Chapter 739 Everyone Is Concerned About This Matter

Isn’t this book historically the subject of much debate during the selection process?

It's okay. Fang Minghua certainly wouldn't ask the author to make a revised version, which would appear more politically correct.

The meeting ended on May 23. Before the meeting ended, the host specifically told the judges to continue to carefully read the 23 books in this preliminary review after they went back, and wait until the second meeting to be held soon for further serious discussion.

Fang Minghua did not leave Yanjing immediately. He first went to the General Political Courtyard to visit Song Tangtang's grandparents, and then went to visit several courtyard houses he bought. This was a must-have routine every time he came to Yanjing.

Normally when doing business in Yanjing, he would borrow a car from Shengshi Group's office in Yanjing. This was convenient, and it was the same today.

Driving a car and holding a bunch of keys, I wandered around the streets and alleys of the city. There were five courtyard houses in total, including the one at the Literary Foundation. I had to go and have a look. Even in Shichahai - where Wang Zi once rented We passed by and sat in the courtyard for a while. Unfortunately, it seemed a bit desolate since it had been unoccupied for a long time.

After coming out of the courtyard, Fang Minghua went to the nearby Shichahai. It is early summer now, which is also the most beautiful season in Shichahai.

There is a large lotus market here, which is full of lotus flowers in summer. Standing on the shore, the Drum Tower in the distance can still be seen, and the Western Mountains can also be seen faintly.

Fang Minghua walked along the shore. There were many tourists on the road. There were people rowing and singing in the lake not far away, but the song "Let's Swing the Oars" was no longer heard.

Let's swing the oars

The boat pushes away the waves

Fang Minghua was walking aimlessly when a middle-aged couple with a child suddenly walked towards him.

"Minghua!"

When the man saw Fang Minghua, he screamed in surprise.

Fang Minghua recognized it, it was Yu Hua.

Wearing a white shirt and jeans, with messy hair and rebellious little eyes, next to him is his wife Chen Hong, holding a little boy.

"Yu Hua, Chen Hong, are you bringing your children to visit Shichahai?" Fang Minghua also greeted with a smile.

"Yes, today is the weekend, let's go out for a walk." Yu Hua hurriedly said to the little boy, "Leo Le, call me Uncle Fang."

The little boy glanced at Fang Minghua curiously and called uncle.

Fang Minghua agreed with a smile.

"Minghua, are you alone? Where are your sister-in-law and two children?" Chen Hong asked.

"They are all in Xijing, and I came to Yanjing alone for a meeting." Fang Minghua explained.

"Meeting? Minghua, are you attending the meeting of the Mao Dun Award Jury? I saw this news in the newspaper." Yu Hua interjected.

"Yes, after driving for more than half a month, people's stomachs will swell if they don't move for a day. It's hard to walk around after driving." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

Yu Hua said nothing.

"Yu Hua, why don't you ask me about the content of the meeting?" Fang Minghua asked, half jokingly and half seriously.

"I heard that you have meeting rules, and some contents cannot be made public." Yu Hua replied: "Besides, my novels are not among the 20 announced. It's just a pity that you wrote "The Piano of Steel" ”

"Who said it's not yours? Let me tell you the news. Your book "Alive" has been included in the range of books read by the jury members."

"Really?!" Yu Hua's eyes suddenly widened, and even Chen Hong, who was teasing his son next to him, was a little surprised.

Being included in the reading range of the jury members means that they are on the same starting line as the other 20 novels in the preliminary selection, and they all have the possibility of winning the Mao Dun Award!

"Minghua, you recommended it, right? Thank you, thank you!" Yu Hua was excited and incoherent.

"You don't need to thank me, you wrote it well." Fang Minghua said and reminded: "But don't be too happy too early. This is just my recommendation. Whether you win or not is not my final say."

"Haha, I'm satisfied if I can enter the final evaluation round. As for winning, I can't even think about it," Yu Hua said.

"That's not necessarily true. Everything is possible." Fang Minghua said, and then thought of something: "Yu Hua, I want to translate your book "Alive" into English and publish it in the United States. Do you agree?"

"I agree."

This was not the first time that Fang Minghua recommended Yu Hua's novels to be published abroad, so he readily agreed.

"Okay, you write a letter of authorization and sign it and send it to Xijing. You don't have to worry about anything else." Fang Minghua said.

Yu Hua thanked him profusely, and Chen Hong invited him to their home.

"No, it's not easy to spend the weekend. You should have fun with your children. I will go to your house next time I come to Yanjing." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

Farewell to Yu Hua and his wife, Fang Minghua continued to wander around Shichahai.

Now, Yu Hua is in his creative prime. It would be difficult to miss this period.

Fang Minghua came back from Shichahai and went to Shi Tiesheng's house the next day. Since he was in the capital, everyone he had good connections with would go and visit.

And the Haizi family.

Fang Minghua met Haizi in a courtyard near Shichahai.

After not seeing each other for several years, Haizi was much fatter than before. He also saw his wife who came back from get off work. She was a round-faced girl. Although she was not beautiful, she looked like a very virtuous wife.

Haizi's father-in-law and mother-in-law greeted him warmly, and Fang Minghua had a meal at their home before leaving.

Things in Yanjing were all over, and it was already the end of May when Fang Minghua returned to Xijing by train.

Of course Song Tangtang was very happy when her husband came back from a business trip. After the couple had their passion in the evening, they talked about the meeting again.

"Wow, if "White Deer Plain" and "To Live" can both win awards, not only Chen Zhongshi and Yu Hua will be happy, but Shu Bin will probably be extremely happy too. These two books will be popular for a while, and Shengshi Books will make a lot of money again." Song Tangtang said.

"Of course, this is the benefit of having copyright in hand." Fang Minghua smiled, and suddenly he thought of something: "Tangtang, take some time to contact Er Yuehe, the author of "Emperor Yongzheng", and buy the TV adaptation rights of this book."

"Another costume drama? Just filmed "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo", and now filming "Kangxi's Private Visits", and will film "Emperor Yongzheng" in the future?"

"Haha. Buy it first. This book is well written. It's about emperors, generals, talented men and beautiful women. The audience likes to read this."

"Okay, I'll arrange someone to contact the author."

Fang Minghua's life became easier again.

That afternoon, Fang Minghua was typing in the study when he suddenly received a call from Jia Pingwa.

"Minghua, are you free tonight? Come to my house to play mahjong."

"Play mahjong? Today is not the weekend." Fang Minghua was a little surprised.

"Who said that you can only play mahjong on weekends? Come on, I haven't played cards for a long time."

"Okay, I'll come after dinner."

After dinner, Fang Minghua said goodbye to Song Tangtang and drove straight to Jia Pingwa's house.

Jia Pingwa lives in Yahe Garden Community near Taibai Interchange. He moved here after getting married. The three-bedroom and two-living room house is quite impressive.

Fang Minghua drove into the community, parked the car on the side of the road, went up to the third floor of a building on the east side, knocked on the door, and it was Jia Pingwa's newlywed wife Guo Mei who opened the door.

Seeing that it was Fang Minghua, Guo Mei immediately smiled and greeted, "Brother Fang, come in, they are all here."

Fang Minghua walked into the living room and saw Jia Pingwa and two people drinking tea and chatting.

Lu Yao, Chen Zhongshi.

"Hey, Teacher Chen, is it you today? I thought it was Bai Miao." Fang Minghua said.

Since Chen Zhongshi became the chairman of the Writers Association, he has been busy with work and family matters, so he rarely plays mahjong. Basically, Bai Miao comes to join them at the table.

"Bai Miao is busy with the Chinese Literature Award and has no time in the evening, so I asked Zhongshi to come over." Jia Pingwa explained.

When everyone arrived, Jia Pingwa immediately spread a blanket on the dining table, took out the mahjong box, and everyone started playing.

For them, playing mahjong is not about winning or losing, it is purely a pastime and a good opportunity to communicate with each other.

That's what happened today.

Before the round of mahjong was over, Jia Pingwa asked Fang Minghua, who was sitting opposite him, with a cigarette in his mouth: "Minghua, you came back from the meeting in Yanjing, how did you guys do?"