The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

The three UNGA delegates who came to Chongqing to petition the government for a wage increase were Zhou Binglin, Wu Youxun and Chen Xueping.

Zhou Binglin, a jurist, economist, former professor of Peking University, is currently the dean of the Law School of Southwest Associated University.

Wu Youxun, physicist, former dean of Tsinghua School of Science, the first Chinese to be awarded the title of academician of a western country—in 1936, he became an academician of the Halle Academy of Natural Sciences in Germany. Qian Weichang, who scored 5 in the physics test back then, clamored desperately to switch to physics, and it was Wu Youxun who made an exception and agreed.

Chen Xueping, a psychologist and former professor of Peking University, will have a son-in-law named Yu Yingshi in the future.

The lineup that demanded a salary increase was very reasonable. Economist Zhou Binglin was in charge of analyzing economic issues, psychologist Chen Xueping was in charge of contacting officials of the Ministry of Education, and Wu Youxun was in charge of supporting the scene—after all, he was China’s first Western academician.

It's a pity that after they arrived in Chongqing, they didn't even see Chen Lifu's face, and were perfunctory and fooled by the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Education.

In desperation, the three had no choice but to ask for help at the Zhou Mansion.

Cui Huifu brought tea and snacks, and Zhou Hexuan called everyone to sit down and said, "I received a letter from President Mei two days ago, but unfortunately I still couldn't find the three gentlemen."

Wu Youxun said, "We live in a small hotel."

Zhou Binglin said: "We didn't ask Mr. Zhou for help at the beginning, because asking for a salary increase is an official matter, and it is the reasonable opinion of the teachers, and we don't want to mix any personal factors."

Zhou Hexuan nodded and said, "I understand this."

Chen Xueping said: "But those officials from the Ministry of Education kept pushing the door and said they couldn't make the decision. Let us go to the Minister Chen Lifu. The problem is that Chen Lifu never showed up, and we never saw him in person!"

Zhou Binglin said: "Mr. Zhou, the purpose of our visit to the Zhou mansion this time is to ask you to introduce us and arrange for us to meet Chen Lifu."

"Let's go, let's go," Zhou Hexuan joked, "I think the three gentlemen are in a hurry. Now go to Chen's house, maybe we can have dinner."

Chen Lifu lived in Ba County, which is the later Banan District of Chongqing City.

Not far from the Central Political University, there is a small western-style villa, which is the mansion of Minister of Education Chen Lifu.

Zhou Hexuan took the three professors to change cars by boat, and walked for a certain distance, and finally arrived at the destination when it was getting dark.

As one of the two leaders of the CC Department of the Kuomintang, Chen Lifu's mansion must be guarded by guards, and there are many people who want to kill him. The concierge was also winking, and asked respectfully, "What's the matter, gentlemen?"

Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, "I'm Zhou Hexuan, and I have something important to do with Minister Chen."

"So it's Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment." The concierge immediately went in to report, and at the same time winked for the guards to watch the door.

Not long after, Zhou Hexuan and the others were led in, and Chen Lifu laughed and said, "Brother Mingcheng came just in time, I was just about to have dinner. Oh, there are three friends, let's have a few drinks together."

"Then respect is worse than obedience. The food at Minister Chen's house must be delicious." Zhou Hexuan said cheerfully.

Chen Lifu said: "Brother Mingcheng is too outspoken, he doesn't need to be called a position at home."

Zhou Hexuan laughed and said, "Then I'll take the liberty of calling Brother Chen?"

"Should be, should be, you are older than me," Chen Lifu enthusiastically pulled Zhou Hexuan inside, and asked, "Who are these three friends?"

Zhou Hexuan introduced: "These three are Professor Wu Youxun, Professor Zhou Binglin and Professor Chen Xueping from Southwest Associated University."

Hearing the words "Southwest Associated University", Chen Lifu's smile froze immediately, and then he returned to normal, laughing and said: "It turns out that they are all educated scholars, and today the humble house is full of splendor, so we must have a few more drinks. "

"It's easy to say, easy to say!" Zhou Hexuan also laughed.

Wu Youxun was a little impatient, and couldn't wait to say: "Minister Chen, this time we..."

Chen Xueping quietly tugged on Wu Youxun's sleeve, and said with a smile, "It's rare to see Minister Chen, and I must ask the teacher a lot today."

Chen Lifu waved his hand and said, "I don't dare to ask for advice. I only have a master's degree from Pittsburgh. I'm sure I'm not as knowledgeable as you PhDs."

"The best is the first, you can't just look at the academic qualifications," Chen Xueping said flatteringly, "Minister Chen has been in charge of the Ministry of Education for several years, and the education industry has developed rapidly during the difficult period of the Anti-Japanese War. He is actually the number one contributor to Chinese education since the late Qing Dynasty. We They are all engaged in education, Minister Chen must have unique views on education, and these are worth learning from."

Chen Xueping scratched Chen Lifu's itch in a thousand clothes, flattering but not wearing it. No wonder this person will be able to be the acting Minister of Education in a few years. It is very possible that Chen Xueping became so successful in the Ministry of Education because of this request for a salary increase and he became friends with Chen Lifu.

After Chen Xueping finished speaking, the little unhappiness in Chen Lifu's heart disappeared immediately. He happily invited everyone to sit down, and specially introduced his wife, Sun Luqing.

Sun Luqing is also a cultural person. At this time, he is a professor of the Art Department of Central University. He was engaged to Chen Lifu when he was 13 years old. Although it was an arranged marriage, the husband and wife are very affectionate, but Chen Lifu must have secretly raised lovers.

Sun Luqing greeted everyone to sit down and eat, and took the initiative to chat with Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, I have admired you for a long time, and Ms. Wanrong speaks well of you all day long."

"Wanrong also often praises Ms. Sun for her superb painting skills, and your ink landscapes are quite unique." Zhou Hexuan praised.

During the Anti-Japanese War, there were many painters in Chongqing, but there were not many female painters. Wanrong and Sun Luqing must have known each other, and the friendship between them was very good.

Sun Luqing said with a smile: "Wanrong came back from Dunhuang some time ago, and suddenly her painting skills have improved greatly, and her style has changed greatly. It made me want to go to Dunhuang to copy murals."

Zhou Hexuan said: "When the Anti-Japanese War is won, I will organize a Dunhuang tour group. Ms. Sun should sign up then."

"Then it's decided, and I will definitely participate," Chen Lifu raised his glass suddenly, "Come, let us wish the victory of the War of Resistance and drink this cup to the full!"

The atmosphere of the banquet quickly became lively, and everyone was very busy eating, drinking and chatting.

Zhou Binglin and Wu Youxun wanted to talk about salary increase several times, but they were all stopped by Chen Xueping because the time was not right yet.

Chen Xueping flattered Chen Lifu in various ways, Zhou Hexuan also took the route of his wife, and chatted happily with Sun Luqing.

After drinking for three rounds, Chen Lifu was a little drunk, and Chen Xueping suddenly sighed: "Ah!"

Sun Luqing asked, "Why is Professor Chen sighing?"

Chen Xueping said: "Since the Anti-Japanese War, I have rarely been able to eat such a sumptuous dinner. Thinking about how I ate a lot of wine and meat in Chongqing, my colleagues from the Southwest Associated University were only hungry in Kunming. I can't help but feel ashamed, so I sigh. .”

"The teachers of the Lianda University are hungry?" Sun Luqing was a little puzzled.

Chen Xueping said: "The professor with the highest salary in the United Nations University is only 470 yuan a month. How can he not be hungry?"

"So low? Our professor at Central University..." Sun Luqing suddenly realized something, shut up immediately, and turned to look at her husband Chen Lifu.

"Ahem," Chen Lifu coughed twice and sighed, "The War of Resistance was difficult and the finances were limited. It's really hard work for everyone."

Wu Youxun finally couldn't hold back any longer, and said, "Minister Chen, we have no other requirements. We only hope that the salaries of teachers at Southwest Associated University can be the same as those at Central University. They are all teaching and educating people, so we can't favor one over another, right?"