Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 42 The long-awaited dinner

"Mr. Lin, can I invite you to have lunch with me?"

After the interview, Deng Huixin took the initiative to invite him, staring straight at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran flatly refused: "No, I still have to go back to school to prepare for class."

"Okay." Deng Huixin had to look for another opportunity.

After the interview ended that day, letters from Hong Kong citizens flooded into Hong Kong Radio like pieces of paper.

The most common request was to replay "Watching from the Wall", which was written and composed by Lin Ran and sung by Gu Zhengqiu.

"Professor Lin's writing is so good. I beg you to play it more often."

In addition to this, I also praise Lin Ran:
"Professor Lin is indeed talented. I hope he can come to Hong Kong more often."

"Can Hong Kong University invite Professor Lin to become a permanent professor at Hong Kong University?"

The second most common request was that Lin Ran stay at Hong Kong University to teach.

At the same time, Gu Zhengqiu, who had retired from opera performances for many years and came to Hong Kong just to accompany her husband on a business trip, was sought after by local theaters and opera houses in Hong Kong because of her performance of "Watching on the Wall", and they offered high prices to invite her to perform.

Major newspapers in Hong Kong also rushed to report on this interview.

However, newspapers with different stances reported very differently.

"The first page of Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao on July 18, 1960

A song of a child who has mastered both Eastern and Western learning expresses his love for the mountains and rivers
Professor Lin Ran's radio broadcast on family and national affairs, a song that moved Hong Kong
This newspaper (Reporter Wen Yanzhai) reports that at 3:00 PM yesterday, Professor Lin Ran, a world-renowned American mathematician, was invited to a RTHK interview program to discuss the mysteries of mathematics and express his deep love for his country. During the interview, Professor Lin coined the term "culturally Chinese," expressing his attachment to and sense of belonging to his motherland, its culture, and its history. He also composed a long and short poem, "Watching from the Wall," which was performed by renowned Taiwanese actress Gu Zhengqiu.

As soon as the program was broadcast, Hong Kong Island was shaken, and people in the streets and alleys were calling for another listen to "On the Wall."

The Ta Kung Pao's focus is entirely on the concept of cultural Chinese. This concept, which was originally the result of the continuous refinement of cultural identity in the next few decades, is being brought up today. For the Chinese world under the current complex situation, it is undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

The cultural bloodline is connected, and it is the most useful tz weapon.

The Ta Kung Pao has a clear position, while the other newspapers have a similar position to the Ta Kung Pao on the concept of "Cultural China".

On the contrary, in this matter, English newspapers will criticize Professor Lin for his outdated ideas. Although he has made outstanding achievements in science, his ideas are still those of ancient China.

This is perfectly normal. The more people in Hong Kong identify themselves as Chinese in a cultural sense, the more difficult it will be for England to manage them.

More tabloids found that the excavation of Lin Ran's deeds was similar, and the major newspapers were all talking about the concept of Cultural China. In order to attract readers, they turned their attention to the song "Watching from the Wall" itself.

For example, the Ming Pao, which was founded not long ago, had an article written by Cha Liangyong himself:

The highlight of the program was the premiere of "Watching on the Wall." This piece, based on Erhuang tunes and incorporating Western symphonic instrumentation, featured a melodious voice by Ms. Gu Zhengqiu. Before the song ended, a Causeway Bay resident interviewed by this newspaper said, "The rich colors of the entire Tang Dynasty, a moment of vivid shadows and floating lights illuminate the palaces, mistakenly asking what year it is tonight," and the seven or eight guests in the hall all covered their faces.

Mr. He Jitao sighed as he stroked his desk: "Professor Lin's song is three times more painful than Wang Guowei's 'Human Poems'."

For a time, the concept of Lin Ran, Cultural China and the fame of "On the Wall Watching" spread throughout Hong Kong.

The Li family, who lived in a villa in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Island, were well-off enough to have the Xiangjiang Radio Station copy the song's tapes and play them back at home. Li Huiling's room alone contained a currently expensive German Grundig radio with a recording function, and Gu Zhengqiu's voice echoed throughout the room.

Li Huiling's white feet were hanging on the bed. Opposite her sat Li Shaoyuan, who was dragged in reluctantly. Summer vacation had finally come, and he was rushing to go on a date with his female classmates.

"What's wrong, Helen? I've told you many times what kind of person Professor Lin is!

"He's charming, handsome, well-read, and well-versed in both Chinese and Western culture." Li Shaoyuan only chose to praise him.

Li Huiling stood up, shook her brother's hand, and waved it back and forth. "That's not what I'm talking about. I'm asking if you can go back and attend his seminar?"

Li Shaoyuan shook his head repeatedly: "How is that possible? Have you ever heard of someone dropping out and then being able to re-enroll?"

Li Huiling pouted, her eyes darting as she came up with an idea:

“No, it’s still possible!
If you go to the classroom door and kneel down to beg Professor Lin to let you go back to class, he will definitely feel embarrassed and not want to lose face so he will let you go back to class!

Li Shaoyuan's face changed drastically, and he rolled his eyes to the sky: "Professor Lin is not embarrassed, but I am embarrassed, right? Impossible! If I say it's impossible, it's impossible."

Li Huiling's eyes revealed a hint of threat: "Brother, then I can't hide the fact that you're having three affairs at the same time!"

Li Shaoyuan pleaded, "You are my sister, I am not your brother. Tell me, what do you want?"

Li Huiling turned Li Shaoyuan around and massaged his back, saying, "I don't want anything. I just want you to invite Professor Lin to our house for dinner so we can get to know each other."

Li Shaoyuan shook his head repeatedly: "You should know that Professor Lin has never been to anyone's house in Hong Kong. He even wrote "Watching from the Wall" to express his feelings.

How could he possibly want to get involved with these Hong Kong families?

These families, big and small, in Hong Kong all have backgrounds in England, China, Germany or other places.

Professor Lin won’t come.”

He then lowered his voice and said, "It is said that Senior Inspector Thomas from Hong Kong is personally providing security for Professor Lin, and all these invitations have been rejected by Thomas.

But if you really want to go, there is a way.”

Li Shaoyuan stretched out his voice, waiting for his sister to beg him.

Li Huiling was fooled. She quickly pleaded, "Brother, just tell me. I know you are the best to me."

Li Shaoyuan then elaborated, "This Saturday night, the Governor of Hong Kong will entertain Professor Lin at the Governor's House. Father will definitely receive an invitation. You can ask father to take you along.

This is definitely more likely than me inviting Professor Lin to my home."

The reason why the Governor of Hong Kong had to wait until July 7 to host a banquet for Lin Ran was because he had to wait for the medal of honor given to Lin Ran by the Queen in England to come down, and it would take time to transport the medal from London to Hong Kong.

The conferment of titles had to be carried out in person by the Queen in London, but at that time the Governor of Hong Kong could do it on her behalf.

Lin Ran is also looking forward to meeting 48-year-old Tung Chao-Yun and 79-year-old Xu Aizhou at the dinner.

　Em is still asking for monthly tickets. If you are interested in the last two names, you can check who they are and guess what I want to write.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)