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

Chapter 346 Entering Zhonghai

"Beloved" is a novel of 120,000 words. When Xu Chi received the manuscript, he read it all night without sleeping.

When I went to work at the Hubei Provincial Writers Association during the day, I started thinking about how to translate.

Xu Chi told Liu Yimin about the three difficulties of translation: First, translating a long novel takes longer than translating a short story; second, translating a novel is rooted in the history of racial discrimination in the United States, requiring the reader to consult a large amount of material and learn professional expressions of historical, racial, and religious vocabulary.

Third, and most importantly, the leaps in novel writing are difficult to control. The back-and-forth jumps in time and space can easily cause the novel to lose its sense of leaps in translation, directly halving its artistic value. This is something Xu Chi cannot tolerate.

"Yimin, if such an excellent novel were to be translated incorrectly because of me, Lao Xu, I would be a sinner against the Chinese literary world!"

Xu Chi handed his translated manuscript to Liu Yimin from his bag. Liu Yimin took a look and saw that Xu Chi had only translated the first paragraph of the novel, and the manuscript had many marks of corrections and re-translations.

Liu Yimin said, "Comrade Xu, you've worked hard. A lot of the translations were done by the translation team, so it was really a bit difficult for you to do it all by yourself."

"I'm half bald now. If I finish translating this all by myself, I could just go to Shaolin Temple and become a monk," Xu Chi said, rubbing his bald head.

Liu Yimin put his arm around Xu Chi's shoulder and led him into the study: "Haha, Comrade Xu, I'll buy you a wig to wear later. How about this, I'll find you a business partner?"

"Okay, you tell me who it is first. If I don't think it's good, then forget it. It's better for me to translate it myself. It's much easier to do it alone than to have someone holding me back." Xu Chi walked into the study, smelling the scent of paper and envelopes in the room.

"You'll definitely be satisfied, Dean Qian Zhongshu, Professor Qian!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Comrade Qian Zhongshu? His translation skills are not bad!" Xu Chi commented.

Qian Zhongshu's skill level was alright?
Liu Yimin looked at Xu Chi speechlessly: "Comrade Xu, aren't you being a bit arrogant? He translated the old man's poems."

Xu Chi, hands behind his back, said smugly, "Haha, I can be transferred to the translation team too. Would Comrade Qian Zhongshu agree? I heard he's extremely difficult to see these days, practically shutting himself off from visitors."

"Comrade Xu, actually Comrade Zhongshu approached me; he wanted to translate this book, but I refused at the time." Now it was Liu Yimin's turn to be smug.

"You refused? Why? Because of me?"

"What do you think, Comrade Xu? We're the closest comrades-in-arms. I always think of you whenever something good happens!"

Liu Yimin's words moved Xu Chi to the point of almost bursting into tears. Xu Chi held Liu Yimin's hand and said emotionally, "Yimin, you treat me so well. Even if it costs me my old life, I will definitely translate this novel."

Xu Chi was overwhelmed with emotion, never expecting to find a soulmate in his seventies.

"No, please take your time translating, there's no rush."

"No, let's go find Comrade Qian Zhongshu now and start work as soon as possible, so that we can finish translating by autumn."

"Old Xu, are you staying in Yanjing for the time being?"

“If I stay in Beijing, there’s not much to do at the Writers’ Association, let alone at the local Writers’ Associations, especially since I’m only a vice-chairman.”

Liu Yimin rode his motorcycle with Xu Chi to the Nanshagou Gaozhilou, where Qian Zhongshu lived. Liu Yimin originally wanted to call ahead to discuss the matter, but Xu Chi insisted on being an uninvited guest.

Xu Chi knew Qian Zhongshu, but their relationship wasn't particularly close.

Liu Yimin arrived at the foot of the Kochi Building on his motorcycle. It was his first time here, and he was surprised to find that there were an unusually large number of apartment buildings.

There are at least forty or fifty red-brick apartment buildings, with shady trees lining the grounds, where many people sit and enjoy the cool shade. A red hammer and sickle flag hangs at the entrance of the Nanshagou Neighborhood Committee, and there is a list of honors on the door, listing the names of residents who have donated to children's welfare programs. The names of Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang are listed on it.

They found Qian Zhongshu's apartment building by following the building number, and went up the stairs. Qian Zhongshu's home was on the third floor.

Inside the hallway, Xu Chi said with a smile, "Guess who will open the door? Let's make a bet, whoever loses treats everyone to dinner."

“I guess it’s Ms. Yang Jiang,” Liu Yimin said first.

Xu Chi immediately stopped in his tracks, looking at Liu Yimin with a frustrated expression: "I'm not gambling anymore!"

Upon reaching the third floor, Xu Chi knocked on the door, but no one answered for a long time. Just as he was wondering if no one was home, the door opened.

Xu Chi was filled with regret, because it was Qian Zhongshu who opened the door.

Qian Zhongshu looked at Liu Yimin and Xu Chi with surprise: "It's you two. I thought you were reporters. My wife wasn't home, so I opened the door a little late."

Qian Zhongshu assumed it was a reporter and was unwilling to be interviewed, so he hesitated to open the door.

"Professor Qian, Comrade Xu Chi and I have come uninvited and are sorry to disturb your peace," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Qian Zhongshu smiled and let the two in: "I'm so glad you could come. Come in, come in."

"Comrade Zhongshu, it's been a long time since we last met," Xu Chi said with a smile.

"Yes, Comrade Xu Chi, we've rarely seen each other since you left Poetry Journal."

Qian Zhongshu's reception room was in his study, which contained two desks, one for Qian Zhongshu and one for Yang Jiang.

"You two sit down, I'll pour you some tea."

After pouring tea, Liu Yimin didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to the point about his purpose.

Xu Chi continued, "Comrade Zhongshu, after I finished writing Yimin's novel, I reread it and felt that it would be very difficult for one person to translate it. So I would like to invite you to translate it with me. What do you think?"

“The two of us can translate it together? Great, great!” Qian Zhongshu happily got up and paced around the study. “I thought I was going to miss out on this novel. You’re not doing this just to help others, are you? If so, I don’t agree. A gentleman doesn’t take what others love.”

Xu Chi stood up and said, “Comrade Zhongshu, you have also read this novel. In terms of length and writing style, it is very difficult to translate. It would be extremely difficult for me to translate it by myself.”

“Okay, I agree!” Qian Zhongshu immediately agreed.

Just then, Yang Jiang returned from grocery shopping, carrying a basket containing celery and meat. As she opened the door, she heard voices coming from the living room.

Yang Jiang put down her vegetable basket and called out, "Zhongshu, who's here?"

Qian Zhongshu walked out of the study with a smile: "Xu Chi is here. Let me introduce you to a new friend. This is Yimin, Comrade Liu Yimin, whom we often talk about."

Yang Jiang's hair was already white, and her clothes were in a light color. At first glance, you could tell she was a woman from Jiangnan.

"Yimin? Welcome to our home. We often think of you and are afraid you won't come. Comrade Xu Chi, it's been a long time since we last met. Let's have lunch here. I'll cook for you. My braised pork is delicious. Zhongshu always eats it with gusto."

Yang Jiang shook hands with the two men, and without asking what they had come for, she began to take the vegetable basket and start cooking.

Qian Zhongshu said, "I make breakfast, and my talented daughter makes lunch."

After a while, Qian Yuan, the daughter of Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang, returned. Qian Yuan held Liu Yimin's hand and said, "Hello, Professor Liu. All the literature professors at Beijing Normal University are very envious of the Chinese Department of Yenching University for having such a young and talented person as you."

"Professor Qian, your university's Chinese department is among the best in the country."

During the meal, everyone discussed the novels written by Liu Yimin, taking turns to share their thoughts.

Xu Chi continued, "Yi Min is currently the most talented young writer in China. The key is that he has a firm ideology, and his blood is always flowing."

"Comrade Lao Xu, please don't praise me so much," Liu Yimin quickly said. Qian Zhongshu said, "Yimin's books have a strong sense of national sentiment and internationalism. Going beyond China and writing about foreign stories is also a very good choice."

After lunch, Qian Yuan went to work. Yang Jiang, looking at the manuscript of *Beloved*, said, "Comrade Xu Chi, may I request to join your translation team?"

Xu Chi paused for a moment, then said, "Comrade Yang Jiang, if you were to join us, our translation work would be able to move forward even further."

Like Qian Zhongshu, Yang Jiang was a master of translation.

And so, the three-person translation team was formed. Before Liu Yimin left, Qian Zhongshu gave Liu Yimin and Xu Chi a book as a gift.

"This 'Guanzhui Pian' has taken a great deal of my effort to write. I am giving it to you two today. If you feel there is anything inappropriate, you are welcome to come to my home to discuss it."

The "Guanzhui Pian" is considered a classic of Chinese learning and is highly praised by the academic community.

"Thank you, Professor Qian, for the book," Liu Yimin said.

“After Yimin finishes reading it, he can exchange opinions with Wu Zuxiang, since he can’t understand my book.”

As they walked downstairs, Xu Chi explained to Liu Yimin, "What Comrade Zhongshu meant just now originated from Professor Wu Zuxiang of your Chinese Department. He said that the 'Guanzhui Pian' was all-encompassing except for Comrade Zhongshu himself, and that Comrade Zhongshu thought Professor Wu Zuxiang couldn't understand it."

"I see."

Liu Yimin took Xu Chi to his brother-in-law's house in Jiaodaokou, and visited Xu Chi's wife Chen Song and his sister before leaving.

Liu Yimin sat in his study, gazing at the courtyard where spring had deepened, with students' classwork laid out on the table.

"Beloved" has come to an end; it's time to get busy with other things. Taking a slip of paper from the drawer, he shook the phone a few times. After it connected, Liu Yimin said to the operator, "Connect me to Zhonghai!"

Zhonghai has a dedicated call center. After the other party connected and verified Liu Yimin's identity, Liu Yimin read out the phone number and was directly transferred to the old leader's office.

After answering the call, the secretary said to Liu Yimin, "Please wait a moment."

"Commander, Comrade Liu Yimin is reporting to you."

Do you have any plans for this afternoon?

"After the meeting this morning, there were no more plans."

"Have Comrade Liu Yimin come over this afternoon!"

"it is good."

The secretary returned to the phone and told Liu Yimin to come over at 2 p.m. so the leader could hear a report.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yimin began to slowly write on the manuscript.

At noon, Zhu Lin returned from get off work at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. The food was already laid out on the stone table. Liu Yimin had stir-fried a plate of pork and steamed locust flowers, which he had taken out of the refrigerator and heated up.

"The noodles will be ready soon. Take the sauce out first," Liu Yimin said to Zhu Lin.

Zhu Lin walked into the kitchen, greedily sniffed the aroma of meat, and said with a smile, "Teacher Liu, the food you make makes my mouth water."

"Don't let it spill into the pot!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zhu Lin took the braised sauce out, and Liu Yimin asked, "Do you want to rinse your noodles in water?"

"No need, it's not that hot yet!"

"it is good!"

Sitting at the stone table, Zhu Lin tasted the food and said, "Teacher Liu, it's really delicious. If you're too busy on Sunday, I'll make it when I get back. I only have a few hours at noon, so I can make it."

"You can cook tonight," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Miller's 'Death of a Salesman' premieres the day after tomorrow, Teacher Liu. Miller told me this today, telling you not to forget," Zhu Lin said with dissatisfaction.

"That old guy is petty and narrow-minded, and his competitive spirit is so strong."

"Haha, that's right, I think we don't need to pay any attention to him."

"Could you find me another ticket? I'll go with Comrade Xu. He's been busy with translations lately, and I think he's going to be exhausted."

"Okay, Miller should still have some tickets. I'll ask him for them. Are all Americans this petty?"

"Go to America and see for yourself!"

While they were having hot pot after dinner, the phone in the study rang again. Liu Yimin answered the phone, and the voice of the old leader's secretary came from the other end.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, the commander heard that you recently wrote a good novel. Do you still have the original manuscript? The commander would like to take a look."

"it is good!"

Liu Yimin still had a copy of the manuscript that Wu Zuxiang had returned; otherwise, he really would have refused it.

"Teacher Liu, whose phone is that?"

"The old commander's secretary!"

Zhu Lin closed the kitchen door and asked, "Teacher Liu, what does the old commander want with you?"

"What else can we do? Didn't you look at the information last time?" Liu Yimin said, putting his arm around Zhu Lin's shoulder.

"Oh right, I almost forgot, I've been so angry with Miller lately that I've lost my mind."

Zhu Lin dragged Liu Yimin to take a nap, and almost fainted from anger when she saw Liu Yimin dawdling: "Teacher Liu, you've almost crushed the ants under your feet."

"You go and rest first, I'm not too sleepy yet!"

"go!"

Zhu Lin pushed Liu Yimin back to the bedroom, where Liu Yimin looked at the ceiling beams and mumbled all sorts of strange and wonderful things.

"Teacher Liu, I heard that the chances of getting pregnant are higher at noon."

"Zhu Lin, I need to conserve my energy. I mustn't let myself go before doing something important. What if something goes wrong this afternoon?" Liu Yimin said with a grin.

"Teacher Liu, what is a big deal? This is a big deal!"

As the weather grew warmer in April, the air inside the house became increasingly stuffy. The two lay on the bed, drenched in sweat, when Zhu Lin nudged Liu Yimin.

"Teacher will teach you another trick, which is called showing weakness to the enemy."

(End of this chapter)