Bo Yang In 1982, one of the largest newspapers in Taipei held a series of lectures and invited me to attend.I proposed a topic: "Ugly Chinese", but I was rejected immediately. The host told me: "What's so ugly about Chinese people? You close the door and tell yourself!" The result was silent, Just kick me off the list. In 1983, the Student Union of Tunghai University in Taichung invited me to give a speech, and the topic of my speech was still "The Ugly Chinese".The chairman of the self-government association asked me if I could change the title, and I said, "If you change it again, you will still be an ugly Chinese."He asked the Discipline Office and agreed that the name could not be changed, but the content should not be too excessive.Of course I obeyed, but there was a request, that is, to give me a complete tape.The sound of the school's promise was thunderous.On the day of the lecture, when I entered the auditorium, I found that the first four or five rows were full of military instructors.Although the venue was packed with students, the atmosphere seemed chill.After speaking, everyone applauded as usual.After more than ten days, the school sent the tapes.Put it on the recorder and broadcast: "Misters, students..." Then there was silence, and the only thing heard was the sound of the tape spinning. It turned out to be a blank roll, and all the speeches were washed out, which was somewhat sad. .To deal with such an insignificant, embarrassing columnist who has just been released from prison, and a dignified university, he uses such small tricks to treat each other.Am I so important?I don't think I'm that important.But since even a university thinks I'm important, I think I probably am.

The next year, in 1984, Xianghua and I accepted the invitation of the University of Iowa's writing project together.Living in the Mayflower Building for three months, we were full of surprises, pleasure, satisfaction, and rich memories, one of which was my lecture on "The Ugly Chinese" again at the University of Iowa.In a classroom that can accommodate a club of about 100 people, two-thirds of the audience are yellow compatriots and one-third are white friends. I won't describe the process of the speech anymore, but only say that when the speech was over, for a moment, I felt a quietness, like a deep valley.There was not even a polite applause, but the audience stood up one by one and left the seat one after another.I was looking forward to shaking hands and greetings, but it didn't happen.A student from Taiwan drove me back to Mayflower.Along the way, we were relatively silent.It was not until five or six days later that a roll of audio tape was found in my hands. I don't know who sent it.Xianghua asked a Chinese friend Mr. Lu Jiaxing to help me sort it out.If at this time, the tape is found to be blank, I am not surprised at all.However, after Mr. Lu memorized everything, there was no gap at all, which was really touching.Why is there such a big gap between our Tunghai University and other people's University of Iowa in this little trick?I salute the University of Iowa.

In addition to the Chinese version, there are three translations, Japanese, German and English.When the Japanese translation was published in 1986, Xianghua and I were invited to fly from Taipei to Tokyo.At the new book release conference, a group of Japanese journalists who speak fluent Chinese forced me to ask: "As a Chinese, standing on our Japanese soil, ruthlessly accusing and exposing your own compatriots, making us Japanese Look down on Chinese people. Would you feel ashamed?" I replied, "I think, with your fluent Chinese and the reports you wrote when you visited China, I ask you to be honest and use your professional honor to guarantee, Answer me honestly, before you see it, don’t you think highly of the Chinese? Don’t you ever laugh at the Chinese?” Everyone looked at each other and nodded awkwardly.I said, "In fact, you look down on the Chinese at all, but because you are Japanese, you can't say it out, that's all." Suddenly, they roared with laughter, the kind of controlled laughter. "The reason why I dare to point out the shortcomings of the Chinese people is precisely because I am Chinese. For a long time, what you have seen are mostly Chinese people who are arrogant. But now, after the 1970s, people who have the ability to review and have the ability to A generation of Chinese people with the ability to think independently is born, and we need your help."

In 1989, I returned to the mainland for the second time.When I got off the plane in Hong Kong, I was immediately surrounded by flashing lights and reporters.A reporter asked: "What is your opinion on what happened to the 'ugly Chinese'?" What can I say? Then, in 2003, Shenzhou 5 was successfully launched. A reporter from Beijing Xinhua News Agency interviewed me by overseas phone.I thanked God for this success, but he told me a message, saying: "But some people have a different view. They think that the government should use the funds for making space shuttles to relieve poor people who are starving." I asked, "What do you do with these people?" Reverse, what action to take?" He said: "No action, anyone can say what they want." In an instant, a bright light rose in front of my eyes.I feel that China's science and technology are not only improving, but our humanistic quality is also improving at the same time.

In 2004, I got news that it could be officially published in mainland China.This is the day I am looking forward to, it makes me more joyful, thank God! Wu Gang cut down trees and I washed the vat Ancient and modern encounter a sentimental The thousand-year-old axe-wielding tree is still there It takes a lot of thought to wash the well frog Qu Yuan only harbored hatred for his family and country The blood of the admonishment sprinkled on the execution ground how much breast beating It depends on how many people are unusual