Words Upon the Official Recommendation

When I received the official recommendation, I was filled with mixed emotions. I’ve spent two or three years at Qidian, weathering many ups and downs along the way. In early 2006, I entered this profession with an excited heart, officially stepping into the circle of writers. Compared to others who started around the same time, I never stood out, nor was I the worst; I suppose you could call me a writer of average talent.

The path of a writer is often a lonely one, even more so for an obscure, mediocre writer. If I had no talent at all, I would have given up and changed professions. If I were exceptionally gifted, I would have already become a legend. But alas, I’m caught somewhere in between, in a most awkward position—neither here nor there.

Fortunately, I’ve met many fellow readers, writers, and generous editors who have offered me much support and encouragement.

In 2007, I spent an entire year in a kind of hibernation, achieving little. For the sake of making a living, I went to work in Guangzhou. Yet even after moving there, I never dared to put down my pen for a single day. I knew that if I stopped writing, I might never return to the writing world. For many writers, the thing they fear most isn’t a lack of inspiration—it’s halting their writing altogether. All one can do is to keep going, quietly toiling away, hoping to reap a harvest eventually.

My talent is average, but I believe that diligence can make up for what one lacks. Plant the seedlings in spring, and in autumn there will surely be a harvest. How bountiful that harvest is depends on one’s effort.

I wrote and reflected endlessly, seeking advice from more experienced writers. If I can’t write a good book, it’s simply my own inadequacy—there’s nothing to complain about. I’ve always persisted, because I believe that heaven is fair; if it doesn’t grant you brilliance, it will compensate with determination.

2008 is my zodiac year, and also the year I returned to Qidian.

It’s almost laughable—after pouring my heart and soul into crafting a powerful urban novel, I intended to use that “masterpiece” as my comeback, to make my name. Yet, after much hesitation, I never dared to show it to the editors or readers. That book, an urban officialdom tale, was laced with too many political elements, and could have been “executed” at any moment. The risk was simply too great; it would have been foolish to let all that work go to waste.

Once the New Year had passed, I refused to let myself sink further into indecision. Rather than wallow in uncertainty, I decided to start anew. Thinking of my love for the Three Kingdoms, my familiarity with online games, I casually wrote the first chapter of “Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy” and posted it on Qidian. I didn’t even plan to stockpile chapters; I simply charged onto the newcomer rankings with nothing to lose. I’m a veteran—why should I fear newcomers? I’ll charge in, alone if I must! Don’t laugh—competing for rankings is a valuable exercise, and only does good.

Though my writing is nothing exceptional, I’ve trained for a few years now. As long as the prose flows smoothly and the plot is engaging, that’s enough.

There are countless flavors of wish fulfillment; I chose the broadest, brightest path—originality.

There are countless types of protagonists; I chose the most straightforward—a common man, myself.

Writing a book is, in essence, writing oneself. I write with my own emotions. I’m nothing special, and I believe most of my readers are just ordinary urban folk like me—students, workers, office staff, busy people... If reality doesn’t allow us to dream, then let’s indulge a little while reading for leisure.

Some readers might say, “The protagonist is so ordinary.” Well, let him be ordinary; it does no harm. With a bit of wish fulfillment and a spark of creativity, that’s enough. Besides, stories set in the Three Kingdoms never lack for passion; a touch of ordinariness only adds a lingering charm, making the journey longer and farther. If the story starts off too breathless, there will be no energy left for later twists and turns. (This, I suppose, is a little writing wisdom I’ve picked up.)

Some readers also say, “The protagonist has average intelligence, while the supporting characters seem below average.” Well, that’s because I myself have just average intelligence. If every supporting character were as cunning as a fox with a thousand years of experience, how could my poor protagonist survive—should he just suffer in silence? I’m not foolish enough to trip myself up. So it’s better to let them be a bit slower, lest they drive the protagonist (and me, too) to an early grave beside my desk.

Some might ask, “Why does the protagonist’s journey go so smoothly? Why are there no scheming enemies?” You see, I’m writing a story about construction, one filled with youthful vigor and development. There’s already so much to juggle: strategy, building, technology, agriculture... I’m overwhelmed as it is. So things like dark schemes and sabotage have to be toned down or even cut entirely. If every chapter were filled with “plots,” where would I find room for my “honest, upright strategies—construction and development”? I hope readers will understand.

There was a reader who left a comment that truly touched me: “Baili is too pure…” I suspect he left off the rest: “pure to the point of being foolishly adorable.” At that moment, he might have understood me even better than I understand myself.

Thinking about it, I am a rather simple person. My life has been calm and uneventful, but I carry a tenderness in my heart. “Walk the righteous path, not the devious one; strive for the sunlit road, not the shadowy one”—this is my nature, and the story of my life.

I have a natural aversion to the darker side of things. Of course, strategy, tactics, and the art of war deserve their due attention—those genius NPC advisors deserve to have their intelligence showcased. But anything involving darkness or evil, I sweep away. I will not introduce those things into “Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy” to “pollute” my readers’ minds.

These are thoughts I’ve long held but rarely voiced.

My book caught the eye of editors Huang Quan, Hushuo, and Black Tea, and was signed smoothly, with recommendation after recommendation following.

To them, I express my heartfelt thanks. After all, this was the first step for the book—if I hadn’t managed to take it, there would be no talk of any further success. Since mid-January 2008, when “Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy” hit the rankings, I have enjoyed the great favor of many readers, even reaching the top of the newcomer list. I am both grateful and a little secretly delighted.

The online game genre has languished for quite some time now.

Last year, there were titles like “Beautiful Studio,” “SimCity,” and those in the Heroes of Might and Magic vein, all of which did well, but none managed to revive the overall genre. It’s been a few veteran authors holding the line.

I have deep admiration for those works.

Before “Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy,” there was a long period with only “SimCity” as a classic construction story.

When “Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy” came out, it was so “standard and classic”—the very template of an online construction novel, which anyone could follow. So naturally, it sparked a wave of Three Kingdoms online game stories. (Now, I’m shamelessly praising myself, so please forgive me—consider this my poor attempt at self-promotion! Have mercy; please add to your collections, recommend, and subscribe! It took me a year of silence and struggle to write this “standard” construction novel—it hasn’t been easy. Your encouragement means the world and gives me strength!)

This is the first revolution led by a Three Kingdoms online game story in 2008, launching an assault against the old upgrade-focused model. Instead of following Western Heroes of Might and Magic motifs, I chose the path of Chinese cultural tradition, to celebrate our own civilization.

“Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy” was fortunate enough to fire the first shot in the tidal wave of construction stories in 2008, riding the crest of this new wave. The pressure has been immense, but the rewards have been significant.

The rise of online construction novels this year has been tremendous, securing their place as a mainstay of the genre and opening up a new territory. From now on, we can proudly say: construction-focused online game novels are among the finest, able to stand alongside any traditional genre.

Among them, “Three Kingdoms + Construction” will, I believe, be the vanguard of the online game genre for some time to come. Other construction-themed stories, large and small, will also be top choices for readers. Who knows—perhaps a future master will write a peerless classic, leading the way and becoming a legend. Every trend needs someone to lead it.

It’s now been over three months since the book’s launch.

In these three months, thanks to the love and strong support from readers and editors alike, I’ve come this far. I have nothing but diligence and self-discipline to offer in return for everyone’s kindness and support.

Also, please don’t mistake me for an author who abandons his work. In fact, I have completed a VIP novel before—also an online game, also Three Kingdoms, finished in 2006 (a completed work in this genre is rare enough, right? For that alone, I hope you’ll support and subscribe).

Rest assured, “Online Game: Three Kingdoms City Strategy” is a major work in my writing career, and I am fully committed to seeing it through to the very end.