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

Chapter 396 is about to be included in Chinese drama history textbooks.

In the conference room of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, the tables and chairs were arranged in an oval shape, and both sides were full of people. A banner reading "Symposium on the Script of 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven'" was hung at the front of the conference room.

On one side were directors and famous stage actors, led by Cao Yu, Yu Shizhi, Xia Chun, and Ouyang Shanzun; on the other side were critics and journalists, including four famous drama critics: Tong Daoming, Du Qingyuan, Lin Kehuan, and Tian Benxiang, as well as Feng Mu, editor-in-chief of Wenyi Bao, Li Zhuang, editor-in-chief of Renmin Bao, and She Shiguang, editor-in-chief of Zhongqing Bao.

Since the meeting was chaired by Cao Yu, Liu Yimin sat next to Cao Yu and greeted everyone across from him.

Since sitting down, She Shiguang, the editor-in-chief of China Youth Daily, has kept his eyes on Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin nodded slightly to him, and She Shiguang said with a smile, "Comrade Yimin, we've known each other for a long time, but we've never had the chance to meet."

"Editor-in-Chief She, I know you very well. Comrade Yu Jiajia often praises you in front of me, saying that after you came to China Youth Daily, our China Youth Daily has been thriving and the situation has been completely renewed."

Liu Yimin's words made She Shiguang's old face wrinkle up with a smile. He wondered to himself whether Yu Jiajia had really praised him, since Yu Jiajia had forgotten to introduce him several times.

Let's just take this as a compliment for now; Comrade Xiao Yu is not bad at all!

Li Zhuang, editor-in-chief of People's Daily, said: "Comrade Yimin, we hope you will publish more articles in our People's Daily in the future. Our reporters all say that Comrade Yimin has a special fondness for China Youth Daily!"

"Editor-in-Chief Li, even if I put my article in the People's Daily, you might not publish it!" Liu Yimin joked.

The People's Daily represents the direction. If Liu Yimin's previously powerful articles were published in the People's Daily, would the literary world speculate about whose intention it was?
Li Zhuang smiled helplessly, and said unwillingly, "Comrade Yimin has traveled far and seen a lot, so he can write more about what he has seen and heard!"

"Actually, Yimin is most suitable for our Wenyi Bao (Literary Gazette), which publishes literary reviews and records major events in the literary world. Comrade Yimin, on behalf of Wenyi Bao, I am asking you to contribute articles. You have great insights into Western literature, so please be sure to express your opinions more often."

Feng Mu couldn't wait to interject, citing Liu Yimin's previous comments and lectures, and mentioning the recent novel "Beloved": "Comrade Yimin, when it comes to magical realism, no one in China has more authority to speak on it than you."

Your concept of magical realism is indeed a form of realism, and it's beginning to be accepted by more people. Those who previously thought magical realism wasn't real are also changing their minds.

The discussion was lively, but it had gone off-topic. Seeing this, Yu Zhi glanced helplessly at Cao Yu, and seeing that Cao Yu showed no sign of impatience, he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

After a while, several drama critics also joined the discussion.

Yu Zhi couldn't help but clear his throat: "Comrades, today is a symposium on Yi Min's script 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven,' let's get back to the main topic!"

Critic Li Kehuan said with a smile, "Anyway, they were all written by Comrade Yimin. Comrade Yimin is the greatest fruit that the literary world has produced today."

"Comrades, let's talk about 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven'!" Liu Yimin said.

Inside the meeting room, everyone heard Liu Yimin say this, and the topic finally returned to the main point.

Critic Tong Daoming shared his understanding of "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven": "This play emerged from the theater world's admiration for 'new plays,' which shows that our old plays can also achieve success."

While we celebrate new plays, we must not forget the old ones. When studying *The First Restaurant Under Heaven*, we cannot only discuss *The First Restaurant Under Heaven*. We must discuss the author's creative ideas, Yi Min's *Trilogy of the Times*, the legacy following Lao She's *Teahouse* and *Dragon Beard Ditch*, and the ever-flowing realistic vitality within Yi Min's literary blood.

Tong Daoming spoke with a southern Jiangsu accent, and his voice was slightly hoarse due to his age, but it was not harsh; rather, it was clear and pleasant to listen to.

The old man spoke several sentences in succession, building up to the point that his cheeks became flushed and red by the end.

Tong Daoming studied in the Soviet Union, and his theatrical ideas bear a deep Soviet imprint. For example, his favorite play is Chekhov, and he likes the "new plays" (which adopt popular foreign narrative methods) that the Beijing People's Art Theatre learned from abroad.

The success of "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" allowed him to once again experience the charm of Chinese opera.

"The successful rehearsal of 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven' marks another milestone in the maturity of our playwriting and directing skills. With this play, the Beijing People's Art Theatre has once again solidified its position in the theater world." Lin Kehuan excitedly slapped the table at the end: "It's a success!"

Yu Shizhi glanced around the room and then smiled at Tong Daoming, saying, "I agree with what Lao Tong just said. When 'Wolf Smoke Over Beiping' came out, I felt the same way I did with 'Teahouse.' Personally, my favorites are 'Wolf Smoke Over Beiping' and 'The First Restaurant Under Heaven,' with 'The Legendary Shopkeeper' being the next best."

Feng Mu of the Literary Gazette said with a smile: "I read 'The Flames of War in Beiping' about three times back then. Wen San'er is such a unique character that he deserves to be studied carefully. From 'The Flames of War in Beiping' to 'The First Restaurant Under Heaven,' it shows that Comrade Yimin's writing is not that of an observer, but that he truly integrates himself into the fate of the characters and the times."

Their observations of life and their insight into the times reached a level of profound sensitivity.

Liu Yimin sat next to Cao Yu, idly doodling in his notebook. Hearing these words, Liu Yimin was too embarrassed to look up, afraid he wouldn't be able to hold back his laughter; he had to maintain a composed and unperturbed demeanor.

Cao Yu glanced at what Liu Yimin had written, and his old face almost broke down.

[Tong: Praised; Feng: Praised; Tian Benxiang: Did not praise; Du Qingyuan: Did not say a word]

Those who didn't speak had their names circled heavily, making it look like a book of life and death.

Cao Yu turned his attention back and joined the discussion praising Liu Yimin, making the atmosphere of the discussion even more enthusiastic and harmonious.

The conference staff would come in every now and then to pour tea for everyone.

Ouyang Shanzun whispered to Liu Yimin, "How long do you think it will take for 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven' to be performed fifty times?"

"Three months?" Liu Yimin said.

"About two months should be about right; three months is too long," Ouyang Shanzun said with a smile.

The two whispered something to each other and immediately stopped talking, instead focusing on listening to the discussion at the symposium.

She Shiguang said, “What a dilapidated building! Who is the master and who is the guest? This couplet expresses the vicissitudes of time. It is truly rare for Comrade Yimin to have such a sense of vicissitude at such a young age. Comrade Yimin, would you like to say a few words?”

"Comrade Yimin, could you share your understanding of current drama? We all want to hear it. What are your thoughts on new plays and old plays?" Tian Benxiang said.

Liu Yimin pondered for a moment and said, "Whether it's an old play or a new one, the audience has to understand it. The play itself is about the immersive experience of being in the audience while physically present, and having one's heart fully engaged in the play."

How can you expect an immersive experience when everyone is completely confused and unable to understand it? Some plays strive for novelty, but the audience doesn't understand them, and then they claim it's because the audience's level of understanding is insufficient to comprehend the director—that's just nonsense!

“Ahem, Comrade Yimin, we are both intellectuals.”

"Sorry for getting excited, but it really is absurd. Some plays are easy to understand, while others are a bit more difficult. But if the difficulty is too high and only the playwright and director understand it, then it's the playwright and director's problem."

These are my thoughts on the new and old dramas. Thank you everyone.

Upon hearing this, Cao Yu nodded in satisfaction: "Making sure the audience can understand it must be one of the principles that our directors and playwrights at the Beijing People's Art Theatre follow. In the past two years, we have encountered many problems in our efforts to innovate scripts. Learning is fine, but we must not go to extremes."

After the midday meeting, everyone went to the restaurant for lunch. The manager of Quanjude served everyone roast duck, allowing everyone to experience the "Number One Restaurant Under Heaven" through their stomachs.

Around 1 p.m., most people left the Beijing People's Art Theatre after having eaten and drunk their fill. Critic Tian Benxiang, however, stayed behind and revealed his true purpose in his office.

"Dean Wan, I recently looked at drama teaching materials in China and I was surprised to find that there is no course on the history of Chinese drama, let alone any textbooks for it."

How can you study drama if you don't even understand its history?

Tian Benxiang recently wanted to interview Cao Yu properly, because the study of drama history cannot bypass Cao Yu, just as the study of modern literary history cannot bypass Lu Xun.

"In addition, as your student, Comrade Yimin, I would also like to conduct a thorough interview with him. I am writing a history of drama, which will cover everything from its origins to the present, and Comrade Yimin cannot be left out of the discussion."

Upon hearing himself mentioned, Liu Yimin couldn't help but say, "Professor Tian, ​​is it really necessary for you to come here?"

Tian Benxiang just started teaching at the Central Academy of Drama this year and discovered that the prestigious academy didn't even have a course on the history of drama. This sparked his idea to establish a research system for the history of drama.

"Of course it's necessary. Just one play, 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven,' is enough. The first person to appear in the history of drama I'm writing is Dean Wan, and the last person will definitely be you."

Cao Yu looked at Tian Benxiang and said, "Professor Tian, ​​if there's anything I can help you with at the Central Academy of Drama, please don't hesitate to ask. I hope you can be objective when writing your book and not be biased because of my identity as Wan Jiabao."

Furthermore, if you're going to study Yimin, there's something I want to clarify: Yimin's achievements weren't the result of my nurturing, but rather the result of his own hard work.

Tian Benxiang said, "Dean Wan, you are too modest!"

“No, I’m not being modest at all, it’s absolutely true!” Cao Yu said.

Tian Benxiang said, "Dean Wan, Comrade Yimin, I will study this objectively."

The following day, People's Daily, Wenyi Bao, and China Youth Daily all published news of a seminar held by "Tianxia Yilou".

The three newspapers reported on the seminar from different perspectives, and with their influence in the social and cultural circles, they successfully established the status of "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" in the drama world.

All the drama troupes in Beijing flocked to the Beijing People's Art Theatre to learn from their methods of scriptwriting and arrangement for "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven".

Jiang Zilong sat on a small stool and watched five performances of "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. After returning to Tianjin, he strongly recommended the script to the Tianjin People's Art Theatre and published a commentary in the Tianjin Daily, hoping that the Tianjin People's Art Theatre would learn from the Beijing People's Art Theatre and stage more plays with regional characteristics.

On March 29th, the Literature and Art Department of the People's Daily and the Beijing People's Art Theatre held another symposium in the hall of Quanjude Restaurant.

Quanjude's duck was placed in the center of the symposium. Everyone ate and discussed, and the content of the discussion was similar to the last time. However, this time, in front of Quanjude, everyone once again unanimously agreed that Quanjude was the number one restaurant in Yanjing.

With a beaming smile, Quanjude's General Manager Jiang Junxian gave an interview to the People's Daily, outlining his vision for the company's future development.

As the meeting was about to end, he held Liu Yimin's hand reluctantly, feeling that the 20,000 yuan was well spent, after all, it was the People's Daily!

As April approached, Liu Yimin and several teachers from Yenching University sat in a large classroom, with students behind them and a student standing on the stage. The students below were restless, while the student on the stage was anxious and had a dry throat.

This is a graduation defense scene for senior students. Liu Yimin holds the students' papers on stage in his hand and gives a barely perceptible "hmm" from the corner of his mouth. The students on stage immediately relax.

"Next up, Yan Zhen, you will present your novel instead of a thesis. Now, you will defend your work." Yan Zhen stepped onto the stage and analyzed her writing process and expression techniques one by one.

Qian Liqun said, "Yan Zhen, are there any contradictions in your character descriptions? The two different personalities make me feel like I'm reading two different novels."

“Teacher Qian, this is a transformation in the character’s personality,” Yan Zhen said.

Is the transition too rigid?

Yan Zhen swallowed hard and looked at Liu Yimin, silently pleading, "Save me, save me!"

Liu Yimin smiled slightly and said, "Let me, your teacher, debate with the scholars on your behalf!"

Liu Yimin leaned forward and looked at Qian Liqun, who was a few people away: "Professor Qian, it's like this, his transition was a little abrupt, but for students, it's already good enough as a graduation thesis."

Qian Liqun said with a smile, "Professor Liu's students are a little stiff, but short stories have few words, so there can't be too many plot twists, otherwise the story will be too long."

Qian Liqun gave Yan Zhen a reason, and the other teachers stopped asking questions, so Yan Zhen passed smoothly.

Undergraduate thesis defenses are not too strict; most students pass if there are no major problems.

By the end of the morning, all of Liu Yimin's students had completed their defenses, and he had finished his own defense work. In the afternoon, other professors led another group of students to defend their theses.

Back in his office, several professors from the Spanish Department were discussing magic realism and "The Favourite." Liu Yimin greeted them at the door, then quickly walked outside and rode his motorcycle back to the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

Wu Zuxiang said smugly, "Your Department of Western Languages ​​shouldn't even think about it. There's no way Yimin will go to your Department of Western Languages."

"Could Comrade Yimin teach a course in our Spanish Department?"

"No, Comrade Yimin has a lot of courses in the Chinese Department and is usually very busy, so he simply doesn't have time."

"A lot? There are only two classes?"

"Two classes? It seems like just two classes, but it'll take a whole week to prepare!"

After Zhu Lin stopped going to work and moved into the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Liu Yimin would come back for lunch every day.

"Why are you cooking again? I can do it," Liu Yimin said with a smile, looking at the lunch on the table.

After Liu Yimin washed his hands and came out, Zhu Lin pulled him to sit at the dining table and said, "If I don't do some chores at home all the time, I'll really become a 'pig' Lin."

"Haha, you're in a good mood at home," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

While eating, Zhu Lin slowly recounted what he had done at home that morning, sharing the interesting articles from the newspaper with Liu Yimin.

Zhu Lin's due date is approaching, and Liu Yimin wants to hire a nanny for her. She disagrees, feeling that hiring a nanny would make her seem like a bourgeois princess.

"Chu Hong came to chat with me this afternoon. She recently went to Shanghai and said she had a lot of fun things to tell me!" Zhu Lin said.

Why did she go to Shanghai?

Zhu Lin said, "It's probably a business trip. They didn't tell me the specifics."

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin taught a class in the department. After class, he returned to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. He took out several letters from the mailbox, one of which was a letter from home.

The family inquired about Zhu Lin's health and asked Liu Yimin to pay close attention to her and take good care of her.

The other letter was from Li Congren in the United States, and from Niki in China Book Publishing House. Just by touching it, you could tell there were books inside.

Pushing open the door, Chu Hong was chatting with Zhu Lin in the living room. When Chu Hong saw Liu Yimin return, she stood up to greet him.

"Oh, Comrade Chu Hong, I should thank you. Thank you for coming to keep Linlin company. She must be so bored at home all by herself with no one to talk to," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Chu Hong said, "I'm relieved that I didn't disturb Professor Liu. Professor Liu, I heard that your class is the most popular course in the Chinese Department!"

"I dare not accept the title of 'the best'."

Liu Yimin sat in the living room, listening to Zhu Lin and Chu Hong chat, occasionally interjecting with a comment.

Zhu Lin was overjoyed that Chu Hong was coming, and he couldn't stop talking about her.

Chu Hong looked at the book in Liu Yimin's hand and asked, "Professor Liu, what is that in your hand?"

“A friend just sent me a magazine and the American edition of ‘Beloved’,” Liu Yimin said.

Chu Hong didn't know English, but she had read "Beloved" from the magazine "Harvest." Zhu Lin showed off his English skills in front of Chu Hong.

"Linlin, when did you learn English?"

Zhu Lin looked sweetly at Liu Yimin: "I learned from Teacher Liu, but my English level is not good enough. I can only understand simple sentences."

"It's true what they say, you become like those you associate with. Having a great professor and writer in your family really helps you learn and improve quickly," Chu Hong joked.

Chu Hong took the magazine from Liu Yimin: "Linlin, let me test you. Translate this for me."

Zhu Lin glanced at Liu Yimin and said, "Teacher Liu, the name means 'Thought' magazine, right?"

Liu Yimin nodded: "It's 'Thought,' founded by Li Congren, a student who studied abroad. You met him at Yenching University."

"I vaguely remember that. Wow, that's impressive. They actually founded their own magazine."

Zhu Lin and Chu Hong touched the paper; the printing quality was far superior to that of privately-run publications in China.

The two huddled together, Zhu Lin translating the contents of the document for Chu Hong, while Liu Yimin went into the study to read the letter Li Congren had written to him.

Li Congren told Liu Yimin that this was the first issue of "Thoughts". It took Li Congren more than a year to go from wanting to start the magazine to persuading his father, contacting the printing plant and setting up the editorial department.

Currently, it is sold through his father's sports equipment distribution channels, as well as in high schools in the San Francisco area.

The above content is short and humorous, making it a great way for adults to have a laugh during breaks. It's easy to read, and even middle school students won't have any trouble understanding it.

The content includes not only his previous short stories about China, but also stories from Japan, South Korea, and other regions.

Wise and polite Chinese people, arrogant Koreans, treacherous Japanese, the shamelessness of Nazi German officers, and the emotional regrets of young Americans.

"This kid did a great job!" Liu Yimin praised sincerely.

Zhu Lin and Chu Hong also found Chinese idioms and stories like "The Farmer and the Snake" on it. After a while, Zhu Lin and Chu Hong came in, pointed to the contents and asked, "Why haven't we heard of the story of Emperor Wu of Han hammering nails?"

"That's because your historical knowledge is too poor!" Liu Yimin said smugly.

"It's not mentioned in historical records either!"

"To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all! You are not Emperor Wu of Han, how do you know there are no books?"

Zhu Lin and Chu Hong exchanged a glance: "That makes sense!" So they sat down in the study and started reading again.

Around six o'clock, Zhu Lin had stammered through half of the translation when Chu Hong said, "These stories are simple, but they're quite interesting; they're all philosophical!"

"This magazine is mainly for students; adults can only read it for entertainment. It can subtly cultivate students and improve their moral character," Liu Yimin explained.

Chu Hong said, "Looking at it this way, our students also need nurturing. This magazine is quite useful here, somewhere between a children's magazine and a traditional literary magazine. I think we should run one too. When the youth are wise, the nation is wise; when the youth are powerful on Earth, the nation is powerful on Earth."

“It will happen,” Liu Yimin said.

Chu Hong teased, "What? Professor Liu is going to do it too?"

Liu Yimin smiled slightly but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned on the radio and started listening to music.

Just before dinner, Liu Yimin stood up and said to Chu Hong, "Comrade Chu Hong, today I'll let you taste my cooking."

"I saw in the newspaper that you've learned a few dishes from Fengzeyuan Restaurant. Want to show off your skills today?"

"Show me your skills!"

Liu Yimin was busy in the kitchen, while the two of them were reading "Thoughts" in the study. As he cooked, Liu Yimin wondered how many copies of the standalone edition of "Beloved" would sell.

In her letter, Niki stated that the collected volume of "Beloved" would be released in mid-to-late April, and that preliminary printing and distribution work was currently underway.

"Liu, I am very confident in the sales of The Beloved. The spring issue of The Paris Review sold 680,000 copies and nearly two million copies worldwide. This is the best sales performance in the history of The Paris Review."

(End of this chapter)