Back to 80: My Literary Life

Oh, they are going to shoot "Raise the Red Lantern".

Fang Minghua sighed in his heart, but his expression did not change.

He took a look, returned the magazine to Zhang Yimou, and said:

"I commented on this novel when I was the editor-in-chief. It is a very excellent work."

"Yes, I have a lot of ideas after reading it." Zhang Yimou took over the conversation: "I came here today to ask you for two favors."

"You say."

"Can you help me contact this author named Su Tong? I heard from President Bai that you are very familiar with him. Also, can you help me adapt it into a script? The script you wrote is very much to my liking."

Fang Minghua had already guessed that Zhang Yimou was looking for him for this matter, and he agreed very readily.

"No problem, I'll contact Su Tong right away. As for when do you want the script?"

"Of course, the sooner the better."

Fang Minghua listened and pondered for a moment and said, "Let's do this. I estimate that the novel I'm working on will be finished next week, and I'll start writing the script for you in about a week."

If someone else said that they could write a script in a week, Zhang Yimou would doubt the quality of the script.

But it was different when Fang Minghua said it.

"Thank you." Zhang Yimou said hurriedly.

"We are all friends, why are you being polite?" Fang Minghua said, took out a small notebook from the drawer, and found Su Tong's phone number.

Nanjing, Hongwu North Road.

Su Tong lit a cigarette and stared at the sycamore trees outside the window in a daze.

There are a lot of sycamore trees in Nanjing, all over the streets.

He has now resigned from the editor of "Zhongshan" magazine and became a professional writer of the Jiangsu Writers Association. He lives a free life.

He just came back from Yanjing a few days ago.

At the end of the year before last, he was invited to attend the third Youth Entrepreneurship Conference held in Yenching University and met a group of literary friends. After the conference, he did not rush back to Nanjing, but stayed in Yenching for a few days to visit teachers from Yenching Normal University and some of his friends.

Through friends, he met Wang Shuo, Ma Weidu and others and joined their so-called Seahorse Creation Studio.

Although most of the people in the studio are writers, such as Wang Shuo, Mo Yan, Liu Zhenyun, etc., they are not talking about literature, but more of a kind of chat.

People in Yenching are called "kan", and they can talk about a TV drama script.

As a southerner, Su Tong is not used to this way. Of course, he joined to earn some royalties - "talk out" a script, sell it, and everyone can share some money.

After returning from the last gathering in Yenching, Su Tong decided to quit.

How did this Seahorse Studio become a small group and fight with Fang Minghua?

He didn't want this to happen.

There is another very important reason.

The "Editorial Department Story" that a few people talked about last time was not bad. I have been an editor myself and understand it. It writes about the joys, sorrows, anger and happiness of editors, which is very interesting.

The script I read this time is called "Love You Without Negotiation".

The script is about Zhou Hua, a young actor from the drama theater, who was about to marry Fang Bo. She suddenly suffered from nephritis, postponed the wedding date, and interrupted her career. During the treatment process, she met Gao Qiang, a taxi driver, and was attracted by him, which triggered a series of stories.

After listening to the outline of this story, Su Tong felt that it was too bloody.

He couldn't figure out why Wang Shuo came up with such a theme?

Of course, except for him and Mo Yan, the rest of the people present were either from Yanjing or worked in Yanjing, and Mo Yan was now studying at Yanjing Normal University, and he was the only outsider.

He was insignificant and couldn't say anything.

But he could quit.

Before leaving, he went to Yanjing Normal University to find Mo Yan and told him his thoughts. Mo Yan also felt that it was meaningless and wanted to quit, but was ridiculed by Yu Hua, who lived in the same dormitory.

"I told you guys a long time ago that we are not the same kind of people as Wang Shuo! Those things they do, not to mention they are very popular, but I look down on them!"

"They are still a little bit behind Minghua!"

After returning to Nanjing, he resumed his peaceful life. He is now conceiving a short story:

"My Cotton, My Homeland", which is about a young boy who fled from famine and left his flooded hometown. His hometown made a living by growing cotton, and the floods turned the cotton fields into a body of water. It was a story of fleeing from famine.

At this moment, the phone on the TV cabinet rang, and he returned to the living room and picked up the phone.

"Su Tong, this is Minghua."

"Hello, Teacher Minghua." Su Tong has always been very polite to Fang Minghua, unlike Yu Hua who is so casual.

"There is such a thing, Zhang Yimou, the director of "Red Sorghum", is interested in your article "Wives and Concubines" and wants to make it into a movie, so he wants to talk to you about buying the copyright for adaptation into a film and television version. Are you willing?"

"Yes!" Su Tong was overjoyed.

It is of course a great joy to be chosen by Zhang Yimou, who is now in the limelight, to be adapted into a movie!

Not to mention that you can get a copyright fee, more importantly, you can expand the influence of your work through the movie.

It's killing two birds with one stone!

"Since you agree, Zhang Yimou is going to make a special trip to Nanjing to discuss the copyright with you in person."

"Okay, I'm usually at home, I'll tell you the address."

"Wait a minute, I'll take a piece of paper and write it down."

After the call, Fang Minghua handed Zhang Yimou a note with the address.

"He agreed, you can go and discuss it with him in detail, this is his home address."

"Okay, thank you, I'll leave for Nanjing in two days."

The two chatted for a while and Zhang Yimou was about to leave. Fang Minghua suddenly asked casually: "Yimou, is your film still invested by Xiying Studio?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yimou shook his head: "I don't plan to ask the studio. Even if I do, I guess Director Liu won't agree."

"Why?" Fang Minghua was a little surprised.

Historically, "Raise the Red Lantern" was not invested by Xiying Studio?

He really didn't know this.

Zhang Yimou sighed and talked about the whole story.

It turned out that the problem was with his previous film "Ju Dou".

Because the film was too large, it was not approved by the higher authorities and could not be shown in China without a dragon mark.

Although it achieved a good box office record overseas, the main leaders of Xiying Studio were also scolded by the leaders of the higher authorities for this matter, which made Director Liu of Xiying Studio very unhappy.

This would affect his career.

So when Director Liu heard that Zhang Yimou was going to film this kind of story that reflects the ethics of feudal society, he said on the spot:

"I don't care if you film it, but don't even think about asking Xiying Studio to invest a penny!"

The implication was that it was not the work of our Xiying Studio, and whether it was good or bad had nothing to do with me.

Zhang Yimou was also tough:

You have the final say on whether to pay or not, but I have the final say on whether to film or not!

Fang Minghua heard this, said "oh", and then spoke after a while.

"Well, when my wife comes back, I'll ask her if Shengshi Film and Television is willing to invest?"

"That's great, I had a great time working with President Song on "Ordinary World." Zhang Yimou said hurriedly.

Of course it was a great pleasure.

You overspent on the TV series, but my wife immediately made additional investments without saying a word, and said that as long as you can make a good film, she will make as much additional investments as needed!

It's hard to find such a boss, right?