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

Chapter 337: The Premiere of "Green Book"

Miller, who had been rebuffed at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, originally intended to leave, but after spending three days in Yenching, he reluctantly returned to the theatre.

When Miller returned to the Beijing People's Art Theatre, he felt that the actors and directors there were looking at him strangely.

Despite his continued enthusiasm, there was a hint of mockery in it. Even the translator who had been by his side for the past few days kept asking about the Yutai tribe, as if trying to confirm whether what the young man said was true.

Miller didn't leave because of the so-called contract compensation; the main reason was what Cao Yu said: the Americans would all know that he had been beaten and fled in panic by a young Chinese man, and he couldn't afford to lose face like that.

Staying in China serves two purposes: first, to prove that he hasn't been defeated; and second, to find an opportunity to regain face and defeat this young Chinese man with facts.

During his three days in Yenching, he often heard people discussing this young Chinese writer, his novels, and his films.

Everyone who talked about him wore a look of admiration, especially some of the younger people, who practically worshipped him when they mentioned him.

Seeing how much the Chinese people respected Liu Yimin, they felt even more determined to defeat him.

But when I lay in bed meditating, the thought that this young man was only in his twenties filled me with both shock and a touch of frustration.

Yes, I was speechless after being told off by a young man in his twenties. Where exactly did the problem lie?
I don't know!

Miller walked quickly to the door of Cao Yu's office. He originally wanted to push it open directly, but after hesitating for a moment, he knocked on the door instead.

"Come in!" Cao Yu's voice rang out in the office.

Miller straightened his sharp suit, adjusted his collar, and instantly lost his previous dejection and impatience, becoming the proud American playwright once again.

This performance left Ying Ruocheng, who was standing next to him, completely stunned. He thought to himself, "No wonder he's a screenwriter and director; he's got a real knack for acting."

As Miller pushed open the office door, a gust of wind tousled his hair. Cao Yu's office door faced the window directly; as soon as the door opened, the wind rushed in through the window and into the corridor.

"Mr. Miller, have you been resting well these past few days?" Cao Yu asked with a smile, half-sitting up and pointing to the sofa.

"Mr. Wan, you're new to China and still jet-lagged, so you're feeling a bit tired. But after these three days of rest, you're completely fine."

Cao Yu knew Miller was making excuses, but he didn't expose him. Instead, he said, "That's good, that's good. A breath of fresh air in the winds of history can always make people more clear-headed!"

"Mr. Wan, do you think I must be feeling utterly defeated right now? Do you think I must be experiencing unspeakable bitterness? Mr. Wan, I am not like you and your students. I am not a genius playwright, but I am a playwright with great resilience."

One mistake is nothing; I will let my work speak for itself.

I hope the Beijing People's Art Theatre will support me in starting rehearsals as soon as possible. I want to show you the power of my script!

Miller, pipe in mouth, chin raised, spoke with arrogance. Only his wind-blown, disheveled hair added a touch of comicality.

Cao Yu felt uncomfortable, but still smiled and said, "Ruocheng, help Mr. Miller select actors at the Beijing People's Art Theatre and start rehearsals as soon as possible. We can't let Mr. Miller say that we have neglected our guests."

"Okay, Jiabao Gong, Comrade Shizhi and I will go and handle it together, and coordinate the rehearsal work."

"Mr. Miller, I wish you success!" Cao Yu said.

"To use an old Chinese saying, we're like riding a donkey while reading a script!" Miller got up and left the office, and Ying Ruocheng gave Cao Yu a helpless look.

When Miller left, Cao Yu didn't even get up to see him off, which is enough to show his dissatisfaction with Miller's arrogant attitude.

Cao Yu is a person who pays great attention to etiquette. Even if an ordinary actor visits his home, he will personally see them off.

Because of Cao Yu's words, this incident at the Beijing People's Art Theatre was not deliberately spread, but many people still learned about it from some minor details, and everyone treated it as a joke.

Zhonghai, next to the Forbidden City, is one of three lakes: Zhonghai, Nanhai, and Beihai. Zhonghai and Nanhai are interconnected and were originally a sacred place for royal banquets and entertainment, later becoming the heart and soul of the nation.

This year, the Beginning of Spring falls before the Spring Festival, and the weather warms up quickly after the holiday. The willows along the Zhonghai Causeway gently sway their slender branches, and their green buds make the lake water appear even clearer.

On the covered bridge, the two chatted as they watched the ripples on the pond.

"This young man's speech is quite interesting!" The old man in the Zhongshan suit in front of him handed the documents to the old leader who was half a step away from him after he finished reading them.

"Gang Gong, I always said this kid's thinking is sound. From his first published novel, his thinking has never changed. He showed an attitude that was out of step with the mainstream 'scar literature' as soon as he entered university. It's good that he can stick to his own ideas at such a young age."

A person's beliefs will be reflected in their work; no matter how much a person tries to hide their thoughts, they will always inadvertently reveal them. Comrade Wu also mentioned that he is a descendant of revolutionaries! The old leader said with a smile, and his bodyguard secretary, who was about ten meters behind him, quickly stepped forward and took the documents.

Gang Gong stood still, gazing at the ever-expanding ripples on the lake: "Yes, ideological issues are major issues. Reform and opening up have a bright future, but it's still fraught with peril. I also read his last paper; it was very well written."

When a society enters the modern world system, external pressures force it to accept the values ​​of the core forces within that system—this is what we are experiencing now. Knowing the problem is one thing, but finding the right medicine to cure it is another!

"In this regard, I think we should learn traditional Chinese medicine, understand the symptoms, avoid using strong medicines, find the right medicines that can work, and gradually regulate the body."

After the old leader finished speaking, Gang Gong immediately said, "There's no cure for the root cause, so this is the only way. The key is not to use medicine indiscriminately; indiscriminate use of medicine can cause even greater damage!"

What you mentioned about writing about scientists serving their country is something we can do; you can handle the details. Some scientists at the base have made great sacrifices, some even giving their lives. Just as Comrade Yimin said, we should sing their praises! How is Comrade Jiaxian's health?

"His current health condition is not bad, but the serious consequences of the nuclear radiation may not appear for several years. Once they do, Comrade Jiaxian's health will be in serious danger," the old leader said sadly.

"We are here because of them!"

"Comrade Yimin's remarks also reminded me of Comrade Bethune!"

"Comrade Bethune was a close comrade of ours, and your relationship was even more so, that of friends and comrades. I heard that you cried when you saw the last letter Comrade Bethune gave you?"

"Before Comrade Bethune left me his cot and leather shoes!" After saying this, the old commander pretended that his eyes were squinting from the sandstorm.

"No, the sandstorm is too strong. I'll head back first. I've had someone find the documents for Comrade Liu Yimin, and they should have arrived by now. I'll go and review them first!"

Before the actors for Miller's "Death of a Salesman" were even finalized, "Green Book" was officially staged at the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

The audience was very curious and wanted to know how the Beijing People's Art Theatre would stage this novel. In the past two years, the audience at the Beijing People's Art Theatre had seen many foreign plays, but this was the first time that a foreign play written by Chinese people had been staged by the theatre itself.

Given the backing of an American literary award and the ongoing controversy surrounding the "American Dream" in China, everyone is even more eager to see this film.

A long queue formed outside the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Some people discussed the plot, while others, with the filter of the "American Dream," offered praise but subtly criticized, preparing for a face-to-face critique. One play divided the audience into two groups, and a variety of emotions were displayed on their faces.

In the crowd, a couple went unnoticed, but the distance between them was strangely awkward. The wife followed reluctantly behind, repeatedly pushing away the man's outstretched hand.

“Honey, go to the theater and see your ‘American Dream’ properly. Comrade Liu Yimin didn’t lie to us!”

These two were the same couple Liu Yimin had encountered when he was applying for a visa. After being refused a visa, they went back several more times, only to be refused again each time, but their enthusiasm never waned.

When Liu Yimin returned, it caused a national sensation. His photos were all over the newspapers and television. The two of them glanced at him and felt that he looked familiar. After the woman looked closely, she realized that he was the scoundrel at the embassy gate.

Today is the premiere of "Green Book," and the man specifically dragged the woman to see it, but the woman seemed reluctant.

“If he can be kept here by Americans for $150,000, I’ll definitely do well in America too. You silly fool, are you afraid I’ll leave you in America?” the woman said angrily.

"Oh my, is that what I'm afraid of? I'm afraid you won't have a good time in America. Can you compare to other people's writers? Why would the Americans pay to keep you here?"

"What can't I do? Besides, there's money everywhere in America. Anyone can pick up money."

As the two were arguing, Liu Yimin passed by and recognized the voice, so he paused and looked over.

Their eyes met, and Zhu Lin, who was standing next to them, asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, let's go!"

The two had just come from the courtyard house. When they arrived at the door, Zhu Lin, as the director, went backstage, while Liu Yimin went to the performance hall and sat down in his seat.

Several directors and Cao Yu were sitting in the front row. Liu Yimin went over and greeted everyone.

Su Min gestured towards the second floor with his chin: "The Americans are on the second floor. I think they don't want to run into you, but they insist that the view from the second floor is better!"

"Old Su, remember to stay united. Although they're not our comrades, they are still our guests," Cao Yu said calmly.

Su Min chuckled and stopped talking. Ouyang Shanzun said in a low voice, "Tianye was all ready to direct 'Death of a Salesman,' but this American actually stayed, which made him depressed for a few days."

"Hahaha!" Liu Yimin chuckled softly and said nothing more.

Cao Yu vaguely heard Ouyang Shanzun's words, but could only pretend not to hear them: "Yimin, walk along this path to the fourth row of empty seats and sit down. There's an old comrade waiting for you!"

Liu Yimin looked curiously at the back row, but because the lighting was dim and the crowd was so large, he couldn't see their faces clearly.

"Who?"

"Lord Yun!"

"Why is the old commander here? Well, teacher, I'll sit in the back row!"

"Go!"

Liu Yimin strode over, and the old commander waved his hand at him: "Sit down. What's wrong? Is something strange?"

"Are you here specifically to see a play?"

"Can't I come to see a play?"

"of course can."

The two men chatted casually, and Liu Yimin noticed that the two men sitting in front of and behind him were sitting upright with their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, as if afraid that others wouldn't know they were bodyguards.

"Ding ding ding," the play officially began. The old leader stopped talking, and Liu Yimin turned his attention to the stage and watched attentively.

When Yang Lixin appeared in his upper-class black attire, the crowd burst into laughter. Even the usually stern old commander wore a smile.

People's understanding of America gradually unfolds as the highways expand and the actors interact.
In the police station scene, the actors were nervous as they performed, while the audience was unusually quiet, with some people even gaping in astonishment.

The script really brought the novel to life!

Seeing this, the old leader frowned deeply and whispered to Liu Yimin in the local dialect, "This kind of trend must never be allowed to spread to our country!"

Liu Yimin pursed his lips; it really was possible that he would be sent to Sichuan!
Miller, on the second floor, watched the performance quietly, his chin resting on his hand. He couldn't understand the script, but Ying Ruocheng had already explained it to him. He mainly wanted to see if the actors could successfully perform the play!

After reading it, Miller said to Ying Ruocheng, "Mr. Ying, the actors of Beijing People's Art Theatre are indeed very excellent actors. I think if we work well together, we can make the audience amazed by 'Death of a Salesman' just as they were amazed by 'Green Book'."

The gasps of amazement were even louder!

Hearing the applause all around him, Miller felt a renewed desire to compete.

After the actors took their bows, one of them pulled out a green booklet and said, "This is where the novel 'Green Book' got its name. This is a 'green booklet' brought back from America. It details which Black people can go and which Black people can't. It's irrefutable evidence of racism!"

At this moment, even the so-called proponents of the "American Dream" had no choice but to join the audience in applauding.

Zhu Lin and Lan Tianye looked towards Liu Yimin in the back row, because they were going backstage to meet the actors and celebrate.

The old commander looked at Zhu Lin and said to Liu Yimin, "Is that your wife?"

"Correct!"

"Let's go, let's meet your 'wife'!"

The two got up and went to the director's side. The old commander looked at Zhu Lin and said with a smile, "Hello, young comrade, the play is very well rehearsed!"

"Sir, it was mainly directed by my teacher, Lan Tianye; I was the assistant director!" Zhu Lin said nervously, not recognizing him at first glance.

The old leader looked around and said, "The comrades at the Beijing People's Art Theatre are all good. Comrade Yimin, you can go to the back first. I'll wait for you in Comrade Jiabao's office!"

(End of this chapter)