Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 279: Clever Framing

"Do you know what is the main purpose of my bringing you to China this time?" Professor Iizuka Eiji asked Wang Zhenxu in front of him seriously in Chinese while sitting on the chair in his independent office.

Two other graduate students, Otani Akiya and Ishiguro Junko, also stood next to Wang Zhenxu.

Wang Zhenxu's face turned pale, his eyes showing reluctance and fear. After a while, he bowed deeply to his teacher and apologized in Japanese: "I'm so sorry for the trouble!"

Professor Iizuka said in Chinese: "Let me tell you again - first you have to be a good translator for them; second you have to make friends with the college students here and learn more about the ideas of young people in China.

The best thing is that you can have more contact with young Chinese writers. There are many of them in Ludao - Xu Yigua, Gong Wanying, Cai Weixuan... I hope you can continue the friendship built between the two countries through literature.

But what have you done since you came here? Either you're chasing after Chinese girls, or you're showing off and promoting the advanced theory of Japanese literature. I was very surprised to hear your classmates and teachers report on your behavior today!"

Wang Zhenxu still lowered his head and said loudly: "Hi!"

He knew that his teacher was giving him face by speaking in Chinese, and he didn't want the other two students to hear specifically why he was being scolded.

Professor Iizuka looked his student up and down carefully, then sighed and said, "Do you know what other professors said when they chose you as my graduate student?"

Wang Zhenxu didn't say anything.

Professor Iizuka Eiji paused and said, "They said I accepted a 'rootless person' with a bad temper."

Wang Zhenxu's shoulders trembled slightly when he heard this, and it was unclear whether it was out of anger, pain, or fear.

Professor Iizuka continued, "You are very talented and have the qualifications and opportunities to become a professional writer or researcher before the age of 30, but this also makes your personality too proud.

While absorbing nourishment from the cultures of both China and Japan, he is emotionally alienated from both countries due to his family and personality, and has the ambition to become a "world citizen."

This is a double-edged sword, which can make your work appear extremely restrained, calm and charming, but it can also make it difficult for you to settle down. So you have to use pride to protect your fragile core.

It is because of your qualities that I made you my graduate student. But if you only want to use your arrogance to hurt others, I think it has violated my philosophy. "

Hearing this, Wang Zhenxu could no longer hold back, and he knelt down in front of Professor Iizuka, and said in tears: "Teacher, I know I was wrong, I'm sorry!"

In Japan, "graduate students" are equivalent to preparatory courses. After doing research with a tutor for a period of time, you need to take an exam and pass it before you can study for a "master's degree" (equivalent to a master's degree in China). During the study period, you are a "graduate student".

The main reason why Wang Zhenxu tried hard to follow Professor Iizuka Eiji was that he hoped to use Professor Iizuka's reputation in the Japanese literary world to add connections to his own creative path.

The Japanese literary and art circles publish a very important monograph every year, "Literary Yearbook". In addition to including domestic literary works, there is also an important column called "The Current Situation and Translation Research of Chinese Literature", which specifically introduces the trends of Chinese literature.

In addition, Japan also has a "China Yearbook" compiled by the Institute of China Studies. It is an authoritative yearbook that provides a comprehensive introduction to China, and also has a special column introducing Chinese culture, art, and literature.

Those who can preside over the editing of different sections of any "yearbook" are all highly respected scholars in the industry. After 2000, Iizuka Ei has successively served as the introduction to Chinese literature in these two yearbooks, which shows his status.

The reason why Wang Zhenxu's mystery novel won the award was, on the one hand, that it was indeed of a certain level, and on the other hand, it was also because the judges did not dare to underestimate the disciple of this great scholar.

Now that he heard that Professor Iizuka Eiichi was hinting at expelling him, how could Wang Zhenxu not be afraid?
Professor Iizuka was a soft-hearted person after all. Seeing Wang Zhenxu kneeling there and shaking like a sieve, he could not bear it and asked two other students to pull him up. Then he said, "Don't let the Chinese teachers and classmates see you like this!"

Wang Zhenxu nodded repeatedly, knowing that he had passed the test, and nodded repeatedly in gratitude.

Seeing that his emotions had stabilized, Iizuka Eiji asked again, "I heard that you met with the young Chinese writer Zhang Chao the night before yesterday? And you discussed some literary issues?" He said this back in Japanese.

Wang Zhenxu understood that the teacher was entering into a normal teaching exchange, so he wanted the other two students to understand as well, so he quickly said, "Yes, I did. We mainly discussed topics about young writers from China and Japan."

Professor Iizuka nodded, but did not ask about the details of the discussion. Instead, he asked, "What do you think of Zhang Chao?"

Wang Zhenxu took a deep breath, knowing that this person was paying attention to Zhang Chao and also wanted to see how he performed, so he said in a tone that was as objective as possible: "He and I have conflicting opinions, but it can be seen that he is a very special writer."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Professor Iizuka became interested: "The 2006 'Yearbook' is about to start being compiled. Zhang Chao is a very important young writer in China in the past two years. What kind of length and style should be used to introduce him? I need some advance knowledge."

Wang Zhenxu restrained his urge to belittle Zhang Chao and said to Iizuka Rong: "His words are very sharp and he has an unusually powerful eloquence, but he did not discuss literary concepts with me, but defeated me in a light way."

Professor Iizuka frowned upon hearing this. Wang Zhenxu's words seemed to be exaggerated, and he even said that he was "defeated". For the extremely arrogant Wang Zhenxu, this was a rare act of admitting defeat.

Professor Iizuka asked, "Didn't Zhang Chao express his own literary views?"

Wang Zhenxu said: "He first said that when he communicated with the editors of the literature department of Kadokawa and Shogakukan, he had never heard of my name and works; then he said that I used the pen name 'Toshin Akiyoshi' to please the editors of the Japanese publishing house;..."

Professor Iizuka frowned. Wang Zhenxu's answer was obviously beyond his expectations. Could Zhang Chao be such a mean person? He couldn't help but ask, "Is what you said true?"

Wang Zhenxu nodded heavily: "I would never dare to lie in front of the teacher!"

Professor Iizuka did not comment and said, "Go on, what happened next?"

Wang Zhenxu said: "I had a disagreement with Zhang Chao, mainly because I felt that he should not write the "light novel" "Your Name" for commercial interests. Zhang Chao said, then said..."

Professor Iizuka saw that he was hesitating and asked, "What did he say?"

Wang Zhenxu then said, “He said that the novel Your Name was written to please a female classmate and cannot be measured by literary standards. After he finished speaking, I felt that I could not resist his sharp words, let alone exchange views on literature, so I had to leave.

As for what he discussed with his classmates after I left, I have no idea.”

After listening to Wang Zhenxu's description, Professor Iizuka Eiji stared at his eyes carefully for a while. Seeing that this student did not seem to be lying, he fell into silence.

Wang Zhenxu's words did not sound exaggerated, and he even put himself in a very embarrassed and humble position of a defeated opponent. It seems that Zhang Chao is indeed very "special".

An author who does not communicate with others in the field of literary works, but instead "bullies others by taking advantage of his power" - first uses "fame" to belittle others, then uses sensitive ethnic/nationality issues to stir up confrontation, and finally avoids upright discussion of his works in an almost humiliating manner.

Although being mean, sinister, and frivolous are not particularly rare traits in a writer who became famous at a young age, they still greatly surprised Professor Iizuka.

Seeing that the professor remained silent for a long time, Wang Zhenxu added: "Teacher, you can ask the Chinese students present here, and they will know if this is what I said." Professor Iizuka Eiji certainly would not do such a low thing as confronting someone. He just waved his hand and asked the students to go back first.

Seeing this, the three students bowed to him and said goodbye before leaving the office, leaving Professor Iizuka alone in the office, thinking for a long time.

Just as Professor Iizuka Eizuka was communicating with his students in the office, Zhang Chao, accompanied by a teacher from the Chinese Department of Xiamen University, completed the "registration" procedures at the Academic Affairs Office of Xiamen University, and then came to the office of Li Wuwei, the director of the Chinese Department.

Li Wuwei is a linguist who specializes in phonology, exegesis, and the rhythm of poetry. He does not know much about modern and contemporary literature, nor does he care much about it. Inviting Zhang Chao was the suggestion of several professors of modern and contemporary literature, and he just went with the flow.

Therefore, Zhang Chao's communication with him was also very hasty, mostly with some clichés. Xiamen University receives countless visiting scholars and writers every year. From this perspective, Zhang Chao is not special, after all, he does not hold any official position.

Li Wuwei asked about Zhang Chao's accommodation arrangements, and when he learned that Zhang Chao had already solved it himself, he stopped there.

Zhang Chao was unwilling to stay any longer, so he tactfully said that he wanted to learn more about the students in the department, and then he stood up and left the office. The teacher who received him then took him to the large office of the Chinese Department.

It happened to be Monday, and all the professors and associate professors who had classes but had not yet started were there. Among them were several of the "main forces" who had invited Zhang Chao to come here this time, and they were waiting for him here specifically. Most of them were relatively young.

Professor Lin Danya, whom Zhang Chao had met in the classroom the night before, was among them. Since they had already met in advance, Lin Danya naturally took on the task of introducing the other teachers to Zhang Chao.

"This is Professor Xiao Manhan, who teaches drama literature."

"This is Professor Du Shaohui, who teaches modern literary history."

"This is Professor Cheng Qihua, who teaches classical literature."

……

Zhang Chao shook hands and greeted everyone one by one, and then sat down together to chat about the work arrangements for the next two weeks.

According to previous email communications and Zhang Chao’s own preparations, in the next two weeks he will have in-depth exchanges with Xiamen University students on the two major topics of "personal creative practice" and "observation of the literary ecology of young writers."

It will consist of 2 open lectures for the whole school, 4 large-scale teaching classes within the Chinese Department, as well as several small-scale exchange activities and 1 creative guidance at the literary club.

Overall, the schedule is quite full and there is something to do almost every day. Of course, the cost is also quite high - for a public university teacher.

Zhang Chao was also well prepared and immediately brought out several small topics for the teachers to refer to, including:

"Writing skills and style development", "The role of social media in promoting works", "Stress management in the creative process", "Literary market and the living conditions of young writers", "The power structure and literary values ​​behind literary awards", "The role of young writers in international literary exchanges", "The balance between commercialization and artistry in literary creation", etc.

Lin Danya flipped through the stack of papers on which Zhang Chao had already outlined the topics, and said in surprise, "These topics are all good, but they cover a wide range. Do you have enough time to prepare for the lessons?"

Zhang Chao made an "OK" gesture to reassure everyone that he would never let them down.

Zhang Chao asked: "When should I give my first lecture? Which topic would be best?"

Lin Danya and a few others discussed it and finally decided that the first lecture would be held on Wednesday evening. It would be a public lecture and would be held in the large lecture hall on the second floor of the library, which could accommodate approximately 700 students.

The theme is "Finding oneself in creation, perfecting creation in self". The name is quite impressive, but the content is actually Zhang Chao's mental journey after he embarked on the road of literature. It is more like chicken soup, after all, most of the audience may not be students majoring in Chinese.

Professor Lin Danya was confused when she saw Zhang Chao talking about these tasks in an orderly manner with a calm attitude and stable emotions, which was completely different from the aggressive and confrontational style he had shown with Wang Zhenxu the night before. Is this the same person?
But no matter how confused they were, they still had to be polite. After talking about work, they invited Zhang Chao to have a simple meal in the school's small restaurant, and then everyone dispersed.

Soon, information about Zhang Chao’s lecture was posted on Xiamen University’s official website and bulletin board. Registration is mainly done through the school’s intranet, using student ID to make an online reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.

Then, Xiamen University’s official website was paralyzed...

In 2007, the networks of various universities were mainly run by a makeshift team. In addition, all computers in the school that were installed with Windows had just been ravaged by the "Panda Burning Incense" virus and were extremely vulnerable.

As soon as the news of Zhang Chao's lecture came out, the flood of information formed by enthusiastic applicants overwhelmed the server, and the intranet page kept showing "404" no matter how you refreshed it.

The school's network administrator was completely confused. In the past, there had been many famous scholars, professors, writers, etc. who had given public lectures at the school, but nothing this exaggerated had ever happened.

But Zhang Chao is different from all the people who came before him - he is not only famous and capable, but more importantly, he is of the same age as everyone else. This resonance is unmatched by other speakers.

What’s more, he revealed such a big piece of news before his speech!
Once the curiosity of young people is aroused, their power is endless. The 700-seat lecture attracted nearly students to sign up in a very short period of time. It would be strange if the server didn't crash.

Students who did not register started to make noise, complaining on the campus forum why the lecture could not be held in the Jiannan Auditorium, which has 4000 seats.

The school also has its own difficulties. After all, the Jiannan Auditorium is usually only open to senior leaders, scholars, or major school events. Although Zhang Chao is famous, he is too young and has no academic achievements. It is inappropriate for him to give a lecture in the auditorium.

However, the students' calls were responded to by the school - the "main venue" of Zhang Chao's lecture is still in the large lecture hall of the library, but at the same time other small lecture halls are opened for "live broadcast". Students who have not registered can go to the small lecture halls to listen, which is better than nothing.

In this way, about 1500 more places were added, which barely silenced the students' complaints.

On Wednesday evening at 6:7, the Xiamen University Library was unprecedentedly busy. Large numbers of students hurried here, waiting for Zhang Chao's report to begin at o'clock.

And Zhang Chao had already been waiting backstage for the show to begin.

At this moment, Professor Iizuka Eiichi led his three students into the backstage. Wang Zhenxu followed beside them, looking at Zhang Chao with a little provocation.

He was very sure that the "portrait" he had painted of Zhang Chao in Professor Iizuka's mind was very effective - he had not told a single lie, but how did the saying go? Is a partial fact really the truth?

Zhang Chao stood up immediately when he saw Iizuka Rong. Iizuka Rong was surprised when he saw Zhang Chao, and said before him: "You are Zhang Chao? You are the student who slept in my class last time? You made me have a hard time looking for you!"

Zhang Chao smiled and responded, "Professor Iizuka, my teacher Yu Hua, let me say hello to you on his behalf!"

Wang Zhenxu: Something seems to be wrong...

(End of this chapter)