Chapter 331 The flag is flying (seeking a monthly ticket)
"Karasawa, please let me do this!"
"It must be done, please take good care of the teacher."
In Nagasaki, Japan, two men in formal attire bowed to each other. One of them, Taro Karasawa, knelt down to a villa not far away after bowing. After kowtowing, he turned around and left with his briefcase.
Taro Karasawa is thirty-four years old this year and is the last direct disciple of the famous manga artist Kato Rin. However, although Kato Rin is well-known in the Japanese manga circle, he is already old and basically in a semi-retired state. He lives in seclusion in Nagasaki.
The works below are basically updated monthly or even discontinuously.
The long-form works of other cartoonists are basically handed over to the studio for serialization, but Kato Rin has to do his own actions every time. This is also an important reason why he can maintain a highly respected position in the circle.
However, recently, Kato Rin has become obsessed with a novel called "The Three-Body Problem". Every time he reads it, he claps his hands and cheers loudly, as if it contains some magical science fiction code.
Taro Karasawa once read "The Three-Body Problem" because of this, but every time he could read several hundred words without being able to read any more, because his English was not very good, and because it happened in a foreign country, he couldn't relate to it.
feel.
But Kato Rin praised everyone every time, and even because of Kato Rin's recommendation, "The Three-Body Problem" became famous in the comic circle. Although it is a bit difficult to read, it is not that no one is proficient in English, so it also captured
Many fans.
And Kato Rin was also invited to join the "Science Frontier", a fan organization of "The Three-Body Problem".
There are many industry leaders like Kato Rin who have joined the organization, and "Science Frontier" has become an emerging force that has attracted attention recently. Now the number of people in the organization has reached nearly a thousand, and the author himself does not know much about it.
In some cases, the idea has even developed into a formal organization.
Now, the World Science Fiction Conference is about to be held in Tokyo, and the author and translator of "The Three-Body Problem" will be present. This has caused a sensation in the Japanese science fiction community and also attracted the attention of related industries.
However, Kato Rin was old and would not leave Nagasaki easily. He also had a stroke and was unable to manage his health. Therefore, as the youngest direct disciple, even though he was already the president of a comic company, Karasawa Taro still accepted the Kato family.
Commissioned by the author, he went to Tokyo to participate in the World Science Fiction Convention and witness the moment of "The Three-Body Problem" becoming a god.
In addition to participating in the World Science Fiction Conference during this trip, Taro Karasawa will also ask for a photo and signature of the author and translator of "The Three-Body Problem" for his teacher, and hopes to have some exchanges and communication with the author of "The Three-Body Problem".
What the teacher means is that he is willing to win the Japanese translation copyright and comic copyright of "The Three-Body Problem".
The teacher feels that the level of Chinese comics and film shooting may not be able to produce such grand scenes and ideas as "The Three-Body Problem". If possible, it is obviously suitable to produce it in Japan, which has developed entertainment.
However, the historical contradiction between China and Japan is obviously a big problem.
Taro Karasawa was also aware of this incident, so he was worried that the original author of "The Three-Body Problem" would not favor the Japanese because of this incident.
But you have to give it a try anyway.
Taro Karasawa took the invitation letter, went to the airport alone, and flew to Tokyo.
…
Since the World Science Fiction Convention is called "world", it is naturally a worldwide event.
In the past year, science fiction writers from all over the world who have published works will gather here to witness this year's moment of apotheosis.
As the Nobel Prize in the science fiction world, the "Hugo Award" has always been regarded as the top honor by science fiction authors around the world. Being able to win an award here will be reported by media around the world, and book sales will skyrocket.
An incredible point.
In his previous life, before he won the Hugo Award, although Liu was highly regarded in the domestic science fiction community, nationwide and even around the world, he was just a drop in the ocean, and he could no longer be insignificant.
But after winning the Hugo Award, his status skyrocketed and he became the most commercially valuable writer at that time. He was invited by countless writers and was worth a fortune. As the "Three-Body" series continued to withdraw and ferment, Liu also
He was completely enshrined as a god, and was called by domestic and foreign media as "one person has carried the banner of Chinese science fiction literature."
The situation Zheng Qian is currently facing is basically the same as what Da Liu encountered in his previous life.
Although it is only a carnival in a small circle in China, at the World Science Fiction Conference, Zheng Qian's name is definitely the focus of attention. He is a science fiction author and a god-level writer in the hearts of readers all over the world.
In order to invite Zheng Qian to the event in person, the organizer sent letters one after another and called many times before finalizing Zheng Qian's itinerary.
They know that in addition to being a writer, Zheng Qian is also a top singer in China. His usual schedule is fully booked. During the time when the World Science Fiction Convention is being held, it is also the time when Zheng Qian's new album is released. He is so busy.
It's impossible to communicate.
Being able to accept the invitation of the World Science Fiction Conference at this time, I naturally attach great importance to this award ceremony.
The organizers of the World Science Fiction Convention also understand this truth. Respect is mutual. Therefore, at the guest table of the ceremony, the positions of Zheng Qian, the author of "The Three-Body Problem", and Stephen, the translator, will be placed in the front row where the most attention will be paid.
This is a courtesy of the World Science Fiction Convention to a top science fiction author.
No matter whether Zheng Qian can win the Hugo Award or not.
So far, or at the moment when the award is revealed, no one knows who has won the award. Only third-party statisticians know, and it is kept strictly confidential.
This has been the practice over the years.
Otherwise, no one would be willing to come here, because no one would be willing to accompany me. Basically, all the people who come here are authors who feel that they have some hope of winning an award or being nominated to increase their reputation.
In addition to these writers, the World Science Fiction Convention will also invite outstanding artists in the art field from various countries to come and support them. Being invited by the World Science Fiction Convention means that its status in the industry is obviously top-notch.
For example, Taro Karasawa.
Not only is he the president of a comic book club, he is also a direct disciple of the famous Japanese cartoonist Rin Kato. Although he plays a very important role in the comics industry, he is definitely one of the celebrities who are often talked about.
Therefore, when Taro Karasawa arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Cultural Center, he was treated with courtesy by the organizer.
Moreover, since the event is held in Japan, there are many artists from Japan.
There are more acquaintances than Taro Karasawa can count on two hands.
While chatting with acquaintances, Taro Karasawa also always paid attention to the guests from various countries who came to the scene.
Since it is a grand event for world science fiction literature, in addition to science fiction writers from various countries and elites in related industries, there are also many readers of science fiction literature arriving at the event.
The entire hall accommodated nearly five hundred people.
This is naturally incomparable to a concert or something, but in the literary circle, it is very rare to have so many people come.
Even when the Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded, it was nothing more than this.
This is enough to illustrate the specifications of the Hugo Award.
In the direction of the podium in the clubhouse, there are also many sculptures.
These are some of the realized scenes in the science fiction works nominated this year.
For example, in the place of the novel "The Three-Body Problem", there is a pedestal, and next to the pedestal is a small stone tablet.
It was almost completely buried by weeds.
Letter to: Hong'an Base (1968-1987)
The monument is so small, it's more about forgetting than commemorating.
After people stopped to visit for a while, they all praised it.
Some people may have forgotten the plot of the book, but the four words "Red Bank Base" are the beginning of all dreams. All readers of "Three-Body" understand the meaning of these four words.
Taro Karasawa communicated with his friends and found that almost everyone was discussing "The Three-Body Problem" and its author.
This frightened Taro Karasawa. He watched them discuss, but he couldn't get a word in, and he couldn't help but regret it.
You must read this work carefully after you return home.
"I heard that there is a brand new system in "Dark Forest", it seems to be the Wallfacer?"
"I've also heard that it was revealed by someone within the publishing house. Now the second volume of "The Three-Body Problem" has started printing and will be on the market soon!"
"If "The Three-Body Problem" wins the Hugo Award, then the whole world will pay attention to this novel, and it will also be a sales stimulus for the second part of "The Three-Body Problem". If the second part of "The Dark Forest" can compete with the third
If a movie is that good, it will definitely be the greatest luck for science fiction readers in the world!"
"I don't know when "The Three-Body Problem" will be available in Japanese. Alas, I really hope that I am Chinese or proficient in Chinese. Then, maybe I can experience the original version of "The Three-Body Problem". I really envy those Chinese people!
"
"However, Chinese people do not know how to be blessed despite being blessed. As far as I know, The Three-Body Problem is not very popular in China."
"I'm actually looking forward to Three-Body Universe now. If it can be made into a movie, then Three-Body Universe will definitely be comparable to the so-called Hollywood blockbusters."
"China currently does not have the filming capabilities, their storytelling ability is not good, and their special effects technology is not good either. It is better not to waste such a masterpiece."
"In fact, making it into a comic is the best choice. The movie may not be able to be drawn, but the comic can definitely be drawn. People's imagination is endless, not to mention that the description of the three-body world is so detailed. It only requires a highly skilled person.
With skilled painters, we can draw the three-body world we expect."
"Actually, sometimes I wonder, the level of Chinese science fiction literature has reached such a terrifying level, what are our Japanese science fiction writers doing? They should perform autopsy!"
"I still have the image of nanowires cutting ships in my mind. It's so shocking!"
"The description of the three-body world in the book is also very scary. The three suns... well, that must be hell!"
"Although it is an exaggeration, the logic is completely self-consistent, and the various descriptions are very real. I even think that the Trisolaran people really exist!"
"Don't Trisolarans exist?"
A group of elites in related industries enthusiastically and actively discussed various scenes appearing in "The Three-Body Problem" and their admiration for Chinese science fiction writer Zheng Qian.
The more Taro Karasawa listened, the more he regretted it. He happened to see someone outside the guild hall exhibiting the works nominated for this conference, so he said goodbye to his friends, turned around and hurried to the "Three Body" display stand, took out one of the books, and
With poor English skills, I read carefully.
Soon, Taro Karasawa felt his eyes sore and swollen.
Reading is difficult.
This is just one page read.
He sighed and gave up reading. He suddenly became determined to get the Japanese copyright of "The Three-Body Problem".
In order to fulfill the teacher's wish, but also to let myself understand this masterpiece.
At this time, there was a lot of noise outside the hall. Some of the media personnel that I had just seen were swarming and walking quickly outside the hall, one by one, shooting with guns and cannons.
"Who's coming?"
"Qin!"
"It's Mr. Zheng Qian!"
There were low exclamations in the guild hall, and soon, almost everyone stood up and walked out of the guild hall.
The author of "The Three-Body Problem" is undoubtedly a legendary figure. It is beyond everyone's surprise to be able to write such a magnificent masterpiece as "The Three-Body Problem" in China, which is regarded as a backward country.
Everyone swarmed over and looked around, only to find that it was just a white man.
The white man waved his hands to the reporters and said with a smile: "I am Stephen King, the translator of "The Three-Body Problem". I am sorry to disappoint everyone, but I have received news that Mr. Zheng has landed in Tokyo.
We will arrive at the scene soon, please wait patiently."
Although he is not the original author, Stephen is the translator of "The Three-Body Problem" and is also one of the focuses of science fiction conferences.
"The Three-Body Problem" can accurately convey its central idea and key scenes. There is no doubt that Stephen, the translator, has made a great contribution. If he is not proficient in Chinese culture, ordinary people will not be able to translate the correct text.
Therefore, even if "The Three-Body Problem" does win an award, Stephen's contribution will still receive the most credit.
Taro Karasawa looked at the famous Stephen King and searched for translators who knew something about Chinese and Japanese culture, but then he gave up. Since the English version is so excellent, it is also possible to translate it directly into English.
.
Science fiction writers, readers and elites in related industries around the world are eagerly looking forward to Zheng Qian's arrival.
The organizer also took good care of it. Not only did they lay a long carpet in front of the venue, but they also invited journalists from all over the world to arrive. In addition, every writer's arrival would be greeted by a luxury car, giving them enough support.
Saved the writers’ face.
For many writers who only know how to code at home, such a scene is obviously beyond expectations. Therefore, many writers are very reserved in their actions. Most writers are not much different from ordinary homeboys. If we do not mention them
Those works of imagination.
Soon, half an hour before the conference was about to start, an imposing black Hongqi car drove slowly from a short distance away.
On both sides of the front of the car, there were bright five-star red flags fluttering in the wind.