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

Chapter 314 Blood and Tears Under the Neon Lights of America

In the restaurant, after hearing Liu Yimin's words, everyone discussed it animatedly. Some scoffed, while others pondered them.

Some people also feel that Black people should not be used for comparison.

"The history of Chinese people in the United States is a history of blood and tears. I believe everyone still remembers the California Chinese Act of the last century. I know very well that it is not easy for Chinese people to survive abroad, and I also know that some Chinese people have achieved a high economic status after several generations or through their own shrewdness."

Whether rich or poor, I believe that for an ethnic group to survive overseas, unity is essential. While the United States is indeed a nation of immigrants, it also has its own mainstream ethnic groups.

Only by uniting and working together can we ensure that our own interests are protected to the greatest extent possible. Use your voting power to elect representatives who represent your interests and safeguard the interests of the Chinese community as a whole.

Of course, in Western countries like the US, anti-China sentiment has a natural political correctness. Some people, in order to integrate into Western society, willingly become lackeys, thinking they can gain favor, but they are merely groveling. Even Americans despise someone who doesn't love their own people.

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, Zhang Guangnian nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself that what he said was very well said.

"Only when Chinese people at home and abroad join hands can we strengthen the Chinese nation!" Zhang Guangnian said.

Some people in the association were looking around nervously, and it was unclear what they were thinking.

In the afternoon, the group, led by the Chinese Association, toured Chinatown. Liu Yimin saw many undocumented immigrants there, most of whom were forced to work illegally in restaurants.

"Some of them tore up their passports, while others came entirely illegally," Vice President Huang explained to everyone.

There were also some elderly Chinese people sitting alone on the street, staring blankly at the Chinese characters on the buildings on both sides.

As soon as the police entered the Chinese restaurant, someone secretly ran out through the back door.

The association members were already used to these things.

They talked to a few people and found that some of them were married in China but had abandoned their families to come here.

"Without a home, I'm hiding here like a rat. I don't know if it's worth it!" Xu Chi sighed.

"I'll just have to wait a few years until I get my green card!" someone said with a smile while eating dry bread.

"Many people from my hometown want to come here. Let's give it a try; there's always a chance!"

Back at the apartment, the group remained deeply moved. Zhang Guangnian said, "Once our country becomes rich, they won't need to go abroad to make a living!"

Then Zhang Guangnian discussed whether or not to hold a rally in support of the Chinese in Chinatown.

Historically, protests in Chinatown were ineffective, and the prison was eventually built there. More than forty years later, the nightmare returned, with an even taller prison rising from the ground.

Ultimately, Zhang Guangnian and Wei Junyi decided not to discuss these matters further, as they were, after all, American domestic affairs, and that the trip would only involve exchanges on literature and culture.

The following day, the literary award ceremony was held at Carnegie Hall on Seventh Avenue in New York, and the group drove there.

Carnegie Hall appears quite short compared to the surrounding skyscrapers. Its exterior is constructed of narrow Romanesque bricks, while the interior resembles a cathedral, with vaulted ceilings made of white plaster and gray stone; the overall color scheme is gold and white.

In the United States, a country with little history, a building constructed in 1891 became a National Historic Site in 1964.

Led by Edward, Liu Yimin, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, walked into the concert hall, looking out of place compared to the suits worn by those around him.

"Liu, the awards ceremony is about to begin. Many famous American authors have gathered here. There is Stephen King, who is currently one of the most popular bestselling authors in the United States. I believe you will like one of his works, 'The Shawshank Redemption,' published this year, which explores the power of freedom and the brilliance of humanity."

After the others took their tickets and sat down, Edward led Liu Yimin to Stephen King's side and introduced him with a smile.

"Oh? Liu, welcome, welcome! You're so young!" Stephen King warmly shook Liu Yimin's hand.

"Hello, Mr. Stephen, Edward just introduced your work to me, and I found it very interesting. I will definitely read it when I get home!"

Stephen King handed Liu Yimin a copy of "Four Seasons Tales," which included "The Shawshank Redemption."

Liu Yimin reciprocated by giving the other party an English translation of "Triumph at Midnight".

"Liu, could you tell me about the sales of your novel in China?" Stephen was a bestselling American author and wanted to know how big the Chinese literary market was.

"Less than 500 million copies!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Stephen hurriedly asked Liu Yimin if he had made a mistake, how could a book possibly sell 500 million copies in one country?

“Stephen, our country has a large population, and everyone loves literature, so five million copies is not surprising. Of course, very few books in China reach five million copies; most are around one million!” Liu Yimin said.

Upon hearing this, Stephen was deeply moved: "A million copies is already a lot!"

"I haven't even had a chance to congratulate you on winning the O. Henry Prize yet. Don't underestimate the small amount of money in the O. Henry Prize; it can increase publication and sales worldwide, and if you want to stay in the United States, you can even get writing grants from many universities with this award."

Money is a good thing; when I was poor, I desperately wanted to have money.

Stephen is known for writing horror novels. He came from a poor family and worked as a car mechanic in his youth. He worked during the day and wrote novels at night until his third horror novel became a bestseller, which finally lifted him out of poverty.

"I've spoken with you Chinese people, and you have a professional writing system. Many writers, even if they can't produce anything, can still have a job and a salary. It's different in America; most writers live in extreme poverty!"

"Liu, if there's an opportunity to make money, I advise you not to give it up!" Stephen said with a smile.

When Liu Yimin heard him say that, did someone want to poach him?
The awards ceremony officially began amidst the two's discussion, followed by a speech from the judging committee and the presentation of the awards.

The first prize went to "The Green Book," and the winning author was Yi Min Liu, a writer from China and an associate professor in the Chinese Department at Yenching University.

Amidst applause, Liu Yimin slowly walked onto the stage. Then the acceptance speech rang out: "The path depicted in 'Green Book' is a path of love and understanding, a path of tolerance, a path to eliminating discrimination."

A spotlight shone on Liu Yimin from above the stage, following his steps until it stopped in the center of the stage. Then, all the stage lights came on, and Liu Yimin officially appeared before the audience below.

Music and lights intertwined as Liu Yimin waved and greeted everyone. The fabric of his Zhongshan suit reflected the light.

Then came another round of applause, with Zhang Guangnian, Xu Chi, and others clapping enthusiastically from below the stage.

Wei Junyi, standing nearby, said to Zhang Guangnian, "We should also have some lighting for our Writers' Association awards ceremonies in the future." "This capitalist stuff is really impressive!" Wang Meng exclaimed.

Amid music and applause, Liu Yimin accepted the award from the organizing committee, along with a certificate and a prize of one thousand US dollars.

"grateful!"

Liu Yimin shook hands with the American who presented the award, placed the award certificate in front of his chest, and another round of applause rang out.

"Liu, I hope you will make even greater contributions to world literature!"

"Thank you!"

As the applause subsided, Liu Yimin went to the podium and began to deliver his acceptance speech, which was titled "Let the World Be Filled with Love."

He started by expressing his gratitude, and then, through the content of the novel, he extended the discussion to contemporary American society and the world, the content of which was full of the flavor of public intellectuals.

"The world should not be divided into friend and foe based on race. Every race is equal and basks in the same sunlight. We are all children of the earth and the sun."

I hope that there will be no more racial conflict on this land, just as Martin Luther King Jr. said.”

Xu Chi asked in bewilderment, "When did Yimin become so benevolent?"

“That’s so true! The world should be full of love!” Wei Junyi interjected.

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he wiped the "tears" from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, and then stepped down from the podium amidst applause.

Stephen looked at Liu Yimin, whose eyes were slightly red, patted his arm and said, "Liu, what you said is so true. If the world is full of love, I believe the whole world will be a better place."

"But this world is still full of discrimination and injustice!"

After the literature prize award ceremony, there was a Q&A session with reporters. When this session came, the members of several delegations held their breath.

“Liu, I’m a reporter from the Los Angeles Times. This morning I read an article in the Washington Post that said ‘America is not beautiful.’ I would like to ask, what is your view of America?” the Los Angeles Times reporter asked.

"My acceptance speech just now was a reflection of my vision of America. America shouldn't be like this now, where minorities suffer from discrimination. America is a nation of immigrants and should treat all ethnic groups equally. But historically, Black people have suffered from discrimination, and Chinese people have also faced policy-level exclusion!"

"Liu, it's normal for people from ethnic minorities who come to the United States to be looked down upon by their original homeland for various reasons. After all, there will be misunderstandings!"

The reporter's white supremacist remarks surprised many Americans.

"Mr. Reporter, I think you've misunderstood something. The original owners of America were not white people; it belonged to the Native Americans. You took it from them; you stole their sacred land."

Sir, the United States has grown from its original thirteen states to its current forty or fifty. I think this isn't a gift from God! We are all guests, not the original owners.

Liu Yimin's sharp remarks defeated the Los Angeles Times, and other reporters immediately raised their hands.

"Professor Liu, what are your thoughts on China's entry into the QA program with Vietnam?"

"Sir reporter, it seems you're talking about the United States. The United States entered Vietnam, and China helped them with love, but they repaid China with bullets, so we taught them a lesson."

I doubt any country would withdraw after easily conquering a large portion of another's territory. If this is considered a strategic move, then you should study American history. Regarding this matter, I only have one thing to say: 'Thank goodness weapons are in the hands of civilized nations!'
If weapons fall into the hands of rogue states, they'll be constantly thinking about fighting this and that, and every now and then they'll be clamoring to perform surgery on someone else!

As Liu Yimin finished speaking, he clenched his right fist and slammed it heavily on the table twice.

"Professor Liu, you are very good at debating. But given the huge gap between the United States and China, I think you should acknowledge that!"

"I acknowledge the gap between our two countries, which is why we chose to reform and open up. We embraced the world and learned with humility. But I don't think these skyscrapers are something the United States should boast about; they're just cold steel and concrete, devoid of any human warmth."

Minorities struggle to survive, and Black people live in constant fear. I see a shadow behind the skyscrapers, and blood and tears beneath the neon lights!

Although the nation is wealthy, the livelihoods of its people are precarious. We don't want great powers to dominate; we only want dignity for ordinary people. I hope everyone can live with dignity in America!

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, the meeting room fell silent. Zhang Guangnian and others couldn't help but wonder how much blood and tears were buried beneath those skyscrapers in America.

A reporter wanted to ask more questions, but then the host announced, "The interview session is now officially over. Please welcome the other award-winning authors!"

How is this different from simply running a network cable?
Liu Yimin walked off the stage with a lingering sense of satisfaction. As soon as he sat down, many people handed him their business cards. Liu Yimin took a look under the light and saw that they were all publishers.

"We are a Japanese publisher and we hope to publish this novel."

"We are a Canadian publisher and would like to obtain your authorization!"

"We are British..."

Liu Yimin received invitations from publishers in four or five countries in succession. Stephen said, "That's the charm of literary awards. They may not provide money directly, but they can provide you with a continuous stream of money!"

"Stephen, what's the price of a script in the US right now?" Liu Yimin asked.

"As for the script, it depends on the contract and the quality of the script. It can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars," Stephen said.

Liu Yimin nodded. The rest of the interview was not very interesting, so Liu Yimin sat there and chatted with Stephen.

The novel *The Shawshank Redemption* isn't particularly famous, but the film adaptation is incredibly popular. Although it wasn't a huge hit when it was first released, its enduring popularity worldwide has remained strong ever since.

"Liu, you're already an associate professor at such a young age?"

"Hey, our school doesn't care about seniority."

Stephen said, "Schools like that are sure to attract top talent."

“Hello, Liu, I am Derek Bok, the president of Harvard University. Can we have a chat?” A man in a suit suddenly walked over.

(End of this chapter)