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

Chapter 507 Promotion of the Institute of Literature
Back in the Chinese Department, Liu Yimin met with President Ding Shisun and wondered if the school should send a representative to visit Deng Lao.

"Yimin, do you think this is appropriate?" Ding Shisun asked.

Liu Yimin thought for a moment and said, "Let me ask Professor Xu Luxi. Old Deng's health is not good, and I imagine there are many people who want to visit him at this time, which may disturb his rest."

"Alright, if it's too much of a disturbance, then forget it," Ding Shisun said regretfully.

Seeing that Ding Shisun was about to leave, Liu Yimin grabbed Ding Shisun's arm and said, "Principal Ding, about the office."

"Offices, offices," Ding Shisun chuckled. Seeing that Liu Yimin didn't seem inclined to let him go, he said helplessly, "Some students can be accommodated in the young faculty apartments, but the office problem is more difficult to solve, as all departments are in short supply."

If you think it's suitable, you can find a few offices in the school administration building.

"The school office is a bit far away, so I'll be a backup option," Liu Yimin said.

Ding Shisun said, "In the past two years, universities have also been speeding up construction. Once the new office building is completed, we will definitely give your institute a separate space."

"Then, Principal Ding, I'll thank you in advance," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Ding Shisun quickly replied, "No need to thank me, it's my pleasure."

Ding Shisun was about to leave when he caught a glimpse of Yan Jiayan and an idea popped into his head. He stopped and hesitated, saying, "There's another solution. The Department of Western Languages ​​and Literature said that if you join their department, you won't have to worry about office space. They're willing to give you as much as you want."

Before Liu Yimin could speak, Yan Jiayan jumped up and said, "How dare they! They're dreaming! Principal Ding, this is poaching from our brother department! How despicable and shameful!"

"Professor Yan, I was just saying, it's just the Spanish Department's way of showing their sincerity." Ding Shisun was secretly pleased to see Yan Jiayan's reaction.

Liu Yimin said, "It's not impossible."

"Tsk, Yimin, how can you say that? If they can produce this, the Chinese Literature Department can produce this too." Yan Jiayan immediately became anxious.

Ding Shisun turned his head with a smile and asked, "Professor Yan, don't you have offices?"

“I can combine the other offices and squeeze out two more. That’s enough with the existing offices,” Yan Jiayan said through gritted teeth.

Ding Shisun raised his eyebrows at Liu Yimin: "That's how it's done. Professor Yan, it's up to you."

Liu Yimin patted Yan Jiayan on the shoulder and said, "Professor Yan, it's up to you now."

After Ding Shisun left, Yan Jiayan realized he had acted rashly again. However, he didn't say anything and went outside to wander around the classrooms, looking for offices suitable for merging.

Liu Yimin went to the office and called Professor Xu Luxi. As expected, Professor Xu Luxi declined the visit, saying that too many people wanted to come and she had to refuse them all.

"Yimin, but you should come over here. Old Deng's manuscript is finished."

"Okay, I'll go there in a bit."

After Liu Yimin finished processing the documents at the Institute of Literature, he went to the 301 Hospital and took the letter from Deng Lao.

There was a stack of letters around the hospital bed, all sent by readers to the Science and Technology Commission.

"It's touching that these children shed tears for an old man like me," Old Deng said with a smile.

Liu Yimin said, "No matter how much is lost, it is all justified. Today, many students from Yenching University asked me about your story, and they all want to learn from you."

Old Deng smiled weakly: "Read this letter carefully."

"it is good."

The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has received relatively few letters so far, with a large number still en route.

That afternoon, Liu Yimin went to the recording studio to record the letter to the youth. After reading it, he felt that he hadn't read it well enough, so he found a professional announcer. While the announcer read it, Liu Yimin analyzed the content.

The letter was heartfelt and full of care and love for young people, as well as earnest expectations for their future.

"Children, you must walk the path ahead for me!"

After the contents of this letter are broadcast on "Youth Night Talk," they will also be sent to the China Youth Daily for publication.

Liu Yimin went to chat with Mr. Qian for a while in the afternoon. On Mr. Qian's desk, there was also a supplement to "People's Literature and Art".

"I'm planning to visit Old Deng at the 301 Hospital with Wang Daheng and Wang Ganchang in a couple of days. His health condition has already been reported to me by higher authorities. Sigh!"

The two chatted for a while longer, and Liu Yimin didn't go back until around 5 p.m.

On his way back, he went to the market and bought some fresh green vegetables such as green peppers and eggplants, as well as three pounds of pork and a chicken, which he planned to stew into chicken soup that evening.

Many vegetable markets have been built in Yanjing now, and the vegetables are still relatively fresh in the afternoon.

"Will this chicken be killed for you, or will you kill it yourself?" the chicken vendor asked.

Liu Yimin said, "I'll take it back. I still need to pluck the feathers. Now that we've killed it, there's blood everywhere."

"Okay, if you come early, I can still have chickens that I've plucked and processed. They're all gone now, but it's fresh if you kill them yourself. My chickens are delicious, so come again next time you need them."

The chicken's wings and both feet were tied to prevent it from flapping around.

Back at the courtyard house, Mr. and Mrs. Zhu were still at get off work. Liu Yimin told Liu Yu and Liu Lin to watch TV, Xi Mei started cooking, and Liu Yimin went to prepare the chicken.

When Zhu's mother arrived at the courtyard, Liu Yimin was plucking feathers from a chicken that was soaking in hot water.

Zhu's mother put down her bag and came over, saying, "Yimin, let me do it."

"Mom, you just got back, I'll handle it myself," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zhu's mother washed her hands, and after Liu Yimin cleaned the chicken, she grabbed the chicken by its feet and lifted it into the kitchen to prepare stewing the chicken.

"Yimin, why did you and Linlin call us here?" Zhu's mother asked from the kitchen.

"Come and eat, Mom. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, we just found it strange that Linlin rarely calls to ask us to eat. We thought something had happened," Zhu's mother said with a smile.

Liu Yimin carefully washed his hands with soap to remove the smell of blood: "I wrote a novel, and Linlin wants to show it to Dad first. I think he'll like it."

"Well, we don't need to call him specifically. We can just look at the magazine later." Zhu's mother was finally relieved.

After a while, Zhu's father returned. Liu Yimin waited for him to wash his hands and then invited him into the study to read the manuscript.

Mr. Zhu perked up as soon as he heard the manuscript, and quickly carried Liu Yu into the study. Mrs. Zhu, who was cooking in the kitchen, couldn't help but purse her lips and mutter something under her breath.

Zhu Lin had something to do at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. When she got back from get off work, the meal was already prepared, but the chicken soup was still simmering on the stove.

Zhu's mother played cat's cradle with Liu Lin, and the old woman and the young man had a great time.

"Mom, Teacher Liu, where's Dad?" Zhu's mother replied without looking up, "He's in the study reading a manuscript. It's strange, though, Liu Yu becomes very well-behaved whenever he holds her. The two of them have been in the study for an hour."

Zhu Lin walked into the study, glanced inside, and said with a smile to the outside, "Xiaoyu is asleep, how can it not be quiet?"

Liu Yu lay in Zhu's father's arms, and Zhu's father didn't seem tired at all while reading. Zhu Lin gently woke Liu Yu up, worried that she might sleep too long and not go to sleep at night.

"Yimin's article is well written; the emotions are very sincere. It's a redemption for friendship, and also a redemption for himself. When you're young, you have many friends, but as you get older, some become enemies, and others go their separate ways. How many of your former best friends can you still sit together and reminisce about the past?"

Zhu's father wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and Zhu Lin said with a smile, "I told you you would like this novel."

"Sigh, as I get older, I can't stand this kind of thing anymore." Mr. Zhu put the manuscript back in the drawer and walked out of the study to prepare for dinner.

When Zhu's mother saw that Zhu's father's eyes were red, she couldn't help but ask what was wrong.

"Yi Min's novel is so moving, you should go and read it later." Mr. Zhu felt that Mrs. Zhu should also read it and reflect on their relationship.

Hearing this, Zhu Lin sat down and covered her mouth, chuckling softly. Zhu's mother said, "Linlin, tell me what it says?"

Zhu Lin told his mother everything. His mother looked at his father and said, "Oh, so what? Haven't I treated you well all these years?"

Zhu's father immediately lowered his head: "Good, very good!"

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin exchanged a smile, then lowered their heads to start eating, ignoring Zhu's father's pleading gaze.

However, with Liu Yu and Liu Lin around, Zhu's mother was busy feeding her two beloved grandsons, so she stopped paying attention to Zhu's father.

The next day, Liu Yimin sent the novel to the editorial department of Harvest magazine.

The holidays are just around the corner, and students are busy preparing for exams. The campus is much quieter than usual, with students crowding into the library to study.

The trainees at the Institute of Literature and Art do not have winter or summer vacations. The training will officially end at the end of August.

The list of participants for the next cohort has been released, totaling thirty, more than double the number for this cohort.

The Chinese department has managed to set up two offices and added some more desks and chairs, so the office space is sufficient. The number of teacher training slots will likely not increase significantly each year.

The number thirty is already quite large; the annual subsidy from the Institute of Literature and Art is nearly 20,000 yuan.

"Teacher Liu, Director Xia Yan is here," Yan Zhen said, knocking on Liu Yimin's office door.

"Huh? Where is it?" Liu Yimin quickly got up and looked outside.

Yan Zhen said, "The car has already stopped at the entrance of the Chinese Department. It will be here soon. I just saw it."

"Let's go out and greet them."

Liu Yimin walked out of the office with a smile, wondering what Xia Yan had come for today.

"Mr. Shen, what brings you here today?" Liu Yimin grasped Xia Yan's hand.

Xia Yan took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her forehead: "I've come to see the Institute of Literature and Art."

"In this hot weather, you can just give me a call if you need anything."

“You can’t always stay in the office, you have to go out for a walk. Xiao Yan, there are watermelons in the car that I brought for the comrades in the Chinese Department and the Institute of Literature. Have someone unload them.”

"Okay." Yan Zhen immediately found a few people to move the watermelons.

Xia Yan walked into the Institute of Literature and greeted Dai Jianye and others: "Comrades, you have been in training for almost a year. I hope that when you return to your respective posts, you will remember the knowledge you have learned here and nurture your students well."

"Director, we will never forget the teachings of the institute," Yi Zhongtian said, head held high.

"Young comrade, you seem to be in good spirits." Xia Yan gently patted Yi Zhongtian's chest.

Yan Zhen brought in two large watermelons, and distributed the rest to other offices in the Chinese Department. For a time, the entire Chinese Department smelled of watermelon.

"I bought this by the roadside. Don't blame me if it's unripe. I only know how to tap a watermelon, but I really don't know what's good and what's bad," Xia Yan joked.

The two watermelons were cut open, and both were perfectly ripe. While everyone was sharing the watermelons, Xia Yan and Liu Yimin walked into the office.

Xia Yan handed Liu Yimin a prepared document. Liu Yimin took it and saw that it was still a document from China Film Group regarding "Huo Yuanjia," but this was the final box office data.

According to statistics, the global box office of Huo Yuanjia was ultimately 43 million US dollars.

"Are you satisfied with this number?" Xia Yan said cheerfully.

"good."

"Not bad? You've got quite an appetite, kid. You've earned a lot of foreign exchange for the country this time." Xia Yan gently tapped the armrest of the chair.

China Film Group imports films, which consumes foreign exchange, while exporting them earns money. It's already quite an achievement to earn this much at once.

Of course, the global box office revenue will have to be reduced by the distributor's fees, so the actual amount received will definitely not be more than 40 million US dollars.

"The screening period is a bit short; it would be better if it were longer."

Xia Yan said, "This is already quite good. At least in Southeast Asia, it has already established considerable popularity. The next film will be more easily accepted by foreign audiences when it is exported."

"Is this what you came here to talk about?" Liu Yimin asked.

"Isn't this worth the trip? The leaders of China Overseas have praised you and the Film Bureau, encouraging us to keep up the good work."

After finishing her sentence, Xia Yan changed the subject: "It's not entirely because of this matter. After research and decision by higher authorities, the Institute of Literature will no longer have a nominal affiliation with the Department of Chinese Literature, but will be upgraded to an independent research institute of Yenching University."

Liu Yimin didn't react for a moment: "They've separated from the Chinese Department so quickly?"

"It's not that we've split up. I was chatting with your President Ding Shisun and learned that Yenching University is short of offices. Yenching University is currently expanding not only its student enrollment but also its faculty and staff, so naturally there aren't enough staff."

Therefore, the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences still shares an office building with the Department of Chinese Literature.

"Sigh, I thought we'd have our own office building."

"You've got quite the appetite, kid. A whole building for just a few of you? It's already pretty good that the Institute of Literature's sign is hanging at the entrance of the Chinese Department. We'll consider your plans when we have additional office space later."

At this moment, Ding Shisun arrived at the office, shook Xia Yan's hand and said, "Professor Shen, I received the notice from the ministry yesterday. Don't worry, we will fully support the work of the Institute of Literature and Art."

“Alright, Comrade Ding Shisun, the Institute of Literature doesn’t need Yenching University to do too much. Basic infrastructure support is enough, and the Ministry of Culture will allocate the rest. The Institute of Literature is playing an increasingly important role in the domestic education and arts circles. If we want it to play an even greater role, we need to work together,” Xia Yan said.

The three of them went to meet with Yan Jiayan, who had just returned from outside and was somewhat surprised to hear the news: "Our Chinese Department supports the leadership's decision."

In the presence of professors and teachers from the Chinese Department, Xia Yan had a sign with the words "Institute for the Protection and Development of Chinese Culture" in white on a black background hung next to the wooden sign for "Department of Chinese Language and Literature" next to the Chinese Department building.

(End of this chapter)