Chapter 618 Works Cannot Be Published

"How was the writing?"

In the evening, Fang Minghua said to his daughter-in-law Song Tangtang.

Song Tangtang was wearing cotton pajamas, sitting by the computer, and carefully reading the text on the screen.

In fact, every night when he came home from get off work, Song Tangtang would read what Fang Minghua had written. After reading the last part today, he let out a long sigh.

"It's really shocking. I didn't expect the lives of laid-off workers to be so miserable. I thought that the lives of the female workers described in your novel "Textile Girl" were already miserable. However, the description in your reportage is almost like a witch. Meet the great witch."

"Russian literary theorist Chernyshevsky once said: Literature originates from life and is higher than life. In fact, what I want to say is that real life is often more complex and more exciting than literature." Fang Minghua said meaningfully:

“So, I wrote it as reportage that is closer to reality than as fiction.”

"But." Song Tangtang's tone was slightly worried, and she turned to look at Fang Minghua.

"I'm worried that what you wrote is too true and the questions are too sharp. "Yanhe" does not publish reportage. If you submit it to "Contemporary" and "People's Literature", I am worried that it may not be published."

Fang Minghua was silent for a moment before saying, "So, I'm going to vote for "Harvest", maybe the result will be better."

Now that he had decided, Fang Minghua printed it out and mailed it directly to Harvest magazine in Shanghai. He also called Xiao Dai, the deputy editor of the magazine, to briefly explain the situation.

A week later, Fang Minghua received a call from Xiao Dai: "Minghua, this is shocking, absolutely shocking."

Xiao Dai lamented on the phone: "Actually, not only in the Northeast, but also in Shanghai, there is also the problem of laid-off workers from state-owned enterprises, but the contradiction is not as sharp as in the Northeast."

"With the deepening of reform, problems will become more prominent in the future and should attract the attention of the whole society. This is also my original intention of writing this reportage." Fang Minghua explained.

"You are right. Since your reportage is relatively long, we plan to publish it in two issues starting from January next year."

"Thank you."

"Thank you for what? Minghua, now "Yanhe" has become your private territory. In the past few years, you have rarely submitted articles to other magazines. You will continue to cooperate frequently in the future."

"Definitely, definitely."

Now that "Harvest" magazine has published the full text, Fang Minghua no longer worries about this matter.

It's snowing heavily outside today, and the whole city of Xijing is covered with snow, but Fang Minghua's house is as warm as spring and very lively.

In the afternoon, Fang Minghua picked up the two children from kindergarten early. Li Li, who teaches in the United States, also came back from winter vacation and came to her cousin's house to celebrate Christmas today.

The festival celebrated by foreigners has gradually become popular in major domestic cities. Although Xijing is not as open as coastal cities, there is a Christian church in Xijing itself. Now ordinary people, especially college and technical school students, have begun to follow the fashion and celebrate Christmas.

Li Li has nothing to do when she comes back. Apart from spending time with her parents, she likes to come to her cousin's house to play. Tonight is Christmas Eve, so she will come over to spend Christmas together.

Song Tangtang also likes to celebrate foreign festivals, so of course she takes care of all the cooking.

What's even happier is that the two children, together with Li Li, actually decorated a pot of dragon's whiskers in the living room as a Christmas tree. They hung colored lights on it, placed candies, various small pendants, and stacked paper cranes. , having a great time.

Fang Minghua didn't like this. He sat on the sofa in the living room and read the newspaper with his legs crossed.

At this moment, the landline phone placed on the TV cabinet rang. Li Li was close and went over to answer it, and then handed it to Fang Minghua.

"Brother-in-law, the one looking for trouble is Xiao Dai, the editor-in-chief of Harvest magazine."

After hearing this, Fang Minghua went over, picked up the phone to say hello, and jokingly said: "Merry Christmas."

"Minghua, your family also celebrates Christmas?"

"Hey, the children are having fun, and their aunt is having a lot of fun together." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"Well, it was an unlucky call that I made today, which affected your interest in celebrating the festival."

"What's wrong?"

"Your reportage cannot be published. I'm sorry, Minghua." Xiao Dai's tone was apologetic.

"What happened?"

"Originally, we have completed the typesetting and review of January's journal and will soon send it to the printing factory for printing. However, the Municipal Press and Publication Bureau inspected the work of our magazine in two days. After seeing the reportage you wrote, they thought the subject matter was too sensitive. , will affect social stability and unity, and we are asked not to publish it publicly.

"Does Mr. Palladium know about this?" Fang Minghua's tone was calm.

"I called Mr. Palladium that afternoon to report the matter. Mr. Palladium personally called the bureau leaders and got the same reply."

At this point, Xiao Dai's voice on the other end of the phone paused and added: "Minghua, there are some things that even Mr. Palladium can't do anything about."

"I understand, it doesn't matter." Fang Minghua said.

"But it can't be published in China. I suggest you publish it in Xiangjiang. They are also very interested in it." Xiao Dai expressed his opinion again.

"No, thank you." Fang Minghua declined.

After hanging up the phone, Fang Minghua sat on the sofa and thought about it.

It's exactly what Song Tangtang said.

Li Li, who was standing next to her, noticed that Fang Minghua had a strange look on his face, came over and asked with concern: "Brother-in-law, what happened?"

"Oh, it's not a big deal. Editor Xiao said that the "Reportage" article I wrote cannot be published for various reasons."

"Ah, it can't be published?"

Li Li remembered that this was the first time Fang Minghua had encountered such a situation after writing so many works.

She couldn't say much, so she hurried to the kitchen and told her cousin Song Tangtang what had just happened.

Song Tangtang wiped her hands, took off her apron and entered the living room.

"Minghua, Xiao Dai just called and said that your reportage was rejected?" Song Tangtang asked.

"Yes." Fang Minghua explained in detail what happened on Xiao Dai's phone call just now.

Song Tangtang was silent for a moment, and then asked: "Are you going to apply for another magazine?"

"Forget it, Harvest won't be able to publish it, and other magazines won't even dare to publish it. I don't want to cause trouble to them."

"What about the article?"

"Just throw it away."

"How about, brother-in-law, I can translate it into English for you and publish it in the United States? Reportage is also very popular in the United States." Li Li came up with an idea. .

Fang Minghua shook his head.

"The purpose of publishing it in China is to attract the attention and attention of the whole society. What's the use of publishing it in the United States? To make Americans sympathize? Or to make us laugh? Novels can be published abroad, but this kind of documentary stuff is forgotten."

Seeing what Li Li wanted to say, Fang Minghua waved his hand: "Okay, let's not talk about it, let's celebrate the holidays! Christmas, Christmas Eve!"