is this true? Have you read the novel?"
"No, just guessing."
"It sounds so true, but I'm really looking forward to him finishing this novel!"
"All the same."
After chatting for more than an hour, Lu Yao said goodbye. He would take the train back to Shaanxi tonight.
A few days later, the Chinese Literature Society distributed benefits and colleagues crowded the corridor.
Prices have risen sharply this year. Except for people like Lin Weimin who are not short of money, most of the working class have felt the pressure of life.
Everyone has a limited monthly salary, and the family may have lived a happy life before, but with the rise in prices, life has become tight.
For some people who were already struggling financially, life has become even more difficult this year.
The person around Lin Weimin who impressed him the most was He Qizhi.
He Qizhi is a senior editor at Guowen Publishing House, and his income level should be considered high-income at Yenching University.
He likes to eat shrimps. In the past, he would run to the market to buy two kilograms of shrimps to satisfy his craving every month after receiving his salary.
But this year, even the prices of seafood have skyrocketed, and the money that could originally buy two pounds of shrimps can only buy a few.
He Qizhi didn't dare to buy more, with only so much money, so he just bought a few shrimps, went home and cooked them carefully, and each member of the family shared one or two shrimps to satisfy their cravings.
There are many cases like his in the Chinese literature society, and everyone has been living very cautiously this year.
During this year's Spring Festival, the benefits provided by the Guowen Society are similar to those in previous years, including grain, oil, fruit, fish, meat, and some daily necessities.
But everyone was obviously much happier than usual after getting their share of food.
With prices so high now, the more things the company gives out, the more money everyone feels they’re making.
"These people are all cheapskates! They complained about everything when they distributed these things before, but now look at what they are grabbing!"
Liu Yin stood in the middle of the team, not knowing whether he was scolding others or himself.
The colleagues around him all had bitter expressions on their faces when they heard this. It didn't sound nice, but it was the truth.
Comparing the days since this year, everyone will miss the past days.
Lin Weimin was at the end of the team, shaking his head as he listened to everyone's discussions.
In the past few decades, the country's materials have been scarce most of the time, but the employees of Guowen Press in Yanjing found it difficult to experience this feeling.
No matter where there is a shortage of supplies, Yanjing will not be short of them, because this is the capital.
Lin Weimin couldn't help but think of the foundation employees who were on business trips. In order to complete the construction of the Hope Primary School as quickly as possible, this group of people could not stay in Yanjing for years. They ran to the northwest in the cold winter and stayed there for a month.
It’s not easy!
After queuing up to receive his items, Lin Weimin went to Wangfujing to look around for goods, and then called Zheng Guo out.
"What is it?"
"I have an honorable mission for you!"
"What mission?"
"Send some New Year's goods to the comrades from the foundation who are away from home!" Lin Weimin said, pointing to a pile of things on the ground.
Zheng Guo looked at the things on the ground and asked, "Did you buy this?"
"Um."
"As the honorary president, you are meddling in too many matters, aren't you?"
"Will you send me off?"
"deliver!"
Zheng Guo picked up his things and left without saying a word.
After considering for some time, he has decided to transfer to work at the foundation. He has already made the necessary arrangements, and the job transfer will be carried out after the new year. He will be a middle-level leader in the foundation.
The foundation sent less than ten people to other places, and there were not many New Year's goods. It took almost a day to deliver them door to door.
Zheng Guo knew very well that Lin Weimin was certainly not being a pushover this time, but was doing it for him.
(End of this chapter)
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