The Symposium Turns into a Feast at Hong Gate: A One-Sided Outcry

"Xuemin, the Old Feng and Teacher Gu should both mentally prepare yourselves for the upcoming symposium!"

After exchanging pleasantries and greeting everyone, Zhang Guangnian from *People's Literature* offered a word of caution to the three family members: Cheng Xuemin and his parents-in-law.

"What is it, Old Zhang?"

Seeing the grave expression on Old Zhang's face, Mother Feng asked suspiciously.

"You must have come straight from home and haven't read today's edition of the *Tianjin Daily*, right?"

Zhang Guangnian glanced toward the crowd over there and spoke in a low voice to Cheng Xuemin and the others.

"*Tianjin Daily*? What did they publish today?"

This only deepened the confusion of Mother Feng, Cheng Xuemin, and the others. They had simply come here today to attend a symposium, so how did Tianjin get involved?

"Page 14!"

Zhang Guangnian clicked his tongue and shook his head as he said, "Today, the *Tianjin Daily* used a full 14 pages to publish articles criticizing and encircling our manuscript!"

"I heard that relevant leaders from Tianjin have personally rushed over to report to the authorities above, claiming that our manuscript has directional errors!"

"Ah?!"

Upon hearing this, both Mother Feng and Father Feng changed color drastically, and Father Feng's hands couldn't help trembling slightly!

What was bound to come had finally arrived!

From the very beginning, Father Feng hadn't quite agreed with Cheng Xuemin and his beloved wife, Mother Feng, publishing this manuscript in the first place!

It was simply too audacious!

Although it was later strongly backed by the senior Elder Wu and received high praise upon publication, looking at it now, people were finally stepping up to voice the negative impacts it had generated!

And unexpectedly, it came from Tianjin, not far from the capital's outskirts. Today's *Tianjin Daily* had spent a full 14 pages attacking and encircling their son-in-law's manuscript.

Just what kind of criticism could possibly fill all that space?

More seriously, their local leaders had traveled directly to Beijing!

This, this, this!

In that case, they truly needed to mentally prepare themselves for today's symposium; if things went wrong, it might turn into a regular Feast at Swan Goose Gate for his son-in-law.

"However, Teacher Gu, you shouldn't worry too much either. Elder Wu has invited Elder Mao to preside over the meeting, so there shouldn't be any major problems!"

Zhang Guangnian added another comforting remark.

After waiting for about twenty minutes, seeing that it was approaching nine-thirty and Elder Wu had finished his work, he called everyone into the large conference room in an orderly fashion.

Cheng Xuemin was the protagonist of this symposium, so his assigned seat was relatively near the front, no longer tucked away in a corner on the sidelines as it had been last time.

At the front of the conference room hung a banner with the bold characters: Symposium on *The Appointment of Director Qiao*, while the layout of the venue itself was quite simple.

Before long, the entire conference room became hazy, filled with second-hand smoke so thick that one could hardly see their own hand in front of their face.

This was a characteristic feature of meetings in this era, with zero conscious effort to accommodate the coughing female comrades.

Cheng Xuemin, who did not smoke, simply had to endure it; smoking bans in meeting venues would not arrive for another few years.

Elder Wu, Elder Mao, and the others also entered the venue, taking their seats at the very front in order.

The symposium was hosted by Zhang Guangnian, editor-in-chief of *People's Literature*, the publishing house for *The Appointment of Director Qiao*. Following a brief opening remark, the meeting officially commenced.

Yet the person who spoke first surprised and shocked everyone present: Elder Mao!

This came as a complete shock to Cheng Xuemin as well!

Shouldn't veteran giants of Elder Mao's caliber be the ones to deliver the concluding remarks as the grand finale?

Why had he broken tradition this time and allowed the elder to speak first?

However, very soon!

Not only did Cheng Xuemin realize the implication, but representatives from other newspapers, magazines, and media outlets also caught a whiff of the underlying intent.

Elder Mao speaking first was meant to set a keynote for everyone!

The keynote for this symposium!

It was to ensure that people would not seize the opportunity presented by today's lengthy articles in the *Tianjin Daily* to launch attacks, encirclements, and provocations during the symposium.

Therefore, in his speech, Elder Mao offered high and resounding praise for Cheng Xuemin's manuscript!

Of course, he acknowledged a few minor flaws—a few sentences that indeed could have been phrased better.

Yet, being just a few poorly phrased sentences, they could easily be revised!

Nevertheless, despite the keynote established by Elder Mao at the outset, as the discussion progressed, the conversation strayed further and further. The moment someone brought up today's reports, the attendees immediately began to murmur and debate animatedly!

It was thanks to the successive voices of support from Elder Wu, Elder Mao, Zhang Guangnian of *People's Literature*, Li Shuguang of the People's Literature Publishing House, *China Youth*, *Chinese Literature*, and other heavyweights that the situation was kept from spiraling out of control.

Even so, by the end, this symposium certainly did not go as smoothly as the previous one for *The Morning in Beijing*.

"Xuemin, don't carry any psychological burden. Just keep writing your manuscripts the way you always have in the future."

After the meeting, Elder Wu invited Cheng Xuemin and his parents-in-law into his office to comfort Cheng Xuemin face-to-face.

"That's right, Xuemin! This manuscript was jointly recommended and pushed into publication by myself, Elder Wu, and Elder Ba!"

"Even if they want to criticize it, the three of us old fellows will bear the brunt of it right along with you!"

Elder Mao also nodded in agreement and spoke!

"Elder Mao, count me in too!" Ding Ling chimed in to express her stance.

"Elder Wu, Elder Mao, Teacher Ding, I'm actually doing quite fine! Since I wrote that manuscript and published it, I must mentally prepare myself to accept criticism!"

"However, aren't the authorities in Tianjin going a bit too far this time?!"

In Elder Wu's office, Cheng Xuemin finally laid eyes on today's edition of the *Tianjin Daily*. Just as rumors outside had it, it had spent a full 14 pages denouncing, criticizing, and encircling Cheng Xuemin as the principal culprit behind this directional error.

"Xuemin, you don't need to overthink it. I have a rough understanding of the specific situation over there!"

"It's likely related to a conflict with the recent political winds blowing in that region."

Elder Wu did not explicitly state what kind of wind was blowing, but Cheng Xuemin's relevant memories had already been triggered, and he now understood what was happening behind the scenes!

He also knew that this was merely the beginning; the authorities in Tianjin would launch three more large-scale waves of condemnation in the near future.

However, all of them would be repelled and beaten back by counter-attacks from heavyweight periodicals such as *People's Literature*, *People's Daily*, and *Literary Gazette*.

It wasn't until 1980, after the achievements of the reform and opening up began to be reported, that the Tianjin side finally beat the drums silent and stopped making any more noises.

"Sigh!"

On the way back together, Father Feng let out a long, heavy sigh.

Things hadn't been going smoothly for their second son in the south, and now this unexpected trouble had struck their son-in-law here. How frustrating!

"Old Feng, what are you sighing for? Are you just trying to add unnecessary pressure to Xuemin?!"

"I think staying in Beijing to celebrate the New Year is quite fine!"

Mother Feng couldn't stand her husband's constant sighing; in her heart, she must have been blaming herself for insisting on getting *The Appointment of Director Qiao* published in the first place!

To be honest, Mother Feng truly felt a tinge of regret now.

Had she known the manuscript wouldn't end up in their own magazine *October*, why would she have gone through all that exhausting trouble only to benefit *People's Literature*?

And now look at where they were!

All the negative fallout was heaped entirely upon her son-in-law, Cheng Xuemin.

Just now in Elder Wu's office, although the two elders had repeatedly comforted them, their final instruction—that it would be best for Xuemin not to leave Beijing during this period—had implicitly revealed the attitude of the higher-ups.

Were they placing her son-in-law under house arrest?

"Mom, Dad! I'm actually doing quite well here. I just hope this doesn't end up implicating the two of you!"

Cheng Xuemin said with a wry smile. Although he knew this political wind was all thunder and little rain, having ultimately zero impact on the original author, he kept these thoughts to himself.

With his store of knowledge and what felt almost like the perspective of an omniscient observer, Cheng Xuemin could see through the situation clearly.

Yet for his father-in-law and mother-in-law, an abundance of worry was completely natural; after all, they had lived through turbulent times!

No one could guarantee whether the exact same gust of wind might scrape a layer of skin off their daughter and son-in-law once more.

Even Elder Wu and Elder Mao, despite their strong support just now, dared not make any guarantees.

After all, no one possessed the foresight to predict precisely how this wind would blow or which direction it would ultimately lean.

"Silly child, don't listen to your dad! What's wrong with this anyway?! Isn't it just a manuscript? What of it?"

"When we get back, make sure not to mention a word of this to Jiayou, you understand, Xuemin?"

Mother Feng casually comforted her son-in-law as if it were no big deal, but her final instruction telling Cheng Xuemin not to tell her daughter completely betrayed the panic hidden in her motherly heart.

"I understand!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded, though he knew: how long could he possibly keep it a secret?

If he didn't say anything today, once tomorrow came and all the newspapers in Beijing went to print, wouldn't the whole world know?

So it was impossible to keep it hidden for long!

After reaching an agreement, the three of them parted ways here.

Mother Feng and Father Feng still had to return to their respective work units to check in since it wasn't yet quitting time, while Cheng Xuemin headed straight home.

"How was it, Xuemin? Did the symposium go smoothly today? What did they talk about at the meeting? Come on, share it with me!"

As soon as he arrived home, Feng Jiayou, who had been eagerly waiting, grabbed Cheng Xuemin and peppered him with endless questions, leaving him hardly any room to respond!

"It was alright, quite alright! At the meeting, Elder Wu, Elder Mao, Teacher Ding, and the others offered high praise for my manuscript. I almost floated away from the compliments!"

Cheng Xuemin told his wife a half-truth; Elder Wu, Elder Mao, and the others had indeed offered high praise, but the voices of criticism and encirclement had been equally loud.

Mindful of his mother-in-law's instructions, Cheng Xuemin could only report the good news and leave out the bad so as not to frighten the expectant mother, Feng Jiayou.

"Really? Really? I knew they would only be talking about things like that!"

"Isn't a symposium just a gathering where people sit together and shower the author with flattery?"

His wife was quite right in her assessment—a symposium was indeed a place of mutual flattery and back-scratching. That summary was spot on.

Yet today's symposium involved more than just flattery; there had been a battle of wits and wills as well!

And her husband had even been ordered into a restricted status, forbidden from leaving Beijing before the New Year. Thus, looking at the piles of New Year goods meant to be taken back home, Cheng Xuemin was left utterly dumbfounded!

It had been a mistake to prepare so early, failing to foresee that such a complication would arise!

He wondered if Elder Wu and the others regretted holding such a symposium today; at any rate, Cheng Xuemin certainly regretted attending it!

Still, looking at it another way, celebrating the New Year right here in Beijing wasn't a bad outcome after all!

After the New Year, he could return to fetch his parents, bring them over to pay respects to his parents-in-law here, and take the opportunity to settle the betrothal gifts and wedding arrangements for his wife.

That really wouldn't be bad at all!

Because Cheng Xuemin knew that if he returned to northern Shaanxi before the New Year, he might not necessarily be able to persuade his parents to come along.

After all, with the New Year being the New Year, who didn't want to spend it in their own home?!

If he really brought his parents to Beijing for the New Year, there was no telling how the folks back in Chengjiawan, northern Shaanxi, would gossip about their son Cheng Xuemin—viewing him simply as a man who had become a matrilocal son-in-law in the city.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he bring his wife back to his hometown for the New Year, but instead drag his elderly parents into the city?

Given his parents' stubborn and proud temperaments, they might not necessarily be willing to come over to their in-laws' home before the New Year.

There was no such custom!

However, Cheng Xuemin hadn't mentioned any of this to Feng Jiayou either; it wouldn't be too late to discuss it after she realized and figured it out on her own.

Right now, the household definitely didn't have a copy of the *Tianjin Daily*, and Old Man Qian in the front courtyard didn't subscribe to it either, so his wife Feng Jiayou surely didn't know yet.

If the winter break hadn't started yet and she had to go to Peking University for classes, she would have found out by now since a wide variety of newspapers were available there.

"Xuemin, have you guys read today's newspaper, the *Tianjin Daily*?"

Yet, despite all precautions, it was truly impossible to guard against her eldest brother, Feng Jiazhao!

Who could have imagined that while Mother Feng and Cheng Xuemin were conspiring to keep Feng Jiayou in the dark, her eldest brother Feng Jiazhao would rush back home in a flurry, shouting at the top of his lungs even before stepping through the courtyard gate?

When Mother Feng heard the commotion and hurried outside, she was startled to see her precious eldest son holding a copy of the *Tianjin Daily* right in his hand—obviously today's edition.

"Big Brother, what's wrong with today's *Tianjin Daily*?"

Feng Jiayou, who happened to be sitting by the window sketching something, heard her eldest brother's shout and poked her little head right out of the window to ask.

"Old eldest, what are you shouting and hollering about all day long?"

"Didn't you go over to keep an eye on Xuemin's new house?!"

Mother Feng hurried forward, scolding her eldest son while simultaneously flashing him meaningful glances. Couldn't you show a little care and consideration for your younger sister?

What on earth were you thinking, bringing such a massive thunderbolt straight into the house?

"Mom, I just came from over there!"

Eldest brother Feng Jiazhao was completely oblivious, failing to understand the meaning behind his mother's frantic winks as he continued to ask: "Mom, didn't you guys go to a symposium today? Was there any mention of today's report in the *Tianjin Daily*?"

"Big Brother, what did the *Tianjin Daily* say today? What does it have to do with the symposium?"

"Xuemin said today's symposium went very successfully! Elder Wu, Elder Mao, and Teacher Ding all praised him to the skies!"

Feng Jiayou was still poking her little head out of the window, speaking to Feng Jiazhao with a face full of pride. Then, catching sight of the newspaper in her eldest brother's hand, she urged eagerly, "Big Brother, is that the *Tianjin Daily* in your hand?! Let me see, let me see quickly. What did it say?"

"Did they reprint Xuemin's *Director Qiao*? Or is there a commentary praising it!?"

Feng Jiayou called out anxiously, eager to read for herself how the *Tianjin Daily* had praised her man today!

"Feng Jiazhao, why do you have to stick your nose into everything? Hurry up, go into the kitchen and stoke the fire for me!"

Mother Feng was burning with irritation. She had made all those meaningful expressions, yet this blockhead simply couldn't take a hint and had to poke right at the sore spot. It was enough to drive someone to an early grave.

Why didn't he hurry up and get inside to stoke the fire, and burn that newspaper while he was at it!

"Mom, what on earth is going on here? Did you guys read it or not? Do you know about it?" Feng Jiazhao stubbornly kept questioning his mother.

"Big Brother, what on earth does the *Tianjin Daily* say?!"

"Mom, are you, Dad, and Xuemin keeping something from me?"

Awakened by her mother's over-the-counter reaction, Feng Jiayou pulled her head back from the window and rushed toward the doorway, interrogating her mother as she ran.

At that moment, her man Cheng Xuemin had gone to the new house to clean up, and Father Feng had not yet returned from work.

"Slow down, what is there to rush about!" Seeing her reckless debt-collector of a daughter moving in such a reckless, fiery manner, Mother Feng warned her anxiously over and over again, "Feng Jiazhao, you too! If your sister wants to see it, hurry up and hand it over to her!"

Seeing that concealment was no longer possible, and watching her foolish eldest son still standing blankly in place, stubbornly asking whether she had read it or not—

Could they not have read it?

With such a massive uproar at today's symposium, could the Beijing Film Studio not have caught wind of it?

"Wait, what's going on?! What actually happened? Where is Xuemin?"

Eldest brother Feng Jiazhao finally realized belatedly that his brother-in-law, Cheng Xuemin, was nowhere to be seen!

"Xuemin went over to the new house! Big Brother, didn't you see him?" Feng Jiayou replied, taking the newspaper from Feng Jiazhao's hand and hurriedly flipping it open!

Yet there was hardly any need to flip through it; the front-page headline and several consecutive pages afterward were all dedicated to the manuscript written by her man!

When she turned to the main headline at the very top, Feng Jiayou's face instantly turned ashen, and she began frantically skimming the pages line by line at top speed!

"Mom, what on earth is going on here?! I didn't see Xuemin at the new house!"

Completely baffled by the reaction of his sister and mother, Feng Jiazhao asked, "Jiayou said Xuemin went over to the new house, but I just came from there and didn't catch a glimpse of my brother-in-law at all!"

"What could be going on!" Mother Feng glared angrily at Feng Jiazhao, then leaned over to her daughter to comfort her, "Jiayou, it's just a newspaper report, it's nothing!"

"Today at the symposium, both Elder Wu and Elder Mao expressed their stances, and both strongly backed Xuemin!"

"Nothing bad is going to happen, alright?"

She tried her utmost to soothe her fretful daughter, but seeing Feng Jiayou's body trembling more and more violently, Mother Feng quickly pulled her into an embrace out of sheer terror!

"Mom, what is happening?!"

"Didn't the senior leaders at the meeting all speak with high praise for Xuemin?!"

"Then what is wrong with the *Tianjin Daily*?! How many... how many full pages did they spend attacking Xuemin?"

Feng Jiayou didn't even dare to count how many pages the *Tianjin Daily* had devoted to striking down her man.

Yet everywhere she looked, page after page was filled with attacks against him!

Wasn't it just writing a manuscript?

Did they have to go to such lengths...

Yet, recalling countless past examples of people being ruined over a single manuscript, a boundless terror crept into Feng Jiayou's heart, making her shiver with dread.

"Nothing will happen, nothing will happen. Everything will pass, everything has already passed!"

The more worried and panicked Feng Jiayou became, the more her mother echoed her words in distress.

"Mom, Jiayou, it's just a manuscript, can you two stop acting like this?!"

"And what about Xuemin himself?! Where is Xuemin?"

At this point, eldest brother Feng Jiazhao felt an urge to slap himself across the face a few times. His mother had attended the symposium today; how could the symposium not have known about an issue as huge as the *Tianjin Daily*?

Something must have happened at the meeting, which was why his mother had tried so hard to keep it a secret from his sister Feng Jiayou.

Yet who would have thought!

He had run home all flurried and excited to shout about the news, ruining everything completely!

"Xuemin? Xuemin? Isn't Xuemin over at the new house?"

Mother Feng panicked as well upon hearing this. When she first arrived home from work, she had asked Feng Jiayou, who told her that Cheng Xuemin had gone to the new house!

And yet Feng Jiazhao had just come from there and hadn't seen him?!

"I didn't see him!"

"Oh no, could Xuemin have run away?"

Eldest brother Feng Jiazhao slapped his thigh and cried out in dismay!

"Run away?!"

Feng Jiayou looked up in a daze of panic, staring at her eldest brother Feng Jiazhao, completely failing to comprehend what he meant.

"Could Xuemin... have run away?"

Mother Feng's face turned equally ashen upon hearing this. Elder Wu's side had instructed Cheng Xuemin that it would be best for him not to leave Beijing before the New Year. Given his timid nature, could he have abandoned this entire family out of a lack of responsibility and fled?