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

Chapter 372 Zhang Xueliang’s Friendship? A Visit to Stuart!

North China, Jinmen.

Zhang Xueliang was at the Marshal's Mansion and had just finished listening to the report from the front line.

What we heard was naturally one good news after another.

In this Central Plains War, Zhang Xueliang made a fortune, patiently observed the situation, and finally sided with Chiang Kai-shek, defeating the coalition forces in one fell swoop.

He even asked Chiang Kai-shek for 5 million silver dollars in fees, plus 10 million silver dollars in government bonds, on the pretext of "financial tightness", making a big profit.

By mid-October, Yan and Feng had already stepped down, and the next step was to reap the fruits of victory.

Zhang Xueliang, who had won the victory, was in high spirits. Who would have thought that he would suffer defeat on the battlefield in Northeast China a year later?

Zhang Xueliang could not help but sigh and said: "My success today is due to the efforts of all the soldiers. I, Zhang Xueliang, can finally comfort my father's spirit in heaven."

After saying this, he couldn't help but be moved.

Ever since Zhang Zuolin was killed in a bombing, the Fengtian Army that Zhang Xueliang took over was in a precarious situation and could fall apart at the slightest mistake.

Now, the situation has finally brightened. The Fengtian clique has obtained a large sum of military funds and has also included North China into its sphere of influence, becoming the real winner.

Wang Huayi was one of Zhang Xueliang's advisers. He also smiled and said, "Young Marshal, there is no need to be modest. This achievement is all due to your insightful advice. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. When the time is right, enter the pass and win the victory in one fell swoop. The young marshal can take the credit for this battle!"

"Hey~" Zhang Xueliang waved his hands. He was obviously still sober and said with a smile. "I am able to keep calm now, probably because of Bingwen's persuasion and planning."

Historically, perhaps other people had mentioned this strategy to Zhang Xueliang, but Bao Guowei might have been the first to do so, causing Zhang Xueliang to give the credit directly to Bao Guowei.

Wang Huayi was a little surprised and said, "This Bingwen, is that Bao Guowei?"

"That's right!" Zhang Xueliang then told him in detail about his conversation with Bao Guowei that day.

After listening to it, Wang Huayi couldn't help but sigh and said, "It's just as the rumors say. This Mr. Bingwen is truly a god. Whether it's his knowledge or his conversation, he's the best in the world."

Thinking of this, Wang Huayi couldn't help but flatter and suggest: "Why don't you recruit one or two?"

Zhang Xueliang sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want to recruit him, it's Bingwen who doesn't want to."

The muscles on Wang Huayi's smiling face almost froze.

What the hell? Isn't this Bao Bingwen too outrageous, even daring to reject the young marshal?
The most important thing is that the young marshal is not angry at all, but looks very regretful!
Zhang Xueliang did not notice Wang Huayi's reaction, but thought of a letter.

A batch of mail was sent from the south a few days ago, but I was too busy these days and didn't have time to read it.

I think Bao Guowei should write to me.

So he opened the drawer and found the letter from Bao Guowei among a pile of letters.

Holding the thick envelope, he couldn't help feeling a little confused, and even Wang Huayi couldn't help but tiptoe to take a few glances.

When he opened it, Zhang Xueliang immediately showed a look of surprise.

"Hey! It's The Chrysanthemum and the Sword! This guy finished it so quickly? He sent it to me first. He really deserves to be my good brother!"

The last time I talked with Bao Guowei, I mentioned the book "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword". I didn't expect that he had written it just one or two months later.

Just in time, Zhang Xueliang decided immediately to read it carefully tonight!
Bao Guowei once watched an interview with Zhang Xueliang, in which he once said that he was in a position as a provincial governor and had misjudged the character of the Japanese.

Obviously, given the domestic situation in Japan at the time, starting a war was not a good option.

But he may not understand history. Historically, war is a form of exporting domestic conflicts.

He also doesn't understand the Japanese. For the Japanese, emotions such as "gambling", "underdogs" and "extremes" are buried in their bones.

They may suppress this emotion through various systems, but this is one of the reasons why they are "abnormal" and "extreme" in other areas.

Therefore, as soon as he finished writing "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", Bao Guowei sent the work to the other party.

I hope that after reading this, Zhang Xueliang will have a completely different understanding of his judgment of the Japanese.

Of course, Bao Guowei did not have much expectation for Zhang Xueliang's transformation, he just did his best.

Zhang Xueliang has been living a life of luxury since he was a child, and now, having achieved an extraordinary victory in the Central Plains War, he is even more confident in his judgment.

Such predictions that go beyond our cognition are bound to be difficult to accept.

But these are beyond Bao Guowei's capabilities.

After dealing with all the matters in Shanghai, Bao Guowei returned to Suzhou ahead of schedule. As time went by, Zhang Taiyan's condition improved, and his voice like a huge bell could be heard again in the yard.

"Damn it, Tang Guoli, you bitch, did you hide my stinky tofu?"

Tang Guoli's dissatisfied voice could also be heard in the yard.

"You old man, the doctor said that stinky tofu is not good for your condition. You want to smoke and drink, and you will ruin your body. It will also make Bingwen and the whole family tired.

Just be quiet for me, and I will cancel your salary this month!"

Judging from her aggressive look, Bao Guowei knew from whom Zhang Nianyue inherited her personality.

"Hey~" Zhang Taiyan howled angrily from inside the room. "Without these, what fun is there in life? I might as well just die."

At this time, Zhang Nianyue would also stand up, stand firmly on her mother's side, and severely condemn Zhang Taiyan's behavior.

"Old man, just be honest and I will watch you too."

Such scenes would be played out in the yard from time to time, so much so that Bao Guowei, who was watching, could not help but shake his head.

However, this can prove that Zhang Taiyan has recovered a lot.

In the remaining time, Bao Guowei would sometimes go to the theater to watch a play, and sometimes return home to think about the content of his next work.

Of course, the most important thing is to consider the marriage with Zhang Nianyue.

Ever since Zhang Taiyan got into trouble, Lao Bao and Tang Guoli told Bao Guowei openly and secretly that he could consider related matters.

"I can feel more at ease now that Mr. Zhang can see his eldest grandson." These are what Old Bao said to Bao Guowei.

Bao Guowei could see it, and this was just because he was anxious.

In this era, both men and women get married early. The legal age for men is 18 and for women is 16.

Even among the people, it would be much earlier than this time.

If Bao Guowei hadn't been busy, he would have brought it up long ago. While Zhang Taiyan was in good health, he put forward this idea, which was unanimously agreed by Tang Guoli and Zhang Taiyan.

With the influence of the New Culture Movement, intellectuals and residents in cities of the Republic of China now mostly advocated free love and new-style weddings.

Therefore, when Zhang Taiyan proposed to adopt the "three books and six ceremonies" of old-style marriage, he was strongly opposed by Tang Guoli and Zhang Nianyue.

Thinking that as a literary giant, he should not be too conservative, Zhang Taiyan let the two of them go and threw all the questions to Bao Guowei.

The reason is very simple. As a girl, Zhang Nianyue can't be the one to arrange everything, right?

So, since we are going to have a new style wedding, you, Bao Guowei, have to do it yourself.

Bao Guowei wanted to make some excuses, but was met with a backstabbing from Lao Zhang.

"You are my most proud disciple. It is only natural that I entrust my daughter's wedding to you."

In this way, Bao Guowei began to prepare for his wedding with Zhang Nianyue during the winter of 1930.

Thinking that he had never been married in his previous life, Bao Guowei could only turn around and find some good friends in Shanghai.

Let them help with some advice.

In November, the city of Beiping had already entered late autumn. A few rays of sunshine occasionally shone through the misty sky, and the ginkgo trees on both sides of the street had already turned yellow, with fallen leaves occasionally drifting in the wind.

There was a faint, dry chill in the air.

"I once read a report that Beiping was the ancient capital of China's Six Dynasties. Six feudal dynasties had established it as their capital, and it served as the capital for nearly 800 years.

I have been here several times, but never in winter. Today I have a different feeling. "

Nelson, who had just got off the train, was wearing a felt hat and an American military coat. He pushed his gold-rimmed glasses and saw the vendors hawking their wares on the street and the ancient buildings everywhere. He couldn't help but sigh.

Rickshaws were speeding along the streets. The driver in front had skin as white as old tree bark and steam was coming out of his head.

Dong Ping was once a special correspondent for the Continental Daily News. By chance, he accepted the invitation of American Minister Nelson and became his personal guide.

As a Chinese, he naturally has a special feeling towards the ancient capital of Peking.

But this time, I was entrusted by some gentlemen in Jinling to accompany Nelson on his visit to Peking, so naturally my focus was on them.

So Dong Ping suppressed his desire to express his opinion and said with a smile.

"Mr. Nelson, have you noticed something different from the South or Nanjing?"

Nelson is an expert on China and has a natural passion for civilization and mystery.

Even after meeting Bao Guowei, he was keen to get to know more Chinese writers.

Therefore, in addition to the mission decided at the beginning, the purpose of coming to Peking this time naturally also includes getting to know the masters of Peking’s academic circles.

He looked at the golden sunlight on the tiles and couldn't help but sigh and utter a word.

“Old and full of history.”

"Please explain this to me, sir." Dong Ping thought for a while and said in a student-like manner.

“It’s just like wine. The passage of time can make the wine more fragrant. After a hundred years, Peking is just like the yellow wine you Chinese people call, which has become sweeter and mellower.

But this rice wine can no longer meet the needs of the times."

Nelson smiled and used the scenery of Peking and the topic of wine to express his understanding of the current situation in China.

"But rice wine is too old. Wine, cocktails and vodka are now popular internationally. It is natural that it is gradually declining and no one is interested in it."

Dong Ping thought about it and always felt that there seemed to be a sense of superiority in the other party's words, whether overtly or covertly.

But he was already used to it and didn't even know how to refute.

Because even if you are not convinced, what the other party said is true.

Dong Ping did some reading comprehension and said, "In my opinion, this wine represents the powerful countries in Western Europe, this vodka represents the Red Russia, and this cocktail represents America. Is this what you mean, Mr. Minister?"

"Hahahaha!" Nelson laughed. "Dong, you are a smart man. Our United States is made up of many federations, and the population is mainly immigrants. It is natural to call it a cocktail."

Looking at the streets, from time to time there are residents wearing late Qing Dynasty costumes passing by, and some even have braids faintly visible on their heads.

Even though he is an eloquent reporter, Dong Ping fell into silence.

As the rickshaw moved forward, the driver did not understand the conversation between the two gentlemen behind him at all. He was only concerned about how much money he could earn today and whether he could have enough food to eat.

The driver wiped the sweat from his head and couldn't help but smile and said to the person behind him.

"Masters and gentlemen, please sit tight. We will soon be arriving at Yenching University."

When the driver was wiping his sweat, he lifted up his clothes and Dong Ping saw a red silk belt around his waist.

A rickshaw driver could not afford a belt made of this material.

But as a reporter, Dong Ping was not unfamiliar with this kind of belt. He had seen it around Puyi who was exiled to Tianjin.

The red ribbon is the symbol of distant relatives of the Manchu royal family.

Not surprisingly.

Dong Ping said silently in his heart.

Since the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the lives of the Eight Banners descendants have become increasingly difficult, to the point that some of the former nobles have now fallen to the level of beggars or rickshaw drivers.

But I feel indescribable sadness in my heart.

Soon, the rickshaw arrived at the gate of Yenching University. When leaving, Nelson gave the driver an extra tip, which moved the driver so much that he kowtowed on the ground.

The temperature in Beijing in November was close to 0 degrees Celsius, and the ground was icy cold, but the driver was still knocking the wheels against the ground, making loud bangs.

He was shouting something.

"Thank you, Sir Yang, may you be blessed with good health and good health, etc."

For a moment, Dong Ping blushed with embarrassment.

I don’t know whether it is to help the former Qing Dynasty feel embarrassed or to help today’s China feel embarrassed.

This was the first time Nelson had encountered such a thing. He looked at Dong Ping and spread his hands helplessly, indicating that it was not his intention.

Dong Ping sighed heavily and said mercilessly.

"Mr. Nelson, you are wrong. This jar of wine is not old, but rotten. We have to start over!"

Nelson said nothing, just patted the other person on the shoulder and followed the guard into the campus.

Soon, the two arrived at the president's office of Yenching University.

Dong Ping followed Nelson and met the very famous Mr. Stuart.

Stuart poured coffee for the two of them, smiled and spread his hands.

"Mr. Minister, we haven't seen each other for a long time. I wonder why you want to see me this time? You don't just want to taste the coffee I just brought from China!"

"Of course it's not just that, but if I knew about this coffee, I would definitely visit it."

Nelson tasted the rich coffee, looking very intoxicated, and continued.

"I have something more important to do and I need the principal's help."

Then he took out a book from his arms and handed it to Stuart without further explanation.

Stuart Leighton looked puzzled, and after taking the book, his eyes widened.

I couldn't help but say in surprise: "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword? Oh! It's actually the work of Mr. Bao Guowei!"

Stuart looked at Nelson, waiting for his explanation.

"This is a book that will soon be published. I have obtained Mr. Bao's approval and am responsible for contacting merchants to publish this book in America," Nelson said with a beaming face.

"You know, Mr. Principal, we need an excellent preface, and I think you should be the best candidate."

American Publishing?
A preface by Stuart?

The American Minister is responsible for issuing it?
Dong Ping, who was originally watching the show on the side, suddenly felt a storm in his heart.

He had heard of the other party's name before.

But I didn't expect that the other party's status would reach this level!
When Dong Ping thought of everything that had just happened at Yenching University, he could hardly suppress his excitement.

Because he knew that Bao Guowei was a pure Chinese!
(End of this chapter)