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

Chapter 402 The Research Institute's Makeshift Team

Inside the courtyard, everyone toasted and drank, and after a few rounds of drinks, they were noticeably more relaxed than before. Liu Fuqing and Yang Xiuyun answered questions from time to time, and would also ask questions when they didn't understand something. The most reserved people at the scene became Zhu's parents and Cui Daoyi.

Zhu's father had a low alcohol tolerance and, under Zhu's mother's "care," never dared to drink too much. After Liu Fuqing got drunk, he pulled the old commander aside and talked about his glorious deeds in suppressing bandits in the mountains, fighting fiercely against bandits, and bravely rescuing comrades, his words filled with a lot of "fictional" color.

"Comrade Fuqing, we have reformed and opened up, but the revolutionary work will never end." The old leader patted Liu Fuqing's hand and said.

Liu Fuqing said loudly, “Old leader, don’t worry. I, Liu, followed the Party in the past, and my children will definitely follow the Party in the future. When Yimin got married two years ago, we passed through Tiananmen Square. I specifically told them to get out of the car and bow three times to the old man. If they do anything bad, the state won’t have to deal with them. I, Liu Fuqing, will deal with them.”

Yang Xiuyun patted Liu Fuqing and said to the old leader, "Old leader, Yimin's father has had a bit too much to drink. When he drinks too much, he can't keep his mouth shut."

"It's alright, Comrade Fuqing spoke very well. How is your brigade doing now?"

“The Party Secretary’s son is leading the villagers to grow cotton and sesame to make money. Recently, everyone pooled their money to build a factory to roast melon seeds and peanuts to earn money,” Yang Xiuyun said.

"Oh? This young man has some good ideas!" The old commander raised his eyebrows, not expecting that there were people with good business sense in the brigade in the mountain valley.

Liu Yimin gave a detailed account of Li Lanyong's situation: "Old leader, the Party Secretary's son is named Li Lanyong. I joined the army the year I went to university. Later, while covering the retreat of my comrades on the front line, my arm was blown off. I worked as a gatekeeper at Yenching University for about a year and also audited courses in the Department of Economics for a year."

The old leader was moved upon hearing this. He picked up the wine glass on the table, drank it all in one gulp, and after a half-minute of silence, said:

"There are just too many disabled veterans who have been discharged from the military, and many of them will never be able to stand up again. Those who can do something should support these soldiers. The perseverance they have developed from the battlefield can surely lead to success in civilian life, but to achieve this, they will have to make even greater sacrifices."

After dinner, the two little ones who had been sleeping in the cradle woke up. The old leader went over and asked the two little ones their names, played with them for a while, and then took two red envelopes from the secretary and put them in the little ones' hands.

In addition, he took out two fountain pens and clipped them to his collar: "Little guy, eat well and sleep well, so you can write great articles when you grow up."

After saying that, he turned to Liu Yimin and the others and said, "Comrades, I have some things to attend to and I'll be leaving first. If I don't leave, it won't be easy for you all to leave either."

As everyone saw their old commander out the door, Liu Fuqing suddenly asked, "Old commander, can we take a picture?"

"Sure, do you have a camera?"

Liu Yimin turned around and went into his study to get his camera. He stood at the entrance of the courtyard house, and Secretary Li took a group photo of everyone.

Senior Brother Cui Daoyi was smiling so hard his face was wrinkled. Liu Fuqing had drunk a bit too much and his steps were unsteady.

After taking the photos, as the old leader was about to get into the car, he pulled Liu Yimin aside and whispered, "The play 'The Birth of a Nation' has been performed more than a hundred times in and around the base. The comrades like it very much. Keep up the good work. I'm leaving now."

After the old leader left, the crowd gradually dispersed. Zhang Guangnian followed Xia Yan, and the two talked about something on the way back. Cao Yu first took Li Yuru and Wan Fang home, and then went to the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Cui Daoyi stayed behind to help tidy up the yard, and Liu Fuqing and Yang Xiuyun were very happy to hear him call them "uncle" and "aunt".

"Brother, help Dad back to get some sleep," Liu Yimin said to Liu Yiguo.

Seeing his father's flushed face, Liu Yiguo quickly walked over and helped him into the house.

"Senior brother, you've worked hard," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Cui Daoyi put his arm around Liu Yimin's shoulder and said, "The food was so delicious that I didn't dare to eat too much, but this trip was really worth it. Give me a copy of the photos when they're developed; I need to hang them in my study."

"Row!"

Liu Yimin took out three more red envelopes and walked into the third courtyard, handing them to Wang Yijun and the other two. The apprentice hesitated, looking at Wang Yijun, who smiled and said, "Take them all, and share in the joy of Comrade Yimin's family."

"Thank you for coming today," Liu Yimin said.

"Comrade Yimin, no need to thank me. Just let me know if you need anything next time." Wang Yijun wanted to help Liu Yimin tidy up the three-courtyard house, but Liu Yimin quickly stopped him.

After seeing the three chefs off, Liu Yimin went to the yard to clean with Cui Daoyi. Zhu's parents and Yang Xiuyun helped out. Zhu Lin sat under a tree, gently rocking his rocking horse. Before long, the child fell asleep again.

The courtyard house was big enough. After the two families finished packing their things and saw Cui Daoyi off, they took a nap in the courtyard house.

In the bedroom, Zhu Lin put her arm around Liu Yimin's shoulder, excitedly talking about winning the award. Liu Yimin had also drunk a bit too much; the wind outside while he was working had made him dizzy, and he barely managed to answer a few words before his consciousness faded.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Liu Yimin opened his eyes. Zhu Lin was no longer beside him. Through the window, he saw her and Yang Xiuyun sitting together under the ginkgo tree in the yard, chatting.

Liu Yimin washed his face to clear his head and walked over to ask, "You seem to be having a good time chatting. What are you talking about?"

"Mom asked me why the award I won was called the 'Golden Rooster Award,' hahaha," Zhu Lin said, unable to contain his laughter.

The three of them talked for about half an hour before the rest of the people gradually woke up.

It's almost mid-to-late May, and the busy wheat harvest season is approaching. Liu Fuqing, his elder brother, and his sister-in-law will be taking the train back to Rucheng tomorrow, and Liu Yimin has bought soft sleeper tickets for all three of them.

After the baby's one-month celebration, Zhu's mother also left the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Yang Xiuyun stayed in Yanjing to help take care of the children. Liu Yimin originally wanted to hire a nanny, but Yang Xiuyun felt that a nanny would definitely not treat her grandchildren as well as she would herself, so she decided to stay with them until the end of the year before leaving Yanjing.

Lying in the bedroom, Liu Yimin said to Zhu Lin, "Once your maternity leave is over, you should go back to work. If that's not possible, we can hire a nanny to help Mom take care of the baby."

As Yang Xiuyun said, the two children are too young, and a nanny cannot take good care of such young children. Especially when one person is taking care of two, if they start making a fuss, they will not be able to take care of the other.

If you don't have a sense of responsibility, the two little ones will suffer.

Our family is missing an Andy Lau!
The Institute for the Protection and Development of Chinese Culture was officially established within the Chinese Department of Yenching University, located in the Chinese Department's office building in Jingyuan Fifth Courtyard. Yan Jiayan specifically approved an office for the institute and began recruiting office staff.

"What level of office staff do you want?" Yan Jiayan asked with a smile.

Liu Yimin picked up his teacup and said, "Undergraduates are fine. It would be a waste to hire graduate students. Besides, graduate students wouldn't want to be ordinary staff members in a research institute."

Furthermore, undergraduate students can gradually transition into research positions through training.

As soon as Liu Yimin finished speaking, Yan Jiayan sighed: "This year's graduating seniors, except for those who are taking the postgraduate entrance exam, all have jobs. It's really not easy to recruit people."

"The files haven't been transferred yet, have they?" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Yan Jiayan said helplessly, "The files haven't been transferred, but most of the students have already made arrangements with their work units. If we stop them, it will be difficult to explain!"

"Have you reached an agreement with the other party?"

Who have you taken a fancy to?

"I didn't fancy anyone. I know Yan Zhen quite well. I have people under me who I know well, so they're easier to use! Besides, I actually want to stay at Peking University, but I can't meet the requirements for teaching assistants to stay at Peking University."

Liu Yimin finally understood why leaders preferred to use acquaintances. When things were just starting out, acquaintances were always more willing to help, and besides, Yan Zhen was also very capable.

Yan Jiayan pondered for a moment and said, "Go ask him. If he's willing, he can stay. I'll help you with the work at Hunan Normal University."

"Alright, I also need an accountant."

“I’ll hold off on the finance staff for you. We’re in dire need of finance staff in the Chinese Department at Yenching University, and besides, they might not be willing to work in the research institute.” After saying that, Yan Jiayan asked, “How are the candidates for professors and scholars coming along?”

"I plan to invite Professor Gan Xifen and Professor Yuan Xingpei from the journalism department. In addition, I need to continue to look for professors from the film academy. Besides, these senior professors may not be willing to have their names listed in the research institute."

"Our department's professors are fine, but we still need to do some work with the history department. It will be even more difficult for professors from other universities."

Liu Yimin smiled calmly: "If all else fails, we can recruit some graduate students. Research output isn't necessarily determined by the number of people." Yan Jiayan patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder and said: "With such a domineering spirit, I don't think you need to recruit anyone. Just find your own research direction and write your own thesis. Once you graduate with your master's degree next year, I'll immediately give you the qualification to recruit graduate students."

After leaving Yan Jiayan's office, Liu Yimin went to find Yan Zhen. Yan Zhen had been idle these days, spending her time lying in her dormitory reading novels and trying her hand at writing.

Once the graduation ceremony is held and the diplomas are issued, I'll go back to Hunan Normal University to work as a teaching assistant.

"Professor Liu, you wanted to see me?" Yan Zhen asked with delight.

Liu Yimin asked in a friendly tone, "Yan Zhen, would you like to stay at Yenching University?"

"Stay at the university? Professor Liu, am I not qualified?" Yan Zhen asked, puzzled. After speaking, she stared intently at Liu Yimin's face, trying to see if Liu Yimin was joking.

Liu Yimin said, "You're certainly not qualified to stay at Yenching University as a teaching assistant. However, the Chinese Department has recently established a research institute with the support of the Ministry, and I am the deputy director. We need some staff, and I'd like to ask if you'd be willing."

The salary is the same as that of the administrative staff in the department, and you can live in a single dormitory provided by the university. Your household registration can also remain in Yenching University.

Yan Zhen's disappointed heart immediately warmed up, but when she thought of Hunan Normal University, she hesitated again.

"The department at the Normal University will handle the negotiations, so you don't need to worry."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhen immediately said, "Professor Liu, I am willing to work at the research institute."

"The work is simple: organizing meetings, sorting documents, etc. You can also take this opportunity to take the postgraduate entrance exam, and becoming a researcher in a research institute in the future will be no problem."

Liu Yimin offered Yan Zhen a few words of encouragement and then led him to the Cultural Protection and Development Office of the Chinese Department.

In addition to a large office, there was also a separate office for Liu Yimin.

"This office really exists!" Yan Zhen said subconsciously as she looked at the office.

Liu Yimin's face darkened: "Would I lie to you?"

"Professor Liu, that's not what I meant."

"It's newly established, and the sign hasn't been put up yet. Your first task is to go to the logistics department and get the sign back to put it up."

"Okay, Professor Liu."

After Yan Zhen left, Liu Yimin returned to the main office. Wu Zuxiang and the others, seeing this, jokingly asked Liu Yimin why he wasn't working in a private office.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "I can learn something here. Listening to everyone chat, even though I am foolish, I have managed to learn something."

"Haha, we love to hear that!"

Liu Yimin invited Wang Yao and Wu Zuxiang to join the research institute. Both of them studied classical literature and had extensive knowledge of traditional culture. They could join the East Asian Regional Group for the Protection and Development of Chinese Culture.

The two readily agreed and officially became external researchers at the institute once the appointment letters arrived.

The two gave Liu Yimin a lot of advice, such as inviting Professor Feng Zhi from the Department of Western Languages, who has extensive research on the West and can play a significant role in studying topics such as the invasion of Western culture.

Accompanied by Wu Zuxiang and Wang Yao, Liu Yimin arrived at Yannan Garden and found Feng Zhi reading in the study.

After putting down his book, Feng Zhi said to Wu Zuxiang in a sarcastic tone, "Professor Wu, are you planning to send Professor Liu to our Department of Western Languages ​​as an adjunct professor? I heard that you've scolded quite a few professors in our department!"

"Professor Feng, it's just that some professors say such infuriating things. If you were in their shoes, you wouldn't want to do it either!"

Upon hearing Wu Zuxiang's words, Feng Zhi laughed: "Your Chinese Literature Department's precious tree is growing taller and taller, so tall that it blocks out the sky. Who wouldn't be tempted by it! What brings you three here?"

Liu Yimin told Feng Zhi about his intentions, and Feng Zhi said, "I'm afraid I don't have much energy!"

“Professor Feng, you only need to provide some suggestions for the institute on a regular basis,” Liu Yimin said.

Feng Zhi nodded and said, "I'm good at giving advice, but if you ask me to do systematic research, I really don't have much energy."

Subsequently, Professor Yuan Xingpei, a journalism major, also announced his joining. Currently, two of the three research directions (Western cultural invasion and the protection and development of Chinese culture in East Asia) have been established. Although it is still somewhat makeshift, at least the framework is in place.

As for the cultural industry, Liu Yimin first approached Wang Yang from Beijing Film Studio and Liu Peiran from August First Film Studio. Both of them had been working in the film industry and were certainly very knowledgeable about it.

Liu Yimin didn't offer much persuasion; the two men quickly reached an agreement with him. After hearing about the research objectives of the institute and its direct affiliation with the Ministry of Culture, they decided to use the institute's research papers to advocate for the film industry.

Wang Yang and Liu Peiran held Liu Yimin's hands and praised him, saying that if this matter were to be accomplished, it would have guiding significance for the entire industry and would be a major event that benefits the country, the people, and the industry.

Both sides got what they wanted; Liu Yimin's goal was to exert influence on the entire film industry through the Beijing Film Studio and the August First Film Studio. The development direction proposed by the research institute, once reported to the ministry, needed to be implemented.

"Yimin, from today onwards, we are your soldiers!" Wang Yang said with a smile.

Liu Yimin quickly said, "They are not my soldiers. I am the deputy director, and Comrade Xia Yan is the director."

"Haha, you're in charge of the daily operations, aren't you!"

When Liu Yimin asked Liu Peiran about the profitability of "The Legendary Shopkeeper", Liu Peiran pretended to be modest and said, "I didn't make much money. It cost 380,000 yuan to make the TV series, but only a dozen or so TV stations broadcast it or bought the broadcasting rights. So I only made less than 1 million yuan."

Liu Peiran's appearance angered Wang Yang, who snorted coldly, pretending not to care at all, but his heart was bleeding, and he also started to think about filming the TV series.

At this point, all three makeshift teams had established a semblance of formality. Other professors could only be invited gradually over time.

In the office, in addition to Yan Zhen, three more undergraduates were recruited as office staff. Their names are not particularly prominent in the long history of the office. The three are Wang Li, Sun Xianghong, and a girl named Liang Ni.

"Comrades, our institute currently has relatively few tasks, so for the time being, there are only four of you staff members. Now let's divide the work: Wang Li will be responsible for communication and liaison work for the Western Culture Transnational Communication Research Group; Sun Xianghong will be responsible for communication and liaison work for East Asia; and Liang Ni will be responsible for communication and liaison work for the Cultural Industry Group."

Yan Zhen is in charge of communication and liaison in the office and reports directly to me.

Originally named "Western Cultural Invasion," the Ministry of Culture and Yenching University felt that the name was likely to offend others, so it was eventually changed to "Research Group on Transnational Dissemination of Western Culture."

Liu Yimin glanced at the four people, and only stood up after making sure they understood his task: "My office is still in the same place. If you have any questions, just report them to me directly. Did you all understand what I said during your two weeks of study at the Foreign Literature Association?"

"Understood, Director."

"Deputy Director," Liu Yimin said, leaving the Institute's main office.

With Yan Jiayan's strong support, the files of Yan Zhen and the other three were ultimately kept at Yenching University, and their original receiving institutions expressed their sincerest "understanding".

On May 15th, the Chinese Department of Yenching University held its 1980 graduation ceremony. Liu Yimin personally presented Yan Zhen with her graduation certificate and academic certificate.

As usual, after Yan Jiayan, the head of the Chinese Department, finished his speech, Liu Yimin gave a graduation message to the graduating students of the Chinese Department.

Finally, amidst the powerful and stirring strains of the graduation song, the graduates officially stepped into society.

"Professor Liu, we're about to leave the school. Could you please sign our books for us?" a student shouted toward the podium, holding up a collection of the "Time Trilogy".

(End of this chapter)