Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

Chapter 82 Preface (First Draft)

Hearing the shouts and curses behind him, Wu Zhu covered his mouth tightly to stop himself from laughing out loud.

He had come down from the third floor intending to go to the library director's office to discuss translation matters, but halfway there he heard shouting and cursing. He deliberately moved closer, pretending to be a passerby, to hear what was being cursed.

As expected, seeing Huang Laoguai break through his defenses made him feel much happier...

However, the way Mr. Climbing looked at him today was a bit strange; perhaps he had guessed something...

It's okay, if you don't say anything and I don't say anything, then we haven't been exposed.

Wu Zhu comforted himself with this thought as he arrived at the library director's office.

Since it was Monday, the doors were open, welcoming students to come in and discuss.

He gently knocked on the wooden door, went inside, and placed the manuscript paper lightly on the table.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the young man, the two began reading together.

I now present the first volume of this economics treatise to the readers—because my work has been repeatedly interrupted by chronic illness.

"Writing books and spreading true knowledge is never an easy path."

"Even when plagued by illness, he persisted in scientific exploration, which shows how difficult this path is."

"Yet their will never wavered, and their achievements were ultimately accomplished. How similar this spirit is to our circumstances!"

As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning, and this is true for every science... We should strive to make it as easy to understand as possible.

[In monetary form—why is this? Because a fully developed body is easier to study than simple cells.]

"Your translation is concise and to the point, capturing the essence perfectly."

"Sir, don't just keep praising me, keep reading."

"Okay, no problem!"

Analyzing economic performance requires abstract thinking... Those who lack this ability may understand the concepts with hard work, but they cannot progress further.

[The commodity manifestation of labor products—this is indeed a trivial matter, and one that requires microscopic examination, a kind of triviality.]

This is the core of the methodology, and the only tool available for studying economics—the power of abstraction.

That is, the ability to abstract theories and reason logically.

It also specifies that the object of analysis is the product, and regards it as the "trivial matter" that needs the most in-depth investigation.

"Goods...I'm afraid your translation is more accurate; I've always thought it was 'items'..."

'

"Our capitalist economy is currently underdeveloped, so using the colloquial term 'goods' to replace it helps readers understand the subsequent analysis, but the original meaning must be maintained in serious discussions."

"You mean using it strategically?"

"right!"

Li Shou suddenly felt enlightened and couldn't wait to look down.

[Up to this point—typically—I would then loudly proclaim to him: This is exactly what they're talking about… a dead man grabbing a living man!]

Great Britain was chosen as the primary case study because it was the most mature and typical capitalist economy at the time, with the purest phenomena and the fewest interferences, making it most conducive to revealing universal laws.

Furthermore, it anticipated the wishful thinking of readers in relatively underdeveloped countries and delivered a stern warning.

It also analyzed the complex dilemmas faced by continental countries—

On the one hand, they suffered from the exploitation brought about by the development of capital; on the other hand, they suffered from the oppression of feudal remnants.

"The living grasping at the dead... How painful, how apt, is the intertwining of millennia-old ills and emerging exploitation?"

While reading, he would occasionally glance at Wu Zhu, his gaze intense as he said, "Translation work is difficult; thank you for your hard work!"

"I do a little work in my spare time, nothing to brag about."

Wu Zhu gestured for them to look quickly, as he still had to go help Mr. Climbing Old Man with his work.

I will never use rosy hues to depict the faces of factory owners and landowners.

Regardless of how subjectively an individual may detach themselves from these relationships, they are always a product of these relationships in society.

It is not aimed at individual property owners, but at their economic position!

It emphasizes the "personalization of the economic sphere," meaning that no matter how much property owners struggle, they are still subject to the logic of capital, thus reiterating the objectivity of the laws.

"I think what this passage is trying to say is that there is no such thing as an abstract person." With this admonition, many things become much easier to analyze.

First, inspiration flows like a mountain spring.

Wu Zhu listened quietly from the side, and also had his own insights.

I welcome any scientific criticism. As for the so-called biases of public opinion, which I have never yielded to, I still adhere to the maxim of the great Florentine poet: Go your own way, and let people talk!

Finally, it demonstrated an openness to genuine scientific criticism and a firm contempt for unscientific public opinion biases.

The quotations cited further demonstrate the theoretical courage to uphold the truth.

Li Shou put down the translation manuscript, let out a long sigh, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples: "Isn't this also true of modern literature?"

"This last sentence should be copied down and posted on the door of my director's office so that we, the new generation of young people, can all take it as a reminder."

When he looked at Wu Zhu again, his eyes were filled with admiration: "Incredible, the translation is very accurate, and it conveys the essence better than secondary sources."

Wu Zhu smiled and waved his hand, indicating that he would continue to work hard.

Li Shou glanced at the door and lowered his voice to ask, "Since you're already here, tell me the truth, is 'The Bao Family' your work?"

"Absolutely not."

Wu Zhu's expression remained completely unchanged.

Li Shou laughed out loud, with a "see if I believe you" expression: "He's so young, but he does things like a seasoned veteran, leaving no room for error."

Wu Zhu scratched his head, deciding not to respond, otherwise he would definitely give himself away.

"Young people have their own ideas, but if you don't want to share them, I won't press you. Let's encourage each other!"

"mutual encouragement!"

After saying goodbye to the first professor, Wu Zhu left the director's office and began climbing the stairs towards his office.

Today I have to help with classes and organize documents. Time is tight and the task is heavy. If I don't start working early, I'll have to work overtime tonight.

That wretched old man Qian hasn't fed us in ages. If this continues, he'll forget his roots!

If I have to switch allegiances, whose side should I go to...?

Liang Shouming, Hu Shih, Xu Baohuang, Shao Zhenqing...

It's so hard to choose!

Wu Zhu was halfway up the mountain when someone blocked his path.

Fu Mengzhen's expression was somewhat strange, as if he had seen through everything.

Wu Zhu asked in confusion, "Brother Mengzhen, what's going on?"

'

Fu Mengzhen's eyes lit up, and he pulled him to a corner, lowering his voice to say, "Brother Wu, I have something to ask you!"

"Speak quickly, you're squeezing my arm so hard it hurts..."

'

Wu Zhu tried to pull his arm out, but Fu Dapao was too strong. His hands were like iron clamps, and he couldn't exert any force.

After being reminded, Fu Mengzhen realized something was wrong and quickly released his grip: "Brother Wu, we're all bandits in the same den, just tell me the truth, are you the Yanjing Guest?"

"no."

I don't believe it.

"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. I'm leaving."

Wu Zhu made a move to leave, but walked very slowly, as if on purpose, waiting for Fu Mengzhen to ask him to stay.

"I'll treat you to dinner tonight!"

Fu Mengzhen indeed called out from behind.

Wu Zhu couldn't possibly admit to using an alias, but he figured he could get away with it by cheating people out of a meal, so he immediately put on a smiling face and said, "No problem! Just call me when you have some free time."

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