The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

early morning.

Standing in front of the mirror, Gu Hongming adjusted his appearance. He was wearing a brand new silk shirt, straightened his braids, and then put on the hat made by his late wife.

Gu Hongming is very polite, because he respects the way of Confucius and Mencius, and "ritual" is the core element.

But this kind of "courtesy" is only shown to those he values. For example, Zhang Zhidong, Cai Yuanpei, and Zhou Hexuan are barely added today.

It has been a long time since there was a book that could make Gu Hongming read so much that he forgot to sleep and eat. He is a person who is familiar with the countries of the world, but "The Rise of Great Powers" still allows him to see something different. Some doubts that have been in his heart for many years can also be answered in this book.

The rickshaw stopped at the gate of the North Gate, and Gu Hongming walked in tremblingly on crutches. He has been in poor health in recent years, and it is because he feels that he will not live long that he resigned from Japan and returned to China. He wants to die in the ideal hometown in his mind.

"Mr. Gu? Why are you here!" Peking University professor Ma Heng looked at him in surprise.

Gu Hongming nodded, and said in a commanding tone: "Where is Zhou Hexuan? Take me to see him."

Ma Heng worked with Gu Hongming before, knew his temper, supported him and said, "Go slowly."

After a while, the two arrived outside Zhou Hexuan's residence.

Ma Heng was about to knock on the door, but Gu Hongming stopped him, knocked on the door himself and shouted: "Principal Zhou, Gu Hongming is here to pay a visit!"

Zhou Hexuan opened the door and was about to speak, when Gu Hongming suddenly clasped his hands together in a bow.

This is an ancient Chinese etiquette. It is equivalent to the Western handshake in daily use, but it is also often used in solemn occasions, such as meetings between officials and friends. It was still used frequently in the late Qing Dynasty. But it is too cumbersome, and the waist is bent very deeply when making a bow, just like the Japanese bow at ninety degrees.

Zhou Hexuan was stunned for a moment, and immediately bowed in return, then smiled and said to Gu Hongming and Ma Heng: "Mr. Gu, Professor Ma, please come in."

Ma Heng thought it was very interesting, so he didn't leave, and sat beside him, wanting to listen to the two chatting.

Zhou Hexuan took out the tea leaves and cakes, and said with a smile: "Mr. Gu, I specially bought the best Longjing tea according to your needs, and the cakes are also made by the chef."

"I have a heart," Gu Hongming is very different from yesterday, he took out a book very gracefully and said, "I read Principal Zhou's masterpiece yesterday, and I was very touched. This is my book "Spring and Autumn Days", please also learn from it. "

"Spring and Autumn Days", also known as "The Spirit of the Chinese", this book caused a sensation in the West, was translated into many languages ​​and reprinted, and even set off a decades-long Gu Hongming craze in Germany.

Gu Hongming is also a writer. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature together with Tagore.

Zhou Hexuan took the book and said with a smile, "I've read this book a long time ago."

"Just read it," Gu Hongming said straight to the point, "to avoid verbal conflicts, today we have three chapters. First, we will not talk about women's liberation; second, we will not talk about vernacular writing; third, we will not talk about constitutional democracy."

These are all strongly opposed by Gu Hongming. He opposes women's liberation, vernacular writing, and constitutionalism.

"Yes." Zhou Hexuan nodded.

Gu Hongming said: "I watch "The Rise of Great Powers" and admire the great powers a lot. Does President Zhou think that Chinese are inferior to Westerners?"

Zhou Hexuan shook his head and said, "I think that all people are equal, and there is no such thing as superiority."

Gu Hongming said with a smile: "There is always a difference. Could it be that African blacks are equal to yellow and white people? In my opinion, the Chinese are the most outstanding ethnic group in the world. What do you think?"

"I don't agree with this point of view," Zhou Hexuan said. "Don't talk about black people, even the cannibals in the South Pacific who drink blood, as long as they are human beings, I think they are equal."

"You're Boai, a Mohist believer?" Gu Hongming was noncommittal.

Zhou Hexuan said: "It has nothing to do with Mohism, it means human beings are naturally equal."

Gu Hongming asked: "Since they are equal, why are there such big differences among the nations of the world? This difference is not only reflected in cultural customs, but also in intelligence, morality, and character."

"This question is very complicated," Zhou Hexuan said. "First, let's talk about the American Indians and South Pacific savages. Why are they primitive and backward? Because they are isolated overseas and lack communication and communication with the outside world. China and Europe have always been mutual Influence promotes, and this exchange has greatly accelerated the cultural and scientific development of mankind."

Gu Hongming said with a smile: "The four great inventions of the Chinese have indeed promoted the development of European science. As for China, before modern times, it has been making progress alone."

"It can be said that, but China has been influenced to some extent," Zhou Hexuan said, "For example, the erhu and the pipa, these musical instruments come from Central Asia and West Asia. The Western constellation theory was also introduced to China early, and Su Dongpo is a faithful constellation. Fan, he often laughs at himself that Capricorns are unlucky."

"Oh, Su Dongpo still believes in the theory of constellations?" Gu Hongming asked in surprise.

Zhou Hexuan said: "There is a record in "Dongpo Zhilin". The poem of Tui said: I was born on the day of my birth, and the moon was in a straight fight. I know that Tui's grinding scorpion (Capricorn) is the palace of the body, and the servant's life is grinding the scorpion. I have received many slanderous reputations in my life, and it is almost the same disease."

The general content of this passage is that Su Dongpo complained that he and Han Yu had the same fate, and they were both related to Capricorns (a Capricorn in the life palace and a Capricorn in the body palace). Their fate was not good, and they were often slandered and attacked. (Lao Wang's words: I feel like this is the worst time for a Capricorn to be hacked.)

Gu Hongming laughed loudly after hearing this: "Haha, unexpectedly, Han Yu is also a Capricorn. It seems that I will study more constellations in the future."

Zhou Hexuan also said: "The characteristics of a nation are related to its original birthplace. Areas suitable for farming have developed agricultural civilization, while places with shallow soil have developed nomadic civilization. Take China as an example. Why did it originate in the north? ? Because with primitive agricultural technology, the hot and rainy climate in the south is not suitable for farming."

"It's interesting, you continue to talk." Gu Hongming studies Chinese people from the perspective of culture and morality, and Zhou Hexuan's views make him feel fresh and new.

Zhou Hexuan continued: "Chinese civilization is a typical farming civilization. The development of ancient agriculture required order and stability, so Chinese people advocate collectivism. Confucian ethics and ethics are nothing more than a statement for collectivism. Then gradually evolved When it comes down, it becomes something like the Three Cardinal Principles and the Five Constant Principles."

Gu Hongming wanted to refute, but after careful consideration, it seemed reasonable.

"And what about the West?" Zhou Hexuan said again, "The prosperous countries in Europe today were still barbarians in ancient Greece and Rome. But barbarism conquered civilization, and ushered in the darkness of the Middle Ages. It was not until the Renaissance that they saw the light again. .Because of their proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, they finally gave birth to a marine civilization that is different from farming and nomadic. Marine civilization is a commercial civilization, and if it is exposed, it is profit-seeking. The industrial revolution is for profit, and the colonial massacre is for profit. Ten years ago in Europe Wars are also for profit."

"This view is very good, and it suits me very well." Gu Hongming also believes that Western civilization is a civilization of interests, but he also emphasizes that Chinese civilization is a civilization of morality.

Zhou Hexuan said: "I have read Mr. Gu's "Spring and Autumn Days", and I agree with your analysis of ethnic groups in various countries. But I think that this ethnic difference is not born, but caused by long-term historical influence."

Gu Hongming asked: "Then do you agree with the viewpoint in my book?"

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "I agree with what Mr. Gu said, the Chinese nation is indeed a great nation, and the Chinese also possess the four virtues of profoundness, broadness, simplicity and spirituality. As Mr. Gu said, China is a country that will never grow old. The nation has the secret of eternal youth. I dare to predict that in less than a hundred years, China will once again stand on the top of the world's nations."

"Haha, I am also a fellow." Gu Hongming said happily.

Zhou Hexuan's tone changed: "But I don't agree with Mr. Gu's idea of ​​rejuvenating the country through morality."

Gu Hongming was a little unhappy, and asked: "Do you think the Western way of governing the country for profit can be effective for a long time? I don't think so. Western countries have been controlled by business consortiums. One day, these countries will be controlled by unscrupulous businessmen." Crashed."

So Gu Hongming is well versed in the West, he has a very accurate vision. From the 20th century to the 21st century, European and American countries were indeed bound by the interests of consortiums, and gradually declined. His point of view is also reasonable. In his book "The Spirit of the Chinese", he predicted that German militarism would be destroyed.

It's a pity that the problem was identified, but the prescription was wrong. Our Mr. Gu said that only love and morality can save the world.

How naive!

Zhou Hexuan said with a helpless smile: "Mr. Gu said in his works that he wanted to be Confucius in the Republic of China. But the chaotic times before the Qin Dynasty ended with the unification of the world by the Qin State. What Qin State relied on was profit-seeking. Talk to those warlords Take a look at morality, I heard that Zhang Zongchang invited you to be the president of Shandong University, you can talk to him about morality, and see if he listens."

Gu Hongming was speechless for a moment, and then retorted: "Although the Qin State unified Liuhe, it died in the second generation. The pursuit of profit can only lead to collapse, and morality can last for a long time."

"But profit can gather people's hearts. As long as most people are profitable, China can be unified," Zhou Hexuan said. "However, I also agree with Mr. Gu's point that morality can make a country last. , rule the country with virtue.”

"Seek the country with profit, rule the country with virtue," Gu Hongming muttered these two words, and suddenly laughed, "These eight words are well said. If you had become a warlord a few years earlier, I would have been your advisor."

The two continued to chat. Generally speaking, the atmosphere was very harmonious, but there were occasional differences in views, and no one could convince the other, and Gu Hongming was in a panic.

Gu Hongming didn't stay for lunch, he returned home happily, and wrote a subscript for his servant to send to Zhou Hexuan. The old man later accepted an interview with a German reporter at the end of the year, and he said without shame: "There are only two sensible people in China now, one is Zhou Hexuan, and the other is me."