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

Chapter 601, "Green Book," sets a new box office record.
Liu Yimin stayed at the Beijing People's Art Theatre until the end of the workday, discussing with Cao Yu how to revise the play. During this time, Cao Yu called playwright Liu Jinyun into his office to participate in the discussion.

However, most of the time, it was Liu Yimin and Cao Yu who were discussing things, while Liu Jinyun seemed to be listening in. As a key playwright being cultivated by the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Cao Yu has been investing a lot of effort in Liu Jinyun's development.

Last year, Liu Jinyun's play "Dog's Rebirth" became one of the best-performing plays at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and is another testament to the vitality of realist works.

"Dog's Rebirth" tells the story of a farmer named Dog's decades-long relationship with the land, from a poor peasant to participating in land reform, collectivization, and the household contract responsibility system after liberation, depicting a farmer's deep attachment to the land.

After the script was revised, Cao Yu looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Speaking of which, Comrade Jinyun is your senior."

Liu Jinyun continued, "I was a student in the Chinese Department of Yenching University in 58, but Dean Wan and Yimin call me senior brother, which makes me feel embarrassed."

"Haha, senior brother doesn't necessarily have to be better than junior brother. Yimin, after graduating from Peking University, Comrade Jinyun worked as a middle school teacher, then worked in a commune, and also served as a brigade cadre, so he has a very good understanding of rural work. That's why 'Dog's Nirvana' can be written so sincerely. You two should communicate more in the future," Cao Yu said with a smile.

"Senior brother, please continue to guide me in the future," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Liu Jinyun quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare to offer any guidance. If anyone should offer guidance, it should be you giving me guidance. When I was writing 'Dog's Rebirth,' I also referenced 'The Flames of War in Beiping.' I used a minor historical figure as the main character to connect several decades of history, reflecting the changes of the times through personal experiences and changes."

Taking the script "Dog's Rebirth" as a starting point, Liu Jinyun discussed with Liu Yimin the changes in rural areas today and how literature can reflect these changes.

“Living conditions are better now than before, but more contradictions have also emerged. These contradictions are the entry point for literature, and the problems reflected in literature will guide reality,” Liu Yimin said.

"Comrade Yimin, I heard that your brigade is doing very well now?" Liu Jinyun asked curiously.

“Our brigade mainly deals in roasted nuts and seeds. After major media outlets reported on it last year, sales have increased rapidly this year, and the production scale has expanded several times compared to before,” Liu Yimin told Liu Jinyun what he knew.

Li Lanyong's story serves as a living advertisement for the brigade's roasted sunflower seeds. Through publicity from various media outlets, the brigade's roasted sunflower seeds are now being sold in major cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen.

"Your brigade has produced two capable people, one is you, and the other is this young man who is leading everyone forward," Liu Jinyun exclaimed. Now the rural economy is booming, and those with clever minds are all making money, but not every brigade has someone to lead the way, nor does every brigade have the conditions to accomplish something significant.

“Whether rural areas are developing well or not, a series of problems have been exposed. However, Chinese rural writers often like to show the ‘foolish’ side of farmers. I also hope that writers can show the positive side of rural areas when exposing problems.”

When writers who came from rural areas look back at the countryside, the countryside in their eyes is no longer the countryside where they were born and raised, but an object of criticism.

“It’s really hard to write about positive things well!” Liu Jinyun gave an example: “Criticism easily evokes empathy. Regardless of whether it’s right or wrong, there will always be people who join in the criticism. They may not really want to criticize the person being criticized, but just vent their anger.”

But it's so hard to evoke empathy from praise.

The three of them sat in the office until the end of the workday. After seeing Liu Jinyun off, Cao Yu commented, "Dog's Rebirth will probably win the next screenplay award. People who have worked in or come from rural areas can write about the real countryside."

When the play "Dog's Rebirth" began rehearsals at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, director Lin Zhaohua led a group of people to experience rural life in Changping for almost half a month.

As Liu Yimin left the office, he handed the revised script to Xia Chun. Yu Zhi told Liu Yimin that it was already past get off work hours and the script payment would be collected tomorrow.

Liu Yimin nodded without saying anything.

In the evening, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin took the two little ones to Muxidi for dinner.

The two little ones kept calling her "Grandma," making Li Yuru beam with joy. Cao Yu went to his study and wrote a calligraphy piece with lines from the Book of Songs, wishing the two little ones peace, happiness, and a long and fulfilling life.

Let us rejoice and be happy, and let the days stretch on.

"Come on, write a piece of calligraphy too, let me see if your calligraphy has improved." Cao Yu happily handed the brush to Liu Yimin.

As Liu Yimin took the calligraphy brush, he took off his watch and placed it on the table: "Teacher, my calligraphy is definitely not as good as yours."

“You know you’re not as good as me, so you need to practice more. Calligraphy is something left by our ancestors. Nowadays, people are used to writing with pens, and their calligraphy is indescribable. That won’t do,” Cao Yu criticized.

Liu Yimin glanced at the tip of his brush, gently adjusted it, and wrote a line from a poem by Su Shi on the Xuan paper:
I only wish my child were foolish and dull, so that he might rise to high office without disaster or hardship!

After reading the contents, Cao Yu quipped, "You're really dreaming. You're so foolish and stupid, yet you think you can rise to the top without any trouble?"

"Haha, teacher, do you think my handwriting has improved compared to before?" Liu Yimin placed the brush on the inkstone.

"There's been some progress, but the characters are too weak and lack substance, and their shapes are somewhat scattered. You should practice the strength of your strokes more in the future," Cao Yu suggested.

After the ink dried, Cao Yu rolled up the two pieces of calligraphy and personally handed them to the two little ones.

"Is this for Li Zhun?" Liu Yimin asked, looking at the artwork hanging on the wall.

"Yes, when Comrade Li Zhun won the Mao Dun Literature Prize last time, he asked me for a piece of calligraphy, and I agreed."

The work that Cao Yu gave to Li Zhun was inscribed with the last two lines of Wang Mian's "Ink Plum Blossom" from the Yuan Dynasty: "It does not need praise for its beautiful colors, but only leaves its pure fragrance to fill the universe."

Zhu Lin chatted with Li Yuru outside until 10 o'clock, when Liu Yimin took the mother and her three children away from Muxidi.

On June 20th, Liu Yimin held a meeting with the administrative staff of the Institute of Literature and Art. Currently, the Institute is gradually expanding and taking on more and more responsibilities; the four administrative staff members, including Yan Zhen, are no longer sufficient.

For events like literary exchange meetings and the "Youth Night Talk" program, it's necessary to find dedicated personnel to handle these tasks. After training, these individuals can be responsible for organizing events, coordinating departments, recording programs, and planning programs.

"Yan Zhen, there's a shortage of permanent positions. You'd be responsible for applying to higher authorities to allocate a few more positions to our Institute of Literature and Art this year. Also, contact student associations at major universities in Beijing to let them know that our Institute of Literature and Art is recruiting. If you're accepted, you can get a good salary, permanent position, and residency permit."

If the Institute of Literature and Art wants to select outstanding talents from among many institutions, it needs to be more generous than others.

"Of course, it would be even better if graduate students who have participated in scientific research in our institute before. They are familiar with our institute and can get started quickly."

Yan Zhen immediately wrote down Liu Yimin's words: "Teacher Liu, I understand. How many spots do you think would be appropriate?"

"Four, I suppose. It's time to help you with the workload, since your main task is still studying," Liu Yimin said thoughtfully.

"Okay, I'll take care of it after the meeting. The higher-ups shouldn't hold us back on our positions," Yan Zhen said with a smile. "Alright, if there's nothing else, the meeting is adjourned."

After everyone left, Yan Zhen stayed behind: "Professor Liu, this is my recently written 'Analysis of Modern American Literary Thought,' could you please take a look at it?"

"Alright, you haven't neglected your academic pursuits." Liu Yimin took the paper from Yan Zhen's hand and said with a frown:

"I need to find an opportunity to practice my handwriting; there are parts of it that I can't even read what's written."

Yan Zhen said awkwardly, "Okay, I understand. I will definitely practice my handwriting. Writing too neatly is too tiring for my hand."

After Yan Zhen finished speaking, she unconsciously touched the callus on her middle finger, which had been worn down from writing, with her right thumb.

"This is a thesis. Whether it's for publication or archiving, more than one teacher will be reviewing it. You must make sure everyone understands it clearly to avoid any misunderstandings. A small mistake can lead to a huge problem!"

Yan Zhen nodded hurriedly, indicating that she would definitely write well from now on.

"It doesn't need to be too good, but it can't be too sloppy either." Liu Yimin waved his hand, telling Yan Zhen to leave so he could take a good look.

Yan Zhen's paper is a course paper, not a graduate thesis, so it is not very long and the research is not particularly in-depth. However, given the scarcity of critical studies on modern American literature in China, this article still has academic value.

Liu Yimin marked out all the parts that needed to be revised and told Yan Zhen that the article was pretty good and could be submitted to an academic journal after it was revised.

"Teacher, what do you think about submitting to 'Literary Review'?" Yan Zhen asked excitedly.

“Literary Review is an option, but I think it would be a bit difficult,” Liu Yimin said.

"Literary Review" is a national academic journal for literary research and literary theory and criticism, sponsored by the Institute of Literature of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. It is quite difficult to publish articles in it.

"I'll try my luck first, just in case I get lucky," Yan Zhen said optimistically.

Yan Zhen wanted to add Liu Yimin's name to the paper, but Liu Yimin refused to let him.

Back in the courtyard at dusk, Cui Daoyi, Li Shu (editor of People's Literature Publishing House), and Huang Chunyu (editor of Commercial Press) were sitting in the courtyard eating watermelon, with a sample copy of "God's Visa" next to them.

"Yimin, your watermelons are so sweet!" Cui Daoyi teased.

Liu Yimin placed the bag on the stone table, picked up the sample book and flipped through it: "Tian, ​​please eat more. How's the manuscript team doing on the business trip?"

"Don't even mention it, what a waste of time. Some writers these days really have no sense of responsibility, they give the promised work to other magazines." Cui Daoyi complained bitterly.

Li Shu smiled and comforted Cui Daoyi: "This is common in our editing industry. You pester authors like crazy to get their manuscripts published, and so do others. If you get robbed this time, you can just snatch it back next time."

“It’s different, Lao Li. You’re just an ordinary editor, you don’t understand. My manuscript, as the deputy editor-in-chief of People’s Literature, was stolen. How embarrassing!” Cui Daoyi said.

"Oh my god, Cui Daoyi, you're so shameless! So what if you're the deputy editor-in-chief? Adding the word 'deputy' makes it all meaningless." Li Shu said with a dark face, wondering why he was so pathetic for offering such unsolicited comfort!

Cui Daoyi laughed and put his arm around Li Shu's neck: "What? Are you still angry? Old Li, when did you become like a little wife?"

"Old Li, I have to thank you. I wasn't home when the electrical wiring for the courtyard was renovated, so it was all thanks to the workers you found," Liu Yimin said gratefully.

Upon hearing Liu Yimin's words, Li Shu immediately laughed: "No need to thank me, it's nothing. Yimin, take a look at this sample copy of 'God's Visa,' what do you think?"

"The paper quality is much better than before, the cover is well-painted, and they even added a dust jacket!" Liu Yimin praised.

The cover illustration depicts a ship crowded with refugees, who are waving visas in their hands.

Huang Chunyu said, "Good works should be printed well. We referenced the design of our American counterparts for this band. Not to mention, it looks much more beautiful with the band on."

After a while, Zhu Lin returned and picked up the sample book, praising the cover cover as much as he had.

The book jacket reads, "An epic tale of heroism and sacrifice, a hero emerging from the East." Small print lists the literary awards Liu Yimin has received, including his most recent Venezuelan "Romulo Gallegos Literary Prize."

On the first few pages of the book's table of contents are several photos, including one of Liu Yimin receiving a literary award and another of him with He Fengshan.

With increasing competition in the domestic book market, major publishers are starting to pay more attention to the quality of their books.

That evening, Liu Yimin invited the three of them to stay for dinner at his home. He didn't see them off until 10 p.m.

With "Green Book" nearing its one-month mark in international release, box office performance has once again become a major focus for the media.

Green Book grossed $1.5 million worldwide, with North America accounting for one-third of the total box office.

Frank couldn't wait to come to China to share the good news with Liu Yimin. At the same time, He Fengshan, who had already finished his speech in North America, also came with him.

He Fengshan spent more than half a month completing his nationwide tour in the United States, which, including rest time, should have taken about twenty days. During this period, He Fengshan's autobiography sold more than 90,000 copies, and "God's Visa" sold about 150,000 copies.

During this period, Xinhua News Agency focused on him and conducted extensive coverage around the world. After his trip to the United States concluded, he immediately accepted the invitation from the mainland to return home.

However, Frank traveled directly from the United States to Beijing, while He Fengshan would hold a symposium in Shanghai on the fate of the Japanese during World War II. The Japanese people rescued by He Fengshan traveled to the United States and other places by ship from Shanghai; for the Japanese, Shanghai was a turning point in their lives.

In addition to Ho Feng-shan and people from mainland China, some Taiwanese people also participated in the symposium.

"Frank, welcome back to China." Liu Yimin extended his right hand to Frank as he stepped off the plane.

(End of this chapter)