The Chinese people's admiration for the Nobel Prize in Literature can be traced back to the Republic of China.

In 1913, the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Driven by the discourse power of the Western media, he became a world-renowned poet.

At that time, India had already become a British colony, and China was also a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country. Even though the decadent Qing Dynasty was overthrown, it did not change the status quo.

Therefore, the news that Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature caused a great shock in the Chinese literary circle. In the eyes of many people in the cultural circle, India, which has become a colony, can produce Nobel Prize winners in literature. Why can't China?

Moreover, the Nobel Prize in Literature can be awarded to an Indian. What a fair and just award!

Half a century later, with the reform and opening up in the country, the westward trend spread to the east, and the literary craze of the 1980s caught up, the Chinese people's pursuit and admiration for the Nobel Prize in Literature was even more intense than it was back then.

So when Ma Feng, the head of the Literary and Art Association, heard about the various potential connections between the Neustadt International Literature Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature from Nie Hualing, he could not help but think about it.

"Don't go, don't go!"

"After winning such an important award, you have to participate in some activities."

Ma Feng and Wang Meng blocked Lin Chaoyang who was about to return to Xiangjiang at the door of his home, and carried his luggage back to him, just like two robbers blocking the road.

"I still have to send my children back to school." Lin Chaoyang said.

"Brother-in-law, I can do this."

Tao Yumo returned to Yanjing for more than half a month, and finally remembered that she still had a company in Xiangjiang, and by the way, she also thought of her nephew and niece's studies.

"You are quite discerning!" Lin Chaoyang said.

"Yes, you can see this." Tao Yumo said with a smile.

Then she ran away with her two children.

"It's okay this time." Ma Feng said to Lin Chaoyang, with a proud look on his face.

Then he said mysteriously: "Aren't you curious how you were shortlisted for the Neustadt International Literature Prize?"

After hearing this, Lin Chaoyang became curious.

When Luan Walter called him before, he only said that the nominations were nominated by international judges and did not mention the specific judges.

Lin Chaoyang didn't ask, after all, he wasn't the kind of award-winning person, and he wouldn't care about such things easily.

"Do you know?"

Ma Feng's face became even more proud, "You're right, I really know it!"

Lin Chaoyang was even more surprised. He didn't think that Ma Feng would know so much about a foreign literary award and even know such secret information as which judge nominated which writer.

Seeing that Ma Feng wanted to keep telling the truth, Lin Chaoyang did not pursue the question any further, but started a fight with Wang Meng.

"Old Wang, have you seen the table tennis match? Deng Yaping is small but very explosive!"

"Yes, how about I get three gold and one silver?"

"The one who swims is pretty good."

"Shen Qiangqiang."

"Yes, Shen Qiangqiang, the young man won 5 gold medals alone, what a waste of money!"

The two of them talked back and forth, with noses and eyes, which made Ma Feng so anxious that he winked at Wang Meng, "What are you causing trouble!"

After a while, Lin Chaoyang seemed to remember that there was still a living person at home, and asked Ma Feng: "By the way, Old Ma, what were you going to say just now?"

Ma Feng was extremely depressed, thinking that you, the kid, asked questions knowingly.

"The reason why you were shortlisted for the Neustadt Prize for Literature."

"Oh, that's right." Lin Chaoyang looked stunned and asked, "What's the reason?"

Ma Feng felt a little better now. This time he didn't dare to show off, and said cheerfully: "Come to think of it, you have to thank Xiao Qian."

"Old Xiao?"

Lin Chaoyang and Xiao Qian are not close friends, but they have interacted with each other on various occasions over the years.

That year, the American History Museum treated guests to a Christmas dinner, and the two of them met. When they visited Xiangjiang, everyone was in the same delegation, and there were some awards and symposiums. "Yes. He was admitted to the University of Oklahoma this year. He is appointed as the annual judge of the Neustadt Literary Award, and it is his contribution that you were nominated.

The old comrade is now in the United States and has been kept secret. We only found out about it when Nie Hualing mentioned it."

Lin Chaoyang did not expect that the selection of the Neustadt Literature Prize would have such a connection. He smiled and said, "Then I have to thank him very much."

Ma Feng said: "I should thank you."

Wang Meng said, "I should thank you. But in the final analysis, Chaoyang's literary achievements have been recognized by the other judges. Otherwise, it will be useless to nominate him."

This year's Neustadt International Literary Prize judges include 11 writers and artists from all continents around the world, including Richard Howard, Sam Selvin, George Gomory, and Asiya Djbar.

Xiao Qian is the only Asian writer. Under such circumstances, his nomination naturally becomes particularly valuable.

But it would be an exaggeration to say that Lin Chaoyang’s award was all due to Xiao Qian’s nomination.

The award rules of the Neustadt International Literature Prize are that each judge nominates one shortlisted writer. If there are 11 judges, there will be 11 nominated shortlisted writers.

Robert Pinget, Michel Lillis of France, Vasco Poppa of Yugoslavia, Thomas Tranströmer of Sweden, George Conrad of Hungary—"

The 10 nominees are all well-known writers in their respective countries and have certain international influence.

It is obviously impossible for Lin Chaoyang to stand out from the crowd of nominees just relying on the recommendation of acquaintances. The more critical factor lies in his literary achievements.

After all, those judges are not related to Lin Chaoyang.

This is of course just the conjecture of Ma Feng and Wang Meng.

But what they don't know is that in addition to Xiao Qian, 8 of this year's other 10 judges are from Western Europe, Northern Europe and North America.

Since winning the French Renaudeau Literary Prize, Lin Chaoyang's works have been widely introduced to many European countries and the United States, and have sold well.

When his name appeared on this year's shortlist, many of the judges looked familiar to him. Upon closer inspection, they found that many of them had seen Lin Chaoyang's works.

After some exchanges, many people spoke highly of Lin Chaoyang's works.

For example, Richard Howard is a poet, critic and translator. He also won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1970 for his poem "Untitled Subject".

He was extremely impressed by "The Death of Van Gogh" which Lin Chaoyang introduced to the United States last year.

During the elimination phase of the awards, Richard Howard expressed his opinions like this:

"If you look at Van Gogh's "Starry Night", you may not necessarily be able to understand the exaggerated painting techniques used by Van Gogh and what the world in his eyes actually looks like.

But if you watch "The Death of Van Gogh", then you will definitely know and understand the unique genius of Van Gogh.

I can't imagine how a Chinese writer on the other side of the continent, more than a hundred years later, could have such a profound understanding of Van Gogh, as if they were lifelong confidants.

The only reason I can think of is that this is probably the mutual sympathy between geniuses.

Therefore, gentlemen and ladies, I express my one hundred and twenty percent approval of Mr. Xiao’s proposal.”

There is also Assia Djebar, a French female writer born in Algeria. Lin Chaoyang's works were published overseas. France was one of the first countries to publish her works, and she was also recognized by the famous French literary award Renaudot Literary Award.

Therefore, Asia Djbar is no stranger to Lin Chaoyang’s name and works. When talking about her views on Lin Chaoyang, she said this:

I have read several of his works so far, and they all maintain a very high level of creation and have a rich output.

There is no doubt that he is a writer who stands on the "border between East and West". He can move between different cultures with great talent and is worthy of the recognition of this award.

Wang Meng and Ma Feng have no way of knowing the evaluation process of the Neustadt International Literature Prize for the time being, but they, like the judges, recognized Lin Chaoyang's achievements in literary creation.

After chatting about the inside story of the nomination, Ma Feng started gossiping about Lin Chaoyang's prize money.

The Neustadt International Literature Prize is known as the "American Nobel Prize for Literature" and is naturally not stingy in terms of bonuses.

This award has been sponsored by Oklahoma rich man Walter Neustadt and his wife, Tauris Neustadt, since its inception.

Each winner will receive a $50,000 prize, a silver medal in the shape of an eagle feather, and a certificate.

Looking at literary awards around the world, apart from the Nobel Prize, which has been rich and powerful since its inception, there should be no more generous award than the Neustadt International Literature Prize.

In addition to material rewards, the Neustadt International Literature Prize also has the naming rights for the public award ceremony in the second year.

Unlike ordinary literary awards, which are awarded after the results of the awards are announced, the award ceremony of the Neustadt International Literature Prize was postponed to May of the following year.

Under normal circumstances, the University of Oklahoma and "World Literature Today" magazine will also arrange some activities for the winners, such as speeches, work readings, interviews and exchanges.

After Ma Feng mentioned the bonus, Wang Meng said: "Well, Lao Ma, it's not like you don't know. Chaoyang is the richest man in our literary world, and he donated 30 million yuan immediately.

To me, it’s nothing at all.”

When Ma Feng heard this, he looked apologetic, as if he had said something he shouldn't have said.

"Blind! Look at me, I am really short-sighted.

Isn’t it, it’s only 50,000 US dollars, how much is Chaoyang’s annual royalties?”

Lin Chaoyang squinted at the two men's singing and harmony. No matter how stupid he was, he could see that the motives of these two old foxes were impure.

The two exchanged a few words, but when they saw that Lin Chaoyang had no reaction, they couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"You two——"

Lin Chaoyang finally spoke, and he revealed Ma Feng's purpose in one sentence, "You're not trying to get my bonus, are you?"

Hearing this, Ma Feng looked ashamed and said, "You can't say that."

Lin Chaoyang nodded, "I think so."

"The bonus is only 50,000 US dollars, which is not enough for anything."

Lin Chaoyang finally saw what it means to be shameless, "'Talent'? It's not enough to give me a bonus, but you also want me to give some blood? If I win a prize for co-writing, you have to contribute some too?"

Ma Feng was ridiculed, but he didn't feel angry at all. Instead, he was enthusiastic.

"Oops! Isn't this really difficult? When we set up that foundation, we relied entirely on donations from big investors, so we couldn't make ends meet!"

The foundation Ma Feng refers to is the "Chinese Literature Foundation", which was established a few years ago by Mr. Huo from Xiangjiang and Mr. Ma from Haojiang with a donation of 8 million yuan.

"I know it's difficult, it's extremely difficult, but the landlord doesn't have any food left!"

Seeing Lin Chaoyang's recommendation, Ma Feng quickly said, "Why don't you donate some, even just a little?"

Hearing that his tone became softer, Lin Chaoyang changed his attitude, "Just a little?"

Ma Feng nodded, "A little."

After donating 30 million yuan to the Asian Games, Lin Chaoyang knew that this kind of thing would definitely happen in the future.

Lin Chaoyang has no objection to this kind of foundation. When it was established, everyone had good intentions. The only thing worth worrying about is whether they can maintain their original intentions after a few years.

Donations are fine, but he doesn't want the money to go to waste, let alone gain weight.

"Then donate 20,000."

Hearing this, Ma Feng looked worried and pulled Wang Meng over, "We two ministerial-level cadres are begging you.

You just donate 20,000?"

"What are you doing? Ministerial cadres want to rob me openly?"

Ma Feng immediately changed his smile and said, "How can I? I won't discuss this with you. 20,000 is indeed a bit low and not worthy of your status."

"Who am I?"

"The richest man in literature!"

"Who said that?"

"Everyone recognizes it!"

"Don't give me ecstasy. My money is hard-earned."

"Isn't it right? Why did I hear that Yushu has opened several listed companies in Xiangjiang?"

"Okay! Come prepared."

"This is what Lao Wang told me." Ma Feng sold Wang Meng completely.

Under Lin Chaoyang's glance, Wang Meng showed a guilty conscience.

Ma Feng said at this time: "How about you donate 2 million and I'll let you be a director?"

"Hey! You're selling your official title, right?" Lin Chaoyang said in an exaggerated tone.

"What's the point of selling official titles? We are uniting comrades."

""Two million for a director, you directors are really expensive. Besides, Lao Wang——

Lin Chaoyang turned to Wang Meng and asked, "If you donate 2 million to the foundation, can't you become a director?"

Wang Meng felt guilty and nodded honestly.

Lin Chaoyang looked at Ma Feng again. Ma Feng's face was slightly embarrassed, but he didn't want to fool him.

"Then what, if you donate more, I will make you the chairman of the board. This is not something you can do just by donating money."

Lin Chaoyang asked: "Old Ma, are you telling the truth? Just now you said you would donate 'a little', and now you are saying 'donate more'."

"No conflict. The hair you pluck is thicker than our waists. A little is a lot to us."

Ma Feng tried to continue brainwashing Lin Chaoyang, but he did not accept this trick at all. The false reputation of being a foundation director had no appeal to him.

"Come on. If you want to donate millions, I will donate them to Project Hope. I'll give you the US$50,000 bonus." Lin Chaoyang said.

Ma Feng smacked his lips, "Okay."

He and Wang Meng came today, one to announce the good news, and the other to collect donations.

Don't think what he said is exaggerated, but no one can force donations, and they have to do what they can. What he said just now is completely to make a three-pointer first if there are dates or not.

Seeing that Lin Chaoyang was so rational and was not blown away by his sweet words, Ma Feng could only give up.

Fifty thousand U.S. dollars is not a lot. According to the current exchange rate, it is more than 200,000 yuan.

"Thank you Comrade Chaoyang for your outstanding contribution to the development of literature in our country!" Ma Feng said grandly.

"What you said, my leader, is so eloquent." Lin Chaoyang moved.

"~You are now an internationally renowned writer after all. You must have a pattern!"

Ma Feng changed the topic and said: "The news of winning the award will be published tomorrow. Our literary and art association will send you a congratulatory letter. It is an old tradition of the literary and art association to send congratulatory letters when you win an award. Lin Chaoyang nodded.

"We will hold a symposium next Tuesday, which can be regarded as a commendation meeting." Ma Feng added.

"If there is anything else, please finish it in one go."

Ma Feng then talked about a few more activities, including meetings, speeches, and reports, nothing new.

It is not easy for China to have a winner of the Neustadt International Literature Prize, known as the "American Nobel Prize for Literature"

How can the Literary and Art Association’s propaganda work without much fanfare?

"Chaoyang, I heard that writers who win the Neustadt International Literature Prize have a high chance of winning the Nobel Prize for Literature!" Ma Feng said in a faint tone.

Lin Chaoyang's attitude was indifferent, "Who can say for sure about winning an award?"

"You haven't thought about it for a while?"

"Is it useful for me to think freely? It's the icing on the cake. Thinking too much is not asking for trouble."

Ma Feng showed appreciation and thought Lin Chaoyang's mentality was very good.

"That's right. It should be yours sooner or later."

After chatting for a while, Ma Feng and Wang Meng left.

Less than two hours later, Li Tuo excitedly opened the courtyard door of Xiaoliubukou Alley and barged in, shouting.

"Chaoyang, you are so awesome!"

Li Tuo has many connections and is well-informed, so it's not surprising that he came over so quickly.

The winner was Lin Chaoyang, but he seemed to be in even more excitement than Lin Chaoyang.

After talking to Lin Chaoyang for a long time, he made a request to Lin Chaoyang. He asked Lin Chaoyang to write a short article for "Yenjing Literature" to talk about his feelings about winning the award.

While the two were talking, several more friends came to Lin Chaoyang's house.

They all came here after hearing the news about him winning the award.

"Everyone is here today, so it's a lively evening to celebrate Chaoyang's honor!" Li Tuo suggested.

Wherever he is there, there will never be a lack of excitement.

After saying this, Li Tuo started to make plans and called his friends one by one. Those who couldn't be contacted by phone,

Just let people find it.

From the afternoon to the evening, more than thirty people came to Lin Chaoyang's house. Even Shi Tiesheng, who was in a wheelchair, was invited by him.

For most domestic writers, winning a national award such as the Mao Dun Literary Award in China is already a dream for many people. International literary awards are too far away for everyone.

Therefore, when everyone heard that Lin Chaoyang won the Neustadt International Literature Prize, known as the "American Nobel Prize for Literature," it was difficult to feel jealous.

It's more about envy, admiration and even worship.

We are all colleagues engaged in literary creation, and we are well aware of the difficulty of winning international literary awards.

What it requires is not only that the work has a certain degree of popularity overseas, but also that the international judges highly recognize the work and the author.

Moreover, the Neustadt International Literature Prize is not Lin Chaoyang’s first international literary award.

From the Lenaudeau Literary Prize three years ago to today's Neustadt International Literary Prize, the weight of the award has undoubtedly become more important, and to some extent it reflects the changes in Lin Chaoyang's international influence over the past few years.

Among contemporary Chinese writers, this is definitely the first one!

Among the people who came today was Wang Shuo, who has been very popular in the past two years. During the party, he listened to everyone boasting about Lin Chaoyang's overseas achievements, and thought to himself that he was so lively, as if he had something to do with you.

"Master Shuo, when will the TV series you are planning be released?" Liu Heng asked Wang Shuo.

"It's coming soon, it will be broadcast next month."

Someone nearby listened to the conversation between the two and also participated.

"You've finished your career in the film industry and now you're starting your career in TV dramas, right?" Chen Jianyu joked.

"Damn, isn't this just to earn some planning fees?" Wang Shuo said with a smile.

"Alas! Do you see it? This is called death by drought and death by waterlogging.

People who earn royalties think about how to make money all day long. We can't even earn three melons or two dates from royalties.

It’s hard to write much.

Master Shuo, your output is high enough!"

Wang Shuo debuted in the mid-1980s and quickly rose to prominence in the following few years.

By 1988, four of his novels had been adapted into movies: "The Unruly Lord", "Reincarnation", "The Big Breath", and "Half Fire and Half Sea Water", which became popular all over the world. That year was also called "

"Wang Shuonian".

In addition to the wave of film adaptations of his works, Wang Shuo's works are also hot-sellers. The novel collection "Enjoyed" published by Huayi Publishing House sold 200,000 copies in less than a month and two months.

In one year, I earned more than 200,000 yuan from publishing royalties alone.

Recently, Huayi Publishing House is planning to publish a collection of essays for Wang Shuo. Everyone thinks that Wang Shuo is expected to take over Lin Chaoyang's baton and become another writer in the literary world who makes money from royalties. People give him the nickname "Little Xu Lingjun".

The "TV series" Liu Heng mentioned is the long-form TV series "Desire" that Wang Shuo, Zheng Xiaolong, Zheng Wanlong and others worked on together.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, and the Xiaoliubukou Hutong courtyard was quiet until late at night.

The next day, "People's Daily" published the news "Chinese writer Xu Lingjun won the Newstat International Literary Award in the United States."

"This newspaper reports that on October 8, the American Newstat International Literature Prize Jury announced that Chinese writer Xu Lingjun won the 1990 Newstat International Literature Prize.

The Neustadt International Literature Prize was established in 1969 and is held every two years. It is known as the ‘American Nobel Prize for Literature’ in European and American literary circles. Comrade Xu Lingjun is the first Chinese writer to win this award.”

The "Literary Newspaper" published on the same day also published an article titled "Xu Lingjun wins the Newstat International Literary Award in the United States", but the content and style are much more colorful than the "People's Daily".

In addition, the Literary and Art Association also immediately published a congratulatory letter to Lin Chaoyang for winning the award in the Literary Journal, and warmly congratulated Xu Lingjun for winning the 1990 Neustadt National Literature Prize.

The congratulatory letter said that Xu Lingjun's works have been widely disseminated at home and abroad and have had an important impact. His creative achievements have made positive contributions to the cause of Chinese literature and art and even the development of world literature and art.

I wish Xu Lingjun to create more excellent works and make new and greater contributions to our country's literary and artistic undertakings and to the cultural development of mankind.

Under the publicity of the two authoritative media outlets, People's Daily and Literary News, the news that Lin Chaoyang won the Neustadt International Literature Prize spread throughout the country in just one day.

No. 27, Balizhuang Nanli, Chaoyang District, Yanjing.

There were constant cheers and cheers in the courtyard of Lu Xun Literary College. There were several energetic students playing basketball on the basketball court early in the morning. This place was more utilized than the classrooms upstairs.

Yu Hua stayed up too late last night, and was woken up by the sound of the basketball court in the morning. He felt depressed. He washed his face, pulled off the dry skin on his lips, and went to the cafeteria.

When he first entered the dining hall, he saw Liu Zhenyun, Mo Yan, and Chi Zijian sitting at a table chatting animatedly. After eating, he came over.

"What are we talking about?" Yu Hua asked.

Chi Zijian said: "We are talking about winning an award."

Hearing this, Yu Hua immediately became energetic. We are all young writers and have a strong ambition to win awards.

"Who won the prize?"

Liu Zhenyun said: "Chaoyang won the Newstat International Literary Award in the United States."

Liu Zhenyun attends classes at Lu Xun Literary College as a day student and eats at the school. After all, it is free.

After class yesterday, he was called by Li Tuo to go to Xiaoliubukou Alley. He stayed there all night. He didn't go home this morning and came directly to class.

"News——." Yu Hua did not repeat.

Chi Zijian reminded: "Newstat International Literary Award.

"Is this award very famous?"

"Known as the American Nobel Prize for Literature." Chi Zijian's popular science talk.

"Hiss~" Yu Hua couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"Cow-ah!"

Yu Hua wanted to say "Awesome", but Yan Geling, the goddess of his class, was sitting at the next table. He was embarrassed and changed his tune temporarily.

"That's pretty cool!" Chi Zijian was talking when Hong Feng from his class burst into the cafeteria, waving a newspaper in his hand, "Did you read it? Xu Lingjun won an American literary award!"

"Zhenyun just told everyone that he went to Xiaoliubukou Alley yesterday," Yu Hua said.

Hong Feng complained: "Zhenyun, you are so unkind. Why don't you tell everyone about this?"

"I only received the call after I got home."

Everyone was chatting about Lin Chaoyang's winning of the award, and most of them were Liu Zhenyun who said that he attended the Lin family's party yesterday and knew a lot more about the Neustadt International Literature Award than everyone else.

Just as everyone was having a lively discussion, Yan Geling, who was slowly finishing his meal, said:

"Zhenyun just made two statements that were wrong."
Chapter completed!