1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 605 Book Gift
Sun Taoran is a freshman who enrolled at Peking University this year.

He was admitted with the fourth highest score in the liberal arts category in Jilin Province, and his major was National Economic Management.

This is still a bit difficult.

That year, Peking University admitted 26 liberal arts students from Jilin Province, while economics and management, being the most popular department at the time, only admitted 40 students nationwide, and only 2 from Jilin.

Three students from Sun Taoran's high school class were planning to apply.

This is not difficult to understand.

Which student wouldn't yearn for one of the best departments at one of China's best universities?
With immense honor, Sun Taoran came from the provincial capital to Beijing and entered Peking University to study.

"Old Sun, stop reading, let's go!" Sun Taoran's roommate called out. "Hurry up and get a good spot in front of us. A lot of important people are coming to show up today!"

"Big man?"

Sun Taoran was somewhat confused.

"Yes, they are all celebrities from all walks of life. I heard that even Jiang Xian is coming."

"Jiang Xian?!"

Sun Taoran immediately became interested.

Although he studied economics, Sun Taoran was quite artistic at heart. This kind of thing was very popular these days. In high school, he joined a small circle of talented men and beautiful women.

In his small circle, Sun Taoran often boasted of his exceptional talent, with many saying that his essays and poems were like those of a celestial being descending from heaven, transcending the mundane.

I remember that there was a girl in the class who wasn't doing well in math and other subjects. Everyone in the class was worried about her college entrance exams. So the teacher discussed with Sun Taoran about having this girl sit next to him so that he could help her whenever he wanted.

In those days, the importance of the college entrance examination was emphasized, and preparations began in the senior year of high school, unlike students in later generations who seem to start the countdown to the college entrance examination the moment they enter high school.

So, on New Year's Day before the college entrance examination, Sun Taoran wrote a poem to encourage this girl:
"You are my closest comrade-in-arms, my most formidable adversary, my dearest friend, and my most understanding confidant. I hope that one day, we can hold hands and bid our final farewell to life."

Yes, this is a kind of friendship unique to this era. They are not only good classmates and friends, but also promising young people who support each other and strive together.

In short, Sun Taoran's love for literature is ingrained in his very being, and his admiration for the name Jiang Xian is beyond measure.

His family was well-off; both his parents were college graduates, and the family had a strong cultural atmosphere, which allowed Sun Taoran to buy many books, most of which were works by Jiang Xian.

As a young writer, and one with very avant-garde ideas, Jiang Xian's works have an irresistible attraction for young people like Sun Taoran.

Now, upon hearing that Jiang Xian would be attending the ceremony, Sun Taoran felt as happy as if she were in a dream.

"is that true?"

"Is it really Jiang Xian?"

Sun Taoran grabbed his roommate, whom he had only known for a short time, and asked him to confirm things, fearing that the other person was making fun of him, a man from Northeast China.

"Absolutely true, Jiang Xian is Jiang Xian. Besides the one who writes books, who else could it be?"

"Hurry up and go."

Sun Taoran picked up the stool and ran.

Yes, these days almost every university gives students a small stool like this.

Square in shape, yellow in color, and about one meter tall, each freshman receives one upon registration. They are usually placed under the desk in the dormitory and are essential items for watching movies or attending large meetings outdoors, always readily available.

The most important point:
Return it upon graduation!
I rushed to the May Fourth Stadium, where it was already packed with people, each with a bench in hand.

Sun Taoran reacted quickly and led her roommates to a relatively good spot near the front, and the ceremony began soon after.

Relatively speaking, the atmosphere at the entrance ceremony was very casual.

How casual is it?

The vice principal and dean of academic affairs actually forgot to introduce the principal, Comrade Ding Shisun, during the introduction!
Everyone just laughed it off.

If this happened in another place or in another era, it would probably cause chaos and uproar.

Another notable figure is the renowned alumnus, Comrade Jiang Xian.

Before he was even introduced, Sun Taoran noticed the man sitting on the platform and thought he had an extraordinary bearing. He didn't really know what Jiang Xian looked like, just like many people who have read so much Tolstoy, Gorky, Ba Jin, and Mao Dun don't really know what these people look like.

Therefore, Sun Taoran guessed that this person was Jiang Xian.

Just as he had guessed, the dean of academic affairs introduced him as Comrade Jiang Xian, editor-in-chief of People's Literature and curator of the Museum of Modern Chinese Literature. The whole room immediately erupted in huge applause, with students clapping enthusiastically, which shows how popular Jiang Xian is among the students.

The elderly professors on the stage smiled and whispered among themselves, "Comrade Jiang Xian is truly an idol for young people."

“After all, most of his books are written for young people,” another old man chuckled.

Sun Taoran, sitting in the front row, was one of the "culprits" of the applause.

Jiang Xian, who was on the stage, gave a brief greeting and then handed the focus to the principal, who then gave the speech.

"Welcome to Peking University, students."

Ding Shisun picked up the microphone and smiled as he looked at the audience.

“You have come here from all over the country, and each of you has a story of struggle behind you.”

His eyes swept across the room.

“I know that some of you have come a long way, not only geographically, but also in terms of knowledge.”

Sun Taoran nodded unconsciously. The college entrance examination is indeed the greatest opportunity to change one's destiny in China, especially for children from ordinary families who want to get ahead. The college entrance examination is almost the only opportunity.

His parents were the first generation of college students in their families, which enabled them to move from the countryside to the provincial capital. It was also because of the college entrance examination that Sun Taoran was able to move from the provincial capital to Beijing.

Ding Shisun rarely spoke nonsense. His voice was calm and powerful. "I know that you are all outstanding students from various places. You have gone through the fierce competition of the college entrance examination to be able to sit here."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire stadium, "But today, I want to ask you all a question first—why do you study?" The stadium fell silent.

Sun Taoran was also stunned and began to think about the question.

"During the war-torn years, Peking University faculty and students persisted in teaching and research in order to preserve the flame of culture."

President Ding's voice deepened, "In the early days after liberation, everything was in ruins and needed to be rebuilt. Peking University students devoted themselves to national construction for the ideal of national rejuvenation, and now..."

He paused for a moment, then said, “Our country has now embarked on a new path, and what we need is not only technical experts, but also talents with independent thinking, humanistic concern, and an international perspective.”

Sun Taoran leaned forward slightly, deeply captivated by the principal's words.

"As a mathematician, I have spent my life dealing with numbers and formulas."

Principal Ding smiled and said, "But I always believe that what's more important than solving problems is understanding why we solve them; what's more important than acquiring knowledge is understanding how to use knowledge to serve a better life for humanity. I hope you can realize that what is truly important is invisible to the eye, but can only be seen with the heart."

As soon as Ding Shisun uttered his last sentence, students began to whisper among themselves.

"It sounds so familiar."

"It sounds like a line from 'The Little Prince'."

"is it?"

The students' doubts were soon confirmed.

Principal Ding adjusted his glasses. "I believe that learning is not only about learning to observe the world with your eyes, but more importantly, about learning to feel the world with your heart, and even more importantly, about the initial joy and purity of seeking knowledge."

"Some of you may have already noticed that I just quoted a line from a novel, namely Comrade Jiang Xian's novel 'The Little Prince,' which is also the most precious gift that Comrade Jiang Xian gave to Peking University."

As he spoke, Principal Ding picked up a thin book from the podium. “This book, ‘The Little Prince,’ may be familiar to some of you, or perhaps not. It is a fairy tale, but it is much more than just a fairy tale.”

"The Little Prince in the book travels to various planets and meets many strange adults, including a king obsessed with power, a businessman who only knows how to count stars, and a geographer who never actually explores the world."

"These adults are too focused on numbers and utilitarianism, and have forgotten what is truly important in life. So Comrade Jiang Xian taught us a lesson: what is truly important can only be seen with the heart."

"Comrade Jiang Xian presented this precious gift to Peking University. Now, on behalf of Peking University, I would like to present this precious spiritual wealth to our new students. On behalf of Peking University, I would like to present each new student with a copy of 'The Little Prince'."

Ding Shisun paused here, and had to pause, as the excited students below the stage gave him a tremendous round of applause, their faces beaming with excitement.

As the applause gradually subsided, Ding Shisun raised the small book in his hand:
"I asked you a question earlier, and now I'll ask another one—how will you spend your time at Peking University? Will you merely obtain a diploma, or will you pursue deeper values?"

After giving the audience a few seconds to think, Ding Shisun continued:

"Peking University has its own motto: Patriotism, Progress, Democracy, and Science."

President Ding slowly explained, “These eight characters are not only a proverb engraved on a stone tablet, but should also become the guiding principle in the hearts of every Peking University student.”

"I am very pleased that I can talk about these eight words and these four principles through this novel today."

A murmur of discussion arose from the audience.

“Patriotism begins with loving the people of this land.” Principal Ding turned the page of the book. “The Little Prince said, ‘You are responsible for what you have tamed.’ True patriotism is being responsible for those whose fate we share.”

He continued, "'Progress' is not only the accumulation of knowledge, but also the growth of the soul. The Little Prince constantly reflects and thinks during his journey, and this reflection is the source of progress."

"Democracy lies in respecting every unique life. Every character the Little Prince encounters—the king, the merchant, the lamplighter—has his own way of seeing the world. And what Peking University aims to cultivate is not a set of cookie-cutter talents, but thinkers with unique characteristics."

"The spirit of science lies in the pursuit of truth. As I hope you will remember: 'What is essential is invisible to the eye; it is with the heart that one can see it.' Scientific exploration requires not only rationality but also intuition and imagination, and it requires maintaining a childlike curiosity."

"Therefore, what I want to give you is not just a novel, but a mirror."

"I hope that you will always remember your original aspirations on your journey of learning, keep in mind the responsibilities that Peking University students should have, and never forget the most fundamental human desires—the feeling of beauty, the need for love, and the pursuit of meaning."

"I've finished speaking."

As Ding Shisun finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause and laughter once again. This was a deep expression of gratitude for the principal's wisdom in understanding the implied meaning and his open-mindedness in accepting advice.

On the other side, it wasn't just the students who were excited, but also the reporters from several well-known print media outlets.

As the best institution of higher learning in the country, the opening ceremony is also a topic worth discussing in the eyes of the media.

Wang Xiaozhen, a reporter from the Humanities Press, has covered Peking University's freshman commencement ceremony twice. The earliest one was in 81, when university leaders introduced the infamous Feng Xiaogang book theft incident at the ceremony.

— He was a student from Beijing Foreign Studies University with excellent grades. One night, he sneaked into the Weigongcun Bookstore under the cover of darkness, intending to steal a French-Chinese dictionary to use for learning French. While he was stealing the book, he was discovered by a clerk. In a panic, Feng Da grabbed something and threw it at the clerk, which caused a great deal of public opinion at the time.

The man was quickly apprehended. He refused to accept a lawyer and instead offered his own defense, stating that as a graduate student, he needed a French-Chinese dictionary but couldn't afford it, so he resorted to stealing it. He was discovered stealing and, in the ensuing chaos, accidentally killed the person, claiming it was not intentional.

In his self-defense, he also quoted a famous saying by Sartre: "Existence precedes essence."

To be fair, he misused a famous quote, focusing only on Sartre from abroad and forgetting Kong Yiji's famous line from China: "Can a scholar's actions be called stealing?"

At the time, the leaders of Peking University did not shy away from recounting the incident in detail, which left a deep impression on Wang Xiaozhen.

This time, Peking University President Ding Shisun presented the book and strongly recommended the novel, "The Little Prince," in his speech.

This is something worth talking about!
Ding Shisun's words were not a simple statement.

For progressive young people all over China, even the president of Peking University has recommended it. Will you take it or not?
For parents who hope their children will excel academically in the future, if the president of Peking University personally recommends it, would you let your child see it?

In conclusion, this ceremony, and Principal Ding Shisun's speech, are worth reporting, and very worth reporting.

Meanwhile, the librarians at Peking University were stunned. Students kept coming to borrow "The Little Prince," and within a short noon, the library's entire collection of "The Little Prince" was gone.

The library leaders couldn't help but smile knowingly when they heard about this.

There is nothing we can do about this.

After all, Ding Shisun only gave books to freshmen.

There are several classes of senior students above them.

(End of this chapter)