Stockholm, Sweden,

Swedish Academy, Office of the Permanent Secretary.

Carl David Ave Wilson was standing in front of the window, holding a cup of black tea in his left hand, sipping it in small sips.

Nice view from the window,

Because Northern Europe is located at a high latitude, even if spring comes, it is still not full of green.

It's just that it's much more vibrant than a gray winter day.

Behind him was Hans Ludwig Füssel, the first seat of the Faculty of Letters, who was trying to translate the Polish writer Hsienkovicz's Where Are You Going.

Fussell saw that his scalp was numb,

"Polish is so complicated!"

Wilson chuckled,

"In the eyes of people, our Swedish language is probably not much better."

Fussell complained: "You are idle, talking cool words on the side." ”

Since the Nobel Prize was established, the academicians of the Swedish Academy seem to have lost all other jobs.

What I do every day is to translate, read, and review.

The intensity of the work is very high.

Wilson spreads his hands,

"I'm just a permanent secretary and I don't deserve to review manuscripts, so I'm not busy. Besides, I have asked the professors of the University of Cambridge, Oxford, and University of London to come up with a protocol for their help. In the future, the review will be much easier. ”

Fussell sighed: "It's really not wrong to say that we are a grass platform team. I don't know what the committee is busy with day in and day out, and it doesn't even have a written document. ”

Wilson said: "Political compromise~"

It sounds like a joke, but it's not.

Nobel's last will, written a year before his death, was signed at the Swedish Norwegian Club in Paris.

It involves the establishment of the Nobel Prize.

Norway at that time did not yet have sovereignty, belonged to the Swiss-Norwegian Union, and was controlled by Sweden.

Of course, in 1902 it was still like this.

But over time, Norway began to seek independence, trying to get rid of Sweden.

In this case, the ownership of the Nobel Prize becomes a problem, and even if the Nobel is a Swede, many things cannot be explained.

The Commission may only use its good offices between the parties,

The final result is that there are more than a dozen organizers and judges:

From the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to the Karolinska Institute, to the Swedish Academy of Letters, to the Norwegian Nobel Committee......

A long list of lists,

Sweden and Norway are the wings of the Nobel Prize.

Fussell muttered: "There was some unpleasantness last year, Sir Lu will agree, right?" ”

Wilson laughs,

"No problem. I'm sure he can ......"

Halfway through the conversation, there was a knock on the door outside,

"Mr. Wilson, I have your packet. From London. ”

Wilson smirked,

"Look."

If it's a refusal, a telegram can solve it,

The parcel must contain an instrument such as the "First Draft".

Wilson walked over to open the door, took the packet,

He walked back and dismantled it.

The first thing that catches your eye is a text message that expounds Lu Shi's views on the artistry of literary works and gives two proverbs.

Wilson finished reading it and handed the text message to Fussell,

"Let's see."

Fussell also read it quickly, and said with a smile: "What a sentence, 'May your work stand the test of time'!" Sir Lu is very knowledgeable. This sentence is a very good wish for the writer. ”

Wilson laughed and said, "Well, I hope your work will be like this." ”

Fussell waved his hand,

"No play."

In this regard, he was still self-aware, so he changed the topic and said: "It's a pity that this sentence is a bit long as an inscription, and the same is true for changing it to Swedish or Norwegian." ”

The original inscription of the Nonotist Committee is concise and to the point:

Nobel Prize,

Very straightforward,

But some of the aesthetics are lacking.

And Lu Shi's proverbs are not lacking in beauty, but they are a bit long.

Wilson didn't care,

"That can be printed on the front of the medal, next to the relief of Mr. Nobel's sideways, there must be enough space. As for the short proverbs, isn't there an ancient Chinese poem? ”

Lu Shi explained Du Fu's poem in the letter.

Fussell nodded,

This poem is also very appropriate. It's just that the Chinese language appears on the Nobel Prize, will it be a little ......?"

Wilson couldn't help but complain: "You, brainless." ”

Fussell was dissatisfied,

"How?"

Wilson explains: "Chinese characters are developed from hieroglyphs, and if they are cleverly designed, they can reduce one side of the text and increase the pictographic side into a beautiful pattern." What impact does it have on a medal? Moreover, in the future, there may be Chinese and Japanese people who win awards, and when they see medals, they will also have a sense of belonging. ”

In other words, if you can expand your influence, you can still buy and sell without capital.

Why not do it?

Fussell laughed dumbly,

"You're right."

In the past, how could they take into account the "backward" culture of the white eyes of the Swedish Academy?

But now it's different,

Who said that at this time last year, they were completely subdued by Lu Shi~

Wilson put the text message aside,

Below is a stack of manuscripts.

He picked it up and said at the same time, "Sir Lu is really willing to help with the drafting...... Not...... This is......?! ”

Fussell was stunned for a moment, and suddenly leaned over,

The manuscript is "Lord of the Flies",

French version.

The top line is Montague James's message.

After reading it, Fussell had mixed feelings in his heart,

"Cambridge put Lu on the long list, and the form will be mailed in the mail. In short, since Sir Lu wants to run for the election, it is no longer appropriate to help formulate the rules for the review. ”

Wilson asked, "What about Cambridge's reasons for electing Lu?" ”

What more reason!?

Fussell shook the manuscript,

"That's it."

Wilson could not refute,

There really is no better and tougher reason to do so.

Then, he looked at James's message again and said: "Of course, Professor James of Cambridge also listed many works, "Animal Farm", "Hunting", "Lolita", ......"

Wilson was speechless,

"This ...... It won't be like last year, right? ”

In the last edition of the Literary Prize, Tolstoy was not included in the preliminary list,

As a result, led by Lu Shi, many writers withdrew from the selection and demanded that Tolstoy's name be corrected, forcing the Swedish Academy to revise the list.

In this case, Tolstoy will inevitably win the prize, otherwise the gold content of the Nobel Prize will plummet.

Fussell smiled helplessly,

"Last year, Toon was almost internalized, and this year's Lu may also be internal...... Alas...... If we do this for two consecutive years, the fairness and impartiality of our literary award will inevitably be questioned by future generations, and the gold content may be low to the dust. ”

He didn't reflect,

If you don't do that, you will be even more questioned.

Tolstoy didn't even make the primary, only people whose brains were filled with pride and prejudice could do such a brain-crushing thing.

Because according to real history, Toon failed to win the prize, and the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Committee were often used to whip their bodies for this.

Wilson said, "It's not because you're trying to rub Professor Monson's fame that you're annoying Lu. A hole dug in one year should be filled in two years. ”

Forssell retorted,

"How can you blame me alone? At that time, it was unanimously approved by all academicians. ”

“……”

“……”

The two looked at each other.

After a few seconds, Wilson waved his hand,

"Quarrels won't solve the problem. Let's take a look at this Lord of the Flies first. Perhaps, Lu will play abnormally this time~ As long as he writes this book badly, we have a chance to delay it for a few years, and then award him the award. ”

Fussell complained in his heart,

Do you still say that it is not an internal decision?

It's all set in a few years, hey!

He couldn't help but sigh,

"You said Lu would play out of order? Do you think it's possible? ”

Wilson was silent,

As the other side said,

From popular to dramatic to serious literature, Lu never seems to have missed a beat, and every work is of a high standard.

It is better to expect him to play abnormally than to expect the sun to come out in the west.

Wilson said, "Then give it to Lu?" ”

"Ah......h

Fussell was surprised: "Let's really make up our minds?" Two years in a row? ”

Wilson spreads his hands,

"As Sir Luk said in a text message, appreciating the artistry of literature is very subjective. So, the literary award is a prize that is decided by a few judges behind closed doors, right? ”

Is this what it means?

Forsel: "......"

I feel that there is something wrong with what the other party said,

But I can't tell what the problem is.

He nodded bewilderedly,

"What you said may be ...... Probably...... It probably makes sense. ”

Wilson continued: "Besides, didn't you say before that there are too many manuscripts to review? It's just right, let's settle down, and we don't need to try it again. Fellow academicians and I will do social work and persuade the rest of the writers not to question Lu's award. ”

This special meow is equivalent to openly engaging in shady.

Don't even have a face!

Fussell waved his hand,

"Don't worry. Perhaps, Lu will play abnormally this time~ As long as he writes this book badly, we have a chance to delay it for a few years, and then award him the award. ”

Wilson: "......"

!

Ten thousand grass and mud horses galloped through my heart.

He said, "Okay, you can read it." ”

After saying that, he left.

Faussell picked up the manuscript and read it intently.

French was not his first language, but because he studied French literature at university, he read it very smoothly.

Time passes,

By the time he looked up again, it was completely dark.

The lights are softly sprinkled to create a peaceful and warm atmosphere.

Wilson came back at some point, and was munching on bread beside him.

"How? Did Lu play out of order this time? ”

Fussell walked over and muttered, "I'm hungry." ”

After speaking, he tore off half of the bread that the other party was pinching, put it in his mouth and chewed it heavily, and finally swallowed it, and then poured a sip of black tea.

Wilson asked, "What the hell?" ”

"Let's look into doing social work," Faussell said. Lu deserves the Nobel Prize, but the Nobel Prize is not worthy of him. ”

……

Palace Street, London,

Lu Shi Residence.

Margarita is playing with us,

The little guy is lazy,

Since Lu Shi came back, it found that Natsume Soseki was not there, so it understood everything, so it has not had much energy, and only the cat teasing stick can occasionally excite it a few times.

On the other side, Lu Shi was reading a telegram from Stockholm,

——

Sir Luk's books are full of emotion and perspective, which is enough to impress any judge and reader.

We pay the highest tribute to your outstanding talent in literary creation.

I look forward to you continuing to display your talents in future literary creations and making greater contributions to the cause of literature.

Especially within a year, keep up the good work!

Faithful,

Swedish Academy.

——

Is this predetermined?

After reading it, Lu Shi couldn't help but hook the corners of his mouth with an arc.

Margarita next to her noticed,

"Teacher, have something fun?"

She walked slowly.

Today, Her Royal Highness the Princess's attire has changed again,

Women's leather jackets and slim-fitting trousers accentuate feminine lines with a full cleanness.

Since Burberry specially designed pants for her, she abandoned the old concept of "women should wear skirts", and women's clothing products have become popular.

Burberry struck while the iron was hot and bombarded with advertisements in the Mirror,

At the same time, Margarita was also invited to endorse,

So, she always tries on the latest styles.

Lu Shi replied with a smile: "It's either happy, or I want to laugh." ”

He handed the telegram to the other party.

Unexpectedly, Margarita sat generously on his lap and whispered, "Read it to me~"

"Hiss......"

Lu Shi gasped,

∠(°ゝ°)

is not married yet, but he doesn't dare to mess with the princess.

He sat a little further away from one of Daji before he finished reading the telegram.

"Poof!"

Margarita scoffed,

"The Swedish Academy gave you the award six months in advance. It's ridiculous that they still have to say something 'keep up the good work in a year!' It's nothing more than hoping that you will maintain a high frequency and high level of creation~"

Lu Shi also knew the difficulties of the Swedish Academy.

It's okay to say that you are not nominated,

Once nominated,

If you don't give the prize to Lu, it will become Tolstoy's situation, making the world think that the judges are ridiculous and arrogant, and even a writer like Lu does not deserve the award.

Nobel Prize in Literature ↓;

Giving the award to Lu will be linked to last year's events, and the Swedish Academy of Letters was misunderstood, thinking that it was afraid of Lu's status and fame.

The Nobel Prize in Literature is worth ↓.

Not people inside and out.

Therefore, their final decision was to "plop" to Lu Shi and kneel,

"You must always create well, and it is best to write a dozen or twenty novels a year to block the mouths of the people. In this way, we will award the award to you in order to save face. ”

It's hilarious.

Margarita pranked: "Teacher, literary creation depends on opportunity!" If you're not inspired right now, don't write and let the Swedish Academy figure it out for itself. ”

Lu Shi laughed and pinched the other party's face mercilessly,

"You're going to be bad~"

Margarita covered her lips and smiled,

"Isn't it bad? I love evil~"

Her Royal Highness the princess became more and more unscrupulous in front of Lu Shi.

She looked at the telegram again and said, "How do you feel that the evaluation of the Nobel Prize in Literature is very irregular." ”

Actually, it's just not very formal.

Generally speaking, for an award of this magnitude, the committee should send a letter of invitation to the nominated institutions or individuals, and then collect the nomination form from those institutions or individuals to compile the shortlist.

But in the first year of the establishment of the Nobel Prize, in order to expand its influence, it was as easy as it could be.

Where is the nomination invitation letter?

All famous writers are on the list.

Now in the second year, it's starting to get back on track.

Of course, this "right track" is also relative to the first year, otherwise there would be no land time to win the award.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door of the guards outside,

"Sir, there's your packet."

Margarita jumped off Lu Shi, ran over to open the door, and returned with the packet.

She said, "Strange, what's going on with this postmark?" I've handled so many parcels in an advertising agency, and I've never seen anything like this. ”

Lu Shi also looked curiously,

Marquesas，

Unexpectedly, he didn't know the name of the place, and could only recognize it by natural spelling: "Marquesas." ”

Margarita groaned for a moment,

"Ahh Come to think of it! It is an island group in French Polynesia. ”

Lu Shi was stunned, and then thought of someone-

Paul Gauguin.

He unpacked.

Inside, there is a note in scribbled handwriting, entrusting Lu Shi to help with his paintings, whether they are sold or exhibited at the Lu Museum.

Between the lines, there is no misanthropy, but full of hope.

Margarita's eyes crooked,

"Teacher, after Mr. Gauguin came to London last time, it seems that he was inspired by you~"

Lu Shi sighed slightly,

"Alas......"

Margarita retracted her smile,

"How?"

Lu Shi did not answer,

Thought

Gauguin may have vaguely guessed that the deadline was coming, right?

According to the time calculation, he should have been unable to paint for a long time due to illness at this time, so he had to change to writing.

And the other things in the parcel also confirmed Lu Shi's conjecture,

Those are two manuscripts,

"The Whispers of an Art Apprentice",

"Before and After".

Lu Shi picked it up and read a few pages, and found that the text was scattered, the logic was confusing, and even spelling mistakes appeared from time to time.

These are enough to prove how bad Gauguin's state was.

Margarita asked carefully, "Do you want to publish?" ”

Lu Shi replied without thinking about it,

"Publishing."

Margarita's gaze swept over the two more manuscripts, and she whispered, "If you send it to France, I don't think it's fun." Even Mr. Hetzel, Jr., a publisher you know well, would not do such a business that is obviously losing money. ”

Lu Shi nodded,

"Then publish it in London."

The current "Mirror" has been separated from the University of London Alliance and established a publishing department, which only enjoys dividends and is not allowed to interfere in management and operation.

Therefore, Lu Shi can have the final say in this matter.

Margarita said, "Or, ask the Royal Press for help?" After all, they are different from ordinary publishers, they are interested in profit, but also on social impact and reputational investment. But I think that even if they agreed, they would only print a thousand copies. ”

The reason is not difficult to understand,

One is because it's a French book;

The second is because Gauguin was very miserable as a painter, let alone writing.

Lu Shi groaned,

After a long time, he said, "Then entrust it to the Royal Publishing Bureau." After all, they are French, they have experience, and they are far more relaxed than the Mirror. ”

Margarita nodded,

"I'll go to Mr. Wood, and I'll leave that to me."

Her Royal Highness got up, picked up the manuscript, and prepared to leave.

land time stop,

"You wait and let me finish reading the manuscript."

From a literary point of view, Gauguin's works are very ordinary, one might even say "rubbish".

But it is expensive in its unique perspective -

Autobiography of the artist.

From this, we can get a glimpse of Gauguin's inner changes, how he struggled step by step, step by step to become what he is now.

Not to mention......

"I saw only one thing, but Monsieur Gauguin trusted me so much."

Lu Shi said with a serious face: "If possible, I hope to repay his trust." Moreover, he entrusted me with the full authority of the painting, a gift that was both kind and valuable, and I deserved to reciprocate. ”

Margarita couldn't help but think of the telegram from the Swedish Academy,

Creation needs an opportunity,

Perhaps, this is the opportunity for teachers?

Let the teacher decide to win the award, it must be the old man who made the most correct decision.

Her Royal Highness the Princess said, "I will always support the teacher. You will be the least controversial winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. ”

(End of chapter)