My era, 1979!

Chapter 188 Tetsuko's Little House

Oe immediately realized his lapse in composure and quickly apologized in English, but his excitement remained undiminished: "Your insights are truly astounding! To be so young and yet have such a grasp of literature is truly admirable!"

Inoue Yasushi frowned slightly. As a core writer of the postwar generation whom he greatly admired and believed to be the best inheritor of his thought, Oe's loss of composure made him somewhat helpless, but he also understood the surprise of meeting a kindred spirit.

He asked gently in Japanese, "Oe, what has surprised you so much?"

Realizing his lapse in composure, Oe first apologized to Inoue Yasushi and the others, then briefly recounted Xu Chengjun's extraordinary insights into literature, his tone still tinged with undisguised admiration.

Xu Chengjun shook his head and said humbly and earnestly, "I have also been deeply inspired by Oe's writing style. I believe that Oe is the writer with the best chance of winning the Nobel Prize in Literature among the generation of writers who rose to prominence in postwar Japan and carried on the legacy of the past."

These words immediately caused a slight commotion and murmurs among the audience.

The Japanese writers looked surprised, and even Ba Jin, Bing Xin, and others looked at Xu Chengjun with slight confusion, feeling that what he said was a bit...

Too bold and certain.

How can Nobel Prize predictions be so easily made?

Moreover, this is an assertion made by a foreign colleague.

Mizukami Tsutomu interjected at the opportune moment, smiling and smoothing things over, and also sincerely remarked, "It seems that the resonance of ideas knows no age or national boundaries. I must arrange for the two of you to have a closed-door conversation and in-depth exchange sometime. It seems you two are simply the Ba Jin and Inoue Yasushi of this generation!"

In the Japanese literary world, closed-door conversations usually signify a high level of trust and intimacy between the two parties, marking a profound exchange of ideas and a near-transmission of knowledge.

These words immediately created a warm and harmonious atmosphere in the room.

Oe, who was usually calm and composed, nodded repeatedly at this moment because of the high praise and the rare feeling of finding a kindred spirit, showing great interest in the suggestion of a closed-door conversation.

Xu Chengjun nodded slightly, indicating that he accepted the recognition and invitation.

Just then, Hideki Ozaki, a renowned Japanese literary critic, adjusted his glasses and raised a more profound and sensitive question: "I'm actually quite curious about how Chinese writers, especially young comrades like Mr. Xu, view us Japanese?"

This question instantly made the atmosphere somewhat awkward again.

A hint of hesitation flashed across Ba Jin's face, but Bing Xin looked at Xu Chengjun with gentle eyes, offering encouragement.

Xu Chengjun paused for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words, and then said clearly and with restraint: "Individually speaking, many of the Japanese friends I have met are very good. But in terms of overall impression, I can only become truly close friends with a small number of Japanese people."

"Oh? Which part?" Ozaki pressed.

"They are predecessors like Mr. Yasushi Inoue and Mr. Kenzaburo Oe, who deeply reflected on history and sincerely pursued peace and human well-being."

Xu Chengjun answered without hesitation. His gaze swept over Inoue Yasushi and Oe, seemingly with respect, before his tone turned slightly somber. "We can talk about anti-war sentiments and become literary confidants. But please understand, as an individual, I can forgive a friend's unintentional offense; however, I cannot, and have absolutely no right to, forgive the profound and unbearable pain inflicted by that history on behalf of my country and nation. I love my country, and this feeling, I believe, is rooted in my blood and beliefs, just as Oe placed his peace ideals first."

“My ideal…” Dajiang murmured, his eyes becoming deep, as if he was pondering the weight of it.

Ozaki continued, "So, what is your view on the current period of Sino-Japanese friendship?"

Xu Chengjun answered frankly and calmly: "I think this is primarily a political and economic necessity, a rational choice made under the consideration of national interests. Of course, I still admire and am moved by the sincere friendships that transcended national boundaries between Mr. Lu Xun and Mr. Kanzo Uchiyama and Mr. Genkuro Fujino in history."

These candid, almost blunt words plunged the entire room into a brief silence.

Many Japanese writers wore complex expressions.

Ozaki tried to smooth things over: "But, Xu-kun, don't you see how good the atmosphere is for our conversation right now? Isn't that a sign of friendship?"

Xu Chengjun looked at Ozaki, then slowly glanced around at the Japanese writers present, finally fixing his gaze on Oe and Inoue Yasushi. His voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear:

"Yes, the atmosphere is wonderful. But this wonderful atmosphere is precisely because everyone here is our friend."

He paused slightly, then added.
"At least for now, we are friends, sharing the common goal of literature in pursuing peace and understanding."

What's so great about a nation that fears power but not morality?

A nation or people without sovereignty cannot even make decisions that align with their own interests.

It can only become a pawn in the power struggle between major nations.

They are scoundrels who rely on the right wing to incite public sentiment.

Xu Chengjun's frank, rational, and almost cold yet extremely restrained speech was like a precise scalpel, dissecting the warm veil that shrouded the meeting and revealing the complex and hard layers of history and reality beneath.

The weight of those words sent a chill down the spines of many present, both Japanese and Chinese, as if a tacit understanding had been revealed.

They all clearly realized that the young man before them saw things too clearly and was too insightful. His gaze pierced through the clinking of glasses and literary embellishments, reaching the core of the problem.

Some even suspect that the kid... did it on purpose?

Ba Jin smiled bitterly to himself. This kid, with his insight and calm analysis of the times, might be better suited, or perhaps more dangerous, to go into politics or economics than to be a pure writer.

He knows too well how to maintain a balance between principles and flexibility, and how to express his truest thoughts without crossing the line.

Sitting behind and to the side of Xu Chengjun, Du Pengcheng clearly felt that while the words were satisfying, they were a bit too "tough" for such a diplomatic occasion.

Without making a sound, he gently nudged Xu Chengjun with his arm, giving him a look that said, "That's enough, make amends."

Xu Chengjun received the signal and a helpless smile appeared on his face, but he quickly complied.

He then shifted his tone, softening considerably, and said with a forward-looking attitude: "Of course, I firmly believe that with the continued efforts of visionary and conscientious predecessors like Inoue Yasushi and Oe Kenzaburo, and through our unremitting efforts, China and Japan certainly have the opportunity and the wisdom to achieve a truly lasting peace and friendship based on mutual respect and deep understanding. China and Japan belong to the same Confucian cultural sphere, are geographically close, and share a long and profound cultural heritage—an unbreakable bond between us. Next time I have the opportunity, I will bring my new work to have a more in-depth exchange with all of you teachers and predecessors."

Earn Japanese Yen~
His addition not only affirmed the efforts of Japanese people like Inoue Yasushi and Oe who are dedicated to friendship, but also cleverly steered the topic back to literary exchange itself, and extended an exciting invitation for the future.

"Oh? A new work?" Hideki Ozaki asked casually, with curiosity, "What's it about?"

"It's a work that records my experiences and feelings during this trip to Japan," Xu Chengjun replied.

"Is it a novel?" Tsutomu Mizukami interjected with interest.

Xu Chengjun smiled slightly and shook his head: "It might not be a novel in the traditional sense. The specific form is still being conceived."

“Then we’re really looking forward to it!” Inoue Yasushi chimed in, a gentle smile on his face.

Actually, he had already thought of a name.

"My Ambiguous Life in Japan"

Sorry, Dajiang, that's a great name, I'll use it first~
Xu Chengjun's timely display of openness to the future and his expectation for friendly exchanges effectively eased the slightly tense atmosphere.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Ba Jin and Inoue Yasushi, these two old friends, naturally resumed their conversation, reminiscing about their early friendships, discussing a poet they both admired, or anecdotes from a cultural exchange.

In the afternoon, as scheduled, Ba Jin, Bing Xin, and others will continue to have in-depth literary discussions with the Japanese elders.

Xu Chengjun took leave and was picked up by a specialist sent by Iwanami Shoten to go to the bookstore's headquarters to finalize the signing of the Japanese version publishing contract for "Red Silk".

Just as Xu Chengjun was preparing to depart, Kenzaburo Oe made an unexpected move. He bowed to Ba Jin, Yasushi Inoue, and others, his tone carrying a scholarly excitement and persistence: "I'm very sorry, esteemed seniors. I am extremely interested in Mr. Xu's collaboration with Iwanami Shoten, and his potential new work. Please allow me to excuse myself; I would like to accompany Mr. Xu, perhaps I can gain more inspiration from it."

Everyone was taken aback at first, but then they all smiled knowingly.

Oe was a man of strong emotions, and he always had great enthusiasm for things that could truly touch his mind.

Inoue Yasushi smiled helplessly yet tolerantly, waved his hand, and gestured for him to do as he pleased.

Thus, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Kenzaburo Oe, a heavyweight figure in the Japanese literary world, acted like a junior, excitedly following Xu Chengjun out of the venue to another "battlefield" related to literature and publishing.

On their way to Iwanami Bookstore, Kenzaburo Oe and Chengjun Xu rode in the same car.

This leading figure in the Japanese literary world seemed very interested, sharing many anecdotes about Iwanami Shoten with Xu Chengjun. As an already established author, Oe's works, such as "Personal Experience" and "Football in the First Year of Man'en," have also been published by this prestigious publishing house.

Upon hearing that Xu Chengjun had received 13% royalties, he raised an eyebrow slightly and bluntly stated, "They really think highly of you. Iwanami doesn't treat new Japanese writers this generously; they often keep royalties very low."

He then briefly explained the highly commercialized state of the Japanese literary scene.

While writers may earn substantial incomes, they are also seen to some extent as part of the cultural industry chain. Their status as pure "literati" has changed compared to traditional perceptions, becoming more like a highly regarded yet market-driven profession. This is quite different from the situation in China where writers enjoy high status and substantial incomes.

In fact, this is the reasonable development trend.

Sometimes, the reason why intellectuals can harm a country is that their status is elevated too high, with peers praising each other and setting their own prices.

The vehicle drove through the bustling streets and into the culturally and educationally rich Jimbocho area.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a brown brick building with a calm style and an academic atmosphere. The words "Iwanami Bookstore" were simple and eye-catching.

Editor-in-Chief Masahiko Baba was already waiting at the entrance with the eagerly awaiting Shozo Fujii. Upon seeing Xu Chengjun, the two immediately stepped forward, Baba warmly shaking Xu's hand: "Mr. Xu, we've finally waited for you! If it weren't for the overall itinerary of the delegation, we would have come to invite you long ago!"

Fujii nodded excitedly from the side.

Kimihiko Baba personally led everyone into the bookstore.

Passing through the bookstore area open to the public, with its towering bookshelves reaching the ceiling, and pushing open an inconspicuous wooden door, you enter the realm of the "editorial department."

The air here seems different from outside, a complex mixture of richer smells of ink, old paper, paste, and caffeine.

What comes into view is a long, somewhat crowded corridor, with editing rooms on both sides simply separated by glass partitions or bookshelves. Almost every editor's desk is submerged in a sea of ​​papers.

Stacks of manuscripts awaiting review, proofs covered in dense red pen annotations, dictionaries in various languages, and mountains of books obscure the original color of the desks. Some are writing furiously at their desks, their brows furrowed; others are on the phone, communicating rapidly with scholars or translators; and young staff members carefully push carts loaded with manuscripts through narrow aisles.

The walls are covered with the publisher's publishing schedule, bestseller lists, and some yellowed old posters with the iconic grid cover design of "Iwanami Bunko".

The entire space was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere of academic production, with immense intellectual labor hidden within the quiet.

As Ma Chang walked, he introduced in a low voice: "This is the Humanities and Social Sciences Editorial Department, which is mainly responsible for books on philosophy and history... That is the Literature and Art Editorial Department, and they are in charge of your book 'Red Silk'."

He pointed to a relatively quiet corner.

Xu Chengjun saw an elderly editor with glasses and gray hair muttering to himself while looking at a manuscript, his fingers slowly moving between the lines; while next to him, a young editor was discussing a detail in the translation of "Red Silk" with Fujii Shozo in a low voice, with a Chinese-Japanese manuscript and various reference books spread out on the table.

There is no fancy decoration here, only a utilitarian space filled with books and manuscripts, and a kind of ascetic focus that is immersed in the world of words.

The air is filled with a reverence for knowledge and a rigorous attitude towards publishing; this is the heart of Iwanami Shoten, a major center of academic and intellectual publishing in Japan.

Then, with a slightly joking gesture, he pointed to Fujii, whose eyes were dark but whose spirits were high, and said, "Fujii knew you were coming, and he stayed up almost all night, working with several translation experts from the University of Tokyo, to finalize the translation of 'The Red Silk.' He's taking advantage of the fame you've gained from your visit to Japan."

He paused, a hint of mockery in his eyes regarding the report about the "young nobleman," and added, "we can arrange for printing immediately regarding the unexpected and mysterious 'prestige' of this young Chinese nobleman. Everything is ready except for one crucial step."

You'll need a well-known Japanese author to write a 'band' (a recommendation, usually printed on the book's dust jacket) for you; this is a very important introduction for Japanese readers.

"That's it~"

"If it's inconvenient for you, Mr. Xu, the bookstore can help you find someone~"

Upon hearing this, Kenzaburo Oe smiled gently and said, "If you don't mind, I'd be happy to help."

Fujii's eyes lit up instantly, and he almost shouted, "What?! If Mr. Oe is willing to write this, that would be perfect! It would be so wonderful!"

This unexpected success made everyone laugh.

The group then entered a quiet signing room.

Fujii carefully retrieved the contract, which was prepared in Chinese, Japanese, and English to ensure the terms were clear and accurate. After Wu Lei, who was accompanying him, helped confirm the contract details and verified Fujii's translation again, Xu Chengjun picked up a pen and signed his name on the contract.

He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding.

Lei Ge is being quite responsible this time~
Baba Kimihiko stood up, shook hands with Xu Chengjun again, and smiled with relief and anticipation: "Congratulations, Mr. Xu Chengjun. Iwanami Shoten is honored to cooperate with you. Now, everything is ready, except for one last important thing."

How the hell do you have so many important things to do?!

"Oh? What is it?" Xu Chengjun asked.

"Of course, it's for promotional appearances on TV!" Baba laughed. "We've already arranged for 'Tetsuko's Little House' to be featured on your show. Let's strike while the iron is hot and let readers all over Japan know about this 'noble young master' writer from China!"

"Tetsuko's Hut" was a very popular talk show broadcast nationwide on TV Asahi, known at the time for inviting celebrities and cultural figures from all walks of life.

Basically, appearing on this show means you've become famous in Japan.
Xu Chengjun raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Tetsuko's Little House? What kind of program is that?"

Kimihiko Baba explained with a smile, "It's Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's hit talk show, which has a huge influence among ordinary people and can make your name and works known throughout the Japanese archipelago overnight."

Xu Chengjun pondered for a moment, then looked sharply at the horse farm: "So, on this program in your country, may I speak freely and say what I want to say?"

"Oh? For example?" Baba asked with interest.

"For example, insightful observations on literature, theoretical reflections on literary studies, and... my views on Japan and the current state of the world." Xu Chengjun's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.

Upon hearing this, Baba showed no concern. Instead, he gave a meaningful smile, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, saying, "Mr. Xu, we live in a capitalist society. Frankly, the primary purpose of the program is to attract attention and create buzz. Of course,"

He then changed the subject, revealing a hint of shrewdness and openness: “Tetsuko’s House will not only be broadcast in Japan, but also in parts of East Asia and North America through cooperative channels. So, as long as your comments are meaningful and can spark discussion, feel free to speak up~ We would love to see that happen.”

"Then am I really going to say it?" Xu Chengjun asked to confirm.

"Go ahead!" Baba answered readily, then, as if just remembering something, added an important detail, his tone relaxed with the ease of a business partnership: "Oh, by the way, Mr. Xu, you'll also be signing a performance contract for this show, and you'll receive an appearance fee~"

"Um... can I go on the show with Xu Jun?"

Kenzaburo Oe timidly raised his hand.

Xu Chengjun was a little confused. Dude, no way?
Is this one too?
(End of this chapter)