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

Chapter 408 European Publishers Gather in Yanjing

Inside the apartment in Kochi Building, Liu Yimin was sitting in Qian Zhongshu's study. Márquez was Colombian and spoke Spanish; if Liu Yimin wanted to understand him, he would have to consult the Spanish expert, Qian Zhongshu.

Gabriel García Márquez speaks English, but his English is so poor that the US intelligence agency complained about it in their surveillance logs. Márquez had close ties with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and the FBI monitored him after he entered the United States.

Qian Zhongshu held Márquez's letter, read it through once, and then began translating it for Liu Yimin:

[To my distant Eastern counterpart, Mr. Liu Yimin]

I am Gabriel García Márquez, and I am currently in Cartagena, Colombia, writing quietly. I have so many thoughts on my mind that I want to share with the world. Recently, a friend came to visit and brought me your novel, *Beloved*, which was published in the United States.

From the book's contents, I felt a power that resonated with me—a power of humanity, destiny, enslavement and oppression, and anti-colonial values, reflecting a century of genocide and oppression in North America. The West has brought terrible disasters to Latin America and China; what's even more terrifying is that we recognize these disasters yet remain unable to escape them. It's foreseeable that Latin America will be unable to escape this for the next century, and thinking about this fills me with extraordinary anger.

Judging from the letters and the dates, Márquez is currently focused on writing *Love in the Time of Cholera*. Set against the backdrop of cholera and war, this novel tells the story of a love affair spanning more than half a century, showcasing Colombian history.

A young couple couldn't get married because they were too young. They met again when they were over eighty years old, but still couldn't get married because they were too old.

Many significant events occurred in the lives of the two people who were separated. The male protagonist's love was both enduring and shameless. He could never forget the female protagonist at any time, and he could have affairs with other women in any place—using all women to replace the female protagonist whom he could not have.

Through the actions of the two main characters, the story explores various forms of love—shy, faithful, promiscuous, Platonic, and most importantly, regretful…

Those you love with all your heart when you're young are destined to be unforgettable when you're old; what you can't have will always haunt you.

Gabriel García Márquez praised Liu Yimin's literary descriptive techniques and his anti-colonial and anti-oppression stance. Similarly, through the fate of a family, he portrayed a century of North American history.

After reading "Beloved," Gabriel García Márquez read several of Liu Yimin's novels and praised the local Chinese cultural atmosphere displayed in Liu's novels, commending him for making important contributions to the development of Chinese literature in the world.

After reading the letter, Qian Zhongshu pondered, "I never expected that the internationally renowned Gabriel García Márquez would write to you personally. It seems he is very interested in you."

“I didn’t expect that ‘Beloved’ would express racial oppression in a way that suited his tastes!” Liu Yimin analyzed.

“Gabriel García Márquez currently enjoys immense international prestige. I wonder what he is currently working on. We are increasing our literary connections with the West and Asia, but we have little interaction with the Latin American literary scene. Perhaps this correspondence could serve as an opportunity for exchange.”

Liu Yimin thought to himself, "Could it be that Qian Zhongshu wants to invite Márquez to visit China?"

Sure enough, Qian Zhongshu brought up the matter of Márquez's visit to China.

"The timing isn't quite right right right now. First, we've only just started corresponding; second, Márquez is currently focused on writing and probably won't have the energy to visit China; and third..."

Liu Yimin told Qian Zhongshu about the issue of piracy. Upon hearing this, Qian Zhongshu frowned, realizing that it was indeed a problem.

"Are none of the translations on the market authorized?" Qian Zhongshu was not very clear about the specifics.

“No,” Liu Yimin said, clasping his hands together in front of his chest. “Foreign publishers take royalties, but if we Chinese publishers sign publishing contracts, the sales price is much higher. Given the current income level in China, buying legitimate copies is a burden for readers.”

Domestic novels and magazines are sold cheaply, while foreign literary works are sold expensively. Readers with low incomes want to buy them, not because they can't afford them, but because it hurts their wallets.

Currently, most foreign works cost around four yuan, with more expensive ones being well-known or longer. With a salary of seventy-odd yuan, the cost of a few to ten yuan worth of artwork is enough to live on for a week.

Qian Zhongshu sighed, feeling somewhat helpless about piracy. Completely eradicating piracy would require the efforts of several departments.

Through Liu Yimin's words, he also understood the readers' predicament of reading pirated copies.

After finishing the translation and returning to the courtyard house, Ba Jin, who was far away in Shanghai, finally got through on the phone after making several long-distance calls.

As the president of the Chinese PEN Center, Ba Jin received a letter from Márquez immediately and naturally wanted to know the contents of the letter.

Over the phone, Liu Yimin recounted the contents of the letter to Ba Jin. After listening, Ba Jin laughed and said, "It seems the influence of 'Beloved' has spread all the way to Latin America!"

The two exchanged their views on Márquez's letter and Márquez's writing style. Ba Jin did not invite Márquez, but instead invited Liu Yimin to join the Chinese PEN Center at the end of the letter.

“PEN International and its national chapters are important institutions for international literary exchange. How can you not be part of PEN? If foreign writers want to come to PEN to see you, but you are not there, they will have to invite you separately,” Ba Jin said with a smile.

Liu Yimin said, "Since you've invited me, I should naturally join."

PEN groups are more loosely organized than various research societies; most of the time, they are just a formality and do not require much effort.

Ba Jin said, "Then I'll notify the Writers' Association Center and have them process your membership."

After hanging up the phone, Ba Jin immediately had someone send a telegram to the PEN Center.

The following day, the Writers' Association sent someone to Liu Yimin's home to complete the membership procedures and inquire whether the contents of Márquez's letter could be delivered to each member.

Seeing that there was nothing in the letter that couldn't be made public, Liu Yimin agreed to the PEN Center's request and handed over the translated content to them.

After reading it, the staff at the Writers' Association said enviously, "Professor Liu, this is a letter from Márquez! You don't know, many people in the literary world are so excited and envious when they hear about this letter."

The influence of *One Hundred Years of Solitude* on the literary world is truly immense. Many writers today keep two copies on their bedside table: *One Hundred Years of Solitude* and *Beloved*, with the rest of their books on their desks, most of which are yours.

After flattering Márquez and Liu Yimin, the staff put away the letter and Liu Yimin's membership application and left the courtyard.

Liu Yimin wrote a reply to Márquez, the content of which was not much different from the original letter.

He began by expressing his appreciation for "One Hundred Years of Solitude," mentioning that many people in China also enjoy his books, thus giving him a heads-up. He concluded by expressing his hope to read more of his works reflecting the century-long fate of the Latin American people, and sincerely wishing them a speedy recovery from the effects of colonialism and their suffering.

This letter was also sent to Márquez through the PEN Center.

Yu Jiajia from China Youth Daily interviewed Liu Yimin in the courtyard, photographed the original manuscript of the letter, and published excerpts of the letter in the newspaper.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, what do you think of the letter from Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez?" Yu Jiajia asked, sitting opposite Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Márquez's letter proves that literature has no borders, and we resonated with each other's works. Márquez's works are rooted in the century-long history of suffering in Latin America. His works are very concerned about human destiny and are full of the spirit of resistance, which is why everyone likes his works."

Will you reply to Márquez?

"I've already replied."

"Could you tell me about the content?"

Liu Yimin gave Yu Jiajia a brief explanation, and finally Yu Jiajia asked Liu Yimin whether he replied to Márquez in English or Chinese.

"I speak in Chinese."

Aren't you afraid that Márquez won't understand it?

“Mr. Márquez will find a translator, just as I don’t understand Spanish either.”

Yu Jiajia smiled as she ended the interview, quickly packing her things: "Comrade Liu Yimin, see you again in six months."

"What? Where are you going?" Liu Yimin asked.

Yu Jiajia said, "I'm going to the United States next month, and after I come back from the United States, I'm going to the South."

"Interviewing the Olympics?"

"Yes, I am one of the reporters in the press corps. After returning from the United States, I will be in charge of a branch of the China Youth Daily in the south. However, it is a temporary position, and I should be able to be transferred back to Beijing by the end of the year."

Liu Yimin joked, "So you're getting a promotion!"

"Promotion is out of the question. The work at the branch office is actually quite simple. You get to see more news at headquarters, which is a better way to develop yourself." Yu Jiajia once thought that this was an exile to Lingnan.

Liu Yimin said, "The economy in the South is booming now, and where there's activity, there's more news. In the past, you had to travel to the South separately to gather news, but now you can go directly there and get closer to the news sources."

Furthermore, prime ministers often rise through the ranks from local government departments; working at a branch office will hone your management and coordination skills. Then, if you're transferred back to headquarters in Yanjing, you might even become editor-in-chief someday.

Upon hearing the second half of Liu Yimin's sentence, Yu Jiajia said helplessly, "Being a junior reporter is easier; you only need to focus on the news." "Being a leader allows you to do more things. You have to shoulder the responsibility of upholding justice and write insightful articles."

After having lunch in the courtyard, Yu Jiajia returned to the newspaper office to work on her article.

On June 29, Liu Yimin visited the Federation of Literary and Art Circles building next to Tuanjiehu Lake at the invitation of Zou Huofan, the editor-in-chief of Poetry Journal.

The inaugural meeting of the first National Poetry Correspondence Academy is being held here. Zou Huofan had been preparing for this academy since last year and even invited Liu Yimin to give lectures to the students. Unfortunately, it couldn't be established last year and is only being established this year.

The correspondence college organized by Zou Huofan was not large in scale, but it attracted many literary celebrities.

Here, Liu Yimin met Feng Zhi, Zhang Guangnian, Yan Chen, Ai Qing, Zang Kejia, and others. They would form the school affairs committee, with Zou Huofan serving as the dean.

Liu Yimin greeted everyone in turn, and Zhang Guangnian said with a smile, "China's Márquez is here!"

“I should call Yimin the director; I am currently an adjunct professor at the Institute of Literature and Art,” Feng Zhi said with a smile.

Before the founding ceremony of the correspondence college even began, people in the poetry circle curiously asked Liu Yimin what exactly their research institute was studying.

"The research is very simple; it's just the name of the Institute of Cultural Studies—the protection and development of culture," Liu Yimin said succinctly.

"What specific research is being conducted?" Ai Qing asked.

Feng Zhi waved his sleeves and said, "Let me tell you about it."

Feng Zhi recounted Liu Yimin's speech at the founding meeting of the Institute of Literature and Art. After he finished speaking, Liu Yimin added: "Poetry is also a kind of culture. When Comrade Lao Zou invited me to give a lecture at the Correspondence College, I talked about the relationship between poetry and culture."

Laughter filled the meeting room. Zou Huofan checked the time and said, "The inaugural meeting of the National Poetry Correspondence Colleges is now officially beginning."

Liu Yimin is sitting here as an advisor to the college. Zou Huofan invited Liu Yimin to be the dean of academic affairs, but Liu Yimin did not accept the position.

Zhu Xianshu, a member of the school affairs committee, also served as the dean of academic affairs for the college.

"Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the teaching hours of the correspondence college?" Zou Huofan asked.

Liu Yimin raised his hand and said, "The education period should be set at around one year. Most of those who come to learn have jobs. Too long is not good, and too short is ineffective. One year is about right."

Furthermore, I suggest that teaching should emphasize fundamental skills rather than writing techniques. A solid foundation in the fundamentals is essential for future progress.

“I agree with Yimin. We can’t start by teaching students how to write poetry. Otherwise, they will only produce poems that are full of empty sentimentality or even imitations,” Zhang Guangnian echoed.

Dean of Academic Affairs Zhu Xianshu quickly wrote down Liu Yimin's suggestion, and the others also offered their opinions.

Looking at the lively scene, Zou Huofan felt hopeful about the effects of opening the school.

After discussion, the school's teaching goals were established, emphasizing basic training, cultivating students' fundamental skills, and improving their poetry writing abilities.

"In the coming months, we will begin sending invitation letters to eligible students, and strive to complete the enrollment and start of school for the first batch of students by the end of November."

After Zou Huofan finished speaking, bursts of applause erupted in the meeting room.

As they left the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Zou Huofan invited Liu Yimin to come and give a few lectures.

"Comrade Zou, our relationship is definitely not a problem." Liu Yimin's words made Zou Huofan grin from ear to ear.

Zou Huofan said with a smile, "When Márquez wrote to you, he didn't say when he was coming to China?"

"Comrade Ma is busy writing a book!"

After joking around for a while, Liu Yimin returned to Yenching University to teach in the afternoon. With the arrival of Márquez's letter, Liu Yimin's interpretation of magical realism became the orthodox view in the literary world, and the literary concept that magical realism is a branch of realism took root in people's minds.

Not long after Márquez's letter arrived, Niki from the China Publishing House sent a telegram from the United States.

After the standalone edition of "Beloved" was released in the United States, it quickly sold 200,000 copies. By mid-June, sales had reached 500,000 copies, undoubtedly securing its place as the number one bestseller in the New York Times in 1984.

Niki also inquired about the letter Márquez wrote to Liu Yimin. Before Márquez's letter was even brought to China, the news had already spread through PEN International.

The news was reported by major American newspapers, and it boosted sales of the single volume in the United States.

Besides *Beloved*, the other books are also selling very well in the United States. This year, *The Kite Runner* unexpectedly surpassed other novels, becoming the second best-selling book after *Beloved*.

Niki invited Liu Yimin to give a speech in the United States again to increase the influence of "Beloved" in the United States.

Liu Yimin looked at the two little ones at Niki's suggestion but was not interested.

After reading Niki's letter, Zhu Lin was a little confused about the tour promotion. Liu Yimin explained to her the marketing methods in the business world, saying that a lecture tour is no different from product marketing.

“Teacher Liu, I don’t have anything going on at home. I have two months of summer vacation, so I can take a trip to the United States,” Zhu Lin said softly.

Liu Yimin pulled Zhu Lin into his arms: "We can go to America anytime, there's no need to wait."

In early July, Liu Yimin took the completed exam papers from the Chinese Department's Academic Affairs Office to his office to grade them.

Across from him, Wu Zuxiang was grading papers with a dark expression. Nowadays, students have better basic knowledge, but the overall thinking behind their answers is much worse.

"Professor Wu, don't get upset. Students aren't standard parts in a factory; they can't all be the same from generation to generation." Liu Yimin put down the exam paper and added some tea to Wu Zuxiang's teacup.

Wu Zuxiang looked up and asked, "How's yours?"

Liu Yimin held up the exam paper to show Wu Zuxiang. Upon seeing Liu Yimin's paper, Wu Zuxiang's expression softened considerably.

Liu Yimin had Yan Zhen and three other people from the Institute of Literature help him grade the basic questions, while he would grade the subjective questions himself. This made grading much easier.

The task of calculating scores no longer requires Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin to spend late nights in the study with their abacuses.

"After you finish calculating, send the scores directly to the Academic Affairs Office. Thank you all for your hard work," Liu Yimin said.

Yan Zhen smiled and said, "Director, we don't have anything else to do anyway."

"We'll give everyone a ten-day break during the summer vacation. You all need to make sure you get your work done and maintain good communication with your research group."

Schools are on summer break, but the Institute of Literature is an independent institution, so it can't have a break. These people didn't have much to do at school anyway, so Liu Yimin simply let them rest for ten days.

"Thank you, Director."

"It's okay. Work isn't busy now, but it won't be much of a holiday when it gets busy later. I might even have to work overtime."

After Liu Yimin left the Institute of Literature, the group of people were so excited they almost jumped for joy.

"The director is so kind, giving me ten days off! I can go home for a visit."

Yan Zhen counted on her fingers: "I can stay home for two more days."

When Yenching University was on holiday, Marseille Dani, a French publisher, arrived in Yenching with a large group of publishers and editors. These editors were partners of Flammarion Publishing, where Marseille Dani worked, in various countries, covering Eastern and Western Europe.

The purpose of this trip is to get Liu Yimin's books published throughout Europe, especially "Beloved".

“Hello, Liu, these people are all gifts from me. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to continue working at Flammarion Publishing,” Massey Dani said softly.

P.S.: Sorry, I'll make it up tomorrow! Thanks to the generous reader "自扰者忧天1666" for the reward.

Thank you so much to user 20250726132307528 for the 100 coins reward!

(End of this chapter)