Recently, when I read Zhao Lihong’s new novel "The Fisher Boy", I felt a lot of emotion, and many past events came to my mind. There is no doubt that Zhao Lihong is the first writer I know in my life. I remember that it was more than 20 years ago when I was studying at the Medical University. On behalf of the student union, I invited Teacher Lihong to give a literature lecture. Lihong's home is not far from the school, hidden in an old-fashioned alley on Shaoxing Road. Push open the mottled back door and follow the steep and dark stairs to the "Four Steps Studio" located between the second and third floors. Although the writer described the cramped study room as "four steps", in my opinion, this is a literary exaggeration. A small room of only seven or eight square meters is surrounded by "book walls" and books are piled up to the ceiling. There is a small bookcase by the window, and opposite it is a small sofa that can only accommodate two people. In such a cramped space, it may be difficult to even turn around, not to mention taking "four steps". However, the study room is well arranged, and the calligraphy and paintings by Shen Congwen, Zhang Xiya and Zhou Huijun on the wall add a bit of elegance. At that time, Lihong was already well-known for his poetry and prose, but he had no airs when faced with the rash request of a foolish college student. There was not much expression on his broad, square face, but his tone was gentle and his attitude was sincere. After listening to my narrative, he readily agreed without any hesitation. When leaving, he also presented two collections of his essays. This is how Lihong and I formed a literary bond. Because of the geographical convenience, in my spare time, I often visited "Sibu Zhai" to ask for advice. Lihong never felt dissatisfied. He received me warmly every time and listened patiently. Sometimes he even took the trouble to help me revise a few bad articles I secretly wrote in my spare time. Looking back now, I still feel blushing. I wonder how much of Lihong's precious creative time was wasted by Meng Lang. It didn’t take long before I “abandoned medicine to pursue literature” and became a TV host. As a friend, Lihong pays attention like a brother, and always reminds me to keep a clear head, because the dazzling lights can easily make people become illusory and lose the goal of moving forward. He often warned me that the host "must have something in his belly." The so-called "stuff" actually refers to "the spiritual connotation of the host, that is, cultivation, self-cultivation, and the quantity and quality of knowledge. A good host should I have a certain understanding of literature and art, history, politics, and social customs. "Lihong was happy with the progress I made during those years. Sometimes when he saw some of my short articles about art published in newspapers, he also promptly praised them: "This shows that your hobbies and interests are rich and diverse. Such exploration and accumulation will be of great benefit to your on-screen hosting. The program you host I have always had a bookish attitude. I hope you don’t let this bookish attitude fade away. It’s okay to make it stronger.” However, Lihong does not just sing “hymns” without any principles. Once he finds problems, he will point them out without hesitation. Over the years, under the influence of Lihong, I became obsessed with writing, and I couldn't stop writing. I published several collections one after another. Although the writing is inevitably naive, Lihong always encouraged my "cross-border" behavior. He said humorously: "For an artist, what is more valuable than constantly opening up new realms?" In fact, , Lihong himself has continued to expand his territory in the field of literature and art. In addition to literature, he has dabbled in painting and calligraphy, which is full of elegance and interest. What's even more amazing is that after spending most of his life writing poetry and prose, he suddenly turned around and started writing children's novels. "Childhood River" published last year uses a poetic style to narrate the various seemingly trivial but unforgettable childhood fun experiences experienced by the protagonist Xue Di and his friends such as Niugatang, Little Bee, and Tang Caicai, as well as the strong friendship between Xue Di and his mother-in-law. The inseparable love between ancestors and grandchildren is filled with simple and innocent emotions between the lines, and there is also a touch of sadness, which is touching. Recently, his new novel "The Fisher Boy" was released. If "Children's River" is a calm and slow-flowing trickling stream, "Fisher Boy" is like a big river with turbulent waves crashing on the shore and rolling up thousands of piles of snow. The novel uses a Dehua porcelain "fishing boy" from the Ming Dynasty as a clue to describe the life-and-death friendship between a boy and a professor in times of crisis. I read "The Fisher Boy" in one sitting. I originally wanted to read a few pages before going to bed, but unexpectedly, I couldn't put it down as soon as I read it. I lost all my sleep. I followed the protagonist to heaven and earth, through disasters, fears and dangers, and experienced the absurd era. The warmth and warmth of human relationships. The protagonist Tong Dalu is attracted by two Dehua porcelain statues from his classmate Han Pingting's house, especially the "fisher boy" that makes him obsessed with it.
However, a catastrophe ruthlessly destroyed the lifelong collection of Pingting's father, Professor Han, but the "Fisher Boy" was miraculously hidden and preserved by Tong Dalu. Professor Han was originally desperate and tried to use death to express his resistance to that gloomy era of distorted human nature. However, the friendship between "Fisher Boy" and Tong Dalu made him find the light of life again. "Fishing Boy" reminds me of Li Hong's "Notes of an Islander", which is a collection of essays reflecting on the catastrophe of the nation. Regarding the meaning of the title of "Island Man's Notes", Lihong once said: "When land is surrounded by floods, it becomes an island. If you want to isolate yourself, an island is the most ideal place. In the ten years of the 'Cultural Revolution', the vastness of China was no different than On an isolated island, countless absurd farces were staged one after another in a sacred atmosphere. The director did not think it was ridiculous, the actors did not feel ashamed, and the audience did not think it was strange. Looking back now, it finally led to a national disaster, which is ridiculous, sad and terrible. , more food for thought. What the author wrote is nothing but trivial matter. I hope readers can see the big picture from the small, remember this disaster, reflect on this disaster, and never allow our country to become an 'isolated island' again." In this sense, "Fisher Boy" can be called an upgraded version of "Islander Notes". Lihong usually gives people the impression of being polite and gentle. In fact, beneath his gentle appearance, there is hidden the unyielding heart of a bloody man, beating with a call for justice and kindness, as well as hatred and disdain for violence and betrayal. At the same time, he refused to forget and treat that "black hole" in human history in a "peaceful" way. He said in the article "Detritus of Forgotten": "For human history, history is a mirror and a treasure. The mirror can reflect your face, so that your face will not be covered by the filth of the past. Wealth can become a guide to the future. The content of history includes glorious victory and shame