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

Chapter 439 High Literary Prize Money

Inside the Writers Association's external liaison office, everyone else stared intently at their colleague who was on the phone, all curious about which country Liu Yimin's newly won literary prize came from.

The person who answered the phone quickly wrote their name on a piece of paper, but the handwriting was so illegible that probably only the person who wrote it could recognize it.

After hanging up the phone, the others wanted him to talk, but he mysteriously stuffed the note into the left pocket of his cotton coat. Still not entirely at ease, he carefully felt through the coat to make sure it wouldn't fall out.

"Old Wang, which country is it from?"

"Hey, you guys, hurry up and go. Isn't Secretary Zhang from our Writers' Association at Comrade Yimin's house? I'm going to his house to deliver the good news. Those of you who want to come, come with me."

After saying that, he rushed down the office building without looking back, got on his bicycle and headed straight west. Some of the others followed, while others remained in their offices, feeling that a large group of people would be an eyesore.

Inside the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Liu Yimin was chatting with a group of people. Professors from the Chinese Department of Yenching University also rushed over after hearing the news. Xi Mei had never seen such a scene before; she was too busy serving tea and water to keep up with the flow. Only by opening a small vent on the balcony could she maintain fresh air in the apartment.

Wu Zuxiang said with a smile, "Young lady, no need to bother. We're not here for tea."

Yan Jiayan stood up to help, saying, "Yimin is a member of our Yanda University. The professors of Yanda University are the hosts, so we should help Yimin entertain the guest."

These words provoked considerable dissatisfaction from others, who criticized Yan Jiayan, the head of the Chinese Department at Yenching University, for never forgetting to promote the Chinese Department's reputation.

Zhang Guangnian kept everyone in suspense, saying, "I've heard that the National Book Award in the United States has a very generous prize. Can you guess how much it is?"

"How much? Tell me quickly," someone urged impatiently.

"Alright, alright, everyone, don't rush me, I'll tell you. The prize money for the literature award is ten thousand US dollars."

hiss!
Yeah!

Tsk!
A chorus of exclamations filled the room. Liu Yimin quickly said, "The important thing is not the prize money, nor the literary award. I am deeply moved that all of you seniors came to congratulate me."

"Haha, of course we old folks have to come and celebrate, and let these foreigners know that Chinese writers are slowly starting to reach the international award stage. The O. Henry Award was the beginning, and this National Book Award is the foundation," Zou Huofan of Poetry Journal laughed.

Xia Yan smiled and looked at Zou Huofan: "Old Zou is right!"

"It's a good omen that such a joyous occasion has just passed since the Spring Festival," Li Yuru, the teacher's wife, interjected from the side.

The National Book Awards spring judging period ends in late March, with the awards ceremony taking place then. The $10,000 prize is much more generous than the O. Henry Award.

There was another knock on the door of the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Xi Mei opened the door, and the person on the other end asked, "Is this Comrade Liu Yimin's home?"

"Yes, who are you?"

"We are from the External Liaison Office of the Writers' Association!"

Hearing the sound, Zhang Guangnian looked up towards the door. Upon seeing Zhang Guangnian, the other person immediately called out, "Secretary Zhang."

"Weren't you at the Writers' Association? What are you doing here?" Zhang Guangnian frowned slightly.

"Secretary Zhang, we received a message from the Italian side through the cultural counselor of the embassy that Comrade Yimin has won another award, the Italian Nonino Literature Prize!"

Upon hearing this, everyone inside immediately stood up and quickly gathered around the doorway.

“The Nonino Literary Prize?” Zhang Guangnian repeated.

“Yes, according to the embassy, ​​this literary prize is Italy’s most prestigious literary prize. It was established as an international award for the first time last year, and only one person can receive it each year. It’s not awarded for a specific work, but for the author,” the comrade from the Foreign Liaison Office said quickly.

Xia Yan exclaimed happily, "This means that the torch of Eastern literature has been lit simultaneously in America and Europe!"

Liu Yimin couldn't help but beam with joy, even more so than when he heard he had won the National Book Award.

The National Book Award is an award supported by the U.S. government, while the Nonino Prize for Literature was founded with the support of the Italian Nonino family, which is backed by a brandy distillery.

Acheng, Mo Yan, and Yang Lian have all received this award, which is touted as a way to promote "agricultural civilization".

The prize money is very generous, but the amount varies from year to year, and has reached hundreds of thousands of euros at its highest.

The euro hasn't been introduced yet, so we don't know the exact amount of the award.

Another person appeared at the doorway. Looking at the bustling entrance, they couldn't help but peek inside. A voice called out from within, "Zuoren, what brings you here?"

The old man outside the door was Wu Zuoren, and the voice calling out was from Wu Zuxiang. The two were relatives, two of the three Wu families from Maolin. The other person was named Wu Yuru, who was from their hometown.

Wu Zuxiang and Wu Zuoren were cousins, both being 107th generation descendants of the Maolin Wu clan, while Wu Yuru was a few generations younger.

Wu Zuoren laughed and said, "I saw your bicycle downstairs. You didn't come to my place, so I came to look for you out of curiosity. What's going on here?"

Liu Yimin said, "Oh my, this is Senior Wu Zuoren! I heard you live here, but it's a pity I've never had the chance to meet you."

Wu Zuxiang stepped forward and introduced, "This is Yimin. Yimin won the National Book Award, and we've all come to congratulate him. Unexpectedly, Italy has also come to join in the fun and is going to present him with an award as well. What is it...?"

"Nobel?" Wu Zuoren asked subconsciously.

Liu Yimin continued, "The Nonino Literary Prize."

"Oh, congratulations! I've heard my cousin praise you a lot. May I come in and share in your good fortune?" Wu Zuoren asked Liu Yimin.

"Please come in!"

After walking in, Wu Zuoren glanced around and exclaimed, "There are quite a lot of people here!" He then greeted everyone in turn.

After a lively discussion about Liu Yimin's book, the group moved on to talking about well-known international literary works and top-ranking literary awards.

In the end, Cao Yu and Xia Yan sighed together, "Alas, our country also needs a literary award with global influence, but unfortunately, we don't have the money to do it right now."

Organizing an international-level award is too expensive, unless you can make up for the lack of money with fame, like the Goncourt Prize, but Goncourt has built its status in the field of literary awards over many years.
In addition, they use high prize money to build their reputation, and then gradually improve the authority of the award by improving the quality of the winning works.

Cao Yu and Xia Yan's sighs plunged everyone in the room into silence, followed by a series of regretful sighs.

Cao Yu suddenly felt a warmth in his palm, but calmly took his hand out and extended it to Xia Yan. Xia Yan thought Cao Yu was going to shake his hand, but as soon as they touched, he sensed something was wrong: "You little rascal!"

"Old Shen, let me show you the childlike spirit of my little Liu Lin." Cao Yu's eyes were full of childlike innocence.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lin quickly took Liu Lin from Cao Yu's arms, while Xi Mei covered her mouth and laughed as she went to get a new diaper.

Xia Yan washed her hands and said with a smile, "This is the little guy showing us his determination!"

"Haha, what we can't do, future generations will do for us. As long as each generation is stronger than the last, and we keep moving forward, prosperity is within reach!" Cao Yu patted Xia Yan on the shoulder and said.

As the sun set in the evening, a group of people left the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Yan Jiayan left a little earlier to rush back and make celebratory banners to hang at the entrance of the Chinese Department and the main gate of Yenching University!

Those present today are all high-ranking figures in the literary world; they received the information early.

That evening, Liu Yimin was having dinner when the doorbell rang again. Ximei rubbed her sore arms, went to the door, and opened it.

Xu Chi, standing outside the door, stared at Xi Mei for a moment, then hesitated before asking, "Is Yi Min home?"

Upon hearing Xu Chi's voice, Liu Yimin hurriedly replied, "Old Xu, what brings you here?"

Hearing Liu Yimin's voice and confirming that he hadn't gone to the wrong place, Xu Chi felt relieved: "Of course, congratulations!"

Under the lamplight, Xu Chi looked exhausted. Liu Yimin asked, "What's wrong? Shouldn't you be in America right now?"

Xu Chi waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it, sigh!"

Liu Yimin pulled him to sit down, and Zhu Lin served him a bowl of rice. Xu Chi didn't refuse and started eating.

After a while, he said, "Sigh, Yimin, you know, this old married couple... Sigh, your sister-in-law is sick. I came back at the end of last year and took her to the hospital in Yanjing for treatment. When I heard about your award, I rushed over."

"What illness?" Zhu Lin asked hurriedly. "Cancer, an incurable disease, it can't be cured!" Xu Chi said, his eyes reddening.

Liu Yimin patted Xu Chi on the shoulder, took out a bottle of wine and placed it in front of him. Xu Chi quickly said, "No, no, I need to go back to the hospital tonight. I hired a caregiver, but I'm not entirely at ease with her. She used to take care of me; it's my turn to take care of her."

Xu Chi then told Liu Yimin about the Iowa International Writing Program: "Around November, a Yugoslavian newspaper published a news report that the Iowa International Writing Program had received funding from Ford and other foundations under the CIA. At the time, this matter caused quite a stir in the US and Europe."

When I first heard the news, I was shocked. I didn't expect it to be true, and some American media outlets reported even more details. Strangely, not long after, the topic stopped being discussed, and the focus shifted to a sex scandal in Hollywood.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "That's just diverting attention."

"Is this related to you?" Xu Chi asked.

"Somewhat, but not that much. When Nie Hualing called me from the US to explain the funding for the Iowa Writing Project, I found it strange. Because she didn't need to tell me about it, and at the time, what happened had nothing to do with her."

I asked a friend to check, and surprisingly, they found it.

Xu Chi said, "When we first heard about it, we didn't believe it either. We formed a team to ask around, and when we saw the uneasy expressions on Ms. Nie Hualing's and her husband's faces, we knew it was true. Sigh, some things are really hard to guard against."

Xu Chi's helpless gaze held a hint of disgust. After finishing his conversation with Liu Yimin, he got up to go back.

Liu Yimin escorted him to the entrance of the Overseas Chinese Apartment, but Xu Chi repeatedly urged Liu Yimin to go back.

"I'll visit my sister-in-law tomorrow. Also, do you have enough money for your hospital stay?"

Xu Chi smiled and said, "Don't worry, even though your sister-in-law doesn't enjoy the relevant benefits, our savings are enough. I'll let you know if she needs anything."

Liu Yimin waved his hand, and Xu Chi quickly blended into the night.

When they got home, Zhu Lin and Xi Mei were washing dishes and tidying up the living room. Zhu Lin looked up and said, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow!"

"Okay, I just talked to Lao Xu about it!"

Lying in bed that night, Zhu Lin no longer felt the joy of Liu Yimin winning the award; instead, she became sentimental.

"Teacher Liu, do you really think there's no cure for cancer?" Zhu Lin asked.

"It's difficult, but with advancements in medicine, some of these problems will definitely be solved. You're a doctor, you should know better, right?"

Zhu Lin sighed, "Because I'm a doctor, I know how desperate people can be when illness strikes. Teacher Liu, we must both take good care of ourselves."

Liu Yimin patted Zhu Lin on the back: "Okay, we're both still young!"

Early the next morning, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin went to Xiehe Hospital to visit Xu Chi and his wife Chen Song.

Chen Song was emaciated and no longer possessed the gentle and serene demeanor of a southern beauty.

Xu Chi's sister, Xu He, was also there to take care of him. When Liu Yimin arrived, Chen Song forced himself to sit up and said, "Yimin, I heard you won two literary awards. Congratulations! Your writing is very powerful."

"Sister-in-law, lie down quickly." Liu Yimin stepped forward.

"It's alright, it's alright, I know my own situation." Chen Song forced a smile, his pale face showing more pain.

Liu Yimin offered a few words of comfort, but Chen Song said again, "No need to comfort me, Yimin. Linlin is a doctor; she must know the outcome of this disease."

Everyone in the ward was silent. When Chen Song's cancer was diagnosed, it was already in its late stage.

After spending three hours in the ward, Chen Song suggested that the two of them, along with their child, should go back home immediately.

"Sister-in-law, I'll come see you again in a couple of days," Zhu Lin said.

Chen Song waved his hand and said, "No need, no need, I'm too ugly to be seen by anyone."

Xu Chi saw Liu Yimin off downstairs and then hurried upstairs.

Chen Song said to Xu He, "Sister, after I leave, please let Lao Xu go back to Yanjing. With you there, Yimin and others are there too, he won't be lonely. If he goes back to Hubei Province, his children won't be with him. He's a quick-thinking person and can't stand being alone."

"Okay, I promise you, but you need to get well first," Xu He said, holding Chen Song's hand.

Today, major newspapers simultaneously reported that Liu Yimin won the National Book Award and the Nonino Prize for Literature.

The People's Daily published the news directly on its front page, a position usually reserved for top leaders.

The newspaper headlines were continuously enlarged and bolded, making the three characters "Liu Yimin" extremely eye-catching.

The contents were even more detailed than those received by Liu Yimin, and it also analyzed the two literary awards.

The National Book Award and the Nonino Prize, the highest literary awards in the United States and Italy respectively, fully demonstrate Comrade Liu Yimin's achievements in the international literary field.

The newspapers that were able to get the news first were all central media outlets in Beijing. Even the Beijing Daily did not get the news, let alone newspapers from other places.

It is expected that major newspapers will report on this matter extensively in the coming days.

Mr. Ba Jin, who was far away in Shanghai, sent a congratulatory telegram to Liu Yimin, and Liu Yimin replied to express his gratitude.

Yenching University's Chinese Department received congratulatory telegrams from Chinese departments all over the country. Although the wording of these telegrams was similar, Yan Jiayan still read them carefully one by one. Sitting in his office at the Institute of Literature, he couldn't stop smiling.

At this time, only a few people from the Institute of Literature at Yenching University's Chinese Department were working; the rest of the staff were still on winter break.

As soon as Principal Ding Shisun entered the corridor of the Chinese Department building, he heard Yan Jiayan's laughter. After walking in, Ding Shisun praised, "Professor Yan has excellent scholarship and is very skilled in managing the department. His achievements are remarkable!"

"Principal, it's not due to my ability, it's all thanks to Professor Liu's own hard work," Yan Jiayan said with a smile.

"Then why are you so happy? If you keep laughing, you'll offend all the language departments," Ding Shisun said.

Yan Jiayan explained matter-of-factly, "After all, we are professors in the Chinese Department, so of course we are overjoyed for Yimin. President, our position as the number one department in the world at Yenching University is now even more secure. President, what brings you here?"

"How could I not come to such a big celebration for the Chinese Department? I say, Lao Yan, aren't you being too stingy? You didn't even bother to hang the banners on all the gates, and the characters were written bigger. You have no spirit at all!" Ding Shisun said with a laugh.

"Not big enough?" Yan Jiayan made the banner exactly to the size of the gate, but only hung it on the south gate.

Ding Shisun said, "If your Chinese department doesn't have money, the university will do it. Especially if it's aimed at Tsinghua University, the bigger the better!"

"Give me some money!" Yan Jiayan seized the opportunity to climb up the ladder.

"Get reimbursed from the school's finance office after school starts!"

The Tsinghua students were furious when they saw the huge banner; Yenching University was provoking them!
Not only Yenching University was affected, but Zhengzhou University and Hebei University were also affected. However, their banners read "Warmly congratulate our part-time professor Liu Yimin on winning two international literary awards," with a slightly smaller banner below displaying the names of the two literary awards.

The two schools were quite righteous; they removed the "vice" title from Liu Yimin's title without the Ministry of Education's approval.

After the major newspapers reported on it, Cui Daoyi, Liu Zhenyun, Shi Tiesheng, Li Shu, Huang Chunyu and others took the newspapers to Liu Yimin's door to congratulate him.

“Yimin, you have to do another interview with me,” Liu Zhenyun shouted.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Okay, okay, I accept it, I completely accept it!"

"This foreigner is quite generous; he gave me two literary awards," Cui Daoyi said.

"We look forward to Comrade Yimin winning more literary awards in the future. After the news came out, we and the Commercial Press became tense again!" Li Shu said with a smile.

"how?"

Huang Chunyu explained, "After the news of the award is announced, readers will definitely launch another buying spree, and we need to make reasonable arrangements for reprinting."

“Many people in our alley have already bought them, some even bought them all, not for themselves, but for their sons and grandsons, so that they can learn from Yimin!” Shi Tiesheng recounted what he had seen and heard.

(End of this chapter)