Compared with the thousands of lights that came on during dinner, the lights at this moment were obviously much sparser.
The illusory stars of 1979 are the scenery of the times that we can’t get enough of.
At this moment, outside the small courtyard No. 51, there was also a gay man standing looking up at the stars.
Editor Pan, who had been wandering around the street since get off work, unexpectedly walked outside the gate of No. 51 Courtyard without realizing it.
"Huh? How did I get here?"
After looking up at the house number 51, Editor Pan, who had been depressed all night, stepped into the small courtyard.
All the way in along the path, the sound of TV sets or radios could be heard from the windows on both sides from time to time.
When he walked to the innermost part and entered the small courtyard, he saw two old acquaintances sitting at the window.
"You two haven't slept yet,"
Editor Pan stood pitifully in the small courtyard: "It's just right, come out and have a chat with me."
Jiang Shan and Li Ruocheng looked up at the same time, only to see a dark figure.
"Hey," Jiang Shan first looked at the time: "Isn't this Editor Pan? Why is it here at this time?"
Li Ruocheng followed him and took off his glasses in surprise: "Xiao Pan? What happened?"
Compared with Editor Pan, who had either sent new books or gifts before, Li Ruocheng now felt more that the other person was here to deliver bad news.
"Alas," Editor Pan also smiled bitterly and shook his head: "This is really a troubled year!"
"Don't sound so scary," Jiang Shan smiled and opened the door: "Editor Pan, come in and sit down!"
A few minutes later, Li Ruocheng also walked in with a pot of tea.
With a cup of tea in his hand, Editor Pan's chatterbox started to open up.
"It's true that it's not scary," he said, looking at the two people in front of him: "But... it's also a worrying thing!"
Don't talk about him, Li Ruocheng's heart has not been at ease these days: "What? "Gone with the Wind" can no longer be sold."
"That's right," Editor Pan frowned: "There are 400,000 volumes of books. How can this be delayed like this!"
"Alas!" Li Ruocheng let out a long sigh: "Editor-in-chief Ye of your publishing house, are you worried?"
"I'm like this, let alone him!"
Seeing the two frowning faces in front of him, Jiang Shan picked up a cigarette and smelled it under his nose:
"As early as 1974, the Encyclopedia of America introduced the novel "Gone with the Wind" and followed it with a short review.
In this review, the pros and cons of this novel are unabashedly stated.
At the same time, a similar chapter appeared in the "British Encyclopedia" published in the same year.
After pointing out the shortcomings of "Gone with the Wind", they all proposed the same viewing angle.
It’s the spirit in the novel that never gives up and never gives in to the environment when faced with a sudden disaster.”
Originally, Editor Pan had not felt this way: "After hearing your reminder, I really remembered it. I really felt this way when I was watching "Gone with the Wind"."
"Indeed," Li Ruocheng also nodded:
"When I was translating the novel, I felt that many of the helpless descriptions in "Gone with the Wind" were very similar to what I used to think, so when the protagonist broke through, I would also be happy along with him."
"This is called inner guidance," Jiang Shan said, lighting a cigarette:
"Editor Pan, our publishing house can also learn from the practices of British and American encyclopedias, evaluate this novel from both pros and cons, and tell readers what kind of novel "Gone with the Wind" is and what they can learn from this book.
.”
"oh?"
"Of course, the ultimate purpose of this is to show it to..." Jiang Shan pointed upward: "For them to read, you can give this book a special pamphlet."
"booklet?"
"Yes, this booklet describes the advantages and disadvantages of "Gone with the Wind"."
"This is a way," Li Ruocheng suddenly realized something: "It's like when I used to read books, I was asked to write an approval essay."
"I understand," Editor Pan nodded slowly:
"It is indeed a direction to solve the problem. We take the initiative to mention the advantages and disadvantages of "Gone with the Wind" and let readers make their own judgments."
In the previous life, the publishing house that published the novel "Gone with the Wind" was not Pujiang Publishing House, but Zhejiang Publishing House.
However, they also encountered the same problem as Pujiang Publishing House.
After that, I had no choice but to publish a small book called "What kind of book is Gone with the Wind".
This was the only "book in the book" at that time, but it did temporarily solve the subsequent subscription and sales work of "Gone with the Wind".
"There's no need to write too much, just put out the pros and cons," Jiang Shan continued: "As long as "Gone with the Wind" can continue to be on the market, there's no need to worry about sales at all."
"Why don't you worry about it?" Editor Pan was not as optimistic as he thought: "Just today, another newspaper criticized "Gone with the Wind". Do you know what they wrote?"
"What did you write?"
Jiang Shan only vaguely remembered that after the People's Daily criticized "Gone with the Wind", many newspapers and periodicals published follow-up articles.
After all, this is still an era where tabloids copy big newspapers, and big newspapers copy major newspapers!
"They said: I hope our publishing industry will not drift too far!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Jiang Shan shook his head: "That's a bit much, isn't it, Uncle Li?"
"That's it," Li Ruocheng agreed with Lao San's point of view: "We are all working from the same pot, so why write it so harshly!"
"That's right," Jiang Shan asked, "which immoral newspaper is it?"
"Are you two really ignorant or are you pretending not to know?" Chief Editor Pan asked curiously: "Isn't it the Pujiang Daily in our city?"
"ah?"
"Hasn't he himself been in a serial?" Jiang Shan was completely convinced: "He really dares to criticize himself!"
"No,"
Editor Pan did not expect that the other party would come up with this trick: "Isn't he forcing our publishing house to admit his mistakes too!"
"Editor Pan," Jiang Shan immediately realized, "then you have to print the pamphlet all night long. Isn't this another way of self-criticism?"
"Well, that's right," Chief Editor Pan thought more and more: "It's time to do something."
"In addition to printing a booklet introducing "Gone with the Wind", Jiang Shan introduced the experience of the previous publishing house to the other party: "You can also invite some foreign writers to speak out for "Gone with the Wind"."
"Our editor-in-chief knows a few of them, but...is this useful?"
"Don't worry," Jiang Shan said confidently: "Now their words are much more effective than those in China."
"That's true." It wasn't until this moment that Editor Pan finally had some clues: "I hope that everything I do in the future can make the shipment of 400,000 copies of "Gone with the Wind" go smoothly, but don't make a mistake.
It’s in hand.”
"You can rest assured about this," Jiang Shan said with a smile: "You are quite young, and the troubles over there in the United States are much more serious than ours, but guess what happened next?"
"What happened next?"
"In just one year, the circulation of "Gone with the Wind" exceeded one million copies. After that, the publishing house had no time to print it. "Gone with the Wind" was originally priced at US$3, but was suddenly sold to US$60."
Editor Pan was in disbelief: "Oh my God!"
Li Ruocheng's eyes widened in shock: "60...US dollars? This is too outrageous."
"It's outrageous. You should know that at this price, you could stay in a small hotel for a month in the United States at that time."
Jiang Shan still can't imagine what a grand occasion it was.
Just like he couldn't understand why someone would spend huge sums of money to watch a Jay Chou concert.
"But this just illustrates a problem. The book "Gone with the Wind" is very attractive to readers."
"Don't talk about "Gone with the Wind"." Editor Pan's eyes were already shining at this moment: "Since last year, as long as they are foreign masterpieces, we have been printing batches and only one batch. I hate that the paper cannot be coordinated.
, otherwise it would really be like..."
Editor Pan stopped the following words in time.
Jiang Shan laughed: "Otherwise, it would be as fun as printing money!"
"Hey, don't say this nonsense,"
Editor Pan quickly pressed his hands and glanced out the window before laughing:
"Xiao Jiang, I will report your idea to the publishing house tomorrow. If it can really solve the problem of "Gone with the Wind", it will be really happy!"
At this moment, Li Ruocheng and Jiang Shan looked at each other and smiled. They both knew in their hearts that there were 400,000 volumes of books.
It is indeed enough to make the publisher happy for a while.
…
In the conference room of Pujiang Daily, after solving the hot potato issue of "Gone with the Wind", everyone started discussing the next serial novel.
After all, there are only two opinions, one is in favor of serialized martial arts novels, and the other mainly promotes science fiction novels.
"We already have a serialized science fiction novel, and adding another one would be superfluous."
"Why are you superfluous? Good things should be as abundant as possible!"
"It would be better if a hundred flowers bloom."
"Even if we publish martial arts novels as you said," Editor Wu asked, "I ask you, which one can surpass "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanxing, who was sitting in seat C, finally made up his mind:
"That's right. Different newspapers should have their own characteristics. Others have martial arts, and we also have science fiction. This is the true letting of a hundred flowers."
So, after a morning meeting, "Pujiang Daily" became a newspaper with a science fiction supplement.
At the same time, Cai Wensheng of Oriental Metropolis Newspaper did not give up his insistence on science fiction.
We gathered around editor-in-chief Jiang Hai’s desk early in the morning, talking endlessly about the advantages of science fiction novels.
"We can even publish magical novels like "The Chronicles of Narnia", so why can't we consider the popular science fiction novels now?"
After finishing speaking, Cai Wensheng took out a book: "This is the novel "Flying to Sagittarius" which just won the award this year. You can take the time to read it."
"Okay," Jiang Hai took the novel: "Have you read it?"
"Yes, a very interesting science fiction novel."
While they were discussing, Jiang Shan suddenly knocked on the door and walked in.
"Editor Cai is here too," he also handed over a novel: "It just so happens that you have always wanted to serialize a science fiction novel. I recently found one."
"Oh? You finally agree with my suggestion?"
"I have always agreed with your suggestions," Jiang Shan said with a smile, "It's just not the time to publish this stuff recently."
"Well," Jiang Hai nodded: "Old Cai, to tell you the truth, Jiang Shan heard some rumors outside, so I never agreed to your suggestion."
"Really?" Cai Wensheng had long heard that Jiang Shan had such a relationship, so he asked curiously, "What have you heard?"
"Well..." Jiang Shan said it as if he hadn't said it before: "No one else dared to say it carefully, so they just reminded me a little bit."
"Just remind you of science fiction... no?"
"Absolutely," Jiang Shan showed a puzzled expression at this moment: "I'm also surprised. You said science fiction is so popular nowadays, why can't you touch it?"
"There is no wind without waves," Cai Wensheng warned Jiangshan in turn: "Now that you have heard the rumor, you must pay attention to it. Take a look at "Gone with the Wind", it will be over if you say it is over."
"What you said makes sense," Jiang Shan admitted honestly, "I listen to you."
"That's right," Cai Wensheng nodded reassuringly: "Listen to others and eat enough."
"Then do you still want to read the book I found?"
“Didn’t everyone say we don’t want science fiction novels?”
"Actually, it can't be considered a science fiction novel," Jiang Shan handed over the novel: "It would be more accurate to say it is an adventure novel."
"Around the World in Eighty Days,"
Jiang Hai looked at the book in his hand: "The name is quite interesting."
"Isn't this book translated into classical Chinese?" Cai Wensheng grabbed it. He had obviously read the book: "Is there a new edition?"
"It came out a long time ago, but this is a reprint this year."
"I'll take it back and look at it first," Cai Wensheng said, flipping through the novel in his hand and unable to take his eyes away.
He loved all of the books recommended by Jiang Shan.
These days, apart from going to work, I hold a copy of "Up and Down Five Thousand Years" all day long.
Not only him, but the editors in the entire supplement department are similar.
When Cai Wensheng was about to leave with "Around the World in 80 Days" in his arms, he did not forget to look back and remind Jiang Shan:
"Xiao Jiang, is there any interview transcript about Chen Peisi? Many readers have written to ask about it?"
"No more," Jiang Shan spread his hands and said, "I'll give you everything I can."
"Who will be featured on Monday next week?"
"Don't worry, I'll give you the manuscript in two days."
Just when Editor Cai waved his hand and left the office.
A press conference in Yanjing Hotel also officially kicked off.
Brian, a science fiction writer from the UK, is having friendly exchanges with a group of domestic science fiction writers.
At the reception, a reporter asked Brian a question that everyone was concerned about:
"I would like to ask Mr. Brian, how do British science fiction novels educate young people to master scientific knowledge?"
When Brian heard this, he was immediately stunned: "First of all, I think you have some misunderstandings about science fiction novels, which are different from popular science books.
Science fiction is just a literary form and has no obligation to disseminate and educate scientific knowledge..."
When many reporters present heard Brian's point of view, they all looked at the science fiction writer on the other side in shock.
Although science fiction writers at this time all thought this reporter's question was ridiculous.
But from the surprised expressions of these reporters, it seemed that something was wrong.
