Literary Master 1983

Chapter 352 Why Did They Come?
The following day, the Oracle World Congress officially opened.

The conference required each participant to write a paper, but due to the large number of interdisciplinary scholars present, some were not very familiar with Oracle. The final requirement was revised to "make some contributions."

On the first day, the majority of attendees were from universities and research scholars across the country, making it a semi-internal meeting. Hu Houxuan put it very bluntly: "No matter where you are from, whether you are a researcher or someone sent here to broaden your horizons, since you are here, you have to do something for our 'ancestral characters'."

Those present were momentarily at a loss.

What contributions will you make?
I'm here for a meeting. What do you want to do?
Hu Houxuan specifically cited Ma Shitu as an example: "Mr. Ma obtained about ten pieces of oracle bone script from an American collector through playing bridge. After I authenticated them, I found they were genuine. I thought that was a great contribution!"

When Yu Qie was mentioned again, Hu Houxuan gave a thumbs up. "Yu Qie wrote a popular novel called 'The Subway,' which incorporated oracle bone script into the world's popular culture. I've read some American newspapers that say 'oracle bone script' is for praying to gods and Buddhas, or that it's a symbol for 'money'... that it can communicate with spirits and has some mystical power, but these are all one-sided views!"

"But!" Empress Hu laughed, "Even a partial understanding is better than no one paying attention. As long as enough people know about it, out of ten thousand people, there will always be one who genuinely wants to understand oracle bone script, and then our goal will be achieved!"

"This must be a magnificent scene! I wonder if the merchants have heard the call from their descendants more than three thousand years later."

Yu Qie was thrilled and immediately shouted "Bravo!"

Besides him, Zhou Gucheng, a professor at Aurora University and then director of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee, also stood up and said, "We should applaud Professor Hu Houxuan! He explained in one sentence why we are holding the Oracle Bone Inscription Conference! To let people know!"

Then, Hu Houxuan, as the interim president of the conference, spoke, introducing the current excavation work at the Yin Ruins in Anyang.

Currently, due to protective considerations, the excavation of Yinxu is being carried out with extreme caution. Two professors from Jinling University believe that less than five percent of the oracle bone inscriptions have been unearthed.

This is certainly an exaggerated figure, and many people do not agree with it. But it also illustrates the caution surrounding the excavation of Yinxu.

After the 1950s, archaeological excavation work in China came to a near standstill.

It wasn't the archaeologists who opposed it; on the contrary, it was the archaeologists who vehemently opposed the initiation of a series of archaeological projects. Meanwhile, some literary figures who were passionate about archaeology and had indeed made contributions used their influence to hastily launch these projects.

Ultimately, it was a tragedy.

Neither the technology nor the methods were ready. In the 1960s, rapid technological advancements dramatically changed the field of archaeology. Looking back from the 1960s onward, previous excavations appear quite crude.

Hu Houxuan said in a deep voice: "Zhang Zhongpei (then the director of the National Museum of Chinese Archaeology) once said: 'Archaeological work without a report is like paying money to cause destruction, which is worse than tomb raiding.' Research is a professional matter and cannot be taken lightly!"

"If it's just about seeing it and satisfying your curiosity, I think it's better to bury it underground!"

Why is Empress Hu so angry? It's like she's indirectly criticizing someone.

I privately asked Ma about the route.

It turns out that Hu Houxuan was not only a scholar of oracle bone script, but also an archaeologist.

Holding large-scale meetings, leading teams, and even writing research reports... Hu Houxuan was a skilled archaeological "project manager," which is why he became famous after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

He has written academic works on the geography, ritual system, economy, and religion of the Shang Dynasty. In the 1950s, Hu Houxuan was selected by his superiors to come to Beijing to study oracle bone inscriptions. At that time, Guo Moruo was in charge of the excavation of the Dingling Mausoleum of the Wanli Emperor. Hu Houxuan was a nobody at the time and had just come to Beijing from China. He could not say anything in front of the bigwigs and could only watch as the Dingling Mausoleum was excavated ahead of schedule.

He has personally witnessed the damage to cultural relics caused by excessive archaeology.

This caused Hu Houxuan's attitude to change drastically, and she subsequently became extremely resistant to so-called "unprofessional people."

Both Lao Ma and Liu Shahe studied oracle bone script, albeit as a hobby, which made Hu Houxuan very wary. Therefore, she was initially very averse to them.

Later, realizing that Lao Ma was genuinely just playing around, Hu Houxuan lowered his guard. Furthermore, Lao Ma obtained oracle bone fragments through bridge, so Hu Houxuan began to treat him like his own brother.

Ma Shitu was four years younger than Hu Houxuan.

This is a mess left by the previous generation!
Now that the person has passed away, this debt still needs to be settled by Empress Hu.

Yu Qie was hearing about this for the first time, and looked around at Hu Houxuan on the stage and Ma Shitu below the stage.

Then he said, "Old Ma, you get up early every day to practice boxing, how come you look about the same age as Professor Hu?"

Ma Shitu didn't take it to heart when he heard this: "It's because I've been overworking that I look so haggard. I should play more bridge and get more sleep in the future."

Yu Qie chuckled softly from below, "I heard something similar on Wukang Road. He also said he wanted to eat fatty meat and drink some wine."

"My brother Li (Master Ba)?" Ma Shitu chuckled. "I've been corresponding with him and we've met in person. I never imagined he'd even mentioned his philosophy of health to you!"

“The last time I corresponded with him, he said it was time for him to return to his roots. When he was visiting France, he saw the street outside his hotel and thought of the small street in Shuangyanjing, Chengdu, where he grew up. I could feel that feeling.”

To be honest, Ba Jin had been wanting to return to Sichuan Province to visit relatives for the past few years. However, he was much older than Hu Houxuan on stage, and his health was what it was like. In recent years, he had been bedridden for a long time and needed a wheelchair to get around.

He increasingly longed to return to his hometown, but those around him tried to stop him, fearing he might encounter misfortune upon his return. The last time Ba Jin returned to Chengdu was in 1960, more than twenty years ago.

He felt that his days were numbered, so he frequently expressed his desire to return to his hometown to those around him.

But no one dared to.

In Yu Qie's memory, Ba Jin returned to Chengdu that year, which was also his last trip back to Chengdu. He was greeted by the other four of the "Five Elders of Sichuan" (including Ma Shitu). The five old men revisited their old haunts, each knowing that it might be the last time they saw each other. They exchanged calligraphy and letters, which was a grand event in the literary circle of Sichuan.

This is also the swan song of the literary giants of Sichuan; such a luxurious lineup will never be assembled again.

Unfortunately, these five people only exchanged letters and did not produce any literary masterpieces that have been passed down to later generations. Otherwise, this event, which was blessed with so many advantages, should have been recorded in literary history.

Yu Qie tentatively suggested, "Old Ma, you could invite him to visit friends in Chengdu. Old Ba should have been persuaded by now, but if all of you invite him, his family might agree."

Ma Shitu's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "You're absolutely right! I should write to him and invite him. If he doesn't come soon, he might only be able to go back to his hometown after he's turned to ashes."
-
In the afternoon, the participants watched the TV series "Oracle Bone Soul" together.

This is a patriotic drama produced by Henan Provincial Film Studio.

The story centers on Wang Yirong's discovery of oracle bone script in the late Qing Dynasty, supplemented by the suspicions and ridicule of skeptical scholars at home and abroad, the rampant selling by foreign missionaries, and the barbaric invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance, showcasing the great patriotism of Wang Yirong, the father of oracle bone script.

Currently, this TV series has not yet been released. CCTV is expected to air it in July, which means it will air after "Dream of the Red Chamber".

The television program was shown in a small, dark room, where dozens of comrades squeezed in. Because there were so many people, they borrowed some small stools from the guesthouse that didn't take up much space. Most of the attendees were professors and scholar-officials, some with gray hair, yet they were all crammed onto wooden stools less than forty centimeters high.

Hu Houxuan had a student named Qiu Xigui, who was a professor in the Chinese Department of Yenching University. He was over fifty years old and sat on a long bench with Yu Qie.

He took the initiative to find Yu Qie. There was a rumor at Yenching University that Yu Qie might not become an economics teacher after graduation, but might join the School of Arts or take on a part-time position.

Yu Qie's act of substituting for Hu Daiguang served as a wake-up call for the teaching community at Yenching University. Not long after Yu Qie began his teaching career...

Yu Qie's undergraduate degree was short, his master's degree was short, and it's possible he could graduate with a doctorate in two or three years. Due to the deteriorating finances, President Ding's "last-place elimination system" at Yenching University provoked various colleges, even leading to Ji Xianlin being forced to retire.

They realized that nothing in the world is stable; only capable people like Yu Qie, who can reliably bring in resources from home and abroad, are the true benefactors behind the scenes.

Qiu Xigui was very polite to Yu Qie. He said, "Professor Yu, I've heard that you may not become an economics scholar in the future. Our School of Humanities is really looking forward to your arrival."

"Let me give you a heads-up: if you come, you can become a professor. If there are really no more openings, I'm willing to step down and give way to someone more qualified."

Yenching University's policy at the time was that after graduating with a doctorate, one had to do postdoctoral research for several years, produce key results, and then be approved by the review committee before becoming a professor.

Those with exceptionally significant achievements may be immediately promoted to professor, despite not meeting the usual requirements.

Therefore, Qiu Xigui dared to say this because he believed that the School of Economics could not possibly have such courage.

In universities, the difference between professors and lecturers is like night and day. The poet Zha Haisheng's career was thwarted; he was dumped by his girlfriend, the son of a high-ranking official, which triggered his depression. He was an ordinary lecturer; if he were a professor in his twenties, he would be considered an outstanding individual, and it's impossible for him to be looked down upon for his career.

Yu Qie naturally had no intention of changing jobs.

But he was curious: "Teacher Qiu, how did you know I would stay at the university in the future? Who told you?"

Qiu Xigui said, "To my shame, I heard it from a teacher at Tsinghua University. Because you often said that you wanted to go to Tsinghua University, we thought you had been wronged in the School of Economics."

"Just you wait! Soon, your colleagues from Tsinghua University will be asking you the same thing!"

This is a huge misunderstanding.

I am guilty, I was a disgrace to Tsinghua University.

Yu Qie laughed and said, "I can't guarantee anything else, but going to Tsinghua University, that's definitely a joke."

Subsequently, everyone was drawn to the TV series "Oracle Bone Soul".

Yu Qie had never heard of this TV series in his previous life, but now he was watching it with great interest.

The main theme of the 1980s.

The light from the screen shone on everyone's face.

When they saw Wang Yirong's definitive proof that the tortoise shells used for decocting traditional Chinese medicine were indeed an ancient script, all the attendees couldn't help but cheer.

When people saw the Eight-Nation Alliance invade China and the tiny oracle bone inscriptions being taken and sold everywhere, scattered all over the world, everyone held their breath and felt extremely depressed.

The Henan Provincial Film Studio only edited the first three episodes. After the TV series finished airing, Empress Hu asked for everyone's opinions.

Yu Qie realized that Hu Houxuan was going to bring up the matter of "collecting oracle bone fragments" that they had discussed at the hotel last night.

The others, unaware of the situation, answered according to their own assumptions. Zhou Gucheng said, "We should use communication to resolve differences and use peaceful means to recover those lost oracle bone inscriptions."

These words won much applause. Local scholars in Anyang were particularly in favor, with one saying, "The fact that our World Congress on Oracle Bone Inscriptions can be held successfully shows that the forces of peace still prevail in the world. Anyang is not a developed place, yet it has attracted so many foreign scholars, precisely because we are polite and have reasoned arguments."

Several officials also said, "TV dramas are TV dramas, and reality is reality. Given the current situation, it's best not to cause trouble."

However, Ma Shitu had a different opinion: "We should have peaceful discussions with our supporters; and clearly express our opposition to those who are stubborn and unyielding."

"Yu Qie, what do you think?" Ma Shitu called on Yu Qie.

Yu Qie said, "We welcome friends with fine wine, but we also welcome wolves with hunting rifles."

So far, the atmosphere has been relatively harmonious.

You agree, I disagree. That's normal.

Several professors from Beijing Normal University believe that the main collectors of overseas oracle bone inscriptions are now developed countries, with Japan having the most, followed by the Soviet Union and the United States.

Japan is the largest lender for infrastructure investment in the country, and the other two... are naturally not to be trifled with.

Oracle bone inscriptions can be found in the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad, the State Museum of Oriental Culture, and some private museums in New York and Los Angeles; Japan has even developed a systematic study of oracle bone inscriptions, which is no less advanced than that of China.

The situation with oracle bone inscriptions is somewhat similar to that of the Dunhuang culture. However, the obstacles they face are much greater.

In 84, during a visit to Tokyo, Yu Qie vehemently criticized the Japanese invaders for the "theft of Dunhuang culture" and demanded an apology.

Oracle had too many costs to consider, so giving up was a realistic but unavoidable choice.

One by one, the attendees spoke... and then it was Yu Qie's turn. He stood up and said directly, "Although there are many oracle bone inscriptions, not a single one can be missing. It has taken over a hundred years to study oracle bone inscriptions, and it could take another hundred years to trace them. At least we need to show our attitude!"

These remarks angered several scholars who had come to Anyang. They said, "Without sponsors, we wouldn't have the money to organize this event, and those foreign experts were invited by booksellers! Stop saying things like that; it's damaging our reputation! Our exchanges with the Western academic community are precious and cannot be ruined."

Yu Qie was also furious: "You know that Harper invited you, so how could you not know me? Do you think you would have come without me?"

Hu Houxuan was startled, but before he could speak, his disciple Qiu Xigui stepped in as a peacemaker: "Oracle bone script has its own charm, and the government and society support us in holding the World Congress..."

The scholars initially thought Qiu Xigui was speaking up for them. Just as they were about to show expressions of satisfaction, Qiu Xigui abruptly changed the subject halfway through his laughter:

"However, we cannot overlook the role of individuals. Without Teacher Yu, we wouldn't have received so much sponsorship; we absolutely couldn't have done it without him!"

Zhou Gucheng and Hu Houxuan, not wanting things to get out of control, immediately explained Yu Qie's crucial role in the matter—since the publication of "Metro" last November, oracle bone script, as an apocalyptic language, has been widely disseminated in the United States.

Bookseller Harper saw the potential for profit and invited scholars from Western universities to Anyang to write hydrological reports.

Or to put it more nicely, international exchange.

(End of this chapter)