Time passed quickly, and it was winter in the blink of an eye.
Snow fell from the sky, landing on the trees, roofs, and streets, dyeing everything white. There were fewer pedestrians on the road, but the Shin-Shikawa Hotel was still crowded with cars and reporters.
If they got closer, they could hear the reporters discussing the Ōoka Prize.
Without a doubt, today was a grand day. The winner of the Ōoka Prize was about to be announced, and the ceremony was being held at the Shin-Shikawa Hotel where the Araki Prize had been held.
The reporter, Kouki Fukamatsu, was dressed in a light blue suit. She held a piece of equipment in her hand and had a pass around her neck. She was a member of the Japanese newspaper, Into Life. She was in charge of the interview with Osamu Kouki.
This white card was not eye-catching, but it was very important. Without it, he could not enter and exit the Ōoka Prize venue as he pleased.
The distribution of passes was very strict. Only a few of the top newspapers and media in Japan could get them for free. Others had to go through strict checks.
Kouki Fukamatsu had worked very hard in the newspaper office to get the chance to interview the Ōoka Prize. He had to get this opportunity because he had gotten into big trouble recently.
A few days ago, Kouki Fukamatsu had been taken to gamble by a friend and fell into a trap. He had accidentally incurred a huge gambling debt, and the only way to repay the debt was to borrow money from the newspaper office.
To borrow money from the newspaper office, his current status was not enough. He could only get the chance if he performed well recently. The latest big news was undoubtedly the winner of the Ōoka Prize.
Kouki Fukamatsu had used up a lot of his connections to get this interview opportunity.
"I have to make a big news." Kouki Fukamatsu mumbled to himself as he entered the venue. Soon, the ceremony began. All kinds of programs and procedures were being carried out. Many people were focused, but Kouki Fukamatsu was not in the mood to watch them. He flipped through the information and listened to his peers, well-known critics, and authors discussing who would win the Ōoka Prize. He was thinking about how to make a big news.
In the VIP seats not far away, Kitahara Kuniaki took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. His voice was a little hoarse. "The winner of the Ōoka Prize this time, although Hirofumi Kazuma is not bad, I still think Shoutarou Ohtei will win."
Kitahara Kuniaki was a well-known critic, known for his sharp eyes and amazing intuition. He had once successfully predicted the winner of the Ōkuoka Prize in front of millions of viewers on a show.
Masaichi Muraoka, who wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, fanned his teacup with his hand, blew on it, and said slowly, "Is that so? I don't think so! "
"Shoutarou Ohkyo's' Notes of a Vile Person 'is indeed quite good. It has both thoughts and connotations. It deeply criticizes the negative and corrupt phenomena in society."
"But as far as I know, Hemao Bowen's' Crazy Fisherman 'is more popular!"
"The Crazy Fisherman sold more than twenty thousand copies last week. This kind of result is unprecedented in history!" Masaichi Muraoka expressed his disagreement, "Osamu Oka is particular about artistry, but as an affirmation of a famous author, he is also particular about sales, because this represents the influence of the author."
Of the three rewards, the Desolate Wood Reward promoted newcomers, it could be said to be the king of newcomers.
Osamu Oka was definitely a famous author, it could be said that he had entered the ranks of the top authors.
Although Osamu Oka only focused on artistry, the election system of famous authors inherited the consideration of popularity. The authors and their works were superb, and they could become great Japanese authors in the future.
Masaichi Muraoka was a director, famous for making art films. His work, An Orphan's Life, won the highest award in Japan the year before last, so his words carried a lot of weight.
At this time, the bald Hayata Ryozo flipped through the information and saw something. He could not help but exclaim, "Yamada Shinji has been nominated!"
"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! "
"This Yamada Shinji has only been in the industry for a year. He is really a dark horse!"
"Last time he won the Desolate Wood Reward, it could be said that he was promoting newcomers, but now he has been nominated by the Ōkuoka Prize. This is unbelievable!" Hayata Ryozo shook his bald head and said in surprise, "If this is the case, in a few years, there will be another first-rate author in the literary world, right?"
Hayata Ryozo was the editor-in-chief of a large publishing company. Perhaps because he was too busy with work, or for other reasons, his hair was sparse, so he simply shaved his head to maintain this image.
Wearing a dark black suit, Yuji Takatomi took over and said objectively, "Yamada Shinji's Nocturnal Ghost is quite good, and it is qualified to be nominated for the Ōkuoka Prize.
"Whether it is reputation or sales, it has sold 150,000 copies!"
Yuji Takatomi was also a well-known author. He was good at writing long stories, and his most famous work was Death of the Black Fox, written three years ago. This book was also nominated for the Ōkuoka Prize that year, but it was a pity that it did not win. But even so, this book made Yuji Takaomi famous.
"Indeed, Yamada Shinji's book was seen by the great director Uemori Moriyuki, and he made it into a movie!"
"So far, the box office has reached 2.5 billion yen, and it has entered the top ten of Japan's domestic films this year. This box office can be said to be very good. Because of this, it is acceptable to be nominated." Masaichi Muraoka expressed his opinion when he heard this.
"Moreover, looking at the situation, it can still pull up the box office. Maybe it can make it to the sixth place."
The sixth place this year was 3 billion yen.
"That's right, Yamada Shinji is really lucky to have been chosen by Uemori Moriyuki." Everyone sighed. However, in the eyes of Masaichi Muraoka, Yuji Takatomi, and Hayata Ryozo, although Yamada Shinji's Nocturnal Ghost had been nominated, the final winner was not him.
He was too young. The review team of the Ōkuoka Prize would have to be crazy to choose Yamada Shinji.
Japan would really explode!
At this time, the previous program passed, and the climax arrived. Everyone stopped talking and watched attentively. The guest of honor for the Ōkuoka Prize had also arrived at the venue.
Kitamori Kenzaburo was one of the top writers in Japan, and he was once the winner of the Ogawa Prize.
Kitamori Kenzaburo had started publishing literary works a long time ago, and his most famous works were The Wonderful Man and The Last Luxury. However, it was his most famous work, The Anatomy of the Soul, that made him a top writer. This book mentioned an opposing consciousness, which was futility. The consciousness of the "wall" was in a dominant position. Because of the "wall" consciousness, the "futility" consciousness was produced, and because of the "futility" consciousness, the "wall" strengthened the "wall". The two interacted.
Such a strange concept made the book receive a lot of good reviews when it was published. It had a very wide influence, and it could even be said to have influenced a generation.
The Anatomy of the Soul also successfully helped Kitamori Kenzaburo win the Ogawa Prize that year.
Kitamori Kenzaburo was dressed in a white suit, and in the venue, he said in a calm voice, "Ladies and gentlemen!
Let us give our warmest applause to the final winner of the Ōkuoka Prize — Yamada Shinji's Nocturnal Ghost!! "
Instantly, the audience applauded. At this time, Sakako Sakako also slowly walked onto the stage and took the trophy for Pei Ziyun.
When Sakako Sakako received the award, many people were shocked.
Kitahara Kuniaki's eyes widened, and he muttered, "How is this possible? How could the Ōkuoka Prize be won by a new writer who has just debuted for a year?"
Takamori Yuji clenched his fists, and his sharp fingertips pierced into his flesh. He seemed to feel nothing, and only screamed in his heart, "Impossible, impossible!"
Hayata Ryozo touched his bald head, and shook his head in disbelief.
At this time, Fukamatsu Kouki was also very shocked. But after the shock, he was overjoyed. He immediately realized that this was big news, and he immediately called the minister.
"Minister, this is unbelievable. The Ōkuoka Prize has been won by a new writer who has just debuted for a year!
There must be a huge conspiracy! "
"Please let me lead a team to investigate. This is definitely big news, please!" Fukamatsu Kouki said, and his eyes were filled with excitement.
If this was true, Fukamatsu Kouki believed that if he could uncover the truth, he could become famous in one fell swoop!
In that case, not only could Fukamatsu Kouki easily pay off his gambling debts, but he would also get a higher status and money!
But at this time, the voice of the minister poured cold water on him. "Fukamatsu, don't continue investigating this matter!"
The minister ordered.
Hearing this, Fukamatsu Kouki was unwilling to accept it, and he asked without regard for his status, "Minister, this is big news. Why don't you investigate further?"
But the minister on the other side of the phone said in an even colder tone, "Fukamatsu, listen carefully. This is an order from the higher-ups. Are you going to disobey?"
Hearing this, Fukamatsu Kouki was extremely unwilling. He clenched his fists tightly, and his eyes were bloodshot with anger, and his face was blood red. But the long period of education in Japanese society made him stand straight, and he replied, "Yes, I understand, minister!"
After hanging up the phone, Fukamatsu Kouki loosened his bow tie, and he panted heavily. Looking at the discussions around him, many authors showed expressions of unwillingness and surprise.
"How could Yamada Shinji win the Ōkuoka Prize?"
"It's really an order from the higher-ups. If we continue investigating, there will be very serious consequences." Fukamatsu Kouki understood this, but he was unwilling to give up.
This was not just a problem of gambling debts, but of losing this opportunity. He didn't know if he would have another chance. Was he going to be a mediocre animal for the rest of his life?
Even the Japanese have dreams.
Fukamatsu Kouki was very upset. Seeing that the ceremony was over, he slowly walked out of the door. He didn't expect to see Kenichi Taniguchi.
Kenichi Taniguchi was his university classmate, but he had joined Japan's Ming Pao and had a hostile relationship with Fukamatsu Kouki's newspaper, Into Life.
But this did not affect their friendship. Although they worked in different newspapers and were rivals at work, they admired each other because of their outstanding abilities.
Once Fukamatsu Kouki stepped out of the door, he heard Kenichi Taniguchi's red face protesting. "What? You want me to give up on investigating Yamada Shinji's Ōkuoka Prize? Why? "
"Fine!" Kenichi Taniguchi was still discouraged, but he had no choice but to obey.
Hearing this, a thought flashed through Fukamatsu Kouki's mind. She leaned over and asked, "Kenichi, are you the same?"
"Ah, ah, are you also being asked to give up on the investigation?" Kenichi Taniguchi immediately reacted. The two of them looked at each other in shock.
The two major media companies were huge in scale and influence, and they belonged to different consortiums. Now that they received the same order, this matter was serious!
Only a small number of Japanese media companies were directly managed by the government, and most of them were controlled by consortiums. Now that there was such a situation, unless a few consortiums joined forces, or the shogunate intervened.
"Come, let's go for a drink!" Fukamatsu Kouki said immediately, his eyes flashing.
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