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

Chapter 517 Liu Hurricane from the Western Pacific
Hai Zi's overall mental state has visibly improved compared to before. Liu Yimin was very happy to see the change in him and stood beside him, offering a few words of encouragement.

"What did Professor Wu say about your paper?"

"Professor Wu gave me 89 points. I studied philosophy, and I incorporated philosophical elements into my literary writing," Hai Zi said with a smile.

"Good, go back to the University of Political Science and Law and do a good job."

Hai Zi's expression darkened upon hearing this. He felt that his time at the Institute of Literature was much more interesting than being a teacher at the University of Political Science and Law.

Seeing that Hai Zi seemed to want to say something but hesitated to speak, Liu Yimin asked, "What do you want to say? We can discuss anything you want to talk about, so don't be so wishy-washy."

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" Hai Zi swallowed his words back. For a moment, he had a desire to stay at the Institute of Literature or the Chinese Department of Yenching University.

But he knew that it would be very difficult for a teacher like him, who was only a lecturer, to transfer to Yenching University, and that if he told Liu Yimin, it might put Liu in a difficult position.

Liu Yimin patted Hai Zi on the shoulder: "If you have anything to say, come and tell me when you've thought it through."

After cleaning the courtyard, Liang Yong'an took the lead in washing the bowls, chopsticks, and copper pot. Everyone had just finished eating and then worked for another half hour, their foreheads covered in sweat.

Liu Yimin opened the refrigerator, took out some cola, and let everyone drink it to cool off.

The group simply held the cola to their faces to cool down without drinking it. When Liu Yimin asked why, they all said they were too full and wouldn't be able to go back if they drank any more.

"It's getting late, Teacher Liu, let's go back," Yan Zhen said.

"Okay, please go slower on the road."

Liu Yimin saw them to the door. They had lived at Yenching University for a year and had each bought a second-hand bicycle, making it easier for them to go back.

However, with the course nearing its end, everyone was busy trying to sell their products, but then the holiday started, and they couldn't sell them even if they wanted to.

They all entrusted their bicycles to Yan Zhen, who would sell them once the new students arrived, and Yan Zhen would then send the money to each of them individually.

A group of people rode bicycles out of the alley in a grand procession. Dai Jianye was inspired to write poetry and recited Li Bai's lines: "Laughing loudly, I go out the door; how can we, a man of such talent, be mere commoners!"

The others immediately understood and started playing a poetry relay game.

Liu Yimin returned to the courtyard and sat down, the air filled with the aroma of hot pot. Liu Yu and Liu Lin were also stuffed, unable to eat the half-eaten watermelon they were holding.

Liu Yimin picked up a palm-leaf fan from the stone table and began to fan himself leisurely. "Ximei, you've worked hard this afternoon. I'll give you a day off tomorrow so you can rest."

"A holiday? Professor Liu, I'm not tired. Aunt Yang is busy too. I haven't done much work at all." Xi Mei came out of the kitchen and hung the washed rag on the clothesline. The sound of water dripping on the bluestone slab echoed.

"Take a rest. Take advantage of the fact that someone is home to rest more. You won't have time to rest when you get busy later," Liu Yimin said.

Xi Mei hesitated for a moment, then wiped her wet hands on the hem of her clothes: "Alright, Professor Liu, I'll listen to you. I'll spend time with my parents tomorrow."

Liu Yimin gave Ximei her salary for the month in advance: "Go back quickly."

"Professor Liu, you're not going to fire me, are you?" Xi Mei asked suspiciously, holding the money.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "What are you thinking? It's still early."

Xi Mei happily put the money in her pocket and went back to her room. Afraid of being robbed, she put the money under the bed and didn't take it with her.

Zhu Lin, standing to the side, seemed puzzled but didn't ask.

After Ximei left the courtyard, Yang Xiuyun asked, "Yimin, what about Ximei's boyfriend?"

“Mother, when Ximei comes back, you can ask her yourself. I’ve done everything I could.”

Zhu Lin was puzzled, so Liu Yimin explained it to her. Zhu Lin gently patted Liu Yimin's shoulder and said, "Teacher Liu has become a matchmaker."

Yang Xiuyun said, "Acting as a matchmaker is a virtuous thing to do."

As Xi Mei stepped out of the courtyard, she saw a person sitting on a bicycle at the entrance of the alley, almost blending into the darkness. Startled, she clenched her fists nervously, thinking to herself how lucky she was that she hadn't brought any money with her.

The closer Ximei got to the shadowy figure, the faster she walked.

"Xi Mei".

"Liang Xiangdong? Go to hell! You scared me to death!"

Liang Xiangdong's voice startled Xi Mei, who then burst into a tirade of curses.

When Liu Yimin was seeing a group of people out, he ran into Liang Xiangdong, which led to the current situation.

Liang Xiangdong was also nervous. When he saw Ximei cursing, he became even more nervous and didn't know what to say.

"What do you want from me?" Ximei asked.

Liang Xiangdong stammered, "I...I..."

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean,' tell me quickly. I'm in a hurry to go home. Professor Liu gave me a day off," Xi Mei said, frowning.

"I"

Seeing that he was like this, Xi Mei was about to leave when Liang Xiangdong quickly turned on his flashlight and took out two crumpled movie tickets from his pocket.

"Oh, you want to invite me to a movie?"

Liang Xiangdong nodded and said, "Yes! Yes! This is the Hong Kong movie 'The Millionaires Express'."

"Sure, you know to treat me to a movie." Xi Mei smiled and accepted Liang Xiangdong's movie ticket.

Liang Xiangdong happily straightened the bicycle: "Ximei, I'll take you home."

Xi Mei sat sideways on the back of the bicycle: "Let's go, why did you invite me to the movies?"

On August 15th, Liu Yimin arrived at the August First Film Studio on time and handed the script of "Deng Jiaxian" to Liu Peiran.

Liu Peiran carefully read through the script from beginning to end: "Yimin, you're really punctual. I was thinking it would be delayed by a day or two."

“You have to do what you say. I know the higher-ups are anxious, and you're under a lot of pressure too,” Liu Yimin said.

Liu Peiran closed the script and made a phone call. Two minutes later, there was a knock on the office door.

"Come in!" Liu Peiran said loudly.

After everyone came in, Liu Peiran introduced Liu Yimin: "Comrade Yimin, this is Comrade Yan Jizhou, a famous director in our factory. He graduated from the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University. His film 'Heroic Gallantry' pioneered the 'anti-espionage film' genre in my country. 'Erquan Yingyue' received commendation from the Ministry of Culture. Our factory unanimously agreed that he would be the director of the film 'Deng Jiaxian'."

Yan Jizhou saluted Liu Yimin. He was dressed in military uniform, his appearance was neat, and he walked with great efficiency.

Yan Jizhou was a renowned military film director at the August First Film Studio. He later received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hundred Flowers Awards and was considered a veteran among the directors at the August First Film Studio.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, we've never worked together before, this is our first time. Just watch me, Lao Yan, I promise you won't be disappointed," Yan Jizhou said firmly.

Liu Yimin stood up and grasped Yan Jizhou's hand: "Director Yan, this is the script. I'm entrusting everything to you."

During this period, Yan Jizhou had thoroughly studied Deng Lao, read the literary work "Deng Jiaxian" no less than five times, and filled half a notebook with his personal insights.

While Yan Jizhou was reading the script, he handed his written notes to Liu Yimin to review.

Liu Yimin read it carefully and couldn't help but admire Yan Jizhou's thorough preparation. The document first analyzed Deng Lao as a person, down to his favorite foods and daily routine.

Deng had studied abroad, but unlike those scientists who maintained Western habits after returning to China, he did not like eating Western food or drinking milk.

Mr. Deng liked to drink Wuliangye and Moutai, but not too much, about two liang each time. He liked to smoke Zhonghua cigarettes, loved listening to Peking Opera, and enjoyed tasting local delicacies from all over the country.

Liu Yimin visited the scientists' family compound, where those who had returned from abroad were mostly quite Westernized.

The old leader was right; compared to most scientists who returned to China, he really was a peasant scientist.

The last few pages contain information about Professor Xu Luxi, Deng Lao's wife, and his son, Deng Zhiping.

Liu Yimin whispered, "Director Yan has really put a lot of thought into this. With this kind of skill, he's sure to make a great movie."

Hearing Liu Yimin's praise, Liu Peiran smiled proudly. After Yan Jizhou finished reading the script, he shared his thoughts. "Comrade Yimin, my idea is that we shouldn't deliberately exaggerate during filming; we should use a down-to-earth filming style."

"Old Deng is already very accomplished; there's no need to exaggerate his achievements. His down-to-earth perspective is quite good."

After talking with Yan Jizhou for an hour, Liu Yimin wanted to leave, but Liu Peiran stopped him and asked him to accompany him to the General Political Department to review the script.

"The General Political Department will definitely want to see this script; they've been urging us several times. Comrade Yimin, why don't you come with us?"

"it is good."

Liu Yimin and Yan Jizhou rode in Liu Peiran's jeep to the General Political Department. On the way, Liu Peiran inquired about the filming progress of "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale".

"It's almost September, I reckon we'll be done filming soon," Liu Yimin said.

After thinking about it for a while, Liu Peiran felt that, based on the length of the story, it must be close to completion at this point.

"Yimin, I hope nothing bad has happened."

Liu Yimin comforted him, "No, I went to Saihanba with Director Wang. The filming went very smoothly. You met the actor, and he's an exceptionally good actor."

“I’ve met Comrade Jiao Huang; he’s a good actor. This actor is suited to playing emperors; he has a very strong presence. If there are any imperial dramas in the future, I will definitely cast him,” Liu Peiran said.

After getting out of the car, Liu Peiran took a few deep breaths to compose herself before quickly walking into the General Political Department building.

"Director Liu, is this really necessary?"

“Yi Min, you don’t understand. Whenever a film involves the General Political Department’s review, we have to be extremely careful, because one wrong move and there will be problems. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with your script, otherwise Comrade Zhang wouldn’t have specifically asked for yours, but it’s always better to be cautious.” Liu Peiran grabbed Liu Yi Min’s arm.

Yan Jizhou, who was standing next to him, shared the same feeling, and he was even more nervous than Liu Peiran.

Upon arriving at the General Political Department's conference room, a few moments later, five or six people arrived in a flurry, all wearing peaked caps and Type 85 uniforms.

"Comrade Yimin, welcome, welcome. The General Political Department has awarded you several times, but this is your first time visiting the General Political Department headquarters." The speaker was Xu Huaizhong, the head of the Cultural Department of the General Political Department.

Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Greetings, sir. The General Political Department has a different atmosphere from local cultural departments."

"Haha, we are the intellectuals among soldiers, with a few drops of ink mixed in with our blood," Xu Huaizhong said.

Liu Peiran saluted and said, "Commander, this is the film script 'Deng Jiaxian' written by Comrade Yimin. Please review it today."

After Xu Huaizhong asked everyone to sit down, he first picked up the script that Liu Peiran handed him and started reading it.

It will take a long time for so many people to finish watching, so we'll just have lunch in the conference room.

While the others were reading the script, Xu Huaizhong chatted quietly with Liu Yimin, telling him to write more articles for the army, or even songs if he couldn't write articles.

“Comrade Yimin, we need some rousing and inspiring songs. If you have any ideas, you must write them down. For soldiers in the barracks, singing military songs is not only a way to conduct ideological work, but also a means of rest and expressing emotions. A good military song is worth more than a division-level political commissar,” Xu Huaizhong said with a smile.

"If I have an idea, I will definitely write it down."

“I’ll take that as a yes, Comrade Yimin. You haven’t been to the front lines for years, but your influence there is considerable!” Xu Huaizhong said, secretly pondering whether he could invite Liu Yimin to the next cultural performance for the front lines.

The two chatted enthusiastically, and it wasn't until 3 p.m. that the group finally finished reading the script.

Xu Huaizhong cleared his throat: "Well, comrades? Anyone have anything to say?"

"If you have any suggestions, please let me know so I can make changes," Liu Yimin said.

The people present looked at each other in bewilderment, and after a long while someone finally said, "We think it's very good."

"Should some of the content be made more inspiring?" someone asked cautiously.

Xu Huaizhong smiled and said, "Where?"

The man immediately pointed out that it was a fragment of content from Professor Xu Luxi, Deng Lao's wife.

“I don’t think it needs to be changed. Professor Xu Luxi is more about silently supporting Deng Lao behind the scenes. This kind of silence and this kind of unspoken trust does not need strong words.”

Liu Yimin looked at Xu Huaizhong, and Liu Peiran and Yan Jizhou immediately straightened up.

"Comrade Yimin is right, there is no problem here."

"So, what about the impact the research institute has suffered over the past ten years?"

“It’s about being realistic, so I don’t think it needs to be changed,” Liu Yimin said again.

Xu Huaizhong tapped the table: "Comrades, the higher-ups have said that we must be realistic and pragmatic. Do you have any other useful suggestions?"

Seeing this, the others dared not say anything more. Xu Huaizhong said, "How about this, I'll take it to Comrade Zhang to take a look."

As they walked out of the General Political Department building, Liu Peiran said with a smile, "Yimin, you're really tough, you managed to block them all."

"I'm just being honest, and frankly, I don't think there's anything about this document that needs to be changed," Liu Yimin said.

"Listen to what the higher-ups say! I also think it's already perfect, and more importantly, it conforms to the actual situation. But Yimin, you also have to understand the comrades in the General Political Department. Ideological work is of paramount importance and cannot be taken lightly."

Liu Yimin nodded: "I know that, I'm also in charge of ideological work!"

Back at the August First Film Studio, Yan Jizhou chatted with Liu Yimin for a while before letting him go home.

Before leaving, Liu Peiran gave Liu Yimin a pipe: "I heard your father is here and likes to smoke pipes. I collected this by chance. I don't like this stuff, so you can take it!"

"Director Liu, are you sure you collected it unintentionally?"

"Even if I bought it specially, you have to take it today." Liu Peiran chuckled.

"I thank you on behalf of my father." Liu Yimin put away his pipe.

The next day at noon, Liu Yimin received news that the script had been successfully approved.

"Yimin, we're getting ready to start filming. We'd love to have you come over and give us some pointers when you have time," Liu Peiran said happily.

As August drew to a close, "The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" hit major bookstores abroad. When major publishers received the manuscript, they immediately recognized the potential for a bestseller.

Even before the translation was completed, it was heavily promoted—with titles such as "The latest masterpiece by Eastern writer Liu Yimin," "A friendship spanning over 1,600 kilometers," and "We can all see ourselves in 'The Pilgrimage of One Man' and find redemption in it."
The promotion was carried out in both newspapers and bookstores, and a life-size standee of Liu Yimin was placed at the entrance of the bookstore on the day of the sale.

The first countries to publish "The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" were Southeast Asian countries, where the Chinese community is large, so the Singaporean publisher didn't need to translate it at all.

"The Pilgrimage of One" sold 200,000 copies in Southeast Asia within a week, and was widely reported by media outlets such as Lianhe Zaobao.

The book wasn't released in the US and Europe until mid-August because translation was required. This is because "The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" doesn't involve overly complex cultural backgrounds or literary techniques, making it easier to translate.

On the day of the book's release, Nichinoyes, the publisher of Liu Yimin's books at the American China Book Publishing House, spent a huge sum of money to buy the front pages of newspapers such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Tell all our American readers—Liu is back again!

To further boost sales of Liu Yimin's new book, Frank, the director of "The Redemption of a Slave," persuaded investors to put up banners co-branded with "The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" on Wall Street and in some major cinemas, arguing that it would "strengthen the relationship between the two parties and pave the way for future cooperation."

On the first day of release, Niki nervously wandered around various bookstores in San Francisco, only feeling relieved after seeing everyone buying "The Pilgrimage of One Man" and other books by Liu Yimin.

That evening, the editorial department of China Book and Periodical Publishing House was brightly lit, with everyone nervously calculating sales figures.

"It's out! It's out! The total sales for the first day were 170,000 copies!"

"God, 170,000 copies! 170,000 copies! My goodness! It turns out that the problem with books in America isn't a lack of market, but rather a lack of suitable books." Nicky jumped up excitedly upon hearing this number.

All the employees of the publishing house stood up, applauded, and hugged each other. The sales of 170,000 copies were something the China Publishing House could boast about for a long time.

"Everyone gets five times their salary today!" Nikki announced loudly.

"Yay!"

The following day, The New York Times published another article—"'The Pilgrimage of One Man': A Literary Hurricane from the Western Pacific"

(End of this chapter)