Chapter 87 To Mr. Liu Xinwu

Xinwu Writer Xueyou: Thank you for your letter of November 22, which was sent to me by Taiyuan Daily after it was published.After reciting Hui's notes, I am still full of joy.Why do we write texts and letters?It's not a trivial personal affair, but a major event in Chinese culture.Our brief letters, which look like casual chatter, are actually related to many fundamental issues of culture and art.If you take it seriously, it is a career of "writing books", and it is definitely not enough for one or two letters to be tolerant.Encouraged by your letter, let me briefly say a few more words.

The first is that you raised the question of "extreme" or not extreme in the next 40 chapters of the high-level continuation.Here, the fundamental principle is to resolutely crack down on counterfeiting and not compromise. The two of us already have a "common language".I am very happy because of your insight and judgment.Under the general question of true and false, there are three different connotations mixed together, which are: first, the motivation, purpose, and background of the false continuation; second, the essence of thought; third, the quality of writing. 1. Who are Gao E and Cheng Weiyuan?They concocted the "full version", and it was printed with wooden movable type by the book repair office of Wuyingdian in the palace (the royal "publishing house" that was greatly improved and expanded for printing "Siku Quanshu")?This fact has been confirmed by the records of Kamensky, the head of the 10th Russian Mission to China (Sinologist) during the Qianlong period.The "full version" of the pseudo-continuation is a political event, deliberately destroying the original work, and it was officially ordered and published. Isn't it clear?For such a big counterfeit, a big fraud, should we beat it up, or defend and applaud it?

2. The essence of Cheng Gao's false continuation is to serve the interests of feudal rule without compromise, and he insists on turning Xueqin's book into a "punishment and persuasion" book of "the prodigal son will not be exchanged for money": let Baoyu learn stereotyped writing, pass the exam, and marry a wife After giving birth to a child, Guangzong Yaozu continued to smoke cigarettes, and after completing all the basic tasks of being a "loyal minister and filial son", he followed the two "great immortals" to become Buddhas and ancestors—that is, for "one son to attain the Tao, and the nine clans to ascend to heaven".

Where are the daughters?Don't cry for Qianhong, don't cry for Wanyan, Daiyu has "completely realized", "broken" her "infatuation", and even scolded Baoyu for being unrighteous and wicked!The mandarin duck became Jiamen's example of chaste, loyal and filial "martyrdom".Xiren is a bad woman who is willing to "marry two husbands" and has no character (actually in Xueqin's original book, she is an unfortunate person who is forced to be a slave and "cheap" in order to protect Baoyu)... What kind of ideas did Gao E instill in readers for 200 years?At present, some experts and professors don't quite understand it, and say that Gao E is the truly "great".

You see, are things strange in our cultural circle? 3. The quality of the writing is beautiful and ugly. This problem is more troublesome in my opinion, because it cannot be "set out" by methods such as textual research, reasoning, and analysis.In our Chinese literary affairs, the most important thing in history is the great difference between "handwriting".This depends on the profound cultural upbringing and literary accomplishment to cultivate one's own judgment ability-in fact, there is also a factor of innate sensitivity that plays an important role.Among my "red friends", more than one made it clear: He affirmed academically that the last 40 chapters are false and cannot be praised, but they admitted that they were "insensitive" to the poor writing of the last 40 chapters of!

After hearing this, I sighed secretly, "That's all!" Is there a way to make him "sensitive"?I'm so stumped.In fact, more people said to me: as soon as they opened the 81st chapter, they immediately felt that "the taste is completely wrong!" or even said: "I can't stand it. Reading this kind of text is torture!" " So, in this third aspect (or level), this distinction of "benevolence and wisdom", if you want to "democratically vote", who will get the "majority vote", Cao Yegaoye?It is an "unknowable" (perhaps it should be said "knowable") number.

You suggested that maybe within the next 40 chapters, there may be occasional fragments of the original work, a few words, which can be researched and searched for.This is a good subject worth discussing.But in the end, I think that even if there is, it will not be "incorporated" "as it is", but will have to go through some "counter-processing".For example, in the section "Copying the Household", the pseudo-continuation is also "tolerated", but this "copying" is completely opposite to the "copying" of the original book. , and also "mu" a greater "emperor's grace"!

That's why I say that if you want to find its "accidental existence", you must also start from the negative side, otherwise you will be fooled by him. It's great that you run a "condensed" "fast food" book for teenagers.With a young age, low education, and too little life experience, it is difficult to "get a taste" of Xueqin's books, but it is still a kind of merit to guide and guide the way step by step.You resolutely beat the signature of "Cao Xueqin, Gao E" to such an extent that it does not reappear.Over the years, just such "problems", just like the "Lafayette Qianlong" approached Xueqin and Gao E to form a "writing team". The two great writers "cooperated closely" and produced a "great" literary " Miracle".

Thank you for your "name rectification" measure, which is also an act of justice. I am also currently writing a small book, tentatively titled, which is dedicated to telling the plot of important characters in the original work after 80 chapters.This is also a form of exploring lost studies. It is not a "imitation" or "sequel" novel, but as it is written, a little bit of "literariness" is involuntarily added, which is also very interesting. In my essay "Exploring the Lost and Cracking Down on Counterfeits", I mentioned that I was the first to argue with Hu Shi about the edition, which led to my determination to cure Hongxue.There is a word "and" missing in the text, so that the meaning of the text is unclear.

Let's talk again, I wish you a healthy pen and a prosperous life! Zhou Ruchang Jiaxu Heavy Snow Festival