Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

The afternoon should have been leisurely, but bursts of loud noises shattered the tranquility of the Yenching University campus.

"Gu Tangsheng! To be old and disrespectful is to be a beast!"

"Qian Zixuan, how dare you insult your peers! How can you be so arrogant and absurd!"

"Your abuse of power to suppress students is a disgrace to Yenching University and a disgrace to the old Chinese Literature School!"

"Hmph! How can someone who disrespects teachers and values ​​the Way be allowed into this Yenching Garden? That brat managed to find you, he's quite capable. I'm not involved in this matter; if you have any questions, consult Lord Cai!"

"Return Master Cai! Master Cai wants you to go to the principal's office for a report!"

"What goes around comes around. I'll see how long you Protestant believers can keep up your rampage!"

As the academic debate between Qian Xuantong and Gu Hongming unfolded, Wu Zhu was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, becoming a household name throughout Yenching University.

Even students from other schools who came to make connections knew that a student from Hunan had come to Yenching University to apply for a research fellowship and had a conflict with Gu Hongming. They directly invited Qian Xuantong to support him.

Students who are close to the members of the "New Youth" magazine have already learned that this student from Hunan has recently written a new vernacular novel, which is said to have the quality of "Diary of a Madman". He is highly regarded by the members of the "New Youth" magazine and President Cai, and it is almost certain that he will be admitted to the National Yenching University Institute of Chinese Literature. However, it is still up for discussion which professor he will be assigned to.

Now it seems that he was most likely under Qian Xuantong's command.

However, as the highest institution of learning in China at that time, Yenching University was never short of influential figures. Amid the country's internal and external troubles, the personal popularity came and went quickly, and ultimately it did not make much of a splash.

Because arguing with a conservative professor is not a rare occurrence, only a small number of people are looking forward to a novel that rivals "Diary of a Madman".

Of course, many people believe that rumors will stop with the wise.

What is "Diary of a Madman"?

This is the first vernacular novel in China to date, breaking the monopoly of classical Chinese in literary creation, a feat that even the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School, which claimed to be popular, could not achieve.

Furthermore, the satire and metaphors within are practically a unique battle cry against reality, something that ordinary writers could not achieve.

Even now that Lu Xun has stopped writing, his students who admire him believe that no one can stand shoulder to shoulder with him in the short term.

Some people say that suddenly, like Sun Wukong in "Journey to the West," a student might pop out of some remote village and easily create a similar novel. Who would believe that?

Located on Jingshan East Street, Yenching University West Dormitory is where students live, and conversations about it can be overheard occasionally.

"Mengzhen, how credible do you think the rumors about that Hunan student are?"

"Me? Zero points? Absolutely fake! There's no way that's possible!"

Inside room number four of the West Dormitory, eight wooden beds were neatly arranged, and mosquito nets were uniformly pulled up, making the overall space quite simple.

Fu Mengzhen, a Chinese literature undergraduate, was wearing only a short-sleeved shirt. He sat casually at his desk, eating a sesame seed cake without any regard for his image, and occasionally picked up a palm-leaf fan to cool down.

Dressed like Gu Jiegang, a philosophy undergraduate, he sat cross-legged on the bed, shaking his head.

"I don't think so. As the saying goes, there's no smoke without fire, so there must be some truth to this rumor."

"Alright! I think that student just had an argument with Professor Gu, which happened to be overheard by Mr. Qian, who then stood up to speak out for justice."

Gu Jiegang hesitated.

Fu Mengzhen was Huang Kan's prized student, and Huang Kan, along with Gu Hongming and Liu Shipei, were known as the Three Eccentrics of Yenching University, famous for their profound scholarship, peculiar personality and behavior.

Most importantly, all three were well-known staunch opponents of the new literature movement, with Huang Kan being the most arrogant.

"Uh... isn't using 'speaking out for justice' a bit inappropriate? Professor Gu is in cahoots with Professor Huang, isn't saying that just giving the other side credit?"

"I heard from my classmates that the student from Hunan was just there to study, but Professor Gu kicked him out of the school because of an academic dispute. How is that any different from Professor Huang verbally abusing students? They should be treated separately! I can't stand it!"

"But it's said that the student started the trouble first..."

Faced with the loud voice, Gu Jiegang's voice was weak.

Fu Mengzhen didn't care at all. He ate the sesame seed cake until his mouth was greasy, then casually opened a copy of "New Youth" and read it with great interest.

As a recognized "Yellow Gate Attendant," he had already "betrayed and surrendered to the enemy" when the New Literature Movement was gaining momentum. At the beginning of the year, he published an article entitled "A Declaration of Literary Reform" in New Youth, responding to the propositions of the New Literature Movement.

Huang Kan intended to groom him as a successor in classical studies, but he took such a "betrayal of his master" action, and the differences between the two became more and more serious. When discussing matters, they naturally no longer cared about the relationship between their master and disciple, and it was only a matter of time before they broke up publicly.

Judging from Fu Mengzhen's words and actions, he seemed indifferent to this teacher-student relationship, and even seemed poised to sever the old relationship in order to embrace the new literature.

"Jiegang, Professor Chen and his colleagues founded 'New Youth,' so could we, as students, also start a magazine?"

"Um?"

Gu Jiegang, who had just lain down, sat up again upon hearing this.

Fu Mengzhen was extremely excited, raised the copy of "New Youth" in his hand, and shouted loudly:

"It's difficult for us to submit articles to *New Youth* these days. I have a lot to say to everyone, so why don't we start our own magazine? Besides, there are rumors these days that some students can rival Lu Xun, so our magazine might just replace *New Youth*!"

"Huh? Us?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? Just one question: are you in or not?"

"Let's do it! But we can write the articles ourselves, where are we going to get the money for distribution?"

Gu Jiegang, who was still quite rational, poured cold water on the idea, and Fu Mengzhen, who had been very enthusiastic, also fell into deep thought when she heard the question.

Even a hero can be brought down by a lack of money. We're all students, what should we do if we're broke...?

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

Fu Mengzhen took out another sesame seed cake from the oil paper bag and tore it apart in big bites.

"Ugh! Waaah!"

"What's wrong!"

My throat is... watery...

.......

at the same time.

The small playground of Yenching University's Red Building.

Yang Zizhen sat listlessly on the steps, playing with ants with a twig.

Wu Zhu still can't move out today, but after having hot pot at Donglaishun, he went out for a stroll, saying he wanted to see the everyday life of Yanjing and find inspiration for his next novel. It's infuriating to compare yourself to others!

Yang Huaizhong had classes scheduled for the afternoon, so to prevent him from secretly reading those frivolous books by the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School while he was home alone, they decided to bring him along to Yenching University as well.

Actually, he was excited because there were many idols there, and he could ask them for autographs one by one.

If I'm lucky enough to get a couple of pointers, I can brag about it to my classmates when school starts.

My buddy is someone Chen Zhongfu has only nodding acquaintance with!

But the professors were all very busy and had no time to deal with a naive high school student. He wandered around the school alone for a while but couldn't find a single playmate.

"Hey! Yang Zizhen!"

A clear, bell-like female voice rang out from not far away.

Yang Zizhen pricked up her ears, wondering if she was hallucinating.

"What are you doing!"

When the female voice rang out again, Yang Zizhen looked up in surprise.

The girl in front of me was wearing a very common school uniform, but the material was obviously different from that of ordinary students. It was smoother and softer, and the skirt swayed slightly in the breeze.

Beneath her youthful, shoulder-length bob was a delicate, youthful oval face, with almond-shaped eyes, a small, exquisite nose, and a refined and gentle appearance. She walked gracefully against the summer sunlight, maintaining the dignified bearing of a well-bred young lady, much like a heroine from a popular novel.

Yang Zizhen was mesmerized.

This is Ma Yu, his classmate and school beauty at Yenching Huiwen Middle School. Her father is also a professor at Yenching University.

"What a coincidence! I never expected to run into you during summer vacation!"

"oh oh!"

Yang Zizhen snapped out of her daze and quickly wiped the drool from her mouth.

The two were actually quite destined to meet. One had returned from Japan to transfer to the university, while the other had transferred from Hunan to Yenching University. Both of their fathers were professors at Yenching University, so they had a lot in common at school.

"What are you doing at Yenching University?"

"Come and see, I really wanted to discuss poetry in the new literary style with Mr. Hu Shi, but I was told that he was at home with his wife, so I had to give up."

Ma Yu showed a regretful expression and sat down next to Yang Zizhen, with a distance of almost one meter between them.

Yang Zizhen looked disgusted and cried out to the heavens:

"New Literature, how many evils have been committed in your name!"

"you!"

Ma Yu was both ashamed and angry when she was exposed.

Actually, the discussion about modern literature was just a pretext; the real purpose was to meet the legendary most charismatic figure among the pioneers of modern literature and see if he was as refined and learned as the legends suggested.

Yang Zizhen laughed heartily, showing no pity whatsoever.

Ma Yu wasn't too pretentious and quickly regained her composure, asking:

"Have you heard? A student from Hunan has arrived at Yenching University, and the rumors are incredible. Apparently, causing a scene in the president's office wasn't enough; he even wrote a vernacular novel comparable to 'Diary of a Madman'!"

Why does it keep haunting me?!

Yang Zizhen gritted her teeth:

"Of course I heard. He's been staying at my house for the past few days and hasn't moved out yet."

"Oh? So that person really exists?"

"Not only is it true, but the rumors are all true. The Hunan student you mentioned is named Wu Zhu. Professor Qian personally visited him to invite him. The novel he wrote is said to be called 'Medicine,' and it will be available as the first article in 'New Youth' next month. My father is still thinking about it."

Yang Zizhen confessed truthfully.

Since Wu was born, why was Yang born too!

"Really?! I'll definitely buy a copy of the next issue to read!"

"Don't even mention it, I want to buy a copy too. If it really has incredible writing skills, I'll auction off my Parker book for a high price..."

"What does this have to do with your precious fountain pen? Aren't you reluctant to let outsiders touch it?"

"How can it not matter! If you don't believe me, you can ask Wu Zhu. Could he have written this novel without my pen?"