Chapter 318 - The Anticipation-Filled Day! (1/2)

The next day.

Early in the morning, there was a cold breeze blowing outside the window.

Dawn had not come, and many people had just woken up. Some people were getting ready for work, some were preparing breakfast, while others were getting ready to send their children to school.

At this moment, the morning newspaper, as well as some morning news programs of provincial television stations, informed the public that there would be a public lecture “Talking about Dream of the Red Chamber” at Peking University’s Grand Auditorium. The news even included video clips of Zhang Ye’s lecturing. For example, Zhang Ye’s final most crucial words, “last 40 chapters of ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ were not written by Cao Xueqin”. It was once again reported by numerous media outlets. Although some television stations did not broadcast it, and some people did not pay much attention to it, this level of exposure with yesterday’s newspapers and the war of words on the internet, was sufficient to let anyone who was interested know.

Zhang Ye was once again the focus of the news!

“Peking University has expressed that it fully supports and encourages this major branching off from established academical knowledge. They have also said on their official Weibo that they support Teacher Zhang Ye fully!”

“Whether Zhang Ye is saying the truth, there is no 100% affirmation from authoritative academics in the world of academia. Many academics and experts hold a negative view towards it. Hence, today’s second public lecture by Zhang Ye helped in Peking University auditorium is highly antic.i.p.ated. We shall see what happens!”

“If it is true, it will overturn history!”

“Does Zhang Ye really have genuine talent? Or is he playing to the gallery?”

“Breaking news. After yesterday’s report, Zhang Ye once again fired off a limerick on his Weibo. He ended with ‘a person in literature looks forward to the death of his peers’, launching an attack on the entire world of literature. He has attracted public outrage. Under the lead of the Redology organizations, Beijing Writer’s a.s.sociation, and other literary organizations, numerous expert scholars have publicly condemned Zhang Ye for his disrespectful and irresponsible behavior! A portion of Redology experts and literary organizations have expressed that they will personally attend the public lecture to cross swords with Zhang Ye. They will debunk his so-called truth behind ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’!”

“Now, let us recall the development of the events. The reason for this uproar from the historical and academic world is because of newly appointed Peking University lecturer, Zhang Ye. He threw a bombsh.e.l.l in his first cla.s.s, ‘Appreciation of the Cla.s.sics’…”

The matter became more and more fervent. It had reached a climax today. Many people, who were traveling to work, were discussing this matter on the buses and subways.

On a car driving along 15th Road.

“Zhang Ye is a warrior!”

“Haha, that’s right. He truly is a warrior. After fighting his unit, he fought his leader, and after fighting his leader, he fought with the SARFT. Now, he is going to war with the world of literature!”

“But I’ve watched his lecture. It’s really complete with evidence.”

“I’m not sure about that. No one can say for sure.”

“Whether he’s right or wrong, we should know the outcome today.”

“I heard quite a number of experts and professors will be going. Peking University will probably be quite lively!”

Such discussions occurred in various corners of Beijing. There were even such similar scenes happening in other provinces. Zhang Ye had not only become under public scrutiny, he had also attracted large swaths of societal attention.

At home.

Zhang Ye himself was still sleeping soundly.

The sky brightened up. The sky really brightened up. The sky…was extremely bright.

Only then did Zhang Ye wake up. When he looked at his watch, well it was 11 AM. He had slept quite long, but he was filled with energy as a result. He was in good spirits. He first ordered in some food and then went to shower in the bathroom. After drying his hair, the pizza had arrived. He then began eating.

With that, Zhang Ye took his doc.u.ments and teaching materials before driving to Peking University.

Afternoon.

It was past 12.

The sector around Peking University’s Chinese department was packed to the brim. There were numerous cars of reporters parked here. Cars with signboards that said they were visitors drove in.

The auditorium that held the public lecture could accommodate about 5000 to 6000 people. It was not in the Chinese department, but in a building not far off. There were many Peking University staff members guarding the entrance, so as to maintain order and to verify tickets for admission. Actually, there were no tickets. It was just a different format. Peking University students just needed to use their student pa.s.s to gain entry. They had to prove they were students of the school. The reporters needed their reporter pa.s.ses. The number of reporters per newspaper and television station were limited. It could not exceed three people. As for some special ‘guests’, such as people from the Writers’ a.s.sociation or from Redology organizations, they would be specially led into the auditorium after submitting an approval application. Hence, those ‘guests’, who swore to expose Zhang Ye, were still not seen yet.

In front of the door, there was a crowd of Peking University students.

“Don’t push me!”

“I can’t move! Don’t pus.h.!.+”

“Hey, who stepped on my foot!?”

“People in front, hurry up! There won’t be seats in a while!”

“Let me in! What the heck! Those who block me will die!”

Many Peking University professors and teachers could not comprehend watching this scene. They were already speechless. On a square in front of the auditorium’s doors, there were 2000-3000 students. Meanwhile, the numbers were constantly increasing. And this did not include those students who had been admitted after using their student pa.s.ses! It was impossible to imagine that such a scene was a public lecture if they did not know ahead of time! If no one said a thing, people might even think an A or B list celebrity had come here for a concert!