Literary Master 1983

Chapter 391 Reversal
This novel was written by Yu Qie in September and quietly published in an American literary journal, where it received a good response. It was subsequently reprinted by several science fiction magazines, sparking a wave of discussion within a small circle.

By October, the novel had gained some fame, but it hadn't yet become a mainstream phenomenon.

Until Allende began to actively endorse the novel.

That day, many citizens across the United States read the novel through a book review in The New York Times. On Long Island, New York, Watson had just finished eating a sandwich when his assistant excitedly ran towards him, clutching the New York Times article in his hand.

"Mr. Watson!"

"What's the rush? Which kind and righteous celebrity criticized me this time?" Watson sneered.

"No, this time it's not criticism! You have to see this!"

"Oh my god! A big guy is here!"

Watson felt a chill run down his spine when he saw that the newspaper was The New York Times.

Currently, the main reason Watson is facing widespread criticism is an interview in The Times in which he expressed prejudice against Black people's intelligence. Watson has made many outrageous statements throughout his life, but within his inner circle, people have always treated him well, so he has never really been targeted.

But The Times, being a global newspaper, suddenly put him in a difficult position. The live televised debate further cemented his downfall, making him somewhat afraid of such a major newspaper.

Moreover, The New York Times is a major newspaper that originated locally.

Before opening it, Watson joked to himself, "I've been chased from the British Isles to the American mainland, and now I've finally arrived in New York?"

"In a while, I'm afraid there won't be a place for me in America!" Watson sighed.

His assistant, however, looked on with anticipation and turned the newspaper to the page featuring "Watson," only to find the headline: "James Steps onto the Altar of Reality!"
"The Way of Dawn" is Dongfang Yu's latest work. He wrote about a non-existent "Universal Unification of the Universe" ultimate mystery. Many scientists are willing to give up their lives and walk to the "Altar of Truth" in the desert to sacrifice their lives, just to "know"!

Confucius described this spirit as, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening." Scientists, upon learning the truth, transform into bright flames in the sky, soaring higher and higher until they disappear from this world forever.

"Were their sacrifices in vain? Of course not. They were a manifestation of our human thirst for knowledge, showcasing a sublime and transcendent beauty."

The article then abruptly shifts its focus, suddenly mentioning Professor James Watson. "This young man, since the 1950s, has been striving to uncover the secrets of the human genome… One day, he discovered he had perceived some kind of hidden secret, and he resolved to reveal it!"

"..."

Allende described Watson's obsessive pursuit of intellect as a scientist's pursuit of truth. He was willing to give up his life, wealth, and fame, only to know the truth and prove it.

Although he was discriminatory, you shouldn't condemn him outright. Besides, what he said might not necessarily be wrong.

At the end of the article, Allende discussed the discriminatory language used by some of America's "founding fathers": Mount Rushmore in the United States features the heads of four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.

None of the four people were not prejudiced against Black people.

"The founding father George Washington supported slavery, and his thoughts need no further explanation; Jefferson had six children with a black female slave, but he didn't acknowledge any of them, or even admit to having had any connection with 'dirty blacks'; Lincoln freed the slaves, but did he stop being discriminatory? He was also discriminatory; he only treated blacks as tools, never as human beings."

"By the time of Theodore Roosevelt (1932), it was very close to our time today. Black people across America, hearing that he would end the brutal lynching of Black people after his election, voted for him. However, after Roosevelt took office, he refused to sign the bill!"

“These American ‘founding fathers’ all harmed Black people! No one blamed them! And now, we blame a scientist who has benefited the world.”

Watson was overjoyed at the sight: this man was clearly speaking up for him!
Who is Allende?
After some investigation, Watson realized that Allende was actually a very important person. Allende's full name was Isabel Allende, and she held a special position in the Latin American world because she was not only the only woman in the "Latin American Boom," but also the niece of former Chilean President Allende, and an exiled opinion leader.

Isabel Allende wrote for American newspapers for many years, working her way up from reporter to magazine editor and television director... She was very famous.

The assistant said, "Mr. Watson, with her speaking on your behalf, you can rest easy for a while."

This is also true.

The New York Times, a publication targeting middle-class readers across the United States, precisely resonated with those who currently held grievances against Watson. On Long Island, New York, many researchers at the lab saw the article that day and specifically congratulated Watson. Elsewhere in the US, readers were also moved; people didn't understand why Allende would get involved in Watson's mess, but upon reflection, Watson hadn't really done too many wrong things.

He's just discriminating against Black people.

In the United States in the 1980s, would this have been a capital offense?

This article served as a rallying cry, suddenly drawing many Latin American writers to speak in support of Watson. The four leading figures of Latin American literature all commented on Yu Che's new work, *The Road to Dawn*, and then subtly mentioned "James Watson."

They either openly sided with Watson, or offered a perspective that "Watson wasn't wrong; the problem lies with American society."

Watson suddenly felt that his situation in the United States, where he was universally condemned, was improving.

"Who exactly has this kind of influence?"

The answer is obvious: it is Yuqie.

Yuche and Carmen's reconciliation prompted Carmen to urge the writers to speak on his behalf. This group of Latin American writers had always had a good communication mechanism; knowing they were isolated in the Western world, they promoted their books among themselves and met regularly.

Whenever a big shot in the camp releases a new work, there are many promotional articles.

Watson called Yu Qie to verify the matter. Yu Qie did not admit it, but said cryptically, "I don't think you should have ended up like this, because you helped me."

Watson was deeply moved and immediately burst into tears: "Everyone is criticizing me now, and I thought you were the last person I wanted to be associated with, but you reached out to help me. I will always remember your help."

One by one, writers stepped forward to indirectly improve Watson's public image by discussing the novel *The Road to Dawn*. The media realized that this seemingly deadlocked topic had regained value and began reporting on opinions supporting Watson, demonstrating their neutrality.

The first peak of the situation occurred during Vargas Llosa's interview.

By this time, Vargas Llosa had already risen to a high-ranking position in Peru, becoming the chairman of the Peruvian National Front and preparing to run for the next presidential election. In order to win the votes of the Peruvian people, Vargas Llosa's stance began to shift to the right, and he specifically said things that could please the Peruvians.

The "race card" is the card Vargas Llosa played this round.

Peru is a nation-state composed of mixed white and indigenous peoples, as well as many Japanese immigrants; it is the only country without Black people.

Watson's outrageous remarks are beneficial to Peru—regardless of whether white people or Asians are more intelligent, they are all Peruvians anyway.

Why not say something that will make the people happy?
Vargas Llosa then said, "The United States has been persecuting sincere people, even its own citizens. While we may not have the secret to unification, we do have respect for Nobel laureates."

He invited Watson to visit Chile. American television stations reported on this, and Watson's condition improved afterward.

By mid-October, Watson had attracted a large following of supporters. An American real estate businessman became known as "Watson's Little Warrior," believing every word Watson said made sense. He also expressed his indignation at Watson being criticized for speaking the truth.

"They know Mr. Watson is reading those critical comments about him, and Mr. Watson is indeed reading them! You know what? The key thing is that Mr. Watson doesn't care."

Watson was deeply moved, and his condition improved dramatically in just two weeks. Some white elites across the country privately expressed their sympathy to Watson; although they dared not speak out publicly, they promised to provide him with protection.

This is directly related to Yu Qie's novels.

"The Road to Dawn" is a novel with a greater influence abroad, and it frequently mentions those great physicists—most of whom are white, with very few being of Asian descent.

There are no Black people.

Many people have noticed this phenomenon. When some Black critics try to direct their criticism at Yuche, Yuche's fans say, "He just wrote some facts; he doesn't have any opinions in it."

Watson's son also gave an interview, saying, "My father wasn't a bigoted or discriminatory person; he just had a preference for highly intelligent people. And in fact, there are indeed differences in intelligence among humans."

This statement, coming from Watson's son, is particularly abstract.

Because of nationwide media coverage, it's widely known that his son suffers from schizophrenia, commonly known as a mental illness. Given that such a person can speak fluently and confidently during interviews, it's hard to imagine why someone who speaks incoherently and is almost completely socialized would protest against "discrimination."

Meanwhile, there's also good news from China.

Also in October, Yang Zhenning visited the grave of his friend Deng Xian at Babaoshan Cemetery, accompanied by Yu Qie.

The two discussed the recent controversy surrounding Watson. Yang Zhenning asked, "Your book 'The Road to Dawn' is alright, but why did you write a novel about that Watson? And you even gave him the name James. Why don't you just call yourself Yang Zhenning? Don't I pursue the truth?"

"Watson's remarks indirectly helped Chinese students."

"Am I the same?"

"Do you still need me to write articles to praise you? Even if I don't, you will still help your compatriots."

"Well!" Yang Zhenning laughed. "Turns out I'm not as diplomatically valuable as Watson."

"That's not true... Please don't misunderstand me." Yu Qie smiled helplessly.

Many people came to sweep the tombs, but the main focus was on Yang Zhenning and Yu Qie. Deng Xian's name became very famous among later Chinese people, but due to the secrecy policy at this time, not many people knew about Deng Xian.

Therefore, Yang Zhenning believes that Yu Qie did not know Deng Xian, and he kept recalling his friendship with Deng Xian and introducing this person along the way.

“Our fathers were family friends and were of similar age. When we were studying in the United States, although we were on different campuses, we often corresponded and encouraged each other.”

"After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chinese scientists at that time faced a choice—whether to go back or stay here."

Yang Zhenning looked at Yu Qie and said, "I won't talk about politics here, I'll only talk about science. The scientific foundation in the United States is better, while China is full of gaps. Going back means that my life will have nothing to do with cutting-edge science, and I can only be someone who fills the gaps in the country. A scientist's life is wasted like this, and many people are unwilling to accept it..."

At this point, Yang Zhenning let out a long sigh.

Yu Qie said, "That's why Deng Xiaoping was a great man. There are many people who go with the flow, but not many who dare to change the world."

“Great?” Yang Zhenning pursed his lips, appearing deeply saddened.

Seeing Yang Zhenning's expression, everyone else also became exceptionally solemn. They saw Yang Zhenning stroking Deng Xian's tombstone, leaning against it, seemingly lost in thought, recalling countless memories.

Finally, he said, "To be honest, from the perspective of human physics, I am certainly greater than him; but from the perspective of Chinese people, I am far from being comparable to him."

Yu Qie had heard this phrase before, but it happened on television news in his previous life.

Yu Qie was right in front of Yang Zhenning, and he witnessed this scene firsthand.

On the way back, Yang Zhenning gradually relaxed. He saw Yu Qie presenting flowers to Wang Shimin, the former editor-in-chief of "October" magazine. After learning what had happened, he praised him as a "great editor".

After descending the mountain, Yang Zhenning once again discussed Yu Qie's two most recent novels.

"The Rural Teacher" and "The Road to Dawn".

He felt that these two novels were much better than "Metro." Because they didn't involve any particularly detailed science fiction settings or any groundbreaking plot holes, the science fiction might seem less "hard," but Yang Zhenning actually preferred them.

Both novels praise the spirit of seeking truth.

It's just that everyone seeks "truth" differently.

He said, "The village teacher teaching Newton's three laws of motion before he died, and James sacrificing himself to pursue the mystery of unification, are both acts of pursuing truth. I think of Deng Xian, who also sought his own truth."

Yu Qie took the opportunity to ask him what he thought of Watson.
Yang Zhenning certainly knew about Watson's background and the research Watson had done.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that the "James" character created in Yu Qie's novel was speaking out for Watson.

"I thought you were just using his name, but it turns out you're actually speaking up for this person?"

"correct."

"That's a pity! James is a liar. Although he has made some contributions, he talks too much nonsense. I will not speak for such a person."

Yu Qie then recounted everything that had happened since he met Watson.

Yang Zhenning was shocked: "Watson is actually a person who is friendly to China... I didn't expect that he would have such a strange disease. He probably has aversion to stupidity."

"Somiasis?"

"You probably don't know this, but aversion to stupidity is quite common in academia."

(End of this chapter)