Literary Master 1983

Chapter 436 Debate (Part Two)

Wang Meng immediately understood that Yu Qie had indeed criticized him.

Without Wang Meng's vigorous promotion of new literature on the platform of "People's Literature" starting in 85, literary journals would not have deteriorated to this extent.

Wang Meng saw Yu Qie's determination in this: he genuinely despised so-called experimental literature and was now impatiently sentencing such novels to death, leaving himself no way out.

As for Yu Qie, he certainly had no reason to be polite. The failure of experimental literature is widely acknowledged; these novels had virtually no aesthetic impact on later generations, which is why they were a failure.

In just two days, three or four sharply contrasting articles were published in the literary world; it was simply too much to read.

The fact that Yu Qie's debate with the magazine "Contemporary" could start so quickly was actually due to the advancement of printing technology.

In short, they published multiple articles within a week, attracting the attention of writers across the country in a short period of time, which would have been impossible in the past.

Throughout history, the literary world has witnessed numerous feuds, but these past feuds tended to be relatively long-lasting and less intense within a short period. The most classic feud during the Republic of China era was between Lu Xun and Liang Shiqiu, with each side exchanging about ten articles over a period of ten years.

On average, one article per year.

Decades after Lu Xun's death, Liang Shiqiu still couldn't let go of that verbal battle, because he lost rather badly.

In the verbal battle of that year, Lu Xun practically entered the realm of "flow," creating the famous meme "the lackey of the capitalist who has lost his home." Moreover, the reason Lu Xun was able to win this verbal battle was because he had already realized that printing technology limited his expression—printing was too slow.

How did Lu Xun handle it?
On the one hand, he created famous memes to condemn his enemies to shame; on the other hand, he wrote rebuttal articles in advance, following a rigorous logic similar to a geometric sequence, using two days, a week, and more than a month, and published them in major publications one after another.

Ultimately, it achieved a continuous effect like the Qiantang River tide, and was published before Liang Shiqiu could retaliate. By the time Liang Shiqiu saw the article and wanted to fight back, Lu Xun had already steered the argument to a new topic, and the next wave of attacks was on its way.

As a result, Liang Shiqiu was thoroughly humiliated. Although both wrote a similar number of articles, readers only remembered Lu Xun's brilliant scathing remarks.

Lu Xun's critique of "The 'Homeless' and 'Lackeys of Capitalism'" has long been a staple of mainland Chinese language textbooks, requiring generations to review it.
How exactly did Lu Xun fiercely criticize Liang Shiqiu?

It's no wonder that Liang Shiqiu couldn't find peace even on his deathbed. Lu Xun's ghost was pressing down on his coffin, cursing him and ruining his reputation, making it impossible for him to rest in peace even in the afterlife.

Yu Qiehe and Contemporary magazine covered in just one week the distance that Lu Xun and Liang Shiqiu and others had taken five years to travel!
The domestically developed laser typesetting system played a crucial role in the success of the Beijing Printing Factory. It can quickly assemble text and images on a whole page of newspaper, making it more than ten times faster than traditional manual typesetting and proofreading.

"Comrades! This domestically developed system is really useful!" The deputy director of the printing plant announced the good news to the entire plant. "In the past, we could only update newspapers that didn't involve complex typesetting with manpower every day. But for literary magazines, which required illustrations, and we could add or remove pages and adjust font sizes at will... it always took a long time to prepare in advance!"

"Things are different now!"

"Back in June in Laoshan, Professor Yu's new book, 'Joint Security Zone,' was printed in just three days, with over a thousand copies sent to support the front lines! Now, this system has been put into use in our factory and in the 'Literary Gazette.' I never expected it to be another of Professor Yu's novels!"

When Yu Qie arrived at the printing factory, the deputy director introduced him to the factory, saying, "We print your literary magazines just like we print newspapers."

He couldn't help but burst out laughing: Isn't this just like celebrities in later generations tearing each other apart on public platforms?

Readers are instinctively drawn to voices that publish quickly and have a clear stance, which ultimately leads to that side winning the debate.

In 1988, under the new printing conditions, the basis for this intense debate was satisfied.

The editorial staff of Contemporary magazine would naturally not understand that by the time they wrote an article to refute them, they would have already lost!

In mid-September, the members of the Mao Dun Literature Prize judging committee went to Dengzhou to read novels. The reading process was semi-closed; apart from a few people such as Yu Qie and Cheng Huangmei, others were not allowed to enter or leave at will.

During this period, an unprecedented debate was launched.

First came an article titled "The 'Insider' of 'Contemporary' Literature," which used a double entendre to suggest that "there is prejudice and discrimination against writers from other provinces and rural areas in the literary world." Then came a popular science article introducing Lu Yao's creative process for "Ordinary World."

The article was published in the Literary Gazette.

"There's a saying in the literary world about the 'Four Great Beautiful Editors,' which refers to four famous female editors. These women are invincible in front of famous writers! Tianjin writer Jiang Zilong once encountered two of these beautiful editors trying to steal his manuscript. While he was hesitating, he went to the restroom. When he returned, the manuscript was gone, and all that was left on the table was a thick stack of banknotes."

"As for elegance? Yes, there is. Some famous editors will specifically contact writers through intermediaries before visiting them to commission articles, inviting them to go sightseeing and enjoying the scenery, without mentioning the commission at all. They will spend the day talking about literature, the universe, and major events of the past and present. Only at the very end will they pitifully say that they want to commission a short story. Writers, feeling obligated, will of course agree to write it—which often turns into a novella or even a novel!"

"It's mostly about persistence! Let me give you an example: a female editor from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles Publishing House, upon learning that Lu Yao had a novel to publish, waited outside his coal mine 'home' for about a month, and finally moved Lu Yao! Lu Yao said, 'Ordinary World is too crucial. I can't give you the manuscript, but I can write a special article for you so you can submit it!'"

……

These bizarre and fascinating events within the literary world were completely unknown to readers in the past. Most writers were also unaware of them.

Yu Hua was overjoyed when the editor of "Beijing Literature" reimbursed his room and board! In reality, he had no idea how those editors treated established writers!
They've practically been reduced to being slaves.

In the presence of such writers, the roles of editors and writers are completely reversed, with editors reduced to beggars, and their requests for manuscripts are figuratively referred to as "begging for manuscripts."

If editors are so humble in front of established writers, then the actions of Zhou Changyi, a new editor at Contemporary, towards Lu Yao are an incomprehensible act of disrespect.

Therefore, Lu Yao was so angry that he was hospitalized, and the act of "Contemporary" magazine punishing itself with a drink showed their arrogance.

No. 166, Chaonei Street.

Zhu Shengchang shouted, "Everyone outside is cursing us, but we're the only ones pretending that everything is peaceful here!"

There was an editor at the scene named He Qizhi, who would one day take a liking to Cheng Zhongshi's "White Deer Plain". He said bitterly, "Today I rode my bike to work. When I got to the second floor, I found that the people from the publishing house next door were looking at me strangely. That's when I realized that Mr. Yu had written so many articles!"

"They all saw it? And they're looking at us strangely?" Zhu Shengchang asked in surprise.

He Qizhi nodded vigorously.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shengchang was so angry that he spilled all his tea!

If you're looking for a literary mecca in Shanghai, then the place that stands out is the former residence of Ba Jin on Wukang Road.

In the capital, some people might choose Yu Qie Residence on Gulou Street; however, more people would choose No. 166 Chaonei Street. This is not only the headquarters of the magazine "Contemporary", but also the location of People's Literature Publishing House, People's Publishing House, Oriental Publishing House, Foreign Literature Publishing House and other institutions.

This convenience once gave Contemporary magazine a transcendent status. For example, when the publication of the novel Ancient Ship was hindered, He Qizhi made a pledge to the entire company to take responsibility, and the company's leaders went to the leaders in charge of the cultural department to plead for leniency, and then contacted even higher leaders. It sounds like there are many institutions and intermediaries involved—in fact, all of this happened within one building.

He Qizhi said, "Editor Zhu, we should issue a written apology to Lu Yao and nip the impact in the bud as soon as possible."

Zhu Shengchang shook his head and said, "I've already come this far, how can you expect me to apologize? If I apologize, then I'll just have to step down!" "Then why did you offend Yu Qie?"

"It's not that I offended him, but that he was being aggressive. I'm a nice guy, I was just forced into this situation!"

Since he had already said that, He Qizhi naturally couldn't offer any further advice. He was just puzzled: everything Yu Qie wrote was something only a senior editor could understand, and he didn't know how those gossip and rumors had reached Yu Qie's ears.

Logically speaking, a writer of his stature, who spent a considerable amount of time abroad in recent years, has no reason to know these things!

He Qizhi found Zhou Changyi, who had caused all the conflict, and couldn't help but scold him: "It's all your fault! If you hadn't rejected Lu Yao's manuscript at the guesthouse, we wouldn't have gotten involved with such a big shot!"

Zhou Changyi thought of the countless courtyard houses owned by Yu Qie's family. He said, "Professor Yu is so rich, he won't care too much about this. Let him vent his frustrations and let him get his revenge."

"That's all we can do." Many people at Contemporary magazine shared this sentiment.

Unexpectedly, Yu Qie wrote more and more, like a perpetual motion machine.

In late September, Yu Qie wrote two more articles, both of which were published in the Literary Gazette. One of them was an analysis of "Ordinary World," in which he said, "Lu Yao may have been of average talent, but he had a life, could endure hardship, and was willing to work hard."

"His novels may not be unpopular; if more resources were invested, this novel could have been a huge hit."

really?
Not only did the editorial department of "Contemporary" think it was impossible, but no one in the entire Shaanxi province thought it was possible.

Once a work is published and achieves even a slight success, numerous seminars are often held. When the novels of children's literature author Zheng Yuanjie sold extremely well, Wang Meng once led the entire Writers' Association to study Zheng Yuanjie, because his novels were so profitable.

After the successful publication of "Ordinary World", several symposiums were held in Beijing, and the result was the same each time: everyone was not optimistic about the book.

Another article focuses on military literature. Yu Qie believes that a new era of military literature will soon emerge, one that will be completely different from past military novels.

The editorial department of *Contemporary* magazine reluctantly wrote a rebuttal, and *Literary Gazette* simply put both sides' opinions on the same page. The momentum was only getting stronger.

Many people in the literary world are paying attention to this war of words, with varying attitudes.

Li Duo of Beijing Literature was pleased: "The reason why our literature has been neglected recently is that it is all 'harmonious and interdependent, forming cliques,' with everyone concerned about saving face. As a result, there is nothing that readers find exciting! Literature cannot develop."

When others asked him, "Are you only satisfied when you're fighting to the death again?"

Li Duo was startled and shook his head, saying, "Don't go from one extreme to another! I'm just saying that things aren't going to work out like this."

In Shanghai, Buffett was also watching this war of words. He summoned Li Xiaolin from *Harvest* magazine, who is his daughter.

"Why did Yu Qie criticize the editorial department of 'Contemporary' magazine?" Ba Jin asked.

"Because of a man named Lu Yao."

Who is Lu Yao?

“A coal mine worker’s son, oh, not really a son of a coal mine worker, just someone who lived near a coal mine. He wrote a novel, which was rejected by Contemporary Literature magazine… It was a very messy situation, and then this person, who had a mental illness, collapsed from anger and developed cirrhosis of the liver.”

"Wouldn't that be very troublesome?"

At the time, Lu Yao's illness was quite serious. In fact, what Ba Jin meant by saying this was whether Lu Yao only had a few years left to live.

Li Xiaolin was unaware of Lu Yao's financial situation and assumed that with his royalties, he could at least sustain himself for several years with the help of his special medication. So she said, "I don't know! Anyway, this guy's been writing for a while now, and his health has collapsed."

"Oh!" Old Ba said thoughtfully.

In the evening, Li Xiaolin's daughter, Duanduan, came home from school.

Duanduan has grown into a young lady and just started fourth grade this year. Little girls develop early and grow very tall quickly.

She came back and said, "Everyone in my class is talking about the rock singer, Cui Jian. He's so cool."

"Is there no discussion about literature? This is quite different from a few years ago!" Li Xiaolin sighed.

"It's not that there's none at all, there is," Duanduan said.

"Who?"

“Brother Yu! He wrote our textbook text ‘Little Shoes,’ and Cui Jian is a fan of his—we’ve heard of Yu Qie just by listening! I heard that his articles appeared in junior high and high school! If we don’t know him, we’re illiterate!”

"What else did you say?"

"Yes!" Li Duanduan said, "Our Chinese textbook has a picture of Brother Yu, and he's so ugly! He looks exactly like Brother Yu, but he looks ugly from every angle! And he looks really old!"

Li Xiaolin laughed upon hearing this: "That's exactly what the editorial board does!"

"Why? It's not fair!" Duanduan said angrily.

"I specifically chose his worst photo because I was afraid you young girls would have all sorts of wild thoughts after seeing it."

"Oh, I see. How stingy!"

Li Xiaolin carefully observed Duanduan's expression and sighed inwardly: "Sigh, she really has grown up."

In the past, Xiao Duanduan never seemed shy when mentioning Yu Qie, but now it's different! I'm afraid that not all of Yu Qie's female fans are there because of his novels.

Unfortunately, Duanduan's academic level is too poor, and she will never be able to get into a good university in her life. She is far inferior to Yuqie.

If all else fails, go study abroad! Ask friends overseas to help write recommendation letters. Sigh, this is the thing Yu Qie can help with the most.

Thinking about this, Li Xiaolin also felt a bit disgusted with certain people at "Contemporary": one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.

(End of this chapter)