Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

"I know why Kuretake wrote it this way..."

"It's not baseless slander against traditional learning. Someone actually did it, and they even got into trouble with him."

Liang Shouming, standing to the side, looked uncomprehending and subtly recounted Huang Kan's glorious deeds.

After all, he had genuinely heard that some students had used the excuse of "literary refinement" to excuse Huang Kan's behavior...

He began studying Buddhist scriptures at the age of fourteen or fifteen and made a vow to "never marry, never eat meat, and never drink alcohol." Under the influence of his worldview of "purity of mind and few desires," he was indifferent to these "romantic pursuits."

But for many intellectuals, it's like the small head controlling the big head; besides academics, they think about these "romantic and elegant affairs" all day long, and even use them as topics of conversation in their social circles.

Under the halo of academia, everything becomes righteous, and it's no wonder that this group of people defend their academic work so fiercely.

A bunch of hypocrites...

Upon hearing his son's words, Liang Ji's face turned from red to white, and he slumped back in his chair.

"With the collapse of propriety and music, this is no longer a place for learning; it is clearly...!"

After talking for so long, he still couldn't give his final assessment, and instead got quite angry with himself.

Wu Zizhen was in low spirits:

"Many powerful and wealthy people in the world use money to settle their extramarital affairs, but they just put on the guise of being from a 'scholarly family'."

"It pains me deeply that the way of the sages has fallen to this state."

Now that Wu Zhu has submitted this manuscript, even if it's not directed at the two old scholars, seeing the realistic elements in it makes him feel incredibly uncomfortable.

But this is Guo Chun's home; Bao Guowei has to go back to his own home.

Several of Bao Guowei's friends were sitting in the room... Bao Guowei raised his eyebrows and glanced at them, then sat down in the wicker chair, crossed his legs, and started swinging them back and forth... The book closed as if it had a spring.

Old Bao kept stroking his chin... but Dai Laoqi wanted to break the uncomfortable silence. He asked softly, "When does he start school?"

【"the day after tomorrow."】

Suddenly, Bao Guowei threw down the book he was reading, got up, and walked towards the door.

Hu Da suggested in a low voice that they go to his room, so everyone breathed a sigh of relief and went out the door... Once inside Hu Da's room, Hu Da became lively.

Old Bao then repeated what he had said a dozen times to Dai Laoqi: "I'm really sorry, really. I really—I really—think about it: everything was calculated perfectly, and now you're asking for a dress allowance out of nowhere…"

[Then Old Bao coughed a few times to clear his throat and began to ramble on about his situation... As he spoke, he squeezed out wrinkles around his eyes.]

Overjoyed, he couldn't help but talk to his son: "We can pay the bill tomorrow, tomorrow... we have enough money, I have it with Hu Da—Hu Da has..."

Bao Guowei smoothed his hair, stood up, and muttered to himself, "I need to buy a bottle of Morgan's."

"What kind of oil... ointment?"

"Morgan! Hair stylist! Imported goods!"

The last part of the third section shows Bao Guowei returning home and running into Lao Bao borrowing money. However, when facing these neighbors, he changed his demeanor from Guo Chun's and became arrogant and rude.

In order for Bao Guowei to make achievements in the field of traditional Chinese studies, Lao Bao sought help from all sides and scraped together the money to finally borrow tuition fees. However, Bao Guowei wanted to buy imported hair wax, which made Lao Bao very angry and he looked down on Lao Bao for being poor.

"The hearts of parents are always full of love and worry..."

Liang Ji stopped reading after that and leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.

The ending may already be clear; the only question is how it will be presented.

Such an incompetent person as Bao Guowei was destined to see his frugal, borrowing-money-everything life and his cherished future in traditional Chinese studies vanish completely at some point.

Wu Zizhen sighed repeatedly:

"Old Bao is almost foolishly kind; he thinks too highly of traditional Chinese culture."

"If one seeks knowledge with clarity and understanding, why must one squander one's fortune? If a teacher teaches without discrimination, why must one concern oneself with the students' food, clothing, and daily necessities?"

"The essence of traditional Chinese culture, like the state of the world, is rotten to the core—a pile of rotten flesh... Alas!"

The two chose not to read on; this depiction of contemporary Chinese studies was simply too unacceptable.

Even though they are fully aware that this is the current state of traditional Chinese studies, and that those who praise traditional Chinese studies are just a group of people seeking fame and fortune, they are unwilling to accept this fact.

"The world makes it impossible to pretend to be asleep..."

"I often find myself reflecting late at night, wondering if our actions have made us accomplices in clinging to outdated ideas and prejudices?"

Liang Ji's face turned completely ashen, as if a string in his heart had suddenly snapped. His eyes were vacant, and he muttered to himself in an almost inaudible voice.

Wu Zizhen hurriedly stood up, pressed down on her partner's shoulder, and said urgently:

"We must not be so despondent; traditional learning is not entirely without vitality. Although Wu Zhu's article ruthlessly exposes its flaws, isn't it also a potent remedy?"

"The world and people's hearts always move forward; you must take care of yourself to see a turning point!"

His words had no effect whatsoever.

Liang Ji remained the same, staring at the manuscript on the table like a living dead:

"Preserve national essence? Build national character?..."

"How can anything be done when things are so rotten... I've spent half my life advocating and appealing, what should I do now?"

"Things are going downhill, and it's beyond what one person can reverse. I accept it."

Along with the old world, the old morality also collapsed; but the new world is unclear, and the new morality has been unable to take shape for a long time, leaving the world and people's hearts in chaos.

He once tried to repair the old morality and promote Confucian ethics to reform society, in order to fill the gap in his own faith. This was the only thing he could hold onto so that he would not fall into nihilism.

But reality keeps hitting him one blow after another, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

He finally resigned himself to his fate; the invisible string in his heart snapped, and he didn't utter a sound.

After all these years of hard work, he finally realized that everything he had done had benefited those who deceived the world and stole fame!

With the entire old learning system so rotten, how could people possibly regard it as a universal truth and consciously abide by its ethical principles? It would be good enough if they didn't turn around and laugh at it.

The remnants of the old world were not prepared with tickets to the new era.

"Perhaps, we've really arrived... we've really arrived..."

Liang Ji glanced at his son with reluctance.

Liang Shouming understood the resolute look in her eyes, as if struck by lightning.

His lips trembled as he tried to say something to persuade his father, but he didn't know how to begin.

Because he couldn't understand his father's thoughts.

He was filled with remorse.

I hate myself for studying Buddhism, Indian philosophy, and becoming a monk.

Now we can only helplessly watch as our father's faith crumbles step by step.

"Brother Juchuan, how about we just not publish this manuscript?"

Knowing how difficult it was for his old friend to resolve his inner conflict, Wu Zizhen deliberately steered the conversation towards practical matters.

However, Liang Ji knew exactly what his old friend was thinking, and suddenly turned his head:

"The truth, however undeniable, is better than a lie!"

"Publish it! Why isn't it being published?!"

"Not only must it be published, but it must be published without a single word changed! Let everyone see what the thing we've championed our whole lives really looks like!"

Looking at his agitated old friend, Wu Zizhen felt no anger, but rather deep sorrow. To avoid further upsetting his friend, he took a deep breath and pondered:

"Juchuan, the Bao family is more in line with the situation in the industry. Unlike the Xiangzi Story, which easily resonates with the common people, you always have to consider the risk of sales."

"When have we, people of your stature, ever been so utilitarian in our pursuit of awakening the world? These words are not meant to pander to popular taste; if we can bring them to the world and awaken even one person, that is a great achievement!"

Liang Ji remained resolute and refused to back down.

No matter how the two tried to persuade him, he ignored them, sat on the stool, turned his head to look at the sky outside the window, and remained silent.

Having no other option, Liang Shouming turned to Wu Zizhen and discussed the matter:

"Since it's going to be published, how will the payment be calculated?"

Wu Zizhen looked troubled:

"The previous edition of 'Xiangzi' cost 2.5 yuan, so this edition by the Bao family should be priced higher. However, the standalone edition of 'Xiangzi' is currently being printed at a rapid pace, and a lot of paper, ink, and labor costs have been prepaid. The newspaper is short of cash, so we really can't offer too much."

"...Four yuan per thousand words, Uncle Wu, what do you think?"

"Let's settle on this. If it generates a lot of discussion in the future and boosts newspaper sales, there might be a possibility of publishing a separate book. At that time, we can share the profits with Wu Zhu to make up for it."

Seeing that Liang Ji refused to express his opinion, Wu Zizhen had no choice but to make the decision on his own.

Liang Shouming nodded solemnly, glanced at his father's desolate figure, wanted to offer some advice, but couldn't find the words.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard Liang Ji murmur:

"Shouming, my birthday is next month. Let's invite your brother over. I miss him. It would be so nice to have the whole family together."

Liang Shouming agreed in a hoarse voice:

"Okay, I'll go send the telegram..."