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

Chapter 309 Delegation to the United States

After reading it, several elderly professors took out handkerchiefs and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of their eyes.

While weeping for the young soldiers, she seemed to be recalling her own childhood. Back then, she was on the front lines of the struggle to save the country, and although she did not give her life, she was prepared to die.

Both Wang Yao and Wu Zuxiang had participated in various national salvation activities.

Wang Yao sighed, "With such young people, how can the nation not prosper! When I was trapped in my hometown after leaving Yanjing, I should have done the same and abandoned my studies to join the army. Thinking of this, I feel ashamed!"

Seeing the professors looking so sad, Liu Yimin quickly poured each of them a cup of tea to cheer them up.

As they talked, the group began to reminisce about their youth. Wang Yao recounted her participation in the anti-autonomy student movement in North China, while Wu Zuxiang spoke of drafting the "Declaration of the All-China Federation of Literary and Art Circles for Resistance Against the Enemy" with Lao She.

Liu Yimin found an opportunity to slip away, rode his motorcycle to People's Literature and Art Publishing House, and handed the novel to Cui Daoyi.

While reading the manuscript, Cui Daoyi said, "The sales of this issue of People's Literature and Art have reached one million copies. The Green Book has generated a lot of controversy and many people have read it. There are also quite a few supporters. Many people believe that this can break the blind faith in the United States and the West."

In 83, there was a wave of pollution control efforts in China, but it ended very quickly.

Liu Yimin took a sip of tea without speaking. Xu Yi brought him several letters from readers to read. Liu Yimin glanced at them and saw that most of the letters sent to the magazine were supportive.

Those who want to criticize Liu Yimin have already gone to the newspapers; no one would read those articles in magazines!
After reading "The Acacia Tree in the Minefield," Cui Daoyi was excited, wondering if this novel could replicate the sales miracle of "Triumph at Midnight" and at least bring the magazine's sales to two million copies.

"Senior, don't get excited. You still need to see if it's suitable for your People's Literature and Art magazine!"

"Suitable? Of course it's suitable! It can't possibly be unsuitable!" Cui Daoyi laughed loudly and ran towards Zhang Guangnian's office.

It felt like, "Finally, it's my turn."

After reading it, Zhang Guangnian felt there were absolutely no problems. After all, "Triumph at Midnight" had already been published and had even won praise from higher-ups.

This piece, "The Acacia Tree in the Minefield," couldn't possibly be unsuitable for publication; who wouldn't want to receive praise from their superiors!

"This novel can only be published in January. At that time, the first printing will be 1.5 million copies. We'll make sure we have a large inventory and strive to make our People's Literature and Art magazine the first in the country to reach a monthly sales volume of 2 million copies." Zhang Guangnian was full of ambition, as if he could already see the scene of "The Acacia Tree in the Minefield" becoming a bestseller.

Liu Yimin stayed at People's Literature and Art for a while longer. Just as he was about to leave, Cui Daoyi stopped him and suggested that he bring the accumulated letters from readers to Liu Yimin's courtyard house.

"Okay, anyway, I don't have class today!"

Cui Daoyi said enviously, "Being a university teacher is so comfortable. You, as a graduate student, are also living a good life, not having to teach a single class!"

"In a few years, how about you recommend me for graduate school? That would be so much more comfortable!" Liu Yimin joked.

"Don't provoke me, I really can do it. A master's degree, who wouldn't want that? It could give me a raise of ten or twenty yuan!" Cui Daoyi said while moving readers' letters.

Xu Yi joked, "Yi Min, shall I call you teacher in advance?"

"Hahaha!"

The readers' letters filled a tricycle, but it still wasn't enough to hold them all, so Liu Yimin had to ask Cui Daoyi to carry them another time.

"Senior brother, could you help me find a courtyard sometime?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Daoyi remained silent for a long time before finally grumbling, "Why do you want to buy again?"

"Senior brother, with all these reader letters coming in, we'll need to find a place to store them. We'll need to divide the mailroom into sections: China, Europe and America, Japan and Korea, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Am I right?"

Cui Daoyi thought about it and realized it made sense. Yimin International has more and more readers now, what if they also have the habit of writing letters to readers?
“However, this courtyard is enough for you!” Cui Daoyi advised.

"Senior brother, that's another matter. Inflation has been so severe these past two years, prices are rising, and money is becoming less and less valuable. We need to convert our money into other things! If we buy a yard, we definitely won't be able to sell it for the same price later, don't you think?"

Cui Daoyi and Liu Yimin had a good relationship; Liu Yimin wouldn't usually talk about this with just anyone.

Upon careful consideration, Cui Daoyi realized it was true; prices had indeed risen sharply. Between 78 and 80, prices rose rapidly, and the government implemented strict policies to control them. They were only brought under control last year, and while things have improved somewhat this year, prices are still rising.

"I hope the government can control it. Everything has been going up in price these past two years, except wages. I'm still only making a few dozen yuan a month. If it keeps going up, I really won't be able to support my family!" Cui Daoyi shook his head and said helplessly.

Cui Daoyi thought for a moment, wondering if he should do something with the little savings he had at home!
The outbreak was brought under control for the first two years, but it started again in 85. Just as it was brought under control in 85, it started again in 87.

It was brought under control in 90, but started again in 94.
“Okay, I’ll keep an eye out. Our editors know a lot of people, and quite a few want to sell their courtyard houses. But are you sure these courtyard houses will really make money in the future?” Cui Daoyi asked. “The location is great. I went to Paris, and the housing prices in the city center are incredibly high. Think about it, senior brother, the closer to the city center, the more convenient it is, right? The more convenient it is, the more people want to live there, right? But there are limited houses, so won’t the price go up?”

Cui Daoyi hadn't studied economics, but he understood the principle that scarcity increases value: "According to you, everyone living in this tiny place now will be rich in the future!"

"That's not entirely true; it also depends on the timing of the sale. Besides, such a small place won't be easy to sell in the future; the only advantage is that it's convenient to go to the Forbidden City!"

"Alright, looks like I'll have to attend some economics classes at Yenching University from now on!" Cui Daoyi walked away with a smile.

However, I basically forgot about it after I left. What made me happiest was getting "Acacia Tree in Minefield".

Besides, with the little savings we have, we can't afford to buy anything we want.

In 82, a traditional courtyard house cost over ten thousand yuan. To think you could buy a three-courtyard house for a few thousand yuan was nothing short of a pipe dream.

In other words, Liu Yimin has already doubled his money on these two courtyard houses.

At the Ministry of Culture, Zhou Yang and Xia Yan sat in front of Liu Yimin, smiling as they handed him a list.

“We plan to take this opportunity of your award to send a delegation to the United States. This delegation will mainly consist of colleagues from the literary and publishing circles to learn from the United States’ advanced publishing experience and also attend your award ceremony!” Zhou Yang said.

Xia Yan put it even more plainly: "We're worried that you might get bullied if you go abroad alone. After all, you're the only Chinese face among the twenty award-winning works. We, your family, have to go and support you, right?"

Liu Yimin glanced at the list and felt relieved. Going to the United States alone would be a bit boring. Going with the Ministry of Culture delegation would make everything much more convenient.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to apply for the visa by myself. I would have asked the ministry to help me!" Liu Yimin said.

"Haha, we made this decision on the spur of the moment. We heard that the O. Henry Prize committee publishes all the winning works together, which is an idea for us."

"Can the winning works of the Lu Xun Literary Prize be put together every year? And can the Mao Dun Literary Prize, which is awarded every four years, also be put together?" Xia Yan asked.

The list provided by the Ministry of Culture included Wei Junyi, president of People's Literature Publishing House; Chen Yuan, general manager of Commercial Press; and Xu Chi, an old acquaintance of Liu Yimin. Xu Chi was fluent in English, and he was needed to act as a translator for the others.

The remaining accompanying personnel are still being selected, and will be officially chosen in early December.

"Thank you for your care, leader. With my family backing me up, I will be more confident!" Liu Yimin said politely.

Zhou Yang laughed and said, "Haha, we should also be careful, after all, our relationship with the United States is on the rise!"

"We welcome friends with good wine, but we also have to deal with wolves with shotguns!" Liu Yimin thought to himself. This meant that he had found a few people to keep him in check and prevent him from getting too carried away.

Xia Yan said, "Old Zhou, Yimin has always been reasonable and has a strong sense of the big picture. Don't worry, he won't do anything reckless!"

"Since both leaders have put it this way, I will try my best!"

"Of course, restraint is not a sign of weakness; it means not looking for trouble but also not being afraid of it!"

After Zhou Yang finished speaking, Liu Yimin and Xia Yan got up and left his office.

Xia Yan smiled and said to Liu Yimin, "Actually, this matter was not only decided by the ministry, but Comrade Xu Chi also told the ministry about it."

When Chinese cadres and scholars at all levels go abroad, they inevitably encounter all sorts of tricky problems and unexpected situations. Having a few veteran comrades with them can make things a little easier. Comrades Wei Junyi and Chen Yuan are both veterans on the literary and artistic front, with many acquaintances who can handle many problems.

Even if something happens, you're a young person!

Xia Yan abruptly stopped speaking, leaving Liu Yimin to guess the meaning behind her words!
"I see!"

"Good that you understand. There will be many more opportunities like this in the future, so practice more. Comrade Ba Jin frequently traveled abroad, and perhaps it will be your turn to do so in the future. The mission of spreading Chinese literature will ultimately be entrusted to you young people!"

"Your sudden remark made me feel as if a tremendous burden had been placed upon me!"

“Young man, go for it!” Xia Yan said, then remembered the movie “Triumph at Midnight”: “By the time you come back from America, the movie will probably be edited. Come to the ministry then and let’s review it together! You can ask the ministry to handle the foreign exchange issue.”

A few days later, Xu Chi arrived in Yanjing from Hubei Province. He didn't go to his brother-in-law's house, but went straight to Yanjing University.

Liu Yimin was giving a lecture, and Xu Chi was sitting below listening!

(End of this chapter)