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

Chapter 341 France's Top Seller
Outside Yang Hui's villa in Yandong Garden at Yenching University, four bicycles were parked. With the roar of a motorcycle, Liu Yimin stepped on the brakes and parked the motorcycle next to the bicycles.

"Yimin is here? They're all waiting for you inside!" Yang Hui's wife, Yao Dong, said, putting down the scissors in her hand.

Liu Yimin praised, "These flowers you've grown are so beautiful!"

"If you like them, I'll give you a few pots. These flowers look very good with your wife!" Yao Dong said gently.

The wooden door of the villa opened, interrupting their conversation.

"Yimin, come in quickly!" Yang Hui said.

Inside the room, Zhu Guangqian and several graduate students who were not in class were present, each holding a document.

Yang Hui handed the materials in his hand to Liu Yimin. The materials contained detailed information about Latin American literary writers and the origins of magical realism, which they popularized.

"Magical realism first appeared in Germany as a theory of painting. Later it entered literature and was eventually popularized by Latin American writers."

Having learned about the history of some Latin American countries, I understand why magical realism emerged in this region. The root causes lie in the land's history of colonization and war, coupled with the people's worship of deities.

After reading about their experiences, I felt that the things in the book weren't so fantastical anymore, because they were the reality experienced by the people of Latin America.

After Yang Hui finished speaking, Liu Yimin immediately nodded, indicating that Yang Hui's research was already very in-depth.

Is there anything more magical than reality in Latin America?

In Colombia, where Márquez lived, the government was indifferent to the people's plight, and the people had to rely on drug lords for shelter.

Drug kingpin Pablo Escobar was doing real work while dealing drugs. In his hometown of Medellín, he proposed "Medellín without slums," building houses and schools for the poor, providing employment for 300,000 people through drug exports, and owning a private army of fighter jets.

"Medellín without favelas"—this slogan is better than anything the Colombian government has said and done!

If I told you what's going on in Colombia, no one in China would believe it: drug lords are more like governments than the government itself.

Yang Hui meticulously explained the development of literature, arguing that when studying "magical realism," it is essential to connect it with the history of Latin America.

"I agree with Professor Yang's opinion. The history of Latin American literature is also a history of colonialism, resistance, and bloodshed. The connection between literature and historical background reflects the philosophical concept of interconnectedness."

Once you've decided on the details, you can start writing slowly, from the origins, development, to the culmination, gradually adding color to this storyline.

After chatting for an hour, Yang Hui and his graduate students, along with Liu Yimin, Zhu Guangqian, and others, came out.

"Yimin, the materials on the French side are almost ready. I think we should try to finish the first draft of the French section by mid-April. European literature, France is a major focus!" Zhu Guangqian asked.

"Okay, let's start writing the French content this afternoon. I have a class this morning, Professor Zhu, you can start organizing it first!"

“Alright!” Zhu Guangqian said.

Liu Yimin arrived at the large classroom; today was a class for third-year students. Yan Zhen was now Liu Yimin's class representative, and while Liu Yimin was away, Yan Zhen was leading everyone in reviewing the content of the last lecture.

The students immediately fell silent when they saw Liu Yimin enter the classroom with lecture notes tucked under his left arm and a teacup in his right.

Liu Yimin first tossed the lecture notes onto the table, then unscrewed the cap on his teacup, took a sip of tea, and slowly asked, "Where did we leave off last time?"

"The Imagist school of French avant-garde literature, today we should talk about the absurdist school!" Yan Zhen immediately said.

"Yes, Yan Zhen is listening very attentively in class."

After praising him, Liu Yimin turned the handout to the page on the absurdist school.

"The Absurdist school is a relatively recent avant-garde literary movement that emerged in the early 1950s. Absurdism is the nemesis of Romanticism because its depictions of reality leave readers feeling disoriented. You can look at Kafka's novels; the ideas of the Absurdist school have Kafka's influence."

After finishing his lecture, Liu Yimin picked up his teacup and was about to leave when a student asked him about his thesis.

Liu Yimin paused again and said, "Everyone should have started preparing for their theses much earlier, or even a little late. Also, students with strong writing skills could consider writing a novel as their graduation thesis."

You guys are lucky with the policy! If I could use a novel instead of a thesis when I graduated, I wouldn't have had to suffer through writing one!

The students in the audience laughed and said, "Professor Liu, if you had to choose a novel as your thesis, which one of your works would you most like to choose?"

"Good question. You're really asking which story I like best! For a writer, the favorite is always the next one!"

Amidst a chorus of "Eh?", Liu Yimin left the classroom. Yan Zhen looked around, then, clutching her lecture notes, caught up with Liu Yimin.

"Professor Liu, I want to write a novel instead of a thesis. I've just written the beginning. Could you take a look?" Yan said sincerely.

"Let's go to the cafeteria for food!"

Liu Yimin took Yan Zhen's novel and put it in his bag, then took him to eat.

"What do you want to eat? It's on me!" Liu Yimin said to Yan Zhen with a smile.

"Professor Liu, I can serve myself!"

"You're welcome. You've been a great help to me as the class representative!"

The two men, having finished getting their food, arrived at the office with their lunchboxes. Several graduate students who had been working had just left. Zhu Guangqian was still there.

"Professor Zhu, what are you doing here? Aren't you going home for dinner?" Liu Yimin asked.

Zhu Guangqian closed the documents: "Let's go now. My family cooks late, usually twenty minutes later than others. It's a three-minute bike ride. I don't like to eat hot food."

"Hello, Professor Zhu!" Yan Zhen greeted him.

"Yan Zhen, what do you want with Professor Liu?"

"I've written the beginning of a novel, and I'd like Professor Liu to take a look at it!"

Zhu Guangqian curiously picked up the beginning and looked at it, then said with a playful expression, "You guys can read it here. It's well-written and deserves encouragement!"

After Zhu Guang left, Liu Yimin ate while watching, and eventually couldn't eat anymore.

"When you first start writing, you need to take it one step at a time. You're being too impatient, wanting to become world-famous as soon as you finish this piece. Did you start writing after hearing a few words about magical realism?"

Liu Yimin read from the manuscript: "Others write about four years of rain, but you write about four years of snow in a factory. I know you might be trying to express the heaviness of work and the frustration of working in a factory. But your style is linear narrative, and everyone is listening to you tell your story. You write about four years of snow, with the accumulated snow being higher than the factory itself, and people digging snowdrifts to get into the factory to work."

"It's as if everyone has suddenly stepped from reality into a fantasy world, but apart from the snow, the other parts of the fantasy world don't really capture the feeling of fantasy."

"I suggest you write it in a realistic style!" Yan Zhen blushed and said, "Professor Liu, I understand, but I don't think you understood me."

"I don't understand? Did you see Professor Zhu's look just now? Did he really think he was praising you? Yan Zhen, you can't handle this style right now. If you want to write it, I won't discourage you, but if you're using it as a graduation requirement, I suggest you prepare for the worst!"

After seeing Yan Zhen off, Liu Yimin shook his head: "That child!"

In the evening, Liu Yimin took Zhu Lin on his motorcycle to the Yanjing Military Region to watch the premiere. They got off work early now, and the two could see the evening breeze and sunset on their way.

Before they even entered the gate, they saw Feng Xiaogang waiting nearby.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, Comrade Zhu Lin, it's been a long time! I'm so excited to hear you're coming to see the premiere of 'The Acacia Tree in the Minefield'! Let me take you in!"

Feng Xiaogang led the way on his bicycle, wobbling along. Liu Yimin could only twist the throttle slightly; with a little effort, he quickly overtook Feng Xiaogang, his guide.

Wei Wei and Director Wei were talking at the entrance of the drama troupe. After seeing Liu Yimin, they chatted warmly for a few minutes before Feng Xiaogang led them inside.

After the three went inside, Commander Wei looked at Feng Xiaogang's retreating figure and said helplessly, "Old Wei, you've made a fool of yourself in front of me!"

"Haha, there are quite a few comrades like that!"

Feng Xiaogang chatted quietly with the two men, and the conversation turned to the topic of making a movie out of "The Acacia Tree in the Minefield": "Comrade Liu Yimin, I heard it's going to be made into a movie?"

"how do you know?"

“I’m an arts and culture cadre in the military region, so how could I be kept in the dark about anything big or small in the army?”

"You're quite well-informed!"

"The Acacia Tree in the Minefield" is indeed going to be filmed, but several film studios are vying for the filming rights, and the General Political Department has not yet given its approval.

The Beijing Film Studio proposed to collaborate with the August First Film Studio again, but the General Political Department and the Film Bureau remained tight-lipped and delayed making a decision.

"Well, I had a taste of acting last time, so I've been paying more attention to movies ever since!"

Feng Xiaogang means that he still wants to act!
Zhu Lin glanced at Feng Xiaogang, who grinned kindly.

Have you studied the script?

Seeing an opportunity, Feng Xiaogang excitedly said, "Yes, I've done my research! I think I'm perfect for playing Zhang Guozheng, one of the college students. Look at my appearance, I don't even need makeup to play a rural soldier. I've never actually stepped over minefields, but I've stepped over minefields for my friends plenty of times. At home you rely on your parents, but when you're out in the world you rely on your friends. In the past, when we got into fights, I was always the first one to step in!"

Comrade Yimin, please let me know if you need anything in the future!

“I still think you’re more suited to playing a Vietnamese soldier, Comrade Xiao Gang. No matter what role you play, you should play it well!” Liu Yimin said.

"Hey, a monkey is fine, as long as it can act!"

When the play was about to start, Feng Xiaogang left the front row because he didn't have a ticket there.

Several people from the General Political Department came, but they did not see the old leader.

During the performance, the leader in charge of the cultural department of the General Political Department kept his head down and chatted with Liu Yimin. When they talked about the movie "Acacia Tree in Minefield", it seemed that they were planning to find a film studio to shoot it separately.

"We hope to improve the production quality of military films and cultivate a group of directors who can shoot excellent military-themed films! We have already exchanged our opinions with the Film Bureau, and they have agreed in principle."

That means they're leaning towards the August First Film Studio. It seems the August First Film Studio is going to kick out the Beijing Film Studio and start its own business this time.

"Just tell me, I'm confident that the August First Film Studio will be able to make a good film!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Haha, all the film studios have sent people to send telegrams or even sent people directly to Beijing. It's been a difficult decision for us to make!"

After the play ended, Liu Yimin went in, met with the actors from the Zhan You Drama Troupe, and then left.

"Commander Wei, the performance was excellent! You have a group of highly skilled performing arts soldiers under your command!"

"Comrade Yimin, I'm relieved to hear you say that. I was just worried you'd leave on the spot if I didn't perform well!"

"I trust you to handle things!"

Commander Wei took out an envelope from his hand and handed it to Liu Yimin: "This is the copyright fee for 'The Acacia Tree in the Minefield.' Several local drama troupes and military drama troupes have already booked it."

"Okay!" Liu Yimin didn't look at it much, stuffed the envelope into his bag, and rode his motorcycle away from the Yanjing Military Region with Zhu Lin.

The French publisher finally settled the payment for the manuscript. When Liu Yimin received the letter and payment, he couldn't help but scold the publisher and editor, Marseille Dani.

When Massey Dani last visited China, he took four books from his hands: "The Flames of War in Beiping," "Red River Valley," "The Kite Runner," and "Green Book."

After taking it back, he immediately found someone to translate it. Apart from the French translator of "Green Book", the other three were translated by Chinese translator Li Zhihua and his wife.

On average, it takes about two months to translate a book. Li Zhihua is a native of old Beiping, so he translated "The Flames of War in Beiping" quite quickly, but he was slower with the other books, such as "Red River Valley" and "The Kite Runner".

In his letter, Marcel Dani provided Liu Yimin with a sales ranking: "Green Book" and "Red River Valley" sold the best, followed by "The Kite Runner," and "The Smoke of War in Beiping" sold the worst.

Because "The Flames of War in Beiping" depicts the lives and characteristics of people in old Beiping, most readers of this book are university professors or students majoring in China-related fields.

They used this book as research material, hoping you will learn more about China through it.

However, ordinary French people would find it rather bland, which is the main reason for its low sales.

However, Green Book and Red River Valley are rich in emotion and have a stronger storyline, making them more appealing to the average viewer.

When "Green Book" won an award in the United States, the French publisher took the opportunity to promote it, which further boosted its fame and sales.

The translation of "The Kite Runner" was completed not long ago, so its sales were naturally not high.

Marseille Dani told Liu Yimin that they had compiled sales figures for Liu Yimin's books published in France and compared them across the country.

He currently holds the top spot in total book sales in France, making him the country's best-selling author. In the individual bestseller list, *Green Book* ranks third, and *Red River Valley* ranks seventh.

[Liu, I heard your book is going to be published in Japan, Britain, Germany and other countries. I'm so happy for you. This proves how good my judgment was back then. I also thank you for making me the head of the editorial team at our publishing house.]

Liu, you will definitely become the most influential Chinese writer in the world!

(End of this chapter)