It is better to die standing than to live on your knees.

- Daur proverb

The next morning, Niu Mulin continued to go out with Wu Shan for an interview.

They met Yin Qingguo, who also came to interview, at the unit where they were interviewing. Because Wu Shan and Yin Qingguo are both reporters from the party and government, it is inevitable that they will often encounter each other.

At noon, the unit arranged for the reporters to have a meal. Their canteen is divided into Han and Halal. Niu Mulin said goodbye to Wu Shan and Yin Qingguo, and went to eat halal meals by himself.

Yin Qingguo asked in surprise, "Could it be...... Are you a Muslim? ”

Niu Mulin smiled and nodded.

A very disappointed expression suddenly appeared on Yin Qingguo's face, and the luster in his eyes quickly dimmed.

Niu Mulin didn't know why he was so frustrated that he was a Muslim. It was also inconvenient for him to ask Yin Qingguo on the spot, so he went to eat alone.

From then on, Yin Qingguo was expressionless every time he met Niu Mulin, as if he didn't know him at all.

Niu Mulin was both curious and amused by Yin Qingguo's changes: Did he have any opinions about the Hui people? Did there be any unpleasantness between him and the Muslims? But that's not the case.

Niu Mulin's self-esteem is particularly strong. He thinks that since you don't want to pay attention to me, I don't want to pay attention to you. He deliberately pretended not to care, and he didn't even look at Yin Qingguo anymore, as if this person didn't exist.

The cold northwest wind blowing from Siberia blows away the summer heat and the crispness of autumn, blowing off the golden leaves of the trees, blowing the cold winter.

Niu Mulin's dormitory became very cold. Because there is no heating in the dormitory, you have to make your own coal stove if you want to warm up. Director Li was troublesome about the stove and moved back to the office building.

The coal bought by the TV station looks shiny, but the quality is very poor. Niu Mulin finally lit coal here. It hadn't been burning for long, and the coal in the hearth was quickly burned out like a ball of paper. Niu Mulin lit a fire every night and woke up before dawn.

Luan Xinjiang works at a university. After he learned about Niu Mulin's situation, he told him: "My roommate has been teaching in the countryside for 1 year, so you can just move in." We have heating here, we don't have to burn the stove. ”

So, Niu Mulin moved to the unit dormitory in Luanxin. Luan Xinjiang helped Niu Mulin buy a meal ticket for the school's halal cafeteria, so that he could eat delicious meals.

It's about 15 kilometres from the TV station, a one-hour bus ride away, and a one-hour bus ride from bus No. 2 to Bus No. 1 at the famous 8th floor bus station.

Niu Mulin gets up at 7 o'clock every morning to catch the earliest bus, and the first to come to work at the TV station. After work in the afternoon, he took the bus back. Although it was hard to travel morning and evening, he no longer suffered from the cold and soot.

On Sunday, several university alumni gathered in Luan's dormitory to wash and cook together.

Xu Yan looked at Niu Mulin, who was staying here, and asked tentatively, "I didn't say anything wrong at the beginning, right?" Can't come back. I can't go to the city unit when I come back. You just don't listen to my advice. Do you regret it now? ”

Niu Mulin smiled bitterly, and then not only answered Xu Yan's question, but also cheered himself up: "What you said is not wrong at all. I'm a person who doesn't hit the south wall and doesn't look back. Now I can't go back if I want to, so I can only work hard. Conditions will definitely change for the better in the future. Xinjiang will have a better tomorrow. ”

Xu Yan smiled and sarcastically said, "All of you Chinese people are idealistic and philanthropists in torn pants. By the time Xinjiang is beautiful, you have already been buried in the loess by future generations. ”

While stir-frying, Luan Xinjiang quipped: "I am a staunch realist, I never dream sweetly, and I must be down-to-earth in everything." Oh, by the way, Xu Yan, I heard that you are going to study in Canada? ”

Xu Yan replied, "Yes." I'm working on it. I plan to go to Canada to study while working to earn money, and see if there is a chance to immigrate officially. ”

Niu Mulin asked in surprise: "Bethune of Canada came to China thousands of miles to support the cause of the Chinese people's war of resistance, but unfortunately died on Mount Wutai and was buried on the land of China. Why do you have to go to Canada? ”

Xu Yan playfully replied: "China's Xu Yan traveled thousands of miles to Canada to support the construction of the Canadian people, and he was very successful and became a famous Canadian entrepreneur. ”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Niu Mulin was still unwilling, and continued to ask: "The working conditions and living benefits of your unit are so good. Why are you leaving? ”

Xu Yan was silent for a while, and slowly replied: "The conditions of the unit are indeed good in all aspects. However, I really couldn't get used to that kind of working atmosphere. Everything you do must be based on seniority. The old workers rely on the old and sell the old, and their ideas are outdated. Young people will never have a bright future, only to stay up honestly. What are the prospects for the development of such a unit? ”

Niu Mulin's ears listened to Xu Yan's complaints, but his heart thought of the TV station. In his opinion, this phenomenon exists to varying degrees in various units. However, we should actively work hard to change the status quo, and should not be passive, or even evasive and escapist from reality.

Luan Xinjiang tapped the plate with chopsticks and greeted loudly: "Niu Mulin, what are you doing in a daze?" Socialist construction depends on everyone, and it is not your business alone. Hurry up and eat! In the afternoon, we will go to the Xinhua Bookstore of the Railway Bureau. ”

At the beginning of March, the Urumqi Municipal People's Congress and the Political Consultative Conference were held in Hongshan Hotel.

The TV station sent six groups of reporters to the Hongshan Hotel to cover the report. Niu Mulin is also one of them.

On the evening of the opening, the news program they produced was praised by the Propaganda Department of the Municipal Party Committee, and at the same time, the Propaganda Department also clearly pointed out that the announcer mispronounced the name of Wang Guoyu, a member of the presidium, as Wang Tuyu.

After receiving a call from the Propaganda Department, the director of the station, Sun Limin, was so angry that he smoked: Shi Yan, who broadcasts tonight, is the first female anchor of the TV station, how can such a simple word be mispronounced? What a mess!

The next morning, Sun Limin summoned Director Wang of the editor-in-chief's office to his office, severely reprimanded him, and ordered him to immediately investigate the cause of the accident with a high sense of political responsibility and never allow similar mistakes to be repeated.

Director Wang waited until it was almost noon before he saw Shi Yan, who was late. He criticized Shi Yan very unhappily: "You are the top business leader and backbone of the TV station, why can't you even distinguish between the country and the map?" ”

Shi Yan asked inexplicably, "Director Wang, what did you say?" I can't tell the difference between the country and the map? ”

Director Wang slapped his face and said, "My aunt, in the news last night, you mispronounced the names of the members of the presidium!" ”

Shi Yan grabbed the manuscript of yesterday's news from the table, brought it to Director Wang, and said confidently: "Director Wang, please point me out, which person's name I pronounced wrong?" ”

Director Wang took the manuscript paper and looked at it carefully, then pointed to the three words "Wang Guoyu" and said: "People are called Wang Guoyu, you read Wang Tuyu, and you are still stubborn!" ”

Shi Yan took back the manuscript paper and glanced at it, and said aggrievedly: "My Director Wang, it is clearly written on this is Wang Tuyu, in black and white. I was wronged. ”

Ding Yan, the head of the broadcasting team, also came over to look at the manuscript and said: "The Chinese character in the middle is indeed a bit vague and easy to make mistakes. Director Wang, let the editors of the news department be sure to write clearly when they encounter words that are easy to confuse in the future. ”

Director Wang said angrily: "You all remember for me, and you should take the initiative to ask the words and phrases that you can't get accurate." One more word can't kill people! Don't poke me in the basket again. ”

Shi Yan said disdainfully: "Looking at the font, it looks like Niu Mulin wrote it." I think he deliberately made trouble and wanted our broadcast team to make a fool of himself in front of the whole city's audience! ”

Ding Yan was not used to Shi Yan's provocation, and criticized her: "You, don't always go online." What is the benefit of the broadcast team's foolery to Niu Mulin? ”

Shi Yan's eyes rolled upwards and said, "We made a fool of ourselves, which proves that we can't do it, only he Niu Mulin is the most capable." ”

Announcer Du Juan said on the side: "That's it." ”

Ding Yan turned his head and glared at Du Juan, and then said, "I don't think the calf has such a bad heart. ”

Shi Yan sneered and said, "Then wait and see!" ”

In the Hongshan Hotel, Niu Mulin received instructions from Master Li, the driver who returned to the TV station to deliver the manuscript: "Director Xu said that every reporter must be notified that quality cannot be neglected for the sake of speed. The manuscript must be transcribed stroke by pen. If there is any further ambiguity, the parties concerned will be dealt with seriously. ”

Niu Mulin knew that he had made a mistake, so he had to slow down the speed of writing, and transcribe the manuscript in italics or Xingshu in a regular manner.

The next night's news was uneventful. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

According to the work process, after the reporter writes the press release for the interview, he or she should ask the conference affairs team of the conference to review it, and when the press release is approved, the editor will copy three copies on carbon paper and hand them over to the announcer and the editor respectively.

The reporters on the TV station are all young people in their early 20s, who are lively and playful. After writing the press release, they feel that everything is all right, and they don't want to make any more revisions and transcriptions, but want to get together and play poker.

Niu Mulin has always disliked playing poker, and after completing his work, he took the initiative to help others transcribe press releases. His hands and feet were very nimble, and he got the press release drawn out by the reporter, quickly sent it to the conference team for review, and then quickly rewrote it, and then sent it back to the TV station by Master Li.

Shortly after the news broadcast on the evening of the third day, Jia Like, who led the interview, received a call from Sun Limin, saying that the name of an important leader had been dropped in the press release that day, and that he had been seriously criticized by the Propaganda Department.

Jia Like immediately asked Mao Huimin, the reporter who wrote the news.

Mao Huimin said aggrievedly: "I obviously wrote the leader's name in the manuscript. He is Li Na's father. I remember it very clearly. ”

Jia Like asked again: "After the conference team reviewed the manuscript, did you transcribe it yourself?" ”

Mao Huimin replied, "The calf helped me copy it." ”

Jia Like quickly turned to Niu Mulin and asked, "Little Niu, did you see Li Na's father's name when you copied the manuscript?" ”

Niu Mulin's brain suddenly became blurry. He struggled to recall for a moment, and hesitantly replied, "I...... I can't remember exactly. ”

Jia Like asked again: "What about Xiao Mao's original manuscript?" ”

Niu Mulin replied: "In the afternoon, the cleaning was poured out. ”

Jia Like pondered for a while and told everyone: "Xiao Mao and I will go back to the TV station to read the script." You each do your job. ”

Niu Mulin watched Jia Like and Mao Huimin disappear into the vast night, and felt very guilty in his heart. Until now, he still can't remember whether there is Li Na's father's name in the manuscript.

Half an hour later, Jia Like and Mao Huimin returned to the Hongshan Hotel in a hurry. They made sure that the press release sent back to the television station did not include the name of Li's father. However, they also brought back good news: Li Na's father was not angry when he learned that the reporter had omitted his name, but just said "pay attention in the future".

Jia Like made a formal request: reporters must transcribe their own press releases, and only after they have completed all their work can they go to play poker.

Niu Mulin knew that Mao Huimin had been working hard in the Ministry of Information for a year as an intern reporter and was applying to become a full-time employee. At this juncture, if the mistake of omitting the leader's name is implemented on her, her future and fate can be imagined.

This is how the storm of omitting the leader's name has passed. Niu Mulin firmly remembered this lesson, the news is no trivial matter, and everything must not be paralyzed in the future.

In the summer of that year, Urumqi experienced a once-in-a-century rainstorm, causing the Urumqi River to swell, threatening the downstream urban area.

Niu Mulin and Wu Shan received the order, and together with Yin Qingguo of the newspaper office and the reporter of the radio station, they immediately followed the leaders of the municipal party committee to the front line of flood prevention and disaster relief.

They braved the wind and rain to photograph the people who were rushing to rescue and rescue the disaster in the wind and rain.

Suddenly, a section of the riverbank collapsed under the onslaught of the flood. Yin Qingguo, who was standing by the river and observing the hydrological benchmark, fell into the flood, rolling and struggling in the turbulent water.

Seeing this scene, Niu Mulin hurriedly put down the video backpack on his shoulder, jumped down the river, threw himself to Yin Qingguo's side, grabbed his right hand, and struggled to swim towards the river.

With the help of reporters and the masses on the shore, Niu Mulin and Yin Qingguo safely climbed the river embankment.

Niu Mulin's legs were covered with wounds cut by stones. Muddy and bloody water ran down his pants and onto his feet and the ground.

Everyone hurriedly arranged for the two of them to wash in the water room of the hydrological station.

Yin Qingguo said sincerely while rinsing the muddy water on his body: "Little Niu, thank you for saving my life." ”

Niu Mulin asked, "You can't swim?" ”

"I grew up on the edge of the desert and never learned to swim. ”

Niu Mulin bandaged the wound on his leg and asked, "I have always had a puzzle in my heart, why did you know that I am a Muslim and my attitude towards me has become cold?" ”

When Yin Qingguo heard Niu Mulin's words, his face quickly became solemn. He was dull for a few minutes, and then said, "Because your Hui clan and our family have had enmity for generations. ”

Niu Mulin asked: "There is a hatred for generations? ”

Yin Qingguo said: "Our family's ancestral home is in Weinan, Shaanxi Province. During the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, you Hui people rebelled, killed my grandfather's entire family, robbed all the property, and burned down the Yin family manor. In 1936, my grandfather joined the Red Army's Western Route Army and was killed by your Ma Army in the Hexi Corridor. In 1958, my uncle was engaged in religious democratic reform in Linxia and was killed by your rebels. The most hateful thing is that my second sister doesn't have a long memory, and she actually fell in love with her Muslim classmates. My whole family is firmly against it. She still went all the way to the dark and married this classmate privately. You say, can I have a crush on you? ”

Niu Mulin thought while changing into the work clothes of the staff of the hydrological station, and then said to Yin Qingguo: "There are many problems in history, because we don't know the truth of history, and I can't explain it clearly for a while. In any case, the working people, whether Han or Hui, are victims of reactionary class oppression. As for a certain Hui or Hermes-Epitek doing bad things, that is his own business, and he cannot be blamed on a certain nation. No nation is all good or all bad. ”

Yin Qingguo looked at Niu Mulin thoughtfully.

Niu Mulin continued: "Your sister and the Muslim classmate fell in love, that was a matter between them. As long as they feel happy, why should others interfere? What's more, the laws of the country protect the freedom of marriage. ”

Yin Qingguo said: "Anyway, the overall quality of the Hui people is not high. As the saying goes: 'The world goes back to two roads, and if you don't sell cold powder, you sell vinegar.' ’”

Niu Mulin asked mischievously: "You say, am I selling cold powder or vinegar?" ”

Yin Qingguo smiled awkwardly and said, "You are different from them. You're really an exception. ”

Niu Mulin said: "Actually, there are many outstanding talents among the Hui people. As long as you let go of your preconceptions and get to know them deeply, you will find the good in them. ”

Yin Qingguo smiled and asked, "So, I'll start by getting to know you?" ”

Niu Mulin replied, "Okay." ”