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

Chapter 425 Yanda University is in an uproar

The October sun is not as scorching as it is in August and September. With the sun just rising, a gentle breeze caresses the city tower, making it quite pleasant to stand at the breezy vantage point. However, if you stand in a dense crowd, you still have to suppress the heat in your chest.

At one corner of the city gate tower, Zhu Lin gently took Liu Yimin's arm as they stood on the tower and looked down, a sense of pride rising in their hearts.

Above the square, rows of large, empty red lanterns floated in the air, some with slogans hanging below. Colorful balloons adorned the square, creating a vibrant display, while below, crowds thronged, with residents and a military band preparing for the event.

The view extends along Chang'an Avenue, where soldiers in different military uniforms are lined up on both sides of the road, various military equipment are quietly waiting for inspection, and drivers are making final preparations.

The troops on parade were no longer wearing green uniforms with two red flags on either side, but rather the newly designed Type 85 uniforms.

The veterans were still wearing the green uniforms of 65, while the new uniforms signified that national defense was entering a new stage.

In addition, there were militia and civilian contingents. Some students from Yenching University began preparing for the parade as early as six months ago.

Several students from Yenching University huddled together. Unlike the others who were nervous and excited, their eyes held a hint of panic and trepidation as they gripped the flagpole tightly with both hands.

Everyone was busy with preparations, and no one noticed anything unusual about these students from Yenching University.

"Comrade Yimin, hello!" Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin were looking down when someone came over and greeted them.

Liu Yimin turned around and saw an elderly man wearing a suit and a red tie, his smile filled with curiosity and approval.

"I am Huo Yingdong."

"Hello, Mr. Huo!" Liu Yimin greeted with a smile, extending his hand.

As a renowned patriotic businessman, Fok Ying-tung was naturally among those invited to the military parade, and his status was certainly high enough to grant him a place on the city wall.

Most of the people who could come to the city tower were specially invited by the organizing departments, and a small number of tickets were sent to important government agencies, and then the appointments were decided internally by each agency. For example, Liu Yimin obtained his qualification from the Ministry of Culture.

Not many people from the literary and art circles were able to come up, including Ba Jin, Cao Yu, Xia Yan, Zhang Guangnian, and some chairmen and vice chairmen of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

"Your work is excellent. When 'The Flames of War in Beiping' was performed in Hong Kong, many locals went to see it to see what Beiping was like before liberation. I've heard you're a very good lecturer; perhaps you could give a lecture in Hong Kong sometime," Huo Yingdong said with a smile.

"Mr. Huo, I will definitely go if I have the chance. I hope Hong Kong will return soon."

"Most definitely!"

The two chatted briefly before turning to talk to others. Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin greeted the old leader and Elder Qian, and then met with Comrade Zhang, the nuclear leader.

Everyone wore smiles as they looked at the neatly arranged queue ahead, their eyes filled with reminiscence and approval.

The 1984 military parade was of extraordinary significance, as it was the second major military parade held after the one in 1959. China has a tradition of holding a small celebration every five years and a major celebration every ten years. Although 1984 marked the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of my country, it was indeed a major military parade.

More than 10,000 military personnel and civilians participated in the parade, which featured a variety of advanced equipment. Against the backdrop of reform and opening up and frontline combat, the significance of this parade was self-evident.

To demonstrate military might to the surrounding areas and to measure the space of peace with artillery fire.

Old Qian patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder and said proudly, "I'll show you the big machine we developed in a bit. It's a real behemoth."

The two then whispered for a while, and Qian Lao half-jokingly revealed to Liu Yimin his experience in preventing CIA surveillance.

The cannons fired, and the flag was raised in the square. Then, the reviewing vehicle slowly drove onto Chang'an Avenue from the Jinshui Bridge, and the city gate tower fell silent.

"The troops are in formation and ready for inspection!"

As the music faded, the vehicles started moving again, and military music began to play. Everyone's eyes followed the vehicles, and after they disappeared from sight, the crowd began to discuss the matter once more.

On Chang'an Avenue, in addition to media from mainland China and Hong Kong taking photos and broadcasting live, military attachés and reporters from the West and Southeast Asia were also taking photos rapidly.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhu, along with Yang Xiuyun and several others, sat in the house holding their child, watching the television and listening to the commentator's narration.

"This is another large-scale military parade since the 1959 parade, spanning a full 25 years. Forty-two formations representing the People's Liberation Army, the Armed Police Force, and the militia, representing the armed forces of the Chinese people, are neatly arranged along Chang'an Avenue for two kilometers."

In Maiji Brigade, the commune members gathered in the Liu family's courtyard, watching the television and discussing the matter enthusiastically.
After the vehicles returned and the speech was finished, the military parade officially began.

The reporters' cameras were practically smoking from clicking so many photos. Military attachés from Southeast Asia and the West watched the perfectly aligned and powerfully marching infantry formations and marveled at the Chinese army's discipline and execution.

Zhu Lin excitedly waved his hands down and pulled Liu Yimin to point out the key points.

A photographer in a green military uniform quickly captured the moment.

Cao Yu exclaimed with emotion, "This army has grown from nothing to something, from weak to strong, spanning decades!"

“The bleak autumn wind blows again today, but the world has changed,” Xia Yan echoed.

"If we want peaceful development, we need a powerful army. Dignity lies only on the edge of the sword, and truth lies only within the range of cannons!" Liu Yimin said, waving his hand down to the crowd.

The old commander took off his sunglasses and looked at Liu Yimin: "I like to hear that. In the past, it was millet and rifles; now it's mechanized modernization. The army is the guarantee of peace."

The troops below are mostly units with glorious histories, and even their earliest commanders stood on top of them.

Seeing the dramatic changes that have taken place in their old unit, many people were filled with emotion, some even taking out handkerchiefs to gently wipe the corners of their eyes.

The spear-holding and three-stage spear-splitting movements drew rounds of applause from the crowd on the city tower and in the stands, and the fierce and murderous aura displayed by the formation permeated Chang'an Street.

As tanks and missile units drove into the city gate, the crowd became even more excited, listening intently to the guide's explanation, afraid of missing any important piece of equipment.

The missile force's appearance was the highlight of this military parade. The roar of the machinery couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd; this was the first time Chinese missiles had appeared in the public eye.

Not only were there Dongfeng-3 missiles sold to wealthy dog ​​owners, but also Dongfeng-5 intercontinental ballistic missiles. Dongfeng-5 was the "big guy" that Qian Xuesen mentioned.

Three vehicles in a row, a total of twelve large missile equipment tractors. After they came out, military attachés and reporters from the West and Southeast Asia kept taking pictures, and some people were using high-powered binoculars to observe the details of the equipment.

On the city gate tower, someone leaned half their body out to take a picture.

Southeast Asian countries are paying close attention to China's air force and bomber force, Pacific coastal countries are interested in China's naval equipment, and European ambassadors are taking notes on the model and details of every tank.

Following the missile unit was a contingent of floats carrying civilians, and leading the procession was the national emblem contingent, surrounded by crowds holding flowers around the enormous national emblem.

Next came a tractor-drawn float with a banner that read "The household contract responsibility system is good," and a model of the No. 1 Document White Paper.

People dressed in Shaanxi peasant costumes or various other peasant attire walked along Chang'an Avenue, playing suona horns and dancing Yangko.

As the student contingent marched, a banner that read "Hello" was suddenly unfurled in the crowd, startling many. The two Yenching University students holding the banner were also frightened and quickly lowered it after a few seconds.

In those mere ten seconds or so, the cameras and video recorders captured it all.

"Which school is this student from?" Cao Yu looked at Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin shook his head: "Don't look at me, I really don't know."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment. Fortunately, it was just a minor incident and did not cause any chaos.

After the mass procession finished marching, the ceremony officially ended, and the crowd slowly dispersed.

Old Qian asked with a smile, "How are you all doing?"

"Very majestic, like a great general."

"Hahaha!" Old Qian laughed smugly a few times.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin left first. There were many people on and off Chang'an Avenue, so getting home smoothly was not an easy task.

What should have been a ten-minute ride on a motorcycle took the two of them almost an hour.

When I got home, dinner was already prepared.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhu said, "We saw you during the live TV broadcast; Linlin was taking pictures the whole time!"

"In-laws, hurry up and let the two children eat!" Yang Xiuyun said cheerfully.

"Yes, yes, let's eat."

The family sat down to eat in the main room, and Ximei asked them what it felt like to look down from the city gate tower.

"The feeling of standing atop the city wall, looking down, evokes a sense of grandeur, like an army about to set off," Zhu Lin said with a smile. Liu Yimin added, "Normally, when I go up to the city wall and look down, the view is about the same, but the feeling is different."

"Who put up that slogan?" Zhu's father asked.

"I don't know, the student probably typed it out himself and put it away in less than twenty seconds."

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he put down his chopsticks and said, "I'm going to Yenching University!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhu's father quickly added, "I'll also go back to the university."

Liu Yimin rode his motorcycle with Zhu's father towards the western suburbs. Zhu's father's face gradually became panicked: "Could it be written by a student from our school? Students from our department are also among the students."

"This doesn't seem like something a science and engineering student would do," Liu Yimin reassured him.

Mr. Zhu said, "That's your Peking University. The academic atmosphere at your school is too free. Especially after the new president arrived, students can freely change departments, and their enthusiasm for political participation is very high."

Liu Yimin pursed his lips and remained silent, inadvertently allowing Zhu's father to guess correctly.

As Liu Yimin rode his motorcycle into Yenching University, the campus was abuzz with talk of the matter. When he passed Weiming Lake, a student who had been sitting by the lake in a daze suddenly rushed over and stopped him.

"Professor Liu, Professor Liu, please help me, please help me!" Hu Shenghu cried out urgently.

"you know me?"

“Professor Liu, who doesn’t recognize this motorcycle? I’ve even attended classes in your Chinese department. I’m Hu Shenghu, a Vietnamese major in the Department of Oriental Languages.”

Liu Yimin laughed: "You're the one who put up the slogan!"

"Not me, not me."

"Then why are you nervous?"

"I wrote it," Hu Shenghu said, his head drooping.

Liu Yimin put the motorcycle aside. Hu Shenghu was almost crying when he spoke. Four or five counselors surrounded him, criticizing him, threatening to expel him, and even talking about many consequences he could not bear.

"Don't bother with these incompetent counselors. They're nothing. I'm telling you, I was on the city wall at the time. Don't worry, the leaders won't blame you."

Liu Yimin even suspected that these counselors had a conflict with Hu Shenghu. Dealing with students is a matter for the higher-ups and the school, so what were they threatening him for? The counselors should have been actively communicating and ensuring that the message was conveyed from top to bottom.

"Really?"

"real!"

Hu Shenghu was so moved he almost cried. Liu Yimin's words were like a lifeline for him. He was hesitant to believe them, but he had no choice but to.

“If you don’t believe me, call over a few of your department’s counselors, and I’ll give them a piece of my mind,” Liu Yimin said.

"I believe it!"

Liu Yimin sat by Weiming Lake for about half an hour, offering words of comfort, before finally getting on his motorcycle. Hu Shenghu limped as he watched Liu Yimin leave.

The crowd was already in disarray, and when they first started displaying the banners, they displayed them backwards, which was seen by the students behind them, immediately causing a riot.

After two biology students straightened the banner, the crowd became even more chaotic. Hu Shenghu's leather shoes were stepped on and fell off. According to him, some girls were even pushed to tears.

Those watching from the city wall did not witness the chaos.

When Liu Yimin arrived at the Chinese Department, he saw that some professors who had been on vacation were gradually returning to the department and discussing the matter. Liu Yimin shared his views, which resonated with the professors in the Chinese Department.

“I think what Yimin said is correct. These few words may seem disrespectful, calling someone by their given name, but when put together, they precisely demonstrate the student’s acceptance,” Wu Zuxiang said.

Liu Yimin said, "Those counselors in the Department of Eastern Languages ​​are really incompetent. They should be thinking about how to handle things after something happens, not just a bunch of gossipy women surrounding the student and cursing him. Even if it's expulsion, it's the school's decision!"
Administrative staff are also very important to the school's development. Our department must learn from this example and not let them hinder the department's progress. The school is a place for teaching, and administrative staff are service personnel; we must not confuse the primary and secondary roles.

Yan Jiayan nodded in agreement. He couldn't control the school's administrative staff, but he could control the department.

Liu Yimin returned to the Institute of Literature and had Yan Zhen, who was on duty, complete a formality and send it to Hebei University.

"Director, when will we have another teacher training program?" Yan Zhen asked in confusion.

"Just now."

Yan Zhen: "."

"Go quickly, this comrade is very good. After he arrives, you should communicate more with him and make proper arrangements for his food and lodging."

"Yes!"

Liu Yimin wrote an article of over a thousand words titled "The Students' Voices" and submitted it to the People's Daily for publication the following day. The article explained the students' reasons for displaying these banners; the students expressed their gratitude for the resumption of the college entrance examination, which gave them the opportunity to attend university, and also reflected their aspirations for a bright future brought about by reform and opening up.

The following day, the People's Daily placed this article on its masthead, beginning to guide public opinion in the right direction. The second page also featured an article titled "The Voice of Intellectuals."

Guangming Daily then published the story directly under the headline "Hello, Leader," and with two central-level media outlets getting involved, the direction of Hu Shenghu's case began to become clear.

In addition, foreign media reports on this matter were all positive, and people stopped discussing the students holding up signs.

But Hu Shenghu's troubles were far from over. Many Western journalists who had infiltrated the ranks of overseas students frequently invited Hu Shenghu to meals and drinks, gave him expensive cigarettes, and secretly carried recording equipment, hoping he would say that the slogan was an official requirement.

When Hu Shenghu sought out Liu Yimin to express his gratitude, he mentioned this incident, saying, "Professor Liu, many people say that what you experienced in the United States was fabricated, but I only realized it was true after experiencing it myself."

Westerners' prejudice against us is ingrained. When I see their confident eyes, I just find it laughable!

"Study hard and don't worry about anything else."

"Professor Liu, I plan to join the army after graduation. What do you think?"

"That's great, but the professors in the Department of Oriental Languages ​​will be heartbroken."

Hu Shenghu had excellent academic performance, and the reason he was asked to write slogans was because of his good calligraphy. Hu Shenghu dared to argue with Ji Xianlin, and Ji Xianlin not only wasn't angry, but also personally called Mr. Qi Gong to ask him to teach Hu Shenghu calligraphy.

Hu Shenghu and Liu Yimin discussed the development of Eastern and Western literature. Hu Shenghu believed that China and the West should learn from each other, transform Chinese culture, and even launch another New Culture Movement. Liu Yimin believed that more Chinese culture should be inherited.

"Professor Liu, your views are similar to those of Professor Ji Xianlin."

“Although we wear Western clothes, our hearts are still Chinese. This is a combination of East and West, but it’s clear which is more important.” Liu Yimin added, “Look at us, this is the Institute for the Protection and Development of Chinese Culture. It’s really unwise of you to come to me to discuss this issue.”

Now that you've recognized the prejudice Westerners have against us, and you still hold such thoughts, I think you should really reconsider.

Hu Shenghu thought for a moment and said, "Sir, I have learned a lot!"

As soon as Liu Yimin entered the courtyard, Xi Mei said, "Professor Liu, some comrades said they came to see you."

"Who is it?" Before we even reached the second courtyard, several people quickly walked over.

Liu Yimin glanced at them and recognized them as Chen Qiuxi and several other soldiers he had seen on the front lines.

"Xiko?"

Chen Qiuxi and the others saluted and said, "Comrade Liu Yimin!"

"Put it down, put it down. Are you participating in the military parade?"

Chen Qiuxi and the others took off their Type 85 military uniforms and put on green military uniforms with red collar tabs, the four pockets on their chests being very conspicuous.

"Yes, we're going back now. A few of us wanted to come and see you!"

Liu Yimin led them to his study and chatted with them warmly.

"Ximei, don't cook anymore, let's go out to eat together in a bit."

Xizi quickly said, "Comrade Yimin, no need, no need. We're in a hurry and have to leave soon."

"Then hurry up and cook, eat before you leave."

(End of this chapter)