Everyone

Author: Wang Meng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: A collection of articles by seven renowned Chinese writers from Hong Kong's famous journal. A feast of thoughts from global Chinese literary giants, part of the "Bright Moon" series featuring the best works from the 40-year history of Hong Kong's Chinese-language journal Ming Pao Monthly.
Jin Yong: Jin Yong's Collected Essays.
Mei Lanfang, Ma Lianliang, Cheng Yanqiu, etc.: The Fate of Chinese Drama Masters.
Wang Meng, Yu Qiujiu, Mo Yan, Dong Qiao, Li Oufan, Wang Anyi, Erhuhe River: The Greats.
Yu Yingshi, Zhou Cezong, Zhou Ruchang, etc.: Red Chamber Dreams Across the Seas (Volumes 1 and 2).
Yan Huo: Starry Sky of a Stranger.
This "Bright Moon" series, featuring the best works from the 40-year history of Ming Pao Monthly, was published under exclusive authorization from the magazine's editorial team and distributed by the People's Literature Publishing House. Ming Pao Monthly has walked through the corridors of history. "The corridors of history" are not "avenues of history," nor are they golden roads—far from being flat or picturesque. The cliffs stand tall on both sides, and the path is merely a narrow crevice. History has moved through this crevice, exploring and searching while struggling and striving. The journey of Bright Moon is no different. Yet, despite the uneven path, it has finally made its way step by step. Since its inception under Mr. Qian Liangrong, it has traversed the corridors of history for forty years.
Over the long river of time in which Bright Moon has operated, it has undergone the leadership of eight editors-in-chief. The first editor-in-chief was Mr. Qian Liangrong, the founder of the Ming Pao enterprise and the founder of Bright Moon. The subsequent editors-in-chief were Hu Juren, Dong Qiao, Zhang Jianbo, Gu Deming, Pan Yaoming, Qiu Liben, and Gu Zhao Shen. Since 1998, I took over the editorial responsibilities for the second time. Hu Juren served for twelve years; Dong Qiao followed, serving for seven. I served for four years in the earlier period and eight in the later, totaling twelve years, the same as Hu Juren. The first ten years of Bright Moon were its golden period, with excellent sales—even its inaugural issue was reprinted. But as Mr. Qian Liangrong said, "The first ten years were quite difficult," with all the effort and sweat poured into it, while also facing attacks and criticism. I was merely a successor, trying to edit a magazine renowned both in China and abroad with my limited knowledge. I felt inadequate in handling the scale and even the specific editorial tasks, and there were bound to be imperfections. The period also saw the financial crisis and the economic downturn in Hong Kong, where readers' reading habits became highly unpredictable, and the sales of Hong Kong magazines gradually declined. Even some prestigious magazines sank in this storm.
Yet Bright Moon managed to survive, with its subscription base nearly doubling and sales steadily growing. This can be considered a miracle.