Literary Master 1983

Chapter 264 Any Era, Any Opponent

What is the Yixin Society?
Guan Moye remembered.

This is a loosely organized group popular among young literary enthusiasts, dedicated to reading books and newspapers.

Because the currently popular novels and their main creators are all readers of Yu Qie, it has in fact evolved into a fan club for Yu Qie's books.

It's different from elite university student organizations like the "New Reality Society." Yixin Club is a pure book lover organization that welcomes all. Now, with a larger membership, this later-established book club is showing a trend of surpassing the former.

Guan Moye had several comrades-in-arms here. He had been in Chang'an for almost a week, staying at the South Gate of the city. This area was the center of Chang'an's secondhand book market, with numerous bookstores and stalls selling and buying books along the street. Literary youths also exchanged their books here. The October sun in Chang'an was still scorching, but the young writers would stand under the city wall, enduring the blazing sun all day, determined to finish reading the books they had acquired.

Recently, Harvest magazine has become a hot commodity in the area, and not every issue of Harvest, but specifically the two issues that serialize "Lurking". "Lurking" is so popular that booksellers have put up large signs to indicate that they have a copy in stock.

"—And there are also six volumes of the second issue of 'Lurking'!"

"—And there's also the second issue of 'Lurking'...two volumes!"

Guan Moye watched as a bookstall erased the character "six" and wrote "two" instead. He immediately strode forward and asked, "Why are there only two books left?"

The bookstall owner was a fat man with a face full of scars and sores. He looked up and glared at Guan Moye: "Someone paid for four books. What, you want to buy some too?"

"buy it."

"Three yuan."

Guan Moye's small eyes widened: "Comrade, what are you saying! Three yuan for a magazine? You're talking nonsense!"

"This book was already two yuan, the price has gone up a long time ago! There are only two copies left, I'm the only one who has it. Why don't you ask around? Where else can you find 'Harvest' magazine? They're all magazines shipped directly from the factory."

The boss was very pleased with himself.

Guan Moye asked, "Then how would I know if your book is an original or a pirated copy?"

The boss's face darkened: "Just tell me, do you want it or not?!"

"Yes, why not?"

Guan Moye bought a copy and quickly flipped through it: sure enough, the majority of this issue was "Lurking," with some space left over for several other authors, including Guan Moye's novel "The Dry River."

"The Dry River" is a short story written by Guan Moye at the beginning of this year, and it is a sister piece to "Transparent Red Radish". Because he was busy with the affairs of the School of Literature when he wrote it, he forgot to publish it for a while. When he wanted to publish it, the journal "October" was fully booked for the whole year, and he couldn't get a chance to publish it.

Under Yu Hua's persuasion, Guan Moye had no choice but to send the article to Harvest magazine.

Guan Moye had full confidence in the quality of "The Dried-Up River". Unexpectedly, after opening this issue of "Harvest" and seeing the humorous scenes involving Yu Zecheng and Cuiping, Guan Moye became engrossed. Once Li Ya appeared, Guan Moye simply couldn't find the time to stop reading... The second issue was over 100,000 words long. After finishing this part, all that was left was his own novel, "The Dried-Up River". But at this point, he suddenly came out of the story, exhausted, and had no interest in reading the rest of the novel.

I looked up: Damn! It's almost dark!

I've been watching this for so long? Is "Lurking" really that good?

Then why was my later work, "The Dry River," ignored?

The group of young literary enthusiasts who had exchanged books earlier were now saying goodbye. Guan Moye randomly approached a few of them and asked, "Comrades, have you read Harvest? The second issue... I mean, the second issue with Yu Zecheng."

“Of course we’ve seen it!” they said. “We saw it the day the news broke.”

Asking this and that, I've read the latest issue of Harvest magazine.

Guan Moye immediately started talking about the plot of "Lurking," chatting about this and that for a while, before suddenly asking, "What's the name of the novel that comes after 'Lurking' in 'Harvest'?"

The young man asked looked blank: "Is there more to the novel? I don't remember?"

How could I forget! This is a novel I poured my heart and soul into writing!

He then asked, "Do you know who Guan Moye is?"

The student immediately understood: "I know, it's that good-for-nothing student of Yu Qie's. He's mentioned in 'People Want to Be Like Yu Qie,' he admires Yu Qie the most, but he's the most stubborn! He just won't admit it!"

Holy crap, we're doomed!
This incident cast a deep shadow over Guan Moye. He went back and wrote a long letter to Yu Hua, who had instigated him, roughly saying, "If you hadn't instigated me, I certainly wouldn't have ended up writing an article in vain."

Yu Hua was overjoyed after seeing the letter and replied, "Didn't you get your payment? As long as you got the money, that's fine. It's normal for you to lose to Yu Qie; who will blame you?"

"Whoever blames you, let them fight Yu Qie! They're not even as good as you."

Alas, how can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan! Guan Moye wrote another letter to Yu Hua: "I write novels not only to make some money, but also to leave some trace in this world. I have some aspirations. Everyone tells me not to speak, but I will shout them out a hundred times, a thousand times in my heart!"

Isn't this the same as Yuqie? But are you Yuqie?
Yu Hua replied to him again: "Mr. Xu Chi's report was well written, and his observations were also very good. Among us, you most want to compare yourself with Yu Qie, but you actually admire him the most. Everything you think about and do is exactly what Yu Qie has already accomplished. Guan Moye, perhaps you will be shrouded in the shadows for the rest of your life, unless one day you have the same clear-headed thoughts as me."

After reading this letter, Guan Moye was stunned for a long time.

Guan Moye was a thoughtful and contemplative person. He possessed a compassionate heart, but his literary skills and experiences often prevented him from subtly and effectively expressing his thoughts in his novels. Instead, Guan Moye consistently wrote autobiographical novels; once detached from his own experiences, he displayed a "craftsman-like" quality, tirelessly piling up words, which left a poor impression. Moreover, his ideas sometimes contradicted public opinion, further fueling controversy.

After this issue of "Kuhe" was published, there was basically no buzz. Not long after, Guan Moye was invited to participate in the commemoration of the three major battles. He recalled the novel "Lurking" that he had read. So many young people who once had passion and enthusiasm eventually became insects that poisoned society... He left a message here: "The cannons roared all the way, just for the change of dynasties; the corpses were scattered all over the fields, all of them were children of farmers."

These words caused a huge uproar! They were really too much!
Guan Moye faced widespread criticism, and writer Acheng, who had previously attended the Hangzhou Conference with him, announced a complete break with him.
“I used to be good friends with Mr. Guan Moye and we shared many interests, but after seeing this sentence of his, I can no longer get along with him unless he sincerely apologizes one day!”

Yu Hua was startled after seeing Guan Moye's words and wrote to him to advise him: "What you said has gone beyond your position. Take my advice and don't talk nonsense in the future."

Wang Shuo, a literary rogue who frequented the capital, saw through the essence of the matter at a glance: "Guan Moye thought he was a big shot who could speak fairly about everything; but none of us have Yu Qie's ability, I know that and I admit it, but there are always people who refuse to admit it, yet they imitate his tone and speak with compassion, but they have all gotten the root of the problem wrong, which is of course laughable."

Guan Moye truly deserves to be Yu Qie's good comrade-in-arms in his career. Originally, the character of "Li Ya" caused some controversy in the novel, but now most of that controversy has been drawn away by the impetuous Guan Moye.

Immediately, numerous critical articles emerged criticizing Guan Moye, and the general public, after watching "Lurking," also found Guan Moye's statements inexplicable. While "Lurking" does depict some glimmers of humanity in its villains, these are merely attempts to portray Yu Zecheng as ultimately choosing the right path.

The world we live in today is the one that Yu Zecheng persevered in building. The sacrifices were made by that generation, and the public has no right to deny their achievements.

Faced with the overwhelming public criticism, Guan Moye wrote an analysis of "Lurking": "You all come to attack me, but how should Yu Zecheng's ending be explained? He was going to die after all, there's no need to hide it. Maybe you think I'm wrong, but I only care about people like Yu Zecheng. Good people shouldn't die, nor should they attack each other, causing brothers to fight and causing widespread suffering. That's what I think."

“I have no bad intentions; I love this place.”

However, this explanation was of no use, and the public continued to criticize Guan Moye. Even Yu Qie himself knew about this incident. Li Xiaolin from Harvest magazine came to see him personally, but said, "I am here on behalf of my father. What I am saying now is exactly what he wanted to say to you."

Goodness! So serious.

Yu Qie said, "I'm listening to everything."

"Teacher Yu, you must give Yu Zecheng a good ending. It must not go against history, nor should it make the public feel that Yu Zecheng's efforts were in vain. In other words, if Yu Zecheng lived, he should be surrounded by his descendants and live a life of joy and laughter; if Yu Zecheng died, he should be remembered with great glory and admired by thousands."

Yu Qie nodded emphatically and said, "I can definitely do it."

Ma Shitu also called Yu Qie: "I heard that 'October' magazine sent you a mobile phone again?"

Yu Qie smiled wryly: "What kind of mobile phone is this? It weighs several pounds and often has no signal. A landline is much better."

Ma Shitu said, "I called you not to talk about this... but about Yu Zecheng. Do you understand?"

"I see."

"The gift I gave you has already been taken to your residence by Professor Yu Xuntan. You know the significance of that red flag. I also know that although your novel has never been published in Taiwan, it is circulating all over the island, and the authorities can't keep up with it. The novel is circulating underground, and it has already had a great impact."

"You must write carefully and slowly," Ma Shitu repeatedly urged.

Yu Xuntan is the poet "Liu Shahe." He and Ma Shitu were colleagues and friends in a broad sense. Yu Xuntan was a long-time pen pal of Yu Guangzhong, a patriotic poet from Taiwan, and was one of the founders of the "Defend Chinese Characters" movement. This National Day, he was invited to a meeting in Beijing and brought that red flag to Yu Qie's home in Beijing.

Ma Shitu is bringing this up now because he hopes Yu Qie can write a good ending for "Lurking".

This book, now written, is no longer just a literary achievement for Yu Qie personally; it has sparked a heated social debate about "faith." From the letter from Qianqiao Elementary School urging people to "follow the example of money" that reached Ba Jin's hands, to the climax after the publication of "Lurking," it deserves a powerful and impactful ending.

Analysis of the plot of the novel "Lurking" is intensifying both domestically and internationally!
During this period, simply analyzing the novel "Lurking" could earn a considerable amount of royalties. On the contrary, the stories painstakingly written by new writers went unnoticed by readers; all voices were absent, like stars obscured by the sun, completely vanished without a trace.

Another comment came from New York, USA.

In the summer of 85, there was a literary exchange program between the United States and the mainland Chinese literary circles, centered around the University of Iowa. Wang Anyi, a female writer who had previously taken classes in the Faculty of Arts, went to the United States for the exchange and wrote a series of articles about exotic customs that were popular at the time.

Although she was in the United States, she kept a close eye on the state of the literary scene in China. Wang Anyi was originally from Shanghai, and she would try her best to find and read every issue of "Harvest" magazine.

In October, the novel "Lurking" was taken to New York by international students. After reading it, Wang Anyi was moved to tears, saying that she had "fallen deeply in love with a man like Yu Zecheng and was willing to go through fire and water for him." She shared the novel at a salon in New York composed of Chinese and international students.

After the novel was shared, the Chinese people had different reactions, but most of them enthusiastically praised the character of Yu Zecheng in "Lurking" and showed great interest in the author, Yu Qie.

This person's novels are completely different from those of other mainland writers. They are not only readable, but they can even distort people's beliefs. Whatever he writes, readers can't help but believe. It's like when Márquez wrote about the atrocities committed by the Colombian warlords. No matter how unbelievable the numbers were, the public trusted it more than the investigative report by Frederick W. Fauci, and more than the official press releases.

At the salon, there was a Chinese-American painter named Chen Danqing, who was in the same class as Wang Anyi. Wang Anyi talked to him about the controversies that the novel *Lurking* had caused in mainland literary circles since Li Ya's appearance. Chen Danqing laughed and said, "Do you know how some of us got ahead?"

"How did you get ahead?" Wang Anyi asked.

"Neither you nor I had much formal education, but from childhood to adulthood, thanks to the influence of our families, we had a real system for nurturing our talents. After those years, there was a break in the generation of cultural talents, which led to the great prosperity of the art world you saw in the 1980s—painters, novelists, actors... emerged one after another."

Chen Danqing said, "I think the cause and effect relationship is wrong. It's not because we are the golden generation, but because we are the lucky generation. The generation before us was interrupted, which gave us the opportunity to be pushed to the top. In the future, when the tide of the times passes, many of our descendants will realize that there are quite a few incompetent people among us."

Because Chen Danqing was a very roguish person, he was smoking and laughing while cursing. Wang Anyi was amused and laughed out loud, then asked him, "What about Teacher Yu? Is he also an incompetent fool, an ignorant and incompetent person?"

Chen Danqing said, "I don't really believe in faith; I'm a pragmatist. But 'Lurking' made me cry. It moved someone like me, which shows that Yu Qie was a true teacher. He was a teacher in every era."

(End of this chapter)