Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 369: Three-year cycle
Zhang Chao kept his promise and took a flight back to China that night, but he did not return to Yanjing, but to Fuhai.

No matter how Zou Guangming, Tie Ning and Wang Meng persuaded him, he did not stay for even one more day.

Because he knew how great an impact his speech would have on the Japanese literary world and even the entire Japanese cultural community.

Over the past 100 years, similar issues have been pointed out by some people, but due to limitations in identity and methods, they have not had much impact.

So everyone is happy to be an ostrich with its head buried in the sand.

Zhang Chao used the analogy of the "Black Ship Festival" to directly lift the veil covering this issue, and Japan's cultural elites had to face its absurdity:

While gaining recognition and praise from the West, where is Japan's identity as an independent nation-state placed?

Is it the core that drives the development of its literature and culture, or is it just a symbolic exhibition of the "Harmless East"?

Zhang Chao could foresee that his remarks this time would set off a wave of public opinion in Japan that would be even bigger than the one that "pissed off" Ishihara. He had no interest in staying there and becoming the target of public criticism, so he returned home directly.

It just so happened that my parents had also finished their journey of half a month, so the three of us could have a good rest.

Under his son's guidance, Zhang Jianguo transferred all the photos he took in Japan from the camera's SD card to his home computer. While browsing, he praised them:
"Cameras are so convenient nowadays, and we don't need to develop film. The Japanese are good at tourism, and their B&Bs are kept very clean. I didn't expect that Japan also has snow-capped mountains, but I don't know why they call them the 'Alps'..."

Listening to his father's muttering, Zhang Chao felt a rare sense of peace.

Under Zhang Chao's deliberate instructions, Gu Tian blocked all information from the two of them, so he never knew what his son did in Japan.

Occasionally I saw my son at newsstands or on TV and thought it was a normal media interview.

It was not until the next morning when the Southeast Morning Post that the family subscribed to was delivered that the two realized that during the time they were traveling, their son had turned the Japanese literary world upside down.

"'Angering' Ishihara to death, bursting the bubble - how brave is this young man from Fukumi? "

The report took up the entire page of the sub-edition, fully recording Zhang Chao's important itinerary and speeches in Japan, as well as the various effects that followed.

The article concludes:
[Zhang Chao's trip to Japan was by no means a sensational "cultural farce", but a profound inquiry into the nature of the dialogue among East Asian civilizations.

He used literature as a weapon to dissect the hidden cultural dilemma of Japanese society - the fawning compliance with the Western gaze, the self-glorification of colonial scars, and the selective forgetting of historical atrocities.

Zhang Chao has always proved to the world with clear wisdom and fearless attitude that true literary courage lies not in expressing one's position but in exposing lies. 】

After Zhang Jianguo and his wife finished reading it, they looked at each other with strange expressions - surprise, confusion, relief, pride...

In the end, it all boiled down to one sentence: "You stupid kid, you didn't even tell us about such a big thing!"

Zhang Chao was holding a half-fried dough stick in his mouth and a cup of soy milk in his hand. He said lazily, "Now that you know about this, can you still come and be my bodyguard?"

The mother raised her eyebrows and said, "Be a bodyguard? We are going to bring you back! How dangerous it is! What if the Japanese get provoked and beat you up?"

Zhang Chao didn't care at all, and said casually: "Without 3D printing now, you can't make a magical weapon that will open your mind by hand, don't worry."

The mother was helpless and slapped Zhang Chao's father on the back, saying, "Look at your son, he's talking nonsense again!"

Zhang Jianguo originally held the newspaper high up, intending to be invisible, but he was still caught by his wife. He could only put down the newspaper and said in a dignified manner: "This is your fault. As the saying goes, don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of one..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhang Chao quickly ate up the dough sticks, jumped off the chair, grabbed his backpack, and ran out the door, leaving only one sentence: "I'm going to the city."

The mother was too late to stop him, and could only watch her son disappear at the door. She couldn't help but complain: "This child has grown up, and it's getting harder and harder to control..."

The father, however, was very open-minded and said, "What about 'child'? Didn't I say last year that he is the mainstay of the family?

He has his own ideas about everything he does, so we just need to not get in the way."

The mother didn't know what to say. She sighed, pulled out the supplementary edition of the newspaper, took out a pair of scissors and cut off the entire page. Zhang Jianguo was anxious: "I haven't read the rest yet!"

"Go buy some more for yourself! Also, buy a few copies of other newspapers."

Zhang Chao's mother was right. The number and level of coverage of her son this morning had reached an outrageous level.

【This young man from the southeast coast of China has redefined the meaning of "cultural confrontation" with his actions. He refuses to be disciplined as an oriental symbol in the Western perspective, and refuses to regard Japanese literature as the unshakable "peak of Asia".

In an interview with Tokyo TV, he pointed out: "Japanese literature is obsessed with playing the role of 'harmless Oriental lover', while Chinese writers must go their own way."

This statement not only shattered the long-standing sense of cultural superiority among Japanese intellectuals, but also allowed the world to see the cultural awareness of the Chinese youth generation.

It neither indulges in traditional stereotypes nor bows to the standards of others, but constructs a narrative system belonging to the new era with an independent critical spirit. 】

——Guangming Daily

【As a "game changer", Zhang Chao has opened up a new paradigm for cultural exchanges between China and Japan. He refuses to whitewash differences with diplomatic rhetoric, but instead uses sharp truths to force reflection.

When right-wing supporters clamored that "the Yamato people are the best", he used the colonial scars of "Black Ship Festival" to awaken people's historical memory; when the Japanese literary world was obsessed with the fantasy of the Nobel Prize, he used the unanswered questions of "Hiroshima Notes" to expose spiritual castration.

This way of dialogue, which does not avoid contradictions or consume novelty, has won the respect of the younger generation in Japan. Ayako Matsumoto, a university student in Tokyo, wrote on Weibo: "Zhang Chaojun's courage has finally allowed our generation to discuss those topics that have been banned."

——China Youth Daily

[It is hoped that when other delegations of young Chinese writers set out on their journey home, they will no longer be admiring "Oriental aesthetics", but will have the confidence to break out of their cocoons and be reborn.

Because this journey proves that true cultural confidence does not require gaining recognition by belittling oneself or flattering others.

Just like Zhang Chao, a young man from Fuhai, who used a cutting-edge cultural expedition to let the world hear the sound of Chinese civilization in the new era. 】

——Global Times

Even the Southern Newspaper Group, which had already become enemies with Zhang Chao, had to "bow its head" in the face of the general public opinion environment and gave Zhang Chao's trip a very high evaluation, and reported it comprehensively in the form of a "special supplement".

The core of the report is a review titled "On the Sword in Japan - Zhang Chao Wins Dignity for Chinese Literature":
[In the sensitive context of Sino-Japanese relations, Zhang Chao avoided two traps: he neither indulged in historical tragedy nor fell into nationalist carnival.

His criticism of militarism always stood at the height of human civilization; his empathy for the Japanese people maintained a sober distance as an intellectual.

This public opinion strategy that transcends binary opposition not only protects the bottom line, but also opens up space for dialogue. When patriotism no longer requires a hoarse performance, it is the true cultural maturity. 】

...The delegation that was continuing the "China-Japan Young Writers Exchange Activities" in Japan was at the first scene and the center of the storm, and personally felt the huge impulse that Zhang Chao brought to the Japanese literary world and the entire cultural circle.

Clips of his speech were broadcast on TV Asahi, Nippon TV and NHK news that evening. In particular, the linking of the "excellence" of Japanese literature with the "Black Ship Festival" was a unique angle that no one had ever thought of.

The audience hotlines of several TV stations were flooded with calls that night. Some people angrily criticized Zhang Chao, a foreigner, for not interfering in Japan's affairs, while others thanked Zhang Chao for helping to clear the way for Japanese literature...

But the most common question is: When can the complete speech be released?

As a result, several major television stations broadcast the entire speech with subtitles in the evening, and the next day several major newspapers either published the full text or excerpted parts of it.

Public opinion in Japan was completely ignited. In a short period of time, almost all the relevant figures - writers, commentators, literature professors, critics... were "prised" out from various corners by reporters to accept relevant interviews.

Sadly, someone splashed red paint on the Perry statue and monument in Yokosuka at night, and wrote four big words on the monument written by Ito Hirobumi:

God punish the rice thief!

The Japan-Rice Friendship Association, a non-governmental organization that organized the "Black Ship Festival," was also attacked by Japanese "patriotic youth." Not only were their windows smashed and paint splashed on their doors, but someone even threw an unsuccessfully made Molotov cocktail inside.

Although no casualties were caused, the local police station and fire department were still nervous for a while.

Noda Sho, chairman of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Association, had to come out and announce that the decision on whether to hold the "Black Ship Festival" next year will depend on the situation. At the same time, he emphasized that the "Black Ship Festival" was not a flattery to the Americans, but an act of civil friendship.

However, the Japanese people, who reacted strongly to this, did not seem to be ready to let him go. They organized a large-scale protest, ready to end the humiliating memory brought by the "Black Ship Festival" in one fell swoop.

Some things in the world are so wonderful - the "Black Ship Festival" has been held for more than 70 years, and no Japanese has ever opposed this celebration. It seems that everyone tacitly accepts its reasonable existence.

But once someone exposes its ridiculousness, the "Black Ship Festival" will immediately become an unforgivable heinous crime and everyone will be able to kill it.

Among the people, attitudes towards Zhang Chao are also extremely divided.

A government employee called for an end to the farce: "The Chinese writer caused the government building to be surrounded by the media, and we couldn't work at all... Ishihara has resigned, so let's put an end to this farce!"

Some "patriots" shouted: "Zhang Chao's 'courage is the product of intelligence' is wrong! Our country's past contributions in Asia cannot be denied, and the use of force is also the wisdom to safeguard national interests!"

Some supporters also made public speeches: "Zhang Chao's exposure of the "Black Ship Festival" is an interrogation of Japanese culture! As long as those who flatter the United States are in power, the weak will be abandoned. We support his actions!"

Many teenagers even said they had become Zhang Chao’s fans: “Zhang Chao destroyed the “lie of adults” by himself, so cool!”

……

The subsequent itinerary for the young writers of the Chinese delegation can be described as "a world of difference" - on the one hand, the scale of the event became increasingly grand, not only did all the writers, professors, and publishing house representatives who were originally scheduled to have discussions show up, but they also had additional plans such as a meeting with Kenzaburo Oe and a special interview with a TV station.

Not only had the young people never seen such a scale, but even Zou Guangming, Tie Ning, Wang Meng and others who had participated in organizing many visits had never seen such a scale. They had to fly in a vice chairman with foreign affairs experience from the country to assist, and also hired several more translators locally.

On the other side, there was a protest team following closely, holding large flags and banners, asking them to "go back to China". The radicals once broke through the isolation belt set up by the police and almost had a "close contact" with the delegation members.

Some hotels even refused them accommodation on the grounds that they could not guarantee safety, and they had to temporarily switch to a five-star hotel with tighter security.

Han Han and Xiao Si, who joined the team halfway, were stunned when they saw this situation even though they were mentally prepared.

After a whole day of chaos, everyone finally began to adapt.

At this time, Li Shasha said something leisurely, which suddenly made everyone understand the gap between himself and Zhang Chao:
"So, in fact, Zhang Chao faced this kind of pressure almost every day during his time in Japan?"

Even Han Han and Xiao Si, who are used to being surrounded by the media in China, felt a little "creepy". However, pressure is also an opportunity. At the next symposium, Professor Ichiro Yoneda of the Faculty of Letters at the University of Tokyo said with a smile: "In the past 100 years, except for Mr. Lu Xun, there is no Chinese writer more famous than you in Japan."

Kadokawa Shoten, Shogakukan, and Kodansha seized the opportunity and signed a number of their "favorite" Chinese writers. Among them, Xiao Si was the most sought-after writer at a high price - after all, his novels were the most suitable for the Japanese market.

……

Yu Hua was sitting in his office at Yenching Normal University with these newspapers in front of him. He was still thinking about how to get Zhang Chao to Yenching as soon as possible so that he could give a lecture to his fellow junior students.

At this time, the door of the office was pushed open, and the person who came in was not a student, but his old friend, Su Tong, who was also an alumnus of Yanshi University.

Yu Hua asked in surprise: "Why are you here?"

Su Tong looked disappointed and said to Hua: "You are Zhang Chao's class teacher, how could you not know such a big thing?"

Yu Hua was getting more and more confused and asked, "What's the big deal? Didn't he just return to China and is still hiding in Fuhai?"

Su Tong said: "The Chinese Department of Yenching University is planning to give Zhang Chao the title of a distinguished professor and let him serve as a resident writer at the Writing Center for a long time to teach students."

Yu Hua stood up from his chair and asked in disbelief, "Lao Tong, are you kidding?"

Su Tong said: "I am kidding, they have already sent someone to Fuhai to find Zhang Chao and prepare for a meeting."

Yu Hua questioned: "Distinguished professor? That must be a doctorate degree. Zhang Chao, Zhang Chao only has a master's degree!"

Su Tong was helpless, pointed at Yu Hua and asked, "What is your current title?"

Yu Hua replied: "Professor."

Su Tong asked again: "What is your academic background?"

Yu Hua replied: "You don't know this yet. He is a master's student of the 88 Writers Class of Yanshi University... Shit, yes, Zhang Chao is one of them!"

Su Tong said, "So, you are a distinguished professor at Yanshi University, so why can't he be a distinguished professor at Yan University? Special appointments are special appointments, and special matters are handled specially. Do you think those smart people at Yan University won't find a loophole?"

Yu Hua couldn't sit still anymore, so he stood up and said, "Follow me!"

Now it was Su Tong's turn to be confused, and he asked, "What do you mean I'll go with you?"

Yu Hua said: "Let's go to Fuhai! Damn it, three years ago I went to Fuhai to compete with Yanda for Zhang Chao, and now I have to go to Fuhai to compete with Yanda for Zhang Chao."

Su Tong said with a smile: "You seem quite unhappy?"

Yu Hua said confidently: "Why should I be unhappy about this? I will never let Yanda take half of Zhang Chao this time!"

(End of this chapter)