188 [French interview] (For the leader of the alliance, Lao Wang is really short and small
The reception began, and the dignified Chinese and foreign guests were walking around holding wine glasses.
As the starter of the reception, Barrett walked to the center of the crowd and raised his glass: "On behalf of the President of the United States and the people, I would like to extend my greetings of peace to various consular officials and friends in China. For world peace
,cheers!"
"For world peace!" the foreigners raised their glasses and shouted in unison.
Zhou Hexuan had a sarcastic smile on his face, picked up the cup and took a reluctant sip.
Do these foreigners, who are so unscrupulous in their pursuit of profit and unrighteousness, deserve the word "peace"?
Perhaps, the peace they talk about is only for their own citizens. Isn't it that Barrett brought the 4000 Marine Team 6 to Tianjin to protect American expatriates?
Chinese politicians and businessmen have always been hanging around the backs of foreigners. On the contrary, those foreigners often come to talk to Zhou Hexuan, and among them Americans are the most numerous.
There is no American concession in Tianjin. There once was, but it was later handed over to the British concession, so Zhou Hexuan rarely had contact with Americans in Tianjin.
The American devils at today's cocktail party are all gathered from all over the north. They have registered at the consulate, and if the Northern Expeditionary Army comes over and there is a riot, they will immediately escape on the warship Saya.
"Mr. Zhou, will there really be an economic crisis in the United States next year?"
"I guess so."
"No, no, no, I don't think so. How about we make a bet."
"Mr. Zhou, do you have any new works recently?"
"I just happened to write a book about anthropology."
"Oh my god, I didn't expect you to also study anthropology."
"Mr. Zhou..."
For more than ten minutes, Zhou Hexuan was pestered by the Americans, answering various questions to satisfy their curiosity.
It wasn't until the live dance music started playing that Zhou Hexuan was finally relieved. Unexpectedly, just as he was about to dance with Zhang Leyi, a French guy appeared again.
This man was short in stature and had a curly head. He stopped Zhou Hexuan and said, "Mr. Zhou, I am Le Goff, a reporter from the French newspaper Le Figaro. Can I take up a moment of your time?"
"Of course," Zhou Hexuan asked, "Le Figaro also has reporters stationed in China?"
Legoff smiled and explained: "I am a special correspondent accompanying the army."
France also sent troops to Tianjin this time. Last year's Nanjing incident really frightened the foreigners, and well-informed newspapers from various countries naturally came to join in and maybe get exclusive news.
As for "Le Figaro", it is one of the oldest newspapers in France.
This is a newspaper rich in culture. The registration is derived from the famous play "The Marriage of Figaro" by French playwright Beaumarchais. The purpose of the newspaper is also taken from this play: "If criticism is not free, there is no freedom to praise."
significance."
Yes, Le Figaro pursues freedom of speech.
Decades ago, Le Figaro's sister newspaper was banned by Napoleon III for publishing articles protecting the interests of the poor. In the future, during World War II, Le Figaro would also be banned for refusing to cooperate with the German occupying forces.
closure.
"Le Figaro" especially likes to interview literati, writers, and poets, who are their favorite interview subjects.
Legoff and Zhou Hexuan found a corner to sit down. Zhang Leyi stood by with a smile on her face. She liked to see her man being courted by foreigners.
Legoff took out a small notebook from his pocket and said: "Mr. Zhou, when I chatted with the Americans yesterday, they spoke highly of you. Your historical work "The Rise of the Great Powers" is now attracting attention among the American elite.
A sensation.”
Zhou Hexuan laughed and said: "It's not a sensation, otherwise its sales in the United States would have been more than tens of thousands of copies."
Le Goff said: "Fragments of "The Rise of the Great Powers" occasionally appear in France. When will this book be published in France?"
"I'm not sure about this. It depends on whether there is cooperation from a French publisher." Zhou Hexuan said.
Legoff asked again: "As far as I know, you are also a poet and novelist. Who is your favorite European writer?"
"Romain Rolland." Zhou Hexuan said.
Legoff asked: "Why?"
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "I like his famous saying: recognize the world clearly, and then love it. For me, it means recognizing this country clearly, and then loving it."
"Are you a patriot?" Legoff asked.
"That should be it." Zhou Hexuan said.
Le Goff said: "The data in "The Rise of the Great Powers" is very detailed. How did you collect these historical materials? Can you talk about your experience?"
"Of course..." Zhou Hexuan began to repeat his story again, about how his family was ruined when he was young, he was taken to North America by American missionaries, and then he was deceived and abducted, and when he grew up, he traveled around the world.
After talking for a full 20 minutes, Zhou Hexuan finally finished telling his story.
Legoff opened his mouth in an "O" shape and exclaimed: "Oh, your life is such a legend, it's unbelievable. It's a pity that I don't understand Chinese. Otherwise, I would definitely read your novels."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "The novel is too long, just write down a few of my poems."
"French?" Legoff asked.
"Of course, please give me your record book." Zhou Hexuan said.
Zhou Hexuan used Le Goff's reporter's notebook to translate "Generation" and "Answer" into French poems, and then smiled and said: "I'm sorry, my French writing is not very good, and the translation may not be very harmonious."
"The night gave me black eyes, but I used them to look for light."
"Despicableness is the passport of the despicable, and nobility is the epitaph of the noble..."
Legoff immersed himself in reading, then immediately raised his head and looked at Zhou Hexuan with reverence: "Mr. Zhou, you are not only a poet, but also a thinker and philosopher."
Zhou Hexuan shrugged: "Excuse me."
Le Goff said: "If possible, I hope to bring all your works back to France and find them translated by French scholars who are proficient in Chinese. I know several publishers, and they all have their own professional translators."
"Of course, thank you very much." Zhou Hexuan smiled.
Early the next morning, Le Goff went to the "Ta Kung Pao" office and asked Zhou Hexuan for manuscripts.
"The Rise of the Great Powers" and "The Goddess" have already been published, so you can just send the books directly. Zhou Hexuan used Liao Yaquan as free labor and asked her to copy "The Dog Officer" and "Guns, Germs and Steel", as well as previously "created"
Poetry, even a copy of "I Have a Dream".
I have pity on this female spy. She has been copying on the table for more than a month. When she comes home every day, she is so tired that she just wants to sleep and has no interest in spying on information.
Le Goff did not return to France until the summer. He threw all Zhou Hexuan's series of works to publishing houses. As expected, two companies were interested in it and organized manpower to translate it. However, it will be next year before it is actually published.