【Selection of Literary Works from "Luotian News"】
The Essence of Literature
Mao Qunyi
In today's society, due to the surpassing development of science and technology, the level of cultural dissemination has reached unprecedented heights. As a result, literature has become an indispensable part of life for everyone. Who can deny that regardless of gender or age, people cannot live without television? Those news reports, TV dramas, and even advertisements are all carriers of literature, and unknowingly, everyone has become a captive audience of literature.
Historically, literature was the exclusive domain of a select few, thus appearing refined and sophisticated, to the point where commoners would hesitate to approach it. Nowadays, with the widespread use of the internet, anyone can freely express their thoughts and actions in writing. Consequently, grassroots literature has emerged accordingly. In any website or forum, literary sections are not only essential but also extraordinarily active.
People like literature because it serves as a medium for exchanging ideas and expressing emotions. Regardless of whether literature is elegant or vulgar, profound or shallow, it has its own market and can elicit certain reactions. It's akin to throwing a stone into water; if the stone is light, the waves will be small; if the stone is heavy, the waves will be large.
What is the essence of literature? I believe that literature must first be "humanology," conforming to human nature. Living in a particular society, literature should reflect the realities of that social structure. Those works that drift aimlessly and unrealistically, or those filled with blind rage against the world, no matter how well-written, ultimately fail to resonate with the public. Historically, although Tao Yuanming's "Peach Blossom Spring" has been passed down through the ages, it remains a classic work in pursuit of an ideal society and is by no means fantastical. In modern times, Lu Xun used his essays as daggers and spears, turning his ridicule and satire into articles, but this was out of necessity to combat the dark forces of the world, never done on a whim.
Secondly, literature is "emotional learning," possessing rich emotional colors. People have seven emotions and six desires, which when reflected in literature, can make one weep or lose oneself in joy. However, emotions must be restrained; if they are unleashed recklessly, leading to vulgarity, it inevitably offends others and invites disdain.
Thirdly, literature must have taste, worthy to be enjoyed like tea or wine, fit for public consumption. Literature is the crystallization of thought, differing only in depth, not in quality. The accessibility of online publishing has provided convenience for the development of grassroots literature, yet there are implicit rules within the network. Violating these rules arbitrarily will lead to rejection by many. Pursuing trends and attempting unconventional methods to enhance one's fame is not wrong, but it must be premised on not harming others. If new trends are mixed with crudeness, resulting in something neither fish nor fowl, the "hooves under the kylin's skin" will be exposed, revealing one's shallowness.
Literature is spiritual nourishment, refined like fat or coarse like grain, but both are necessities of life. If it turns into dregs, who would consume it as food?
Heavenly Paradise Assignment
Fang Yuquan
Vast Dabie Mountain range, towering Heavenly Paradise. Peaks reaching thousands of feet high, standing majestically in one direction. Dividing the waters of the Huai and Yangtze Rivers, marking the boundaries between Hubei and Anhui provinces. Once known as Much Cloud Mountain, hence always shrouded in misty clouds; now called Heavenly Paradise, thus shining brightly throughout the four seasons. Spring returns with gentle rains, clear springs like jade, birds singing on new branches; summer brings pine trees forming umbrellas, bamboo swaying in the wind, green surging with coolness; autumn arrives with fiery red maples, fruits hanging heavily on branches, chestnuts and persimmons spreading fragrance; winter comes with snow covering the mountains, frost hiding in ravines, silver snakes and wax elephants. Like poetry and painting, majestic Heavenly Paradise!
During the turmoil of the Spring and Autumn period, Chu invaded Wu territory. Although Chu did not emerge victorious, Jiuji had already perished. Jiuji ancient city lies in today's Heavenly Paradise. For a thousand years, it remained submerged and unremarkable. During the Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty, the Tartars were unruly. Fu Gao established a stronghold at Heavenly Paradise, heroes responding from all directions. Although restoring the Song Dynasty ultimately failed, the iron ox (a metaphor for strength) Wu Jianzhong's resistance against foreign races deserves commendation. Heroes rushed forward, bravely showing strength. Xu Shouhui raised the banner of rebellion at Heavenly Paradise, proclaiming himself emperor at Qingquan Temple. Millions of Red Turbans, commanding the battlefield. The Yuan Dynasty's arrogance began to wane. A generation of valiant generals, Wang Ding resisted the Qing, shaking the Huai River and Yangtze River regions. Leaning on Heavenly Paradise, uniting forty-eight strongholds in Qihuang, raising righteous troops, supervising from Fengyang. Though reborn through fire, history records their glory. Even more so, Liu and Deng's army leaped a thousand miles forward, arriving at Heavenly Paradise. Competing for dominance in the Central Plains, destroying everything in their path, like steel and fire. Meeting at the crossroads of fate, iron ox Wu Jianzhong, magnificent Heavenly Paradise!
Stars shift, time flows, years pass through vicissitudes. Today's Heavenly Paradise, thriving with myriad phenomena; fertile fields tilled by machinery, green mountains with lush grass and strong sheep. New villages rise in neat rows, farmhouses with bright windows and clean floors. The days of hunger are long past, technology planting fields, granaries full of grain. Ecological tourism, becoming a pillar industry; mountain cableways, bringing boundless hope. Remote deep mountains also enjoy threefold connectivity; water, electricity, and roads. Mountain folk also surf the web; online shopping, online stock trading, online selling of surplus grain! A small mouse, clicking through global knowledge. A dreamlike world, a paradise on earth!
The Legend of Ancient Sheep Fort
Yan Xianzhi
In folklore, there is a legend about Ancient Sheep Fort. Long ago, at the foot of Ancient Sheep Fort, there lived a young man named Leisheng who loved playing chess with others for entertainment. Later, he heard that immortals often came to Ancient Sheep Fort to play chess and wanted to go see them, hoping to find a master among the immortals.
Leisheng's home was far from Ancient Sheep Fort. One day, carrying a yoke for carrying firewood and leading a large white goat, he set off towards Ancient Sheep Fort. Approaching the summit, he could hear voices from above. Leisheng's heart secretly rejoiced, thinking that if he met the immortals this time, it wouldn't be a wasted trip. He quickly urged the large white goat up the mountain. Upon reaching the summit, sure enough, he saw two strangely shaped immortals, resembling the legendary Zhang Guolao and Tieguai Li. They sat facing each other across a large rock. Behind them, another rock tied a donkey, Zhang Guolao's mount. Leisheng looked up and saw Zhang Guolao and Tieguai Li engrossed in their game. Leisheng, who loved chess, became immediately interested. He quickly tied the large white goat, placed the yoke on the ground, and quietly approached to watch. Getting closer, he realized there was no chessboard on the large rock. Yet, Zhang Guolao and Tieguai Li played with great interest using the rock as a chessboard, captivating Leisheng completely. The two immortals played while discussing interesting stories from the human world with Leisheng, occasionally offering him fruit to stave off hunger, making Leisheng forget his hunger. Leisheng watched for a long time, captivated by the immortals' skills, oblivious to the hungry bleats of the large white goat, unaware of how many days he had spent on the mountain. Unbeknownst to him, the immortals' game continued endlessly, the outcome unclear, leading to a prolonged stalemate. Finally, they could only agree to a draw and disperse. Leisheng seemed to awaken from a dream, noticing upon departure that Zhang Guolao's donkey had left a deep hoofprint on the rock. At this moment, he remembered his large white goat, rushing over to look but finding no trace of it. Searching the entire mountain yielded no results. Disheartened, Leisheng returned to his original spot, standing on a rock, sighing deeply. Unexpectedly, his stamp caused the rock to rumble loudly, followed by a strange occurrence. The rock let out a loud neigh. Hearing the sound, Leisheng realized it resembled the large white goat's cry. He hurriedly descended to take a closer look, discovering that his large white goat had long since died, turned to stone, its shape identical to the goat. Leisheng sighed repeatedly, searching for the yoke. The wooden middle had rotted away, leaving only rusted iron tips lying on the ground. Leisheng realized he had spent many years on the mountain. Touching his face, his beard had grown over a foot long, his hair entirely white. He returned home, where villagers hearing of Leisheng's sudden return after many years gathered to see him, only to find an old man with white hair. Even his wife and children recognized him, believing Leisheng had long since passed away, with his spirit tablet still enshrined at home. Leisheng's wife was also old, telling him they had been apart for over forty years.
Leisheng lamented and recounted his experience at Ancient Sheep Fort in detail. The neighbors didn't believe it was true, insisting on accompanying Leisheng to verify. Upon reaching the summit, they saw the large white goat turned to stone, the chessboard rock, and Zhang Guolao's donkey hoofprint, confirming Leisheng's words as truthful. Thus, the legend spread among the people, and Ancient Sheep Fort received its name.
Ode to White Lotus
Wang Songping
It was Pan Gu's plan,
It was Jade Emperor's direction,
Creating this majestic and splendid white lotus.
Lotus River long,
Lotus River winding,
A dam locks the fierce current,
Nine continents shine under the bright sun,
Tunnels lead tall factories,
Dams encircle mountains soaring to the clouds,
Moon Mountain peak builds a new lake,
Machinery hums as water climbs the mountain,
Children of Lotus Storage have grand aspirations,
Daring to transform rivers and mountains.
Ah, Lotus Storage, oh Lotus Storage, you are majestic and splendid,
Lotus Storage, oh Lotus Storage, your scenery knows no bounds.
It is nature's gift,
It is the embellishment of the descendants of Yan and Huang,
Creating this majestic and splendid white lotus.
Lotus water serene,
Lotus water blue,
Lotus flowers bloom like clouds floating,
Just like celestial maidens dancing gracefully,
Kingfishers sing and wild ducks harmonize,
Red fish play in the water splashing waves,
Young men and women row in the lake,
Laughter falls and water rejoices,
Hydropower storage is a treasure land,
Tourism surpasses the south of the Yangtze River.
Ah, Lotus Storage, oh Lotus Storage, you are majestic and splendid,
Lotus Storage, oh Lotus Storage, your scenery knows no bounds.
Praising Thirty Years of Reform and Opening Up
Hua Yumen
Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye, delightfully viewing our country's beautiful rivers and mountains.
New houses in rural areas scatter like flowers;
City streets crisscross like nets.
Clothing and food are abundant and equalized;
Music and dance celebrate freedom.
Remembering the martyrs with fervent emotion,
Writing poems enthusiastically in countless baskets.
Visiting the National Forest Park of Dabie Mountains
Guo Yubin
Ten thousand valleys and ridges decorate the Chu sky,
Strange pines and rocks adorn the Central Plains.
Paradise Lake gives birth to beautiful scenery,
Purple smoke spreads through the Dabie Mountains.
The Jade Emperor descends to view ancient relics,
Chang'e travels down to visit the park.
The Penglai fairyland intoxicates people,
Refreshing the mind and adding to longevity.
A Pine Tree Outside the Window
Qi Yangrenshi
To the south of the office is a wall of glass that shines through entirely. Every time I look up and gaze outside, my eyes meet a tall pine tree. Thanks to the height of the office building, I get to face the pine tree every day and contemplate it. I've been working here for more than three years, and the pine tree has always been reserved, like a beautiful yet unfamiliar girl. She never smiles easily, occasionally trembling her branches in the wind, her posture akin to graceful dancing, with thousands of twigs fluttering lightly.
I've wondered countless times where this pine tree was transplanted from. I even thought it might have come from my hometown - Tianxiangzhai. It's said that oranges grown south of the Huai River remain oranges, but north of the Huai River, they turn into trifoliate oranges. Yet, this pine tree, far from the misty rain of thousands of mountains and the roaring pines of ten thousand gorges, has managed to retain its original appearance, truly a rare sight.
Not long ago, during the expansion of the parking area in the compound, someone suggested moving the pine tree. The engineering department submitted a report to the administration. I decided to plead my case to the boss before any decision was made. On a rainy afternoon, while chatting with the boss about work, I mentioned someone's idea to transplant the pine tree. Unexpectedly, the boss said he knew about it and planned to do some minor landscaping after moving the tree. I don't know why I felt such heartache for the pine tree at that moment. I said many good things about the pine tree to the boss, even dragging him to the door to see the pine tree after the rain cleared. Under the post-rain sunlight, the dozens-of-meters-tall pine tree was covered in raindrops, glittering like countless pearls and emitting a faint rainbow-like glow. Seizing the boss's appreciation, I loudly proclaimed: "If we humans could have the spirit of the pine tree, how wonderful that would be! Look, this pine tree is not only a beautiful landscape for us but also represents the realm of our enterprise."
Later, the matter of moving the pine tree quietly faded away. Those who don't understand the pine tree might think it stays green all year round, but actually, the pine tree has its own seasons. As autumn winds blow, the entire tree begins to yellow and shed its needles. When I was young, I often went to the mountains to collect firewood, picking up the golden pine needles scattered everywhere. Sometimes looking at the pine tree, I wished the sky would drop a heavy snowfall. However, for three years, I haven't seen the scene of "heavy snow pressing on the green pine, the green pine stands straight and firm." Instead, summer is the most refreshing time, with lush pine trees standing tall like umbrellas, easily reminding me of Tao Yuanming's line: "caressing the solitary pine, lingering, the heart is distant, avoiding the world."
It takes ten years to grow a tree, a hundred years to educate a person. Facing a pine tree roughly my age every day, my mindset has become increasingly broad. Since a pine tree can withstand the cold and warmth of the world, resisting loneliness and solitude, eventually becoming a scenic beauty for people to admire, then as someone with a soul and wisdom, what in life can I not overcome? I feel that it's truly a blessing that this pine tree has been spared.
Zhuo Ci and Xiulan
Lei Zhongcai
After selling her wild chrysanthemums, Xiulan happily rushed to the rural credit cooperative, just around noon. As she walked to the entrance of the business hall, she heard a familiar voice shouting loudly. Looking in the direction of the voice, she saw Zhuo Ci arguing with a clerk: "How could this happen? We can't withdraw government subsidies here, what good is an ID card? Am I not better than an ID card?" The clerk patiently explained: "Grandma, please don't worry. To claim government subsidies, you need your personal ID card or household registration book. That's the rule from higher-ups." "There's no such nonsense rule, you're just bullying rural people!" Zhuo Ci continued cursing.
Zhuo Ci was a notorious wicked woman in the village, with a robust build and a brutish face. She had three sons and a daughter, and because of her family's size and power, she often bullied others. Although over sixty with grandchildren galore, her foul mouth hadn't softened with time, and neighbors avoided her. Xiulan was the most kind-hearted and delicate woman in the village, speaking softly and handling affairs reasonably. Villagers discussing women often cited Zhuo Ci and Xiulan as opposite examples. When Zhuo Ci heard this, she nearly burst with anger. One day, when Xiulan was washing clothes by the river, Zhuo Ci insulted her, calling her a misfortune star unable to bear sons and destined to have no descendants. Xiulan, who had difficulty giving birth and underwent a cesarean section, only had a daughter. Zhuo Ci's insults pushed Xiulan beyond endurance, and a physical fight ended predictably with Xiulan's defeat. From then on, the two women hadn't spoken for decades.
Xiulan had just heard that Zhuo Ci's husband had fallen from a tree while picking sweet persimmons early in the morning and was sent to the hospital. It seemed she was trying to withdraw money for medical expenses. Xiulan wanted to mediate but feared her efforts wouldn't be appreciated. Due to her frugality, she often collected herbs and local specialties to sell, depositing the earnings in the credit cooperative for retirement. With various national subsidies and family planning rewards, she frequently interacted with the cooperative, and her clever speech made her familiar with the clerks.
With Zhuo Ci blocking the counter window and hurling insults, no one dared to deposit or withdraw money. Gathering her courage, Xiulan blushed and called out to the clerk Xiao He from outside the counter. Accountant He saw Aunt Xiulan and came over. Xiulan told Xiao He: "Her husband was just sent to the hospital, needing money for admission. What do you think?" Xiulan handed over her passbook and a bundle of cash to Xiao He, then gave some instructions. Before Xiulan finished, Zhuo Ci shouted again: "What's going on? Who dares to cut in line? Call your director!" Xiulan realized Zhuo Ci had misunderstood and was targeting her. She didn't bother to explain and quickly left the business hall.
The noise drew Director Liu's attention. Xiao He showed Aunt Xiulan's passbook and cash to Director Liu for approval, who nodded.
Director Liu said to Zhuo Ci: "Auntie, write a promissory note. We'll lend you the money. Leave your 'One-Book-Through' with Xiao He as collateral. Bring your household registration tomorrow to settle the account, alright?" Upon hearing this, Zhuo Ci's anger dissipated: "Officials understand reason. I can't read, can you help write the note and let me press my thumbprint?" Zhuo Ci pressed her thumbprint, handed over the 'One-Book-Through', counted a stack of cash, and confidently walked out of the business hall.
Approaching the hospital, Zhuo Ci's worries deepened. Although she had three sons and a daughter, their lives were tight. Now her husband was hospitalized, with two sons working out of town, and the money controlled by their daughters-in-law. Xiulan, despite having no son, could still receive national rewards. "Iron Ox Wu Jianzhong, what benefit do I gain from having so many sons? Where's the blessing of having more sons?" This time, without the national subsidy, there wouldn't be enough money to save her husband's life.
The next day, Zhuo Ci brought the household registration book to the credit cooperative to settle the account. Xiao He asked her: "Can you help deliver this passbook to Aunt Xiulan?"
Zhuo Ci waved her hand and said: "I can't help with that, I don't know her."
Xiao He said: "That's strange. The money you borrowed yesterday was guaranteed by her payment."
Zhuo Ci's face turned red, speechless, her lifetime of arrogance instantly shattered.
Autumn Leaves More Red Than February Flowers
Xu Xiaobing
This year's autumn seemed somewhat hasty. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather showed no signs of cooling down for a long time. Eventually, a welcome autumn rain arrived, but it lingered persistently, making the anticipated autumn sunshine scarce. Each time I encountered friends from Jiuzihe, I would ask if the red leaves were ready to