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

Chapter 383 "The Sentiments of a Peasant Writer"

The following day, the newspaper published the news that Quanjude had donated 20,000 yuan to Yenching University. Everyone was excitedly discussing the news, and the name "20,000 yuan for literature" somehow spread from the Chinese Department to every corner of Yenching.

"An article worth 20,000 yuan? That's enough for two millionaires! It must be really well-written. I want to take a look too," someone said, waving a newspaper around.

Back home, Zhu Lin said with a smile, "Twenty thousand?"

"Be careful with the family discipline," Liu Yimin said sternly.

Zhu Lin chuckled and patted his stomach, as if to say, "Who's afraid?"

After dinner, Liu Yimin sat in his study, busy preparing the final exam questions. The students were about to go on holiday, and most of the exams had already been completed; if the papers weren't finished soon, it would be too late.

Zhu Lin sat in a rattan chair, covered with a blanket, reading a book. After sitting for a while, he would get up and walk around the study, or stand by the desk to look at the questions.

"Teacher Liu, I don't understand this question at all," Zhu Lin said, holding his waist with both hands.

"Students' foundation is getting better and better, so the difficulty of the questions must also keep up with the times."

Zhu Lin pointed to the previous question and said, "I know this one. It's a sentence from Don Quixote."

The wheel of fate turns faster than the wheel of a mill: yesterday's meteoric rise can be today's downfall.

"Don Quixote can be considered the first modern literary novel in the West, and I think Don Quixote's spirit is also very worthy of learning," Liu Yimin said.

The exam question referenced this novel, and the first question was: Which famous Chinese saying does this sentence share similarities with? This was very simple; it was an easy question.

The second question is: Which spirit do you think is more valuable, Don Quixote-like madness or worldly clarity?

This question wasn't the most difficult one in Liu Yimin's exam; it was only of medium difficulty.

After setting the questions, Zhu Lin helped Liu Yimin with the engraving of the printing plates, preparing to take them to the department's mimeograph room for printing the next day.

After the engraving was completed, Zhu Lin stretched, turned off the light, and prepared to leave when the phone in the study suddenly rang.

Zhu Lin asked, puzzled, "Who could it be so late at night?"

"You'll know once you listen." Liu Yimin picked up the phone and said "Hello," and Liu Zhenyun's slightly anxious and trembling voice came through.

"Yimin, thank goodness you're still awake." Liu Zhenyun stood at the entrance of the alley, shivering in the cold wind. His legs, wrapped in blue woolen trousers, were trembling, and he was wearing a cotton coat draped over his shoulders. He kept slurping his words.

Liu Yimin asked curiously, "Zhenyun? Why are you calling so late?"

Liu Zhenyun said with a slurping sound, "I heard you donated five thousand yuan to the department as a scholarship?"

"It's not my five thousand yuan!" Liu Yimin corrected.

"Same here. I heard it was a school award for you, but you didn't accept it."

That's true.

"This is great news! How about I interview you tomorrow?" Liu Zhenyun said excitedly, occasionally pulling the cotton coat draped over his body tighter.

Liu Zhenyun was about to go to sleep when he heard the news, so he rushed outside to call Liu Yimin, afraid that he would miss out on first-hand information. He was sure that if he could get the interview, it would be published and he could earn a lot of money from the article.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes. See you tomorrow!" Liu Zhenyun said with a smile.

Zhu Lin took the phone and said, "Comrade Zhenyun, look how cold you are, hurry back!"

Upon hearing Zhu Lin's voice, Liu Zhenyun hurriedly asked, "Comrade Zhu Lin, may I interview you first? Yi Min gave away five thousand yuan. Are you angry?"

“Angry? What’s there to be angry about? Teacher Liu’s money is his decision,” Zhu Lin said.

"I have no other ideas, I'm going to publish it in the newspaper!"

Zhu Lin coughed and cleared his throat: "I personally wholeheartedly support this matter. The economy is developing rapidly, but there are still many impoverished students in schools. The government provides subsidies, but these only cover basic living expenses; many students even have to subsist on steamed buns. Therefore, I support Teacher Liu in donating this money to help more students."

I was once sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution, and Teacher Liu also came from a rural background. We know what it's like to go hungry and malnourished.

Zhu Lin got excited, but it was a hardship for Liu Zhenyun, who was freezing on the other side, looking like a grandson.

"Alright, that's enough. Let Zhenyun go back and rest. Soak your feet in the dorm so you don't catch a cold."

Liu Yimin laughed, and Liu Zhenyun, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, hung up the phone, took out crumpled banknotes from his pocket, and quickly ran back to the dormitory of the Farmers' Daily.

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin returned to the bedroom and chatted while soaking their feet.

"Teacher Liu, are you really willing to spend five thousand yuan?" Zhu Lin asked with a grin.

Liu Yimin rubbed Zhu Lin's head and said, "Do we really need another five thousand yuan?"

Zhu Lin thought about it and agreed. The family didn't have much money, but losing five thousand yuan wouldn't be a big deal.

"Taking this 5,000 yuan wouldn't be a big deal, but it would be a lot of trouble, and it would probably spark a discussion in China."

"What discussion?"

"A heated debate on wage distribution!"

Lying in bed, Zhu Lin put his arm around Liu Yimin's shoulder and said, "Teacher Liu has a pretty keen political sense."

"Alright, get some sleep!" Liu Yimin adjusted the air conditioner vents, tucked the blanket around Zhu Lin, and lay down to prepare for sleep.

The next day, Liu Yimin still escorted Zhu Lin to the door, and then returned to the courtyard, where Liu Zhenyun was already standing and waiting by the drum-shaped stone.

Upon seeing Liu Zhenyun, Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Zhenyun, you didn't catch a cold last night, did you?"

"No, we farmers' kids are physically strong, this is nothing. But it really chilled me to the bone, it took me a long time to warm up after being under the covers."

Liu Zhenyun tidied his hair and followed Liu Yimin into the courtyard.

"Did you eat breakfast? Should we set up the hot pot?" Liu Yimin patted his stomach, feeling that he could still eat a little.

Liu Zhenyun said, "Let's eat and chat over there!"

There were ready-made meat rolls in the refrigerator, and the two sat in the living room chatting. Liu Zhenyun didn't ask any questions first, but instead lamented how poor he was when he was in school.

"If only I had had your scholarship back then, I would have definitely applied. Eighty yuan a year would have doubled my living standards. I ate braised tofu every day, not because it was delicious, but because I was too poor to afford anything else."

But following you guys around, I got to eat a lot of good food. I didn't lose weight during college; in fact, I gained quite a bit. I know you sometimes did it on purpose to let me eat there, but I appreciate the gesture!

It's clear that Liu Zhenyun came not only for the article but also to thank Liu Yimin on behalf of the students.

The two chatted slowly, without mentioning an interview or giving answers. Questions and answers were exchanged back and forth, and every now and then they would exclaim how delicious the meat rolls were.

Liu Yimin also learned many of Liu Zhenyun's secrets. When he was a senior, Liu Zhenyun did not want to stop interning at the Farmers' Daily as soon as possible, but Guo Jianmei's mother was sick and was receiving treatment in Yanjing.

Liu Zhenyun has to carry heavy loads to and from the hospital every day, and when he's out, he usually just eats a steamed bun.

"Sigh, you're just too strong-willed," Liu Yimin said. If Liu Zhenyun just asked Liu Yimin for a loan, life would be much easier.

Liu Zhenyun said with relief, "People with low self-esteem usually have strong self-esteem, while sensitive people like to pretend to be magnanimous."

"Hello?" Liu Yimin walked to the phone and answered it.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, I'd like to interview you, what do you say?" Yu Jiajia's voice came through.

"Jiajia, the comrades from the Farmers' Daily are here!"

Upon hearing that it was Yu Jiajia, Liu Zhenyun smiled and said, "The Iron Lady of China Youth Daily, you should at least give us other colleagues a chance to shine!"

"Alright then, if your interview isn't good, I'll still have to do a second interview," Yu Jiajia said helplessly.

After hanging up the phone, Yu Jiajia wondered to herself how the Farmers' Daily had gotten ahead of her this time. Could it be that her iron will was starting to soften?

Yu Jiajia shook her head and decided that she would run faster in the future and never slack off again.

Liu Zhenyun finished the interviews around noon, and a brilliant title was already forming in his mind.

"Isn't Comrade Zhu Lin coming back at noon?" Liu Zhenyun asked.

"Shall we have lunch at the Beijing People's Art Theatre's canteen? Let's get some more meat for lunch?"

Liu Zhenyun quickly said, "No, I'm full. I'm really curious how you wrote 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven,' which is even more authentically Beijing than what the old Beijingers write." "Were your ancestors refugees?" Liu Zhenyun joked.

"Bring some sea cucumber over another day, and I'll make you a braised sea cucumber with scallions. You'll see. It all depends on observation."

Around 12:30, Liu Zhenyun left the courtyard and rushed back to the editorial office to write his article. He quickly drafted a title: "Behind the Yimin Academic Scholarship: The Sentiments of a Farmer Writer".

In the afternoon, Cui Daoyi, an editor from People's Literature and Art, led Li Shu to the courtyard. Li Shu came both to discuss the publication of the "Trilogy of the Times" and to tell him about the reprint of "The Birth of a Nation".

"The first printing of 'The Birth of a Nation'—six million copies—sold out in less than three months. We and the Commercial Press each printed another two million copies, for a total of four million copies. We estimate that after the second printing, it will be able to sustain us for a long time," Li Shu said.

Cui Daoyi interjected, "They started printing the second batch before the first print run was even finished, and there has never been a shortage in the market."

"Senior brother, what brings you here today?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

"Me? I just came to join in the fun. I was so bored being cooped up in the house." After saying that, Cui Daoyi thanked Quanjude for sending ducks to the editorial department.

"The entire editorial team was eating with their mouths full of oil."

Li Shudao: "How many copies of your People's Literature and Art magazine have been sold this issue?"

"Approximately 300,000 copies have been sold."

“Great! People’s Literature is getting stronger with each battle!” Li Shu laughed.

Cui Daoyi said with a smile, "Alas, compared to before, we have regressed somewhat."

After chatting for a while, Li Shu looked at Liu Yimin and asked about the publication.

Liu Yimin said leisurely, "Old Li, I want to submit the collection to the Commercial Press for printing."

"Why? Did Huang Chunyu contact you?" Li Shu asked.

"It has nothing to do with Lao Huang. I just think the Commercial Press's prints look better. To be honest, yours are a bit......"

Cui Daoyi burst out laughing and teased Li Shu, saying that the People's Literature Publishing House should transfer a few graphic designers from the Commercial Press.

Li Shu wanted to argue a bit, but deep down, he felt that the Commercial Press's illustrations and covers were indeed better than theirs.

In addition, Liu Yimin's "Homeland Trilogy" was also printed by the Commercial Press, which has experience in this field.

In the end, Li Shu had no choice but to settle for second best and requested to co-publish with the Commercial Press, choosing the design style from the Commercial Press, just like last time.

“That’s right, Lao Li, this is a win-win-win situation,” Cui Daoyi said generously.

Li Shu secretly sneered, "Even when 'Born Out of Nowhere' was published in 'Harvest,' I've never seen you so magnanimous."

The two praised Liu Yimin for his donation, to which Liu Yimin replied, "It's just a case of borrowing flowers to present to Buddha."

“You can’t say that. If the Chinese department gave it to you, then it’s yours,” Cui Daoyi said.

He also told the two that if he had money when he got old, he would donate it to the Chinese Department for charity.

“By then, the Chinese department probably won’t be short of money,” Liu Yimin said.

Li Shu called Huang Chunyu and asked him to come over to sign the contract. As he was hanging up, he said, "Little Huang, you're really lucky."

Huang Chunyu said defiantly, "Last time, I arrived first for 'The Birth of a Nation,' but in the end, both companies printed it together."

After signing the contract, Liu Yimin simply waited for the publication.

Liu Zhenyun may have empathized with Liu Yimin's experience, which is why his reports are particularly emotional and moving.

Thanks to this article, the Farmers' Daily saw a 20% increase in daily sales. Several other media outlets, including the China Youth Daily and the People's Daily, also reprinted the article.

The Ministry of Education also took the opportunity to commission an article to promote Liu Yimin's deeds and to express its welcome to capable individuals and enterprises in society to support the development of national education.

In the past two years, with the deepening of reform and opening up, the number of college students has expanded rapidly, and universities have to spend a lot of money every year, resulting in huge financial pressure.

After reading the newspaper, students from universities and colleges across the country all envied the Chinese Department of Yenching University.

Liu Zhenyun's name was truly remembered by readers because it boosted sales and was reprinted by major national media outlets. The publishing house was even preparing to recommend the article for the National Good News Award, jointly organized by the Yanjing Journalism Society and the editorial department of "News Front".

Liu Zhenyun was overjoyed. With his newfound fame, his old novels were unearthed, and several magazine editorial departments sent him letters of invitation to write articles.

Liu Zhenyun thanked Liu Yimin sincerely over the phone: "Yimin, next time we meet, I'll treat you to dinner at Fengzeyuan or Quanjude!"

"Go to hell!" Liu Yimin laughed and cursed.

Liu Zhenyun hung up the phone with a smile and hummed a little tune as he returned to his dormitory.

On January 6, Liu Min finished the exams for the classes he taught, graded the papers, tallied the scores, and sent them back to the Chinese Department. The second semester of 1983 was essentially over for Liu Min.

Yan Jiayan had Liu Yimin nominally preside over the scholarship selection, while the actual work was jointly handled by several teaching assistants and the counselors of each class.

However, the awards won't be announced until the start of next school year, which is far too late this year.

The script for the play that the directors of the Beijing People's Art Theatre had been eagerly anticipating was finally finished. When Liu Yimin walked into the theatre, the actors passing by all stopped and stared at him, wondering who would be assigned to rehearse the play and whether they would get a role on stage.

Liu Yimin looked at the directors gathered outside Cao Yu's office, gritted his teeth, and pushed through the crowd to open the office door.

Cao Yu glanced at the door and said, "I already know who directed this. There's no use you standing here."

"Master Jiabao, we're just looking at the script."

Cao Yu said, "Comrade Yu Shizhi, please come in. The rest of you, please continue with your work!"

So she pushed through the crowd, walked into the office, and said to the director outside the door with a smile, "Everyone, everyone, excuse me!" Then she quickly closed the door.

Cao Yu took the script, put on his glasses, and began to read it carefully.

Yu Shizhi said in a low voice, "Yi Min, I will definitely raise your price for this script. When I finished reading the novel, I knew this was the script I was going to act in."

Liu Yimin thought to himself, "You have an incredibly thick skin."

After reading it, Cao Yu slammed the script on the table and said, "It's so well written! Lao Yu, take a look! You have to see it! It's even more exciting than a novel!"

So Zhi was already itching to read it, so he quickly picked up the script and started reading, while Cao Yu next to him picked up a pen and quickly wrote something down.

Liu Yimin picked up the script submitted by the Beijing People's Art Theatre editorial department out of boredom and started reading it. After a while, he became even more bored.

After watching it, Yu Zhi exclaimed in admiration: "It has the flavor of old tea in 'Teahouse', a classic! It's exactly the same feeling I had when I watched 'Teahouse' back then, and even different now. Jia Bao Gong, the Beijing People's Art Theatre has finally produced another good script after so many years!"
"Master Jiabao, this deserves a screenplay award!"

Therefore, this last sentence almost sounded like a challenge to Cao Yu. The screenplay award is called the Cao Yu Screenplay Award, and Cao Yu has always adhered to the principle of avoiding any appearance of favoritism when judging the award.

Cao Yu fell silent after hearing Yu Shizhi's words, and wrote even faster.

“Lord Jiabao!” Yu Shizhi called out again.

The directors who had been eavesdropping outside pushed open the door and came in, saying one after another, "Master Jiabao, the script award should be given to Yimin. Look at the previous ones, which one didn't receive a warm response? I think 'The Birth of a Nation' is no problem winning the Ministry of Culture's Outstanding Script Award, and it should also be given the National Script Award."

Cao Yu raised his head and said with determination, "Of course it should be. Once this script is out, no one will have any objections. No one will say that I, Wan Jiabao, am giving awards to my own people. No one will say that there is a Wan Jiabao faction in the drama world."

Yu Shizhi and the other directors nodded in satisfaction. Lan Tianye chuckled, took the script from Yu Shizhi's hand, and began to read it aloud, which made the other directors glare at him.

Liu Yimin slowly walked out of the office. When Yu Shizhi saw him, he quickly followed to get some peace and quiet, letting the directors clamor for the script.

So Zhi pulled Liu Yimin to the finance office to settle the script fee: "How about doubling it from last time, two thousand yuan?"

"Well, you're really slippery, leaving my teacher all alone in the office."

"You don't do the same!"

Liu Yimin said, "Among several directors, I can't very well side with anyone!"

"So, who should I help?"

“You’re the vice president, so it’s your duty to share the president’s burdens. But if you ask me, you’re not qualified to be the vice president,” Liu Yimin said.

(End of this chapter)