Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

"This is utterly vulgar! How is this any different from defiling the very soul of our people?"

"After Lu Xun left, this so-called 'gentleman of bamboo' has arrived; he's truly incorrigible!"

"After reading through this article 'Medicine,' I only see ghostly shadows, flickering and disappearing. The fact that 'New Youth' published this obscene article shows that they have run out of ideas and this is all they can do."

With the release of the latest issue of "New Youth", the slanderous voices struggled and barely emerged like the tips of grass.

In the English teachers' room on the west side of the third floor of the Red Building, Huang Kan, Liu Shipei, and Gu Hongming sat together, raging over the latest issue of "New Youth".

As recognized representatives of traditional literature, the Three Eccentrics of Yenching University naturally could not voluntarily withdraw from the historical stage. They lacked the courage to confront new literature head-on, but they not only had the courage to secretly plunder crickets, but also a great deal of it.

Liu Shipei tossed the copy of "New Youth" onto the table. Already suffering from lung disease, he seemed to be in a bad mood, pulling out a handkerchief and coughing heavily a few times.

"Ahem! Brother Tang, this 'Bamboo Gentleman,' isn't that the Hunanese student you argued with the other day?"

After removing the blood-stained handkerchief, her face visibly turned pale, and she swayed as if she would collapse at any moment.

The other two were used to this. Gu Hongming nonchalantly took a puff of his water pipe, summoned tea from the servant behind him, and after taking a sip, spat it into the spittoon without swallowing.

"I had heard rumors before, and seeing his actions now, it seems to be true. Otherwise, why would Qian Xuantong have spoken up for him, invited him to the academy, and entrusted him with a research position?"

"Alas... the new school is so rampant, the entire novel is meant to incite people, if this continues, the country will cease to be a country..."

Liu Shipei shook his head and sighed deeply.

Snapped!

The hot-tempered Huang Kan slammed his fist on the desk, his glasses perched on his nose nearly tilting in anger.

"This madman Qian Er is not content with betraying his own master and ancestors; he even takes in such a student who opposes classical literature. He is a disgrace to the Zhang family and a heretic in Chinese literature. What talent and virtue does such a person have to teach at Yenching University!"

He and Qian Xuantong were both direct disciples of Zhang Taiyan, a master of Chinese studies. Together with the other three, they were known as the "Five Kings of Zhang's School". He was named the "Heavenly King", while Qian Xuantong was the "Southern King". The two had huge differences from the beginning of the new literature. Naturally, he regarded Qian Xuantong, who would become a pioneer of the new literature, as a traitor.

In addition, Huang Kan himself had a fiery temper and often spoke without thinking when cursing. He was also known as "Crazy Qian the Second" in public, and the conflict was on the verge of escalating.

"Given the blazing momentum of the new learning movement, will Yenching University have any place for us to stand in the future? If we merely weep like prisoners of Chu, we will only become a laughingstock to the likes of Chen Zhongfu. Do you two not have any intention of doing so?"

Gu Hongming asked deliberately.

Regardless of one's stance, things have developed to this point, and there must have been some struggle involved.

After thinking for a moment, Huang Kan suggested:

"We can't let the new school continue like this. I have a student named Zhang Fengzai, who also works part-time as a reporter for the Gongyan Daily. Now, this article, 'Medicine,' seems to be alluding to the government. Let him use his official position to comment and properly suppress the arrogance of the new school!"

"How can academic disputes be subject to political suppression of opponents? If this continues, Yenching University will become a tool of the government, which is the last thing Cai Gong wants to see."

"Agreed."

Liu Shipei immediately refuted this, and Gu Hongming seconded it.

Traditional literati were deeply influenced by traditional Confucianism, emphasizing the gentlemanly virtue of harmony without uniformity. Even if they could not win the academic battle against the new literature, they would adhere to their bottom line and not take crooked paths.

Moreover, Cai Yuanpei had been kind to both Liu Shipei and Gu Hongming, and no matter how culturally conservative the two were, they would not do anything to cause trouble for their benefactors.

However, Huang Kan's willingness to use foul language in public already indicates a somewhat low moral standard, and he became somewhat annoyed after being refuted.

"What insightful opinion does Uncle Shen have?"

"Although I don't agree with Brother Ji Gang's suggestion, since *New Youth* is attacking us, why don't we start our own publication and fight back in a fair and square manner?"

"This is feasible! We must capture the skeletons in the tomb!"

Huang Kan and Liu Shipei hit it off immediately.

Gu Hongming, who offered his opinion, simply smoked to the side and did not express any opinion or participate.

"Brother Tang, would you like to join us in running the magazine?"

"If you gentlemen wish to resist the new school, you will inevitably be going against Lord Cai. Lord Cai has been kind to me, and both morally and logically, I should not conspire with him."

The three parted on bad terms and headed to their respective classrooms.

......

As night fell, the bright moon hung high in the sky.

At No. 9 Jiangan Hutong, Beichizi Street, in the editorial office of New Youth and Chen Zhongfu's home, shouts rang out from outside, making the entire hutong lively, seemingly unaware of the storm brewing.

"Come on, everyone, let's have a clinking of glasses!"

"Let us welcome Wu Zhu, long live modern literature!"

"I believe that after some time, Shuren will adjust his mindset and return with a completely new attitude!"

"Come, let me personally toast you again, hoping that your writing will remain as sharp as 'Medicine' in the future!"

The police agent disguised as a candied hawthorn vendor at the alley entrance, smelling the aroma of "One-Pot Dish" wafting from the courtyard, drooled and wondered to himself—

What is it today that has summoned most of the editors of "New Youth" magazine?

Two identical banquet tables were set up in the courtyard. One table was occupied by the editors of "New Youth" magazine, and the other by their wives, children, and elderly relatives. Chen Zhongfu's wife, Gao Junman, was busy running around, seemingly afraid of neglecting the distinguished guests.

Young Chen Henian and Chen Zimei clung to their two older brothers who had come to Beijing from Shanghai, refusing to leave their side even when their aunts tried to feed them.

Wu Zhu sat in the main seat next to Chen Zhongfu, flanked by the resident editors of "New Youth." Except for Zhou Shuren, who refused to write, almost everyone who was supposed to be there was present.

Hu Shi, Li Shouchang, Qian Xuantong, Liu Bannong, Gao Yinhan, Zhou Zuoren... These pioneers of modern literature, whose names resonate in later generations, are now sitting right next to him. Even if he had met some of them before, how could he not feel a sense of disbelief now?

Not to mention that the outgoing Chen Zhongfu kept pouring him drinks, which made him even more dizzy and unable to speak.

"You wouldn't believe it, the two hundred copies of 'New Youth' that Yan Nian and Qiao Nian brought from Shanghai sold out in just one day! It truly astonished me!"

Chen Zhongfu put his arm around Wu Zhu's shoulder and loudly announced the results his two sons were reporting.

The Chen brothers had a strained relationship with their father, and when they were called out in public, they chose not to acknowledge him, but instead nodded slightly to Wu Zhu to show respect as a peer.

Since the founding of "New Youth", selling the magazine at a stall has become an important source of income for them. It usually takes them a long time to sell two hundred copies, but they never thought that they would sell out in one day. Some students even asked them to restock.

Ultimately, it was the profound content of the novel written by Zhu Junzi, who sat beside his father and was about the same age as them, that made it so easy for him to write.

The two brothers were also puzzled as to how this person had suddenly appeared in the literary world, but they had never been able to get in touch with him, which inevitably made them feel a little regretful.

I must have a good talk with Wu Zhu after the show ends, and see if he's interested in Kruppkins!

"Zhongfu, be gentle, don't hurt my student."

Qian Xuantong casually reminded him, which seemed to be a deliberate attempt to show off.

Chen Zhongfu laughed heartily and released his grip:

"I told you you were dishonest. I asked you to bring Wu Zhu into our editorial department, and what did you do? When no one was looking, you secretly took him under your wing. Shi Zhi complains to me every day that Wu Zhu, following you, is going from house to house to cheat people out of meals, and has turned a student who came to Beijing to study into a bandit."

"No...that's right! Utterly shameless, no, unfit to be a teacher!"

Hu Shi, who couldn't hold his liquor, slurred and agreed.

Seeing this, Wu Zhu guessed that he would take out his diary when he got back, and wrote down a line:

[Hu Shih, oh Hu Shih, how could you have fallen so low! Have you forgotten your earlier vow to abstain from alcohol? Confucius said, "I examine myself three times a day." This cannot continue. From today onward, I abstain from alcohol!]

Hu Shih took a bite of a lotus leaf-wrapped beef hoof and earnestly advised:

"You, you must be careful... You absolutely mustn't act rashly. Otherwise, you might end up like the Tree People."

The once bustling courtyard fell silent in an instant.

For some of the fans present, they were willing to embrace the new literature, but they couldn't bear the consequences.

Chen Zhongfu mainly shielded them from this consequence, initially believing it wouldn't fall on their shoulders, until the recent incident occurred...

Lu Xun's experience was blatant persecution. The police department's inefficiency meant that the assassin was still at large, a thorn in everyone's side.

"You're drunk, stop drinking."

"Come on, Wu Zhu, let me toast you too."

Li Shouchang, who remained silent, poured out the wine in Hu Shi's glass, stood up, and raised his own glass.

Wu Zhu hurriedly filled the cup in return, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Seeing this, the rest of the group also stood up to offer a toast, which made things difficult for Wu Zhu.

Li Shouchang's gaze was profound:

"From the moment I returned to China, I was prepared to dedicate everything to the 'youthful China.' 'New Youth' magazine is still weak and young. If we remain silent out of fear of disaster, how can we break through the iron cage of isolation?"

"But Brother Shuren's experience also shows us that if the pen is too sharp, it can be accompanied by a threat to one's life. I believe that he stopped writing because he was afraid of death, but he encountered such a thing as soon as he left the 'iron house'. Anyone would feel disheartened. We should understand his predicament."

"So you should be prepared to face the storm in the days when the Tree Man is not around. Of course, you can also, as Shih-chih said, welcome him as always."

"This cup is also a toast to Shuren (a person who has educated others) and to new literature."

Everyone drank the wine in their cups in one gulp.

The atmosphere did not ease; instead, it became even more tense.

Wu Zhu remained silent for a long time.

He could understand Hu Shi's concerns and Mr. Shouchang's aspirations, but to ask him to immediately pledge his allegiance to the greater good, even his life...

To be honest, his awareness hasn't reached that level yet. Right now, he just wants to make some money by plagiarizing, to ensure that history continues as usual, and to survive with his family in this chaotic world. He doesn't have the courage to face death yet.

Perhaps this is the dividing line between intellectuals and revolutionaries.

Li Shouchang lowered his head, chuckled, patted his cheeks, and made his mustache crooked.

"Today is the day you officially join us, so talking about this is a bit too serious. People always change with their environment! How's your next novel coming along?"

This is a call to urge you to finish the manuscript!

Wu Zhu repeatedly gave evasive answers: "I'm writing, I'm writing..."

What should I write...?

He had just sent "Rickshaw Boy" to Songhu, and now his brain is acting up, he can't find any inspiration at all, he needs to rest for a few days.

"Great! I'll be waiting for your next masterpiece!"

"Come on, come on, why make it so heavy! It's not like we're holding a memorial service for the tree man. Look how you've put the kid in this position, he's practically ready to join the Liangshan bandits."