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

Chapter 31 The Power of Words

Late at night, Liu Yunsheng, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, chatted with Liu Yimin for a long time. Aside from a few initial remarks about the novel Liu Yimin was currently writing, Liu Yunsheng tactfully refrained from further conversation. He longed to see Liu Yimin's completed manuscript, but refrained from doing so.

He only glanced at the first page, discussed the subject matter briefly, and then stopped. He knew that Liu Yimin would show it to him if he asked.

As a writer, he knew there was one thing he absolutely couldn't do: steal a colleague's manuscript. He could tolerate being a small-time writer, but he would never allow himself to be a thief. If he were afraid he couldn't resist reading it, he simply wouldn't.

“Yimin, I know you are upright and honest, and you haven’t experienced the dark side of people. You must keep these manuscripts safe. We are a group of people who have read books and written articles. We often pride ourselves on being noble and proud, but we are also ordinary people. We also have our own interests, and some people are capable of doing things that are blinded by greed,” Liu Yunsheng instructed.

The two then discussed current trends in literary creation, particularly the increasing number of literary works produced over the past decade. Liu Yunsheng also wanted to explore this area in his writing and sought Liu Yimin's advice.

"The subject matter is very important. Lao Liu, your idea is right. If it's for publication, of course it's fine. I've read quite a few works recently, and often criticism of a single point becomes broad criticism, and what was originally normal criticism becomes exaggerated criticism."

Confronting and exposing suffering is right, but the writing often results in distortion and exaggeration. Looking at your previous articles, they lean towards realism and mostly narrate from a rural perspective. I think you might find inspiration in this land.”

Liu Yimin's words made Liu Yunsheng frown and ponder. He wanted to refute them, but he also felt that what Liu said made a lot of sense. After thinking for a long time, he still couldn't figure it out. He could only shake his head, stand up and say, "Yimin, you are so young, yet you have such insights. Even if you don't get into university, someone like you won't stay at the cultural center."

To remain clear-headed amidst the overwhelming discussion—that's what a true writer does. I'll go back and think about it carefully; you should get some rest too.

Recently, Lu Xinhua's "The Wound" was published in Wenhui Daily, which aroused strong reactions across the country. The term "scar literature" has also begun to appear in newspapers, and the literature published during the ten-year period of criticism has gradually been referred to as "scar literature".

Liu Yimin glanced at it and felt it was overly written. He believed that all criticism should be based on facts.

Thinking of this, I opened the draft on the table again, preparing to complete the latest plot before going to sleep.

"The College Entrance Examination in 1977" is a story about a group of educated youth who returned to the city after the resumption of the college entrance examination in 1977. The resumption of the college entrance examination is a major national event. This year, the government and the People's Daily have frequently issued the latest notices and commentaries on the exam, each sparking public discussion.

It can be said that any slight movement regarding the college entrance examination can trigger a nationwide reaction.

Writing "The College Entrance Examination in 1977" at this time was perfectly timed.

The film is set in a forest farm in Northeast China, where life for educated youth was far more difficult than in Henan Province. These educated youth, from all over the country, settled down in the Northeast, chanting slogans of fighting against nature every day.

Suddenly, news of the resumption of the college entrance examination spread throughout the entire forest farm, and the farm instantly erupted in excitement. Their long-dormant hearts began to stir; they knew this was one of their few opportunities to return to the city.

The film opens in a farm where Pan Zhiyou, a model youth and a favorite of Lao Chi, the director of the forest farm's revolutionary committee, suddenly falls in love with Chen Qiong, a female educated youth with a bad class background. Lao Chi has high hopes for Pan Zhiyou and naturally cannot stand idly by.

However, instead of using force, he separated Chen Qiong and her father by recommending her for university. Just then, Chen Qiong's father, Chen Fude, secretly went to the vicinity of the educated youth settlement. He came there to make up for his neglect of his daughter and secretly tutored the educated youth. Old Chi watched as the educated youth, preoccupied with the college entrance exams, became less enthusiastic about production and gradually stopped obeying orders as before. Therefore, he used every means to prevent them from taking the university entrance exams.

For educated youth to take the college entrance examination, they needed his stamp. The official seal in Lao Chi's hand was like a mountain, pressing down on the educated youth and making it hard for them to breathe.

The rift between the educated youth and Lao Chi widened, and ultimately, under the educated youth's anger, Lao Chi had no choice but to compromise. Lao Chi also realized his mistake and regretted his absurd actions.

Finally, Lao Chi actively helped the educated youth take the college entrance examination, relieving them of any worries. On the day of the exam, Lao Chi personally escorted them to the examination hall. He sat outside, anxiously hoping that these educated youth would succeed.

While the other educated youths worked hard to answer the questions, Pan Zhiyou filled out the entire test paper but did not hand it in; he chose to stay on the farm.

Those who want to stay will eventually stay, and those who don't want to stay can never be forced.

Of course, Liu Yimin wouldn't copy it entirely; he would adapt it. The story's setting was changed to a farm in southern Henan, where the Tongbai Mountains were home to many educated youth, making it a good location for research.

"The College Entrance Examination in 1977" is essentially a work of literature about educated youth sent to the countryside. However, the protagonist is not an educated youth; he is a farmer. Therefore, the main focus of the story needs to be slightly altered, as farmers like him are also the main participants in the college entrance examination.

The story adds the character of Li Tianyi, a young man of the same age as the educated youth. When the group of educated youth, led by Pan Zhiyou, first arrived, they not only complained about the farm's environment but also frequently clashed with nearby villagers. Some of them even stole chickens from villagers' homes.

Old Chi, the director of the farm's revolutionary committee, was very satisfied with Li Tianyi, so he asked him to cooperate in reforming the thinking of these educated youth. Over time, Li Tianyi developed a deep friendship with these educated youth.

Li Tianyi's optimism inspired the group of educated youth, and Li Tianyi also longed for what they saw and heard in the city.

When they learned that the college entrance examination had been reinstated, they agreed to take the exam together.

Liu Yimin did not delete the love story between educated youth Pan Zhiyou and Chen Qiong. Love is a precious thing, and readers love to read about it.

Furthermore, he didn't focus too much on the part where Lao Chi prevented everyone from going to school, but rather on the part where Lao Chi supported everyone's education and encouraged them to study. When the educated youth felt frustrated because of their studies, Lao Chi even used his own revolutionary experiences to inspire them.

This made everyone realize that beneath Lao Chi's tough and stern exterior, he was just a kind old man, and one who had made great contributions.

He strives to be realistic while maintaining a positive and uplifting tone, avoiding an overly depressing style. He aims to bring positive energy and encouragement to people living in poverty and hardship.

(End of this chapter)