How to read Qian Zhongshu's letter

When we read Qian Zhongshu's works and letters, we will certainly have two completely different feelings: reading his Guanzui Bian and Qin Yi Lu, Mr. Qian has a high eye and is very critical of people. Few people value him, which can be described as rigorous and meticulous! An article in Southern Weekend is entitled "Who does Qian Zhongshu respect? It is also mentioned: "1992, 1 1 In June, Mr. Andy visited Mr. Qian's house and asked him what he thought of several cultural celebrities. As a result, almost all the comments were negative:' For Wang Guowei, Mr. Qian said that he never liked it. Obviously, after time elutriation, few scholars who are now famous can gain the attention of Mr. Qian. So the author doesn't understand: "So, we can't help but wonder who Mr. Qian Zhongshu respects?" Finally, he came to the conclusion: "In short, who does Qian Zhongshu respect besides the older generation who benefited from learning like Legacy and Libak? "If you only look at Qian Zhongshu's formal works or direct criticism, this conclusion should be fair-Qian Zhongshu is disdainful to anyone except a few people! But after reading Qian Zhongshu's personal letter, maybe we have reservations about this conclusion? Because in these letters, Mr. Qian Zhongshu uncharacteristically praised the trustee and sang praises. For example, "Mr. Wang is young and studying hard, so all his questions are well-founded, and I am deeply impressed." The article "Ah" has a good idea, correct arguments and sharp words. "Ah," Zunwen kept reading. If you weren't an old man, you wouldn't do it. "Ah" I suddenly presented my personal letter and gave me three great books, which surprised me. To shake the eternal theme of Kyushu, we must bring Jiuding to wipe out the whole army, which can be said to be commensurate with the letter cover. Another example is "you lost a hero when your arms crossed, but you hid it because of your first step." A wise head makes a wise mouth, so you can't know a treasure's ear ","I read a book, which was thoughtful and studious, and I bypassed it ","I only browsed it once, which was very smooth, gratifying and skillful ","I didn't expect you to be so versatile "and so on. Perhaps, after reading his letter, you will feel: first, there are people in this world who Mr. Qian admires very much-why doesn't Qian Zhongshu look down on people? ! Secondly, we will think that these dissidents who are so full of praise in his letters that they "praise the sky and belittle the land" must be unborn scholars or writers-at least, they are better than Wang Guowei, Chen Yinque or Zhang Ailing. So, who are they? You might as well read Qian Zhongshu's letters-they are all nobody.

Then, the question comes: how to read these letters of Qian Zhongshu?

Some people don't care so much, as long as it is Mo Bao of Qian Zhongshu, they think it is Qian Zhongshu's heartfelt words-in black and white, is it true? Therefore, as soon as I got the "Mo Bao" like Mr. Qian, I couldn't help spreading it around: You see, Mr. Qian praised my things, which is ten times more interesting than jumping on the dragon gate. For example, in June, 5438 +2000 10, China Reading Newspaper had an article "The Most Admired Person by Qian Zhongshu", and the author Ma Douquan said that as far as he knew, Mr. Qian's most admired person was Mr. Li Rulun from Guangzhou. Because an article by Teacher Li was published in a certain issue of Essays, Teacher Qian was very impressed after reading it. In a letter to Huang Weijing, editor-in-chief of the magazine, he said: "Li Jun's article is radiant, and it seems that the pen tip has swept away a thousand troops." Surprisingly, Li Jun has been tortured, but his spirit can still change everything. "Later, Mr. Qian said in his correspondence with Li Rulun:" My mind is clear and my pen is full of talent, which is beyond the reach of young people. "The author also relishes that his friends have never been allowed to tell anyone about it, let alone show it to others easily. He thinks that such a big thing needs to be shared with the public, so it won't matter much. After this article is published, I have to be prepared to accept his friend's telephone complaint. More interestingly, a writer called himself a "brother" because Qian Zhongshu called him a "brother" in his letter, but he actually believed that he really wrote such a wonderful article: "I never dreamed that I would write uncle Qian's reply. Money is old and virtuous, but they call themselves' brothers' and call me just a nobody. With the sublimity of Qian Lao's achievements, he declared' more progress and less progress' and' great hope and great fear'. " (For details, see Yangcheng Evening News,1February 28, 1998 in memory of Mr. Qian Zhongshu.) This way of reading letters reminds people of a plot in Fortress Besieged: a philosopher named Shao loves to write letters to famous philosophers all over the world, and these philosophers are all praised as "the greatest philosophers in the world" in his letters. As for general fame, it is not as good as a writer. So when I received a letter of praise from Wan Li from China, I was so happy that I almost forgot my philosophy. When I read it again, the letter was fairly smooth. I didn't know that there were great men like Lao Zi and Confucius in China since ancient times. I quickly wrote back and called Shen Ming "the founder of China's philosophy" to show that heroes know heroes. Then I took this letter and publicized it to my peers-"Look, even people in China, thousands of miles away, admit that I am the greatest philosopher in the world!" As a result, we got a taxi: it turns out that we are both "the greatest philosophers in the world" in this surname's mind, and we will inevitably be disappointed and ignore this "founder of China's philosophy" again. On the other hand, Xana flaunted dozens of letters from famous foreign philosophers, calling him "the founder of China's philosophy" for the first time-"You see, even these world-famous philosophers unanimously elected me as the founder of China's philosophy." When everyone saw it in black and white, they really believed this guy's cowhide. I really thought he was the founder!

The above method of reading letters is certainly not desirable. Because Dafang knows that this letter is Zeng Guofan's so-called "rice soup encyclopedia", it can't be true. There is no need for others to call you brother in the letter, so you really think you are the other person's "brother". In this regard, Mr. Wang has a good analysis in the article "Let's talk about Qian Zan": "As far as knowledge is concerned, Mr. Qian is one way or another. As far as the times are concerned, it must be said that Mr. Qian is an old cultural person, or at least an old cultural person. These people have a set of codes that they are used to, and those who listen have to' listen'. The most obvious example is that when someone introduces you, the metropolis says' I've heard a lot about you', so you have to weigh it yourself. You are really a famous advocate, so you can accept it calmly. If not, you must never have a good impression on him. The praise of the older generation is all rhetoric, and Mr. Qian is worse than others. Maybe his reputation is too great, and we think it is even worse ... Just kidding, I might as well spread a sentence called' Qian Zan' (for example,' I got a Qian Zan') or a two-part allegorical saying:' Qian Zhongshu's praise-don't take it seriously'. " Mr. Qian also has his own explanation: "In ancient studies-can we say' ancient and modern' or' past dynasties'?" -commenting on articles, just like in society, we should learn from what Mencius called "knowing words" and distinguish what the ancients got at the moment from his mature thoughts, especially his sincere and serious comments from his red tape and entertainment. "I think Qian Zhongshu is a typical eight-part essay. You don't have to take it seriously, and you don't have to take it seriously.

Others question Qian Zhongshu's practice: For example, Mr. Wu Zhongjie wrote in the preface of "Wu Zhongjie's Comments on Lu Xun's Letters": "Some scholars (let's see if it is Qian Zhongshu-the author), although they are knowledgeable and have a high vision, actually see people and things thoroughly, but they always try their best to perfunctory the recipients, blindly compliment them and use high-end words in their letters." Mr. Wu also compared Lu Xun: "Lu Xun's letters, although sometimes entertaining, are not so big and inappropriate." Don't say you're welcome to others' comments, that is, you have something to say about the recipient's character and works, something to say good, something to say bad, something to agree with, something to object to, something to say clearly, and don't cry roast meat. This is a frank language, from which we can see things. " Looking at the compliment in Qian Zhongshu from this perspective, it really makes people think that Mr. Qian's move is because he is sophisticated and funny.

Xu Yuanchong and Wang Zhongying, students of Qian Zhongshu in National Southwest Associated University, have different views-or different interpretations-on the compliments in Qian Zhongshu's letter: 1976. In early 1976, Mao Zedong's Jinggangshan and Bird's Question and Answer were published in the newspaper. Xu Yuanchong sent the English versions of these two sentences to Mr. Qian for comments. Qian Zhongshu wrote back: "Comrade Yuan Chong, I thank you for your kind words and your translation." I have been ill for several years, and I don't often go out. I am not a pioneer, because I was promised to participate in the finalization. I came to the book and wanted to listen by mistake. After the grass is restored, it is a salute! Qian Zhongshu. "After receiving Mr. Qian's reply, Xu Yuanchong told (The National SouthWest Associated University graduate of Foreign Languages Department, telephone number 1946) that" I admire your reading ability "was a polite remark, so don't take it seriously. In order to save trouble, Mr. Qian always says a few good words to avoid trouble. Just like Pastor I.M. Pei, he lent something to others, but others refused to return it. Since then, he has never been to his house, and the priest is happy to be quiet. It can be said that this is another way to interpret the compliment in Qian Zhongshu's letter.

Of course, Qian Zhongshu said some nice things to the younger generation in his letter, perhaps with a purpose, and encouraged the younger generation to have the motivation of "although they can't come, their hearts yearn for it."

In short, we must read Qian Zhongshu's praise to us in his letter, including everyone else, otherwise we will make fun of chicken feathers.

Source: Book House Network, by Sun Yuxiang.