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

Chapter 419 Entrustment by the Ministry of Forestry
The Ministry of Forestry was located in Hepingli, Dongcheng District, north of Nanluoguxiang, near Yonghe Temple, which was quite close to Shi Tiesheng's home.

I greeted the gatekeeper on my motorcycle, and he said with a smile, "Comrade Liu Yimin, please wait a moment. I'll let him know and have someone come to pick you up."

"Tell me which office it is, and I'll go in myself!"

"No, you're a great contributor to our department. The leaders instructed me a long time ago that as soon as you arrive, I would call them and they would come out to meet you." The gatekeeper reached out to stop Liu Yimin and quickly picked up the phone to make the call.

After hanging up the phone, the security guard smiled and poured tea for Liu Yimin: "Comrade Liu Yimin, you are now our department's god of wealth."

"How did you find out about this?"

"There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. Although the ministry hasn't said anything, it's been the talk of the town for a while now. To be honest, quite a few forest farms are eyeing this place." The guard immediately stopped talking when he saw someone coming out of the door.

Five or six people walked out of the Forestry Ministry building. The one in the lead had his trousers pulled up high, his chin tucked under his white shirt. Upon seeing Liu Yimin, he was the first to extend his hands. His accent was distinctly from northern Sichuan, sounding even more obscure than the official Mandarin spoken in Sichuan province.
"Comrade Liu Yimin, welcome, welcome. I am Yang Zhong. I heard about you when I was working in Sichuan Province. You went to Aba alone and conducted very serious and meticulous research. My friends in the literary circles in Chengdu have mentioned you a lot."

"Hello, thank you for welcoming me, leaders of the Ministry of Forestry. Thank you everyone," Liu Yimin said politely.

Yang Zhong, the top leader, introduced the rest of the people to Liu Yimin and then warmly led Liu Yimin into the conference room.

Inside the meeting room hung a banner welcoming Liu Yimin to the Ministry of Forestry. Liu Yimin thought to himself, "This $500,000 offer is really good."

"Comrade Liu Yimin, forestry construction has been in full swing across the country in the past two years. Relying solely on manpower is too slow, so we need to use machinery. Some of the machinery cannot be manufactured in China, so we have to buy it from abroad."

Going abroad involves foreign exchange. Our country is short of foreign exchange, and its use is planned. For a country to modernize its industry, the bulk of its foreign exchange allocation naturally goes to industry. Obtaining foreign exchange is extremely difficult for us; this $500,000 has been a lifesaver.

Yang Zhong sat at the conference table, pouring out his grievances while repeatedly thanking Liu Yimin. "Five hundred thousand US dollars! The Ministry of Forestry can now supply the forest farms below with a batch of advanced equipment."

The Ministry of Forestry is indeed inferior to other higher ministries. The fact that its organizational structure has changed from ministry to bureau, then back to ministry, and finally back to bureau speaks volumes.

"Comrade leader, has the money arrived yet?" Liu Yimin asked.

“Don’t call me ‘leader,’ call me Lao Yang. Even I, as the leader, can’t get the ministry five hundred thousand US dollars in foreign exchange. I’ve asked the foreign affairs department and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and the money should arrive by the end of the month,” Yang Zhong explained.

"I hope this money can be used for its intended purpose, not only to improve planting methods, but also to improve the living standards of the forestry workers. I've been to Saihanba; conditions are better now, but still very poor," Liu Yimin said.

"Of course, the money is a special fund that no one can touch. With this money, a lot of the funds prepared for this year can be saved, and this fund is more than enough to improve the treatment and living standards of forestry workers."

After Yang Zhong finished speaking, he had someone introduce the current progress of the Three-North Shelterbelt Project to Liu Yimin. The first phase of the Three-North Shelterbelt Project began in 1980 and was completed in 1990.

"There are many deserts in the Northwest, so we use straw checkerboards to control the sand. Originally, these were used around the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway to prevent shifting sand from burying the railway line. Now we use straw checkerboards to fix the sand and plant grass and trees. The effect is very significant, but it requires a lot of manpower and is not something that can be accomplished overnight."

In desertified areas of Inner Mongolia, measures such as sowing grass seeds and planting grass to prevent sandstorms are being implemented. Comrade Qian Xuesen recently also suggested that the state develop the grass industry, systematically develop grasslands, and increase the per-acre yield of grasslands.

In June of this year, Qian Xuesen proposed developing the grass industry, even suggesting the establishment of a dedicated Grassland Bureau to manage grasslands, cultivate high-value forage grasses, and boost the livestock and dairy industries. Later, he concluded that a Grassland Bureau was insufficient and that a Ministry of Grassland should be established.

The more you learn about Qian Xuesen, the more you realize that his contributions extend far beyond missiles, satellites, and other scientific and technological fields.

"The most successful forest farm today is Saihanba. Saihanba has completed more than 100,000 mu of mechanized afforestation and more than 800,000 mu of manual afforestation, reaching a total afforestation scale of one million mu. Saihanba has a harsh climate, but it also has its advantages in afforestation. The nearby water resources are relatively abundant, and transporting water in the desert is very troublesome."

After the introduction, Liu Yimin said, "I know some non-governmental environmental groups in the United States, and they are also preparing to donate to us. However, this process will take a long time, but once it reaches a certain scale, the funds may not be less than 500,000."

"Really?" Yang Zhong's eyes lit up, and the rest of the forestry department also became excited.

Seeing everyone's excessive excitement, Liu Yimin quickly said, "It's true, but it's still uncertain how far it will develop."

“Something is better than nothing!” Yang Zhong said humorously.

Yang Zhong then inquired about some specific information, mentioning again the Environmental Defense Fund's desire to send someone to oversee the use of funds and to establish an office.

"Absolutely not. Americans are all like missionaries. They might bring in a few people, but they could be a bunch of wolves. Once they come to China, they'll be busy promoting their so-called environmental protection ideas. We can't come here and preach things that most Americans don't believe in."

"I understand that the environmental protection that Americans talk about seems to have something in common with our tree planting. Are there any downsides to this?"

Liu Yimin explained, "Their environmental protection isn't just about planting trees. We need to develop industry, and industry inevitably brings pollution, which they also oppose. The only way to avoid pollution is not to develop. The United States pollutes the earth far more than we do. Our task is to escape poverty and become prosperous. They should think more about environmental protection."

"Plus, if the foreign monks are more skilled at chanting scriptures, and they fail to fool the Americans, it wouldn't be good if they fooled us too."

People from the Ministry of Forestry certainly consider the issue from a forestry perspective, but if viewed from a broader perspective, they would agree with Liu Yimin's words.

"However, if we are short-handed, we can recruit some environmentalists as volunteers and let them personally contribute to international environmental protection!" Liu Yimin's laughter had a hint of mischief.

"Let the foreigners come? They must be bored!" someone muttered.

Yang Zhong glared at the other person, but he also felt that this matter might not be feasible.

"You don't understand these people. They're really just bored and have nothing better to do. The West is materially rich, but spiritually empty. Years of environmental education have instilled a sense of guilt towards nature in them. Of course, some are just taking advantage of the situation, but there are also many who genuinely want to do it."

The San Francisco environmental groups I've come into contact with—these foreigners have money and time; if they're properly educated, they'll definitely be enthusiastic about digging holes and planting trees.

But before recruiting, we must figure out how to manage these people, treating them like ordinary forestry workers, without any special treatment. Once they receive preferential treatment, they are prone to arrogance, inability to endure hardship, and gradually stray from their original purpose.

Inside the meeting room, the people from the Forestry Department looked at each other, unsure whether to believe Liu Yimin's words.

Western environmentalists were relatively normal at the time, but they have become increasingly extreme over time.

Yang Zhong coughed and said, "Let's study this further."

"We also need to promote our achievements in afforestation internationally to attract donations from foundations."

Liu Yimin continuously offered suggestions to the Ministry of Forestry, urging them to raise funds from various sources.

Looking at the densely filled notes in his notebook, Yang Zhong planned to have someone collect relevant information after the meeting to get a better understanding of the situation before specifically contacting international donations.

After the business was concluded, Liu Yimin, seeing that there was nothing else to discuss, prepared to leave. Yang Zhong grabbed Liu Yimin's arm, insisting that he go to the cafeteria for lunch.

"Comrade Yimin, you must finish lunch before you leave. I specially asked the canteen staff to prepare a special meal for you. Come on, let's go and have a taste together."

Surrounded by the crowd, Liu Yimin entered the restaurant, where the chef brought out several dishes: "These are all Henan dishes. Comrade Liu Yimin, please try them and see if they suit your taste?"

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness." Liu Yimin took a few bites and said, "It's delicious, but I don't eat much Henan cuisine. When I was a child, I didn't have much money to try these dishes."

"Haha, this is a chef from Henan Province. He's been cooking for over ten years."

Seeing that Liu Yimin had almost finished eating, Yang Zhong appeared and asked Liu Yimin what he thought of Saihanba. From the indirect way, Liu Yimin heard another meaning.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Please speak your mind."

"The Saihanba Forest Farm has been established for nearly 30 years, and it has been 24 years since it was upgraded to a national construction project. Countless forestry workers have irrigated the desert with their blood and sweat, and young college students have been guarding it for half their lives."

"You've also been to Saihanba, I wonder if you could write a novel about the struggles of the Saihanba workers, to inspire the workers in forestry construction across the country." Yang Zhong finally revealed his purpose.

Liu Yimin tapped the edge of the table lightly with his finger: "You've gone through all this trouble, just for this personnel matter!"

"How is it?" Yang Zhong asked anxiously.

"Let me think about what to do. The gifts my comrades from Saihanba gave me are still in my study. I can't refuse this task! I've been there myself and have firsthand information."

"it is good!"

Everyone at the table applauded: "Once it's written, our Forestry Bureau will order a batch and send it to forestry workers across the country." After finishing their meal, just as they were about to leave, someone came in and said to Yang Zhong, "The Chemical Industry Department sent someone to ask if we could give them some of our 500,000 foreign exchange quota. A pesticide factory wants to import some equipment."

"Dream on! Let them go, and ask them if they know what 'funds for specific purposes' means!" Yang Zhong slammed his fist on the table and said.

Upon seeing Yang Zhong's state, the visitor quickly left. Yang Zhong calmed himself and looked at Liu Yimin, saying, "My wife isn't even home yet, and this nouveau riche neighbor has already set his sights on her!"

"Hahaha!"

As he left the Forestry Department, Liu Yimin bought a newspaper to see if there were any reviews of Zhu Lin's "Good Luck Building".

The China Youth Daily and the Yanjing Daily both published commentaries on the topic. The China Youth Daily's headline was: "New Screenwriters, New Directors, New Plays, 'New' Hong Kong."

The article introduces the playwright, director, and play in turn, praising the play for updating people's impression of Hong Kong and promoting mutual understanding between the two places. It also highly praises Zhu Lin's transition from actor to director.

The headline of the Yanjing Daily was "A Picture of Life in Hong Kong from a Teenager's Perspective".

Back in the courtyard with two newspapers, Yang Xiuyun led the two little ones to play in the shade, while Fugui pressed his belly against the bluestone ground to cool off.
"Mother, have you eaten?"

"I've already eaten. Linlin is sleeping in her room. If you're hungry, make yourself some noodles."

"I've already eaten. Aren't these two going to take a nap at noon?"

"I don't know what happened today. When I brought her inside at noon, she started fussing, but when I put her outside, she didn't cry or fuss and even giggled." After saying this, Yang Xiuyun took a palm-leaf fan and swatted away flies and mosquitoes.

The two little ones were wearing red bibs embroidered with the character "福" (fortune), making them look like two "福娃" (lucky babies).

Liu Yimin held the two children and played with them under the tree for a while until Zhu Lin finished his lunch break and was ready to go to work, at which point the two little ones finally fell asleep.

"Teacher Liu, why does the ministry want to see you?"

"It's just a small matter; I'll tell you when I get back tonight."

Zhu Lin washed his face to refresh himself, ate an ice pop, and rode his motorcycle to work.

"Mom, you should get some sleep too!"

"it is good!"

After taking a one-hour lunch break, Liu Yimin went to the Institute of Literature at Yenching University. With about ten days left before the start of the semester, Yenching University was already bustling with activity.

The administrative staff of the Chinese Department are working with the logistics department and the college to prepare for welcoming the new students, and banners welcoming the new students are hanging in front of the building.

Upon entering the Institute of Literature, two of the four people had been seconded to the Chinese Department for work. Yan Zhen quickly stood up when she saw Liu Yimin and reported to him on her summer work.

"Director, there are a few documents here waiting for your signature. They've been sitting here since you weren't here, and there's also a funding application for the cultural industry group." Yan Zhen neatly arranged the documents that needed to be signed.

Liu Yimin opened the file, and Yan Zhen immediately explained the contents and background to him.

"This is an application from the Western Culture Transnational Communication Research Group to purchase some Western research materials through the Institute of Literature, along with a report on our current research findings," Yan Zhen said, then added, "We don't have any foreign exchange!"

"I'll figure this out!" Liu Yimin said, patting his head.

After Liu Yimin finished signing, Yan Zhen said with a smile, "Director, I saw you on TV."

"You don't do any work all day, you just go watch the games, right?"

Yan Zhen gave an awkward smile: "We've finished all our work."

"What work can never be finished? As long as you want to do it, there will always be work to be done." Liu Yimin took a sip of tea.

"We will definitely work hard," Yan Zhen quickly assured him.

"Okay, I was just kidding. Remember to relax. You're in the prime of your youth, and you've graduated. Don't just focus on work and studies. Find someone to date, or I'll have to play matchmaker for you guys."

"This is too tiring, I'm not doing it!" Liu Yimin said to Yan Zhen and Liang Ni, another employee of the Institute of Literature and Art.

Just as everyone was laughing happily, Yan Jiayan walked in, felt the coolness of the research institute, and pointed to the extra fans: "You guys really have good conditions."

"It's all thanks to Director Yan. Let's all thank Director Yan," Liu Yimin said, clapping his hands.

"Alright, don't flatter me. We haven't seen each other for a semester. Let's go and have a chat."

Liu Yimin went to Yan Jiayan's office, where Yan Jiayan discussed the teaching work for the new semester with Liu Yimin. Liu Yimin's overall teaching responsibilities remained unchanged; he would still be teaching courses for second- and third-year students.

"The textbook cooperation we negotiated in the first half of the year has yielded results over the summer. Yenching University Press received many orders, selling 50,000 copies of the textbooks, and Xinhua Bookstore also ordered 30,000 copies for sale."

The 50,000 textbooks should have exhausted their potential for about three years; we'll have to wait until this batch is used up before we can sell any more.

With sales of 80,000 copies, the textbook was priced high, and the Chinese department received around 60,000 copies. Yan Jiayan was so happy that he grinned from ear to ear all summer.

After finishing the textbook, the topic naturally shifted to the Olympics. Yan Jiayan began to speak vividly, as if he wished he could personally take to the field and do a few rounds.

"Your presentation was so excellent, when the department holds a sports meet, you should participate!"

Yan Jiayan waved his hand: "I'm getting old, let's leave the opportunities to the young people!"

"Your back is giving out?"

Yan Jiayan said with a dark face, "Nonsense!"

"Then why are you clutching your back?"

Yan Jiayan quickly put his hand down: "Can't my waist be a little itchy? And you're still criticizing me? I don't even want to talk about you. After going to Shanghai, you wish you could move the entire Shen Gui Yang Rong Winery to Beijing!"

"I wouldn't dare say that, I didn't drink it."

Yan Jiayan didn't bring up the matter again, but instead said, "Professor Zhu is in the hospital. Why don't you go visit him when you have time?"

"What's wrong with Professor Zhu?"

"He's been overworked and has developed chronic fatigue syndrome and a stroke!" Yan Jiayan said sadly. While grieving for the old professor, Yan Jiayan also felt the increasing pressure of the Chinese Department's generational shift.

"Professor Yan, I'm going to visit Professor Zhu." Liu Yimin had just stood up when he remembered the documents he had seen in the Literature Research Office: "Professor Yan, does our Chinese Department have any extra foreign exchange quota?"

“Excessive? You should ask if the Chinese Department needs foreign exchange!” Yan Jiayan said irritably. After hearing Liu Yimin’s words, Yan Jiayan said, “Why don’t you just go to the Ministry of Culture and ask them for a quota?”

"Your research institute is under the Ministry of Culture, so it's unlikely that the Ministry of Education will approve it for you. Applying through the school is also difficult. If all else fails, you can go directly to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. You earn so much foreign exchange for the country every year, what's wrong with using some for yourself?" Yan Jiayan said.

Liu Yimin said helplessly, "Fine, I thought I could get some alms from you!"

"It's not that I don't want to give it, it's that I really don't have any." Yan Jiayan rummaged through his empty pockets.

After leaving the Chinese department, I greeted the teacher who was working and rode my motorcycle to the hospital to visit Zhu Guangqian.

Upon arriving at the hospital entrance, Liu Yimin bought some gifts and a net bag full of watermelons and bananas from a street vendor.

(End of this chapter)