Back to 80: My Literary Life

This award ceremony was held in Changsha at the invitation of the Hunan Provincial Government. The specific organizers were the Provincial Cultural Bureau, the Provincial Writers Association and the Hunan Provincial TV Station.

Fang Minghua arrived at Huanghua International Airport by plane at around 2:00 p.m., and naturally someone came to pick him up. Unexpectedly, it was He Liwei, who he knew and had just become the vice chairman of the Hunan Writers Association.

"Hello, Teacher Fang, long time no see." The other party shook Fang Minghua's hand enthusiastically.

"Liwei, what's the teacher? You are now the vice chairman of the Hunan Writers Association. We are on the same level. You can just call me by my name." Fang Minghua said.

"That won't work. You once taught me, and I will never forget it. You deserve to be called a teacher!" He Liwei said.

Fang Minghua smiled and said nothing.

He Liwei, Yu Hua, Li Yinghong and others were all students of the 87th Luyuan workshop class, and Fang Minghua once taught them.

He Liwei took the initiative to help Fang Minghua carry the suitcase in his hand and said with a smile: "I heard that you were coming to Changsha, so I took the initiative to come to pick you up at the airport. We haven't seen each other for a long time."

"Yes, more than ten years." Fang Minghua said.

"So, when I see you this time, I want to have a drink with you after you finish your work!"

"Oh my god, you drink as much as you eat spicy food!"

"Haha, that's right, the male students of the 87th workshop are all good at drinking, except Yu Hua, who is a coward, but he has the greatest achievements in literature!"

The two chatted and laughed, and finally got on a black Santana 2000, and the driver drove them to the hotel.

Fang Minghua stayed at the Hunan Xiangquan Hotel, where the entire jury and the writers of the shortlisted works lived. Many of the jury and writers were acquaintances, and they naturally greeted each other when they had dinner in the lobby at night.

"Minghua, hello!" Fang Minghua heard a gray-haired man with a Taiwanese accent greet him, and he smiled when he looked closely.

"Hello, Mr. Yingzhen." Fang Minghua hurriedly took two steps forward and took the initiative to extend his right hand.

Chen Yingzhen from Taipei.

Fang Minghua knew Chen Yingzhen very early, in 1986, when the Hong Kong Writers Association was established. Chen Yingzhen went to Hong Kong to celebrate as a representative of Taiwanese writers, and Fang Minghua was the deputy head of the mainland writers' association delegation.

He left a deep impression on Fang Minghua. His works were greatly influenced by Lu Xun, mainly describing the life and emotions of urban intellectuals. His works are full of melancholy and depression as well as humanitarian care.

More importantly, he has a sincere patriotic heart.

Later, in 1990, the first World Chinese Literature Award was held. Fang Minghua also went to Yenching and found Chen Yingzhen who was temporarily staying in Yenching, inviting him to be a member of the jury, and the other party readily agreed.

However, this time Chen Yingzhen came to Changsha not as a judge but as a writer. His novella "Zhongxiao Park" was shortlisted for this year's Outstanding Novella Award.

"Zhongxiao Park" is a novella completed by Mr. Chen Yingzhen in 2001, and it is also his last novel before his death.

The novel reveals a history that the Japanese government and the Taiwan authorities are eager to bury through the accidental encounter of two little people in Zhongxiao Park, which cannot be called a brief intersection of communication.

"Mr. Yingzhen, I have read your book "Zhongxiao Park". It is very well written, and the words are full of a kind of compassionate thought. I think your novel will definitely win the award!"

"Really?" Chen Yingzhen laughed: "I hope it's as you said, then you will give me the award at that time"

"It's my honor."

The two smiled and chatted for a while before they separated.

In the evening, Fang Minghua returned to his room to rest. Bai Miao finally came and told Fang Minghua the whole process of preparing for the award ceremony.

Although Fang Minghua no longer manages the jury, this award was founded by him after all, and all the funds come from the Chinese Literature Award Foundation under his control. There are some things to tell him.

After listening to his story, Fang Minghua nodded, and suddenly thought of something and asked: "Bai Miao, why didn't I see Han Shaogong at dinner? He is a member of this year's jury and a Changsha native, so he is also half a host. He didn't leave early, did he?"

"He really left early, mainly because he was not feeling well. He left after the jury ended." Bai Miao replied.

"Back to Haikou?"

"No, he went back to live in the place where he once worked in the countryside, in Miluo, not far from Changsha. I heard him live there for half a year now."

Settled in the place where he once worked in the countryside?

Fang Minghua immediately became interested.

After Bai Miao left, Fang Minghua saw that it was less than nine o'clock, not too late, so he took out his mobile phone and called Han Shaogong.

Soon, the call was connected, and Han Shaogong's Mandarin with a solemn Hunan accent came: "Minghua, have you arrived in Changsha?"

"Yes, I just arrived today. I heard from Bai Miao that you are feeling well and left Changsha. How are you now?" Fang Minghua asked with concern.

"It was mainly because I was reading and discussing books continuously in the past few days, which made me feel dizzy and my blood pressure was a little high. Now I am back in Bajing Township, where the mountains and rivers are beautiful, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, and my body is fine."

"Young worker, Bai Miao said, are you now settled in the place where you were sent to work in the countryside?" Fang Minghua asked again.

"Yes, the year before last I applied to the relevant leaders of Hainan Province, and was finally approved to live in Haikou for half a year and return to Bajing Township for half a year to settle down, research and write, hehe."

"Oh, you have a good life, living in the countryside, and the fragrance of rice flowers when you go out." Fang Minghua sighed.

"Haha, do you want to come and experience it?" Han Shaogong asked with a smile on the phone.

"Okay, after the awards show is over, I will go to your place to hang out!" Fang Minghua said happily.

"Welcome welcome!"

On the phone, Han Shaogong told Fang Minghua his specific address and walking route, and then the two hung up the phone.

Hmm. It’s not bad to go to the countryside of Hunan Province.

Fang Minghua looked relaxed.

The 6th World Chinese Literature Awards Ceremony was held at the Wuzhou Grand Theater in Changsha. It started at 8 o'clock in the evening and the entire theater was packed.

Starting from the 4th Chinese Literature Award Awards Night, there have been songs and dances to add to the fun. This year, famous Hunan singers Li Guyi and Chen Sisi were specially invited to sing their famous songs, and local crosstalk actor Qizhi Dingbing performed crosstalk. The atmosphere of the ceremony party was lively.

Of course, the most important thing is the announcement of the winning works.

The Best Novel Award was awarded to Mo Yan's "Sandalwood Punishment"

Best novella: "Zhongxiao Park" by Chen Yingzhen.

Best Short Story: "Life of Pi" by Canadian writer Jan Martel.

The Best Prose Award was awarded to Shi Tiesheng's "Broken Pens in the Gap of Illness". However, this time Shi Tiesheng did not come to receive the award because of something else.

Best Poetry (Collection): "Wang Jiaxin's Poems", author Wang Jiaxin.

When Fang Minghua, as the award guest for the best novella, solemnly handed the certificate and trophy to Chen Yingzhen, the venue burst into warm applause.

On the evening of the next day after the ceremony, He Liwei invited Fang Minghua to dinner. At the dinner table, Fang Minghua told him that he was going to Bajing Township to meet Han Shaogong.

"Liwei, you are familiar with Han Shaogong. If nothing happens, let's go meet him together?" Fang Minghua invited.

Unexpectedly, He Liwei's expression was a little embarrassed.

"Teacher Fang, something happened at work recently. I'm afraid I won't be able to leave."

Seeing He Liwei like this, Fang Minghua couldn't say anything else.