Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 216: What do I, Xiao, have to fear?

"Zhang Chao wants to confront me on a TV show?" Teacher Fang's voice was still low and hoarse, and the air was a little rough.

"He is courting his own destruction!" Sima Bei was very excited. Exposing himself as a "qigong master" on a TV show with Teacher Fang was the highlight of Sima Bei's first half of life, although usually Teacher Fang was the main player and he played a supporting role.

Teacher Fang didn't see it that way. Zhang Chao's determined and confident attitude in front of the reporter made him a little uncertain.

The reason why the "qigong masters" were willing to go on the show and battle with me was mainly due to ignorance and gambling mentality. More importantly, the things the "qigong masters" boasted about were all nonsense - things like treating cancer remotely and taking objects with the mind. The most exaggerated thing was that they claimed that they had put out the Xing'an Mountains fire by using their qi from thousands of miles away.

When facing such scammers, Mr. Fang has no psychological burden in fighting against them, and he can beat them up as much as he wants. Just three months ago, he and Sima Bei beat to death a scammer who claimed that he had trained his son and niece to recognize objects with their eyes blindfolded.

If there hadn't been a spoilsport reporter who, during the interview, had impulsively covered the child's head with his coat and exposed the scam, perhaps I would have been able to appear on TV again.

Zhang Chao is different. The "ghostwriting scandal" can only exist in inference at present, without any substantial evidence. For him who has received rigorous academic training, there is always a sense of guilt that a stone cannot be put to the ground.

However, being able to appear on TV is a huge temptation for Teacher Fang, who is in urgent need of greater fame.

Teacher Fang discussed with Sima Bei cautiously: "You said Zhang Chao is going to be on a show. Which TV station will it be? Which show?"

Sima Beidao: "Based on his personality and the standard of his previous reports, it can only be CCTV. Will he be interested in other channels? As for the programs, it's hard to say. It's most likely to be Channel 10. He has a good relationship with Channel 10."

When he heard CCTV, Teacher Fang's eyes lit up. But he was still a little hesitant and said, "That's Zhang Chao's 'home court'. I'm afraid it's not very advantageous for us to go there. After all, TV programs are controlled by directors and hosts. How can we be sure that the other party is not on Zhang Chao's side?"

Sima Bei patted his chest and assured: "It's not like I don't know someone in the station - and he's a leader. Don't worry, we will go together when the time comes."

Teacher Fang said noncommittally: "Since he has brought it up, we can't refuse. But before going on the show, we have to make all kinds of preparations... Don't let him surprise us."

Sima Bei said contemptuously: "What tricks does Zhang Chao have? At most, he will bring his famous teachers to the stage. It will be even better if they come, and we can defeat them all at once."

A smile appeared on Teacher Fang's face. If such an effect could be achieved, it would be ideal.

The two discussed for a while, and then Sima Bei stood up to say goodbye. Before leaving, he glanced around Teacher Fang's simple and shabby house, and said with a meaningful smile: "Teacher Fang, don't always work so hard. After this victory, move to a new place and improve your life."

This sentence made Mr. Fang blush. As an old friend, Sima Bei seemed to be his loyal younger brother in fighting against counterfeiting and promoting high-tech agricultural products; but when it came to "economic construction", he left him far behind.

Teacher Fang is still living in an old public housing unit built in the 90s, with old furniture and appliances. Sima Bei, on the other hand, has moved into a large house. Although the decoration is not luxurious, the large sofa in the living room and the independent study room filled with collections are enough to make people envious.

However, as long as he could do Zhang Chao's "order", he could get rid of his financial difficulties.

Thinking of this, Teacher Fang turned on his computer again and started typing another article - "Another Farce: Written Before the Confrontation with Zhang Chao."

[I have said in previous articles that Zhang Chao's usual trick is to appeal to public opinion. He replaces the truth and falsehood, right and wrong of objective facts with the volume of public opinion, victory and defeat. As long as the opponent's "voice" is not as good as his, he has already lost three points. ...]

[His so-called "live broadcast of graduation defense" was already an absurd farce - a few self-righteous Chinese professors pretended to ask and answer questions with Zhang Chao. Many people don't know that before the defense of graduation thesis in liberal arts, teachers usually give a rough framework of questions so that students will not be too embarrassed on the spot.]

【The live broadcast of the defense was even more of a performance. Would Yanda allow Zhang Chao, a "model" and "example", to embarrass himself in front of the camera? So everything the audience saw was probably rehearsed before the defense began. Of course, for the sake of the show effect, there is nothing wrong with doing this. But Yanda, a century-old institution, has become a show tool for a literary liar. This shows where the source of academic corruption and academic fraud in China lies.】

【Benefits and the endorsement of famous schools have led a group of so-called famous writers, scholars and professors to quickly form a "cultural robber gang" around Zhang Chao. As for whether the leader of this gang is really Zhang Chao, a young man who is still wet behind the ears, I don't think so.】

[The robbers thought that if they pulled me in front of the camera or put me in the spotlight, I would be like their previous opponents, at a loss and speak without thinking. But they were wrong this time, very wrong. I went on TV not to have a verbal battle with them, but to expose their lies from the perspective of objective facts, common sense and logic. …]

[If Zhang Chao feels that he cannot prove his innocence by himself, he might as well ask more people. I would like to borrow a sentence from Mr. Jin Yong's "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" when Xiao Feng was besieged at Juxian Manor to express my thoughts: "I, Xiao, have nothing to fear!"]

[I hope that after this TV debate, there will be one less gang of swindlers and bullies in the Chinese literary world—although it has long been a hopeless mess.]

[I also hope that after this TV debate, I can adjust the focus of my work back to academic fraud prevention and science popularization.]

[After all, Zhang Chao and his gang of robbers only cheated the feelings and money of ignorant boys and girls, but academic fraud corrodes the foundation of the entire society.]

After the article was published, it caused another uproar. Although Lian Yue was the initiator of this "ghostwriting scandal" and Zhang Chao was at the center of the fire, Teacher Fang repeatedly drew the spotlight back to himself with his series of brilliant and sharp articles.

The term "cultural bandit gang" was so destructive that it immediately made headlines in various media. Reporters lamented that Mr. Fang was indeed a veteran who had been through many battles and was more resolute and fierce than anyone who had attacked Zhang Chao in the past. The term "gang" included Zhang Chao, all his relatives, teachers, and even the media he was friendly with.

Before Zhang Chao proves his innocence, speaking up for him is tantamount to admitting that he is a member of the "gang". And how can Zhang Chao prove his innocence? The teachers and editors who are familiar with him know that he does not even have a manuscript.

Even Yu Hua was getting anxious, but Zhang Chao had been acting mysterious recently. He just said don't worry when he called, but he refused to say what he had prepared. Yu Hua couldn't help but go to Wang Meng's house to ask for his opinion.

As soon as Wang Meng saw Yu Hua, she smiled and said, "Welcome, welcome, the chief military advisor of the 'cultural bandit gang.'" - In the past two days, many bloggers have given Yu Hua and others positions such as "military advisor," "Five Tiger Generals," and "vanguard" according to the "gang" structure, and they seem to be very realistic.

Yu Hua said: "Don't tease me, old man. Aren't you also the 'Great Elder'? Aren't you in a hurry?"

Wang Meng did not directly answer Yu Hua's question, but asked: "You are so anxious, have you ever thought about what is the best way for Zhang Chao to deal with it?"

Yu Hua hesitated for a moment before saying, "I haven't met Mr. Fang much, so I don't know much about him. I've read some of his articles recently, and I think his logic is as strong as his aggression. Even if his opponent has only the slightest flaw, he will tear it into a bloody wound. If he uses the same logic he used to question Zhang Chao to question me, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to prove my innocence.

How did I, a half-baked dentist who couldn't get into any university and could only get into the health center to extract teeth with the help of my father, suddenly become a writer? It's all flawed. It's just that I'm not like Zhang Chao, who has a father who graduated from the Chinese department, so it's hard to make up a story. "

Wang Meng urged, “Everyone knows he’s amazing—quickly tell me what to do?”

Yu Hua said: "After much thought, I can only invite myself, Kong Qingdong, Moyan, Jia Pingwa... and preferably you. Let's go to the show together and talk about our encounters with Zhang Chao and our understanding of him. Although this cannot completely prove Zhang Chao's innocence, it can at least prevent the less extreme audience from falling into Mr. Fang's language trap."

Wang Meng shook her head and said, "Doesn't this just prove that we are a 'gang'?" Yu Hua spread his hands and said helplessly, "We should fight for as much as we can now. After all, the logic they use to frame writers is really hard to deal with. You said that they couldn't find a 'ghostwriter', and they said that the 'ghostwriter' was the real father, and the father and son were hiding something; you said that we all witnessed Zhang Chao's creative process, and he said that you are a 'gang' and the evidence is invalid.

They are sure that Zhang Chao can't produce evidence to prove his independent creation, so they blocked all the circumstantial evidence in advance. The water is already muddy, so why not make it even muddier? Damn it, I don't believe there are so many fools in the world!"

Wang Meng sighed and said, "As a teacher, your vigilance in some aspects is not even as good as Zhang Chao's. Take a look at these newspapers." After that, she handed Yu Hua a stack of newspapers, all in English, all opened to specific pages, but all of them were thoughtfully attached with translated printed copies.

The first thing that caught my eye was an article in The Washington Post: China is experiencing its biggest cultural idol crisis since the new century. The article pointed out:
[Zhang Chao has been shaped into a cultural idol for young people as part of China's national cultural strategy. Since his rise, the official power has been protecting him, as if to tell people through Zhang Chao that young people in China do not have to worship J.K. Rowling or any other foreign cultural idol. …]

[However, this "man-made" cultural idol is facing unprecedented doubts, and the myths and legends surrounding him are being debunked one by one. …]

[In fact, the Chinese government has spared no effort to create various cultural idols since the 80s to achieve certain political intentions - either to resist the exchange of European and American culture, or to praise it, or to use small criticisms to divert people's attention from the truth...]

【Zhang Chao is the epitome of this tradition of cultural idol creation. Therefore, those writers who have been created or are still being created have formed a rather tight cultural alliance around Zhang Chao. …】

【This cultural alliance hinders the pursuit of more open and free literary works by Chinese youth. ……】

[Zhang Chao's success is an anesthetic for the young generation of China, making them mistakenly believe that Zhang Chao's today is their tomorrow. ...]

Yu Hua frowned and turned to the next newspaper, which was the British tabloid Daily Mirror. The article was titled "How to Create a Literary Star Out of Thin Air". The article was written in a rather humorous way:
[Recently, Zhang Chao, an oriental writer famous in the West for his book Vanishing Lover, is being sent to the guillotine of his personal reputation by the debunkers of falsehoods in his own country. …]

[It is reported that Zhang Chao's success is entirely due to his father, a senior but unsuccessful graduate of the Faculty of Arts. …]

[Who can resist a multimillionaire becoming their student? For this, it is understandable to sell out a little conscience and professional ethics. …]

The following foreign newspapers include not only those from the United States and the United Kingdom, but also those from Australia and Japan.

Yu Hua threw the newspaper and angrily said, "This is pure nonsense!" Then he took a breath and said, "What do they want to do?"

Wang Meng sneered: "So I said you, you are not as sensitive as Zhang Chao in this regard. Not long after this incident happened, he came to discuss it with me, and he directly said that the other party would definitely find a way to "fight abroad".

Zhang Chao's fall means that the foreign cultural influence we had previously created around him has also been reduced to zero. And you, Zhang Chao's teachers, your reputation in the foreign cultural community has also been ruined.

According to the international exchange experience of these years, if you become stinky abroad, the stench will soon spread to China. By then, I don’t know which monsters will take over your position.”

Yu Hua was surprised and asked, "Is it that serious?"

Wang Meng said: "They have been using these tricks for decades, and they keep coming up with new tricks. When you go abroad, don't just give lectures and book signings, but learn more about these tricks. Zhang Chao learned everything in just a few months in the US. You are still confused, and you are being sold out and still counting money.

You said muddying the water, that's exactly what we want! This is the effect we want - muddy water so that big fish can hide in it."

Yu Hua touched his forehead and said after a while: "Just tell me, what should I do?"

In fact, Yu Hua's idea is also the idea of ​​the vast majority of people, who believe that Zhang Chao's best solution is to bring out his extremely powerful "teacher group." These famous writers and scholars can more or less guide the thinking of some people and influence the views of some media.

Although it is difficult for Zhang Chao to prove his innocence directly, Teacher Fang cannot produce any solid evidence after all. It is likely that everyone will say different things and the matter will end in a mess.

However, Zhang Chao's reputation would be torn apart from then on. After all, even if the serious accusation of "ghostwriting" was not proven, it was equivalent to an honor murder for the writer.

And Zhang Chao seems to be moving in the direction that most people expected.

A few days later, he appeared in front of the media again, and asked Teacher Fang in an interview, seemingly unconfidently: "Teacher Fang, do you really not mind if I invite more people?"

Teacher Fang quickly responded to the reporters who came to his door: "I still say the same thing, you can invite as many as you want - 'I, Xiao, have nothing to fear!'"

After all kinds of criticism and verbal attacks, the "confrontation" between Zhang Chao and Teacher Fang finally kicked off on CCTV-2006 on July 7, 15, amid much anticipation.

Mr. Fang washed up early in the morning, changed into his most respectable suit, and arrived on time at the studio prepared by CCTV10 for this "confrontation". He first had to walk around the stage and prepare for the process.

On the stage of the studio, chairs and a podium have been set up, with a huge screen behind them, which is of high specifications.

Teacher Fang couldn't help but smile when he saw the arrangement of the chairs - the chairs were clearly divided into two sides, one side had only one chair, and the other side had as many as seven chairs.

He walked towards the single chair without hesitation, with only one thought in his mind: Wild beasts walk alone, while cattle and sheep travel in herds. He, of course, was the wild beast! Those sitting opposite him today were all his prey.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he walked to the chair, he was stopped by the staff and said to him: "I'm sorry, Mr. Fang, this is not your chair. Your chair is on the opposite side, the one in the middle is yours."

Teacher Fang was stunned and asked, "What about this one?"

The staff member said, "This is the seat Zhang Chao is sitting in. He came alone today."

Teacher Fang was even more puzzled and asked, "Then, who are these chairs next to me for?"

The staff member said, "Didn't you agree that Zhang Chao should invite more people? He invited Teacher Lian Yue, Teacher Tu Moto, and several other teachers who said they were ghostwriters. Of course, you are the most famous one, so please sit in the middle."

Teacher Fang's mind buzzed, and only one sentence floated through his mind: "What should I, Xiao, be afraid of!"

(End of this chapter)