Literary Master 1983

Chapter 351: Collecting Oracle Bone Fragments
At the end of the month, Yu Qie went to Anyang.

The magazine *October* sent an editor, Chen Dongjie, to accompany him in preparing to write a report. Editor-in-Chief Su Yu specifically called Yu Qie and said, "This young Chen is quite talented, different from us. Sometimes I feel he's like you, with many unusual ideas..."

“You two will definitely have a lot to talk about on the way.”

Chen Dongjie graduated from Shandong University and originally planned to pursue a master's degree, having been admitted to Renmin University. However, during a trip to Beijing last year, Chen Dongjie visited the literary mecca, the office of the magazine "October," and was deeply moved by the atmosphere of the "October" editorial department.

Upon learning that October magazine was recruiting intern editors, he impulsively joined the magazine's reporting team and became an editor.

The magazine "October" has several departments. The fiction department is undoubtedly the best, with the best benefits, frequent contact with renowned writers, high royalties, and is never short of staff.

The poetry group is not bad either, and the translation group is also good.

The positions in the report group are less desirable, and sometimes there are vacancies. This is because the editors in the report group need to travel frequently to remote places to gather information, and they might write a report every few months. Not only is the rate per thousand words low, but it is also difficult to publish the report and earn money a second time.

However, Su Yu, the editor-in-chief of "October," served as the head of the report group for a period of time. Su Yu graduated from the journalism department.

After joining the magazine, Chen Dongjie was fortunate enough to participate in the compilation of "A Cultural Journey" (reportage), where he performed very well, and Zhang Shouren appreciated him greatly.

With the appreciation of two senior figures in the company, Chen Dongjie's career took off. He had only been working for a short time when the magazine assigned him such an important task.

He was filled with anxiety, and Yu Qie asked him, "I've never seen you before when I came to 'October'. You must be very capable, otherwise why would we put you in charge of this department?"

Chen Dongjie said shyly, "I was sent here by Editor Su. She thinks that 'October' should be more youthful. There are too many old editors in 'October' now, so I may have gotten a little advantage."

Yu Qie nodded after listening, without saying anything.

He was actually thinking of Zhang Shouren, wondering how many more years this old comrade could serve. Three years have passed, and people have forgotten Wang Shimin, who is buried in Babaoshan Cemetery. He wonders how many of these familiar faces, like Yu Qie, will still be mentioned by the millennial generation.

Literature is undergoing a generational shift. As new writers emerge, new editors will gradually rise as well, and the older generation that flourished in the 1950s and 60s will be gradually and completely phased out.

However, some people refuse to accept old age. Hu Houxuan is one such example.

In the 1950s, a special group was established in China to study oracle bone inscriptions. Guo Moruo was the group leader and Hu Houxuan was the deputy group leader. Hu Houxuan also frequently discussed with Qian Zhongshu and others.

Now, thirty years later, all the people from back then have left. Hu Houxuan's collaborators have changed from Guo Moruo and Qian Zhongshu to Yu Qie and American bookseller Harper.

Yu Qie and Chen Dongjie discussed this matter: the older generation of Hu Houxuan's era is gradually leaving the stage and has lost interest in literature and research.

After listening, Chen Dongjie gave a conclusion that Yu Qie found bold:
The older generation didn't lose interest; they simply lacked a platform to showcase their talents.

"It means exactly what it says, they were surpassed by the newcomers." Chen Dongjie said this cautiously, but in a particularly provocative tone.

"Even if I insist on continuing to write, I won't get a very respectable result."

Yu Qie suddenly realized that Chen Dongjie seemed to have some skill.

That's true, but very few people in China dare to say such things. People tend to favor the past over the present, and in reality, most of them are just writers for a short time.

Xu Chi, who once wrote a report on Yu Qie, had his last work to break into the mainstream with "People Want to Be Yu Qie." After that, Xu Chi repeatedly tried and failed. In the past few decades, Xu Chi was proficient in writing essays, reportage, literary criticism, and more—he seemed to be able to do everything. But now, none of his works can move the public.

That's why Xu Chi was eliminated.

Yu Qie gave Chen Dongjie a test: "It is very valuable that you have such insights. See if you can write it into a research paper or a report."

"If you write well, I recommend that you publish your manuscript in 'October' and I will attend your review meeting."

What would it be like to be appreciated by Su Yu, Zhang Shouren, and Yu Qie at the same time?
A bright future awaits!

Chen Dongjie's face immediately turned red, and he almost wanted to stand up and salute: I guarantee I'll complete this mission!
To get from Beijing to Anyang, you first need to take a train to Zhengzhou, and then transfer to a bus to Anyang. The journey takes two days and one night.

Wherever Yu Qie went, Hu Houxuan would call to ask, "Where have you come from?"

"I haven't gotten off the train yet."

Upon arriving in Zhengzhou, Hu Houxuan asked again, "Where are we now?"

"We've arrived in Zhengzhou."

You know, making a phone call is a lot of trouble these days, but Hu Houxuan doesn't mind the trouble.

"I've arranged a guesthouse for you at the Henan Provincial Writers Association, Yu Qie. Go there tonight, and someone will drive you here tomorrow. There are still highway robbers and bandits around these days. There are only two of you. If you run into any trouble, they won't care who you are! If you don't pay up, they'll stab you!"

Yu Qie laughed loudly, "I want to see what kind of bandits or highwaymen there are! We have two men here... If you're afraid of that, you might as well not go out!"

Nothing happened along the way.

Chen Dongjie, however, went to the guesthouse to inquire and returned with extra issues of "Zhongshan" and "Beijing Literature".

These are Su Tong's "From Maupassant to Yuche" and Cheng Guoping's "Miscellaneous Talks on Contemporary Writers".

"These are both supplementary issues! There are professors from Beijing Normal University and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in the guesthouse. They said that after these two magnificent articles are written, 'the debate among scholars will be over!'"

"These two young people, one from the south and one from the north, arrived at the same conclusion using both comparative and textual research methods. 'Insight' has become a popular term these days, and future writers will probably have to pay attention to contemporary issues. These professors are about to write a research paper in support of 'insight'."

"Teacher Yu! They're all on your side. If they knew you were here, it would be so lively tonight!"

Chen Dongjie was captivated by the literary discussions he personally experienced.

Yu Qie suddenly asked, "Has Wang Meng from People's Literature magazine attended the meeting?"

"I don't know..." Chen Dongjie paused for a moment, but then he suddenly realized what was going on. He tentatively asked, "Teacher Yu, are you saying this is related to Chairman Wang's advocacy of returning to the readers?"

"Of course not! Wang Meng hates experimental literature the most right now, so of course he'll use Yu Qie as his brand."

Chen Dongjie suddenly realized: this research on "Yu Studies" didn't suddenly yield results. Although Su Tong and Cheng Guoping were indeed very capable, the immediate acclaim and praise from editors for their results was a result of being selected.

He immediately thought of it: Wouldn't that mean that in a few years or ten years, there would be a second study of Yu Xue?
Yu Qie said, “Therefore, to get to know the real me, you still have to read my novels. There I have already told you what kind of person I am and what I am thinking. If you only read other people’s research, you will never understand Yu Qie.”

This left a deep impression on Chen Dongjie.

He had never seen anyone describe themselves in the third person before. This person said, "How should others understand my name?" as if it were a substitute, as if it were a deity being pushed out.

Has anyone else in literary history said this about themselves?
Upon arriving in Anyang, Chen Dongjie briefly parted ways with Yu Qie that evening, wanting to ask foreigners what they thought. He met a sinologist named Jin Jiepu, who had also traveled from Sichuan Province to Anyang after hearing that Yu Qie had come.

Because of Jin Jiepu's significant achievements in promoting Shen Congwen, and through the mediation of bookseller Harper, Jin Jiepu had a conversation with Yu Qie. Why did Chen Dongjie recognize Jin Jiepu at first glance?

Kim Gee-po was wearing a Tang suit that he had somehow gotten his hands on, but his blond hair, blue eyes, and Western-style trousers and leather shoes made him particularly eye-catching.

Jin Jiepu searched everywhere, asking, "Where is Yu Qie? I want to be his friend! One conversation isn't enough!"
This foreigner is so blunt!
That's not how you find people.

Chen Dongjie thought Jin Jiepu was a particularly stupid person, like the first American to die in an American movie.

However, after getting to know Kim Gee-po, he found him to be a very pleasant person who spoke fluent Mandarin.

"Did you come with Yuqie? Are you also a Yuqie researcher?" Jin Jiepu asked with a smile.

"I am Yu Qie's temporary editor."

Jin Jiepu held Chen Dongjie's hand: "You must tell Mr. Yu about me. I used to be a researcher of Mr. Shen Congwen, but he has rarely created anything in recent years. However, Chinese literature is still developing... I think Mr. Yu also needs me."

According to Kim Ge-po's own account, he was a doctoral student at both the University of Chicago and Harvard, and is currently a professor in the history department at St. John's University in New York.

For fifteen years, starting in 1972, Kim Gee-po promoted Shen Congwen overseas and taught himself Chinese and classical Chinese.

This is a somewhat touching story. Ever since reading Shen Congwen's "Border Town", Jin Jiepu has been a fan of the author and has been recommending Shen Congwen, a Chinese writer who was not well-known at the time, to the people around him.

In 79, Kim Gee-po wrote a long letter in Chinese to Shen Congwen himself, along with his doctoral dissertation on Shen Congwen.

The sensitive and suspicious Shen Congwen was moved and invited him to visit Fragrant Hills and the Forbidden City in Beijing. Jin Jiepu made extensive preparations for this, arranging at least twelve meetings with Shen Congwen. This reflects a popular research method in the West—instead of studying a person's literature, it's better to ask him directly.

Then Jin Jiepu was dumbfounded. Shen Congwen's Mandarin was not very good; he could only speak the local dialect of western Hunan.

Shen Congwen was so sensitive that he would cancel the agreed-upon meeting as soon as he realized that his Mandarin was not as good as that of the foreigner Jin Jiepu!
Jin Jiepu was not angry. He invited writers from western Hunan to act as translators and, with the help of written communication, conducted more than a dozen interviews, each lasting more than three or four hours.

In the end, he found out everything about Shen Congwen: how many wives Shen Congwen had, how many times he had planned to remarry, and why he was so sensitive... Jin Jiepu knew all of this clearly, even more than Shen Congwen himself.

Shen Congwen has suffered from a stroke in the past two years, which has made him immobile and his memory has deteriorated significantly.

After arriving in China, Kim Jong-un sent Shen Congwen a special medicine from the United States. However, he did not go to the capital but instead went to Anyang.

“There is a wonderful bond between me and Mr. Shen Congwen; he is like a father to me. But I know that loyalty to the country and filial piety cannot be reconciled. Now I want to work hard for the promotion of Chinese literature, and he will understand me.”

"I am not an unconventional American! Fundamentally, I believe I have an Eastern soul, and I am always ready to charge into battle for my beliefs. I am not a pampered soldier!"

Foolish man!

Chen Dongjie was shocked.

Anyang Grand Stage: Everyone Has a Story. Just moments ago, we thought Su Tong and Cheng Guoping were remarkable, but now we've encountered a foreigner who brings his own provisions to pledge his loyalty.

On the other hand, Yu Qie, who made Jin Jiepu feel that "loyalty and filial piety cannot be fulfilled at the same time", did the first thing he did upon arriving in Anyang was to play bridge with Empress Hu.

Yes, Hu Houxuan did it too!
Hu Houxuan, Ma Shitu, Yu Qie, and Liu Shahe formed a table, making it two against two.

Yu Qie's bridge skills have now reached a point where he can win whenever he wants. He was paired with Liu Shahe to play against Ma Shitu and Hu Houxuan, and he didn't let Lao Ma win a single time in three hours.

Old Ma got a little angry after being beaten and started blaming Hu Houxuan for not beating him well.

Hu Houxuan also got angry: "You're talking about me, but I haven't even talked about you yet!"

He played another round in silence. This time, Yu Qie deliberately let Liu Shahe win, but Liu Shahe had a very good hand. Moreover, Liu Shahe didn't quite understand the intricacies of the game.

He asked Yu Qie directly, "Why are you going back and forth like this? Wouldn't it be better to just shave your head bald?"

This is what you call a "gentleman's sweep"!

I'll let Lao Ma win this round, but Lao Ma himself knows that I, Yu Qie, am letting you win.

Once Liu Shahe exposed the problem, Ma Shitu couldn't hold back anymore, Hu Houxuan's mentality collapsed, and in the end, they suffered another crushing defeat.

"Let's stop playing! It's no fun!" Ma Shitu said, standing up.

After Yu finished tidying up the card game, he went to find Ma Shitu after dinner.

Judging from what just happened, Ma Shitu has already become friends with Hu Houxuan.

Previously, Hu Houxuan and Ma Shitu had a conflict. Hu Houxuan felt that Ma Shitu was not serious, while Ma Shitu thought that Hu Houxuan was too dense.

How can you expect to secure sponsorships without putting on a couple of rounds of bidding?
"It's a long story. Here's what happened: Hu Houxuan and I have both visited foreign countries more than once and seen a lot. People often invite us to visit their museums, but what makes us very embarrassed is that there are many Chinese cultural relics inside..."

"If you encountered something like this, what would you do?" Ma Shitu suddenly asked.

"I will demand the immediate return of the cultural relics."

Ma Shitu sighed, "That's impossible. It's been a hundred years, a mess. If you were to become the head of the delegation, wouldn't you care about the impact?"

Yu Qie said, "Precisely because I am the head of the delegation, I must take the lead. Either return it, or I personally refuse to participate in the visit. If I affect the delegation, I will step down and give way to a more capable person."

The hotels in Anyang were of poor quality and had poor soundproofing. Their conversation was easily overheard.

A hearty voice rang out: "That's right, it should have been done a long time ago!"

It was Hu Houxuan who heard the words.

Liu Shahe also pushed open the door and came out, smiling and clapping. He was the one who most approved of being straightforward.

Hu Houxuan said, "Oracle bone inscriptions are difficult to study because there is a lack of 'reference copies'. Many oracle bone inscriptions are now circulating overseas. The Museum of Oriental Antiquities in the Soviet Union has more than a dozen pieces; the United States has dozens to a hundred pieces."

“Japan has the most, more than all other countries except China combined. It is precisely because so many things are scattered that the interpretation of oracle bone inscriptions is extremely difficult. There are always missing characters, and isolated characters are very difficult to interpret.”

Ma Shitu said, "I obtained more than ten fragments of oracle bone inscriptions through the Sino-American Flying Tigers Foundation. I donated them to Professor Hu's project team and told him that I got them by playing bridge. He stopped talking about it and started playing bridge himself."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qie said, "We should take advantage of this world conference to collect some fragments of oracle bone inscriptions. Maybe only a few, maybe only a dozen, but doing something is better than doing nothing!"

(End of this chapter)