The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China - Chapter 1016

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

   Zhou Binglin, 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 the Tsinghua Institute of Science, the first Chinese to be awarded the title of academician in a Western country—he became an academician of the Halle Institute of Natural Sciences in Germany in 1936. Back then, Qian Weichang, who scored 5 points in the physics test, was desperate to switch to physics, and Wu Youxun agreed to make an exception.

  Chen Xueping, psychologist, former professor of Peking University, he has a future son-in-law named Yu Yingshi.

   This lineup that requires a salary increase is very reasonable. Economist Zhou Binglin is responsible for analyzing economic problems, psychologist Chen Xueping is responsible for contacting officials of the Ministry of Education, and Wu Youxun is responsible for supporting the scene – after all, he is China’s first Western academician.

  Unfortunately, after they arrived in Chongqing, they didn’t even see Chen Lifu’s face, and they were perfunctory and fooled by the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Education.

   In desperation, the three could only go to the Zhou Mansion to ask for help.

  Cui Huichi brought tea and snacks, Zhou Hexuan greeted everyone to sit down and said, “I received a handwritten letter from Principal Mei two days ago, but unfortunately I can’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 first, because asking for a salary increase is a public matter, and it is the reasonable opinion of the majority of teachers, and we don’t want to mix any personal factors.”

   Zhou Hexuan nodded and said, “I understand this.”

  Chen Xueping said: “But the officials of the Ministry of Education have always pushed the blame, and they all said they can’t make the decision. Let’s go to Minister Chen Lifu. The problem is that Chen Lifu didn’t show up at all, and we couldn’t see him at all!”

   Zhou Binglin said: “Mr. Zhou, the purpose of our visit to Zhou Mansion this time is to ask you to introduce 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. If you go to Chen’s house now, maybe you can have dinner.”

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

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

   Zhou Hexuan took the three professors by boat to change cars, and walked a distance, and finally arrived at the destination when it was almost 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 with the gentlemen?”

   Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, “I’m Zhou Hexuan, I have something important to ask Minister Chen.”

   “It turned out to be Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment.” The concierge immediately went in to report, and at the same time winked and asked the guard to keep an eye on the door.

   After a while, Zhou Hexuan and several others were led in. Chen Lifu laughed and said, “Brother Mingcheng came just in time. I was just about to have dinner. Oh, and three friends, let’s have a few drinks together.”

   “Then it’s better to be respectful than to obey. The food at Minister Chen’s house must be delicious.” Zhou Hexuan said cheerfully.

  Chen Lifu said, “Brother Mingcheng is too outspoken, so he doesn’t need to address his position at home.”

   Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, “Then I will take the liberty to call Brother Chen?”

   “Yes, yes, you are older than me,” Chen Lifu enthusiastically pulled Zhou Hexuan in and asked, “Who are these three friends?”

   Zhou Hexuan introduced: “The 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 suddenly froze, and then he returned to normal, laughing: “It turns out that they are all university enquirers. Today, the humble house is full of brilliance, so I must drink a few more glasses. “

   “Good to say, good to say!” Zhou Hexuan also followed.

   Wu Youxun was a little impatient and couldn’t wait to say: “Minister Chen, this time we…”

  Chen Xueping quietly pulled Wu Youxun’s sleeve and said with a smile, “It’s rare to see Minister Chen, so I must ask a lot of teachers today.”

  Chen Lifu waved his hand and said, “I don’t dare to ask for advice. I have a master’s degree from Pittsburgh, and my knowledge is definitely not as good as those of you doctors.”

“The best ones come first, you can’t just look at education,” Chen Xueping said flatteringly, “Minister Chen has been in charge of the Ministry of Education for several years, and education has developed rapidly during the difficult period of the Anti-Japanese War. They are all engaged in education, and Minister Chen must have unique insights on education, which are worth learning from.”

  Thousands of wear and tear, but no flattery, Chen Xueping scratched Chen Lifu’s itch all of a sudden, no wonder this person will be the acting education minister in a few years. It is very likely that Chen Xueping later made his career in the Ministry of Education because of this request for a salary increase and became friendly with Chen Lifu.

   After Chen Xueping said a few words, the little unpleasantness in Chen Lifu’s heart disappeared immediately. He happily invited everyone to take a seat, and specially introduced his wife Sun Luqing.

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

  Sun Luqing greeted everyone to sit down for dinner, and took the initiative to chat with Zhou Hexuan: “Mr. Zhou, I have been admiring your name for a long time, and Ms. Wanrong has always said good things about you.”

   “Wanrong also often praised Ms. Sun for her profound painting skills, and your ink landscapes are quite unique.” Zhou Hexuan complimented.

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

  Sun Luqing smiled and said, “Wanrong came back from Dunhuang some time ago, and suddenly her painting skills have soared and her style has changed drastically, making 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, and then Ms. Sun will need to sign up.”

   “Then it’s settled, I will also participate,” Chen Lifu raised his glass suddenly, “Come on, let’s wish the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, and drink this glass!”

   The atmosphere of the banquet soon became warm, and everyone ate, drank and chatted, and they were very busy.

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

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

  After three rounds of drinking, Chen Lifu was already a little drunk, and Chen Xueping suddenly sighed: “Alas!”

  Sun Luqing asked, “Why is Professor Chen sighing?”

Chen Xueping said: “Since the Anti-Japanese War, it is rare for me to have such a sumptuous dinner. Thinking about how I was drinking and eating meat in Chongqing, my colleagues at the Southwest Associated University in Kunming could only be hungry, and I felt ashamed, so I sighed. .”

   “The teacher at the United Nations University is hungry?” Sun Luqing did not understand.

   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, immediately shut up and turned to look at her husband Chen Lifu.

   “Cough cough,” Chen Lifu coughed twice and sighed, “The war of resistance against Japan was difficult and the finances were limited. It’s really hard work everyone.”

   Wu Youxun finally couldn’t hold back, and said, “Minister Chen, we have no other requirements. We only hope that the salary of teachers in Southwest Associated University can be the same as that of Central University. It’s all about teaching and educating people, so we can’t favor one over the other, right?”