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

Chapter 230 The entire literary world was envious

In the history of reportage in my country, Xu Chi's influence in this sub-genre is unparalleled. His work, "Göchbad's Conjecture," made people suddenly realize the power of reportage, and in the years that followed, Xu Chi began to focus primarily on this genre.

Although his writing direction later deviated slightly, resulting in limited literary achievements in his later years, his contributions to the writing and theoretical system of reportage are indelible.

The Xu Chi Reportage Literature Award, established in the early 21st century, is proof of his contributions to the field of reportage literature.

Liu Yimin took the People's Literature magazine into his room, intending to write a thank-you letter to Comrade Lao Xu.

Although Xu Chi's reportage focuses on his trip to Aba, it also covers Liu Yimin's entire life experience up to now.

No wonder Xu Chi kept asking questions back then; he had already made up his mind!
Wow, that's a brilliant idea!
After returning from my trip to Aba, I gave interviews, and many of the comments I made during the subsequent debates were also written by myself. In doing so, I was essentially praising myself in front of everyone.

Praising oneself has a completely different effect than being praised by others. Moreover, this person is a leading figure in the field of reportage, known to everyone both inside and outside the literary world.

Liu Yimin lay on the table, enduring the cold and stiff fingers, and wrote a thank-you letter to Xu Chi.

Of course, the letter of thanks didn't elaborate on this incident. Instead, it informed him that "The Green Book" had been published in the United States, and that Xu Chi's name, as the translator, had appeared in "The Paris Review," reaching American readers.

I believe that if this good news were told to Comrade Lao Xu, he would be even happier than if he had received a thank-you letter alone.

In the letter, he also wished Comrade Lao Xu a happy new year and hoped that he would reach new heights in literature in the coming year.

After finishing writing, he rode his bicycle directly to the commune's post office and mailed it.

The same staff member who helped Liu Yimin mail the letter a few years ago was the same one who had helped Liu Yimin mail "Mr. Donkey," but he didn't recognize Liu Yimin.

He sees so many people every day that it's hard for him to remember even one who sends a letter.

However, when "Mr. Donkey" was published in "People's Literature and Art", he was indeed excited for a while because the letter was sent by his own hand.

He felt that he had played a role in the success of the novel, and touching the words on the magazine made him feel proud.

After that, whenever someone sent him a manuscript, he would take a few careful glances and offer a few words of encouragement, but unfortunately, there were never any articles like "Mr. Donkey" again.

As Lunar New Year's Eve approaches, the house is bustling again, now with five people instead of four, making it even more lively than in previous years.

While making dumplings, Liu Fuqing and Yang Xiuyun were imagining their future family of six, then seven.

Hearing this, Gu Ping, the sister-in-law, blushed and lowered her head without saying a word, focusing only on making dumplings.

The eldest brother, Liu Yiguo, laughed and said, "Father, Mother, it can't be that fast!"

"Can't your mother and father even think about it? We've been thinking about it for years!" Yang Xiuyun complained.

Liu Yimin chuckled to himself, but the next moment the guns were turned on him.

"Second brother, stop grinning like that. You'd better hurry up too!"

“Mom, I’m in school. There’s a rule now that students can’t get married!” Liu Yimin said.

"They won't let us get married? Then let's take care of everything else first, like the in-laws meeting, and then we can get married right after graduation!" Yang Xiuyun said.

Liu Fuqing continued, "Rules are rules, but people are flexible. The organization also has to consider the actual situation. You're not getting any younger. If you weren't in school, you should have been married long ago."

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law, you two keep this up, I'm going to set off the firecrackers!"

After setting off the firecrackers, Liu Yimin ran into his house and didn't come out until it was time to eat.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, someone set off firecrackers first, and then the whole brigade started setting off one after another. He raised his wrist to check his watch, and it was only five o'clock.

Many commune members didn't have clocks at home; they would start setting off their own clocks as soon as they heard someone else do it.

Then thick smoke rose into the sky above every household in the Maiji Brigade, and the walls inside the courtyards were illuminated by the firelight.

The crackling sounds continued, and Liu Yimin was woken up by Yang Xiuyun and went to the yard to warm himself by a fire of cypress branches.

This is a tradition in Rucheng. Every year during the Spring Festival, every household will go up the mountain to cut some cypress branches, and on the first day of the Lunar New Year, they will light them in the courtyard. The whole family will gather around the fire to warm themselves, symbolizing a prosperous and thriving year to come.

Previously, due to the issue of the "four old" (referring to the old customs of the past), this custom had not been observed for many years, but now people have begun to revive it.

Cypress leaves are very oily, and when burned, the whole yard is filled with the fragrance of cypress.

Yang Xiuyun whispered auspicious words to ward off all diseases beside her. The fire burned quickly and went out just as fast. Only after the cypress branches had burned out did the Liu family begin to set off firecrackers.

The thick smoke from burning cypress branches and the smoke from firecrackers created the festive atmosphere of the entire Maiji Brigade.

1981 finally arrived, and heavy snow fell once again on both banks of the Kuye River.

Liu Yimin left his house and went to the home of Party Secretary Li Dashan to visit his father on behalf of Lan Yong.

In the bustling Maiji production brigade, the home of Party Secretary Li Dashan appeared somewhat quiet. He had three children, two of whom lived elsewhere. His daughter was married and would definitely spend the Spring Festival at her husband's home.

As soon as the door opened, Li Lanyong's mother hurried over and said, "Dad, Yimin is here. Yimin, come inside and sit down quickly."

"Auntie, I've come to see Uncle Dashan and you!"

"Oh dear, how could I let you come? You're a great writer now. What would you like to eat? I'll go get you some peanuts and melon seeds."

"Auntie, that's when he's outside. When he comes back, he'll still be the same Yimin you mentioned. What about Uncle Dashan?"

"After setting off the firecrackers and eating, he went back to lie down. I'll go wake him up."

After a while, Li Dashan came over wearing a cotton-padded coat: "Yimin, it's rare that you would come to visit this old man at home."

"Uncle Dashan, you're too kind!"

Liu Yimin sat and chatted at the Li family's house for a long time before leaving. Looking at his empty house, Li Dashan felt a pang of regret, as if lamenting that he had urged his son to seek fame and fortune.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, I met Li Lanyong's second sister, Li Lanxia. Li Lanxia was amazed by Liu Yimin's growth outside and joked that he was no longer the Liu Yimin who wore exposed-toe liberation shoes in the dilapidated cave.

"Yimin, if you get any news from Lan Yong, remember to write me a letter! If Lao San comes back, I'll definitely give him a good beating with a whip!"

Li Lanxia said through gritted teeth, but her eyes showed no anger, only worry and affection.

Liu Yimin stayed at home for a long time and even received a letter from Zhu Lin, with the word "Do Not" still attached to the back of the envelope.

In the letter, she told Liu Yimin about what was happening in Yenching. Thanks to the articles "Red River Valley" and "The Galloping Young Writer, Everywhere is His Home," sales of *People's Literature* surged, with almost everyone owning a copy.

When she went out to meet with friends, everyone was discussing the two articles. One was written by Comrade Liu Yimin, and the other was to introduce Liu Yimin to the public. The two articles complemented each other, forming a mutually supportive whole. Many people compared the details in "Red River Valley" with those in Xu Chi's reportage, and some even analyzed both articles together, creating an analytical report that circulated widely in the underground literary circles of Beijing.

Not long after the discussion of "Red River Valley" began, "Mountains High and Rivers Long" was published in "Yanjing Literature and Art", with the cover titled "Homeland Trilogy".

Following the main text of the novel, the author lists which novels are part of the "Homeland Trilogy".

A literary review was also published, stating that the publication of Comrade Liu Yimin's "Homeland Trilogy" signifies that the young writer's writing style is becoming increasingly mature, and his writing ideas and theories are beginning to show a systematic development direction.

Within a month, two novels were published. Compared to the enthusiastic discussions among readers, people in the literary world did not focus much on literary criticism.

Instead, they were all secretly envious and jealous, but they didn't dare let others know. They could only keep their jealousy to themselves!
Damn, how did Liu Yimin write so fast and so well!

More than half of the literary world's people have been fermented into sour radishes by years of aging.

The curator, Lao Zhang, would frequently visit Liu Yimin's home, followed by several of the curator's full-time writers.

The people who came each time were different. Liu Yimin learned after inquiring that the creative team members took turns coming to Maiji Brigade with Lao Zhang.

They call it "collecting folk songs"!
"What's there to collect from our house?" Liu Yimin said helplessly.

Old Zhang chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his fingertips, and said, "Then you can teach us how to do field research!"

"Comrade Xu Chi's reportage fully summarizes your field research experience. We organized our comrades to study it carefully and even held several discussion meetings. But according to you, your summary is different from others!" said Old Sun from the cultural center, his aged hands holding a pen and notebook, ready to take notes at any moment.

“Back in 78, I talked about some things with everyone at the cultural center.”

"Back then, you had just entered the world of writing, and your literary ideas were not yet mature. Now you are more mature and have a deeper understanding."

As everyone chatted amongst themselves, Liu Yimin sat inside the room and began to speak.

Yang Xiuyun brought roasted peanuts and melon seeds, as well as hot tea. They couldn't understand the language, but since it was early spring and the fields were bustling with activity, they put down their things and went to work in the fields with Liu Fuqing.

"Actually, the rural areas have just started implementing land contracting, and tremendous changes are taking place. These changes present opportunities for everyone, so you can go out and see more," Liu Yimin explained to everyone.

Liu Yimin also took them to his own land to experience the countryside. The curator, Lao Zhang, personally went down to the field to help Liu Fuqing and Yang Xiuyun plow the land. At first, Liu Fuqing was worried that they would get tired.

Later, overjoyed, with the help of several people, the Liu family's progress was the fastest in the entire brigade. Li Dashan even approached Liu Yimin, asking if he could bring people to help out in their fields.

"Uncle, we're here to collect folk songs!"

"Yes, yes, it's all the same whether it's picking from someone else's field or not. After you've finished picking from yours, you can pick from mine next."

"Go, go, go!"

Through sharing meals and work, some people actually came up with a few ideas, but it's unclear how well they'll turn out.

After spending the Lantern Festival at home, Liu Yimin took a car back to Yanjing. He first went to Yenching University to register. Yanjing had also experienced a heavy snowfall during the Spring Festival, and the roadsides were piled with dirty snow that had not yet melted.

Liu Yimin carried his luggage into the dormitory building. As soon as he entered the hallway, he heard the entire dormitory grumbling and cursing. The moment he pushed open the door, the group immediately fell silent.

Liu Yimin asked with a smile, "What were you three doing in the house just now? You were making so much noise!"

The group of people blushed, like children who had made a mistake, stammering and not saying a word. Liu Zhenyun turned around and pretended to be busy, constantly tidying up the bed sheets.

Seeing their expressions, he knew that the three people had definitely not said anything good about him.

"Sigh, it hurts!" Liu Yimin sighed and started climbing into bed to make the bed. After so long, the blankets felt like someone had splashed water on them. He wanted to air them out, but the weather made it impossible.

After Liu Yimin reported for duty, he left Yenching University, leaving the three people in the dormitory looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Did Yimin hear what we just said?"

"no?"

"They must have heard it!"

"Look what he just said, that he was heartbroken!"

"Hey, I bet they're just bluffing. Besides, we didn't say much, just a couple of insults about how fast he wrote!"

"Just a sentence or two? We've been here for almost half the day, and we've been here the whole time."

Liu Zhenyun counted on his fingers and said, "I didn't curse just now!"

"Tch, you're the one who curses the loudest!"

"Hahaha, serves him right! Who told him to write so fast and so well? Two novellas published in a month, over 100,000 words! Sigh, why can't I do that? I didn't even have a good New Year. I used to brag to my dad that Yimin and I were roommates, but now look what's happened. My dad is holding up a magazine and asking me, 'Why are they all Chinese literature majors? I can't write like that, but Yimin can!'"

Liu Zhenyun's pitiful look immediately amused Li Xueqin and Chen Dazhi.

"Who told you to like showing off?"

"Sigh, some people even ask about my dad. When he gets angry, he can only take it out on me."

How did they know?

“My dad told them too!”

"."

When Liu Yimin came out of the dormitory building, many people asked him how he could write so fast.

Liu Yimin earnestly told them that this was the result of his own hard work.

Look, what a simple and unpretentious answer.

Upon arriving at the courtyard house, we saw red couplets pasted on the door, the content of which had a literary flair. These couplets were written by Cao Yu and pasted up by Zhu Lin. While they were pasting, Aunt Liang from across the street even came over to help.

Pushing open the door, Sanhua jumped into Liu Yimin's arms and nuzzled affectionately against his arm.

The yard was spotless, and everything was neatly arranged.

Liu Yimin tapped Sanhua's nose with his finger and asked with a smile, "Have you caught all the mice in the house?"

(End of this chapter)