Chapter 286: The Butt is Crooked
“Mark Twain’s ‘Running for Governor’?”

Zhao Shouyan took a novel that Wang Deming had just translated and flipped through it. He was very surprised and asked, "You also know English?"

"I know a little bit!" Wang Deming showed a modest expression on his face.

"Is this Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? And it's written by a female author! I haven't read this book. Hey, it's from a little girl's perspective? And it's a long novel, very interesting."

Mark Twain is a well-known writer. Zhao Shouyan had read the novel "Running for Governor" when he was studying in the United States, but he had never read the novel "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by a female writer.

However, due to the influence of his wife, he read "Gone with the Wind" and "To Kill a Mockingbird", which were also written by two American female writers. They were both very well written and were adapted into big screens by Hollywood. They also received wide acclaim from the public and won multiple American Oscars.

So he put "Running for Governor" aside, ignored the other people in the living room, and began to quietly read the translated manuscript of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".

Wang Deming was bored and drank tea while listening to the idle chat in the living room.

"I have to say that the Communist Party has a really broad mind!"

"Yes, yesterday, on Women's Day, when she was talking to our literary and art circles, she humbly accepted the questions and criticisms raised by many people, and patiently explained to us how to overcome subjectivism, bureaucracy, and sectarianism. She was open-minded and willing to accept advice."

"When I attended the government conference in February, I listened to the teacher's report on 'On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People'. It was really well said! We are so lucky to have such a leader!"

"That's right. In the past, we opera singers had no status. We made some money, but it was still low class. Now that we are liberated, we are people's artists. The party and the country have given us identity and status!"

"Yes. It's a sign of prosperity!"

Although Wang Deming was not qualified to attend the meeting, he knew everything they said. On the one hand, he always paid attention to the daily mass newspaper, and on the other hand, he even visited the real boss and Mr. Mao Dun several times.

Just to get the latest news.

That's why he worked overtime and forgot to eat and sleep to translate this novel.

In his previous life, Dong Yuhui said that he read "Ordinary World" three times when he was depressed; while Wang Deming read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".

Unlike the tragic core of "Ordinary World", the core of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is struggle.

A poor family in a slum in the United States is living from hand to mouth and can't get enough food. The children have to pick up trash to exchange for money since they were young and have to suffer all kinds of unequal bullying. How do they get out of this sea of ​​suffering?
educate!

It does not refer to the education of the school alone, but more to the ideological education of family members.
Because after they barely receive compulsory education, the family's money is only enough for one person to go to school, so a 14-year-old child has to go to work to earn money to support the family.

Of course, Wang Deming's purpose in translating this book is the same as that of Running for Governor. This novel also touches on some of the content of the American elections, which is very profound and sharp: the annual election is like playing house. Just because you have the right to vote, you are given coupons, travel, and vouchers, and then you vote for people you don't know and have never seen. There will also be people holding notebooks and going door to door to confirm who you voted for.
"Okay!" Zhao Shouyan suddenly shouted, making several people in the living room confused and uncertain.

Unfortunately, Zhao Shouyan ignored them without any explanation. He quickly ran to the living room opposite and handed the novel in his hand to his wife. "Look, this is De Ming's latest translated novel!"

“It was also written by an American female writer, and it was also written from a child’s perspective. It’s very well written!”

“There is hope in misery!”

"Really? Let me see it quickly!" Zhao Shouyan's wife was chatting with a few women. Upon hearing this, she immediately took the translation manuscript. The women next to her curiously leaned over and lowered their heads together.

As he lowered his head, the only sound in the west living room was the quiet flipping of the manuscript. Zhao Shouyan was very familiar with his wife, and as soon as he saw her state, he knew that she was very obsessed with this novel. He tiptoed and quietly left the west living room, and gently closed the door. Fortunately, he got the manuscript after dinner, but it seemed that she would definitely read it all night tonight.

After returning to the east living room, Zhao Shouyan's eyes were still red, because he was moved by the characters in the book. He patted Wang Deming's shoulder vigorously: "Deming, the book you translated is really great! After your sister-in-law finishes reading it tonight, I will arrange for printing and publication immediately!"

"Yeah." Wang Deming still had a modest look on his face, but what he said surprised everyone in the living room: "After I translated this book, I specially asked Mr. Mao Dun for guidance. After reading it, Mr. Mao Dun thought that this book was very good and especially suitable for domestic higher education students.

So he found Minister Ma of the Ministry of Higher Education and suggested that this book be made a must-read for higher education.

Minister Ma readily agreed. ”

At that time, there were two education departments in China, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, which were not merged into the Ministry of Education until 58. The Ministry of Higher Education, as the name suggests, is responsible for managing high schools and universities.

"Well, it should be listed as a must-read book in schools of higher education!" Zhao Shouyan nodded in agreement.

"Brother Shouyan, I hope this book can be published as soon as possible, preferably in April, and be available to students at major universities for study." Wang Deming's tone was serious and solemn at this time, and this emotion immediately inspired Zhao Shouyan.

Zhao Shouyan immediately promised solemnly: "Deming, don't worry, I will arrange for the Commercial Press to print and publish it as soon as your sister-in-law finishes reading the manuscript tomorrow morning!"

"Ok!"

In addition to being able to understand other people's thoughts, Wang Deming's golden finger also increases the ability to drive other people's emotions. Through hints such as language, eyes, or actions, he can easily get other people's approval.

Wang Deming specially gave this ability a name: "South Wall"!
After arranging the printing and publication of two books related to the American election, Wang Deming went straight to Beijing Normal University to find Mr. Qi Gong.

Although Mr. Qi Gong only holds the title of associate professor, this is limited by the fact that his academic qualifications only include junior high school and he has not studied abroad.

"Mr. Qi Gong, are there any teachers or students at Beijing Normal University who are particularly concerned about the recent news in the Masses Daily?"

"Deming, do you mean to straighten out your thoughts?"

"That's right!"

"That's a lot! I find it strange that many students now express their opinions during my literature appreciation class. They also ask me to express my position on this issue. I'm a literature teacher, not a politics teacher. Isn't this embarrassing for me?"

“So which teachers are more active in the school now?”

"What else could there be? They came back from studying abroad in Europe and America, and they kept talking about democracy and the rotation of the two parties. Anyway, I don't understand and I don't care."

"Qi Gong, if you don't understand, please don't publish any comments in the newspaper! Remember this!"

"Why? Aren't you asking for problems and shortcomings to be pointed out and criticized?"

"Because some people's butts are naturally crooked! I hate that I'm not American!"

(End of this chapter)