Returning to Zhao Shuli's roots of honest storytelling

Chinese writer Ma Boyong, 46, still vividly remembers an excerpt from The Rhymes of Li Youcai, a novella by Zhao Shuli (1906-70), that appeared in his school textbook more than three decades ago.

Reflecting on why the passage has stayed with him for so long, Ma said it was Zhao's rare ability to combine simplicity, sincerity and precision.

"Very few writers can master all three qualities and carry them to such an extraordinary level. His work truly reflects the power of returning to simplicity," Ma said during a welcoming ceremony in Qinshui county, Shanxi province, Zhao's hometown.

Ma was among several prominent authors invited to a literary gathering ahead of the 120th anniversary of Zhao's birth. Other participants included Chen Jiangong, Mai Jia and Qiu Huadong.

Organized by the China Writers Association, the event ran from July 23 to 25. During the visit, the writers toured Zhao's former residence and an exhibition dedicated to his life, met local readers, and discussed how classic native-soil literature continues to inspire contemporary writing for a broad audience.

"Literature can only thrive and remain vibrant when it is grounded in the lives of the people," says Zhang Hongsen, chairman of the China Writers Association.

"To strengthen that connection, we launched the 'Famous Writers Visit Local Communities' initiative, which brings high-quality literary resources directly to grassroots communities and encourages literature to reconnect with everyday life," he adds.

In 1943, at the age of 37, Zhao published his landmark novella Xiao Erhei Gets Married. Widely regarded as one of the earliest works in modern Chinese literature to celebrate romantic freedom among young people in rural China, it became a publishing phenomenon, selling 40,000 copies in rural areas within six months.

Drawing on village life, local dialects and traditional storytelling techniques, Zhao's works, including Xiao Erhei Gets Married, laid the foundation for the Shanxi Potato School, a literary movement known for its focus on rural communities and ordinary people's lives.

His works typically center on rural themes, offering deep insights into the inner world of farmers and their social environment, making a significant contribution to modern Chinese literature.

Chen Jiangong says Zhao's storytelling was deeply influenced by traditional folk narratives. Long before such techniques gained wider attention, Zhao adopted their episodic, free-flowing structure to shape characters such as Xiao Erhei, giving his stories remarkable flexibility, smooth transitions and a natural rhythm.

According to Chen, Zhao drew enduring strength from Chinese folk traditions. While Western literary theories and creative methods have introduced fresh perspectives to Chinese writers in recent years, many have imitated them too mechanically, often with limited success.

"By contrast, Zhao Shuli's writing, firmly rooted in local folk culture, offers valuable lessons for building a distinctly Chinese literary identity, exploring the depths of human nature, and portraying the complexities of a society in transition," Chen says.

Over the following three days, Qinshui hosted a series of literary activities, including conversations with acclaimed authors, book clubs, reader meet-and-greets, public lectures, and hands-on editing workshops.

Contact the writers at yangyangs@chinadaily.com.cn