British writer - Chapter 348 New Tradition

Dirty dirty——

The cruise ship’s whistle roared, and the ship slowly approached the dock.

The sailors were busy on the deck,

Lower anchor, lower gangway…

A lively scene.

In the early morning of November in Gothenburg, there was a faint chill in the air.

Everyone was wrapped in thick winter clothes and watched the sailors at work.

Lu Shi looked at the trees in the distance,

Although the leaves have fallen off, the branches are still tall and straight, as if to show people the unyielding spirit of the Nordic people.

George Bernard Shaw approaches,

“Lu, next Wednesday, you will become the new Nobel Prize winner for literature. What do you think?”

Lu Shi chuckled,

“In this case, I’d better wait until I receive the award to say it.”

The Swedish Academy sent a telegram asking him to make up his own reasons for winning the award.

Things are too outrageous,

He hasn’t thought about it yet.

At this time, Plank came over and said: “Professor Lu, “Stealing Fire” only has four chapters. Is this the first time you have done this?”

The four parts of the novel include:

Beginning, development, climax, ending.

Lu Shi basically followed this when he wrote “Stealing Fire”.

He thought for a while,

“Yes. Except for “Stealing Fire”, I seem to have never written a novel with only four chapters.”

Planck pondered,

“That’s good too. At least it would be very simple to adapt into a drama.”

Speaking of drama, Bernard Shaw also nodded repeatedly and agreed: “Yes, I also think that the structure of “The Stolen Fire” is very suitable for adaptation into a drama. It is just that the plot is a bit short…perhaps, it can be expanded appropriately.”

Lu Shi couldn’t help but spread his hands,

“‘Stealing Fire’ has no audience base.”

“this……”

Bernard Shaw was speechless.

During this period, because the people he met on the cruise were all top figures in various disciplines, he felt like he was surrounded by professors and doctors.

The reality in Europe is that compulsory education is not even universal.

“Stealing Fire” is very realistic,

But it is also true that the audience is pitifully small.

Lu Shi added: “Another point is that there are too few characters. Counting them down, how many are there with names in “Stealing Fire”?”

Bernard Shaw sighed,

“That’s why we need to expand the plot. For example, the one who wrote ‘I QUIT’ and then hanged himself… um…”

He narrowed his eyes and looked at the dock.

Following his line of sight, he saw a dozen gentlemen standing there.

The leader is King Oscar II of Sweden,

Followed by Ronner Solman, the head of the entire Nobel Committee,

Then there are representatives from various award-winning institutions, from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to the Swedish Academy of Letters.

It will be easier to go through customs if the king is there to pick up the ship.

Planck said: “This time the Nobel Committee is much better prepared.”

They disembarked with their luggage.

Probably because the “Global University Rankings” made countries aware of the importance of soft power, Oscar II also began to do superficial things.

He shook hands with writers, scientists, and social activists one by one and showed great enthusiasm.

After that, everyone was arranged on the carriage,

The next step is to take a train from Gothenburg to Stockholm.

The two places are 400 kilometers apart.

His Majesty the King was able to come to pick up the ship, which can be described as a “courteous and virtuous corporal”.

It’s been a bumpy ride,

By the time we got on the train, the sun had already risen.

The sun shines through the thin clouds and onto the railway tracks, as if coated with a layer of golden light.

Lu Shi and several friends were still sitting in the same box.

George Bernard Shaw continued his previous topic:

“Lu, we just talked about changing the novel into a drama. Regarding the characters, such as the student who hanged himself, we can flesh out his setting a little bit.”

This kind of thing is very common,

Like “Legend of Sword and Fairy

,”It was originally a PC stand-alone game, and a lot of play time was supported by defeating monsters, upgrading, and entering mazes.

Unfortunately, the TV series back then often had dozens of episodes, and there were no high-quality dramas, let alone mini-series.

Therefore, in order to enrich the plot, the screenwriters had no choice but to pile material on the supporting characters while keeping the main plot basically unchanged.

It’s also difficult for them.

Plank said: “Mr. Xiao, there is no need to adapt it, just use the material from reality.”

“ah?”

Bernard Shaw looked confused.

Planck spread his hands,

“Many students’ pressure does not come from their studies, but from their families. If they can’t graduate, what should they do? They can only drop out of school.”

There are many such people,

Among the people Lu Shi knew, Jack London and Tesla both dropped out of school because of lack of money.

But if you have already studied for a Ph.D. and the sunk cost is high, how many people can cut off their wrists and drop out of school resolutely?

Therefore, there will be many people who are constantly at war with each other.

Depression is considered good,

Hanging yourself is not impossible.

Bernard Shaw gave a shallow “hmm” and prepared to continue the conversation.

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to speak, he frowned slightly.

I saw two people standing at the door of the box.

They are the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy Carl Wilson and the first chair Hans Fussell.

Last year, the School of Liberal Arts and Lu Shi had an unpleasant quarrel.

Although it has eased, the atmosphere at the scene is still a bit awkward.

Several people looked at each other with big eyes and small eyes.

“…”

“…”

“…”

No one said a word.

Wilson was better at taking matters into his own hands. He took half a step forward.

“Professor Lu.”

He shook hands with Lu Shi,

Afterwards, he greeted others.

Who would have thought,

“…”

The scene became quiet again.

After a while, Lu Shi coughed lightly,

“Boy, what’s the matter?”

Wilson was embarrassed and could only find something to say: “I just overheard a few people discussing Professor Lu’s new work. Is it that “The Skill of Writing – Starting from Scratch”? Professor Lu is willing to reveal it to the world. The secret of writing is that there is no greater goodness.”

“The Skills of Writing – Starting from Scratch” has not yet been published.

But because the University of London Alliance was going to establish the Lu Shi Literary School, it had already spread in the European literary world.

Lu Shi shook his head,

“No, it’s a short story I wrote on the ship called “Stealing Fire.”

This made Fussell interested.

“Prometheus steals fire? Professor Lu, can you wait for me?”

Lu Shi didn’t care about this. He took out the manuscript from the suitcase and handed it over.

“Stealing Fire” is about 10,000 words long and can be read quickly.

“Huh~”

Fussell laid the manuscript flat on the table, let out a sigh of relief, and said: “A masterpiece. Especially the last ending, which has enough space and a long lasting charm.”

Wilson was curious,

“How do you think this ending should be understood? Why did Tois laugh so much?”

Fussell laughed,

“The original author is here, why don’t you ask him?”

Lu Shi said: “‘If there are a thousand readers, there will be a thousand Hamlets.’ I want to hear the readers’ views.”

Fussell nodded.

“Then I will express my opinions without any shame.”

He pondered for a moment,

“Actually, there are two explanations for Tois laughing and refusing to reveal the students he helped. The first explanation is that Tois was mocking the professors on the investigation committee.”

“It’s a mockery…”

Wilson vaguely understood.

Thomas Tois was actually a complete bastard at first.

Those professors ride on students and prevent them from graduating, in order to make them work like cows and horses, doing experiments and writing papers.

And what about Tois?

He also relies on this mechanism to make money from students for more than ten years. How can he be a good person?

As a result, he no longer wanted to be a bad person and started to really tutor students and become a good person. He was investigated by the school in just six months.

Quite ironic indeed.

Fussell said: “It’s true that Toews was a bastard, but he suddenly found that as long as he didn’t tell whether he really tutored students or which students he tutored, he could stand on the moral high ground and laugh at those professors. It was so satisfying. I would do it if it were me.”

Wilson was silent,

Thought,

It seems pretty cool.

He couldn’t help but glance at Lu Shi,

A realistic novel with the theme of satirizing scientific research can actually make readers feel happy, which is quite awesome.

Lu Shi asked: “Mr. Fussell, you just said that there is another explanation?”

Fussell nodded,

“There is another explanation that is more realistic.”

Lu Shi was curious,

“you say.”

Fussell replied: “As we just said, Toyes is not a good person. He may have thought that since the investigative committee could not produce evidence anyway, he would be able to pass safely as long as he refused to admit it.”

Lu Shi was startled.

Because he really didn’t expect what the other party said.

But I have to admit that it makes sense,

There was a very classic gold robbery in Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. It was originally a matter of a few hundred pounds, but as accomplices competed with each other, the amount locked became larger and larger, and eventually they were all hanged.

Fussell spread his hands,

“Don’t examine human nature. What will happen if the investigation committee promises that Tois will be promoted from lecturer to professor as long as he is recruited from the real world?”

The scene fell into silence.

Only now did Lu Shi truly understand what “if there are a thousand readers, there are a thousand Hamlets

,”He couldn’t help but glance at Fussell,

secret passage,

This guy must be a good at reading comprehension.

Fussell said: “That’s why I think Professor Lu’s white space here is brilliant and arouses endless imagination.”

After Planck listened, he looked deeply at Lu Shi.

“Lu, it seems that we thought too simply before. We were all thinking that Tois walked from the shadows into the sunshine and completed a complete redemption. But now, it seems that we took it for granted.”

“Ah this…”

Lu Shi was a little embarrassed.

“You don’t have to apologize.”

Because he didn’t think much about it when he wrote it.

Unexpectedly, Planck stood up suddenly,

“No, I have to tell them.”

After saying that, he left the box.

Not long after, I heard a heated discussion coming from next door.

“Is this still possible?”

“Dark! It’s so dark! Professor Lu’s heart is quite dark~”

“Don’t say that, that’s sarcasm. Think of “Yes! Prime Minister”. Isn’t it more cruel than “Stealing Fire”?”

“You’re right! Those of us who do scientific research have to thank Professor Lu for speaking up.”

…

When Lu Shi heard this, his head was filled with black threads.

￣□￣｜｜

At this time, Bernard Shaw next to him said: “Lu, I didn’t expect that you have so many layers of meaning.”

He originally thought that he was a writer and his understanding was not weak.

But in the face of Lu Shi’s works, which are as thick as an abyss, I can only understand a little bit.

He looked at Fussell again,

“The Swedish Academy is well-deserved as the selection unit for the Nobel Prize in Literature.”

Fussell was very proud,

But he showed an extremely humble expression on his face, saying: “I can’t compare with Professor Lu, who is very knowledgeable. The reason why I can see the hidden meaning in “Stealing Fire” is because I have read in detail the three childlike novels starting with “Hunting” Qu. Professor Lu likes to portray the dark side of human nature.”

Lu Shi: “…”

What does “like to portray the dark side of human nature” mean?

I have also written works like “Chao Wen Dao” that encourage people to turn toward truth and light!

He coughed lightly,

“Mr. Fussell, Lao Xiao, please don’t misunderstand me.”

Bernard Shaw nodded knowingly,

“I really can’t understand it. I can’t adapt “The Stealing Fire” correctly.”

This is obviously a misunderstanding.

Lu Shi was speechless,

“…”

I really don’t know what to say.

George Bernard Shaw said: “According to my idea, when adapting the drama “The Stealing Fire”, the last scene must not end like the novel. After all, dramas are different from novels. Too much blank space will make the audience confused. But now Come on, there still has to be some space for the audience to imagine.”

He hesitated again,

“It’s just… alas…”

Sighed.

Wilson next to him said: “Professor Lu is going to adapt this novel into a drama?”

Lu Shi shrugged.

“I don’t actually agree explicitly. However, in principle I definitely agree.”

Is it necessary to object to something that can make you famous?

Wilson then looked at Bernard Shaw,

“Mr. Xiao, since Professor Lu agrees, why are you hesitating?”

Bernard Shaw said helplessly: “It’s still a matter of leaving blank space. If the plot is not written in a simple enough way, the audience will have to be screened. It will be difficult for ordinary people to understand…”

Wilson understood,

“That’s true. But for Professor Lu, this is nothing, right? The “Upside Down” popular in the United States has not entered theaters for the public, but only toured in various universities. This is to screen the audience.”

Bernard Shaw continued: “There is another point that Lu and I just discussed. If you want to understand “Stealing Fire”, you must have a certain understanding of the academic circle. Where can you find such an audience group?”

“Ah this…”

Wilson was silent.

On the contrary, Fussell next to him said excitedly: “What a great find!”

He stood up, raised his right hand, drew a circle around the entire carriage with his index finger, and said, “Aren’t so many people who come to attend the Nobel Prize dinner every year the best audience?”

Silence fell in the box,

“…”

“…”

“…”

Bernard Shaw suddenly said loudly: “Yes! Why didn’t I think of it just now!”

Lu Shi complained: “Normal people would never think of it. After all, only the Nobel Prize dinner can bring so many big names in academia together.”

As a result, these words reminded Bernard Shaw again,

He looked at Wilson,

“Permanent Secretary, can we perform a play at the Nobel Prize dinner?”

This really confused Wilson.

Normally, everyone simply socializes, has a meal, chats about the development direction of cutting-edge science, and then goes back to their homes after watching the award presentation.

So, does drama also count as a social category for scientists?

Wilson said in a daze: “I really…”

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted.

“I think it’s feasible!”

Several people went out one after another.

I saw Kelvin standing at the door,

“This year’s dinner… no, every year in the future, I suggest adding such a program to the dinner. Use the drama “Stealing Fire” to warn the talented people in the academic circle to avoid academic oppression. It will be passed down as a new tradition.”

There were a dozen scientists behind him, and they all agreed in unison.

Even Oscar II also started to boo,

“New drama? I want to watch it too!”

Nordic people love drama.

Wilson said: “The problem is, it’s definitely too late this year. The dinner is scheduled for next week.”

“I can wait.”

Kelvin spoke first,

“Old man, if you have nothing to do, just treat yourself as a vacation in Stockholm.”

Thomson said: “I also want to see Professor Lu’s new play, which is presented as a gift only to the academic circle. But my work is relatively heavy, so I can only go back first and come back when the time comes.”

He turned to Solman aside,

“The committee should be able to arrange another time, right?”

Solman said: “The hotels have been booked. If we reschedule, the Nobel Committee will have to bear huge costs.”

There was a hint of probing in his tone.

Thomson waved his hand,

“We pay our own travel expenses.”

The others also followed suit.

When Solman saw everyone’s attitude, he felt confident.

He was worried that Lu Shi’s drama would only attract some people, and his hasty agreement would instead reduce the authority of the Nobel Committee.

But looking at it now, it was just mediocrity.

He said: “Since everyone is so enthusiastic, the Nobel Committee should bear this loss!”

This is an opportunity to establish authority.

Everyone can see it clearly, but they won’t try to expose it.

Lu Shi said: “I am extremely honored that you all watch “The Stealing Fire”. But we still have to face up to practical issues. Adapting a novel into a drama takes time; plus finding a theater troupe and rehearsing…”

Oscar II said: “I can contact the troupe of the Royal Swedish Theater. They rehearse very quickly.”

Bernard Shaw said: “I can participate in the adaptation.”

“And I!”

Bjornson stood up.

after,

“I can too.”

“I can also write a little bit of drama.”

…

Hesse, Maeterlinck, Hauptmann…

More writers came forward.