I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 449 Though it lasts for a hundred generations (Please select subscribe)

To be honest, I didn't want to write this chapter at first.

But I feel uneasy if I don't write.

It's a bit unreasonable, and a bit idealistic...

I guess you could call it a moment of impulsiveness.

Please subscribe selectively!
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Brian Glazer is back!
There was no point in Liu Jin staying, so he might as well go back to class.

After all, there's an exam coming up.

With the Glazers, the Shadow, and the Shanghai government in Shanghai, nothing bad should happen.

Besides, it's already coming to an end.

After nearly two months of working together, the entire crew operated like a sophisticated machine, very smoothly.

Liu Jin couldn't be of much help either!

……

However, a sudden phone call forced Liu Jin to change his plans at the last minute.

He originally planned to fly directly from Shanghai to Toulouse.

But Aunt Xiaotang's phone call forced him to go to the capital first.

"forum?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jin became anxious.

"Auntie Tang, I have no interest in organizing any kind of symposium."

I'm completely incompatible with those people. Besides, what could we possibly have to talk about?
I don't want to hear their criticisms or advice, and they'd never accept my views anyway. We're not on the same wavelength, so what's the point of talking?

"Xiao Jin, I know you don't like this kind of thing, but this is the reality of our country."

We all need to summarize our experiences and find a way to export our culture overseas. And from what we've seen so far, you've been the most successful.

Let's meet and have a chat.

If you can accept it, then listen; if you can't, just laugh it off.

"But I really don't know what to say."

"Then tell me about your creative process... Your books have achieved very good results in China."

Most importantly, people want to know how you captured Western tastes...it's also a way of sharing your experience.

When Aunt Xiaotang brought it up, Liu Jin couldn't very well refuse.

To refuse again would be like hoarding one's own worthless broom.

He didn't care, but...

Fine, I'll just go and show my face then!

The symposium that Aunt Xiaotang mentioned was organized by the Ministry of Truth.

We invited many professors and writers to discuss how Chinese literature can forge its own path in the Western world.

How to go?
You need to be fluent in a foreign language first.

Yes, you can hire someone to translate, but can you guarantee that those translators won't slip in their own biases?
Often, simply translating a work doesn't guarantee it will become a bestseller overseas; it's an extremely serious undertaking. And for Chinese authors, once they sign a contract with a foreign publisher, their work is no longer under their personal control.

It's not just a translation problem.

There are also issues of cultural differences and whether the publisher is dedicated.

For example, The Three-Body Problem is awesome.

But you have to admit one thing: the translator of The Three-Body Problem is also a science fiction author, and of Chinese descent.

He understands Chinese culture and is also familiar with American reading habits.

And the other party is a fan of Liu Cixin...

How about trying someone else?
In addition, many domestic writers are very good at self-deprecation and self-censorship.

In their articles, the image of China has almost become a fixed one...

Of course, foreigners like this too!
This satisfies both their voyeuristic desires and their vanity, which is why some works sell well.

Do you want to write a story about the inspiring and self-reliant spirit of the Chinese people?
Sorry, we don't like watching it.

……

And so, the symposium was held as scheduled at a well-known university.

The attendees were all highly respected seniors and scholars.

The meeting started normally.

Everyone discussed "The Old Man and the Sea" and "The Father Trapped in Time," praising the quality of the works.

However, as the discussion progressed, the topic of "Life Is Beautiful" inevitably came up.

"I believe that while the story of 'Life Is Beautiful' is certainly captivating, it contains too much personal emotion, which undermines the core of the story. Moreover, the story contains a lot of fictional content, which raises suspicions of deliberate smear campaigns, and I personally think that's inappropriate."

Over the years of reform and opening up, our economic development has achieved remarkable results.

But let's not forget that we received a lot of help from external forces during this process, such as Xiao Ri Zi.

They have provided tremendous support for national development, but we are still dwelling on the past, which will have a very negative impact on exchanges and development between the two countries. Some of my friends who are living simple lives have told me that "Life Is Beautiful" has hurt their feelings.

By the way, I heard this book is going to be made into a movie?

Xiao Liu should be more cautious and prioritize the overall situation... After all, economic development is the top priority for our country right now.

Things from the past should be let go, and can be let go temporarily.

The speaker was a professor from a well-known university.

Aunt Xiaotang, as the vice president of the film association, also participated in this symposium.

Her expression changed after the other person spoke.

However, judging from the reactions at the meeting, many people expressed their agreement.

They believe that Liu Jin's previous works, "Beautiful Life" and the currently being published "The Eye of the Ferocious Beast," are too out of touch with the times.

Liu Jin did not speak.

He sat there calmly, without saying a word.

But Aunt Xiaotang knew something was wrong! "Now, let's invite Mr. Liu Jin to speak as well."

The moderator of the symposium had a bad feeling.

She dared not let those people express their opinions anymore, and instead let Liu Jin speak.

I'll just say a few words, then the meeting is adjourned...

These old folks repeatedly told me before the meeting not to say anything bad, but it didn't seem to work.

"I actually didn't want to attend this symposium."

Liu Jin said with a smile, and casually patted the microphone.

Boom!

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became heavy.

"Because I knew all along that this would happen."

I told Aunt Xiaotang back then, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Our ideas and values ​​are different; sitting together will only lead to arguments. But Aunt Xiaotang said, "We need to have a broader perspective..." What the hell is your broader perspective?! Is this your idea of ​​a broader perspective?
Economic development is important, but does that mean we should forget the humiliations and hatred of the past?
Professor, I don't know if you have parents or ancestors... I do! My grandfather was a soldier, and my father was a soldier too. Unfortunately, I didn't join the army, but I will never forget that history.

Does economic development mean forgetting history?
Does the improvement of people's lives mean we can forget that hatred?
Do you know how much money these small businesses spend every year trying to rebuild their image around the world? Why? Because they don't want others to forget the crimes they committed in the past.

"Xiao Jin..."

"Auntie Xiaotang, let me finish."

After I finished speaking, I had to catch my flight...

The Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals, in the fourth year of Duke Zhuang's reign, contains this passage: "Can revenge still be taken after nine generations? It can be taken even after a hundred generations!"

The Chinese nation has never been one to forget, nor has it ever had the habit of groveling and begging for pity. I don't know when it started, but Chinese people have become fond of the phrase "repay evil with kindness." But if you ask me, screw it!
Repaying resentment with virtue, why repay virtue?

The Chinese government provided them with financial and technological support during our reform and opening-up process. But let's not forget that we also gave them a huge market of over a billion people. They used a little money and outdated technology to reap enormous profits in the Chinese market, and then hypocritically claimed to be helping us…

I bother!

We can still develop even without them!
The development of the Chinese people has never relied on any foreign assistance; it is the result of the hard work and dedication of 1.2 billion Chinese people.

We provide the world with high-quality and inexpensive daily necessities, and we export the world our most hardworking and intelligent workers.

Why should we say that our achievements today are due to the help of a simple life?

Liu Jin paused for a moment after saying this.

He looked at the people and continued, "When I was on an interview with America in France, I said that after the Germans were defeated, the German president could kneel down and beg for forgiveness. But what about Japan? According to the Potsdam Declaration, we could station troops in Japan, and we had the right to demand war reparations from Japan... but we gave up all of that!"

It is precisely because we gave up that they have achieved what they have today.

They should be thanking us for our kindness, not the other way around.

How come it's all reversed once it gets to your mouth?

"Xiao Jin, calm down."

"I can't calm down... I write overseas, enduring the slander and insults directed at my humble life."

But now that I'm back in China, I have to listen to your clichés. I don't quite understand it.

How did the once proud and servile spirit of the Chinese people, who once considered all lands under the sun and moon as their own, turn into such a servile and obsequious demeanor?
You told me to let it go!

Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to make me, or us, let go?
Sixty years ago, they burned, killed, looted, and committed all sorts of atrocities on our land... How come in your mouth it becomes a lighthearted remark about looking forward?

Have you thought about the 300,000 innocent civilians who perished in Nanjing? Have you considered the compatriots who were brutally tortured in the 731 laboratory? Iris Chang, a Chinese American living in the United States, wrote "The Rape of Nanking," and was subjected to all sorts of smears and attacks by the masses. Have you, the senior figures in the cultural world, ever spoken a word of justice for Ms. Chang?
You dare not, and you don't want to...

You're obsessed with friendship! But have they ever acknowledged it? Have they ever apologized?
You want me to give up my hatred now? I can't do it... and I regret attending this shitty forum.

You can continue to speak up for those idiots in the name of your friendliness.

But it has nothing to do with me... There is a famous saying by Zhuge Liang in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which I would like to give to this professor.

I have never seen such a shameless person as you...

Fuck you!

After saying that, Professor Liu Jin extended two middle fingers.

Then, ignoring the chaotic meeting room, he pushed back his chair, turned around, and left.

The leader of the Ministry of Truth, with a dark expression, also stood up and walked out.

Aunt Xiaotang and several others also walked out of the meeting room with dark faces.

……

"Xiao Jin!"

Aunt Xiaotang caught up with Liu Jin at the school gate, who had already hailed a taxi.

She stepped forward, but didn't know what to say.

Liu Jin laughed and said, "Aunt Tang, I've put you in a difficult position!"

"Hey, what are you saying? It's Auntie Xiaotang who made you suffer."

She patted Liu Jin's arm and laughed, "But it's good, your scolding today made me feel much better."

I went to France to study hard and write well.

Don't take domestic matters to heart... I reckon this time, the higher-ups will also be wary of this kind of thinking.

Well said! That was satisfying!

Haha, no wonder he's Liu Dasheng's son..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jin also laughed.

He hugged Auntie Xiaotang and got into the taxi.

At that moment, the car carrying the leaders of the Ministry of Truth arrived at the school gate.

The car window rolled down, and the leader said to Aunt Xiaotang, "This young man is quite vigorous... So, any complaints?"

"Ha, what could I possibly complain about? I didn't take it to heart at all."

"That kid fired a shot and then ran away... Good thing, it saves him from getting into trouble."

I've already had someone compile the content of today's meeting and will report it to the leadership... Since the reform and opening up, there are indeed some things we've overlooked.

……

(End of this chapter)