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

Chapter 276 The General Political Department issued an order to print and distribute the document to the entire army (Seeking monthly votes)

While Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin stayed in the Maiji Brigade, oblivious to the world around them, the outside world was already buzzing with noise because of the novel "Triumph at Midnight".

Since its release on the 15th, the daily sales of "Harvest" magazine have been increasing exponentially every day, showing no signs of slowing down.

Whether they were supporters or critics, once they stepped outside, they discovered that the sales of "Triumph at Midnight" were not affected by either criticism or support.

Readers across the country are voting with their money, and long queues have formed outside bookstores everywhere. People are shivering and stamping their feet in the cold, but they still want to buy a copy.

My mood for reading novels was even higher than my mood for preparing for the New Year. My family thought I had gone out for half a day to buy New Year's goods, such as radishes and cabbages, but I came back with a magazine.

Liu Yimin was extremely busy this year; these three words were on the lips of millions to tens of millions of readers across the country.

The discussions grew louder and louder, as did the criticisms, resulting in a severe polarization of public opinion.

A small portion of the critics weren't criticizing Liu Yimin's writing, but rather the timing of the novel's publication.

While everyone else was joyfully celebrating the New Year, he published a novel that broke people's hearts and brought them to tears.

Some sentimental readers even felt like crying when they read those last few words.

After the withdrawal from the war in 79, many people no longer paid much attention to it, focusing instead on the front lines of reform and their own daily lives.

Reading the novel suddenly reminded me of a group of admirable people who are guarding the border day and night in southern Xinjiang.

They fought bravely and fearlessly, amidst gunfire and laughter, and it was their heroic sacrifice that brought peace to the country.

Readers wept for the soldiers, for the protagonists in the novel, and for their love.

In January, no magazine could compete with Harvest in terms of sales, and no one even had the desire to.

Inside the editorial office of People's Literature, Cui Daoyi received cabbage and some vermicelli from the editorial department, but there was no smile on his face.

He really wanted to run to Liu Yimin's side, grab Liu Yimin's shoulder, and ask, "Yimin, is this what you call 'okay'?"

At the time, Cui Daoyi simply thought it was an "okay" novel. But compared to the reportage "Chinese Girl," his confidence soared!

"Editor Cui, don't even think about it. Yi Min's article is well-written, but it's also very controversial!" Xu Yi comforted him.

Cui Daoyi smiled faintly and said, "Only mediocre people are free from blame and praise. The sales of this novel have already proven that our readers and the people like this novel!"

"Comrades Zhou Yang and Xia Yan from the Ministry of Culture have already read this novel, and I believe they will also think it is an excellent novel!" Zhang Guangnian said as he stepped forward, gesturing for everyone to continue with their work.

"Old Cui, the article 'Chinese Girl' will be available to readers on the 1st of next month. 'Harvest' will publish it on the 15th, and it's a bimonthly magazine. I see that next month, our two magazines will inevitably compete for sales. Do you think Yimin's reportage can compete with his novel?"

When Zhang Guangnian asked him, Cui Daoyi smiled bitterly and said, "It's hard to say. The sales momentum is just too strong! There's no sign of it declining at all. It's like they're charging forward every day!"

“I also enjoy reading this novel; it’s so realistic. From a public standpoint, I want the sales of ‘Triumph at Midnight’ to keep increasing, but from a private standpoint, I also want the sales of ‘People’s Literature and Art’ to be even higher,” Zhang Guangnian said with a smile, taking a sip of tea.

"This military-themed novel is written by Yimin in a very bold and innovative way! Lao Zhang, I actually think it's written quite well. Our soldiers are steel warriors, but steel warriors also have a tender side and need our care!"

Cui Daoyi said.

“You’re right, you write the comment!” Zhang Guangnian said with a smile.

Cui Daoyi patted the table and laughed, "Alright then, I, as his senior brother, will have to worry about him a bit more. After all, he ran home to avoid a life of leisure!"

When Zhang Guangnian returned to his office, he received a call from the Ministry of Culture. Zhou Yang discussed the matter with Zhang Guangnian on the phone, while Xia Yan sat in Zhou Yang's office.

"We think it's fine."

Old Ba from Harvest magazine called, and he meant the same thing. We in the literary and artistic circles, at least the Writers' Association and the ministry, should support Comrade Liu Yimin.

We've already asked the military for their opinion!

Zhou Yang hung up the phone and looked at Xia Yan: "This Yimin also wrote a reportage?"

"Yes, it's very well written. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the entire literary world and readers will be discussing Yimin all of February!"

Xia Yan said with a smile.

"Yan University made an exception and appointed him as an associate professor. Interesting. The Chinese department is quite willing to invest in him!" Zhou Yang said with a smile.

"By the way, how's his article coming along? When will it be submitted to the ministry?"

"He said he has a lot to write and asked us to wait!"

"This young comrade is quite serious!" Zhou Yang said, and then fell silent.

In the compound of the Yanjing Military Region headquarters, Wei Wei walked towards the office of the top leader, holding the latest issue of "Harvest" magazine.

Wei Wei held a very high position in the military's arts and culture department. To say he was on par with Cao Yu in the drama world would be an exaggeration, but he truly served as a beacon, inspiring military arts and culture workers. As Wei Wei hurried along, his mind drifted to the scene of his first meeting with Liu Yimin, and the three of them—Liu Yimin, Yao Xueyin, and Wei Wei—sitting in the Mao Dun Literature Prize award hall, exchanging friendly greetings in their hometown dialect.

I greatly admire this junior from the same province, regardless of his talent, for his humble yet confident attitude.

"Report!" Wei Wei stood at the door and saluted.

"Come in!"

Inside sat an elderly man with graying hair, a strong voice, a ruddy complexion, and an air of authority that emanated from him.

"Hello, Chief!"

"Comrade Wei Hongjie, please sit down! I heard you and Comrade Liu Yimin are from the same hometown?"

"Yes, sir!"

What are your thoughts on the novel "Triumph at Midnight"?

"Commander, I think it's very well written!" Wei Wei said loudly.

Wei Wei's novels belong to the traditional military-themed novels.

"Comrade Wei Hongjie, tell me, what's good about it?" the leader said.

"Comrade Liu Yimin's writing style leans towards realism; he likes to write novels that are authentic. The good thing about this novel is that many parts are quite realistic. I believe that the soldiers on the front lines will also applaud him after reading it!" Wei Wei said.

After a while, Director Zhang from the August First Film Studio came in and said the same thing.

"Commander, I understand the situation at the front. Our soldiers are very brave, just like they were decades ago, unafraid of hand-to-hand combat or resisting explosive charges. But we must also acknowledge the problems. This is the pragmatic work style, and this is the first step in improving our work."

"Okay, Lao Zhang, I understand now. You should go to the General Political Department and talk to them. We can't let controversy ruin a good piece of work. Military-themed works are part of our propaganda work, and I think they're better than some other miscellaneous works!"

After the leaders of the Yanjing Military Region finished speaking, Wei Wei and Director Zhang left the office and headed towards the General Political Department.

In fact, Director Zhang of the August First Film Studio held a leadership position in the Cultural Department of the General Political Department, albeit a deputy position.

When Wei Wei and his companion arrived at the General Political Department, they began discussing the work "Triumph at Midnight" with the leaders of the relevant departments.

“Our previous military novels were limited to the military, discussing military literature in isolation, and were good at creating role models and finding heroes. But our soldiers are not born into the military; they have relatives in civilian life and are intricately connected with the local community.”

We must dare to connect the army with the people, the barracks with society, and soldiers with love, and bravely expose contradictions. Only in this way can we demonstrate the endearing qualities of our soldiers, their resilience and tenacity, and their sincere love for the motherland and the people! We must show that the love of Chinese soldiers for their country transcends personal interests; it is a noble and selfless love!

Wei Wei became more and more excited as he spoke, so the leader quickly poured him a glass of water and told him to slow down.

"Old Wei, Old Zhang, I know what you're saying. The comrades in the General Political Department all think this is a good work, and we're waiting for it too!"

As they were talking, the phone rang again. The leader nodded into the phone, hung up, and said:
"The commander asked why such a good work wasn't written by a military writer. He demanded that the military newspaper reprint it in full and ordered the General Political Department to purchase a batch of 'Harvest' magazines and send them to the soldiers on the front lines!"

"Great!" Wei Wei laughed loudly.

Director Zhang said, "We also want to turn it into a movie. The August First Film Studio will go find Comrade Liu Yimin to sign an adaptation contract!"

"Old Zhang, don't worry. This is such a good novel, and it involves military matters. It's not just a matter for your August First Film Studio to make it. The General Political Department also needs to consider it. If we're going to make it, we have to make it a classic!"

"Our August First Film Studio can also produce classics!"

"Old Zhang, don't worry! Let's talk to the Film Bureau!"

“Our Yanjing Military Region Comrades-in-Arms Drama Troupe also needs to stage a play!” Wei Wei said.

"I can't control that. Your Yanjing Military Region can put on a show, and the General Political Department Drama Troupe can put on a show too. Let's see who puts on a better show and then have a competition in the military."

"But Lao Zhang, when it comes to making movies, I hope you have a sense of the bigger picture!" the leader said with a smile.

As Wei Wei walked out of the General Political Department, he quickened his pace, preparing to return and begin preparations for the drama rehearsals of the Yanjing Military Region's Zhan You Drama Troupe.

Factory Director Zhang followed Wei Wei's footsteps and said helplessly, "Old Wei, wait for me! You're happy now, but I've worked for nothing in the end!"

“Old Zhang, you can’t say that. You have to have a sense of the bigger picture! The General Political Department and the higher-ups definitely want a good movie. It’s not like you’re guaranteed to lose the filming rights!” Wei Wei said with a smile.

"It's basically impossible now. If they trusted our August First Film Studio, they would have given it to us long ago. We got up early, only to arrive late. Sigh, how am I going to explain this back at the factory!"

"Haha, no matter which film studio makes it, it's all for our troops. Don't be so stingy, Lao Zhang!"

The following day, under the instructions of its leaders, the military newspaper printed and distributed the full text of "Triumphant Return at Midnight" to the entire army, completely silencing any dissent.

Those writing about the military, the military hasn't said anything, so what are you all shouting about?
(End of this chapter)