Chapter 371 The Grand Picture of Contemporary China
Tong Zhonggui looked at Lin Weimin, trying hard to suppress his inner excitement. He hoped in his heart that those critics and readers who questioned "Ordinary World" could listen to Teacher Lin's thought-provoking speech.
At the same time, he felt a complex emotion in his heart, including shame for trying to use the shortcut method of holding a work seminar to increase the influence of his work, self-blame for not doing a thorough review of "Ordinary World", and regret for doubting Teacher Lin.
After venting his anger in the speech, Lin Weimin calmed down and said in summary: "Overall, The Ordinary World is an excellent literary work, and its merits far outweigh its flaws. If it can be loved by readers in the future, then this must be a victory for 'realism'!"
"Realism" is the concept and creed that Contemporary Magazine has always adhered to since its founding.
Tong Zhonggui suddenly realized.
That is why Teacher Lin insisted on publishing "The Ordinary World" and gave it such high honors.
This novel, to some extent, represents the original intention of "Contemporary".
Tong Zhonggui felt that he had realized something. He completely understood Teacher Lin’s good intentions and foresight.
Teacher Lin has taken on too much for Contemporary!
After the conversation, Tong Zhonggui returned to the office, his mind still recalling Lin Weimin's powerful speeches. He was so excited that he couldn't help but express himself.
He spread out the letter paper and wrote a line titled "The Grand Picture of Contemporary China - On "Ordinary World"".
A few days later, Liu Yin held up a new issue of China Youth Daily with both hands, and said with a sigh, "Xiao Tong's review is really well written! The title is a double entendre, praising both Lu Yao's novel and our Contemporary magazine!"
Tong Zhonggui felt a little embarrassed by Liu Yin's praise, "Teacher Liu, a lot of the content here is what I heard from Teacher Lin, it actually has little to do with me."
"Yes, yes, I saw it. You mentioned our Editor-in-Chief Lin three or four times in this excellent review article. It makes people feel awkward. People who don't know would think that he asked you to write it!"
Tong Zhonggui waved his hands in panic, "No, no, I wrote them all myself."
Zhu Changsheng laughed and said, "She was joking! Don't take it seriously, Xiao Tong. Your article is well written. It really boosts the morale of "Ordinary World"! It's a good sign!"
——
"Overall, The Ordinary World is an excellent work with more merits than flaws. Its inherent moral concept is the classical virtue ethics. This pre-modern virtue theory is both a historical limitation that the author Lu Yao cannot escape and an unparalleled advantage of this novel.
"The Ordinary World" may not gain widespread recognition among critics, but it will eventually become the spiritual home of a generation of young people.
Such comments remind me of Maugham, a writer who has been controversial in the world literary world for decades and has always been regarded as a second-rate writer by critics. He once said: "Yes, what is the reason why Maugham's works have been continuously published and read, and why he has so many readers?"
Maugham's sigh was more like a question, and he was questioning those critics who looked down on his works.
Lu Yao may not be able to achieve the same literary success as Maugham, but his works have a similar influence on Chinese readers. As Professor Lin Weimin said, if The Ordinary World can be loved by readers, especially young people, it will be a victory for realism.
After Zhang Jianjun finished reading the commentary in China Youth Daily, he put the newspaper on the desk and asked, "Do you think this commentary makes sense?"
"I disagree. Mediocrity is mediocrity. Lu Yao's novel cannot be called poor, but it is far from excellent. This article is too exaggerated."
“I think it’s a good point. Which novel doesn’t have flaws? We can’t just look at the flaws.
Look at the two protagonists written by Lu Yao. Sun Shaoan pursues reality, values material things, and has a closed personality. Sun Shaoping likes fantasy, values spirit, and is tolerant and open. You can say that this way of characterization is very dull, but after reading the novel, I feel that the portrayal of these two characters is solid. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Just like the novel "Ordinary World".
"We cannot only look at this novel from its merits and demerits. If we look beyond the work and look at the author Lu Yao, it is obvious that he advocates the generosity, warmth and simplicity in the history and culture of our farming nation. He also praises the perseverance and hard work of farmers, and regards this virtue as a spiritual home.
At the same time, as a farmer's son who has escaped from the farming life, he does not fully agree with the lifestyle, way of thinking and values of the farmers who have been farming on the loess land for generations.
Therefore, his cognition is contradictory, and his works are also contradictory. The inability to unify characters and ideas in his works is the biggest failure of Lu Yao's novel.
But at the same time, Lu Yao also used his powerful writing skills to create for us the fate of those small characters in the big picture of the changing times and historical turning points. This is also the reason for the success of this novel..."
"You are allowed to say both the positive and negative things!"
"That's how it is. How can things in this world be either this or that, black or white?"
…
This commentary article published by Tong Zhonggui in China Youth Daily sparked heated discussions among students in the classroom of Yanshi University.
Everyone spoke passionately and argued endlessly, but no one could convince anyone else.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing." Mu Sen, who was wearing glasses as thick as the bottom of a bottle, stood up. "It's almost time to rest. Let's rehearse quickly."
The conditions of the drama club at Yanshi University were very simple, and they could only find empty classrooms to rehearse dramas.
After he finished speaking, everyone started moving.
Some time ago, everyone had been studying how to adapt Lin Weimin's "The Ming Dynasty 1566". After much deliberation, they felt that it was too difficult, so Mu Sen came up with a wild idea.
Just put the novel aside and use the characters as a blueprint to create a new play.
This re-creation is certainly not something they made up out of thin air; most of the content of the drama is still based on the novel.
Without the constraints of the novel's larger framework, the creative inspiration of these students was completely ignited, and they actually created an extremely avant-garde drama.
The rehearsal began again. Mu Sen looked at "Jiajing" and "Hai Rui" who were stammering their lines on the podium with a worried look on his face.
This kind of performance was far from what he wanted!
We have to think of a way!
On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, Lin Weimin picked up Tao Huimin after work and came to the new home of Han Zhuangzhuang and Yin Geli in Qiqizuo Hutong.
"Brother-in-law, this is Huimin!" Lin Weimin introduced.
Tao Huimin said "Hello, brother-in-law" in a very generous manner, and Han Dingbang smiled and said, "Good, good, good!"
He turned around and took out the gift from the house, "Here, take it."
Tao Huimin glanced at Lin Weimin and took the thing.
Han Dingbang came to Yanjing earlier this year than in previous years. After all, the circumstances this year were special. His son was getting married, which was a big event for the family, and he also wanted to come to Yanjing early to reunite with everyone.
In the evening, the family prepared a sumptuous dinner and gathered together with laughter.
Han Zhuangzhuang and Han Dingbang talked about the topic of retirement. "Dad, Ge Li and I are married and have bought a house. Do you also need to consider retirement?"
Han Dingbang frowned and said, "How old am I? Why should I retire so early?"
"Holding grandchildren! Don't you want to hold grandchildren? Ge Li and I plan to have a baby next year. Ge Li's parents are in Austria and can't come over. If you don't come to help, we both have to go to work and won't be able to handle it!"
Han Zhuangzhuang's words made Han Dingbang hesitate.
He is not yet fifty, so it is a bit early for him to talk about retirement.
But when it comes to having a grandson, Han Dingbang has to think seriously about it.
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "Now all of us are in Yanjing, and you are the only one left in Shanghai, all alone and helpless. Why bother? Zhuangzhuang's career is developing well now, and if you come to Yanjing, we can take care of each other."
After being persuaded by the two, Han Dingbang quickly made a decision.
"I'll go through the formalities after the Chinese New Year!"
He has poor legs and feet, so he can retire anytime he wants.
Han Zhuangzhuang and Lin Weimin were very happy.
After talking about retirement, Han Dingbang asked Lin Weimin again, "When are you and Huimin going to do it?"
Tao Huimin showed a bit of shyness on her face. She glanced at Lin Weimin, lowered her head and said nothing.
Lin Weimin was a little embarrassed, "Brother-in-law, you forgot again that Huimin hasn't graduated yet!"
Han Dingbang said: "Of course I know Huimin hasn't graduated yet, so are you planning to get married after she graduates?"
Upon hearing this, Tao Huimin looked at Lin Weimin with some expectation in her eyes.
"That's for sure, I've been looking forward to this day!" Lin Weimin said with certainty after hesitating for a second.
His statement made Tao Huimin's face flash with joy.
Han Dingbang also showed a relieved smile, "That's good. Huimin graduated in 1987, right?"
Tao Huimin nodded.
"In 1987, Weimin was 27 years old and Xiaotao was 21, which was perfect." Han Dingbang said with a smile.
After dinner, Tao Huimin and Yin Geli went to the kitchen to clean up, while Han Zhuangzhuang dragged Lin Weimin outside to smoke.
"Uncle, are you not willing to get married?"
Lin Weimin was shocked. How did this guy know that?
Han Zhuangzhuang looked proud, "Hey, I was right, wasn't I?"
Lin Weimin was so angry that he said, "You know nothing!"
"Why don't I understand? You are so young, handsome, rich and talented, you definitely don't want to get married so early!"
Since you are so good at talking, I won’t bother with you.
"Are you okay? If not, go back inside. It's very cold outside!"
"Something's up, something's up!" Han Zhuangzhuang held Lin Weimin and said, "Our dean asked you to come to our hospital tomorrow when you're free."
"What's up?"
(End of this chapter)
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