Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

Not long ago.

The principal's room on the east side of the second floor of Yenching University's Red Building.

"You new believers are utterly shameless! You have completely lost the virtue of respecting teachers and the Way, and have abandoned the backbone of Chinese scholars. Get out of here at once!"

"Yes, sir, please don't get angry."

"roll!"

"Students take their leave."

The students, who had been listening intently, heard Gu Hongming roar, followed by a handsome young man in shabby clothes emerge. He greeted them warmly as he left, and they realized what was happening—

This is the same young man who was just inside, so eloquent.

Her appearance doesn't quite match her personality!

Despite her delicate appearance, she refused to back down when arguing with the old stubborn man; she was hard-hearted and had a sharp tongue.

He could rattle off new literary theories off the cuff, and few students at Yenching University could grasp them as clearly as he could. Most importantly, he was a complete stranger to the university.

A female student wearing a white shirt and black skirt, with two braids, and not wearing a Yenching University badge, stopped Wu Zhu:

"Excuse me, are you a new student in the preparatory program this year?"

At this time, Yenching University underwent vigorous reforms by Cai Yuanpei, and students were divided into three levels: preparatory, undergraduate, and research fellow. The preparatory course usually lasted two years, and students could seamlessly transition to the undergraduate program after graduation.

This was not an unnecessary step. In 1918, the quality of modern education in China was uneven, and many secondary school graduates did not meet the requirements for undergraduate admission to Yenching University. Therefore, it was necessary to establish a preparatory course to make up for the gap.

Students from other places usually start from the preparatory course when they come to Yenching University. When the students heard Wu Zhu's southern Hunan accent and judged him as a new student, they naturally assumed that he was a preparatory student.

However, Yenching University did not admit female students at that time, so they must have come to audit classes.

Wu Zhu stopped in his tracks:

"I'm not an alumnus. I originally wanted to apply for a research fellow position, but I ended up meeting Professor Koo and had to give up halfway through."

The girl looked regretful:

"That's such a pity! Someone as talented as you shouldn't be wasted like this. You're such a petty madman!"

"I'm a student at the Women's Normal School. Could I have your mailing address? Don't misunderstand, I just want to discuss modern literature with you!"

The style suddenly shifts, revealing the true purpose.

Wu Zhu smiled slightly:

"I'm sorry, I'm new to Yanjing and haven't found a place to stay yet."

After saying that, he strode away, ignoring the disappointed female classmate.

He's actually a very ordinary person; he only dates the most beautiful girl in school...

The students looked at each other, and finally looked at the back of this "cool, doesn't date" student, who was so thin yet so upright.

"Do you think if this guy got into Peking University, wouldn't he end up like Senior Fu and the others?"

"I don't think so. Senior Fu is a man of great talent; his articles can even be published in 'New Youth.' This guy just seems to be good with words."

"Do you think it's possible that since he's so eloquent, he's also a good writer?"

"Well......"

......

Yes.

After a friendly exchange, Wu Zhu and Gu Hongming had an in-depth discussion, and unsurprisingly, the researcher interview failed.

As for the specifics of what was discussed...

In fact, there wasn't much serious academic discussion, because Gu Hongming had a rather volatile temper. The two of them would get angry as they talked, and the conversation mainly revolved around the terms "brat" and "old stubbornness," and was more of an emotional outburst.

To be honest, Wu Zhu didn't have any respect for this pedantic scholar who supported the imperial system, but he didn't dislike him either.

It was just bad luck that we ran into each other today, so he had to change his mind at the last minute and say some nice things to make Gu Hongming happy and pass the interview...

Why bother?

He lacks the integrity of a scholar, otherwise he wouldn't have done something like plagiarism; nor does he have lofty ambitions, otherwise he wouldn't have been lost on the streets yesterday.

My current goal is simply to get into Peking University and earn some money so I can return home in glory.

But it's not so low as to lick the stinking feet of Manchu remnants just to get into Peking University.

It's a pity about the expectations of my hometown folks, but fortunately there are many opportunities in this era.

Even if I can't become a researcher, I might make a name for myself in the future and get a professorship, which would be a way to get into Yenching University indirectly.

He should go back and wait for news about the submission. He remembered that after handing the article to Yang Huaizhong this morning, Yang Huaizhong's sunken eyes almost bulged out as he looked at it, and the way he looked at Yang Huaizhong changed.

The older generation can question the abilities of the younger generation, but they should never question the younger generation's memory!

Let me ask you if it was copied word for word!

These are all things I was forced to memorize by my teachers back in school, I never imagined they'd be turned into something useful like this...

.......

Wu Zhu swayed back to No. 9 Doufuchi Hutong.

It should be summer vacation during this period. Yang Zizhen, who studies at Yanjing Huiwen Middle School, stays at home all day. She moved a recliner to sit under the eaves, holding a big white pear that Wu Zhu brought yesterday in one hand and the magazine "Fiction from the Newspaper" in the other, reading it happily. She has a feeling of "my parents are not home, I am the boss today".

Yang Huaizhong valued education and maintained a strict family tradition. He emphasized that learning principles should be aimed at "saving the country and benefiting the world," and required his students and children to read books that could improve their moral character and promote the unity of knowledge and action, especially philosophical books. He regarded miscellaneous books like "Xiaoshuo Congbao" as "superficial writings." Therefore, this copy of "Xiaoshuo Congbao" was probably secretly hidden by Yang Zizhen. If Yang Huaizhong had caught her, she would have been scolded!

As for how Wu Zhu figured it out?

He coughed as soon as he entered the room, and Yang Zizhen jumped in fright, almost dropping the white pear she was holding. She hurriedly stuffed the "Fiction from the Newspaper" into her crotch...

What else could this be but a guilty conscience?

"it's me."

"Shh... Why are you making the same noise as my dad?"

When Yang Zizhen saw the figure approaching, she breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, and took out the magazine again, her fear still lingering on her face.

Wu Zhu couldn't admit that he deliberately teased the child, so he changed the subject:

"Why haven't I seen your younger sister and aunt?"

"They went out to escape the summer heat with my aunt and won't be back for a few days."

"Then why didn't you come along?"

"Tch! How uncomfortable!"

Yang Zizhen, seemingly indifferent, lay back in her chair and began to devour the pear.

Wu Zhu, having discerned the truth, asked: "Are you afraid of your sister?"

Yang Zizhen paused, muttering, "How is that possible..."

His eyes darted around twice, and he decided he couldn't relinquish the power of conversation to Wu Zhu, so he took the initiative:

"Didn't you go to Yenching University for a research position interview? Why are you back so early? Did you fail the interview?"

Now it was Wu Zhu's turn to look grim.

Yang Zizhen moved the magazine aside and secretly glanced at Wu Zhu in the courtyard. She noticed his ashen face and immediately burst out laughing.

"You weren't rejected by Uncle Cai, were you?"

"No way, no way?"

"Yesterday you seemed very confident, fully prepared to step into the storm, and still wanted to submit your work to *New Youth* magazine?"

"I told you not to brag!"

Discovering that Wu Zhudang was a taciturn man only strengthened his conviction, and the flame of his literary dream was rekindled.

He is destined to be the next Lu Xun; no one can take him away from us!

There are not many historical records about Yang Zizhen's student days. Wu Zhu never expected that this seemingly handsome guy would be so mischievous in his youth.

To save face, he decided to say something anyway:

"President Tsai has been on sick leave at home these past few days, and the professors are taking turns on duty. The academic materials I prepared were on the perspectives of modern literature, but I encountered Gu Hongming instead. He had just kicked me out of his office not long ago."

These few words made Yang Zizhen beam with joy. She casually tossed the fruit pit into the air, where it traced an arc before landing in the alley with a "thud."

"But Mr. Yang has already forwarded my article, so I expect to get a result soon."

Yang Zizhen gradually lost her smile.

He knew perfectly well how discerning his father was, and the fact that he was willing to help pass on the article proved that this young man from the countryside had indeed written something by lamplight last night.

No! His dream of becoming a literary giant!

Just then.

Before the courtyard gate was closed, a person rushed in. Yang Huaizhong followed behind, arriving late, seemingly unable to keep up with the person's pace.

"Where is it! Where is it!"