Chapter 688 Novel Sponsor
During the second half of the play, Lin Weimin kept whispering to Wen Neng, and the people around them glared at them, and in the end the two were almost kicked out of the theater.
"Teacher Lin, you are so interested in the lives of Mr. Jiang and Mr. Tang. How about writing a novel based on them?"
Halfway out of the theater, Wen Neng said to Lin Weimin.
Lin Weimin pretended to be hesitant, "Well... I still know too little about the lives of these two gentlemen, including the history of Cantonese opera..."
When Wen Neng heard his words, he felt even happier and said, "I heard that you were suspended..."
Seeing Lin Weimin looking at him, Wen Neng quickly explained: "I'm not gloating over someone's misfortune. What I mean is that you just happen to have some free time recently, so why not use this time to collect some information and experience life."
"Old Wen, I'm writing a novel, why are you so enthusiastic?" Lin Weimin asked.
Wen Neng said: "The influence of your work is obvious to all. If you really write about the deeds of Mr. Jiang and Mr. Tang, it is equivalent to promoting Cantonese opera! It is a cultural event for Guangzhou and even Hong Kong!"
Wen Neng's words were a bit exaggerated, but that was indeed how he felt.
The movie "Farewell My Concubine" was released in June and has not been taken off the screen yet. It is said that the box office has reached nearly 200 million yuan, directly breaking the decades-long box office record of Chinese films.
It is true that this movie has won the Palme d'Or, but there are many domestic movies that have won foreign awards, such as "Red Sorghum", "Birth Year", "Raise the Red Lantern", "Old Well"...
I have never seen these movies create such amazing box office results when they were released.
The only difference between "Farewell My Concubine" and these movies is the influence of the original work and its author.
Since the novel Farewell My Concubine was published in 1982, it has gained tens of millions of readers in China. When the drama Farewell My Concubine was performed in Guangzhou that year, tickets were hard to come by and the audience packed the theater.
Therefore, the fact that the movie "Farewell My Concubine" has achieved such remarkable results is definitely inseparable from the influence of the original novel.
Now Lin Weimin is interested in the deeds of Jiang Yuliu and Tang Tik-sheng. If he could really create a novel about the two of them, even if it could not surpass "Farewell My Concubine", even if it could reach half of the influence of "Farewell My Concubine", it would be enough to attract the Guangzhou government.
"Don't flatter me when there's nothing to do."
"I'm not flattering you."
The two chatted and laughed all the way back to the hotel. According to the schedule, Lin Weimin would leave Guangzhou the day after tomorrow and return to Yanjing.
Wen Neng sent Lin Weimin back to his room and immediately used the hotel phone to call a cadre from the Guangzhou Propaganda Department.
Although Lin Weimin did not give a positive answer during the chat, Wen Neng was very sure that Lin Weimin would never speak without a purpose.
If he could really write a novel about Jiang Yuliu, Tang Ti-sheng and Cantonese opera, it would definitely play a strong role in promoting Cantonese opera.
Just like Yu Qiuyu's article "Taoist Tower" made Dunhuang famous, such opportunities are hard to come by and are of great benefit to the promotion of local culture.
Zhang Yongjian is a cadre in the propaganda department of Guangzhou City and also a good friend of Wen Neng. When he received Wen Neng's call, his first reaction was nonsense.
What does Lin Weimin's novel writing have to do with Guangzhou?
Moreover, last year Southern Metropolis Weekend was in trouble because of fake news. There were rumors that it was because the report offended Lin Weimin and he sued them.
"Nandu Weekend" is a media that the province focuses on supporting. After this incident, the reputation and credibility accumulated over the years were completely lost, most of the talents were lost, and the vitality was severely damaged. Some people in the provincial propaganda department hated Lin Weimin to the core.
"Your thinking is too narrow!" Wen Neng couldn't help but criticize his friend after hearing his friend's words. "It's true that Southern Metropolis Weekend spread fake news, right? You did something wrong, but instead of reflecting on your own problems, you blame others. What kind of theory is this?"
"Besides, it's just a rumor. Even if he really did it, so what? I've read the article reporting on him. Anyway, I don't believe he would say that. Didn't Southern Metropolis Weekend admit that it had tampered with the other person's words when it apologized?"
"Also, does his incident with Southern Metropolis Weekend have anything to do with the present? Now someone wants to write a novel about Cantonese opera. If it is really well written, it will be a great boon to our local culture.
Have you seen "Farewell My Concubine"? It was written by a Peking Opera writer, and the box office is about to reach 200 million. Apart from this novel and the movie, who doesn't know that there is a Peking Opera play called "Farewell My Concubine"?
With Lin Weimin's overseas influence, if he can really write a novel about Cantonese opera, it will be of great benefit to expanding the influence of our Cantonese opera in China and even overseas."
Wen Neng said with some regret, "I think you have become stupid because of being an official..."
Zhang Yongjian now has only one thing in his mind: Stop cursing, stop cursing.
He thought about his friend's words, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it made sense, so he said, "I'll report to my leader tomorrow..."
"They're leaving the day after tomorrow. Why are you reporting tomorrow? Can't you report tonight?"
Zhang Yongjian was rebuked. Although he was unhappy, he knew in his heart that his friend was right. "Wait for my call."
After that, he hung up the phone. After waiting for about half an hour, the phone rang again. Zhang Yongjian said on the phone: "Our leader wants to visit Lin Weimin now."
Wen Neng looked at the time and said, "It's too late, isn't it? It's already past nine o'clock."
"You just said we weren't active, but now that we're active you're making excuses."
"Okay, come over here, I'll talk to him first."
After hanging up the phone, Wen Neng knocked on Lin Weimin's door.
Seeing Wen Neng, Lin Weimin asked in surprise: "Old Wen, you haven't left yet?"
Wen Neng smiled sheepishly, "Something happened."
Lin Weimin invited him in. Wen Neng caught a glimpse of paper and pen on the desk, and he told him what had just happened.
Lin Weimin smiled bitterly and said, "Old Wen, you are trying to defeat me!"
"We're just chatting casually. We're not forcing you to write. With them here, it's convenient for you to collect folk songs and experience life, right?"
Inviting cultural celebrities to participate in local activities and write colorful articles has been popular since the 1980s.
In particular, the sponsors behind many literary clubs are mostly local governments or state-owned enterprises.
They spent money, time and energy, and for what? Isn't it to let these cultural celebrities promote the local area?
"Besides, don't think I don't know what you are doing?"
Wen Neng pointed at the paper and pen on the desk, his face full of insight.
"You are forcing yourself into a desperate situation!" Lin Weimin muttered.
"I'm not being forced into this, I'm treating you like a distinguished guest!"
Wen Neng didn't lie. The Guangzhou Propaganda Department leader and Zhang Yongjian arrived very quickly. After they exchanged a few pleasantries, the leader said, "How can a writer of your stature live in a place like this? Come on, let me find you another place."
Without further ado, Lin Weimin was dragged to the White Swan Hotel.
The White Swan Hotel is the first five-star hotel in Guangzhou and also the first five-star hotel in China. In the early days of reform and opening up, Guangzhou, as a bridgehead for reform and opening up, urgently needed a hotel to entertain investors from all over the world.
Therefore, Huo Guantai responded to the government's call and invested in the construction of this five-star hotel on Shamian Island.
Since its opening in 1983, the White Swan Hotel has received many domestic and foreign heads of state and business tycoons. Unlike many foreign-related hotels of this era, the White Swan Hotel also accommodates ordinary people's consumption.
Therefore, since its inception, the White Swan Hotel has always been a representative of high-end hotels in the hearts of Guangzhou people.
Even after ten years, many five-star hotels have been built in Guangzhou, but the status of the White Swan Hotel is still difficult to shake.
“This is inappropriate!”
Lin Weimin tried his best to refuse, but unfortunately he was powerless and was forcibly stuffed into an executive suite. His leader kept saying "thank you for the poor hospitality, thank you for the poor hospitality".
After arranging accommodation for Lin Weimin, the leader took Lin Weimin aside for a long talk.
The conversation ranged from history to philosophy, from politics to literature, and with the help of Wen Neng and Zhang Yongjian, the in-depth discussion lasted until the early morning, when the leader reluctantly said goodbye.
Before leaving, he pleaded earnestly: "You must not leave! The inheritance and dissemination of Guangzhou Cantonese opera depends on you. If you have time, you can come here to collect some folk songs. Tomorrow I will let Yongjian accompany you to the Cantonese Opera House to meet some old artists, and the day after tomorrow we will go to the troupe..."
Lin Weimin felt his scalp tingling after hearing this. His schedule for the next month had been clearly arranged by his leader.
"No time, really no time," he said.
"It's okay, it's okay, come whenever it's convenient for you, I'll let Yongjian cooperate with you at any time."
The leader and Zhang Yongjian left first. Lin Weimin grabbed Wen Neng and said, "Old Wen, you are so mean!"
Wen Neng cunningly argued: "You are going to write a novel anyway. With the help of the government, it will be convenient for you to collect information, right?"
Lin Weimin let Wen Neng go only after he extorted two meals from him.
After seeing Wen Neng off, Lin Weimin no longer had that embarrassment on his face.
Just when I was about to write a book, someone handed me a pillow. Where can I find such a good thing?
Wen Neng was right. With the government's help, it would be much easier for him to collect information for writing his novel.
His attitude just now was just a strategy. These days, being the first to take advantage is not a good business.
It was too late today, so Lin Weimin fell asleep.
The next morning, Lin Weimin received a call from Zhang Yongjian at the front desk. He was already waiting downstairs in his car.
After Lin Weimin had breakfast, he went downstairs. Zhang Yongjian was waiting at the door, and there was a young girl standing next to him.
"Teacher Lin, let me introduce you. This is Chen Xuran, the host of our Pearl River TV station. The leader said that when you come to Guangzhou to collect folk songs, you need a local guide who is familiar with the historical heritage and cultural background of Guangzhou. Chen is a host, well-educated and eloquent, and is the most suitable local guide for you."
The Pearl River Station mentioned by Zhang Yongjian is the Pearl River Channel, the second program channel of Guangdong Radio and Television Station. Guangzhou people are accustomed to calling it the Pearl River Station.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Pearl River TV developed rapidly and was the only major TV station in Guangdong and even in South China.
Many of the programs it created, such as "Morning", "Family Know", "Pearl River Night Talk" and "Sports World", are widely popular with the audience.
Especially the variety show "A Thousand Colors" is the top one and is the favorite program of countless audiences in South China.
And Chen Xuran happens to be the leading female host of the show "A Thousand Colors".
Together with Chen Weicong, another male host of "A Thousand Colors", they were known as a pair of "golden boy and jade girl" in the Guangdong hosting industry. At their peak, their fame in Guangdong even surpassed that of Mao Ning and Yang Yuying, the "golden boy and jade girl" of the singing world.
At the moment, Chen Xuran was only 25 years old and had just become the host of the "Wan Zi Qian Hong" program. He was far from being as famous as he is in later generations.
She stood beside the Crown car, pure and beautiful, and stretched out her hand to Lin Weimin, saying, "Hello, Teacher Lin! Nice to meet you, I like your novels very much."
She actually used the beauty trap!
Teacher Lin was disdainful in his heart. Who do you think I, Lin Weimin?
Teacher Lin held Chen Xuran's hand, feeling full of contempt for the leader's arrangement.
(End of this chapter)
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