Literary Master 1983

Chapter 328 1987
Shao Qi asked, "What are you planning to do next year?"

"I'll see if I can do something else and have some personal life. I need some time to reflect and write a new novel."

Shao Qi said, "Write some domestic novels. Actually, we also interviewed Professor Hu Houxuan, and he said that his favorite is still your novel 'Returning to One's Roots'..."

Hu Houxuan was a scholar of oracle bone script, so naturally he loved the idea of ​​"returning to one's roots".

Someone else asked, "I heard that you, Professor Yu, still have a military novel that you haven't finished writing. When will readers have the opportunity to see this novel?"

The Battle of Laoshan!
A work of documentary literature based on real events.

Yu Qie should have finished writing it two or three years ago, but it was delayed by various things.

As a result, several years have passed, and the Battle of Laoshan is almost over. After a while, once the Big Brother falls, both sides will want to make peace.

If the Vietnamese actually listened to his broadcasts, the "Colombian trip" would probably be quite a shock to them as well.

The writer not only swaggered home, but also gained some fame in the Western world.

Yu Qie assured Shao Qi, "I will definitely finish writing the novel next year."

"Really?" Shao Qi asked incredulously.

Yu Qie was a little embarrassed and could only say, "I will definitely finish writing this time."

They looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

……

Yu Qie and others spent the New Year in Boston.

The embassy organized a New Year's party at this location, and prominent Chinese Americans who still have feelings for their motherland often choose to attend, hoping to do something for the mainland in the future.

Chinese scientists Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang visited Yu Qie one after the other. These two had broken off their friendship, but both were very interested in the Metro series and deliberately chose different occasions to meet.

Yu Qie promised them that he would give them pseudonyms in his novels, and they were very happy.

Both of them enjoyed reading novels and had tried writing their own, but both attempts failed.

As top physicists, they didn't find the extraordinary physical concepts in science fiction novels amazing; instead, they thought they were ridiculous, like con artists.

For example, neither of them liked "The Three-Body Problem," especially Yang Zhenning, who thought it was too flashy.

But it's different for novels that have been carefully researched.

Yang Zhenning said, "Your novel is unlike those other novels. It's not a space opera. You really have some insights. I believe some things will happen in the future."

Li Zhengdao also stated, "Yu Qie is indeed very well written. Now everyone is discussing your metaphor—the massacred Native Americans. But I think the popular science value of this novel has been overlooked."

Of course, some of the futuristic technologies that the main characters are equipped with in Metro are technologies that were originally intended to be developed in the future.

That's why Yu Qie's novels are said to be forward-thinking.

Yu Qie took the opportunity to invite the two to give lectures at Yenching University. Li Zhengdao, a graduate of Yenching University, was already working as a faculty member in a research institute in mainland China, and he immediately agreed.

Yang Zhenning declined the offer because he had accepted an invitation from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and couldn't make the schedule.

Instead, he invited Yu Qie on behalf of the Chinese University of Hong Kong: "Come to our Chinese University of Hong Kong. Talk about literature, I also love literature."

Yu Qie could only laugh it off.

Yang Zhenning felt he could invite Chinese people to the United States to study physics, using American money and accessing American equipment for free. He even gave a reason that Yu Qie found quite convincing:

"Doing physics either requires no money or requires a lot of money. Fundamentally, it requires a lot of money, which is the case for most physics. Tsung-Dao Lee came to China because China, in order to show its sincerity, tried its best to meet his research needs—building an electron-positron collider for him! I don't know how much money it cost! But Mr. Yu, think about it yourself, do the Chinese really need these things?"

"Your hometown is still discussing building dams and improving education. Shouldn't we do those things first before talking about anything else?"

Li Zhengdao, having somehow heard that Yang Zhenning had complained to Yu Qie, was also furious. He said, "Does this mean that we can't look up at the stars while keeping our feet on the ground? If he thinks like that, humanity will never land on the moon. I'm just the beginning. I still need to use my influence to invite other American scientists... Without the most basic hardware, why would anyone come?"

Yuqie can only be used to make muddy water.

This was a huge debate that broke out in the late 1980s and lasted for forty years, with neither side able to convince the other.

Even after Li Zhengdao passed away, there was still no winner.

Rationally, Yu Qie supports Yang Zhenning to some extent, but he's not the same person he used to be; his words carry significant weight. If he takes sides, it could truly affect the fate of many people.

Shao Qi from the film crew asked Yu Qie, "They started arguing as they were talking. Teacher Yu, whose side do you agree with?"

Yu Qie shook his head and said, "I don't agree with anyone. Let time tell. I don't understand science."

I don't understand science.

This sentence later became a meme because he wasn't a science or engineering major, but science developed in the style of Yu Qie's novels.

After the videotape was sent back to China, people suddenly realized that Yu Qie was a succubus; he could invite those Chinese celebrities who could still contribute their remaining influence. The situation of Chinese people in the 1980s and 90s was very bad, mostly first- or second-generation Chinese, who could neither integrate into American society nor give up their comfortable lives in the United States.

Culturally, I am Chinese, but physically I look like an American.

So being an American in the United States and a Chinese in China is a good approach.

In addition, many Latin American writers are also social activists and diplomats...

Suddenly, it was discovered in China:

If Neruda could be an activist, why couldn't Yuche?

Writers are naturally trusted by readers; reading their books means agreeing with a part of them.

The fact that Li Zhengdao and Yang Zhenning could argue so openly in front of cameras in Yu Qie's presence shows that they feel relaxed and safe in Yu Qie's presence, something that others cannot provide.

Therefore, the ambassador hoped that Yu Qie could represent the mainland in building relationships with overseas compatriots, encouraging them to "invest where there is investment" and "conduct academic research where there is research"...

The ambassador's surname is Shen. He has worked in the diplomatic system for many years and is highly experienced. In his spare time, he is also a translator and is fluent in foreign languages.

When Yu Qie's novels were popular in the United States, the ambassador struck while the iron was hot, translating several of Yu Qie's short stories and publishing them in newspapers. Some Chinese Americans also contacted Yu Qie through the ambassador to ask for his autograph.

People like I.M. Pei and An Wang were only able to meet through the ambassador and Yu Qie.

Ambassador Shen and Yu Qie had known each other for a long time. In April, Yu Qie had informed Ambassador Shen before going to the United States. Afterwards, Ambassador Shen took care of Yu Qie's life in the United States. Shortly after the New Year, when computer tycoon Wang An had just returned from mainland China, Ambassador Shen went to visit Wang An.

He was rebuffed. Wang An refused to see him.

A few days later, when I went to see him again, Wang An still refused to meet me and did not explain why he refused.

Ambassador Shen panicked because Wang An had promised a large investment. He wondered why Wang had suddenly changed his mind; had someone in China offended him?
In mainland China, Wang An was received by leaders, and he was treated to a welcoming feast throughout his journey. However, back in his home base in the United States, he was only interacted with by ordinary ambassadors, which made him feel disrespected.

But in the United States, who else has such a prestigious reputation that they could get Wang Anken to come out and meet them?
Ambassador Shen then thought of Yuche in Boston.

“Last October, Wang An promised to expand investment during his visit to the capital, but for some reason he didn’t do so. We wonder if there are any other concerns? Yu Qie, I heard that Wang An’s eldest son is a fan of your books. Perhaps it would be better if you asked him about it.”

How much investment is involved?

"He said he would invest one billion yuan in Shanghai to set up several computer assembly lines. He also said he would introduce American software to China and organize computer classes in Chinese universities. Yu Qie, the 21st century is the century of computers..."

Computer class?
Wouldn't that mean that the earliest batch of internet giants in the future all benefited from my kindness?

"One billion RMB?"

"One billion dollars!"

Yu Qie was startled when he heard this, knowing how important foreign exchange was to the Chinese at that time.

If you send one US dollar to China, you usually won't receive a single cent. You'll have to exchange it all for foreign exchange certificates or RMB. And it's not even an equal exchange rate. For example, one US dollar should be exchanged for eight RMB, but you might only receive two or three RMB.

Therefore, it was only right for Hu Houxuan to write a letter of thanks to Yu Qie. He didn't know that Yu Qie had given prior notice before sending the $50,000; otherwise, he wouldn't have received even $5,000.

Wang An is currently enjoying great success. Time magazine named him one of the "Top Five Richest People in America." After announcing his plans to invest in mainland China, the stock market reacted favorably to his decision, causing his net worth to soar. Both countries value him highly. On the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's completion in New York, the US President awarded him the honor of "Most Outstanding Immigrant in America" ​​and presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Why didn't he increase his investment?

Yu Qie was also puzzled.

Historically, Wang An originally intended to invest in mainland China, but his business went bankrupt too quickly, and he didn't have time to do so.

He's already invested some money and is making a lot of profit, so why would he quit?
It's important to know that computer assembly lines were once a major pillar industry in Chongqing. If Wang Anzhen really invests money in them, in about ten years, the benefits will fall on the shoulders of the people of Yuqie.

After inquiring, they learned that Wang An himself was currently in Houston. Yu Qie and the ambassador flew to Houston to visit this wealthy man. They were received by Wang An's son, and hardly spoke a word the entire way. A convoy of Rolls-Royces drove into the airport, and after they all got inside…

"boom!"

Close the car door.

Wang An's eldest son, Wang Lie, suddenly said, "Mr. Yu, Mr. Shen, you must not reveal my father's condition to anyone. It is very important to us."

Yu Qie couldn't help but ask what had happened.
Wang Lie shook his head again, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping himself, insisting that his father, Wang An, should explain.

The car arrived at a huge building complex, brightly lit, with people coming and going in white coats, some even wearing lab goggles. Looking up, there was a large MD logo.

MD Anderson!

Unexpectedly, Wang An was actually at MD Anderson Cancer Center—once they arrived, Yu Qie and the ambassador understood.

Because this is the best cancer treatment center in the United States, and also the best in the world.

It is essentially a research hospital, with some drugs in its laboratories that are decades ahead of what is on the market. Some wealthy people with cancer often stay here or spend money to support a research team to develop drugs specifically for them.

Wang An has cancer! He's going to die.

Yu Qie suddenly realized.

Wang An in the original timeline did indeed pass away a few years later, but I didn't expect it to be so early.

In the spacious private ward, Wang An heard that Yu Qie had arrived. He opened his eyes and congratulated Yu Qie on winning the "American Book Critics Circle Award".

“I’ve watched your documentary here, Yu Qie. I like you very much, not because of your literature, but because of your ideas.”

“In your view, as long as you are more capable than others, there is no racial difference. I agree! You are a banner for us, and we Chinese all need people like you.”

Yu listened patiently.

Wang An began to tell his story, which illustrates why Yu Qie is so popular among Chinese people.

The character Yu Qie portrays, and his impolite actions, represent the voice that Chinese people have long wanted to make—and some have already spoken out!
Wang An is seen as a failure by later generations, but he was actually quite domineering.

He was a science and engineering graduate from Jiaotong University who built his career in the United States all by himself. After returning to China, a "Jiaotong University Alumni Association" was organized in Shanghai, and many of his seniors and juniors attended the event.

Then the seniors and juniors saw the complex side of Wang An as a Chinese person.

Of the many senior executives brought by Wang An, at least half were foreigners. Translators were provided at the meeting to facilitate their work.

Wang An was greatly disappointed upon seeing this and insisted on removing the translator. "We are already in China, I can speak Chinese, and everyone speaks Chinese."

The senior and junior students who were there to greet us asked, "What about those white executives?"

Wang An said, "That's their own business. Who told them not to learn Chinese properly!"

The Chinese side was surprised: "Although this is a welcome banquet, there are also some cooperative exchanges involved. Do all these people understand Chinese? If they don't, how can we conduct the subsequent negotiations and exchanges?"

The public relations manager at Wang Laboratories, a Chinese woman, said, "They'll get used to speaking Chinese because they work for Wang Laboratories."

"In our company, Chinese people are not necessarily superior to foreigners, but at least they are treated as equals and are very polite to us. You know, in some other American companies, let alone equality, even in the restrooms, Chinese and foreigners are separated. Mr. Wang has given us real dignity, which is something that is hard to experience in overseas societies."

After that, these foreigners became clapping machines. No matter what Wang An said, the foreign executives clapped enthusiastically, as if they understood everything.

Power compelled them to understand Wang An's Chinese.

……

When Wang An recalled his experience of "returning home in glory," he was in high spirits despite being in a hospital bed. He spoke so much that he felt feverish and couldn't help but sit up.

His eldest son, Wang Lie, stood beside him, silently shedding tears and tightly gripping Wang An's hand.

Chinese people value benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. Therefore, is it wrong to throw a tantrum?
Yes, but not entirely.

Ambassador Shen's feelings were very complicated. He suddenly turned his gaze to Yu Qie: He had also seen "East Wind Prevails West Wind". Although he had been an ambassador for many years, he realized at this moment why Yu Qie was so popular among the Chinese.

(End of this chapter)