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

Chapter 206 Removing Liu Xiaoqing

On the principal's seat in the playground, Principal Zhou Peiyuan looked at the students below the stage who were in an uproar, then looked at Liu Yimin, and said in a low voice to Vice Principal Zhang Longxiang next to him, "Look at this kid, he's more popular than me, the principal. But this can be considered as a way of vindicating our science and engineering disciplines."

Zhou Peiyuan is well-versed in relativity and fluid mechanics, and is currently the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Vice President Zhang Longxiang is Zhou Peiyuan's successor. After a batch of people resign, he will become the president of Yenching University.

"It's rare to see a liberal arts student like you focusing on the big picture. Look at the students below, almost everyone has one of his books!" Zhang Longxiang said with a smile.

“Yes, the school must be run properly; we can’t let these students down!” Zhou Peiyuan patted Zhang Longxiang’s hand.

Liu Yimin spoke for a long time until his throat was dry. A female student from the reporter's station next to him thoughtfully placed a glass of water in front of him.

After taking a sip, Liu Yimin looked around at the dense crowd below the stage and said loudly, "Finally, please allow me to recite a few lines of poetry for everyone to reflect upon. It is Zhang Zai's 'Four Lines of Hengqu.' If any of you know it, you can recite it with me."

To establish a moral compass for heaven and earth,

To establish a destiny for the people,
To continue the lost learning of the sages

To usher in an era of peace for all generations.

Not only the students, but even the professors stood up and read along with Liu Yimin.

As Yang Hui read on, he was deeply moved. He thought of how, in his youth, he had used anger as a torch to burn down the Zhao Family Mansion, and he couldn't help but shed two lines of hot tears.

The day when our century-long national humiliation will be avenged is here; now is the time for us all to rise up!

There were quite a few professors like Yang Hui. After sitting down, Yang Hui pointed to Liu Yimin, who was walking off the stage, and said to the people next to him, "This kid... this kid is really... he's practically half-buried in the ground, and he still manages to make me shed a tear!"

Yan Jiayan said in a low voice, "He'd be better suited to stay at the school and be a teacher!"

Yang Hui said in a low voice, "Then it's up to you!"

After a while, the opening ceremony officially ended. Fearing that there would be too many people and cause trouble, the school began to organize people to leave in batches. By the time the last batch left, the first batch had already been gone for a full hour.

The security personnel came to report that students from other schools in Yanjing were unwilling to leave, insisting that they wanted to see Liu Yimin again.

Zhang Longxiang said, "Isn't this ridiculous? How can we possibly see all these students!"

Zhou Peiyuan laughed heartily: "Being popular has its downsides. If it were me, this problem wouldn't exist."

The head of the security department was sweating profusely: "There are quite a few students from several schools. If we don't come up with a solution, something terrible is bound to happen. Principal Zhou, please stop laughing and think of a solution quickly!"

Zhou Peiyuan, realizing the seriousness of the situation, looked at the vice principal Ji Xianlin beside him and asked, "Old Ji, think of a solution!"

Ji Xianlin pondered for a moment: "Didn't you want to see Liu Yimin? Here's what we'll do: notify the Chinese Department and have them bring their precious children to the South Gate. That's why they all went out with us."

Zhou Peiyuan and Zhang Longxiang perked up considerably upon hearing this: "It's you again, Lao Ji!"

"That's settled then, Director Wang. Go to the Chinese Department and have them take the person to the South Gate. Then, the security personnel should be ready to maintain order nearby. They should take a look and leave; no one is allowed to linger."

When Liu Yimin received the notification, before he could react, several senior professors from the Chinese department jumped up in surprise.

"What was the school thinking? How could they do this?" the professors said with dissatisfaction.

Director Wang bent over and wiped his sweat: "The principal has no choice. It's not good for so many students to be here. If they don't leave, things will get out of hand sooner or later. Please, Chinese Department, help us out!"

Director Wang felt a chill run down his spine when he saw this group of old professors. Which professor in the Chinese department wasn't a master of insults? The worst part was that sometimes when they insulted you, you didn't even understand!
Liu Yimin said helplessly, "Director Wang, I'll go with you!"

"Yimin, good, good, let's go. You really have a good sense of the big picture!"

Upon hearing this, the elderly professors asked, "What do you mean?"

Director Wang didn't say anything, but pulled Liu Yimin outside. After taking a few steps, he gave them an apologetic gesture.

Yan Jiayan said to the professors, "I'll go check on it. I hope nothing bad has happened to Baoshu!"

When the security department brought Liu Yimin to the south gate, they immediately arranged for someone to notify the students lingering near the playground, and so they marched in a long line toward the south gate.

Liu Yimin greeted each student, with Yan Jiayan and Director Wang on his left and right respectively.

Some students wanted to get Liu Yimin's autograph, but were persuaded to leave by the security personnel.

After seeing everyone off, Liu Yimin sat wearily on a bench. Director Wang grasped Liu Yimin's hand and said, "Thank you so much, Liu Yimin. Otherwise, we really wouldn't know what to do!"

"You're welcome. As a student of Yanda University, it's only natural to share the burden for the school," Liu Yimin said nonchalantly.

"Professor Yan, your Chinese department has produced a gem!"

Yan Jiayan said calmly, "Everyone knows that!"

Yan Jiayan returned to his office, and Director Wang waved to Liu Yimin: "Liu Yimin, you're welcome to come and sit in the security office anytime."

After Liu Yimin finished eating at the dining hall and returned to his dormitory, he saw a group of people shouting "foreigner!" before he even went inside.

Pushing through the crowd into the dormitory, Liu Yimin looked at Li Congren, Kelifu, and others crammed into his room: "Liu, you spoke so well today!"

Liu Zhenyun pinched his nose and said from the side, "So this guy doesn't consider himself a foreigner!"

Liu Yimin talked with them for quite a while before finally getting the group of international students from Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press to leave the dormitory.

Before leaving, Li Congren asked Liu Yimin about the "Green Book." This time, Liu Yimin did not disappoint him: "Your American magazine, The Paris Review, has agreed to publish the article, but we don't know the specific publication date yet!"

"Liu, this is fantastic! This is fantastic! I must tell my friends in the US that as soon as it's published, I must tell them to buy it!" Li Congren said excitedly.

Several other international students nearby said, "This is such a good book, I hope it can be translated into multiple languages ​​and published in the future!"

"To celebrate this," Clifton said with a laugh, "I propose we go for a bath together sometime!"

The future Ethiopian President, Mulatu, said, "I have to go!"

Li Congren was very generous this time, saying that when it gets cold, he would invite all the international students from Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press to go for a bath and experience China's bathhouse culture.

After he left, Liu Zhenyun imitated Li Congren's voice and said a few words, which made everyone in the dormitory burst into laughter.

When Liu Yimin went to the washroom to fetch water to wash his face, Li Xueqin said, "Sigh, Yimin's book has already been published in the United States!"

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking of asking!” Liu Zhenyun said.

"Then why didn't you ask?" Chen Dazhi asked.

Liu Zhenyun glared at Chen Dazhi and said, "I'm not asking!"

"Yimin's last speech was so exciting, let me tell you how to learn it... Finally, please allow me..."

"Yes, it's so moving! That voice is still echoing in my head." [Finally, please allow me to recite a few lines of poetry...]

In the morning, Liu Yimin was explaining the customs and lifestyle of Tibetans on the stage of the Beijing People's Art Theatre's rehearsal hall. Next to him was a Tibetan army uniform made in the clothing workshop. The tiger-head hat was made very realistically. The only regret was that the hat was missing feathers, but they had already sent someone to look for them.

Liu Yimin explained the local customs and hierarchical structure in great detail, and all the actors and directors were taking careful notes.

After finishing his speech, Liu Yimin went down from the stage and sat down with Ouyang Shanzun and the other two. Zhu Lin sat in the back, studying attentively.

"Yimin, I heard you gave a great speech at the opening ceremony of Yenching University! Half of the students in Yenching went to listen to your speech, and after it was over, they didn't want to leave!" Ouyang Shanzun said with a smile.

"Half of Yenching University's college students? That's a bit of an exaggeration. I don't know what happened. It's just an opening ceremony, and so many people came. The original intention was to welcome the new students of Yenching University, but students from Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, and the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics all showed up!"

Zhu Lin whispered from the side, "Teacher Liu is very popular!"

Lan Tianye said, "Your words have spread throughout Yanjing: 'A century of national humiliation awaits its day to be wiped away; now is the time for you all to rise up.' Yes, we have stood up, but the century of humiliation has not yet been completely washed away."

At noon, Liu Yimin originally intended to eat in the canteen, but Zhu Lin pushed him to walk outside the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Once they arrived at the courtyard, Zhu Lin took out a box of pastries from her bag and placed it on the table.

"Did you make these mooncakes?" Liu Yimin asked, looking at the slightly burnt round cakes.

"Yes! You should try it. Don't let its ugly appearance fool you, it tastes delicious!"

Zhu Lin picked up a piece and handed it to Liu Yimin. Seeing that Liu Yimin didn't believe him, he stuffed it directly into his mouth.

"Zhu Lin, that's a bit too violent!"

Liu Yimin tasted it and could taste many flavors, but he couldn't tell that it was a mooncake.

"How is it?" Zhu Lin asked expectantly.

Liu Yimin finished his meal with difficulty and said, "It was very well made, but please don't make it again next time!"

Zhu Lin's smile slowly faded, and he sighed, saying, "I thought you were going to praise me!"

"What? Does our Zhu Lin want to hear praise?"

"Let's be honest! I'll think about it again later, and I'm sure I can make it taste good. I'll go to the kitchen to cook. What would you like to eat, Teacher Liu?"

I'll eat whatever you make!

Zhu Lin blushed and smiled, then looked down at the mooncake: "You're lying, you don't like mooncakes!"

During lunch, Liu Yimin asked with concern, "How does it feel to be learning from three teachers?"

"It was a bit challenging. Actors and directors have different perspectives. Teacher Lan and Teacher Su taught me a lot of ways to change perspectives and look at a play as a whole."

There were good things too. I told my parents I wanted to switch to directing, and they were incredibly supportive, especially my mom, who was overjoyed. That night, my dad fell off the bed with a really loud thud. When I asked her about it in the morning, she said she was so happy she couldn't help but kick him off the bed. Teacher Liu, isn't that hilarious?

Looking at Zhu Lin's beaming face, Liu Yimin pursed his lips and said, "Funny, really funny!"

"What? You don't believe it?"

"I don't disbelieve you, how could I not believe you?" Liu Yimin said to Sanhua beside him, "Isn't that right, Sanhua?"

Sanhua: Meow~
Zhu Lin went to the Beijing People's Art Theatre in the afternoon to continue learning from the three of them. Liu Yimin stayed in the courtyard house. Wang Yan came over in the afternoon.

The script fee was given to Liu Yimin; the total script fee was 1,300 yuan.

Wang Yan said with a smile, "Yi Min, what do you think of the actors in 'Mr. Donkey'?"

A list was handed to Liu Yimin, who glanced at the list of male actors.

Hmm? Guan Zongxiang? Lao Bao?

Liu Yimin looked at it carefully. Guan Zongxiang was playing Pei Kuishan, who was in love but could not get the love he wanted. However, in "The Bao Family", Guan Zongxiang played the honest and simple Lao Bao. He didn't know if he could portray the blackened Pei Kuishan who was in love but could not get the love he wanted.

However, Liu Yimin has faith in the acting skills of these veteran actors.

Furthermore, the actresses for the female lead Zhang Yiman and the principal's daughter Zhang Jia have not yet been decided. Liu Yimin asked, "Hasn't it been decided yet?"

"Not yet. We have several actresses with good looks in our factory: Liu Xiaoqing, Li Xiuming, Zhang Jinling, and Zhang Liwei. We're currently choosing from these four. What are your thoughts?"

"What? You still haven't made up your mind?"

"Yes, all four of them were competing. Liu Xiaoqing was very popular. She specifically approached me and said she wanted to play Zhang Yiman."

Liu Yimin noticed that he had circled Liu Xiaoqing's name in red, indicating that he had a certain inclination towards him.

"I think Zhang Jinling played Zhang Yiman well. She acted very well in 'From Slave to General,' playing the Yi girl Soma!"

“Yimin, you like this movie too? I directed it!” Wang Yan said as if he had found a kindred spirit: “Zhang Jinling is indeed a good girl. She has a strong sense of responsibility. Actually, I wanted to choose her.”

"Then go for it! I support you. Jiajia can choose Li Xiuming. She's young and suitable for playing young girls."

After finishing his sentence, Liu Yimin added, "But you'll have to see for yourself, since you're the director. I personally think Liu Xiaoqing and Zhang Liwei aren't really suitable for the role!"

Zhang Liwei's face is a bit chubby, so she can't portray that kind of feeling! As for Liu Xiaoqing, well, Aunt Qing will have to choose another role!

“Okay, then let’s remove them. That’s what I meant too. There are too many opinions from the factory. If you ask me again, I’ll just send you away. Time is tight, and we don’t have time to waste on that. If you have time, I hope you can come and guide our work.” Wang Yan said happily.

When this script was presented at the internal meeting, quite a few people were arguing about it. Unfortunately, little did they know that the decision had already been made internally, so arguing was pointless!

"I'm looking forward to watching the movie! Are you going to Inner Mongolia to film it?" Liu Yimin asked with concern.

"Yes, to Montreal!"

"Then you all need to be careful, it gets cold early in Inner Mongolia!" Liu Yimin said with concern.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." Wang Yan rode off happily on his bicycle.

Montreal starts to get cool in September, and it gets cold very quickly. I wonder how Wang Yan will film it!
In the evening, Zhu Lin knocked on the door and came in. Liu Yimin opened the door but she didn't come in. Liu Yimin asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Zhu Lin stammered, and Liu Yimin reached out and patted her head, asking, "What's wrong? Just say it!"

He happened to be standing at the door, and Aunt Liang saw him clearly. However, Aunt Liang doesn't really care about his private affairs anymore. She considers him a good comrade and often tells him about her progress in finding a house when they meet.

"Dean Cao invites you to his house for dinner!"

"That's it!"

"Let me go too!"

(End of this chapter)