Chapter 230: Li Ye: You Must Correct Your Aesthetic Sense

Li Ye was also astonished when he saw Zou Zhi, Ah Qiang, and Pan Xiaoqing— he'd only asked Zou Zhi to take Ah Qiang to watch the flag-raising, how had they even drawn in reporters?

What kind of scene is this?

Li Ye had no choice but to entertain the three while sending Sun Xianjin to quickly fetch Li Huai.

Li Huai is still the head of the Literature Society!

Pan Xiaoqing looked at the young Li Ye with bright eyes and asked, "Classmate, may I ask what exactly does your cultural cooperation with Hong Kong entail?"

Li Ye smiled and said, "Let's wait until our Literature Society head arrives, okay?"

Pan Xiaoqing chuckled, "Tell me first!"

Li Ye waved his hand, "Not convenient, not convenient—I don't know many of the details."

Although Li Ye had brokered this connection, dealing with reporters was better left to seasoned hands like Li Haisheng and Yang Yu.

Li Huai and Yang Yu arrived soon after; seeing that Li Ye had no intention of hogging the spotlight, they both thought, "Li Ye is a decent man."

But really, Li Ye didn't need this publicity, and he wanted to subtly distance himself from Tapang Literature Publishing, to avoid gossip.

Li Huai had already discussed this with Li Ye, so he understood why Li Ye had brought Ah Qiang to Beijing.

"We invited Mr. Ho here so he can deeply understand the depth and brilliance of Huazhong civilization,

so he gains a clearer grasp of the historical context of 'Wangxiang Gujun,' to aid in the manga's creation."

"You may not know, Hong Kong's history textbooks have no unified standard—teachers can freely choose their own, leading to serious gaps in Hong Kong students' understanding of Huazhong history."

"So we've decided to first arrange some history lessons for Mr. Ho, then let him experience the vastness of the motherland, see the cultural relics left by our ancestors—like the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Chang'an."

"That's right—also the Great Wall beyond the frontier, the Yumen Pass where spring winds never reach."

Li Huai and Yang Yu spoke fluently to reporter Pan Xiaoqing; Ah Qiang, listening nearby, grew wider-eyed and more bewildered by the minute.

He just wanted to finish this job quickly and return to Hong Kong to demand a promotion and raise from his boss!

But what on earth are these people talking about?

You want me to attend history classes? If I liked studying, would I be drawing lewd manga just to survive?

And judging by this momentum, are you seriously planning to make me tour the entire motherland?

Li Ye, watching Ah Qiang's dazed expression, calmly added, "You'll also need to visit the Memorial Hall for the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea along the Yalu River."

"."

"You must go, you must see it—our ancestors weren't just strong, we're strong now too; we can't let our habitual humility make others think our nation is weak,

let Mr. Ho see how our soldiers captured the British Royal Infantry Brigade."

"."

Ah Qiang was nearly stunned.

Just moments ago, he'd been warmed by the kindness around him; now he was numb from being overwhelmed by these "nationalists."

The British Empire's infantry brigade was captured? How come I never heard of this?

Whatever, I'm alone in this wolf's den—a fat lamb has no right to resist.

But after the interview ended, Ah Qiang felt that warmth again.

Peking University students warmly welcomed Ah Qiang—not just Literature Society members, but the Student Union and Youth League also came to express friendliness.

And when they learned he was an orphan, their attitude instantly deepened into care.

"Stay at Peking University dorms; if you have any difficulties or requests, just say so."

"Yes yes, but I've already booked a hotel, thank you, thank you."

Zou Zhi had already told Ah Qiang in advance that he'd take him out to stay tonight, so Ah Qiang firmly declined Peking University's offer.

When leaving Peking University that evening, Ah Qiang asked Zou Zhi, "The person who shook my hand just now—wasn't a student, was he?"

Zou Zhi, pedaling his bicycle, replied, "Not a student—that's the university's department head."

Ah Qiang exclaimed, "Department head? Like the police department head?"

Zou Zhi glanced sideways at Ah Qiang, said nothing, and mounted his bike to pedal away.

Hong Kong's police department head is colloquially called "the top cop"—though calling him all-powerful is exaggeration, he's unquestionably a major figure in Hong Kong.

But Zou Zhi didn't want to explain, so Ah Qiang sat on the back of the bike, staring blankly at his hand, still feeling its warmth.

Zou Zhi rode his bicycle to Zaojunmiao and met Li Ye.

Li Ye smiled and asked, "Has Pei Wencong told you about me?"

Ah Qiang nodded, "He did. Here, I'll follow Mr. Li's lead."

Before arriving, Pei Wencong had warned Ah Qiang: don't offend Li Ye, but don't overly show respect in public either.

"Sit down!"

Li Ye gestured for Ah Qiang to sit, then said, "I noticed your expression today—you seem surprised by our arrangements. Is something wrong?"

Ah Qiang said, "It's definitely surprising—I thought I'd be heading back in a few days, but now it looks like even half a month won't be enough."

"It's not about time," Li Ye countered. "If you're the right person, you might not even need half a month."

Ah Qiang froze—so all this warm welcome, and I still might not be good enough?

He asked, "Then what makes someone the right candidate?"

"Authentic, heartfelt Rentong," Li Ye said seriously. "We need someone who genuinely Rentong this land to serve as the lead artist and head of this manga."

This was why Li Ye insisted Hong Kong send a manga artist north.

He feared someone like Nakamura Naoto would recklessly adapt 'Wangxiang Gujun,' and he didn't blindly trust Hong Kong either.

It's 1983—external demonization propaganda is real.

And 'Wangxiang Gujun' ends with Tang Dynasty frontier soldiers, thousands of miles from home, returning to their homeland—could a manga artist who doesn't Rentong mainland China as the true Huazhong produce that soul-deep resonance of a wanderer coming home?

Ah Qiang took a long time to grasp Li Ye's meaning; after thinking, he said, "I don't know if I'm who you need, but I don't Rentong British Hong Kong—they never saw me as their… compatriot."

Ah Qiang used the word "compatriot"—before today, he'd felt nothing for it.

"Fine, show me your work."

Ah Qiang opened his luggage and pulled out Qiba manga magazines and sketch drafts.

Li Ye took Ah Qiang's work, opened it, and studied it carefully—his expression darkened as he read.

Ah Qiang's drawing skills were solid, but his works were filled with unhealthy elements.

Hong Kong manga in the 60s and 70s had a wave of erotic and violent content, but after strict publishing regulations were enforced, it toned down considerably.

Ah Qiang's works didn't violate the rules, but their subtle borderline style was unmistakable.

And if you're going to flirt with the edge, at least master the balance between purity and desire! But Ah Qiang's work was too vulgar—it couldn't spark any fantasy of a "goddess" in a homebody.

"What is this mess?" Li Ye growled. "Why did Pei Wencong recommend you? Do you even know what kind of work 'Wangxiang Gujun' is?"

Ah Qiang, startled by Li Ye's sudden intensity, whispered, "I know—it's the same genre as 'Shuofeng Feiyang.' I even tried writing something similar."

"Show me."

Ah Qiang quickly handed Li Ye his unfinished draft.

After flipping through it, Li Ye's stern expression softened slightly—Ah Qiang's creative approach did align with 'Wangxiang Gujun.'

He said sternly to Ah Qiang, "You must correct your aesthetic sense. You must undergo strict training. This manga will not allow any content with harmful tendencies."

Ah Qiang felt intense pressure—he was frustrated and unhappy.

For years, Ah Qiang had dreamed of becoming a true manga artist, yet he'd never even landed a formal "manga assistant" job.

This trip north with Pei Wencong was his chance—and his test.

Li Ye asked coldly, "Do you want to go back right now?"

Ah Qiang fell silent for a long time, then slowly shook his head.

"Then tomorrow, move into the Peking University dorms. Study seriously."

That night, Ah Qiang tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the warm gazes from earlier—especially the little girl's, aged seven or eight, which he couldn't forget.

The next day, Ah Qiang arrived at Peking University with dark circles under his eyes, and in the Gujun Literature Society's activity room, he saw two towering stacks of books and art albums.

Li Huai smiled and said, "Hello, Mr. Ho Renqiang, these are historical materials related to the mid-Tang Dynasty, along with armor, weapons, and clothing from that era. If you have any questions, ask—we'll discuss them together."

Ah Qiang: "."

The entire morning felt like an eternity to Ah Qiang.

Reading simplified-character books was exhausting—he needed Li Huai to constantly explain; Ah Qiang felt like a primary school student.

Fortunately, Li Ye had already warned them: Hong Kong's history textbooks severely lack Huazhong history—otherwise Ah Qiang's academic incompetence would've been fully exposed.

In the afternoon, Ah Qiang grew interested in the art albums—he started copying a few drawings, then couldn't stop, only stopping at dinner.

After seeing Ah Qiang's sketches, Li Huai and the other students praised him enthusiastically.

"Mr. Ho, your art style is unique—I'm also an art lover. Can you teach me?"

"Yes, Mr. Ho, can you explain the features of manga and how it differs from sketching?"

When the students genuinely asked Ah Qiang for advice, the frustration he'd carried all day suddenly lifted—he realized life at Peking University wasn't so unbearable.

(End of Chapter)