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

Chapter 384: The First Person in the Literary World! An Encounter?

After rejecting the Pulitzer Prize last time, Bao Guowei once again won the French Goncourt Prize, which once again made him the top of the "hot search" list of public opinion in the Republic of China.

Whether in the North or the South, whether in Ta Kung Pao or Shen Bao, almost all of them announced the news on the front page.

These days, there are too few good news for Chinese people to get. Once they come across one, people will follow it with all their might like fish in water.

Some newspapers even don't know what words to use in their headlines.

Because the word "shocked" has been overused to describe Bao Guowei.

It is foreseeable that the name Bao Guowei will leave a strong mark in the Republic of China in this time and space!
In the newspapers, the academic community was almost in a frenzy, with comments and praises ringing out everywhere.

Some people popularized the Goncourt Prize and stood up for Bao Guowei.

"Perhaps some people don't know the value of the Goncourt Prize, which is the highest award for literary works in France. From the Pulitzer Prize to the Goncourt Prize, Bao Bingwen has been recognized by the literary community all over the world, but he cannot be recognized by some people in China. It is really sad and lamentable!"

There are also those who are not stingy with their praise.

"If you ask me, Bao Bingwen is now the undisputed number one figure in China's literary world!"

"So far, Bao Bingwen is the first writer in Asia to be selected for the Pulitzer Prize and the Goncourt Prize. This is not only an honor for Bao Bingwen, but also an honor for China and the whole of Asia."

"The Chinese are not bad at all!"

Related comments filled the entire newspaper. It can be said that compared with the previous Pulitzer Prize sensation, this time it was more exciting.

The international recognition Bao Guowei has received has rekindled hope among the Chinese people who were originally disappointed with the country.

At that time, the literary world and even countless Chinese people were rejoicing and elevating Bao Guowei to the throne of Chinese literature.

Bao Guowei left Suzhou quietly.

The trip to Europe has been decided, but Bao Guowei does not plan to go alone.

Since I have already made an agreement with Arnold, it would be great to have him as my guide.

Of course, Bao Guowei would not be the only one on this trip. It was impossible for Zhang Nianyue not to go. As Bao Guowei's personal bodyguard, Cao Yanhai naturally took on the responsibility.

As for Zhang Taiyan and Tang Guoli, they could no longer bear the torture, so they were naturally relieved to leave their daughter to Bao Guowei.

This itinerary is still a secret in the Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Taiyan did not let anyone else know except a few people, for the sake of Bao Guowei's personal safety.

Everyone in the Zhang family only knew that Bao Guowei might go to Europe this time, but there was no conclusion on the specific time and whether he would go or not.

After all, Bao Guowei had already rejected the Pulitzer Prize last time, so there is no guarantee that he will not reject the Goncourt Prize again this time.

It is precisely because of this that many literary celebrities and masters who were familiar with Zhang Taiyan either visited him in person or wrote to him to inquire about the details.

Almost everyone turned their eyes to Gusu, wanting to know Bao Guowei's specific thoughts.

It was against this background that Bao Guowei boarded a train to Shanghai. On the one hand, he wanted to inquire about the specific details of Arnold's trip to Europe. On the other hand, he also needed to explain the construction and production of related factories for penicillin and Mingkuai typewriters.

Zhang Nianyue simply packed her luggage at home and went to Shanghai a few days later to meet up with Bao Guowei and the others, and they went to Europe together.

During this era, domestic civil aviation business was still in its infancy, and basically all routes were domestic, and were limited to use by important figures in the government.

Therefore, if you want to go to Europe, you must take a ferry that spans half a month.

The decision to go to Europe was so secretive that even Liao Yaquan was completely unaware of it.

Recently, she found some clues and felt that Bao Guowei was often in contact with the American Minister in China, so she suspected that the other party was a member of the Freemasons.

So we are investigating the relevant situation.

As for whether Bao Guowei will go to Europe to receive the award, judging from her situation in Zhang's house, she probably will not go.

Therefore, Liao Yaquan only thought that Bao Guowei went to Shanghai to handle related matters. After all, Bao Guowei traveled back and forth between Shanghai and Suzhou every day during this period.

Of course, compared to whether Bao Guowei will go to Europe, the possible existence of the "Freemasonry" organization behind him is the issue that Japan's intelligence agencies in China are paying close attention to.

Because this is what can truly threaten the interests of the Japanese!
After getting off the train, Bao Guowei went straight to the address given by Arnold, intending to visit him.

After all, I had refused many times before, and now I feel a little embarrassed to say I want to go to Europe.

In order to show sincerity, a home visit is necessary.

By now, Bao Guowei was used to dressing up in disguise, so no one could recognize him on the train.

From time to time, I would hear people on the train commenting on me.

Hiding his identity and secretly listening to the praises of himself from ordinary people is also one of Bao Guowei's pleasures.

But just as he was about to leave the train station, Bao Guowei met two acquaintances at the door.

"Bao Bingwen! You Bao Bingwen! I don't recognize you anymore after you put on makeup!"

A loud shout came from behind, and Bao Guowei was really scared. He looked behind him vigilantly, feeling puzzled.

Even after I’ve been made up like this, there are still people who can recognize me?

But when he saw the person coming, Bao Guowei immediately understood.

Both gentlemen were wearing long blue gowns and worn cloth shoes.

A man with thick and cold eyebrows, pursed his lips, with a pale face, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

The other one, wearing a pair of round-frame glasses, had an angry look on his face, as if he was disappointed in someone.

If this isn’t Brother Xun and Mr. Lin Yutang, who else could it be?

Seeing these two people, Bao Guowei immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but after Lin Yutang shouted like that, everyone around turned their eyes over.

Fortunately, there were not many students among the passengers at the train station, otherwise Bao Guowei would have been caught.

It's not impossible that it will be on the headlines of newspapers tomorrow.

Bao Guowei showed an embarrassed expression on his face. He immediately lowered his head, pulled the two gentlemen aside and spoke.

"Gentlemen, please don't shout. I came to Shanghai for important matters."

Lin Yutang obviously didn't want to listen. He pushed Bao Guowei's hand aside and said unhappily.

"You kid, are you still planning to give up this time? Last time I advised you about the Pulitzer Prize, but you didn't listen. Do you want to repeat the same mistake this time? What is more important than the Goncourt Prize? Mr. Taiyan's health has improved this time. Don't make excuses! You should know that this is not only an honor for you, but also an honor for all Chinese people. Do you know that after you won this award, the backbone of the Chinese people has straightened up a lot?
You must not refuse me this time. I will never let you go to the newspaper office no matter what!"

Although Lin Yutang was a scholar, his physical fitness was still quite good. Standing in front of Bao Guowei, he was like a wall, with a look of determination to fight to the death on his face.

"What does this have to do with anything?" Bao Guowei was speechless. It seemed that Lin Yutang had misunderstood him and was going to go to the newspaper to announce his rejection of the Goncourt Prize.

It was basically impossible to release this kind of news in Gusu. It had to go to Shanghai and find a big newspaper to release it. But just as he was about to explain, he heard Brother Xun speaking earnestly.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

He covered his mouth with his hands and coughed twice, with a look of regret on his face.

"The Goncourt Prize is of great importance. There is nothing wrong with going to Western Europe. France has more literary masters and thinkers than America, which will be beneficial to you."

Brother Xun doesn't often advise others like this, and the fact that he does so in front of Bao Guowei shows how much he values ​​this junior fellow apprentice.

Bao Guowei didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and he was secretly complaining in his heart.

Brother Xun, this is not what you said when you refused the Nobel Prize in Literature!

However, there are still historical doubts as to whether Xun Ge'er ever refused the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Bao Guowei thought about it and turned back to ask him whether this was really the case.

After a lot of effort, Bao Guowei finally got the two men onto the rickshaw. He gave the driver an address and said to them with a smile.

"Gentlemen, please follow me to a place first. I will explain it to you slowly on the way."

There were no telephones in that era, and Bao Guowei was really afraid that Arnold would leave early without getting a definite answer.

I am not familiar with Europe and there will be many inconveniences if I go there rashly.

"Humph! Let me hear your excuses." Lin Yutang looked unhappy and threatened. "If you refuse this award again, I will no longer have you as my friend!"

He calls himself "old man" all the time, but his body is stronger than that of an 18-year-old boy.

Bao Guowei complained in his heart, but a smile appeared on his face and he explained calmly.

"Sir, please be patient and listen to me slowly."

Afterwards, Bao Guowei told the two of them everything about his meeting Arnold, how the other party had visited him three times and invited him to Oxford University for exchange.

Sitting in the rickshaw, the two listened and the frowns on their faces gradually relaxed.

The expression on Lin Yutang's face changed very quickly, and he patted Bao Guowei's shoulder happily and said.

"Hahahaha! Bingwen! Why didn't you tell us earlier? If you had told us earlier, we wouldn't have to be so anxious and block you at the entrance of the train station."

Bao Guowei was speechless for a moment. Did you give me a chance to explain?

Xun Ge'er commented, "Going to a prestigious university to give a speech will have a significant impact on your international influence. Expanding your international influence is your top priority now."

Lin Yutang also nodded and said, "I heard of Mr. Arnold Joseph Toynbee when I was studying in Germany. He is a famous British historian. With his help, this trip to Europe is relatively safe."

Not long after, the rickshaw driver stopped in front of a small building. Now they had arrived in the French Concession.

The rickshaw driver smiled and spoke respectfully to the person behind him.

"Three gentlemen, we have arrived."

Bao Guowei paid the money and turned around to look suspiciously at the not very decent Western-style building in front of him.

This house located in the French Concession is not very luxurious, but it is also affordable for ordinary people.

Lin Yutang frowned and said, "It seems that Mr. Arnold is not at home. Could he have already left for Europe?"

The ferries of this era were not like those of later generations, with fixed flight schedules. People usually just took whichever ferry was available.

So we don’t know the exact time at all. If it drags on for a few days, Arnold might have left.

Bao Guowei frowned. According to the last conversation between him and Arnold, it shouldn't be that fast.

However, at this moment, the whole house was pitch black, and it was hard to tell that anyone lived there.

After ringing the doorbell for a long time, a brown-skinned man finally came out very vigilantly.

"What the hell! This is Mr. Arnold's house! You can't come here!"

The man spoke English in a curry-flavored accent, and Bao Guowei had to listen to it several times before he understood.

During this era, many Indians were also captured and brought to the country, either to serve as assistants to Westerners or as domestic servants.

These people are a little lazy, but they are obedient.

Therefore, even though he was extremely vigilant, after Bao Guowei handed over a few dollars, the Indian man told Arnold's situation like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.

Bao Guowei finally found out from the other party that Arnold had already left, but the ferry would not depart today, but in a day or two.

As for where Arnold went, he was not quite sure.

The Indian seemed a little embarrassed because he couldn't tell Arnold's whereabouts, and he also revealed some of Arnold's personal habits to Bao Guowei.

"Mr. Xian is a very nice person, but let me tell you, he has an unclear relationship with several middle-aged wives who lost their husbands."

When he heard this, the muscles on Bao Guowei's face twitched and he almost collapsed.

It seems that the Indian servant regarded himself as a private detective, specifically investigating Arnold's private life.

But, isn't he too unprincipled? He was asked to sell out the entire property for just two dollars?
Fortunately, Bao Guowei stopped in time, otherwise the Indian servant, who had tasted the sweetness, would have even wanted to tell Bao Guowei everything about Arnold's habit of staying alone in the room.

Thinking that the other party was an Indian, Bao Guowei felt relieved.

He turned to look at Xun Ge'er and Lin Yutang. He had originally planned to visit Mr. Arnold with them.

I didn't expect it to turn out like this, and I even accidentally found out about Mr. Arnold's private life habits.

Fortunately, among the three, Brother Xun's English is the worst, and San has a poor accent.

Only Bao Guowei and Lin Yutang looked very strange, while Xun Ge'er looked normal.

After leaving, Bao Guowei said helplessly.

"I just left a note. Arnold will probably contact me after seeing it. Anyway, thank you two gentlemen for coming today."

Lin Yutang hasn't recovered yet.

Brother Xun nodded and said, "It doesn't matter. It's common to not be able to find someone in Shanghai."

International Settlement, Bao Mansion.

Arnold looked at the sky which was getting dark and complained to Lao Bao in front of him.

"Mr. Bao, when will you return home?"

(End of this chapter)