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

Chapter 594 The Palme d'Or
In everyone's view, it is extremely difficult for Pengcheng to become a city of science and technology. Especially the representatives on the island, they acknowledged that Pengcheng was developing rapidly, but at this moment it simply did not have the conditions to develop science and technology.

Shenzhen's current development is built on an open policy and cheap labor, which has allowed it to attract a large amount of foreign manufacturing business. But developing science and technology requires real money.

Looking at the buildings in the distance, Chi Pang-yuan asked, "I've read articles about the reform and opening up in mainland China on the island and in Hong Kong. Based on my recent understanding, the controversy surrounding reform and opening up in mainland China has never stopped. It's said that it's still unknown whether mainland China can persevere."

“We will definitely persevere, Sister Qi, just you wait and see. No matter what happens, the reform will not stop,” Liu Yimin said.

Li Ao mentioned the reforms in the Soviet Union after Stalin, and how Su Suizong and Su Xunzong also proposed many reforms and opening up, but it seems that the Soviet machine is showing signs of becoming increasingly rusty.

"After Stalin, what the hell could be called reform in the Soviet Union? It was all just patching things up or finding a new excuse. To analyze the Soviet Union, you have to analyze the character of the dominant Slavs. This nation is an extremely competitive nation, and it is impossible to build its own order through ideology."

"To establish a world order outside of the West, we can't simply rely on ideology to distinguish between friend and foe. What truly binds nations together is only interest; there's no such thing as brotherhood or loyalty." Liu Yimin made no attempt to hide his true thoughts.

The comrade in charge of hosting them hesitated for a moment before quickly changing the subject, saying he would take them to the nearby Shekou Industrial Park.

"By the end of this year, Shenzhen's export volume is expected to reach over 1.4 billion RMB, with per capita export value rising to 1,200 USD. To create a favorable business environment, we not only provide policies but also work hard to simplify procedures."

Not only has Hong Kong developed rapidly in industry, but it has also developed rapidly in export-oriented agriculture. Hong Kong is close to Shenzhen, but land in Hong Kong is extremely valuable, and it cannot even guarantee its own vegetable production or fresh water supply.

We raise chickens and ducks, and grow vegetables to ship to Hong Kong. Just from these, we can earn seven or eight hundred million Hong Kong dollars.

Walking into Shekou Industrial Park, a variety of foreign-invested and joint-venture factories come into view. Trucks come and go at the entrance, and in some places they even line up in long queues, with workers loading and unloading goods back and forth.

Although the workers were exhausted, no one complained. Compared to before, they earned much more money from their work. Now they could exchange their sweat for money; before, there was nowhere to exchange money even if they wanted to.

Upon seeing this, Wang Zengqi optimistically remarked, "If the experience of Shenzhen is promoted nationwide, then the whole country will be Shenzhen!"

Liu Yimin smiled but didn't say anything. Old Wang was still too optimistic.

The visit to Shenzhen will last three days. The first two days will be spent in groups, and the third day will be spent in smaller groups where delegates can choose their own destinations.

After the trip concluded two days prior, the main leaders of Shenzhen invited the delegation to a dinner. At the dinner, the Shenzhen leaders answered many questions about Shenzhen's reforms and the city's overall planning.

They used a blank sheet of paper to describe the land of Shenzhen, and what they had to do was plan factories, highways, buildings, and residential areas on that blank sheet of paper.

“We have started commercial housing in Pengcheng. People can buy a house in Pengcheng and come to visit from time to time. I believe there will be new changes every year.”

Donghu Liyuan, the first commercial residential community in Shenzhen, was sold for 50,000 yuan per unit. After that, the price rose all the way up to 40,000 to 50,000 yuan per square meter.

The land for this residential complex was provided by Shenzhen, the money was provided by Hong Kong businessmen, and the sales revenue was split proportionally. This model is called compensation trade.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "I heard that houses in Shenzhen are hard to buy now. The houses look expensive, but there are many wealthy people in Shenzhen, plus foreign businessmen and overseas Chinese, so the demand for houses has always exceeded the supply."

"Haha, Professor Liu is right. Of course, Shenzhen looks glamorous, but we also have our difficulties. The whole country is watching Shenzhen, and we are under a lot of pressure."

As the banquet ended in the evening, everyone gazed at the night view of Shenzhen, while the rumbling sounds of construction could still be heard in their ears.

“What a land of hope!” Lan Bozhou said.

Two consecutive days of sightseeing, coupled with the high temperature in Shenzhen, took a heavy toll on everyone's physical strength. Liu Yimin went back to the hotel and fell asleep on the bed not long afterward.

The following day, Liu Yimin, along with Li Ao, Pai Hsien-yung, and Wang Zengqi, visited parks and the Sino-British Street in Shenzhen before arriving at the International Trade Building.

Upon arriving at the International Trade Building, they discovered that several groups had coincidentally gathered there.

"It seems everyone wants to see the International Trade Building, which was built one floor every three days." Liu Yimin gestured for everyone to move forward.

Qi Bangyuan looked up at the fifty-plus-story building, squinted, and said, "This is the tallest building on the mainland, a symbol of Shenzhen's reform and opening up. Of course we have to come and see it."

The International Trade Center integrates offices, trade, finance, accommodation, and tourism, and features the country's most advanced revolving restaurant.

The group took the elevator up to the observation deck, where most of Shenzhen came into view. There were many people sightseeing and discussing cooperation. Liu Yimin also met a team from Henan Province who came to learn from them.

“Since we’re here, let’s have lunch at the China World Trade Center,” Liu Yimin said.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Liu Yimin immediately asked Yan Zhen to go and prepare. Yan Zhen made a little joke because she didn't understand the restaurant's order of ordering.

Yan Zhen, who had walked back, gave an embarrassed smile: "Shenzhen is developing too fast. Many things are now in line with foreign standards. Shall we drink tea or cold drinks?"

"Have some tea. Anyone who wants a cold drink can get it themselves," Liu Yimin said.

Most of the people present were elderly and had just been sweating profusely. If they drank cold drinks at this time, it was uncertain whether they would be able to get a good night's sleep.

The person in charge of reception said, "Professor Liu, the Special Zone Daily would like to interview you all tomorrow. Would you be willing to participate in the interview?"

"Go ahead with the interview. I'm sure everyone has a lot to say after seeing the development of the special economic zone," Liu Yimin said.

"Okay, I'll call them back tonight, and we can schedule the interview for tomorrow morning, how about that?"

"it is good."

Li Ao said, "Eating at an altitude of several hundred meters is a unique experience, especially when it's our own hundred-meter-high altitude."

“We should do a good job of promoting the special economic zone. Not only can overseas Chinese from Hong Kong, Macao, and Southeast Asia come to build factories, but businesses on the island can also come,” Liu Yimin said.

That evening, Liu Yimin received a call from Hong Kong. Hong Kong's agent, Gu Jian, wanted to come and meet Liu Yimin and Wang Zengqi.

"Old Wang, when did you meet Gu Jian?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

Wang Zengqi said, "That's a long story. How did you two meet?"

“Me? I don’t know him at all. I met him through Xie Zhonghou, a reporter from the Central News Agency.” Liu Yimin sat down on the sofa in an extremely comfortable position.

"Gu Jian is coming, which is a good opportunity for me to discuss the copyright agency issue with him. These things are driving me crazy. The reporter from the island who interviewed me last time also wants to act as an agent. I actually prefer Gu Jian, but I can't refuse him because of the reporter's face." Wang Zengqi was caught in an internal struggle.

Liu Yimin said, "Sometimes, you have to learn to cut the Gordian knot and not be too considerate of everyone's feelings."

The struggle for agency rights is essentially a struggle for the agency fee.

At this time, Wang Zengqi was already aware of the need to pursue high royalties, but deep down he still retained the scholarly mentality of "valuing righteousness over profit".

In the hotel conference room, Liu Yimin led the delegation to participate in an interview activity of the Special Zone Daily.

The most frequent questions asked by reporters from the Special Zone Daily were about people's feelings about Shenzhen and their understanding of reform and opening up.

The phrases most frequently used by the public were "the development speed exceeded expectations" and "it's simply a construction miracle."

"Professor Liu, you have been to many countries. What do you think of Shenzhen's development today?" The reporter turned to Liu Yimin with a smile.

"Of course it's excellent. When I was teaching at Yenching University, I often encouraged my students to visit Shenzhen and see the forefront of China's reform and opening up. I've always wanted to come myself; I've been advocating for foreign investment in mainland China from abroad, but I've never had the opportunity to come."

The development of Shenzhen today has exceeded my expectations, but I hope it will continue to improve. Shenzhen should also develop its technology sector, becoming China's "Silicon Valley," attracting more technology companies to grow and establish themselves in Shenzhen.

Furthermore, I hope that relevant departments will strengthen oversight of workers' rights. Our workers must be guaranteed a healthy working environment while they create wealth.

In 1987, the first batch of grassroots technology companies that would have a profound impact on Shenzhen began to be established, such as Huawei, a technology giant in the communications industry.

Founded in 1987, its sales exceeded 100 million yuan in 1992, a growth rate that was simply unimaginable.

After the interview, the reporter took a book out of his bag and said, "Professor Liu, I really like your work. Would you mind taking the liberty of signing it for me?"

“Since reporter Xiao Wu has already asked, I naturally can’t refuse.” Liu Yimin smiled and took out a pen to sign his name on the first page of “A Pilgrimage of One Man”.

After signing, Liu Yimin glanced at it and said, "Reporter Xiao Wu, let me get you some more autographs."

Then Liu Yimin invited everyone to sign the book, hoping they would remember this friendship. "Professor Liu, thank you. This book will be history in a few years," the reporter said happily, putting the book into her bag.

"Reporter Xiao Wu, please take a group photo of us and send it to Yanjing for me later."

"Row!"

The cross-strait traditional culture exchange meeting has now officially concluded. The writers' representatives from the island will travel from Shenzhen to Hong Kong and then return to the island via Hong Kong.

Before parting, Chi Pang-yuan found Liu Yi-min and thanked him for helping her complete her trip to Nanjing.

“Sister Qi, you’re too kind. Martyr Zhang Dafei is a national hero, and we should go and pay him a visit,” Liu Yimin said.

"It's different. I hadn't planned to go, but I couldn't remain calm. I went to Jinling, so this trip was a complete success."

I accept the criticisms of my literary views from the scholars at Yenching University. I've come to understand that the concept of Greater China can transcend political analysis. As Comrade Li Jin from Nanjing said, we are all inheriting the wishes of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Regarding the island's local literature, I will carefully consider how to approach it.

"Sister Qi, I'm glad you think this way. You're welcome to come to the mainland for exchanges in the future. I'm thinking about whether to upgrade the exchange activities into regular cultural exchange activities. We still need your support for cross-strait literary exchanges."

“Great! I support it! I definitely support it! Chinese literature must stand as a united force in world literature, and the center of Chinese literature is on the mainland, because the roots of Chinese literature are on the mainland.” Chi Pang-yuan said sincerely.

As May drew to a close, Liu Yimin and representatives of mainland writers stood at the Luohu Port to bid farewell to the writers' delegation on the island.

“Professor Liu, once the preface to ‘God’s Visa’ is finished, I’ll send the contents to the mainland for your review!” Li Ao said.

Chen Yingzhen teased, "Old Li, at your usual pace, shouldn't you have finished writing this by now?"

“I must write a serious preface for Professor Liu!” Li Ao said solemnly.

After chatting and laughing for a while, everyone saw them off as they left the Luohu Port and the vehicle disappeared from sight.

Liu Yimin turned around, smiled, and unbuttoned his collar, saying easily, "Everyone has worked hard these past few days, it's time to relax! No matter where you go back, everyone should go find Yan Zhen, and Yan Zhen will buy tickets for everyone."

Yan Zhen swayed his back: "Professor Liu, I'll take a look at the statistics later, and then I'll buy the tickets all at once."

"it is good!"

Upon arriving at the hotel, everyone except Liu Yimin and Wang Zengqi chose to return to Beijing the next day or go straight home. Liu Yimin asked Yan Zhen to provide additional transportation subsidies besides reimbursing their airfare.

"How much did it cost in total?"

"Of the second batch of 20,000 yuan in funding, we still have about 5,000 yuan left," Yan Zhen said.

"Okay, I got it. You'll go back to Beijing with Comrade Wang, and you'll buy me a ticket to Wuhan."

"Wuhan?"

Yes, Wuhan.

"Professor Liu, what are you doing in Wuhan? Giving lectures at Wuhan University?"

"No, I'm going to see Lao Xu!"

"Do you need me to come with you?"

"No need, Comrade Lao Wang is getting old, you can accompany him back."

Not long after seeing off the delegation from the island, Gu Jian arrived in Shenzhen via the Luohu Port.

Gu Jian had no particular reason for coming; he just wanted to see them. When he learned that Liu Yimin had a new book published on the island, Gu Jian requested to continue acting as his agent.

“No problem, Mr. Gu Jian.” Liu Yimin smiled and looked at Gu Jian. Gu Jian had lived in mainland China before, so his accent was very pure, but his face had a bit of a Southeast Asian mixed-race look.

Gu Jian grasped Liu Yimin's hand and said gratefully, "Professor Liu, thank you for your trust. I didn't do much as your representative, and I feel quite ashamed."

“Living in Hong Kong is not easy, so it’s only right that you take the agency fee,” Liu Yimin said.

Wang Zengqi chimed in, "Everything costs money, so let's handle this business officially and not be polite."

"Mr. Wang, I heard you have an article to publish. I wonder if you could choose our Overseas Chinese Daily?" Gu Jian asked.

"The Overseas Chinese Daily?" Wang Zengqi hesitated when he heard Gu Jian's words, having just agreed to work for Renjian Magazine.

After hesitating for half a minute, Wang Zengqi said, "The Overseas Chinese Daily is a left-wing newspaper, and we should support it. I will send my new manuscript directly to the editorial department of the Overseas Chinese Daily after I finish writing it."

"Thank you!" Gu Jian then looked at Liu Yimin, who said, "Mr. Gu Jian, could you send me more Hong Kong newspapers? I can publish a few commentary articles then."

“Great! There are all sorts of ideologies in Hong Kong now. Publishing more commentary articles will help guide people’s thinking in the right direction,” Gu Jian said excitedly.

Liu Yimin agreed because he shared the same attitude as Wang Zengqi—to support Hong Kong's left-wing newspapers.

Gu Jian arrived quickly and left quickly. He sat in the room for three hours and left without even having dinner.

Wang Zengqi commented that the people of Shenzhen today are like the people of Hong Kong, always so busy that their feet never touch the ground.

"Old Wang, take a good rest after you get back to Beijing. In the first half of this year, you were either traveling abroad or hosting guests, which left you no time to write."

Wang Zengqi waved his hand dismissively: "Come on, let's go have a drink while we still have time. Li Ao hasn't been drinking lately, and it's been keeping me up at night."

Liu Yimin and Wang Zengqi went downstairs to drink. Wang Zengqi drank half a jin of liquor and wanted to drink more, but Liu Yimin stopped him.

"Old Wang, alright, alright. You have to go back to Yanjing tomorrow, so stop drinking." Liu Yimin was quite impressed with Wang Zengqi's drinking capacity.

In Cannes, France, the 40th Cannes International Film Festival officially unveiled its secrets amidst much fanfare.

Before the awards ceremony began, Prince Charles and Diana's red carpet looks attracted a lot of attention, with Diana's light blue gown leaving a deep impression.

Unfortunately, this beautiful woman met Charles, the dissolute prince of the British royal family.

It only took her sixteen years from marrying into the royal family at the age of twenty to experiencing infidelity, divorce, and her untimely death.

Frank, sitting in the audience, had no interest in looking at Diana; all his attention was on the upcoming awards ceremony.

This year's Cannes International Film Festival is highly competitive, and another highly anticipated film is also directed by a French director – "Under the Sun of Satan".

Frank knew that many people were waiting for his news. He stared intently at the stage, silently calling out to God.

After the opening remarks and a series of interactions with the hosts, the awards ceremony finally announced the winning entries for the Palme d'Or:
"Green Book won the Best Film award at the 40th Cannes Film Festival. Congratulations to Green Book for winning the 40th Palme d'Or!"

Upon hearing the name, Frank's buttocks bounced up as if he had sat on a spring.

He waved his arms excitedly and accepted the cheers from all around. The director and actors next to him reached out their arms to congratulate him.

As Frank walked toward the stage, he stumbled, which immediately drew cheers from the crowd.

"Thank you Cannes, thank you to the directors, actors and guests present, and thank you to my screenwriter, Yimin Liu, who is currently in faraway China. I believe his heart is beating in sync with Cannes!"

P.S.: Next chapter coming soon.

(End of this chapter)