Chapter 586 Wait Two Years

In fact, everyone who has read the novel knows the purpose of Lin Weimin's writing "Promotion".

For some readers who are familiar with his works, they don’t even need to read the novel in its entirety. Just a quick glance at it will give them an idea of ​​why this novel was written.

I still remember that seven or eight years ago, Lin Weimin wrote a novel called "The Story of Stealing an Official", in which he severely criticized his colleagues who attacked and insulted him. Many of them were given funny nicknames because of this novel.

This time "Promotion" comes again, with the same formula and the same taste, but the difference is that the insults are more direct and cover a wider range.

In the past, he only scolded those who scolded him, but now he even scolds the institutional problems and the general social atmosphere.

Ordinary readers felt the same way after reading this novel, and readers who had experienced the plot of the novel applauded it even more.

Those intellectuals, literary figures and officials who felt that they were implicated by the content of the novel must be feeling extremely disgusted.

But they dare not criticize this novel publicly. The novel satirizes bureaucracy, formalism and petty corruption. Why do you get so angry after reading it? Are you hurt?

Because of this fear, they could only curse Lin Weimin in their hearts.

As for the real victims this time, Liu Feiyu and the Yanbing Literature Award jury, they have remained silent since the novel was published.

After the results of the Yanbing Literature Award were announced, they had already been subject to much criticism and now the storm has finally subsided. They will definitely not give Lin Weimin the opportunity to stir things up again.

They knew very well that the more they responded or even cursed at this time, the more they would take advantage of Lin Weimin's intentions.

The best option is to quietly reduce their presence and let this matter pass.

When the storm is over, won’t they have the final say on how the awards are decided?

There is no need to make a big deal out of a momentary anger. It would be a loss if you lose the power in your hands.

More than half a month after the publication of "Promotion Records", it has been caught in a strange atmosphere of public opinion.

The readership gave rave reviews, but the literary world, which usually has a strong presence, had few voices. Only a few honest critics gave Lin Weimin inappropriate praise, acting as a conspicuous presence.

On weekends, Lin Weimin took Tao Huimin to Mr. Wan's house for dinner.

In the past two years, Mr. Wan's health has not been good. He has stopped caring about most mundane affairs. Lin Weimin also comes to eat less often than before, for fear of disturbing his peace and quiet.

The couple came today. Mr. Wan was in a good mood and looked much better.

Since Mr. Wan's health has been poor and his wife Li Yuru is old and cannot take care of them alone, Wan Fang and his wife moved in to take care of the elderly couple.

Several women were cooking dinner, while Lin Weimin was sitting in the living room chatting with Mr. Wan.

"Teacher, I am planning to set up a literature award! What do you think?" While chatting, Lin Weimin suddenly said to Mr. Wan.

Mr. Wan glanced at him without any surprise on his face. It had been not long since the Yanbing Literature Award was awarded and Lin Weimin's novel had also been published, so it was not difficult to guess the purpose of his doing this.

"It's not easy to judge an award. Not only is it time-consuming and laborious, but it's also easy to get criticized. Besides, do you have the time?"

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "Award judging is not a one-person job. Why leave professional matters to professionals? Just set up a judging committee. Besides, don't we have you?"

Mr. Wan immediately became alert, "I am half buried in the earth, I can't stand your torment."

"Instead of letting you work, how about giving you a title? The chairman of the Yanbing Literature Award Jury is Mr. Ba, and you are on my award jury, so we are evenly matched. Moreover, I won't let you work for nothing, so how about naming the award after you?"

Lin Weimin finally revealed his true intention and told the ultimate purpose of coming to eat today.

Mr. Wan was not fooled by his sugar-coated bullets. "I specialize in drama creation. If you want to organize a literary award, it is not appropriate to name it after me. It is better to use your own name."

"It's not appropriate to use my own name. All those awards are given after death..."

Mr. Wan glared at him and Lin Weimin shut his mouth.

"I said you are so kind that you even want to name it after me!"

Lin Weimin smiled apologetically at Mr. Wan, "That's not what I meant. I am just respecting my teacher! With you here, it's not appropriate for me to use someone else's name for this award!"

Mr. Wan snorted coldly, "Forget it, I still want to live two more years."

The teacher and the student joked about it without any scruples, and then Mr. Wan said seriously, "Don't think about my name. The Drama Association is considering changing the name of the National Drama, Opera, and Opera Outstanding Script Awards."

"They're going to name it after your old man?"

Mr. Wan nodded. "I had this plan, but I declined it. These people have the same idea as you. The award reform is ready, just waiting for me to kick the bucket."

Lin Weimin was a little embarrassed. "Look at what you said. Aren't you also thinking about making your name go down in history?"

"Thank you so much! Can't you wait until I die before you think about these things?"

"The main reason is that I didn't expect to have a conflict with the Drama Association. Do you really not want the naming rights? Then I'll find someone else!"

"Who do you want to find?" Mr. Wan asked curiously.

In the literary world, not everyone’s name can be used to name a literary award, especially a national award.

Whether it is political reputation, literary achievements or literary qualifications, none of them can be lacking.

There are only a handful of such people in today's Chinese literary world.

"No one. No one has named it after you, so how can I find someone else? I plan to ask the publishing house to see if they are willing to expand People's Literature.

It’s been five years since the last People’s Literature Prize was held. I can pay them to make it bigger.”

The People's Literature Award is a literary award sponsored by Guowen Publishing House. It was first awarded in 1986. The award scope is limited to works published by Guowen Publishing House or published in its publications.

But since the first session was held in 1986, it has not been held again in the past five years.

One of the main reasons is that the list of winners of the first People's Literature Award highly overlaps with the list of winners of the first and second Yanbing Literature Awards.

The People's Literature Award is an award given by the Guowen Publishing House, but it has been questioned because the results have too high a overlap with other awards, which is simply laughable.

We can only blame the Guowen Publishing House. Why do you publish so many good works?

Mr. Wan hesitated for a long time, then looked at Lin Weimin and asked, "Tell me the truth, are you angry or do you really want to hold this award?"

Lin Weimin hesitated for a moment, then said honestly: "It's definitely more of a matter of anger."

“Since you know you are just being angry, do you think you have the determination and perseverance to run this award? You have to understand that when you decide to hold a literary award, it is no longer just a tool for you to vent your anger, but also represents the sanctity of literature.

If you only use it as a tool to vent your anger, then what is the difference between you and those people? "

When Mr. Wan said these words, his face was serious and he did not smile.

After being scolded, Lin Weimin did not feel any dissatisfaction in his heart. Instead, he felt a little ashamed. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Forget it, let's not do it!"

Seeing that he was a little frustrated, Mr. Wan added, "I'm telling you these things not because I don't want you to hold an award, but because I don't want you to hold this award with ulterior motives. Weimin, don't forget what brought you these honors and achievements?"

Except for the first two years as his apprentice, Mr. Wan rarely preached to or even criticized Lin Weimin. Especially in recent years, as Lin Weimin's status and position have grown, Mr. Wan has given him more encouragement and praise, and he always smiles when mentioning Lin Weimin in front of outsiders.

Today's rare criticism of Lin Weimin is enough to show his dissatisfaction with this matter.

Mr. Wan reminded Lin Weimin not to forget what brought him honor and achievement, and the subtext was that he should not forget his roots.

Whatever he has achieved over the years, whether it is wealth, honor or achievement, which one was not brought to him by literature?

He wants to compete with those he dislikes by organizing literary awards. This undoubtedly shows that he has lost his awe for literature, and this is what makes Mr. Wan most angry.

Lin Weimin couldn't help feeling embarrassed. He knew he was in the wrong and was also reflecting on himself.

Writing novels to criticize opponents is an old tradition among writers, and people just treat it as a joke.

But as Mr. Wan said, if he really wanted to set up this award with the intention of going against others, how pure is his purpose?

To be more selfish, if he really succeeds in getting this award, and when it comes time to judge the awards, if the works of his rivals or those colleagues whom he dislikes are shortlisted, will he give the award to them?

If you give it, you will feel disgusted; if you don’t give it, you will lose the credibility of the award.

How can we organize a good award with this kind of mentality?

After understanding these principles, Lin Weimin calmed down and said to Mr. Wan sincerely: "Teacher, your criticism is correct. My idea is indeed a bit absurd."

Seeing his sincere attitude, Mr. Wan nodded with satisfaction and said, "It's best that you can understand this principle. It's good to distinguish between gratitude and resentment, but don't confuse public and private matters."

Lin Weimin nodded and said sincerely: "I will remember what you said."

After the conversation was over, the atmosphere became relaxed, and Mr. Wan asked again: "You were more angry just now, so it seems that you were also acting out of your own conscience?"

Lin Weimin couldn't help but said proudly, "That's for sure. You can't underestimate my awareness."

Mr. Wan was already used to his character of climbing the ladder, and said earnestly: "If you really have these ideas, you might as well wait for two more years. You and the Writers Association have just experienced some conflicts, and you have just taken office as the editor-in-chief of the National Literature Society. You are still a little inexperienced. To hold such a national award event, it is not enough to just have the will and money."

Lin Weimin automatically translated Mr. Wan's words in his mind: The opponents are keeping a close eye on you now. If you hold the awards ceremony at this time, they will definitely make trouble. You don't have many followers, so you may not be able to deal with any troubles. It's better to wait for a few years and wait for your disciples to come. When the opponents are old or dead, won't it be easy to win the awards ceremony?

Lin Weimin gave Mr. Wan a look that said "you are such a cunning old man" and "you are the one who is so cunning and calculating!"

Mr. Wan couldn't help but say, "What's that look in your eyes? You have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, and everything you say will be distorted!"

(End of this chapter)