Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

On the other side of Yanjing.

The hustle and bustle of Zhonggu Hutong was carried away by the wind, leaving only tranquility.

After finishing a day's work, Ma Yuzhao planned to soak her feet and then have a good long sleep.

As soon as he put his feet into the foot bath, he saw his daughter humming opera tunes as she entered the room with letters and a copy of "New Youth" magazine. He was immediately furious.

"Ma Yu! The world is not peaceful these days. Most people outside have ulterior motives. Be careful not to be deceived!"

"Don't worry! My boyfriend is a perfectly upright gentleman. We're just discussing modern literature; who's lying to whom is still uncertain..."

Before entering the room, Ma Yu waved her hand dismissively, then closed and locked the door, as if afraid someone would come in and interrupt her.

Ma Yuzhao carefully considered his daughter's answer—

The phrase "a gentleman" proves that the pen pal is indeed a man, so what does "who is deceiving whom is still uncertain" mean?

When her lively and well-behaved daughter uttered those words, it proved that she had already harbored wicked intentions...

The eldest daughter is bewitched by some random man; she can even say such... such proactive things!

Thinking of this, Ma Yuzhao immediately flew into a rage and almost kicked the foot bath basin away.

He hurriedly dried his feet with a cloth, slipped on his cotton shoes, and rushed to the dormitory. He pushed open the door and tearfully told his wife, Chen Dexin, who was reading a book:

"Madam, I have something very serious to tell you."

"You said that as long as it's not cheating, I will forgive you."

"What are you thinking? It's like this..."

Ma Yuzhao recounted in detail his daughter's unusual behavior over the past few days.

He also stated that while it's true that people are free to choose their partners, he still needs to keep a close eye on his daughter, at least to prevent her from being deceived by some random man.

The bookish Chen Dexin was not in a hurry, and asked in return:

"So what do you decide to do? I respect your decision, but I also respect my daughter's feelings. If your decision disgusts her, I think I will support her."

Ma Yuzhao was somewhat dejected. He went to the bedside, lay down, and stared blankly at the dark ceiling, lost in thought.

Before long, he came up with a good idea:

"You should have heard of Wu Zhu, Xuan Tong's disciple, right? The one who wrote 'Medicine' and 'Kong Yiji'."

"Female teachers' students come to the school to block him every day. The line is almost stretching to my office door. Everyone knows that. He's practically your junior, and his temper is just like your senior's."

Chen Dexin, having also returned from studying abroad, was hired as a lecturer at Yenching University along with her husband. How could she not know about Yenching University's prominent students? Moreover, Ma Yuzhao and Qian Xuantong were both disciples of Zhang Xueliang, so in a strict sense, Wu Zhu was his junior disciple!

"Our daughter is just too lonely. She has no peers to chat with, so she went out to find pen pals to relieve her boredom... I guess the things they usually talk about are probably related to 'New Youth' magazine."

"If I met a guy like Wu Zhu who is down-to-earth, handsome, and talented, I would definitely cut off all ties with outsiders. Then, no matter how things develop between the two of them, we can at least rest assured."

Ma Yuzhao's eyes grew brighter as he spoke, and he turned over and stood up.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Dexin also felt it was feasible.

The main reason was that Wu Zhu was indeed handsome, and she knew what kind of man her daughter liked, so she closed the book and asked:

"What have you decided to do?"

"I'll invite Wu Zhu over for dinner sometime later, so the two of them can get to know each other. After that, it's none of our business."

"it is good."

The two, having happily reached an agreement, were completely unaware that they were pushing their daughter into a wolf's den...

Ma Yuzhao was getting ready to go to bed and had just taken off all but his pajamas when his wife, Tingting, came in.

"Madam, what's wrong?"

"Don't play innocent. You made excuses last week. If you make excuses again today, I'm going to sleep in Yu'er's room."

"Um...that works too."

"Um?!"

"No, no, no! Sigh... Come on!"

Ma Yuzhao lay sprawled on the bed, his expression one of someone about to be executed.

There's nothing one can do when you reach middle age!

......

Ma Yu, who lived alone in a side room, was completely unaware that her parents were preparing to arrange a pen pal relationship for her and were happily grinning as they held the reply letter.

She went to her small desk and laid out "New Youth" and Zhu Junzi's reply on the table, unsure which to read first.

I heard that Zhu Junzi has published another novel in this issue of "New Youth," but replying to the letter is also very important...

She hesitated for a long time before finally reaching for the letter, taking out a paper cutter to cut it open, and pulling out the neatly folded letter paper inside.

Besides the letter paper, she was also surprised to find a packet of menthol inside!

This must be a return gift from Zhu Junzi, which made her extremely happy, and she hurriedly opened the letter.

Greetings, Huaijin.

I'm glad to see your reply. I won't reply with those words of praise, as they would seem like showing off or boasting.

What may seem like a unique perspective is simply a difference in worldview. As you read more, you will develop your own worldview, which in turn will form a methodology for examining various things, and so on.

Ma Yu silently took out her notebook and wrote down unfamiliar words she didn't understand.

Every time I correspond with Zhu Junzi, I feel that her knowledge far surpasses mine, which makes me feel a little inferior...

Regarding your classmates' two questions, I believe they require careful consideration in answering.

The relationship between aspiring young people and the likes of Xiangzi is, in short, not that of a "savior" and a "believer," but rather that of awakened individuals and fellow travelers. However, you have not yet reached that level of relationship.

Young students who only offer condescending sympathy or possess only empty enthusiasm will never be able to break through this relationship and will sooner or later degenerate from sympathy into contempt.

Ma Yu continued taking notes.

She could sense that many of her classmates shared this sentiment.

Seemingly compassionate, he actually looks down on people like Xiangzi from a superior position, ultimately only moving himself.

Therefore, the admonition of the bamboo gentleman is now all the more precious.

Given this situation, the first thing young students can consider for helping people like "Xiangzi" is how to overcome obstacles in their relationships.

[Remember, don't rush to the streets and try to build connections with people like Xiangzi just because you hear about doing something; that's foolish.]

Without theory, there is no action; otherwise, it is blind action.

Young students at this stage should sincerely try to understand why Xiangzi fell into such a state. The clearer their understanding of the world becomes, the more grounded their future actions will be. During this period, they can gradually get to know people like him.

This matter cannot be rushed, nor can it be discussed in vain. Please remember this!

Through the thin sheet of paper, Ma Yu seemed to see a young man earnestly admonishing her, even more stern than her father when he was angry!

However, the advice given remained calm and rational, which is perhaps the difference between the leading figures of the new literature movement and the passionate students...

However, according to Yang Zizhen, Zhu Junzi is not very old. How did he manage to do that?

Strange...

When it comes to reading, the biggest taboo in accumulating knowledge is impatience. If you can avoid getting discouraged, you already possess the basic requirements for success.

Regarding *Das Kapital*, it is indeed a profound and difficult work. As far as I know, there is currently no Chinese translation available. The copies your family found are likely in English and Japanese, which means you will need to learn a foreign language; there's no need to rush.

[A packet of mint slices is included with this letter. If you feel sleepy while reading, you can put one in your mouth. I've tried it, and it works very well.]

I'm thinking that, if possible, I'll take some time to translate some works so that your studies won't be so difficult, and you can see the true nature of the world sooner.

"Yay!"

Ma Yu raised her little fist and waved it forcefully.

The book that was found last time was in Japanese, and her father had to ask the librarian to translate it so she could understand it.

If it's all thick foreign language text, with her current level of English, reading it would be like reading gibberish...

Ms. Luxembourg's words hit the nail on the head.

It's good that you have the determination to "never become that kind of woman."

What she points out is how class status makes people content with parasitism without feeling any shame, and puts them in opposition to working women.

The fact that you realize this already puts you ahead of many others; please believe me.

Ma Yu was extremely proud.

To receive such personal affirmation from Zhu Junzi was enough to make her proud, and she would continue to maintain it!

[Furthermore, regarding the novel you previously inquired about, titled "Kong Yiji," it has been published in the latest issue of "New Youth." I cannot guarantee that you will see it when you receive this letter.]

[This article can perhaps be seen as a brief description of your past mental struggles. Reading it should offer new insights. Your reply is welcome.]

As for your curiosity about me, I'm just an ordinary person. I don't have a big head or a tall stature, and I'm not as imposing as a professor. Among students, I'm just an average person. So, as for your request to meet...

You're very bold; I appreciate your sentiment.

Right now, your future should be your priority; there's no need to rush into a meeting. This might sound harsh, but what I'm trying to say is: encounters in this world can happen unexpectedly.

Perhaps one day we'll bump into each other unexpectedly? I hope that then you'll be as bold as you described in your letter.

The weather is getting colder, please take care of your health and remember to exercise.

【Bamboo Gentleman】

October 12th, 1918

"Liar...hehe..."

Although Ma Yu was politely declined, she was still happy.

Didn't you see it? That's what Zhu Junzi said; maybe one day, the two of them will meet.

Moreover, she had heard Yang Zizhen say that Zhu Junzi was extremely handsome, although he dressed rather modestly, but he could still be recognized at a glance in a crowd, and was by no means ordinary!

She didn't rush to reply; instead, she quickly picked up the New Youth magazine and began flipping through it while sniffing the air.

"Hmph! Giving me empty promises... Just wait till I come looking for you one day!"