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

Chapter 384 The Revival of Drama: Writers

In Yu Shizhi's office, the teacup on the table was steaming less and less. Liu Yimin pretended to count money, but it didn't look like he was counting money; it looked more like he was killing time.

So Zhi chatted with Liu Yimin casually, speaking slowly and deliberately, saying whatever came to mind.

"Hey, hey, stop counting the money. The sound of you counting is making my heart ache like it's being scratched by a cat." Yu Shizhi tapped the table with his hand, a faint smile on his face, his eyes glancing intentionally or unintentionally at the banknotes in Liu Yimin's hand.

Liu Yimin picked up the money without a care and examined it in the air to see if it was real or counterfeit.

"What's wrong? You're obsessed with money?" Yu Shizhi couldn't help but say again.

Liu Yimin said helplessly, "Dean Yu, I don't look at money in this room, and there's nothing else to see!"

So Zhi leaned out from under the desk and asked in a friendly manner, "Who do you think would be most suitable for me to play?"

"You're good at playing the old shopkeeper. You're a great actor who carries on the tradition of playing shopkeepers. You played Wang Lifu in 'Teahouse' so well."

"You little rascal, the old shopkeeper will probably be dead within ten minutes of his appearance!" Yu Shizhi said, waving his hand.

Liu Yimin thought for a moment, then sat down opposite Yu Shizhi, placed his hands on the table, and said, "Chang Guier, I think he's a good actor."

So he chuckled; Liu Yimin's words had really struck a chord with him.

Liu Yimin then changed the subject, saying, "However, I'm not the director, so my words don't count!"

So he slapped the table and said regretfully, "That's right, if only you would keep your word."

The two of them were like comedians, going back and forth, while constantly listening to the sounds coming from the corridor outside.

There were many directors inside, and just reading the script would take a long time; the two of them were getting impatient. After a long while, they heard the door to Cao Yu's office open with a "bang," followed by chaotic footsteps in the hallway. They knew then that the other end of the line was over.

Liu Yimin and Yu Shizhi did not go out; they became even busier with their work.

With a loud bang, Cao Yu pushed open the office door. Seeing that the two men were both "busy," he laughed angrily, "You two, one an old fox and the other a young fox. Look what you've done to my student!"

Yu Zhi felt extremely wronged and looked up, saying, "Master Jiabao, I am more wronged than Dou E. How could I have taught him this? I just followed him out."

“Old Yu, you’re the vice dean. When something like this happens, you can’t just run away.”

After Cao Yu finished speaking, he sat on the sofa and told the two of them about the director selection. Xia Chun and Ouyang Shanzun would direct, and the two of them would conduct casting throughout the theater, working together to make "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" a flagship production of the Beijing People's Art Theatre during the reform and opening up period, as enduring as "Teahouse" and "Longxu Ditch".

Liu Yimin said, "The teacher is right."

“Jiabao Gong, I also support him!” Yu Shizhi quickly said.

Cao Yu looked at the two of them helplessly again, then stood up and said, "Yi Min, keep a close eye on this play! Shi Zhi, if you want to act in it, I support you. You should mentor the young actors."

Liu Yimin and Yu Shizhi got up and agreed, then walked directly into the rehearsal room after leaving the office. Director Xia Chun and Ouyang Shanzun were both grinning from ear to ear, constantly discussing the casting and rehearsal issues, their spittle flying everywhere.

The other directors didn't come in, to avoid seeing the two of them smug. Cao Yu originally planned to use Liu Yimin's three plays to give all the directors a chance.

After reading the novel "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven", I gave up the idea and decided to hand the script over to a suitable director. What is suitable? Of course, it is a well-known director who can adapt well.

Xia Chun and Ouyang Shanzun, two of the four directors of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, clearly demonstrate the importance they are placed on each other.

"Director Xia, Director Shan Zun, do you have any ideas about the actors?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

Xia Chun and Ouyang Shanzun glanced at Liu Yimin, then looked to the side, pretending not to care, but inwardly they were thinking, "Look at me, look at me."

Ouyang Shanzun laughed and said, "Actually, after your novel came out, directors with ideas were already thinking about it. Lao Xia and I already had people in mind. We just met up, and the main actors are basically all set."

Xia Chun muttered several names: "Lin Liankun, Lü Zhong, Han Shanxu, Wang Danian, Liang Guanhua."

As the names came out one by one, Yu Shizhi's heart sank.

"that's it?"

"that's it!"

Now Yu Zhi's heart is completely cold, and he no longer has the will to sit here.

Ouyang Shanzun laughed and said, "Alright, stop teasing Lao Yu. Lao Yu, Chang Gui's role is yours. You're the lead actor, and Comrade Lin Liankun is the supporting actor."

Seeing the wicked smiles on Ouyang Shanzun and Xia Chun's faces, Yu Shizhi laughed and scolded, "You two don't want the subsidies, do you?!"

After the laughter subsided, the four began discussing the script. Ouyang Shanzun and Xia Chun planned to take everyone to Quanjude to learn for a while after the crew arrived, so they could properly experience the taste of "roast duck".

In the afternoon, the drama production team was officially established, the main actors were in place, and the supporting actors were all selected after an afternoon of auditions.

Xia Chun and Ouyang Shanzun first called Quanjude to ask if they could invite Quanjude's chefs to give them a lecture, and then bring their people to Quanjude's restaurant to learn.

The Quanjude staff told the manager, Jiang Junxian, and without saying a word, Manager Jiang sent the restaurant's best-talking chef to the Beijing People's Art Theatre to give lectures to the actors and directors of the production crew.

The notice was relayed to the chef, which put him in a difficult position. He was an expert at roasting duck, but giving a lecture to the actors was asking too much trouble!

Jiang Junxian used both orders and bonuses to finally coax the chef to the Beijing People's Art Theatre's rehearsal hall the next day.

Liu Yimin also sat in the rehearsal room listening to the chef's lecture. At first, the chef really didn't know what to talk about, so he honestly told everyone that he was there for the twenty yuan bonus.

The actors and director burst into laughter. Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Master Wang, how do you usually roast duck? What happens when you roast duck? Tell us about the precautions in the kitchen."

Our chefs at Quanjude are more than just cooks; when they become head chefs, they'll be attending state banquets and traveling abroad for exchanges. Think of this as a rehearsal for those future international events!

The roast duck chef felt much more at ease when he saw the actors, director, and Liu Yimin on stage, all with friendly faces.

Liu Yimin asked him to explain the process of making roast duck in the shop, and Master Wang simply said, "Then I will explain to everyone what we do from opening in the morning to closing at night. If there is anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask."

I come from a rough, uncultured background and don't have much formal education; I just say whatever comes to mind.

After that, Liu Yimin barely spoke; it was the director and actors who did the asking questions. The chef's report would last for three days, and after that, everyone would go to Quanjude to experience at least ten days of kitchen life.

Zhu Lin didn't direct "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven," but when she had free time, she would sit in the audience and quietly listen to the chefs from Quanjude give reports. In her words, this knowledge might come in handy someday.

Jiang Junxian came once in between. Besides bringing roast duck to the actors of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, he asked them what kind of cooperation was needed and whether the chef's performance was good. If not, he would replace the chef.

Liu Yimin only attended the rehearsal at the Beijing People's Art Theatre on the first day; he was absent for the rest of the time.

Yan Jiayan summoned Liu Yimin back to Yenching University. In the department's conference room, all the teachers of the Chinese Department of Yenching University sat below the stage.

The Chinese Department held its year-end summary meeting, at which Yan Jiayan officially became the head of the Chinese Department.

Yan Jiayan spoke about the development of the Chinese Department over the past few years, the achievements of this year, and the key tasks for next year. The year-end meeting can be summarized in several points: significant progress in recent years, this year's goals have been achieved, and comrades should continue to work hard next year.

"Our department has achieved remarkable results this year. The textbooks compiled by Associate Professor Liu Yimin, Professor Zhu Guangqian, and Professor Yang Hui have been recognized by the Ministry, and twenty universities have already announced that they will use our textbooks. These include the Chinese Department of Beijing Normal University and the Chinese Department of Fudan University, and we expect more to follow."

Furthermore, Professor Wu Zuxiang's courses have been approved as high-quality courses by the Ministry. Our department's other teaching achievements are also remarkable, with many professors publishing high-quality papers. The establishment of the Yimin Academic Scholarship is also a cause for celebration.

Yan Jiayan spoke at length below, and many people in the audience yawned repeatedly. It wasn't until the final, most important part of the meeting that many people perked up.

"This year, through public recommendation, departmental application, and university approval, the textbook *Western Modern Literary Thought*, edited by Associate Professor Liu Yimin with the assistance of Professors Zhu Guangqian and Yang Hui, was awarded the first prize for teaching achievements in the Chinese Department. The second prize went to *Lu Xun's Literary Thought*, compiled by Professor Sun Yushi of the Modern Literature Teaching and Research Section, and the third prize was..."
Comrades, you all know Comrade Liu Yimin's performance since he stayed on to teach at the university. Therefore, the department is preparing to award Comrade Liu Yimin the title of "Outstanding Young Professor." Does anyone have any objections? Those who have objections, please raise your hands!

Yan Jiayan scanned the room and, seeing complete silence, said with satisfaction, "If no one objects, then it's approved. The other nominees for 'Outstanding Young Teacher' are, in order: Qian Liqun, and Lecturer: Cao Wenxuan."

Yan Jiayan read out the list one by one, and the young teachers who didn't hear their names felt very bad.

No matter how aloof intellectuals may seem, they can't escape the shackles of daily necessities like food, oil, housing, and household expenses. Teachers who receive awards even get extra points in the housing allocation queue.

Young teachers who moved out of the single-person dormitories in the tenement buildings couldn't get into the detached villas in Yandongyuan and Yannanyuan, but they still wanted a two-bedroom apartment.

Apart from Liu Yimin, who had no objections, everyone else had some reservations. However, intellectuals value their reputation and couldn't openly smear their claims in public, so they could only ask the department why they weren't included.

Yan Jiayan on stage explained things to everyone one by one, and usually after a few words of explanation, the other party would no longer have any objections on the surface.

This is the best time to demonstrate a department head's ability to balance the interests of all parties. Zhu Guangqian nudged Liu Yimin's arm and laughed, "Learn from him. Old Yang used to do it best. As Old Yang's student, Jia Yan has learned a thing or two."

Finally, the award winners went on stage together to receive a certificate. Liu Yimin and Zhu Guangqian received a reward of one hundred yuan for winning the first prize for teaching achievements.

Liu Yimin put the "mosquito leg" into his pocket, shook Yan Jiayan's hand, and smiled to express his gratitude.

After the meeting ended, the expressions on the faces of the people leaving the meeting room varied.

Back in his office, Liu Yimin unfolded the certificate and examined it carefully. He then complained to Wu Zuxiang, "The department can't even afford a frame!"

Wu Zuxiang picked at his ear: "You should go to Jia Yan's office and make a scene."

In the afternoon, the department office began a collective cleaning. The cement floor and windows were cleaned spotlessly, all the coal ash from the coal stove was removed, and after all personal belongings and teaching materials were put away, everyone left the office, closed the door, and affixed the department's seal.

In fact, Liu Yimin had always been curious about the significance of cleaning before the holiday. After the start of the new semester, a layer of dust would accumulate, so wouldn't it need to be cleaned?
Finally, except for the office on duty in the department, all the others were sealed off.

A group of people walked out of the Chinese Department building in a noisy manner. The deserted feeling of the school made everyone feel a little uncomfortable. The students had basically all left.

After saying goodbye to several professors, Liu Yimin rode his motorcycle to the Overseas Chinese Apartment and placed the award certificate in the apartment's study.

In Muxidi, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin were guests at Cao Yu's apartment. The sound of chopping meat echoed continuously from the kitchen; Wan Fang was making braised beef.

"Yimin, when the script for 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven' came to our 'Script Monthly' magazine, everyone praised it as well-written. Many of our script review masters in the editorial department said that this is a script that will revitalize Chinese drama."

"This script will be performed at the Beijing People's Art Theatre for at least thirty years, and together with 'The Flames of War in Beiping' and 'The Legendary Shopkeeper,' it will be passed down by word of mouth for fifty years," Wan Fang said, raising his voice.

Zhu Lin glanced at Liu Yimin happily, then turned to Liu Yimin and said, "Senior sister, we're going to Quanjude to learn these next few days. If I watch for a few more days, I'll be able to roast duck myself."

Wan Fang laughed and said, "If we learn it, we'll open a branch of Quanjude!"

Laughter filled the apartment. Liu Yimin held the Peking Opera script "The Sorrow of Green Silk" written by his teacher's wife, Li Yuru. "The Sorrow of Green Silk" was not Li Yuru's original work, but rather an adaptation of the traditional play "Wang Kui Betrays Guiying".

It tells a story that is popular in operas from various regions: the story of the unfaithful and ungrateful top scholar. Wang Kui, a failed scholar, meets and falls in love with Guiying. After Wang Kui becomes the top scholar, he becomes ungrateful due to the difference in their social status and returns the tokens of their love.

Enraged, Guiying ran to the Sea God Temple to rebuke Wang Kui, but the Sea God dared not act because of Wang Kui's power. In the end, Guiying committed suicide in resentment. Upon hearing the news, Wang Fu, the head of the family, angrily denounced Wang Kui for being ungrateful.

Li Yuru picked vegetables while glancing at Liu Yimin, wanting to hear his evaluation. Liu Yimin held up the script and said, "Master's wife, you have to give me a ticket to the performance."

"Yes, everyone has one," Li Yuru said happily.

Cao Yu, standing beside him, smiled without saying a word. He had contributed a great deal to the creation of this play's script. But this script, placed before him, was truly child's play.

“Look at your teacher, he looks down on what I write,” Li Yuru complained.

Cao Yu quickly replied, "No, I'm going to see this play too."

"Hahaha!"

Wan Fang stood at the kitchen door and said, "Yi Min, both of these scripts will be published in the February issue of 'Script Monthly'. Originally, 'The Hatred of Green Silk' was supposed to be published in January, but Aunt Li said she would wait for you."

Li Yuru said, "When the time comes, everyone will be discussing Yimin's play, and no one will criticize me or say that my writing is bad."

Li Yuru's words amused everyone. After finishing their meal in Muxidi, the two returned to the courtyard house.

The following morning, Liu Yimin received a money order from the Commercial Press and People's Literature Publishing House from the postman.

"The Birth of a Nation" was reprinted four million copies, and with other royalties, both parties sent about 30,000 yuan in royalties.

These royalties do not include the "Times Trilogy." If the complete collection is to be published, it will probably have to wait until after the Spring Festival, at the end of February or the beginning of March.

Liu Yimin put the remittance slip at home and rode his motorcycle to the set of "The Legendary Shopkeeper". Li Jun and Wei Lian had called Liu Yimin long ago to ask him to come to the set to give guidance, but he hadn't come yet.

The production team specifically found a two-story old house facing the street, renovated it, and decorated it to look like a restaurant, with a large plaque that read "Fengzeyuan" hanging on it.

Li Jun pointed to the layout of the restaurant and said, "We referenced old photos for this layout, and we also invited Mr. Wang Yijun, the famous chef of Fengzeyuan, to be the scene consultant. He said that you consulted him a lot when you were writing the book."

"Is Grandpa Wang Yijun here?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

Wei Lian interjected, "The old man didn't come today. It's almost the New Year, and there are many things to do at Fengzeyuan. Sometimes the higher-ups also need the old man to cook."

Feng Enhe, who was standing next to Liu Yimin, nodded slightly. Liu Yimin was playing the role of a chef in the TV series.

After filming began, Wei Lian and another executive director were busy filming, while Li Jun sat aside and watched the filming with Liu Yimin.

The actors cooked for real, and after they finished, they all sat down at the restaurant to eat together at noon. Liu Yimin joked with Li Jun that they even saved on boxed lunches while filming.

"You wouldn't believe it, but at the beginning, the actors' cooking was terrible. We would eat half and throw the other half away. Eventually, Grandpa Wang Yijun felt so sorry for us that he personally cooked a few dishes for us."

Li Jun said with a smile, while Feng Enhe quietly moved next to Liu Yimin and told him about his feelings about the role.

“Playing a chef is a bit of a waste of talent. At the very least, he should be a police chief or a station chief of the secret service in the show.”

Feng Enhe originally thought Liu Yimin was saying it was a pity he wasn't playing the lead role, but when he heard the end, he almost threw up his food. The cook is so good, he's so dramatic!

(End of this chapter)