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

Chapter 322 Publicizing Exemplary Figures Throughout Society

The idea of ​​filming the Four Great Classical Novels was conceived quite early. There was no shortage of actors or directors, but the biggest shortage was funding.

In the 1980s, the number of home televisions increased rapidly, but there were few TV dramas to watch, so TV dramas adapted from the Four Great Classical Novels began to be put on the agenda.

There are many funding challenges to overcome, such as the need to build the Rongguo Mansion from scratch for "Dream of the Red Chamber".

However, Zhengding County in Hebei Province saw an opportunity and jointly invested with state-owned enterprises to build Rongguo Mansion. The tourism revenue in the first year almost recouped the investment.

The film crew completed shooting, and the local area gained tourism revenue, making it a win-win situation. In the 1980s, when tourism awareness was not strong, this was a groundbreaking achievement.

Zhu's mother placed a piece of stewed meat on Liu Yimin's plate and said to Zhu Lin, "You are young now, you will always have opportunities, but you can't be impatient. First of all, you need to hone your professional skills."

"Yimin, tell us about the interesting things happening in America?" Zhu's father asked.

Zhu Lin said with a grin, "Dad, don't let Teacher Liu talk about it anymore. He'll tell everyone he meets when he gets back."

Zhu's father and mother glared at Zhu Lin, then smiled and looked at Liu Yimin.

“Mom and Dad, don’t listen to her. I really enjoy telling you stories,” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"My son-in-law is so thoughtful, Linlin, you should learn a lot from Yimin!"

Zhu Lin glanced at Liu Yimin, then nodded with a smile.

He gave a brief account of what happened in the United States. Zhu Lin had heard it several times before, but he still listened with great interest.

The TV was a bit noisy, so Zhu's father simply turned it off.

Around 5 p.m., I came out of the Zhu family's house. Muxidi is not far from the Zhu family's house; it only takes about ten minutes to get there by motorcycle.

"You've been promoted to a high position, and now my parents treat you better than I do. I don't even know whose parents they really are." Zhu Lin actually harbored no resentment; he was overjoyed.

It snowed yesterday, and the roads were unusually cold. Although the temperature was low at the end of December, the snow hadn't accumulated, otherwise motorcycles would have been impossible to ride.

Before even entering the building, I ran into Wanfang, who had also come along.

"Yimin, what a coincidence that you arrived at the same time! Perfect timing, I'll teach you how to make braised meat." Wanfang picked up the meat in his hand and showed it to the two of them.

Liu Yimin said, "Senior sister, aren't you afraid that some stray dog ​​will come and bite you if you tie it with straw rope?"

"Now that you mention it, I really need to be more careful next time," Wan Fang said, still feeling a bit shaken.

Zhu Lin took Wan Fang's arm and said, "Senior sister, come on, you're my teacher today. I watched it once before, but my version is still not as good as yours."

"You should ask your senior sister if there's any special skill she hasn't passed on to you!"

"Xiao Lin, look at Yi Min, that heartless guy. I taught him step by step."

"Hahaha!"

When Cao Yu opened the apartment door, Li Yuru was already waiting. Cao Yu had also returned home early from the Beijing People's Art Theatre and was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper with a magnifying glass.

Upon seeing Liu Yimin, he placed the newspaper on the coffee table and said, "Hurry up and sit down. I heard you were the Monkey King who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace?"

“It’s also possible that they caused trouble in the underworld!” Liu Yimin replied humorously.

"Yimin, please sit down. I bought a lot of groceries. We'll have a good meal tonight," Li Yuru said.

Liu Yimin took out the gifts he had brought for everyone in the living room and asked them to see if they were suitable.

"Yimin, this scarf is so pretty, and this hat too! I won't be cold going to work in winter!" Wanfang smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror.

Cao Yu looked at the belt and records in his hand, as well as several American scripts.

Li Yuru didn't look at her gift; instead, she busied herself picking vegetables.

"Yimin, what did your teacher mean when he said you caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace?" Li Yuru asked.

"It's nothing, just a little argument and a verbal battle with the Americans, nothing else!" Liu Yimin moved a stool and sat down opposite Li Yuru to help her pick vegetables.

Cao Yu took the things back to his study, came out and said, "No rush, there's plenty of time today, we can talk slowly. When I went to the ministry today, Comrade Zhou Yang and Lao Shen both told me about it, especially Lao Shen, who described it in great detail."

“Arguing is good, I like listening to arguments, it’s lively!” Li Yuru joked.

As Liu Yimin picked vegetables, he told everyone his stories, and the funny things he told made Li Yuru laugh out loud from time to time.

When they got to the parts that were despicable, several people simultaneously showed expressions of disgust.

"Is there anything else I haven't mentioned?" Cao Yu asked meaningfully.

"say what?"

"For example, $150,000?"

"This matter is just a minor incident!"

Li Yuru asked curiously, "What, $150,000?"

"I heard from other members of the delegation that Harvard University in the United States is going to give Yimin $150,000 as a writing fund," Cao Yu said with a smile.

Zhu Lin, who was in the kitchen learning how to make braised meat from Wan Fang, suddenly perked up his ears and whispered to Wan Fang, "Teacher Liu didn't mention this!"

"How could Americans be so kind? Giving $150,000? My God, $150,000! That's enough to buy a dozen courtyard houses!" Li Yuru put down the vegetables in her hand, did a rough calculation in her mind, and was surprised by her own calculation.

Cao Yu said, "Of course the Americans aren't that kind; it's a deal. Yimin wants to study in the US and then stay at Harvard University. This writing grant is actually a settling-in allowance from Harvard!"

Zhu Lin, who was listening intently, felt a sudden pang of fear. He had almost gone to America and never made it back!

"I thought it was a freebie!" Li Yuru said regretfully.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch. Because of this, some leaders in the ministry and the central government even praised Yimin. Now, going abroad is all the rage; you can grab anyone off the street in Beijing and they'll say they want to go abroad."

"The comrades from the ministries all said that they would probably be tempted if they were given $150,000," Cao Yu said, his smile never fading.

"To have a student like this is a source of pride wherever you go!" Xia Yan said, her eyes filled with undisguised envy, which almost turned into jealousy.

The conversation then revolved around $150,000. Li Yuru and Wan Fang kept comparing various units of measurement to $150,000.

"Teacher's wife, if Teacher goes to Harvard University, the money they'll get will definitely be much more than $150,000, hahaha!" Xia Yan and Cao Yu would be warmly welcomed at any university in the United States!
Cao Yu joked, "Haha, next time I go on a visit to the West, don't even ask for less than $150,000. After all, my students all have $150,000."

Towards the end of the meal, Li Yuru asked Liu Yimin why he didn't stay in the United States.

Wan Fang smiled and nudged Zhu Lin: "You must be reluctant to part with Xiao Lin."

Cao Yu said seriously, "I heard that Harvard University can give Yi Min and his whole family green cards, so Xiao Zhu can also settle in the United States and enjoy the same benefits as American citizens."

"The main reason is that I can't bear to part with everyone!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

After dinner, Cao Yu called Liu Yimin into the study to ask him something. Zhu Lin and Wan Fang accompanied Li Yuru to watch TV, but Zhu Lin couldn't concentrate at all today.

"You've been gone for a month. Has there been any progress on the script?" Cao Yu put the record on the phonograph and turned down the volume. The beautiful melody filled the study.

"The script for 'Green Book' is finished, and I'm preparing to submit it to the Beijing People's Art Theatre tomorrow!" Liu Yimin said.

"Okay, okay, who do you think would be suitable to direct?" Cao Yu asked.

Liu Yimin thought for a few seconds and then said, "I heard from Linlin that Director Lan and Director Su are arguing over the script. This kind of script isn't a big production. Director Lan and Zhu Lin have experience directing Western plays, so I think it would be better if they were to take turns as the lead and the co-lead."

"Are you helping Xiao Zhu get in through connections?!"

"Teacher, you're mistaken. I'm recommending talented people regardless of personal relationships! The directors at the Beijing People's Art Theatre are getting old, and we need to hurry up and train the next generation of directors!"

“Okay, that’s what I meant too. There’s one more thing. We’re planning to invite Miller to China to direct his ‘Death of a Salesman’ himself. You can have a chat then.”

Cao Yu and Liu Yimin spent more than an hour in the study, during which Liu Yimin shared his profound insights into American society and literature.

"The divisions in American society are very large. Compared to the 1950s and 60s, they have been narrowing, but I think they will widen further. Various contradictions will become more prominent, but this society is strange. The divisions are widening, yet it is difficult for them to truly break apart."

As Liu Yimin finished speaking, he seemed to wish he could just burst open right then and there.

Cao Yu nodded: "Yes, I've noticed that too. What do you think is the reason? Tell me about it?"

"It's about ideology and the system. The United States is a country with a strong sense of individualism and diverse ideologies, making it difficult to unite people. Systemically, the US has the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, the federal government, and the states. Americans have many avenues to vent their dissatisfaction with the government. And the mutual attacks between Republicans and Democrats can also serve as a way to divert attention from other issues."
Most importantly, they've seized wealth from all over the world. Once they can no longer seize it, I think the conflicts will eventually erupt into a major conflict.

Laughter could be heard from the living room from time to time.

Li Yuru said, "I don't know what these two are talking about, but they seem to be having a great time. Xiao Lin, grab some more melon seeds to eat!"

The study door opened, and Cao Yu saw Liu Yimin out. Finally, Cao Yu told Liu Yimin something: the ministry was planning to publicize Liu Yimin extensively—a young man who refused American temptations and resolutely devoted himself to the Four Modernizations.

It's becoming increasingly fashionable for young people to go abroad, especially the more outstanding ones; the country can't afford not to be anxious.

“I know it’s not easy to be a role model, but we can’t not be one! We have to set an example, because the power of a role model is boundless. These days, it seems like anyone who doesn’t go abroad is a ‘fool,’ and those ‘fools’ who stay in the country need a pillar of support, and a role model is that pillar!” Cao Yu said earnestly.

"I understand, teacher!"

It was already 10 p.m. when they came out of Muxidi. The wind was blowing hard. Liu Yimin was riding a motorcycle, and Zhu Lin was holding him tightly from behind, pressing her head against his back.

"Teacher Liu, you're so silly, a lot of people must be calling you silly!" Zhu Lin said, hugging her arms even tighter.

Liu Yimin asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

"I was thinking, what if you go to America and don't come back?" Zhu Lin said with a hint of melancholy.

"Well, I'm back now!"

"What if! If he doesn't come back, I'll just sit alone in the courtyard of the traditional courtyard house, leaning against the ginkgo tree, holding Sanhua in my arms, gazing blankly westward, year after year, until my hair turns white, I can't walk anymore, and I can even fall asleep with a cane."

"Our classmate Zhu Lin is a writer too!"

"Don't bother me, I just had a bit of inspiration!" Zhu Lin chuckled and tugged at Liu Yimin's ear.

After returning home, Zhu Lin kept Liu Yimin from sleeping, urging him to think again if there was anything he hadn't told her.

After reviewing their experiences each day, the two finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I received a call from the ministry while I was in my study, asking me to come to the ministry for a talk. A reporter from the People's Daily would be interviewing me there.

Liu Yimin knew what it was, so he handed the script to Zhu Lin, who would take it to the Beijing People's Art Theatre, while he went to the ministry.

When Liu Yimin arrived at the ministry, Zhang Guangnian was already there. Zhang Guangnian said to Liu Yimin, "The reporter hasn't arrived yet. When he does, just tell us what you think. I've also spoken to Comrade Xu Chi and asked him to write a reportage as well!"

Xia Yan walked over and said, "The bourgeois liberalization ideology and the desire to go abroad are very serious now. Our literary and artistic circles must not only adhere to a bold creative direction, but also have a sense of the overall situation. Ideological issues are a big problem."

"A tall tree catches the wind!" Liu Yimin said with a wry smile.

"Don't be afraid, we all support you. Comrade Zhang said that when you were speaking in the stadium, the Vietnamese people were protesting outside with loudspeakers, and you didn't even flinch. You showed that kind of spirit!"

"It's loud outside, so I have to speak even louder than them!"

After a few rounds of laughter and conversation, the reporter from the People's Daily finally arrived from the newspaper office. The interview focused on only two things: the award ceremony and the rejection of Harvard University's offer of admission.

Everything else is secondary; it's news, after all. Since the goal is to establish a model, the focus should be on that.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, do you regret refusing Harvard University's $150,000 offer?" the reporter asked with a smile.

"No regrets!"

"Didn't you hesitate at the time?"

"I didn't hesitate because I knew I wouldn't stay in the United States. I didn't want to be a marginalized member of mainstream society. After living in the West for a while, you understand the pain of marginalized groups. You can never become a part of mainstream society. Even if people around you might hide their strange looks because of your identity, it's just hiding, not disappearing."

Perhaps a casual remark will make you feel like a stranger in a foreign land. Besides, my family and friends are all in my homeland, and I don't want to experience that feeling of longing for home during holidays.

After listening, the reporter pondered for a moment and then asked, "Are there any other reasons?"

“At the time, the famous American writer Stephen King asked me why I refused. I said I am Chinese, so naturally I should stay in China. Literature has no borders, but writers have a homeland.”

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, the reporter's eyes lit up. That's more like it! Xia Yan, Zhang Guangnian, and the others next to him also felt relieved. Although he had said a lot, he had just missed the point.

"Your words remind me of Qian Xuesen and other scientists!" the reporter said.

"I believe that when scientists like Qian Xuesen abandoned fame and fortune to return to their homeland, they also shared the same belief."

(End of this chapter)