Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

The novel "The Bao Family" caused a sensation in the entire circle of Chinese classical studies in Yenching.

Some even went so far as to approach the Beijing Daily newspaper office demanding an explanation, and even pressed the newspaper about the identity of "Yanjing Guest," only to receive a "no comment" response. No amount of threats or warnings could change their minds.

Liang Ji seemed determined to protect the author, displaying an attitude of fearlessness in the face of death. The interrogator had no choice but to give up, fearing that he might do something like banging his head on the ground.

......

The next morning, the frost was even thicker.

Xiangluying Toutiao Hutong outside Xuanwumen.

"The final chapters! Chapters four and five of 'The Bao Family' are published today!"

"Bao Guowei's reputation is ruined; Yanjingke exposes scandals in the Chinese classical studies circle! Come and see the news!"

Because of the high sales volume, the newsboy's voice was even more excited than yesterday.

Qian Xuantong, who had returned home to rest, did not sleep well that night. The three episodes of "The Bao Family" he had read the previous day had given him a vague suspicion, but he dared not make a decision.

If there were no other suspects to be found, who would suspect someone close to them...?

So he got up early and cooked some porridge for the children.

Actually, I didn't mean any harm; I just happened to pull my two sons up with me when I got up.

He even sent his eldest son to wait at the alley entrance, making sure to buy the newspaper as soon as possible.

If you don't use a child who has developed intelligence, what's the point of having one?

"Dad, Mom hasn't gotten up yet, why should I get up?"

Qian Bingqiong, who was being held in Qian Xuantong's arms for warmth, asked while yawning.

Qian Xuantong pinched his youngest son's cheek hard:

"Why should a child sleep so long? The early bird catches the worm. He'll read the newspaper with his dad later!"

"I can't read... I'm so sleepy, I want to go back to sleep."

"Didn't you go to bed early last night? Why are you still sleepy now?"

"Yesterday I heard a strange noise. My older brother said it was the sound of stray cats meowing, but it was really noisy and kept me from sleeping well."

Qian Bingqiong's round face looked very serious.

Qian Xuantong opened his mouth, but decided not to answer the question.

"Dad, why aren't you saying anything?"

"It's okay, you'll understand when you grow up."

"Okay... I really want to grow up quickly..."

"When you're my age, you'll wish you never grew up."

The father and son sat behind the stove, chatting idly, and the kitchen was filled with the aroma of cooking, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Xu Wanzhen also got up, and seeing this scene, she felt incredibly warm inside.

You were you when you were young, you are you now, and you will always be you.

that's nice!

What she didn't tell her husband was that the marriage wasn't entirely intended as a formal engagement...

But before she could finish her reflection, the courtyard gate was flung open with a bang, and Qian Bingxiong rushed in, greeted her, and hurriedly went into the kitchen, waving a newspaper in his hand:

"Dad! We bought it!"

Qian Xuantong snatched the newspaper, hugged Qian Bingqiong, stepped aside, and bowed in gratitude:

"Brother, you've worked hard. Come and warm yourself by the fire!"

After saying that, he greeted Xu Wanzhen and gestured for her to come and watch the pot so that the porridge wouldn't dry out.

Then, like throwing a Poké Ball, he tossed Qian Bingqiong to the ground and rushed toward the study.

Although his marriage to Xu Wanzhen was a traditional one, their family life was always harmonious.

Every member of the family, whether adult or child, male or female, can speak freely and be treated equally.

Not to mention, he vehemently hated the "Three Cardinal Guides," referring to them as three hemp ropes. He advocated that these three ropes should never be tied around the heads of children, and that children should never tie them around the heads of the next generation.

Therefore, calling one's son "brother" is a common practice in the family.

The two children, one big and one small, looked at each other, feeling they had been misled.

Didn't we agree to read the newspaper together?

Xu Wanzhen entered the kitchen, gently patted the two children's heads, and said softly:

"Alright, I'll guard this place. You guys go ahead."

The two brothers chuckled and said in unison:

"Thank you, Mother!"

......

Inside the study.

Qian Xuantong lit the oil lamp and eagerly spread the newspaper on the table.

The next day, Lao Bao went to school to pay the fees... When he came back, he brought a small bottle containing a yellow, pungent-smelling oil.

The son, wearing an old cotton-padded jacket, was brushing his teeth, raising his eyebrows as he glanced at the bottle.

"Hair oil, I got it from Dai Laoqi... Smell it: it smells good, he said it's osmanthus oil."

"I want Morgan's! Imported goods! From England! Not this osmanthus oil, it's so cheap it looks like country stuff!"... "Take it away! I don't need this kind of oil! -- How shabby! Like a country bumpkin!"

Old Bao finally scraped together the tuition fees, only to be met with Bao Guowei's roar. He could understand that it was due to a lack of material resources, but he still felt somewhat upset, so he went to Hu Da to confide in him.

Hu Da comforted him, saying, "He's eating your food now, but you'll be eating his food later," attributing Bao Guowei's behavior to the price of "studying hard."

Upon hearing this external recognition, Lao Bao's vanity was satisfied, and he forgot everything else. He even asked around about the school's young master's face cream. It was obvious what he was going to do next.

"Hmph! Rotten wood!"

Qian Xuantong snorted coldly and said to his sons who had slipped into the study:

"Look at this old Bao, so pitiful yet hateful. The Bao Guowei he taught is just as bad—utterly hopeless!"

"You must always remember that learning is not about learning style or vanity, and you must never follow in Bao Guowei's footsteps."

The two brothers nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Qian Xuantong gestured for the two to come closer, and read the contents aloud as he looked at them.

As expected, Lao Bao went to steal things, crossing moral boundaries for the sake of his child, and was still worried about Bao Guowei in the end.

And what was Bao Guowei doing?

[At this time, Bao Guowei was at Guo Chun's house... and was quite happy: the chief editor of the *Gongyan Bao* newspaper had officially given him the title of "Special Reporter," which, although unpaid, included a business card that allowed him access to the National Academy and some academic events.]

More importantly, Guo Chun promised to take him to meet Mr. Liu at the next "Changming Chinese Classical Studies Society" internal gathering.

[Perhaps it will be a few months before he can show off his skills in the literary battles with the "New Youth" faction in the newspapers. He imagines that the articles from their "Changming Chinese Studies Society" are even better than Lin Qin'nan's... and the best of all, of course, is his, Bao Guowei's.]

[Once the topic is in his hands, no one else can solve it. He doesn't write about the milder ones, only the most intense ones. Of course, the other party will get anxious and want to refute his arguments, but he will change his tone and quote an even more obscure ancient book, thus gaining the upper hand in both reason and argument...]

[Of course, many conservative elders read their newspapers back then, and everyone nodded in agreement... Mr. Wang might even pat him on the shoulder and say, "The younger generation is truly formidable!"... Those female students... Hmph, what do they know! What he wanted was to be remembered in history, to become a guardian of traditional Chinese learning!]

While at Guo Chun's home, Bao Guowei became a "special reporter" for the "Gongyan Bao" newspaper, and fantasized about engaging in a war of words with others in the newspaper in the future, becoming a "protector of traditional Chinese culture" who surpassed Lin Shu, and then enjoying fame and valuable items, making those around him look at him with new eyes.

His ideals revolved entirely around personal vanity and factional struggles, with no intention whatsoever of pursuing academic truth.

Upon returning home, the cold scene from the previous day repeated itself; the father and his friend fell silent, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Seeing this, Qian Xuantong's suspicions became even clearer.

He pointed to this section and admonished the two guardians on his left and right:

"I will not make decisions for you on what to study in the future; you will choose for yourselves."

"But you must remember that you must be patient and not be impatient when conducting academic research. Never do academic research out of vanity, as this is a sign of a corrupt mind."

"Remember, you must not be conservative, rigid, or mediocre. You must be proactive in embracing new things, dare to be a pioneer, be good at critical thinking, and become someone who drives social change."

The two brothers readily agreed, promising they wouldn't end up like Bao Guowei.

A mountain that supports a landscape must be majestic and magnificent!

Qian Bingqiong urged:

"Father, how is Bao Guowei doing now?"

"What's the rush? I haven't finished watching yet!"

"If I weren't illiterate, I wouldn't ask you to read to me!"

"Wow, this is incredible!"

The father and son fought, then looked down.