Writer 1979: Writing for the People

Zhang Dameng took the sample copy he received at noon to the field that afternoon, waving it around in front of everyone and specifically picking out passages from "My Distant Qingping Bay" that were related to him to talk about.

When he saw at noon that Xu Lu had actually written him into his novel, he was so happy he almost jumped for joy.

He never imagined that he would one day be featured in a provincial publication.

Old Xu is too good to him!

He's come here specifically to show off to everyone.

"He always chose the heaviest work in the team, carrying the fullest loads of manure, and hoeing the steepest slopes. While others would take a break to smoke two pipes of tobacco, he would just squat on the edge of the field, eat two bites of bran bread, swallow it down with the mountain wind, wipe his face, and then start wiping his hoe again."

Some people couldn't help but make fun of it after hearing it.

"Da Meng, no matter how many times you read it, I don't hear the name 'Da Meng' mentioned in it."

"You're such a roughneck, you don't know anything."

This is a novel; where would real names appear?

But this Captain Zhang description is definitely me: hardworking, kind-hearted, and simple...

Oh dear, why did Old Xu praise me like that? It's so embarrassing!

And this part, about the time I went to get medicine, you said I'd forgotten about it myself, so why did you write it down?

Come, let me read it to you…

Zhang Dameng read aloud in front, while Zhang Qiaoqiao chased after him, afraid that her father might accidentally soil the magazine for her.

She plans to bring the magazine to school next week to show her classmates!

She never expected that her Uncle Xu would include her in the list!

Watching the father and son chase each other, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter, though a hint of envy lingered in their eyes.

After all, it's quite prestigious to be written about in an article and then published in a major magazine!

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It's unclear who was the first to shout, but soon a large group of people were yelling at Xu Lu.

"Hey Writer Xu, when are you going to write a new story? Include me in it too!"

I can till the soil, feed the cows, I'm really capable!

"Yeah, write me down too. You don't need my real name, just call me Old Zhang."

"Me too, me too..."

"Xu the Great Writer" is the nickname given to him by everyone a couple of days after they learned that his manuscript had been approved. In just a few days, this nickname has become popular throughout Zhangjia Village.

Seeing Xu Lu being "besieged," Zhang Dameng quickly ran out to help.

"Stop teasing Old Xu. When he writes, he needs inspiration. He can't just write whatever he wants..."

Once inspiration strikes, people will naturally know what to write.

Xu Lu is now his great benefactor!

Someone said, "You Zhang Dameng, a full man doesn't know the hunger of a starving man," and everyone present burst into laughter.

Xu Lu stood there, unable to suppress a smile.

As for Lin Xiaocong, he was busy working and didn't want to listen to these words at all.

Let him be smug for a few days, and then laugh at him properly when he can no longer write articles.

As for "Yanhe", he will eventually get his manuscript approved for publication.

……

The June 1979 issue of *Yanhe* magazine quickly became popular in Shaanxi Province and the Northwest region due to two articles by Xu Lu.

Even though there are other works by more famous authors in this issue, such as Jia Pingwa's, at this moment everyone is only discussing "Receiving the Precepts" and "My Distant Qingping Bay".

These two articles have been very well received by readers. After reading so many complaints and grumbles from other writers, reading these two articles gives everyone a refreshing feeling.

We are all ordinary people, and we all have our own troubles in life and work. We finally spend money to buy a magazine, thinking that we can relax by reading it in our spare time. Who would have thought that we would have to "receive education" from it?

This is just asking for trouble!

In other words, the previous creative style was relatively singular, so now people are not picky and can "eat" anything.

But if we really had to choose, everyone would definitely prefer to read the articles written by Comrade Xu Lu.

However, these are just the feelings of the readership.

However, in the mainstream literary world, Xu Lu's two "rebellious" articles caused many writers and critics to change their attitudes.

Therefore, within just a few days, a lot of criticism emerged in Shaanxi Province.

It's truly baffling that such a work, lacking both intellectual depth and educational value, was published so openly and even attracted a considerable following...

Literature is a weapon for educating and uniting the people, and for striking at the enemy. Literary creation in the new era should depict the struggles of workers and peasants, reflect on the lessons of history, and guide readers towards goodness and virtue…

What is even more alarming is the impact such works will have on readers.

Young readers who read such novels fail to see the meaning of revolution or the value of struggle, only seeing so-called "humanity" and "warmth." Over time, they will forget class distinctions and history, becoming immersed in a nihilistic pastoral fantasy... — Liang Qing, "Do We Need Novels Like This? — Reflections on Reading 'The Novice'"

Recently, some publications and reviews have praised the unremarkable novel "The Novice" highly, claiming that it "depicts the liberation of humanity" and "opens up a new aesthetic path." Such arguments are truly inexplicable.

What is "Receiving the Precepts" about? It's nothing more than a little romance between a monk and a village girl, plus some trivial matters about rural life.

It lacks a profound theme, a moving plot, and a compelling character; the entire piece is rambling and fragmented, like a diary entry.

Some say it's written in a fresh and natural style, but freshness and naturalness cannot replace intellectual content, and aesthetic appeal cannot overshadow social value. —Guo Dong, "Unexplained Praise"

"My Distant Qingping Bay" is written in a gentle tone, depicting life in the countryside of northern Shaanxi. The language is simple and the emotions are delicate, making it a delightful read. However, after finishing the book, one always feels that something is missing.

As a novel about educated youth sent to the countryside, it doesn't depict their struggles, the changes of the times, or the journey of youthful endeavor. Instead, it focuses on the daily life of herding cattle, herding sheep, and singing folk songs, portraying Qingping Bay as a warm and idyllic rural paradise...

Admittedly, rural areas have their own warmth and kindness, but warmth cannot replace hard work, and goodwill cannot erase the marks of the times...

We certainly allow for different writing styles and perspectives in literature about educated youth sent to the countryside, but the historical context cannot be lost, and the sharp edge of reflection cannot be absent. Warmth and nostalgia alone cannot sustain the youthful memories of a generation. —From "Narratives of Educated Youth Should Not Diminish Historical Weight—Reading 'My Distant Qingping Bay'"