My era, 1979!

Chapter 199 My book is written for those who are willing to think.

Xu Chengjun had just finished packing his luggage and was still sleepy when he followed the group to the back door of the hotel to leave. However, Secretary-General Lin Lin stopped him with a serious expression.

"Comrade Chengjun, the plan has changed." Lin Lin adjusted his glasses, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Xu Chengjun yawned, his mind still a little foggy: "Huh? Weren't we supposed to retreat together?"

"The situation is special, we'll go first, you... we'll talk later."

Linlin pointed to an inconspicuous black Toyota parked near the hotel's side entrance. "Mr. Baba and Mr. Fujii from Iwanami Shoten are already waiting for you over there. They will be in charge of your itinerary and safety."

Xu Chengjun nearly rolled his eyes to the top of his head: "Huh?!"

what is this?
The main force made a strategic withdrawal, leaving him as a "firepower distraction point"?
Du Pengcheng, suppressing a laugh, patted him hard on the shoulder, his tone tinged with schadenfreude and barely perceptible envy: "Kid, face reality! If you squeeze into a car with a bunch of old guys like us and get surrounded, are we going to help you fend off the reporters or deal with those young girls holding up signs? With you following us, it's hard for us to get around either!"

Odesir, who came from the grasslands, added in broken Chinese with hearty enthusiasm: "What did Teacher Du say! He said to let Comrade Chengjun fully demonstrate the style of our Southeast University writers! To stand out on his own!"

Xu Chengjun looked at these senior figures and sighed helplessly, "Oh..."

What else could he say besides accept the arrangement?

Linlin then turned to Wu Lei, the accompanying translator who was also somewhat bewildered, and said, "Comrade Wu Lei, you speak good Japanese and are quick-witted, so stay here and accompany Comrade Chengjun. Follow Mr. Bachang's instructions in all actions and make sure to ensure Comrade Chengjun's safety and...image!"

Wu Lei pointed to his own nose, his face showing an expression of "sitting at home and getting caught in the crossfire": "Huh? Me? Secretary-General Lin, this..."

This isn't how he imagined foreign affairs activities to be!
Before Xu Chengjun and Wu Lei could fully react, Mr. Ba, Ms. Bing Xin, and their entourage had already quickly and discreetly left by car under the cover of the staff who came to meet them.

Xu Chengjun and Wu Lei were left standing there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Just as Xu Chengjun was wondering if he should go back to sleep, Baba Koichi and Fujii Shozo appeared in front of him like ghosts.

Ma Chang looked Xu Chengjun up and down, his brows furrowing slightly. He was clearly not satisfied with Xu Chengjun's appearance, which included a casually worn old coat, slightly disheveled hair, and possibly some unwashed eye boogers (Xu Chengjun: ...).

"No, Mr. Xu, this won't do!" Ma Chang waved his hand, as if a general were giving an order.

Suddenly, two smartly dressed women carrying makeup cases appeared out of nowhere, "kidnapping" Xu Chengjun from both sides and taking him back to the hotel without saying a word.

"Hey? Wait! Mr. Baba, is this really necessary? I'm just going to show my face..." Xu Chengjun tried to struggle.

“Of course it’s necessary!” Baba said decisively, following behind. “We’ll be facing reporters with their cameras and microphones! You must appear in the most perfect and dashing way! This is strategy!”

Xu Chengjun was pinned to a chair in the room and couldn't help but complain, "Am I not handsome enough? You know, natural beauty needs no artifice?"

A makeup artist smiled and said, "Mr. Xu is certainly very handsome! But it's different on camera. The lighting can make your makeup look less attractive, so without a little touch-up, your perfect features won't be shown!"

As she spoke, the powder puff was already precisely applied.

Xu Chengjun: "..."

I believed your evil deeds!

So, while Xu Chengjun was still in a dazed state, "I'm not fully awake yet," he was surrounded by a group of people who washed his face, applied skincare products, put on foundation, shaped his eyebrows, and styled his hair... a dazzling array of procedures. Then, as if by magic, Ma Chang produced a brand-new suit.

"Put this on, Mr. Xu! This is a 'battle robe' specially prepared for you!" Baba said excitedly.

Wow, it's an extremely well-tailored dark gray Giorgio Armani suit.

In the early 80s, Armani's Power Suit was all the rage worldwide. With its smooth lines, soft shoulders and minimalist design, it overturned the stiffness of traditional suits and represented a new, confident and elegant image of authority, which was very suitable for Xu Chengjun's dashing yet composed temperament at this moment.

When he was urged to change into a suit and come out, the people in the room, including Wu Lei, were all surprised.

Ma Chang circled Xu Chengjun twice, rubbing his hands excitedly: "Perfect! Absolutely perfect!"

Fujii Shozo was so excited that he trembled and could barely speak: "Mr. Xu! This...this is simply..."

Even Wu Lei, who was used to seeing Xu Chengjun's handsome appearance, couldn't help but praise him in his heart: This guy, when he dresses up, really looks like a real man... no, he looks as bright as the sun and moon in one's arms, as steadfast as a lone pine tree standing alone!
Xu Chengjun loosened his tie, still looking helpless: "Mr. Baba, Mr. Fujii, what exactly are we doing here? Why are we making such a big fuss?"

Baba Koichi's smile faded, replaced by an almost sacred and solemn expression. He placed his hands on Xu Chengjun's shoulders and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Xu! From now on, it's time for the promotion of your new book, 'Red Silk'!"
No, this is already a propaganda war! We must go all out and show you our best!
This concerns the fate of this book in Japan, and also your future standing in the Japanese literary world!

Fujii chimed in excitedly, his body trembling slightly with excitement: "Yes, Xu-san! We'll fight together! Let everyone see the brilliance of 'Red Silk'!"

Looking at the two people in front of him who were even more excited than himself, Xu Chengjun took a deep breath, suppressing the remaining sleepiness and helplessness, and a confident and carefree smile appeared on his lips.

He patted Fujii on the shoulder, his tone reassuring: "No problem, Fujii-kun. In this 'battle,' you are my most important comrade-in-arms. Any honors 'Red Ribbon' receives in Japan will certainly include your share!"

Fujii: I swear my allegiance to the death!
Xu Chengjun, surrounded by Baba Koichi, Fujii Shozo, Wu Lei, several Iwanami Bookstore staff members, and vigilant security personnel, walked out of the side door of the New Otani Hotel.

The moment he appeared, the already noisy sounds outside the hotel suddenly rose, boiling like water!
"Mr. Xu! Look here!"

"The letter is the same! The original character is so good!" (Unbelievable! The real person is more handsome!)

"The devil comes from Todai! The devil comes from Todai! The devil comes from Todai! Don't distort history!"
"Xu Chengjun, keep it up!" (Xu Chengjun, keep it up!)
"Excuse me! Japanese culture is insulting Japanese culture!" (Apologise! Don't insult Japanese culture!)

Fans waved impromptu handwritten signs and Red Ribbon promotional leaflets with excitement, their screams and cheers filling the air; on the other side, right-wing protesters, separated by a police barricade, waved flags and booed and berated angrily.

The interplay and collision of two distinctly different sound waves create a peculiar and noisy symphony in the early morning of Tokyo.

As soon as he stepped out of the hotel grounds, all sorts of microphones and recording devices were thrust at Xu Chengjun like long guns and short cannons, almost poking him in the face.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun...

Reporters from major Japanese media outlets were on high alert, their flashes blindingly bright.

At Maba Koichi's prompting, Xu Chengjun stopped and prepared to give a brief group interview.

He stood tall and straight, facing countless cameras and aggressive questions, yet maintained a calm, gentle smile on his face.

A reporter from the Yomiuri Shimbun was the first to ask a sharp question: "Mr. Ko, in your program you implied that Japanese culture is a tributary of Chinese culture. Isn't that a form of cultural arrogance?"

Xu Chengjun's gaze was calm, and his tone was neither humble nor arrogant: "Rivers have main streams and tributaries, and cultures have origins and influences. This is an objective fact."

Acknowledging this is not arrogance, but rather a respect for historical origins.

The greatness of culture lies in its capacity for inclusiveness and regeneration. Just as your country absorbed the spirit of the Tang and Song dynasties, giving birth to a unique Japanese culture, this in itself is a manifestation of cultural vitality.

A reporter from the Sankei Shimbun followed up with a more aggressive question: "Your remarks demanding an apology for history have caused great controversy in Japan. Are you worried that this will affect the market for your work in Japan?"

Xu Chengjun raised an eyebrow slightly and replied, "The value of literature lies in recording reality and inspiring thought. If a nation can only accept praise but cannot face the less glorious page in its own history, it will be a tragedy for the spirit of that nation."

I believe that truly wise and courageous Japanese readers can distinguish between incitement and reflection based on human conscience.

My book is written for people who are willing to think.

A relatively mild-mannered reporter asked, "Mr. Xu, what are your expectations for Sino-Japanese relations in the future?"

Xu Chengjun's tone softened, revealing a hint of sincere expectation: "What I look forward to is an equal friendship built on mutual respect, deep understanding, and especially a shared and clear understanding of history."

Just as Kenzaburo Oe and I can be literary kindred spirits, I hope that the people of both countries, especially the young people, can also transcend the shadows of history and become partners in the common pursuit of peace and a better life.

His response demonstrated both firm principles and a broad perspective, addressing the questions while skillfully steer the conversation in a positive direction.

This not only drew nods of approval from many reporters, but also elicited even more enthusiastic exclamations and screams from the female fans on the periphery.

"かっこよすぎる!" (So handsome!)

"はあ...头がいい!" (Haah...what a good brain!)

With the assistance of the horse farm and security personnel, Xu Chengjun, Wu Lei, and others quickly boarded the private van arranged by Iwanami Bookstore. The door closed, temporarily shutting out the noise outside.

For the rest of the day, Xu Chengjun was like a highly efficient and charismatic "publicity machine," throwing himself wholeheartedly into the intensive promotion of "Red Silk."

From showcasing humor and affability in a relaxed atmosphere on the top variety show "Waratte Iitomo!", to giving an in-depth interview to the Mainichi Shimbun to discuss literature and history; and then to sharing her creative journey by directly communicating with countless unseen listeners through the airwaves on an NHK-FM radio program...

On different stages, Xu Chengjun fully demonstrates his unique personal charm, profound thoughts, and fluent expression.

He frequently uttered memorable quotes:

"Peace is not a static gift, but a dynamic and fragile balance that each generation must actively build with reason and courage. Countries that forget war are most likely to sound the drums of the next war."

"The tragedy of history often stems from abstracting specific 'people' into cold numbers and symbols. One of the responsibilities of literature is to salvage the souls behind these numbers who have truly cried and smiled."

“I write not to tell people what the world is like, but to invite them to think together about what the world might be like, and what it should be like.”

“True concern for the future is not about indulging in wishful thinking about technology, but about having the deepest sympathy and sense of responsibility for the fate of the ‘people’ who will live in that future.”

These insightful statements quickly spread through the media.

In a subsequent feature article about Xu Chengjun, Takashi Tachibana, a senior commentator for the Asahi Shimbun, wrote:

"...In the interview, he frequently offered insightful observations, seemingly possessing inexhaustible talent. He himself was a complex contradiction: he loved peace, yet was intellectually 'warlike,' relentlessly challenging all entrenched prejudices and hypocrisy; he yearned for understanding between people, yet was more acutely aware than anyone of the historical chasms that separated them. He uttered memorable quotes effortlessly, as if his talent were boundless. He abhorred militarism, making no attempt to conceal his critical edge. Therefore, he would never be an idol beloved by the Japanese, but it was precisely this refusal to conform that made him an 'idol of anti-idols.'"

In this era, liking him signifies a rebellion against rigid thinking, a thirst for deep thought, and a hidden yearning for seriousness and authenticity in a noisy and superficial consumer society.

This report provides a highly insightful commentary on Xu Chengjun's complex image in Japan.

His promotional trip to Tokyo was a rollercoaster of controversy and acclaim, with one climax after another.

should say.

Xu Chengjun's performance in "Tetsuko's Hut" was like a boulder thrown into the already turbulent pool of Japanese public opinion, stirring up not just ripples, but a surging wave of opposition.

In the early 1980s, in Japan, where extreme left-wing and extreme right-wing ideologies clashed fiercely and where social sentiment was sensitive and complex, his remarks were destined not to be accepted peacefully.

The voices of support and praise mainly came from left-wing intellectuals, some liberal media outlets, and influenced young people:

The Asahi Shimbun's culture column published an article by renowned liberal commentator Shunsuke Tsurumi, who wrote: "Xu Chengjun's appearance is like a wake-up call. He shows us that even in the dream of 'Japan's Number One,' there are still historical shadows that we must face. His statement that 'historical nihilism and militarism are two sides of the same coin' is a wake-up call. This is not anti-Japanese, but rather prompting Japan—prompting us to engage in deeper self-reflection, which is true friendship and constructiveness."

At the seminar, a professor of comparative literature from Waseda University publicly stated: "Mr. Xu's discourse on the origins of Japanese culture is an objective academic viewpoint, not a provocation. He demonstrates the humble yet assertive attitude and broad cultural vision of the new generation of intellectuals at Tokyo University. His intellectual depth far exceeds his age, and he deserves our respect and emulation."

Many young viewers, especially college students, became fans of Xu Chengjun through the show.

They discussed on campus and concluded that Xu represented "a new and more genuine way of Asian dialogue." His courage to touch on taboo topics and his perspective full of humanistic concern inspired them to have a renewed thirst for knowledge about history, which had been deliberately obscured.

However, the fierce criticism and attacks came from the right-wing camp, media outlets with strong nationalist sentiments, and some conservative intellectuals:
The Sankei Shimbun published a strongly worded editorial entitled "Beware of Historical Interference Under the Guise of 'Literature'," which accused Xu Chengjun of "taking advantage of our country's open environment for free speech to spread anti-Japanese historical views, and whose words and actions constitute a blatant interference in Japan's internal affairs and cultural dignity." The editorial also demanded that Iwanami Shoten "examine the appropriateness of publishing works by such authors."

The right-wing magazine *Shukun!* published an article by renowned right-wing critic Jun Eto, who criticized Xu Chengjun, stating: "Xu Chengjun is nothing more than a 'literary vase' packaged by the official ideology of the University of Tokyo. His remarks are full of a sense of superiority over Japan and a lecturing tone. His so-called 'apology' is the first step in his attempt to spiritually conquer Japan. The adoration of this person by some intellectuals and media in our country is a typical manifestation of the post-war ideological confusion and loss of subjectivity!"

Some extreme right-wing groups have attacked Xu Chengjun as a "traitor to the country," not only protesting outside the hotel but also sending threatening letters to Iwanami Shoten.

Other voices attempt to find a balance between the two, but also reveal complex emotions.

A commentary in the Mainichi Shimbun stated: "Xu Chengjun's charm and talent are undeniable, and his advocacy for peace is commendable. However, he may have underestimated the impact of his remarks within the specific social context of our country. How to promote understanding while avoiding provoking national sentiments is a challenge that we need to address together in future Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges."

This argument, while seemingly neutral, actually contains a hint of complaint: "Why can't it be said more tactfully?"

Many Japanese people feel lost and struggle in this complex and even hostile vortex of public opinion.

They might even feel confused about their own thoughts.
Including Shozo Fujii.

He was overjoyed at his impending success!
But these trashy newspapers like the Sankei Shimbun actually called him a "traitor"!
They actually called him—a scholar dedicated to promoting Sino-Japanese understanding and introducing excellent literature—a "traitor"!

He even attacked him as "Shameless translator for the anti-Japanese Higashikata people"*!

Nani!

Am I an adulterer?

Baka! I did it for my country!
What do those damn commentators know?!
I am working hard for the future of my country! It is to help Japan truly rid itself of the ghosts of history and become a nation respected by its Asian neighbors!

This vicious accusation has pierced his dignity!

It also shook his beliefs!

He felt angry, aggrieved, and a chilling sense of being completely rejected by a part of his society.

However, under this pressure from both internal and external forces, he felt an unprecedented sense of confusion and inner turmoil.

As the translator and promoter of Xu Chengjun's works, he sincerely admires Xu's talent.

They also generally agree with his view of history.

He belongs to the left-wing liberal intellectual circle in Japan and has consistently advocated for a deep reflection on the war and the promotion of Sino-Japanese friendship.

However, when he saw the hostile attacks and the ubiquitous right-wing slogans, Fujii felt shaken and deeply doubtful.

He was perplexed not only by those extreme voices, but also by the social environment of Japan that nurtured them.

Social structure?
Why does such a seemingly open and developed democratic society, which has achieved such tremendous economic success, harbor such deep-rooted conservatism and resistance in its understanding of historical issues? Why did post-war democratization education and economic prosperity fail to thoroughly eradicate certain ideological remnants?

system?

Why does the current political system and media landscape seem to consistently provide space for right-wing discourse, and even sometimes tacitly allow it to incite public opinion? Where are the boundaries of freedom of speech? When a society's "political correctness" tends to avoid rather than confront history, what is the responsibility of intellectuals?
The progressiveness of thought?
The Japanese left wing, to which he belongs, has been advocating peace and anti-war since the post-war period. Why does its influence seem to be declining? Why can the outspokenness of a young foreigner like Xu Chengjun stir up a greater wave among the younger generation in Japan than the left wing movement in Japan itself? Is there something wrong with Japan's own intellectual circles, and is it stuck in some kind of stagnation or powerlessness?
These questions plagued him, making him restless and uneasy.

He found that some of the beliefs he had held in the past seemed rather pale and powerless in the face of the harsh reality of public opinion.

He longed to find a perspective that could pierce through the fog, an answer that could help him understand this complex situation.

Naturally, he thought of Xu Chengjun.

This young man, who comes from a socialist university, possesses an astonishingly open vision and profound historical insight.

What Xu Chengjun demonstrated in the program and subsequent interviews was not just a stance, but also a methodology based on a grand historical perspective and clear logic.

Fujii vaguely sensed that Xu Chengjun possessed a kind of "advanced" or "certain" quality in his thinking that seemed to be lacking in the Japanese intellectual circles he was familiar with—a more resolute, clearer, and more courageous approach to confronting the core contradictions.

He was eager to know how Xu Chengjun viewed the complex social and ideological situation in Japan.
Where does his confidence come from?

Why was he able to remain so calm in the face of such enormous controversy?
Fujii, almost obsessively, found Xu Chengjun in the van: "Mr. Xu, I...I need your answer."

Xu Chengjun slowly opened his eyes.

Those eyes, usually clear or smiling, now appeared somewhat deep and unfathomable in the dappled light filtering through the car window.

He didn't answer immediately, but turned his head slightly, his fingers unconsciously and rhythmically tapping the armrest of the leather seat, making a soft "tap, tap" sound, as if he were tapping some kind of invisible chess game.

A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips, yet it sent a chill down Fujii's spine for no apparent reason.

"Nani?"

(End of this chapter)