Chapter 460: The Conscience and Model of Chinese Intellectuals
Zhang Guangnian's hunch was correct.
Since Lin Weimin chose the Literary Gazette as the battlefield, how could the Literary Association stay out of it?
As more and more people interpreted Lin Weimin's short article and novel, the tendency of the content published in Literary Gazette became increasingly obvious.
Unfortunately, this has become one of the main battlefields of the confrontation.
Fortunately, the influence of Lin Weimin's statement is growing, and many domestic literary and art figures have successively expressed their affirmation of the novel "The Hunting".
This kind of affirmation is very different from the praise when the novel was first published, but it is a statement with a strong political color and carries certain risks.
This group of people is also well aware of the possible reactions their actions may cause, but they have to do it.
Because of the publication of "Hunting", Lin Weimin briefly but inevitably became a representative figure of the domestic right tendency. Once he was defeated, the consequences would be disastrous.
Strong winds may knock down the tallest tree, but other trees will not escape the same fate.
To put it bluntly, at this time, the group of people who originally disliked Lin Weimin became grasshoppers tied to the same rope with him, and they had no choice but to seek justice for Lin Weimin.
Time passed slowly, and by mid-November, the debate in the newspapers was going back and forth, with no intention of dying down, and it seemed that it was really getting bigger and bigger.
More and more media outlets have shown interest in the issue, and the situation has become somewhat clearer. It is basically a confrontation between the left and the right.
The long and fierce confrontation has made Lin Weimin, the instigator, less and less visible, as the scope of the debate and mutual attacks is constantly expanding.
The matter between Lin Weimin and "The Hunt" has become not worth mentioning.
This development is also in line with the trend of many major discussions in the country in recent years. They were all triggered by a small issue, and then more and more individuals and units participated in the discussion. They had different positions and identities, and naturally their positions were also different. No one could convince anyone else.
A simple discussion has turned into a dispute over routes and concepts, and the original point that triggered the discussion has become less important.
The best outcome is that we can discuss and come up with a greatest common divisor, and then everyone agrees on this outcome and leaves unhappily.
The worse case scenario is that it will cause social division and deepen the conflicts and gaps between different classes.
For example, in this incident, many people in the domestic cultural circles have strong opinions about their comrades in the ** field, and many families of the victims also have opinions about people in the cultural field.
In the Guowen Society, Lin Weimin was once again found in his office by Cheng Zaochun.
Comrade Lao Cheng has not been in a good mood for the past month and lives in fear every day.
Compared to him, Lin Weimin really lived up to what he said, heartless and happy like a primary school student.
"Are you really not afraid of getting into trouble?" Cheng Zaochun's tone was mixed with resentment and helplessness.
Lin Weimin crossed his legs and said nonchalantly, "What do I have to fear? Suspension or dismissal? Anyway, they have already planned it for me. I am willing to sacrifice my life to bring down the emperor. You use me as a target, and I am not allowed to complain?"
Cheng Zaochun shook his head and said, "Your complaints are really powerful!"
"During an avalanche, can you say that a particular snowflake is more powerful? This is the result of some people not seeking truth from facts!"
The two chatted for a while, and Cheng Zaochun became serious and said mysteriously: "Your good days are coming to an end."
Lin Weimin was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"The Border Department is retiring!"
Lin Weimin was surprised and asked, "When did it happen?"
"It will be soon. The handover will take place at the beginning of next year." After Cheng Zaochun told him the news, he advised, "You better take it easy, kid!"
"I wonder why the leader is so stubborn this time? It seems he wants to quit!"
After receiving this news, Cheng Zaochun's depression that had been accumulating in his heart for some time finally eased a little.
The leader of the border department has retired. It is not known whether he was parachuted in or what his personality is like. He may not offend colleagues from brother units for Lin Weimin as soon as he takes office.
This news is indeed somewhat unfavorable for Lin Weimin, but it is not a big problem. After all, the battlefield is getting bigger and bigger, and Lin Weimin is no longer such a prominent flash point.
Just when Lin Weimin thought he was about to become an insignificant little character in this confrontation, a piece of news from Gansu pushed him to the forefront again.
A local newspaper in Gansu reported that Pei Shutang, who was sentenced to prison in August last year for allegedly raping female students, was dissatisfied with the verdict and has been appealing. In the first half of this year, he even appealed to the Provincial G Court.
Just recently, Pei Shutang, who is in prison, received a handwritten letter of apology from the original plaintiff Liu, regretting her actions in causing a false case.
It turned out that Liu was left behind by Pei Shutang for individual tutoring. After returning home, her fiancé questioned her about the issue of a single man and a single woman being in the same room. In desperation, she made up a lie and said that she was coerced and assaulted by Pei Shutang.
Pei Shutang, who was in prison, was overjoyed when he received this handwritten letter of confession and immediately submitted it to the relevant department.
However, after almost a month, there was still no action from the relevant departments. Pei Shutang's family could no longer sit still, so they found the media and reported the whole story of the case to them.
The media found Liu, and after some persuasion, Liu said that the reason she wrote the confession was because she read Lin Weimin's "Hunting".
She had been suffering from the injustice she had done to Pei Shutang for over a year. After watching The Hunt, she felt even more vulnerable, with pain, fear, and guilt...
All these emotions intertwined together put her on the brink of mental breakdown every day.
Under the call of conscience, she finally wrote the confession.
As soon as this report was released, it caused a huge response. Many newspapers outside the province reprinted it, and the public opinion aroused by the report soon reached Yanjing.
The originally balanced situation almost turned into a one-sided massacre because of this sudden report. The opposing media completely stopped their activities, and the media led by the Literary Gazette took advantage of the situation and attacked the enemy severely.
All his colleagues and friends were happy for Lin Weimin, but he was depressed and couldn't be happy.
Everyone was very confused about this situation. That day in the editorial office, Tong Zhonggui finally couldn't resist his curiosity.
"Teacher Lin, the publication of 'Hunting' saved the life of an innocent person, and the criticism from the outside world has passed. Why are you not happy?"
Lin Weimin pondered for a long time, and finally said solemnly: "Pei Shutang was wrongly accused this time, and "The Hunt" seems to have done a good job. But the question is, do you think all the rape cases in our country are wrongful cases? Seeing this situation, will other criminals with solid evidence take the chance and use public opinion pressure to put pressure on law enforcement agencies?"
My colleagues and friends, who were still immersed in the joy of victory, fell silent after hearing these words.
Everyone was busy being happy for Lin Weimin but ignored the possible consequences of this incident.
Lin Weimin's words were like the sound of a great bell, which made Tong Zhonggui feel enlightened.
At the same time, I had an urge to worship Lin Weimin.
People like Teacher Lin are role models and examples for us intellectuals.
After saying this to his colleagues in the editorial department, Lin Weimin seemed to have convinced himself.
Three days after the report from Gansu reached Yenching, he wrote another letter to the Literary Gazette.
Looking at the manuscripts in front of them, all the editors of Literary Gazette were in a dilemma and had to ask for instructions from the leaders of the Literary Association.
Zhang Guangnian and Bao Chang studied it for a long time and did not approve of Lin Weimin's behavior of "seeking fame as a scholar". However, Lin Weimin had the final say, so even if they did not publish it, other publications would do so. It would be better to let the Literary Gazette publish it.
"hair!"
At the order, Lin Weimin's article appeared again in the new issue of "Wenyi Bao" a few days later.
If Lin Weimin’s last post was likened to a rallying cry for battle, then this time, Lin Weimin’s post was like a retreat.
The article is not long, titled: "My Decision".
The general meaning of the article is that as the author of "The Hunting", Lin Weimin felt deeply fortunate and relieved when he heard that the plaintiff in the Pei Shutang case repented because of the influence of "The Hunting" and sent a letter to explain how he had wronged Pei Shutang.
But at the same time, he was filled with fear, because the Pei Shutang case was just an isolated case. Once this door was opened, "The Hunt" would likely be used by criminals with ulterior motives as a weapon to put pressure on victims and law enforcement agencies.
So, he decided that from now on, "Hunting" would not be published or published again within ten years.
Once this short article was published, it immediately caused a huge response across the country.
Some time ago, because of "The Hunt", many media outlets across the country were engaged in a war of words, and people from all walks of life widely participated in this debate.
When the news came that Pei Shutang's case was cleared, one side of the debate was heartbroken, while the other side was jubilant. Everyone was emotionally swayed by this sudden change.
But at this moment, Lin Weimin, as the instigator of the whole incident, ended this "war" with a completely different statement.
In the first few days after the article was published, some media outlets on the other side were complacent and wrote that Lin Weimin had realized the error of his position and repented.
However, within a few days of this argument being made, the newspaper was flooded with letters from numerous readers, until the editor-in-chief issued a public apology.
Because everyone understands that such remarks clearly disregard the facts.
His works have helped innocent people to clear their names and his reputation is at its peak, so where does his "sudden repentance" come from?
This should be called knowing the big picture!
Regardless of whether they were originally opposing media or media that stood on Lin Weimin's side, after the article in the Literary Gazette was published, these media all expressed their sincere praise for Lin Weimin's statement.
Among them, the Literary Gazette, which stood on Lin Weimin's side twice in this debate, once again published an enthusiastic commentary article.
The article first highly affirmed the literary and ideological nature of the novel "The Hunt" from a literary perspective, compared this novel with "The Diary of a Madman" half a century ago, and deeply analyzed the darkness of human nature.
Then he described the impact of "The Hunt" on the Pei Shutang case in Gansu and its possible impact on the Chinese political community in the future.
Finally, the Literary Gazette did not forget to praise Lin Weimin's act of announcing a self-ban on "The Hunt" for the sake of the overall situation, calling him the conscience and role model of Chinese intellectuals.
After reading the article, Lin Weimin angrily threw the newspaper on the table.
"Old thief!"
I have something to do today, so I will update twice.
(End of this chapter)
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