Chapter 51

The department most familiar with Wei Ming in the entire Peking University was the Chinese Department; almost everyone knew him.

Seeing Wei Ming come in with his schoolbag, everyone was very happy, except for Liang Zuo.

Like a ghost that won't go away, right? I'm tired, let's just destroy everything.

The girls all wanted him to sit with them, but Wei Ming didn't want them to be distracted in class, so he randomly picked a guy to sit next to.

"Oh, you must be Liang Zuo. I often hear Sister Chen mention you." Wei Ming greeted the little fatty next to him.

Liang Zuo: "Oh, I, I've also heard my mom mention you."

Seeing he was still a bit shy and reticent, Wei Ming didn't speak again, first organizing the notes from the previous English class.

At this time, Professor Qu, who had finished her break, came in and looked at the students; there were a few fewer people than the last class.

She sighed lightly, and then saw the shining Wei Ming in the crowd, her spirit immediately lifted.

"Ma Xiaowei, you're here too!"

Wei Ming stood up and smiled: "Yeah, here to mooch a class."

Professor Qu smiled and let him sit down: "Come to my office after class; the photos are developed. Oh, and Liang Zuo, you come too."

Liang Zuo: "..."

Just now, Liang Zuo had thought about skipping class altogether. After all, it wasn't a required course, and Professor Qu's voice sounded a bit strenuous. Most importantly, there was Uncle Little Ming next to him.

But now that he had been named by Professor Qu, he couldn't leave even if he wanted to. Sigh!

This course of Professor Qu's was newly opened this year, and the students had no textbooks, so she could talk about whatever she wanted.

"The Ming Dynasty was an era when god-and-demon novels flourished. Stories of countless alchemists, strange people, demons, monsters, gods, demons, immortals, Buddhas, monks, Taoists, laypeople, and scholars were staged one after another. The variety and complexity were truly spectacular..."

To take care of Wei Ming, this "freshman," Professor Qu even repeated her introduction.

"Last class, we talked about the very representative 'Investiture of the Gods,' and many students have also watched 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King.' So this class, let's talk about this 'Ping Yao Zhuan,' which is much less famous, but its author is very famous."

After saying this, she first added the two characters "San Sui" in front of "Ping Yao Zhuan," and then wrote the three characters "Luo Guanzhong" under "San Sui."

"'San Sui Ping Yao Zhuan' is the predecessor of 'Ping Yao Zhuan,' compiled by Luo Guanzhong in the Ming Dynasty. It was adapted from a real uprising event during the Emperor Renzong period of the Northern Song Dynasty. Does anyone know which uprising it is?"

Professor Qu also paid attention to interaction in class, which allowed her to talk less.

However, the students looked at each other, not very clear about this obscure history. And wasn't the Emperor Renzong period full of famous ministers? Were there uprisings?

Seeing everyone was very confused, Wei Ming raised his hand.

Professor Qu felt a joy in her heart: "Ma Xiaowei, you say it. Just sit."

Wei Ming said: "It was the uprising led by the couple Wang Ze and Hu Yong'er."

Professor Qu smiled and asked again: "Very good. Then do you know who suppressed this uprising?"

Wei Ming: "Wen Yanbo?"

"Not bad!" Professor Qu was even happier and asked a third question: "Then what are the three 'Sui'?"

Wei Ming: "Ma Sui, Li Sui, and Zhuge Suizhi."

Completely correct!

The other students, including Liang Zuo, couldn't lift their heads. They were completely unaware of this peripheral knowledge, but Wei Ming knew it like the back of his hand. Was he a plant invited by Professor Qu?

Actually, Professor Qu was also curious: "'San Sui Ping Yao Zhuan' isn't very famous. Ma Xiaowei, how do you know it so clearly?"

Wei Ming: "I know an old grandfather who has many serial picture books at home. I've read the picture book of 'San Sui Ping Yao Zhuan,' a version from the Republic of China."

This old grandfather was naturally Liu Rulong's maternal grandfather.

"It seems your reading volume is indeed very rich. When you answered Wen Yanbo just now, why did you seem a bit vague?"

"Because these romance stories often don't follow real history. I was worried it was made up by the author."

"Haha, thinking while reading, very good, very good." Professor Qu praised him endlessly.

The others' heads lowered even more. He was even finding excuses for himself. The "Buzzing" had only passed a few years ago, and the college entrance exam had already exhausted all their energy. Where would they have the energy to read leisure books? And they couldn't find so many leisure books to read around them either.

Professor Qu continued the lecture. Stimulated by Wei Ming, the others also perked up and listened carefully, not wanting to be outdone by Wei Ming.

"'Demon' naturally refers to the two uprising leaders, Wang Ze and Yong'er. In that era, it's not hard to understand why literati and scholar-officials demonized the uprising army. Another famous Ming Dynasty writer we are familiar with, Feng Menglong, further explored the word 'demon,' writing about where the two got their magical powers. On the basis of Luo Guanzhong's twenty-chapter 'San Sui Ping Yao Zhuan,' he wrote another twenty chapters of a prequel, totaling forty chapters of content, which is the complete version of 'Ping Yao Zhuan'." As she spoke, Professor Qu wrote the three characters "Feng Menglong" under "Ping Yao Zhuan."

Luo Guanzhong + Feng Menglong were the authors of this "Ping Yao Zhuan."

Luo Guanzhong was the one who wrote "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and he was almost the only one whose authorship of the Four Great Classical Novels was undisputed.

Feng Menglong shouldn't be unfamiliar either. The students basically had all heard of the "Three Words" in the famous "Three Words and Two Slaps"—"Stories Old and New," "Stories to Caution the World," and "Stories to Awaken the World"—which were all his works.

Next, Professor Qu briefly summarized the content of the first twenty chapters of "Ping Yao Zhuan" that Feng Menglong added.

When hearing characters like the White Ape with Through-Arm, Monk Danzi, the old fox Saint Aunt, the mother fox Hu Meier, and the lame fox Zuo Chu, Wei Ming's head suddenly went "buzz."

He seemed to know what to write next!

Wei Ming felt a burst of heat in his heart. If he could get this story out, that would be a big job!

So, Wei Ming divided his attention. On one hand, he listened to Professor Qu explain the significance of this first Ming Dynasty god-and-demon novel from an academic perspective; on the other hand, he recalled the content about that animation in his heart.

After the two classes ended, a girl behind him passed him a note, saying it was her turn to treat Wei Ming to lunch at noon and she was waiting for him downstairs.

Wei Ming turned back and agreed, then immediately stepped forward to help Professor Qu carry her teaching plan, while Liang Zuo followed behind lazily.

!

On the way, Wei Ming was still discussing today's course with Professor Qu: "I only knew 'San Sui Ping Yao Zhuan' before, but I didn't know much about the first twenty chapters written by Feng Menglong. Today I've gained some knowledge. It's a pity I went to English class for the first two sessions and missed your lecture on 'Investiture of the Gods.' What a pity."

Professor Qu was coaxed into a very happy mood by him: "I'll give you my schedule later. If I'm not on duty, you're welcome to come anytime. With you here, the classroom atmosphere is much more active."

"That's great. Professor Qu, do you have the book 'Ping Yao Zhuan' on hand? I want to take a look."

"How could I not? It's right here in the office. Take it and read it."

"Thank you, Professor Qu!"

Arriving at the office, besides the books filling the desk, there were two bright red persimmons on Professor Qu's desk. She pointed at the persimmons and said to Wei Ming: "I have to thank you too."

It seemed they were sent by Uncle Ping'an.

Professor Qu first took the photos—one set for Liang Zuo, one for Wei Ming, probably ten each.

Professor Qu smiled: "Looking at them, it's indeed true that Ma Xiaowei, you take the best photos."

In Wei Ming's envelope, there was a photo of the two teachers taken by Wei Ming, and the rest were photos of Wei Ming with them, as well as two solo photos of Wei Ming. This was also the first time Wei Ming had taken color photos.

Liang Zuo took the photos and said goodbye first, and Professor Qu found "Ping Yao Zhuan" for Wei Ming.

Wei Ming took it and looked—published by World Book Company, the whole text in traditional characters, and it was vertical printing too.

"Good heavens, this book has been around for years!"

"That's right. It's no wonder those students don't understand 'Ping Yao Zhuan.' You can't find this book outside at all now. And the country's classical literature publishing work has just recovered, so it must prioritize printing the Four Great Classical Novels, and then the secondary ones like 'Investiture of the Gods' and 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.' I'm afraid it will take a few years before it's 'Ping Yao Zhuan's' turn for a simplified version."

Facing such an old book with history, Wei Ming took it very seriously.

Afterwards, Professor Qu added: "The social impact of your short story is quite good. You must be prepared to become famous."

"Oh, is that so? I don't feel anything," Wei Ming said sincerely. Besides Uncle Ping'an, he felt that when others mentioned him, they basically talked more about "Ideal."

Professor Qu didn't explain much either and asked: "Do you have any creation plans next?"

Wei Ming shook the "Ping Yao Zhuan" in his hand: "Today's class inspired me deeply. I plan to write a story for child readers based on 'Ping Yao Zhuan'."

"Oh?"

Professor Qu was very surprised. "Ping Yao Zhuan" was definitely not reading material for children. Besides rebellion and god-and-demon fighting, it also had some racy content. Wei Ming actually wanted to adapt it into children's reading material.

"Although I don't know what you will write it into, I can't help but look forward to it."

Professor Qu had long since witnessed Wei Ming's strength, and afterwards, she encouraged him a few more times, saying that if he had any related doubts, he could come to her anytime.

After going downstairs, Wei Ming first had a free lunch with the young lady from the Chinese Department—naturally, he also provided some emotional value—and then returned to the dormitory to prepare for a rest. He was on the afternoon shift.

Today, Wei Ming rode that Flying Pigeon the whole time. The school was so big; how strenuous walking was.

Just as he arrived at the South Gate, he saw Mei Wenhua at the guard post excitedly say: "Brother Ming, Brother Feng helped you find a second-hand bike. Take a look quickly!"

(End of chapter)