Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 102 Ba Jin: More Suitable to Be My Student
The Beijing People's Art Theatre is about eight kilometers away from the "Minister's Building" on the south side of Fuxingmenwai Street where Cao Yu lives. Wan Fang came specifically to pick up Liu Yimin.

Upon arriving at Cao Yu's house, Wan Fang knocked on the door, and Liu Yimin followed behind, carrying some local specialties he had brought from Ru County. Li Yuru smiled and took the gifts, asking Liu Yimin how he had spent the New Year at home.

After hearing Liu Yimin say that everything was fine, she invited him to have some fruit. There were two plates of washed fruit and another plate of melon seeds and candies on the solid wood coffee table, all prepared for the guests.

Cao Yu and Ba Jin are still attending a meeting at the Federation of Literary and Art Circles and have not returned. According to Wan Fang, they have held many meetings since the beginning of the year.

"Master's wife, let me help you!" Liu Yimin rolled up his sleeves and went to the kitchen to help Li Yuru with the work.

“You just got back by train, it took you more than ten hours, aren’t you tired? Why don’t you sit on the sofa or go to the guest room and take a nap!” Li Yuru pushed Liu Yimin out of the kitchen and pointed him to the guest room.

"Master's wife, it's alright. I was lucky enough to get a hard sleeper ticket when I transferred trains in Luocheng. I slept the whole way. I'll help you pick vegetables."

Changing trains in Los Angeles is a little better than changing in Zhengzhou; there aren't as many people buying tickets there. If you wait until you arrive in Zhengzhou to buy a ticket, a hard seat is almost always the only option.

“Okay!” Li Yuru, Wan Fang, and Liu Yimin got busy in the kitchen.

Li Yuru was originally a Peking Opera singer, specializing in female roles. Cheng Yanqiu and Mei Lanfang were both her teachers. When Li Yuru was in the kitchen and got happy, she couldn't help but sing some Peking Opera.

"Yimin, Henan Opera and Quju Opera are quite famous in your area."

“Yes, when I was admitted to Yenching University, the Revolutionary Committee sent a Quju opera troupe to perform in our area. However, compared to Henan opera, Quju opera is only the second largest opera genre in our area,” Liu Yimin said while picking vegetables.

Wan Fang added from the side, "Aunt Li, Yi Min is the top liberal arts student in their province."

"Oh? I didn't know that. It seems I'm not good enough as a teacher's wife, and I haven't shown enough concern for Yimin."

When Li Yuru referred to herself as Liu Yimin's "teacher's wife," she kept observing Wan Fang's facial expressions out of the corner of her eye. Only when she saw that Wan Fang did not react did she feel relieved.

Do you know the difference between Henan Opera and Quju Opera?

Liu Yimin pondered for a moment, and Wan Fang, who was next to him, also perked up her ears. She was an editor of "Script Monthly," and topics such as local dramas happened to fall within her research scope.

"Peking Opera is a product of Anhui opera entering Beijing, and I think it is fundamentally different from Henan opera. Southern operas are more delicate in style, while Henan opera incorporates northern opera genres such as Qinqiang, and its performance style is more unrestrained. After Anhui opera entered Beijing, it was mainly performed for the court and upper-class people, while Henan opera was more watched by ordinary people."

In terms of content, Peking Opera tends to lean towards the upper class, featuring themes such as talented scholars and beautiful women, and kings and generals. Henan Opera, on the other hand, focuses on the lives of the lower classes, depicting family stories, filial piety towards parents, kindness towards wives and children, and patriotism.

Third is…

Before she could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door. Upon hearing the knock, Li Yuru smiled and said, "Old Wan is back. I'll go open the door!"

Liu Yimin and Wan Fang exchanged a glance, then followed behind Li Yuru.
"Brother Ba, come in quickly!" Li Yuru said warmly.

"Brother, come in!"

Ba Jin had his white hair combed back, his skin was dark, and at 75 years old, his skin was covered with many age spots. He wore brown square glasses and was all smiles from the moment he entered the room, appearing very energetic.

Ba Jin was followed by his daughter, Li Xiaolin, who looked much older than Wan Fang. Her hair was permed and very fluffy, and she was wearing a black trench coat and a trendy woolen scarf.

"Teacher!" Liu Yimin greeted Cao Yu first.

Cao Yu smiled and introduced Liu Yimin to Ba Jin and Li Xiaolin: "This is my new student, Liu Yimin. Although you haven't met him before, you are old acquaintances. Yimin, this is Mr. Ba Jin, whom I have always wanted to meet, and this is Xiaolin."

"Master Ba, Senior Sister Xiaolin!" Liu Yimin greeted them one by one.

“Jiabao hasn’t taken on any students in a long time. The fact that you were accepted as a student by him shows that you are no ordinary person. You don’t need to call me Old Ba, just call me Teacher Ba!” Ba Jin said kindly.

Li Xiaolin said, "Yimin, Wanfang praised you a lot in the letter. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Yimin and Li Yuru brought out the prepared food. After everyone sat down, Cao Yu asked with a smile what they had been talking about when they came in, since they seemed to be having a good time.

Liu Yimin knew that Cao Yu was starting to talk.

"Just now, my teacher's wife asked me about the differences between Henan Opera and Peking Opera, and I shared some of my personal understanding."

"Oh right, Yimin, you haven't finished talking about the third point yet." Li Yuru remembered that Liu Yimin hadn't finished speaking.

"The singing style of Henan Opera is different from that of Peking Opera, but it would be a bit presumptuous to talk about this in front of my teacher's wife, Teacher Wan, and Teacher Ba!"

Cao Yu said, "We all like to hear the thoughts of young people, otherwise people will say that we are old and can't stand to listen to young people. Lao Ba, my student's book is about to be published, I'll send you a copy as a souvenir."

Ba Jin looked at Cao Yu, who was showing off a little: "Good, you're making rapid progress. You're currently in contact with foreign publishers, and perhaps Yimin's book can be published abroad first. Henry from the China Book and Periodical Publishing House contacted me and told me that they are applying to the US authorities to see if they can relax the restrictions on the sale of Chinese books."

China Book and Periodical Publishing House was practically the only way for Americans to read Chinese books and periodicals and learn about China in the 1960s and 70s. It was founded by an American born in China who returned to the United States. In the 1960s and 70s, McCarthyism was prevalent in the United States, and their actions were strictly restricted. Payments for books could only be made to designated accounts and could not be made directly to China. Sales figures and book titles had to be reported every month.

"In some respects, Yimin's books are best suited for publication in the United States. Especially the two novels, Donkey and Dog, which involve less political elements and do not focus on politics, but rather on reflections on human nature and the warmth between humans and animals."

"With less political undertones, it's easier for us to go abroad."

Liu Yimin was also very interested in this topic, but he sat to the side without saying a word, instead listening quietly to the conversation between the two bigwigs, Cao and Ba.

"Yimin, what do you think about this?" Ba Jin turned to Liu Yimin. "It would be great if the book could be published in the United States. It would be a way for us to promote ourselves and let foreigners learn about China through the book. Of course, if it is published abroad, the country can earn foreign exchange and I can earn royalties."

“You are very frank, not lying at all. Yes, if our books can be published smoothly abroad, it will be a good thing for both the country and individuals.” Ba Jin affirmed Liu Yimin’s point of view.

The influence of a great writer's work abroad is more powerful than that of a propaganda machine. Lu Xun, Cao Yu, Mao Dun, and Ba Jin are examples of writers with enormous influence both domestically and internationally.

Lu Xun, in particular, is a frequent figure in Japanese and Korean textbooks. When Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oe won the Nobel Prize, his mother told him that Lu Xun was the Asian who most deserved the prize, and that he was far inferior to him. Oe himself said that he hoped to get a little closer to Lu Xun in his lifetime, even if it was just a little.

This demonstrates Lu Xun's influence.

Cao Yu continued, "However, we are completely ignorant about the situation abroad and know nothing about it, so we are likely to suffer great losses."

"Teachers, I agree. If we only think about going out and just to achieve the goal of going out, we are likely to suffer losses. Americans are all about interests."

“The situation at China Book and Periodical Publishing House is somewhat unique, but what you said makes sense. Yimin, I know a little about your books, including your poetry. Many people in the editorial department of Harvest and the Shanghai Writers Association have mentioned you.” Ba Jin did not continue to talk about publishing abroad, but instead turned the topic to Liu Yimin personally.

"Compared to my two teachers, I am still far behind. Teacher Ba, I have read your Trilogy of Torrents and Trilogy of Love, which have had a great influence on my writing."

Ba Jin waved his hand at Liu Yimin's praise: "The reason why people like us can write something and be remembered by everyone is more due to the times than to our abilities. It was an era of struggle and criticism. Our works, including Jia Bao's, all bear the strong imprint of the times."

“The times have given us an opportunity,” Cao Yu replied.

“I’ve read your work, and it has something different about it compared to current writing. Being able to maintain your own writing style amidst the tide is also a skill.”

Li Xiaolin finally found a chance to speak and interjected, "Yi Min's novels are warm, powerful, encouraging, and passionate to read. Some of his writing styles are similar to my father's works when he was young."

After listening to Li Xiaolin's words, Ba Jin shrugged at Cao Yu and joked, "See? Yimin is more suitable to be my student. Jiabao, did you steal my student?"

"Old Ba, that only proves you were young once. Young people see the world differently than we do. The rising sun must be more intense than us. We are the setting sun. Have you ever seen a setting sun that is still intense?"

"Uncle Wan, even in the setting sun, the heat you radiate will not diminish in the slightest," Li Xiaolin flattered.

"Come on, you young people, all you do is try to make us old men happy."

At the dinner table, Cao Yu and Ba Jin's conversation had no specific topic; it was just like good friends meeting, saying whatever came to mind without any restraint.

Recalling the recently popular Japanese film, Ba Jin angrily said, "I recently watched the Japanese film 'Homecoming,' and I think it's a very good film that exposes the true history. But some of our comrades actually called it a 'pornographic film,' and then they edited and cut it themselves, creating a flawed version."
"Some comrades just like to mess around, changing plays over and over again until they're unrecognizable even to themselves." Cao Yu expressed his deep agreement with this.

"However, judging from the popularity of Japanese films in our country, I understand that if we want to expand our influence, we still need to make good films. In the future, I hope that not only our literary works can go abroad for exchange, but also our films."

After dinner, Cao Yu and Ba Jin were talking. Li Xiaolin, Wan Fang, and Liu Yimin sat together. Li Xiaolin handed Liu Yimin the royalties for the script of "Mr. Donkey." The script was 60,000 words long, and the royalties were 420 yuan, which was the maximum standard of 7 yuan.

With this income, Liu Yimin's net worth increased to 1,500 yuan.

"Take good care of my senior sister in the future. Our journal 'Harvest' has just resumed operations, and we're in dire need of good manuscripts right now." Li Xiaolin tried to appeal to Liu Yimin's emotions.

"Senior Sister Xiaolin, I just hope that Harvest magazine will take a look at my manuscript."

“You said it yourself, Wanfang, did you hear that? Be my witness in the future.”

After the meal, Cao Yu escorted Ba Jin and Li Xiaolin back to the Yanjing Hotel, which served as both a hotel and a guesthouse. The accommodations there were far superior to those in the guesthouses, as it was a place for entertaining foreign guests.

On the way back, Ba Jin said to Cao Yu, "Jiabao, why did you decide to take on a student?"

"Old Ba, are you trying to trick me? 'Mr. Donkey' is suitable for adaptation into a stage play. I read it once and published an article, originally for Wan Fang, but it ended up being given to 'Literary Gazette'. Our first meeting was at the play, and this kid was actually pointing out the flaws in 'Thunderstorm.' I thought he was good. A young man daring to discuss the flaws in 'Thunderstorm' shows his uniqueness. The ability to question is an essential quality for an excellent writer. Not bad, I wanted to personally mentor him."

This kid has really surprised me a lot. Just wait, he'll have another play coming up soon. This kid writes fast, and the quality is good too.

"Jiabao, why don't you give this student to me? I'll mentor him for you!"

"Old Ba, are you serious?"

"I think your apprentice is quite good; he speaks neither humbly nor arrogantly. Nowadays, most young people are arrogant and conceited, becoming smug after writing a little bit! There aren't many people who are capable yet humble. It's a pity I'm in Shanghai, too far from Beijing."

"That's true. Scholars can't help but boast, but they can't just keep making empty promises. I can't transfer the student to you, but I can let him study with you. But it's agreed that he must be returned to you intact."

So that's what you were planning!

"Haha, what do you think?"

"I think it's okay!"

After Liu Yimin helped clean up the kitchen, Wan Fang sent him back to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Little did he know that his future had already been arranged by Cao Yu and Ba Jin.

"Junior brother, get some rest. You must be exhausted after a long day!"

"I'm not getting up when the sun rises tomorrow. I didn't feel it just now, but I'm starting to feel sleepy now that I'm back! Senior sister, drive carefully on your way back!"

(End of this chapter)