Chapter 461 Goncourt Prize
When the masses who are unaware of the truth read the article in the Literary Gazette, they will most likely think that Lin Weimin has such a close relationship with this publication that they are inseparable. Some noble comrades may even feel disgusted by the Literary Gazette's blatant flattery.
But think about it, Lin Weimin has spoken out many times through the Literary Gazette in recent times, so it is normal for the publication to once again publish positive comments about Lin Weimin.
When Lin Weimin was feeling unhappy, he suddenly received a call from the WS department. The person who called him was Liang, the translator who had come forward to negotiate the publishing matters with Gallimard Publishing House last time.
Translator Liang told Lin Weimin a good news on the phone. Gallimard Publishing House called and said that "The Lover" might win this year's Goncourt Prize. The publishing house wanted to invite Lin Weimin to France to receive the award and asked him to attend.
Lin Weimin has work to do, so a trip to France would take at least a week. If he has to attend some activities, it might take at least half a month.
He could only decline politely, but a few minutes after he hung up the phone, the WS department called again.
This time it was a different person, whose level was the same as Cheng Zaochun.
France is one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with China after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the relationship has been very good in recent years.
This time, Lin Weimin's "The Lover" was published in France. If it really wins the Prix Goncourt, it will be an important achievement in the cultural exchange between the two countries.
The WS department was very interested in this award ceremony, so after Lin Weimin refused, they called again, hoping that he would make time to attend the award ceremony no matter what.
The comrade just now did not make it clear that although this year's Goncourt Prize has not yet been awarded, in fact Gallimard Publishing House has already made it clear that Lin Weimin's "The Lover" has already won the award.
After hearing the situation from the other side, Lin Weimin found it difficult to refuse.
"Then I'll ask for leave and go there later!"
After hanging up the phone, Lin Weimin was called to Cheng Zaochun's office again.
He was just about to tell Cheng Zaochun about going to France, but Cheng Zaochun said that the leader of the office called and asked him to go.
"What does the leader want to see me about?"
"No."
Lin Weimin looked relaxed, "I guess he wanted to praise me! This battle was well fought!"
Cheng Zaochun sneered, "Childish! Remember, when the leader comes to you, most of the time it's definitely not good!"
"Old Cheng, you are just jealous. It was wrong for the leader to use you as a tool before, but you can't make up stories about him behind his back!"
"If word gets out that someone is slandering me behind my back in front of the leader, I won't let you off!"
"You are accusing a good person..."
After a few jokes, the two started talking about the articles in the Literary Gazette.
Lin Weimin cursed: "These old...comrades, they want to put me on the fire."
Cheng Zaochun said it was normal, but he couldn't hide the gloating on his face. He couldn't help but reveal his true thoughts.
"You are allowed to do it on the first day, but others are not allowed to do it on the fifteenth? These are all your words!"
Lin Weimin glared at him fiercely, "Old Cheng, you can't tell friend from foe!"
"How can I say I can't tell friend from foe? If the Literary Gazette praises you, it's a good thing anyway!
Although there is a suspicion that he is trying to help you get to the top, you have gained fame after all.
'The conscience and role model of Chinese intellectuals', hey, what a powerful evaluation!
We want it, but they won’t give it to us!
Don't be ungrateful! "
What Cheng Zaochun said is indeed correct; the flattery from Literary Gazette still has a great influence.
Once the article was published, it was immediately recognized by many newspapers, and public opinion influenced readers and ordinary people.
I believe that it won’t be long before the evaluation of Lin Weimin by the Literary Gazette will spread across the country.
No matter what, it is a huge boost to Lin Weimin's reputation.
Left the Guowen Publishing House and came to the Publishing House.
"Leader, do you have something to talk to me about?"
"Um."
The leader who was working with his head down raised his head and glanced at Lin Weimin, "Sit down!"
As soon as Lin Weimin sat down, he heard the leader speak directly: "I will now announce the decision of the agency on your handling..."
"Wait a minute!" Lin Weimin stood up immediately upon hearing this and interrupted his leader.
"Deal with me? Deal with me what?"
The leader ignored him and said, "Suspended for three months!"
"Why?" Lin Weimin asked indignantly.
The leader's expression remained calm. "This is the decision of the department."
It means there is no room for negotiation.
Lin Weimin held it in for a long time, "Lao Bian, you are so dishonest!"
The leader did not get angry because of his disrespect. His face turned red and he said, "It's not just you that will be dealt with."
Lin Weimin felt a little relieved when he heard this, "Who else?"
"The editor-in-chief of a newspaper was suspended and the chief editor was dismissed."
"The one across from me?"
"Um."
Lin Weimin thought for a moment and realized that this was a slap on the wrist for both sides!
It is absolutely impossible that the decision was made by the agency or the corresponding ministry. It is obvious from the style that higher-level leaders were involved.
"Which Bodhisattva took action?"
The leader took a look at him and thought, Monkey King is Monkey King, his brain works quickly.
The leader thought for a moment and said, "The Bodhisattva of Mount Emei."
Mount Emei?
Lin Weimin knew about it.
"The leader is not fair! I was the passive victim, why are you punishing me?"
"If it weren't for you, would this have happened? Do you think you can just post a message and say you don't want to fight?
You guys have completely humiliated the other party, and they went straight to the top leaders to complain, saying that you are disrupting the political environment and causing social divisions. If it weren't for your ability to see the big picture, it wouldn't be as simple as suspending you for three months."
"Do they believe what the big leaders say? Can't you just stand up and do something?"
The leader was provoked by him and became angry again, "Who do you think was responsible for the dismissal and suspension of the other party?"
Lin Weimin muttered, "In the end, it's us, the soldiers who charge into battle, who are the ones to be punished!"
The leader now understands Cheng Zaochun more and more. Having such a thing under his command will shorten his life by ten years!
I got scolded and I have no place to vent my anger!
Seeing that he was still very dissatisfied, the leader said helplessly: "Just suspend him for a few months, and then go back to work as normal. These few months will be considered a vacation."
"Leader, I have shed blood for the revolution!"
The leader understood his subtext, which was to show off his achievements, and waved his hand impatiently, "Let's talk about it when we get to work!"
Lin Weimin nodded. "Then you have to think about it and don't forget it. I heard that you are going to retire soon, so you have to think about doing this for me before you leave."
The leader almost fainted from anger, "Get lost!"
Having finally found a balance, Lin Weimin happily returned to the Chinese Literature Society, packed up his things and was ready to leave.
I was stopped by my colleagues in the hallway, “Weimin, what’s going on with you?”
"I've been suspended from work. I have to go home and reflect on myself." Lin Weimin said happily.
Everyone was confused. Why would he suspend his job for no reason?
Isn't the situation very good in the outside world? Why was he suspended suddenly?
Facing everyone's questions, Lin Weimin looked secretive and refused to reveal anything.
"Then what about the work in the editorial department? You can't just leave like this!" He Qizhi said, pulling his arm.
"Don't we still have you as the deputy editor? If you have any questions, go to the leader. I've been suspended, you can't let me work without pay, right?"
Lin Weimin struggled hard to break free from his colleagues' attempts to keep him. He finally got a long vacation. Even Jesus couldn't keep me.
Unfortunately, his steps were still a little slow and he was stopped by Cheng Zaochun who came after hearing the news.
"What's going on? What did the leader say?"
"Let me go home and reflect on myself, and suspend me for three months."
Cheng Zaochun had already anticipated that it would definitely not be a good thing if the leader came to his house.
He took Lin Weimin aside to learn about the situation in detail, then he had a general idea in his mind and patted Lin Weimin on the shoulder.
"It seems that your statement is quite timely. It's just a symbolic suspension of a few months. It won't have any big impact. Just rest at home during this time!"
If Comrade Lao Cheng could restrain the gloating smile on his face when he said this, the effect might be better.
"Why should I rest? I have to go to France soon!" said Lin Weimin.
"Going to France, what for?" Cheng Zaochun frowned.
"It is said that he might win the Prix Goncourt. Old Cheng, have you heard of this award?" Lin Weimin looked at Cheng Zaochun with a confused look on his face.
Cheng Zaochun fell silent, and forced a smile through his teeth, "Haha, not bad, not bad, I won another award. My luck in winning awards this year is really good!"
"Oh! Who would have thought of that? Foreign literary awards are probably not well-known, and it's not certain that I'll win them. Anyway, I haven't heard of them."
Lin Weimin said indifferently.
Comrade Lao Cheng couldn't hold back and couldn't help but sneer: "If you don't have a reputation, don't take it, it will save you trouble."
"No! The comrades from the WS department cried and begged me to go, saying that it was related to the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
For me, what I hate most is getting involved in these political matters. It’s so troublesome!”
Cheng Zaochun felt that there was no more room for conversation today. "Go, go home and have a good rest."
"Look, you forgot again that I have to go abroad."
"Okay, go abroad to receive the award, and don't come back for these three months!" Comrade Lao Cheng said gritting his teeth.
Lin Weimin left the Chinese Literature Society happily.
When they returned home in the evening, Lin Weimin talked to Tao Huimin about the changes in his work. Seeing that he spoke in a relaxed manner, Tao Huimin was not too worried.
Lin Weimin talked about going to France again and asked Tao Huimin if she wanted to go.
Tao Huimin hesitated for a moment and shook her head, "The movie is still being filmed, I can't leave."
Taking on the role in Dream of the Red Chamber was certainly a good choice for her, but at the same time, she also missed a lot of potential opportunities because the time span of this film was too long.
A few days later, with the special assistance of the WS department, Lin Weimin's visa was quickly approved.
There were still three days before the Goncourt Prize awarding ceremony. That afternoon, Lin Weimin came to visit Mr. Wan.
It has been two months since the turmoil caused by "The Hunt", and Mr. Wan has been worried about him.
Now Lin Weimin's influence is growing, and the topics he creates are nationwide. Many times he can no longer provide much help.
In recent days, public opinion has been very favorable to Lin Weimin, and Mr. Wan is sincerely happy for him.
When Mr. Wan heard Lin Weimin say that he was going to France to attend the Goncourt Prize ceremony, he became even happier and prepared a table of delicious food in the evening.
"Leaving tomorrow? When will you be back?"
"A week or so, I'll be back in two days."
"That's fine, just think of it as going out to relax. Don't take the suspension to heart, the higher-ups still have high hopes for you."
Mr. Wan's consolation immediately aroused Lin Weimin's interest, "How did you know?"
"I went to a meeting yesterday, and the senior leader knew that you were my student, so he chatted with me for a while."
Lin Weimin became even more curious, "What did the leader say?"
Mr. Wan hesitated for a moment, then imitated the Sichuan accent.
"The kid has a very bad temper, but he still has a sense of the overall situation. He needs to be tempered."
After learning the big boss' accent, the teacher and the student couldn't help laughing.
After laughing, Mr. Wan looked at Lin Weimin and said, "Don't think that suspension is a bad thing. To a large extent, it is a kind of protection for you. A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."
Lin Weimin nodded, "I understand. Just think of it as a vacation! I've been so busy these past few years that I haven't had time to rest."
"It would be best if you could understand this."
After having dinner at Mr. Wan’s house, Lin Weimin boarded a plane to France early the next morning.
The turmoil caused by "The Hunt" has died down at the official level due to the intervention of senior leaders, with both sides taking slaps on the wrist.
However, its influence among the people continues.
(End of this chapter)
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