British writer

University of Paris.

In a single-family dormitory, Marcel Proust was sitting at his desk.

Le Figaro is open,

He whispered:

"

'All animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others...'

"

snap——

There was a soft sound at the door.

Proust looked back,

"Mrs. Gao Fan, how many times have I told you before..."

A short, fat middle-aged woman stood at the door.

She was wearing an apron, and the tray she was holding contained a piece of steaming bread, which was exuding the sweet aroma of wheat.

In addition, there is a pot of hot milk.

Proust continued: "Don't you just come into my room."

"ah?"

Mrs. Gaofan leaned forward,

"What did you say?"

Proust repeated helplessly: "You don't want to come into my room casually."

Mrs. Gao Fan still looks the same.

"What?"

Proust: "..."

I knew very well that the landlady was not deaf, she was just pretending to be stupid.

But he couldn't help it,

Because the other party is his "guardian" in Paris designated by his father.

Proust was born into a very wealthy family, but he was physically weak since childhood and was plagued by severe asthma. Fortunately, he was rich in fantasy, and his illness promoted the discovery of literary talent.

He said: "Okay~Okay~I'll eat."

"That's right."

Mrs. Gao Fan put the food on the table and then said, "What did you say about equality and inequality just now?"

Proust curled his lips.

"How did your hearing get better?"

Mrs. Gaofan shrugged.

"My hearing is fine, I just filter out useless information."

Proust: "..."

It’s completely lost.

All I can say is, one thing brings down another.

He pushed the article to the other party,

"It's this novel called "Animal Farm," and it's wonderfully written."

Mrs. Gao Fan glanced at it curiously, and then asked: "The author is the 'Lu' you often mentioned before? Don't you admire him very much?"

Proust blushed a little,

"I just...cough...cough cough cough..."

Mrs. Gao Fan was panicked.

"Why is your child so acute? Is your asthma coming back again?"

As he spoke, he looked around for the medicine bottle.

Proust patted his chest,

"No, no, asthma means you can't breathe, 'ha... ha...' or something like that. Just now I just choked and coughed."

He returned to the subject,

"Yes, the author is the 'Lu' I mentioned before."

Mrs. Gao Fan asked: "By the way, was the "Warden" you wrote before influenced by him?"

"this……"

Proust didn't know how to answer.

Unlike other literati, he knew Lu Shi because of a "middleman"——

sigmund freud

In 1900, Proust began to study rhetoric and philosophy at the University of Paris and Sciences Po, while translating the works of the British art critic John Ruskin.

Ruskin's thoughts had a great influence on him,

He believed that intuition in writing was better than analysis of objective facts.

Inevitably, Proust came into contact with some of Freud's research on the subconscious.

This is well reflected in "In Search of Lost Time\

,"Characters in novels often show the so-called "instinct depth" and "original state" while sleeping.

No wonder it is called "stream of consciousness".

After that, Lu Shi led the debate between advertising and psychology in Cambridge.

Proust then began to read Lu Shi's works.

At first, he didn't like it.

Especially in "Guns, Germs, and Steel", the method of argumentation in the book is too heavy on science and engineering thinking, and it hardly resembles a historical work.

This antipathy lasted for several books, until "The Country Teacher" appeared,

It's obviously science fiction,

Cold, rational, even inhumane...

But Proust read an unspeakable romance in it, and his creative passion was instantly ignited, and "The Warden" was born.

Proust stretched himself,

"Have a meal."

He picked up the bread, chewed it and devoured it.

In the past, Mrs. Gao Fan would definitely criticize him when she saw how he was reincarnated as a demon, but today she didn't say a word.

Because she is reading the newspaper.

Her brows were furrowed, like a scholar studying a complex document, and her fingers gently ran over each word without overlooking any detail.

Proust couldn't help laughing;

"Mrs. Gao Fan, it turns out you also like reading?"

Mrs. Gao Fan: "..."

He was so engrossed that he didn't even bother to pay attention to him.

Proust curled his lips, continued to eat bread, and leaned over to read the novel.

The original text of "Animal Farm" was not long, but it was simplified by Lu Shi. Now it has less than 40,000 words.

If you read quickly, it will take about two hours.

Time passes minute by minute,

suddenly,

"Hehe..."

Mrs. Gaofan stretched herself.

Proust asked: "Have you finished reading?"

Mrs. Gao Fan shook her head,

"How could it be so fast? I just... don't know what to say."

This reaction is considered typical.

After reading a political fable, the vast majority of ordinary people will vaguely feel that something is wrong, but they cannot tell where it is.

Proust mused,

“I think the most ironic thing about this book is that ‘all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’ What do you think?”

Mrs. Gaofan said: "You can't say, 'All animals are not created equal, but some animals are more unequal than others', right? It's like 'I'm prettier than you', what does this have to do with 'You're uglier than me' Different? But the latter is just harder to listen to."

Proust:! ! !

"You...how did you..."

He was shocked.

Mrs. Gao Fan glared at him dissatisfiedly,

"You don't think I'm a housewife who doesn't understand anything, do you?"

Proust was embarrassed;

Indeed, I had never thought that the landlady could hit the nail on the head.

He changed the subject,

"So, according to your statement, you think humans are born... wrong, they should be animals. Do you think all animals are not created equal?"

Mrs. Gao Fan pursed her lips and smiled,

"That's right~ that's right~ we are talking about animals and have nothing to do with humans."

She was deep in thought,

After a long while, she explained: "Equality should be very difficult to achieve. Now we still need to work hard to eliminate people's alienation and eliminate people's oppression, so that people have more room for development and less pressure to survive."

Proust was confused;

"..."

If a person who studies rhetoric and philosophy wants to speak at this level, he has to think about it for a while.

He asked: "Mrs. Gao Fan, how did you...uh..."

Don't know how to word it.

Mrs. Gaofan smiled,

"Don't forget where this is."

Proust couldn't help but be speechless.

France,

Paris,

Old revolutionary base areas.

What's more, the University of Paris and the Ecole Normale de Paris have always been at the forefront of the women's movement.

It was normal for Mrs. Gaofan to be exposed to those.

She flipped through the newspaper and said: "There is another review behind this, also written by Lu. He defined works such as "New France" and "Animal Farm" as 'dystopia'. He also analyzed them .”

Proust was not surprised, because Professor Lu had done similar things before.

The article "A Brief Discussion on Narrative Conspiracy and Mystery Works" has been regarded as a standard by mystery novel writers.

"I'll take a look," he said.

Mrs. Gaofan handed the newspaper back,

"It's like a paper, it gives me a headache just looking at it."

Proust was puzzled: "Huh? Is there any? I think it's easy to understand."

He pointed out a passage in it,

"

‘People’s definitions of ‘utopia’ and ‘dystopia’ will change as the times continue to advance. If you read Plato’s works, the Republic at that time, most people today will think that it is a ‘dystopia’ rather than a ‘utopia’. ’

"

Very simple reason,

If a 19th-century worker who works 20 hours a day and has seen 10 coworkers die suddenly every month reads a novel about a future society where one employee dies suddenly every month and works 12 hours a day, he will think it is a utopia.

Whoever says it's not, is in a hurry.

but,

Mrs. Gaofan:? ? ?

He said he didn't understand the long speech.

Proust spread his hands,

"Okay, just think of this article as a teaching. Professor Lu is teaching us how to create 'dystopian' works."

Mrs. Gao Fan couldn't help but be surprised.

"What do you mean? Teaching? A writer will teach others how to make a living?"

"Yes."

Proust nodded and looked at the article again.

"Moreover, I don't see that Professor Lu has any reservations. He even classified dystopian themes: first, describing a terrible future society; second, describing a false ideal society."

Mrs. Gao Fan can’t understand.

"Why is this happening?"

Proust said: "Maybe it's because Professor Lu is really selfless, or maybe because the author of "New France" is causing trouble, Professor Lu wants to fight back on behalf of the jury. Who knows?"

Mrs. Gao Fan sighed,

"You can only ask him about this kind of thing."

Speaking of myself...

Suddenly, Proust stood up,

"That makes sense! I have to go to the Collège de France!"

Mrs. Gao Fan sneered and joked: "You still say you don't admire Lu?"

Proust said "Huh?" and defended: "When did I say that I don't worship...uh...what does it matter if I worship or not?"

Mrs. Gao Fan’s smile became even brighter,

"Ah, yes, yes..."

Proust couldn't stay any longer and rushed out the door.

…

Collège de France.

central Park.

In front of Lu Shi's bust, a man was waiting quietly.

The man's name is Señor Alfaro, editor-in-chief of Le Figaro.

He came to apologize.

You should never, never should, and the worst thing you should do is provoke Lu Shi.

If such a big thing happens now, and the big bosses of the French Academy are really unhappy, then Alfaro's future in the newspaper office, and even in the entire media industry, will be ruined.

at this time,

"Saini!"

Someone called his name from behind.

Alfaro looked back happily,

As a result, what appeared in front of him was not the man who had been waiting hard, but old Pergo who was as angry as a bull.

"You bastard!"

Old Pelgao punched.

Alfaro quickly dodged and begged for mercy: "Wait! Wait!"

However,

"I'm waiting for you X!"

Another punch.

Alfaro was a bit thinner and dodged again nimbly.

Old Pelgo missed twice in a row. He was a little annoyed, so he looked at his silly son and said: "Little Louis, come here and help!"

The family is full of "brothers fighting tigers, fathers and sons fighting in battle".

It’s better to have your own home:

I am a good man and my son is watching a play.

It was true that Old Pelgao couldn't hold himself tight.

Little Pelgao was stunned.

"okay……"

He came closer, his eyes flickering, clearly lacking combat experience.

Alfaro took this opportunity and said: "Don't worry! I am also a victim in this matter!"

As soon as these words came out, both father and son stopped moving.

Old Pelgo frowned.

"What do you mean by that!?"

Seeing that he no longer greeted him with his fists, Alfaro couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief, and then said: "I let Xiaolu... I asked Louis to publish "New France" in "Le Figaro". The purpose was to help him become famous and take advantage of the opportunity. Create hot spots.”

Old Pergao snorted coldly,

"I'm afraid the latter is the main purpose, right?"

Alfaro is not embarrassed either;

As a newspaper man, his face has long been thicker than the city wall.

He said: "That's right! If we create a hot topic, the sales volume of "Le Figaro" may return to its peak. Moreover, things are also developing in the direction I expected. The citizens of Paris are suspicious of Jules Verne. There is a shady secret behind the award.”

Old Per raised his eyebrows.

My understanding of my old friend is still profound.

This guy wants to make big news every day.

He asked: "What then?"

"Then?"

Alfaro squeezed out a wry smile and whispered: "You also saw today's newspaper."

Old Pelgo frowned.

"Of course I saw it! That's why I want to deal with you! Didn't it mean that the organizing committee of the Jules Verne Award found you and tried to attract attention, but ended up tricking my son?"

Alfaro said: "Normally speaking, this does look like a game. But..."

He took a deep breath,

"Professor Lu is not a normal person at all! Can you think of it? The "Animal Farm" article was submitted yesterday."

Little Pelgo:! ! !

Old Pelgo:! ! !

Both of them were confused.

If Alfaro is not lying and there is indeed no conspiracy theory, it means that Lu Shi wrote this novella purely to deal with a public relations crisis.

According to this calculation,

"Animal Farm" was created in less than four days! ?

"No! This is impossible!"

Little Pelgo's face was filled with disbelief.

"How can this be?"

Alfaro said: "I don't think it is possible. To be honest, I even doubted it before. This is a big chess game. Professor Lu has already written "Animal Farm" and by brushing off Louis' "New France" , let him find the media to expose the shady story to increase the popularity of the award."

Old Pergo shook his head repeatedly.

"This is too bizarre! Unless there really is some kind of 'Soma' that can control little Louis's mind."

Little Pergao corrected: "Emotions. Father, it's emotions."

Old Pelgo was puzzled.

"What did you say? What emotion?"

Little Pelgo replied: "'Soma' controls the emotions of animals, not their thoughts."

Old Pelgo was left speechless.

"You are not an animal either! Alas..."

He turned to Alfaro and said, "Then you can use the power of the editor-in-chief to suppress Professor Lu's submission."

Alfaro looked at Lu Shi's bust and sighed deeply.

"Can it be delayed for a while? Can it be delayed for a lifetime?"

"this……"

Old Pelgao was speechless when asked.

Alfaro continued: "Besides, if I press the manuscript of "Animal Farm", my subordinates will definitely rebel. Especially that kid Kamete, what the hell...! @* [# ]￥%……”

The more he talks, the more he hates it, and in the end he even spits out fragrance.

Old Pelgao asked: "Who is this Kamete?"

Alfaro explained: "Gaston Camet, an editor under me, has a personal relationship with Mr. Verne. He secretly revealed the matter between Louis and me to the jury."

Old Pelgo suddenly realized,

"It turns out that there is news that escaped... um..."

He paused, as if he thought of something.

Alpha Road said angrily: "It seems that you have noticed it too. Yes, even if Professor Lu knew about this in advance, it was only one day early."

The writing time for "Animal Farm" went from less than four days to less than five days.

Still outrageous.

Old Pergos thought about it, and the only explanation was:

"It seems that he had written it before. This incident just happened to happen."

As soon as he finished speaking, a voice came from behind:

"No, that's not the case."

The three of them turned around.

I saw Verne walking slowly, followed by a young man.

Verne introduced: "This is Marcel Proust, who will win the Jules Verne Award for his novel "The Warden"."

Proust was a little alarmed;

"Mr. Verne, why...well...I just came here to see Professor Lu. I didn't..."

Verne waved his hand,

"The judges' work is over and he left for London yesterday."

Old Pergo was surprised,

"Yesterday? Didn't "Animal Farm" just hit the newspapers today?"

Verne looked at him and said,

"so what?"

One sentence left Old Pelgao confused.

What writer doesn’t want to see readers’ reactions when their work is published?

Is Lu Shi confident to this extent?

No, this is not "confidence", but "arrogance"!

Verne chuckled lightly,

"Are you Mr. Katrina Pelgo? Maybe you don't know Professor Lu? His works include "Roger Mystery", "Guns, Germs and Steel", "Yes! Prime Minister", "Country" Teacher"...Do you think he would be worried that his works would not be popular?"

Old Pergo was speechless;

yes……

How could Professor Lu’s works not be popular?

Alfaro on the side interrupted the topic: "Mr. Verne, Professor Lu has returned to London, what should I do... You know, I am here to apologize. Regarding the selection of the Jules Verne Award, "Figard" Luo Bao had some misunderstandings."

Verne raised his eyebrows,

"It's not Le Figaro that has a misunderstanding, it's you, my dear friend."

Alfaro quickly defended: "But..."

Verne raised his right hand,

"As far as I know, Mr. Gaston Camet of your newspaper has no such misunderstanding."

Alfaro's teeth were almost broken.

He said: "I'm sorry! I'm extremely sorry! It was my negligence in my work that caused so much unhappiness between the two parties. And Professor Lu, it would be great if I could apologize to him in person."

Verne waved his hand,

"That's not necessary. If he wanted to hear your apology, he wouldn't be in a hurry to leave Paris."

Alpha Road's face turned red and white.

He had always felt that it was embarrassing to lower one's profile and sincerely apologize.

But now his mind has changed,

What's more embarrassing than apologizing is being ignored.

In Lu Shi's eyes, he didn't even have the leisure and elegance to listen to him say "I'm sorry". This was what hurt his self-esteem the most.

Verne saw Alfaro's thoughts,

He said: "Mr. Alfaro, some time ago, Professor Lu wrote a science fiction novel called "Chao Wen Dao". Have you heard of it?"

Alfaro nodded,

"I've heard of it. Could it be that "Animal Farm" was also created during that time?"

He hoped to hear Verne's affirmative answer,

Otherwise, Lu Shi would be too amazing!

But Verne simply shook his head,

"That's not what I'm talking about."

He continued his topic,

"At that time, three scientists served as consultants for "Chao Wen Dao". After reading the novel, they disagreed on the scientific ethics issues in it, and asked Professor Lu to make the novel public to the participating scientists during the Nobel Prize award ceremony. They were worried Professor Lu will refuse, and as a result, what do you think Professor Lu said?"

Alfaro said nothing.

Little Pelgao next to him asked curiously: "How did you say that?"

Verne chuckled,

"Professor Lu's answer is, 'The Lord doesn't care.'"

Alfaro was stunned,

Immediately, he showed a relieved smile,

For a genius like Lu Shi, the thoughts of ordinary people were indeed nothing worth caring about.

say sorry"?

People just don't care.

Verne clapped his hands and said: "Mr. Alfaro, this time, there are indeed process problems in the selection of the Jules Verne Award. For example, the primary election..."

As he said that, he glanced at little Pelgo and said,

"Are you Mr. Luis Pergo? We have indeed erased too many works, which will inevitably lead to criticism."

Little Pergo shook his head repeatedly.

"No. After reading Professor Lu's works, I realized how immature I was. What's more, he also wrote articles to draw attention to the subject of dystopia. I was arrogant before."

Verne said "hmm\

,""With the guidance of his article, there should be more people creating similar works, right?"

Proust on the side asked in a low voice: "Mr. Verne, why did Professor Lu make his writing theory public?"

Verne smiled,

"You will understand naturally when you write a lot of books."

Many years later, when Proust reached the top of the literary world with his book "In Search of Lost Time\

,"Standing on the podium of the Nobel Prize, he thought about today and finally felt something. He changed his speech temporarily and said: "First of all, I would like to thank my literary guide, Professor Lu..."

This might be what Lu Shi wanted.