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

Chapter 319 Shame on America!

The Writers' Association is under the supervision of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Ministry of Culture. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage is also a bureau under the Ministry of Culture, and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, but it also has relative independence.

In short, it's all the Ministry of Culture's business. Plus, those who came were all cultural figures, aware of the value of cultural relics, and seeing them scattered overseas, especially as veteran revolutionaries who lived through the war years, naturally made them feel bad.

The atmosphere in the hotel room was heavy. Everyone's luggage was packed, but no one showed any intention of leaving.

As the head of the delegation, Zhang Guangnian was under immense pressure. After pacing around the room for a while, he said, "I'm going to the consulate to contact the ministry and give a report."

"Don't just sit idly by. Gathering information in China is inconvenient, but in the US you can collect more information on recovering cultural relics and see if there are any legal avenues."

The two groups split up. Liu Yimin called Li Congren, who immediately became interested upon hearing the call: "Liu, I'm taking a lawyer friend with me. He's very professional in this area!"

"How much are the lawyer's fees?" Liu Yimin asked.

“No lawyer fees needed, we’re friends. He’s very interested in this, and it just so happens that he’s free lately,” Li Congren said with a smile.

Xu Chi called Nie Hualing to ask if she had any research in this area, but unfortunately, she knew nothing about it.

At noon, Li Congren arrived with an American lawyer named Sino. Sino looked to be in her thirties. Judging from her age, she was not a very senior lawyer, but she was enough to gather some basic information for everyone.

“Snow, you remind me of another Mr. Snow, who introduced Red China to the world!” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Li Congren told Sino with a smile the story of how Snow wrote "Red Star Over China." Sino smiled and said, "I would be very happy if my knowledge could help you."

"How are international efforts to recover cultural relics usually carried out?" Xu Chi asked eagerly.

Sino unfolded a document: "This is the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, adopted by UNESCO in Paris in November 1970."

For any cultural relics illegally exported or sold abroad, the country of origin has the right to request their return, and the country to which the relics were lost should actively cooperate. Furthermore, if any cultural relics from the country of origin appear at an auction, the country of origin can prohibit the auction if it provides relevant evidence and proof of illegal export.

Wang Meng said, "This treaty is good!"

"Unfortunately, our country has not yet joined, as this convention only applies to the Allied Powers," Liu Yimin said.

"Liu, you're right. China didn't join, so there's no way to pass a treaty. It can only be done through negotiations between governments and the internationalist spirit of individual collectors."

Sino handed the document to Xu Chi, who then read the terms aloud to everyone.

"Is there no other way besides this method?" Wei Junyi sighed.

"Yes and no. Ladies and gentlemen, to be honest with you, the international pursuit of cultural relics is a difficult problem in itself. They are passed around among antique dealers and collectors, and the relationships involved are very complicated and difficult to manage."

But it's also easy in a way: it depends on a nation's global influence. If China becomes powerful one day, the repatriation of cultural relics will become much easier.

Sino stood up and stood in front of the hotel window, looking at modern San Francisco, then turned to everyone and said.

"That damned robber logic again!" Xu Chi cursed.

But Liu Yimin knew that what Si Nuo said was true. The pursuit of cultural relics had been less difficult for a century, only after the 21st century. Before 2010, most of the cultural relics of great value were brought back through auctions by collectors and the state.

In other words, he bought them himself. Of the twelve bronze animal heads from the Old Summer Palace, the gambling king bought the pig head and the horse head. The pig head cost 600 million RMB, and by the time he got the horse head, the price had increased several times.

Convention? When interests are at stake, a convention is just a piece of paper.

In 2009, Christie's in France, disregarding official and public protests, resolutely auctioned the rabbit and rat heads. Cai Mingchao ultimately won the bid at a high price but refused to pay, causing the auction to fail. Thirteen years later, the Pinault family of France returned the rabbit and rat heads to China.

A sudden pang of conscience? Liu Yimin thought probably not. It was more that he knew the situation had become a hot potato due to the Chinese government's protests and could no longer be turned into profit.

After returning from the consulate, Zhang Guangnian noticed the somber expressions on the faces of the group. After learning the details of what had happened, he took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it by himself.

After finishing his cigarette, he said, "Comrades, don't be discouraged. Stand tall. This is not our tragedy, but theirs, their shamelessness."

Do you want to know what the ministry is saying?

The group looked up at Zhang Guangnian, who continued, "The ministry has agreed to let us postpone our return to Beijing and leave the US on the last day of our visas. We'll stay here for the next few days to see how public opinion in the US reacts."

Once the American newspapers publish it, we should use our identities to reshape public opinion. We should also contact Chinese communities, as well as prominent Chinese Americans and internationalists, hoping they will actively voice their opinions.

Yimin, what do you want to say?

Liu Yimin glanced at everyone and said with a smile, "Comrades, even if we are just a leaf, we will still make a splash when we fall in America. Even if we fail this time, we can still lay the groundwork for public opinion next time."

Success doesn't have to be achieved by me, but I will definitely be a part of it!

“Well said. Success doesn’t have to be achieved by me, but I will definitely be a part of it. The pursuit of cultural relics is a difficult historical process in itself. It is enough for us to be promoters of history!” Xu Chi laughed heartily.

Liu Yimin and Xu Chi's words touched everyone, and everyone laughed.

“Yi Min, you have more influence among the American people than we do now, so you should speak out more. You and Comrade Xu Chi should cooperate well. Comrades Wang Meng and Jun Yi, you go to this art museum tomorrow and take more photos of our cultural relics. Comrade Chen Yuan, you come with me and contact more Chinese groups.”

Comrades, this is a new struggle!

Zhang Guangnian seemed to have rediscovered the spiritedness he had when he joined the revolution.

That evening, Consul Hu from the consulate came to the hotel, met with everyone, and told them that if the public reaction was positive, they would work with the embassy in New York to communicate with the U.S. government.

That night, none of the delegation members slept well, unsure whether the American newspapers would publish it. Liu Yimin, however, slept soundly, confident that given the sensationalist nature of American newspapers, they would definitely publish it.

The following morning, the two major American newspapers, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, indeed published the two articles, and placed them in very prominent positions.

Furthermore, each newspaper published a short news article titled "That Young Man from the East Demands Chinese Cultural Relics from America."

After the newspaper was published, some American television stations began to broadcast the news, with headlines such as "O. Henry Award winner, Chinese writer Yimin Liu, speaks out for cultural relics lost in the United States," and so on. These television stations did not have much news material, so the news reports were very brief.

Around noon, reporters from CNN, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and the New York Today arrived at the hotel and interviewed members of the delegation.

Liu Yimin stood at the entrance of the Asian Art Museum, angrily denouncing the looting of cultural relics through the camera lens.

"How did Eastern cultural relics cross the Pacific Ocean to reach the United States? It was through guns, bayonets, and the shameless trafficking of cultural relics."

"Professor Liu, the purpose of establishing the Asian Art Museum is to help the American people understand Chinese culture. We believe that the establishment of the museum will help promote Eastern culture and let the world understand China," the reporter asked.

"Could the United States send the Statue of Liberty to China so that the Chinese people and the people of Asia can get to know the United States better?"

Cultural exchange can take many forms. Isn't our delegation's visit to the United States also a form of cultural exchange? The sale of cultural relics is the most shameful thing.

The reporter was momentarily speechless, but held the microphone even closer, knowing that what he was about to say would surely attract more discussion among Americans.

Finally, Liu Yimin talked about environmentalism. The environmental movement is now flourishing in the United States, but unlike later extreme environmentalists, it doesn't provoke widespread resentment.

The fervor of environmentalists makes them precisely the kind of people who can be won over through united front work.

The Americans acted quickly, especially American cable television, which broadcast footage of the interview in the evening.

Liu Yimin did not use Chinese, but English, which made it easier for Americans to understand.

In the hotel, everyone laughed as they watched Liu Yimin on TV. Zhang Guangnian said, "Yimin has shown all his anger. He spoke well. The New York Chinese Association and General Song Xilian's Association for the Promotion of Reunification have both expressed their support and will actively speak out in the media."

“I learned from Nikki that I’m going to attend a San Francisco environmentalist gathering tomorrow,” Liu Yimin said.

“Environmentalism? That has nothing to do with us, does it?” Wei Junyi asked.

“These people in environmental groups are sincere, so it’s easier to win them over and make them more influential!” Liu Yimin said.

“Alright. Consul Hu in San Francisco said they’ve made arrangements with local Chinese students and international students; we’ll host a party on Christmas Eve.” Zhang Guangnian nodded.
Everyone checked the time; after the Christmas Eve celebration, everyone should go home the following day.

The next morning, Liu Yimin and Xu Chi arrived early at the gathering of the San Francisco environmentalist group.

The gathering took place in a church. The group's leaders, Joseph and his wife, grasped Liu Yimin's hand and said excitedly:

"This is a transnational environmental cooperation, Liu, do you know that? If things continue like this, our planet will only allow us to live for another two hundred years. Two hundred years from now, the world will be littered with garbage, the ozone layer will be gone, the Earth will be warming, the Arctic will be melting, and sea levels will be rising."

Joseph was spitting as he spoke, while the other environmentalists around him nodded repeatedly, chanting "God" and "Amen."

Liu Yimin said, "Yes, when I came to the United States, I saw forests disappearing and replaced by skyscrapers. People like to eat beef and all kinds of meat, but they don't know that livestock farming produces a lot of greenhouse gases, causing global warming."

Standing in the middle of the crowd, Liu Yimin said sadly, "I've been very unhappy during my many days in the United States because I've watched our planet slowly head towards destruction. If Americans could eat less meat and use less Freon-laden refrigerators, I believe this planet would be a better place."

However, let's not be sad. The East is working hard; we are planting trees and fighting desertification. This is not only a contribution to our country, but also a contribution to the whole world.

"Really?" A group of Americans gathered around again.

“Of course it’s true. When I get back to China, I can send you photos. We’ve turned the desert into a forest.” After saying that, Liu Yimin sighed and said, “Americans can eat more meat, use more industrial products, and emit more greenhouse gases.”

"Liu, I'm so sorry you said that. I'm so sorry, we're planning to march in front of the city hall today." Joseph hugged Liu Yimin and said sadly.

Xu Chi asked Liu Yimin in a low voice if it was inappropriate to participate in the march.

Liu Yimin thought about it and realized that they were right. The two of them were in the United States, so they were foreigners!
When the Americans learned that Liu Yimin and his group couldn't go, Joseph said, "I wonder what we can do for China's environmental protection?"

"You don't need to do anything. We Chinese ask for nothing in return. It's for the whole world, for all mankind!"

“God, Liu, you are so great, we have to do something for you!” said Mrs. Joseph.

"Yes, God taught us that we cannot watch humanity go astray, and we cannot turn a blind eye to acts of justice."

Liu Yimin sincerely said, "If you really have something you want to do, I believe the most important thing is to improve the morality and character of Americans. We hope you can help call for the return of Chinese cultural relics. These are shameful war loot. Returning them now is an apology for history. You need an upright and kind America. An apology is the beginning of uprightness and kindness."

The United States, which stands with plunderers, should be ashamed. Shame on America!

"Shame on America!"

Joseph said excitedly, “Liu, I will tell environmental groups across the United States about China’s efforts in environmental protection! We are also willing to contribute to the return of Chinese cultural relics to their homeland. You know what? I couldn’t sleep all night after reading your article, ‘Chinese ‘Old Man’ Cries in a Cold American Art Museum.’”

Liu Yimin stood at the church entrance, hugging and greeting each of the Americans who were leaving, saying, "God will see."

After they left, the priest from the church came over to Liu Yimin and asked, "Young man, do you think everything you did was worthwhile?"

"Father, when Jesus led believers in prayer to God, did he ever consider whether everything he was doing was useful? Did he do it if it was useful, and not do it if it wasn't?"

Liu Yimin said with a smile.

The priest glanced at Liu Yimin and said, "The suffering and sweetness that come down in this world are all the will of the Lord. What we do is also in accordance with the Lord's will, which guides everyone toward goodness."

"The Lord's will may be good, but when the Lord's missionaries step into temptation, the devil in their hearts will also overcome the Lord in their hearts. Countless missionaries have turned into thugs and participated in the plunder of China," Liu Yimin said.

"Therefore, I often lead believers in prayer to the Lord, so that we will not fall into temptation. This temptation may also be a test from the Lord for us. Without a life of daily prayer, we cannot resist the devil."

We must pray constantly and repent to the Lord constantly. Young man, you must believe in the greatness of the Lord.

"Perhaps my request for the Americans to return the artifacts was also one of God's wills!"

(End of this chapter)