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

Chapter 453 Model Workers of Yanjing City

"Professor Yan, why are you asking me this?" Liu Yimin asked curiously, one hand in his pocket.

"No progress without learning. Once I've learned something, I'll go to the United States and bring back some charitable donations."

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "The ministry has made relevant regulations on foreign funding, you're going against the rules!"

"Can't I talk about environmental protection?" Yan Jiayan said irritably.

Yan Jiayan kept Liu Yimin behind alone not to discuss this, but to talk to Liu Yimin about the future teaching plan.

"You're a level three professor now, and you'll graduate next month after submitting your graduate thesis. How about starting to mentor graduate students at the end of the year?"

"Okay, I'll follow your instructions."

Yan Jiayan said with a smile, "As a young professor like you, I have to respect your wishes. Since you're just starting out supervising graduate students, let's set the number of students to two."

Seeing that Liu Yimin agreed to everything, Yan Jiayan happily saw Liu Yimin out of the office. Liu Yimin then went to the Institute of Literature and Art. Knowing that Liu Yimin was coming back, the others were already sitting in the office, waiting for him.

Each table was piled high with documents, and sweat dripped from their foreheads, showing that they were working hard.

Seeing this, Liu Yimin smiled slightly: "Alright, stop pretending!"

Laughter filled the office. Yan Zhen and the others looked relaxed. Wang Liqun had returned to Hebei University after completing six months of study.

"Professor Liu, congratulations on bringing honor to the country and on your promotion to Level 3 Professor," said Li Liangrong from Fudan University.

Yan Zhen glanced at Li Liangrong, thinking, "Why is this guy so quick to talk?" and quickly chimed in.

"No need to be polite. I didn't come here to hear your flattery. Comrade Liangrong, how are your studies at the Institute of Literature going?" Liu Yimin asked.

Li Liangrong said, "The teaching methods of the Chinese Department professors impressed me greatly, which I didn't find among the Chinese Department teachers at Fudan University. In addition, the senior professors in the journalism department have unique insights into news, from which I have benefited a lot."

"Good, study hard and remember the purpose of the training at the Institute of Literature. Apply what you learn in future teaching." Liu Yimin patted Li Liangrong on the shoulder and told him to sit down.

Then he waved to Yan Zhen: "Yan Zhen, come in and report on the recent work of the Institute of Literature and Art."

Yan Zhen picked up the documents on the table and followed Liu Yimin into the office.

"Director, these are the expenditure items for each group this year, these are the foreign exchange applications for each group, and these are the project approvals for each project group."

Liu Yimin picked up the documents on the table and began to review them carefully. Yan Zhen's preparations were both concise and detailed; after reading through them, Liu Yimin had a thorough understanding of what had happened at the Institute of Literature over the past month.

What a talent! A natural-born office manager.

"Does a journalism professor still need so much foreign exchange?" Liu Yimin looked at Yan Zhen with doubt, having already allocated a considerable amount of foreign exchange last year to purchase materials.

“Several professors want to compile a journalism textbook that integrates Chinese and foreign perspectives. In addition, there is communication studies, which is currently under research in China. Everything has to start from scratch,” Yan Zhen said quickly.

"Okay, I'll take another look."

Yan Zhen stepped forward and asked, "Director, are you going to recruit graduate students?"

"You're quite well-informed. The enrollment plan will be released this year, and the official enrollment will begin next year," Liu Yimin said casually.

Yan Zhen was overjoyed when she heard the news was confirmed.

"What? You want to apply to my graduate program?" Liu Yimin asked, looking up.

"Professor Liu, I know you have high standards, but I'd like to give it a try."

Liu Yimin looked at Yan Zhen and smiled, "If you want to apply, then apply. It's your right. Study hard, and don't fail the written test."

"Yes, I will definitely study hard." Yan Zhen straightened her body.

"How's the substitute teaching going this month?"

Yan said sincerely, "It should be pretty good. The students don't have any complaints, and they are quite active in class."

"Okay, you can continue teaching this week's classes. I need to rest for a while."

"Row."

After signing all the documents, Liu Yimin got up and left the Institute of Literature. There were still many students lingering at the entrance of the Chinese Department, making it difficult for him to leave quietly.

As soon as his head peeked out, a sharp-eyed student pointed at Liu Yimin and shouted, "Professor!"

Liu Yimin reluctantly retreated back into the building, changed his clothes with Yan Jiayan, put on a mask, and left through the side door of the Chinese Department building.

After finding the motorcycle, he verified his identity with the security personnel and quickly rode away, giving the students nearby no chance to gather.

Once Liu Yimin left, the security guards breathed a sigh of relief and kept advising the students who approached, their mouths already dry.

Back at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, dinner was already laid out on the table.

"Professor Liu, why did Yenching University want to see you?" Zhu Lin asked with a smile.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "It's nothing much, just announcing a new appointment. The principal and his entourage offered their congratulations."

"A new appointment?"

“Now I am the rightful Professor Liu,” Liu Yimin said, straightening up.

"Congratulations, Professor Liu, on becoming a full professor."

"Not a Level 4 full professor, but a Level 3 professor!"

"Level three? My dad is only level four. If he knew, he'd probably be kicking himself for being outdone by his son-in-law so quickly."

Zhu Lin was raised by her father from a young age, and she is very familiar with the details of professional titles such as professor and associate professor.

"What level is Level 3?" Yang Xiuyun asked curiously as she walked over.

Zhu Lin pulled Yang Xiuyun's arm and explained, "Mother, let me put it this way: it's equivalent to the commissioner and secretary of the prefectural committee and administrative office in your Luocheng, the highest-ranking official."

"Huh, a local official?" Yang Xiuyun almost dropped what she was holding. After realizing what was happening, she started chanting about the merits of the Liu family's ancestors.

Liu Yimin nudged Zhu Lin's shoulder and whispered, "Why are you calling her 'Mother' now too?"

"I'm not allowed to shout?" Zhu Lin asked, raising his chin.

"Okay, call out as much as you want."

Yang Xiuyun asked Zhu Lin to write a letter home to tell them the good news.

Everyone enjoyed their dinner. Liu Yimin suggested, "The department gave me a week off. Let's take our whole family out for a trip in a couple of days and enjoy the springtime in Yanjing."

“Okay, the day after tomorrow then. I have to go to work after that too. The institute gave me another script, but this time it's for Director Shan Zun to work on,” Zhu Lin said.

"The day after tomorrow."

After dinner, Zhu Lin and Liu Yimin went downstairs for a walk along the main road. The April evening was cool and pleasant. The two held hands and chatted casually.

Zhu Lin didn't talk much about work; he talked about trivial family matters, some with his parents and some with Yang Xiuyun.

After walking around and returning, Zhu Lin looked at the young couple at the entrance of the Overseas Chinese Apartment and asked with a smile, "Teacher Liu, doesn't this look like the scene when I ran to the Yanjing Hotel to find you after you came back from France?"

“We weren’t this close back then, let’s go quickly, or we’ll get a sty.” Liu Yimin pulled Zhu Lin’s hand and walked inside.

"Young people these days are getting bolder and bolder," Zhu Lin commented.

The next morning, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin went to Xiehe Hospital to visit Xu Chi and his wife Chen Song. Xu Chi's children were also in the ward.

Chen Song was too weak to speak. He pointed at Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin, trying to say something, but in the end, he could only shed a tear.

"He can hear us talking, but he doesn't have much strength left to speak," Xu Chi said sadly.

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin sat next to Chen Song, holding his hands and chatting for a long time. Chen Song responded to them with winks.

As Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin were about to leave, Chen Song suddenly gripped Liu Yimin's hand tightly, as if he wanted to say something.

"Sister-in-law, I know what you're going to say, don't worry!" Liu Yimin patted Chen Song's hand. Chen Song blinked in response, and Xu Chi also said, "Don't worry, don't worry about me."

Xu Chi knew that Chen Song couldn't let go of him, and after speaking, he took out a handkerchief and wiped away Chen Song's tears.

"Yimin, you've had a tough time. You just got back to the country, and you have so many people to see, yet you still made a special trip to the hospital." Xu Chi saw Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin out of the ward.

"Comrade Lao Xu, please take care of yourself. If there's anything you need me to do, just let me know."

Old Xu smiled optimistically, but his heavy heart quickly clouded his face: "That's enough. Go ahead and get busy. The literary world needs you more than the hospital."

Back at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, the living room was full of people, including Liu Zhenyun and Cui Daoyi, who were already waiting for him.

Besides those who came to his home to offer their congratulations, Liu Yimin also received many private congratulatory telegrams, from Lu Yao, Jiang Zilong, Yu Hua, and others.

In his congratulatory message, Lu Yao also expressed his determination to write a great work, just like Liu Yimin.

His works, such as "Life," are well-known, but not great enough. His definition of greatness is that it must at least win the Mao Dun Literature Prize.

Liu Yimin's winning of the foreign literature award deeply inspired Lu Yao, plunging him back into a frenzy of writing.

Li Shu and Huang Chunyu showed Liu Yimin a sample copy of the standalone edition of "The Battle of Taierzhuang." Half of the cover was stained red with blood, and the broken walls and shattered swords depicted a brutal battlefield.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a first print run of nearly two million copies. Yimin, I hope that this documentary literature, ‘The Battle of Taierzhuang,’ can recreate the sales success of ‘Triumphant at Midnight’ back then.” Li Shu’s legs trembled involuntarily as he thought of the buying frenzy back then.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "You must have done some market research before printing. The printing quality is much better than before!"

"It was printed by Yanjing Xinhua Printing Factory. They imported laser typesetting and printing equipment, and with the advancements in paper technology over the past two years, the overall quality has been greatly improved," explained Huang Chunyu, an editor at The Commercial Press.

Cui Daoyi said, "Our People's Literature and Art magazine is also preparing to update its typesetting technology to improve printing efficiency."

"We at the Farmers' Daily are just farmers who make a living from the soil; we don't have any money," Liu Zhenyun joked.

During a lull in the laughter, Liu Yimin handed the manuscript of "Amnesty 1959" to Cui Daoyi from his study.

"You've been back for two days and already written another book?" Cui Daoyi asked subconsciously.

Liu Yimin joked, "Senior brother, am I an octopus? I have eight arms?"

"What about you?"

“I had almost finished writing it before I went abroad, and I just finished it when I came back,” Liu Yimin said.

"Another work of documentary literature," Cui Daoyi remarked, then led the group to begin reading.

After reading half of it, Liu Zhenyun sighed, "I can't even get in touch with these people, so I don't know how to write about them!"

After everyone had finished reading, Cui Daoyi carefully put the manuscript away, preparing to publish it in the May issue of "People's Literature and Art".

"Amnesty 1959 should be able to be published without any review. Its contents demonstrate the confidence of our Party and show a condescending and tolerant attitude towards backward political systems and ideas."

Cui Daoyi's insights have won the approval of others around him, and once published, they will surely arouse a strong response from readers at home and abroad.

Even after leaving the Overseas Chinese Apartment, the group continued to discuss "Amnesty 1959".

As they approached Chang'an Avenue, Cui Daoyi stopped to buy an evening newspaper. After reading the contents, he smiled and said, "Look, the evening paper still has 'People's Daily' on it. I think it'll be a week before there's widespread coverage."

"I wrote an article yesterday, and it will be published in our Farmers' Daily tomorrow," Liu Zhenyun said proudly.

Li Shu said, "It's not surprising. Just like the women's volleyball team winning an award, it's something that can boost national confidence. If you want to accomplish great things, you have to be in high spirits first. Local media outlets across the country will be reprinting the reports from major state media outlets."

“We in Henan province wouldn’t do that, because we have to write our own headlines for the newspapers. We don’t need to think of any titles; the opening line is always ‘Liu Yimin, a writer from our province.’”

After Liu Zhenyun finished speaking, the group got on their motorcycles and headed home.

On April 20th, before the family went out for a trip, they put up a notice on the door to inform visitors that they were going out for a vacation.

Last time, Mr. and Mrs. Zhu took Yang Xiuyun to the Summer Palace. Today, they decided to go to Beihai Park, which is located northwest of the Forbidden City.

Beihai Park dates back to the Liao Dynasty and was expanded during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The buildings inside reflect the influence of each dynasty.

This is the most beautiful time of year in Beihai Park, with flowers in full bloom and the weather just right.

“The emperors of ancient times really had it tough!” Yang Xiuyun said with a smile.

Liu Yimin pointed to the south and said, "That's the South China Sea and the area where the government offices are located."

Yang Xiuyun stood on a high place to see what it was like over there. Liu Yimin said, "Judging from the scenery alone, it's about the same."

Yang Xiuyun only had a vague concept of the types of buildings and halls, and she only had one criterion for evaluating the scenery: whether it was beautiful or not.

Seeing that Yang Xiuyun wanted to go, Liu Yimin said with a smile, "After a while, I'll see if I can find a few tickets for the tour. Once I find them, I'll take you in for a look."

Yang Xiuyun happily said "Zhong" several times in a row. Liu Yu and Liu Lin didn't understand why, but they also just shouted "Zhong".

The two children were exactly one year old. Liu Yimin originally thought that the two little ones had already left by the time he returned, but it turned out that he, as a father, was too hasty.

In Beihai Park, Liu Yimin encountered Shi Tiesheng and his sister Shi Lan, who were admiring the trumpet creeper flowers.

"Brother Yimin, you look so impressive abroad!" Shi Lan said happily.

Liu Yimin said dismissively, "Little Shi Lan, you look so smug standing up there."

"Yimin, congratulations! I originally wanted to go, but I figured you must be very busy, so I..." Shi Tiesheng quickly said.

"It's okay, I understand. Have you written any articles lately?"

"I wrote a few essays and submitted them, and the response was pretty good." Shi Tiesheng smiled brightly as he looked at Yang Xiuyun and Ximei, who were teaching two little ones to walk in the open space.

The two families toured the park together for about twenty minutes before Shi Tiesheng and Shi Lan left Beihai Park.

After leaving Beihai Park, Liu Yimin took his family for a stroll around Jingshan Park. Instead of going home for lunch, they ate lunch at Qianmen and then went into the Forbidden City.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, everyone was tired. The two little ones were so sleepy that their heads drooped in our arms, and drool was dripping down their clothes.

"go home!"

As soon as Liu Yimin spoke, everyone relaxed and their steps became much lighter.

In the main conference room of the Yanjing Municipal Government, representatives from all walks of life in Yanjing sat below the stage. Next to Liu Yimin sat directors Xia Chun and Ouyang Shanzun, along with a group of actors from the play "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven".

Behind the stage hung a sickle and hammer and an award banner. A maroon velvet tablecloth was laid on the stage, and the microphone in front of the leader was covered with a red cloth strip.

The production team of "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" and screenwriter Liu Yimin were awarded the title of Model Worker of Yanjing City. The results of the Model Worker selection were announced in March, but the awarding of the Model Worker title did not begin until Liu Yimin returned to China.

Liu Yimin received the honorary titles of Model Worker and Advanced Individual and Advanced Group of "The First Building Under Heaven".

[Since its premiere, the play "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" has been performed over two hundred times. Playwright Liu Yimin, using the history of old Beijing as a backdrop and its culinary culture as a theme, has contributed a cultural feast to the people of Beijing. Please welcome Comrade Liu Yimin and the cast and crew to the stage to accept their award.]

Liu Yimin stood up, wearing his newly tailored Zhongshan suit, and led the crew onto the stage to receive the award.

Cao Yu, as a leader of the Yanjing Municipal Federation of Literary and Art Circles, personally pinned a red flower on Liu Yimin and presented him with a paper certificate of merit.

“Yimin, this award is not even as expensive as the Lu Xun Literary Prize of fifty yuan, but for workers in all walks of life, this award is the highest praise, and it is a certificate of merit given to you by the workers and peasants.”

Liu Yimin took the certificate from Cao Yu's hand: "Teacher, I will remember it."

Led by the leaders of Yanjing City, enthusiastic applause erupted from both the stage and the audience. The highlight of the award ceremony was Liu Yimin receiving his model worker certificate.

"Comrade Yimin, please say a few words!" the leader of Yanjing City said with a smile.

Liu Yimin walked to the microphone standing at the front and greeted the representatives from various units and the public who came to attend the meeting.

Before Liu Yimin could speak, someone below shouted at the top of their lungs, "Comrade Liu Yimin, how did it feel to receive an award abroad?"

"The feeling of receiving awards here is better than abroad, because everyone here is one of our own."

"Bravo!" The audience erupted in cheers, like firecrackers set off by sparks.

(End of this chapter)