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

Chapter 540 A Man's Competitive Spirit
Liu Yimin thought about it carefully and realized that this passage did exist in the novel and the script.

"Hey, is this really necessary?" Liu Yimin said nonchalantly.

Liu Peiran pulled Liu Yimin into the office and handed him some documents: "The movie hasn't been released in Japan yet, but quite a few people in Japan are talking about it, and some right-wing newspapers have even published it."

Liu Yimin glanced at it a few times. The Japanese learned their writing from China, so Liu Yimin could understand the general idea without a translator.

"Wait a minute, Director Liu, they're cursing dogs! The Japanese are really getting into character. I've seen people pick up money, but I've never seen anyone pick up insults!" Liu Yimin said, puzzled.

"I'm also quite puzzled by this. I specifically asked the translator at the factory who speaks Japanese to translate the whole thing. The Japanese meant that the protagonist came down from the battlefield and mistook the dog for a Japanese person, which is why he spoke Japanese."

Liu Yimin cursed, "What a shameless person! Can the Japanese be compared to dogs? Dogs are man's best friend, are the Japanese like that? Oh my, these Japanese really know how to flatter themselves."

Liu Peiran watched as Liu Yimin spewed out a torrent of profanities, and for a moment she didn't know what to say. How could someone curse like that?

"Ahem, Yimin, what do you think we should do?" Liu Peiran asked.

Liu Yimin slammed the newspaper on the table: "It's alright, they can't cause any trouble. Even our American daddy said it's good. How far can the Japanese cause trouble? At worst, we'll just stop earning their yen!"

Liu Yimin felt that the Japanese couldn't cause much trouble; the main troublemakers were the right wing. The 1970s and 80s were a period of rapid development for the right wing, while the left wing still dominated the political forces.

"Should we ignore this for now?"

"Let's leave it for now, or have someone from China Film Group find a few newspapers to stir up public opinion and change the focus," Liu Yimin said.

"Okay, I'll call Ding Daming and talk to him in a bit."

Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Liu Yimin prepared to leave the August First Film Studio. As his car approached the gate, two figures darted out of the darkness and shouted for Liu Yimin to stop.

"Director Li, Director Zhai, is that you two? Anyone who didn't know better would think we were robbing someone." Liu Yimin smiled and rolled down the car window.

Li Jun and Zhai Junjie shivered in the cold wind, not expecting Liu Yimin to come out of Liu Peiran's office so late.

Sitting in the back seat, Li Jun and Zhai Junjie stroked the car's interior and said, "Wow, this is really good stuff!"

"What can I do for you two?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

"We heard you had a script in the works when we came back, so we came to volunteer. Yimin, you know me, we have experience making films about the period before and after the founding of the People's Republic of China. As for Lao Zhai, these two films have already proven that he is a good director."

"We can definitely make a good film together."

Liu Yimin parked the car on the side of the road and leaned back: "Is this it? Director Li, Director Zhai, I completely trust you. I agree in principle, but the principle is not in my hands, it is in Director Liu's hands."

"If you say something, Factory Director Liu will definitely listen."

Knowing that Li Jun and Zhai Junjie could do a good job in this film, Liu Yimin agreed, "When the script is finished, I'll mention it to Director Liu, but the final decision rests with Director Liu!"

"Okay, thanks, Yimin. Let's go eat something at a restaurant outside," Zhai Junjie said happily.

Liu Yimin drove to a noodle shop and ordered a bowl of noodles: "Just eat whatever you want. You two have been away from home for so long. It's not easy for you to come back. Spend more time with your wives and kids. How big of a director should you be!"

Li Jun and Zhai Junjie shrugged at Liu Yimin. Zhai Junjie said, "We don't have any new scripts from now until the New Year. In this industry, you can be really busy when you're busy, but you can also be really idle when you're not."

“Yes, our biggest task now is to see if the movie we made together is popular,” Li Jun said with a smile.

Liu Yimin shared his ideas for the script with them, and the two decided to write them down.

"Alright, let's just have a meal, don't make it like work." Liu Yimin quickly stirred the noodles in his bowl and started eating heartily.

Li Jun and Zhai Junjie asked the owner for a clove of garlic: "Yimin, do you want some? Eating noodles without garlic is like missing half the flavor."

"Forget it, garlic is too spicy. Eating it at night will irritate my stomach and affect my sleep," Liu Yimin said.

"Hey, Yimin, you know a lot!" The two said this, but they were used to the food and their hands didn't stop moving at all.

Liu Yimin wiped his mouth: "That's right, don't you even know who my wife is, a doctor!"

"Haha, I admire your relationship the most. It's really good. You two have never quarreled, have you? Lao Zhai, back when you two had just gotten married, you went to the front lines with us to film a movie." Li Jun asked.

"Director Li, the way you're talking makes it sound like you're hoping we'll argue."

"No, I just feel that it's impossible for two people to be together without arguing!"

Zhai Junjie said disdainfully, "Old Li, if you were an internationally renowned director, your wife wouldn't argue with you."

"Haha, you two, life is like this. You give way to me, I give way to you, don't take things so seriously, and you'll have far fewer troubles," Liu Yimin told them, sharing his secret.

Zhai Junjie said, "But it's common for the upper and lower lips to touch each other!"

"Hey, do you think we can argue in front of you?" Liu Yimin didn't explain further; he couldn't reason with these henpecked husbands.

After "The Overseas Chinese Sons" was edited, Liu Yimin took a look at it and told them to send it directly to the Film Bureau.

After reviewing the film, the officials at the Film Bureau found no problems and announced that the film had passed the review smoothly.

Upon hearing the news, China Film Group immediately arranged screenings. "Brotherhood of Blades" and "The Overseas Chinese" were ordered together, but their release dates differed.

"Brotherhood of Blades" will be released at the end of December, and "The Overseas Chinese" will be released on New Year's Day, with simultaneous screenings in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia. Upon learning that filming had already been completed, the Fuqing Association was eager for China Film Group to send them a copy immediately.

Liu Peiran invited Liu Yimin to a screening, but he did not go. He felt that both films were good and it wouldn't make much difference whether he went or not.

In the afternoon, while Liu Yimin was teaching, Liu Peiran called him impatiently. She said that 1,700 copies of "Brotherhood of Blades" had been sold, while "The Overseas Chinese" had sold 900 copies, 800 fewer than "Brotherhood of Blades".

According to Liu Peiran, director Li Jun seemed a bit disappointed. Liu Yimin said, "There's nothing to be disappointed about. Films like 'Brotherhood of Blades' do have a good market. 'The Overseas Chinese' has already outperformed similar films by a large margin."

"Yes, but the difference is too obvious when comparing the two." Liu Peiran naturally had nothing to be unhappy about; either way, it was the glory of their August First Film Studio.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yimin shook his head. Director Li's competitive spirit was just too strong.

When Zhu Lin got off work that evening, he saw Liu Yimin return and pointed to the telegram on the table, saying, "Lan Yong replied. He came to Yanjing as soon as he received the news."

"So fast? Don't you need to explain things at the factory?" Liu Yimin glanced at the contents of the telegram, which contained only four words.

Okay, I'm on the bus.

"That's really economical." Liu Yimin placed the telegram on the table without saying when it would arrive so he could pick him up.

Zhu Lin said, "I called the train station to check, and there's a train passing through Ruxian tomorrow afternoon. It should be this one. The others all require a transfer, so this one is the most convenient."

What time was it?

"Six o'clock." Upon hearing this, Liu Yimin prepared to pick her up tomorrow. Then, after looking at Zhu Lin for a few seconds, he asked curiously, "Why are you off work so early today?" "Well, I wasn't feeling well this afternoon, so I came back."

Liu Yimin sat down next to Zhu Lin and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I probably just caught a bit of a cold. I drank some ginger tea when I got back and slept it off, so I feel much better. There's also a telegram from the US, saying you need to go there to sign it!" Zhu Lin said, getting up to tidy up the guest room for Li Lanyong.

"I'll go. You two stay in the living room with Mom for a while."

Another telegram was from Frank, informing him that the company was preparing to be established and inviting Liu Yimin to the United States to sign the contract.

Liu Yu and Liu Lin obediently climbed onto the sofa and sat next to Zhu Lin. Zhu Lin picked up the book "King of Fairy Tales" from the table and began to read stories to the two of them.

The room was cleaned once when we moved back, so it doesn't need much cleaning. We just need to take out the blankets.

The next day, at 5:30 pm, Liu Yimin deliberately held up a large sign on the platform. The train arrived at the station at 6:10 pm, but Liu Yimin waited until 6:30 pm and still couldn't find anyone.

Liu Yimin thought he might have chosen the wrong train, shook his head and prepared to leave, when he saw Li Lanyong smiling behind him.

"I," Liu Yimin laughed and scolded, "when did you get behind me?"

"Hey, I used to be a reconnaissance soldier, camouflage is my forte. I was just about to ask you, what brings you here? I was looking for you, you've got too much to do, don't bother me."

"Oh, are you scolding me? No matter how busy I am, I still have to come pick you up." Liu Yimin put his arm around Li Lanyong's shoulder and took his handbag.

Liu Yimin gave it a gentle shake, knowing it was full of dried fruits and other roasted snacks: "Let's go home."

As Li Lanyong walked out of the station, he was still looking for his motorcycle when Liu Yimin shoved him into the car: "What are you looking at? This is it!"

"Hey, you upgraded again? I just bought a motorcycle, now you have four wheels."

"Provide a car!"

"Your assigned car is even more impressive." Li Lanyong laughed and leaned against the back of the driver's seat. "If we weren't friends, I would never have met someone of your rank."

"No need for that, it's nothing special. Let's go, I'll take you to the Overseas Chinese Apartments."

"I'll stay at a nearby guesthouse!" Li Lanyong said hesitantly, worried that staying at the Overseas Chinese Apartment would disturb them.

"What a joke! You think I'd let you stay in a guesthouse when you come here? My parents would beat me to death if I went home."

Liu Yimin stepped on the gas and left the train station, returning to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Li Lanyong, all smiles, hugged Liu Yu and Liu Lin, but unfortunately, the two didn't know each other and ran inside in fear.

"This is your Uncle Lan Yong, Dad's best friend. Come over and say hello to Uncle."

"Uncle Lan Yong!"

"Haha, so clever."

"This is Ximei, who usually takes care of the two of them at home."

Xi Mei poured a cup of tea and said, "Comrade Lan Yong, please sit down. I've seen your photo; you are a border hero."

"Heroes and heroes, that's all in the past."

Compared to before, Li Lanyong now possesses the air of a leader, walking with a decisive and efficient gait, exuding confidence in every gesture. His empty left sleeve, tucked into his waistband, speaks volumes about his distinguished background.

After Liu Yu and Liu Lin became familiar with Li Lanyong, they curiously asked him about his arm. Afraid of scaring the two of them, Li Lanyong made up a clumsy story.

When Zhu Lin returned, he greeted Li Lanyong warmly: "Lanyong, don't be shy, we're all family."

"Sister-in-law, don't worry, I won't stand on ceremony with you. But you seem to be being polite to me, making such a big feast," Lan Yong said with a grin.

Knowing that Lan Yong was coming, he specially instructed Xi Mei to add a few more hearty dishes.

"Haha, you're here, of course it can't be simple," Liu Yimin said.

While picking up some food, Li Lanyong chatted with Liu Yimin about the progress of the brigade's sunflower seed factory. They encountered some difficulties at the beginning of the year, but after resolving them, the scale of the sunflower seed factory continued to expand, and another production plant was built.

"How is your production going right now?" Liu Yimin asked.

"If the machines keep running, the output can double, reaching about ten tons a month."

"Forty tons."

"Forty tons isn't enough?" Li Lanyong explained to Liu Yimin that forty tons would already make a lot of money.

Liu Yimin shook his head, but then said, "Let's develop steadily. My main concern is that this radio appearance is just an advertisement. Demand might surge later, and if production can't meet the demand, it won't have the desired effect."

“I’ve thought about what you said, but we can’t double the amount no matter how much we do. However, we do have some inventory, so if sales suddenly increase, we can find another way,” Li Lanyong said.

After dinner, Liu Yimin and Li Lanyong talked for a while in the study. He hadn't written his manuscript yet, but he planned to write it down and read it aloud later.

"We can't just read it aloud. How about we go over the words together?"

It's definitely not feasible to let Lan Yong improvise; the two of them need to rehearse beforehand.

"Row!"

Liu Yimin wrote down the questions, and Li Lanyong wrote down the answers himself. When talking about the battlefield, Li Lanyong was not in high spirits, but when talking about his situation after being discharged from the army, he became energetic and talked on and on.

"Yimin, is this okay? What if I get nervous?" Li Lanyong asked.

"It's okay, we can edit it later. You can just read from the script, as long as the editing isn't too obvious."

"Really?"

"Really, it's best to speak without a script."

Hearing this, Li Lanyong felt relieved, but his enthusiasm for memorizing the script remained undiminished. He secretly resolved to deliver the speech well, partly for his fellow wounded comrades and partly for the development of the brigade.

On December 20th, Liu Yimin and Li Lanyong visited China National Radio. Instead of directly questioning Li Lanyong, Liu Yimin first talked about what he had seen and heard on the front lines, recounting the heroic stories of Li Jinsheng and other soldiers on the front lines.

Finally, the wounded soldiers seen at the field hospital led to Li Lanyong.

"Today we have invited a veteran. He was an artilleryman who was chasing the enemy while on a reconnaissance mission. He was wounded by a mortar shell while covering the retreat and lost an arm."

Welcome Li Lanyong, a first-class meritorious soldier in the self-defense counterattack war!

(End of this chapter)