The Chinese people's admiration for the Nobel Prize in Literature can be traced back to the Republic of China.

In 1913, the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Driven by the discourse power of the Western media, he became a world-renowned poet.

At that time, India had already become a British colony, and China was also a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country. Even though the decadent Qing Dynasty was overthrown, it did not change the status quo.

Therefore, the news that Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature caused a great shock in the Chinese literary circle. In the eyes of many people in the cultural circle, India, which has become a colony, can produce Nobel Prize winners in literature. Why can't China?

Moreover, the Nobel Prize in Literature can be awarded to an Indian. What a fair and just award!

Half a century later, with the reform and opening up in the country, the westward trend spread to the east, and the literary craze of the 1980s caught up, the Chinese people's pursuit and admiration for the Nobel Prize in Literature was even more intense than it was back then.

So when Ma Feng, the head of the Literary and Art Association, heard about the various potential connections between the Neustadt International Literature Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature from Nie Hualing, he could not help but think about it.

"Don't go, don't go!"

"After winning such an important award, you have to participate in some activities."

Ma Feng and Wang Meng blocked Lin Chaoyang who was about to return to Xiangjiang at the door of his home, and carried his luggage back to him, just like two robbers blocking the road.

"I still have to send my children back to school." Lin Chaoyang said.

"Brother-in-law, I can do this."

Tao Yumo returned to Yanjing for more than half a month, and finally remembered that she still had a company in Xiangjiang, and by the way, she also thought of her nephew and niece's studies.

"You are quite discerning!" Lin Chaoyang said.

"Yes, you can see this." Tao Yumo said with a smile.

Then she ran away with her two children.

"It's okay this time." Ma Feng said to Lin Chaoyang, with a proud look on his face.

Then he said mysteriously: "Aren't you curious how you were shortlisted for the Neustadt International Literature Prize?"

After hearing this, Lin Chaoyang became curious.

When Luan Walter called him before, he only said that the nominations were nominated by international judges and did not mention the specific judges.

Lin Chaoyang didn't ask, after all, he wasn't the kind of award-winning person, and he wouldn't care about such things easily.

"Do you know?"

Ma Feng's face became even more proud, "You're right, I really know it!"

Lin Chaoyang was even more surprised. He didn't think that Ma Feng would know so much about a foreign literary award and even know such secret information as which judge nominated which writer.

Seeing that Ma Feng wanted to keep telling the truth, Lin Chaoyang did not pursue the question any further, but started a fight with Wang Meng.

"Old Wang, have you seen the table tennis match? Deng Yaping is small but very explosive!"

"Yes, how about I get three gold and one silver?"

"The one who swims is pretty good."

"Shen Qiangqiang."

"Yes, Shen Qiangqiang, the young man won 5 gold medals alone, what a waste of money!"

The two of them talked back and forth, with noses and eyes, which made Ma Feng so anxious that he winked at Wang Meng, "What are you causing trouble!"

After a while, Lin Chaoyang seemed to remember that there was still a living person at home, and asked Ma Feng: "By the way, Old Ma, what were you going to say just now?"

Ma Feng was extremely depressed, thinking that you, the kid, asked questions knowingly.

"The reason why you were shortlisted for the Neustadt Prize for Literature."

"Oh, that's right." Lin Chaoyang looked stunned and asked, "What's the reason?"

Ma Feng felt a little better now. This time he didn't dare to show off, and said cheerfully: "Come to think of it, you have to thank Xiao Qian."

"Old Xiao?"

Lin Chaoyang and Xiao Qian are not close friends, but they have interacted with each other on various occasions over the years.

That year, the American History Museum treated guests to a Christmas dinner, and the two of them met. When they visited Xiangjiang, everyone was in the same delegation, and there were some awards and symposiums. "Yes. He was admitted to the University of Oklahoma this year. He is appointed as the annual judge of the Neustadt Literary Award, and it is his contribution that you were nominated.

The old comrade is now in the United States and has been kept secret. We only found out about it when Nie Hualing mentioned it."

Lin Chaoyang did not expect that the selection of the Neustadt Literature Prize would have such a connection. He smiled and said, "Then I have to thank him very much."

Ma Feng said: "I should thank you."

Wang Meng said, "I should thank you. But in the final analysis, Chaoyang's literary achievements have been recognized by the other judges. Otherwise, it will be useless to nominate him."

This year's Neustadt International Literary Prize judges include 11 writers and artists from all continents around the world, including Richard Howard, Sam Selvin, George Gomory, and Asiya Djbar.

Xiao Qian is the only Asian writer. Under such circumstances, his nomination naturally becomes particularly valuable.

But it would be an exaggeration to say that Lin Chaoyang’s award was all due to Xiao Qian’s nomination.

The award rules of the Neustadt International Literature Prize are that each judge nominates one shortlisted writer. If there are 11 judges, there will be 11 nominated shortlisted writers.

Robert Pinget, Michel Lillis of France, Vasco Poppa of Yugoslavia, Thomas Tranströmer of Sweden, George Conrad of Hungary—"

The 10 nominees are all well-known writers in their respective countries and have certain international influence.

It is obviously impossible for Lin Chaoyang to stand out from the crowd of nominees just relying on the recommendation of acquaintances. The more critical factor lies in his literary achievements.

After all, those judges are not related to Lin Chaoyang.

This is of course just the conjecture of Ma Feng and Wang Meng.

But what they don't know is that in addition to Xiao Qian, 8 of this year's other 10 judges are from Western Europe, Northern Europe and North America.

Since winning the French Renaudeau Literary Prize, Lin Chaoyang's works have been widely introduced to many European countries and the United States, and have sold well.

When his name appeared on this year's shortlist, many of the judges looked familiar to him. Upon closer inspection, they found that many of them had seen Lin Chaoyang's works.

After some exchanges, many people spoke highly of Lin Chaoyang's works.

For example, Richard Howard is a poet, critic and translator. He also won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1970 for his poem "Untitled Subject".

He was extremely impressed by "The Death of Van Gogh" which Lin Chaoyang introduced to the United States last year.

During the elimination phase of the awards, Richard Howard expressed his opinions like this:

"If you look at Van Gogh's "Starry Night", you may not necessarily be able to understand the exaggerated painting techniques used by Van Gogh and what the world in his eyes actually looks like.

But if you watch "The Death of Van Gogh", then you will definitely know and understand the unique genius of Van Gogh.

I can't imagine how a Chinese writer on the other side of the continent, more than a hundred years later, could have such a profound understanding of Van Gogh, as if they were lifelong confidants.

The only reason I can think of is that this is probably the mutual sympathy between geniuses.

Therefore, gentlemen and ladies, I express my one hundred and twenty percent approval of Mr. Xiao’s proposal.”

There is also Assia Djebar, a French female writer born in Algeria. Lin Chaoyang's works were published overseas. France was one of the first countries to publish her works, and she was also recognized by the famous French literary award Renaudot Literary Award.

Therefore, Asia Djbar is no stranger to Lin Chaoyang’s name and works. When talking about her views on Lin Chaoyang, she said this:

I have read several of his works so far, and they all maintain a very high level of creation and have a rich output.

There is no doubt that he is a writer who stands on the "border between East and West". He can move between different cultures with great talent and is worthy of the recognition of this award.

Wang Meng and Ma Feng have no way of knowing the evaluation process of the Neustadt International Literature Prize for the time being, but they, like the judges, recognized Lin Chaoyang's achievements in literary creation.

After chatting about the inside story of the nomination, Ma Feng started gossiping about Lin Chaoyang's prize money.

The Neustadt International Literature Prize is known as the "American Nobel Prize for Literature" and is naturally not stingy in terms of bonuses.

This award has been sponsored by Oklahoma rich man Walter Neustadt and his wife, Tauris Neustadt, since its inception.

Each winner will receive a $50,000 prize, a silver medal in the shape of an eagle feather, and a certificate.

Looking at literary awards around the world, apart from the Nobel Prize, which has been rich and powerful since its inception, there should be no more generous award than the Neustadt International Literature Prize.

In addition to material rewards, the Neustadt International Literature Prize also has the naming rights for the public award ceremony in the second year.

Unlike ordinary literary awards, which are awarded after the results of the awards are announced, the award ceremony of the Neustadt International Literature Prize was postponed to May of the following year.

Under normal circumstances, the University of Oklahoma and "World Literature Today" magazine will also arrange some activities for the winners, such as speeches, work readings, interviews and exchanges.

After Ma Feng mentioned the bonus, Wang Meng said: "Well, Lao Ma, it's not like you don't know. Chaoyang is the richest man in our literary world, and he donated 30 million yuan immediately.

To me, it’s nothing at all.”

When Ma Feng heard this, he looked apologetic, as if he had said something he shouldn't have said.

"Blind! Look at me, I am really short-sighted.

Isn’t it, it’s only 50,000 US dollars, how much is Chaoyang’s annual royalties?”

Lin Chaoyang squinted at the two men's singing and harmony. No matter how stupid he was, he could see that the motives of these two old foxes were impure.

The two exchanged a few words, but when they saw that Lin Chaoyang had no reaction, they couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"You two——"

Lin Chaoyang finally spoke, and he revealed Ma Feng's purpose in one sentence, "You're not trying to get my bonus, are you?"

Hearing this, Ma Feng looked ashamed and said, "You can't say that."

Lin Chaoyang nodded, "I think so."
To be continued...