Literary Master 1983

Chapter 177 Third Level Medal
Maha Vajiralongkorn, later commonly known as Rama X, considered Yu Chet worthy of only the fourth level of the order.

However, Sirindhorn believes that the novel written by Yu Che vilifies almost all Southeast Asian countries except Thailand, and its performance is no less than that of Americans in the movie "Anna and the King of Siam", and it is fully worthy of a second-class medal.

The belated medal award ceremony was held in the Rangsit Hall of the Thai Royal Palace. The heavy rain was still falling, and the wind was howling outside. Under the marble columns, little Rama, wearing a sexy vest, hugged her beloved dog and whispered to Sirindhorn, who was dressed in a gorgeous dress.

"What book are you holding?"

"Against the Cold Current."

"Is it also written by Yu Qie?"

Sirindhorn shook her head: "It's a martial arts novel written by a Malay writer."

Little Rama was as if facing a formidable enemy: "Martial arts novels are not allowed to be read in Thailand. These Chinese always write martial arts novels to criticize the government and refuse to sympathize with the court's difficulties. How can you, a princess, read these?"

Sirindhorn really shouldn't watch it.

She could only say: "I read this novel because the author used Yu Qie's life experience as a reference to shape the hero in his novel."

"Yu Qie again. You've said a lot about him recently. Do you really want to find a Chinese husband? My father won't agree."

Shilin Tongdao: "I just admire Yu Qie's literature and ideas."

Unexpectedly, this statement made little Rama look down on Sirindhorn. "I originally thought you liked her because of her looks and fame, but I didn't expect it was because of her thoughts... Maha Chakri Sirindhorn!"

He called out Sirindhorn’s name!

"You bring shame upon me. You are unworthy to rule over my people."

Little Rama said: "Everything is innate to us. We are born nobler than others... No matter how noble a person thinks he is, he will succumb to power and wealth. I will show you next..."

"What are you going to do?" Sirindhorn said helplessly.

"Nothing to do with you!"

Despite the bad weather, the atmosphere in the palace was very warm. Rama IX could be considered the "honor" king of Southeast Asia. He was not good at awarding medals to himself, but preferred to award them to others.

Whenever the local situation reached a stalemate, Rama IX would come out to award medals to both sides, and broadcast it live on television to let the people see how he calmed the disputes like an elder in the palace. During this process, even the best people in Thailand had to prostrate themselves devoutly before the king to show respect.

Later, they even wrote this matter into law, that is, Thai civilians must kneel down when they see the King of Thailand.

But how could the compassionate King of Thailand put his foreign friends in an awkward position?
When Yu Qie met the King of Thailand, he not only did not kneel, he did not even bend over.

Just lower your head slightly and maintain basic courtesy.

Should Chinese people kneel down?

According to his research, the French explorers did not kneel, and neither did American Rockefeller IV. They just lowered their heads slightly.

Therefore, the cotangent is not needed either.

Rama was furious and shouted in Thai: "Even if you are a foreigner, you should at least bend down. You are being so disrespectful!"

What nonsense are you talking about?
I do not understand.

In front of a crowd of media and politicians, the Thai king spoke with a clear voice like a teenager. Sirindhorn excitedly translated these words into Chinese.

"What makes people prostrate themselves is never power, but the glitter of wisdom and thought. Come, child, come to me."

Yu Qie took a step forward.

"Come closer."

Then he walked forward. Until he stood in front of the King of Thailand, Rama IX looked up at Yu Qie with a satisfied look in his eyes.

"I studied abroad in Switzerland and my favorite novels were those of Hugo and Tolstoy. I once talked with Sirindhorn all night long about the Chinese classic Journey to the West, and I benefited a lot from the wisdom in it."

"This is the first time that the Thai king's medal has been awarded to a writer from China. Do you feel honored?"

Yu Qie replied: "This is our common honor!"

As he spoke, raindrops hit the golden eaves of the Emerald Buddha Temple in Thailand, like the strings of millions of Thai zithers breaking at the same time.

Sirindhorn thought about it again and again and finally translated this sentence. She saw that everyone in the palace was shocked and one after another, they looked at the King of Thailand fixedly.

The King of Thailand was not angry. He nodded slightly and said, "It is indeed our common honor. You are a loyal patriot."

Then, a nine-treasure lotus made of gold blossomed before Yu Che's eyes.

This is not only the totem of the King of Thailand, but also the medal awarded this time. It is placed in a red auspicious cloud box, and the cuff is also red. If you look closely, there is a red shining gem in the center of the Nine Treasures Lotus.

Worth a fortune, it represents a royal promise.

After putting on the medal, Rama IX held Yu Che's hand and motioned him to look in the direction of the media.

How important is this moment?
The flash lights in the Lansit Hall were all on, and Yu Qie tried to open his eyes and squeezed out a smile. Now, he was not too excited. The complicated and long wait had worn out his patience, and the tropical storm that broke out in the South China Sea also made him feel tired.

Although this moment will appear on the Panasonic TV screen in his home on Gulou Street, he would rather lie on the sofa and lazily watch the recording of this so-called "first time".

Zhao Zhongxiang's magnetic baritone will sound at seven o'clock:

"Yu Che, a young Chinese writer, won the third-class medal of the King of Thailand in 1984 for his novel The Way Out. This is the first time for a Chinese writer and also the first time for a non-Thai writer in Asia... His award will promote the mutual translation of Chinese and Thai literature, academic cooperation, and even become an opportunity for subsequent cultural exchanges."

It's just filling the gap again.

It was not until Sirindhorn read out his award speech that his heart suddenly beat a little stronger.

"Today, we crown a brave man who splits chaos with words with the glory of the King of Thailand's medal - Chinese writer Yu Qie. His novel "The Way Out" is like the first lightning of the Chao Phraya River in the rainy season, illuminating the eternal fire of dignity of the Chinese in desperate situations."

Is this the awarding speech written by Sirindhorn?

Yu Qie looked at Sirindhorn, who met his gaze with an almost imperceptible smile.

"Your Majesty's decree!"

A kind of tangible pressure surged in everyone's heart. It was first spoken by Sirindhorn, then spread at a speed of hundreds of meters per second, out of the Thai palace, out of Bangkok, and under the sky of the Indochina Peninsula. Tens of millions of Chinese passed through this place, scattered to various countries, and then took root. It has been more than 16 years since the th century, when history can be verified.

Millions of people are watching here.

"When children in the slums built pagodas with cans, and when old men in the mountains used shrapnel to melt bells and chimes, the boys and girls in "A Way Out" swam from the Yangtze River into the Chao Phraya River."

"Every rusty nail collected by the refugees in your writing resonates with the golden thread used by Siamese craftsmen to repair the Emerald Buddha; the half-jar of clean water passed by the hungry people in your description on the boat reminds us of the dewdrops caught by monks on bodhi leaves in the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai."

Shilintong said loudly:

"This medal is not only a sign of respect from the royal family, but also a petition from the thousands of hands groping in the dark - please continue to be the one who holds a torch high and is willing to bend down to light the way for the ants!"

"The saint's life is endless, and the Buddha's light will last forever."

"Awarding the Chinese writer, Mr. Yu Che, this third-class medal from the King of Thailand!"

(End of this chapter)