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

Chapter 220 "The Past Was Slow"

Inside the study, Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong were engrossed in reading Liu Yimin's novel. They even forgot to drink the hot tea that Liu Yimin had brought them.

After a long while, Lu Yao looked up at Liu Yimin and said with a complicated expression, "I finally know how you got your courtyard house! Two scripts, two novels, plus an essay, your royalties are beyond my reach!"
"I've been revising and editing this article for ages, and it's still not finished. Wow, you're moving so fast!"

"I'm far inferior to Comrade Zilong. I heard that a few years ago when he was writing, he could write more than 10,000 words a day? Comrade Zilong, is that true?"

Jiang Zilong chuckled and said proudly, "It's true. When the creative urge came, I couldn't stop it. I felt that if I didn't write it down, the next day's version would definitely not have the same flavor."

But there's a difference between us. I need to rest after I finish writing, but you create continuously!

"The more I see, the more I want to write!" Liu Yimin said modestly.

"Well said, you've seen a lot and have a lot to write about. When are you planning to submit your work?"

Liu Yimin wrote both "Mountains High and Rivers Long" and "Red River Valley" as novellas. Apart from "Red River Valley" which still needs some improvement, "Mountains High and Rivers Long" is already fine.

"I'll submit them after I finish writing both. I plan to combine them with 'The Kite Runner' and call them the 'Homeland Trilogy.' What do you think?"

Liu Yimin explained to them the background and reasons behind his naming the work "Homeland Trilogy" at the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Jiang Zilong said, "Yimin, you have a good teacher!"

"Yes, I really like all the scripts written by Mr. Cao Yu. I even envy Yimin for being Mr. Cao Yu's student."

Lu Yao praised it, saying that the "Homeland Trilogy" sounded extraordinary.

"You two want me to invite you to see a play at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, right?"

"Haha, that makes sense. After watching a play at the Beijing People's Art Theatre last time, I felt it was much better than our Tianjin People's Art Theatre. I still remember it fondly!" Jiang Zilong said.

"No problem, just because you two stood up for what's right, I'll get you a few tickets!"

The three of them talked a lot, and in the evening Liu Yimin treated them to a play called "Wang Zhaojun".

As Lu Yao walked out of the Beijing People's Art Theatre and saw Zhu Lin standing intimately next to Liu Yimin, she immediately realized what was going on and said to the two of them, "Looks like you two are officially dating!"

Jiang Zilong pulled Lu Yao aside and asked her the reason. After hearing Lu Yao's explanation about "borrowing" the bamboo, Jiang Zilong laughed and said, "You two really are a perfect couple!"

Liu Yimin asked Lu Yao and Lu Yao to stay in the courtyard, but the two felt they were disturbing Liu Yimin, so they went back to the writers' dormitory of People's Literature and Art.

Because he had classes the next day, Liu Yimin had to return to Yenching University. On the way, Liu Yimin rode his bicycle with Zhu Lin, and Zhu Lin's laughter echoed continuously on Chang'an Avenue.

“Teacher Liu, this is called ‘those who follow the right path receive much help, while those who stray from it receive little help!’” Zhu Lin said proudly.

"Did you send Chu Hong to find me?"

"Yes, she lives nearby, so I asked her to keep an eye out for me. I'll have to treat Chu Hong to a meal next time!"

Looking at the dark alleyway beside the main road, Liu Yimin said for Zhu Lin's safety, "Why don't you stay at the People's Art Theatre or in the courtyard tonight? Rehearsals end late in the winter, and I'm worried about your safety!"

Zhu Lin glanced at Liu Yimin, then looked around: "It's alright. I'll take something with me for self-defense another day. Actually, since leaving the Beijing People's Art Theatre, it's always been the main road, so nothing will happen!"

"It's best to be careful!" Liu Yimin advised.

After Zhu Lin returned, Liu Yimin rode his bicycle back to Yenching University.

The campus of Yenching University was quiet except for the streetlights. When he passed by the Triangle Area, he heard the articles posted there rustling in the wind, and he couldn't help but go over to take a look.

After searching back and forth on the notice board in the triangular area, the flashlight finally stopped on an article in the middle.

Is he a new poet? Or an angry poet?

The above quote is from Liu Yimin's words in the dining hall: "Always angry, always angry, let's just call him the 'Angry Poet'!"
Liu Yimin smiled slightly. Interesting. He just didn't know who wrote it. Once he found out, he would go over and shake hands with the author.

On the way back to the dormitory, there were students reciting their lessons under the streetlights. Some people recognized Liu Yimin and greeted him. When they met an outgoing student, they chatted for a few minutes.

I actually met a few of the big shots who would become big shots later on.
When Liu Yimin returned to the dormitory, several people were discussing something with the lights off. When Liu Yimin shone his flashlight in, they mistook him for the dormitory supervisor.

"Yimin, why are you back?"

"Of course he has to come back tomorrow, he has class!"

Several people tucked their heads under the covers, leaving only their eyes showing. Liu Yimin saw the three of them and said with a smile, "You're all sleeping so early? Look under the streetlights, how many students are studying hard? Is the night for sleeping?"

As the cold wind blew in from the stairwell, Liu Zhenyun shrank his head further inside: "Why is it so cold this year!"

"Yimin, do you know what? A lot of people in our school are now calling the members of the Enlightenment Poetry Society 'angry writers.' I bet it won't be long before the whole of Beijing knows!" Chen Dazhi, wrapped tightly in his blanket, laughed heartily!
"I wonder who did it, but their summary is really good!" Li Xueqin said.

Sometimes this kind of labeling and tagging method might seem a bit unrefined, but it's really useful!

It's estimated that it won't be long before someone cuts ties and draws a line!

Otherwise, being called an "angry person" by everyone would be incredibly frustrating.

Liu Zhenyun hid under the covers, chuckled without saying a word, and pulled the covers tighter around him.

"Yimin, I didn't expect that after your previous commentaries and interviews were published, the other side not only didn't surrender but dared to fight back!" Li Xueqin said, cursing.

"No wonder it felt so warm when I got back to the dorm, your words are so thoughtful!" Liu Yimin quickly took off his clothes and climbed into bed.

The sheets were as cold as iron, making Liu Yimin shiver.

Following the publication of the review in Yanjing Literature and Art, the review in Poetry Journal followed closely behind, with one after another commentary that was full of fighting spirit and also had a touch of literary flavor. Readers and the poetry circle had become accustomed to it.

Besides Liu Yimin himself and the comments supporting him, many others spontaneously joined the attack. These included either Liu Yimin's readers or those who were following Liu Yimin's lead and trying to profit from the situation.

I used to be so criticized that I couldn't even lift my head, but now that I finally have a chance, I have to seize it.

Newspapers and magazines throughout Beijing joined the criticism, and it even began to spread beyond the capital. Particularly in the provinces where some of the Misty Poets lived, such as Fujian Province where Shu Ting was from, the Fujian Daily even opened a special column, inviting well-known poets and literary critics to comment.

Previously, the Fujian Daily was a major forum for discussion, and now it's even more evident.

Seeing this, the members of the Enlightenment Poetry Society realized that things were really hopeless, and newspaper commentaries were relentlessly criticizing them, making them unable to lift their heads.

They were labeled as people who set off firecrackers indiscriminately, Angry Birds, screaming monkeys, angry poets, and so on.

Many poets who used to like to say "stay angry" no longer dare to say it easily, for fear that others will turn around and call them "angry people".

The group no longer had the urge to curse, because when they went out to buy newspapers, they found that almost everyone there was an enemy, and very few comrades.

Even those who speak up for them are praising the new poetry and adding a few declarative sentences to show that they also criticize the unfounded attacks and accusations.

In a classroom at Yenching University's Chinese Department, Professor Xie Mian was lecturing when his gaze inadvertently swept over Liu Yimin, his eyes filled with helplessness.

During the break, Xie Mian found Liu Yimin and talked about the recent turmoil, saying worriedly, "Yimin, we can't let this go on. This kind of argument will ruin modern poetry!"

“Professor Xie Mian, I was forced into this situation, as you know!” Liu Yimin said again, “I can’t stop it now. Besides, if modern poetry is destroyed because of this, its vitality is too fragile.”

Classic poems will endure regardless of changing times! If they don't, it means they've been abandoned by the times!

"Sigh, how did things turn out like this!" Xie Mian sighed, then said, "But at least it taught them a lesson!"

"Actually, the readers' attitudes speak for themselves. Everyone likes real, pure poetry and wants more classic poems in the poetry world, instead of running to the streets and shouting a few lines!"

“The student surpasses the master, Yimin, when do you think this will end?” Xie Mian asked.

"It may not depend on me!"

Xie Mian nodded and went to the side to smoke. Xie Mian had been working tirelessly for new poetry, and he certainly wouldn't be happy to see this.

But judging from the situation, Liu Yimin has no intention of stopping at least for now.

Zhang Manling only came over after Xie Mian left. She gave Liu Yimin a thumbs up, handed him the novel she had written, and asked him to take a look.
Liu Yimin glanced at the title, "There is a Beautiful Place," and realized it was Zhang Manling's famous work, which was later made into the movie "Youth Sacrifice."

It's just that the current version is very short. It describes how they first went to the countryside, sitting on the train saying goodbye to the crowds who came to see them off. On the way to the countryside, some girls even said: "Let the train crash, we don't want to live anymore!"
Upon arrival at their destination, the group was led by a caravan of horses and local Dai people to various unfamiliar places, where they would experience a different way of life and forge a deep friendship with the local Dai people.

In addition, there are the imaginations of love and the constraints placed on love by adolescent boys and girls.

The writing style lacks a strong narrative; it reads more like prose than a novel. The writing is delicate, but also carries a touch of affectation.

Even so, it was an excellent article for that era, and was later praised and published by Wei Junyi, the president of People's Publishing House.

It bears the scars, but does not focus on depicting the scars. Instead, it emphasizes the dialogue and integration between Han and minority cultures, as well as the dismemberment and reconstruction of their romanticism in the face of reality.

"Isn't it good?" Zhang Manling asked nervously.

"I think it's alright!"

"Then why are you frowning? You startled me." The girl from Yunnan Province immediately breathed a sigh of relief: "Do you think it can be published?"

“Of course, it can be published. If you can’t get it published, just come to me, and I’ll write one for you. Do you want me to introduce you to a magazine?” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zhang Manling said happily, "Great! It saves me the trouble of sending letters and waiting in line. If my manuscript isn't accepted, it will take a long time!"

"Wait until you finish writing!"

Zhang Manling looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Did you see my election document?" Her words were full of smugness.

"I've seen it; the community outreach work is quite good!"

"We still need your continued support, Comrade People's Liberation Army!"

In 80, students from Yenching University were allowed to attend the Haidian District Representative Conference. Zhang Manling was very active and even wrote a letter to voters and organized a girls' forum.

Liu Zhenyun wanted to read Zhang Manling's novel, but she slapped his hand, causing him to immediately pull it back in pain: "Zhang Manling, I am also a comrade of the people!"

"Hey, Comrade Liu Zhenyun, classmate, I'll let you see it after I finish writing it!" Zhang Manling said with a smile.

"Alright then!" Liu Zhenyun said, feeling wronged.

Just as many people were discussing the "angry poets," the poetry journal *Stars* published Liu Yimin's poem "The Past Was Slow."

Ever since receiving Liu Yimin's submission, the poetry journal *Stars* had been eagerly anticipating the day it would be published. Bai Xing personally approved "Slowly in the Past" and commissioned the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute to design the cover.

On the cover, the six Chinese characters for "Liu Yimin" and "From the Past, Slow" are almost the same size as the two characters for "Stars".

When Bai Xing held the poem "Slowly in the Past," he read a few lines and couldn't help but think of his past fighting career. He told everyone he met that after reading the poem, "The Jiangzhou Sima's blue robe was wet"—he almost cried his clothes wet.

While it may be an exaggeration, Bai Xing was genuinely deeply moved. Especially when an elderly person begins to reminisce about their past, whether it be the bittersweet memories or the joyful days, it can all touch their heart.

The entire editorial department of the poetry journal *Stars* had high hopes for this issue's sales. Leaving aside other publications, sales in Yanjing (Beijing) alone were expected to triple compared to last month.

When Bai Xing learned that the entire Yanjing was in an uproar, and that Liu Yimin was at the center of the controversy, he proudly held up four fingers and loudly told the entire editorial department that this time, the sales in Yanjing would definitely more than quadruple!
So, an additional 200,000 copies were printed for the first printing, sending more than three times the sales volume of the previous month's magazine to Yenching.

The people in Yanjing didn't want it, fearing they wouldn't be able to sell it all. Bai Xing confidently declared that if they couldn't sell it all, the editorial department would bring it back themselves; the only concern was that they might not have enough to sell and would have to beg them to transport it!
The person in charge of Yanjing scoffed at this, saying that even if it sells well, it can't sell more than three times the amount of last month's sales. Doubling it is enough. How can "Stars" compare to "Poetry Journal"? The latter is a major publication with many excellent poems.

Bai Xing wasn't angry, he just said, "We'll see!"
(End of this chapter)