I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 27: Moderates (Please read again on Tuesday)
"Thank you very much, dear Nastasia." Mikhail opened the door and took the letter handed to him by the old maid. After taking a quick look at it, he smiled and said, "It seems that I have to go out at noon. You don't have to save lunch for me."

"Okay, Mikhail." After agreeing to this, Nastasia couldn't help but look into Mikhail's small room and asked, "Do you want me to help you clean up the room? Have you written anything new? After all, you haven't left the house for several days. You should do something. You can't just sleep in like a noble lord every day, right?"

"Not for now." Mikhail's mouth twitched, and then he naturally avoided the following question. Putting on his coat and hat, Mikhail smiled slightly under Nastasia's gaze and quickly slipped away.

These days, Mikhail had of course found time to read the novel "Miserables" to anyone in the apartment who was willing to listen. When Mikhail had just finished reading, the person who was most excited was the small businessman Versilov. He slammed the table and stood up and said:
"Oh my God! After hearing this, I immediately remembered what happened last time. I took a cab with a young coachman who looked really down and out. So when I paid him the fare, I overpaid him by several dozen kopecks! It was almost a ruble!

Dear Smirnov, did you hear me? Did you hear what I did? Could you do this? Come on! Your salary is not even enough for a few drinks!

Faced with such words, the young civil servant Smirnov was a little skeptical, but he was speechless for a moment.

He could only mutter a few words: "Look, look, some people think they are great just because they do some good things occasionally. I also gave a child some food that day. Although it was a little meager, who can say that it wouldn't make him happy for a whole night?..."

After reading these two novels, Mikhail's situation in the apartment has changed to some extent. First of all, of course, the landlord Pavlovna's attitude towards Mikhail has really improved a lot.

The debts were no longer pressed as hard as before. If Mikhail failed to arrive on time for meals, some food would be left for him. And although tea was still not freely available, at least he could have two or three cups in the envious eyes of other tenants.

Of course, even so, it’s better not to live with her little czar.

Mikhail said:
"Oh, dear Pavlovna, do you know? Free love is all the rage among young people these days! There's an old saying in my hometown: A forced melon won't be sweet."

"What kind of nonsense is free love? The things you young people are popular with are really incomprehensible. But believe me, Mikhail, even in a thousand years, nothing will be more real than the ruble."

I wouldn’t dare to say for a thousand years, but within two hundred years I can guarantee that what you say is right…

In short, Mikhail could only fool around for the time being.

For Mikhail, he can put feelings aside for now and just live his life well first.

Apart from the landlord, the other tenants seemed to have developed a feeling between respect and tenderness towards Mikhail. Sometimes they were very willing to chat with Mikhail, as if they could get some unknown comfort from him.

Mikhail was very happy about this.

After all, during the conversation, Mikhail could always hear some gossip and rumors that would open his eyes.

Just like the gossip from the petty civil servant Smirnov, anyone who listens to it will have a new understanding of "The Death of a Petty Civil Servant" and "The Chameleon".

Putting all that aside, the general meaning of the reply was that Belinsky wanted to invite Mikhail to get together, have a meal together and strengthen their relationship.

For poor people, there is no better way to keep in touch with others.

As for where to eat, we have to mention the happy little salons of intellectuals these days.

The term salon and its associated activities naturally originated from France, the old revolutionary base. Basically, it was a group of idle aristocrats who gathered together to drink, play cards, brag, and occasionally chat about philosophy, art, and, of course, keyboard politics. After all, keyboard politics is something you wouldn't dare to do publicly?
Since the public button cannot be used, the only option is to chat and discuss the current situation with a group of nobles with similar interests during private gatherings.

Generally speaking, salons like this do provide food and drinks, and also give you the opportunity to expand your network.

Then there are the intellectuals these days, who basically form small groups, either based on common interests, or based on common literary, artistic and political ideas.

The situation is not so bad at this time, as the division is not so serious. But when the situation in Russia deteriorates further, the so-called intellectuals will also begin to divide and struggle fiercely.

It was basically a wonderful dinner when someone suddenly sighed, "Ah! Look at what the Westerners have done, their ideas, art, economics, and national systems are all great!"

The other person was immediately displeased when he heard this: "Bullshit! That doesn't make any sense! We Russians have our own traditions and national conditions. Although the Tsar was not good, autocracy is our historical tradition! We have to follow this!"

"What did you say? That's nonsense!"

"You can ignore all our Russian traditions, and yet you still dare to talk about serving the country? Fuck you!"

“Fuck you!…”

Ahem…

Of course, this is an abstract expression, and we will talk more about it later.

However, it must be said that it is probably a problem of national character shaped by history and geographical environment. Russian intellectuals focus on one extreme. They seem to lack sufficient tolerance, "either all or nothing."

Their perspective on history often does not allow for the existence of reform. They either overthrow it or are overthrown by it.

In certain periods, such an attitude can rapidly promote social change and development, but at the same time, hidden dangers are often buried during this period.

The writers of Russia's Golden Age all showed this tendency to a greater or lesser extent, just like our Dostoevsky, who was a radical revolutionary for a period of time when he was young. Later, he was hit by the iron fist of the Tsar and his death sentence was commuted to exile. After a few years of such days, Dostoevsky finally turned to religious salvation.

Of course, this is just a general summary. The actual situation and Laozi's thoughts are more complicated than this.

So the question is, are there any moderate and centrist writers who want everyone to stop arguing and get along well with each other to build a better home?
Some brothers, yes.

With any luck, Mikhail would meet this person at the next party.

He is the owner of a series of nicknames such as "Hamlet", "Old Romantic", "Judas", and "Fool". He is one of the three giants of the Golden Age of Russian literature, a fanatical fan, a semi-finished pure love party, our Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev!
Brother Tu.

(End of this chapter)