1980 My literary era

Liu Jinyun invited Lin Weimin this time not only to let him watch the premiere of "Candied Haws", but also for another purpose.

In 1993, the Capital Theater decided to transform the old cafeteria into a small theater. By November last year, the theater was completed and put into use, and was named the Yanjing People's Art Theater. The first play to be rehearsed here was by American playwright Sam Shay "Lovestruck" by Pard.

What Liu Jinyun wanted to talk to Lin Weimin this time was to cooperate with the Chinese Literature Society to develop several dramas.

After listening to his words, Lin Weimin pondered for a moment.

In recent years, the domestic drama market has slumped, even worse than the film market.

When he launched the full copyright operation plan of the Chinese Literature Society, he also considered adapting the drama. However, the influence of the drama is now declining, let alone making money from it. If the Chinese Literature Society really wants to do it in a big way, it will be a bit more gain than loss.

Now that Renyi offered to cooperate, Lin Weimin couldn't easily refuse.

We are all old acquaintances, and although the benefits of cooperation are small, it is not impossible. At least it is an adaptation direction, which will always increase the influence of the original work. As for the benefits to the Chinese Literature Society and the author himself, it is almost It can be ignored.

After all, it was held in a small theater in the capital, with less than 300 seats in total, so it couldn't make much money.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Weimin agreed to Liu Jinyun's request.

"Let's go back and ask the hospital to contact our Copyright Operations Department to see if there are any suitable works that can be adapted."

After receiving Lin Weimin's answer, Liu Jinyun expressed his gratitude to him.

A few days later, Lin Weimin received a strange phone call from Zhang Chunru, who had interviewed him in the United States. She was now in Yanjing.

When they met, Zhang Chunru first chatted with Lin Weimin about her new book to be published this year, which is about Mr. Qian.

In 1990, Zhang Chunru was admitted to the master's degree program in language writing at Johns Hopkins University. Her instructor discovered her writing talent and recommended her to Susan Rabina, editor of HarperCollins. Rabina suggested that she write the story of Chinese scientist Qian Lao.

This proposal became the focus of Zhang Chun's life in the next few years.

She came to China in 1993, visited Mr. Qian's hometown and workplace, and interviewed a group of colleagues and friends who had interacted with Mr. Qian, but she never met Mr. Qian himself.

Mr. Qian refused to meet with all the writers who wrote books and biographies for him, and Zhang Chunru was no exception.

In the end, she had no choice but to find Qian Lao's son in California, USA, and obtained a lot of first-hand information, and finally completed the book about Qian Lao.

Now that the book is about to be published, Zhang Chunru still regrets not interviewing Mr. Qian in person. She asked Lin Weimin if he could help her introduce Mr. Qian.

"I have no friendship with Mr. Qian, I'm afraid I will disappoint you." Lin Weimin declined Zhang Chunru's request.

Hearing this, Zhang Chunru looked a little regretful, "It seems that this book can only be published in this way."

Her book is about Mr. Qian, and it lacks personal certification and first-hand information, which is a shortcoming for this book.

But she soon changed her mood and talked about her next book - "The Jinling Massacre: The Forgotten Catastrophe of World War II".

Zhang Chunru has been preparing for this work since the year before last. Last winter, she completed the preliminary data preparation for this book at the National Archives of the United States and the Library of Congress in Washington.

When Zhang Chunru came to China this time, in addition to interviewing Mr. Qian, Zhang Chunru also planned to conduct in-depth investigations for a period of time in Yanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Jinling and other cities.

Listening to Zhang Chunru introducing her investigation plan, Lin Weimin readily offered to provide her with some help within his ability.

Zhang Chunru made an appointment with Lin Weimin to meet today. She originally wanted to ask for help, but when Lin Weimin offered to help, she couldn't help but feel a lot more relaxed.

Writing about China's encounter during World War II is a heavy subject in itself, and there are many memories that those who experienced it are unwilling to touch. Although she is of Chinese descent, she is a foreign reporter after all. It is not easy to complete such a work independently. .

Lin Weimin has a very high reputation in China and has an official status. It would be great to get his help.

"One day the year before last, I received a call from my brother from New York. He told me that my father passed away in the early morning of that day.

He had been very ill for the past few years and we all knew he didn't have long to live but this news still made me feel unspeakably sad and lost.

When I attended my father’s funeral, I didn’t think of what to say until the last moment. At that time, I wrote what I wanted to say on the back of a shopping receipt.

You don’t know, my grandfather died in Jinling, and my father suffered from the pain of war in his childhood...

However, there is nothing to be found in our school library, the municipal public library, or in the history textbooks of the world where I live.

Including those teachers, they know nothing about this history, I want the world to know..."

Zhang Chunru calmly narrated the impact of the war on her father and ancestors. This was also her motivation to write about the history of Jinling during World War II.

"Mr. Lin, your novels "The Wind" and "Horse Trapper" are among the few works published in the United States that reflect the invasion of China by mud bombs during World War II.

However, there are still too few works of this type. More works about this period of history should appear in libraries and bookstores in the United States to let American people understand this period of history. "

Lin Weimin nodded and said, "What you said makes sense. We should let the world know about this period of history. We haven't done enough."

"No, you have done a lot. I have read several of your works that reflect the Anti-Japanese War during World War II. They are very good. However, the dissemination of these works abroad is really limited."

The two chatted for a while, and Lin Weimin said: "Well, when I was writing a book, I collected a lot of information about the Anti-Japanese War. I can provide this information to you first. If you need me to help you coordinate, If you want to interview some people who have experienced it, I will contact you later."

"Great!" Zhang Chunru said happily.

After the two chatted, Lin Weimin took her home.

The small courtyard where Lin Weimin lives is a courtyard with three entrances. Their family of three lives in the main room, and the two nannies live in the side room. Except for the rooms used as kitchens and utility rooms, almost all the remaining rooms in the courtyard have been used by Lin Weimin over the years. The collection of books and materials occupies an overwhelming amount.

Zhang Chunru was surprised to see such a large collection of books in Lin Weimin's home.

“There are more books here than in many small libraries.”

"I don't have any other hobbies. First, I like collecting antiques, and second, I like collecting books." Lin Weimin said casually.

The two chatted casually while Lin Weimin rummaged through books on the bookshelf for information that Zhang Chunru might use.

After searching for nearly half an hour, Lin Weimin finally dug out two large boxes of books and materials.

"That's probably about it, but I guess there aren't many that can be used," Lin Weimin said.

"That's how writing this type of documentary work is. After collecting millions of words of information, only a few thousand words can be used."

While we were busy, dinner was already ready.

They came to the restaurant to eat, and the four-and-a-half-year-old Xiao Doubao was very excited to see Zhang Chunru, a new face.

He didn't even bother to eat the chicken legs on the table, and stared at Zhang Chunru with his big eyes blinking.

"Eat well. Why are you always staring at Auntie? It's not polite!" Tao Huimin scolded.

Xiaodoubao immediately lowered his eyebrows, but before he could hold on for two seconds, he turned his attention to Zhang Chunru again.

Zhang Chunru smiled at her, and Xiaodoubao also smiled brightly. She showed a few white teeth with vegetable leaves hanging on them, showing no ladylike image.

After finally finishing his meal, Lin Weimin flipped through the pile of information he found and introduced it to Zhang Chunru.

Zhang Chunru was born in the United States and is a second-generation Chinese. His spoken English is good, but his written skills are mediocre. It is very difficult to read some materials about the Anti-Japanese War and even earlier periods.

Lin Weimin translated and explained to him word for word. She was also very serious. She opened her notebook and recorded it rigorously, saying that she would go back and check it with the English information she had collected before.

Xiaodoubao was leaning against Lin Weimin's legs, watching the serious and serious conversation between her father and aunt. Although she still couldn't understand what the two were discussing, the more times like this, the more seriously she listened. I listened much more carefully than when I was in kindergarten.

It was rare for Tao Huimin to see her daughter so well-behaved, and she felt very pleased.

It seems that this girl is not ignorant, but she just hasn't found an interest that suits her.

Lin Weimin chatted with Zhang Chunru until the evening and asked her to stay at home.

Before going to bed at night, Tao Huimin suddenly said to Lin Weimin: "Hey, what do you think about letting Doubao learn history in the future?"

"Study history?" Lin Weimin was a little surprised. He didn't know why she said such a thing so well.

Tao Huimin recounted Lin Weimin's performance when he and Zhang Chunru were browsing and discussing the information. Lin Weimin thought about it. At that time, he and Zhang Chunru were discussing seriously and did not pay much attention to Xiaodoubao's performance.

"It's good for girls to study history. They can be peaceful and content and can become teachers in universities in the future." Lin Weimin said.

Seeing that her husband agreed with her opinion, Tao Huimin was a little excited, "It is during the summer vacation. You can take her to visit the Forbidden City more and tell her more about this aspect. Her interest should be cultivated from an early age."

"I have a museum at home, why go to the Forbidden City!"

Tao Huimin said: "How big is the museum at home? The Forbidden City is bigger and has more collections!"

Feeling the contempt from his wife, Lin Weimin felt that the man's dignity had been offended.

"The Forbidden City is just like that."

Seeing her husband suddenly acting like a child, Tao Huimin was a little amused, "Yes, yes, the Forbidden City is full of good things left over from past dynasties, and your museum is all your own property. From this aspect, the Forbidden City is not a Your opponent."

Lin Weimin nodded with satisfaction, "That's true. But we also have to admit the gap in reality. There is still a big gap between our Jinghua Museum and the Forbidden City, but this gap will definitely get closer and closer."

Tao Huimin grunted and laughed as she dealt with Lin Weimin.

Men never seem to grow up, but the occasional boyishness can be refreshing.

Talking about the museum, Lin Weimin suddenly started mumbling again. He remembered Zhang Chunru's words today.

He said to himself: "How about building a library?"

Tao Huimin was speechless for a while, this man was going to lose his fortune again!