Kang Youwei and Gu Hongming have contradictions, and the-for-tat between the words is to the point, and it is impossible to tear their faces.

Cai Yuanpei looked at the atmosphere a little nervous, and said with a smile: "It's an honor for Yuanpei to invite Mr. Kang Gong and Mr. Dong Yan, this time I called you here to discuss a book, I think you already know what book it is." ”

Hearing Cai Yuanpei's words, the four of them all nodded, and Kang Youwei said with emotion: "Yes, I have seen the news earlier that a woman committed suicide after reading it, but I didn't expect such a show to come again this time." A book can provoke a reader to commit suicide, I don't know if it's fortunate or unfortunate. ”

Gu Hongming said disdainfully on one side: "What is the theory of luck and misfortune, the body is skinned, and the parents are received, what is the use of such unfilial people." ”

These words are a bit heart-wrenching, Cai Yuanpei and Wang Lijian both frowned, and they have a lot of opinions about his fierce remarks. It's just that Gu Hongming is an old-timer after all, and they can't say anything.

However, Kang Youwei snorted coldly, "Filial piety and unfilial piety have not dared to be decided, Brother Tang Sheng traveled to Western countries in his early years, is there still such a stubborn and conservative thinking." ”

As he spoke, he glanced at the braids behind Gu Hongming, "That's right, Brother Tang Sheng wore suits and leather shoes in his early years, but now he has yellow hair and pigtails." ”

Gu Hongming's attire is indeed the first West and then China, in his early years, he studied abroad, so he was dressed as a Westerner, and only later did he grow his hair and put on a robe.

As for the yellow hair braid, this is Gu Hongming's birth, he was born with a foreigner's appearance, and a handful of small yellow hair on his head was braided by him.

Gu Hongming suddenly laughed twice: "Zu Yi has always been like this, if you really advocate Western learning, why do you have a few aunts in the family?"

His words alluded to the inconsistency of Kang Youwei's appearance and appearance, advocating Western learning on the surface, but he accepted a few wives. After laughing twice, Gu Hongming said again: "Could it be that Zu Yi only takes what you have useful, and discarded what is useless to you?"

Kang Youwei's face was pale, and he was about to fight back, Cai Yuanpei hurriedly said: "Two gentlemen, today is not to discuss Xixue Middle School, but to discuss the temptation of suicide in the book "Metamorphosis". ”

Saying that, he said to Gu Hongming: "Mr. Dong Yan, we don't care whether the person who commits suicide should die or not, I just say that this book has an impact." ”

Although Kang Youwei was a little unwilling, he couldn't lose his demeanor, so he nodded and agreed. And Gu Hongming had the upper hand, of course, it was not unavoidable.

However, this time Kang Youwei and Gu Hongming did not speak first, Cai Yuanpei could only order Ma Yinchu, "What does Yuan Shan think about this matter?"

Ma Yinchu kept his head down just now, the three bigwigs are here today, and Gu Hongming is a well-known poisonous tongue, so he doesn't dare to speak easily.

It wasn't until Cai Yuanpei clicked on him that he raised his head and said, "Actually, the suicide is still up for discussion, and I have also read the news." Although there is evidence in it, I still have some doubts. ”

"Oh?" Cai Yuanpei became interested, they all focused on the impact of "Metamorphosis" on the suicide of people, but they didn't expect Ma Yinchu to have doubts about the authenticity of the news.

Ma Yinchu nodded: "Well, there are indeed some doubts, I read the suicide note of the person who committed suicide, it doesn't seem like a person who wants to commit suicide can write it, secondly, I asked someone to ask about this person's background, and found that this person dropped out of junior high school and worked as a farmer at home." I have also read the book "Metamorphosis", to be honest, even I feel a little obscure when I read it, how can this junior high school dropout, how can he feel so deeply?"

As soon as he said this, several people pondered, Wang Lijian and Ma Yinchu looked at each other, it seemed that they had communicated about this matter before.

Cai Yuanpei thought for a moment and said with a smile: "Yuanshan's words are reasonable, the language habits of this book are very different from our usual language, and it is indeed a little obscure. I didn't expect Yuan Shan that you still have this thought, and asked someone to ask the other party for details. ”

Ma Yinchu smiled shyly: "Since you want to talk about it, you naturally have to make some preparations." ”

Cai Yuanpei nodded in agreement, and then said: "Regardless of whether this matter is fake for the time being, whether it is forged or not is just a guess." At least 90% of the last time the woman committed suicide was true, so today's topic is not in the way, and we can continue to discuss it. ”

Indeed, although the woman clarified last time that she did not commit suicide after watching "The Metamorphosis", all indications indicate that this is the case.

At this time, Kang Youwei suddenly spoke: "Heqing, why do you want to discuss this matter? It's just that one or two people committed suicide." ”

Kang Youwei was still lamenting happiness and misfortune before, and now he is saying this, obviously deep in his heart, the reader is just a mustard, and if he dies, he will die.

But there is some truth in what he said, but one or two people committed suicide, and they are not dead, is it necessary to bring them over and discuss it, and what is the purpose of their discussion?

Cai Yuanpei sighed and said: "The princes also know that I am also the deputy minister of the Ministry of Literature and Art, and Minister Qin called me last night and asked me for my opinion on this matter, and expressed in his words that if the social impact is too great, the Ministry of Literature and Art may consider banning this book." ”

Hearing Cai Yuanpei's words, several people were a little stunned, especially Wang Lijian, who suddenly became nervous. The Department of Literature and Art, the full name of which is the Department of Culture and Arts Administration, is related to all cultural activities in China.

If the Ministry of Literature and Art said that the book would be sealed, no one would be able to stop it, so Wang Lijian was so nervous. One is because he really likes "Metamorphosis", and the other is that this book is published on the website of the literary and artistic circles after all, and if it is to be blocked, it is very likely that there will be a possibility of joint sitting.

Of course, the website of the literary and artistic world will not collapse because of this, but it will definitely not be able to run away if it is criticized.

Everyone was silent for a while, and Gu Hongming suddenly slapped the arm of the chair, "Nonsense! What is this called, because of choking, I wasted food." I think the leaders of these countries are also people who are different from the outside, advocating the Renaissance while starting to suppress it. Just because someone wants to commit suicide, it is really unheard of to erase an excellent literary work. In this way, my previous translation of "The Troubles of Young Werther" is also a murder book, so don't you want to erase this book and kill me?"

The more Gu Hongming spoke, the more angry he became, and in the end, his face was red and his beard was shaking, but Cai Yuanpei was startled, and Cai Yuanpei hurriedly said: "Mr. Mo Qi, there is no conclusion at this time, and Minister Qin only asked me for my opinion, and did not say anything else." And the responsibility of the Ministry of Literature and Art is here, so please forgive me. China's development speed in recent years has been too fast, although the level of materials has increased a lot, but the people's living pressure is also very great, so the Ministry of Literature and Art is worried that "Metamorphosis" will cause a social sensation. ”

"Then it is even more necessary to read more of this kind of book in order to solve the problem fundamentally. Gu Hongming slapped the chair again.

(PS: The Troubles of Young Werther was not translated by Gu Hongming, but was first translated into Chinese by Guo Moruo in 1955.) ）