Chapter 279 Protected Leave
"It's okay, it's just some treacherous people who are maliciously slandering me."
"Of course it's true. They couldn't make it ten years ago, let alone now?"
"Don't worry, I'm a well-known writer now, no one will bother me because of this."
"How are you now?"
…
"Okay, I'll wait for you in Yanjing!"
Lin Weimin hung up the phone and the smile on his face faded.
The call was from Tao Huimin. "Five Daughters Paying Homage to Their Parents" had been filmed for half a year and would be completed in a few days.
Recently, there have been a lot of discussions and criticisms about Lin Weimin and "The Lover" in various newspapers and magazines. She has also seen a lot of it in Changchun, and her heart is naturally full of concern and worry. She will call Lin Weimin every few days to ask about the situation.
She was too young and didn't know much about the literary world. She felt terrified every time she saw the content printed in lead type. Lin Weimin could only comfort her tirelessly.
When Lin Weimin made the call, Qin Chaoyang went to the editorial department's big office. Lin Weimin came out of his office, walked in the corridor, and was about to return to the big office when he heard a roar.
"Review? What review should I write?"
"You have to write a self-criticism when you publish a novel. There are so many novels published throughout the year, why don't you ask those people to write a self-criticism?"
"What's so outrageous about his novel? How can you have children if you marry a wife but she doesn't give birth to a child? They're just talking about platonic love. Who will do the revolutionary work in the future?"
"Who is making trouble? Old Hu, let me tell you, the fact that The Lover was published in Contemporary is a work that was unanimously approved by our editorial department and even the Guowen Press. There is absolutely no problem of principle.
You are so quick to believe and treat your comrades harshly. You are afraid of trouble. You are the leaders of the ministry, not only do you not support us, but you also want to add insult to injury. You are simply assholes!"
…
Through the door, Lin Weimin could hear Lao Meng roaring into the phone in the office.
Not only him, but his colleagues in the large office also heard it and popped up with gossipy looks on their faces.
Lao Tan was also excited at first, but when he saw Lin Weimin standing outside Lao Meng's door, he shouted to everyone, "There's nothing to see. Go back to work, work!"
When everyone saw Lin Weimin and thought about what they had heard before, they all went back to the office obediently.
"Alas, the scale of the description in "The Lover" is a bit exaggerated, but it shouldn't be this serious!" Yao Shuzhi sighed.
"That is to say, there are some novels published in the past two years that are more excessive than his." Liu Yin looked indignant.
He Qizhi shook his head and said, "It can only be said that Weimin's timing was not good. The situation in the second half of the year is so severe. And didn't you read the criticism? Someone is stirring up trouble. Weimin's novel does not mention any political content, but someone described 'Guo Yudao' as a traitorous businessman in old Shanghai. I am puzzled, how did these people see it?"
Qin Chaoyang sneered, "He is a god, can he see things that others can't see? Isn't slander and defamation the usual method used by these people?"
Everyone nodded in sympathy. Judging from the content of "The Lover", Guo Yudao only has the identity of a businessman. He rarely touches on business matters, let alone war and politics.
These people are able to thrive by slandering and smearing others, largely because they benefit from groundless accusations.
In old Shanghai, there was debauchery, rich businessmen, and French girls...
When these words are linked together, with simple guidance, it is very likely that people who have not read "The Lover" will have a negative impression of the novel.
Once this trend arises, people who are ignorant of the truth will not care whether you wrote those contents or not. What they want to do most is to kill you with one blow.
Rong Shihui sighed, "What is this?"
All the colleagues were speechless.
“Dangdangdang!”
There was a knock on the office door. Lin Weimin pushed it open and saw Meng Weizai standing in front of the window with his hands on his waist.
"Leader, you are so angry!"
Meng Weizai said unhappily: "It's all because of you!"
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault!" Lin Weimin lowered his head and looked submissive.
Because you just defended me so much, old man, I endured it.
"Which leader is calling?" Lin Weimin asked.
Meng Weizai glared, "Why are you asking so many questions? Can you handle it if I tell you?"
"If the leader has a daughter, I can give it a try!" Lin Weimin said sweetly.
Meng Weizai was furious when he saw his playful smile, "You should be dragged out and paraded through the streets wearing a dunce cap, to see if you dare to be so arrogant again!"
Lin Weimin put away the funny look on his face and said seriously: "What can we do? We can find joy in adversity. Too many lice won't bite, and too many debts won't worry us."
Meng Weizai sighed and said, "Those people stirring up trouble will not stop because of your attitude. Instead, they will take advantage of you!"
"Hey, it's not ten years ago anymore, they can't cause any big waves."
"The leaders above have all noticed this!" Meng Weizai reminded.
"The leader just asked me to write a self-criticism! Actually, there is no need for you to argue with him. Self-criticism, I am familiar with this!"
"Bullshit! Do you think I asked you to write that self-criticism? Do you believe that after you finish writing this self-criticism, others will dare to hold a meeting to criticize you?"
Lin Weimin knew that what Meng Weizai said was the truth, and he was even more grateful for his protection.
After Meng Weizai vented his anger, he gave Lin Weimin some more advice, asking him to keep a low profile recently, not to express his opinions casually, and not to write articles in newspapers or magazines to express his opposition.
The momentum is a bit too big now, but after all, no real big shot has spoken. Lin Weimin is under the big tree of Guowen Society, so there should be no risk.
Lin Weimin nodded. He had imagined a scene where he could publish an article in a newspaper to strangle the troublemakers and win the support of the people. But it was just a fantasy. It was unrealistic.
Just like the verbal battles you engage in on the Internet in later generations, no matter how many scientific bases, historical allusions, and professional knowledge you cite to the trolls, will it be useful?
After coming out of Lao Meng’s office, Lin Weimin returned to the big office.
Everyone felt sympathy for Lin Weimin, but they didn't know what to say to comfort him at this time.
Tong Zhonggui's face was full of panic. He just turned 20 this year and has not yet graduated from school. These days, he has witnessed countless open and covert attacks directed at Lin Weimin. While he was worried about Lin Weimin, he was more afraid and terrified.
He didn't dare to think about what he would do if he encountered such a situation. Thinking of the contents of those newspapers and magazines, he couldn't help but want to bury his head in the quilt and act like an ostrich.
In contrast, Teacher Lin has been eating and drinking as usual these days, remaining calm and composed, and remaining unmoved in the face of a flood of criticism.
If Tong Zhonggui used to admire Lin Weimin more for his talent, then after these days of turmoil, he has more respect for Lin Weimin's character and broad-mindedness.
He couldn't help but be impressed by Teacher Lin's righteousness and majestic spirit.
He felt that he had learned something from Teacher Lin. This is the power of role models!
Despite the ups and downs in the outside world, Lin Weimin still maintains his own rhythm, going to work and leaving get off work every day.
I thought that if I stayed quietly at work and acted like a good grandson, the trouble would gradually disappear as time passed.
But this morning, when Lin Weimin just went upstairs, he ran into Qin Chaoyang head-on.
"Let's go, let's go!" Qin Chaoyang looked anxious and pulled Lin Weimin out.
"What's going on?" Lin Weimin asked puzzledly.
"I'll tell you later."
Qin Chaoyang asked Lin Weimin to ride his motorcycle to take him to the street and find a secluded place.
Lin Weimin was confused. "What's going on with you? How did you end up meeting the underground party?"
Qin Chaoyang sighed and said, "I just received news that a working group will be sent to our editorial department today."
"Working group? Come to our editorial department? Does Old Yan know about it?" Lin Weimin's slow and steady attitude was finally broken.
"Lao Yan just found out about this this morning. Lao Meng and I also just found out about this. Lao Meng asked me to stop you at the door first. Lao Rong and Xiao Zhu are packing your things. You can take a break during this period of time. Come back after the working group leaves!"
The Guowen Society is of a high level, and its president, Lao Yan, is even more high-ranking. They only notified Lao Yan that they would send a working group that morning.
This information is a bit creepy. Which level of leader should have given this order?
I'm afraid the Minister is not qualified.
But Lin Weimin felt that he had nothing to fear and said, "It's not that serious, right?"
Tan Chaoyang shook his head and said, "It's better to be careful at this time!"
"What will happen to everyone if I leave?" Lin Weimin asked worriedly.
"Do you think they're coming for us?"
Lin Weimin thought about it and agreed.
"Will it not cause trouble to the agency and the editorial department?"
Qin Chaoyang shook his head again, "Who can tell for sure? Let Old Yan go and talk to the higher-ups about it later!"
Lin Weimin was puzzled. "What on earth is the reason for this all of a sudden?"
Qin Chaoyang hesitated for a moment before saying, "I heard that some old comrades found a certain leader together."
Lin Weimin felt sad and helpless, but not afraid at all.
“Have they read my novel?”
Qin Chaoyang showed a bit of sarcasm on his face, "Anyway, they said they saw it!"
It is understandable that the content of "The Lover" itself has triggered some criticism about eroticism. After all, not everyone likes this kind of content, especially some moralists.
But to say that the situation is so serious that we need to gather a group of people to file a complaint is probably not a sufficient reason, unless it is just based on hearsay.
The most terrifying thing is that it goes too far!
While the two were talking, Rong Shihui and Zhu Changsheng found them carrying a bunch of things, which were Lin Weimin's office supplies.
Qin Chaoyang patted Lin Weimin on the shoulder and said, "Go home and wait for a while before talking about it. Wait until this storm has passed."
Rong Shihui and Zhu Changsheng also stepped forward to comfort Lin Weimin. Lin Weimin smiled bitterly and said, "Leader, am I dismissed from my position?"
"Relieve it! I'm giving you a holiday! It's called protected leave!"
"There has to be a time for holidays, right?"
Qin Chaoyang pondered, his eyes unconsciously looking towards the Guowen Society office building not far away.
"Don't worry, wait until after the New Year."
Lin Weimin's heart sank. He was not worried about himself, but he heard the storm hidden behind Lao Tan's words.
This time, Contemporary might even be implicated.
Lin Weimin couldn't help but think of the feedback he received when he gave "Lover" to Lao Xie. If he had not insisted on publishing it, it might have been better.
For the first time, he felt a sense of self-blame and guilt.
(End of this chapter)
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