Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 157 Emergency Talk with the Organization (Second Update)
There are relatively frequent flights from Harbin to Yanjing, so Zhang Chao sat in the office of Luyuan early the next morning.

Zou Guangming's use of the word "organization" this time forced Zhang Chao to take it seriously. The Chinese New Year was only three or four days away, and no matter whether the conversation was good or bad, he didn't want to spend the New Year with a heavy heart.

Zou Guangming said: "Don't be afraid. Although I don't know what the higher-ups have decided, everyone still cares about you."

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "I'm also confused. Every year, the New Year is always so restless..."

After waiting for a while, someone pushed open the office door and came in. Zhang Chao turned around and saw that it was the vice chairmen of the Writers Association Tie Ning and Wang Meng.

Zhang Chao's heart skipped a beat, wondering if the level of this matter was too high.
The chairman of this Writers Association is still Ba Lao, but since 99, Ba Lao has basically relied on intubation to maintain his life, and the daily affairs are handled by the vice-chairmen.

On October 10 last year, Ba Lao passed away, and the position of Chairman of the Writers Association became vacant.

Everyone knows that in the next election, Tie Ning will definitely be promoted to the chairman. So she is the de facto person in charge of the Writers Association.

There is no need to elaborate on Wang Meng's identity and status.

Several people sat down at the small conference table in the office. Wang Meng sat in the main seat, Tie Ning and Zhang Chao sat opposite each other, and Zou Guangming sat aside with a notebook in front of him, obviously taking notes.

Tie Ning smiled gently at Zhang Chao and said, "Don't be nervous. You are not a member of the Writers Association or the Federation of Literary and Art Circles yet, so there is no need to be disciplined.

I came here this time just to understand some of the situation and ask for your opinion."

Wang Meng joked: "Do you think we need a three-court trial?"

Zhang Chao saw that the two people's attitudes were not particularly serious, so he relaxed and said, "With you as the Justice Bao, I am not afraid of another three attacks. What you two want to ask is the relationship between me and IWP, and the recent comments on "Gone Girl", right?"

Tie Ning nodded and asked, "Your participation in the International Writing Program caused quite a stir in the United States, and we all thought it was a good thing at first.

But the direction of public opinion these days is very unusual. What do you think about this matter? Can you tell me?"

Zhang Chao sorted out his thoughts and briefly recounted everything that had happened on the American side since he received the invitation from IWP last year, from visas to air tickets, to reimbursement of expenses for the Great Lakes crossing trip, to help in contacting Random House.

Wang Meng laughed and said, "You kid, you are playing tricks on me. But it's not so easy to take advantage - do you know who is behind this Carlson?"

Zhang Chao said nonchalantly: "I know. After the 90s, the bulk of IWP's funding has been provided by the 'Franco-African-German Fund', the 'Asia Fund' and the 'Rockefeller Fund'.

These funds are either peripheral organizations of the U.S. State Department or peripheral organizations of the CIA. So, it would be a waste not to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Tie Ning, Wang Meng, and Zou Guangming all looked at him in surprise. Zhang Chao said innocently, "It's easy to check. IWP's income and expenditure can be found in the public information of the University of Iowa every year, all on the official website.

Just ask someone familiar with the situation and you'll know. I asked Jeff Huang to check it out when I first arrived in the United States."

Wang Meng sighed and said, "Young people are different... In the past, when we wanted to know these things, we kept them confidential. Now, we can find out by just searching on the Internet. Okay, keep asking."

Tie Ning nodded and continued, "Since you know this, I don't have to explain it to you. You should also know the purpose of their actions."

Zhang Chao said: "This time the media in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan all praised Gone Girl in a distorted way. It should be because Carlson was so angry that he contacted some critics who were close to him. If they can't win me over, they will disgust me severely."

Tie Ning said: "Since you know all this, have you ever thought about following their direction and really becoming a 'bridge for friendly exchanges between Chinese and American cultural circles'.

You know, being able to be a ‘bridge’ has a lot of benefits. The U.S. has invested a lot in this area.”

Zhang Chao said without hesitation: "I don't want to talk high with you two. But whether from the perspective of money or reputation, what they can provide is far from what I have now.

As for the so-called 'American lifestyle', as anyone who has read my novels will know, it also has no appeal to me."

After listening to this, Tie Ning looked at Wang Meng and asked, "What if, I mean, our cultural community really needs someone to act as this 'bridge'?"

Zhang Chao almost spit out his tea and said in astonishment: "This... I don't understand."

At this time, Wang Meng spoke up, and he said slowly: "In fact, this matter itself is not as serious as you think. First of all, China and the United States are two major countries, not only politically and economically, but also culturally. Close ties.

We have always supported domestic writers to go abroad and communicate with the world. In the early 80s, when we just opened up, IWP invited so many writers to visit.

In addition to IWP, people like me, Liang Xiaosheng, Yan Lianke, etc. have frequently visited and studied abroad. After the 90s, this kind of official communication became less frequent, but as going abroad became easier and easier, it has never stopped.

It is not as you think, accepting the "goodwill" of the United States will make you a "traitor". Moreover, as the world's largest country and the most powerful country, the United States must have something worth learning from its culture in addition to its advanced technology.

There is no problem if we write some positive articles, as long as they are not exaggerated, fabricated, or sarcastic. Promoting mutual understanding between the people of the two countries is the responsibility of our cultural community. "

Seeing Zhang Chao lowering his head in deep thought, Wang Meng paused before continuing, "Secondly, I can say responsibly that 'you are in me and I am in you' is a tacit understanding between the cultural circles of our two countries."

This time it was Zhang Chao's turn to be surprised. Wang Meng said, "Do you think only the United States has such policies and financial support? We also have them. Just like the United States, Europe, and island countries invite domestic cultural figures to visit them every year, we also actively invite their writers and artists to visit China every year.

Our cultural circles have "pro-American" and "pro-Japanese" groups, and their cultural circles also have "pro-Chinese" groups. Everyone knows who they are.

The basis of mutual trust between major countries is not just politics, economy and military, but culture is also an important part. So don’t look at things in black and white. As long as you stand upright and act honestly, you have nothing to fear.”

Zhang Chao was silent for a long time before he said, "The results of our work don't seem to be very significant."

Wang Meng smiled cheerfully and said, “Not necessarily. We just don’t make as much noise as IWP. IWP’s Carlsen went too far this time, and didn’t he end up making things worse?”

Zhang Chao hesitated and asked, "Do I really have to be this 'bridge'?"

Tie Ning said gently: "Of course not. This is all personal wish - you are still young, so we didn't interfere too much with your going to IWP before, just wanting you to go and see for yourself.

But now that they have made their move, we are afraid that you don't understand the twists and turns behind it, so we must explain it to you clearly. We can't let young people like you hit a wall without knowing what's going on, otherwise, we will be derelict in our duty."

Only then did Zhang Chao reveal a relieved smile and said, "Then I understand! I won't be too harsh this time, so don't worry."

(End of this chapter)