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Chapter 120 0117 [Does a Peking University Professor Also Play Three Kingdoms Kill?]

The Ming Dynasty Veritable Records contains approximately 1600 million characters. The work of proofreading, punctuation, and collation is extremely complicated and cannot be completed by one or two scholars.

In Taiwan, a red-lined edition of the "Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty" was reprinted in 1962.

Peking University obtained the Taiwanese reprint in 1963 and used it as the base text, along with other versions, to make corrections and additions.

However, the work was interrupted at a certain period.

The project was restarted after 1977. Due to various reasons, the project team members changed a lot, and it is no longer possible to say exactly how many people participated.

Compared to the Taiwanese reprint, Peking University's version corrects more than 10,000 historical errors and omissions, and also includes appendices of historical materials such as the "Veritable Records of Chongzhen" and the "Long Compilation of Chongzhen".

The project was so large that some omissions still existed, and every now and then someone would find another one.

Chen Guiliang parked his bicycle in front of the teaching building and was chatting idly with a classmate.

As they continued talking, Chen Guiliang said, "Excuse me, I still need to ask the teacher some questions."

"Goodbye then."

"Goodbye."

After waving goodbye, Chen Guiliang quickly stepped forward and blocked Professor Wang, who had just finished class: "Hello, Professor Wang, may I ask you a question?"

Professor Wang is 60 years old this year. He is an expert in the study of Ming and Qing history and one of the instructors of the Yuanpei Class's exclusive course "History of Chinese Civilization".

He carried his briefcase and adjusted his glasses: "Let's talk as we walk."

Chen Guiliang immediately went to push his bicycle and jogged to catch up: "Professor Wang, why are there discrepancies between the records in the History of Ming and the Veritable Records of Ming regarding the restoration of Emperor Yingzong of Ming?"

Professor Wang stopped and carefully examined Chen Guiliang: "Are you a graduate student in the History Department?"

"I'm a freshman in the Yuanpei Class, and you'll be teaching us next semester," Chen Guiliang said, seizing the opportunity to get closer to the student.

Professor Wang was slightly surprised: "Freshmen are already reading the 'Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty'?"

Chen Guiliang said, "I am writing a popular science novel about the history of the Ming Dynasty. It's not even a beginner's book. It's written specifically for readers who are not familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty. I hope it will make more people interested in and understand the Ming Dynasty, and thus attract them to study the Ming Dynasty."

“This is a great idea,” Professor Wang said. “There is indeed not much public attention to the Ming Dynasty; it is far less popular than the Song and Qing Dynasties.”

In 2004, the Ming Dynasty was not yet a popular topic on the internet.

Chen Guiliang said, "When I was writing, I found some discrepancies between the History of Ming and the Veritable Records of Ming. Especially recently, when I was investigating the coup of Emperor Yingzong of Ming."

Professor Wang continued walking forward, smiling as he said, "The content of the History of Ming regarding Emperor Yingzong's restoration abandons the Veritable Records and instead quotes unofficial histories, which is why the accounts don't match up."

"Why use unofficial histories when official histories are available?" Chen Guiliang asked, showing great interest in learning.

Professor Wang explained, "Because the 'Veritable Records of Emperor Yingzong of Ming' was forged, and the forgery was very obvious."

"To avoid offending the respected one?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Professor Wang nodded: "The scholars who compiled the 'Veritable Records of Emperor Yingzong of Ming' were both trying to avoid mentioning the emperor's faults and leaving clues. These clues happen to match up with many unofficial histories and other biographies in the 'History of Ming.' Therefore, when the Qing Dynasty compiled the 'History of Ming,' they carefully examined this part of the content. Emperor Yingzong's restoration must have been a military coup."

Chen Guiliang asked, "Did Emperor Jingtai die of illness, or was he murdered?"

“It remains questionable,” Professor Wang said. “The ‘Veritable Records of Emperor Yingzong of Ming’ contains many embellishments regarding the death of Emperor Jingtai. The more embellished it is, the more people doubt the truth. Some unofficial histories say he was strangled, but this is an isolated piece of evidence. It is now difficult to verify, so we can only say it remains questionable, and the possibility of an unnatural death is very high.”

"Thank you for your explanation, Professor Wang," Chen Guiliang said respectfully.

Professor Wang was quite pleased: "It's rare to see young people who enjoy studying history. It's even more remarkable that you've started reading the 'Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty' at such a young age. You in the Yuanpei Class can choose your courses freely, so please take more of my classes next time. If you have any questions in the future, feel free to come to me anytime."

Chen Guiliang pulled out a printed copy of the first 30,000 words of "Those Things of the Ming Dynasty": "This is the rudimentary popular science book I wrote. I would appreciate Professor Wang's help in making corrections."

Professor Wang walked around reading the manuscript, saying, "Hey, your writing style is quite interesting."

Chen Guiliang said, "I posted it on Peking University BBS, and history majors described the book as a children's book."

“It is indeed written in a very simplistic style,” Professor Wang said. “Did anyone point out any mistakes you made?”

Chen Guiliang said, "No, that's not true. But some history students have criticized my evaluation of historical events as being too one-sided and superficial."

Professor Wang laughed and said, "That means you wrote it very successfully. They can't find any fault with it. Your book is an introductory book to popular science history, so it shouldn't be written in too much difficulty. Even professional historians will deliberately speak in a very simple way when giving lectures to ordinary students, because no one will listen if they don't speak in that way."

"Professor Wang is too kind," Chen Guiliang said.

Professor Wang asked, "How many words have you written?"

Chen Guiliang said, "I have about 300,000 words, but I plan to write more than a million words."

Professor Wang said, "I can help you contact Peking University Press. Peking University has many academic monographs, but your kind of introductory book that respects official history is relatively rare. I think it's worth promoting. When it's published, I'll write the preface for you."

Before I even asked, the professor offered to write the preface?

Chen Guiliang said, "Thank you for your attention, Professor Wang, but a publisher has already taken a liking to this book."

"Which publishing house?" Professor Wang asked.

Chen Guiliang said, "It's a newly established publishing company. They are very sincere, guaranteeing a minimum of 15% tiered revenue sharing. If it sells well, the maximum royalty could be 20%."

"20%? You haven't run into a scammer, have you?" Professor Wang asked in surprise.

Even if he publishes the book himself, the royalties won't exceed 10%. Because the sales of historical monographs are limited... Chen Guiliang said, "He's not a fraud. This person used to be a well-known writer and a shareholder of a literary website. After the website was acquired, he cashed out his shares and turned to publishing. This person is very good at hype. My book wasn't even finished yet, and he was already promoting it in newspapers and online."

Professor Wang laughed and said, "You're lucky to have met someone so generous right after you started writing your book. You didn't come here to ambush me just to get me to write the preface, did you?"

"I mainly want to ask you some questions," Chen Guiliang did not deny.

Professor Wang wasn't angry: "Although I'm somewhat well-known in academia, the average reader has never heard of this old-fashioned person. My writing a preface for you won't boost sales."

Seeing that he was easy to talk to, Chen Guiliang simply joked, half-jokingly, "I'm afraid I'll be criticized for writing something too plain. I'd like to ask you to help me endorse it."

“I’m just a shield,” Professor Wang laughed. “Come on, I’ll find you another one. That professor has also turned to popularizing history in the last two years, and he’ll definitely love your book. He’s the vice president of the Chinese Ming History Society, just like me. Although he’s not from Peking University, he often comes to Peking University to give lectures on Ming history.”

Professor Wang took out his phone and made a call: "Old Shang, are you done with your lecture? Okay, I'll come over to find you."

Chen Guiliang had already guessed who it was when he heard the word "Old Shang," and later he even talked about the Yongle Emperor on the "Lecture Room" program.

Some well-meaning people commented that he was good at popularizing things, but lacked innovation.

But Professor Shang started receiving government subsidies when he was in his forties.

Chen Guiliang continued to ask Professor Wang questions about history, some of which he genuinely didn't understand, and some he deliberately feigned ignorance. Anyway, asking questions was fine, which suited Professor Wang's tastes perfectly; he liked students asking him for advice.

Professor Shang and Professor Wang had a very good personal relationship. They had worked together at Peking University to proofread the "Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty" and were frequently invited to give lectures at Peking University.

"Old Wang, you've taken on a new student?" Professor Shang glanced at Chen Guiliang.

Professor Wang laughed and said, "A freshman came to me to ask about the 'Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty.' He asked me why there are discrepancies between the 'History of Ming' and the 'Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty' regarding Emperor Yingzong's restoration."

"A freshman is a rare find; you seem like a promising student," Professor Shang asked. "What's your name?"

Chen Guiliang bowed and said, "Hello, Professor Shang, my name is Chen Guiliang."

Professor Shang laughed too: "You wrote 'Those Things About the Ming Dynasty' on Tianya Forum, right?"

"Professor Shang also uses Tianya Forum?" Chen Guiliang feigned surprise.

Professor Shang was pleased with this reaction: "Do you think I'm an old fogey? I'm a long-time internet user, I've been online for years. I not only know you're writing 'Those Things About the Ming Dynasty,' but I also know you organized a campus beauty pageant on the school's intranet."

Chen Guiliang said with shame, "I am ashamed."

Professor Shang questioned, "Why is it that only students are allowed to register accounts on the school's intranet? When I, a teacher, try to register an account, I'm forced to choose my department and class."

"Well... there are still features to be developed," Chen Guiliang replied ambiguously.

Professor Wang asked, "What kind of campus belle selection is this?"

Professor Shang pointed at Chen Guiliang: "This student created a website where students can vote for the most beautiful girl in the department and the most beautiful girl in the school. The activity has even spread to our area."

Professor Wang found it fascinating: "You young people are so creative! We didn't have these opportunities back then."

"Back then, we also had class beauties, department beauties, and school beauties, but they were all randomly chosen in private and we didn't dare to talk about it openly," Professor Shang said.

Professor Shang sat in front of the computer, logged into the school's intranet as a guest, and said to Professor Wang, "Come and take a look. This is the intranet he created... Wow, nine universities are already selecting their campus beauties. Your website has a lot of influence."

Professor Wang curiously came over to take a look, and he seemed to be enjoying it immensely.

Chen Guiliang thought to himself: Have you two gone off-topic?

Professor Shang said, "One of my students said that this website has many other functions, such as creating and joining groups. There are history interest groups where students can discuss historical issues online. Um... Xiao Chen, could you come over and demonstrate it?"

Chen Guiliang could only log in to his own account and apply to join a history interest group.

Professor Wang sat in front of the computer for a long time and praised, "This is very good. Students from different grades and departments, as long as they love history, can discuss it together without leaving home."

Professor Shang asked, "So, when will teachers be able to register on the school's intranet?"

"I'll get the programmers to develop it as soon as I get back."

Seeing their interest in the internet, Chen Guiliang changed the subject to the game "Three Kingdoms Kill": "I also made a historical game, which was just launched two days ago. Would you two like to try it out?"

Professor Wang is not interested in games.

Professor Shang said, "Download it and take a look."

There is currently no web version of "Three Kingdoms Kill"; you must download the client.

The internet speed here is quite fast. Professor Shang chatted and read the manuscript at the same time, and the Three Kingdoms Kill game was downloaded in no time.

"There are tutorial tasks for beginners here..." Chen Guiliang reminded him.

Professor Shang registered his game account as "Emperor Yongle," which shows that he really likes Zhu Di.

After finishing the introductory lesson, Professor Shang couldn't wait to enter the eight-person room, where Professor Wang sat next to him and watched with great interest.

These two seem to be getting hooked!

Sure enough, after watching a few rounds, Professor Wang said to Chen Guiliang, "Come to my office later and help me download the game. I don't know how to download it."

Chen Guiliang: "Okay..."

(End of this chapter)