Lu Shi's knowledge mostly came from books, and he didn't know much about some unsophisticated British politicians.
Just like the Earl of Kimberley in front of me,
I really don’t know him.
Lu Shi could only remain silent, saying less and making fewer mistakes.
Wodehouse continued: "It seems that you have heard of Winston's name. Yes, that guy has appeared in left-wing newspapers recently. If this trend continues, he will soon become a member of our Liberal Party. .”
Lu Shi was indeed a little surprised when he heard this.
The title of the British colonial governor in South Africa was the Earl of Kimberley, so that "Kimberley" developed into the name of the northern city of South Africa and the capital of the Northern Cape Province.
Logically speaking, with this title, Wodehouse should have supported the Anglo-Boer War and foreign colonial expansion.
Would such a person be a Liberal?
Perhaps sensing Lu Shi's doubts, Wodehouse asked, "Do you find it strange?"
Lu Shi shook his head,
"It's not surprising. The Conservative Party is not all conservative in the same way, but the Liberal Party is liberal in its own way."
Wodehouse was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly and said: "Okay! What a 'Conservative Party is not the same conservative party, but the Liberal Party is free in its own way'. I didn't expect Mr. Lu, a Chinese, to be able to bring the two parties together." Seeing so clearly.”
Lu Shi laughed in his heart,
A left-wing party like the Liberal Party is a typical mixed bag of good and bad, with multiple internal branches and extreme involution.
Then, involution will evolve into a rotten spiral of "freedom is not absolute equals absolute lack of freedom", leading to endless intra-party struggles and serious internal strife.
This is one of the reasons why the Liberal Party was replaced by the Labor Party.
Wodehouse said: "So, can Mr. Lu guess the theme of the satirical drama I commissioned Xiao to write?"
Lu Shi nodded understandingly,
The current British Prime Minister is Robert Gascoigne-Cecil, leader of the Conservative Party,
It was this man who launched the Anglo-Boer War and implemented a policy of glorious isolation in Europe to manipulate the balance of power in Europe. He can be said to be the source of the British troublemaker.
Therefore, Gascoigne-Cecil and his cabinet team are a thorn in the side and flesh of many Liberal parties.
This is probably the content of George Bernard Shaw's satire.
Lu Shi looked at Bernard Shaw,
"Why should Mr. Xiao do this for me?"
Although George Bernard Shaw was a language master who was good at humor and satire, he certainly had character as a playwright. He should be extremely disgusted with the term "Queen of Letters" and would not want to write a proposition composition for the Liberal Party.
Unexpectedly, Bernard Shaw said: "Mr. Lu takes himself too lightly."
Lu Shi was puzzled.
"Huh? Do I underestimate myself?"
Bernard Shaw nodded,
"Mr. Lu, a good friend of mine praised you highly in the telegram, and even said that you are the founder of new history. Why do you have to belittle yourself?"
This is not simply flattery.
Historical research is divided into traditional history and modern history.
Traditional history emphasizes the examination of basic literary and historical knowledge, emphasizes the objectivity of historical knowledge, emphasizes the inheritance of literary and historical knowledge and existing research results, attaches great importance to the role of basic historical materials, and pays attention to rigorous logical reasoning.
Modern historiography is completely different:
It got rid of the tendency of traditional historiography to pay too much attention to the political history of nation-states, and expanded the research field to various aspects such as economy, system, religion, geography, family, population, etc., broadening the research horizons and enriching the research content;
At the same time, modern history breaks through the shackles of absolute objectivism promoted by traditional history and recognizes human subjective initiative in historical research.
These characteristics are all reflected in "Guns, Germs and Steel".
According to the historical process, modern history did not officially arise until the First World War.
so……
"Am I the founder of new history?"
Lu Shi was shocked.
Seeing that he didn't believe it, Bernard Shaw quickly said: "That's right! The person who gave this evaluation was my friend, Rudolf Chiron. He teaches at the University of Gothenburg. He came all the way from Sweden just because he wanted to ask you for advice."
Wodehouse echoed: "We're waiting for his train. He landed at Newcastle to-day and should be on his way this way."
Lu Shi almost fainted when he heard the name Rudolf Chiron.
Chiron is the founder of geopolitics.
However, he is famous not only for his theories, but also because he supported aggression and became an advocate of German expansion in World War II.
Being asked for advice by such a person is a headache to think about.
Lu Shi was speechless.
Seeing that he stopped talking again, Bernard Shaw became a little anxious and continued to persuade: "Mr. Lu, you really don't have to worry about me. Anyway, I have already written "The Devil's Disciple" and "The Transformation of Captain Brass Pound". They are all satire-type realistic dramas.”
Indeed, Bernard Shaw was not afraid of being bitten by lice if he had too many.
He satirized the British politicians for being hypocritical and "having a lot of ism in doing things":
If Britain wants war, it promotes patriotism;
When Britain wanted to rob, it proposed the doctrine of business;
When Britain wanted to colonize, it put forward the principle of imperialism;
If Britain wants to support the king, it has the principle of loyalty to the king, but if it wants to chop off the king's head, it has the principle of republicanism.
…
These words are not without harshness.
Seeing that Bernard Shaw was very sincere, Lu Shi had no choice but to correct his attitude and refuse: "Mr. Xiao, I am only in my early twenties, younger than many students. Standing behind the podium does not seem like that!"
He really didn't want to wade into troubled waters.
Bernard Shaw said: "Mr. Lu, you don't know how popular your article is in school! Don't worry, your prestige is definitely enough!"
The flesh on Lu Shi's cheeks throbbed convulsively,
"No, no, no, Mr. Xiao, I really can't do it!"
Seeing his resolute attitude, Bernard Shaw didn't know how to persuade him for a while.
At this time, Wodehouse next to him spoke,
"Mr. Lu, how can a man say no so easily?"
"Pfft~cough cough..."
One sentence made Lu Shizheng angry,
I didn’t expect that British people would also do this kind of trick.
George Bernard Shaw took the opportunity to say: "Mr. Lu, the information cited in your articles is very detailed. It must have taken a lot of time to review and integrate it, right? To be honest, you don't need to do the mechanical work yourself. You can do it with your subordinates." With a few students, everything will be easier."
This is naked inducement.
At this point, Lu Shi knew that it would be difficult to refuse, so he said helplessly: "You can let me give a few lectures, but there are two conditions."
Bernard Shaw immediately said: "You say it."
Lu Shi said: "First, I just give lectures and do nothing else."
He knew how much he weighed, so it was okay to lie a few words, but if he really wanted to do some teaching and research, compile textbooks, etc., it would be a big problem.
Bernard Shaw had no objection to this proposal,
"It's up to you. We can't tie you down, can we?"
Lu Shi added: "Second, as Mr. Xiao said just now, I may really need the students to help me with some work."
Bernard Shaw couldn't help laughing,
"What's the problem with that? It's an honor for them to work for the founders of the new historiography."
The founder of new history...
Being called that again, Lu Shi couldn't help but blush.
He murmured in a low voice: "I still have to practice more...I'm not thick-skinned enough..."
Bernard Shaw didn't hear clearly and asked, "Mr. Lu, what did you just say?"
Lu Shi waved his hand,
"No, I just want to say that if you have the chance, you must watch Mr. Xiao's drama."
Bernard Shaw waved his hand,
"That's no problem. I'll take you there. You can sit in the box wherever you want."
The matter of Lu Shi's guest appearance was thus settled.
