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

Chapter 391 Hundreds of Universities Sweeped Through the Net

The next day, Liu Yimin and Yan Jiayan had just woken up when there was a knock on the door. Judging from the noise at the door, it sounded like there were several people there.

The two quickly got dressed, and Yan Jiayan said, "They must be from other schools, maybe some of my good friends."

"Professor Yan not only has students all over the world, but also has many friends in the education field." Liu Yimin rubbed his eyes to shake off his tiredness.

"Haha, knowing you were coming, I definitely came to pay a visit first." Yan Jiayan replied, straightening his collar and buttons. Seeing Liu Yimin say "okay," he confidently turned around and opened the door.

"Professor Yan, how have you been?"

The man was of medium height, dressed in a Zhongshan suit and with a dignified appearance. While the other professors wore brown-rimmed glasses, he wore gold-rimmed glasses.

Yan Jiayan glanced at Liu Yimin behind him and said, "Yimin, he's looking for you."

"Ok?"

"This is Professor Zhang Jing, the head of the Chinese Department at Zhengzhou University in your province. Let me see, this is Professor Yu Anlan from Henan Normal University. Professor Yu, you're so old, why are you here to join in the fun?" Yan Jiayan asked with concern.

[The previous text was incorrect; at this time, Henan University had not yet changed its name back and was still using the old name, Henan Normal University.]

"The old man likes to travel, so he came to see you specially."

"You've come to visit Yimin, haven't you?"

The group exchanged smiles, and Professor Zhang Jing from Zhengzhou University said, "Comrade Liu Yimin, we've finally met."

Zhang Jing is from Hebei Province but went to university in Northeast China. She doesn't have a Henan accent and speaks very clearly.

“Professor Zhang Jing, Mr. Yu, I should be visiting you to thank the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University and the Chinese Department of Henan Normal University for their support,” Liu Yimin said.

Yu Anlan said, "It doesn't matter who visits whom, it's all the same, it's just a matter of walking a few more steps. As for the textbook, it's purely because your textbook is well-written."

When Yan Jiayan saw that it was time to eat, he suggested that they go to a restaurant to eat and chat together.

The discussion focused more on the future of Chinese literature education, specifically how to better cultivate students in the context of China's opening up and the collision of literary ideas.

"We believe that only excellent teachers can cultivate excellent students," Professor Zhang Jing said.

Liu Yimin said, "We cannot cultivate students who are good at academics; we must cultivate students who are good at both moral character and talent. It is no good to have talent but no morality. I think students today need more education on patriotism and national sentiment. We need to cultivate a group of students who can shoulder the important responsibilities of national development and the development of literature."

Zhang Jing and Yu Anlan nodded, agreeing with Liu Yimin's point. They added, "You guys are the senior department, while we're the Chinese Literature department striving to move forward. We still need your guidance."

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiayan immediately became alert.

Inside the cafeteria, everyone used the meal tickets issued by the Chinese Department of Fudan University to get a meal and sat in a secluded, inconspicuous corner chatting.

"Actually, what our Chinese department lacks most is an advanced departmental management philosophy."

Seeing Zhang Jing and Yu Anlan working together so well, Yan Jiayan couldn't help but ask, "You two aren't trying to poach someone, are you?"

"Can I dig?" Yu Anlan asked with a smile.

Yan Jiayan put down his chopsticks: "Mr. Yu, of course not. Yimin was trained by our Chinese Department of Yenching University and has just become an associate professor."

“Come here, and you can drop the ‘deputy’ title,” Zhang Jing said with a smile.

Yan Jiayan said, "There's no need to go; it can be removed."

Liu Yimin smiled at Yan Jiayan and said, "Professor Yan, Professor Zhang and Mr. Yu certainly didn't mean that. Who would poach someone in front of you, the head of the Chinese Department? Professor Zhang, Mr. Yu, what do you two mean?"

Zhang Jing laughed and said, "Professor Yan, look at you, you are indeed a talented person from Henan Province. Unlike you, everyone says that men from Shanghai are petty, but look how precious you are."

We would like to request guidance from the Chinese Department of Yenching University on our educational endeavors. We would like to appoint Professor Yan, Professor Sun, Comrade Yimin, and other professors from the Chinese Department as adjunct professors. They will not be required to teach classes; they would simply need to give a lecture when they have time, provide guidance on the development of the Chinese Department, and collaborate on research projects.

Yan Jiayan breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn't agree easily. Although it would be a part-time professorship, the two places were quite far apart, which might take up too much of his time.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Professor Yan, I think it's good. One flower blooming alone does not make spring, but a hundred flowers blooming together make a garden full of spring!"

Yan Jiayan glanced at Liu Yimin: "I know what you're up to, kid. I need to think about it."

Zhang Jing and Yu Anlan looked at Liu Yimin, their eyes conveying the message that they wanted Liu Yimin to help with the development of universities in their hometown.

While eating, Liu Yimin explained the benefits of this matter: helping other universities is a win-win situation, bringing both fame and fortune.

Zhang Jing and Yu Anlan chimed in, and by the time they finished eating, Yan Jiayan was pretty much convinced.

Furthermore, as long as the professor agrees, the department cannot prevent them from taking on adjunct professorships. The reason both universities sought Yan Jiayan was to obtain systematic guidance.

"Professor Zhang, Mr. Yu, I agree, but I still need to go back and discuss it. Also, the two places are far apart, so it's not advisable to give too many reports, otherwise it will affect teaching in both places."

“We understand that we will cover the standard airfare for our trips.”

Once outside the cafeteria, Zhang Jing said to Liu Yimin, "Professor Liu, how about becoming an adjunct professor in our Chinese Department at Zhengzhou University?"

Liu Yimin extended his hand and said, "It is my duty to contribute to the education of my hometown."

Therefore, Liu Yimin officially became an adjunct associate professor in the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University and Henan Normal University. The tasks that Liu Yimin needed to do were discussed and agreed upon by both parties.

For example, when it comes to reports and project guidance, we must first seek Liu Yimin's opinion.

Zhang Jing and Yu Anlan extended their hands to Yan Jiayan again: "Professor Yan, it's been a pleasure working with you. We hope to follow in the footsteps of our senior department and move forward together."

Both men were older than Yan Jiayan, and the term "elder brother" made Yan Jiayan feel like he was on cloud nine. He immediately expressed his full support for the development of literature in Henan Province.

“We’re going to change our name back to Hebei University this year. If there’s an opportunity, I hope our Chinese Department can send someone to participate,” Yu Anlan said.

After we finished eating and returned to the guesthouse, the whole place became lively as professors and department heads from various schools gathered there.

Yan Jiayan, Liu Yimin, and others, as one of the organizers, joined the Chinese Department of Fudan University and the American Literature Research Association to welcome everyone at the entrance of the guesthouse.

Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Shanghai University, Beijing Normal University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, Nanjing Normal University, Sun Yat-sen University, Jinan University, and other universities came one after another. The farthest university was Lanzhou University, while several more remote universities did not come, but all sent congratulatory telegrams.

"It's really become a literary competition, with more than 300 schools participating," Yan Jiayan exclaimed. He was about to stand up and give a welcoming speech when he saw so many familiar faces from the literary world.

Liu Yimin stood to the side, listening to Yan Jiayan's repeated introductions: "This is Associate Professor Liu Yimin from our school."

After hearing so much talk, one becomes numb to it all. Whenever someone comes in, Yan Jiayan will inevitably introduce them. Then Liu Yimin mechanically extends his hand, puts on a polite smile, and listens to the other party say a few words of praise such as "a promising young man," "I have long admired your name," and "your reputation is astounding."

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin met Xu Chi, who had been specifically invited by Liu Yimin, as it was convenient for him to come from Hubei Province.

Liu Yimin finally had a chance to slack off. He asked Yan Jiayan for leave and took Xu Chi into the room to talk.

"Yimin, this is quite a show of force. You could kill two professors with a single brick, and the other one is the department head," Xu Chi teased, looking at the people below.

"Many people are just here to join in the fun."

More than 300 schools came, but only a few were able to speak; the rest just listened.

How many schools do you think will adopt your textbooks?

Liu Yimin thought about it carefully: "It would be a success if we could add fifty more schools. Not all schools have the faculty to teach this course. Some schools may not even have a professor in their Chinese department."

“You’re a bit pessimistic. You could be more optimistic,” Xu Chi said.

The two sat in the room and discussed the publication of "Beloved". Xu Chi said, "When I go to the United States this year, I will show you the great success of 'Beloved'".

"Are you going to America?"

"Yes, I was invited to the Iowa International Writing Training Camp, and Ms. Nie Hualing wrote me a letter personally."

Xu Chi plans to interview Chinese scientists such as Tsung-Dao Lee or Chen-Ning Yang once he arrives in the United States.

Xu Chi was in high spirits. This time, he was not restricted by the delegation to the United States and could do many things he wanted to do.

"Old Xu, take it easy when you get to America."

After chatting with Xu Chi for more than an hour, he was tired from the long car ride, so he took him back to his room to rest.

After going downstairs, he met Li Xueqin, who was being forced to do manual labor by Yan Jiayan. Upon seeing Liu Yimin, Li Xueqin immediately put down his things and gave Liu Yimin a hug.

"Let's catch up after that, and then get back to work," Yan Jiayan said.

That evening, Liu Yimin and Li Xueqin had dinner. The young man poured out his grievances, saying that he was going bald from writing his thesis lately.

"Alright, just one more year until graduation," Liu Yimin said with a smile. Li Xueqin won't pursue a doctorate after completing his master's degree; as he said, he'll likely return to Zhejiang University in Zhejiang Province to become a teacher.

After finishing the meal, Li Xueqin said, "Let's go, I won't keep you any longer, we still have two days of meetings to attend to!"

The comparative literature symposium was held in Fudan University's auditorium, as only the auditorium could accommodate so many people. Later, it was renamed Xianghui Hall, after the names of two Fudan University presidents (Ma Xiangbo and ****). This Li is not the traitor Li.

Once inside, apart from the specially invited professors whose nameplates were placed in front of them, everyone else was seated randomly according to their geographical area.

The auditorium was bustling with noise as everyone greeted acquaintances. Liu Yimin sat in his reserved seat, next to Yan Jiayan and Sun Yushi.

The meeting was chaired by the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University, and the president of Fudan University delivered a speech welcoming everyone to the seminar.

Next, Wu Fuheng from Shandong University spoke, praising the conference for sparking a new wave of enthusiasm for comparative literature studies. Following him was Yan Jiayan, who spoke very pragmatically about the significance of comparative literature studies.

Sun Yushi leaned closer to Liu Yimin and said, "It's a pity that Principal Ji Xianlin didn't come. If he had, he would definitely have been the first to speak."

"I heard that Professor Ji is planning to establish a national comparative literature symposium!"

There's no smoke without fire!

In the afternoon, the invited professors went up to talk at length about comparative literature studies or research on foreign literary thought, all of them presenting their own papers.

Liu Yimin also went up and spoke about what he had written at the Sino-US Comparative Literature Forum. After finishing his paper, Liu Yimin said:
"Distinguished scholars and professors, comparative literature research must adhere to a research perspective that starts from our own perspective and is primarily based on our own understanding. Our goal is not to follow the crowd, but to absorb the essence and use it for our own purposes. I put forward this idea at last year's Sino-US Literature Forum, and when compiling the textbook 'Western Modern Literary Thought,' the editorial board unanimously agreed that this should be done."

We are professors, and our thoughts will influence the thoughts of our students. As Sun Tzu's *Art of War* says, "War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin." I would also say that education is the foundation of a nation, the basis of its survival or destruction; it cannot be neglected. Thank you all, that concludes my remarks.

Yan Jiayan led the applause and looked back smugly. Only when he saw that everyone was clapping did he turn back around.

The first day was quite lively. On the second day, when the representatives from various schools arrived at the venue, they saw sample copies of "Western Modern Literary Thought" on the table. Those who hadn't read it before picked it up with great interest, while those who had read it exchanged and discussed it with others.

The discussion in the morning was very heated. Some people questioned Liu Yimin's "self-centered" research method, wondering if insisting on starting from one's own perspective might lead to misguided and biased conclusions.

Liu Yimin stood up and said, "Aren't you all afraid that Western scholars will be biased when they study us? I've met a lot of Western professors, and they've been chatting and laughing at Sino-US literary forums, or you could say they've been engaged in heated debates. Western research on us is full of arrogance and prejudice. If we study from their perspective, we're just catering to their prejudices!"
One should not be arrogant, but one should be confident without being self-deprecating.

"This is academic, so it's not a question of inferiority or not. The West certainly has its strengths."

Liu Yimin said, "The West has it, so why don't we have our literature? Is it so hard to acknowledge our excellence? I've suggested to Western professors that they need to learn from our realist writing. Western vulgar and harsh content is consuming their young people; Western literature is too utilitarian. What do their professors say?"

Western professor Fussell said I was right; Westerners' arrogance prevented them from realizing this, and I think that's our strength.

Literature isn't about writing whatever you want; it's about passing it down, leaving something for future generations!

Some agreed, some disagreed, and the argument was heated yet orderly. Some of the older professors had to go outside to calm down and get some fresh air because of the intense atmosphere.

After calming down, he walked into the auditorium, looked at the lively atmosphere, and, showing off a few broken teeth, exclaimed that this was the real academic debate.

Wu Fuheng, Yan Jiayan, and the people from the Chinese Department of Fudan University nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly the effect they wanted. The better the effect, the more people would talk about it.

Yan Jiayan said, "I will give you another gift this afternoon."

Liu Yimin would occasionally step forward and engage in a verbal battle, retorting to each and every person he was targeting.

"Comrades, we are cultivating talents for socialism, and we must understand what kind of talents we should cultivate. The West has never given up its desire to destroy us, and as a wall of academia, we must be cautious."

"Our relationship with the United States is very good right now!"

"The relationship between nations cannot be judged by the standards of friendship. Don't friends sometimes turn against each other? Would you prefer a compliant friend or a friend who frequently argues? Some professors might say that those who prefer arguments can use others as a mirror. You may be aloof and splendid, but does a nation truly appreciate another nation that constantly argues with it?"

We've been confined to the cage of academia for so long; let's not forget world politics.

After Liu Yimin sat down, Yan Jiayan laughed and said, "You should let him do academic work for a considerable portion of his career, but forget about politics."

After the argument ended in the morning, many people took the initiative to greet Liu Yimin, but most of them just glanced at him and didn't remember him at all.

During the lunch break, Yan Jiayan had the conference organizers place the journal "Harvest" on the floor below, and everyone saw it as soon as they entered in the afternoon.

"Distributing textbooks is understandable, but what does it mean to distribute 'Harvest' magazine?" someone asked, puzzled.

"Beloved—a masterpiece that has caused countless Americans to repent, by Liu Yimin. Yenching University Chinese Department, is this an attempt to glorify himself?"

"Let's see!"

The person who came in picked up "Beloved" from the seat and started reading. The person who came later was still wondering why it was so quiet in the afternoon when someone interrupted him as soon as he opened his mouth: "Go read the magazine yourself and don't talk!"

Wu Fuheng and the others were also puzzled when they went in. Yan Jiayan pointed to "Harvest" magazine and said, "All the mysteries are contained within it."

Everyone was engrossed in "Beloved," while Yan Jiayan, Sun Yushi, and Liu Yimin seemed to have nothing to do.

Yan Jiayan straightened his clothes, cleared his throat, and stood out from the crowd: "Look at these people, they look so ignorant."

Sun Yushi wanted to laugh but had no choice but to lower his head helplessly. Liu Yimin flipped through "Harvest" magazine out of boredom.

Wu Fuheng looked at Yan Jiayan: "Jiayan, what is this?"

"Yes, it was written by Yimin!"

"I wanted to ask..."

"Published in the United States!"

Wu Fuheng: "."

"It needs to be published!"

After the first person finished reading, he slapped the table and stood up, laughing, saying, "Great! Excellent! Our own people have written 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'!"

"Comrade Liu Yimin wrote very well. His writing style and technique are both excellent, and his writing is fragmented yet well-organized."

"The Chinese Department of Yenching University truly deserves its reputation as the best department in the world; it has found a successor!" exclaimed one of the fourteen elders of Fudan University.

Yan Jiayan said in a low voice, "This is the kind of meeting our Chinese department should be having!"

"Professor Liu, please go up on stage and share your thoughts!" a group of people shouted.

When Liu Yimin took the stage, he explained his reasons for writing the book: "First, Americans don't believe we can write magical realism; second, I can't bear the long-term bullying of Black people, and I want to speak out for them."

"Is this reality? Isn't magical realism just an exaggeration?"

Liu Yimin said, "Many academics, after reading 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' discussed whether magical realism is realism. What I want to say is that magical realism is realism. It just uses a more magical style of expression, but these things really exist in the United States."

Realism is always the right path; it will never go out of style.

After Liu Yimin spoke, the room fell silent. Many who believed magical realism wasn't real were speechless, especially since the author was right there.

I can't say to your face that what you wrote wasn't "you"!

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he reached out to invite Xu Chi to come up on stage and speak. Xu Chi talked about what he had seen and heard in the United States, as well as the arrogant behavior of American professors when he went to the United States for exchange.

"Faced with arrogant colleagues, we should respond with arrogance! We are fighting for national salvation! We are striving for survival! We are not here to be treated with arrogance; we remember the original intention of the revolution, so that we can hold our heads high as human beings." Xu Chi raised his arm and said loudly, as if he had returned to his youth.

"Okay!" Liu Yimin shouted first.

Yan Jiayan took the stage to give a summary, highlighting the long history of the Chinese Department's research on magical realism and listing a large number of achievements, the biggest of which was that it had been written down. Yenching University's Chinese Department has become the local leader of magical realism.

After a period of turmoil, the academic discourse power in the study of Western modern literature returned to the Chinese Department of Yenching University. The Chinese Department of Fudan University, which is known for its classical Chinese literature and history, cannot compare with the Chinese Department of Yenching University.

Now that you have a voice, do you want to use our textbooks? Do you want to write your own? Can you write authentic ones?
If you can't write it, then use ours!

"Our Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Yenching University will continue to invest human and material resources and increase research efforts. The future achievements will belong to the entire academic community."

Here, I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Liu Yimin for his important contributions to the study of Western modern literary thought, to Professor Zhu Guangqian, and to the late Professor Yang Hui!

After the meeting, the Chinese Department of Fudan University and the American Literature Research Association exchanged a knowing smile and said bitterly, "We've really become the ones carrying the sedan chair!"

Many Chinese departments of schools chose to order textbooks from Yenching University. Yan Jiayan and a few others sat in front to register. In a daze, Liu Yimin thought, "Isn't this just like the trade fair in later generations?"
After tallying the figures that evening, it was found that over a hundred universities had decided to use Yenching University's textbooks!
"What a great harvest!" Yan Jiayan said happily. In addition, many other schools have expressed their interest in obtaining more academic papers related to textbooks from Yenching University.

"The textbooks have been widely adopted. With over a hundred universities already using them, it's only natural that other schools will follow suit," Sun Yushi said.

"A single spark has ignited a prairie fire!"

(End of this chapter)