Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

"Who is it!"

"It's me! Wu Zhu!"

Wu Zhu stood outside the courtyard shouting, with Fu Mengzhen beside him, standing ramrod straight, ready to take up a gun and become a soldier.

There was no reply from inside, but the door was quickly opened.

Just as Fu Mengzhen was about to greet him, she saw the usually serious senior from the humanities department hug Wu Zhu with a big smile, and then kiss him on the forehead. Fu Mengzhen froze instantly.

What are you two doing?

Wu Zhu was caught off guard and had no time to react before shouting:

"Mr. Zhongfu! What are you doing!"

"He read your new novel and just said he wanted to kiss your forehead, and you rushed over."

Qian Xuantong pushed Chen Zhongfu's arm aside and rescued his good disciple.

Wu Zhu, disgusted, rubbed his forehead vigorously, as if determined not to stop until he rubbed it raw.

Unable to get a word in edgewise, Fu Mengzhen overheard the conversation and felt a storm raging within her.

Didn't Wu Zhu just publish a novel last month? How come he's already released another one this month? Is he really the legendary new literary powerhouse? His inspiration can't be this active, can it?

Countless questions loomed over him, but no one could answer them.

In addition, after hearing about Wu Zhu's public remarks in the past two days, he felt immense pressure.

Good heavens...

For the first time, the once-powerful students at Yenching University felt like someone was leaving them no way out.

Fu Mengzhen secretly made up his mind that he would write an article when he got back!

"I heard you're exhausted from writing your book. Why aren't you resting at home instead of coming over with... Fu?"

Chen Zhongfu finally realized Fu Mengzhen's existence.

Fu Mengzhen immediately bowed to the two professors, but hesitated to express his meaning.

Upon seeing this, Wu Zhu explained:

"Brother Fu and I have come here to ask you for a favor... regarding the establishment of a new literature student club."

"I see. I told Mengzhen I needed a guarantor, and I thought he'd go to Shizhi, but I didn't expect him to go to you... How did you two meet?"

"Here's what happened..."

Wu Zhu recounted the story of Fu Mengzhen trying to establish a kinship with him, leaving the two professors present both amused and exasperated.

Qian Xuantong, in particular, never expected that Fu Mengzhen would approach Wu Zhu from this angle.

Asking him to call Huang Kan "senior brother" now is absolutely out of the question...

"How is it going? Mr. Zhongfu, could you submit the proposal to the council to establish a student club?"

"The students are all poor students who study hard, and their families are struggling to afford tuition and fees, so they can't ask their families for money anymore. Brother Fu and his classmates tightened their belts and scraped together what they could, but they still couldn't raise enough to start the publication."

"I talked with Brother Fu for almost half the night, and I've also met with many classmates these past two days and discussed their ideological leanings with them. I'm certain that they genuinely support the new literature, which is why I dared to make this guarantee. Once the club is established, I will also join as the chief writer."

Wu Zhu recounted the events truthfully, and Fu Mengzhen chimed in, the two of them exchanging words back and forth, showing great tacit understanding.

Chen Zhongfu remained silent, lost in thought, before finally nodding after a long while.

He gestured for the two to come into the courtyard to talk, without making any statement, but this was tantamount to admitting his position.

Wu Zhu followed behind and said:

"Brother Fu, the reason you once believed in traditional learning was because you had no other choice when you were studying. I think you can understand that. Just like in the novel I wrote recently, if Kong Yiji had met you, teacher, when he was studying, would he have ended up with no one caring about his life or death?"

"Sir, I know you are concerned about Brother Fu's past as a student of Professor Huang, but I think people can change. You cannot reject a student who has betrayed the old learning, otherwise it would be a denial of your years of hard work. I think we, as intellectuals who support new ideas, cannot engage in bloodline theory like the old feudal intellectuals."

"Are you right?"

These heartfelt words deeply moved Fu Mengzhen, and in his eyes, Wu Zhu's back suddenly seemed majestic.

Qian Xuantong, who left the stage to the students to express themselves freely, also deeply agreed with these principles; he too had "defected" from the old school to the new literature, so he felt a certain sympathy for his junior.

Chen Zhongfu led the group to the courtyard, where the small dining table had been cleaned. After gesturing for them to sit down, Gao Junman brought over tea.

When Chen Henian and Chen Zimei saw that their handsome older brother had come again, they clung to Wu Zhu and wouldn't leave even if he pulled their ears. Wu Zhu simply picked them up and put them on his lap, asking them when they would come to Yanjing.

The last discussion about Kropotin hasn't reached a conclusion yet...

Chen Zhongfu, having made his decision, said softly:

"I strongly support student clubs, but I'm worried they might go astray. But now that you're involved, I reckon Shizhi will also provide guidance, so there shouldn't be any problem."

"I can't guarantee that I can get your organization up and running, because major decisions require a vote by the council... But I can guarantee that I will do my best to persuade Mr. Cai to give me his strong support."

Wu Zhu and Fu Mengzhen stood up and bowed, and the two professors, naturally unable to remain seated, also stood up to return the bow.

"Have you decided on a name yet?"

"I've decided, let's call it 'New Trend.' In English, it means the Renaissance, and in Chinese, it means a new trend. It encompasses both modern literature and us students."

"Great name! It's settled then!"

Wu Zhu and Fu Mengzhen breathed a sigh of relief.

After chatting for a while, the tea was soon finished, and they all got up to leave.

Chen Zhongfu tried to persuade him to stay:

"Since we're already here, let's have lunch before we leave!"

"I ran into Mr. Shao on the street. He said that the Beijing Daily was opening today and invited me to have lunch there."

"And you?"

"Everyone has their own things to do. You just stay home and prepare for the next issue of 'New Youth,' I won't be sending it out!"

......

It was almost noon.

No. 38, Sanyanjing Hutong.

Because Shao Zhenqing's funding for running the newspaper comes from his savings over the years and the meager donations from like-minded people, the conditions of the Beijing Daily editorial office are very simple, and it can only be located in his own home at present.

It wasn't far from Wu Zhu's residence, which is why he ran into Shao Zhenqing, who was out buying groceries to prepare for the banquet. The two argued for a while before agreeing to come over for lunch.

The courtyard gate was wide open, and the aroma of food wafted out, though it wasn't the style of Beijing cuisine; it was more like the food from the Jianghuai region.

After knocking twice, Wu Zhu strode in and bumped into a lady with an elegant demeanor and stylish attire.

"Hello! May I ask who you are?"

"I'm a student from Yenching University; Mr. Shao asked me to come!"

"Old Shao! A student is looking for you!"

Looking at the woman calling out to the kitchen, Wu Zhu thought carefully and realized that this must be Shao Zhenqing's wife, Tang Xiuhui, who was Shao Zhenqing's strongest support.

Shao Zhenqing came out quickly, still wearing an apron, and seemed to be the head chef. Upon seeing Wu Zhu arrive, he turned and called out towards the kitchen:

"Old Pan! Let me introduce you to someone!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another man came out of the kitchen.

Wearing the black-rimmed round glasses favored by intellectuals, he had a broad face and a rounded figure, giving him a very approachable appearance.

Shao Zhenqing was in a good mood. He came up to Wu Zhu and introduced him to his wife and colleagues:

"This is Wu Zhu, a student from Yenching University. You might not know this by name, but his pen name is Zhu Junzi!"

"Wow! I am Pan Gongbi, it's an honor to meet you!"

"So this is the author of 'Medicine'! He's so young, let me see."

Pan Gongbi and Tang Xiuhui came up to Wu Zhu and greeted him warmly, and Wu Zhu responded to them one by one.

The commotion in the courtyard soon reached the house, and several of Shao Zhenqing's friends came out.

Upon seeing unfamiliar faces, the group inquired and then went up to greet them, which exhausted Wu Zhu.

Shao Zhenqing then shouted:

"Furthermore, the comments I'm relaying to you regarding the Newspaper Law also come from his lectures in class!"

This caused quite a stir.

No one expected that this leading figure in modern literature would also be so insightful in journalism. His enthusiasm was so great that Wu Zhu couldn't get a word in edgewise and was dragged inside by the group.

"Old Shao, you guys go and cook. We'll take care of Mr. Wu. Don't neglect our distinguished guest!"

"Great! Wu's insights are insightful. If you have any questions, you can talk to him about them."