Literary Master 1983

Chapter 276 Giving Birth on the Eve of Battle
Yu Guangzhong's letter arrived at the poetry journal *Stars*, a literary magazine from Sichuan province located in Chengdu. Meanwhile, its founder, Liu Shahe, remained in Beijing, where he had been living for almost half a year.

The editorial department called Liu Shahe, explained the situation, and arranged for the letter to be sent to the capital unopened. Liu Shahe was quite excited and, unable to wait for this letter from across the sea to arrive, went directly to find Yu Qie.

Liu Shahe first went to the editorial office of "October" but couldn't find it. He then went to Yu Qie's residence on Gulou Street but still couldn't find it. Someone told him that Yu Qie had moved. Finally, Liu Shahe found Yu Qie in Jiangjia Hutong near Yenching University.

As soon as he knocked on the door and entered, Liu Shahe said, "Yu Qie, what brings you to live here?"

"I have too many classes I owe at Yenching University. I'm busy studying and writing novels, so I decided to stay here."

Yu Qie now has nearly three residences in the capital: one is his old place on Gulou Street; one is in Jingshan Park; and the last one is near the Yenching University campus.

"Oh, it's at school, no wonder!" Liu Shahe understood. He glanced around at Yu Qie's current residence. Although it wasn't as luxurious as his place on Gulou Street, it had combined three apartments on the left, right, and middle, creating an early "luxury single-level apartment" with all kinds of appliances and books. In the center of the coffee table, there was a huge mango.

Eating mangoes in winter! What a luxury!

Yu Qie cut a small piece from his hand and gave it to Liu Shahe: "Want some too?"

"Here, have some."

January is usually a particularly cold month, but the temperature in Yuqie's place was over 1 degrees Celsius.

"How come you're so warm?"

“I installed central air conditioning,” Yu Qie said.

"That set must cost tens of thousands... No wonder it's Peking University, even graduate students can live in single rooms, the conditions are really good."

Yu Qie laughed and said, "This area is the family quarters for Yenching University faculty. Some professors in the department are going abroad with their daughters, so I bought them all."

"how much is it?"

"It's not expensive, only 800 yuan per square meter."

"What about the central air conditioning? How much does it cost?"

"I don't know. The president of Panasonic in mainland China is a fan of my books. When he came to visit me, I told him that my hands were cold from writing lately. He was so moved that he cried and immediately gave me a set of books."

Liu Shahe suddenly remembered that last November, there seemed to be news that Yu Qie's novel was selling well in Japan, probably bringing in several million yuan there alone.

That's incredibly generous! No wonder the people of Taiwan welcome Yu Qie; they idolize the wealthy, so why wouldn't they like Yu Qie?
If Yu Qie's "Lurking" were published in Taiwan now, he would probably earn even more royalties.

Liu Shahe explained his purpose: "The writers from Taiwan that I mentioned to you before wrote to you together. They hope to communicate with you in person."

Where can we go to exchange ideas?

Liu Shahe once again mentioned the "International Cooperation and Exchange Conference" organized by Nie Hualing at the University of Iowa, saying, "I think this occasion is quite appropriate. Not on the mainland, not on the island, but at the University of Iowa in the United States."

Yu Qie smiled and said, "Don't rush. Given our current situation, it would be better to meet in the United States, but it doesn't necessarily have to be with Nie Hualing. Wait until I see the letter."

A week later, the letter arrived at Yuqie's place.

Liu Shahe came again, this time with Wang Meng. The two personally delivered the letter to the door. As soon as Wang Meng saw Yu Qie, he said, "There should be a thousand, ten thousand Yu Qies in China! Quickly see how to reply."

Yu Qie opened the letter written by Yu Guangzhong.

The above content is very simple: Yu Guangzhong introduced the impressions of his works on the Taiwanese people. His expression was very subtle, using "grasshopper" to represent "Lurking" and his family's "vegetable garden" to represent "Taiwan".

Damn, this looks like an encrypted file.

Yu Guangzhong is also a talented person!

After being translated from Chinese, the gist of it is this: Initially, the locals were quite surprised that Yu Zecheng was portrayed as someone from the Kuomintang's Military Intelligence Bureau, with faith and aspirations—are there other versions of this novel? Is there any embellishment after its introduction? Is this a scheme by mainland writers?

The novel was excellent to begin with, and it was written by a mainland Chinese author, so it became very popular.

Then, as the novel progresses into its middle stages, the critical message becomes very clear. A local resident commented: "This novel is utterly insidious! The author lures people in; he's rotten to the core! It's all a damn conspiracy!"

Therefore, they were forbidden from reading Yu Qie's books again, and from mentioning the novel in public. However, by this time the novel had already spread widely, and everyone was reading it in secret.

Finally, the plot unfolds to the point where a million-strong army besieges the city, and the Tianjin intelligence station is on the verge of destruction. Of the three leaders of the intelligence station: Li Ya dies unexpectedly, Yu Zecheng manages to turn the tide with a recording tape, and Station Chief Wu is almost sent to cut sugarcane, spending all his time plotting his own escape... Station Chief Wu summons Yu Zecheng and utters his classic line: "Li Ya was busy investigating spies and finding moles all day, and in the end, he ended up like this—was our destruction caused by a small Tianjin station, by a single intelligence report? So many heavily guarded major cities have fallen, so many distinguished regular soldiers have been lost, what's the reason?"
This passage, both humorous and remarkably serious, is factual yet poignant, and likely resonated with those on the other side. Yu Guangzhong wrote in his letter that even they applauded this passage: "Isn't this precisely why we suffered such a crushing defeat?"
Hello Station Master Wu, I need to learn from what Station Master Wu said.

……

After Yu Qie finished reading the letter, Wang Meng said, "Yu Qie, you should probably write back immediately! Although academic circles on both sides of the strait have been exchanging ideas privately for some time, this is the first time that novels of this nature have been discussed in such a public setting. This is a great opportunity!"

"I hope these letters will be serialized in People's Literature, and perhaps they will become a meaningful historical record in the future."

"That's great!" Yu Qie immediately began writing a letter.

Yu Qie's letter was also very simple: since Yu Guangzhong and his group had invited him to Taiwan, Yu Qie would in turn invite them to the mainland.

Yu Guangzhong's ancestral home is Nanjing, where he grew up. He went to Taiwan in 47. His poem "Nostalgia" was written at his home in Taiwan. Because of its bold expression of the emotion of "nostalgia", the poem shocked the literary world as soon as it was written.

While he was in Taiwan, "his poetry returned home before he did." Twenty years after writing this poem, in 92, Yu Guangzhong finally set foot on his homeland.

You could have come earlier.

In mid-January, Yu Guangzhong immediately received a letter from Yu Qie. The content of the letter was nothing special, but the fact that Yu Qie's letter had reached him indicated that their discussion was "appropriate." Yu Guangzhong was overjoyed and quickly sent another letter in return.

Upon receiving the letter, Yu Qie immediately took it to People's Literature, then wrote a reply on the spot at the editorial office and sent it to Yu Guangzhong.

The letters were subsequently published in *People's Literature*, and reprinted in other newspapers and magazines, receiving widespread coverage... Readers across the country could see the letters between the two writers. Only major national newspapers hadn't yet reported on them on their front page, perhaps still awaiting confirmation.

In the first two months of 86, Yu Qie and Yu Guangzhong, under the guise of "literary discussion," each introduced the literary developments of the time. They wrote four letters, each more fervent than the last. Yu Guangzhong was about ten years younger than Ma Shitu, and in terms of age, he should at least be Yu Qie's uncle; Yu Guangzhong was a university department head and would later become the president of the Taiwan Writers' Association. Yet, in his letters, he referred to himself as "my foolish elder brother" and addressed Yu Qie as "Mr. Yu," treating him as an equal.

Liu Shahe was puzzled after reading the letter: "You two, one an old fool and the other an old fool, seem to be of the same generation; Yu Guangzhong and I are of the same generation, your teacher and I are of the same generation, and your teacher is your teacher, so how should we address each other?"

This Liu Shahe really doesn't know anything.

Wang Meng laughed and said, "One of them represents this side and the other represents that side, so of course they should address each other as equals; do you expect Yu Qie to call Yu Guangzhong uncle or elder brother? You should ask me first whether I agree or not."

"Oh!" Liu Shahe suddenly realized.

In February, Yu Qie quietly returned to his hometown, and Zhang Li went back with him. The letters from Yu Guangzhong hadn't stopped. After learning that their letters were being serialized in mainland China, Yu Guangzhong became increasingly enthusiastic, publicly wishing everyone a Happy New Year in his letters and asking when he could visit relatives in mainland China.

Yu Qie, being quite tactful, wrote a festive greeting from his home in Wanxian and sent it over. Since Yu Qie didn't have any relatives in Taiwan, he could only say in the letter, "Every reader who reads my book is my relative or friend, and I look forward to meeting them there."

As soon as the letter was sent, Yu Qie regretted it a little: What if they really want me to go alone? What if they turn on me and detain me?
Isn't that like catching a turtle in a jar?
Even if he doesn't turn against me, setting a trap for me to fall into is still very troublesome. Li Ao has been dealt with badly. Although he has a nickname "Madman," he has not actually done anything to anyone. He can only talk his way out of trouble and try to hire a lawyer to sue those who have wronged him.

The letters from Yu Qie and Yu Guangzhong now feel somewhat like they're being "pushed along by everyone." Historically, this ice-breaking process had real economic factors at play.

Capital from all over the world poured into the mainland, and many companies made money. Meanwhile, Taiwan had completed its ten major construction projects and urgently needed to expand its capital outflow destinations, making the mainland the best choice.

Zhang Li has been studying economics for a year, and Yu Qie posed this question to her: "If Taiwanese businesses were allowed to invest one day, where do you think would be the best place to invest if there were no restrictions?"

Zhang Li replied without hesitation: "Of course, it's here."

"So, at the earliest, how many years from now will this happen?"

"Ten years!" Zhang Li estimated a number.

Yu Qie stroked his chin: Zhang Li is right, that's how it was originally... but the turn of events came so quickly, there are actually only a few months left.

Zhang Li also had a question for Yu Qie: "The newspapers are saying you're going to visit Taiwan, are you really going?"

"I don't know, I might actually go."

"What if they kill you? Do you really have to go?"

Yu Qie hugged the back of Zhang Li's head and pressed it against his chest: "Don't worry, it's not true."

The ice-breaking event actually happened after the release of the film "The Battle of Taierzhuang". Later, when this group of film actors visited Taiwan, they were very well received. The actor who played the transport captain was especially popular, and the Taiwanese people treated him like a real person.

Zhang Li added, "Chen Xiaoxu told me last time that she wanted to hurry up and see you 'one last time,' because you might not be able to see her again."

This Chen Xiaoxu is just spouting nonsense all day long.

But Zhang Li was still influenced by a few words from Chen Xiaoxu!

That evening, the family watched the 86 Spring Festival Gala. Zhu Shimao and Chen Peisi performed a skit called "Lamb Skewers." The skit was absolutely hilarious. Zhu Shimao's cowardly and sanctimonious appearance was so convincing that I couldn't help but burst into laughter as soon as he appeared. I laughed from the beginning to the end of the skit. Later, when I thought about the plot of the skit, I couldn't help but laugh again.

Why were the sketch comedy performances so funny in the past Spring Festival Galas?

Who said the Spring Festival Gala has to have values? Being funny is a form of program value.

Shortly after the program ended, it was past midnight. Fireworks began setting off outside the window ten minutes earlier, and the hosts sang the "New Year's Greeting Song" together. Afterwards, they took turns saying their greetings: "Dear viewers~"

"Dear viewers~"

"To all the people of China, compatriots across the Taiwan Strait and in Hong Kong and Macao, and Chinese compatriots around the world!"

"The people of the whole country, both sides of the Taiwan Strait..."

"Unforgettable tonight, unforgettable tonight~"

Zhang Li suddenly said firmly, "Yu Qie, let's have a child."

Huh? No, this...

Yu Qie was dumbfounded.

“If you really go to those places, no one can guarantee your safety. What if something happens to you, you still have a child.”

"How can you say for sure? We're not writing a novel; the chances of winning are pretty slim."

"I've calculated it, this is the day!" Zhang Li was ready to go to war.

Yu Qie mounted his horse, brandished his sword by lamplight, and rode swiftly like a whirlwind, his bowstring twanging like thunder… The night passed, and whether he won the lottery or not, he didn't know, but he felt there was hope. This fantasy of having a child actually gave him a sense of accomplishment. He should hurry and have a few kids so that when they grew up, he could catch a wave of the era's economic benefits.

Afterwards, they went to Chengdu to visit Zhang Li's parents and Yu Qie's teacher, Ma Shitu, and played bridge for a few days.

After the Lantern Festival, Yu Qie flew back to the capital, and Zhang Li was on the same flight as him. The crew of "Dream of the Red Chamber" built a Grand View Garden in the suburbs of Beijing, where some scenes were filmed.

"Am I pregnant?" Zhang Li kept touching her flat stomach the whole way.

“That’s too early for you. It will take at least a few months to see any results,” Yu said.

Zhang Li was a little unhappy and turned to go back to the film set. Yu Qie took a taxi back to Yanda University. Ever since the "yellow taxi" was invented, the capital has been taken over by yellow taxis. Hospitals, train stations, commercial streets... yellow taxis are everywhere. Although the vehicles are in poor condition, the tickets are not cheap.

No sooner had he arrived at Yenching University than Wang Meng came knocking on his door, accompanied by several comrades who exuded an air of authority.

Wang Meng said, "We're here to pick you up. Please tidy up, and we'll discuss the exchange visit with writers from Taiwan."

(End of this chapter)