328 [The first person in the Chinese literary world]
In Shanghai, the debate between Hu Shi and Chen Dezheng has been going on for more than half a year.
Nowadays, no newspaper or magazine dares to publish Hu Shi's articles. This gentleman has been surrounded and suppressed by the entire royal literati group of the Kuomintang, and has almost become a lost dog that everyone wants to beat.
Although Hu Shi was usually polite, gentle and courteous to everyone, and looked like a humble gentleman, when he got angry, he had a really bad temper. The more fiercely the Kuomintang imperial literati scolded him, the more fiercely he resisted.
In just half a year, Hu Shih published "Human Rights and Conventions", "When Will We Have a Constitution and Questions about the Outline of the Founding of the People's Republic of China", "It's Difficult to Know, and Difficult to Do" by Dr. Sun Yat-sen on "It's Easy to Know, Hard to Say" and "New
"Cultural Movement and the Kuomintang" published several articles, which set off the human rights movement in the Republic of China with great fanfare but little rain.
Hu Shi's article directly targeted the Nanjing government and the Kuomintang Party, and strongly opposed the Kuomintang party's placing party power above human rights and legal rights. Especially the two following articles became more and more fierce as they were written. One openly questioned Sun Yat-sen, and the other
There is even content like this: "We have to say that the Kuomintang Party represented by the National Government today is reactionary."
We have to say that the Kuomintang Party represented by the National Government today is reactionary.
The above sentence appears repeatedly in "The New Culture Movement and the Kuomintang". Hu Shi analyzed and pointed out the reactionary nature of the Kuomintang with examples from various aspects such as freedom of thought and attitude towards culture.
Mr. Hu is too courageous.
Fortunately, Hu Shi had a good relationship with Miss Song San and he was famous enough, otherwise he would have been arrested.
Shanghai, French Concession.
Crescent Bookstore (publishing company).
Hu Shi, Liang Shiqiu, and Luo Longji took the collection of articles they had compiled and went to Pan Mengqiao, the manager of Crescent Bookstore, and said: "Brother Pan, haven't you been worried about having no books to publish? I will send you the manuscript now.
coming."
Pan Mengqiao is the brother of the famous sociologist Pan Guangdan. He only read the titles of a few articles and complained: "It's not enough that you have harmed the "Crescent" poetry magazine, and you are going to harm the Crescent Bookstore again?"
"What do you mean by harm? This is speaking out for justice and asking for life for the people!" Liang Shiqiu said solemnly.
Hu Shi smiled gently and said: "Only Crescent Bookstore can publish the book, so let's just publish it reluctantly."
Pan Mengqiao shook his head helplessly and sighed: "Well, just publish it, you are the boss anyway, I am just an errand boy."
Why is Pan Mengqiao so embarrassed?
Because all the articles brought by Hu Shi and the others were against the Nanjing government, including those that had been published and those that could not be published, they were now preparing to publish a book called "Collection of Human Rights."
The poetry magazine "Crescent Moon" had been closed down by the Kuomintang some time ago due to "violation of regulations" in publishing Hu Shi's articles. Hu Shi had no choice but to publish a book directly, because no newspapers or magazines dared to publish his articles.
It is conceivable that Crescent Bookstore is not far away from being closed down. It will not be able to resume business until Hu Shi avoids overseas. The same is true for the poetry magazine "Crescent Moon".
Just when Hu Shi and others were discussing the issue of publishing and editing, Xu Zhimo and Zhang Jiazhu suddenly rushed in: "Happy event, happy event, great happy event!"
"What happy event?" Liang Shiqiu asked curiously.
Xu Zhimo held up the overseas telegram and said: "Brother Zhongshu (Zhang Pengchun) sent news from the United States that brother Mingcheng has been shortlisted for the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Goncourt Prize for Literature!"
"Really?" Hu Shi was extremely surprised.
Luo Longji asked: "It's already mid-November, why haven't we seen any relevant news in China?"
Zhang Jiazhu wondered: "I don't know too well. The final shortlist for the Nobel Prize in Literature was announced as early as October. The Nanjing government should have received the news."
Hu Shi quickly figured out the reason and sighed: "I'm afraid the Nanjing government has known about it for a long time. The Chinese Minister in Sweden will definitely inform the country of such big news. But think about what Mingcheng's novels are about? Whether it's "
"The Goddess" or "The Dog Officer" both expose the dark side of Chinese society. If this kind of work really wins awards abroad, I'm afraid the government will feel shameless."
"Indeed." Liang Shiqiu nodded in agreement.
If it had been last year, perhaps the Nanjing government would not have reacted like this. But this year is different. The Kuomintang is suppressing the cultural sector. Issue novels that could be published casually in the past now have to face various censorships.
The final victory of the Northern Expedition meant the end of the New Culture Movement. Many things could not be written, and even if they were written, they could not be published.
Thinking of this, everyone fell into silence.
We are all cultural people and have personal experience of this. This is a great tragedy for them.
Xu Zhimo said: "No matter what, we must inform the public about this news. Chinese writers have been shortlisted for the Nobel and Goncourt Literature Prizes, which is something worthy of celebration by the whole people!"
Zhang Jiazhu said with a smile: "If other newspapers don't mention it, Ta Kung Pao will definitely report it."
The next day, major newspapers including "Ta Kung Pao", "Shen Bao" and "Xinwen" published news on their front pages that Chinese writer Zhou Hexuan was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
"According to the exact news sent back from Europe, my country's great writer Mr. Zhou Hexuan has been successfully shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The shortlist includes 27 authors from 25 countries around the world, among which the German novelist Thomas Mann, And the German poet Stephen George is Mr. Zhou's biggest competitor... At the same time, Mr. Zhou was also shortlisted for the Goncourt Literary Prize. The Goncourt Literary Prize is France's highest novel award. So far, there is no Asian award. Writers have been shortlisted. Mr. Zhou’s shortlist represents the honor of the whole of Asia..."
As soon as this news came out, it immediately aroused heated discussion across the country.
Especially in the Chinese literary circle, countless authors are delighted, and students regard Zhou Hexuan as a "great man".
Yes, he is a great man!
The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore was also a great man in the hearts of the Chinese at this time because he was the only scholar in Asia to win the Nobel Prize.
The praises came overwhelmingly and were reported in newspapers across the country. The Nanjing government couldn't suppress it even if it wanted to. This news was so exciting to the Chinese people.
Some even say that Zhou Hexuan's nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature is a harbinger of China's rise and evidence that the West is beginning to take China seriously.
Zhang Taiyan even wrote a poem about it, sent newspapers in exchange for money for a drink, and got very drunk.
Lin Yutang wrote an article praising: "Zhou's nomination for the Nobel and Goncourt Literature Prizes is surprising at first, but it is normal when you think about it carefully. "The Goddess" has magnificent imagery, exquisite conception, and bizarre structure. Looking at the world's literary world, it is also unparalleled.
There are so many excellent works, they are truly great works. Facts have proved that Chinese people are no weaker than Western white people in writing articles. Mr. Zhou is worthy of being a giant of Chinese literature."
Xu Zhimo wrote an article touting: "When I first read Brother Mingcheng's works, I feel inexplicably shocked, and there is a surprise of reading a world famous book. His attainments in literature are unmatched by our generation. He is the god of literature.
His darling is the incarnation of the literary spirit, and I want to sing a hymn from my heart for him."
Lu Yin wrote an article in the supplement of "Morning News" and said: "The greatness of "The Goddess" is that it observes the distortion of Chinese society from the perspective of a weak woman, and then explores the dark side of human heart. It not only belongs to China, but also
Belongs to the whole world.”
Ding Ling wrote in the literary criticism column of "The News": "The revelation of real problems in "The Goddess" and "The Dog Official" is the most powerful and profound. Chinese literary works since the May Fourth Movement have been influential and profound.
In terms of literature, the first one is "Diary of a Madman", the second one is "The Goddess", and the third one is "The Dog Officer"."
Mao Dun said in a review article in "Novel Monthly": "The greatness of literature lies in its profound thoughts. The line drawing style of "The Dog Officer" is equivalent to peeling off the skin of Chinese society, and the fantasy description of "The Goddess" is torturing the Chinese people.
soul."
Amidst the praise, there are also many people who sing the opposite view. Some are jealous and sarcastic, while others are more inclined to be rational and calm.
Two writers, Lu Xun and Chen Xiying, used to write articles and slander each other. They were old enemies who had been waging war with each other for many years.
But regarding Zhou Hexuan's nomination for the Western Award, the two people's attitudes were surprisingly consistent.
Chen Xiying called on everyone to be rational. Zhou Hexuan was only a finalist this time and may not win the award. Even if he wins the award, it does not mean that Chinese literature has reached the pinnacle of the world. There is no need to brag to death.
Lu Xun also called on the people to be more awake and not to think that China is really strong and awakened just because a Chinese person has won a world award. Don't become arrogant because Zhou Hexuan was shortlisted or won the award. There are still many things in China.
However, don't let this kind of big prize blind you.
As for the Kuomintang, the attitude seems to be very subtle.
The imperial literati and newspapers of the Kuomintang did not mention a word about the content of Zhou Hexuan's works, and at the same time began to praise Zhou Hexuan personally. They even considered Zhou Hexuan's shortlisting for the World Award as the contribution of the Kuomintang and the national progress under the leadership of the Kuomintang.
.
At the same time, Nanjing's "Central Daily News" also published an editorial saying: "Under the leadership of the great leader Mr. Chang Kaishen, the Republic of China has become stronger step by step and has been recognized by world powers. Zhou's nomination for the Nobel Prize is just a good example.
From the beginning, as long as the party and state adhere to Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s political program, they will eventually achieve achievements that will attract the attention of the world.”
No matter what, Zhou Hexuan really stole the show this time.
What is the Prix Goncourt?
Many Chinese people don't know it at all, but the Nobel Prize in Literature is something that can only be looked up to. Even if it is only shortlisted, it is worthy of endless praise. Zhou Hexuan has almost become everyone's recognized first person in the Chinese literary world. He even replaced Lu Xun.
Become a leader in Chinese literary circles.
Not only did the sales of "The Goddess", "The Dog Official" and "The Dog Official" increase significantly, but even several of Zhou Hexuan's academic works and martial arts novels were sold out, and the publishers could not print them at all.
The Central Party Committee of the Kuomintang is embarrassed. They tend to block works such as "The Dog Officer". But now they can't block it even if they want to. If the works shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature are blocked, how can they calm the overwhelming public opinion?
