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

Chapter 455 American Directors Visit China
At Yanjing Railway Station, as the film crew disembarked from the train, some sharp-eyed people spotted Liu Yimin standing at the back of the crowd. They waved to Liu Yimin and called out to Zhu Lin behind him, "Director Zhu, Professor Liu is here to pick you up!"

Zhu Lin suppressed a smile; she was now a mature and composed director and couldn't show any girlish side in front of the actors.

"Okay, everyone, please be careful when getting off the bus," Zhu Lin said calmly.

The actors disembarked from the train quickly and in an orderly fashion. Zhu Lin waved to Liu Yimin, signaling him to wait a moment.

On the platform, Zhu Lin gathered the actors together and said loudly, "Comrades, our Saihanba performance has been successfully completed. From now on, except for the props team who need to return the props, the rest of you can go home directly. You will all have a day and a half off, and you will return to work as usual the day after tomorrow."

The cast and crew erupted in cheers, saying goodbye to Zhu Lin and greeting Liu Yimin with smiles as they walked over.

After most of the people had left, Zhu Lin walked up to Liu Yimin with a smile, her hands behind her back, and rolled her eyes upwards: "Teacher Liu, who are you here to pick up?"

When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescent moons—truly captivating eyes, even when she looked at a dog, they were full of affection. Zhu Lin's tender gaze and playful tone made Liu Yimin burst out laughing.

"How is the great director from the Beijing People's Art Theatre who came to pick up my wife, my child's mother?" Liu Yimin emphasized the word "mother" when he read it.

Zhu Lin took Liu Yimin's hand and teased, "Teacher Liu, you're so petty. I didn't mean anything by calling you 'mother'."

"Haha, let's go, home or back to the Beijing People's Art Theatre?" Liu Yimin grasped Zhu Lin's hand.

"Director Zhu needs to give a brief report first. Let's go, Teacher Liu, take me to the Beijing People's Art Theatre."

Liu Yimin brought Zhu Lin to the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and the two walked together to Cao Yu's office.

"Come in quickly, how have you been feeling these past few days in Saihanba?" Cao Yu asked Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin, who appeared at the door, and urged them to sit down.

"The Saihanba area is teeming with life right now, and everyone is busy cultivating seedlings and planting trees. Our visit is meant to boost the morale of those working on the spring afforestation campaign. The comrades on the dam are taking turns going down to watch a play, and everyone is in high spirits," Zhu Lin said with a smile.

Cao Yu handed a document on the table to Zhu Lin: "Take a look. This is a thank-you letter from the comrades of Saihanba Forest Farm, thanking you for going to the front line to perform."

Zhu Lin took it and looked at it carefully. Seeing the words of thanks on it, he couldn't stop smiling. The power of a thank-you letter was almost the same as that of a banner in the workplace.

After discussing Zhu Lin's matter, Cao Yu looked at Liu Yimin and talked to him about the great debate sparked by "Amnesty 1959".

"The discussion surrounding your article among retired cadres has been even more intense than that on the streets. Various government departments are not only reading it internally, but also studying it. Some people have been released, but many more have been arrested."

Back then, not only did those who were arrested not understand, but even those who arrested them didn't understand why some of them, who were executioners, were treated with such leniency! Your article answers this question very well.

The reason why "Amnesty 1959" is better than "The Decisive Battle Is Not Just on the Battlefield" is that it answers the historical question of "why" through the transformation of the Gongdelin staff's attitude towards prisoners of war.

Both the prisoners and prison staff initially had a rather conflicted mindset, and this emotional journey is depicted in the book.

"Old Shen said that some of the older comrades in the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, after reading the magazine, took it to chat with old friends and reminisced about the past. Have you read the newspaper? 'Carry out reform and opening up with greater political confidence'?"

Liu Yimin took the newspaper out of his bag: "Teacher, I just finished reading it."

"This was not written by one person, but by several committee members. After the reform and opening up, not only the general public, but also many comrades within the Party, saw how well other countries were developing and began to feel lost and lose confidence. The leaders were discussing how to build political confidence, and our literary and art circles should play an even more important role."

The Central Advisory Committee is composed of a group of veteran cadres who, even after retiring to the second line, still play a role in providing suggestions.

After spending two hours in Cao Yu's office, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin left the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Zhu Lin had been away from the two little ones for a few days and now longed to fly home.

Back at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, as soon as Liu Yimin parked his car, Zhu Lin jumped off the motorcycle and ran upstairs.

"Slow down," Liu Yimin quickly said.

Zhu Lin didn't respond, she just kept running upstairs. When Liu Yimin pushed the door open, Liu Yu was already happily snuggling into Zhu Lin's arms.

"Linlin, are you hungry?" Yang Xiuyun asked with concern.

"Mom, I ate pancakes on the way back, so I'm not hungry now." Zhu Lin held the two little ones in her arms with great affection.

"Sister, I'll go cook a few dishes." Xi Mei saw that it was almost noon, so she quickly went into the kitchen to start cooking.

In the living room, Zhu Lin, despite being exhausted, played with the two little ones, while Yang Xiuyun told her how much they missed her.

During lunch, Zhu Lin brought up the TV series "The Most Beautiful Youth". The crew of the Beijing Film Studio TV series had been working very hard filming one after another. When it was time for the stage play performance, director Wang Yan gave them a day off and they all sat in the audience to watch the play.

Wang Yan and his team plan to film thirteen episodes, and they have already filmed ten episodes.

Wang Yan took the script away from here two days before the Chinese New Year. The crew set off on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year and has been filming for a little over two months so far.

"Director Wang said that he only realized how harsh the environment was after arriving at the dam. The wind and snow were heavy on the dam, and a number of their actors fell ill before filming even started."

“I’ve been to the highest point of Saihanba. When it’s August or September down there, it’s already late autumn up there,” Liu Yimin said.

After finishing his meal, Zhu Lin got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower, bringing back sand from Saihanba with him in his clothes.

“Professor Liu?” Xi Mei suddenly looked at Liu Yimin, her voice tinged with trepidation.

"what happened?"

"Didn't you want to hire an accountant last time?"

"Yes, the person you're talking about doesn't want to?"

“He asked if this place was privately owned or public. After he found out it was privately owned, he made a request.” Xi Mei’s tone was very hesitant.

Liu Yimin asked with a faint smile, "What are your requirements? Tell me!"

"King of Fairy Tales" is affiliated with the Institute of Literature and Art, and Liu Yimin really couldn't get the other party to compile this kind of thing.

“He only wants to work part-time. Once the factory recovers, he wants to go back to work there. He doesn’t want to lie to you and wants to make things clear. If you don’t think it’s appropriate, he won’t come.”

Liu Yimin thought about it for a moment. Experienced accountants are not easy to find nowadays. It is not certain whether a high school graduate can do accounting, and a college graduate certainly will not go for it.

“It’s alright, let him go first.” Liu Yimin understood that the other party was unwilling to give up his status as a state-owned factory worker.

Seeing that Liu Yimin wasn't angry, Xi Mei said happily, "Professor Liu, I'll go call him right now."

"If it's convenient, have him come over tonight."

"it is good."

Seeing that the two little ones in the living room were sleepy, Liu Yimin said to Yang Xiuyun, "Mom, take a rest!"

"Okay, I'll put them to sleep."

"It's getting hotter and hotter in the room. Remember to turn on the air conditioner if you get hot."

"There's still plenty of time!"

Liu Yimin entered the bedroom, where Zhu Lin, who had just finished showering, was lying on her side on the bed, her smooth pajamas outlining her graceful curves.

Zhu Lin beckoned, and Liu Yimin said seriously, "It's broad daylight, go to sleep."

After dinner, there was a knock on the door. Xi Mei quickly went to open it and said to Liu Yimin, "Professor Liu, the person is here."

Liu Yimin slowly stood up and said, "Quickly let them in."

Xi Mei darted to the doorway, where a young man wearing a white vest and a blue work jacket stood. The blue work jacket was slightly faded from being washed so many times, and the edges and threads were badly worn.

When the young man looked at Liu Yimin, his expression was a mixture of joy and trepidation, and he unconsciously pushed the apple he was holding forward a little.

Liu Yimin walked to the door and said with a smile, "Comrade Xiangdong, come in quickly. Oh, you even brought apples for Ximei?"

"Professor Liu, this is for you," Liang Xiangdong said quickly.

"Comrade Xiang Dong, you're too kind."

Xi Mei took the apple and couldn't help but smile when she saw Liang Xiangdong's expression. Liang Xiangdong followed Liu Yimin into the Overseas Chinese Apartment. He felt the bright living room was a bit dazzling, and he felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Liang Xiangdong pinched his palm, thinking to himself, "This is the best house in Yanjing!"
Upon entering the study, Liu Yimin invited him to sit down.

Liang Xiangdong composed himself and said, "Professor Liu, I really enjoy reading your books. I feel that there is something in your books that can provide a sense of belonging, whether it is pain or joy."

"Oh?"

“I also watched the recent episode of Gongdelin. I think Wang Yaowu’s adaptability is something I should learn from. We used to be workers in state-owned factories, and we received big bags of benefits during the Spring Festival, which was the envy of all the neighbors. Now the factory is about to close down, and we have to adapt too,” Liang Xiangdong said.

Liu Yimin asked with a smile, "Then you're still unwilling to give up the status of a state-owned factory?"

"I'm Professor Liu, I..." "Alright, it's nothing, that's not the main problem. How many years have you been an accountant?"

"Five years!"

"You're so young, and you've already been doing this for six years?"

"After I graduated from vocational school, I went back to work in the factory. I worked in the workshop for a year, and after my internship, I was transferred to the factory's finance department, where I have been working as an accountant ever since."

Liu Yimin asked a few questions. Liang Xiangdong was very knowledgeable about basic financial matters and could explain the procedures for dealing with departments such as industry and commerce and taxation in great detail.

As he spoke, Liu Yimin observed him. The young man was calm and composed, giving off a sincere feeling.

“Okay, you’re the one!” Liu Yimin said.

"Professor Liu, really?"

"Really, you're the one. The salary is two hundred yuan a month, and you have to do a good job."

"Two hundred?" Liang Xiangdong almost jumped up from his chair. "Professor Liu, are you kidding me?"

"Comrade Xiangdong, I'm serious, please think it over."

The highest salary in Yanjing is only a little over one hundred, and two hundred is about the same as the salary of some foreign-funded managers in coastal areas.

"No need to think about it, I mean I don't need to think about it anymore, I'll do it!" Liang Xiangdong first shook his head, then nodded vigorously.

"Two hundred is the minimum. There will be bonuses for good performance. Keep up the good work. I'll take you to the editorial department tomorrow to meet Editor-in-Chief Zheng."

Liu Yimin saw Liang Xiangdong out of the study. As they left, Liang Xiangdong grasped Liu Yimin's hand and loudly expressed his gratitude.

"Ximei, see Comrade Xiangdong off!"

"Okay, Professor Liu."

Xi Mei saw Liang Xiangdong downstairs and, seeing his excited expression, said with a smile, "What? Doesn't your status as a state-owned factory worker matter anymore?"

"I...sigh, I didn't expect to get so much. They said there would be a bonus if I did a good job."

Xi Mei said, "When I celebrated Chinese New Year, Professor Liu gave me a red envelope. Guess how much it was?"

"How many?"

"Two hundred, that's a bit more than my monthly salary," Ximei said proudly.

"The salary for taking care of a child and cooking is that high?"

"You look down on people, get lost! I introduced you to such a good job, and you didn't even bother." Xi Mei immediately stopped and waved her hand, looking disgusted.

Liang Xiangdong said with a smile, "I'll treat you to dinner next month when I get my salary."

"That's pretty much it!"

The following day, Liu Yimin brought Liang Xiangdong into the editorial department of "King of Fairy Tales" and introduced him to Zheng Yuanjie.

Zheng Yuanjie looked him over and said, "He seems suitable to be an accountant. Yimin, where did you find him?"

"I've already discussed the wages with the coworker that Ximei introduced. Lao Zheng, he'll be your assistant from now on."

Zheng Yuanjie found a room for Liang Xiangdong to use as an office. It wouldn't be a problem for him to work in the front of the courtyard while living in the back.

Furthermore, by the time Zheng Yuanjie finishes publishing all six issues of his magazine this year, he will probably have already bought a yard.

"How is it? Is it strenuous?" Liu Yimin asked.

Zheng Yuanjie looked a little tired: "It's alright, it's just that there's been a bit of a delay, and we often have to rush to finish things at the end of the month."

"Haha, Lao Zheng, it's all the same." Liu Yimin told him to pay attention to rest, as rest helps him find inspiration.

Zheng Yuanjie told Liu Yimin about the data sent back from the distribution center: it had been exactly one month since the books went on sale in April, and of the 150,000 copies printed, about 90,000 copies had already been sold.

According to estimates, all copies should be sold out. The magazine's sales curve shows that there are many buyers at the beginning, and then the sales gradually decline. However, selling 60,000 copies in May should not be a problem.

“If it sells well, we can gradually increase it to 200,000 copies,” Liu Yimin suggested.

"it is good."

When Zheng Yuanjie heard that Liu Yimin paid Liang Xiangdong a salary of two hundred yuan plus a bonus, he couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that a bit high? Weiwei used to earn less than a hundred yuan at the magazine."

“Old Zheng, we’re not a state-owned factory, so it’s not easy for us to recruit people, and accounting is a skilled job. Besides, laid-off and unemployed workers are under a lot of pressure at home, so we have to make sure they can work with peace of mind, right? If they get paid more, they’ll naturally do their best.”

"Listen to you."

In a classroom at Yenching University, Liu Yimin was lecturing to his students. The students hadn't heard Liu Yimin lecture for a month, and now they were listening with exceptional focus; many more students had come to audit the class.

Just as Liu Yimin was speaking with great passion, Cao Wenxuan walked in from the back of the classroom and winked at Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin stopped helplessly: "Teacher Cao, what's the matter?"

"Professor Liu, the Ministry of Culture called and said an American director is coming to see you from the United States. He'll be arriving at the school soon. His name is something like Deadhead Wen... Professor Liu, I forgot," Cao Wenxuan said awkwardly.

"When he arrives, let him wait. My class has just begun!" Liu Yimin picked up the chalk and prepared to continue teaching.

Cao Wenxuan said, "Isn't that inappropriate? These are foreign guests."

“He came to me, not the other way around. I couldn’t wait to let him go,” Liu Yimin said, and then began to speak again.

Cao Wenxuan ran out of the classroom, ready to go to the school gate to pick up the person.

About half an hour later, Cao Wenxuan, drenched in sweat, led a foreigner to the back of the classroom.

Liu Yimin recognized him as Steven Spielberg, who had attended the charity gala.

Liu Yimin was curious about what he was doing there, but he didn't stop lecturing.

As the class ended, Liu Yimin picked up his lesson plan and walked up to Steven Spielberg, asking curiously, "Steven, what brings you here?"

“Liu, I’ve come to China to see you!” Steven Spielberg said with a smile.

Liu Yimin curled his lip: "Steven, come to my office with me!"

Steven Spielberg nodded and said happily to the students in the classroom, "Congratulations, students, on having a morally upright and talented teacher."

The students could understand these few simple English sentences, and a round of applause rang out in the classroom. Some students even asked Steven in English what he was doing there.

"I've come to pay a visit to an Eastern writer."

On campus, Steven Spielberg observed Yenching University with curiosity, occasionally praising the beauty of the ancient buildings.

Liu Yimin led the other party into a private office at the Institute of Literature and Art, and Yan Zhen placed the tea on the table and left the office.

“Speak, Steven, what brings you here?” Liu Yimin asked again.

"Liu, do you believe me if I want to come and see China?"

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Then let's not talk about anything else, I'll take you out for a walk."

Steven took a sip of tea and said, "Liu, why do you think I must have something to say to you?"

“It’s very simple. Our relationship hasn’t reached the point where you would specifically cross the Pacific Ocean to talk to me about friendship,” Liu Yimin said.

"Cough, that's too direct."

Steven stopped pretending and told Liu Yimin that the sales of "Uncle's Redemption" continued to grow in the United States in April. He had reread "Uncle's Redemption" and felt that it was worth adapting into a movie, so he immediately flew to China to discuss cooperation with Liu Yimin.

“See, isn’t this kind of honesty much better?” Liu Yimin said.

"Haha, Liu, I regret it. I should have talked to you about this when you were in the US. Before I came here, I had already spoken with a famous American film company, and they were willing to invest in making this film."

Steven Spielberg has his own independent film production company, but a commercial film requires a huge investment, and he cannot make it independently without investors. In addition, it is also to share the risks.

(End of this chapter)