Chapter 2 Reprint the preface

After archaeology advocated the excavation of tombs, many bones and relics of the ancient dead were exposed; after modern literature became a specialized study, many works of immortal or immortal writers were excavated and exposed.The joy of being discovered makes us ignore the danger of being exposed, and we don't think that the burial of works often preserves the author's false name.If the author himself takes the lead in participating in the excavation work, it is likely that the gain outweighs the loss, and "digging his own grave" will become a contradictory pun: digging the grave of his own work is also digging the author's own grave.

It was written forty years ago, thirty-six or seven years ago.At that time, I didn't have a narrower and narrower sense of the edges of my own life, and I still had a non-dialectical mechanical view of the distinction between people, beasts, and ghosts.After finishing writing, I revised the text of these two books; the revised versions were lost later, which also shows that I don't cherish the old works very much.Four years ago, Comrade Chen Mengxiong, who was good at excavating textual tombs and uncovering textual curtains, lobbied me and suggested reprinting these two books.He knew that I didn't have any books at hand, so he deliberately managed to copy the original in Shanghai and sent it to me.In terms of writing, I may be a prodigal son who "forgets my origins", lazy to linger and collect early published things. The editorial committee of "Shanghai Anti-Japanese War Literature Series" was established, and Comrades Zhu Wen and Yang Yousheng wanted to include these two books in the "Series".I am confident that I had good reasons for my refusal: it was not written in Shanghai, it was not published during the Anti-Japanese War, and it was suspected of being a counterfeit if it was mixed in "Series".Therefore, Comrade Ke Ling, the main editorial board member of "Series", said to me: "If you don't allow domestic reprints, in fact, it is tantamount to allowing those pirated copies with corrupted characters to continue to circulate abroad. This attitude is very irresponsible. As for "Series" It shouldn’t be accepted, the editorial board has its own reasons, and you don’t have to worry about it for us.” He spoke eloquently, and I always listened to my old friend, so I agreed to cooperate.I will trouble Comrade Meng Xiong to copy it again, because I have lost the notebook he sent.

I bit the bullet and re-read these two books; I controlled my handwriting and only revised a few words.They have become more or less historical material, and I will not be allowed to delete and add to them or rewrite them at all.But they belong to me at last, and I still retain a little sovereignty, so I can make up for them sporadically. The style of "Series" places a requirement on the author, he has to recall the writing process and experience at that time in the preface.In our creation, our imagination is often poor and poor, but when we recall, whether it is a few days or decades ago, whether it is about ourselves or others, our imagination is suddenly rich, surprising and frightening.I know that my will is weak and I can't stand the temptation of this kind of creative memory, so I simply don't have any memories and memories.Two small books are not worth having their own sequence, so this one can be used for two purposes.

August 1982