Such stars and such moons: Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang's unparalleled love

Chapter 23 The Besieged City of One World: Untouchable Missing (1)
under fame
From "Fortress Besieged" to "Guan Zhui Bian", he is the most profound and versatile scholar writer in China; from "Little Manny" to "Don Quixote", she is the most fresh and refined translator in modern times.They are a pair of talented scholars and beautiful ladies, the most eye-catching and affectionate couple in the literary world, accompanying each other.

The "Cultural Revolution" ended, the shackles of thought were lifted, and the door to the world was reopened.In [-], their daughter A Yuan went to study in the UK with a full scholarship. The old couple were very happy for their daughter, but they were also tormented by the feeling of missing her.Yang Jiang said: "After one year, another year will be added. On the one hand, we hope that she can study abroad for one more year, and on the other hand, we have to endure the feeling of parting."
And their well-known couple at home and abroad have been invited to go abroad more than once to record changes in the world and spread Chinese culture.Yang Jiang described it like this: "During this period, Zhong Shu and I each visited the country several times with the delegation. Every time Zhong Shu separated from me, he would write down in detail what he saw, heard and missed."
In September 20, Qian Zhongshu went to Italy and was invited to participate in the No.[-] Sixth European Sinology Society.This is the first time he has participated in an academic conference abroad since liberation.At the meeting, he used fluent English, quoted extensively, and talked eloquently, and made an impromptu report entitled "Classical Literature Research in Modern China".

At the meeting, he met three translators from France, Czech and Russia, and also received copies of Fortress Besieged translated into different languages ​​as gifts from them.Going abroad and out of the Chinese academic circle that has been closed for decades, he is like a runaway horse, galloping freely in the vast sky, and he is pleasantly surprised to find that "Fortress Besieged" has such a high evaluation abroad.

After the meeting, many foreign scholars rushed to him one after another, competing for high salaries, and invited him to give lectures in their own countries, including his alma mater, Oxford University in the United Kingdom.He declined them one by one. He was getting older, and he didn't want to be too far away from home, let alone Yang Jiang.

In April [-], the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences sent delegations to visit France and the United States respectively. Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang were among them, only one in the United States and one in France.

Paris, France, this romantic city, this emotional kingdom, carries a lot of their memories.This time, Yang Jiang came back here again, with a different identity, and without Zhong Shu, it felt like a lifetime away.One year in China, one year in the world, now she has white hair and wrinkles, but the street scene here is still the same as before.

In addition to visiting, she spent time in the library, lingering among those French masterpieces, and she also found a new French translation of "Don Quixote" and new research results.She is a scholar and a translator, and she never forgets her mission wherever she goes. She wants to make her translation perfect.

Qian Zhongshu, who is far away in the United States, walked and watched, and felt the cultural charm of American universities.Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University...these are the world's leading prestigious schools, and their delegations walked by one by one, and Qian Zhongshu also met the famous scholar Xia Zhiqing.

Heroes cherish heroes since ancient times. They met in the 40s, but later one was in China and the other was teaching at Columbia University in the United States. They hadn't seen each other for decades.Before going abroad, Qian Zhongshu wrote a letter to Xia Zhiqing, inviting him to meet:

Zhiqing Wuxiong Chair:

After 40 years of absence, talents and qualities are always in the heart. The so-called "articles have the spirit and the way" in Shaoling's poems. At the beginning, I didn't care about the intimacy of the body and bones, and the diligence of the voice...My brother will leave tomorrow, come to the United States through Paris, and put your arms around you , relying on pretending to walk through a book, it is like the stereotyped writers ridiculed that there is a birthday star before breaking the title, and it must be a book that is as strict as a brother.

On April 23, a group of them visited Colombia, and Xia Zhiqing and Qian Zhongshu also met as scheduled.Xia Zhiqing wrote: "Of course I can't remember Qian Zhongshu's appearance, but as soon as I knew that the one in the dark gray wool suit was him, the two hugged each other to show their love. Qian Zhongshu was born in 21. On November 69st of the Gregorian calendar in 〇 (according to the information sent by the delegation), he was [-] years old, nine years and three months older than me, but he was not old at all, and his gray hair was much less than mine. It seems that younger than me."
After so many years, the two feel very close.They started with Xia Zhiqing's "History of Modern Chinese Fiction", and had a long and hearty talk.They talked about life, creation, the current situation of domestic "red studies" research, and each other's views on the current academic circle...

In the afternoon, under the leadership of Xia Zhiqing, he participated in a small symposium in the laboratory.When he had a sudden idea, he would answer every question, and his words shocked everyone.Some people say that they have never heard such a beautiful English eloquence. Xia Zhiqing even called him "China's first erudite Confucianism". He is well-informed and well-read."
On the afternoon of the second day, the famous female writer Yu Lihua came here from New York on purpose, just to meet this well-read idol.Under Xia Zhiqing's recommendation, the three of them had dinner together. During the dinner, they reminisced about trivial matters, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed and happy.

Come with all your heart, and return with all your heart.Qian Zhongshu went to San Francisco with the delegation to visit the University of California.Before leaving, he told Xia Zhiqing to leave some words for later, anyway, there will be a later date.

He is a legend, earning praise wherever he goes.In California, a professor of the German Department lamented that he was the best intellectual he had ever seen.Of course, there will be a few discordant voices in the commotion. A person named Fei Jinghan said: "I don't think Qian Zhongshu is so good. Fluent language and reciting a few poems do not make a great man. A great thinker always has to come up with his own set of ideas and analysis methods, how can he count on reciting poems?"
What he said is not unreasonable, but when it comes to Qian Zhongshu, many people may disagree.It is his skill to be able to use ancient and modern Chinese and foreign poems and songs at his fingertips and use them appropriately.But his creative talent, his "Fortress Besieged" and "Guan Zhui Bian" are all rare masterpieces in the world. How can it be said that he "can't count the poems on his back alone"?

When he returned from his visit to the United States, he made a closed-door summary and wrote a "Brief Introduction of American Scholars' Research on Chinese Literature", which was included in "Visit Beauty Sense".His visit to the United States aroused great repercussions at home and abroad, and became quite a fashionable topic in the academic circle. Even his old friend Huang Shang wrote a congratulatory letter to congratulate him on the complete success of his visit to the United States.

In this regard, Qian Zhongshu wrote back and said: "I have lost my joy in serving the book, the years have passed, and the world is turbulent. There are only a handful of old people at sea... Qi Kuo joined the business, why don't you think about it. My brother has nothing to learn, but can Talking is not learning. When I visited the United States, I never went to the altar to give a lecture. The invitation from the other party was also declined..."
He is indifferent to fame and wealth, and only wants to drink tea with Yang Jiang and talk about the past in this world of mortals.Qian Zhongshu didn't take it seriously when he saw the exaggerated exaggeration in overseas newspapers and periodicals. When others wanted to write a book for him or interview him, he only said lightly: "Autobiography is not credible, neither are memories of acquaintances. Ancient history and unofficial history All do so."
In November [-], he was invited to visit and give lectures in Japan.From Tokyo to Kyoto and then to Nagoya, because he could not speak Japanese, he was not as comfortable as he was in Europe and the United States, but his unique demeanor still shocked Japanese sinologists.

I still remember that more than 20 years ago, Ogawa Kanki explained his domestic criticism of "Selected Annotations of Song Poems". Now, this Japanese authority on Sinology is also considering the translation of "Fortress Besieged" and "Selected Annotations of Song Poems".

He held a small symposium at Kyoto University in Japan.At the meeting, he praised the excellent style of study of two Japanese masters of Sinology, Ogawa Kanaki and the deceased Yoshikawa Kojiro, and humbly expressed his dissatisfaction with "Selected Notes on Song Poems", and also mentioned the "artistic" and "political" aspects of the time. "The conflict.

He also gave an impromptu lecture at Aichi University.The translator at that time knew that he was well educated and liked to quote a lot of Chinese and Western quotes in his speeches. He was afraid that the translation would not be good, so he asked him to draft a speech.Zhong Shu readily agreed, took a few pages of letterheads, and wrote five pages full, even the etiquette beginning was full of fun:
The topic proposed by the gentlemen is "China's Literary Situation After Smashing the "Gang of Four"". This is a good topic, and a good topic should produce a good article; but this good article should be written by Japanese scholars.There is an old Chinese saying: "Onlookers are clear, authorities are confused." It is also said: "I don't know the true face of Lushan Mountain, only because I am in this mountain." Westerners say: "Aspectator sees most of the game." There must be similar words in your country...

When he returned from his visit to Japan, "Fortress Besieged" was reprinted. This masterpiece, which has been out of print for more than 30 years, has once again entered the eyes of the Chinese people, and it has reached a position shoulder to shoulder with "The True Story of Ah Q". It can be said that it is all the rage.Later, Yang Jiang asked him if he wanted to write another novel, and he replied: "Maybe, maybe there is still, but the talent has been declining with age. If you want to write but it is impossible, you only have regrets; if you have conditions, you can't write." What comes out is nothing, then there is only regret. There is still room for deceiving yourself in the regret. Regret is the so-called "moment to face the truth" in the Spanish you have learned, so that there is no self-deception, excuse or tolerance. It doesn't taste good. I'd rather hate than regret."
After being imprisoned for decades, he went from a small circle that was closed to the outside world to a big circle in the world, and he only felt that the blue was bright, fresh and joyful.But this lap is enough, he doesn't want to travel around anymore, he just wants to spend time with his family every day.After living for most of his life, at this moment, he suddenly understood that everything was external to him except for the love of his family.

He just wants to guard the siege for the rest of his life, plant flowers and fish, do learning, and spend his days in peace.It's just that under the prestige, the invitation to visit is always inevitable.In June [-], Qian Zhongshu was hired as a consultant of the Institute of Literature.Under his refusal, the position was removed, and he said happily: "No official is light, and the consultant is small, but he is also an official."
He always had the appearance of thanking guests behind closed doors, and avoided visitors who came to visit him, but he couldn't bear the sudden attacks again and again.One day, the Academy of Social Sciences specially sent a car to call him for a meeting. He couldn't refuse, so he bit the bullet and went.Unexpectedly, Comrade Qiao Mu "took advantage of the fire" and "forced him to go to the top of the mountain" and asked him and Xia Nai to be the vice presidents of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Qiao Mu said: "You two look at my old classmates..."
In fact, he had already negotiated with Xia Nai beforehand, and this time it was just to "force Qian Zhongshu to submit".Zhong Shu was not easy to evade, so he had no choice but to say that he had no time.Qiao Mu said, "Firstly, I don't want you to sit on shifts, secondly, I don't want you to draw circles, and thirdly, I don't want you to attend meetings."
Qian Zhongshu also said that he had just evaded the consultant of the Literature Institute, and others would laugh at him for resigning from a young age.Qiao Mu replied again: "I promise to refute the rumors for you." This time, his old classmate came prepared, and he could not shirk, so he had to agree.When he got home, Yang Jiang teased him and said, "I'm going to arrest the generals this time."
I still remember Zhang Ailing's words when she was young-"Be famous as soon as possible".In the long river of time, the frivolous old days slipped away quietly. Although I don't know if this lonely and legendary woman has ever been burdened by fame, Qian Zhongshu is really helpless.

Yang Jiang said: "He doesn't seek fame, but he can't avoid the annoyance and annoyance of celebrities. If he doesn't have a name, how quiet we should be!"
city ​​of three
For young people, vigor and vitality are always the strongest voice of love.In the restless years of youth, the hormones in the body are like seeds of restlessness, which will always bloom some passionate plots and give birth to lingering tangles.But in Old Man Time's experience, all endings have a similar pattern──When the romantic story bears fruit, everything will always begin to return to peace.

After going through the ups and downs of time, staying together in a simple way always seems more real. It is a tangible smile and warmth that grows in every detail of life, nourishes trust, understanding, support and tacit understanding, and produces more than The magic of sweet talk.

Compared with the extravagant world outside, Qian Zhongshu prefers to nest quietly at home and have a dialogue with the soul.He was too lazy to go out, and he was too lazy to have boring contact with irrelevant people.A shallow threshold is like a high wall to him, inside the wall is a stable and peaceful world, and he is like a baby inhabiting, he can do whatever he wants and imagine.And once he went out of the threshold, he felt as if he had lost something, and his sense of security disappeared.

What remains of the years is not only the ups and downs in the spiritual world, after all, human beings are made of flesh and blood, and they will face diseases and aging.Qian Zhongshu has stayed up late at his desk for many years, and his health is not as good as before.Especially high blood pressure has become his biggest problem.

In his letters to Xia Zhiqing, he often introduced his health status, saying that he took medicine all year round in order to control high blood pressure. If he was in poor health, he should exercise more, but as he got older, he became less and less concerned about it In the end, I didn't do any exercise at all, and I felt much more at ease.

He doesn't like to go out and deal with people, no matter how high a university invites him, he will not be moved, he has his own persistence.But paranoia is everywhere.If you don't come, I will insist on inviting you, which is also the right of others.

In addition, because of his reputation, there are more and more admirers, and there are always some scholars or literati who come here because of his reputation, and want to visit this wizard.There were too many people coming, and it was not good to keep them all out of the door, so Qian Zhongshu's house was almost full of visitors.After Qian Zhongshu returned from the United States, his home became a meeting place for guests, most of whom were Americans.Qian Zhongshu was unbearably disturbed and in great pain, and sometimes even caught a cold because outsiders brought the virus into the house.Qian Zhongshu has asthma, and once he catches a cold, it is not easy to recover, but he never loses his optimism about life because of his illness.

One family, six pairs of sincere eyes, constitute a warm city of three.They live in their own country, simple and happy.

In the hearts of Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang, each other is the most important person in their lives. No matter when or what happens, when they think of the warm picture at home, they are secretly happy, as if all the evil in the world is gone, only Goodness and beauty remain.After experiencing wind and rain, love has a constant temperature like a family member. This is like refining wine, and the last remaining is the sweetest.

Qian Zhongshu's illness always relapsed from time to time, torturing his body and mind.Yang Jiang's health is not as good as before, but she insists on serving Qian Zhongshu who is ill.In the dead of night, she would prick up her ears and listen carefully to Qian Zhongshu's breathing. If his breathing made noises, it meant that his asthma had started, and she would be ready to give him water and pat his back. If Qian Zhongshu's breathing was very even If it goes well, she will be very happy.It's a pity that this kind of situation is really rare. Qian Zhongshu's asthma basically occurs once a day, especially in the middle of the night, when the yin qi rises and the resistance decreases, which often tortures Qian Zhongshu so that he can't sleep well in the middle of the night.

Their British-born daughter, Qian Yuan, is the jewel in their hearts. Growing up in such a scholarly family, Qian Yuan has extraordinary knowledge and vision.She was good at English since she was a child, and became a well-known scholar when she grew up.According to Yang Jiang's recollection, Qian Yuan devoted all her efforts to her work.

Learning is the common hobby of the three, and the relationship between the three is even more unique.At home, Qian Zhongshu doesn't need to have any restraints. They don't distinguish between big and small, and they don't even have a fixed name, so they can make fun of them at will.Yang Jiang said, there are three of us, but there are more than three of us. Each of us can transform into several people.

At home, Qian Zhongshu often looked like a naughty boy who didn’t grow up. Qian Yuan often said: "My father and I are the best buddies! We are my mother’s two urchins, and my father is not worthy of being my elder brother, only my younger brother." No Traditional family role positioning, Qian Zhongshu's family has a lot of laughter.

Sometimes Yang Jiang feels that Qian Zhongshu is the teacher he shares with his daughter.The three of them are close at hand, if they have any questions, they can solve them just by asking, but they never bother him, they often look up the dictionary diligently, and only ask questions when they can't solve it by themselves.At certain moments, Qian Zhongshu's image is very tall, but when it comes to the trivial matters of dressing and eating, Yang Jiang's mother and daughter take care of him like a child.

Qian Zhongshu and his daughter would form a gang to rebel against Yang Jiang. For example, when Yang Jiang was abroad, the father and daughter didn't even make the bed, and they didn't make the bed until Yang Jiang was about to return.After Yang Jiang returned home, Ah Yuan murmured softly, "The doghouse is so comfortable."
Yang Jiang and her daughter will also form a gang, laughing that Qian Zhongshu is color blind and only knows four colors: red, green, black and white.They made fun of Qian Zhongshu's various clumsiness, in exchange for happy laughter without any grievances.

Once, Qian Zhongshu made trouble for Qian Yuan by putting Qian Yuan's leather shoes on the stool on the bed and stuffing them with things.Unfortunately, he was caught by Qian Yuan.Qian Yuan acted as a hunter, reporting the fact that he captured his father to his mother to claim credit, while Qian Zhongshu shrank himself so much that he couldn't straighten up from laughing, and muttered: "I'm not here, I'm not here." Yang Jiang described that she could see the "wave of laughter" in Qian Zhongshu's stomach through Qian Zhongshu's belly.

Many years later, when Yang Jiang wrote "The Three of Us" as mentioned above with deep thoughts, in the seemingly plain fragments of life, there is warmth everywhere.When it is too late to prevent, there will always be a tornado in the world, demonstrating to people's stable life.But there is a harbor in my heart, where simplicity and care live, that is, I have my own kingdom, and a loyal, lovely feeling that only belongs to me.

What needs to be praised most in life is the beauty of serenity and tranquility.It is not in a hurry, but it will always become a warm color of the world.It appeared in Qian Zhongshu's "City of Three", dotted with the most beautiful memories.In the story, "I love you" is not a line that is frequently mentioned, but the affection that melts in the eyes of the three people, intoxicating the years and amazed by the time.

(End of this chapter)