Literary Master 1983

Chapter 335 The Question of Yu Qie's Status

John Lone is a well-known American actor and the second Chinese-American man in history to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

What is particularly commendable is that he has never played an ugly role in his acting career; instead, he has gradually become a representative of charm among Chinese men.

Schultz also knew about John Lone.

In 1984, there was a movie called "Iceman: 40,000 Years," in which John Lone played the "Iceman." In the 1985 popcorn movie "Year of the Dragon," John Lone played a Chinese gangster boss. Schultz had seen him in the movie theater.

Now, John Lone is talking about the Chinese writer Yu Qie. He speaks with great respect and admiration.

"The Last Emperor" is a multinational production. Staff from various countries are here.

John Lone tried his best to explain "the significance of Yu Qie to the Chinese" to those present in English:
“I am a cultural orphan. I was abandoned at birth and rarely felt love from my parents. My adoptive parents threw me into a Peking Opera troupe to learn singing, recitation, acting and acrobatics. I had no contact with the outside world for ten years.”

“This kind of life didn’t end. When I came to America to become an actor, I was still an orphan and didn’t have many friends. I did many tough jobs and climbed up from very low places… Even after I made it big, this loneliness was still in my heart. Sometimes I felt angry, wondering why I had to go through all this. Sometimes I wanted peace and quiet, but my soul had nowhere to rest.”

Everyone listened quietly without saying a word.

John Lone became increasingly agitated, discussing his "connection with China."

He had never been to China before "The Last Emperor." But after arriving, he quickly integrated himself into the local culture. This was his true home, the lifeblood of his culture.

But John Lone remains an American actor in his career.

The mainland's weak film and television industry was unable to pay his salary and produce international films.

This plunged John Lone into anxiety once again. He said, "It's like Peking Opera, which nurtured me. I know it's been phased out, but I emotionally need it, like a child needs a pacifier... But I'm an adult now."

Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci said, "Is this what Yuche means to you? He is the pacifier for you as an adult. When you feel culturally lost, you remember how his books were widely popular in the Western world."

Chen Cong, a Chinese actor in the crew, suddenly said, "He's a brand name, like Bruce Lee."

John Lone didn't find these descriptions laughable. Instead, he said, "Yes. This is not only significant to me, but also to all Chinese people. We believe that Yu Qie will one day win the Nobel Prize, just like other Chinese people have done in the field of science—of course, he is even greater, he is a thoroughly Chinese person."

This reminded Schultz of Einstein.

He also thought of his student, Lin Yifu, who insisted on returning to China.

Schulz was a German resident, and by blood, he wasn't a pure Anglo-Saxon either. Einstein was one of Germany's greatest scientists. In the 1930s, when Schulz had just received his doctorate and was researching economics in the fields, he suddenly heard the big news that "Einstein is coming to America."

At that time, Einstein had already won the Nobel Prize and was widely recognized as one of the greatest scientists of his time. Meanwhile, the United States and Europe lagged behind.

Einstein's "technological aid" in the United States earned him unparalleled respect. He improved the situation of Jews and spurred more German-American scientists to rise to prominence. Schultz was also one of Einstein's beneficiaries.

Although he is now a Nobel laureate, Schulz still considers Einstein just a junior researcher when the topic turns to him, because he understands Einstein's significance to Germans and Jews.

However, Yu Qie was said to be a bit too much.

He's not at that level yet. At the very least, he'd need to win a Nobel Prize, or be recognized as the "greatest person of our time."

There are still some writers alive.

Schultz said, "I understand you emotionally, but I think Yuche needs more time to reach that position. His influence needs time to develop."

“I think he will definitely win the Nobel Prize,” John Lone said.

But there are also big differences between Nobel Prizes. Schultz said, "A Nobel Prize isn't enough. The Yu Qie you're talking about has to be a literary emperor spanning two centuries, representing the Chinese in ruling this field of art. One Nobel Prize isn't enough."

John Lone was stunned: "How can the Nobel Prize not be enough?"

This is the greatest honor he could ever imagine.

Schultz patiently explained, “There are no such great figures in the field of economics in China, but there are one or two in the field of physics—even Mr. Yang Zhenning, whom I consider to be among the top ten in the history of physics, can only barely reach the level you mentioned. Moreover, Yang was unlucky; in the early days of his life, Einstein and others were still alive.”

By this time, everyone understood what Schultz meant.

Objectively speaking, at least a few more people like Yu Qie are needed to reverse John Lone's "cultural anxiety." Fundamentally, John Lone is an American, but he wants Chinese culture to be a powerful culture in America, which is something that cannot be achieved by just one or two people.

Even the President of the United States can't do it.

Bernardo Bertolucci, the Italian director of "The Last Emperor," also felt this deeply: because the Italian clique is a large faction in the Western film industry. They faced discrimination in their early days, but later helped each other, using their ethnicity as a common goal of cohesion. Through the efforts of several generations, they built the Italian clique into a distinctive group.

Bertolucci then said, "Perhaps this Chinese writer needs to cultivate more successors, or become a literary emperor."

Which one do you think is easier?

The former is definitely easier.

These are the thoughts of everyone.

Upon hearing this, John Lone felt compelled to speak out: In this film, he played the last emperor, but this emperor was a tragic figure. After learning more about him, John Lone disliked this character even more because he was despicable.

The true last emperor wasn't one who was overthrown. Rather, it was one whose stature was unparalleled in the foreseeable future.

Therefore, he was able to be given the title of "Last Emperor" because he ended the debate; he was the last emperor, and there was no other emperor.

Other emperors, however, were only chosen because they were born before him.

But Yu Qie himself isn't here. Isn't it too arrogant for him to say these things?
John Lone didn't want to bring trouble to Yu Qie; he was a rational fan of Yu Qie's books. Just like how, after Bruce Lee achieved success, people began to mythologize him without restraint, which ultimately damaged Bruce Lee's reputation.

John Lone remained silent at this point. However, he still wrote in his diary:
"There are still a few days until the New Year of 87. As a Chinese person, I still feel like I'm living in the exciting year of 1986. Ever since I first saw the report from Colombia, I've been checking the latest news almost every day... and even after it all ended, I still felt like I hadn't had enough."

"How can we express Mr. Yu's significance to us Chinese? The longer he lives, the more important he becomes. He is a symbol, and more and more people want to tell his story."

“We have different views and backgrounds, but we all recognize the significance of his existence.”

Suddenly, Zunlong remembered what Schultz had said: "It's impossible for Yuqie to reach the position you mentioned."

John Lone wrote angrily: "Is it really impossible?"

"What if he could win two Nobel Prizes in Literature? Some people can win two Physics Prizes, or Chemistry Prizes, or even cross-prize; Mr. Yu is a social activist, an advocate against nuclear war, and an economist recognized by Schultz… Combined with his literary talent, it's possible." "Then, will he be able to reach that position?"

After much deliberation, Zunlong decided to keep this diary entry. And like the "career fans" of later generations who idolize their idols, he enthusiastically analyzed in which directions Yu Qie could work hard, and finally fell asleep very late.

The news spread throughout the entire crew.

Everyone is happy to wish John Lone's dream come true, and they understand him.

John Lone was an orphan whose early life was filled with hardship and displacement, while Yu Qie wrote a novel like "The Way Out," and they even shared some physical similarities. It's hard not for John Lone to project his personal feelings onto Yu Qie.

“John Lone, your dream will definitely come true. A Chinese writer will emerge as a Nobel laureate!” said director Bernardo Bertolucci.

“I support you too,” said Ryuichi Sakamoto, a composer from Japan.

This is a talented Japanese composer and actor.

Ryuichi Sakamoto recalled, "Mr. Yu hadn't been to Japan for several years, but the welcome he received there was still unimaginable. Of course, to some extent, we regarded him as a representative of Asia."

"Although he did not win that award, his personal charm far surpasses that of other extravagant, eccentric, and willful writers. I also hope to see that day."

The person who disagreed most with John Lone, besides Schultz, a scholar who understands the Nobel Prize awarding process, was surprisingly Chen Cong.

Chen Cong is a mainland Chinese actress who has since obtained American citizenship. A few years ago, she was invited back to China to speak on the Spring Festival Gala, and her opening line was: "You Chinese people..."

This incident enraged all viewers, who sent in sacks of letters in protest. The Spring Festival Gala's chief director resigned as a result, and even became so depressed that he contemplated suicide.

Chen Cong was puzzled as to why John Lone was praising Yu Qie so highly.

Chen Cong may seem like someone who speaks without thinking, but she actually understands the situation in the United States very well. She bluntly stated, "Mr. Yu is certainly very capable, but his popularity in the Western world is still fueled by the media."

"Whether it was the trip to Colombia or the anti-nuclear war campaign... he's a shrewd man who made use of the Western media."

"If one day, all these things cease to exist, and Yu Qie becomes an enemy of the West, will he still be accepted by the Chinese people?"

Of course, John Lone knew all this.

It is Yuqie’s ability to attract Westerners to report on him.

"Why are you acting as if Yu Qie's achievements have nothing to do with you?" Zunlong said.

Chen Cong said, "Even if Yu Qie becomes the world's number one writer, it has nothing to do with me. I am an American now, and there are many Nobel Prize-winning writers in the United States, while he is not even one."

Zunlong was furious: Yu Qie, you absolutely must go there!
When Schultz heard about this, he also found this "electronic cricket fighting" very interesting. It wasn't that he didn't think highly of Yuqie; on the contrary, he thought highly of Yuqie.

But why does he think Yu Qie can't reach the position that Zunlong expects?

Because it's too difficult.

Too many debuffs are afflicting Yu Qie.

But Schultz also had the same idea: Yuche might become a first-rate economist. Leveraging the influence of his novels, he could potentially contribute in two ways—though primarily through his novels.

Schultz's economics was simply categorized as "economics of the poor," which led to the widespread dissemination of his theories. Yu Qie, a natural advocate, benefited from this influence in other areas as well.

Just like Yu Qiena's bizarre yet accepted premise that "bottle caps are more valuable than dollars."

In this way, wouldn't Yu Qie have blazed a new trail?

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, a group of scholars from Yenching University, led by Lin Yifu, came to wish Schultz an early New Year.

They brought out a fish, bean paste, pork skin jelly, steamed vegetables, and rolls... Schulz ate heartily.

Then Schulz asked, "What about Yuche?"

“Yu Qie’s family came to his place for the New Year, and he’s been very busy these days. I heard him say that he’s going to take a break from his work,” Lin Yifu said.

It's a bit of a shame about Schultz.

He didn't stay in China for very long, and this may be his last visit to China.

Aside from those well-known Chinese figures in the Western world, Yu Qie is currently the only young person who gives him a strong sense of the new generation.

Even Lin Yifu is not that kind of person.

Lin Yifu was a down-to-earth and honest man who always planned things meticulously; he was very old-fashioned. The Chicago School had many living economic giants, and Lin Yifu respected them all, considering them his teachers.

Yu Qie, however, was different. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists featured some Nobel Prize-winning physicists. Yu Qie never showed them any respect.

This did not cause Yu Qie to be disliked.

At the symposium held in Chicago that day, many physicists who had read "Metro" came over. They first chatted with the host, Schultz, and others, but in reality, they kept a close eye on Yuche's movements.

Whenever Yu Qie had a spare moment, these people would look at him with eager eyes: "You don't mind if I excuse myself for a moment, do you? I want to have a talk with that Chinese man. I have to let him know how powerful we Americans are!"

"Although 'Lee' is of Chinese descent and a successor of Native American traditions, he is, in the final analysis, one of our own American lads."

“I hope he can add some of my formulas and theories to those mysterious ‘ancient Chinese characters and symbols.’ I ask for nothing more, not a single penny.”

"This is so cool, isn't it?"

There are many eccentric people in the scientific community.

The word "surplus" holds appeal for these people.

Schulz addresses the issue of Yuche's status for the first time here.

He said simply and directly, "Do you also want him to be unique? Then he needs to achieve more."

(End of this chapter)