It was almost 1 PM.
Inside Peking University's auditorium.
When Zhang Ye came in, even though he was in the waiting room backstage, he could still hear the bustling noises from afar. He knew that these people were all here because of him. They were all here to listen to his lecture. At that moment, Zhang Ye also felt an upsurge of emotions, as his heart was constantly bubbling. Just as he had said, he had always been a person who did not like to speak much. It was like that at home and in school. He was always the one who kept a low profile in class and never attracted the attention of others. But when there was an event or a stage, Zhang Ye would be full of energy. He was a typical live performer. The more people there were, the bigger the stage, and the more excited he became.
"How many more minutes?" Zhang Ye asked.
"Teacher Zhang, there's still 10 minutes left." An auditorium staff member said.
"Alright, are the projectors and microphones ready?" Zhang Ye asked.
The staff member said, "They've all been calibrated. Don't worry, there won't be any problems. We've already calibrated them several times."
Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Alright, thank you very much. Everyone has worked hard."
"Look at what you're saying. Isn't this what we should be doing?" The few staff members were very polite. They also knew that Peking University was the focus of attention from society today.
......
At the venue.
The cameras were all set up. Some were from Peking University, while others were from the reporters. They had previously submitted an application and were allowed to film today. However, if they wanted to release a video of the public lecture, they had to obtain authorization and approval from Peking University. This was the prerequisite.
There were a total of seven or eight cameras.
There were no empty seats for the 5000 to 6000 people. Many students did not manage to squeeze in.
Wu Zeqing and a few faces that Zhang Ye did not recognize were the last to arrive. The moment they arrived, many people sitting in the front row greeted them.
"President Wu."
"Dean Wang is here?"
"President Chen, long time no see."
This was Peking University's school leadership team. There were a total of four people. All of them were of high status, with the highest being around Wu Zeqing's level. After exchanging some pleasantries, everyone took their seats.
The people who greeted them were naturally not ordinary people.
Sitting in the first row were almost all senior experts from the literary and historical world.
For example, Elder Qian knew Wu Zeqing and Vice President Chen. He was probably more familiar with Vice President Chen as the two of them chatted for a long time.
Wu Zeqing was talking to a woman.
Yan Yu smiled and said, "President Wu, your Peking University is really full of talents."
"It's alright." Wu Zeqing said gently, "It can't compare to your Writers' Association. Vice President Yan is here today too? I heard you're busy with the launch of your new book. "
Yan Yu, a vice president of the National Writers' Association, a writer, a scholar, and a Redology expert.
The corners of Yan Yu's mouth curled up. "I'm busy with my new book, but I can't do anything about it. This new book of mine is about the appreciation of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. Your Teacher Zhang from Peking University has completely rejected 'Dream of the Red Chamber', so I can't publish it anymore. That's why I came here to 'learn'."
Everyone could hear Yan Yu's sarcasm.
Wu Zeqing said with a dignified smile, "It's not really learning. Let's just discuss amongst ourselves."
Another middle-aged man with a tanned complexion said, "We can't discuss things with Zhang Ye. President Wu, I respect you, but Zhang Ye …" He shook his head.
Elder Qian interrupted, "Little Yang, are you still feeling emotional? Hehe. "
The Redologist, Teacher Yang, said, "Elder Qian, I don't have any emotions. I'm just someone who 'looks forward to the death of a peer'. What emotions can I have?"
Sure enough, they came with ill intentions.
His words were filled with sarcasm.
Professor Zeng said, "Old Yang, Teacher Little Zhang's mouth is indeed a bit of that, but in terms of academics, he is still a professional. If he has offended you in any way, I will apologize on behalf of Teacher Little Zhang." They were teaching Peking University's Chinese department. Most of the people who came were experts in the literary world. They basically knew each other. Even if they were not familiar with each other, they had at least met each other or heard of each other's names. This circle was not big, but there were many overlaps.
Old Yang waved his hand, "There's no need for that."
The Beijing Writers' Association's Vice President, Meng Dongguo, had also arrived. He looked at his watch, "Still not coming out?"
Renmin University's Professor Ma Hengyuan was also among them. Everyone had formed a group to trample on Zhang Ye. They were all prepared to see Zhang Ye make a fool of himself, so how could he be left out? "It's almost time, right?"
Chang Kaige looked at him, "Professor Ma seems to be in a rush."
Ma Hengyuan said shyly, "I still have a class in the afternoon. I'll have to go back after listening for half an hour. Does this Little Zhang really want to use the time to lecture? So many seniors and industry experts are waiting for a junior like him? "
This was looking for trouble for no reason.
Many of Peking University's lecturers glanced at him. They were thinking, "No one begged you to come!"
Countdown of three minutes … Countdown of two minutes …
At the last minute, Zhang Ye walked up to the podium from the back.
The applause was sparse. It was not much, nor was it neat.
Only Yao Mi and a few people who liked Zhang Ye screamed and clapped. Although the applause was limited, it was still quite lively in the end.
"Teacher Zhang is so cool!" Yao Mi shouted.
Yao Mi's roommates also jeered, "Teacher Zhang, I love you!"
With this, the 5000 people in the venue immediately roared with laughter.
The Redologists and literary experts in the front row all shook their heads slightly. This was academic research, not idolatry or idolatry. What was a proper class like? Anyway, no matter what Zhang Ye did, they did not like him. They were here to wait for Zhang Ye's lecture to make a logical mistake, so that they could deal a fatal blow.
The reporters all perked up.
"It's coming, it's coming!"
"Quick, the cameras are on!"
"Check the image! Don't miss anything! "
The Peking University students were also looking excitedly at the podium. Many of them were curious about what Zhang Ye would say today. There were also many people who did not care about this. They were only here to watch the chaos. They wanted to see what kind of bombshell Teacher Zhang Ye would throw out to shock the world!
Hu Fei smiled as he looked up.
Zhao Guozhou and Wang Xiaomei also began whispering to each other.
… …
Onstage.
Zhang Ye stopped in his tracks and touched the microphone on the stand. He smiled as he looked at the thousands of people below the stage. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention. It was just like how he liked this world's Zhang Yuanqi's famous song, "I Don't Believe". This song was actually talking about himself.
I don't believe that I was born to be worse than others.
I don't believe that I have no talent at all.
I don't believe that I'm destined to be below others.
I don't believe that my voice will never be answered!
Now, Zhang Ye's voice had spread far and wide. He had received everyone's response. He had achieved what he had always hoped for. He had achieved what he had always hoped for. He would shout even further in the future. This was the path he was determined to take. He was extremely determined to continue down this path!
"Hello, everyone." Zhang Ye picked up the microphone with a smile. "Today is a very special public lecture. Many school leaders, many senior teachers from the literary and historical world, many scholars from the education world, and even many reporters are here. As an elective lecturer of Peking University, I'm very flattered. I also welcome everyone's presence. Well, due to some special circumstances, the school leaders came to me and asked me to change the format of the public lecture. I have agreed to it, so I will be handing out some microphones to my students, as well as some experts from the literary world. After all, the auditorium is too big. If you were to speak below, your throats would not be able to hear you clearly. "
A few Peking University staff came over.
"Give me one."
"I want a microphone too."
"Here, I'll take one."
A few people from the literary world were fighting to get a microphone. For example, Yan Yu and Meng Dongguo. The remaining microphones were given to the students from Zhang Ye's class. Everyone was gathered in an area in the front of the middle row. They were arranged together. Yao Cui, Senior Song, and Senior Zhou also got a microphone.
Zhang Ye said, "In my class today, everyone can ask questions at any time. It's not limited to my students, but please take note not to disrupt the class when you ask questions. It's also best not to interrupt me before I finish talking about something important."
"Don't interrupt you?"
"What do you mean by talking about something important?"
"Then what's the point of asking questions at any time?"
A few people from the literary world snorted. Zhang Ye's words were clearly directed at them.
Zhang Ye was also very straightforward as he answered, "As for what means not to interrupt me when I'm giving an important lecture — this explanation and final decision is up to me."
Heh!
What a kid!
Many people from the literary world were infuriated again!
Professor Zeng, Su Na, and a few other Chinese department teachers were smiling wryly. It looked like Zhang Ye was going against them!
The students and quite a number of reporters were extremely excited. The class had not even begun, but the smell of gunpowder was already intense. There was definitely going to be a good show to watch!
"Let's begin the lecture now." Zhang Ye looked at them and said, "If there are no questions or speeches, it's best for the person holding the microphone to turn it off, to prevent the noise from affecting everyone." Saying that, Zhang Ye took a deep breath and began with a chuckle, "In the previous class, we talked about 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. I listed a lot of evidence from literature to support my point of view. 'Dream of the Red Chamber' on the whole is not written by Mr Cao Xueqin after the first 80 chapters. Everyone should have checked it when they go back. Little Song, have you done your homework on this?"
Seeing that Zhang Ye had called her, Senior Song calmly stood up and switched on the microphone, "I've done it. The evidence you provided does exist, and … I can't refute it for the time being."
Zhang Ye looked at the others, "Students, is there any other evidence that can refute the information I provided yesterday? If there is, we can continue discussing. "
The Peking University students did not say a word.
Even the people from the literary world were hesitant to speak, but in the end, they did not say a word.
The evidence that Zhang Ye had provided was indeed quite strong. Besides, they really did not have any other literature to refute the evidence. However, this did not mean that they had admitted to the evidence. The poems were still lacking in strength, and did not have much authority.
Zhang Ye nodded and said, "Since no one has any rebuttal, then let's put an end to the content of the previous class and not mention it for the time being."
Meng Dongguo was stunned.
Ma Hengyuan also frowned deeply.
Not mentioning it? This was something that the people from the literary world did not expect. Even Yan Yu, the Vice President of the Chinese Writers' Association, was slightly surprised. In all fairness, the evidence was still there and had some research value. They had always thought that Zhang Ye would pester them in the later classes and grab onto the evidence to prove his point. Anyway, no one could refute it, and there was no other literature to refute it. If Zhang Ye insisted on it, they could not do anything about it. But who would have thought that Zhang Ye would take the initiative to give up on it!
What are you doing?
Without this, what else can you talk about?
Only Elder Qian nodded slightly in affirmation. In terms of academics, Little Zhang was very rigorous. He did not cling onto what he had, but wanted to expound from every angle. This was the attitude that a scholar should have. Only by doing so would the final conclusion be convincing to everyone. If not, with repeated arguments, even if everyone felt that it made sense, they would not be convinced by your argument.
Chang Kaige and Zhen Shuquan were a little worried. This Little Zhang, please don't go overboard!
Zhang Ye was very calm as he said lightly, "I know that everyone had doubts about the information I gave in the first lesson, or did not believe it at all. But because there was no information to refute it, you did not say anything. Then, let's not talk about this today. The information I gave in the last lesson was to prove my point of view from the perspective of historical documents. So today, I will talk to everyone about the words and stories in the 120 circulated chapters of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. I will use a brand new angle to prove my point of view!"
Everyone's attention was completely focused on him.
The venue suddenly became very quiet.
After a second, Zhang Ye opened his mouth and said, "Students who are paying attention might have noticed. Some of you might be curious about my choice of words. In yesterday's lecture and today's wording, I would always say 'Dream of the Red Chamber' after the first 80 chapters on the whole, or the last 40 chapters of the 120 circulated chapters of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. But if you recall, you will know that I have never said anything about the last 40 chapters of Cao Xueqin's' Dream of the Red Chamber '. Some of you might be wondering why you didn't say anything about the last 40 chapters of Cao Xueqin's' Dream of the Red Chamber '?"
Senior Song blinked.
Senior Zhou and company also began to recall.
It was really true! It seemed like Teacher Zhang had never said that!
"Why is that, Teacher Zhang?" Yao Mi switched on the microphone to speak.
Zhang Ye said lightly, "This is also the topic we will be talking about today. Why didn't I say that? Then, I can tell everyone now that Cao Xueqin's complete version of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' does not have 120 chapters! " Zhang Ye looked at everyone. At the beginning of the second class, he had once again caused an uproar among the media, students and people from the literary world. "The real original version of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' actually only has 108 chapters!"
Ma Hengyuan was rendered speechless!
Meng Dongguo and a few people from the literary world facepalmed!
108 chapters? Zhang Ye! Are you trying to completely subvert one of the Four Great Classical Novels, 'Dream of the Red Chamber', from top to bottom, from inside to outside?
Holy sh * t!
You are getting more and more ridiculous!
The students were also in an uproar, and the sounds of discussion erupted!
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