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

Chapter 537 "A Report on American Cognitive Warfare" (Vote Requested)
The next morning, Liu Yu and Liu Lin ran into the room to wake Zhu Lin up. It was past eight o'clock, and Xi Mei wondered why Zhu Lin hadn't gotten up yet. Feeling embarrassed to come in herself, she let the two little ones in.

Winter has arrived, and the two are wearing thick cotton-padded coats, all made by Yang Xiuyun back in her hometown. Zhu Lin bought some clothes, but none of them are as warm as the cotton-padded coats Yang Xiuyun made.

However, these clothes are difficult to change and dry after getting wet. Fortunately, as the two children grow older, they generally stop wetting their pants during the day.

"Hey, Dad!" Liu Yu was sneakily about to wake Zhu Lin up when she sensed something was wrong. She climbed onto the bed and saw Liu Yimin standing to the side.

Liu Lin sauntered over and chimed in, "Hey, it really is Dad!"

Liu Yu put her hand directly into Liu Yimin's neck. The icy touch instantly woke Liu Yimin up. When Liu Yu saw Liu Yimin open his eyes, she giggled non-stop.

Zhu Lin was also woken up. He rubbed his eyes and hurriedly carried Liu Yu downstairs: "Liu Yu, why are you climbing up with your shoes on?"

"Why didn't you lock the door yesterday?" Liu Yimin said helplessly.

"And you're talking about me, Teacher Liu!" Zhu Lin snorted coldly.

Liu Lin said, "Mom, I'm going to be late for work!"

Zhu Lin glanced at the time, quickly got dressed and got out of bed: "Quick, take your sister out!"

Liu Lin pulled Liu Yu out of the room, and the two of them called out as they walked, "Dad's back! Dad's back!"

Xi Mei patted her head, realizing she had forgotten in her busyness that Sister Lin had said yesterday that Professor Liu would be back.

Xi Mei looked at the food and was about to cook some more when Zhu Lin came out of the bedroom and called out, "Xi Mei, I'm not eating anymore. Prepare some eggs for me."

"No need to rush, being a few minutes late is nothing!" Liu Yimin said as he caught up with him.

Zhu Lin said, "Teacher Liu, you don't know, the Beijing People's Art Theatre is having a big meeting today. Our directors are sitting in the front, so I'll be sorry if we're late."

"Okay, I'll drive you!"

"No need, no need!" Zhu Lin looked at himself in the mirror, picked up his bag, took the eggs Xi Mei handed him, and left.

"Slow down!" Liu Yimin couldn't help but say.

"Do not worry!"

Liu Yimin watched Zhu Lin ride off on his motorcycle in a flurry, his face full of helplessness. Liu Yu and Liu Lin clung to Liu Yimin's legs, constantly asking him where he was going.

After brushing his teeth, Liu Yimin carried them into the kitchen and let them eat first, telling them as they ate.

“Dad went to a very far place to visit a group of older brothers, uncles, and grandfathers. They are protecting the country, and they are very brave.”

Liu Yu and Liu Lin listened intently, their heads tilted back, so focused that they even stopped eating.

"Eat first, then we'll talk!" Liu Yimin ordered.

The two quickly lowered their heads to eat. Liu Yimin said, "Ximei, pack your things in a bit. We'll move back to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. The heating there has been on for a month. We might as well use it."

"Okay, I'll go back and pack my things in a bit."

"I'll go tidy up too."

After Liu Yimin finished his meal, he went into his study. Mu Qing called: "Yimin, you're back from the front lines?"

"You've chosen this moment to call me, haven't you?" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"We've been waiting for you. Wenyan said the research project will conclude on the 9th. Are you really done?" Mu Qing asked curiously.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "It's all done, President Mu. We can proceed on time on the 9th. I'll also send you a research report then."

"Really? Okay, I'll wait. If it works out, we can continue our cooperation." Mu Qing was very interested after hearing this.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yimin began to pack up the manuscript, putting the things into a cardboard box and stuffing them into the trunk of his car.

The Crown's trunk isn't very big, but luckily I didn't have much stuff—mostly clothes, books, and manuscripts. After packing the essentials, I can take the rest later.

"Ximei, is there any more?" Liu Yimin asked.

Xi Mei shook her head: "That's all, that's all!"

"Okay, let's go!" After locking the garage and the courtyard gate, we officially headed to the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

Upon arriving at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, they parked the car on the side of the road to ensure it wouldn't obstruct the neighbors' access, and then went upstairs with Ximei carrying their bags.

Besides carrying things, the two also had to encourage the two little ones to climb the stairs.

"Big brother, please take care of your sister," Liu Yimin said.

Liu Lin pulled Liu Yu's hand and climbed up step by step. When they reached the fourth floor, they could finally catch their breath. They opened the door and a wave of heat rushed into the room. The two little ones happily ran into the bedroom.

“The room has been cleaned!” Liu Yimin said.

“A few days ago, on Sunday, Sister Lin and I came over to clean,” Ximei said.

"Oh dear, I'm disturbing your rest."

"It's okay, Sister Lin even gave me a red envelope, and Xiang Dong is here too."

How far has your relationship progressed?

Xi Mei suddenly became speechless, blushing as she said, "It's fine as it is."

"That's good." Liu Yimin chuckled, moved his things into the study, and then went downstairs to take things out of the car.

"Professor Wu? What's this?" Liu Yimin saw Wu Zuoren smoking a pipe and examining the car.

"Professor Liu, is this yours?"

"It's a good match for now," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Not bad, Peking University has treated you well."

"It's from the Institute of Literature and Art, provided by the Ministry of Culture."

Wu Zuoren exhaled a puff of smoke: "Then I understand. I was wondering when Yenching University became so generous."

Liu Yimin invited Wu Zuoren upstairs for tea, and Wu Zuoren, who was already thinking the same thing, helped Liu Yimin carry his things upstairs.

Wu Zuoren only visited once and never entered the study. He curiously looked around Liu Yimin's study, which contained trophies, certificates, and even calligraphy by Mr. Qi Gong and paintings by Huang Yongyu.

“Yongyu’s paintings are getting better and better, and Mr. Qigong’s calligraphy is also elegant. I heard that Yongyu painted two paintings for you. Which one is it?”

"My Beloved, I've put it away. Sometimes I suddenly look up at night and see it, and I think..." Liu Yimin chuckled and pulled the painting out.

Liu Yimin would sometimes be startled when he saw the painting, so he would simply take it back.

After viewing the painting, Wu Zuoren chatted with Liu Yimin about his recent itinerary. Upon learning that Liu had gone to the front lines, Wu Zuoren inquired about the battle situation there. Liu Yimin told him about both the smooth and the brutal aspects of the conflict.

Wu Zuoren lamented the cruelty of the front lines and felt sorry for the sacrifice of young soldiers: "War has always been this cruel."

"Mr. Wu, please have some tea," Liu Yimin said.

"Well, you see, the Vietnamese are really strange. They've already lost, but they won't just back down obediently. They have to suffer another humiliation." Wu Zuoren asked, puzzled. "They've long since given up on fighting, but they're still concerned about their pride. Besides, they don't want to let go of the fat meat they've already swallowed. Last year, Vietnam sought mediation from India, but in the end, they still refused to withdraw their troops from Cambodia and Laos."

Vietnam's economy was on the verge of collapse, and the Soviet Union couldn't afford to help it. However, it lacked the courage to make tough decisions and didn't want to give up what it had already gained, so it could only continue to suffer greater losses.

Vietnam sought mediation from India. I don't know what Vietnam was thinking. Did they think that the last time they taught India a lesson was too short, and that India had more experience?
Wu Zuoren, who is now the chairman of the Artists Association, also wanted to make a contribution to the front line after hearing Liu Yimin's words.

"The front line is not short of basic supplies. We can purchase some non-staple foods, preferably separate from the military supplies. The soldiers on the front line huddled in the rain in the foxholes and sang, 'We drink rainwater and eat compressed rations.' Compressed rations are okay for a short time, but they can't stand it for a long time."

"If the Artists Association wants to offer their condolences, it would be better to buy more supplies such as ham sausages, canned fruit, or even fresh fruit," Liu Yimin said.

Wu Zuoren nodded and said, "Okay, I'll think about it. Also, I came here today to ask you about my plans. I'm going to hold an art exhibition in Paris next May, and I'd like to appeal for the return of cultural relics. I'd like to ask you for your specific thoughts."

"Oh, I see. Congratulations!"

"It's nothing, my wife Xiao Shufang and I ran it together."

"You two are truly a model couple in the arts. As for your ideas, they mainly involve speaking out in the media. You can talk about modern culture, then about the past, and then about the national treasures that are lost in Paris. Also, you don't need to be so bookish; we Chinese like to save face for each other."

Actually, they stole from us; they owe us something. Just boldly demand it. Whether it has any effect or not is unimportant; what's important is to tell the people reading the newspapers and visiting the art exhibitions that France has stolen something from China.

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he thought for a moment and said, "If possible, you could paint a picture of what they looted and hang it in the exhibition hall to show it to everyone."

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Wu Zuoren said with a smile.

Seeing that it was almost time, Wu Zuoren left Liu Yimin's house. On his way back, he put his hands behind his back and hummed a song from time to time.

It was too hot inside, so the two little ones took off their cotton-padded clothes and ran around playing happily.

"You two, slow down, don't trip over yourselves."

Liu Yu asked, "Dad, is this our home too?"

"Look at my daughter's memory!" Liu Yimin gently tapped Liu Yu's head.

Xi Mei said with a smile, "Professor Liu, you didn't remember much just a few months ago!"

"Ximei, you don't need to cook lunch. There's no food anyway. Let's go out to eat first. You can use that motorcycle to buy groceries from now on. I don't use it much anymore."

"it is good."

After lunch, Liu Yimin took a nap and was about to go to Yenching University when the General Political Department called him to tell him that the composition of "The Soul of the Chinese Army" had been handed over to a cultural cadre in the General Political Department who was good at music.

When "The Soul of the Chinese Army" was composed, it used popular music. I don't know how it will sound now that it has been written.

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin walked into Yenching University. Yan Zhen, who was originally going to substitute for him, smiled and pointed out the content of the lecture to Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin gently patted Yan Zhen's shoulder: "You really have won my heart."

He hadn't originally planned to go to class, and since Yan Zhen had already handed over her books, he didn't arrange for Yan Zhen to substitute for him.

Yan Zhen looked puzzled, unsure whether Liu Yimin's words were a compliment or an insult.

"Yan Zhen, you're still young." Someone patted Yan Zhen on the shoulder, and Yan Zhen turned around to see her senior sister Dai Jinhua.

"Senior Sister Dai, what do you mean?"

"I don't mean it, after all, your teacher's ideas change all the time."

After teaching a class, Liu Yimin returned to the Institute of Literature and convened a meeting with the Xinhua News Agency project team, where all the research materials were collected.

Liu Yimin took out his own thesis and asked everyone to compile a comprehensive final thesis and report.
"What you've written is considered a preliminary result. The final thesis and report are the most important parts. No one may read the preliminary results, but the final thesis and report will definitely be read. I've already written the final thesis. Everyone, please write your final reports in the next few days."

"Okay, Professor Liu."

"Has anyone written a final report?"

Liu Yimin glanced at the stammering crowd and said, "Never mind, I'll lead everyone in writing."

All the research has been completed. Writing the final report is actually quite simple. It mainly involves an overview, the research process, results, and recommendations, focusing on the presentation of the process and results.

Liu Yimin guided them in writing their final reports, which served as a form of instruction. Yan Zhen and another of Liu Yimin's students, Liu Ping, also studied alongside them.

After get off work, Liu Yimin closed the file: "Continue tomorrow."

After Liu Yimin left, Liu Ping asked Yan Zhen, "Senior Brother, are you under a lot of pressure?"

Yan Zhen let out a helpless sound: "The pressure is immense. I've realized that being Professor Liu's student isn't a good thing; the pressure is just too much. When people ask me who my advisor is, I used to be very proud of it, but now I feel guilty."

"Yes, I feel that mentioning Professor Liu's name is embarrassing for him. I was chatting with my friend, and he said, 'Since you're Professor Liu's student, you must have learned how to write too, right?'"

"Sigh, there's nothing I can do. I chose Professor Liu as my teacher. The halo is given by Professor Liu, and so is the shadow." Yan Zhen finished speaking, put down the documents in her hand, and prepared to go eat.

By the 8th, the 50,000-word final report was completed in two days. Liu Yimin was very satisfied after reading it and asked several graduate students to make it into printing plates and then mimeograph it.

The 50,000 characters can be engraved separately, and it can be completed in one or two hours.

"Let's print ten copies first. No one is allowed to mimeograph this final document and take it back for reference. What we learn belongs to everyone, but the conclusions and contents must not be spread around," Liu Yimin said seriously.

"understand!"

After the materials were printed, Liu Yimin put the engraved plates in his bag, took them home, and locked them in the cabinet.

Early on the morning of the 9th, Liu Yimin brought a group of graduate students to the Xinhua News Agency conference room and presented them with the final research results.

As soon as Liu Yimin arrived at Xinhua News Agency, Mu Qing invited him over. Mu Qing and several other key leaders first gave a general overview of Liu Yimin's final thesis and report.

"Your research is well-reasoned, well-supported, and strategic. Your Institute of Literature and Art's research is quite comprehensive!" Mu Qing said with a smile.

"Of course! The money won't be wasted; it'll be well spent wherever it's spent!"

After watching for a while, Mu Qing said, "In a little while, you can give everyone a presentation. Also, what is the research you mentioned as a gift?"

Liu Yimin handed a document to Mu Qing separately. Mu Qing looked at Liu Yimin with surprise after seeing the title. Liu Yimin nodded. Mu Qing said to the others, "Comrades, you go to the conference room to study first. Professor Liu and I will go over in a bit."

After everyone left, Mu Qing said, "The 'Report on U.S. Cognitive Warfare,' did you write this?"

"Yes, it's a free gift."

Mu Qing glanced at the length of the message: "You little rascal, this isn't just a simple gift, is it? You're just whetting our appetites and setting the stage for next year's cooperation, aren't you?"

"You said that as long as we do a good job, we can continue to cooperate!"

"Cognitive warfare, I've never heard of that term before. Can you explain it to me?"

"In essence, it is about using the dissemination of information to shape the perceptions of decision-makers and the public in the target country regarding events or trends according to one's own will."

For example, in the Cuban Missile Crisis, people all over the world now believe that the United States had the upper hand, but is that really the case?

What was the background to the Soviet Union sending missiles to Cuba? It was because the United States was sending missiles and nuclear weapons to Turkey, threatening the Soviet Union. Subsequently, the Soviet Union, by deploying missiles to Cuba, forced the removal of US nuclear forces from Turkey and also secured US security commitments to Cuba.

Of course, this promise itself wasn't important; what mattered was that the Soviet Union achieved its goals. However, the United States, through propaganda, portrayed it as a resounding victory for them and a crushing defeat for the Soviet Union. Compared to the United States, the Soviet Union was far inferior in its use of media.

(End of this chapter)