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

Chapter 437 Gongdelin Alumni Reunion
The momentum of "King of Fairy Tales" when it was first launched was even more rapid than that of mainstream magazines when they were first launched. When "Contemporary" was launched, the first print run was only 7 copies. This result impressed Xia Yan.

In addition, although the editorial department of "King of Fairy Tales" was nominally run by the Institute of Literature and Art, he knew the actual situation: the editorial department consisted of only one person.

"This is the first time I've realized that there's such a big market for children's literature in our country. Those people at Children's Literature magazine are really useless; they've only managed to make such a name for themselves after all these years." Xia Yan was so angry that she wanted to both laugh and curse.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Do you believe that by next year, we can produce 300,000 copies?"

“Three hundred thousand? I believe it. At this rate, a single issue should sell around two hundred thousand copies by the end of the year, and three hundred thousand copies next year is no problem. But for a children’s literature magazine, selling three hundred thousand copies is probably the absolute maximum,” Xia Yan analyzed.

Liu Yimin chuckled, while Xia Yan on the other end of the phone frowned: "What? You think you can sell even more?"

"You underestimate the number of children in our country. As people become wealthier, they will be more willing to invest in education. Perhaps in a few years, the sales of 'King of Fairy Tales' will be similar to those of our four great actresses."

Xia Yan laughed and scolded, "When did your Peking University start having a bragging major? Alright, alright, I'm not going to argue with you anymore. Let's talk again when you've sold 500,000 copies!"

After hanging up the phone, Xia Yan said to Wang Meng, who was sitting on the sofa, "This kid is really arrogant, wanting to compete with your pure literature magazine in sales."

After a moment of surprise, Wang Meng smiled confidently and said, "Anyway, we at People's Literature and Art are not afraid of comparison. The other person is a member of our editorial board. In a way, our two magazines are like brothers. We helped a lot when 'King of Fairy Tales' was launched."

"It's good to help. Whether it's children's literature or adult literature, it's still literature. If children's literature develops well, it will also cultivate a readership for adult literature!"

"You're right, but I was quite surprised by how well 'King of Fairy Tales' sold." Wang Meng said with a bit of helplessness. Others accumulate experience and then unleash their potential, but "King of Fairy Tales" exploded right from the start.

Cao Yu immediately called Liu Yimin, saying, "Yimin, I heard you've made a fortune!"

"Teacher, what kind of wealth did I make?" Liu Yimin laughed.

"Stop pretending. Old Shen already told me you have shares in it. This is a commercial exploration for you guys, not bad, not bad. It shows that publishing a magazine can make money. Be bold and explore it," Cao Yu said cheerfully.

After Cao Yu finished encouraging him, he hung up the phone. As Liu Yimin walked out of the Institute of Literature, he could hear many people congratulating him along the way.

Liu Yimin planned to invite Zheng Yuanjie to dinner to celebrate the success of the inaugural issue.

In the courtyard editorial office, Liu Yimin had already arranged for the post office to install a telephone. When he called Zheng Yuanjie, the latter was still writing.

Liu Yimin exclaimed, "With Zheng Yuanjie's perseverance, if he doesn't succeed, who will?"

"Celebrate with a meal? Yimin, I have to finish this piece I'm working on today. You know what? Just thinking about my article being published in a magazine and read by a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand people makes my heart race with excitement." Zheng Yuanjie's hand holding the phone trembled slightly with excitement.

Liu Yimin said, "No matter what, you have to balance work and rest. Old Zheng, you're not young anymore, take care of your health."

"I'm almost thirty, but I have no choice. I'm terrified of being poor, so I'll try to earn as much as I can."

Zheng Yuanjie finally accepted the invitation to dinner. Liu Yimin invited him and his wife to Fengzeyuan at 7 pm, where Liu Yimin would treat them to Shandong cuisine.

Liu Yimin made another call to his family and to Zhu Lin, informing Yang Xiuyun that she wouldn't be home for dinner that night, and to Zhu Lin that they should go to Fengzeyuan together.

After finishing his work, Liu Yimin returned to his office to grade students' final exams.

The Chinese department office building was very quiet; the teachers were either busy grading papers or proctoring exams.

After Liu Yimin finished grading the papers, he gave them to Yan Zhen and asked him to help calculate the scores. He also told them that they would be allowed to go home for the holidays on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

"Professor Wu, fellow professors, I wish you all a happy winter break in advance!" Liu Yimin smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

Wu Zuxiang and the others happily returned the greeting with clasped hands. Wu Zuxiang and Wang Yao were wearing old-fashioned cotton-padded clothes, and anyone who didn't know better would think they had traveled back to the Republic of China era.

Liu Yimin rode his motorcycle straight to Fengzeyuan, found a seat inside, ordered his food, and then stood at the door waiting for Zheng Yuanjie and the others.

Zheng Yuanjie, riding his bicycle with Guo Weiwei on the back, waved to Liu Yimin from afar. Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Once the magazine fees are settled, it'll be time to trade the bicycle for a motorcycle."

"Haha, Weiwei has been so excited these past few days that she can't sleep. In just one or two months, our lives have undergone earth-shattering changes."

Guo Weiwei said shyly, "Yimin, it seems that my husband Zheng made the right decision to start a magazine with you."

"Sister-in-law Guo, you can't say that. It's because Lao Zheng is capable that you can't run a magazine with just money."

Zheng Yuanjie said, "You can't start a magazine without money, and you can't start a magazine without an ISSN."

Liu Yimin told the two to go in first, while he waited for Zhu Lin there. The two insisted on standing next to Liu Yimin and waiting.

"From the TV, Comrade Yimin's wife looks absolutely stunning. I never imagined I'd actually meet her in person today," Guo Weiwei said happily.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Whether someone is pretty or not is not important. I have face blindness, so I can't tell whether someone is pretty or not. What's more important is inner beauty."

Zheng Yuanjie and Guo Weiwei subtly twitched their lips a few times, nodding silently with "uh-huh".

Upon seeing Zhu Lin in person, my feelings were even more complicated. She's so beautiful, how could you not notice?
Zhu Lin's skin turned pale in the cold wind, her lips were rosy, and she smiled as she held Guo Weiwei's hand.

Guo Weiwei patted Zhu Lin's hand and smiled at Liu Yimin, saying, "Beautiful inside and out, Yimin, you are truly blessed."

"Haha, I'm so lucky to have found Teacher Liu," Zhu Lin laughed.

Guo Weiwei and Zheng Yuanjie savored the food at Fengzeyuan, praising it repeatedly for being delicious.

At the end of the meal, Zheng Yuanjie asked Liu Yimin if he had any suggestions for improving the magazine's content.

“Yimin, I think your ideas are very good. You not only understand literature, but also business. We’ve finally managed to sit together today, so you should give me more advice.” Zheng Yuanjie looked at Liu Yimin with bright eyes.

"As for the content, there aren't many suggestions. There's only one: we could create a few targeted long-form fairy tales and publish them serially. If children read one chapter and the fairy tale is engaging, they'll definitely subscribe for the next issue."

In terms of business, accepting some interviews could help boost popularity. However, the focus should remain on creative work; content is king.

It would be easy for "King of Fairy Tales" to increase its fame in a short period of time; it only needs to adopt marketing methods from later generations. For example, some people now ridicule Zheng Yuanjie, saying that it's audacious for him to run a magazine all by himself, and that if he can keep it up for two years, he'll be lucky to get away with it.

If Zheng Yuanjie were to step forward and have both sides exchange insults in the newspapers a few times, and then publish a betting agreement, the reputation of "King of Fairy Tales" would instantly rise several levels.

But it seems unnecessary to do that right now. If we can win with content, we don't need to resort to vulgar tactics.

"As for a long-form fairy tale, I'll think about it carefully. Using serialization to capture readers' hearts is a good way, at least it can stabilize basic sales," Zheng Yuanjie said with satisfaction.

Liu Yimin clinked glasses with Zheng Yuanjie and told him about Xia Yan's phone call with him earlier that day.

"Three hundred thousand? Yimin." Zheng Yuanjie was surprised on the one hand by Liu Yimin's optimism about the future of "King of Fairy Tales", and on the other hand by the close relationship between Liu Yimin and Xia Yan.

"As long as you dare to dream, you wouldn't have dared to dream of running a magazine all by yourself before."

Zheng Yuanjie took a deep breath and said, "I will definitely try my best."

"We wish 'King of Fairy Tales' will reach 200,000 copies this year and 300,000 copies next year."

Around 9 p.m., the two families finished their dinner and left Fengzeyuan. On the way back, Zhu Lin said with a smile, "I never imagined that someone in their thirties could write so many fairy tales."

"Children can't write fairy tales! Just make sure your ideas align with children's intelligence and logic."

After parking the car downstairs, the two walked upstairs hand in hand. Zhu Lin asked, "Teacher Liu, are you still going to school recently?"

"I've already been released ahead of schedule, and I only need to visit the Institute of Literature occasionally."

Back home, the two little ones waved their arms and called out "Daddy, Mommy!" Liu Yimin hugged them both and kept teasing them.

"Mother, when are you planning to go back?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

"I'll spend the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month here," Yang Xiuyun said happily.

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin are not going back this year, but Yang Xiuyun has been away from home for so long, she will be going back for the New Year.

Once Liu Yimin's winter vacation begins, she can go back home with peace of mind.

“Okay, I’ll buy you a train ticket directly to Ruxian.” Liu Yimin said. “I’m fine sitting, no need to buy a sleeper berth.”

Liu Yimin didn't say anything. How could he let Yang Xiuyun go back in a hard seat? It had to be a soft sleeper at the very least.

After chatting for a while, Liu Yimin began to organize the script for "The Battle of Taierzhuang". After completing "Freedom of Black Slaves", he sent it directly to the United States. This was Liu Yimin's first time writing in English, and this novel took him a month and a half to complete.

If I were writing in Chinese, I would have finished it long ago.

"The Battle of Taierzhuang" was first written as a screenplay, and it would be a shame not to adapt such a realistic screenplay into a novel of documentary literature.

Liu Yimin quickly unraveled the complexities of the situation, using the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of Nanjing and Jinan, and their subsequent pincer attack on Xuzhou from the north and south to open up a connection between China's north and south, to introduce the entire campaign.

The story begins with the bald-headed commander executing Han Fuqu. Li Zongren then consolidates his forces to defend Xuzhou, deploying heavy troops to defend Linyi and Tengxian, key cities in front of Xuzhou.
After the script was completed, the entire map of the Battle of Taierzhuang was in Liu Yimin's mind, making it much easier to write.

He could write at least 8,000 words a day, if not 10,000 like Jiang Zilong. He submitted his manuscript to Harvest magazine within a week, and he had already received several letters from Harvest urging him to submit his work.

The next day, after seeing Zhu Lin off to work, Liu Yimin stayed in his study alone and started writing. He wrote more than 10,000 words in one day, and when he got excited, he almost couldn't stop.

Once home computers become more mature, we'll be able to write articles on them, and the speed will definitely be much faster then.

Lying in bed that night, Zhu Lin put his arm around Liu Yimin's neck and said, "Today, the Beijing People's Art Theatre invited Cheng Siyuan and Zheng Dongguo to give reports on rehearsing 'The Battle of Taierzhuang'."

"How did the presentation go?"

“I haven’t been listening much. Several actors from ‘The Most Beautiful Youth’ are on leave to visit their families, so I temporarily found two actors to rehearse with. They asked me to ask you if you want to attend their Huangpu Military Academy alumni reunion in a couple of days.”

Liu Yimin rolled over and asked, "When?"

"On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, in Old Zheng's courtyard," Zhu Lin said.

"Okay, I'll call them tomorrow and let them know."

Zhu Lin frowned and said, "They are Whampoa Military Academy students, war criminals. Won't it cause trouble if we get too close?"

"Nothing will happen. I'm just doing some united front work. They're all democratic figures now," Liu Yimin said with a smile, reassuring Zhu Lin not to worry too much.

Zhu Lin hesitated for a moment and said, "We should still be careful; the people inside are all from Huangpu Military Academy."

"Okay, okay, I'll be careful." Liu Yimin pressed his belly close to Zhu Lin's belly, hugging her as he prepared to sleep.

After a while, Zhu Lin suddenly said, "Teacher Liu, rest more at home, you don't need to be so busy writing books."

"Okay, go to sleep!" Liu Yimin patted Zhu Lin on the back, signaling her to stop talking.

I wonder who will attend the Whampoa Military Academy alumni reunion.

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, light snow was falling in Yanjing City. There were many bicycles parked inside and outside Zheng Dongguo's courtyard, but only one jeep.

Seeing this, Liu Yimin knew that most of the people who came were probably his "fellow inmates".

Cheng Siyuan arrived after Liu Yimin. Although Cheng Siyuan was not a member of the Whampoa Military Academy clique, he now held a high position among this special group of people.

At that time, Zheng Dongguo was the vice chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang. He had considerable influence within the Whampoa Military Academy clique, and he was the only one left after Du Yuming's death.

Liu Yimin walked into the courtyard and saw a group of people commenting on the courtyard tree in the middle of the courtyard.

Upon seeing Liu Yimin, Zheng Dongguo smiled and said, "Our special guest has arrived today, students. This is the highly sought-after young writer, Comrade Liu Yimin. He wrote the script for 'The Battle of Taierzhuang'."

The eyes of the group instantly turned to Liu Yimin. If it were before, Liu Yimin would probably feel uncomfortable all over, but now these people who had been on the battlefield were old and their eyes were already cloudy.

Only a few people remained, their gazes still sharp.

"Hello, Comrade Liu Yimin, my name is Shen Zui."

Liu Yimin reached out and shook hands with Shen Zui, thinking to himself, "No wonder you exude such a sinister aura. You're one of the infamous Three Musketeers of the Military Intelligence Bureau!"
"Hello, I've read many of your works," Liu Yimin said with a faint smile.

“You write better than me, I still have to learn from you.” Shen Zui was wearing a cotton overcoat, his gray hair was combed into a slicked-back style, and he had applied a lot of hair oil.

Among this group, Shen Zui is now quite proud, because in June 1984, the state recognized Shen Zui's status as one of the instigators.

"Hello, Comrade Liu Yimin, my name is Zeng Kuoqing!"

Zeng Kuangqing was also a notorious spy, formerly the head of the Political Training Section, a graduate of the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy, and had a deep friendship with some of my Party's senior members. Unlike Shen Zui of the Military Intelligence Bureau, he was always unwilling to admit his spy identity.

"I am Yang Botao."

"My name is Li Xianzhou!"

"I am Huang Wei!" Huang Wei has thick eyebrows, wears a trench coat, has short hair, and always has a stubborn look in his eyes.

As soon as Huang Wei finished his introduction, a cold snort came from the crowd, which made Huang Wei a little embarrassed, but he didn't say anything.

This isn't a Whampoa Military Academy alumni reunion; it's practically a Gongdelin Military Academy alumni reunion.

Zheng Dongguo said, "Come on, let's go inside and talk."

As Huang Wei was about to sit down after entering, Yang Botao suddenly stood up and walked away, his face full of disgust.

The others knew what was going on but remained silent, while Huang Wei, showing no embarrassment, sat down on his own.

After Liu Yimin went in, he didn't speak first. Zheng Dongguo started by talking about his feelings this year, the series of achievements of the reform, and his own opinions.

Once the conversation started, the atmosphere became much more lively.

Shen Zui sat down next to Liu Yimin and asked him about the art of creation. Liu Yimin looked at the group of people and couldn't help but think to himself that they were all quite healthy.

"Sigh!" Liu Yimin sighed.

Shen Zui asked, "Comrade Yimin, what are you sighing about?"

Liu Yimin naturally couldn't tell Shen Zui what was on his mind, so he simply said, "It's nothing, just lamenting the passage of time."

What do you think of my writing?

"It's very realistic and has important historical value for future spy dramas, but the methods used are shocking."

Shen Zui was already considered a great writer among this group. After being granted amnesty in 1959, he devoted himself to writing his memoirs. His book, "My Life as a Spy," was praised by his superiors for its authenticity and was later adapted into the spy drama "The Rebel."

As the two were talking, the others began discussing the past battlefield situation, mentioning that Zhang Lingfu's defeat was the beginning of the defeat on the East China battlefield.

Zhang Lingfu's defeat had nothing to do with most people here. Li Xianzhou even wanted to kick him while he was down, since Li Xianzhou's group collapsed too quickly and Zhang Lingfu didn't choose to come to his rescue.

There is a famous scene in the movie "The Battle of the South and the North" where Li Xianzhou calls out to Zhang Lingfu on the radio: "Commander Zhang, Commander Zhang, please help your brother out for the sake of D country!"

Everyone angrily denounced Zhang Lingfu for his arrogance and said he deserved to die.

Zheng Dongguo looked at Liu Yimin and asked him for his opinion. Liu Yimin said, "You may have heard what I said a lot. Mistakes on the battlefield are temporary, but the support of the people is the decisive force. Even if Zhang Lingfu were captured, he might not have done the same things as you all."

To rub salt into the wounds of the people when they have already lost them is utterly foolish; how could one not fail?

Liu Yimin told them about how Zhang Lingfu had supported the Returning Home Corps. The Returning Home Corps had committed many atrocities. When the reporter showed Zhang Lingfu hundreds of photos hoping he would stop them, Zhang Lingfu thought the reporter was a bookworm.

The lower-ranking soldiers of the G army also came from impoverished backgrounds. If these people knew that their families were being treated like this, where would they find the will to fight?

Besides lacking in genuine intelligence, he was constantly employing petty cleverness. The bald-headed second son wrote the preface to the "Outline of the National Revolutionary Struggle," personally instructing the returning militia on how to operate.

(End of this chapter)