Literary Master 1983

Chapter 327 An expert in foreign wars, an expert in civil wars

Buffett's remarks sparked some controversy.

What makes writers great?

Can we rely entirely on ourselves?
In the past, people believed that as long as you were good at foreign wars and could make a name for yourself abroad, you were an international writer and everyone benefited from your success. Now, Buffett's words show that things are the opposite; it is the writers who benefit from the country's success.

Ba Jin is a recipient of the French Legion of Honour, the Italian International Dante Prize, and a foreign academician of the American Academy of Arts and Letters... He actually said that people recognize him not for his novels, but for the Chinese people.

He is a beneficiary of China's overseas image.

In the editorial office of People's Literature, Wang Meng asked everyone to discuss Ba Jin's words.

Some people agreed: "Old ginger is spicier! This old man, Ba Jin, still has some insightful views even in his old age."

Some people objected: "He was just being modest. Then why didn't others receive those awards? Why not Bing Xin or Jiang Haicheng? He first became one of China's top writers, and then everything else came about!"

Many people believe that both are true.

Buffett is internationally renowned, both for his personal abilities and for the revival of his country.

The writing profession is too mysterious. If you're given the opportunity, you can succeed; if you're not given the chance, you can forget about getting ahead.

The annual short story award selection list is always controversial, a fact that even the fledgling writer Yu Qie noticed: it's all about dividing the spoils. When there's war, military literature is chosen; when there's reform, factory director literature is selected; some literature is just a mouthpiece… Even the Mao Dun Literature Prize is controversial.

However, despite the controversy at the time, it faded away over time. Those who won the award were truly gilded, while those who didn't fall behind from then on.

Few writers of his time could surpass him so significantly; he was indispensable.

No, there are still some.

Wang Meng continued, "So, Yu Qie really is different from previous writers. Almost all of his award-winning novels abroad were written in foreign languages. How do you categorize him then?"

The meeting fell silent for a moment.

Yes, there are differences between medals.

If Ba Jin received some preferential treatment because of his title as a "well-known Chinese writer," then how should Yu Qie evaluate this?

Isn't he even more amazing than Buffett?
This is a rather arrogant idea, but what surprises many people is that they don't find it excessive when they draw this conclusion.

“He’s definitely a Chinese writer!” said Zhu Wei, an editor in the editorial department. “As for who made whom who is more successful? I don’t think we need to discuss it too clearly. Even if Yu Qie writes foreign novels, his creative source is in China, and he is a true Chinese.”

Another deputy editor began to summarize: "The currently popular American novel 'Metro' is actually derived from China's Third Front construction! Yu Qie's 'Hunting is Happy' is like an Eastern story of learning from the barbarians to subdue them, with a fox demon added on top... Yu Qie is ultimately a Chinese writer!"

That's exactly what Wang Meng wanted to hear. She added, "Comrades! Yu Qie is not only a Chinese writer, but also an outstanding writer for our People's Literature magazine since I took office and revamped it."

"He brought new themes and a fresh atmosphere to the literary world. We provided such a platform, and we must say that we have also contributed a little bit."

Hi!
Tell me earlier!
So you were praising yourself!
After the first half of "East Wind Prevails Over West Wind" was broadcast in mainland China, it further confirmed Wang Meng's hypothesis—Yu Qie is superior to other writers, so we, who created the literary brand of Yu Qie, are also superior to other literary figures.

This documentary has been edited and embellished to a certain extent. However, Yu Qie's performance in it still surprised the entire nation.

Gong Xue disappeared inside and never reappeared. In her place was a large group of unfamiliar American elites.

They are found throughout society; they are doctors, lawyers, independent writers, and photographers for Time magazine.

Yu Che was almost always popular, and at the same time, his attitude toward American publishers was more like that of a superior to a subordinate, but much more direct.

This shattered many people's "American filter".

Americans are strong, resolute, and free-spirited... No, here, they would be extremely cautious about a single word Yu Qie uttered, then spread their hands in front of the camera and repeatedly emphasize: You see, I respect Yu Qie.

Airing alongside this program was a travel program about the United States. This was a promotional video produced during their honeymoon, because too many Chinese people either don't understand America, demonize it, or idolize it. The host, Zhao Zhongxiang, described America in a magnetic voice like this:
"They used Europe's advanced basic science to invent the telegraph, the electric light, and the airplane. These emerging technologies greatly changed society."

The promotional video and Yu Qie's documentary were broadcast simultaneously, with only a fifteen-minute break.

The audience then saw:

Yu Qie's soliloquy after receiving the award: "Who is Momadi? How many Indians are left? Only a few hundred thousand? That's so tragic!"

The promotional video stated: "The United States rapidly and extensively imported advanced European technology and equipment, from textile machines and steam engines to internal combustion engines... American industrial development took a shortcut, expanding rapidly from east to west..."

Yu Qie and Momadi spoke privately. "The Indians are extinct, and I've been imagining what kind of novel could bring us together."

The promotional video asks: "What magical power enabled the United States to overcome all rivals and stand tall among the nations of the world?"

Yu Qie, shirtless, jumped into the river near Boston. Those around him applauded, and Momady gave him an eagle feather. "Thank you, Mr. Yu, you are our friend."

The promotional video states, "We see the power of change in Americans! It makes them less conservative and more open to new things."

“Yu Qie, you are a genius, you are the child of the sun god.”

"The United States is already the center of science and technology in the world, and is undoubtedly the strongest country in science!"

"How dare you miss printing my oracle bone script? Someone must be punished!"

"The United States abides by rules and regulations; they use the law to resolve conflicts; they value fairness in everything; proud Americans, orderly Americans..."

"Fired? Yes, fired. Good."

Yu Qie smiled at the camera.

This was incredibly shocking to the audience at the time; it had a kind of beauty that was both ambidextrous. My brain was almost overwhelmed.

One second they're talking about America's glamorous side, the next they're showing the real America through Yu Qie's eyes.

He was domineering, tyrannical, yet full of love and kindness... In the end, some people realized that "America" ​​was not the America in their hearts, and that Yu Che had surpassed the Yu Che they thought he was.

By the end of 1986, People's Literature also published an annual literary summary.

Since taking office in early 85, Wang Meng has carried out sweeping reforms, discovered young writers, and frequently held writers' forums.

All of this has been very rewarding.

Previously, the leading magazine in Chinese literature was *Harvest*, and later *October*. Now, *People's Literature*, having maintained its leading position in popular literature, has finally achieved the same level of prominence in serious literature.

Wang Meng is far from being China's best writer, but he considers himself China's best editor. Who is Zhang Shouren? He's too old; I am the GOAT of the editing world!

During the "Ice-Breaking Trip" in Boston, Yu Qie and Qian Zhongshu formed the Chinese Twin Towers, while Liu Shahe squatted in the corner smoking. Wang Meng only rushed over by plane in the second half of the trip to cling to their coattails, which affected Wang Meng's literary status.

Wang Meng also needs her own "moment in life".

No one put a crown on him, so he put one on himself.

People's Literature magazine has undergone significant changes in the past two years, including the addition of reader letters and editors' analyses of works. At the end of last year, People's Literature summarized the year's literary developments in a dialogue format, describing it as a "remarkable year." This year, the entire editorial team conducted another summary, condensing it into the three words "one centimeter."

Wang Meng, representing the editors, summarized in the article:
“Our defining characteristic is that we are always one centimeter ahead. We are intimately connected with the mainstream, which is essential for our magazine! But I want to go one centimeter further. That extra centimeter will be enough to greatly advance literature.”

"Outside the domestic literary scene, it's also an extra centimeter. Chinese writers are curiously opening their eyes and stretching out their fingers... Currently, it's just one or two people, one or two works. I believe that in the future, many more people will cross this centimeter."

Then, in the same issue of People's Literature, a "letter from a reader" was published.

The letter came from Professor Hu Houxuan, a paleographer at Aurora University. In the letter, Professor Hu mentioned that Yu Qie had sent him $50,000.

Initially, Hu Houxuan refused when he was in Boston, but Yu Qie secretly sent him $50,000 and even asked an American bookseller to cooperate with Hu Houxuan's "Oracle Conference".

At Harper's initiative, nearly ten American professors specializing in ancient writing systems agreed to attend the conference in Anyang. Some media professionals, whose backgrounds were not directly related to ancient writing systems but who had read the novel "Metro," were also willing to come to Anyang to see the actual oracle bone inscriptions.

With Americans on board, it will be easier to invite professors from other countries.

Yu Qie told Hu Houxuan: "To the Japanese, you say that American professors have also come; to the French, you say that both Americans and Japanese have come... To the Italians, you say that this is the winning camp, and only you haven't arrived yet... Keep going like this, and you'll be able to invite all the experts in this field."

And what about Empress Hu?
He didn't embezzle a single penny; he used it all to promote oracle bone script. At one point, he even fainted due to overwork.

"What a wonderful story! You helped me, and I helped you!"

People's Literature commented on this letter.

At the end of the letter, Hu Houxuan once again thanked Yu Qie and invited him to attend the Oracle Bone Inscription Conference. A group of overseas Chinese scholars who study ancient scripts also plan to travel to Anyang next year to explore this "shared cultural lineage."

……

"Hatch!"

Yu Qie sneezed.

A significant portion of the year-end summary in People's Literature magazine was about him.

He received a sample manuscript from People's Literature.

This was no easy feat; the manuscript was brought from the capital by comrades from Xinhua News Agency. If it had been sent by express courier, it would probably have taken several months.

It was Yu Qie's idea to have Hu Houxuan invite scholars from Taiwan.

Hu Houxuan was simply inept at networking; he didn't know how to present his work effectively. The development of oracle bone script was actually quite arduous, which is why Hu Houxuan sought out heroes from all over the world to increase his influence.

The deciphering of oracle bone script has nearly stalled. Of the approximately four thousand characters discovered, only a little over a thousand have been deciphered. Decades later, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in despair, offered a reward of 100,000 yuan per character, believing in the power of the masses. Ultimately, the masses deciphered only one character.

To successfully decipher the code, Hu Houxuan, a figure from that era, believed that foreign experts should be invited.

Foreign experts specialize in treating difficult and complex diseases.

Yu Qie believes that we will probably need to use artificial intelligence in the future.

The true significance of oracle bone script lies in its transmission; it serves as a cultural link. Making it more influential and visually appealing would enhance Yu Qie's reputation.

As early as the Qing Dynasty, a scholar noticed something amiss. At that time, these tortoise shells with writing on them were ground into powder and boiled into medicine. After research, the scholar realized that these characters were from the Yin and Shang Dynasties. Afterward, he spent all his wealth to buy all the oracle bone inscriptions he could find.

During the Republican era, writers such as Guo Moruo began to devote their energy to deciphering oracle bone script—not only for personal academic achievements, but also to shaping a national community.

The Republic of China government was in a tight financial situation, but upon hearing that it would be used for such a significant purpose, it still allocated a sum of money for it.

Research was halted due to the war. In 49, thousands of fragments of oracle bone inscriptions were taken to Taiwan, and some were taken to Japan. The fragments taken to Japan were recovered, and some scholars were so excited that they embraced each other.

In some ways, it is a "textual version" of Dunhuang.

Studying this is far more useful than spending money to buy the bronze heads looted from the Old Summer Palace.

Every generation of writers has had someone who delves into oracle bone script, and this has even become a kind of convention in the Chinese literary world: even Liu Shahe and Ma Shitu wanted to contribute their remaining energy to the field of oracle bone script in their later years.

Yu Qie knew nothing about oracle bone script, but he could still exert some financial resources and influence.

In this way, when all the oracle bone inscriptions are deciphered in the future, when people think of this "lineage of oracle bone inscription inheritance", they will see Yu Qie, standing in the 1980s, smiling at them.

The World Oracle Congress will be held in February, shortly after the Chinese New Year. Yu Qie is already preparing to return home.

This year has been very important for him, but Yu Qie hasn't had much rest. He plans to go back and be a homebody for a while.

"It took Ba Jin eight years to write 'Random Thoughts,' which is 400,000 words long and is still not finished. I have already written a million words this year, and I will take a good rest next year," Yu Qie said in front of the camera.

Yu Qie rarely showed signs of fatigue.

The documentary is nearing its end. Yu Qie's words elicited a sense of reluctance from everyone.

In the past month or so, the film crew has seen more news than in the past few years. Yu Qie often treats them to meals and constantly refers to them as "comrades," which makes them feel more favorably towards him.

As media professionals, Chinese journalists often face disadvantages overseas due to their limited spoken English, making it difficult for their news articles to get published in Western media. Therefore, when celebrities give speeches, they prefer to mention two or three American journalists rather than one Chinese journalist.

But it's not like that here.

Metro was a true bestseller, with countless people endorsing it. After its release, many Americans tried to get close to it, wanting to know how Yuche wrote it—even this kind of insider information could sell for royalties.

Shao Qi's baby turned 100 days old. Upon hearing this, Yu Qie specially selected a copy of "Little Shoes," which is included in elementary school Chinese textbooks, signed it with his name and a blessing, and gave it to Shao Qi.

He remembered the names of everyone in the film crew.

As everyone knows, it's rare to find a writer like this again!

(End of this chapter)