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

Chapter 550: The Island's Pro-Unification Writers' Exchange Program to the Mainland (Bonus Chapter Completed)

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin drove his Santana to Yenching University. He had never driven this car before, and only by becoming familiar with it himself could he properly teach Zhu Lin.

At the school, almost all the students from Yenching University have left; most of those remaining are either students who are not going home or international students.

Liu Yimin walked into the Institute of Literature and Art. The teachers who came for training were still there, but they were all distracted. After being away from home for half a year, their hearts were no longer with the institute.

In the shared office, some people were reading, and others were writing papers. However, Liu Yimin also spotted Wu Zuxiang and Wang Yao among the crowd.

"Professor Wu, Professor Wang, you are truly role models, staying here with them even during your holiday," Liu Yimin said with applause and a smile.

Upon hearing Liu Yimin's voice, everyone was taken aback, followed by applause.

"Alright, no need to clap. What is everyone busy with?" Liu Yimin walked into the office with a smile.

Wu Zuxiang looked at Liu Yimin and asked, "I thought you weren't coming to the Institute of Literature during the Chinese New Year. Old Wang and I had nothing to do during the holiday, so we often came over to chat with the students and answer their questions."

"Yimin, we read yesterday's newspaper. The money they're bringing back from America is getting more and more each time," Wang Yao said with a smile, handing the newspaper to Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin glanced at the Beijing Evening News, but didn't read much about him. However, he did see an article on it. The article wasn't very well written, but the name was familiar: Yan Guanying.

Isn't that Captain Jia? At this time, Captain Jia had not yet made his acting debut. He worked as a laundry worker at the Xidan State-owned Laundry and Dyeing Shop for more than 20 years. When the unit was restructured, he was asked to manage the bathhouse, but Captain Jia refused and became an actor.

Captain Jia is not only a skilled actor, but also accomplished in literature. His first literary work was published in the January 1987 issue of the *Yanjing Evening News*. He later wrote screenplays, winning first and second prizes, and after some effort, gained some recognition in the industry.

But he remained a laundry worker and had no intention of becoming an actor. He later joined the Beijing People's Art Theatre because Han Shanxu, the theatre's director, felt he had potential and brought him into the cast of "The Eight Banners Children".

Captain Jia, with his naturally handsome face, has created a large number of classic supporting roles, and his role as Captain Jia in "Underground Traffic Station" is undoubtedly the most classic.

"Yimin, what are you laughing at?" Wu Zuxiang asked.

"Really? I didn't laugh!"

Wang Yao said, "You're clearly smiling. What? Do you think this report is well-written?"

"No, I think this is quite interesting. Look, the workplace is a state-owned laundry and dyeing shop, which shows that there are people in all walks of life in our country who like literature." Liu Yimin pointed out Captain Jia's article to the two of them.

Wu Zuxiang glanced at it and said, "This article is mediocre and tasteless, like plain water. However, it is quite rare for a laundry worker. Perhaps given time, he can write something quite good."

Wu Zuxiang and Wang Yao only glanced at it because of Liu Yimin's words. The Yanjing Evening News was not a big name in Yanjing, and good articles would not be published there.

Liu Yimin came mainly to check on Yan Zhen and the others' arrangements for the Institute of Literature's holiday work. Seeing that the students were not paying attention, Liu Yimin felt that it would be better to let them go home earlier.

Upon entering the office, Liu Yimin discussed the matter with Wu Zuxiang and Wang Yao, and they both agreed to Liu Yimin's arrangement.

Wu Zuxiang and Wang Yao asked curious questions about their trip to the United States for a while, and about an hour later they left the Institute of Literature and Art, leaving the rest of the time for Liu Yimin to arrange related work.

Liu Yimin called Yan Zhen over to inquire about the final exams. Yan Zhen and Liu Ping were grading the sophomore and junior exams, and Yan Zhen placed the grade sheets on Liu Yimin's desk.

"Do the students have any objections?" Liu Yimin asked.

Yan Zhen said, "Teacher Liu, we have no objections since we graded the papers according to your style and scored a few points higher than you."

"Good, you did a good job."

Liu Yimin asked Yan Zhen to distribute the holiday benefits from the Institute of Literature to the professors as soon as possible, and to give a copy to these teachers as well.

"What you give them should be simple and portable, like roast duck. If that's not possible, just give them cash. Also, pack your things and go home for the New Year as soon as possible."

“Okay, Teacher Liu, I’ll get right to it!” Yan Zhen said.

"Go!"

Yan Zhen led her people out to work, and Liu Yimin took the opportunity to give another lecture to the trainees at the Institute of Literature. The course content was related to theory, as well as the recent trip to the United States, and it was more like a chat.

The last class ended in a relaxed atmosphere.

"Everyone should go home early to reunite with their families during the Lunar New Year, and please be careful on the road."

"Thank you, Teacher Liu!"

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "You're welcome."

After finishing his work at the Institute of Literature, Liu Yimin drove back to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Zhu Lin had already gone home from get off work. She had been excited all day and was preparing to sneak home around 4 PM.

Upon hearing the car stop, Zhu Lin grabbed a bag of biscuits from home and went downstairs.

Zhu Lin handed Liu Yimin a bag of cookies: "Teacher Liu!"

"Come on, get in the car." Liu Yimin smiled as he took the cookies and popped a few into his mouth.

It was already late, so Liu Yimin simply had Zhu Lin sit in the driver's seat to familiarize herself with the positions of the accelerator, clutch, and brake, and told her the correct operating sequence.

"Use both feet. The left foot controls the clutch, and the right foot controls the brake and accelerator. Try it out. The far right is the accelerator, and the brake is higher than the accelerator. Try stepping on it," Liu Yimin explained patiently.

Zhu Lin gripped the steering wheel tightly, her body taut. Liu Yimin told her to relax and not to get too close to the steering wheel: "If you get too close, you won't be able to stretch your arms out at all, and it will affect your steering."

Zhu Lin continued to familiarize herself with the various operations. After a while, Liu Yimin taught her to start the car, had her practice shifting gears several times, and carefully explained the knowledge of shifting gears to her.

Zhu Lin already knew about the power issues of different gears from riding a motorcycle, so he learned how to do it in no time without much explanation.

"Tomorrow morning, let's eat breakfast early. I'll take you to a less crowded place to practice. After practice, I'll take you to work. Anyway, I don't need to go to school for a while." Liu Yimin unbuckled his seatbelt and prepared to get out of the car.

Zhu Lin touched the steering wheel and reluctantly got out of the car after a while.

"Alright, it's yours from now on. Once you've learned enough, take the tests and get your driver's license. But don't drive to the test center."

"Why?" Zhu Lin didn't react for a moment.

"If you drive to the driving test center to take your driving test, isn't that driving without a license?"

Zhu Lin slapped his forehead: "I almost walked right into a trap. Teacher Liu, when will you get your driver's license?"

"Three months of theoretical study? That's a long way off," Liu Yimin clicked his tongue. Back home, Liu Yu and Liu Lin were watching TV; dinner had just been prepared. After Ximei sat down, Liu Yimin said, "Ximei, you don't need to cook for me and your sister Lin tomorrow morning."

"Professor Liu, aren't you going to eat?"

"No, we'll get up and do it ourselves. Let's go out early and teach your sister Lin how to drive," Liu Yimin said, picking up a steamed bun.

"Then I'll get up early!"

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "No, let's just boil some eggs and then eat at a breakfast shop."

"Okay. Sister Lin, I hope you learn it soon." Xi Mei encouraged, clenching her fist.

Zhu Lin nodded and patted Liu Lin's head: "When Mom learns to drive, she can take you to the park."

The next morning at six o'clock, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin got up and left home at 6:30. It was still dark, and by the time they drove to a sparsely populated area, the visibility was already good enough for them to practice driving.

Zhu Lin sat nervously in the car, while Liu Yimin encouraged him, "Take it slow, don't rush, operate step by step, press the clutch and brake, start the engine."

Zhu Lin operated the car slowly, and his heart skipped a beat the moment the engine started.

"Handbrake, shift into gear."

"Straighten the steering wheel, gently press the accelerator, and start moving. Yes, slowly accelerate, relax your body, and always be aware of your surroundings."

Manual transmissions are easy to stall, but fortunately Liu Yimin was there to guide him, so Zhu Lin didn't get impatient. By 8:10, Zhu Lin could drive in a straight line.

"Let's go, head towards the city. Stop when there are people around, I'll take over. There's no one on the road right now."

"it is good."

After people appeared, Zhu Lin boldly drove forward for a while, but as more and more people appeared, she dared not drive any further. She had no sense of the car and was completely unable to maintain a distance from pedestrians.

Liu Yimin got into the car and drove very slowly, teaching her how to avoid obstacles and how to use the rearview mirror to judge oncoming traffic.

"Don't be afraid to drive. Always observe your left and right sides, just like riding a motorcycle, except the vehicle is larger and you have to judge the distance by sight."

Zhu Lin nodded repeatedly, silently memorizing Liu Yimin's words. Passing by Tiananmen Square, they found a hutong (alleyway) and ate a bowl of soy milk and two fried dough sticks. They arrived at the Beijing People's Art Theatre just in time for their shift.

After dropping Zhu Lin off at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Liu Yimin didn't linger but went to the Writers' Association instead. Upon arriving at the Writers' Association office, Tang Dacheng enthusiastically pulled him inside: "Comrade Yimin, you've finally arrived! If you hadn't come, I would have waited for you at the Overseas Chinese Apartment."

"Tell me, who would be the best candidate to send to South America?"

"Secretary Tang, this is the work of the Writers Association and the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Why are you asking me? Haven't we already drafted the list?"

“Yes, but a lot of people want to go. After all, it’s Márquez. Besides, because it’s Márquez, we can’t just choose anyone. Even if their status in the literary field isn’t equal, they have to represent the overall image of Chinese writers.” Tang Dacheng complained bitterly to Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin didn't come here to listen to his complaints; his position wasn't easy to hold. Tang Dacheng's status among writers wasn't very high, so sometimes he couldn't control some of the veterans in the Writers' Association.

“Secretary Tang, if you can’t make the selection, let the Federation of Literary and Art Circles make it. Anyone with objections can go to the Federation. Or you can talk to Mr. Ba Jin, he’s the chairman of the Writers’ Association!”

"That being said, the Secretariat can't just be a decoration!" Tang Dacheng shook his head helplessly.

Liu Yimin came to see the list, but who knew it would be so complicated? He didn't really want to look at it anymore and instead started talking about Bai Chongxi's son, Bai Xianyong.

Pai Hsien-yung?

"Yes, it's also published in China, you should know that."

"I know, I know. I didn't expect Bai Chongxi to have a writer. Bai Xianyong is quite famous on the island, and he's also quite well-known internationally. What's wrong?"

“When I passed through New York, I met Song Xilian. Song Xilian said that Pai Hsien-yung had the idea of ​​returning to the mainland to visit relatives, but he had concerns. I thought I would invite Pai Hsien-yung to visit the mainland in my name. It would be even better if more writers from the island could be invited.”

"There is a large number of writers on the island who support unification. They are very influential, and if they can be organized in time, they can become a particularly important force," Liu Yimin said.

Tang Dacheng gasped, surprised that Liu Yimin had such a plan. Currently, a few writers are visiting relatives in mainland China, but there haven't been any large-scale, officially sanctioned invitations.

So Tang Dacheng was indecisive again.

"Yimin, you're familiar with Old Shen, have you told him about this?"

"You are the secretary of the Writers' Association, let me tell you first."

Tang Dacheng was very pleased to hear this, but it was of no use; this matter was quite serious. Tang Dacheng first called the former secretary, Zhang Guangnian, whose position was far beyond his reach.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guangnian immediately said, "Wait for me, I'll go to the Writers' Association right away."

After Zhang Guangnian arrived, he asked Liu Yimin to explain his thoughts in detail.

“I think inviting one person is an invitation, and inviting a group of people is also an invitation. Our economy may not be that good, but we can let them see the changes on the mainland. Many older generation writers have feelings for the mainland, and any changes can make them happy, proud, and increase their sense of belonging,” Liu Yimin said.

Liu Yimin felt that writers from the island, such as Sanmao, Li Ao, Chen Yingzhen, and Pai Hsien-yung, could all be invited. Chen Yingzhen was a staunch supporter of unification, had very good relations with the mainland, and had even formed a unification alliance. He later lived in Yenching for many years and passed away there.

He was once involved in a notorious case—the Wenji Incident—because he was accused of promoting Marxism-Leninism on the island. Many members of his Democratic League were arrested, and he himself was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Later, in his memoirs, he claimed that Yu Guangzhong had participated in reporting him, marking out all the Marxist-Leninist elements in his works and sending them to the director of the "puppet Ministry of National Defense" operations department.

“I agree! Singapore can hold a forum for Chinese literature exchange, so can we. Intellectuals may not be good at much else, but they are very good at talking. Uniting the forces that can be united is the core of our united front.” Zhang Guangnian immediately expressed his attitude and asked Tang Dacheng to write down his opinion and submit it to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Tang Dacheng looked at Zhang Guangnian: "Comrade Zhang, shouldn't we report this to our superiors first, and then go through the proper procedures?"

"Old Tang, are you scared?" Zhang Guangnian asked.

Tang Dacheng remained silent, but his attitude was clear. Zhang Guangnian, who was no longer in that position, conceded, "Then let's go see the leaders in the ministry first."

Upon hearing the mention of the department's leaders, Liu Yimin knew that they were going to see Xia Yan.

Tang Dacheng then asked Zhang Guangnian about the list of writers who would be going to South America for exchanges. Zhang Guangnian simply said that he had already retired and would no longer concern himself with such matters.

(End of this chapter)