Chapter 320 - ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ only has 108 Chapters! (1/2)

It was almost 1PM.

Inside the Grand Auditorium of Peking University.

Zhang Ye had arrived, but stayed in the resting room backstage. He could hear the busy chatter in the auditorium and he understood that all of these people were here today because of him. They were all here to listen to his lecture. At that moment, Zhang Ye felt a rush of adrenaline in his heart. Just like he had mentioned earlier, he was not the type who loved to speak. It was this way at home, and had also been the same at school. He was a low profile type of person in cla.s.s and had generally never attracted much attention, but whenever there were activities, like a stage play, Zhang Ye’s spirit would perk up. He was the typical field player. The more people there were, the bigger the occasion, the more excited he would be with vigor!

“How many more minutes?” Zhang Ye asked.

“Teacher Zhang, there’s still 10 minutes.” An auditorium staff member told him.

“OK, the projector and the microphones are all properly set up?” Zhang Ye asked.

The staff member said, “They’ve all been test already. Please do not worry. I guarantee that there won’t be any problems. We’ve already tested it a few times.”

Zhang Ye smiled, “Alright, thank you very much for everyone’s hard work.”

“Look at you being courteous, isn’t this our job?” The few staff members were very courteous and polite. They knew that the focus of society was all on Peking University today.

At the venue.

The cameras had all been set up. There were cameras that belonged to Peking University, and some that belonged to the reporters. They had gained prior approval from the university and were allowed to bring their video cameras to record, but if they wanted to post any parts of the public lecture, they would have to seek approval from Peking University. This was a prerequisite that they had agreed on.

There were a total of 7-8 video cameras set up.

The 5000-6000 seats were all filled, with none left empty. Many students did not manage to get in too.

Wu Zeqing and a few other faces that Zhang Ye did not know were the last to arrive. When they arrived, the people who were seated in the front row greeted them.

“President Wu.”

“Dean w.a.n.g is here too?”

“President Chen, long time no see.”

This was Peking University’s group of leaders. A total of 4 people, each one of them held a very high rank. The highest ranked leader should be the same as Wu Zeqing. After chatting for a while, they all took their seats.

Those who greeted them were naturally not ordinary people either.

Those who sat in the front row were mostly senior figures and experts of the literature and history world.

Take for example, Elder Qian. President Wu and Vice President Chen both knew him, but Vice President Chen probably knew him better, as the two of them had a long chat.

Wu Zeqing was having a conversation with another woman instead.

Yan Yu laughed, “President Wu, your Peking University really has some talented people.”

“We’re doing OK i guess.” Wu Zeqing replied softly, “We can’t compare to your Writers’ a.s.sociation, I didn’t expect to see you here today, Vice-President Yan. I heard that you’ve been busy with your book launch.”

Yan Yu, the National Writers’ a.s.sociation’s Vice-President. An author, a scholar, and a Redologist.

Yan Yu’s lips curled, “I was busy with the book launch, but I couldn’t help it. This book was written about the appreciation of ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’, but your Peking University’s Teacher Zhang has totally negated ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ with his new claims. I wouldn’t be able to publish this now, so I came over to ‘learn’.”

Anyone could hear the sarcasm in Yan Yu’s answer.

Wu Zeqing put on a demure smile, “Let’s not say that it’s learning, but instead having a discussion.”

At the other end, a slightly tanned-looking middle-aged man said, “We won’t be able to discuss with Zhang Ye. President Wu, I really respect you, but that Zhang Ye…..” He shook his head.

Elder Qian interrupted saying, “Little Yang, why are you bringing your personal emotions into this? Hur Hur.”

The Redologist, Teacher Yang said, “Elder Qian, I’m not being emotional here. I’m just someone who ‘looks forward to the death of a fellow peer’, so how could I be emotional?”

Indeed, these people were here with unfriendly intentions.

Their words all carried a sting.

Professor Zeng tried to put in a good word, “Old Yang, Teacher Little Zhang’s mouth can be rather vicious, but in terms of literary skills, he is still a professional. If he has offended you in anyway, I want to apologize on his behalf to everyone.” They were from the Chinese department of Peking University, while many of the guest were experts from the literary world. They basically knew each other, though not well. They had seen or heard of each other, and since this circle was not big, they knew of each other.

Old Yang waved dismissively, “There’s no need for that.”

Meng Dongguo, the Vice-President of the Beijing Writer’s a.s.sociation was also present. He looked at his watch and said, “He’s not coming out yet?”

Renmin University’s Ma Hengyuan was amongst them as well. Everyone had gathered here to talk badly about Zhang Ye, ready to see him make a joke of himself, so how could he not join in, “Time’s almost up, right?”

Chang Kaige looked over to him, “Professor Ma cannot wait for it to begin?”

Ma Hengyuan said impatiently, “I still have a cla.s.s in the afternoon. I will leave after listening for 30 minutes. This Little Zhang! Does he really have to start on time? So many seniors and industry experts all waiting for a junior like him?”

This was precisely what looking for issues to pick on looked like.

Many of Peking University’s lecturers glanced at him, thinking to themselves that no one begged him to come anyway!

Countdown of three minutes….Countdown of two minutes…..

During the final minute, Zhang Ye finally walked out from backstage and onto the main stage podium.

The applause was spa.r.s.e and not very synchronized.

Only Yao Mi and a few others, who really liked Zhang Ye, screamed and applauded. Although the applause were limited, in the end, it still felt rather lively.

“Teacher Zhang’s so awesome!” Yao Mi shouted!

Yao Mi’s dormitory mate also began to stir up, “Teacher Zhang, I love you!”

When those words rang out, the 5000 seater auditorium also burst out in laughter.

The Redologists and writers in the front row shook their heads lightly. This was an academic talk, not some celebrity idolizing event. How could a lesson begin like this—Whatever it was that Zhang Ye did, they would not be pleased with it. They were here today to deal a fatal blow should Zhang Ye’s lecture present any arguments with logical errors.

The reporters were all putting up their utmost concentration.

“He’s here, he’s here!”

“Quick, turn on the video camera!”

“Check the image! Don’t leave anything important out of the frame!

The Peking University students also looked excitedly at the stage. Many of them were curious as to how Zhang Ye would present his lecture today, while some others did not care about this, but were instead here to see what kind of bombsh.e.l.l Teacher Zhang Ye would throw out this time!

Hu Fei looked at the stage with a smile.