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

Chapter 424 Observing the Military Review from the City Gate Tower

Inside the meeting room, the professors from the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University were most concerned about Liu Yimin's trip to the United States, as well as how the department should cultivate students.

Liu Yimin said, "I believe that the training of Chinese literature students today can no longer be limited to teaching them only literature; we need to teach them more interdisciplinary content. We should train them in a cross-disciplinary approach, combining literature, history, and sociology."

Students should develop both literary thinking and a social and historical awareness, viewing society not just from a literary perspective, but from multiple dimensions. A singular perspective will only produce narrow-minded literature students.

A purely literary mindset can easily lead to pitfalls, turning one into a public intellectual who criticizes everything and everyone, and is always reflecting on their own faults.

Liu Yimin didn't want anyone to point at him and say that the Chinese Literature Department produced a traitor.

With so many Chinese literature departments in universities across the country, truly changing the prevailing atmosphere requires a step-by-step approach, and textbook compilation is only the first step.

Professor Zhang Jing said, "Professor Liu is right. A department's teaching philosophy and reforms should evolve with the times. Stagnation is not the way to development."

That evening, Professor Zhang Jing took Liu Yimin to a welcome dinner for him. Many people from the Henan Provincial Literary Circle came, including Yu Heiding, chairman of the Writers Association, and writer Zhang Yigong.

After Liu Yimin walked in, a group of people greeted him, and Liu Yimin responded to them with a smile.

Yu Heiding shook Liu Yimin's hand and said with a smile, "Comrade Yimin, you are now a leading figure in the literary world of Henan Province. Welcome back to your hometown from Beijing."

"You're too kind. The literary scene in Henan Province isn't supported by any one person; it's supported by everyone together," Liu Yimin said.

Writer Zhang Yigong took the initiative to introduce himself, and Liu Yimin said: "I have read your works published this year, and if nothing unexpected happens, you should be able to win the Lu Xun Literary Prize next year."

"Nanyang really produces a lot of writers!"

Zhang Yigong's ancestral home is Xinye, Nanyang. There are many writers from Nanyang in Henan's literary circles. Li Ji, who took good care of Liu Yimin back in Beijing, was also from Nanyang. Nanyang can be said to have the largest group of writers from prefecture-level cities in the country, such as Er Yuehe and Yao Xueyin.

Yu Heiding sighed, “In the past two years, many good writers have emerged from the Northwest. If our Henan province doesn’t have one, we will be overshadowed in the national literary scene among the younger generation. It’s embarrassing that a province with a famous Central Plains culture has fallen into such an embarrassing situation in the national literary scene.”

After expressing their admiration, the group resolved to contribute more to the literary scene in Henan Province, explore current methods of literary creation, and ask Liu Yimin to give them a more detailed comparison of Chinese and foreign literary creation systems.

It was past 10 o'clock when Liu Yimin returned to the guesthouse. After checking the lecture time with Professor Zhang Jing, he went straight to sleep.

At nine o'clock, Liu Yimin walked into Zhengzhou University. Compared to Yenching University, Zhengzhou University was a young school, but its teaching facilities were anything but young.

The intersection outside the auditorium was completely blocked by students. Professor Zhang Jing exclaimed, "I've never seen such a lively classroom before; it's like the entire school's students have come."

Surrounded by professors and teachers from the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University, Liu Yimin entered the auditorium. Professor Zhang Jing first introduced Liu Yimin to the students before he took the stage to prepare for his lecture.

After finishing his lecture on Western literary thought, Liu Yimin spent another forty minutes talking about China and Chinese literature, and the relationship between the Chinese Department and its students.

The former discusses the content that Chinese literature should cover, while the latter discusses the training between Chinese literature departments and students.

"What should Chinese literature be about? It should be about China. We Chinese literature students, including writers, should have enough reverence for Chinese literature, because what we write will influence many people."

It's not just our own people reading this; foreigners are reading it too. Writing nonsense won't do. The soil of China is capable of supporting the development of Chinese literature. We have a long history and culture, with thousands of years of historical accumulation.

After finishing his lecture on Chinese literature, Liu Yimin began to discuss the relationship between the Chinese Department and its students: "It's a very simple relationship. What the Chinese Department at Zhengzhou University needs to do is to ensure that students can confidently say, 'I am from the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University,' after they graduate. That's why Director Zhang Jing worked so hard to facilitate the cooperation between Zhengzhou University and Yenching University."

What the students need to do is to make the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University proudly say, "A certain student graduated from our Chinese Department."

I told the students at Yenching University to read more books on sociology and history, to understand science and culture, to study diligently, and not to talk big. The more comprehensive their understanding, the better they can think about social issues from a macro perspective.

These words are also for everyone.

Upon hearing this, students from the Chinese Department of Zhengzhou University hurriedly wrote these words down in their notebooks, as if to say, "If Yenching University students study this way, I must study this way too."

"Professor Liu, where do you think we fall short compared to students from the Chinese Department of Yenching University?"

Looking at the students who raised their hands, Liu Yimin said, "You are no worse than any student from Yanda University. You have two shoulders and one head, so who is worse than whom!"

The students and professors in the auditorium burst into laughter.

"Exam scores may differ, but that doesn't mean there's a difference in thinking and ability. Everyone should make the most of their time at school, read more books and newspapers, and become useful members of society as soon as possible."

I'm from Henan Province, and I hope that one day the Chinese Department at Zhengzhou University will be stronger than the Chinese Department at Yenching University.

After finishing his speech, Liu Yimin stepped down from the podium amidst applause and laughter.

The professor from Zhengzhou University gave another speech before concluding the lecture.

For the next two days, Liu Yimin spent his time in Zhengzhou University's office exchanging ideas with professors there and discussing their research papers.

Professor Zhang Jing wanted to collaborate with Liu Yimin on several research projects, but Liu Yimin rejected them all because they did not align with his research interests.

"It's a pity, Professor Liu, we can only cooperate again in the future," Zhang Jing said helplessly.

Liu Yimin said, "Professor Zhang, there's plenty of time later. Our two organizations will have long-term exchanges in the future, so there's no need to rush."

Liu Yimin investigated at Zhengzhou University whether any problems had arisen during the use of the textbooks he had compiled, and what points were difficult to explain during lectures.

"There haven't been any problems. There are materials and accompanying papers, and both professors and students can understand them. In addition, lecturers from Yenching University often come over, so we can ask them questions if we have any doubts."

"Then we can rest assured."

On September 24th, the car from Hebei University arrived at the guesthouse of Zhengzhou University and picked up Liu Yimin to go to Hebei University.

Stepping into Kaifeng, the atmosphere of the ancient city immediately enveloped him. Liu Yimin stepped onto the solid ground and asked Professor Yu Anlan, who was greeting him, "Can you guess which dynasty this city dates from?"

"Regardless of the dynasty, it has all vanished with the wind. But if anything, it would be the Song Dynasty. Will the prosperity of Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty, ever reappear?" Yu Anlan sighed.

Kaifeng is located close to the Yellow River. Every time the Yellow River surges, it carries sand that buries dynasty after dynasty. If you dig deep, you can find buildings from various dynasties.

Liu Yimin said, "They haven't been scattered by the wind; the marks left by each dynasty are engraved in our bones!"

"Junior Brother Liu is right, it's truly ingrained in our bones."

Yu Anlan introduced, "This is Professor Ren Fangqiu. You two are actually fellow students!"

Ren Fangqiu was a graduate of the Institute of Literature at Yenching University. Ren Fangqiu and Yu Anlan were among the few remaining renowned teachers from the old Chinese Department of Hebei University. The heritage of the old Hebei University has slowly begun to dissipate over time.

Xinhe Da, like the descendants of the Eight Banners, can only talk about the glory of his ancestors.

At the same time, the southward migration of teachers and students from Henan University is also worth mentioning.
"Professor Ren!"

"Just call me senior brother."

"Senior Brother Ren!"

The two introduced Hebei University to Liu Yimin, saying that the campus was quaint and elegant, with buildings that combined modern and ancient beauty, and the scenery surpassed that of most primary schools.

"This is our auditorium, which cost 21 silver dollars. Even Yenching University doesn't have such a nice auditorium," Yu Anlan said happily.

Liu Yimin went inside for a look and said, "This building needs to be properly repaired, protected, and fireproofed!" "This is the spiritual pillar of our Hebei University, and it must be well protected," Ren Fangqiu said.

Upon entering the Chinese Department of Hebei University, Liu Yimin saw a slender figure. Wasn't that Wang Liqun?

"This is Wang Liqun, a lecturer at our school. He stayed on to teach after graduating with a master's degree. He is quite good among the younger generation of teachers and is good at classical literature."

"Xiao Wang, come here for a moment. This is Professor Liu Yimin from Yenching University."

Liu Yimin's initiative in reaching out his hand made Wang Liqun feel flattered. Wang Liqun wiped his hand on his buttocks several times before hurriedly grasping Liu Yimin's hand.

"Professor Yu, your young teachers from Hebei University can also go to Yenching University for further studies!"

Ren Fangqiu asked, "Will this work? The two sides haven't collaborated on this project before!"

"Why not? We can take a year or two of advanced training to improve the level of our teachers," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Wang Liqun stared longingly at the three of them, the meaning in his eyes very clear.

Yu Anlan said, "That's a good idea. I'll talk to Professor Yan Jiayan about it."

“Our Institute of Literature is also short of staff. If you want to go, you can study at our Institute of Literature for six months. During that time, you can study in the Chinese Department.”

Yu Anlan and Ren Fangqiu felt this was an unexpected surprise, while Wang Liqun felt like he had been hit by a pie, his head spinning.

“Yimin, can you make the decision?” Ren Fangqiu asked.

Liu Yimin said, "I can't make the decision about the Chinese Department, but I can study at the Institute of Literature."

Yu Anlan said, "We'll have a meeting tomorrow to discuss this."

"Xiao Wang, why don't you accompany Professor Liu for a while?" Ren Fangqiu was afraid that the cooked duck would fly away, so he asked Wang Liqun to deepen his relationship with him.

Wang Liqun took Liu Yimin on a tour of the Chinese Department at Hebei University, during which the two discussed many topics related to traditional literature.

"You also have some knowledge of history?"

"I like the history of the Song Dynasty and the history of the Han Dynasty the most. In Kaifeng, I can feel the history of the Song Dynasty the most."

Liu Yimin nodded. Wang Liqun mainly lectured on the history of the Han and Song dynasties on the Hundred Schools Forum.

The following day, Liu Yimin went to the auditorium of Hebei University to give a lecture. The auditorium had two floors and could accommodate more than 3,000 people, enough for most of the students in Hebei University to enter.

There was also a lounge and backstage area inside. 21 silver dollars was a huge sum. It's a pity that it was burned down later.

The content of Liu Yimin's lecture at Hebei University was not much different from that at Zhengzhou University, but Hebei University focuses on the study of classical culture, and his lecture also had a certain emphasis on this aspect.

"The glory of the old Henan University remains. I hope that the newly restored Henan University can gradually restore the glory of the old Henan University and become a top university in the country. Some people say that Henan University has bled too much and cannot recover. I don't think so. As long as the heart and the dream are there, it will definitely be possible."

The old professor from Hebei University had tears in his eyes. One of the students shouted out the school song, and a group of people started singing it.

The majestic Songshan Mountain and the mighty Yellow River

The Central Plains culture is ancient and long-standing.

Many distinguished scholars gathered together, weathering the storm.

Carry on the past and forge ahead into the future, shining brightly.
The surrounding areas are besieged, and the national humiliation is unforgettable.

Democracy is a model, science allows for

May our school live forever!

May our school live forever!

The school song is grand and majestic, as if it came from the flames of the War of Resistance against Japan. The old professor, who was already feeling sad, burst into tears upon hearing the song.

Liu Yimin forced the pace forward and encouraged students to ask questions.

"Professor Liu, I am a military arts cadre. I would like to ask you how you created 'Triumph at Midnight' and 'Acacia Tree in the Minefield'. I really want to write some works reflecting the war on the front lines, but unfortunately I haven't written any yet."

"What's your name?"

"My name is Yan Lianke!"

Yan Lianke is a writer with a military background. He has published articles, but is not very famous until the 1990s.

"Observation, meticulous observation. A writer must have the desire to express himself in words. When you see something that touches you, you must have the desire to write it down. My friend is also a veteran, but he is a veteran who only has one arm left. I have been to the front lines. You can never forget the feeling of smoke, death, and the smell of blood lingering in your nose."

"You can't write because, comrade, you lack observation of society and life. If you had been to the front lines, I think you would be able to write. You've all heard of Lu Yao; he did extensive research before writing a single novel. What I'm trying to say is that a writer's work isn't something that comes from mere imagination."

Yan Lianke said, "Professor Liu, I understand."

As several students began asking questions, the elderly professor from Hebei University, who had been somewhat out of control, managed to regain his composure.

As Liu Yimin walked out of the auditorium, he looked at Yu Anlan and Ren Fangqiu, whose eyes were red, and thought to himself that he could no longer talk about the old Hebei University, as it was too much of a shock to these people.

As Liu Yimin left Hebei University, he shook hands with Wang Liqun and said, "See you at Yenching University!"

The Chinese Department of Hebei University has already agreed to allow Wang Liqun to study at the Institute of Literature. All the Institute needs to do is submit the necessary paperwork.

The driver took Liu Yimin directly to Zhengzhou Airport, where he boarded a plane and returned to Yanjing.

On September 30th, "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" began airing, but Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin had no interest in watching it. The two of them were preparing their clothes to watch the military parade.

Liu Yimin couldn't find any extra tickets, but Zhu Lin, based on her achievements in the arts, got a ticket from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. When selecting the area, the Federation specifically gave her a ticket for the same area as Liu Yimin's.

The two tried on clothes in front of the mirror, and Zhu Lin asked, "Teacher Liu, how do I look in this?"

"Very grand, what about me?"

"It looks great!" Zhu Lin gently brushed Liu Yimin's shoulder; the suit was a Zhongshan suit that Liu Yimin had ordered when he went to France.

At 10 a.m. on October 1, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin got up, ate a quick breakfast, and then rode towards Chang'an Avenue.

Neither of them drank much water, afraid of having to go to the toilet later.

The two felt they had arrived early enough, but the queue was still very long.

Different areas have different regulations. Both of their tickets were on the city gate tower, and after the tickets were checked, there was another long wait. While waiting to go upstairs, Liu Yimin chatted with Xia Yan, Cao Yu, and the others.

As the appointed time approached, a group of people followed closely behind the leaders. Reaching the top, the view opened up before them, revealing a breathtaking vista.

(End of this chapter)