Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

A simple expression of concern from an elder can feel like a sudden, emergency stop.

Wu Zhu, who had been drooling nonstop, suddenly froze on his face with a smile, and even swallowed the words he was about to say.

"He didn't pass! He didn't pass!"

With her Dao heart shattered, Yang Zizhen seized the opportunity to deliver the final blow.

Yang Huaizhong was puzzled when he saw that Wu Zhu did not refute him:

"How could that be? The paper is so well written, Professor Cai will definitely like it, it's impossible for it not to pass."

He got up in the middle of the night last night and found that the light in the south room was still on. When he went closer, he saw that Wu Zhu was still writing furiously by lamplight, preparing his paper for today's interview.

Out of curiosity, he glanced at it a few times and remembered the contents vividly.

His description of the necessity of promoting new literature is no less impressive than Hu Shi's "A Preliminary Discussion on Literary Reform." Most importantly, it is written with ease and naturalness, as if he did not need to think about it.

Cai Yuanpei proposed the policy of "inclusiveness" and promoted the relocation of "New Youth" from Shanghai to Yenching, just to introduce new ideas and break the old system of "studying for officialdom". In fact, he was an important protector of the new literature and could not possibly reject such an academic article.

Wu Zhu carefully crafted his words and truthfully confessed:

"According to the gatekeeper at Yenching University, President Cai has been on sick leave at home these past two days, and his close professors are taking turns teaching. I prepared a lecture on modern literature, but I ended up teaching Gu Hongming instead. I suppose it's because not many people attend his classes, so President Cai asked him to fill in..."

"In the end, we had a big argument, and he probably couldn't win the argument, so he kicked me out of the principal's office..."

Yang Huaizhong smiled helplessly.

Qian Xuantong, who had been silent all along, finally realized what was happening—

The young man before me was the same one who had argued with Gu Hongming at the Red Mansion not long ago!

So that's why they were arguing...

As a pioneer in the new literature camp who "respects" the old literature the most, how could he tolerate this?

"Snapped!"

The small stone table under the grape trellis almost fell apart.

Qian Xuantong covered his reddened palm, his face filled with anger:

"Damn it! That old man with the long braid, Gu Hongming, is going too far! He's misleading the youth and is a disgrace to Yenching University!"

"You wait! I'm going to Cai Gong's house right now. If Gu Hongming doesn't want you, I'll take you!"

After saying that, he got up and walked towards the door, seemingly intending to discuss academic matters with Gu Hongming after finishing his complaint.

Upon seeing this, Yang Zizhen's heart gradually became twisted.

Why? Why?!

Why is it that Wu Zhu has done so much since arriving in Yanjing, and is even sought after by idols?

But all he did was grind his teeth, displaying impotent rage.

He made up his mind to get rid of Wu Zhu as soon as possible, otherwise what would happen if this continued? Who wouldn't feel discouraged!

"Sir, please wait a moment."

"Professor Gu and I were merely having an academic debate. We are gentlemen who appreciate harmony even when we disagree. There's no need for me to argue with my colleague. Let's talk things out!"

Wu Zhu hurriedly got up, grabbed Qian Xuantong, and looked very earnest.

Yang Huaizhong looked satisfied.

"He's faking it! Look at his expression! Can't you tell?!" Yang Zizhen shouted in her heart, seeing through everything.

Qian Xuantong didn't really want to leave now; he was just putting on an act to see how Wu Zhu would choose. The result satisfied him, so he stopped in his tracks.

"In my opinion, your talent is more than enough to get into Yenching University and become a researcher, and after graduation, you would be more than qualified to become a professor. Gu Hongming cut off your studies, don't you resent him?"

"It's impossible not to hate, but in the end, I was just unlucky to run into Professor Gu. There's no use saying anything now. I only have one request."

"you say."

"The travel expenses for my trip to Yenching University were paid off by my father and brothers selling their property. It would be a real pity if I made the trip in vain. I hope you can convey to Principal Cai that I can be given an opportunity to study at Yenching University, even as an auditor. I will certainly not let you down."

Qian Xuantong was pleased to see that Wu Zhu's tone was serious and not fake, and immediately agreed.

Wu Zhu thought that Brother Li would arrive soon and would definitely need to stay at the Yang family's house, so he made another request before leaving:

"By the way, if any of your students are currently sharing an apartment and need a roommate, please introduce them to me. Since I already have royalties, I can't keep bothering Mr. Yang."

"No problem, just wait for my message."

Qian Xuantong readily agreed and took Wu Zhu's academic manuscripts. Even after saying so much, he was still cursing as he left, as if he wanted to fight Gu Hongming to the death.

Wu Zhu escorted him to the alley entrance, and as he watched his round, chubby back, his lips twitched.

He knew this man's temperament; he was a military man among civil officials, the kind of person who could get into a fight with someone during a debate.

Most people today are unaware of the charade performed by Wang Jingxuan and Liu Bannong in the third issue of Volume 4 of "New Youth" published on March 15th, but he, as a person of later generations, is naturally very clear about it.

At that time, the new literature camp was in an awkward situation of "no one opposing it".

In order to draw out the old literary camp, Liu Bannong, who came from the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School and was good at grabbing attention, directly conspired with Qian Xuantong. Qian Xuantong, under the pseudonym "Wang Jingxuan", staged a "pillar of the show" performance, pretending to be a remnant of the old literature and writing an article entitled "The Reaction to the Literary Revolution". He listed various crimes of the new literature, attacked vernacular Chinese, punctuation, and insulted several pioneers. Liu Bannong, as a reporter for "New Youth", refuted them one by one.

After its release, it successfully generated a huge response among young people, with many supporters and opponents. For example, Hu Shi criticized this method as "unrefined" while Lu Xun praised it as "lively, brave, and having fought several major battles."

Wu Zhu estimated the timeline and realized that the real storm was still brewing!

Now that Qian Xuantong is going to find Cai Yuanpei for him, Gu Hongming will probably be caught in the crossfire and suffer a lot.

Gu Tangsheng, Gu Tangsheng, blame your bad luck, but don't blame me, your student...

......

After Qian Xuantong left.

Yang Huaizhong and Wu Zhu returned to the courtyard together. Yang Zizhen was still in a daze and seemed to be trying to escape her lesson by pretending to be crazy.

"Wu Zhu, I have a spare room here. Why don't you stay here for the time being? It's just an extra pair of chopsticks, it won't make a difference."

"Thank you for inviting me to stay, sir. Since I am capable, I cannot keep troubling others. I will definitely come to visit you often in the future."

"Good ambition! You're much more sensible than my disobedient son. I won't keep you any longer. I'll treat you to Donglaishun lunch later. The women in the house aren't here, so I can't neglect you."

"Sir, you are too kind. I will gladly accept your offer."

Wu Zhu knew Donglaishun; it was a restaurant specializing in mutton and a representative famous restaurant in the inner city. Even in later generations, it would still hold the top spot among mutton restaurants in Yanjing. When he was studying in his previous life, he would occasionally go there with his classmates to split the bill for a big meal. Now, with this mention, his craving was awakened.

When Yang Zizhen heard that Wu Zhu was eager to leave and that she could take him to Donglaishun for a nice meal before he left, she was overjoyed. If it weren't for the fact that the trial hadn't been over yet, she would have laughed out loud.

Unexpectedly, Yang Huaizhong's tone suddenly changed:

"How many times have I told you! Students should read books that can save the country and the world, or at the very least, books that are beneficial to their mind and body. What kind of rubbish do those pretentious writers of the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School write? They promote cynical, hedonistic, and decadent ideas. What can you learn from reading them!"

He could not be considered a pioneer of the new literature, but his views on the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School were in line with those of the new literature.

Yang Zizhen slid down to her knees decisively, thus avoiding a beating.

Completely disregarding the presence of outsiders, she even secretly glanced at Wu Zhu, the meaning of which was obvious: Save the child!

How could Wu Zhu be so kind-hearted?

I can still vividly recall his arrogant expression from not long ago!

Wu Zhu stopped observing the fatherly love and filial piety and walked alone towards the south room, silently preparing for his next novel.

Working for "New Youth" would only earn me enough to make a living; publishing two copies at once was unrealistic, as Chen Zhongfu would definitely shamelessly ask for credit.

So I still need to hurry up and prepare the novel, and then change my pen name to submit it to other editorial departments, otherwise I won't have anything to say to my fellow villagers when I go home for the New Year.

What should I write about?

"Clang clang clang!"

The sound of cart wheels echoed through the alley, accompanied by the warning sound of a brass bell.

In that instant, Wu Zhu seized upon a fleeting inspiration, like lightning.