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

Chapter 383: Winning an award? The French Goncourt Prize!

"Award?"

Bao Guowei was a little confused. He looked at Zhang Nianyue in confusion, then at the people in the yard who had happy faces.

Especially Zhang Taiyan, he looked so happy, as if the New Year was approaching.

At this time, Cao Yanhai came out from the crowd, waving a newspaper and saying.

"Master! Master! More good news! I just received news from Paris, France that you have been selected as the winner of this year's Goncourt Prize. The award will be presented on the 21st of next month. Master, your reputation has already been established overseas!"

Looking at the noisy Cao Yanhai, Bao Guowei frowned, but he was already used to his behavior.

For a moment, he couldn't help but complain in his heart.

It seems that almost all the news came from Cao Yanhai?

But this is no wonder, as Cao Yanhai is not only his bodyguard, but also serves as a secretary.

Originally, it would be most appropriate for Liao Yaquan to take on this secretary position.

The latter far surpasses Cao Yanhai in both knowledge and attentiveness.

Unfortunately, Bao Guowei knew Liao Yaquan too well, and it was impossible for him to let a Japanese woman stand by his side all the time.

This is too dangerous.

Of course, Bao Guowei also needs to take into account the ambiguous attitude shown by Liao Yaquan.

In short, Bao Guowei's current attitude towards Liao Yaquan is to maintain an ambiguous attitude, neither exposing nor being fooled.

It now seems that his strategy is still very effective. Bao Guowei learned about it from Ozaki Hidemi a few days ago in the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Now, due to the influence of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", some changes have taken place in Japan.

Caution, caution and fear have become the subtle atmosphere of the Japanese authorities today.

In particular, they suspected that the reason Bao Guowei was able to obtain so much information on the Japanese was that there was a huge organization lurking in Japan.

This was enough to make the Japanese authorities feel threatened, and they began to secretly and frantically search for the "traitor" in their midst.

In fact, because of the news about Freemasonry, the Japanese even wanted to explore America.

All of this came from the vague revelations of Bao Guowei and Liao Yaquan.

He was happy to see the Japanese commit suicide.

At this time, Bao Guowei heard Zhang Taiyan speaking with his hands behind his back in the yard.

“More than 20 years ago, before his death, French writer Edmond de Goncourt left a will to establish a literature prize. Since then, the Goncourt Prize has become the most authoritative literary award in France and one of the few authoritative awards in Europe.

Bingwen, this is a recognition of your hard work during this period, and it is also a proud moment for us Chinese people.

Because you are the first Chinese to receive this honor!"

Compared with the previous Pulitzer Prize, Zhang Taiyan seemed more excited.

After all, for their generation, when comparing America and France, most literati prefer the latter.

Although America is now the world's most powerful country, it still lacks historical and cultural heritage.

In comparison, France is a different country. It is not only the cultural center of Europe, but also the site of countless advanced thoughts.

It can be said that compared to the skyscrapers in New York of this era, the masters of the Republic of China today would rather go to Paris to see the art masters and avant-garde thinkers there.

Of course, except Hu Shi.

"The Prix Goncourt?"

Seeing Zhang Taiyan's happy expression, Bao Guowei finally realized that this was the most famous literary award in France.

In theory, the Goncourt Prize is similar to the Pulitzer Prize, and most of them are aimed at local people.

But since Bao Guowei came into this world, the thing he lacks the least is breaking the rules.

The Goncourt Prize is mainly awarded to French novels published in France that year.

Logically speaking, in this era, novels that can be published in France are either in English or French. The former may include foreign works, while the latter are basically domestic works.

At the very least, the writer should be living in France in order to be able to write in French.

If there are any exceptions, there has never been a sudden explosion.

Bao Guowei's book took advantage of the loophole, because his books were so popular that American publishers found a French translator specifically for him and basically translated all his works simultaneously.

Moreover, the avant-garde ideas presented in Bao Guowei's books were highly praised by the French academic community, which already had relevant ideas.

For a time, several of Bao Guowei's works almost occupied the top-selling position in France.

It can be said that it has firmly surpassed French literary works.

Add to that the recent craze for the books Guns, Germs, and Steel and The Chrysanthemum and the Sword.

It's not surprising that this award could be given to him.

Bao Guowei remembered what Arnold had said about how popular he was in Europe.

When he first heard it, Bao Guowei was a little surprised, but now when he saw the announcement of the Goncourt Prize, he suddenly understood.

When Bao Guowei was told the news, he himself was not excited. Instead, everyone in the yard burst into cheers.

In particular, those disciples that Zhang Taiyan had recently accepted in Gusu came forward to congratulate Bao Guowei.

There were also servants in the yard, their faces were filled with joyful smiles, as if they were also proud of it.

Cao Yanhai said excitedly: "This news is only in the French newspaper Le Figaro. I think it will spread all over China in a few days."

During this period, France also had newspaper media branches stationed in China, and Le Figaro was the most authoritative among them.

There is no way that it can be fake news published in this newspaper.

Zhang Nianyue's reaction was the strangest. She was reading a newspaper while holding Bao Guowei's arm and muttering something from time to time.

“Paris, France? The bohemian lifestyle, the artistic atmosphere of Montmartre, and the various buildings.”

"There's also the Goncourt Prize. I didn't expect Bao Guowei to be able to reach this level. It seems like I've really made a lot of money."

"It should still be in time to go to Europe now. If you take the ferry, it will take about 12 days, and you can catch the award ceremony on December 21st."

“This trip.”

Without waiting for the other party to finish speaking, Bao Guowei tapped Zhang Nianyue's head with his bent index finger and said unhappily.

"There are many types of Goncourt Prizes. Mine is not awarded in Paris, but in Nancy, which is quite far from Paris."

Zhang Nianyue pouted unconvincedly, waved her fist and said, "Since we're already in France, we must go to Paris to take a look!"

Seeing the girl's reaction, Bao Guowei was at a loss whether to laugh or cry for a moment.

But as he laughed, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Maybe I should really consider going to Europe.

In the study room.

Zhang Taiyan sat at his desk and gently put down the "Four Essays on Maritime Countries" in his hand.

This is a work written by Liang Tingning in the Qing Dynasty, and it has been published for almost a hundred years.

The book contains four works about foreign countries, namely "On the Difficulty of Christianity Entering China", "On the United Provinces and Countries", "On Lanlun", and "On the Tribute to Countries from Guangdong".

Naturally, Zhang Taiyan did not have time to read all the contents.

This book gives a detailed introduction to the situation of Western capitalist countries such as the United States, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, and Spain.

In particular, their capital political system was introduced in detail.

Since the publication of this book, it has had a profound impact in China.

In his early years, Zhang Taiyan had read this work and had some fantasies about it, but now, he has completely forgotten them.

Therefore, Zhang Taiyan focused on some specific situations in France mentioned in this book.

As soon as Bao Guowei walked into the study and saw the book on the table, he already understood most of the story.

He smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang Ran lived more than a hundred years ago. This book was considered advanced at the time and opened the eyes of the Chinese people to the world, but it is a bit outdated now.

Whether it is America or France, they are very different after a hundred years."

Zhang Ran is naturally the pen name of Liang Tingqian, a famous scholar in the late Qing Dynasty.

He once supported the anti-British struggle led by Lin Zexu, and many of his suggestions on "preparing for coastal defense against barbarians" were adopted.

His works cover poetry, history, epigraphy and other aspects, and he also has good attainments in opera.

During the Republic of China period, this gentleman was very famous among old-school scholars.

However, in later generations, it no longer had any reputation.

"It's just a look." Zhang Taiyan closed the book with a guilty conscience.

He knew it was useless, but he was worried and could only relieve it by reading.

Zhang Taiyan coughed, and after Bao Guowei sat down, he adopted the attitude of a master and gave some suggestions.

"I agree with your decision to go to France. Last time, you gave up the Pulitzer Prize because of your teacher. Now I don't want to repeat the same mistake. Europe is a prosperous place with completely different scenery from China.

I think it's time to let you go and take a look."

When he said the last sentence, Zhang Taiyan seemed to have made up his mind.

Bao Guowei was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that the last Pulitzer Prize incident had such a great impact on Zhang Taiyan.

I still feel resentful about it until now.

To be honest, Bao Guowei himself didn't care much.

It doesn’t matter whether he wins the Pulitzer Prize or not. It will not affect his international influence at all.

At most, there will be a few more honors or some more bonuses.

Bao Guowei is no longer as short of money as before. In terms of influence, it now seems that rejecting the Pulitzer Prize has a much greater impact than accepting it.

It can be said that it was precisely because of his identity as an Oriental that he refused the award from the Americans.

Bao Guowei's name truly spread throughout Europe, indirectly promoting the awarding of the Goncourt Prize.

Xun Ge'er once refused the nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature, but it never affected his international influence.

Not only in China, but even in Japan, Xun Ge'er is also the object of study and admiration by many modern writers.

Therefore, Bao Guowei is not that concerned about winning the award.

What really influenced his decision was something more important.

Bao Guowei felt that there was no need for this trip if it could not produce some definite achievements and significance.

Nowadays, it is different from the past. A round trip to Europe takes at least three months.

By then, it was still unknown whether we could catch the Lunar New Year of 1931.

So, Bao Guowei shook his head and said.

"Sir, I am not considering the honor here, but more things, such as your physical condition, your marriage with Nianyue, and of course the various industries in the country that affect people's livelihood."

Today, Bao Guowei is no longer the ordinary high school student he used to be.

He had to worry about everything, including penicillin, medical equipment and factory construction.

Hearing Bao Guowei's words, Zhang Taiyan became furious and spoke while breathing out through his nose.

"Humph! I don't need your care. I can do it myself!"

Bao Guowei looked at the other person with suspicion, and the meaning in his eyes was very clear.

Rely on yourself, old man, you almost killed yourself, are you really reliable?

Zhang Taiyan was very unconvinced and wanted to say that he was invincible in Chinese medicine.

But in the end, he no longer had the confidence, after all, his life was given by Bao Guowei.

He turned his head away, avoiding Bao Guowei's gaze and hiding his guilty expression.

Afterwards, Zhang Taiyan started to act shamelessly and said this.

"This matter concerns my reputation. You have earned a reputation for filial piety, but have made me bear the infamy.

There are rumors outside that it was me who prevented the birth of China's first important literary award, and that I would be despised in history books in the future.

If you don't go this time, you will be putting your teacher in an unfair position!"

"But." Bao Guowei looked embarrassed.

He naturally knew Zhang Taiyan's intentions. The other party was doing this for his own good, so why did he say that he cared about face?

If Zhang Taiyan cared about his face, he would not have been nicknamed "madman" in history.

"It's nothing!"

Zhang Taiyan waved his hand, a sly smile appeared on his face, and said threateningly.

"Don't you want to marry my daughter? I'll put this before you. If you want to marry Nian Yue, you must take her to Europe to have a look. Otherwise, I'll have someone arrange a marriage for Nian Yue!"

"You old man!"

Bao Guowei almost swore. He clearly remembered that the old man Zhang Taiyan once held his hand and said something like "I will leave my daughter to you from now on."

Now you regret it again?

He really is worthy of being called Crazy Zhang!
At this moment, in a courtyard in the Shanghai International Settlement.

Lin Yutang just saw the news in the newspaper.

Just as he was frowning in thought, he heard the family servant Afang say with emotion.

"It's really enviable. Bao Bingwen is not only young, but he has written so many best-selling works, and has been recognized by the academic community and students. Most importantly, he is loved by young women.

Now it is appreciated by foreigners again.

I really wish I were Bao Bingwen!"

Ah Fang smacked his lips, stood behind Lin Yutang, and spoke in a very ungraceful manner while shaking his legs.

In other words, from Lin Yutang's perspective, if it were any other master, he would have broken his legs.

"But Bao Bingwen is also a weirdo. He refuses all the wealth and glory he has. Last time, he refused the award from the Americans. I wonder if he will refuse the award from the French this time~"

After he finished speaking, Lin Yutang seemed to be enlightened.

He immediately got up from the recliner and started packing some clothes.

When Ah Fang saw Lin Yutang like this, he couldn't help but be a little surprised and asked.

"Where are you going suddenly, sir?"

Lin Yutang put on his hat with a serious expression on his face.

"I don't have time to explain so much. Hurry up and prepare the car. I'm going to visit Mr. Zhou Shuren!"

"Mr. Zhou Shuren?" Ah Fang pointed to the sky and said, "It's getting late now, why not go tomorrow?"

"No!" Lin Yutang said firmly.

"I want to ask Mr. Zhou Shuren to help. Only he and I can persuade Bao Bingwen to accept this award!"

(End of this chapter)