Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

Wang Kunlun was very tactful; he quietly pulled the two who were arguing fiercely apart and did not ask any further questions about the new manuscript.

Wu Zhu had placed all his correspondence on the table, a dozen or so scattered, leaving him unsure which to read first.

He took Guo Xingang's paper cutter, opened the envelope returned by "Fiction Pictorial", carefully counted the number of manuscript papers, and after confirming that there was no problem, picked up the rejection statement.

He had expected a template rejection, but instead received a handwritten explanation letter, which made him quite fond of Bao Tianxiao.

[Under the scorching sun of Shanghai, your masterpiece "Rickshaw Boy" felt like a strong northern wind. After reading it with utmost devotion, it deeply moved us and sent chills down our spines, demonstrating the profoundness of the plot and the power of your writing.]

[The gentleman did not regard me as a crude and uncultured writer, and specially gifted me my manuscript to "Fiction Pictorial." I am grateful, but also feel extremely ashamed.]

After much deliberation, I feel compelled to write this statement explaining why the manuscript was rejected. I hope you will understand.

The author starts by praising the manuscript extensively before explaining the rejection. Who could be angry about that?

Wu Zhu felt that contemporary intellectuals, no matter how noisy they were, were impeccable in terms of etiquette, except for a small number of individuals.

The masterful use of vernacular language in "Rickshaw Boy" is truly remarkable. Its realistic portrayal deeply resonates with the reader; only after finishing the entire book did I realize the profound depth of its message. The author's work depicts far more than just a rickshaw puller.

Isn't it precisely through Xiangzi that we paint a portrait of the silent, mute lower class, giving voice to the indignation of the working masses? And inscribe a monument to our times?

In my opinion, this kind of conception is no less impressive than "Diary of a Madman" and "Medicine," and I deeply admire it!

Upon reading this, Wu Zhu could understand that Bao Tianxiao was not like Lin Shu; he was more inclined towards modern literature.

He quickly skimmed through the remaining content, and the reasons for rejection were exactly as he had expected: it simply didn't fit the target audience of the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School, fearing dismal sales that would displease investors, and also fearing it would spark a debate between the literary circles of the North and South, as well as some unspeakable political factors.

Towards the end, Bao Tianxiao also recommended several local newspapers in Beijing, suggesting that readers try submitting articles to their editorial offices, including the address of the editorial office of the Beijing Dialect Daily.

This can be considered as doing everything possible. Which business editor Wu Zhu encountered in his previous life would have had this attitude?

Not to mention, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Bao Tianxiao had dropped three silver dollars into the envelope!

They said it was to subsidize his postage, treat him to a cup of tea, and pay for his early access to "Rickshaw Boy".

This approach is so meticulous that it prevents anyone from getting angry, avoiding any possibility of conflict. Truly a businessperson's skill.

Wu Zhu's gloom vanished instantly. He chuckled a few times, put away the silver dollars and letters, and resealed Camel Xiangzi's manuscript.

He then opened the letters from readers one by one. Most of the letters asked for his views on the new literature and the current situation. Mr. Zhongfu said that it was too troublesome and laborious to respond to each of the letters from readers.

If you encounter readers who use abusive language, you can choose a representative topic and dedicate an entire issue to answering it; please do not engage in private flame wars.

So he quickly skipped over these things, but he didn't just throw them away. Instead, he carefully put them away in the drawer of his desk.

[I recently learned that your esteemed publication has released another "remarkable article," entitled "Medicine."]

The entire text is chilling, utterly absurd, pure nonsense, devoid of any hope!

[Xia Yu, a morally corrupt scoundrel, is secretly hailed as a hero by you all! The Hua family couple's plea for their child's well-being is a matter of natural law and human ethics, yet you portray it as utterly foolish, truly corrupting the literary tradition!]

I urge you all to pull back from the brink and stop poisoning the minds of young people and tarnishing the literary world with such ugly writing.

Wu Zhu looked at the "advice" and was both amused and exasperated. He casually tossed it aside and then opened another one.

[Will your barking stop the bleeding?]

"..."

The insults from 1918 left Wu Zhu with mixed feelings.

Even though "Medicine" wasn't a novel he wrote, the firepower it generated definitely attracted him; perhaps that's the price he paid.

He never imagined the price he would pay before deciding to become a plagiarist and fill historical gaps.

Historically, if things continue this way, the situation will only worsen. He might become a target of public criticism, which completely contradicts his original intention of making money to survive.

The era he lived in in his previous life was one of rampant materialism, which did not teach him any noble spirits. Instead, it made him more respectful of the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School of literati, so it was inevitable that he would feel a sense of retreat at this moment.

To put it simply, it's the characteristic of the petty bourgeoisie: when they're passionate, it's like being engorged with blood—they get hard quickly and soften just as fast; when they're cowardly, they only want to gain something and are unwilling to take any risks, fearing any change in their social class.

Now that he has taken the first step and the editors of *New Youth* have treated him well, is there any possibility that he will become a capitulationist?

What can you do after surrendering?

First, they were denounced as traitors by the new literature, and then regarded as capitulationists by the old literature. As a result, they were not welcomed by either side. This is the fate of capitulationists in history.

He could only copy novels by Jin Yong and Gu Long from the literary circles of Shanghai and Chongqing, avoiding literary themes that would have an impact on reality, and thus live as a wealthy man to survive in the chaos of the world.

It sounded tempting, but he knew how the situation would fall apart in the future. The so-called small joys in chaotic times, the idea of ​​remaining unscathed in the torrent, was simply impossible, even a pipe dream.

Unless he's completely untouchable, writing what warlords want to read, what bald heads want to read, and what the Japanese want to read, he'll go from swaying like this to being forced to wear a Chinese-style Santa hat and becoming a representative figure of "reactionary academic authority"...

For the first time, Wu Zhu seriously considered the future of being a "plagiarist." His mind was in complete turmoil. He opened the last letter in his hand, the one that Yang Zizhen had given him.

[Dear Zhu Junzi, I am a high school student at Yanjing Huiwen Middle School, and also Yang Zizhen's classmate and deskmate. I had the honor of reading your essay "Medicine" and have many questions I would like to ask, but I was afraid of bothering you. I wrote and tore up this letter, tore it up and wrote it again, filling a whole wastebasket before finally making up my mind.]

Her handwriting is delicate and her writing is neat and fluent, like that of a girl.

Wu Zhu shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions, and began to read intently.

[To be honest, I dare not tell my other classmates, for I am afraid they will laugh at me. I also dare not use the old style of writing, for fear of irritating you. This letter is written in vernacular Chinese, and is clumsy; I hope you will forgive me!]

【Don't laugh at me, but I actually hesitated for a long time before deciding on the title 'Sir'!】

Wu Zhu was now certain that the person who wrote the letter was definitely a girl, and it couldn't be Yang Zizhen playing a trick on him.

Otherwise, just imagine that scene: a handsome young man, pointing his finger and speaking in a high-pitched voice...

He shivered, but the title "sir" pleased him greatly, and he couldn't help but feel smug. Having more readers like this would prevent him from falling into anxiety!

[I imagine you've read the "Ibsen Special Issue" of *New Youth* published in June. I was very interested in Mr. Hu Shi's discussion of Ibsenism, and it also included a translation of *Nora*. When I read the part where Nora slams the door and walks out, my classmates and I argued. They said Nora was too selfish and impulsive, not a good wife. I said that if Nora didn't leave, she would slowly suffocate. But as we talked, I became confused myself. What would happen to Nora after she left? Would she really learn to be a person?]

[Ibsen didn't write any further, but if you were Ibsen, what path would you have chosen for her?]

"Nora" is the female protagonist in Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House" written in 1879. After leaving behind the declaration, "First of all, I am a person, just like you—or at least I must learn to be a person," she pushes open the door and leaves the family that treats her as a "doll." However, her fate afterward remains uncertain, just like the future of many female students in this era.

I'm about to graduate from high school, and I often feel like Nora, standing before a door that's been pushed open, unsure which way to go. I want to study at Yenching University, and like Professor Chen, Professor Hu, and you, sir, make a contribution to modern literature.

【Yenching University doesn't admit female students, although my parents said that applying to a women's normal school would be the same, and I could audit classes later. But my grandmother said that if a girl studies too much, she'll become wild and unruly, and her future husband's family won't like her, making it difficult for her to get married.】

I don't like these words. Didn't *New Youth* magazine also say that women should be independent? But I keep thinking of my grandmother's admonitions, and her oft-repeated saying, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent." These words are like a thin thread tied to my feet, pulling me so tightly that I dare not move.

Sir, which way should I go?

Wu Zhu fell into thought.

By the way, on the 15th, on my way to see your work, I passed by a bookstall near the entrance of Yenching University and saw a middle-aged man in a long gown. His clothes were covered in patches, his fingers were dirty, and he was holding a copy of *Zuo Zhuan*. The vendor urged him to buy it, but he stubbornly stood and read, displaying a strange dignity—even in poverty, he maintained his composure.

Is this kind of decency pathetic or admirable? I can't tell, and it makes my heart ache.

[Because I feel that I am very similar to him, yet different. On the one hand, I want to embrace new literature and new ideas, but on the other hand, I cannot sever the constraints of my family and the dogmas of traditional Chinese literature.]

[Sir, how does a person grow new bones on an old body?]

Wishing you good health, and hoping you see this letter. I look forward to your reply. Your address is below!

【Huaijin】

September 19th, 1918

No. 18 Zhonggu Hutong

After reading the entire perplexing letter, Wu Zhu found the inspiration for his third novel in the "scholar in a long gown" mentioned in the letter to come into being.

Confusion is the norm in this era, and isn't he no exception?

However, this can wait a bit. The question raised by the female student, who uses the pen name "Huaijin," is quite interesting and has piqued his interest.

Not to mention that this inquiry was sent through an acquaintance, so we have to give Yang Zizhen some face and not let him lose face in front of his classmates!

Kuretake pulled out a letter, drew a pen from his breast pocket, and wrote his reply:

[Dear student, your letter has been received.]

There's no need to apologize for disturbing you. The fact that you even bothered to write down these questions is already better than many numb souls.

What will happen after Nora leaves?

This is an interesting question, and I think I can answer it.