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

Chapter 216 Public Opinion Preparations Take Effect
Liu Yimin politely declined Zhang Guangnian's suggestion to submit an article to the "Literary Gazette." Although this represented Zhang Guangnian's support for him on behalf of the Writers' Association, it also signified the deep connection between Liu Yimin and the Writers' Association.

Ge Luo walked out of his deputy editor's office with a teacup in his hand. He had been transferred from Poetry Journal to People's Literature and Art, and he had no trouble adjusting to the new environment, because he was also a veteran of People's Literature and Art.

"Yimin, seeing you in People's Literature and Art magazine really feels like reuniting with an old friend from afar!"

Ge Luo's teacup was still filled with wild chrysanthemum tea from the mountains of her hometown.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Comrade Lao Ge, you're excelling in both poetry and prose. When are you going to send me some wild chrysanthemums from your hometown? I'm feeling a bit feverish lately!"

"Feeling hot and bothered? My wild chrysanthemums are a cure-all!"

Zhang Guangnian said, "Old Ge's wild chrysanthemums are really potent. Lately, I've been going to his office every now and then to get a little bit. I told Old Ge, wild chrysanthemums aren't anything special, why do you have to hide them away like that!"

"This was a gift from relatives back home. They only sent one bag, and it'll last me a year!"

Liu Yimin waved to the editors and walked into his office with Ge Luo.

"Take a look and see if these wild chrysanthemums can cure your fever!" Ge Luo handed several sheets of paper to Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin glanced at the pen name above and his expression changed: "This pen name is yours. You wrote the commentary in the evening paper a few days ago?"

“As editors, it’s not appropriate for us to use our real names in our writing. Besides, who doesn’t have a few pen names?” Ge Luo said with a smile.

"Comrade Lao Ge, I am very moved!"

When Liu Yimin saw the pen name in the evening newspaper, he thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure out who was speaking up for him.

"What's there to be moved about? You're a junior from Henan Province, so it's only right that I say a few fair words. When it comes to debating with others, as the center of public opinion, it's right that you shouldn't easily step in. When you do step in, you should have a decisive impact. Be clean and efficient, and don't get bogged down in arguments. Even if you win after a long debate, the other party won't lose out; their reputation will grow!"

Ge Luo looked at his fellow villager and said earnestly.

Liu Yimin also understood that many young people were not actually famous or had any outstanding works. If Liu Yimin really went over and argued with them, the readers would see the other party as a stranger, but he would become famous because of the argument.

Such incidents are common in online flame wars and in corporate marketing.

How can an unknown company that has just entered a new industry quickly become famous? The answer is to criticize the industry leader. It's simple and saves on advertising costs.

Liu Yimin walked out of "People's Literature and Art" and carefully read another article of the newspaper that Jiang Zilong's editor, Xu Yi, had given him.

The gist of it is two sentences: those who go up the mountain should not laugh at the gods coming down, nor should they mock the gods going up!

Back in the courtyard house, Liu Yimin wrote two thank-you letters and sent them out. He then sent his manuscript to the newspaper and "Yanjing Literature and Art".

Upon seeing Liu Yimin, Zhou Yanru of Yanjing Literature and Art magazine exclaimed happily, "Yimin? What brings you here?"

"I have a review I'd like to submit to your literary criticism section, Comrade Zhou. Take a look and see if it's acceptable to publish it?" Liu Yimin handed the manuscript to Zhou Yanru.

Zhang Dening poured a cup of tea from the side and handed it to Liu Yimin: "Yimin, look at you, Sister Zhou can't hide her smile when you come. If you come often, Sister Zhou will look several years younger in a while."

"This comment is pretty good, Yimin. I think you could switch careers and become a commentator!"

“Commentary is a fundamental skill for the Chinese Department at Yenching University; it’s our livelihood, and we can’t forget it,” Liu Yimin said.

Zhang Dening: "Unfortunately, my commentary skills have never been very good. I, as the senior sister, am ashamed in front of my junior brother!"

"Yimin, I really have to thank you. You recommended Comrade Wang Zengqi's 'The Novice,' and this novel gave our editorial department a significant boost in sales. As a result, Comrade Wang Zengqi has become a rising star in the literary world!"

Zhou Yanru spoke sincerely about the sensation caused by "The Novice" in the literary world, saying that if it weren't for Liu Yimin, they would have missed this sensation!
"I'm ashamed to say that I'm just passing on what I've learned. The person I really want to thank is Comrade Wang Zengqi; it's his writing that's so good," Liu Yimin said politely.

"Even if the flowers are borrowed, we're the ones who deliver them; they weren't sent to *People's Literature and Art* magazine. But we're still waiting for your real flowers!"
We estimate that your short story "Receiving the Precepts" will win a short story award this year, though we can't say exactly which prize. Fortunately, there aren't any strong competitors like you in this year's short story category.

Zhou Yanru pulled Liu Yimin aside for a chat in the editorial department. After a few words with Liu Yimin, the person in charge, Li Qingquan, returned to his office.

After a brief discussion, Zhou Yanru said, "Then we'll publish this commentary in the next issue's commentary section."

"Thank you, Comrade Zhou!"

"Don't mention it, we're all friends!" Zhou Yanru and Zhang Dening saw Liu Yimin off as he left the "Yanjing Literature and Art" magazine.

After Liu Yimin rode his bicycle away, Zhang Dening asked with a hint of anxiety, "Sister Zhou, why didn't you ask Yimin if he's writing any novels?"

"De Ning, you're still too young. Once we post this review, the novel will follow!" Zhou Yanru patted Zhang De Ning on the shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"Yimin is the kind of person who reciprocates kindness with kindness. Last time we held a seminar on 'The Flames of War in Beiping,' although he didn't submit a manuscript, he introduced us to the manuscript of 'The Novice.' Now let's publish a review and wait for the manuscript to be received!"

Zhou Yanru carefully analyzed the situation for Zhang Dening, and Zhang Dening listened and realized that it made sense!

However, he added, "I'm afraid Yimin will send someone else over again!"

"No way!" Zhou Yanru said subconsciously as she watched the figure disappear down the street in the distance.

Zhang Dening said helplessly, "Old Cui is the senior brother, and I am at least a senior sister. The treatment of a senior sister is much worse than that of a senior brother!"

"Old Cui has been doing this for decades. I've worked in the editing industry and barely managed to work under him a few times. Neither he nor Zhang Shouren of 'October' are easy to deal with. 'October' is gaining momentum, so we need to unite more authors."

Furthermore, Yimin's commentary is indeed excellent. These critiques of poetry debates can bring considerable influence to our journal, *Yanjing Literature*. *Yanjing Literature* cannot be absent from the clash of viewpoints.

Zhou Yanru took Zhang Dening back to the editorial office, and the two of them reread Liu Yimin's commentary, "Is the debate about poetry or poets?"

Liu Yimin's commentary for Poetry Journal was even more direct, calling some people "poets" who spout nonsense and criticizing some poets who constantly talk about "staying angry" as worthless.

Some poets always say "anger breeds poets," and they're angry about this and that all day long, as if they can't write poetry without being angry!
Liu Yimin has his own understanding of the saying "anger breeds poets." It's perfectly normal to feel intensely agitated when seeing something, leading to a strong urge to vent and create.

Throughout history, from Qu Yuan's "Li Sao" to "Song of Everlasting Regret," countless masterpieces have been written in a state of grief and indignation.

However, some people use the excuse that "anger breeds poets" and fall into extreme revelry, wanting to bite every passerby they see in order to "stay angry." How can that be allowed?
Think about how the person who gets bitten feels!
After seeing Liu Yimin's comment, Zou Huofan of Poetry Journal couldn't stop laughing and exclaimed that the criticism was well done!

"Yimin, I think you're a master of commentary! If insulting is an art, then you're an artist!" Zou Huofan said cheerfully. Liu Yimin glanced at him: "Wasn't this whole farce your doing? Old Zou, you're the instigator!"

Zou Huofan waved his hand: "I didn't tell them to do that. When those young people came to submit their work, I even advised them to speak properly! Do you think I wasn't angry? I was angry too! The way they're messing things up is just like the old big-character posters!"

They criticize that kind of thing in their poems, but then they use it themselves in real life. Oh dear!

"I'm handing this commentary over to you for publication. To be honest, it's the most vehemently written commentary I've ever written, and also the one I'm most satisfied with!"

"It's like a manifesto!" Zou Huofan exclaimed. "When I was young, I cursed just like you!"

After leaving the Poetry Journal, the editors in the office marveled at what they saw. After a while, Yan Chen came over, finished reading, and said, "A bunch of people who are just spouting nonsense, that's a pretty apt description."

"An experienced hunter in the jungle doesn't fire indiscriminately in the woods; he carefully targets his prey before striking calmly!"

Liu Yimin handed over the revised script of "Red River Valley" to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. The directors were very satisfied after reading it and did not offer any further suggestions for revision.

After reviewing the script, the Ministry of Culture offered virtually no suggestions for revision. The United Front Work Department, however, raised some objections; the Beijing People's Art Theatre accepted a small portion, but the rest were rejected.

So Zhi grabbed Liu Yimin's arm and said, "Yimin, the funds for 'Red River Valley' will be given to you after the Ministry of Culture allocates the funds. What do you think?"

"No problem!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Then it's settled. I'll give it to you as soon as the funding comes through." Yu Shizhi patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder, and this time he finally didn't sigh.

Liu Yimin came to the rehearsal hall and watched the rehearsal for a while. The actors' movements were much smoother after being polished, and their lines were more and more profound.

"Is the script finished?"

"All revised!"

"Yimin, do you know what the happiest thing about being a director is?" Lan Tianye turned to look at him.

What is the greatest happiness?

Lan Tianye said smugly, "This film isn't even finished yet, and there are already great scripts waiting for you! You can't possibly finish directing it!"

"He means we need to hurry up and write the script for the next one!" Su Min replied.

"Even the landlord's farmhands get rest!"

"Hahaha!"

As they were talking, Su Min walked up and began instructing an actor on his movements: "You must portray anger. You are facing invaders, butchers who have killed countless people, invaders who have robbed us of our money, killed our families, and burned down our houses. You must show ferocity and murderous intent!"

Su Min's voice echoed loudly in the rehearsal hall. The actors quickly adjusted their expressions. Su Min said, "This only shows anger, not murderous intent!"

"Killing intent! I want killing intent!"

Su Min continued to give instructions on the stage, and after a while, he finally stepped down from the stage, satisfied.

Zhu Lin made a few notes in his notebook about how to guide actors' eye expressions!
During the break, Zhu Lin asked Liu Yimin about the comments. Liu Yimin smiled and said, "I've found a home for each of the comments, and they'll be published next month!"
The newspaper's will be ready in a few days!

"Teacher Liu, I believe in you, you can definitely do it!" Zhu Lin clenched her fist to reassure him.

"Haha, of course I'm relieved!"

The next day, the China Youth Daily was the first to publish Liu Yimin's commentary. Yu Jiajia was really kind; after Liu Yimin gave her the commentary, she took it directly to the editor-in-chief.

Let's return to poetry itself and look at the issues from the perspective of poetry itself!

When the China Youth Daily staff saw this, they knew they had to publish it. They squeezed out a commentary that had already been scheduled for publication, and it was released to readers early the next morning.

This was Liu Yimin's first reply, which naturally attracted everyone's attention, and many people pointed to the article and discussed it.

A reader holding the newspaper exclaimed, "Hey, Comrade Liu Yimin has finally responded!"

"Yes, it should have been responded to a long time ago!"

Some people, seeing the articles in the newspaper, became so angry that their faces turned ashen, and they prepared to write a few articles based on their "anger" and then post them in the park.

In this commentary, Liu Yimin argues that shortcomings should be criticized, while strengths should be learned. All poetry should be treated equally; one shouldn't react with anger and factionalism at the slightest criticism.

A significant portion of the readership doesn't care about literary criticism; what they care about is poetry.

The true audience for these comments is people in the literary and poetry circles, as well as some students who are extremely interested in the literary and poetry circles.

Junior and senior high school students might recite Liu Yimin's "Just Right" and "The World," but asking them to read a dry and boring literary review is asking too much!

"Liu Yimin is finally going to make his move. It seems his previous commentaries were just a prelude!" a poet remarked.

As the standalone edition of "The Kite Runner" began to circulate in the market and among readers, the waves of public opinion grew increasingly turbulent.

Yu Jiajia took her camera and went to the entrances of several Xinhua bookstores to take photos and conduct interviews, obtaining first-hand information.

After interviewing many readers about their opinions on "The Kite Runner," I went to Yenching University to find Liu Yimin, but unfortunately, he wasn't there. After some effort, I finally found Liu Yimin's courtyard house.

Yu Jiajia knocked on the door and said helplessly, "Comrade Liu Yimin, why didn't you tell me your new address!"

"I forgot, I forgot, it's my fault!" Liu Yimin quickly apologized.

Yu Jiajia walked into the courtyard and said happily, "The Kite Runner is selling like hotcakes! I interviewed several readers, and they all praised you!"

"What are you praising?"

"I'm so proud of you, you have a big appetite!"

(End of this chapter)