When the meeting was halfway through the break, Chairman Mao was smoking a cigarette while thinking about the issues discussed at the meeting. Suddenly, Chairman Mao seemed to remember something, so he raised his generous right hand and waved to Wang Renzhong, the acting secretar

Picture丨Chairman Mao

Preface

One afternoon in mid-August, 1966, Chairman Mao presided over a central meeting in Zhongnanhai .

When the meeting was halfway through the break, Chairman Mao was smoking a cigarette while thinking about the issues discussed at the meeting. Suddenly, Chairman Mao seemed to remember something, so he raised his generous right hand and waved to Wang Renzhong, the acting secretary of the Central South Bureau and the first secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China who came to attend.

Wang Renzhong soon came to Chairman Mao, and Chairman Mao said to him: "Comrade Renzhong, I remember something, I want you to do it! I have read the book written by Yao Xueying , and it is well written. You tell the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee that you should protect Yao Xueying and let him continue to write..."

Zhou Enlai's praise

On July 7, 1937, the Japanese invaders launched a large-scale military attack on Lugou Bridge in the suburbs of Peking . The sinful gunfire of the Japanese invaders not only broke Yao Xueying's life, but also brought in immense pain and great disaster to the Chinese people! After the Lugou Bridge Incident , Yao Xueying initially hoped to repel the Japanese invaders with the support of the whole country and eventually drive out of China. However, the current situation did not develop as Yao Xueying expected, but instead the war was approaching Peiping.

At this critical moment, Yao Xueying decided to let his wife take her children back to her hometown in Henan as soon as possible, and he himself wanted to stay and participate in the battle to defend Peking. The day after Yao Xueying sent his wife away, it turned out that Song Zheyuan's troops who had guarded the ancient capital withdrew from Peking, and Zhang Zizhong acted as the mayor of Peking to maintain public order.

This situation of the Kuomintang army retreating without fighting caused Peking and Tianjin to fall quickly, and North China was in danger. Yao Xueying was very sad about the fall of Peking and was worried about the future of the Chinese nation. He did not only lament and did not act, but instead actively participated in various anti-Japanese activities and became a well-known anti-Japanese youth in the literary and artistic circles of Peking!

pic丨Yao Xueying's old photo

Yao Xueying's various actions were also regarded as thorns in the eyes by the Japanese invaders, so he named him in the newspaper to arrest him. Yao Xueying's situation is already very dangerous at this time. He must leave Peiping immediately, otherwise he may be in prison and be destroyed by the enemy at any time.

At the beginning, the enemy searched for Yao Xueying's traces all over the city. In order to avoid being discovered, Yao Xueying began to not shaved, leaving her beard to disguise, and was waiting for the opportunity to escape from Peking at any time. After a period of waiting, Yao Xueying took advantage of the enemy's relaxation and left Beiping City , took a passenger ship, and drove into the vast Bohai !

Although Yao Xueying asked for the crisis of life and death, he was not calm inside, but was thinking about how to act next? Yao Xueying thought for a long time and decided to get off the boat from Longkou, Shandong Peninsula, , Shandong Peninsula, and go to Shanghai to continue to complete his unfinished novel "Flowers in May".

After arriving in Jinan, Yao Xueying learned about a series of recent events by reading the newspaper. The Japanese invaders have attacked Shanghai, fought against the Chinese army, and threatened to capture the entire China within three months. There was no choice but to change his plan and prepare to take the train from Jinan to Kaifeng , and then go to Yan'an to participate in the anti-Japanese struggle.

pic丨Yao Xueying

After coming to Kaifeng, Yao Xueying went to visit her teacher and met her classmates who had just returned from studying in Japan. The two of them advised Yao Xueying not to go to Yan'an and stay in Kaifeng to hold a publication that advocated anti-Japanese and national salvation. Yao Xueying thought about it and agreed.

Since then, Yao Xueying's life has taken a major turn. He left his original life circle and came into contact with a broader world outside his hometown and Peking. Yao Xueying actively participated in the torrent of the national war of resistance and was in the full-scale anti-Japanese and national salvation movement . Yao Xueying is engaged in anti-Japanese cultural work in Henan, Hubei, Shandong, Sichuan and other places.

During the baptism of fire and blood, Yao Xueying risked her life many times to go to the front line for interviews and report on the deeds of anti-Japanese heroes. At the same time, Yao Xueying also worked hard to run a good publication with like-minded partners to promote the spirit of patriotism in the anti-Japanese , and often went deep into life to accumulate materials. In an environment of displaced and artillery fire, he created literary works such as novels reflecting the life of the anti-Japanese and national salvation.

In March 1938, Yao Xueying participated in the united front organization of the literary and artistic circles led by the Communist Party of China, " China National Literary and Art Anti-Enemy Association ". While engaged in anti-Japanese cultural propaganda work, he conducted in-depth interviews, investigations, researches, and experiences the lives and emotions of the people. Finally, he wrote his famous short story "Half a Carrot", the novella "Niu Quande and Carrots", and the novel "When Spring Flowers Bloom".

Picture丨Yao Xueying talks with friends

Yao Xueying's short story "Half a Cart of Straw" attracted the attention and attention of the entire literary world after its release. Not only did it "caused a sensation" at home and received widespread praise, but it also "caused the Soviet cultural circle" and attracted attention from abroad.

At that time, it was the time when slogans and slogans filled the literary world. After Yao Xueying's novel was released, it refreshed readers. The critics recognized it as one of the first batch of excellent works of the Anti-Japanese War literature.

Why did Yao Xueying's "Half a Truck of Straw" be so successful? The fundamental reason is that the works of describe life more realistically, create vivid characters, and for the first time in the history of Chinese literature, the peasants awakened to participate in the War of Resistance, and opened up a new historical period for future literary creation, allowing people to free themselves from the boredom brought by formulaic works and gain a fresh artistic feeling.

At that time, the China National Literary and Art Circles Anti-Enemy Association was established under the active promotion of Premier Zhou. At the founding meeting, Premier Zhou, Soong Ching Ling , He Xiangning and others were elected as honorary directors; 45 people including Lao She , Guo Moruo , Ding Ling , Tian Han and others were elected as honorary directors of Wenhui Association.

Picture丨Prime Minister Zhou

After Yao Xueying came to Chongqing, she lived in a small building of the China National Literary and Art Circles Anti-Enemy Association, specializing in literary creation. Later, when the association held a congress in Chongqing, Yao Xueying was elected as the director and deputy director of the Creative Research Department of the All-China Literary and Art Circles Anti-Enemy Association. At this time, the highest leader of the Party’s literary and artistic circles in the rear was Premier Zhou, and those who did the specific work were Xu Bing and comrades such as Ye Yiqun and .

One time, Yao Xueying and several writers came to Guo Moruo's residence. When everyone discussed the affairs of the national literary and artistic circles and Shandong cultural circles together, the phone in the reception room suddenly rang. The host Guo Moruo stood up to answer the phone: "Yes, I am! Premier Zhou, you must come, we are all waiting for you!"

After putting down the phone, Guo Moruo happily told everyone: "Premier Zhou is coming to me to meet you later, and he will have lunch with you."

After listening to Guo Moruo's words, everyone present was very excited. At around 11 noon, Premier Zhou came to Guo Moruo's residence. After saying hello to everyone, Premier Zhou started talking with all the writers. During lunch, when everyone talked about how to write a good article, Premier Zhou asked, "Who is Comrade Yao Xueying?"

Picture丨Prince Zhou

Yao Xueying stood up and said, "Prince Zhou, I'm here!"

After seeing Yao Xueying, Premier Zhou smiled and said, ""I have read the article you wrote, and it is written very well. I have told the comrades of the " Xinhua Daily " to use your article as a material for learning the rectification movement. I hope you will write more articles in the future."

Yao Xueying nodded after hearing this and said, "I will do as you hope! "

At this time, Yao Xueying was very excited. He never expected that the article he wrote was full of heavy responsibilities. Premier Zhou, who was busy with official duties, would go to read it. After reading it, he would let others learn it, and he would praise and encourage him in the face of himself!

Picture丨Prime Zhou

Yao Xueying was greatly encouraged and could not calm down. He decided to remember Premier Zhou's care, encouragement and encouragement for him forever. As a driving force for guiding creative practice, we will continue to move forward.

Chairman Mao’s protection of Yao Xueying

After the founding of New China, Yao Xueying continued to devote himself to literary creation. After repeated thinking, Yao Xueying decided to start from late October 1957 to create a long historical novel " Li Zicheng ", and will not give up until the goal is achieved!

However, due to the complexity of the situation at that time, Yao Xueying's writing environment was very poor, but he persisted. In 1960, Yao Xueying's situation improved more and more, and the organization also reassigned him work and went to Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles to to create. After Yao Xueying came to Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles to report, the leader gave him the task of going to Wuhan Henan Opera Troupe , followed the troupe to the countryside, and wrote the script.

However, before this plan was implemented, Yao Xueying was sent to join the party The revision of the Peking Opera script "Wuchang War" for the 40th anniversary gift. Yao Xueying immediately joined the task after receiving this task and was completed quickly. In the remaining free time, Yao Xueying continued to organize the first volume of "Li Zicheng".

pic丨Li Bing

One morning, the poet Li Bing, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, suddenly came. After sitting down, the other party asked: "What are you writing? "

" long historical novel "Li Zicheng" Volume 1. "

" shows me how it is? I would like to be your first reader. "

" Please give me more suggestions! "Yao Xueying said while handing him the sorted manuscript.

Li Bing spent one night reading the works written by Yao Xueying, and then said to him: "I think you write very well and very touching. I support you in writing. Before coming to you, I had already reported this to Comrade Cheng Yun and hoped that you would also give him the manuscript. "

Yao Xueying said gratefully after hearing this: "Thank you for your encouragement to me. Comrade Cheng Yun, I will send the manuscript as soon as possible. "

Comrade Cheng Yun was the Party Secretary and Chairman of the Municipal Federation of Literary and Art Circles at the time of Wuhan Municipal Cultural Bureau, and also served as the director of the Wuhan Opera House. Yao Xueyin sent his works to Comrade Cheng Yun's home, and then began to wait with uneasy mood.

Picture丨Yao Xueyin

Cheng Yun specially asked him to talk to him after reading the first draft of yao Xueyin: "Your role is well written, very touching. You can see your level from the part I have read. You should report to the municipal party committee immediately without waiting for the entire manuscript to be read. Comrades from the Municipal Party Committee also support you in continuing to write, not only supporting you in terms of policies, but also helping you solve some specific difficulties in writing. "

After hearing this news, Yao Xueying was very excited and said in a choked tone: "Thank you Comrade Cheng Yun for your help and care, and thank the party organization for your support and care. I will do my best to write my own works well. "

It was after receiving organizational support that Yao Xueying devoted all his energy and time to it. With his extremely hard work, from the winter of 1960 to the summer of 1961, it took only more than half a year to sort out the first draft of the original "Li Zicheng" into a first draft of more than 400,000 words.

In early October 1962, after relevant leadership departments and experts reviewed the first volume of "Li Zicheng", they all unanimously fully affirmed that the first volume of "Li Zicheng": There is no problem with the authenticity of the novel

, and it is artistically successful. Although some suggestions for revisions were put forward during the review process, it basically did not affect the finalization of the manuscript.

Picture丨Yao Xueying's old photos

After this book was published, Yao Xueying's wife sent a copy to Chairman Mao at the Wuhan Post Office. What Yao Xueying didn't expect was that the book presented to Chairman Mao was not only not sank to the sea, but also played a huge role in his future creation of "Li Zicheng".

However, with the development of the social situation, Yao Xueying's situation began to become bad again, and he could not continue to create. However, after Chairman Mao learned about Yao Xueying's situation, he had the scene in the foreword.

After listening to Chairman Mao’s instructions, Wang Renzhong immediately called Song Kanfu, the first secretary of the Wuhan Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, truthfully conveyed Chairman Mao’s instructions to Yao Xueying and "Li Zicheng" and asked him to implement it immediately and decide to ensure that there is no problem.

Song Kanfu held a meeting on the same day to convey to the heads of relevant departments, arrange and implement Chairman Mao’s instructions and the opinions of the provincial party committee, and let the relevant departments take measures to effectively protect Yao Xueying immediately.

pic丨Chairman Mao

That's it, under Chairman Mao's instructions, Yao Xueying was protected. In the years that followed, Chairman Mao was also very concerned about Yao Xueying's creation situation and once ordered:

to agree with Yao Xueying's creation plan and provide him with conditions to let him finish the writing.

It is precisely with the support of Chairman Mao that the second volume of "Li Zicheng" created by Yao Xueying was published in three volumes: upper, middle and lower. Not long after, Yao Xueying's first volume revised version of "Li Zicheng", with a total of more than 520,000 words in total, and it was divided into two volumes, and it was also divided into two volumes, including the first and second volumes to meet readers.

After its publication, Yao Xueying's book was warmly welcomed by readers and caused a great sensation at home and abroad. Many writers have highly praised this book.

After reading Yao Xueying's works, Deng Xiaoping also said: "This book is very well written. See if Yao Xueying has any difficulties. The central government can help him solve it!"

Picture丨Yao Xueying meets a friend

Yao Xueying heard this news and suddenly He was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. After calming down, Yao Xueying said: "My current working conditions are very different from before. They are both very smooth and have no difficulties. Vice Chairman Deng's care greatly encouraged me, and I am very grateful!"

In the years that followed, Yao Xueying continued to devote herself to literary creation and wrote touching stories in his own writing style! In Yao Xueying's later years, he said emotionally:

In our socialist country, literature and art are an integral part of the party's cause, so every responsible writer must keep moving forward and write works that are loved by the people with the greatest efforts. The writer's learning is endless, and the pursuit of art is even more endless...