Reborn Bao Guowei, I really didn’t want to be a great writer!

Chapter 374: Ji Xianlin’s Diary? Analysis by Master Wang Guowei!
"The 9th day of the 11th month of the 17th year of the Republic of China.

I got up early in the morning to read Mr. Bingwen's "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword". After a cursory reading, I felt that the Japanese were extremely hateful. I must let the Japanese see how powerful I am in my lifetime."

"The 10th day of the 11th month of the 17th year of the Republic of China.

I haven't done anything meaningful. These bastard professors assign a lot of homework every day, which really disturbs my research on "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword".

"November 11, 1917.

After reading "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", I read another novel by Mr. Bingwen today, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". I don't know why, Mr. Bingwen's writing is not very obscene, but it always arouses my sexual desire. I think I may not be able to write a work like Mr. Bingwen's "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" in this lifetime, so I might as well think about whether I can have sex with a woman like Huang Rong.

“November 12, 1917.

Damn it, Bao Bingwen, that bastard, why hasn’t he written the second part of The Legend of the Condor Heroes yet? "

“November 13, 1917.

I haven’t done anything meaningful. I heard that The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is out of stock. I’m glad I bought the book in advance.”

"November 14, 1917.

To be honest, watching women play basketball is not as good as watching "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword."

"November 15, 1917.

I studied hard today! After reading all the contents of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", according to my analysis, from a cultural perspective, the hierarchical concept and extreme pursuit of "loyalty" inherited from ancient times in Japan will make its army or the samurai class show a high degree of obedience when performing tasks. This can be seen from the relevant ideas instilled by the Japanese emperor to his generals (see: Volume 9 of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword")

Therefore, I think Mr. Bingwen's analysis of the Japanese in the book is extremely pertinent. I strongly support taking comprehensive precautions against Japan.
"

"The 16th day of the 11th month of the 17th year of the Republic of China.

I happened to hear several professors discussing the content of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, especially Mr. Zhao Yuanren's analysis of its content. I felt that I had similar ideas to him, so I wanted to go up and have a good talk with him, but a guy named Qian Zhongshu got there first. Damn it."

night.

Ji Xianlin rubbed his sore wrists and blew dry the ink on the manuscript.

After learning about Bao Guowei's deeds, Ji Xianlin began to think that he might also be able to create works related to history and social sciences.

It’s not that Ji Xianlin had never submitted articles in the past. On the contrary, when he was in high school, he had already published his short stories in multiple newspapers.

This year, he also started translating Turgenev's relevant essays and published them in many paper media such as Tianjin's Yi Shi Bao.

It can be said that Ji Xianlin is quite familiar with submitting articles.

But compared with Bao Guowei, Ji Xianlin still feels a little pale in comparison.

Taking advantage of the momentum from reading "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", Ji Xianlin started writing immediately after finishing his diary.

He folded the manuscript into an envelope and carefully sealed it under the dim light of his Tsinghua dormitory.

He was still mumbling something.

"I hope the editor can publish my manuscript sooner this time."

In the past, his submissions were limited to the North, but this time he planned to submit his work to Bao Guowei's Fame Report.

The Shanghai Times.

It was late at night.

There is still a brightly lit spot in the teacher's office of Tsinghua University.

"Brother Jing'an, you can read the analysis of Bingwen's work by Qian Zhongshu from the Department of Foreign Languages ​​and Literature. It is very pertinent and reasonable, and it speaks to what I am thinking. He has been known as a genius for a long time, and now it seems that he is not just a genius. In today's Chinese literary world, I think he is second only to Bao Bingwen."

Zhao Yuanren handed a beautifully handwritten manuscript to the old gentleman opposite him who was wearing a green melon-shaped hat and a green gown, and a look of emotion appeared on his face.

At this moment, only a few stars are still shining outside the window, and the moon, which is approaching its 15th day, appears unusually round tonight.

The two of them sat opposite each other in front of the window, in front of them was a small coffee table, on which was placed an inappropriate kettle with a lotus painting on it, a small plate of peanuts, a small pot of Longjing tea, and most importantly, several good books.

This was the "elegance" of the professors in Peking at that time.

They were accustomed to discussing everything under the sun in this way. Whether it was literature, philosophy, or history, they would analyze it thoroughly in between sips and bites of wine.

The old gentleman is called Wang Guowei, and he can be said to be the backbone of the academic community of this era.

At the age of 53, he had made outstanding achievements in philosophy, history and archaeology.

Especially in the fields of Redology, opera, oracle bone inscriptions, etc., he can be called a true master in China today.

Wang Guowei was naturally familiar with Bao Guowei's name and had studied many of his works.

After looking at the manuscript on the table, Wang Guowei smiled and read a few sentences.

"Bao Bingwen's article provides us with a unique perspective to understand Japanese culture and national character.

In historical research, understanding the cultural character of a country or nation is crucial to predicting its policies and behaviors.

In a sense, Japanese culture is an extreme branch of Chinese culture, which can be confirmed in the information provided by "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword".
"

When Wang Guowei stopped, Zhao Yuanren smiled and continued, "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword adopts the research method of cultural anthropology, which provides new ideas and methods for our historical research."

After finishing speaking, Zhao Yuanren could not help but sigh and say: "Qian Zhongshu's analysis hits my heart directly. People say that Tsinghua students are the best among the best. This student Qian is one of the best among them."

Wang Guowei agreed with Qian Zhongshu's analysis of the book "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" in his article.

However, he was somewhat indifferent to Zhao Yuanren's high evaluation.

"Brother Xuanzhong, you are wrong. Both Tsinghua University and Peking University are full of hidden talents. Just look, there are many who can stand shoulder to shoulder with Qian Zhongshu."

After expressing their feelings, the two of them were stunned, as if they had thought of something at the same time.

Wang Guowei shook his head repeatedly and couldn't help but laugh at himself.

"We are all here admiring how talented Qian Zhongshu is, but we forget that Bao Bingwen, who wrote The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, was much younger than them. If they are still considered geniuses, then what is Bao Bingwen?"

Wang Guowei and Zhao Yuanren looked at each other and saw another word in each other's eyes.

But they all tacitly didn't say it out loud.

"We may have realized long ago that Bao Bingwen is no longer at the same level as ordinary students."

Zhao Yuanren said with a smile, and then he recalled.

"Speaking of Bao Bingwen, I know him a little bit. Brother Jing'an knows that I am a good friend of Mr. Lin Yutang from the south, and we often exchange letters.

In the letter, he mentioned that the Mingcai typewriter he developed had encountered a bottleneck, and he wanted to write to me for consultation, but he did not expect that Bao Bingwen would solve the problem by chance.

Later, Mr. Lin Yutang and Bao Bingwen became good friends, and their exchanges inspired many researchers on the development of the Mingkuai typewriter.

Now I heard that this Mingkai typewriter is about to be launched on the market.

I, a Chinese, can finally have my own typewriter!"

As a linguist, Zhao Yuanren knew what the successful development of the Mingkai typewriter meant.

That means that the voices calling for the abolition of Chinese characters will be greatly reduced in the future, and that scholars will no longer have to rely on inefficient handwriting when creating and researching. It also means that the number of books and works on the market will increase significantly.

The Mingkai typewriter is an indisputable weapon for both the country and the people!

Wang Guowei's hand, which was originally drinking water, trembled involuntarily, and he said with a helpless smile on his face.

"This Bao Bingwen, from medicine to mechanics, from chemistry to history, not to mention literature, is there anything he doesn't know?"

When I think back to my youth, I was considered a gifted child.

But now he is far inferior to Bao Guowei.

"Hey!" Wang Guowei sighed and waved his hands. "Let's not talk about Bao Bingwen. Talking about him only makes people angry and jealous. Let's talk about this book "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword"

Zhao Yuanren had long wanted to hear Wang Guowei's analysis. He leaned forward slightly and asked with a sharp gaze.

"What do you think, Brother Jing'an?"

Wang Guowei thought for a moment and already had an idea in his mind, so he spoke very fluently.

Then he expressed his judgment.

"I think this book is not as good as Bao Bingwen's previous work, Guns, Germs, and Steel, in terms of historical research."

In later generations, many people called Wang Guowei the founder of new historiography, which is enough to show his attainments in historical research.

Therefore, compared with the study of literature, Wang Guowei paid more attention to historical analysis and understanding.

"Huh? This is the first time I've heard of it." Zhao Yuanren looked at the other party with some surprise.

More than a week has passed since The Chrysanthemum and the Sword was published. Judging by the time, it has spread almost all over China.

But in the market, except for those who have always been at odds with Bao Bingwen, there are basically few negative comments.

Moreover, Zhao Yuanren had never heard of Wang Guowei's perspective.

He couldn't help feeling a little itchy, so he poured Wang Guowei a cup of tea and said.

"Appreciate further details."

Wang Guowei nodded and said, "When Guns, Germs, and Steel came out, I read it and reread it many times. It can be said that I saw a new method of studying history from it."

He paused and continued seriously.

"According to Bao Bingwen, it is to study history in a macro way, no longer limited to specific historical events and figures, but starting from the broader geography, ecology and environment, to explore the long-term trends of human society as a whole."

Wang Guowei is worthy of being the leader of the historical academic community in the Republic of China, and every word of his analysis is brilliant.

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh and say: "Bao Bingwen's book Guns, Germs, and Steel is so important. It has opened up a whole new field for the development of historiography in my country and even in the world. It can be regarded as a pioneering work."

Zhao Yuanren frowned and could not help but retort, "But Brother Jing'an, in my opinion, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword has also created a new research method by analyzing the nature of the Japanese nation and combining it with history. There should be no superiority or inferiority between the two."

"No, no, no." Wang Guowei shook his head and said. "Compared to the historical nature of Guns, Germs, and Steel, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is more like another branch. Bao Bingwen's words are easy to understand, and even this kind of academic book can make people read it with relish. But in my opinion, this book is less academic and more personal, and it seems to be trying to inspire the nationality of readers."

After Wang Guowei analyzed it himself, he felt that he needed to be more objective, so he added a sentence.

"From a historical perspective, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword may not be that good, but from an era perspective, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword presents the vigorous national character that our country needs today!"

The two gentlemen are both very talented and talked about everything from "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" to Bao Guowei.

Sometimes they would argue till they were red in the face, and sometimes they would feel sympathy for each other because of their shared opinions.

To the point of forgetting the time.

After an unknown amount of time, Wang Guowei felt the temperature around him gradually drop and shivered.

He looked at the sky outside and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Brother Xuanzhong, I have to go back now. If I am any later, the cock will crow at dawn."

Zhao Yuanren also felt that it was too late and the Tsinghua teachers' building was not big enough, so he stood up to see them off.

After opening the door, both of them felt a gust of cold wind blowing, and their heads immediately became much clearer.

Walking along the path between the school buildings, Zhao Yuanren said with emotion: "I have benefited a lot from this conversation with Brother Jing'an. I can write an article about it tomorrow."

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. Brother Xuanzhong has inspired me a lot." Wang Guowei said repeatedly with a bow.

The mottled shadows of the trees passed over the two of them from time to time.

Zhao Yuanren looked at the full moon in the sky and couldn't help feeling emotional.

He looked up to the sky and slowly recited two lines of poetry.

“The ancients once said, when the bright moon was there, it shone on the colorful clouds returning.

In this situation, if Ren Gong were here, he would definitely give a high evaluation of the work "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword". It is hard to know whether he would praise or criticize it. He might also be dissatisfied with some of Bao Bingwen's behaviors, or he might admire some of his works.

It’s a pity that he is gone.”

Wang Guowei naturally knew that "Ren Gong" was Liang Qichao's pen name.

He was once named one of the "Four Great Mentors of Tsinghua University" along with Wang Guowei, Chen Yanke and Zhao Yuanren.

Among them, Liang Qichao was the oldest and had experienced many eras including the late Qing Dynasty, separatism, and warlords, and witnessed countless humiliations for China.

Among the literati of this generation, Liang Qichao holds a special status.

It’s a pity that Liang Qichao passed away last year.

It was only a year later that Bao Guowei became famous.

Wang Guowei also looked at the moon emitting silver light and said with a smile.

"Brother Xuan Zhong, there is no need to guess. Mr. Ren will certainly praise Bao Bingwen! Bao Bingwen's character is exactly what he likes!"

"Maybe!"

Early the next morning.

As usual, Chiang Kai-shek went to the Presidential Palace on Guofu Road.

Standing on the terrace, looking at the gray sky and the yellow leaves on the roadside, it heralds the arrival of winter.

Feeling the chill in the air and thinking about the current domestic situation, Chiang Kai-shek wanted to stand on the terrace of his office and compose a poem.

But after holding it in for a long time, I couldn't say a word.

He returned to the office in disappointment and saw a brand new copy of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" on the desk.

That was just delivered by Wang Xunen this morning.

Sitting down, Chiang Kai-shek opened the pages of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword".

(End of this chapter)