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

Chapter 502, "The Redemption of a Slave," saw a surge in worldwide box office revenue.
In the meeting room of the editorial department of *People's Literature*, Liu Yimin listened quietly to Jiang Zilong's discussion, nodding occasionally. Lu Yao listened very attentively, carefully taking notes of the key points.

This is the first time Lu Yao's work has been included in such a high-level symposium. He stuttered several times during his speech because he was nervous.

Jiang Zilong and Liu Yimin are members of the editorial board of People's Literature and Art, and their words better represent the overall attitude of People's Literature and Art towards Ordinary World.

After Jiang Zilong finished speaking, he paused, glanced at all the attendees, and continued, "Comrades, Comrade Lu Yao told me that at the beginning, apart from Comrade Yimin, no one was optimistic about this novel."

Now, readers are voting with their hands and their money, proving that *Ordinary World* is a good novel. Comrade Lu Yao should not only write more, but also finish the entire work. Furthermore, I think we should all thank Comrade Liu Yimin; without his recommendation, this novel might have been overlooked.

After Jiang Zilong finished speaking, Lu Yao led everyone in applause. Wang Meng clapped and looked at Liu Yimin, who smiled and waved his hand: "It's still because the content is good, and I also thank People's Literature for its continued commitment to realist literature."

"The current editorial policy of People's Literature is to play a pioneering role and uphold the banner of realist literature in the era of reform and opening up, amidst the collision of Chinese and Western literature, and to promote the collision and integration of these elements," Cui Daoyi said with a smile.

Wang Meng said, "Alright, let's continue with the discussions at the symposium."

After Lu Yao's introduction and Jiang Zilong's initial remarks, the discussion at the scene became increasingly lively.

Reporters and editors from People's Daily, Guangming Daily, and Wenyi Bao quickly took notes on each guest's remarks.

After listening to Wang Zengqi's speech, Feng Mu, editor-in-chief of Wenyi Bao (Literary Gazette), coughed and said, "Comrades, let me say a few words. We at Wenyi Bao have been at the forefront of literary criticism for many years, and we are very familiar with the general trends of domestic literary works. In the past two years, our local realist literary works have begun to show a tenacious vitality."

I've been to many countries, not counting small ones, but all the major countries have their own unique literary characteristics. Our country's realist literature is one such example, so we must not lose it.

In the past two years, a large number of literary works have featured explicit content related to sex and gore. Personally, I don't think it's entirely wrong to write about these things; the Federation of Literary and Art Circles also believes that such content can be appropriately presented, but it shouldn't be excessive or used solely to attract readers—that would simply be vulgar.

After the reform and opening up, explicit Western literary works were introduced, and many people began to imitate them, using this as a pretext for free literary expression.

Liu Yimin remained silent until everyone had finished speaking, then he began: "The rural landscape depicted in Lu Yao's writing is a very pure rural landscape. It also shows how, under the reforms of the times, farmers, facing the loess soil and turning their backs to the sky, have begun a new round of struggle for their own path to happiness."

The two Sun brothers, Sun Shaoan and Sun Shaoping, represent the realistic path of hard work, down-to-earth, unafraid of hardship, and single-mindedly striving for a better life. Sun Shaoping represents the romantic idealists among rural students, who yearn to see a bigger world.

Farmers are not just about having enough to eat and wear; they also have their own dreams. Sun Shao-ping's work reflects the real-life predicament of rural students, highlighting the imagination and confusion they feel towards the vast world outside their small, isolated communities.

Yenching University students from rural backgrounds were in a similar situation when they first entered the university. They were still at an age where they could freely discuss their ideals and were ambitious enough to achieve great things. However, the huge sense of disillusionment they experienced upon arriving in the city often left many feeling lost.

The attendees listened quietly to Liu Yimin's explanation. The youngest people present, besides Liu Yimin, were Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong, who was seven or eight years older than Lu Yao.

He's too old, to the point that his appreciation for youth has somewhat faded. Liu Yimin himself is young and often spends time with students, so he has more authority to speak on the ideas of young people.

Many people don't understand Sun Shao-ping, thinking he's pursuing something unreal and that he should look down at the crops on the ground. The winds of youth are more precious than gold. We should understand the thoughts of young people; at Sun Shao-ping's age, it's the perfect time to travel light.

Of course, we can criticize him for not traveling far while his parents are alive, leaving his eldest brother to support the family alone.

Looking at the wrinkles on his hands, Wang Zengqi sighed, "If the breeze has a heart to pity the flowers, could it grant me youth again?"

"Young master Ji is in his prime, riding a horse and wearing a black sable coat!" Jiang Zilong immediately added Xin Qiji's poem.

“I’ll add a line too, like the old man’s ‘When we were young students, full of vigor and vitality, we were full of youthful spirit and ambition, and we were full of confidence and ambition.’” Cui Daoyi immediately chimed in.

Wang Meng praised, "This is the feeling of youth. Youth is impetuous. Looking back, we have lost this youthful spirit."

"This is what makes Lu Yao's novel so good. Jin Bo, Tian Runsheng, and Sun Shaoping, these young people, each have their own unique characteristics. It shows that even on the barren loess land, there is a group of romantic and idealistic young people. This is also an inevitable result of the expansion of national education, which liberated the minds of rural youth who had turned their backs to the loess soil."

But amidst the tides of the times, rural youth will inevitably experience confusion. Realist literature requires keen observation and insightful exploration. Even without ornate language or meticulously crafted literary techniques, it is possible to create compelling literary works.

Amid applause, Liu Yimin concluded his speech, and everyone began to discuss the plot design and character tension in "Ordinary World".

They chatted animatedly, each offering their own opinion. Lu Yao readily agreed and diligently noted down the questions, though whether she would actually make any changes was another matter.

Finally, Cui Daoyi took out a reader's letter to everyone from "Ordinary World" and read it aloud. It was written by a college student from a rural area, who wrote in detail about his reading experience.

After listening, Jiang Zilong asked Lu Yao curiously, "Comrade Lu Yao, this letter reminded me of why you didn't let Sun Shao-ping take the college entrance examination. If he had taken the exam, his dream of going out and seeing the world would have been better realized."

Lu Yao pondered for a moment, then spread his hands on the table and said in a voice filled with regret and almost pain, "How many people can actually get into university? Sun Shao-ping's regret is also the regret of ordinary students. The pride of heaven who can go to university is as rare as a tree on the Loess Plateau, amidst the swirling yellow sand."

"When the country has more money in the future, we can build more universities so that everyone can go to university," Wang Zengqi said optimistically.

Liu Yimin's lips twitched slightly, as if he wanted to speak but then suppressed it.

Wang Meng clapped her hands and said, "Comrades, today's academic symposium has been a great success. Thank you all for accepting the invitation."

The meeting officially ended, and everyone quickly stood up, the sound of tables and chairs clattering together echoing through the room.

When Liu Yimin looked up, the meeting room was almost empty. Stepping out of the meeting room, he only saw a few figures running away quickly.

When Lu Yao returned looking relaxed, Liu Yimin asked, "Where did you go?"

Lu Yao smiled but didn't speak. Liu Yimin then looked at Jiang Zilong and asked, "What were you doing? You ran so fast."

“You’re young, you don’t understand. We’re getting old.” Jiang Zilong pointed to his belt: “It’s suffocating here.”

"Oh—" Liu Yimin revealed a meaningful smile.

After Lu Yao came out, he greeted everyone and then took him, Jiang Zilong, and Cui Daoyi to dinner.

Lu Yao didn't invite them to Chinese food, but instead went to Lao Mo for Western food. Jiang Zilong joked that Lu Yao was "a dog with horns causing trouble in foreign countries."

If someone else had said that, Lu Yao would have thought it was sarcasm, but because she was on good terms with Jiang Zilong, Lu Yao just smiled and said, "There are some things you have to experience to feel guilty."

Cui Daoyi looked at Lao Mo and sighed that Lao Mo had changed a lot compared to before. More people came to eat, but Lao Mo's status was no longer as enviable as it used to be.

"The swallows that once graced the halls of noble families now fly into the homes of ordinary people." Lu Yao mimicked the scene on television, gracefully taking the menu.

Liu Yimin ordered a pot of braised mutton: "This is fine with me. My stomach isn't used to Western food."

“Yimin, I think you’ve been eating too much Western food.” Cui Daoyi gestured with his hand.

The food was served, and Lu Yao warmly invited everyone to try it: "If it's not enough, I'll make some more. Western food is good, but there's just too little of it."

After finishing their meal and leaving Lao Mo, Liu Yimin and Lu Yao arranged a time for the interview. Since Jiang Zilong was there, Liu Yimin decided to have a threesome.

After Liu Yimin left, Jiang Zilong and Lu Yao returned to the People's Literature and Art Guesthouse together. Jiang Zilong felt a bit bored and wanted to find somewhere to wander around.

"Lu Yao, what are you doing this afternoon? How about we go to the Temple of Heaven or some park together?"

“Okay, but I want to get a trendy haircut first, like Yimin’s, it looks good.” Lu Yao took out a cigarette and handed it to Jiang Zilong.

“What a messy haircut! You don’t look good with that. Yimin is good-looking, but do you really think it’s his hairstyle that’s good-looking? You might as well get a haircut like mine, the short haircut that’s popular in Southeast Asia. A lot of people in Singapore have this haircut.” Jiang Zilong pointed to his own hairstyle.

Lu Yao glanced at it a few times: "This one will do too. Summer is coming, and shorter ones are cooler."

After saying that, he couldn't help but ask, "Is this really a hairstyle that was popular in Southeast Asia?"

"Really, I guarantee it," Jiang Zilong said confidently, smoothing his hair back.

In the courtyard, Liu Yimin hugged Liu Yu, kissed her, and put her down. Liu Lin gently stood on tiptoe to signal him, and Liu Yimin picked her up, saying, "You must listen to Aunt Ximei at home."

"Hmm!" Liu Lin nodded heavily, then hesitated for a moment before asking, "What if my sister doesn't listen to me? Can I hit her?"

"Hmm?" Liu Yimin pinched Liu Lin's cheek: "You've grown up, haven't you? You dare to hit your sister?"

“I didn’t hit her. My sister is sometimes disobedient.” Liu Lin pointed at Liu Yu, who was glaring at him.

“You can’t hit me if I don’t listen. If you have any problems, talk to me or Mom. We’ll figure out who’s right and who’s wrong.” Liu Yimin hugged Liu Lin and laughed for a long time.

After Liu Yimin left, Liu Lin asked Ximei what 'loyalty and treachery' meant.

When Liu Yimin arrived at CCTV, Jiang Zilong and Lu Yao were already waiting at the door.

"Why aren't you two going in? How long have you been here?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

Jiang Zilong pointed at Lu Yao: "We just arrived, but none of us slept last night. Lu Yao was so excited that she couldn't sleep. She kept reciting her prepared remarks and even pulled me along to answer them."

"A prepared answer? I didn't ask any questions, yet you've already come up with your own?" Liu Yimin looked at Lu Yao. Lu Yao, sporting short hair, said, "I did think of some questions you might ask."

"That's a nice hairstyle," Liu Yimin said. Long hair, if not styled carefully, can look a bit unkempt.

Lu Yao scratched his head: "I also think this trendy hairstyle in Southeast Asia is a bit strange, it's similar to the shaved head we have here."

“It’s much different; there’s a trick to it,” Jiang Zilong quickly said.

Liu Yimin ignored the "hair" issue and led the two into CCTV. Staff members warmly shook hands with Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong, and some even brought out their old books, hoping to get their autographs.

Deputy Director Yang Weiguang coughed, and the group immediately scattered like birds and beasts.

"Comrade Lu Yao, Comrade Zilong, welcome to the Central Radio Station to record a program. Comrade Yimin, the Institute of Literature and Art is really great; it can invite all sorts of famous people to help the program," Yang Weiguang said warmly.

"Director Yang, you go ahead with your work, we'll go record the program first," Liu Yimin said.

Yang Weiguang laughed and said, "Okay, go ahead."

When Liu Yimin arrived at the recording studio, the recording team was already waiting. Liu Yimin asked how much of the recording of "Dream of the Red Chamber" had been completed.

"Professor Wu's 'Dream of the Red Chamber' has been recorded, but the five episodes that haven't been broadcast yet are scheduled to air. The station plans to move the interviews with Comrade Lu Yao and Comrade Jiang Zilong forward by twenty minutes, and postpone the overall broadcast by about half an hour, airing the interviews together with Professor Wu's 'Dream of the Red Chamber'," the producer said quickly.

"Youth Night Talk" airs relatively late, and the radio station's programs after 11 PM are more flexible and not fixed. By playing fewer songs or repeating news less often, that time can be squeezed out.

When they first stepped into the recording studio, Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong were a little excited. Lu Yao didn't know where to put her hands, and no matter what she did, she felt awkward all over, and her speech was also not smooth.

Seeing how uncomfortable he looked, Liu Yimin didn't start making the program first, but instead talked to Lu Yao about the next steps in creating "Ordinary World".

After about twenty minutes, Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong finally got used to the recording studio.

Taking the opportunity, Liu Yimin began an interview, mainly asking Lu Yao about his creative process and his views on the young people in the book, while also discussing the topic with Jiang Zilong.

Some of these questions were discussed at the symposium, so they are not difficult to answer.

Liu Yimin asked, "Among writers, Lu Yao, you can be considered an ascetic. You spare no effort in every field trip. I heard that you went deep into the coal mine this time?"

"Yes, I went to the Tongchuan coal mine and witnessed firsthand how hard the miners work. They work like oxen and labor like horses, which really touched me." Lu Yao touched the cigarette in his pocket, swallowed, and ultimately held back.

Jiang Zilong laughed and said, "Lu Yao's ascetic-like writing is extremely rare in the Chinese literary world. You can't speak without investigation. Lu Yao's ability to write 'Ordinary World' is a perfect example of this. But Lu Yao, you still need to take care of your health. For Lu Yao, 'pouring out one's heart and soul' is not an adjective, but a verb."

“I think it’s alright. Comrade Yimin also goes on field trips all year round, but he writes a lot of stories during his field trips and can write several stories. I can’t compare to him; I can only write one,” Lu Yao said with a smile.

"Why did you write the character Sun Shao-ping?" Liu Yimin asked.

"I have seen the survival dilemma of young people in the crossroads of urban and rural areas amidst the tide of reform and development. It is also my dilemma. I became a city dweller through literature, but I am actually very unsophisticated. I have always been afraid of people saying that I am unsophisticated."

Some writers, with just a glance, can sting me. When young people from the countryside enter the city, they first face the scrutinizing gaze of city dwellers, as if they were being looked at as potatoes dug from the ground. People in Yanjing describe them as "country bumpkins," and I'm afraid people will call me one. Lu Yao struggled internally, but still honestly spoke her mind.

Next, the group began discussing youth issues, successfully echoing the program's name, "Youth Night Talk."

From the educated youth of yesteryear to college students, street vendors, and unemployed young workers, the group eventually reached a consensus: those with perseverance are more likely to achieve success than ordinary people.

"This achievement is relative; it means going further than your peers under the same conditions. Of course, some people can achieve even greater things; ordinary rural children can also become Olympic world champions," Jiang Zilong explained.

He also gave several examples: in the machinery factory where he used to work, some of the young workers who were laid off found other jobs and did very well, while others were in a mess.

Liu Yimin took out several letters from listeners, which contained various issues concerning young people, and even some newlywed couples who were having trouble making ends meet and asking how to get along.

When the topic of daily life came up, Lu Yao seemed to freeze for a moment, leaving only Jiang Zilong and Liu Yimin to continue the conversation. After the two had finished talking, Lu Yao said blankly, "I... I feel like I don't know how to live a life."

As someone who had been through similar experiences, Jiang Zilong gave Lu Yao several pieces of advice, which Lu Yao listened to and carefully considered.

After the recording ended, Lu Yao quickly lit a cigarette and put it in his mouth. Looking at the equipment in the recording studio, he said, "This small, square space is a bit oppressive."

Jiang Zilong said, "I had this feeling as soon as I came in, but fortunately the recording was completed smoothly."

"The space is small, mainly for sound recording. Let's go outside," Liu Yimin said with a smile, gesturing with his hand.

After leaving the studio, Liu Yimin looked at the recording studio and pondered. He thought that if he had the chance, he could invite an audience member to participate in the program and have a face-to-face conversation, which would increase young people's sense of connection with the program.

Curious, Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong went behind the staff and took out their earphones to listen to the recording they had just heard.

As they listened, they both felt a pang of regret, thinking they could have spoken much better.

"Take a good look at your summary, so you can give a better presentation next time." Liu Yimin wasn't in a hurry and just sat down to wait for the two of them.

Just as I was about to leave, a radio editor approached me. Upon seeing Lu Yao, the editor extended his hand and introduced himself: "Comrade Lu Yao, my name is Ye Yongmei. I've read your 'Ordinary World.' I think it's magnificent in scale and grand in structure, a panoramic representation of rural life before and after the reform and opening up. Although the sequels haven't been released yet, I still consider it a rare and excellent work."

We'd like to adapt your novel into an audiobook for broadcast on the radio.

"Make it into a broadcast?" Lu Yao grasped Ye Yongmei's hand and said repeatedly, "I agree, I agree."

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "You should find a broadcaster with a rich and nuanced voice so that the value of the book can be brought out and the audience will enjoy listening to it."

"Comrade Yimin, rest assured, we will definitely take it seriously." Ye Yongmei took Lu Yao to calculate the royalties for the audiobook.

Jiang Zilong sat in the hall, looking somewhat bored: "When will I be able to write a magnificent work like Lu Yao? When I heard that he was going to write a million words, I was completely stunned."

"Comrade Zilong, your 'The Appointment of Factory Director Qiao' may be short, but it has had a profound impact. In the future, when people study reform literature, they will surely mention your name."

After Lu Yao signed the contract, she had an extra envelope in her hand containing a wad of cash. This amount was far less than the royalties, and Liu Yimin didn't ask, but he estimated it was only a few hundred yuan.

"This is our payment for the show, one envelope for each person," Liu Yimin said.

Lu Yao and Jiang Zilong felt embarrassed, but Liu Yimin simply stuffed it in: "We make money by making programs, and I'm not some heartless factory owner from the old society."

"Let's go back to the courtyard house for dinner."

Liu Yimin made them squeeze onto the motorcycle, with Lu Yao sitting at the back, holding tightly to Jiang Zilong, as if afraid of falling off.

Liu Yimin felt a bit heavy behind him and didn't dare to run too fast, fearing that a dragon might suddenly rise up.

"Ximei, finish what you're doing and then stop. We're having hot pot. It's too much trouble to cook for so many people," Liu Yimin said in a low voice as he walked into the kitchen.

"Okay, Professor Liu, I'll finish what I'm doing."

After Zhu Lin returned, everyone pitched in to help.

Zhu Lin cleaned the vegetables in his hands and drained them: "Comrade Lu Yao, I have applied to the institute for your 'Ordinary World' to be adapted into a stage play, and Comrade Yu Zhi has agreed that I will direct it."

"You agreed so easily? But it will take me a long time to finish writing." Lu Yao quickly said.

Zhu Lin placed the washed vegetables on the table: "It's alright, we can wait. You still need to take care of your health while writing."

While eating, Liu Yimin received a telegram and handed the postman a popsicle.

"Thank you, comrade. Please sign for it. It's from America," the postman said happily.

Liu Yimin signed his name and quickly skimmed through the contents of the telegram.

"Whose telegram is this?" Jiang Zilong asked curiously.

Liu Yimin placed the telegram on the table: "The novel 'Redemption of a Slave' by an American director has been adapted into a movie. It was released in the United States in the middle of the month, and the box office looks pretty good. The director is here to report the good news."

Liu Yimin predicted that "Redemption of a Slave" would gross at least 2000 million at the box office. The telegram told him that the box office on the opening day was five million US dollars, and the growth momentum was very strong.

P.S.: The next chapter has been approved.

　Rumors are circulating today that the author, Hungry Fish, has passed away, but I don't know if it's true. Everyone should take good care of their health. I'm writing every day now, and besides taking medicine to regulate my body, I also try to exercise. I wish everyone and their families good health.

　
(End of this chapter)