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

Chapter 491 Golden Lion Literary Award Ceremony

It is not surprising that Chen Liren funded Xiamen University and Jimei University. Xiamen University was founded by Chen Jiageng, and when Chen Jiageng went bankrupt and was liquidated, he still raised funds for the construction of dormitories for Xiamen University.

After Chen Liren finished speaking, he stepped off the stage. Before the host could announce the name of the next speaker, Li Ao ran up and snatched the microphone from the host's hand.

"Hello everyone, I am Li Ao. Many of you here probably know me. I have learned a lot during my time at the arts training camp. I used to think that Chinese people were all useless, but Professor Liu has been criticizing me quite a bit lately."

Ignoring the laughter from the audience, Li Ao continued, "Later I realized that what he said made some sense, so I went to see him in the middle of the night. Many of you have seen 'Journey to the West,' where the Bodhi Patriarch preaches to Sun Wukong in the middle of the night. I heard that the mainland is also making a TV series about this, and I hope everyone will have the opportunity to watch it then."

Professor Liu preached late into the night and then berated me for hours in his room. I finally understood: why can't Chinese people do it? Thinking about this, I can finally hold my head high. Before, I always felt inferior and had to bow down and learn from their culture. I, Li Ao, am saying here that I support T, even if it means going back to jail. It's not like I've never been to jail before.

We used to be like the tortoise and the hare fable. The hare ran fast, but fell asleep and was overtaken by the tortoise. But once the hare woke up, it would definitely run faster than the tortoise. The most important thing is, the hare must never fall asleep again.

Li Ao hurled a few more insults on stage before stepping down. This action stunned Lin Rihua, and Chen Liren clapped and said, "Professor Liu, you've gained another follower from now on."

“Mr. Chen, we are all believers in Chinese culture.”

"Yes, yes, we all are."

Lianhe Zaobao and other Singaporean media outlets are snapping photos of Li Ao like crazy; this will definitely be tomorrow's headline.

Chen Liren could already picture tomorrow's newspaper headlines: "[Writer Li Ao Leans Towards the Mainland, Becoming a Loyal Follower of Mainland Writers!]"

[Just five days into the training camp, the island's writers were attacked by mainland writers!]

[Reddening, an unstoppable reddening!]

Now Xie Zhonghou won't need to report through the fake "Central News Agency" anymore; the information about the training camp will spread throughout the world.

Yao Xueyin sighed that Li Ao's return to the right path was more precious than gold, and Qin Mu said, "This training camp was quite successful, but I don't know if it can be held again next time. Li Ao really doesn't play by the rules."

Liu Yimin said, "It has no impact; it's pointless to participate anyway."

Li Ao's speech disrupted the arrangements of the Chinese community, but the host immediately regained control after Li Ao stepped down.

The screening concluded only after everyone had finished speaking. Lin Rihua remarked, "This was the most dramatic screening I've ever attended; I was drenched in sweat."

After the audience left, Liu Yimin spoke privately with Chen Liren about the donation.

Chen Liren asked, puzzled, "The mainland seems to be taking a cautious approach to donations right now, requiring approval from the Ministry of Education. Why is that? Do they think there's too much money involved?"

"The review process for humanities and social sciences is more thorough, but for science and engineering, it's basically not reviewed much. Mr. Chen, you're in Singapore, so you should also know about the power of the CIA's funding. Their presence can be seen in various countries, and they secretly manipulate everything."

Chen Liren said, "I know what you went through in the United States, and that so-called Iowa International Writing Training Camp was also supported by the CIA."

“Yes, humanities and social sciences are a key focus in universities, and we can’t afford to be complacent!” Liu Yimin said.

"Then why is there almost no review process for STEM fields?"

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Because Westerners will not support China's scientific and technological development. In the past, several scientific and technological cooperation projects were promoted by Chinese scientists such as Professor Li Zhengdao and Professor Yang Zhenning."

"That's true, it's easy to understand. Students who go to the US for further studies tend to specialize more in humanities and social sciences than in STEM fields; the US has its own tricks up its sleeve!"

“Thank you, Mr. Chen, for your concern for education in China. I will make this happen as soon as I get back,” Liu Yimin said.

“Let’s go back together. I’ve never been back to the mainland before. I had this plan this year, and after listening to your speech, my desire to go back has only grown stronger.”

Chen Liren donated $500,000, which will ensure the Yimin Academic Scholarship's funding for the next few years.

After the two finished talking in the cinema's office, Lin Rihua took Liu Yimin and the others back to their hotel.

On the way back, the group chatted enthusiastically. Liu Yimin then asked what was going on and learned that while Liu Yimin was talking to Chen Liren, Li Ao had apologized to Sanmao and promised to personally publish an apology letter in the "Central Daily News" when he returned to the island.

"Mr. Li Ao, this is the true symbol of straightforwardness and frankness!"

Upon arriving at the hotel, Yao Xueyin, Qin Mu, and the others wanted to talk to Liu Yimin, but seeing that he was too tired, they didn't say anything more.

Liu Yimin was awakened before he was fully awake by Jiang Zilong's loud knocking on the door. Jiang Zilong was holding several newspapers with photos of Liu Yimin and Li Ao on them—Li Ao was humbly shaking hands with Liu Yimin.

The headline reads: "[On the island, people are jumping up and down; renowned commentator Li Ao unexpectedly switches sides]"

[Li Ao claims that the authorities can do whatever they want with him, as long as he promotes unification!]

[Chinese arts training camps have become the front line of ideological clashes, with the mainland emerging victorious!]

As Jiang Zilong walked in, he said with a hint of excitement, "This news will have an impact worldwide, allowing everyone to better understand our policies. Yimin, you've done a great job!"

"Comrade Zilong, we need to look at this rationally. Let's not get so excited. Let's just do what we need to do. There are still two days of arts training camp left!"

Jiang Zilong turned on the TV, which was broadcasting a news report titled "Writer Liu Yimin's Charisma Shines in Cinema, Telling the Story of the Chinese Spirit."

"How did you get it so early?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

“I didn’t sleep all night waiting for the newspaper. I believe the rest of the delegation didn’t sleep either. You’re really thick-skinned. You can still sleep after something like this happened.”

As Jiang Zilong had predicted, people began to enter Liu Yimin's room one after another to discuss the matter.

"Comrades, let's not discuss this too much. Let's remain calm and keep our happiness to ourselves. Let them see our magnanimity, otherwise they'll think we're petty people who have gotten ahead."

Yao Xueyin said, "Yes, Yimin is right. We need to make them feel that we are happy, but without them being able to tell. Everyone, go back to your rooms!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zilong and the others quickly returned to their rooms. When it was time to eat, they calmly greeted the others.

Lin Renjun walked over and said, "Southeast Asian newspapers are reporting on it like crazy. I guess the island knows about it too, but we don't know how to handle it. Li Ao isn't really going to go to jail, is he?"

“It’s unlikely. He was in jail before for either TD or embezzlement. It’s unlikely to be that,” Liu Yimin said.

Suddenly, Li Ao appeared behind them and said, "It wasn't twice, it was three times. The first time was for colluding with the CCP, but I didn't actually serve time. The second time was for framing me with the CCP, and there was also an element of someone wanting to commit a big case to gain credit. The third time was for asset embezzlement. Damn it, Hu Yinmeng gave false testimony against me, I didn't do anything at all."

Professor Liu, I must say this: Hu Yinmeng is not a good person.

"Love turned to hate?" Everyone sensed the stench of gossip.

"Maybe, but I think some people are deliberately doing this for political revenge."

Jiang Zilong asked in surprise, "You're connected to the CCP?"

"Who in the world doesn't know G? This isn't my saying, it's what Baldy said," Li Ao said dismissively.

That evening, Xie Zhonghou arrived at the hotel. He first gathered some intelligence, and then slipped into Liu Yimin's room when no one was looking.

Xie Zhonghou said, "I came in secret this time. No one except the delegation on the island can know that I am here. Li Ao doesn't know either. He knows about this matter, but his tone is quite mild. He just said that he came to understand what happened."

"To be honest, Li Ao's words are somewhat timely," Liu Yimin said casually. Xie Zhonghou pondered for a moment and then said, "They are somewhat timely, and might even have a positive effect."

Xie Zhonghou chatted with Liu Yimin for two hours, and after explaining the whole story, he immediately stood up: "Don't worry, I know what to say. Don't forget to send me some hometown notes when you get back. There are many people from Heze in Shandong Province where I live, as well as Kaifeng in Henan Province and Fenghua in Zhejiang Province."

"Why don't you just say Xikou?" Liu Yimin joked.

"Well, do your best. Goodbye, I have to get back to the island now."

Wearing a mask, Xie Zhonghou quickly left Liu Yimin's room, not taking the elevator, but leaving through the hotel's back door via the stairs.

As the training camp came to a close on its final day, editor-in-chief Du Nanfa remarked in his closing remarks, "This is the most exciting session we've ever held since we started organizing the International Chinese Arts Training Camp."

The audience burst into laughter, and everyone expressed their gratitude to Du Nanfa.

Then everyone took turns going on stage to give farewell speeches. When it was Liu Yimin's turn, he went up and said, "Thank you to our Lianhe Zaobao. I actually hope that more similar events can be held in the future. I believe this was also one of the wishes of Mr. Tan Kah Kee when he founded the Nanyang Business Daily, which was to promote more exchanges among compatriots."

Now that it has become *Lianhe Zaobao*, it should play an even greater role in uniting people. I hope that all the Chinese writers will contribute to Chinese literature and the Chinese nation after returning home. Thank you.

On stage, Sanmao bid a reluctant farewell to Zhang Leping: "I gained the most from this internship training camp because I have a father figure, Mr. Zhang Leping. My relationship with Mr. Zhang Leping is just like the relationship between the island and the mainland, and between us and the mainland."

Jiang Zilong whispered to Liu Yimin, "Alright, the second person who passed the test has come out."

The meeting ended, but everyone stayed because they were all waiting for the International Chinese Golden Lion Literary Award ceremony.

Yu Guangzhong secretly slipped a letter to Yao Xueyin, asking her to pass it on to Liu Shahe.

Upon learning this, Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Our Mr. Yu is quite cautious in his actions!"

On the evening of April 28, the Golden Lion Literary Award ceremony officially began at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

This hotel was established in the last century and is a Western-style building, or you could say a colonial-style building.

Liu Yimin arrived at the venue in a car provided by the organizing committee. He was alone in the car, while the other members of the training camp had already arrived and stood side by side at the hotel entrance applauding and welcoming him.

The banquet hall is pillarless and can accommodate more than 400 people. Unlike the separate award ceremony and banquet in Nonino, Italy, the award ceremony and banquet are held together here.

The moment Liu Yimin appeared, he became the most eye-catching person in the entire room. After all, this was Professor Liu, whose charm was off the charts and who could turn a patient into a madman every five days.

Guests lined the red carpet, eager to shake hands with Liu Yimin, while reporters snapped photos incessantly.

Liu Yimin sat in the front seat, and Lin Rihua, Chen Liren, and others also attended the ceremony.

"Professor Liu, this is Chairman Lin Shaoliang!" Lin Rihua said, leading an elderly man in a suit to Liu Yimin's side.

Lin Shaoliang was wearing a blue suit. He had gained weight and was almost bald, but his face still looked very dignified.

Liu Yimin stood up and said, "Hello, Chairman Lin."

"Professor Liu, hello. I heard your name in Indonesia and felt I had to come and meet you. I'm too materialistic, so I'm here to absorb some culture," Lin Shaoliang joked.

Liu Yimin expressed his gratitude, and Lin Shaoliang said, "Your work, 'The Overseas Chinese', is very well written. Please accept the award first, and we can talk later."

At 8:30, the awards ceremony officially began. The presenter was Lee Kyong Chai, a former reporter for the Nanyang Siang Pau, who had attended the Bandung Asia-Africa Conference and had even met the elderly gentleman.

He became the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Culture of Singapore in 65 and also enjoys writing novels.

"The winner of this year's Golden Lion Literary Award is Liu Yimin. Since he began writing, Professor Liu Yimin has made significant contributions to spreading Chinese literature around the world and raising its status. He has received the Lu Xun Literary Prize, the Mao Dun Literary Prize, the Italian Nonino Literary Prize, and the National Book Award of the United States."

He focuses on the historical context of China, the fate of China in this era, environmental protection, cultural relic preservation, and the fate of humanity worldwide. He is a well-deserved Golden Lion Award-winning author. We hope Professor Liu will continue his efforts and make even greater contributions to Chinese literature!

As Li Jiongcai finished speaking, Liu Yimin stood up, waved to the audience, and walked up the red carpet amidst applause. He accepted the gleaming gold trophy from Li Jiongcai and waved to everyone. In addition, there was a $50,000 prize for literature.

Li Jiongcai said with a smile, "I am a literature enthusiast, but it seems I will never be able to win as many literary awards as Professor Liu Yimin. However, I do have my advantages, such as being able to present awards to others."

Li Jiongcai made a humorous remark and then stepped aside. Liu Yimin walked to the podium and gave a brief speech to everyone.

"I've received the Italian International Literature Prize and American awards before, but today's Golden Lion Award makes me the happiest because it's an international literature award for Chinese people. When I received this award, I was thinking, when will mainland China establish an international Chinese literature award?"

But I believe that with the Golden Lion Literary Award, there will be more Chinese literary awards in the future, and there will be more outstanding Chinese literary writers.

The Chinese are a large group, and I would say that there should be many more outstanding people in this group.

I come from Henan Province, which is under Luoyang, which is under Ru County, and my home is further down the river.

Many of the people present were Chinese, and their ancestral homes were also in mainland China.

Yao Xueyin said in a low voice, "Yimin never forgets to attract investment!"

"What do you mean by 'the first person to reform literature'? I'm nothing! I can only write, but Yimin is the one who's really doing it!" Jiang Zilong said.

"That concludes my speech. I wish you all a wonderful and pleasant evening. May your endeavors flow as ever, like the mighty Strait of Malacca."

There were many business people present, and I liked the last sentence the most.

After the party started, Liu Yimin saw Lin Rihua gesturing to him, so he took the initiative to walk towards them.

When Lin Shaoliang and other prominent businessmen saw Liu Yimin arrive, they stood up to welcome him. Lin Shaoliang said, "Professor Liu, what you said resonates with me. We should all strive to benefit our hometown. The development of the mainland is also an opportunity for us; let's grow together."

"Chairman Lin, I heard that you have established a Rongqiao Foundation to invest in mainland China. Thank you, thank you."

Lin Shaoliang laughed and said, "It's just a small contribution, Professor Liu. From what you've said, you have a dream of establishing an international Chinese literature award in mainland China. If you need money, you don't need to come over. Just send me a telegram, and the Lin family will be happy to help."

Liu Yimin expressed his gratitude again: "If that day ever comes, I will definitely not be polite."

"Professor Liu, don't worry. You are the pride of us Chinese. I don't often read purely literary books, but I know your name. I've watched the news of you receiving the award in the United States several times. If you need money for the film 'The Overseas Chinese,' just let me know."

The news that "The Overseas Chinese" has also been made into a movie has been published. Lin Shaoliang is a member of the Fuqing Association, which means he has already contributed money.

Liu Yimin sat down and chatted with them, and he sensed their anxiety about the uncertainty of the environment once again. The Chinese are too rich, but they have no power.

Liem Sioe Liong was also a "red-hat" businessman, relying on Malaysian President Sukarno. After Sukarno fell from power, his business was in turmoil for a long time.

After the banquet, Liu Yimin and his entourage left the hotel. Lin Rihua rode in his car to the hotel first, and on the way, he talked to Liu Yimin about the situation of "Huo Yuanjia".

"It premiered in Singapore today and has already grossed over 400,000 Singapore dollars. That's already quite high. It will soon be released in major cinemas across Southeast Asia. Judging from the momentum in Singapore, its screening rate in other countries may increase."

This is reminiscent of the explosive popularity of Hong Kong films back in the day, Professor Liu. The mainland has taken the right step; kung fu culture will become a huge economic benefit.

(End of this chapter)