Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

October is already halfway over.

"Cough cough cough!"

As the weather gets colder, Guo Xingang, who suffers from lung disease, coughs frequently and occasionally coughs up blood.

The seemingly robust young man, stripped of his disguise by the weather, immediately became sickly.

Wu Zhu and the others watched all this with a heavy heart, but they couldn't come up with a good solution...

He suggested taking Guo Xingang to Yanjing Central Hospital for treatment, but was refused verbally, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind.

Having no other choice, Wu Zhu, knowing that Guo Xingang loved reading "New Youth," specially asked Mr. Zhongfu for a sample copy yesterday, so that Guo Xingang wouldn't have to get up early to buy "New Youth" and catch a cold, which would be a loss.

Early in the morning, Guo Xingang lit an oil lamp, put on his overcoat, and squeezed together with the other two, looking at the first page of the sample magazine spread out on the table.

The three of them quickly scanned the first few lines, and the diverse lives of people in the taverns of Yanjing City immediately came to mind.

After reading a few more paragraphs, Guo Xingang exclaimed in admiration:

"Look at this vernacular language, it's a hundred times more vivid than classical Chinese!"

Wang Kunlun nodded, neither confirming nor denying:

"Yes, you see, from this line 'Kong Yiji is the only person who drinks standing up while wearing a long gown,' in my opinion, it's also about 'illness.' The previous 'Medicine' was about physical and mental ignorance, while this is about mental illness and pedantry..."

Chen Gongbo hesitated:

"The writing is indeed superb, but exposing the ugliness of intellectuals in this way is too sharp and will surely displease many people. I estimate that the three old monsters will be cursing for a long time."

The remaining two thought about it and agreed that it was indeed the case.

They all realized that the target of "Kong Yiji" must include the Three Eccentrics of Yan University, so it would be strange if they didn't break their defenses!

"It's a pity that Wu Zhu, who is awake, has to face the wrath of the old world alone..."

Guo Xingang lowered his voice and coughed twice more.

The three of them didn't have any good ideas, so they simply continued reading.

The story of Kong Yiji is not long. The three of them quickly finished reading about the debate over the theft of books, the apathy of the lower class, and the snobbery of the children. When they saw that Kong Yiji's leg was broken by the scholar and that after he drank his last bowl of wine, no one cared about his life or death anymore, they all pursed their lips and remained silent.

"well......"

After a long silence, someone finally broke it by sighing.

Guo Xinqiang, feeling discomfort in his chest, said excitedly:

"This play, 'Kong Yiji,' is a mirror. All scholars who wear long gowns, spout classical phrases, but are actually useless should look at themselves and see what kind of character they have and what their future will be like!"

Wang Kunlun immediately applauded:

"Last time I finished reading 'Medicine,' I stayed up for three nights straight. This time, I'll probably need to stay up for another three nights to fully digest what's in it!"

Chen Gongbo got up, packed his things, and washed up:

"Wu Zhu's thunderous statement was indeed powerful, but it can only resound for a moment. To truly change this vast country, we still need a guiding light like Mr. Hu Shi, who can persistently and gradually illuminate every inch of the land."

Since "Kong Yiji" is a mirror, not only can readers see themselves in it, but each reader can also gain different insights from it.

For every radical, there is a conservative; history has always been this way.

Once the tendency is exposed, arguments are inevitable.

Guo Xingang flipped to the last paragraph, pointed to the "nineteen coins" mark, and shouted sternly:

"Gong Bo, look here."

"In the end, no one cared about Kong Yiji anymore; only the shopkeeper remembered those nineteen coins. Cold-hearted, numb... Wu Zhu wrote not just about Kong Yiji, but about the 400 million people living on this land, like you and me!"

As he spoke, he suddenly laughed, a bitter laugh:

"You say it's for light bulbs, that's fine... but this rented room doesn't even have an electrical cord installed, Gong Bo, don't you find that ironic?"

"Look at this country, so weak and stagnant, its people muddled and its intellectuals ailing... If all we get is the mild reforms advocated by Mr. Hu Shih, without a drastic measure, how can we awaken the four hundred million I'm talking about?!"

"Cough cough cough!"

After saying that, he coughed violently and hurriedly took out a handkerchief to cover his mouth and nose tightly.

Wang Kunlun hurriedly tried to calm him down, but he still noticed that the white handkerchief was faintly stained with red plum blossoms.

Chen Gongbo didn't intend to argue about this. He could agree with Wu Zhu and admire him, but his ultimate ideal was to focus on his studies, so he shook his head at the suggestion.

"I respect the members of New Youth, but the way to save the country is not through shouting. Wu Zhu's writing is certainly sharp, but it is also easy to get burned and will scare away many people."

"you!"

Guo Xingang was about to say something when Chen Gongbo opened the door and went to the courtyard to wash up.

"Kunlun, are you still watching?"

"I'm not watching anymore, I have class later."

"I should probably get myself together too..."

.....

Midday.

Inside the philosophy faculty room at Yenching University.

Hu Shi and Fu Mengzhen didn't rush to eat. Instead, they each held a copy of the newly released "New Youth" magazine and patiently read through it.

When Fu Mengzhen saw his article "On Drama Reform Again", his expression was extremely complicated.

A few days ago, I handed the manuscript of this paper to Wu Zhu, but what was the response I received?

"I strongly agree with your view that traditional opera is a vehicle for feudal ethics, and that it reinforces ethical values ​​and strengthens feudal rule through theatrical forms."

"At the same time, I also agree with your advocacy of realism. Drama should confront social issues directly, rather than glorifying the powerful and wealthy or indulging in superstitious beliefs. This is a good thing."

"...Overall, it has both advantages and disadvantages, but the advantages are very obvious."

He was actually quite pleased with these comments at first, but Wu Zhu suddenly changed the subject.

"But the drawbacks are also obvious."

"The language is fierce, like firecrackers, but the entire piece uses Western opera as the sole standard, which is actually a reflection of cultural inferiority."

"Furthermore, using one's own standards as a 'thoughtful person' to oppose plots favored by 'vulgar people'—isn't this blatant cultural hegemony over the common people?"

"And this, you can even point out that the content of old plays is 'tyrants, eunuchs, concubines, and powerful ministers,' but I don't understand why you advocate for reforming the form of expression. Although the two influence each other, ultimately, isn't the content the one that determines the form of expression?"

"The critique of old culture should be approached with a critical attitude, taking its essence and discarding its dross, rather than with a metaphysical denial like yours."

"First, it fails to understand the needs of all classes of people; second, it fails to be practical in the present day. It only has Ibsen and Greek tragedies in its eyes, ignoring the tragedies of the working people in front of it. If I don't speak up, in the end it will only become mutual flattery in an ivory tower."

I originally thought Wu Zhu was a complete novice in drama, but I didn't expect that after a few words, he would criticize me so harshly that he showed no mercy at all.

The two had a huge argument, but he had no room to argue back. It was supposed to be a debate, but he was actually being verbally abused in various ways, and in the end, they parted on bad terms.

Finally, he showed the document to Hu Shi, who praised it, which made him even more suspicious of Wu Zhu's words.

Is Hu Shi, a PhD who returned from studying abroad, really inferior to a country youth who spends all his time in the reading room and mingles with library staff?

Now, his research paper is listed alongside Wu Zhu's "Kong Yiji," which makes him feel somewhat uneasy.

Well... the difference is quite significant when compared to the others, that much is undeniable.

"Mengzhen, look at this story, 'Kong Yiji,' it's so well written!"

Hu Shih's gentle words interrupted Fu Mengzhen's thoughts.

Fu Mengzhen turned to the first page, trying to find fault, but as he read on, his brows gradually relaxed, and he sighed:

"It is indeed a good novel. From Kong Yiji's initial image to his final desolation, the scene seems to be right in front of me. In just a few pages, the character's soul is brought to life. In comparison, my long essay lacks a bit of the warmth of everyday life. Perhaps, as Wu Zhu said, my writing is ultimately too far removed from the common people."

"Oh, you're wrong about that. Academic papers have their own audience, and novels have theirs. Academic papers are serious arguments, so they can't be written like novels, which are as fragrant and appealing as wine."

Hu Shih put down his book, his tone shifting to its usual rationality.

Fu Mengzhen remained silent.

When he said it was "too far removed from ordinary people," he wasn't referring to the difference between a thesis and a novel, but rather a difference in ideology...

"I am ultimately convinced. His descriptive writing is unparalleled. Even a ten-thousand-word paper of mine cannot compare to the final sentence, 'Kong Yiji is probably indeed dead.'"

"Sir, I don't understand. If he possesses such literary talent, why did he choose such a despairing ending?"

"Besides being suffocating, what else is there to this?"

Fu Mengzhen slumped back in her chair, like a deflated balloon.

Hu Shih picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the bitterness exploded on his tongue:

"Wu Zhu's talent is known throughout the academic circles of Yenching. However, his focus is on exposing darkness, but rebuilding civilization ultimately requires gradual improvement."

"This requires rationality and empirical evidence to proceed safely, but Wu Zhu seems to lack both, so he is a double-edged sword; while hurting his opponents, he will also scare away his allies, and could easily lead already confused young people into an even more dangerous void."

"Not to mention, he always has this 'I'm just throwing my life away' attitude. I'm afraid that one day he'll walk into a narrow, dangerous alley and end up destroying everything..."

He was not only worried about Wu Zhu, but also about Li Shouchang, and Chen Zhongfu, who had promised "not to talk about politics"...

Some paths, if taken, will lead to your death!

But Fu Sinian shook his head, got up to take his leave, and turned back at the door:

"Mr. Shih-chih, your proposed reforms are certainly sound."

"But now China is riddled with festering sores, and it needs a heart-wrenching cry."

"My argument with Brother Wu was to find the truth, not driven by personal gain."

"Since he has written these novels that make us so uneasy, that is his greatest achievement. I don't think you need to say anything discouraging."

"As for your advocacy of a 'good guy' approach to high-level reforms... I think I can't fully accept it yet, given the authoritarian stench it carries."

After saying that, he strode away.

Hu Shih was left alone, raising his glass in utter silence.