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

Chapter 105 Please say a few words on behalf of the youth.

On February 17th, every student at Yenching University had a copy of the People's Daily. Wherever they went, people were discussing the announcements in the newspaper and the battlefields in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces.

The number of students gathered at the Yanda Triangle Area was several times greater than usual, and cheers of "teaching a lesson to the ungrateful wretch" constantly erupted from the dense crowd.

The young people had long since reached their limit of tolerance for YN's shameful behavior. Last year, Liu Yimin often heard voices on campus saying that the ingrate should be taught a lesson.

Inside the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) building, a large group of international students had gathered. Liu Yimin was surrounded in the center, as the students bombarded him with questions about China's military intervention. Among them were not only members of FLTRP but also international students who hadn't joined.

These international students were stunned by the action; they hadn't expected China to act so swiftly, launching an attack so soon after issuing a statement. They came from various countries, and their own countries hadn't even had a chance to react yet.

However, the majority of these people were relatively supportive of China's actions. The invasion of Cambodia by South Korea was met with international opposition, especially from these students.

Upon learning of the large number of refugees appearing at the Thai border, these international students from Yenching University donated money and supplies to Cambodia and even prepared to personally travel to Cambodia to participate in humanitarian operations.

"Liu, why do you think your country suddenly launched an attack?" a French exchange student asked.

"As you've all seen in the newspapers, they've been attacking our border repeatedly, causing bloodshed. Kids always try to cause trouble because they think their parents are backing them up. They won't listen to reason, so the only option is to use force. A thousand words of advice are less effective than letting them fall down on their own." They'll learn their lesson after a hardship!

“I don’t understand why South Korea dares to attack China. You used to call each other comrades!” someone else said, clearly having done their homework and knowing the history between China and South Korea.

"We've overestimated their abilities. We have an old saying: 'They fear power but don't cherish virtue.'"

Li Congren interjected, "I know that line. When we were studying the history of the Wu Zhou dynasty, we also learned about this quote from Emperor Taizong of Tang. Let me explain it to you."

After Li Congren finished explaining, the group of people feigned sudden understanding, though it was unclear whether they had actually comprehended it. Li Congren then looked at Liu Yimin and asked if they could defeat Y Nan.

Li Congren, a retired army soldier, was originally scheduled to be sent to South Y by the Pentagon, but he was fortunate enough to be caught in the withdrawal, thus avoiding being sent to the South Y battlefield. His understanding of the combat capabilities of the South Y army came from the accounts of veterans.

“I heard them say that the people of Yunnan hide in trees, in bushes, and even in the dry grass at their feet. The US military is the best in the world, but Yunnan is now said to be the third best,” Li Congren said.

Liu Yimin smiled calmly and said, "In 50, the United States also claimed to be the world's number one. In 62, we also had a neighbor who claimed to be the world's third. After friendly communication, the other party finally decided to give up the title of the world's third. This time will be no exception!"

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, the international students from Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press who knew about this history all laughed out loud.

“If you talk to him, he won’t listen; if he listens, he won’t understand; if he understands, he won’t do it; if he does it, he’ll do it wrong; if he’s wrong, he won’t admit it; if he admits it, he won’t change it; if he changes it, he won’t accept it; what can you do if he’s not accepting it? You have to beat him!” Liu Yimin continued.

After listening, Xiao Meihezi clenched her fist and said, "There's an old Chinese saying, 'A wise man submits to circumstances...'"

Liu Yimin glanced at Xiao Mei Hezi and thought to himself, "Big sister, shut up!"
Li Congren and several international students discussed it and suggested that Liu Yimin write down what he had just said as a big-character poster and post it in the Triangle Area. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press or international students could choose whether to sign it and, like Chinese students, come to the Triangle Area to express their attitude.

"Okay, I'll sign first, and everyone else can decide for themselves whether to sign."

After the big-character poster was written, Liu Yimin took the lead in signing it. Almost all the international students from Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, including Li Congren, Mu Latu, and Xiao Meihezi, signed their names. Li Congren and others then went to the international student dormitory to urge everyone to sign, and in the end, the number of signatories reached more than thirty.

The Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press's big-character poster had just been put up in the triangular area when it attracted the attention of Chinese students.

A group of people gathered in front of the big-character poster and read it aloud: "If you talk to him, he won't listen; if you listen, he won't understand. Children always want to cause trouble because they rely on their parents. If they won't listen to reason, then we can only resort to fists."

The last item on the poster was a statement supporting the decision to send troops.

"Well written, catchy. But he won't listen when I tell him." After a group of students finished reading, they couldn't help but read it again, their voices even more synchronized than before, like a group of people reciting in unison.

"See? Foreigners support us too. I told you long ago, we should give them a good beating. But how come foreigners speak such good Chinese?"

"The vice president of Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press is Liu Yimin from the Chinese Department, so it must have been written by Liu Yimin!"

These words spread quickly among Yenching University students, and many people went to the Triangle Area to copy them. The handwritten copies soon circulated to other universities in Yenching.

Some students even recited this sentence as if it were a poem.

In the large lecture hall of the Chinese Department at Yenching University, Liu Zhenyun was reading these sentences aloud. Zhang Manling specifically sat in front of Liu Yimin this time and turned to ask him what he was thinking, that he could write such simple yet reasonable sentences.

Journalism students say Liu Yimin is better suited to be a publicity worker because he can achieve the same publicity effect as a newspaper with just a few words, and even be more effective in winning people's hearts.

As everyone was discussing, Professor Sun Yushi walked in with his lecture notes. He was going to talk about the history of modern literature. Unlike usual, he didn't write his lecture notes on the blackboard first.

"Today I passed by Triangle Area and saw everyone discussing it, so I went to join in the fun. Liu Yimin, a classmate from our Chinese Department, opened my eyes to something new."

In less than sixty characters, the major events reported in the newspaper were summarized. With these few words, everyone understood the cause and effect of the matter. Simple, easy to understand, and catchy, these sixty characters spread like wildfire throughout Yenching University and Yenching University.

"The greatest truths are the simplest," indeed! It seems Liu Yimin has fully grasped the meaning of Lao Tzu's saying. The reason humanity invented poetry, which later evolved into classical Chinese poetry, is precisely because a few strokes of the pen can clearly convey a matter or the author's emotions.

After Professor Sun Yushi finished speaking, he pointed to Liu Yimin and said, "When I saw the name on the back of the big-character poster, I realized that our classmate Liu Yimin has done a very good job in the united front work. The Overseas Students Office made you the vice president of the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, which is really making the best use of your talents."

After Professor Sun Yushi finished speaking, he officially began the lecture, which mainly focused on the writing styles of famous writers in the history of modern literature. He even used Lu Xun and Zhao Shuli as examples.

Although both are writers of rural literature, their writing styles are quite different.

"Lu Xun and Zhao Shuli were both masters of rural literature. Their writing was deeply rooted in the rural land. On the surface, their styles seemed similar, but in reality, they were quite different."

Sun Yushi spoke for almost an hour straight, then swallowed hard, feeling his mouth dry. He then said to Liu Yimin, "Liu Yimin, why don't you stand up and explain the reasons for the difference between their writing styles? I'll have a sip of tea and take a break."

It's me again? For these professors in the Chinese department, making Liu Yimin stand up and answer questions has become a mandatory part of every class.

After standing up, Liu Yimin thought for a moment and said, "Professor, I think a writer's writing style is inseparable from his background, which includes his upbringing, knowledge, and so on. Lu Xun grew up as a young master, and his understanding of rural life mostly came from what he heard from day laborers and servants. This understanding was incomplete, which is why what he wrote was a combination of reality and fiction."

Mr. Zhao Shuli was a native of the countryside, born and raised in the soil, so his works have a strong rural flavor. Furthermore, Mr. Lu Xun studied abroad, while Mr. Zhao Shuli did not. This resulted in a difference in their writing styles. Mr. Lu Xun viewed the countryside from a global perspective, while Mr. Zhao Shuli viewed the world from a rural perspective. Mr. Lu Xun's criticism and satire aimed to "cultivate people," while Mr. Zhao Shuli used stories to "cultivate principles" for the reader.

Sun Yushi was amused by Liu Yimin's concept of "cultivating people" and "cultivating principles," as it was the first time he had heard of it.

Upon careful consideration, he realized that was indeed the case, and said, "Liu Yimin, you explained it well. From now on, I will be the one explaining this to others!"

"Hahaha!"

"Class, don't laugh. This is what teaching and learning go hand in hand. Regarding what Liu Yimin said about different backgrounds, does anyone have any questions?"

“Me!” Zhang Manling turned to Liu Yimin and said, “Liu Yimin, you said that our writing style is influenced by our personal background. So, can we write without our own background? How can we use our own background to write a work that truly belongs to us?”

“In an ideal situation, it’s possible to consciously detach oneself from the situation. Like when forging a counterfeit, one deliberately conceals their tracks. But under normal circumstances, it’s impossible.” Liu Yimin finished speaking and looked at Liu Zhenyun beside him:
"As for your second question, how to write a work based on your own background, there are many things we can write about if we want to explore them. Zhang Manling, you were a sent-down youth, and you can write about that experience. Liu Zhenyun took the college entrance examination after being discharged from the army, and you can also write about that experience."

Liu Zhenyun was listening intently to Liu Yimin's answers when the topic suddenly shifted to him. Feeling the gazes of his classmates and professors fall on him the moment Liu Yimin finished speaking, he immediately straightened up nervously.

However, everyone's gaze only lingered on Liu Zhenyun for a second before shifting away.

Liu Yimin's words made the students present think deeply, wondering if they had any stories about themselves that could be explored.

Chinese literature departments don't train writers, but who doesn't want to be a writer?
After class, Liu Yimin nudged Liu Zhenyun, who was standing next to him. Liu Zhenyun was still listening to the lecture and didn't even realize that get out of class was over.

Is this a state of sudden enlightenment?

Li Xueqin gave Liu Zhenyun another push. After realizing what was happening, Liu Zhenyun excitedly stood up and hugged Liu Yimin, patting Liu Yimin's back repeatedly with both hands, and said loudly, "I know what to write! I know what to write! Thank you, Yimin!"

Liu Zhenyun suddenly realized that although Liu Yimin seemed to be using him as an example, he was actually helping him. Thinking of this, Liu Zhenyun was even more grateful and excitedly said that if the article was published, he would treat Liu Yimin to a meal at the Long March Canteen.

"Stop filming! Stop filming! You're going to break it apart!"

Liu Yimin rubbed his back. Liu Zhenyun was such an ingrate!
As Liu Yimin walked out of the teaching building, he still felt a sharp pain in his back.

Liu Zhenyun said embarrassedly, "I used such a strong grip just now!"

"No, it's mainly because I didn't dodge," Liu Yimin retorted stubbornly.

Liu Yimin never expected that his casual remark would actually inspire Liu Zhenyun!
"Yimin, could you give me some pointers?" Li Xueqin asked.

Upon hearing this, Chen Dazhi immediately chimed in, "Me too, me too! Yimin, you can't be biased!"

Li Xueqin nudged Chen Dazhi: "You should write about your experiences as a carpenter and carry on Mr. Zhao Shuli's 'yam school' of carpentry."

"What does a carpenter have to write?" Chen Dazhi retorted, unconvinced.

"Li Xueqin is right, why didn't the carpenter write anything?"

Upon hearing Liu Yimin's opinion, Chen Dazhi smiled and said, "That makes sense. I'll think about it carefully!"

Li Xueqin: ...

……

On February 22, five days after the statement was issued, Yu Jiajia rode her bicycle to Yenching University and found Liu Yimin studying in the library.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, your words are well written. I've heard about them in the China Youth Daily. They're even posted on the MZ wall in Xidan now. Don't you have anything to say?" Yu Jiajia asked with a smile.

"Comrade Yu Jiajia, given our relationship, just say what you want to say!" Liu Yimin pursed his lips. This young girl has become a seasoned editor now, and she's even learned to beat around the bush.

"Ahem, you caught me!" Yu Jiajia's face flashed with embarrassment. She picked at her hair and said, "The war has just begun, and news isn't spreading in a timely manner. Everyone is gathered together to discuss things, and with so much discussion, all sorts of opinions are bound to emerge. Especially young people, who are full of energy, are always discussing things."

So our editor-in-chief asked me to commission an article from you, hoping you could write one to help people avoid misinterpreting things and reach a consensus. The editor-in-chief said that since you could unite the thoughts of international students from more than a dozen countries, unifying the thoughts of young people in our own country would certainly be a piece of cake.

Your last report was excellent, and many people look up to you as a role model. Given your influence among young people, you are the most suitable person to do this. Please say a few words on behalf of young people.”

"Okay!" Liu Yimin agreed without hesitation.

Yu Jiajia was quite surprised by his straightforwardness: "Comrade Liu Yimin, so straightforward?"

“I have a friend who just enlisted last year. His dream has always been to be a soldier. He said that if there is a war, he must go to the front line to fight. Unlike him, I am in the rear. I can't do anything else but write an article.”

“Doing our own jobs well is our contribution!” Yu Jiajia said.

"Comrade Yu Jiajia, I'll call you when I'm done writing, and you can come and pick it up then!"

“Okay.” Yu Jiajia rode her bicycle away. When she reached the school gate, she turned back to the Triangle Area. She felt that the students’ reactions were very representative of Yanda University, as one of the top universities in the country. Since she was here, she would write a news article before leaving.

So, an out-of-place girl appeared in the triangle area, standing to the side with a notebook, observing everything inside.

Once the student who gave the speech returned to the crowd, Yu Jiajia quickly stepped forward: "Hello, classmate, I'm Yu Jiajia, a reporter from China Youth Daily. May I interview you?"

The last two chapters will be posted later...

(End of this chapter)