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

Chapter 494: Peking University in turmoil? We need Mr. Bao!

If it were an ordinary person, he would have made such wild remarks in front of Hu Shi and made fun of him.

Hu Shi would certainly scold him harshly.

Let him know that he, Hu Shizhi, is not someone who can be easily bullied.

But if the other party is Bao Guowei, then it’s a different matter.

"Bao Bingwen is still a child, don't be angry, don't be angry."

While Hu Shi was thinking this in his heart, cold sweat broke out all over his body.

The conversation he just had with Bao Guowei could be big or small.

The other party passed the words to Chiang Kai-shek's ears. It would have been fine if Chiang Kai-shek did not take it seriously. If he did, it would probably have brought him into great trouble.

Not everyone, it’s all Bao Guowei.

Even if some dangerous remarks are made, they can still remain safe and sound under the high pressure of the government.

Bao Guowei has a large number of overseas readers, and his powerful influence is so great that even several countries want to extend an olive branch to him, which is far beyond the reach of ordinary Chinese people.

Even if we don't consider the international impact, we can still take into account his popularity in the country and the sense of pride he has brought to the Chinese people abroad.

If it weren't a matter of principle, no one would dare to touch Bao Guowei.

If anyone really dares to do so, he will undoubtedly be condemned by the world.

But Hu Shizhi was different. Although he was the dean of the School of Literature at Peking University, he was also an important promoter of the vernacular movement in China.

Just barely enough, he has a leadership position in the domestic literary world.

However, when facing the control of the National Government, one has to be careful with one's words.

A few years ago, Hu Shi attended the wedding of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife at the invitation of T.V. Soong. At that time, he had no connection with Chiang Kai-shek.

Some time ago, Hu Shi sent a copy of "The Book of King Huainan" to Chiang Kai-shek, hoping to persuade him to pay attention to the spirit of quietism.

In fact, it is telling the other party, explicitly or implicitly, not to exercise dictatorial rule.

Obviously, Chiang Kai-shek did not pay attention to this advice and did not even respond.

All in all, in terms of political influence today, Hu Shi is far inferior to Bao Guowei.

If the other party caught hold of one or two of his gaffes and used them as some small handle to file a complaint, Hu Shi would inevitably be in a state of panic.

He looks very enthusiastic today.

But in fact, before meeting Bao Guowei, the relationship between the two was not very good.

Hu Shi even stood against Bao Guowei in some of his works and opinions, and secretly wrote some small articles.

This made him even more flustered.

He used to be an opinion leader, so it was natural for him to criticize his juniors.

But now it is different. Bao Guowei won the Goncourt Prize and was hired by the British government.

Although the latter was not achieved, it is enough to illustrate Bao Guowei's ability.

The Nobel Prize in Literature is just around the corner.

Hu Shi really has no confidence now to compete with Bao Guowei.

Just as Hu Shizhi was struggling with his conscience and worried about his future situation.

From an office not far away, the voice of Chiang Menglin, then president of Peking University, could be heard.

"Hey hey hey! Bingwen, you're finally here. We at Peking University have been looking forward to your help day and night!"

"Mr. Jiang, you are too polite. Bingwen came to Peking University not as a student but as a lecturer. This is really beyond the rules.

This is the respect that all the gentlemen at Peking University place on me. I feel deeply honored."

"Young and promising! Young and promising!"

Jiang Menglin's hearty laughter came from inside the room.

In Hu Shi's impression, he had not heard the principal have such a sincere smile for a long time.

These days, the position of Peking University president is not that easy.

"Eh? Why didn't I see Hu Shih-chih coming? Didn't I ask him to pick you up?"

"Mr. Shizhi? He seems to be feeling a little unwell. Is he in the back?"

When Hu Shizhi heard Bao Guowei's words, his face twitched suddenly. He immediately walked forward quickly and pushed open the door.

As soon as he entered the house, he forced a smile again, pointing at Bao Guowei and speaking with a smile.

"Bingwen, Bingwen! You, a young man, didn't wait for me and made me sweat all over."

Bao Guowei replied: "Mr. Shizhi is still young, only forty years old, in the prime of his life."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Jiang Menglin said with a smile. "You two young people talking makes me, an old man, look even older."

After a while of greeting, Jiang Menglin immediately led Bao Guowei into the living room.

"Come on, Bingwen has come from afar, please sit down and have a good chat."

It was not until he sat down on the sofa that Bao Guowei had time to take a good look at the principal in front of him.

Scholars of this era generally dressed similarly.

He usually wears a pair of black-framed glasses and a dark-colored gown.

As the president of Peking University, Jiang Menglin was not particular about anything. He wore simple clothes and a pair of black cloth shoes.

He is very thin, and when he is not speaking, his mouth is slightly turned inward, making him look introverted and deep.

When he speaks, he doesn't act in a condescending manner, but gives people a gentle yet firm feeling.

Jiang Menglin passed the examination and became a scholar at the age of seventeen, and was considered the last batch of scholars in the late Qing Dynasty.

Later, he went to the United States to study education at the University of California, Berkeley, and finally received a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

A few years ago, after the Fengtian warlords took control of Peking, Peking University fell into turmoil.

In order to control Peking University, Zhang Zuolin merged it with eight other national universities to form the Imperial University of Peking.

Later, it came under the jurisdiction of Jinling and was renamed China University.

After the warlords were gone, the university came under the control of Nanjing. In order to preserve its traditions, Peking University teachers and students rose up in resistance.

After the struggle of Peking University teachers and students to reopen the school, Jinling finally compromised.

It was not until early 1929 that the turmoil and disturbance at Peking University gradually subsided, and classes at Peking University finally resumed.

At this time, nine months had passed since Peking University suspended classes.

The position of Peking University president went around in circles, and finally fell to Chiang Menglin.

In fact, Chiang Menglin's appointment as the president was just a compromise between Chiang Kai-shek and the teachers and students of Peking University.

On the one hand, Chiang Kai-shek was able to give Chiang Menglin a certain degree of trust and achieve a certain degree of control over Peking University.

On the other hand, Jiang Menglin's identity was relatively neutral, which could calm the resistance of Peking University teachers and students to the Jinling government.

Today, the North China region is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Nanjing Government, but in reality it is still under the control of the Fengtian clique.

Fortunately, unlike Zhang Zuolin, Zhang Xueliang's control over Peking University was not as severe.

With the presence of Chiang Menglin, who was invited by Chiang Kai-shek, Peking University finally stabilized.

Chiang Menglin's appointment as the president of Peking University was undoubtedly the best outcome of the game between all parties.

But for Jiang Menglin himself, this was not a good position.

Being at the center of the struggle between multiple forces, he is undoubtedly under the greatest pressure.

Therefore, when seeing Bao Guowei, who had a distinguished status, Chiang Menglin couldn't help but show an envious look.

He said with emotion while pouring tea for the other person.

"Bingwen, I envy your current life so much! Looking at the literary circles across the country, you are the most comfortable one, detached from the world and unaffected by it."

Bao Guowei knew very well that the influence Chiang Menglin mentioned was nothing more than various political pressures.

Many writers like to say that they do not want to participate in politics or be influenced by politics.

But not many people can really do it.

Bao Guowei is one of the few who have done so.

If a writer wants to have his own influence, he will inevitably get involved in politics.

If Bao Guowei had not achieved what he has today, it would have been difficult for him to be detached from the world.

Bao Guowei glanced at Hu Shih, only to see that the gentleman was still staring at the tea in a daze. It seemed that his ridicule had a great impact on the gentleman's mentality! He smiled and bowed, and said to Jiang Menglin.

"Sir, you are exaggerating. Bingwen is just a teenager. He is just being treated with respect by the big guys.

Sir, as the president of Peking University, all the teachers and students place their hopes on you, and you are the one who has worked the hardest and made the greatest contributions.

If you ask me, there is really no one else who can take the position of Peking University president except you now. "

Bao Guowei just laughed it off and ignored Chiang Menglin's remarks.

Jiang Menglin could only sigh and said with a hint of resentment: "Bingwen, if you could be a dozen years older, it would be great. With your ability, you would be able to handle the job of Peking University president with ease, right?"

Bao Guowei could see that this gentleman was feeling very uncomfortable in this position!

He could only smile awkwardly but politely.

Sir, I really can't do it!
It seems that Chiang Menglin felt that Peking University was a hot potato.

But in fact, during his tenure as president of Peking University, Chiang Menglin did a lot of practical things for the university.

For example, he helped to restore many of Peking University's original normal work, such as the Peking University Research Institute, which were reorganized during Chiang Menglin's period.

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There was also an adjustment to the original system, with the policy of "professors managing academic affairs, students pursuing studies, staff managing affairs, and the principal managing the school" proposed.

The Council of Scholars was abolished and replaced by the School Affairs Meeting as the school’s highest authority.

Implement a full-time professor system, dismiss old professors and recruit new ones, and break the tenure-track professor system.

and many more.

These policies may be increasing the power of principals.

It has also been met with some criticism.

But it has established a stable academic atmosphere at Peking University.

It can be considered an achievement.

However, it is obvious that Chiang Menglin was not satisfied with this achievement.

Many people have an illusion when they meet Bao Guowei for the first time.

That is, I feel that Bao Guowei looks young, just a child.

I thought he should be someone who is easy to talk to.

Jiang Menglin also thought so, but he did not expect that the other party was much more cunning than most people he had met.

The art of language is even more proficient.

After several exchanges, Jiang Menglin always wanted to get the other party involved in Peking University's political affairs, but found that he was not interested at all.

He had originally thought that since Bao Guowei was young and energetic, he could bring him into the Peking University staff and use his influence so that Peking University could be at ease in many aspects.

But unexpectedly, when it comes to political matters, Bao Guowei is like a loach and doesn't seem to be affected at all.

He turned his eyes to Hu Shi, wanting to seek the boy's help.

Unexpectedly, Hu Shizhi was writing on the table with tea at that moment and was not listening to the conversation between the two people at all.

His nose was immediately crooked with anger.

He coughed and said, "What does Dean Hu think about this?"

At this moment, Hu Shi seemed to wake up from a dream. He wiped off the words on the coffee table and raised his head.

He looked at Bao Guowei, then at Jiang Menglin with an anxious look in his eyes, and said with a smile on his face.

"I heard that Bingwen is not only proficient in literature, but also has some achievements in economics and management. He shined especially in the UK. His book "Island Economics" is regarded as a classic by the British people. I would like to hear Bingwen tell the story behind it."

"you"

Jiang Menglin almost cursed. He expected him to help talk, but this kid started playing dumb?
He even deliberately changed the subject.

Bao Guowei seemed to have been pardoned and looked at Hu Shi with gratitude. The latter blinked his eyes imperceptibly, as if to show goodwill.

Among the three people, only Jiang Menglin almost suffered internal injuries.

In fact, Bao Guowei could also understand the other party's urgency.

Now, although Peking University seems to have stabilized, it is still difficult to accomplish many things.

There is an urgent need for a "young and reckless" person like Bao Guowei to lead the charge.

But firstly, Bao Guowei was not a "greenhorn". Secondly, in Bao Guowei's view, Chiang Menglin's starting point was good, but his ideas were still a bit naive.

His influence is indeed among the best in the country, but without guns and military force, it is still difficult to do anything he wants.

It’s just that no one dares to touch me.

In addition, he had to deal with affairs in the Northeast and had no time to take care of the myriad issues at Peking University.

Things always have priorities.

If other things were settled, Bao Guowei wouldn't mind joining in the educational reform of Peking University or even the Republic of China.

However, he couldn't say it out loud, so he could only laugh it off.

Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Hu Shizhi, who was very good at "reading people's expressions", Bao Guowei perfectly avoided this topic.

He briefly recounted some of his experiences in the UK.

“In fact, when I was in the UK, I was not as glorious as people in China thought.

British politics is no less complicated than that at home. If you get caught up in it carelessly, you will be doomed.

Especially as a foreigner, if I rashly take sides, I am afraid it will be difficult for me to leave the UK."

The bitterness on Bao Guowei's face was genuine. Even a world-renowned writer could not completely escape unscathed in the face of power.

Especially in the UK.

"However, Bingwen, you still managed to escape unscathed, and even made countless British people remember your name. Your economic theory will influence the values ​​of a generation of British people!"

When talking about this, Hu Shi couldn't help but get a little excited, and even seemed quite envious in his words.

For Hu Shi, "fame" was something he desired too much.

It is really sad that the things that one cannot get are easily available to Bao Guowei.

Bao Guowei smiled implicitly: "It was just luck."

Jiang Menglin was a gentle man after all.

He saw that Bao Guowei had no interest in participating in Peking University affairs, so he gave up trying to persuade him.

He said with a slight smile and admiration.

“It’s definitely not a fluke. I’ve read some of your book, The Economics of Small Islands. It’s written in a simple and easy-to-understand way and plays an extremely important role in enlightening the people.

Hearing that this book is also a best-seller in China, even Commander Chang highly praised it.

Bingwen, your talent is truly amazing."

"Thank you, sir."

Bao Guowei's answer was brief and neither humble nor arrogant.

Jiang Menglin was filled with emotion, looking both relieved and regretful.

I chatted with Bao Guowei about some of his previous works and British politics.

Compared to the secrecy surrounding domestic politics, few people dare to talk a lot about British politics.

Bao Guowei knew everything about things like "shadow government", "Churchill's character" and "British royal secrets", which really opened the eyes of the two gentlemen.

As time went by, Chiang Menglin became more and more fond of Bao Guowei, and the look in his eyes when he looked at him became more and more kind.

After much deliberation, Jiang Menglin finally mentioned the most important thing at Peking University.

Having failed to win over someone before, Jiang Menglin seemed very embarrassed.

"Bingwen, you also know that Peking University is in urgent need of talents now. After experiencing the chaos in the past three years, the reason is that Peking University has been too involved in politics, especially during the reign of Zhang Zuolin. He targeted Peking University because he felt that Peking University would affect his rule.

Now that order has finally been restored, we need even more excellent teachers like you."

These words were all from Chiang Menglin's heart, otherwise he would not have told Bao Guowei the truth about Peking University's previous dispute with the Fengtian clique.

He really put in a lot of effort to be a good principal.

Finally, even though a lot was said in the letter.

But he still invited sincerely.

"We are in urgent need of talents in economics, and we also need Bingwen to teach us a little about literature. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)