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

Chapter 527: House of Cards or Assassination of Kennedy?
Hearing Secretary Huang's words, Liu Yimin understood the situation and didn't press the matter further. Liu Yimin got into the car, smoothly shifted gears and went outside to test drive.

On the Ministry of Culture's office building, countless eyes were fixed on Liu Yimin. After he drove away, they slapped their thighs until they were swollen with heartache.

In those days, the Crown was the top-of-the-line official car, followed by the Santana. It had more space than the Santana, but Liu Yimin felt the power was lacking.

After driving around for a while, Liu Yimin's driving skills became even more proficient. Back at the Ministry of Culture, Liu Yimin expressed his gratitude to Xia Yan.

Xia Yan said with a smile, "You seemed a little hesitant just now, but you're not hesitant anymore, are you?"

"Haha, Mr. Shen, I am a little flattered!"

No one can escape the "it's actually good" phenomenon, and Liu Yimin is no exception.

"I didn't expect you to be able to drive without training. That's good. I wasn't planning on assigning you a driver anyway."

"It's more comfortable to drive this car myself. I don't feel comfortable with a driver around."

Xia Yan asked Secretary Huang to accompany Liu Yimin to submit some documents to the ministry: "Also, don't run around like crazy. Remember to get a driver's license. Being able to drive and having a driver's license are two different things."

“Okay,” Liu Yimin said.

These days, getting a driver's license is quite difficult by following the proper procedures. In addition to learning about cars, you also have to learn some mechanical principles, followed by a drill rod parking test and a practical road test.

On the other hand, traffic regulations are not strictly enforced. Since there are more motorcycles than cars, checks are mainly conducted on motorcycle driver's licenses.

The vehicle has already been registered with the department, so there's no need to apply for a license plate. All Liu Yimin needs to do is put his and the vehicle's information into the department's vehicle management office for filing.

Once everything was settled, Liu Yimin went into Xia Yan's office again, and Xia Yan talked to Liu Yimin about writing "The Founding Ceremony of the People's Republic of China".

"The comrades from the Film Bureau reported to me. You know my attitude towards film: reform of the system, reform of themes, reform of technology, and reform of content. Therefore, I support your writing," Xia Yan said.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen. I'll send it to you when I'm done writing it," Liu Yimin said.

After leaving Xia Yan's office, Liu Yimin drove back to the courtyard house. Parking the car at the entrance wouldn't block the neighbors' way, but it would cause some inconvenience.

On the other hand, the security situation wasn't great, so he wasn't comfortable leaving his car outside. Therefore, Liu Yimin hired a construction team to build a garage in the facing building.

The construction team was the same team that built Liu Yimin's house. The materials and workers cost two thousand yuan.

"Comrade Yimin, a garage has been built in the back of the house. Shouldn't we build another wall in the middle so that people can live here?"

Liu Yimin refused without even thinking: "Forget it, a garage isn't just for one car. Let's leave some room for later, otherwise we'll have to go through all that trouble."

"Not even one car?" The other party didn't quite understand Liu Yimin's words. He took the last thousand yuan of wages and left, telling Liu Yimin to come find him if he had any work.

Zhu Lin, holding Liu Yu, looked at the modified garage: "Sigh, it's a good car, but the door that was dug out at the entrance doesn't look very nice."

"There's no way around it, you can't have it all!"

The newly built gate is in the southwest corner. It is smaller than the main gate, painted red, and is similar to the gate of an ordinary household.

"Once we get news about cars, I'll buy you one too, so you won't have to ride a motorcycle to work in the winter," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Zhu Lin quickly waved his hand: "I'm not very brave enough to drive. Watching you drive makes me feel flustered, like I'm struggling with the accelerator, clutch, and brake."

“You’ll get it in a while. A car is like a person’s legs. With a motorcycle, it’s convenient for you to go to Beijing; with a car, it’s convenient for you to go to Tianjin,” Liu Yimin told her about the importance of cars.

Zhu Lin helped Liu Yu and Liu Lin into the car and asked Liu Yimin to take her back to her parents' home.

"Let's go, Teacher Liu. Your parents are so happy to know you got a car!" Zhu Lin said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll teach you how to drive while I'm at it."

Liu Yimin stepped on the gas and left the courtyard house, attracting many onlookers. Many important figures live in the Nanluoguxiang and Jiaodaokou area, and people and cars from the nearby courtyard houses are common, but such a new one is rare.

The garage renovation has been going on for the past few days, and many neighbors have been watching.

When they arrived at the family compound, Zhu's parents were already waiting in the yard. They directed Liu Yimin to park the car and happily carried Liu Yu and Liu Lin upstairs.

With Zhu's mother's voice, it was enough to make everyone in the entire residential compound peek out.

As they entered their homes, many residents of the compound opened their windows and began discussing the cars below.

"The Zhu family's daughter is quite capable; she married well!" A female relative said through gritted teeth while picking vegetables, as if the car Liu Yimin was driving belonged to their family.

"That's just how life is! You can't be envious of it. I heard her husband, Liu Yimin, earns over a million yuan from his writing fees."

"They drive their cars, we ride our bicycles, it's none of our business. Okay, time to eat!"

Mr. and Mrs. Zhu prepared a table full of dishes, all of which were Liu Yimin's usual favorites, and they didn't forget to include some nourishing dishes.

Zhu's mother was surprised that Liu Yimin had become so skilled at driving so quickly: "When you came, I was worried that something might happen to you on the way."

"Yes, we were so worried," said Mr. Zhu, slapping his thigh.

Zhu Lin looked up at Liu Yimin with admiration in his eyes: "Teacher Liu seems to be a natural driver. The department gave him the keys, and he drove straight home."

"Daddy is so amazing!" Liu Yu and Liu Lin clapped their hands and said.

Seeing the unusual looks in Zhu's parents' eyes, Liu Yimin quickly said, "Mom and Dad, driving isn't actually that difficult. Dad, you should learn when you have time. Motorcycles are easy to fall off, driving a four-wheeled vehicle is much safer."

"Forget it, do you think I deserve a four-wheeled car? It costs over 100,000 yuan. These foreign capitalists are making all the money. Once our country manufactures cars, the price will definitely come down, and then I'll buy one."

The Hongqi sedan, a domestically produced flagship model, was discontinued in 81 due to insufficient technology and excessive fuel consumption, as part of a "fuel-saving" policy. Production was restarted in 84 for the military parade.

Zhu's father was a professor of science and engineering, and he felt ashamed that the country was lagging behind in mechanical technology.

Liu Yimin comforted him, "Dad, aren't we learning right now? It's not shameful to learn from our shortcomings. Besides, in the Third World, at least we have an industrial base. If we have a car production line, there's room for improvement and upgrading. As long as we have technical support, our car manufacturing technology can improve rapidly."

Also, consider the car a gift from us.

"All industrial sectors are exploring Sino-foreign cooperation, but there's a fear of complacency and dependence on foreign technology, without knowing how to develop their own. Yimin, I know many industrial plants; the advancement of industrial technology requires huge investments, and not all plants are willing to invest."

"This is a bottomless pit, and if the technology is wrong, the investment will be completely lost. The compradors of the past were used to making easy money, simply reselling foreign goods and making huge profits," Mr. Zhu said worriedly.

Liu Yimin strongly agreed with Zhu's father's viewpoint, which has been proven in practice: "Therefore, we must support companies that are willing to delve into technology. In fact, for a company to grow and thrive, it must have core technologies. Without core technologies, the collapse of the company is just a matter of moments."

"Dad, since you're so knowledgeable, why don't you write a paper on this topic to sound the alarm? If possible, I'll see if I can find a way to publish it in an internal reference publication," Liu Yimin suggested.

"Internal report? Really?"

"Of course, that's on the premise that you write well."

“I’ll write, I’ll write, I’ve got nothing else to do anyway. I’m mediocre in literature, but I’m a master at industrial matters.” Zhu’s father was beaming, already picturing his superiors nodding in approval as they read his articles.

"Alright, hurry up and eat. Yimin, don't force yourself. We haven't read any of the articles in the internal reference; they're high-level and of high quality." Zhu's mother gestured for Liu Yimin to pick up some food.

Seeing that no one was touching their chopsticks, Liu Yimin knew that he was the first to take a bite, and that he had earned the right to be the first to pick up food at his father-in-law's house.

When my father-in-law pours me wine, I don't drink it; when he picks up food for me, I turn the table around; and he still has to smile happily!

Liu Yimin picked up a piece of turtle meat: "Mom, it's delicious. The flavor is richer and more distinct than before."

"Right? I went to the Chinese medicine shop and bought several kinds of Chinese herbs to enhance the aroma, flavor, and nourishment." Zhu's mother explained the names of the herbs in detail and served Liu Yimin a bowl of yam soup.

Mr. Zhu didn't say anything more, his mind preoccupied with the thesis. Mrs. Zhu glared at him fiercely, then subtly tapped the table, finally bringing Mr. Zhu back to his senses.

"Linlin, you've been working too hard rehearsing lately. You should eat more to replenish your energy and blood." Zhu's mother put a piece of pig liver on Zhu Lin's plate.

Zhu Lin took a bite of pig liver: "Mom, don't worry, I'm eating much better now than before. I already had plenty of qi and blood before, and now I'll only have even more."

"Here, you two, have some yam beans. But you're small, so you can't eat too much. Eat more meat instead." Zhu's mother kept feeding the two little ones.

After dinner, Zhu's father took Liu Yimin inside for another discussion. As they came downstairs, people gathered around the crown, looking it over.

"Old Fang, you two are so lucky to have chosen such a good son-in-law."

Mother Zhu smiled and said, "Not at all, Linlin chose them all. Linlin has good taste."

"AUV, is this a Crown? Professor Liu, look at the paint, it's really authentic!"

Liu Yimin said modestly, "It's alright, it's alright. This is a department vehicle; I only have the right to use it."

"It's alright, tsk!" Liu Yimin's modest words were misheard as deliberate boasting.

"Don't be envious. Comrade Liu Yimin deserves it. He raised so much money and donated $50,000. With $50,000, you can buy a car."

"Yes, yes, everyone can go home now, Professor Liu needs to go home!"

The group dispersed, and Liu Yimin waved his hand and said, "Once our country can produce them, everyone will be able to afford a car."

"With our meager salaries of just over a hundred yuan, it'll take forever to save up." "Everyone's wages will increase eventually. Inflation is quite severe right now, but things will stabilize once prices settle down. It's normal for things to be a bit uneventful for a while after the government just lifted price controls." Liu Yimin finished speaking, got into his car, and drove away.

As the car lights disappeared through the doorway, the crowd dispersed, while some pulled Zhu's parents aside to ask them all sorts of questions.

When they got home, Zhu's mother sat wearily on the sofa. Zhu's father asked, "What's wrong?"

“Emptiness, an inexplicable emptiness!” Zhu’s mother said, shaking her head.

Zhu's father said without any mercy, "This is the aftereffect of showing off. It's the feeling of loss after being surrounded by people praising you."

"Professor Zhu, what you said makes some sense." After saying that, Zhu's mother crossed her arms and snorted coldly, "But your audacity in saying it makes no sense at all. Yimin just gave you a suggestion, and you got a little too cocky!"
Can you tell the difference between the two kings?

Zhu's father darted into the bedroom in a flash.

Zhu's mother smiled and stood up to stretch: "You're not usually so enthusiastic, but you're so enthusiastic today. Since you're so enthusiastic, I won't be polite."

"..." Upon hearing this, Zhu's father tried to run out, but the passage was already blocked.

I've set myself up in a trap!

"Come on, Professor Zhu, you've had plenty of yams today!" Zhu's mother pressed Zhu's father onto the bed.

Mr. Zhu quickly gestured for them to stop: "Zhenzhen, do you believe me when I say the yam hasn't worked yet?"

"Come here, sweetie, let me see?"

Zhu's father suddenly felt all his strength drain away, and closed his eyes in despair.

--------------

Inside the courtyard house, it truly lived up to the saying: "After eating yams, the bed can't take it anymore."

"Teacher Liu, Teacher Liu, why is the light so bright?" Zhu Lin looked up at the incandescent light bulb through Liu Yimin's shoulder.

"It's been changed! A higher wattage one has been installed."

"How many watts? It's too bright, a bit dazzling."

"Zhu Lin, I have to criticize you. You're not concentrating on your homework. Why aren't you looking at the teacher? Why are you looking at the light?" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"I... As a director, I have to be good at discovering things," Zhu Lin said weakly.

"Then try to spot me!"

At 7:30, the rooster next door crowed again and again. Liu Yimin opened his eyes and muttered, "That damn rooster, I'll kill you if it crows again!"

"Alright, get up!" Zhu Lin kissed Liu Yimin's cheek and quickly got dressed to go to work.

"Okay, I'll lie down for a while longer."

"You university teachers have it so good, you can work whenever you want."

"To be precise, he's a professor!"

"Yes, yes, Professor Liu! Remember to wash the sheets when you get up. Oh, and put them in the washing machine yourself, don't let Ximei do it."

"understand!"

After Zhu Lin left for work, Liu Yimin couldn't sleep because of the rooster's noise, so he got up to wash up and threw the sheets and blankets into the washing machine to agitate.

"The sun is shining brightly today, Ximei. Take some time this morning to wash their clothes and sheets as well," Zhu Lin said.

"Okay, Sister Lin, I've already removed the sheets and stuff."

Zhu Lin nodded in satisfaction, finished the millet porridge in his bowl, glanced at his watch, and said, "I'm going to work now."

Do you need me to give you a ride?

"Forget it, you shouldn't be swaggering around the Beijing People's Art Theatre with your big crown."

"Okay, then drive carefully."

After finishing his meal, Liu Yimin was about to go to the Yenching University study when the phone rang.

"Hi, Liu, how are you? Guess who I am?"

(Hello, Liu, how are you? Guess who I am?)
“I am fine, thank you, aud you?”

(I'm fine, thank you. How about you?)

On the other end of the phone was American director Frank, who had arrived at the Yanjing Hotel yesterday and called Liu Yimin early this morning, accompanied by George, the editor of The Paris Review.

"I have a class this morning. How about I take you guys for a tour of Yenching University?" Liu Yimin asked.

“Okay,” Frank said happily.

Liu Yimin picked up the two at the Yanjing Hotel and drove directly to Yanjing University. Frank looked at the car and said, "Liu, if you need one, I'll give you one. The Crown's engine is too weak; nobody wanted it when it arrived in America."

"The procedures are too complicated. The Crown is indeed weak, but it's an improvement over the first generation. Our country is short of oil, and Japanese cars are currently more fuel-efficient."

George remarked, "That's how Japanese cars disrupted the American market."

"So you spared no effort in suppressing Japanese cars, and even forced the Japanese to sign the Plaza Accord." Liu Yimin glanced at George.

George shrugged: "The US government isn't exactly aboveboard in this regard, but there's nothing we can do; the auto industry is tied to the jobs of too many Americans. As for forcing the Japanese to change their minds? Actually, quite a few Japanese would be quite happy to do so."

The Japanese are accustomed to bowing to Americans, and they are very proactive in promoting this.

When the Plaza Accord was signed, many prominent figures in Japan supported it, believing it would benefit Japan.

Don't they realize that if something is going to be beneficial, would a dog ever get a chance to benefit from it?

"As long as we submit, everything will fall into place as expected," Liu Yimin said sarcastically.

"However, I heard that there weren't many people in Japan who opposed it at the time," Frank said.

"In Japan, the people are very apathetic when it comes to politics. You could say that Japan only has the history of elites, not the history of the people. Looking at the long history, from the Yayoi period to the shogunate period, nobles and samurai were the only part of history; ordinary people were not considered human."

Although Japan was influenced by Chinese culture, the two civilizations are fundamentally different. Ancient China, though seemingly a feudal dynasty, had a high degree of social mobility, allowing even the poor to rise to prominence.

Afterwards, Japan became powerful through the Meiji Restoration, and its people became more enlightened. However, with the onset of World War II, the people became like expendable resources. Therefore, ordinary people don't care much about politics and are accustomed to following the ideas imported from above," Liu Yimin said.

At this point, Liu Yimin sighed, "This generation of Japanese people has been instilled with the idea that America is their father since childhood. I have to admire one thing about you Americans: your technology for remote dog raising is very advanced."

George and Frank exchanged a glance, unsure whether Liu Yimin was praising or mocking them.

George said admiringly, "Liu, you not only understand Japan, but also the West. I think you could write a book on world history."

“Haha, George, I haven’t asked you yet. Frank is here to give me money. What are you here for? To commission an article?” Liu Yimin asked.

George remained silent, but Frank immediately said, "Liu, I'm not just giving you money; I also want to regain the authorization, just like the Chinese say, to make a fortune."

“You even know a couple of idioms, good, you’ve put in the effort. We’ll talk more after class,” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

George leaned close to Liu Yimin's ear: "Liu, I'd like to commission an article. Do you have any good ideas? We desperately need your articles."

What do you want?

“Something exciting, like ‘The Redemption of a Slave,’ would be fine. The more exciting it is, the higher the sales,” George said exaggeratedly.

Liu Yimin frowned and said, "You are a pure literary journal, not a tabloid on the street."

“So, the stimulation also needs to have a deeper meaning,” George laughed.

Liu Yimin pondered for a moment: "I actually know a lot about your American party politics. It's full of dirty secrets and money deals. Capital eats the cake and throws some shit to politicians to embellish their image. Politicians dress up with slicked-back hair and go to participate in the election. After they are elected, they make cakes for the capitalists."

"Liu, what do you mean?" George didn't quite understand what Liu Yimin meant.

Frank straightened up and said, "You're not thinking of writing about Kennedy or Watergate, are you? You absolutely have to hire me as the director, okay? Liu, may your wealth flow in!"

"Ahem, Frank, you're a genius, but you did remind me of this point."

Liu Yimin wanted to write "House of Cards," which depicts the dark side of American political party elections and shady deals.

“I think we can have a good talk, Liu. You made six million dollars from ‘The Redemption of a Slave,’ and after taxes, you still have five million left. I think that’s the basis for our cooperation.”

(End of this chapter)