Literary Master 1983

Chapter 365 If there were no Yu Qie
At the end of the month, Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Guerra visited China as scheduled.

This guy spent three days in China, and there was news about him every day.

Yu Qie must have memorized this passage too well in his past life.

These words will be used frequently in the college entrance examination, in postgraduate studies, and even when pursuing a doctorate. I must remember them by heart and never forget them for the rest of my life.

On the 30th, he saw this scene on the television news and immediately told Zhang Li to memorize this passage.

Yu Qie finished speaking in one breath.

His eyes shone brightly, and his speech was almost continuous, as if he were in a conference hall.

Zhang Li found it amusing while writing down what Yu Qie said. Then, upon comparison, she noticed a discrepancy: "Your version differs from the CCTV host's; yours is more detailed. Which version should I listen to?"

"Listen to me, and take my word for it!"

"Oh!" Zhang Li responded. "I hope the current affairs section of the college entrance exam will test you on this."

Subsequently, Gera visited Yenching University, personally handed the King's letter to Yuche, and invited him to return to Madrid with the Spanish delegation.

Gera was a scruffy old Spanish man, not very tall, and looked remarkably like a farmer. But the moment he spoke, he gave people a warm and welcoming feeling.

“Yuche, now all of Spain has heard your name. You are Don Quixote from the East... Your act of exonerating Neruda proves that you are a true knight.”

He made Yu Qie very happy with just a few words.

Yu Qie agreed.

There's only one flight from China to Spain. If you miss it, you'll have to go through Shanghai to France first, and then transfer to another flight, which is extremely troublesome.

The conversation between the two was not private; it took place entirely in the Yenching University auditorium, with at least three or four hundred Yenching University students in attendance. Several reporters and editors were also present.

Guerra is the top leftist in Spain. He chatted with Yu Qie for an hour, barely mentioning Cervantes or Don Quixote, but talking for a long time about "Lurking".

Like "One Hundred Years of Solitude" back then, this book, although not officially authorized in many regions, was still translated by some sinologists and circulated in the market.

Gela first apologized for reading the pirated book. Then she firmly grasped Yuqie's hand:
“Mr. Yu, this is a great book! In my opinion, 2666 is far less great than this book! If Neruda were to come back to life, he would say the same thing! Yu Zecheng is not only a man of faith, but also a man who can endure loneliness and knows how to unite people.”

"If we had known about Yu Zecheng back then, perhaps we wouldn't have been so easily divided up and ultimately defeated by the warlord government—the government led by Franco that ruled us in darkness for so many years!"

When she got particularly emotional, Gela even shed some tears.

Yu Qie could only comfort him: "What's past is past."

“No! I think it will never get over! It’s just that we don’t have a chance anymore.” Gela laughed again.

He has lived more than half of his life, and he has no choice but to accept what happened in the past, whether he wants to or not.

Besides, Franco the Devil is already dead, and the newly enthroned King Carlos is a unifying figure with no obvious political leanings.

Who can they turn to for revenge?
Are you suggesting we dig Franco out?

Before World War II, Spain was a left-leaning government, but the army launched a coup in Morocco. Franco's rebels attacked the left-wing government, which was on the verge of collapse. Volunteers from many countries formed an international brigade and rushed to Spain to support the government.

Although it ultimately failed, it must be said that it was a significant chapter in the history of Spain, leaving deep scars on its society.

Hundreds of thousands lost their lives, and nearly a million fled overseas.

Many writers have created novels based on the Spanish Civil War; American Ernest Hemingway wrote "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and Englishman George Orwell wrote "Homage to Catalonia."

George Orwell, the author of *1984*, opposed all forms of authoritarianism. However, his novel, originally intended to criticize the British government, was mistakenly interpreted as a critique of the Soviet Union.

The British government suspected Orwell of being a communist and secretly monitored him for 21 years until his death from illness. Half a century later, with the declassification of relevant documents, it was revealed that the long-dead Orwell had been used as a tool.

Yu Qie brought up Orwell to Gera, who naturally had a very bad impression of him. "Orwell's works were banned by the Soviets, but I have to say I've read his novels. Sometimes I find it absurd because, in my experience... the Soviets couldn't have such pervasive surveillance."

"They have vast land and abundant resources, but a sparse population. They don't have the capability to do what's described in the book; the cost would be virtually limitless."

Yu Qie said jokingly, "Orwell died a long time ago, so maybe he was writing about his homeland, England?"

Gela shrugged and said, “I don’t know, but he has been portrayed as an anti-Soviet writer. His name is sealed, and that’s what the whole world thinks. I don’t think anyone in the world can defend him.”

At this point, Gela suddenly became curious: "Are you going to exonerate him? Have you discovered any clues? Was he also poisoned?"

Yu Qie shook his head and said, "I don't have that thought. I just think that too much of human history has been distorted, and it's hard for us to know which is the truth!"

Gela sighed. "Discovering the truth is difficult, but speaking the truth is even more difficult! What we lack most is that kind of courage."

As soon as the meeting ended, Gela gave Yu Qie a big hug.

The old man had a very comfortable trip to China, and Yu Qie could tell he was a little reluctant to leave.

In the evening, Wang Meng and a comrade whom Yu Qie knew came to pick him up.

After a few simple pleasantries, Wang Meng got straight to the point: "Professor Yu, oh no, I mean Professor Yu now! Do you still remember how to play bridge?"

"Of course I remember."

Another comrade stepped forward and said, “Joe is playing bridge with Gera right now, and their occasion is completely private. We need a friend who can speak Spanish and play bridge. Mr. Gera said he would love to see you again.”

Yu Qie, of course, couldn't refuse.

Same old place.

Upon entering, Gela apologized to Yu Qie: "I didn't know you were already a professor. Let me address you again, young Professor Yu!"

He even performed the knightly etiquette for Yuqie: slightly bending his knees, bowing his head and bending over.

Qiao Gong laughed heartily.

Yu Qie couldn't hold back any longer; he hadn't expected this Gela to be such a character.

Yu Qie won the Cervantes Prize because Cervantes' Don Quixote is about a man who "imagines himself as a medieval knight."

In the Spanish-speaking world, receiving the Cervantes Prize is also a euphemistic compliment: "inheriting the chivalrous spirit"...

The gesture of Grazia is full of jokes.
-
We played bridge for three hours.

It was mainly conversation and casual chat between Gela and George.

Yu Qie and another girl from Beijing Foreign Studies University came to translate, and he would occasionally chime in as a straight man.

As the game became increasingly intense, in order to avoid damaging the harmony, both Qiao Gong and Ge La had no choice but to bring up the remaining pieces of paper as a topic of conversation.

George doesn't discuss any business while playing cards. Gera, being Spanish, is even more so.

Grae spoke up first: "Actually, professors have a very high status in Europe. All countries treat professors as full-time elites. We use the national tax revenue to support professors because we believe that these people are the smartest minds in the nation and can lead us to think about those profound questions."

Mr. Qiao said, “Mr. Graham, we Chinese also value professors very much... We may not have as much money as you, but we do our best to respect them.”

Gela shook his head and said, "You can't compare to us. Europeans generally admire professors; professors are first-class in terms of both income and social status."

“We generally implement a lifetime guarantee system for professors. Professors can choose their own research topics, teach their own courses, and apply for research funding for their personal interests... No other region in the world can offer such treatment.”

Qiao Gong chuckled twice but remained silent. He knew that Yu Qie had recently refuted the idea that reading was useless, and that veteran writers in the literary world had also spoken out.

But why bring this up for rebuttal? It's because such a contradiction exists in reality.

Professors in some less popular departments do indeed earn less than street vendors who exploit loopholes in the system.

In a real comparison, China definitely can't compete.

For a moment, the Chinese people present fell silent.

Seeing this, Yu Qie suddenly spoke up: "The West is not just Europe, but also the United States, and Japan, which has left Asia and joined Europe. The Soviet Union can also be considered half of the West."

"Respecting professors is for the sake of technological and economic development, but the United States and Japan are not inferior in this regard. This shows that professors do not necessarily have to have tenure and also face market competition."

He paused for a moment, then smiled meaningfully.

He did not comment on whether Yu Qie was right or wrong, but said, "Yu Qie is a patriot, but if he were a professor in Spain, he would certainly not refuse a tenured professorship; that's a matter of respect."

This sentence wasn't translated by Yu Qie, but by that girl from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Gong's gray eyes trembled slightly, and it was unclear what he was thinking. He suddenly asked urgently, "Is Yu Qie also the most outstanding writer in developed countries?"

"Of course!"

Gera revealed an inside story he knew: in the jury's vote, Yuche won by a landslide. The last time someone won by such a large margin was Borges, a pivotal figure in Latin American literature!

"If you know even a little about Spanish literature, you'll know Yu Qie's current status. He's someone who gets nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature every year."

Nobel Prize in Literature nomination?

Everyone perked up.

Qiao Gong pressed further, "What does this mean?"

Graham patiently explained the Nobel Prize selection process: the award requires nominations from former Nobel laureates and also requires a lot of resources.

Who would nominate Yu Qie?
Many people would do this, at least Márquez would. The fact that Márquez didn't fall out with his agent after becoming famous shows that he is an extremely sentimental person.

“Starting from that year, he would write Yu Qie’s name every year until one day the name stood out.”

……

Gela truly admired Yu Qie; he spent at least half the time praising him.

Since Yu Qie was also a translator, his retelling of Gela's words sounded like he was praising himself, which was quite strange.

After the bridge game ended, Gela left, but Qiao Gong suddenly asked Yu Qie to stay with him for a few minutes.

I'd like to ask just a few questions:

“Yu Qie, I know all about your situation. You donated money to your classmates at Yenching University, and you didn’t want a salary after you became a professor… But I always think I would rather you took all that money.”

“You’re capable! This Spanish friend is standing up for you! I partially agree with him! I think you shouldn’t be afraid to make money. Money earned through your own abilities is yours no matter how much you earn.”

"We want to encourage people like you!"

Yu Qie laughed and said, "Although Gela is an idealist, he still doesn't understand the sentiments of us Chinese."

Everyone in the room was taken aback at first, then burst into thunderous applause.

Qiao Gong didn't know what else to say, but he held Yu Qie's hand tightly and nodded repeatedly.

The following day, Yu Qie boarded the plane.

His old friend Shao Qi from Xinhua News Agency also came. Shao Qi brought two young people with him, and the three of them reported on Yu Qie's award-winning process together.

In addition, there was a French journalist named Châte Azte, who worked for Paris Match.

With Gela included, the four of them were still playing bridge on the plane.

During this time, Gella's secretary reported to him: "There are already many reporters waiting at Madrid airport, and we have arranged some interview rounds..."

Yu Qie suddenly thought of Liu Xiangcheng.

He had a good relationship with the Time magazine reporter. The two had previously agreed to meet again at the Cervantes Prize ceremony.

Looking back now, it seems pretty arrogant. Yu Qie was absolutely certain he could win, and Liu Xiangcheng genuinely believed he could win too.

According to US news, also this month, Liu Xiangcheng won the Pulitzer Prize for his "Handshake of the Century" photograph. He received this honor five years earlier than anyone else in history.

He must be extremely busy right now. I wonder if he will still keep that promise?
Shao Qi was also deeply impressed by Liu Xiangcheng: "He taught me a lot, but I never filmed according to his instructions. In fact, I always had a regret in the documentary 'East Wind Prevails West Wind'..."

"What regret?"

“He always filmed me like a hero from Western mythology, but I believe there are heroes among the people here, and I don’t have to follow his methods. But I never managed to capture that moment.”

Yu Qie was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected that this reporter also had his own professional beliefs.

Since Yuqie was born, how many people's destinies have been altered?

At the Oracle World Congress, Chen Dongjie, a new editor of "October" who accompanied Yu Qie, later became the general manager of Chizha Publishing House. He was the last leader of "October".

If there is no remaining cut.

Shao Qi will be one of the female journalists in history who tragically died while reporting on the bombing of Yugoslavia.

If there is no remaining cut.

Chad Azte will be among the first foreigners to receive a Chinese green card. He became a close friend of the Chinese people through his own efforts, and later even his appearance resembled that of a Chinese person.

If there is no excess cut...

But Yuqie is right here.

He profoundly changed the fate of these people, and he didn't even know it at the time. It often took him a long time to realize that this person was actually a great man.

Yu Qie and Gera mentioned their agreement with Liu Xiangcheng. Gera was very interested and instructed his secretary to find Liu Xiangcheng as soon as possible. If he was indeed there, Liu Xiangcheng could be given special treatment, standing on the red carpet and enjoying the same treatment as those major Spanish newspapers.

The group set off in the early morning, shortly after sunrise. Madrid is located in a region eight time zones different from Beijing, so its time is slower.

"Doesn't this mean we can 'reverse time' and welcome the sunrise again?" Yu Qie laughed.

Upon hearing his words, Gragan immediately trembled: "What I said to your leaders is true. I did think for a moment whether it was possible for you to come to Spain as a professor, or even be Spanish."

"What's the difference between you and the Spanish? You can write novels like this; you understand our deepest subconscious; you know everything about us!"

Yu Qie neither agreed nor disagreed with Gela's invitation, but instead said, "Let's watch the sunrise instead."

"Reversing time, that's more realistic."

(End of this chapter)