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

Chapter 597, "God's Visa," was published.

On the third day after returning to Yanjing, Liu Yimin first went to the Ministry of Culture to meet Xia Yan and Wang Meng.

Xia Yan and Wang Meng were already fully aware of what had happened during their trip south. Xia Yan had someone make tea for Liu Yimin: "Yimin, sit down quickly. Why don't you rest at home for a few more days? You've really worked hard these past few days."

Liu Yimin thought to himself, "You've said everything, good or bad. If I had rested longer and come back later, you would definitely have come up with a completely different story."

Wang Meng seemed to see through Liu Yimin's thoughts: "Comrade Yimin, we want to hear the news as soon as possible, but we also want you to get more rest. Just like your speech at Sun Yat-sen University, even though you have different views on avant-garde literature, you were full of care for young people when you spoke."

“Wang Meng is right, Yimin. We know you’ve worked hard, and we know you like black tea. This black tea was bought especially for you,” Xia Yan said cheerfully.

"Thank you both for your concern. I'm not tired; there are many people who are more tired than me."

The secretary placed the tea in front of Liu Yimin, who could tell from the aroma that it was black tea brewed with Lapsang Souchong.

Xia Yan said, "I heard that Qi Bangyuan's attitude had clearly changed when she left. Is that true?"

"It's true. The visit from south to north showcased the economic vitality and development prospects of the mainland, which naturally touched them. The island's economic situation is better than ours, but it's still just an island. More importantly, their sense of cultural and spiritual belonging is in the mainland."

"These people who came to the island from the mainland, whether writers, soldiers, or civilians, could never escape the influence of the mainland on them throughout their lives," Liu Yimin said.

“Yes, no one can truly forget the mainland. That shows that our cultural exchange activity was a great success. Comrades from the United Front Work Department and the Propaganda Department are paying close attention to this meeting, and our department needs to immediately write a summary report and submit it.” Wang Meng looked at Liu Yimin, her meaning clear.

“I will write the summary report, and I will try my best to finish it in the next two days,” Liu Yimin said.

Wang Meng smiled and said, "Yimin, then I'll trouble you. Since it's organized by the Institute of Literature, the summary will naturally be written by the Institute of Literature. We'll submit it to Elder Shen, and after Elder Shen approves it, it will be forwarded to the Ministry."

Xia Yan and Wang Meng listened carefully to the account of their journey from Shanghai to Shenzhen, and found that it was naturally very different from what Wang Zengqi and others told them than what Liu Yimin told them.

Liu Yimin analyzed the mental journeys of Qi Bangyuan, Bai Xianyong, and others, while also discouraging them from being too optimistic, since people's thoughts can change at any time.

"Subtle influence, that's what we need to do, like a gentle spring breeze and a light rain. Mr. Chen Yingzhen's decision to establish a unified alliance is a major undertaking. It's just a pity that we can't contribute much." Xia Yan hadn't expected Chen Yingzhen to be so decisive. If he had known earlier that Chen Yingzhen was so decisive, he should have had a good talk with him back in Yanjing.

“This alliance is definitely beneficial to us. Even if we can’t contribute any real power, just supporting it gives them some confidence.” Liu Yimin tasted the Zhengshan Xiaozhong tea that Xia Yan bought and thought it was really good.

"It's delicious. You can take it when I leave," Xia Yan said generously.

"Really?"

"How could it be fake? This was bought especially for you." Xia Yan turned to his secretary and said, "Pack the rest into Yimin's bag."

Xia Yan asked Liu Yimin if he had anything else to report. Liu Yimin brought up the idea of ​​institutionalizing cross-strait cultural exchanges: "I think we can hold more similar activities in the future, and even develop them into international Chinese literature exchange activities."

This is highly beneficial to the status of mainland China in Chinese literature. Our exchange meetings are far more authentic than those organized by newspapers like Lianhe Zaobao.

"How long do you think it would be appropriate for each session?" Xia Yan asked.

"Every two years?" Liu Yimin said.

Wang Meng and Xia Yan exchanged glances and discussed their opinions. Wang Meng asked Liu Yimin to write this matter into the summary report so that it could be used as a reference by higher authorities.

“It’s a good thing to institutionalize this activity, but there are many issues to discuss later, such as funding and personnel. We just finished this year’s event, so we have enough time to discuss this.” Xia Yan had already agreed with Liu Yimin’s suggestion, but he did not express his opinion explicitly.

The topic then shifted to their exchange activities at Sun Yat-sen University, where they explored the commercialization of pure literature magazines. The ministry also expressed its approval and published articles in newspapers such as the "Literary Gazette" to support their efforts.

"For a magazine to survive, it certainly can't rely solely on funding from higher authorities. If all the magazines and newspapers across the country depended on funding from higher authorities, it would be a huge burden on the country. I see magazines as an industry that can make money, just like movies. Even if an experiment fails, it's not a big deal."

Wang Meng herself privately wrote to Li Shifei, the editor-in-chief of "Huacheng" magazine, to express her support, but also urged him to be cautious and not to take too big a step in the reform.

The topic circled back and forth, but ultimately settled on criticism of avant-garde literature. The department didn't really want this discussion to continue; with the help of certain individuals, it could easily escalate into a confrontation between island literature and mainland literature.

Recent newspaper commentaries have gone beyond simply discussing literary ideas.

“I’ve already seen these things in Wuhan, and they’ve gotten even more heated these past two days. Some comrades can’t stand criticism. Not long ago they were still rallying for avant-garde literature, and now someone is saying there are problems with avant-garde literature on the mainland—isn’t that a slap in the face for them?” Liu Yimin said.

Wang Meng said, "Some people have no sense of the bigger picture at all."

"Notify the Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Writers Association that they should express their attitude through a series of newspapers, including the *Literary Gazette*. Debates on literary thought should not be influenced by regionalism; literary debates should be resolved within the scope of literature itself, without resorting to underhanded tactics."

"I also want to tell those young people who write avant-garde literature to be receptive to criticism and not to explode at the slightest provocation. Aren't the consequences of the intensified poetry debate between veteran and new poets a few years ago enough to serve as a warning?" Xia Yan slammed his hand on the table angrily.

Wang Meng said, "I will inform Comrade Feng Mu and other newspapers in a moment that we must express our opinions clearly and explicitly."

Hearing Wang Meng's words, Xia Yan's expression softened: "Yi Min, I heard you also made a bet with the young writer Ge Fei?"

"You've heard about it too? I was just saying it offhand. Young people are just too naive!" Liu Yimin said.

Xia Yan asked with a chuckle, "Do you really think avant-garde literature is about to die out?"

“If things continue as they are, it won’t be long,” Liu Yimin said.

"Yes, I've read the meeting minutes too, and what Chi Pang-yuan said makes sense."

"There are no unchanging literary ideas, only literary works that suit the tastes of readers. From scar literature to reform literature and then to avant-garde literature, the emergence of a new literary form is a rejection of another literary form—absorbing its essence and discarding its outdated parts."

Even without avant-garde literature, other forms of literature will emerge. The development of literature will undoubtedly continue unabated; we need not regret the disappearance of avant-garde literature.

Xia Yan is also quite interested in avant-garde literature. The novel literary forms initially gave everyone a refreshing feeling, but unexpectedly, they have gone further and further astray.

"There are some articles that I've been reading for days but still can't understand. Yimin, you're right, no matter how things develop, realism will always be the mainstream."

Liu Yimin spent the morning at the Ministry of Culture, intending to visit Mu Qing at Xinhua News Agency in the afternoon, but unfortunately learned from a phone call that Mu Qing was away on a business trip to the Southwest. The internal reference materials were compiled by Xinhua News Agency, and for Zhu's father's paper to be published, Mu Qing needed to review it. If Mu Qing thought it was good, publication would be very quick.

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin took a stroll around the Institute of Literature. There, all the trainees were working diligently on their papers. With only three months left until the end of this training program, everyone was incredibly busy.

After Liu Yimin greeted them, Yan Zhen followed Liu Yimin into the office. In addition to giving a work report, Yan Zhen took out a large number of bills and asked Liu Yimin to sign them.

"Teacher Liu, the final balance has been returned to the Writers' Association. Here is their receipt. All these forms need to be signed; the finance department needs to go through the process."

"it is good!"

Liu Yimin wrote his name on several stacks of invoices: "How's things at the institute these past two days?"

"That's normal. It's just that you've been traveling abroad and attending meetings, so some project approvals have fallen behind. The senior professors are waiting for the approval results," Yan Zhen said with a smile.

"Oh, I understand!" Liu Yimin handed the signed invoice back to Yan Zhen.

After Yan Zhen left, Yan Jiayan came over to chat with Liu Yimin, reminiscing about the cross-strait traditional culture exchange meeting.

“I met with professors from the Chinese Department of Beijing Normal University a couple of days ago. They were angry because we didn’t arrange for them to participate in the exchange program,” Yan Jiayan said smugly.

"Professor Yan, aren't you getting a little too cocky?"

Yan Jiayan picked up his teacup and took a sip: "There's nothing we can do, we're Yenching University."

Seeing Yan Jiayan's smug look, Liu Yimin chatted with him about the current teaching situation in the Chinese Department of Yenching University.

"That's what I came here to talk about. You still need to catch up on the courses you missed in your sophomore and junior years. Yan Zhen used to cover your classes, but now that she's not here, there's no one to cover them for you."

"If you attend a few more classes this week, you can catch up on the lessons you missed."

"Row!"

Yan Jiayan wanted to ask when Marquez would arrive, but Liu Yimin shook his head and said, "I forgot. I was so focused on reporting to the ministry today that I forgot about this."

“There’s definitely no news. If there were news, even if you’ve forgotten, the ministry wouldn’t have forgotten,” Yan Jiayan said.

"Professor Yan, I'll let you know if there's anything!"

"it is good!"

After seeing Yan Jiayan off, Liu Yimin lowered his head and began writing a summary report of the exchange meeting, producing about four thousand words. On the last page of the report, he attached suggestions for the follow-up development of the cross-strait traditional culture exchange meeting.

Liu Yimin emphasized the need to enhance the influence of mainland literature within Chinese-language literature, strengthen the sense of identity and belonging among island writers towards traditional Chinese culture, and dispel misunderstandings. He also stressed the importance of conveying the true situation on the mainland to the island through the works of island writers.

When I left work in the afternoon, I saw the teachers at the Institute of Literature still engrossed in writing. Liu Yimin clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Comrades, you've worked hard these past few days. Tonight, the institute will host a dinner party so we can eat and chat together."

If you've encountered any problems lately, feel free to ask me after I get to work tomorrow.

"Thank you, Director!"

"Thank you, Teacher Liu!"

“Okay, Yan Zhen, you make the arrangements,” Liu Yimin said.

Yan Zhen has done this more than once or twice, and now she's a pro at organizing gatherings and similar events: "Okay, Teacher Liu, are you coming?"

"I won't go today. Your teacher's wife is waiting for me at home," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

The Crown car was returned to the Institute of Literature and Art. Liu Yimin told Yan Zhen to take a driving test so that the Institute of Literature and Art wouldn't have to bother the school bus team so often when it had reception activities.

Yan Zhen said happily, "Teacher Liu, I will start learning the theory tomorrow. I followed the school bus driver twice and can drive straight, but I still can't figure out how to reverse and park."

"As for driving, you just need to practice. Just practice more and you'll get the hang of it." Liu Yimin handed the keys to Yan Zhen.

In the last few days of May, Liu Yimin taught classes for several days in a row, teaching second-year students in the morning and third-year students in the afternoon. After several days, he finally made up for all the missed classes.

On June 1st, People's Literature and Art and Human World Magazine officially published Liu Yimin's novel "God's Visa". The autumn issue of The Paris Review is expected to be about five days later.

The novel was published simultaneously on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, generating heated discussions on both sides, and the name "He Fengshan" was deeply imprinted in the minds of people on both sides of the Strait.

The response from He Fengshan's hometown in Hunan Province was enthusiastic, and it was the first time his friends in China had heard about it. When they invited He Fengshan back to give lectures, he never mentioned it.

Therefore, Hunan Province specifically called Liu Yimin to verify whether the "He Fengshan" written in the book was He Fengshan from their Hunan Province.

When Liu Yimin said "yes," Xiang Province happily hung up the phone, and the next day, the name "He Fengshan" was all over the Hunan Provincial newspapers.

Major newspapers simultaneously launched a massive campaign to publicize He Fengshan's heroic deeds. Claims such as "Chinese people saved the Japanese" and "the Rabe of the East" emerged one after another.

Five days later, the Paris Review published "God's Visa," sparking widespread discussion around the world. Domestic and international public opinion resonated, and the international community gained a renewed understanding of the Chinese people and China through "He Fengshan."

In Los Angeles, He Fengshan's home was besieged by reporters, and his interviews were all over the television and newspapers.

His daughter, He Manli, had already prepared for the interview, and an in-depth report was published in the newspaper when "God's Visa" was published.

That evening, He Fengshan appeared on the evening news. He humbly said that it was just a small thing for him: "We Chinese are taught from childhood that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I had such an opportunity, so of course I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

(End of this chapter)