Chapter 312 - Zhang Ye’s Response—Let the world laugh about me (2/2)
“I’ll be leaving first.” Zhang Ye got up.
Su Na, who did not have a cla.s.s to teach in the afternoon, looked at him. “You are leaving, Teacher Zhang?”
Zhang Ye smiled. “I need to go home to prepare for cla.s.s tomorrow. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I was planning on going downstairs to get a drink. Let us go together.” Su Na accompanied him out. “I also wanted to ask you some things regarding ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’. There are still a few questions I haven’t figured out.”
However, just as they went downstairs, an unexpected scene happened!
It was unknown when numerous journalists had arrived, nor was it known how long they had waited. The moment they saw Zhang Ye, they charged forward with their cameras and zoom lenses, surrounding him!
“Zhang Ye!”
“Teacher Zhang!”
“I’m from Jins.h.i.+ television station!”
“I’m from Beihe province daily news! Please hold on!”
Jins.h.i.+? Beihe province? Why did the media from those places come?
It was not surprising. These member of the media were stationed in Beijing. As the video released this afternoon caused such a huge stir, everyone had come here without thinking. Back when Zhang Ye made his Talk Show, it had only attracted the attention of youngsters, but this time, it was the garnered the attention of the entire society. There was no other way about it as ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ was too influential in China. Too many had seen this famous piece of work, and with Zhang Ye openly sh.e.l.ling “Dream of the Red Chamber”, this not only caused unrest to the literary and historical world, but had also attracted eyes from the whole society!
Su Na was also dumbfounded seeing this.
In a blink of an eye, she and Zhang Ye were already surrounded by three or four rows of reporters!
With the commotion over here, many Peking University Chinese department students also came over to join in the bustle!
Yao Mi, Li Ying, and Li Li, who had just finished cla.s.ses, also ran over to take a look upon seeing this situation!
Today’s Zhang Ye was no doubt the center of attention at the Peking University. The students were staring at him, his teacher colleagues were staring at him, as well as the entire society!
Zhang Ye apologized, “Sorry, I’m not accepting interviews!”
“Please say a word or two!” A female Beijing Times reporter said loudly.
Another reporter, who held a microphone, said, “We just received news that your public lecture tomorrow will be held in Peking University’s largest auditorium. This is now the focus of all attention, and there has been more than one academic or Redologist who has expressed intentions to cause trouble for you. What are your thoughts on this matter?”
Another reporter stirred the pot, “Now that society is scolding you for leading people astray, saying that you don’t understand ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’, and are speaking nonsense. Do you have anything to say?”
“Teacher Zhang, we have been waiting for three hours. If you don’t say a word or two, we really can’t answer to our superiors!” A young female author tried soft methods after noticing that hard tactics had failed.
The reporters refused to leave as they surrounded him.
Professor Zeng was still having cla.s.s, but he could see Zhang Ye from the window. He only had a wry smile on his face.
The other Chinese department teachers also glanced down from the teacher’s office windows. They also wanted to hear what Zhang Ye had to say in response to the criticism. As Zhang Ye’s hot temper and hooligan nature of scolding people was known by everyone, they wanted to know what surprising words he had to say this time.
There were more and more people gathered on the field!
Dean Chang Kaige noticed that the commotion here was too great. It was already affecting the lectures in many cla.s.srooms. He could not help but turn gloomy. “Hurry up and disperse! Please disperse!” However, his words were useless.
Su Na leaned her head to the side and whispered, “Say a few words? Or we won’t be able to leave.”
From the eyes of these reporters, one could tell they were willing to grab onto Zhang Ye’s legs, in order to not let him leave.
“Teacher Zhang!”
“Many parents of students are requesting that you be fired!”
“I heard there are students who doubt the contents of your lecture!”
“Now the entire education sector towards you is filled with veiled criticism. What are your thoughts on that?”
The reporters were full of energy. Regardless if Zhang Ye answered, they just kept throwing questions at him.
When he realized that he would not be able to leave if he did not say anything, Zhang Ye calmed his expression and said, “I don’t really think much of it, nor have any thoughts about it.”
The female reporter from Beijing Times said, “How can that be? Almost everyone is doubting you. If it were me, I would also be infuriated!”
“I have nothing to be angry about.” Zhang Ye looked at those reporters and calmly used a very famous Buddhist gatha from his world, as he said softly, “Let the world slander me, cheat me, humiliate me, laugh about me, belittle me, despise me, dislike me, and swindle me.” With a slight pause, he then narrowed his eyes and said, “Only to endure it, let it be, let it have its way, avoid it, beat it, be reverent towards it, and not care for it… Wait for a few years and then have a look at it again!’
With the gatha out, the entire field tuned silent!
Su Na suddenly stared at Zhang Ye’s face!
Chang Kaige and the surrounding reporters were filled with looks of astonishment!
The female reporter from Beijing Times, who was closest to Zhang Ye, gave a look of pleasant surprise. She hurriedly confirmed that the voice recorder had done its job in excitement. It was recorded! She had a feeling that these two lines would definitely become hot! She was not wrong. Zhang Ye was a person who gave polished impromptu speeches the moment he spoke! Every line and poem of his were poetic!
“Is this a poem?”
“No! It’s a Buddhist phrase!”
“It’s a gatha! A Buddhist gatha!”
The students on the field were also stirred up!
Yao Mi shouted, “This saying is so f**king relieving!”
“So empowering! Teacher Zhang Ye is indeed superior to others! He is a person with great spirit!” Li Ying exclaimed, “This is the style of a literary master!”
Zhang Ye smiled. “Reporters, can I leave? I still need to go home to prepare for my cla.s.s.”
“Ah, alright. Thank you for this interview.” A television station reporter said subconsciously.
The other reporters did not want to let Zhang Ye go, but they had all been stunned by Zhang Ye’s gatha. In their daze, no one dared to stop him.
Zhang Ye drove off.
A group of people were left behind as they reminisced the two lines!
<script>