Literary Master 1983

Chapter 243 A Report

In his diary, Lin Bingnan wrote about the following incident.

"In 83, I was the head of a delegation to Japan to introduce our water conservancy scientific and technological achievements to the Japanese and to see what level the international advanced level had reached."

“Japan is a small country with few mountains and rivers, but its water conservancy infrastructure is very advanced. Due to our three-tiered terrain, there is a difference of thousands of meters in elevation from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the eastern part of the sea. We have the world’s richest water conservancy potential, accounting for one-third of the world’s total. However, to make full use of this potential requires great determination and the efforts of several generations.”

"In September 84, I went to Japan again. This time I learned that Yu Qie was quite famous in Japan. I read Yu Qie's novel 'Hunting is Fun', which was really well written, but I didn't think it was of any use. I can't help it, I'm just an ordinary person!"

"Moreover, I also have my grievances. I feel that writing novels is not enough to substantially change the world. I have always been dismissive of novel writing."

“We have over a hundred people, researchers from dozens of universities across the country. Most of them read novels, but they admit that they don’t seem to have much impact on reality, especially when they get busy with work…”

"Our research work is simple in theory: we keep conducting investigations in various places to examine the siltation of the river at different flow rates... It is beneficial for the preliminary demonstration of the project, but the real problem is people's hearts. I have found that people are generally afraid of this project of the century because there are many bad rumors in society. Without understanding, panic has arisen, which is a greater obstacle than the dam itself."

Then, after finishing the novel, Lin Bingnan made a complete 180-degree turn, summarizing it in just one sentence:

"Yu Qie truly deserves to be called a literary giant like Akutagawa. He is a real writer, while others can only be called novelists."

In his report to the Central Committee, Lin Bingnan's account was much more objective.

They listed their sediment deposition tests at different flow rates and locations, providing a numerical range indicating that sediment deposition was not a problem. They then mentioned, "Yu Qie's novel 'Returning to One's Roots' has further encouraged our research, making us believe that this work can be realized in the future."

That's obvious, since ordinary people don't understand these physics concepts; a novel would be more useful.

The report was transmitted from Nanjing to the capital. It was first shown to the decision-makers, and due to subsequent research and analysis, the staff present at the time also became aware of it.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences were separated by only one wall, and soon those who worked with words also found out, until it reached Yu Qie's ears.

Qian Zhongshu, the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, met with Yu Qie specifically to tell him: "Your new novel is very well written. Some people have a new understanding of us writers. To be frank, we in the social sciences are slightly inferior to others... but you have made us proud."

"What did I strive for? I just wrote a novel." Yu Qie waved his hand.

Qian Zhongshu, however, lost his temper: "If I say you're good, then you're good, don't be so polite! Isn't your novel a bit too targeted? It sounds like a love letter to the Central Committee! You really want to improve! But, after reading the version of 'October,' I know that's what you originally wanted to write, you put a lot of thought into it..."

"I also learned about the printing factory workers' strike... Ah, it turns out it was all a coincidence."

He patted Yu Qie on the shoulder: "But by some twist of fate, it has managed to balance literary merit and universal appeal, which is a good approach. I've never been this clever before! It's a good novel both socially and literaryally!"

Qian Zhongshu is still as harsh as ever.

He was clearly praising Yu Qie, but I always felt that he wasn't praising him completely.

Soon after, Lin Mei, a female reporter from the Hong Kong branch of China News Service, came to Beijing to interview prominent figures in the domestic literary world. She went straight to Qian Zhongshu's home, hoping to interview him.

why?
Qian Zhongshu knew that speaking could offend people, so in order to protect himself, he rarely spoke in public or expressed any opinions. He almost never accepted any interviews.

Therefore, it is very rare to be able to interview Qian Zhongshu, and everyone wants to try it.

Qian Zhongshu lived in the "High-Level Scholars Building" in Sanlihe Nanshagou, a residential area specifically designated for experts and scholars. Yu Pingbo (classical literature), Hua Junwu (cartoonist), Huang Yongyu (painter), and others lived here.

So the female reporter climbed the floors, interviewing people along the way, like a stamp collector. She interviewed the masters of the previous era and took photos with them.

Qian Zhongshu lived in the highest building and was the last person to be interviewed.

Knowing Qian Zhongshu's temperament, female reporter Lin Mei called ahead to inform him: "Mr. Qian, I would like to interview you on behalf of our readers in Hong Kong."

As soon as Qian Zhongshu received the call, he became very alert: "Don't interview me. You're trying to lure me out. I appreciate your kindness, but please don't interview me."

What kind of deity is this? Why are they so afraid?

Having no other option, the reporter resorted to a surprise attack, knocking directly on the door and entering.

Upon meeting, Qian Zhongshu treated the female reporter to good food and drink, but still said, "You've got me cornered today, but I still won't speak. No matter what you ask me, I'll only remain silent."

The female reporter had no choice but to tell Qian Zhongshu that she had already interviewed most of the people. She said, "Mr. Qian, most of us have agreed to be interviewed, so you don't need to worry about anything being difficult to say. Our readers are eager to know your insights."

Then, they found Qian Zhongshu's friend, Lao Wu, an editor at the *Wenyi Bao* (Literary Gazette), to accompany them. This time, Qian Zhongshu finally opened up. He answered some questions about his novel *Fortress Besieged*, but when it came to his life or his views on things outside of literature, Qian Zhongshu remained tight-lipped.

The female reporter said helplessly, "Let's talk about genuine literature! Isn't there any literature you appreciate? Isn't there any true literature?"

Yes, of course there is.
But once I say it out loud, who knows how you'll write about me?

Suddenly, Qian Zhongshu's wife, Yang Jiang, returned. The female reporter then went to interview Yang Jiang, asking, "What were you doing there?"

"I'm going to donate to the 'Spring Rain Action'! My family responded to the call and donated two hundred yuan!"

Operation Spring Rain! The donation for distributing sugar pills!
Before the female reporter could react, Qian Zhongshu became excited: "You mean real literature? The kind of literature I admire? Well, that does exist, and Yu Qie is one such person."

"He's not only talented, but also very 'intelligent.' Actually, I don't like intelligent people because they're often opportunistic. But Yu Qie launched the Spring Rain Initiative and donated a lot of money. What he did was genuine! He's both intelligent and sincere, so I think there's no one more worthy of my mentioning to you than him!"

—The phone rang at Yu Qie's home. When he answered, it was a reporter from Hong Kong who wanted to interview him.
What?
Qian Zhongshu is here too!

My interview actually required the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to accompany me.

Oh, I think it's backwards. It was Qian Zhongshu who asked me to come and accompany him.

Yu Qie suddenly remembered: Qian Zhongshu had a habit of not accepting interviews, and in the few interviews he did, he always made sure that a third person was present.

Therefore, Qian Zhongshu's harsh personality made him extremely cautious, and he rarely made any major mistakes in his life, and his official position rose higher and higher.

Yu Qie sped along on his motorcycle. Sanlihe Nanshagou and Gulou Street were only about ten kilometers apart, and he arrived in no time.

The female reporter was naturally delighted and introduced herself directly to Yu Qie: "I am Lin Mei, a reporter from China News Service."

Lin Mei?

This is another example of someone who achieved great success later in life. This person is a well-known writer who lived in the Netherlands, and his career is mainly characterized by two literary achievements: first, he wrote many interviews with literary masters; second, he wrote several works reflecting the fate of overseas Chinese, such as "Looking Up at the Sky," "Wandering," and "Floating Life Notes."

This is also about overseas Chinese! Just like the novel "The Way Out"!
Sure enough, Lin Mei said, "There isn't a single Hong Kong writer today who hasn't read the 'Way Out' series of novels. Mr. Qian introduced me to your 'Returning to One's Roots,' and it is indeed another magnificent piece of writing. There's a saying that 'Way Out,' 'Reunion,' and this new novel form a trilogy. Is that how you created it?"

Qian Zhongshu also looked at Yu Qie. He was also very interested.

Yu Qie scratched his head: "This is not like 'New Reality' which was planned from the beginning. This is a bit far-fetched. It was the critics who classified it themselves. I didn't think about it this way before."

“But the division is very good!” Lin Mei said. “I said this could be a ‘China’ trilogy. You’ve already included people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong and Macau, Chinese people in America and Europe, and finally, people from mainland China.”

Yu Qie waved his hands repeatedly: "It's too big, too big, I can't live up to that title."

Lin Mei, however, insisted on giving Yu Qie this title: "I watched the Spring Festival Gala this year. When the host was giving New Year's greetings, he talked about the three sides of the Taiwan Strait and the three regions, and about the 30 million Chinese compatriots... So I think it is appropriate to use the 'China' trilogy."

The host got a little carried away and spoke in a roundabout way. What she meant was that the term here refers to cultural identity. For example, if she becomes Dutch in the future, she can also say that she is Chinese.

But Yu Qie still felt it was too big and refused to admit it no matter what.

The reporter had to explain himself: "Perhaps we need more time to prove the novel's value."

"Because in my opinion, it has become another novel that leads the literary world after 'New Reality'."

Yu Qie couldn't accept this assessment; he couldn't boast about himself. Qian Zhongshu then spoke up, saying, "In terms of the social impact, it does have that implication."

The reporter was overjoyed and quickly jotted down these words.

As soon as the reporter left, Yu Qie immediately complained to Qian Zhongshu, "I'm already quite famous, and I really don't need any more praise. This reporter was too over-the-top; it might have the opposite effect."

"She used the word 'China,' but I think it can only be described as immigrant literature, an immigrant trilogy at most."

Qian Zhongshu said, "Yu Qie, of all your honors that may be undeserved, writing novels is the one you are least likely to be associated with."

It's that kind of abstract, harsh talk again.

Did you praise me?
For example, boasting.

"Returning to One's Roots" elicited a response far exceeding Yu Qie's expectations. It was genuinely loved by critics and, unusually, also achieved widespread popularity. Suddenly, everyone was talking about this article.

There are many factors that explain its popularity: it was Yu Qie's first novel after winning the Akutagawa Prize; it was the conclusion of his previous two novels; its creation and printing process was as bizarre and tumultuous as the novel's plot itself; it contained many humorous anecdotes that were rarely seen at the time...

But most importantly, it's really good.

A profound question of our time lies hidden on migrant worker Lao Zhao's journey home.

Less than a week later, the interview report from China News Service was published. The report detailed the lives of a group of masters, and then suddenly inserted a young man named Yu Qie at the end, followed by a photo of him with Qian Zhongshu, their hands behind their backs, and his wife Yang Jiang.

Yu Qie then realized that although Qian Zhongshu was sharp-tongued, he was completely different in the photos. He was standing very close to Yu Qie, like they were sworn brothers, his face beaming with smiles, practically wanting to put his arm around Yu Qie's shoulder, while keeping a considerable distance from his wife, Yang Jiang!
Ma Shitu would probably be furious if he saw this photo!

We can't let him see these things.

This issue of the Literary Gazette published a supplementary issue entitled "Literary Theory," which on the one hand discussed the novels written by students after graduating from the advanced training program, and on the other hand discussed the novel by their teacher, Yu Qie: critics from all walks of life have used all their skills to analyze the value of Yu Qie's novel.

Among them were Su Tong, editor of "Zhongshan", and Yu Hua, a commissioned writer for "October".

And their mutual friend, Guan Moye.

They were all writing reviews of "Returning to One's Roots." Furthermore, their final short stories from their advanced training course were published in "October," meaning this issue of "October" would earn them two kinds of money: a fee for the short story and a fee for the review.

Commentary articles are paid two yuan per thousand words, which is equivalent to half a month's rent in Beijing (the price has gone up), so it's easy to inflate the price.

"Guan Moye, Guan Moye!" Yu Hua came to the guesthouse and knocked on Guan Moye's door.

When Guan Moye appeared, Yu Hua was startled. "What's wrong with you? Why do you look so listless? Your hair is thinning too."

“I read Teacher Yu’s novel,” Guan Moye said. “His novel is really well written! The scene from ‘Little Shoes’ where the goldfish kisses the little feet appeared again, making me both laugh and cry, and then I felt fear… He writes so well.”

Yu Hua was puzzled: "Didn't you write 'The White Dog Swing'? You wrote it quite well. Besides, you don't listen to Yu Qie anymore. I thought you had turned from his loyal reader into an opponent."

Guan Moye was quite excited: "No, I have always been a reader of Yu Qie. Ever since he wrote his name on the preface of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' I have been deeply influenced by him."

"So you're an opponent of Yuqie?"

"I am not his opponent either."

"Then what exactly are you? Haven't you noticed that, although both of your works are about hometowns, your 'White Dog Swing' and Yu Qie's 'Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots' are exactly opposite? You both gave an open ending, but Yu Qie's makes people think positively, while yours makes people feel sad."

Guan Moye didn't know how to answer.

He thought about it for three days and three nights, and then wrote down his answer on paper using a commentary.

(End of this chapter)