1836: I Became a Literary Giant in Great Britain

Chapter 79 This punch, two hundred years of internal energy! (Seeking first subscription!)

Upon returning to London, Michel began working on "Silver Horse" with a strong creative desire.

Two days later, the manuscript was completed.

This is certainly not because Michelle didn't try.

Unfortunately, although "The Silver Horse" is one of the shorter stories in the Sherlock Holmes series.

But in this era where writing is entirely done by hand, writing a book is still a task that requires both mental and physical effort.

It seems I must get my hands on a typewriter if I have the chance.

To give this era a shock, let's introduce a "tentacle monster"...

Michelle thought to herself as she rotated her aching wrist.

"Michelle, you actually came out. Looks like your manuscript is almost finished."

That day, Michael's voice came from outside the door.

Then the door was pushed open, and he was carrying a food box.

"Oh, Michael, you've come."

Michelle stretched, making a cracking sound as her bones creaked.

"Freshly baked lunch, eat up!"

Michael put down the food box and raised his eyebrows.

Knowing that Michelle was in seclusion writing, Michael brought her food for the past two days.

Of course, judging from the taste of the food, Michelle strongly suspected that it was taken from Dickens' house.

Michelle picked up the manuscript and handed it to Michael.

"Please deliver this manuscript to Charles for me."

As early as Newmarkt, Michelle had decided to publish "Silver-browed Horse" in the February issue of Bentley Monthly.

上.

After completing "The Silver-browed Horse," Michel was faced with the task of giving a lecture at the University of London.

Michelle also needs some time to polish the content of her speech.

Michael took the manuscript. He didn't ask any questions, but simply patted Michelle on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. You just need to focus on your presentation."

Michelle nodded.

Michael's promise undoubtedly put him at ease.

Although giving a speech is not an easy task, he has already figured out what new things he will talk about.

It just needs some more detail.

He has already established himself in the London literary scene, and it's time for him to give Britain a shock in this new era.

This is also the most important significance of Michel's return to the University of London for his speech.

Time flies, and Wednesday arrived in the blink of an eye, the day I had arranged to meet Professor Joseph.

The University of London in 1837 held a very special position in British higher education.

It's important to know that Oxford and Cambridge at that time were subject to religious censorship; anyone with a bad background was not allowed to enter. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them "monastery universities."

The University of London, on the other hand, was the first secular university to cater to middle-class families, not to conduct religious censorship, and to allow young people of any religious background to enroll.

If you are not religious, have a weak background, but still want to go to university, then University College London is your only option...

As a result, the university is notorious as a "gathering place for paupers and heretics," attracting many students and professors with liberal leanings.

This is one of the reasons why Michelle accepted the invitation to speak here....

At the end of last year, the University of London and its arch-rival King's College London merged, giving birth to the prototype of the future University of London. William IV granted a Royal Charter, officially establishing the University of London and resolving the long-standing dilemma of both institutions being unable to legally award degrees.

Yes, you heard right. Previously, the University of London existed merely as an educational institution; it didn't have formal university status or the authority to award degrees...

Typically, upon completion of a course, University of London students receive only a certificate of completion, proving that they have indeed completed their studies at the University of London...

It sounds just like the online course completion certificate from my past life...

Every school has its conservatives, even a relatively open university like the University of London.

Although Professor Joseph highly praised Michel, many self-righteous "academic" professors or arrogant aristocratic students at the University of London were dismissive of the news that Michel would be giving a lecture at the University of London.

After all, in their view, "How dare a popular novelist who doesn't even have a diploma stand on this sacred podium?"

Grant Mitchell was one of the most resolute among them.

Grant was the illegitimate son of an earl of London, and came from an extremely wealthy family.

But an illegitimate child is an illegitimate child. Although the Earl dotes on him, he can forget about Cambridge or Oxford...

Grant could only end up at the University of London, a place he considered "inferior"...

In the Department of Languages ​​and Literature at the University of London, Grant considered himself a "leader" among the students and an heir to orthodox classical literature.

He always wore the most presentable clothes and used the most flowery language to express what he thought were profound insights.

In reality, he only had a group of sycophants surrounding him, trying to curry favor with him.

Speaking of which, Grant was Michelle's classmate.

But it was precisely because they were classmates that Grant grew to dislike Michelle even more.

Because Grant's writing style is extremely mediocre, his works are often filled with flowery language but empty and devoid of substance.

At that time, Michelle, despite wearing a worn-out, cheap suit, was always able to write words that amazed Professor Joseph.

In particular, Professor Joseph once criticized Grant's assignment as "showy but impractical" in front of the whole class, using Michel's essay, which made the proud Grant resentful.

So when Michel's family went bankrupt and couldn't afford tuition, Grant not only showed no sympathy, but also led the way in isolating him.

Those classmates who had once been close to Michel gradually distanced themselves from him under Grant's instigation.

On the day Michel left the school, Grant sarcastically remarked, "Commoners should go back to the gutter. Literature is not something a poor wretch like you can afford to play with."

This made Grant very happy for a long time.

In his view, that was all there was to Michel's life.

Until recently, Professor Joseph often used Michel's works as model essays for analysis.

This made Grant feel as uncomfortable as if he had eaten shit.

As the saying goes, if you are well, it is like a bolt from the blue.

This descendant of French immigrants has become famous because of his popular stories.

The more popular Michelle became, the more frustrated Grant felt.

What's even more infuriating is that he can't do anything about Michelle.

After all, once he leaves the school, who will recognize him as the count's illegitimate son?

So when Grant learned that Michel was going back to the school to give a speech, he vowed to teach this Frenchman a lesson.

Moreover, this opportunity came very soon.

With Dickens's carriage, Michel returned to the University of London.

The carriage stopped in front of the familiar teaching building. He got out and his gaze swept over the Gothic spires and thick stone walls.

This place was once the temple of knowledge he longed for, but it was also the place he had to leave because of poverty.

In those days, he walked on these brick-paved roads in his tattered clothes, his heart filled with helplessness and resentment.

Now he's back, but his identity is completely different.

Students hurried about on campus.

Many people noticed the stopped carriage and recognized Michel as he stepped down.

"Isn't that Michelle?"

"That's him. I heard he couldn't afford the tuition and was kicked out of school."

"Why is he back? I heard he writes street gossip in tabloids, how dare he show his face here?"

"That's not true. I heard he writes poetry very well and has won the Countess's favor."

Whispers came in like a tide from all directions.

Michelle listened calmly, a barely perceptible smile playing at the corners of her lips.

He had anticipated these words.

Just then, a tall, well-dressed young man walked over. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had an arrogant expression.

Michelle immediately recognized her predecessor's "old acquaintance," Grant Mitchell.

"Mr. LeBlanc, welcome back to the University of London."

Grant's voice carried an obvious sarcasm.

"I am Grant Mitchell, and I'm the one who will be receiving you today."

Grant looked at Michelle, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and even he had to admit that the poor student's appearance had changed dramatically.

He transformed from a poor and timid student into a confident gentleman.

Fortunately, Grant quickly found a breakthrough...

Upon seeing Michelle's unusual dress, Grant couldn't help but scoff, "Mr. LeBron, is this outlandish outfit the new fashion trend in your hometown? Or do you simply not understand what it means to be decent?"

"In my opinion, this outfit, like your bloodline, is neither fish nor fowl."

Grant deliberately raised his voice as he spoke, immediately attracting more attention.

Michel was quite a celebrity at school, and his French heritage was no secret.

Among the onlookers, those with good manners merely smiled slightly, while the more sarcastic ones laughed out loud.

Despite Grant's close-range attack, Michelle didn't feel embarrassed at all, and her expression didn't even change.

He simply raised his voice and replied loudly, "My bloodline can be traced back at least to my grandfather's generation, but I don't know your lineage because you don't know who your father is."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire room fell silent, followed by a deafening roar of laughter!

Michelle's words were far ahead of their time.

In fact, even in the 21st century, if you were surfing the internet and confronting a foreigner, these were the two sentences they feared most.

The first is that you have no friends, and none of your friends like you.

The second one is that you don't know who your father is.

In today's world, it would be like a nuclear weapon...

Bring on the fist! The fist transcends time!

This punch carries the power of two hundred years of internal energy. I ask you, can you withstand it?

PS: Here's a two-chapter update of 6,000 words. I'll keep writing and try to finish the remaining three chapters before 8 PM!