Tao Yushu was reading the newly published "Shanghai Literature", which was also the previous "Shanghai Literature and Art". Lin Chaoyang's "Qiu Ju's Lawsuit" was published in this magazine.

She pointed the magazine to Lin Chaoyang because of an article in the magazine titled "On the Narrow Nationalism of "The Master of Chess"".

"The Chess Master" was published in "Yenjing Literature" at the beginning of the month, and it took just over half a month for "Shanghai Literature" to publish a review article about the novel. This efficiency is not bad.

It's just that the content of this review article is hard to describe. Just by looking at the title, you can tell that it's not a good thing.

“…The novel’s overemphasis on the personal heroic plot of confronting the Japanese invaders conceals the complex historical background and social contradictions at that time, and also simplifies the in-depth discussion of the origins and impact of the war.

The conflicts set in it are often written about national independence and national honor and disgrace. This has its legitimacy in specific historical situations. However, some expressions are obviously too emotional and deliberately stimulate the narrow national emotions in the readers' hearts, causing the readers to fall into lack of understanding.

Paranoid perspective of judgment.

…

In the context of Sino-Japanese friendship, the content of "The Master of Chess" is obviously out of date, and the multi-dimensional and complex nature of history cannot be summarized in just one novel. We should examine the experiences and contributions of different groups, and a single nation.

The ideological perspective may not be conducive to comprehensive and objective historical understanding.

Putting aside the criticism of narrow nationalism will help us appreciate the works while maintaining rational thinking about history and respect for other ethnic groups, and promote a more open and inclusive social atmosphere."

"On the Narrow Nationalism of "The Chess Master"" is not a long article. The full text is only about 2,000 words. The author criticizes the novel from a superior and reasonable perspective throughout.

Moreover, the author's skills are pretty good. Although his butt is crooked, it cannot be said that he is completely farting. He has also seized on some weaknesses in the plot of "The Master of Chess" to make a fuss.

Tao Yushu was very angry after reading the article, but Lin Chaoyang acted calmly. She couldn't help but ask: "Aren't you angry?"

"It's useless to be angry. This person wrote this article with impure intentions. He seems to be aloof and fair and rational, but in fact he is secretly changing concepts and playing word games."

"Then let him slander "The Master of Chess" like this?" Tao Yushu asked unwillingly.

"I had anticipated this situation when I was writing the novel. We can't control their hands and pens. Don't think too much. As long as the novel can be read by more people, more people can read it.

With empathy, the fallacies of this group of people will naturally be self-defeating."

Listening to Lin Chaoyang's words, Tao Yushu nodded silently.

But she was still feeling a little depressed, so she led Zhang Dening to criticize the article.

"The Chess Master" was published in "Yenjing Literature". Now that "Shanghai Literature" has published such a negative review about this novel, Zhang Dening is also a little angry.

"What the hell is this guy doing? He's still narrow-minded about nationalism? He's really good at changing concepts. Why doesn't he say it's patriotism?"

“And this sentence, what does ‘a single nationalist perspective may not be conducive to a comprehensive and objective understanding of history’?

Co-author We, the Chinese people who were invaded, can’t express our own views on the war? We have to speak from the Japanese perspective?”

The two people became more and more angry as they talked, which also attracted the attention of several other writers to this review.

In the early days of reform and opening up, due to the comprehensive negation of the lines and ideas adhered to in the past, there was a surge of reflection in the cultural circles.

Many people think that it is not enough to look at the world with open eyes and worship foreigners. At the same time, they also devalue their own things to the dust, and there are endless strange talks and strange theories.

There are many supporters of this trend of thought in the literary world. If the people who participated in the PEN conference this time are concerned, they also have a lot of dissatisfaction with the country and its policies.

But regarding the article "On the Narrow Nationalism of the Chess Master", everyone has the same opinion. There is something wrong with the historical and cultural tendencies of the article.

But no one can say that it was intentional. If you criticize it from this angle, people will criticize it and say, I am just talking about the matter, and you are above the line.

"Damn it!" Zhang Dening looked at the magazine and his eyebrows were knitted together. "We can't let them be so rampant. I have to make two comments to challenge them."

Tao Yushu immediately responded: "I'll write it."

Zhang Dening nodded and looked at Li Tuo again, "If you don't want to write a novel, why don't you write a review about it?"

Li Tuo now feels more comfortable writing reviews than writing novels. He patted his chest and said, "No problem, I'm familiar with this."

Zhang Dening looked at the others again, "If you have any ideas, please help write them down. Let's have a debate with "Shanghai Literature" this time. I don't believe we can't defeat their arrogance!"

People responded one after another and it was not difficult for them to write a review.

I just read the article, and the attitude is indeed very uncomfortable. I have been getting along very well with Lin Chaoyang these days. It is definitely not convenient for Lin Chaoyang to write a response to this article by himself. It is better for everyone to compete in the arena.

Debates in the literary world sometimes involve more people.

Seeing that Zhang Dening's few words stirred up everyone's feelings of hatred and hatred, Tao Yushu's anger subsided a lot. He came back and said to Lin Chaoyang: "I really didn't see it before. Dening is quite protective of his shortcomings."

After chatting for a few words, Tao Yushu spread out the manuscript paper and began to write rapidly. She wanted to criticize the article in "Shanghai Literature".

The train went all the way north. After returning home, the two rested for the night. Lin Chaoyang got up early and went to the library to work. Tao Yushu continued to write her article at home.

Another day later, she went to "Yenjing Literature" with the article she had written. She wanted to try to publish the article in the next issue of the magazine.

As soon as she came to the editorial office, she saw Zhang Dening chatting and laughing with his colleagues and seemed to be in a good mood.

"What are you so happy about?" Tao Yushu asked.

Zhang Dening pretended to be secretive, "Guess!"

"Don't say pull me down."

"You two are so boring, it's always like this." Zhang Dening complained, and then said happily: "How much do you think we sold this issue of the magazine?"

With Zhang Dening's expression on his face, sales will naturally not be low. The magazine has only been on the market for more than half a month. Tao Yushu thought about it and said a number: "500,000 copies?"

Zhang Dening shook his head and said, "Tell me more."

"600,000 copies?"

Zhang Dening shook his head again, "Be bold."

"It can't be 2 million copies, right?"

Zhang Dening complained: "Can I let you guess carefully and stop shouting all over the place?"

Tao Yushu smiled, "900,000 copies!"

A smile appeared on Zhang Dening's face, mixed with pride, "Almost, the print run has reached 900,000 copies, but this includes inventory."

Tao Yushu asked excitedly: "Based on your past experience, how many sales can you expect in the end?"

Zhang Dening thought deeply and said: "The sales volume of our magazine has always been more than half a month, which usually accounts for two-thirds of the current sales volume."

Listening to her words, Tao Yushu calculated in his mind, "Will there be 1.3 million copies in the end?"

"About the same, maybe a little more. The sales momentum of this issue of the magazine is obviously better than the previous issues."

Tao Yushu asked: "What kind of achievement is this?"

"In the past two years, our magazine's sales peaked in two issues, one in May 1979, when "Little Shoes" was published.

One is the issue in October last year, which published Wang Zengqi's "Ordering". The sales of both issues exceeded one million copies, but the highest number did not reach 1.2 million copies.

This July issue looks like it will break the sales record of our "Yenching Literature"."

Zhang Dening's words made Tao Yushu full of joy. What does the record-breaking sales mean?

This shows that it is popular among readers. As the most important work in this issue of the magazine, "Chess Master" plays a decisive role in sales.

Isn't the purpose of my husband's original writing of this novel just to allow more readers to see it?

Now it seems that his goal has been achieved.

but……

Tao Yushu took out his manuscript and handed it to Zhang Dening, "I have finished writing the review. Can you publish it in the next issue of your magazine?"

"Hey, my Sister Tao, do you think I am the editor-in-chief? How can I decide this kind of thing?"

Zhang Dening said this, but her eyes were on the manuscript. She read it quickly and said, "It's well written. Your level of writing reviews is no worse than those who specialize in literary criticism."

"Then it can be published?"

Zhang Dening glanced at her speechlessly, grabbed the "Shanghai Literature" on the table, took the manuscript, and said to Tao Yushu: "Wait for me for a while."

After saying that, she got up and left the office.

Tao Yushu sat there waiting, bored, chatting casually with several other editors.

Zhou Yanru asked her, "Yushu, are you graduating soon?"

"After this summer vacation, there is still one semester left."

"Time flies so fast. I remember when I first met you and Chaoyang, you were still in your freshman year." Zhou Yanru sighed.

"Yes, I will graduate soon."

About half an hour later, Zhang Dening came back with the manuscript and magazine, and said to Tao Yushu in high spirits: "It's done, it will be published next month."

"Very good!"

Tao Yushu was happy when Li Tuo walked into the editorial office, "Hey! Yushu is here too!"

Tao Yushu greeted him, and Zhang Dening asked, "Why are you here?"

Over the past year, Li Tuo's novel output has declined severely, causing his status in the editorial department to fall again and again. Li Tuo didn't care about Zhang Dening's attitude and threw the manuscript on her desk.

"Send the manuscript!"

After seeing the manuscript, Zhang Dening's attitude immediately softened, "It's very efficient!"

"How dare I neglect your old orders?"

Li Tuo complimented Zhang Dening, but his tone sounded a bit sarcastic.
To be continued...