The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

After Zhou Hexuan finished talking about Legalism, he went on to rave about Confucianism, Taoism, and Mohism, so that Bernard Shaw could understand Chinese schools of thought. Then it talked about the laws of the development of human civilization, and discussed the rise and fall of various civilizations in China and abroad.

George Bernard Shaw is a famous dramatist. His political concept of progressive socialism was still influenced by Max Weber and his wife, and he did not rely entirely on his own ability to put forward it.

Max Weber wrote a book called "Confucianism and Taoism", and also wrote a book called "Hinduism and Buddhism". If Weber and Zhou Hexuan are chatting now, they must have contacts with each other and argue fiercely, because their knowledge level is relatively close.

But Bernard Shaw seemed powerless. He knew nothing about Chinese culture, let alone the so-called history of human civilization. The more Zhou Hexuan talked, the more dizzy Bernard Shaw became. He understood what he heard, but he didn't know how to refute it.

In the face of Zhou Hexuan's rich and powerful knowledge, Bernard Shaw's little humor was completely useless, and he looked like a fool sitting there.

Lin Yutang, a fan of George Bernard Shaw, felt a little anxious when he saw his idol being deflated. However, as a Chinese, Lin Yutang looked forward to Zhou Hexuan's victory, and his mood of worrying about gains and losses was extremely entangled.

Cai Yuanpei smiled and said nothing the whole time with the mentality of watching a good show, and at the same time secretly surprised at Zhou Hexuan's rich knowledge.

Song Meiling quietly memorized Zhou Hexuan's conversation, she was a qualified listener, and she could go back and chat with her husband about what she had seen and heard.

Mrs. Lampson and other foreign ladies looked at Zhou Hexuan obsessively. They belong to the idlers who are full and have nothing to do. They usually like to have fun and pastime, and they prefer to communicate with university scholars and great artists to show their taste and identity.

Vivien Li sat beside Zhou Hexuan, watching her man become the focus of the audience, she was overjoyed and felt a sense of pride.

Zhou Hexuan finally concluded: "Western civilization developed a prosperous modern civilization on the basis of reflecting on the ancient Greek civilization, and borrowed many shining points of Chinese civilization. Can we say that Westerners in the Renaissance era have no culture?" No. China is now in the Renaissance era. While reflecting on ancient Chinese civilization, while learning from Western civilization, the ultimate goal is to develop a modern civilization that belongs to China. Can you say that China has no culture now? Of course not. China is now in labor pains During this period, on the one hand, it has stopped its own ancient culture, and on the other hand, it has not learned Western culture to a certain degree, so it seems that there is no culture. Mr. Bernard Shaw, please give China time, fifty years will be enough!"

Bernard Shaw could only laugh at himself and said, "I'm afraid I won't live that long."

Zhou Hexuan said: "I hope you take back your irresponsible remarks. If you think that China has no culture at all, then please study Chinese culture seriously, just like your good friend Mr. Weber. When you understand Chinese civilization, come again. It’s not too late to say that.”

"Okay, I take it back. I won't say that China has no culture." Bernard Shaw didn't dare to continue the discussion. The more Zhou Hexuan talked, the more it appeared that Bernard Shaw was ignorant, and he would not do such embarrassing things.

All the Chinese people present laughed. It is really commendable to be recognized by Westerners.

In order to show his demeanor, Bernard Shaw said with emotion: "Mr. Zhou, I have always regarded you as a Westerner. But now I have changed my mind. You are indeed a Chinese, and you have a thorough understanding of your own country's culture. I also believe that there will be more and more Chinese like you, China is an ancient country full of hope."

This sentence was equivalent to giving in. Soong Meiling took the lead in applauding and praised Bernard Shaw for his generosity.

Although Mrs. Lampson could not understand the professional content, she was very interested in the historical anecdotes of various countries, so she changed the topic of the salon to the interesting stories of various countries.

Now, those foreigners and noble ladies spoke one after another, each telling anecdotes about the history of their own country. Zhou Hexuan interrupted from time to time, no matter who he chatted with, he had the benefits of a time traveler, so he could remember the books he had read and the stories he had heard.

The more Bernard Shaw listened, the more horrified he became. He felt that Zhou Hexuan was so knowledgeable that he seemed to know everything. At the same time, another thought came to him: he will never chat with Zhou Hexuan again, he can't keep up with the rhythm at all!

Back that night, Lin Yutang found his good friend Lu Xun, and the two drank wine together at a roadside stall.

Lin Yutang said excitedly: "Mr. Zhou is really amazing. He made Mr. Bernard Shaw speechless in one call, and publicly admitted his fault."

Lu Xun shook his head and said, "Mr. Xiao, it doesn't matter if we don't mention it, he is just trying to catch fame."

Lin Yutang said with a smile: "He said today that he will never say that China has no culture anymore, and that China is an ancient country full of hope."

"Oh?" Lu Xun was a little surprised, "He really admitted his mistake?"

Lin Yutang hurriedly told the story, and Lu Xun said happily, "This is what Li Gui meets Li Kui. An intellectual liar meets a real scholar. If he dares not admit his mistake, he can only continue to make a fool of himself."

Lin Yutang was a little unhappy: "Mr. Bernard Shaw shouldn't talk nonsense, but he is not an intellectual liar. Mr. Bernard Shaw's plays are very good, his own humor is also admirable, and he also publicly expressed his support for China's war of resistance. How to say Also an international friend."

"Hehe." Lu Xun laughed dryly. He felt that Lin Yutang had lost his temper. Now that the world in China is difficult, he still advocates humorous knowledge. The situation in China is a big black humor!

Lu Xun used to like to be wise and protect his life, but as the national conditions became worse and worse, his approach became more and more radical. For example, when he was going to visit Beiping at the end of the year, the Communist Party entrusted him with the excuse of the Leftist League to call for trouble—besieging the Beiping government and calling for democracy and resistance to Japan. Lu Xun immediately agreed, not caring about his own safety at all.

People change with the environment, just take the two brothers Lu Xun and Zhou Zuoren as examples.

When he was young, Zhou Zuoren was extremely aggressive, and his ability to write articles to curse people was not weak at all, and he also liked to name names. But Zhang Zuolin brandished a butcher knife and killed a group of them. Zhou Zuoren immediately gave up, and now he has switched to eating vegetarian food, reciting Buddhism, and writing literary prose.

Lu Xun used to be more afraid of death, and he resolutely refused to do dangerous things. But when the real national crisis was imminent, Lu Xun straightened his back more and more, the more his friends were massacred, the louder he spoke, and now he has become the spiritual leader of the left-wing writers.

While Lin Yutang was chatting with Lu Xun, Song Meiling was also chatting with Chang Kaishen, explaining Zhou Hexuan's explanation of Legalism.

Chang Kaishen recalled the domestic situation, closed his eyes and muttered to himself: "Fa, art, power, trinity, this is the learning of emperors, it made me suddenly enlightened! Those scholars in the past were full of money, saying that legalism is ruling the country according to law. , It’s just nonsense, and I don’t even like the Legalists anymore.”

Chang Kaishen is not good at reading and knows little about traditional culture, but he is a loyal supporter of traditional culture. His philosophy is still the same as that of the Westernization School, which means that Chinese learning is the body and Western learning is the application. He hopes to find the idea of ​​​​governing the country in traditional culture.

Hearing Zhou Hexuan's explanation to the Legalists now, Chang Kaishen was immediately interested. He opened his eyes and called the adjutant in: "What are the arrangements for tomorrow? Can you spare some time?"

The adjutant immediately replied: "Commissioner, you have time tomorrow afternoon."

Chang Kaishen ordered: "Okay, you can inform Zhou Hexuan and let him come to rest in the hut tomorrow afternoon... Forget it, I'll go to the door and look for him, this person is soft and not hard."