Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 57 Zhang Chao’s problem was sublimated!
“Hong Kong Island’s universities are really going too far!”

"They want to snatch the top scorer, even those who are not good at one subject!"

"Isn't it just two stinky coins?"

"Isn't it good to be rich? Last year, a student from Yenching University who scored 670 chose HKU and received a scholarship of 16 Hong Kong dollars a year!"

"16? In Hong Kong dollars? Hey, if I had known earlier, I would have gone there too. My score would have been higher."

"..."

After a news report titled "Who is hurt by Hong Kong University's admissions policy" was reprinted in the New Yenching News, similar conversations often occurred between teachers and students in mainland universities.

As the central figure who triggered this topic storm, Zhang Chao is naturally often discussed.

Some people think that since Zhang Chao himself said that "going to university with one essay" is against educational fairness, he should do what he said and get into any university based on his ability; or simply accept the special admission of the Island University of Hong Kong and not compete with mainland students for the quota.

Some people think that Zhang Chao himself does not fall into the definition of "going to college with one essay" - he has published a book, and he is the first post-80s writer to publish a substantial work in a pure literature magazine like "Huacheng".

Some people think that Zhang Chao is not a typical rebellious youth like Han Han, but is just a student with a weak academic performance. I heard that he scored 145 in the first Chinese test and 146 in the second test, which is enough to prove that he has put a lot of effort into studying. Han Han failed even in Chinese. Why not give such a student a chance?

Surprisingly, the main force holding the latter two views turned out to be students of Yanda University, especially a group of students from the Chinese Department of Yanda University, who went to various major BBSs to engage in verbal battles with others.

Sensitive people discovered that Zhang Chao, who is usually most keen on "speaking out" on the Internet and in the media, is unusually silent.

The first mainland educational institution to extend an olive branch to Zhang Chao was the Lu Xun Academy of Literature. The academy said that it would hold the third senior seminar for young and middle-aged writers this year, which would last for half a year. All students were recommended by provincial writers' associations, with one student from each province.

As for Zhang Chao, although he is not yet a member of the Writers Association, as long as he is willing, Luyuan will make special arrangements and directly admit him, bypassing the provincial and municipal Writers Associations.

Although this advanced research class of Luyuan is not a formal academic education, it has a first-class reputation. Not only because of the reputation of Luyuan, but also because this class was initiated by the Ministry of Rites and the National Writers Association is responsible for business guidance, so the standards are extremely high.

The Luyuan Advanced Research Class is the kind of learning experience that you can write into your resume and it is definitely not shameful.

This statement by Luyuan can be said to have added fuel to the fire of public opinion. Many discussions on this matter have risen to the level of questioning the education system.

In mid-May, Changfu No. 5 Middle School welcomed the most special and important visitor in recent years.

Even though Principal Wu Xingyu has witnessed many "big scenes" since Zhang Chao became famous, the importance of this visitor is definitely greater than before.

Early that morning, a long banner was hung at the gate of Changfu No. 3 Middle School:

Warmly welcome the research team of the Chinese Department of Yenching University to visit and provide guidance
This is Yanda! The last time a student from Changfu County was admitted to Yanda was two years ago. Changfu No. 3 Middle School has not had a Yanda student for six or seven years. So the person standing in the center of the school gate this time was not Wu Xingyu, but the leader of Changfu County.

Zhang Chao did not expect that the "Yan University Drunkard" Kong Qingdong was not just talking, but actually took the lead in setting up the "County Narrative" research group! And the first stop was Changfu.

There are eight people in the research team, six of whom are students. In addition to Kong Qingdong, there is another teacher who Zhang Chao did not expect:

Professor Qian Liqun, a senior professor and doctoral supervisor at the Chinese Department of Yan University and a famous expert on Lu Xun studies!

In terms of his position, Professor Qian actually retired from Yenching University two years ago. He now focuses on domestic Chinese language education, modern folk thought history, and local cultural research.

But his influence is still there!
After a brief greeting and group photo, the two sides held talks in the conference room of Changfu No. 3 Middle School. However, the research team was obviously not interested in the leaders' introduction, and the leaders also saw it, so they ended it quickly. Instead of "let me say a few more words" or "let me emphasize this point", they called Zhang Chao over and told him to perform well.

The leader left, Zhang Chao took his seat, and the atmosphere quickly relaxed.

In addition to Professor Qian and Kong Qingdong, Zhang Chao immediately saw the girl named "Xin" from last time. There was no way, he had a deep impression of her last time.

Kong Qingdong said, "Professor Qian had already retired, but he was very interested in our topic, so he came along." Professor Qian smiled and said, "I heard from Xiao Kong that he knew a high school student who scored more than 140 points in Chinese, wrote good novels, and had a good theoretical level. I was really curious, so I followed him. Xiao Zhang, you are a young man to be reckoned with. You are the most famous person in the Yenching University circle these days!"

Zhang Chao quickly said a few humble words, saying that he had been concentrating on studying recently and had no idea what was happening in the outside world.

Kong Qingdong said: "This research group was also established under the inspiration of your novels and speeches. As the author, please introduce the original intention of the creation and the relevant prototypes."

Zhang Chao sorted out the logic of his expression in his mind before he spoke: "When I first started writing the novel, I just wanted to..."

As Zhang Chao's explanation deepened, the thoughts of the teachers and students in the research group were completely brought into the Changfu County in the 80s and 90s, as if they had witnessed the rise and fall of this place with their own eyes. Lu Xiaolu, Bai Lan and others in the novel also seemed to come alive in his words.

Even Professor Qian Liqun nodded repeatedly as he listened.

After Zhang Chao finished speaking, Professor Qian asked an off-topic question: "You used a lot of literary theory terms in your speech. Have you studied them?"

Zhang Chao replied: "My father graduated from the Chinese Department of Xiamen University. We had his university textbooks at home, so I taught myself some of them."

Professor Qian Liqun nodded and stopped talking.

The students in the research group discussed with Zhang Chao for a while, and Kong Qingdong suggested: "Seeing is believing, so let Zhang Chao take us around and take a look."

Zhang Chao readily agreed.

This time, we couldn’t take them to the historic old neighborhoods like Dengyun Road, but instead went to the deserted old factory area and dilapidated dormitory buildings, and interviewed the workers and their families back then…

For two whole days, Zhang Chao led the students in the research group to do field research during the day, and accompanied them to organize the research at night. This left Kong Qingdong, the leader of the research group, with some free time. Every day he and Professor Qian Liqun happily watched a group of young people busying themselves.

The night before leaving Changfu for the next inspection site, Kong Qingdong accompanied his teacher Professor Qian Liqun for a walk in the small garden of Changfu Hotel.

"What do you think of Zhang Chao?"

"A good seedling. His level of classical literature is still unclear, but his basic knowledge of literary history, literary theory, and literary psychology is very solid. Not to mention his creative writing, he published a novella in Huacheng at the age of 18, which Yu Hua and others have never done."

"What a pity. His grades are only good enough for him to go to a good junior college at best."

"not necessarily……"

"Ok?"

"Don't you think the direction of public opinion has changed recently?"

"Teacher, please tell me."

"Whether or not to make an exception to admit Zhang Chao is no longer simply an issue of educational equity, but has risen to a confrontation between the two talent training systems in the mainland and Hong Kong.

Zhang Chao was recruited by a university in Hong Kong Island. It would be fine if "bigger is not necessarily better", but what if he maintains his current momentum and continues to grow?

Last year, Hong Kong universities fully opened up to mainland students, and so many provincial and municipal champions were recruited at once. There is also pressure from above.”

"That's true. And writers hold grudges the most. If Zhang Chao writes about this in his work... Hey, Professor Qian, you're not here just because you're interested in the topic, right?"

Professor Qian Liqun smiled mysteriously and did not answer Kong Qingdong's question.

(End of this chapter)