You will know after reading Mr. Liang Heng’s article
Midu Liang Heng
Pursuing a Realm (Preface)
Author: Ji Xianlin
In recent years, I have put forward an opinion in several articles about prose: there are two schools in the Chinese prose world, and one school advocates (perhaps loudly advocates) , the beauty of prose lies in the word "loose". The letters are written loosely and casually. There is no need to talk about any structure or layout. Let me call this school the loose school. The other one is just the opposite. Their writing pays attention to the layout of the article and the refining of words and sentences. I borrowed a sentence from Du Fu: "The craftsman is bleak in the business." Calling this school the "business school" is a made-up term. I also pointed out that in the history of Chinese literature, all the famous works of prose writers are the result of poor management.
I am attached to the "business school". I think Liang Heng also belongs to the "business school", and his management is extraordinary. Taking his prose about characters as an example, it is generally believed that it is not easy to write characters that are similar in appearance, but those who can write characters that are similar in spirit are nothing short of superior. However, Liang Heng was not satisfied with spiritual resemblance. He pursued a higher level and pursued it extremely persistently. But what is he after? I thought about it for a long time and couldn't think of an appropriate term. I once wanted to use "situation", but I felt it was not enough. I also thought about using "artistic conception", but I didn't think it was enough. I also thought about using "meaning rhyme", "yun flavor", etc., but I felt it was not enough. After thinking about it, I suddenly thought of Wang Guowei's "realm" and recognized it. "Realm theory" is a new invention of Wang Guowei's theory of Ci. There are many places in "Human Ci Hua" where "realm" is mentioned:
The highest level of Ci is the realm. If you have a state of mind, you will have your own high standards and famous sentences.
Scenery is not just scenery, joy, anger, sorrow and joy are also a realm in people's hearts. Therefore, those who can depict real scenery and true feelings are said to have a realm; otherwise, they are said to have no realm.
"The red apricot branches are bustling with spring spirit", with the word "buoyant", the whole realm comes out. "When the clouds break and the moon comes, the flowers make their shadows." With the word "Nong", the realm is completely revealed.
"Realm", like "spirit", "spirit" and other literary theory terms, has a certain degree of ambiguity, and it is difficult to strictly define its meaning. However, looking at it collectively, we can understand it. of. This is an enlightening, suggestive, and inclusive term. The last few sentences of "Human Words" mentioned above can give us some inspiration. Now let’s take an example from Liang Heng’s prose. His famous work "Looking for a crossing, looking for a crossing, where to cross?" " is about Qu Qiubai. Qu Qiubai was a talented person with many contradictions in his character and actions. Liang Heng wanted to write about such a person. He thought about it for six years and visited the Qu Qiubai Memorial Hall three times, but he still dared not write. He suddenly grasped the concept of "finding a crossing", so he established his realm, moved his pen like the wind, and wrote this masterpiece. We often say "the finishing touch". No matter how vivid a dragon is, if it doesn't add the finishing touch, it will still be a dead dragon after all. Once you click on the eyes, it will suddenly become a living dragon, leaping into the air, and the flying dragon will be in the sky.
Among contemporary prose writers, there is no other person besides Liang Heng who can pursue and is willing to pursue such a realm.
Read his article