Reborn Bao Guowei, I really didn’t want to be a great writer!

Chapter 332: The Pulitzer Prize is great? But I refuse!

Pulitzer Prize?

If you tell ordinary people that Bao Guowei won this award, perhaps no one will react.

Because in the context of the Republic of China, information blockage was still very serious, and ordinary people had no idea what the Pulitzer Prize was.

But if you say that Bao Guowei won an award from a foreigner and was recognized by America, many people would applaud.

This is the scene in Shanghai Stock Exchange today.

The news that Bao Guowei won the Pulitzer Prize spread throughout the city through newspaper media.

Even the peddlers and hawkers who usually pay no attention to the news learned about Bao Guowei's award through rumors.

"Mr. Bao Guowei won a big prize in the United States? I've heard of this man. He's said to be a teenage literary star. If my child could have half of his literary talent, I'd be satisfied!"

"I heard that Americans like Mr. Bao Guowei very much. I have also heard his stories from storytellers. They are very different from those written by other storytellers. Ordinary people like us can understand them."

"Also, I've heard about Bao Guowei in Hangzhou. He's a saint-like figure. He helped the people fight the plague in the past. Not only did he make us Chinese famous internationally, he's also a great philanthropist."

“It would be great if my son was Bao Guowei”

"The news came from Hangzhou. It is said that the way Bao's father educates his children can be summed up in one word: 'beating'!"

hiss~
Everyone around gasped. There was such a thing. Should I go home and try it myself?

While the matter was being hotly discussed in the city, Bao Guowei, Tang Guoli and two other doctors received the news in the courtyard of Zhang's mansion.

Cao Yanhai spoke of the news with great excitement.

"It is said, I heard, that when the Americans gave you this award, they had an extremely heated discussion, so much so that this year's Pulitzer Prize was postponed. My master is so impressive! He is worthy of being my master, Cao Yanhai! Even foreigners can't compare to him! Many foreign schools have extended olive branches to you, Master."

But as Cao Yanhai spoke, his tone became lower again, because he found that Bao Guowei didn't seem to have much of a smile on his face.

"Master, why do you look unhappy?" Cao Yanhai scratched his head, feeling a little confused.

But think about it, Zhang Taiyan is still lying on the hospital bed, so it is indeed inappropriate for Bao Guowei to be happy.

But Bao Guowei asked, "Is there anything else in the newspaper?"

Bao Guowei has been so busy these days that he has no time to pay attention to international news.

There was no mobile communication in that era, so even if the Times got the news, Huang Bohui would not be able to inform him immediately.

Cao Yanhai thought for a moment and said, "It's nothing more than a certain amount of prize money and a gold medal. It's said that there's a prize of nearly $10,000, but you have to go to the United States to claim it yourself, Master. There will also be an award ceremony, and the organizer will cover all the travel expenses and so on."

"what?"

Dr. Charlie's eyes almost popped out of his head. His Chinese was indeed not very good, but he was very sensitive to amounts of money.

Nearly ten thousand dollars, and an awards ceremony attended by celebrities from America's upper class.

If Charlie Douglas were to receive this award, he would give up his British citizenship without hesitation and directly become an American citizen.

Because this is one of the signs of being able to live in American upper class society.

As a Chinese, Bao Guowei may not be able to do this, but a prize of $10,000 is also an extremely considerable sum.

You have to know that today is not the inflationary financial market of a hundred years from now.

In terms of conversion, the purchasing power of one dollar in 1930 is equivalent to about 2010 dollars in 12.56.

This does not include the price level at the time and the impact of inflation.
Moreover, now that the United States is in the midst of the Great Depression, this $10,000 seems to be a huge fortune.

Even Charlie was a little jealous.

But for Bao Guowei, this money is nothing. His total royalties have long exceeded 10,000 US dollars.

Not to mention the various incomes in the country.

By now, Bao Guowei is no longer the young man who thought about making money after his rebirth.

As far as money is concerned, he has no shortage of anything.

But in this era, there are more important things than grabbing money, fame and fortune!
Tang Guoli saw Bao Guowei's concerns and sighed. Even though she had many fine lines at the corners of her eyes, she still felt sorry for Bao Guowei, her apprentice.

She said in a gentle voice: "Bingwen, you don't have to worry about your master. The Pulitzer Prize is a major award in the United States. It is a great opportunity for you to win it as a Chinese teenager. Not to mention, if you win this award, you will be able to give encouragement to the Chinese people."

Tang Guoli seemed to have thought of a lot, and exhaled and said: "The Chinese people have suffered too much humiliation, and they are in urgent need of an honor to prove that the Chinese are not the sick men of East Asia. Your honor today is proof of this. You may have written many articles to inspire the people in the past, but no matter how many articles you have written, they cannot compare to this award!"

"Master's wife, I know this, but..."

Bao Guowei frowned tightly. He had no objection to winning the award, but he should never win the award at this time.

There are so many things I want to do, and going to the United States is too time-consuming.

Is it just to gain honor?

Bao Guowei knew in his heart that no matter how much recognition he received from foreigners, it could not compare to the self-reliance and self-improvement of the Chinese people themselves.

But Tang Guoli said, "I know you are worried about your master's safety, but everyone knows Binglin's situation. You have done your best. You might as well go to the United States. Maybe Binglin will be happier. Or I should go talk to your master?"

Just as Tang Guoli was about to turn around and look for Zhang Taiyan, Bao Guowei stopped her.

"Master's wife, wait a minute."

In an instant, Bao Guowei's eyes suddenly became firm.

He knew that Zhang Taiyan might let him go.

But Tang Guoli and Zhang Taiyan did not know the whole picture. They did not know that they were about to establish a penicillin base in northern Fujian, and they did not know how important the research on penicillin was.

It's not just about the safety of Zhang Taiyan!
If Zhang Taiyan knew the whole story and the significance of penicillin, he would probably support his own ideas, right?
Thinking this, he said to Tang Guoli.

"Master's wife, I have already made up my mind. You don't have to persuade me anymore."

Taking a deep breath, Bao Guowei said calmly: "I will temporarily refuse this award and will not go to the United States to receive it."

"what?"

This time, Dr. Charlie was not shocked, but jumped up completely.

He looked at Bao Guowei in disbelief, wondering what was going on in this young Chinese man's head.

Is he crazy?

On the side, Shen Shiwan, who had been silent all the time, raised his head.

He kept his eyes on Bao Guowei and couldn't calm down for a long time.

The news that Bao Guowei gave up the Pulitzer Prize has not yet spread.

On the other hand, the literary world was in an uproar.

Mr. Xun Ge'er and Mr. Lin Yutang immediately wrote articles to praise Bao Guowei, regarding his election as a milestone in Chinese literature.

Lin Yutang wrote in the article: "Bingwen's work is a world-class masterpiece. All Chinese students should read this book Guns, Germs, and Steel carefully."

Xun Ge'er even said: "Bingwen's honor is enough to show that we, the Chinese people, have never been inferior to Westerners in writing. The theory that Chinese blood is inferior can be put to rest from now on!" More and more people have written articles to praise Bao Guowei for winning the award, and this event has become a carnival in the literary world.

The people of the Republic of China during this period were sensitive. On the one hand, they were afraid of Westerners. Successive wars and invasions made them feel that Westerners were a group of devils and they dared not provoke them.

On the one hand, they extremely hope to be recognized by Westerners. In this era, being recognized by the Western world is a great thing.

Gu Hongming's status in China is largely due to his popularity in the West.

Therefore, Bao Guowei's winning of the Pulitzer Prize was praised by countless people, and many people even took advantage of the popularity.

Some newspapers, such as the Shanghai New News, which had previously been at odds with Bao Guowei, could not give up and published the news of Bao Guowei's winning the award.

Some people with ulterior motives may be jealous and may want to discredit Bao Guowei, but the public sentiment is so strong that it is not easy to go against the trend.

After all, even the national government sang praises for this matter.

The Jinling Daily is the official newspaper of the National Government. After the news was confirmed, it also published an editorial.

"Today, Bao Bingwen from Hangzhou has won the international award Pulitzer in the history category. This is an honor under the leadership of Mr. Chiang Kai-shek. Mr. Chiang Kai-shek had some contact with Bao Bingwen during the Hangzhou Sports Meeting. Bao Bingwen was deeply influenced by Mr. Chiang Kai-shek. This time Bao Bingwen won the Pulitzer Prize, which is not only his personal honor, but also the honor of the entire national government and all citizens. The battle to quell the rebellion in the Central Plains plus this honor is enough to show that Mr. Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People are the core of our country."

With the official endorsement, there are fewer questioning voices in the market. Those who used to be angry and jealous of Bao Guowei now have to go against their conscience and sing praises for him.

This time, Bao Guowei truly became the nation's "young literary giant".

If it weren't for Bao Guowei's age, people might really regard him as the leader of the literary world today.

But just when everyone was rejoicing, Jinling received a message from Shanghai.

To the extent that Chiang Kai-shek, who had been in a good mood for days, couldn't help but jump up and down and curse.

"Damn it! Bao Bingwen actually gave up? How dare he give up? How could he give up? My commendation order has been issued. If he gives up now, it would be like slapping the government in the face!"

In Jinling's office, a boiled egg was bouncing up and down in the room, reflecting the sunlight outside the window.

Chen Xun'en, who was standing aside, had a complicated expression on his face. He didn't know what to do, so he could only explain.

"I heard that Zhang Taiyan is seriously ill and Bao Bingwen is recuperating in Gusu."

Chiang Kai-shek was furious, so Chen Xun'en naturally did not dare to excuse Bao Guowei and could only explain the facts.

This way, Bao Guowei could be helped to explain himself without arousing Chiang Kai-shek's suspicion.

Chiang Kai-shek obviously did not realize that the people around him had long been bribed.

He just spoke angrily.

"Pedant! Pedantic! Zhang Taiyan is just an old man, and he won't live long. Compared to this old man's life, the Pulitzer Prize is obviously more important. It is the glory of all Chinese people. Bao Bingwen is simply stupid!"

In Chang Kaishen's view, the most important thing is naturally not what contribution the Pulitzer Prize has made to the domestic literary world.

If possible, Chiang Kai-shek would like to take over the entire literary world, so that the print media would only be filled with his opinions, which would save a lot of trouble.

What Chiang Kai-shek really cares about is the international influence that Bao Guowei's award will have.

It will be a milestone for a Chinese to gain recognition from the United States and win the Pulitzer Prize.

As the nominal representative of China today, Chiang Kai-shek can publicize to the outside world that these are the achievements under his rule, and the bad reputation of the Kuomintang government abroad will be self-defeating!

Even if he negotiates with the Americans in the future, he can use Bao Guowei as a banner to stand up for himself.

Since Americans like Bao Guowei so much, doesn't the U.S. government need to think twice?

This was the reason why Chiang Kai-shek was excited at first, but when Bao Guowei refused to accept the award, didn’t everything go to waste?
Even his plan to arrange a private meeting with Bao Guowei and conduct a special report had to be canceled now.

How could this not make Chiang Kai-shek angry?

After cursing a lot in his hometown dialect, Chiang Kai-shek was still not satisfied and continued to curse.

"Bao Bingwen is a fool. He is unwilling to go to the United States to receive such a high honor? What is he doing? Why not give the honor to someone who wants it? Damn it!"

Bao Guowei's giving up the Pulitzer Prize seemed to be more infuriating than his loss of a division in the Central Plains War.

Chen Xun'en's eyes moved around, and no one knew what he was thinking.

After a long time, Chiang Kai-shek seemed to have calmed down, turned around and asked, "Is there still room for turning back?"

Chen Xun'en thought for a moment and answered truthfully: "Bao Bingwen knows the American consul and has unilaterally refused to accept the award. The American side has probably received it, and it seems too late to redeem it."

Chiang Kai-shek sighed helplessly, shook his head and said, "This Bao Bingwen has misled me!"

Chen Xun'en moved closer and asked tentatively, "Commander, what do you think we should do with Bao Bingwen?"

"Dispose of?" Chiang Kai-shek stared, speechless. "How can I dispose of Bao Bingwen? Xun'en, why haven't you made any progress following me? Bao Bingwen is now in the limelight, and if I dispose of him, wouldn't that be going against the trend?"

Chen Xun'en naturally knew the ins and outs of this, but he had to pretend that he didn't know so that his leader could feel superior.

He had a hundred ways to make Chiang Kai-shek happy.

He patted his head with a look of annoyance, and couldn't help but exclaim in praise.

"The commander is wise. I, Chen Xun'en, forgot about this problem. I shouldn't be too stubborn when thinking about things."

Chiang Kai-shek was obviously very pleased with this, but when he thought of that kid Bao Guowei, he still felt a little angry.

But after hearing Chen Xunen's suggestion, an idea suddenly came to his mind and he had other ideas.

"There's no need to be too pessimistic. Perhaps this is a good thing?"

Chen Xun'en had thought of it a long time ago, but it would be better for the leader to say it out loud than for you to say it yourself. He was deliberately guiding Chiang Kai-shek.

So he said, "Commander, do you have another good idea? Can you help Xun En solve this puzzle?"

"Hahahahahaha!" Chiang Kai-shek laughed and leaned over to explain.

"We should follow the trend and vigorously publicize Bao Bingwen's deeds of curing illness for teachers and refusing the Pulitzer Prize. This is a model of the character of the Chinese people!"

Chen Xunen opened his eyes wide and said, "It's actually possible!"

Chiang Kai-shek nodded proudly.

"Not only that, we also want to publicize this story internationally so that foreigners will know about it!"

He finally figured it out. Even if Bao Guowei refused to accept the award, the award would still be given to Bao Guowei.

The announcement of the Pulitzer Prize will inevitably spread to the whole world. Bao Guowei went to receive the award honestly, and perhaps some people still don’t know about it.

But if he refused, countless people would be willing to pay attention.

This is one of Chiang Kai-shek’s opportunities to promote himself!

He narrowed his eyes and said to Chen Xunen beside him.

"Xun'en! You will be in charge of this matter, but you must be careful to monitor Bao Bingwen more strictly."

Chiang Kai-shek has already made up his mind to keep Bao Guowei, this popular person, in his own hands!
Chen Xun'en was stunned for a moment, then nodded expressionlessly.

(End of this chapter)