Chapter 321 Foreign Copyright... Is this really a pig-raising study room? ...
Qin Xiangxiang's return was perfectly timed. In December, Shanghai was still quite chilly, but Feiyan United Textile Factory was ignited by a surprising piece of news. Xue Jianjun, who had once worked in the propaganda department of Feiyan Textile Factory, studied for exams in the "Pig Farming Study Room," and was eventually admitted to Peking University, and who had written "Pig Farming and Philosophical Speculation," had won the Mao Dun Literature Prize for his novel "Echoes of Spruce."
In his book, author Xue Jianjun vividly depicts the transformation of a textile factory on an island in the 1970s, reflecting on life and philosophy in a way that provokes deep thought. The story of the discerning "Factory Director Qin," who recognized talent, and the classic, wise passage where he hung a sign reading "Pig Farming Study Room" in the spruce wood rehearsal hall, become the most shining and glorious chapters in the book.
"The Echoes of Spruce Wood, it's Factory Director Qin again!"
"My God, a literary prize?!"
Everyone at Feiyan Textile Factory felt proud; these were talented individuals who had emerged from their factory. Many of the older workers recalled with excitement:
"Back then, Factory Director Qin attached great importance to the education of the workers. She specially invited professors to give lectures and named it the 'Pig Farming Study Room,' which was her unique wisdom."
"It is said that the professor initially thought that the factory workers had a low level of education, just like the worker-peasant-soldier college students at that time, and might not be able to keep up with the class. However, Director Qin instructed the professor to teach the workers mathematics, physics and chemistry knowledge in a more popular and easy-to-understand way."
"The seeds of wisdom were ignited in the pig-raising classroom at Feiyan Textile Factory..."
...
Li Qingfeng: "Mom, you were really farsighted back then. Our school teachers all highly praised your learning spirit, saying that even in the most difficult circumstances, you never forgot to encourage the workers to study."
Li Qinghui: "Our school teachers also said they want to organize a reading activity for 'Echoes of Spruce Wood' and learn from Director Qin!"
Qinghe and Qinglan: "Our school also said that it will hold a reading month called 'Echoes of Spruce'."
"Mom, you're amazing!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
"However, many people say that the Factory Director Qin in this handwritten story, the Factory Director Qin in 'Echoes of Spruce Wood,' and the Factory Director Qin in the TV series are all different."
"My classmates at school all ask me, 'What is your mother, Factory Director Qin, really like?'"
Qin Xiangxiang covered her forehead, thinking of "Factory Director Qin" in the handwritten story, and the eye contact with the thousand-year-old female corpse. Suddenly, she felt that "Echoes of Spruce" was acceptable.
As the person involved, she felt very "awkward" about these portrayals of Factory Director Qin.
Ah, this wretched world, let it be destroyed!
It's likely that few people will know in the future that her purpose in running the "pig farming class" was purely to "formulate fermented pig feed".
Isn't pig farming itself the most important thing?
Back in the villa with the children, and looking at the gold-plated Crown sedan parked in front of their house, Qin Xiangxiang wasn't as excited as before. Years of experience had taught her what kind of "troublesome effects" would come from having a Mao Dun Literature Prize winner in the factory.
It's always about learning role models and experience sharing sessions... it never ends.
"Our Factory Director Qin is back?" The man in military uniform strode forward, embraced his beloved wife, and spoke in a deep voice with obvious joy, indicating that he was in a good mood.
We've been apart for so long, I miss you terribly.
"Commander Li, you must read 'How the Steel Was Tempered' to me before I go to sleep tonight."
Qin Xiangxiang felt that she needed to temper her "willpower" in order to accept the blows of the current bleak reality. One wave after another, there was the special zone factory with an investment cost of five million yuan, and the Mao Dun Literature Prize... The invisible shadow of trouble was deeply entwined around her.
Li Qingfeng's expression was strange: "Our mother is really something, she makes her husband read 'How the Steel Was Tempered' every night..."
Li Qinghui remained silent, not daring to make a sound, because she felt that her mother was just like her, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, and reading "How the Steel Was Tempered" would be useless, unless she read the menu of a Manchu Han Imperial Feast.
Li Qinghe: "I want to learn from my parents, grow up under the red flag, and become a sunny and upright good student."
Li Qinglan: "Big brother, can I come to your school to play? I also want to praise Factory Director Qin..."
...
Li Jianzhi hugged his wife as they came up, whispering, "What are you talking about... Let's not sleep tonight. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, let's do something fun."
"Director Qin is devoted to his work; he's not going to do anything fun with you!"
Qin Xiang wanted to take a shower, leave all her worries behind, and comfortably go downstairs to check on her car.
Having a car makes everything perfect!
She plans to learn to drive herself, get a driver's license, and drive the men and children around... Wait, why should she be the one driving?
Because this is Qin Xiangxiang's personal car, the factory manager's vehicle.
Upon returning to Shanghai, with "Echoes of Spruce" winning an award, various regional performance troupes, journalists, and artists flocked to the Feiyan Textile Factory to visit, learn, and conduct interviews.
"Director Qin, what are your thoughts on what happened back then?"
"What kind of person is Xue Jianjun in your memory?"
"What do you think is the ideal pig farming class in everyone's mind...?"
Qin Xiangxiang was most afraid of these things. She thought to herself that if she had known this would happen, she would have been better off eating dirt in the wasteland of the special economic zone.
"I've forgotten most of what happened back then."
"Xue Jianjun? I only remember that he wrote 'Pig Farming and Philosophical Speculation'."
"A pig farming class? Professor Shen taught everyone how to mix fermented pig feed. To this day, I still remember the pig feed formula..."
Reporter: "??????" Most people have forgotten, pig farming and philosophical speculation?
Artist: "??????" A mixture of fermented pig feed? Real pig feed?
The performance team: "???" Oh, is this really a pig-raising study room?
...
After these interviews, Qin Xiangxiang stopped believing in interviews altogether, because she discovered that in many cases, interview answers were just casual fabrications or simply her natural feelings at the time.
She was so annoyed by the questions that she could only spout nonsense—but she was telling the truth.
"Director Qin is such a genuine person!"
"I still remember the pig feed rhyme from back then—she was such an honest person! She didn't do anything fake, she only did the truth."
"Director Qin is very young, but she is very modest in the face of these achievements and honors. Her answers are humorous and joking. For her age, she is quite composed."
...
Qin Xiangxiang didn't care what the media wrote. Even "Factory Director Qin" had been made into a TV series, so what kind of blow could possibly hit her heart?
Meanwhile, He, her former assistant on the island, also called her for help: "Factory manager, there are too many people visiting Feiyan Textile Factory now, which is almost disrupting the normal production and operation of the textile factory. These people are all coming to the 'pig-raising class,' but where can the pig-raising learning room accommodate so many people? Don't we have to think of a solution?"
Qin Xiangxiang: "...These people are just joining in the fun for a while."
Over the past decade or so, Qin Xiangxiang had long seen through it all. It was always the same: when there was a publicity boom, a large number of people would come to join in the fun, but after a while, naturally no one would care anymore.
Just like the ebb and flow of the tide, it will eventually return to calm.
However, Feiyan Textile Factory is now heavily indebted in order to build a branch factory in the special economic zone. With so many people coming to visit, should they quietly make some money?
She had a sudden inspiration: "Don't these people just want to see the 'Pig Farming Study Room'? Let's make a Pig Farming Study Room badge, a bookmark, or a wooden plaque, and add a 'fountain pen' to it. That would be the 'Echo of Spruce' gift box. Buy the gift box and understand the spirit of the top scholar."
Qin Xiangxiang wanted to ask Grandpa Ouyang to make a miniature model of the pig-raising study room, and then make corresponding cultural and creative ornaments, bookmarks, badges, and print the patterns on notebooks and pens.
These items will be sold at the Fei Yan Feng Hua Market, night market stalls, and other state-owned commercial establishments in the Fei Yan Market of the Special Economic Zone.
"Every little bit helps."
Grandpa Ouyang was very interested in her idea. He said he also longed for the "pig-raising study room" described in the novel, and that he wanted to "personally experience the strong learning atmosphere!"
At this time, Shanghai TV and several other TV stations also approached Qin Xiangxiang and Xue Jianjun, vying for the TV adaptation rights to "Echoes of Spruce Wood".
"Such a great work must be adapted and brought to television!"
"Excellent works of art should receive wider publicity..."
Qin Xiangxiang almost fainted: "..."
This was nothing short of devastating news for her. After saying goodbye to the TV series "Director Qin" and "Director Qin Sequel", she now has another one, "Echoes of Spruce," which also features Director Qin.
Will she sell "Factory Director Qin dolls" in the future?
"Director Qin, which TV station would be better to have it filmed?" Xue Jianjun was also overwhelmed by the sudden fame. He was not mentally prepared to be interviewed every day and knew nothing about other matters related to TV dramas and publishing.
Especially regarding "foreign publications," his work has already been published domestically, but now that he has won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, people from other countries have contacted him, saying they want to buy the copyrights for different languages such as Japanese, English, and French. Xue Jianjun has no idea how to choose.
Qin Xiangxiang: "Foreign publication? You should consult Yin Pingping about this and ask her to help you negotiate the foreign copyright."
"Okay." Hearing Director Qin's words, Xue Jianjun immediately felt reassured. He was very uneasy about publishing for foreign audiences, and he knew even less about foreign copyrights, fearing that he would mess things up.
Director Qin's decision to have Yin Pingping oversee this matter undoubtedly reassured him.
"As for the TV series... how about we let Director Xie direct it and collaborate with Shanghai TV station to develop a TV series adaptation?"
Qin Xiangxiang wasn't considering anything else; she simply planned to stay "without leaving Shanghai" to minimize trouble.
At least she was somewhat prepared for what Director Xie had produced, but who knows what other directors might produce.
It's truly unexpected that one day, TV dramas could become one of Qin Xiangxiang's sources of distress.
"Factory Director? Me? I'll help Comrade Xue Jianjun contact overseas publishers? I'm willing! Of course I'm willing! I've not only taught myself English, but I've also learned French and Japanese..." Yin Pingping was extremely excited when she heard that Factory Director Qin was going to entrust her with such a task. She immediately prepared to gather information on overseas publishers and try to secure more favorable terms for Xue Jianjun's overseas copyrights.
"Once 'Echoes of Spruce' is published in other countries, won't people from those countries know the name of our Feiyan Textile Factory, even if they haven't come to China?"
Qin Xiangxiang: "?!"
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