I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 478 French Academy Novel Prize

"Amos, what's wrong?"

Chloe noticed the change in Liu Jin's expression.

After he hung up the phone, he immediately asked.

"The Goncourt Prize was a failure."

"Nonsence!"

Ottilie's expression changed as well, and she slapped her mouth, saying, "I have such a bad mouth."

"It's none of your business, don't take it to heart."

As Liu Jin spoke, he poured himself a glass of wine and said in a deep voice, "It's Xiao Rizi's side that pulled the strings! The professor said that seven out of ten judges chose 'The Sun of Scotta'..."

Silence fell over the dining table.

Liu Jin sighed, then suddenly smiled.

"However, I won the Grand Prix de France for Fiction... Hahaha, the professor told me to go to Paris at the end of the month to receive the award."

As he spoke, he raised his glass.

"cheers!"

"cheers……"

Several people raised their glasses in a daze.

Chloe only realized what was happening after finishing her drink, and angrily said, "Amos, you're playing us."

"Haha, it's not really playing around, it's just creating some atmosphere."

Ottilie and Lala also realized what was happening and began to criticize Liu Jin.

Old Zhong, on the other hand, looked completely bewildered.

"So, is the French Academy's Grand Prix for Fiction more prestigious than the Goncourt Prize?"

Ottilie explained softly, "In terms of global influence, the Goncourt Prize has a slight edge."

However, within France, the Grand Prix de France (French Academy Prize for Fiction) has a slightly higher influence than the Prix Goncourt. Therefore, it's difficult to say which is more prestigious. The Prix de France aims to recognize writers and individuals who have made significant contributions to French literature and the dissemination of the French language… and the Grand Prix de France (French Academy Prize for Fiction) is the most prestigious of the Academy's many awards.

Most importantly, with this award, Amos might be next awarded a medal!

"what?"

Old Zhong was taken aback.

When Liu Jin heard the words "awarding of honors," he turned and looked at Ottilie with a puzzled expression.

What medal will be awarded?

"The French Order of Arts and Letters... was established in 1957 by the French Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Communications to recognize French and non-French people who have made outstanding achievements and contributions to French and world culture, and who enjoy a high reputation in the fields of arts and literature worldwide... It is also the highest honor awarded by the French government to the literary and artistic community."

Liu Jin knew something about this "award of honor," but wasn't entirely clear on the details.

Ottilie and Lala are both in the literary world, so I know more about them.

Like Chloe, she only knew about this matter, but she didn't know the specifics.

As for Lao Zhong, he knew absolutely nothing about it.

"What kind of medals are they?"

The French Order of Arts and Letters is one of the four ministerial honors of France, and it is divided into three levels.

The Order of the Legion consists of three ranks: Commander (Commandeur), Officer (Officier), and Chevalier (Chevrolet). The Commander rank is the highest, while the Chevalier rank is the lowest.

To date, France has awarded only three Commander ranks to Chinese nationals.

One is Academician Cheng Baoyi; you should know him, Amos.

Liu Jin nodded and said, "He's a member of the French Academy of Letters. The professor mentioned him."

Ottilie continued, "In addition, there is Mr. I.M. Pei, who received the Commander's rank in 1984."

The last one is from Hong Kong Island, Jin Yong… I think he's also a writer, very famous in the Chinese community. His works were previously published by Hachette, I believe. Old Zhong, you seem to really like him; he received the Commander's Medal this year.”

(In 2006, Zhang Yimou was promoted from Knight to Commander of the Order of the British Empire, but he was not in 04.)
"Master Jin Yong!"

Liu Jin and Lao Zhong both looked enlightened.

Ottilie said, "Amos won the Academy Novel Award this time, and he will definitely be awarded a medal next, but I don't know what kind of medal it is."

"That's it!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jin became somewhat disheartened.

It doesn't sound as prestigious as the Pulitzer Prize for Literature.

After all, his Pulitzer Prize for Literature is unique...

"Many Chinese people received medals this year."

The Director Jia you know is one of them, along with writers Yu Hua and Mo Yan.

By the way, Director Jiang, who was at your estate last time, received a knighthood this month. Also, there's Mr. Cai from Taiwan, who's also a director. It seems the Ministry of Culture has awarded quite a few medals to Chinese people this year, maybe a dozen or so in total.

Chloe said calmly, "This year is the Sino-French Cultural Year!"

"Ah, that's right!"

Liu Jin listened from the side, and the more he listened, the less interesting it became.

He changed the subject and asked, "Does that college novel award have a prize?"

"Yes, but not much, ten thousand euros."

"Ha, ten thousand euros is still money, hehehe."

"You don't seem very excited?"

"What's so exciting about it... So many people have won awards, it doesn't seem that valuable anymore!"

"This year is rather special."

Ottilie and Chloe exchanged a glance and smiled simultaneously.

It seems that Liu Jin takes this very seriously.

However, he simply didn't like sharing the honor with others.

"Don't think too much about it. You've only won the Academy Novel Award, which doesn't mean you'll get a medal this year."

Moreover, after this year, I estimate that the awarding of honors to Chinese people will become very strict.

Of course, if you can write another work comparable to *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*, you might get a Legion of Honour.

"Is there a difference?" "Of course there is a difference. That's France's highest honor, even more prestigious than the Order of Charles de Gaulle."

Liu Jin just pursed his lips and didn't say anything more.

……

On October 20th, the University of Barcelona approved Liu Jin's application for study abroad.

This also means that Liu Jin is about to leave Toulouse for Barcelona...

However, before going to Barcelona, ​​he also went to Paris.

After receiving the certificate and prize money from the Academy Novel Prize, he stayed for three more days to attend the Renaudot Prize ceremony.

He was last year's winner of the Prix Renaudot, so it's time to announce this year's winner.

"Amos, please forgive me for not being able to award you the Goncourt Prize this year."

The main problem is that your work this year... wasn't impactful enough. If *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* had been published this year, this award would have been given to you no matter what. But it's a great pity... please believe me, the jury conducted a very thorough and serious evaluation.”

This year's jury president is Edmund Charles-Roo.

The writer and journalist, born in 1920, is now 84 years old.

With his hair now completely white, he created the work "Forget Palermo," for which he won the Prix Goncourt in 1966.

Essentially, he is a relatively pro-China figure.

After Liu Jin announced the Renaudot Prize for Literature, he stopped Liu Jin from leaving.

He took Liu Jin to the Double Old Men's Cafe for a cup of coffee and explained the situation to him.

To be honest, he felt guilty about giving the Goncourt Prize to Gao Die this year.

Liu Jin could have won the Goncourt Prize last year; his novel *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* was selected as an ideal collection book by a book magazine.

But for various reasons...

In short, Liu Jin was ultimately rejected in the name of the centenary celebration.

Lu was a member of the judging panel last year.

He believed that Liu Jin was the only one who should have won the 04 Goncourt Prize.

At least Liu Jin's novel "Inception," with its boundless imagination and extraordinary writing style, is worthy of winning the Goncourt Prize.

However, the judges rejected it because Inception was a non-French language work.

Yes, that's true!

Inception was originally an English-language work.

But to be honest, Lu didn't accept this reason.

If four judges approve this year, Lu, as chairman, can use his two votes to nominate Liu Jin. However, with seven judges rejecting the nomination, even his two votes cannot change the outcome.

Lu felt very guilty about this.

Liu Jin sensed his apology.

He smiled and hugged Lu, saying, "It's alright. Once I write another work that rivals 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' I'm sure I'll win the Goncourt Prize."

His words exuded confidence.

Lu smiled upon hearing this and whispered in Liu Jin's ear, "I'm looking forward to it... Also, be careful of the little devils."

Once those words were spoken, it was as if the matter had been laid bare.

Liu Jin didn't win the Goncourt Prize this year; it's all because of bad luck!
Sure enough, those little devils are still determined to destroy me!
Moreover, it is very likely that this was started a long time ago, and it is definitely not a revenge tactic by Matsui Kosuke and his group after they were in prison.

It's very likely that Saito and his group had been planning this all along.

Liu Jin felt absolutely no sympathy for their plight.

He now only regrets that Lao Zhong and the others were too lenient before; they should have taught those three guys a harsher lesson!
Hmm, so gentle!

……

"It's alright. I heard that the new president of that overseas office has arrived in Paris. If you're still not satisfied, I'll have someone deal with them again."

After returning to Toulouse, Liu Jin complained to Lao Zhong.

Old Zhong couldn't help but laugh and said, "This time, I'm definitely not being gentle."

"Pull him down!"

Liu Jin couldn't help but laugh, "If you make another move, I reckon the whole world will know that I'm involved."

I am a writer, not a serial killer.

Besides, next year is the 60th anniversary, so let's put it aside for now and figure out a way to annoy them next year.

"Assassinate the Emperor?"

"Hey Hey!"

Liu Jin smiled but remained silent.

It's really not a good time to take action again.

Last time it was a coincidence, but if something happens again this time, it won't be a coincidence.

It is estimated that the French government will also take some action against Liu Jin at that time.

Let's bear with it for now...

That was all Liu Jin could tell himself.

……

After returning from Paris, Liu Jin began packing his luggage.

There are still many things to do before I leave.

First, the house needs to be looked after... otherwise it will break down if it's left empty for too long.

He called Alizee.

Alizee will return to Toulouse next month.

Afterwards, he told Eva and the others, and finally informed Leslie Cheung... He went back to Hong Kong Island with Anita Mui on business.

Anita Mui decided to sell her residence on Hong Kong Island and completely break away from that environment.

I reckon things will get lively over there for a while...

After arranging everything, he called Qianqian again before leaving, telling her to contact Chloe if she needed anything.

(End of this chapter)