Ba Jin’s Story 2: Claiming that 50% of his works are waste
In the mid-to-late 1980s, People’s Literature Publishing House planned to publish "The Complete Works of Ba Jin". At first, Ba Jin disagreed. Editor Wang Yangchen came to Shanghai several times to do persuasion work, and was moved by Wang Yangchen's enthusiasm and determination. Ba Jin finally agreed a year later.
Why did Ba Jin not agree to publish his "Complete Works"? Ba Jin said that compiling and printing "The Complete Works" was a punishment for himself. Because, he believes that 50% of his works are substandard and are waste products.
Ba Jin’s Story Three: It is a great joy to publish a book for readers.
In the history of Chinese literature and Chinese publishing, there is a page worthy of a book: Shanghai Cultural Life Publishing House.
This small Tongren Publishing House founded by Wu Langxi, Ba Jin and others has made significant contributions to the development of Chinese literature.
From its establishment in 1935 to the public-private partnership in 1954, the publishing house published 28 series, special collections, and anthologies, with a total of 226 works. Among them, more than 90% of the books were compiled and published by the editor-in-chief Ba Jin.
In the book publishing catalog compiled by Li Jisheng, the old editor of Cultural Life Publishing House and Ba Jin’s brother, we saw a long list of works that played a decisive role in the history of Chinese literature: "New Stories", "Camel" "Xiangzi", "On the Border", "Open Garden", "The Third Generation", "Gold Rush", "The Eve", "Eight Horses", "Road", "Reunion", "Southern Journey", " "Canal", "After-dinner Collection", "Thunderstorm", "Sunrise"...long novels, novellas, short stories, prose, poetry, drama...covering various literary categories.
Lu Xun, Mao Dun, Lao She, Ba Jin, Shen Congwen, Cao Yu, Wang Zengqi, Li Jianwu, Jin Yi, Ai Wu, Sha Ting, Zheng Zhenduo, Huang Yuan, Mu Dan, He Qifang, Tang Tao, Xiao Qian, Li Guangtian, Shi Tuo, Huang Tang, Wang Xiyan, Li Liewen, Ke Ling, Lu Yan, Fang Lingru, Lu Fen, Zhang Tianyi, Wang Tongzhao, Xiao Jun, Hu Feng, Luo Hong, Wu Zuxiang, Lini, Ouyang Shan, Chen Huangmei, Liu Baiyu, Ai Qing, Bian Zhilin, Zang Kejia, Duanmu Hongliang, Chen Baichen, Cao Baohua, Feng Zhi... 86 writers are as brilliant as the stars in the history of Chinese literature.
Ba Jin’s Story 4: A kind-hearted man who never took advantage of the public good
In 1954, Xu Qian transferred from the army to the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, where he was responsible for writers and musicians in the CPAFFC liaison work. Today, Xu Qian's temples are dyed white and he has retired long ago. However, there are always a few days every week when he takes the subway and bus from Xinzhuang, far away from the city center, and spends more than an hour coming to the hospital to visit Mr. Ba Jin and handle some things for Ba Jin.
In this life, Xu Qian has come into contact with many cultural celebrities, but he has the deepest feelings for Ba Jin. He felt Ba Jin in small things. A kind-hearted person who never takes advantage of the public, this is one of Xu Qian's deepest impressions of Ba Jin.
On the second floor, Ba Jin’s study room, there is a brown bronze statue of Ba Jin on the north wall. This was carved by Soviet sculptor Shelikhanov in the mid-1950s. Xu Qian clearly remembered this scene. At that time, Shelikhanov created statues for several cultural celebrities in Shanghai at the same time. According to the agreement between China and the Soviet Union, Selikhanov's food, accommodation and other expenses in Shanghai will be paid in one lump sum by Shanghai. Therefore, he had to take care of his own meals while he was sculpting statues of cultural figures.
That day, it was Ba Jin’s turn. Ba Jin, who has avoided being photographed since childhood and doesn't like to appear in public, "obediently" became a "model". In Ba Jin's discomfort, time passed by, and it was noon. Shelihanov was packing his tools, and Ba Jin asked: "Should we rest at noon, or should we continue working?" Xie said, "It's OK. It's up to you." Ba Jin asked with concern: "What are you doing at noon?" Shelihanov replied He said: "I brought bread, just eat a little." After hearing this, Ba Jin was very uneasy and said: "I also want to eat. I invite you to eat together." In this way, Ba Jin's statue was carved for three days. Ba Jin treated Shelikhanov to meals for three days.
Xu Qian said: "Ba Jin is such a kind person, always thinking of others."
At that time, in terms of foreign affairs, gifts to foreign guests were generally given by Bought by the public. Even when some leaders or celebrities receive guests at home, even tea and snacks are bought and delivered by the government. Only Ba Jin never did this. All the expenses for receiving foreign guests were paid out of his own pocket. Usually, Mrs. Xiao Shan buys the gifts and gives them to the guests at the end of the meeting.
Ba Jin’s Story 5: Are you Ba Jin’s son?
In 1993, on Ba Jin’s 90th birthday, Chen Tiedi, Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, visited. Walking into Ba Jin's apartment, Chen Tiedi saw his staff member Li Xiaotang and said a little strangely: "Why are you here too?" At this time, someone quickly told her: Xiaotang is Ba Jin's son.