Chapter 428: Going astray

Chapter 428: Going astray

Chapter 428: Going astray

"You Chinese describe the Way of Heaven as absolute fairness to everything. There is a phrase called [tiandaozhigong], which is the same as Azathoth. He is the embodiment of blindness, stupidity and lack of wisdom, so he is fair to everything." Kane explained.

You are just like drawing the target after shooting an arrow, and you insist on finding the root cause.

From Yao Xiaoju's perspective, Azathoth is more like the god of creation in a novel of the last century, who fell asleep after creating the world. Another god created a drum, which was beaten repeatedly, and the sound of the drum formed countless planets like the sun, and it was also the sound of the drum that made the god of creation continue to sleep.

Because just like Azathoth, if he wakes up, the world will be destroyed.

Yao Xiaoju couldn’t remember the name of the book, he just glanced at it and found it hard to understand at the time. Wouldn’t it be easier to wake “people” from their sleep by beating gongs and drums?
"The difference between Azathoth and the Way of Heaven is that the latter becomes destiny when it falls on a single object. But the former will not intersect with any object." Kane continued to explain his research.

From his words, we can see that he has a deep understanding of Chinese culture. He can even tell the difference between the two niche words "天道" and "天命" (heaven's will).

"I also learned that the ancient Chinese who could look directly at the ancient gods and still retain his sanity and create the Tai Chi Yin-Yang diagram was Lao Tzu." Seeing that the other party's eyes were a little confused, obviously similar to the look in his eyes when he was listening to philosophy at Princeton University a few days ago, Kane revealed a big piece of news that the other party could understand.

"Lao-Tzu? You mean Laozi?" Yao Xiaoju spoke in his native language.

Kane liked to see the other person's surprised expression. He said, "I often go to America to participate in activities. Laozi is the most famous philosopher in China. His works have influenced the philosophy of China and the world. It is reasonable for such an outstanding philosopher to face the old gods directly."

Another reason why Crown of Cthulhu is suitable for Kane is that his books sell better in America than Gu Lu's short stories. This is not about whether the works are good or bad, but Gu Lu only published them in the Daily Express, and "Americans" have no way to read them. On the contrary, Kane's two Cthulhu novels were both published in America.

"In addition, Laozi means father, so this name represents the father of all people in the world. There is a term in China called Laotianye, which should be derived from Laozi." Kane said, "I think the evolution process of the term Tiandao is like this. Laozi became Laotianye, and then Laozi's philosophy became an important source of Chinese thought, and it became Tiandao."

Brother, where did you learn about Chinese knowledge? I feel like you are off track. Yao Xiaoju opened his mouth, feeling that he needed to correct himself, but after thinking about it carefully, he actually didn't know how to open his mouth for a moment.

Today, not only was I called the King of Cthulhu by Mr. Gu Lu, but I also succeeded in showing off, which is double happiness.

That was all, and then Kane started reading the extra chapter of the book, Genealogy of Cthulhu. He personally supported it very much. Anyway, the framework he compiled was officially recognized.

As for other wonderful settings, they can also be included in the family tree... This idea came from Yao Xiaoju, and this operation is very similar to the "List of Excellent Works" organized by the Colandall Property Rights Association.

It not only takes advantage of the popularity of secondary creation, but also ensures that it will always be the dominant player.

Gu Lu himself was very happy about this, as he knew very well how big a market Cthulhu would have in China in the future.

"On Earth, the trend was started by the post-2000s generation. Online literature, role-playing groups, and games all have some influence. The parallel world of Cthulhu started late, and it still has to wait for another ten years. When the post-2010s generation grows up, they will be the golden goose that lays eggs," thought Gu Lu.

It has been many years since Ai Shouji passed away, but his books have been reprinted due to the interest of the post-2000s generation. Gu Lu can get more benefits. If a company wants to develop a game related to Cthulhu, would they be willing to pay Gu Lu for a genuine license?

"The prerequisite is to have sufficient popularity," Gu Lu currently has a good relationship with Dangdang.com, and he wants to introduce a large number of Cthulhu novels to China.

It would be best if we could convince Dangdang.com to pay readers to read the content for free... just like China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, they first lure users in by offering free or low prices.

After closing his email, Gu Lu finished reading the preface written by Kane.

"I can't believe Durant is so talented." Gu Lu learned from Brother Yao about the gift Durant gave to the teacher.

Originally Kane was written with more genuine feelings, but with the gift, it suddenly felt like Durant was a more suitable character.

A few years later, his work "The Gloom at Weymouth" is expected to have a good harvest in the English market.

King Guru has also officially embarked on the path of success both at home and abroad.

However, in China, the aftermath of the stir caused by Yu Xinyao’s comments has not yet subsided.

Many publishing houses are ready to take action.

Including President Yang of Wudu Publishing House, he discussed with two vice presidents. Among them, the middle-aged man who looked strong but actually had no opinion was Vice President Aoi.

Of course his last name is not Kui, his nickname in the editorial department is Xiang Gou Kui.

He has low eyebrows and a pleasing look, and speaks in a soft voice. He is the type who responds to everything but leaves nothing to be desired. Because he has his own rhythm and basically doesn't care what others say, he is nicknamed Vice President Steel.

"The pride of Fog City people should be published by Fog City Publishing House." President Yang said, "Old Jian is not a simple person. He is good at angel round investment. Since he is running Gu Lu's company, he should increase his investment. He will get the original shares."

"Publish a collection of short stories and sign it this year. It will be too late to wait until next year to win the Lu Xun Literature Award." President Yang said to Vice President Kui, "A friend of mine told me that Teacher Gu Lu returned to the Fog City these two days. I found a connection and invited Teacher Gu to dinner."

"This is too blatant," said Vice President Aoi, "but it's the only solution. Lao Hu, you should come too."

"Forget it. I'm not suited to that kind of environment. It won't be any use if I go." Vice President Gang said, "I don't think we need to rush. Shanghai People's Publishing House has been promoting From the New World recently and has not paid attention to short stories. We should not rush."

"Yesterday's Park" and "Wandering World", his two short story collections, both sold very well." President Yang said, "We want to kill Lao Jian by an unexpected way. Kill the Lu Xun Literature Award by an unexpected way."

"Dog...that's enough. President Yang is very confident that Gu Lu will win the next Lu Xun Literature Award? Quality and age are the thresholds that Mr. Gu Lu will never be able to cross." Vice President Kui said.

A few days ago, Vice President Kui heard his editors discussing the leader's nickname. There was a sentence "President Yang may not eat grass, but he is definitely a dog." In private, they called the president dog. Just now, he almost called the wrong name because he was too quick to speak.

"'Walking Through the Wall' is the best short story of the year. In other words, that's not right. If 'Walking Through the Wall' is removed, 'Multiple Turtles' is the best this year. And 'Walking Through the Wall' is the best short story in the past five years." President Yang commented decisively.

"...President Yang, your evaluation is too high." Vice President Gang disagreed, "The multi-tortoise came to a village where each person has two bodies. In the end, if he continues to move forward, he will reach an even more terrifying village, where each person will have four, ten, twenty, or even more bodies..."

"I think Multiple Turtles is better than The Wall Walker," said Gang. "It has an open ending. What are those people with four, ten, or twenty bodies like? It tells the story of the division and indifference of modern people under the modern industrial system. It's very exciting."

Vice President Aoi agrees that the core of the Multi-Turtle is deeper than the Wall-piercing one.

"At home, on the street, in the bank, in other people's homes, the main plot is the gradual expansion of the protagonist of "Walking Through the Walls", and the hidden plot is the yearning for freedom to break through all authoritarian barriers. The source of the contradiction between the two narrative layers collides with the representative meaning. Is this how you read this novel?" President Yang said, "The protagonist of this novel is called Dutilleul, which is Dutilleul in French, meaning order and keeping order."

"If order has the ability to ignore all barriers, then will it also expand? This is the deepest meaning of the Wall-Walking Record!" President Yang said, "Teacher Gu Lu wrote "One Night Genius" for France. Do you think this is a coincidence?"

After these words were spoken, Vice Presidents Gang and Aoi got goosebumps all over their bodies. No wonder some of the lines in the film felt a bit strange. It felt like the description of the protagonist was not like a human being. So that's how it is? !
As the president said, this can't be a coincidence. After all, there are so many French names, but Dutilleul was chosen. Moreover, Gu Lu is also a veteran in playing with the meaning of names. There is "Little Deer" in the distant past, and there is "Dail Mushi" in the recent past. "No wonder Yu Xinyao compared "Walking Through the Wall" with the new story. Is it true that Gu Lu's works are so profound?" Vice President Kui was surprised.

The literary appreciation is still not good enough. Vice President Gang felt that Yu Xinyao did not explain it clearly...

From the above incident, we can see the significance of literary critics. Because in a sense, serious literature is about who has more hidden things. Why is "Dubliners" known as the world's first short story collection? Because there are too many things hidden in the text.

"So we must get the short stories. The eight pieces of People's Literature, plus New Interpretations of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, are enough to publish a collection of serious literary short stories," said President Yang.

Vice President Kui understood everything and said that it was no problem, but President Gang whispered, "It is precisely because it is so exciting that we should treat it more carefully and not be careless. We should take a long-term view and visit Sijiu City again after some time.

……

There was some debate, and Fog City Publishing House finally didn't make a decision, and Gu Lu was about to return to Sijiu City with the box.

He will be at the Hua Xia Embroidery Art Museum in He City on October 6th to prepare a surprise for Aunt Fang, so he will leave Chongqing on the 5th.

At that moment, Gu Lu was carrying a small schoolbag with a box inside - a box for time capsules.

Knowing that most of his classmates would not come to get the capsule, Gu Lu made a decision - also because he wanted to see what his classmates had written.

He plans to find the addresses of the letters one by one and send them to his classmates so that they can know what is written. The process can be posted on Bilibili, which is what King Snoring plans to complete during this winter vacation.

Otherwise, every winter vacation before the Chinese New Year, King Guru would always feel irritable. Gu Lu would also enlighten himself. His classmates who had the same symptoms as him were also Nian beasts in their previous lives.

I feel irritable because of the Nian monster, not because I feel lonely, nor because I feel that the year has been wasted and I have accomplished nothing. It is not at all that the unpleasant memories of the New Year come to my mind every year.

"I have something to do during the winter vacation, and I'm a little happy." Gu Lu stretched, then lowered his head to reply to the message.

There are no secrets in the circle. When Gu Lu returned to Wudu, he was invited to many parties, such as Wudu Writers Association, Dukou District Tourism Department, some magazines, and some publishing houses.

He rejected them all. On the one hand, he didn't have time. On the other hand, Gu Lu realized after participating in many activities that many of them were really boring.

The parties involved directly felt that the invitations to cultural activities have increased since yesterday... The vane of cultural people seems to be lighter than that of the entertainment industry. The lighter the fence-sitter, the faster it will fall.

Half an hour later——

"Why haven't you come yet? And you don't reply to the message." Gu Lu frowned.

Although Zhou Lin would be late, he would reply to messages very quickly, saying "almost there" or "right away". More importantly, this guy would not delay things and would always show up on time when he was about to exceed the deadline.

"The security check channel for this flight is about to close." Gu Lu dialed the other party's phone, but after two rings, no one answered.

I called two or three more times, but still no one answered.

Gu Lu felt a little uneasy, so he took a taxi back. He had been to Zhou Lin's house once many years ago and roughly remembered the location.

People have good memories in strange places.

The plane ticket was refunded on the bus, and Gu Lu did not stop contacting me, but I didn't respond.

More than fifty minutes later, Gu Lu had arrived at Zhou Lin's neighborhood.

"Which floor and building is it?" Gu Lu wandered around for a while and locked on Building 6, but he couldn't remember which floor it was.

After searching floor by floor, Gu Lu finally found it, because the couplet at the door was the same as what Gu Lu remembered.

First couplet: Welcome the spring and receive the endless happiness and blessings.
Second line: Reunion and harmony celebrate the family's prosperity and joy
Horizontal comment: family happiness

My memory was suddenly opened up, because King Guru felt that the couplets were not aligned. Would Le Wubian and Qing Jiawei be able to do it? Would Qi Bei and Ying Ying also be a little forced?

It hadn't been changed for five or six years. It was made of paper. It should have been damaged long ago. But the couplet on the door of Zhou Lin's house was like the secret book in the fat boss's game room, which was "sealed" with transparent tape. Someone deliberately preserved it.

The death of a loved one can be a violent storm or a long, humid one, and Gu Lu doesn’t want Zhou Lin to be trapped in the past.

Puff——

Gu Lu started with moderate force, and when there was no movement, he increased his force. It was quite painful when his knuckles hit the door.

The doorbell must be out of power.

The door opened, and Zhou Lin was very surprised to see Gu Lu, "I thought it was takeaway food."

"Sorry, I seem to have forgotten that we're taking off today." Zhou Lin slapped his head.

She seemed to be speaking easily, but Zhou Lin's haggard expression and messy and slightly oily hair showed that she was in very bad condition.

"Ordered takeout? What takeout? Can I have a few bites?" Gu Lu asked.

"The rice noodles you don't like." Zhou Lin said as she welcomed Gu Lu into the room.

"You haven't eaten yet? What do you want to eat? It's my treat."

During the conversation, Zhou Lin seemed to be fine...that's strange.

(End of this chapter)