Chapter 29: The Horse Herder: A Great Hymn of Idealism!

Night had deepened, and a black canopy covered the view outside the train window.

Li Ji lay on the berth, and before falling asleep his mind was still pondering which writer's submission had once again amazed Wang Chaoyin.

Lao Wang, Xiao Chen, or Xiao Liu?

Li Ji went through the list of writers he knew in his mind, and the only one he missed was Xu Yuexin.

He had great confidence in Xu Yuexin's ability, but a writer still needs time for conception and production.

Xu Yuexin had only recently penned the phenomenon‑level work "Wreath Below High Mountain". According to usual creative patterns, he needed a period of incubation before he could produce a new piece that would dazzle editors.

Therefore, Li Ji automatically excluded Xu Yuexin from the list of possibilities.

……

Two days later, the platform of Jingcheng Railway Station.

Wang Chaoyin received Li Ji, who had rushed back overnight, and the moment they met he excitedly shared Xu Yuexin's new work with him.

The article that urged you to return for review is a novel titled "The Horse Herder", and it was indeed written by Xu Yuexin.

The novel's premise and content are both exceptionally brilliant; you'd know as soon as you read it.

Wang Chaoyin took the luggage from Li Ji's hands and, brimming with enthusiasm, introduced it to him.

Another one by Xu Yuexin? How much time has passed between them?

Li Ji was deeply shocked, his pale brows lifting slightly as he looked at Wang Chaoyin: "He has another new work?"

"That's right; I originally only wanted to discuss creative inspiration with him, but he unexpectedly brought a finished manuscript over."

Wang Chaoyin, mentioning this, still exclaimed in admiration.

"Alright, prolific output itself is a rare talent."

Li Ji exclaimed happily, "Let's hurry."

Wang Chaoyin was very urgent when he used a telegram to urge him back for manuscript review, and Li Ji is now even more urgent than Wang Chaoyin was then.

He wanted to see the novel Xu Yuexin had written this time as quickly as possible.

The two left the station, headed to the nearest Jianguo Gate subway station, rode one stop, then transferred to a bus back to Chaonei 166.

After returning to the Magazine Office, Wang Chaoyin and Li Ji walked together into the Chief Editor's room, put his luggage away, then returned to his own desk, fetched Xu Yuexin's "The Horse Herder", and presented it to him: "This is his newly written novel, a total of 18,000 words."

Li Ji took the manuscript, put on his reading glasses, and began to study it seriously, while Wang Chaoyin sat in front of his desk waiting.

A cup of freshly brewed tea that Li Ji had made himself sat on the desk. Amid the faint tea aroma, Li Ji focused entirely on the manuscript, his gaze occasionally pausing at a spot, lingering briefly.

The protagonist Xu Lingjun, abandoned by his father in childhood and then losing his mother, entered early adulthood only to be sent from the big city to a ranch in the northwest. Though he was the eldest grandson of a prominent commercial family in the metropolis, he endured the bleakest start to life.

And the turning point of his early bleak life began with a horse…

As the plot unfolded, Li Ji's emotions gradually became unsettled.

Regarding the relocated Xu Lingjun, the simple ranch workers not only harbored no discrimination but also went to great lengths to help him, to get him out of trouble, and to assist him in establishing a family and career.

Meanwhile, Xu Lingjun, who had not received his parents' love in the big city, found sincere love on the ranch, lived a fulfilling life through labor, and devoted his talent wholeheartedly to the ranch's educational cause…

Li Ji turned page after page through the manuscript, and Wang Chaoyin observed every change in his expression.

Wang Chaoyin clearly saw that Li Ji's face was now filled with affirmation of Xu Yuexin's "The Horse Herder", his eyes sparkling with appreciation and emotion.

Obviously, the manuscript had received high approval from the Chief Editor.

"This is a rare work, far superior to typical books describing relocated labor life."

After reading the entire text, Li Ji praised, "Both the premise and the conception are exceedingly exquisite!"

"You are right, just like the part about buying porcelain. The 600‑yuan blue‑and‑white porcelain versus the two‑yuan kimchi jar— the father and son's different choices when shopping clearly metaphorize something."

Wang Chaoyin shared his view: "Indeed, such clever contrasts appear throughout the text. For example, the differing choices the father and son make when facing the issue of going abroad, and the vastly different marital outcomes of the two generations."

"The personal fate of educated youth, patriotism, love, the simple bonds among the masses, mountain‑area education…"

"Few novels can cover such a broad range of social issues while being comprehensive."

Li Ji took a long breath and raved, "The Horse Herder truly stands as an unparalleled masterpiece."

"It is a work rich in inner substance, full of uplifting power."

"You urged me to come back, and you were right to urge me, saying ……………………………"

An unparalleled masterpiece…

Wang Chaoyin knew exactly the weight those four words from the Chief Editor carried.

"I share your view. It is a novel that explores the meaning of life, helping people find direction from within."

Wang Chaoyin said with some emotion, "After reading it, I deeply felt that a life that pursues pleasure and materialism one‑sidedly is impoverished and monotonous."

"In the text, Xu Lingjun's father amassed a considerable fortune abroad, yet during his interactions with his son, it was he who was educated, tasting some meaning of life."

Li Ji listened quietly to his veteran subordinate's insights, his thoughts extending outward from "The Horse Herder".

"Your view makes sense."

After Wang Chaoyin finished his remarks, Li Ji continued to ponder for a while, then voiced his own conclusion: "I've noticed a recent rise in hedonism and materialism in society, and I am somewhat concerned about it."

"People, living a bit more realistically isn't bad. It's just that once money and worldly success become the mainstream values and the sole standard for judging life, society inevitably becomes restless."

"Only a few can smoothly obtain both through fierce competition. Coupled with the value shift I just mentioned, over time many will drift toward anxiety and confusion."

"At such times, an excellent work like The Horse Herder will shine, showing us what a fulfilled life is."

"Xu Lingjun remains a teacher in a remote area even at the novel's end, but who can say he is unhappy?"

"His wife's trust and love, a harmonious and complete family, the ranch workers' unanimous respect, and the sense of achievement from dedicating himself to educating talent for the motherland…"

"In my view, this is a great idealistic hymn, a work that can be passed down through generations."

"Then, let's pay Xu Yuexin the manuscript payment at the highest standard, shall we?"

Wang Chaoyin asked for approval.

"Of course."

Li Ji said cheerfully, "Put The Horse Herder on the front page of the June Issue so that everyone sees Chunfeng's new work at first glance when they open the magazine."

"Um… his pen name for this submission is Chunyu."

Wang Chaoyin paused briefly and addressed the Chief Editor.

Li Ji, after being reminded, picked up Xu Yuexin's manuscript and examined it again, only then noticing the pen name beneath the title, which was indeed different from last time.

He could only say that he was wholly absorbed by the novel, so engrossed that he forgot this detail.

"Changed pen name? Fine, he must have his own reasons."

Li Ji set the manuscript down and said, "By the way, I was at an external meeting not long ago, and a responsible comrade from the National Literary Federation told me that this year they will encourage major journals and publishers to select outstanding novel works."

"The official document hasn't been issued yet, but we need to start preparing."

"Go back and discuss with the editors, compile a list for me; the selection range is from 1977 up to this year, covering all novels published in our magazine. Mid-length Novel and short story each get five slots, Report Literature three slots. You may modestly increase the numbers on this basis for my final pruning."

"That's wonderful; it shows the state values our cultural endeavors."

Wang Chaoyin, delighted, said, "Leader, may I ask your thoughts on the list…"

(End of chapter)