Chapter 015: A Manuscript

With a heart full of passion, Wang Conglun returned to the newly established editorial department for the Wuxia Edition. The office was filled with young editors, all brimming with enthusiasm as they threw themselves into the labor of proofreading martial arts manuscripts.

"Xiao Li, how many submissions did we receive today?" Wang Conglun patted Li Qiuyu, who was hunched over his writing.

Li Qiuyu was a poetic name, but his real name was Li Jianguo; "Li Qiuyu" was merely his editorial pseudonym. In the Wuxia Edition editorial department, of course, an air of martial heroism was essential, so nearly all the editors used aliases. Among them were names like Dugu Moran, Huru Ji, Biwanzhen, Chutianluo, Ren Yuqiao, and Mo Shubai.

"Boss, I haven’t picked up the mail yet," Li Qiuyu looked up, his appearance remarkably similar to that of Pigsy—a face that hardly matched his elegant name.

"Then go get it now. Once you’ve sorted through it, bring it to my office."

After instructing Li Qiuyu, Wang Conglun questioned several other editors about the progress of the proofreading.

Dugu Moran tapped his glasses and said, "Boss, we’ve received some quality pieces. Xiaodian’s 'Heroes in Troubled Times' is quite good, as are Yang Pan’s 'Plum Shadows and Buried Fragrance,' Ye Run’s 'Green Plum Feuds,' and Yiqian’s 'Legend of the New Weapon.' We’ve also solicited work from several well-known writers from Hong Kong and Taiwan; Wolong Sheng and Zhuge Qingyun have agreed to publish new works in our Wuxia Edition."

"Here’s the plan: the trial issue must showcase our standard—quality is paramount, but we must also raise the banner for homegrown Wuxia. Arrange for three mid-length stories: two from new authors and one from a renowned writer. We’ll discuss and decide which three to select together later."

After this round with the editors, Wang Conglun returned to his office.

His desk was somewhat cluttered, piled with manuscripts sent from all over the country. Many were solicited by the editorial department itself, targeting writers active on forums like Under the Banyan Tree, Tianya, and Dragon’s Space. In 2001, the domestic landscape of popular literature was showing signs of a renaissance, yet remained hopelessly chaotic.

There was no powerful platform to offer opportunities to those who dreamed of literary achievement.

Therefore, when news broke that "Legend of Past and Present: Wuxia Edition" was about to be launched, submissions poured in. Yet, the quality, alas, was nothing to write home about.

On his desk lay four unreviewed submissions. Though he’d been informed by his staff that the quality was poor, he insisted on reading them himself.

This, he felt, was the duty of any editor-in-chief.

Of course, Wang Conglun also loved to read. The thrill of discovering a promising new Wuxia writer amidst a sea of words was exhilarating.

"'Blade’s Edge Across the World'? The title is imposing enough… But it opens in a brothel, asleep in bed—can this really be appropriate? Not only is it a little too risqué, the writing is abysmal, not even remotely stirring. There’s no way you’ll make the cut."

After finishing the first submission, Wang Conglun sighed; the quality was abysmal.

He moved on to the second, then the third.

Three submissions, three sighs.

"The quality is dreadful. Without the slightest literary foundation, how can anyone write captivating Wuxia?"

As he pondered this, Wang Conglun picked up the last envelope.

The final piece left him sighing yet again—its writing was, frankly, atrocious.

Annoyed and frustrated, Wang Conglun stood up and left his office, heading to the break room for a cigarette to clear his head. That’s the bane of being an editor: you’re forced to read things you can barely stomach. It’s like tasting poison—one slip and you’re done for.

He could only joke to himself, "In ancient times, Shennong tasted every herb; today, I, Wang Conglun, read every manuscript. Perhaps, in the end, I too will earn a place in history."

As he was smoking, Li Qiuyu returned with the day’s mail.

"Boss, there are only these two letters addressed to the Wuxia Edition," Li Qiuyu said, waving two yellow envelopes.

"Only two? That’s a bit meager… Very well. Review them first, then bring them to me later."

"Oh, and Boss, when I was picking up the mail, I saw the Story Edition staff passing around a manuscript—everyone was full of praise. Seems like it’s a Wuxia story. I tried to ask for it, but their editors wouldn’t hand it over."

"Really, a Wuxia submission?"

"Yes."

"Alright, get on with your work. I’ll head over there." Wang Conglun stubbed out his cigarette, not bothering to finish it, and hurried toward the Story Edition editorial office.

"Legend of Past and Present" was founded in 1981 by three storytellers who borrowed money to start the magazine. Within a few years, it became the country’s leading literary periodical. By 1999, with its series on the Ten Marshals and Ten Generals, it swept across China and became the dominant force in popular literature.

Last September, "Legend of Past and Present" launched the Story Edition, which was a resounding success. This year, its monthly circulation hit over 250,000—a legend in the magazine world.

With the Story Edition’s success as a precedent, launching the Wuxia Edition was only natural. Yet for Wang Conglun, the Story Edition was both a model and a source of pressure; he feared the Wuxia Edition might not achieve the same results. Now, upon hearing that the Story Edition had received an excellent Wuxia manuscript, he couldn’t let it go unclaimed.

The Story Edition used to publish Wuxia tales, but now that the Wuxia Edition existed, all such works should be its domain!

With this in mind, Wang Conglun charged into the Story Edition office.

…

"Where’s the Wuxia manuscript? Where is it?" Wang Conglun burst in, calling out to the Story Edition’s editor-in-chief.

The Story Edition’s chief glanced at him, "Shouldn’t you be busy with your own Wuxia Edition? What are you doing here?"

"I’m looking for a manuscript."

"What manuscript?"

"Don’t play dumb. Where’s the Wuxia story?"

"Why are you asking me for Wuxia stories? Yours is the Wuxia Edition."

Wang Conglun was exasperated. "Old Zhang, don’t play games with me. I know you’ve received a quality Wuxia piece—just hand it over. You know our Wuxia Edition is new and desperately needs strong work for support. We’re colleagues, after all; you can’t keep it to yourself."

"Xiao Wang, that’s not fair. Each edition manages its own manuscripts. The writer submitted it to the Story Edition—they chose us, and we have first pick," retorted Zhang Yiyuan, the Story Edition’s editor-in-chief, leaning on his seniority.

"That’s not how it works…"

"Nor is it as you say…"

The two editors bickered back and forth, but eventually broke into laughter.

After all, the Story Edition and Wuxia Edition were both sub-publications of "Legend of Past and Present." There was competition, but also camaraderie—many Wuxia Edition editors had transferred over from the Story Edition. Teasing and banter were common; in the end, the Story Edition’s chief relented and had the manuscript brought over.

"This is the one. It’s well written, though a bit short. Take a look."

Full of anticipation, Wang Conglun accepted the manuscript, now neatly returned to its envelope.

Before opening it, he glanced at the return address: Zhang Tan, Class 5, Grade 10, Shuangdun High School, Changfeng County, Hefei City, Anhui Province.

"A sophomore in high school? A high schooler writing Wuxia! Alas!" Wang Conglun’s initial excitement cooled instantly. It wasn’t that he looked down on teenagers, but how could someone with no experience of the world write convincingly about human relationships?

He even suspected, in that moment, that the Story Edition staff had staged a prank at his expense.

But then he thought better of it—they weren’t so childish. So Wang Conglun patiently opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.

On the red-striped stationery, bold black characters stood out, each stroke powerful and pleasing to the eye.

Wang Conglun’s eyes lit up at once, and he couldn’t help but remark, "For penmanship like this alone, it’s worth a read."