British writer

When rushing to the French Academy, the sun had already set.

On the banks of the Seine, the moon rises,

The cries of the newsboys were still heard in the carriage:

"The sci-fi masterpiece "Country Teacher", recommended by Mr. Verne, illustrated by Mr. Monet, first-come-first-served!"

Bernard Shaw couldn't help chuckling,

"The newspaper boy is also knowledgeable. He is Mr. Verne and Mr. Monet, but the writer is Lu."

Lu Shi waved his hands indifferently, and replied, "I'm still unknown in France. It's a commercial activity for newspaper boys to sell newspapers. If you want to make money, it's not worth it."

He turned to the three Frenchmen,

"I know that the nightlife in Paris has always been very rich, but it's late at night, are the newsboys still running around?"

Roland spread his hands and explained: "Normally this is not the case. This happens only when the books are particularly popular."

Poincaré and Verne nodded in agreement.

Lu Shi asked again: "A book is 45 francs, the purchase price must be high. Aren't newsboys afraid of smashing it in their hands?"

Verne has worked with the Herzl father and son for a long time, and he knows the joints,

He replied: "Because the profit is high."

While talking, counting with fingers,

"The books in the newsboy's hands are usually consigned by bookstores, and they earn far more than newspapers. Do you think, how much does a piece of "Le Figaro" sell for a thick stack? Ten centimes is not bad! A copy of "Country Teacher" may fetch more than a franc."

The centime is a French coin.

One hundred centimes is one franc.

In other words, ten copies of Le Figaro are worth one copy of The Rural Teacher.

Verne said: "Alex just said that "Country Teacher" is out of stock in some bookstores, and readers have to go to the street to find newspaper boys to buy. I believe that many newspaper boys can sell five or six copies a day. If you don't believe me, we can ask."

After speaking, Verne prepared to open the curtains.

But the coachman's voice came from outside: "Gentlemen, we have arrived at our destination."

Verne resentful, had to give up.

Everyone jumped out of the carriage.

They noticed that at this moment, an old man with a large box in both hands was struggling towards the gatehouse. His gray beard was illuminated by the moonlight, and it glowed with a beautiful silver light.

Lu Shi recognized him immediately.

"Toon!"

Tolstoy paused,

boom--

The box fell to the ground,

He wiped the sweat from his brow with the wide sleeve of his windbreaker while looking for the source of the sound.

Roland walked up quickly,

"Mr. Tolstoy! Here you come!"

As he spoke, he helped Tolstoy carry the heavy suitcase, and at the same time introduced himself: "I am Romain Rolland, and I wrote to you occasionally before. I still remember your first reply to me."

Tolstoy mused,

In the blink of an eye, Roland's name popped up in his memory,

He showed a suddenly realized expression, and said, "Well... so you are Mr. Roland. However, it doesn't matter if you don't mention that letter. It's just an old-fashioned view. When I think about it now, I think it's good to be a teacher."

Regarding this letter, high schools in some provinces may have extended reading,

The title of the article is concise——

"A Letter to Romain Rolland".

Tolstoy started with the specific issue of the necessity of manual labor, and discussed major issues such as human moral standards and human happiness,

This letter embodies Tolstoy's pursuit of "moral self-improvement".

The letter was completed on October 3 and 4, 1887,

At that time, Roland was still studying at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, preparing for the examination to obtain the qualification for the tenure-track post of middle school teacher.

With trepidation, he wrote a letter to Tolstoy, whom he admired,

Unexpectedly, Tolstoy actually replied.

Roland said: "I do remember, 'Human wisdom consists not in knowing things. There are countless things we cannot know. Nor is it wise to know as much as possible. Human wisdom consists in knowing an order , it is good for us to know things according to that order.'”

This is the original text of the letter.

Tolstoy showed a confused expression, obviously not remembering.

Roland was slightly embarrassed,

"Sorry, I was too excited."

He stepped aside to introduce others.

Except for mathematicians like Poincaré, everyone present can only be regarded as juniors in front of literary giants like Tolstoy.

Not to mention Lu Shi, a fledgling kid.

Several people shook hands with Tolstoy respectfully.

When Tolstoy heard Lu Shi's name, curiosity appeared in his eyes, and he looked Lu Shi up and down.

Then he said, "Are you 'Mr. Li'?"

Lu Shi hurriedly corrected him: "Tuo Weng, you made a mistake. My surname is 'Lu', not 'Li'. My pen name comes from my surname."

Tolstoy laughed,

"Of course, of course. I know that your surname is 'Lu'. I'm talking about the illustration of "Country Teacher". Mr. Monet used delicate brushstrokes to outline the image of a private school teacher. He is haggard but calm. It should be based on you Prototype?"

Lu Shi was surprised,

"Have you read The Country Teacher?"

Tolstoy nodded and replied, "I'm...um...can we go indoors and talk?"

Poincaré stepped forward,

"Mr. Tolstoy, we have arranged a dormitory for you."

He immediately led the way.

On the way, he went back to his residence and got some poker and Longjing tea.

When he arrived at the place, Poincaré took the initiative to boil water and explained: "I seem to be obsessed with making tea. Watching the tea leaves fluttering up and down in the glass or porcelain cup, my heart can calm down, and my thinking becomes deep and quick. "

Tolstoy was also watching curiously.

Not long after, the fragrance of tea overflowed the house,

He took a sip, and then said: "It is clear and slightly bitter, but soon the sweetness returns, and the aftertaste is endless."

Saying that, looking at Lu Shi,

"Is this Chinese tea?"

Lu Shi nodded,

"This is the top-quality Longjing tea. The color is light green and smooth, and the aroma is fresh and clear. If you brew it according to the European seasoning method, it will not taste good."

Tolstoy took another sip, savoring the tea carefully.

a long time,

"Huh~"

He let out a long breath,

The long journey and toil seemed to be dispelled.

Lu Shi said, "Tuo Weng must have worked hard all the way here, right?"

Tolstoy understood what he meant, and said with a smile: "It's really troublesome to leave the country, because some of my works caused me to be with the tsar... Forget it, don't mention it."

Lu Shi asked, "Is it "Resurrection"?"

Tolstoy was surprised,

"You actually know "Resurrection"?"

Bernard Shaw who was next to him immediately took up the conversation and said, "Lu He not only knew about "Resurrection", he also knew that "Resurrection" offended the Tsar. You had to make a lot of cuts, and even paid for it out of your own pocket to publish the novel."

Tolstoy's perception of Lu Shi became very good.

Lu Shi said cheekily: "Tuo Weng, if I don't know you well, how can I say that you are the most suitable person for the first Nobel Prize in Literature?"

Tolstoy waved his hand,

"Actually, the Swedish Academy's criticism is not wrong. I am no longer as vigorous as I was when I first wrote."

Lu Shi opened his mouth, wanting to refute,

But Tolstoy raised his hand and interrupted: "Compared to a young man who is aggressive and courageous like you, I am far inferior."

This is outrageous.

Even if the electrician Da Liu himself sat in front of Tuo Weng, he would not dare to ask Da Di to receive such praise,

Besides, Lu Shi can only be regarded as a porter.

He hurriedly said: "Tuo Weng, no matter how good "Country Teacher" is, it can't be better than yours!"

Tolstoy chuckled,

"Who said I think you can write better than me?"

Lu Shi: "Ah, this..."

After all, it was wrong to pay.

Tolstoy patted him on the shoulder and said: "War and Peace, a book with nearly 600 characters, completed a grand narrative, held up the entire human civilization, and said yes' Epic of the era' cannot be overstated."

This is the real Versailles,

Chi Guoguo boasted, but in a calm and declarative tone,

But everyone sitting here couldn't refute.

Tolstoy said: "The reason why I say that I am far inferior to Professor Lu is not because of my writing ability, but because of my choice of writing topics."

Verne on the side interrupted: "Sci-fi?"

Tolstoy shook his head,

"It's not ordinary sci-fi...Mr. Verne, most of the best-selling works you wrote are a combination of sci-fi and adventure. People read it, and it's fun after all. And works like "Facing the Tricolor Flag" , but not many copies were sold.”

Verne helplessly spread his hands,

"No way, readers don't like that kind of book."

If the literary and artistic works are too thematic, it will lead to a strong sense of preaching,

It's strange that this can be sold.

After all, most people read novels for entertainment. If they want to receive education, why not study the French Civil Code?

When Tolstoy pointed to Lu Shi,

"But Professor Lu has done something that none of us can do - entertaining and teaching."

Everyone was silent.

Lu Shi couldn't help scratching his head.

The times make heroes. In modern times, "Country Teacher" can certainly move people, but not many.

Because with the popularization of compulsory education, even though there are all kinds of poverty, ignorance and backwardness, and all kinds of breathless despair, many hazes have been swept away.

But at the beginning of the 20th century, it was different.

In the world of great controversy, everyone's thinking has undergone tremendous changes along with various trends of thought, and people are more likely to be inspired by literary and artistic works.

Tolstoy asked curiously: "Professor Lu's writing technique is amazing. A lot of content seems to be written without a trace of emotion, but it can make people burst into tears. Is this writing method unique to China?"

Lu Shi explained: "Blank drawing, without embellishment or exaggeration."

This way of expression is very common in Chinese,

In Mr. Lu Xun's works, there are many examples of using the line drawing technique.

However, most of the foreign masterpieces are good at vivid description.

Tolstoy nodded,

"It's really rare for this kind of work to sell so well. In addition to bookstores, I saw many newsboys selling this book on the road. A short booklet of 45 francs sold surprisingly well."

Speaking of this, Tolstoy seemed to think of something, and asked everyone: "It's so late, I see that there are still many newspaper boys selling "Country Teacher" on the street, aren't they afraid of the book falling into their hands?"

Lu Shi asked this question just now.

Verne explained again, and then said: "The books and newspapers sell well, maybe there is a chance to go to school."

At the Paris World Expo in 1900, in order to demonstrate its national strength, the French government made a lot of efforts to improve people's livelihood.

Reduce communication and transportation costs;

Reduce tuition fees for children;

controlling the price of flour by coercive means;

...

These efforts have effectively improved the living standards of French citizens.

It was not until World War I, when the country entered a wartime state under the pressure of the war, that these benefits shrunk helplessly.

Therefore, Verne was not joking when he said that "books and newspapers sell well, and you may be able to read books."

Tolstoy was silent,

Judging by his uncertain expression, it is obvious that he thought of Russia under the tsar,

Compared with the thriving France, Russia is simply inferior.

After a while, Tolstoy suddenly said: "Recently, I am seriously considering donating all my property and distributing them to farmers or children who need to go to school."

Bernard Shaw:? ? ?

Roland:? ? ?

Poincaré: ? ? ?

Verne: ? ? ?

All four were shocked.

Only Lu Shi looked calm,

He knew very well that in his later years, Tolstoy's thinking changed drastically, and he even began to hate his aristocratic status, so he wanted to distribute the land to the peasants and make the copyright of all his works public.

And this decision will seriously damage the interests of Tolstoy's family,

Because for his family, the source of income is the output of the farm and the income from royalties,

Without both, his wife and children will suffer from food and clothing.

For this reason, Tolstoy and his wife Sophia had a rift, and the two sides tortured each other, and finally forced Tolstoy to run away from home, suffered from cold and starvation in the train station on a cold night, and finally died.

Verne persuaded in a low voice: "Mr. Tolstoy, even if you really want to donate, why donate all of it?"

Roland on the side also said: "Yes, even Mr. Nobel didn't donate all his assets in his will to establish the Nobel Prize, but 94% of the total assets, 31 million Swedish kronor."

Tolstoy did not respond to them,

However, the expression on his face was as firm as a rock, as cold as ice that would not melt for thousands of years.

Seeing this, the others didn't know what to say.

Lu Shi could not help but sigh,

He didn't want a great writer like Tolstoy to go to that kind of death.

He said: "Have Toon ever heard a Chinese proverb, 'Teaching a man to fish is worse than giving him a fish'?"

Of course Tolstoy never heard of it,

But the literal meaning is still easy to understand,

"It's better to give fish to people directly... um... If you think about it by extension, it should be that it is better to teach people the method of learning knowledge than to teach people the existing knowledge."

Lu Shi nodded and said, "So, in terms of donations, I admire Mr. Nobel more. With his influence, he keeps people chasing physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, and literature."

The rest rolled their eyes,

They complained in their hearts that the Nobel Prize for Literature was almost ruined by Lu Shi, but he didn't blush at all.

Verne said: "You mean to set up a fund? But what does this have to do with 'teaching a man to fish is worse than giving him a fish'?"

Lu Shi was embarrassed,

"It really doesn't matter."

He just wanted to say a profound proverb that got Tolstoy thinking.

Verne: "(ˉ▽￣～)cut~~"

Tolstoy smiled and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter. That proverb tells us that a one-time favor is far less effective than a long stream of water. Indeed, I should set up a foundation. But..."

He looked troubled.

Poincaré sighed and said: "The Nobel Prize can be achieved, and there is an official endorsement behind it. Mr. Nobel died in December 1896, and his will was not approved by the Norwegian Parliament until April 1897. The Nobel Foundation will be set up to administer inheritances and bonuses. In Russia, will the Tsar..."

No one answered,

But what Poincaré wanted to ask was ready to come out.

Of course, the answer is ready to come out.

Lu Shi chuckled and said, "Mr. Poincaré's thinking is narrow. Why isn't Toon setting up a fund in Europe? Then, the executor goes to Russia to make donations every year."

Everyone thought Lu Shi was stupid.

After a foundation is established, it needs to invest, manage, and make money.

The Russians are doing things in Europe, probably because they think Europeans are fools.

Lu Shi showed a rather sinister smile: "Everyone, don't forget the current background."

Verne asked, "What background?"

Lu Shi smiled even wider,

"Now is the period of the primary election for the first Nobel Prize in Literature. All the literary giants in Western Europe think that Toon is the one who deserves his name, so they withdrew from the selection. If... hehe, I mean, if, Toon raises his arms With a call, how should you writers respond?"

"hiss……"

Several people gasped.

grass!

Lu Shi is too cloudy!

It's a pity that this kid is not a businessman but a literati.

Lu Shi added: "Going one step further, if Tuo Weng becomes the first winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in the eyes of everyone, he will announce that he will use the prize money to establish a foundation, and hope that the good people will donate generously, everyone. Don't you follow the rich to contribute money and the powerful to contribute?"

Negative!

It's too cloudy!

Lu Shi looked young, but he was a true Taiyin.

At this time, Tolstoy on the side slapped his forehead and said, "It's broken! I sent the telegram of the second rejection to Stockholm."

Lu Shi said: "It's all right, just send another telegram. Just use the special line of the British Consulate."

Tolstoy nodded immediately,

"I need pen and paper."

Roland on the side quickly rummaged around, found a pen and paper, and said, "Mr. Tolstoy, tell me, I will record it."

Tolstoy said: "The telegram is as follows, 'Dear Nobel Committee, Swedish Academy...'"