Literary Master 1983

Chapter 325 Domestic Reaction
Shao Qi wrote an article titled "Revisiting Latin American Realism in 1986".

In the article, she elaborates on the dialogue between Yuche and Márquez and concludes: "Why did Yuche emphasize Latin American realism? Because he believed that those tragedies had historical prototypes, and this was to emphasize that we should not forget the suffering that happened in Latin America."

"Why bring this up again today? Because this type of literature has developed somewhat off course in China. Some people mistakenly believe that Márquez was a writer who achieved success by pandering to the West, and they follow suit, but that has never been the case."

So, how can we gain the respect of the West?

This issue has been repeatedly raised in mainland Chinese literary circles. After Yu Qie won the Akutagawa Prize and made a name for himself in the United States... people want to see more Chinese writers go abroad and see what they are capable of.

The literary scene in mainland China has developed to the point where it is no longer satisfied with achieving success only domestically.

There are many Chinese writers trying their luck in the United States, but the awkward thing is that most of them cannot gain influence in the United States. In order to make a living, they have to produce something called "overseas student literature" for mainland readers.

This phenomenon is particularly frequent among female writers, because they are not as directly aware of Western rejection as male writers.

The articles written by female writers Zha Jianying and Wang Anyi during their studies in the United States were bright and cheerful. Meanwhile, the poet Bei Dao was constantly wandering in the West, repeatedly being dismissed from his positions at Western universities before moving on to the next place.

One day he couldn't take it anymore and decided to return to China. He was then deported and, after a long period of wandering, settled in Hong Kong.

Bei Dao's journey didn't end there. In the new century, he came to the mainland to answer questions from "young friends" in order to promote his new book.

At the time, Bei Dao thought he would be like the students in the 1980s, "on a snowy day, college students braved the ice and snow to listen to him speak, and came back with their faces covered in ice, but their hearts were very warm"...

As a result, Bei Dao faced ridicule from those born in the 1990s and 2000s: a traitor.

This broke Bei Dao, who was over seventy years old, and he never wanted to come back.

Shao Qi had no idea what would happen decades later. But she had a vague feeling that to win the respect of Americans, she first had to win the respect of the Chinese.

Why don't Americans read our novels? Why do our writers face the predicament of "exporting to the domestic market"?

Shao Qi wrote in his article about the extremely respectful treatment he received from Harper, America's largest publisher, after the publication of Yu Qie's "Metro":

“Yu Qie argues almost every day. I think it’s a one-sided reprimand. He leaves American publishers speechless and even Spanish super agents have to slam the door and then quickly declare that ‘nothing happened.’”

"What did he write about? It was about Chinese Americans, Native Americans, and criticism of America! He was actually writing about America as seen through the eyes of Chinese people, and Americans opposing Americans. This shows that America would rather hear insightful criticism than empty praise."

After the article was sent back to China, Mu Qing of Xinhua News Agency was the first to see it.

“Okay! Okay!” he said.

"It's a real shame that I didn't get to see the second half of Yu Qie's time in America."

After much deliberation, Mu Qing decided to submit the article as well, including it as part of the internal reference materials.

Unexpectedly, the various experiences Yu Qie encountered in the article greatly interested the experts. They just wanted to say: More, more!

The article was quickly forwarded to the Daily and the Literary Gazette. As a result, a small earthquake occurred in the literary world.

Magical realism is gaining popularity in mainland China, but nothing is more ridiculous than Márquez himself denying it.

Because Márquez himself loved Colombia.

In a conversation between Márquez and Yuche, there is a quote from Márquez himself: "My fundamental purpose is to use magic to represent reality, not to represent magic as reality."

This is the same as what Yu Qie described in his book "Latin American Realism" back then.

At the end of that year, the Academy of Literature began enrolling students again. Before classes began, young writers from all over the country expressed that the most desirable and fashionable writing style they wanted to learn was magical realism.

Upon seeing this, Wang Meng, the chairwoman of the Writers' Association, said: "It's time to curb this strange writing trend. I used to mistakenly think that Márquez was prejudiced against his own people, and that Taiwanese writer Li Ao also said that one cannot win the Nobel Prize without betraying one's own people... That's not the case!"

“Márquez passionately praises the liberators of their nation. He merely expresses dissatisfaction with the present, yet he personally uncovers the truth, and he is a comrade-in-arms with the president. We have too many misunderstandings about him; his praise and pity far outweigh his criticism. This man is a good man; he has not changed.”

Wang Meng's statement defined magical realism.

The writers discussed how to use this writing style without it seeming "overdone".

In the 1980s, there were many such debates on whether or not to pass or not in mainland China.

For example, if a farmer raises seven chickens, what about raising eight chickens?
Sorry, but this is what capitalists are like.

Hence the saying "seven up, eight down," meaning if you raise more than eight chickens, you've "gone too far." Because everything is being explored and tested, everything is being discussed—is this going too far?
Moreover, this level changes periodically. What was previously considered "excessive" may no longer be so, while what was previously considered "inadequate" may now require adjustments.

"It seems that the question is who controls the 'degree' of this magical realism. If he says it's too much, then it's too much; if he says it's too little, then it's too little."

Yu Hua saw a notice from the School of Literature and couldn't help but say something to Guan Moye next to him.

He added with a sigh, "However, this position is not easy to hold. It looks glamorous, but in reality, you have to be very careful, because it will be dug up and thoroughly investigated many years later."

Yu Hua had moved from his small county town to the capital ahead of schedule and had divorced his wife. Now he lives in a rented room of only nine square meters and is a happy bachelor.

After graduating from the military arts troupe, Guan Moye also lived in Beijing. He had a wife and children, but because his room was too small, his wife and children lived in his hometown. He was no different from a bachelor.

After writing "Red Sorghum," Guan Moye made a fortune and became famous in the literary world, but he still couldn't afford a house.

Guan Moye remained silent for a long time.

Yu Hua nudged Guan Moye: "Why aren't you saying anything? Is it because you don't like to talk?"

"What else can I say? I'm out of the game," Guan Moye said sadly.

He had just started down this path and familiarized himself with the map when the version changed.

The more outrageous your writing, the better, and the easier it is to make money. Some people may consider the impact of their writing, but most people don't think that far ahead.

Yu Hua comforted Guan Moye: "What are you afraid of? You can join our Yixin Society, become Yu Qie's top disciple, and tell him that he has given you guidance on your novel. Who will care about you then?"

Is it a meeting of minds?

This Yuqie book club has now become a popular trend. Whether it's a reseller, a teacher, or a middle school student who has read a few books, if you ask them, they will all say, "I am a member of Yixin Hui."

Guan Moye paused for a moment, then shook his head: "It's alright, magical realism hasn't died out, it's just become 'Yuqie Realism'."

Yu Hua pouted, "I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm going to figure out how to get into the School of Literature. I want to study there again. This place has accommodation, stipends, and teachers. I really like it."

"Didn't you already read it? Why are you going to read it again? Have you no shame!"

"What's wrong!" Yu Hua said, "Just because I've studied it once doesn't mean I can't study it again? I'm a repeat student, don't you know that?! The rules allow me to do this."

Yu Hua left Guan Moye behind, leaving him standing there in a daze. Guan Moye had a strong sense of pride, and no one could teach him how to do things.

But he simply couldn't outmaneuver Yu Qie. It was like the Buddha himself—Yu Qie could chat with Márquez in faraway Boston, exchange a few words, and cause a storm here. Let's do some reading comprehension exercises and try to figure out the test creator's intentions.

Sigh, actually I should thank Yu Qie.

At least after he did that, everyone finally understood what was going on.

Will I be able to learn Yu Qie in this lifetime?
Let alone being as good as him, is it even possible to learn just a little bit of his skills and do something real?

Soon after, Yu Hua returned, but with a young woman. This woman wasn't as beautiful as Yu Hua's ex-wife, but she possessed a refined, scholarly air. After a few words, it turned out her name was Chen Hong, and she had already secured a place in the advanced training program.

Chen Hong is a screenwriter from a well-off family and has been immersed in Western novels since childhood. She talked to Yu Hua about great writers like Faulkner and Márquez, quoting extensively from their works, looking every bit the cultured young woman. Yu Hua's eyes lit up…

He was completely captivated by Chen Hong.

Yu Hua's ex-wife was a beautiful woman, but she had no interest in literature and often argued with him because he neglected his family while writing novels.

Chen Hong, the man before her, was exactly the kind of partner Yu Hua longed for most in her heart.

Then Chen Hong suddenly said proudly, "We now have world-class writers in China! Yu Qie! He is my literary idol. I came to the training course because I heard that he is going back to China next year."

"Maybe he'll become a teacher again!" Chen Hong said with a smile.

Yu Hua paused for a moment, but he wasn't as stubborn as Guan Moye. He changed the subject and said, "I'm also a fan of Yu Qie's books, and I love Yu Qie too! I have a dilapidated house with a set of books that Yu Qie gave me, along with his autograph."

"Actually, the reason I was able to come here is because I met Yu Qie on the train."

Chen Hong was indeed very interested and asked him when he would be free, as she wanted to go to Yu Hua's house to read Yu Qie's books.

Yu Hua emphasized, "Student Chen! My family is very poor, and I don't own a house in Beijing!"

He hasn't even received a spot yet, but he's acting like he's already a member of the advanced training program!
“It’s alright! If you’re willing to read Yu Qie’s books, then we’re friends,” Chen Hong said.

Afterwards, Yu Hua, displaying his gentlemanly manners, escorted Chen Hong to his nearby residence before coming to find Guan Moye for dinner. The capital was bitterly cold at the end of the year, but Yu Hua felt a surge of warmth. He had Guan Moye sit on the back of his bicycle, and surprisingly, he carried the much larger Guan Moye quite a distance.

"You're riding too fast! I'm more afraid of you slipping than you are!" Guan Moye said discontentedly.

“I like that woman!” Yu Hua was still excited about what had just happened. “She can’t be with Yu Qie, but she can be with me. She loves Yu Qie who wrote the novel, but I love the real her.”

Guan Moye was so shocked by these words that he gasped. Before he could even cough, Yu Hua suddenly said, "Tell me, why do you insist on opposing Yu Qie?"

"Me? I didn't."

"You think you're so great? You're completely overestimating yourself. You're trying to emulate Márquez, while he's trying to enlighten Márquez. You're not from the same world."

Guan Moye fell silent again.

This is something he's been thinking about.

As he said before, magical realism has a “Yuqie version” in China, which sets certain boundaries for this type of novel. Guan Moye has faced this contradiction since he started writing novels.

If he continues like this, either he will completely enrage Yu Qie one day, or he will back down before that happens.

The two brothers sneaked into a hot pot restaurant. Yu Hua shouted, "Two servings of mutton, please!"

After the mutton was served, Yu Hua said succinctly, "If one day Chen Hong and I become a couple, I will be forever grateful to Yu Qie. He is my true benefactor, even closer than my father."

Of course!

You're divorced and don't even own a house. If this really works out, you should definitely thank Yu Qie!
But Yu Hua wasn't talking about himself; instead, he said, "Guan Moye, you can be like me. Why can't you be like me?"

……

Finally, Guan Moye paid the bill himself.

Yu Hua's words woke Guan Moye up. After thinking it over, he agreed with his friend's advice.

Meanwhile, the first half of the documentary "East Wind Prevails Over West Wind" was also produced. In order to film this documentary, CCTV dispatched a fairly large team and also cooperated with Xinhua News Agency, which is an rare cross-departmental collaboration.

Xinhua News Agency was responsible for issuing news reports, while CCTV was responsible for filming documentaries.

They are parallel departments and have no connection with each other.

The documentary "East Wind Prevails West Wind" was first shown at the Shanghai Television Festival.

This is the Shanghai International Friendship Television Festival, China's first international television festival. The festival is held at the Shanghai Gymnasium, and delegations from more than 30 countries and regions, including the United States and Japan, are participating.

What are you doing?

They buy and sell TV dramas to each other, but mainly sell them to Chinese audiences.

Chinese films don't easily sell to the West. At this TV festival, most of the attendees were representatives from Western countries trying to sell their dramas to China. As a result, the entire event resembled a large farmers' market, with everyone crowding around their booths, loudly hawking their wares and displaying very trendy TV drama posters.

The organizers provided volunteer translators on site.

The clerks loudly introduced the place in their own language: "Come on! Chinese people who have come here! Come and see my TV series!"

However, they don't expect their TV dramas to sell, because these dramas are very expensive. And Chinese people currently lack TV dramas to watch; a few years ago, CCTV had to frequently broadcast commercials during the day because it didn't have enough dramas to air.

The goods are already expensive, and the market is also lacking them... so the prices have to be raised sharply!
Several middle-aged men in suits strolled around the exhibition.

"Boss, we've been looking around all day, and we still haven't bought any TV series?"

The younger comrades said.

These words made the other person sigh: He wanted to buy it, but he couldn't afford it.

This person is Wang Feng, a leader at CCTV. After taking office, he was well aware of the station's dire financial situation. At the beginning of this year, "Journey to the West" aired in mainland China, drawing massive audiences. However, "Journey to the West" was not completed during filming.

why?
No money.

Although there is the Monkey King in Journey to the West, there is no "Yu Qie" to raise money!

(End of this chapter)