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

Chapter 492 Honorary Doctorate of the National University of Singapore

The publicity effect of the preview screening of "Huo Yuanjia" far exceeded Lin Rihua's expectations. Behind the overwhelming news about Li Ao, the three words "Huo Yuanjia" would always appear.

Liu Yimin said to Lin Rihua, "We still have to thank Li Ao for this."

“Yes, it disrupted the day’s schedule, but it also brought a huge amount of attention to the film. In Singapore, it’s not just Chinese people buying tickets; many Indians and Malays also bought tickets to watch it,” Lin Rihua explained to Liu Yimin.

“Very good, Chairman Lin, it seems we have a lot of room for cooperation in the future.” Liu Yimin got out of the car and shook hands with Lin Rihua again.

Lin Rihua said with a smile, "Professor Liu, I wish you a good night's sleep."

After seeing Lin Rihua off, Liu Yimin followed the members of the delegation upstairs. Everyone had a few drinks, and the atmosphere became much less awkward as they chatted and laughed.

Li Ao accepted the lion-shaped trophy from Liu Yimin and said to the others, "Professor Liu is the pride of Chinese writers. I must follow Professor Liu's example in my future writing. Wherever I go, I am surrounded by countless readers, and wherever I go, I can capture the hearts of readers."

"Are you insulting me or praising me?" Liu Yimin said with a laugh.

Li Ao turned around and said, "That's definitely a compliment. Some of my writings are quite good, but they've all been censored."

Li Ao had 96 works banned during his lifetime, which is unprecedented and will never be repeated.

The others took the trophy from Li Ao's hands, admiring it while chatting.

The noise level dropped as they approached the room door.

Liu Yimin took the Golden Lion Award from the others and said, "Everyone, get some rest. The arts training camp is over. Some friends will be flying out of Singapore tomorrow. We'll see you again someday."

Goodbye, Professor Liu!

Goodnight, Professor Liu!

Liu Yimin stood in the corridor, waiting for the others to return to their rooms before turning around and going back inside. He had originally planned to take a shower before resting, but the effects of the alcohol quickly kicked in, so he simply kicked off his shoes, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep immediately.

The next day, unusually, no one knocked on the door to disturb his rest. He didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.

Liu Yimin got up, patted his slightly aching head, squinted at his watch—it was already nine o'clock. He walked to the window and drew back the curtains; the distant coastline was clearly visible. He could also see large container ships, occasionally sounding their horns.

After rousing himself for a while, Liu Yimin quickly went into the bathroom to take a shower, dressed neatly, and left the room.

"Yimin, you're awake?" Jiang Zilong and the others had just come up from the elevator.

"This is what you are doing?"

Yao Xueyin said, "We saw off the two writers from Spain and France who had an early morning flight."

"Knowing you drank quite a bit last night, we didn't call you. We've already explained it to them. How are you recovering?" Qin Mu asked with concern.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "I can hold my liquor, but I'm a little sleepy."

"Go and get something to eat!" Wang Anyi said.

Liu Yimin nodded and prepared to go upstairs to eat alone. Lin Renjun came out of the room and said, "Professor Liu, let's eat together!"

Standing in the elevator, Liu Yimin looked at Lin Renjun curiously: "You haven't eaten either?"

Lin Renjun straightened his suit: "I've already eaten, and I'd like to talk to you privately."

After entering the restaurant, Liu Yimin ordered an extra bowl of millet porridge after getting his meal. Lin Renjun brought him a cup of yogurt: "Professor Liu, yogurt is good for your stomach."

"Thank you!" Liu Yimin said politely.

He drank a few mouthfuls of millet porridge first, and only after his stomach warmed up did he look at Lin Renjun: "Reporter Lin, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Lin Renjun gestured for Liu Yimin to eat a few more bites, then washed his hands and personally peeled an egg for Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth: "Reporter Lin, what's on your mind? This treatment is a bit excessive."

"Professor Liu, you're joking. I just wanted to commission an article from you to share my feelings, whether it's about my experience at the arts training camp or my thoughts on cross-strait relations. I also have a small request: I'd like to conduct interviews at Yenching University, mainly to observe the current state of Chinese youth."

"A commission for an article? Sure," Liu Yimin agreed, thinking Lin Renjun had something important to discuss. They were attending an exchange program at the National University of Singapore tomorrow and wouldn't leave until the day after.

As for interviewing at Yenching University, that's not Liu Yimin's responsibility.

“You just need to apply to the news authorities, and I’m sure Yenching University won’t refuse. Old Lin, I’ll show you around Yenching University then,” Liu Yimin said.

Lin Renjun expressed his concerns: "I'm afraid my application won't be approved."

“Although we don’t have diplomatic relations, we have very close personnel exchanges and strict review of news activities. But as Lianhe Zaobao, there shouldn’t be any problems,” Liu Yimin told him to relax.

"Okay, when I get to Yanjing, I'll definitely visit you first." Lin Renjun's expression relaxed considerably.

After lunch, Liu Yimin and his colleagues from the delegation saw the remaining delegates off. By noon, only the mainland delegation and the island delegation remained; they left that evening.

Sanmao left in the afternoon; instead of returning to the island, she flew to Central America.

Inside the room, Sanmao held Zhang Leping and Yao Xueyin's hands, expressing her reluctance to part, and then looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Yimin, I have gained a lot from participating in this training camp with you."

“We can learn from each other. I’ve also heard a lot about your experiences in Central and South America, which I haven’t been to yet.” Liu Yimin leaned against the wall.

“You will go. Literature, this magnificent flower, has blossomed on the land of suffering in South America. Wherever the flower of literature blooms, you will surely be there.” Sanmao looked at Liu Yimin sincerely, her tone very firm.

Zhang Leping held Sanmao's hand, his expression genuinely showing the tenderness of a father. He repeatedly told Sanmao his address in Shanghai, saying that if Sanmao ever came to the mainland, she must stay at his home.

“My child, my home may not be as big as the houses you live in in America, Spain, or the Sahara, but it is warm enough,” Zhang Leping said again.

Sanmao sighed, "I wonder when I'll be able to go to the mainland!"

Seeing that everyone's mood had suddenly dropped, Liu Yimin said, "This morning Lin Renjun asked me to write an article. I'm planning to write an article advocating for the opening of cross-strait family visits. Ms. Sanmao, would you like to co-sign it?"

Upon hearing this, Sanmao pulled her hands away from Yao Xueyin and Zhang Leping's grasp, looked at Liu Yimin, and subconsciously said, "I will definitely sign it. It's a pity I have to leave this afternoon, but when you publish it, you must include my name. If possible, please send me a copy of the newspaper."

"it is good."

Yao Xueyin stood up and said, "Yimin, please also sign our names at the end. This is also our wish."

"Why don't we go and ask Li Ao and the other two again?" Jiang Zilong asked.

Qin Mu analyzed the situation and concluded that Li Ao might sign his name, but Yu Guangzhong and Xi Murong would not.

"Whether we succeed or not, we should try to get as many as we can. If we can't, then so be it. I'll go ask them. Yu Guangzhong is a cunning old fox." Yao Xueyin immediately stood up.

Qin Mu and Zhang Leping followed closely behind. Sanmao felt it wasn't appropriate for her to go, so she stayed in the room with Liu Yimin and the others.

Jiang Zilong came up with a wicked idea: "If Yu Guangzhong disagrees, Yimin, when you publish your article, attach his poem 'Nostalgia' at the end."

Liu Yimin put his arm around Jiang Zilong's arm and said, "Comrade Zilong, you've been corrupted by capitalism. When did you become so wicked?"

“I call this an open strategy.” Jiang Zilong urged Liu Yimin to hurry up and write, then pulled Wang Anyi and Sanmao away from Liu Yimin’s room to create a quiet environment for him.

After the group closed the door, Liu Yimin sat down at his desk, preparing to write a piece of reportage.

When will the veterans who went to the island see their parents again? Sons long for their mothers, mothers long for their sons, but their graves are separated by vast distances!

Commercial media headlines differ from the slightly more serious headlines of domestic media. You can see this from their coverage of Li Ao; they write whatever is attention-grabbing!
Liu Yimin begins with the story of "a spoonful of hometown soil," recounting how a Chinese man arrived on the island carrying a cup of hometown soil, and how a group of veterans eagerly shared the soil with their water to drink.

Under the lamplight, a group of people looked at the soil from their hometown on the table without shedding tears; instead, their faces were filled with happiness. They discussed how to divide the soil and finally decided to split it equally. Those who had contributed to the veterans' group could receive an extra spoonful.

The veteran returned home and each day he would take a small amount of soil, soak it in water, and drink it. When only a small pinch remained, he carefully wrapped it up and placed it in the most important place, instructing his relatives and friends that after his death, it should be mixed with his ashes, as if he had returned home. Starting with a small story, the narrative moves to the separation of families across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that the time has come to resolve this separation and reunite loved ones.

Liu Yimin wrote more than 1,500 words in less than an hour, with vigorous and flowing handwriting.

Just as they were about to wrap things up, there was a knock on the door, and Yao Xueyin led the island's delegation in.

As soon as Li Ao came in, he shouted for someone to sign the papers. Qin Mu said, "Yi Min, tell Lao Yu your thoughts. He insists on seeing your article before making a decision."

Liu Yimin handed two sheets of paper to Yu Guangzhong: "I've just written a little bit."

"So fast?" Qin Mu couldn't help but exclaim. How long has it been from conceiving the idea to putting pen to paper?
Liu Yimin said, "Once I start writing, I can't help it. I can almost hear a mother calling out to her wandering son and a child crying out in anguish outside his mother's grave."

"This is the most sincere expression of a sense of responsibility to the nation and its people. Old Yu, take a look." Yao Xueyin patted Yu Guangzhong on the shoulder.

Yu Guangzhong was deeply moved by Liu Yimin's words, for he had a profound affection for his mother. His mother had carried him through many hardships and exiles until her death in 58.

Li Ao said sarcastically, "Oh dear, how could a sycophantic poet sign his name!"

Yu Guangzhong ignored him, lightly flicking the manuscript in his hand to show his dissatisfaction. After reading it, Yu Guangzhong couldn't help but tremble: "I'll sign it, I'll sign it."

Seeing his expression, Li Ao took the item from his hand and examined it curiously.

Yu Guangzhong signed the article for two reasons: first, he was moved by the article, and second, he was angered by Li Ao.

The preceding story is heart-wrenching and full of genuine emotion, while the subsequent appeal is grand and powerful. The narrative of family, country, and nation catalyzes people's emotions to the extreme, like a volcano reaching the point of eruption, where a tremendous force bursts forth.

"This could be a masterpiece in the history of both sides of the Taiwan Strait! This sentence is excellent—'A speck of dust in history bent the old soldier's back and blocked the gaze of mother and son looking at each other. Looking closely, two words are written on this mountain—tragedy!'" Li Ao commented.

After reading it, Yao Xueyin said with satisfaction, "I will recommend this article to the Ministry of Education so that it can be included in middle school textbooks."

“I’ll sign too,” Xi Murong said. “I also want to go back to Inner Mongolia to visit relatives. I have relatives on the mainland too.”

Seeing the two express their opinions, Yao Xueyin smiled, patted Yu Guangzhong on the shoulder and said, "Old Yu, intellectuals should have an even greater sense of historical mission."

"Yimin, keep writing. I want to see how you finish it." Yu Guangzhong didn't reply but looked at Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin then spent another half hour writing an ending to the article.

[When Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait unite, millions of mothers can be reunited with their children; when Chinese people all over the world unite, the tragedy of families separated will finally end!]

The article was written so quickly that Sanmao read it over before she got into the car to leave.

"Yimin, I'm looking forward to it!" Sanmao waved goodbye to everyone.

Liu Yimin handed the article to Lin Renjun, whose expression turned serious upon seeing the ten signatures on it: "Yimin, you didn't force them to sign at gunpoint, did you?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Lin, it's entirely based on the principle of voluntariness," Liu Yimin said.

“I understand!” Lin Renjun took the article back to the editorial office of Lianhe Zaobao.

In the evening, the mainland writers' delegation saw Li Ao and others off, and Li Ao hugged Liu Yimin, bidding him a reluctant farewell.

"Professor Liu, you are so young, yet your literary talent and vision far surpass mine. I will continue to learn from you."

Li Ao patted Liu Yimin on the back and whispered, "It's rare to see someone like you flattering poet. You've made our sycophantic poet stand up again. He's almost sixty years old and should be useless by now. You're even more effective than the doctors at Huichuntang."

Liu Yimin remained silent in response to Li Ao's analogy, only telling him to go back and do something truly beneficial for the nation.

Yu Guangzhong waved and said, "Friends, we'll meet again when we have the chance."

After seeing them off, only the mainland delegation remained in the entire hotel.

No one expected that another major news story would emerge just as the arts training camp was coming to an end. Lianhe Zaobao has been dominating the Southeast Asian newspaper market in recent days thanks to the writers from the arts training camp, with sales soaring ahead of the competition.

When Liu Yimin and his colleagues sat in the lecture hall of the National University of Singapore, everyone present held a copy of today's Lianhe Zaobao.

The so-called academic exchange has long been forgotten; everyone is asking questions about Liu Yimin's articles.

"Professor Liu, I am Chinese. I would like to ask you, how did you manage to get the delegation from the island to sign their names on it?"

"This is not my achievement; it is a deep-seated connection, a throbbing in our blood, our hearts beating at the same time," Liu Yimin said.

"Liu, I am Indian. I would like to ask if you have come here with political motives?"

Liu Yimin looked at the Indian student and said, "No, you are Indian, so you may not understand the Chinese people's sense of national identity and their homesickness."

"How could I not understand? Professor Liu, you're looking down on Indians!"

“Then you understand, you don’t need to ask me anymore,” Liu Yimin said bluntly.

The South Korean students in the audience delivered a "blow to the head" to Liu Yimin: "We people of the Republic of Korea have the strongest sense of national identity, and we also yearn for the reunification of North and South Korea."

"Oh, congratulations!" Liu Yimin said casually.

Students in the audience raised questions one after another, and the delegation of mainland writers responded to each one. Over time, many professors from national universities also joined in, discussing the future of cross-strait relations.

The exchange meeting ended at 11:30 a.m., almost an hour longer than expected.

As soon as Liu Yimin stepped off the stage, the president of the National University of Singapore came over to shake his hand and express his respect.
"Professor Liu, your articles and character are truly admirable. I believe your efforts will not be in vain, and one day when things succeed, your name will surely shine brightly in the long river of history."

Principal Lin Bin was wearing a white shirt, with slightly gray hair. His voice sounded like that of a second-generation overseas Chinese, though his pronunciation wasn't as authentic as that of the older generation.

"Principal, our delegation members have all made a lot of efforts; it's not just my achievement," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

President Lin Bin reiterated, "We have assessed your academic achievements and talents, and as I just proposed, the school committee unanimously approved the decision to award you an honorary doctorate."

Liu Yimin was momentarily stunned, as honorary doctoral degrees are usually awarded with advance notice.

"Principal Lin, your decision was made rather hastily!" Yao Xueyin joked.

"Professor Liu's article today gave me a sense of mission as a descendant of the Yellow Emperor. It is a source of pride for our National University to award Professor Liu Yimin an honorary doctorate."

Liu Yimin said, "We are leaving Singapore tomorrow."

"How about we hold it this afternoon?"

"You've caught me off guard. Sure, but don't blame me if your speech isn't brilliant," Liu Yimin joked.

“Professor Liu, you don’t need to say anything. Your work will speak for itself.” Seeing that Liu Yimin agreed, Lin Bin immediately had someone arrange the ceremony.

Liu Yimin and his group did not return to the hotel. Instead, they ate near the National University of Singapore, accompanied by the university's president, Lim Bin, and the head of the Chinese Department.

The Chinese Department of the National University of Singapore (NUS) expressed its desire to collaborate with the Chinese Department of Yenching University (NUS), hoping to invite professors from NUS to give lectures at NUS when the opportunity arises.

"It depends on Yenching University's arrangements. Professors in the Chinese Department in China are very busy, many of them travel around Europe and America to give lectures, so it's not certain that any of them can come over."

Lin Bin said, "We Chinese say that where there's a will, there's a way. I believe we will definitely succeed in our cooperation in the future."

At 2 PM, the National University of Singapore's Honorary Doctorate Award Ceremony officially began. The ceremony was also held in the lecture hall, which was now covered with a red carpet, creating a joyous atmosphere.

"Yimin hasn't even graduated from Yenching University yet, but he's already a PhD from the National University of Singapore," Jiang Zilong chuckled softly.

(End of this chapter)