Literary Master 1978

For the writers present, Zhou Yang is definitely a big shot, an old revolutionary, a famous writer, a literary theorist, and a literary activist.

In addition to his achievements in literature and art, he holds a higher official position, including Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Academic Committee Member, Chairman of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Minister of the Propaganda Department... Vice Chairman of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles is the least noticeable title on his body.

From the fact that he is the first to speak at every National Excellent Short Story Award Ceremony, it can also be seen that Zhou Yang holds a pivotal position in the Chinese literary and art circles.

He whispered with Zhang Guangnian for a while, and within two minutes, Lin Chaoyang was invited to their table.

After Lin Chaoyang left, the writers at his table did not find it strange. Lin Chaoyang is now famous, and it is normal for the leaders of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles to invite him to chat. Even Lin Chaoyang did not take it seriously.

When he arrived at Zhang Guangnian's table, he did not feel anything special. The people sitting at this table were all respected seniors, and their attitudes were also very polite. After Lin Chaoyang sat down, he chatted with everyone for a few words.

At this time, Zhou Yang spoke up and said, "Comrade Chaoyang, I have read the article you published in the Literary Gazette a few days ago. Regarding the content of the article, I think there are two issues worth discussing."

When Zhou Yang said this, there was a sudden silence around him.

Leaders always speak implicitly, and the words "worth discussing" are already criticism.

The expressions of the people around him were subtle, and Lin Chaoyang was a little surprised, but not panicked.

Because he knew that in the original time and space, the proposal of "root-seeking literature" was very popular in the 1980s and caused some controversy, but few writers who proposed this concept had much negative impact, so it didn't make sense that there would be problems with him.

Zhou Yang paused for a few seconds while speaking, and Lin Chaoyang's reaction fell into his eyes. Putting aside the differences in literary propositions, he admired Lin Chaoyang's attitude of not being surprised by praise or criticism.

"First, you proposed the literary concept of 'root-seeking literature', which is good for promoting the revival of national culture.

But the problem here is what kind of culture is called national culture? I think what you want to express must be that we must abandon those feudal dregs and retain and pursue the essence of those national cultures.

But where is the standard and scale for this judgment? There is basically no mention of this judgment in your article. I don't know whether it is an ambiguity or an avoidance.

Second, your article says that we should not stare at Western modernism as a disciple of the doctrine of taking things, but should dig deep into the roots of national culture, but in terms of the expression of literature, Chinese literature in modern times has indeed been greatly influenced by Western modernism.

Not only that, even our new China was influenced by Marxist-Leninist thought and achieved the fruits of victory in the violent revolution after the May Fourth Movement.

The 'root-seeking tendency' in your article seems to lead us back to the old path of history, and it also ignores the revelation of the problems and contradictions of real social life."

Zhou Yang's tone was emotionless, and his face was very calm after saying these words, but almost everyone present understood how heavy his words were.

His first question was fine, at least it was still a discussion in the field of literature, but the second question was almost clearly discussing literary issues from a political standpoint.

It is not surprising that Zhou Yang has such thoughts and questions, because he is one of the leaders in the field of domestic ideology.

Everyone's eyes were on Lin Chaoyang at this time. Everyone understood that Zhou Yang's attitude actually represented the official attitude towards this matter to a large extent.

Zhou Yang questioned Lin Chaoyang on an occasion like today, and then all kinds of mouthpieces would inevitably follow suit, and then there would be another storm.

No matter how Lin Chaoyang answered, he could not change the fact that this might happen.

But Lin Chaoyang had to answer, not only to answer, but also to answer very beautifully.

Because he proposed the concept of "root-seeking literature", and there were so many like-minded people behind him who cheered for him.

His answer was not only a response to Zhou Yang and an explanation to his like-minded people, but also a programmatic guidance for these people in the future debate with opponents.

After Zhou Yang finished speaking, Lin Chaoyang was silent for a long time, and the surroundings were so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"Mr. Zhou, your two questions are very big. I will try to answer the first question first."

Lin Chaoyang looked calm and steady, and the people around him couldn't help but hold their breath and wait for his answer.

"To be fair, many Chinese traditions are not good. Because we all live in the teachings and disciplines of Confucius and Mencius, and are dedicated to governing the country and educating the world, the category of art was not respected in the past.

You said that "The Roots of Literature" did not write about how to distinguish the essence and dregs of national culture and traditions. This is true.

Because in my opinion, this is a huge proposition.

It is too arbitrary to make an assertion based on my own opinion. What I hope is that our cultural, literary and even ideological circles will come together to make this judgment.

But since you asked now, I will tell you my point of view.

In fact, how to distinguish is also very simple. Mao Zedong has already taught us that it is to look at and consider the problem from the standpoint of the proletariat and the masses of the people.

The King of Chu likes thin waists, which is the bad habit of feudal rulers, and we want to get rid of it;

Cixi loved to listen to Peking opera, which was also the hobby of feudal rulers, but Peking opera was also an art form that the people loved and enjoyed, proving that its birth was not exclusive to feudal rulers, so it should be preserved;

There is a folk custom in Henan and Shanxi called "beating iron flowers", which can be traced back to the sacrificial activities in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

It stands to reason that sacrifice is feudal superstition, but "beating iron flowers" has undergone thousands of years of changes, and its sacrificial and superstitious attributes have long disappeared, becoming a folk entertainment activity of viewing nature, which should be preserved.

In fact, a considerable part of our national culture is the case of "beating iron flowers", and their original intention may not be in line with our modern ideology.

But through the continuous changes in history, it has gradually become a culture that the people love and enjoy, so it should be preserved.

There may be some incomplete transformations, so we should criticize them, but we should not kill them with one stick. "

Lin Chaoyang said here to answer Zhou Yang's first question. He looked at the other party calmly without a trace of ripples.

"The people love and enjoy it! "

Zhou Yang muttered to himself, accurately extracting the core points of Lin Chaoyang's answer, and nodded slightly after a moment.

"It's a bit rough, but the overall idea is right. However, there will be many problems in the future if we do this, and there will always be people who like to summon the souls of feudal ethics. "

Hearing Zhou Yang's evaluation, Lin Chaoyang looked normal, but the people around him seemed to be relieved.

Lin Chaoyang smiled and said, "Mr. Zhou, this is not a problem I want to consider, but a problem you should consider."

Zhou Yang laughed dumbly and motioned Lin Chaoyang to continue.

"Regarding the second question, it is related to the first question. Whether it is to follow the old path, I think we should look at this issue dialectically.

The Forbidden City and the Old Summer Palace were both built by feudal rulers using the people's blood and sweat. A hundred years ago, they were the exclusive territories of feudal rulers, but now they are ordinary places for ordinary people.

Confucius can discipline the ancient civilization since the Shang Dynasty, and we can also discipline traditional culture.

The root of this matter is that we must stick to our core ideas and not be influenced by other people or things.

Mao Zedong said that our art should let a hundred flowers bloom. It is impossible that foreign art can bloom while our own art is withered, right?

As for ignoring the revelation of real social problems and contradictions, I think you might want to read my book "Crossing Guandong" in a while. Writing more about national culture does not mean that we will ignore reality! "

When answering Zhou Yang's question at first, Lin Chaoyang was still a little restrained. At the end, he gradually let go and had a calm and open-minded feeling.

Zhou Yang laughed and said, "I have to read one of your books to ask you a question. I am afraid that Wang Po is not as good at selling melons as you. ”

He did not get serious about Lin Chaoyang's answer, but made a joke to prove that he was satisfied with the answer.

Not only Zhou Yang, but other people around him could not help but admire Lin Chaoyang's answer.

The sentence "Confucius can discipline the ancient civilization since the Shang Dynasty, and we can also discipline traditional culture" is magnificent!

Zhou Yang continued: "You said that 'foreign art is flourishing, but our own is withering', which makes some sense. I think this is also the original intention of your writing this article, right?"

"That's right. The lessons learned more than a hundred years ago tell us that it is wrong to close the country and stick to the old ways, but the chaos in the early days of the Republic of China also tells us that it is also wrong to absorb foreign cultures without knowing how to distinguish.

Only by firming up our own goals and using and discarding in moderation can we achieve our own unique culture. "

Lin Chaoyang's tone was full of determination, which moved Zhou Yang.

Through this conversation, he also understood in his heart that Lin Chaoyang was not the kind of person who took advantage of opportunities and bought people's hearts, but he really wanted to speak out for the construction of China's cultural cause and was a pure literati.

Speaking of this, Zhou Yang was probably satisfied in his heart, but he did not express his opinion.

Because at his level, every word he said could become a weapon that could hurt others and himself.

Lin Chaoyang's answer satisfied him. At most, he would not cause trouble for "Root-Seeking Literature", but if he praised it in person, it would be like pushing himself to the front and endorsing Lin Chaoyang and Root-Seeking Literature.

Including Lin Chaoyang and everyone present, they all understood this truth.

Zhou Yang's attitude actually expressed many official opinions to a large extent. According to the opinions of the people on the other side, Lin Chaoyang convinced Zhou Yang in person today, but he will have to face many doubts in the future.

This is also the only way for a new literary trend to be born.

However, this conversation with Zhou Yang today is not without benefits for Lin Chaoyang.

Zhou Yang is one of the official figures who publicly questioned "root-seeking literature" earlier. Lin Chaoyang's answer is flawless and wonderful. It not only gives confidence to those who support him behind him, but also provides ideas for everyone.

More importantly, the punch is opened, and the posture is already set. There is no need to worry about someone exaggerating infinitely. After all, Zhou Yang is just questioning.

After the conversation, Lin Chaoyang chatted with the people at this table for a few more words, and then returned to his own table, accepting the baptism of the judges, writers, and critics present along the way.

"Chaoyang, you did a great job!" Li Tuo ran to Lin Chaoyang's table and praised him in a low voice excitedly.

In addition to him, other people around him also cast praise and admiration on Lin Chaoyang.

You should know that the conversation between Lin Chaoyang and Zhou Yang just now was completely different from ordinary chats or literary exchanges. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was a silent sword fight.

Facing Zhou Yang's attack, Lin Chaoyang responded calmly and was not picked out of any flaws.

Zhou Yang's silence was actually affirmation to a certain extent, and it was also a victory for Lin Chaoyang and a victory for root-seeking literature.