0064 72 Historical Nihilism
The room was silent. Zhou Xiye didn't want to break the tranquility, so she followed the security guard outside. Once outside, the guard said, "I'm Teacher Hua's personal bodyguard. She likes to paint at this time, so please wait a little longer."
Zhou Xiye wasn't in a hurry. Sitting in his chair, he unconsciously observed Hua Chunyang's residence. Unlike other leaders Zhou Xiye had met, Hua Chunyang's home wasn't antique-style, with every piece of antique worth millions; it was more modern.
Sharp lines, a minimalist layout, and grand chandeliers all showcase Hua Chunyang's unique and sophisticated aesthetic style.
The towering walls were transformed into bookshelves, the number of books impossible to estimate at a glance. Thin wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner in front of Zhou Xiye, their shape identical to the withered branches she had just seen.
Footsteps suddenly sounded behind him. Zhou Xiye turned around and saw his bodyguard. He leaned down and said to Zhou Xiye, "Teacher Hua wants you to go in and help her mix the ink."
Zhou Xiye nodded and stood up. His bodyguard gestured for him to take the things he was carrying, saying he would keep them safe.
As she walked in, Hua Chunyang stood up and gestured in the air with her pen. Hearing Zhou Xiye enter, she didn't even look at her. "Help me mix the colors. I want to draw tree branches."
Zhou Xiye wasn't very good at mixing colors. He picked up the palette, looked at the color of the tree branch, and then looked at the paint box.
"Is it ready? Bring it here."
Hua Chunyang didn't even look at the mixed colors. He simply dipped his brush in the paint and applied it to the white paper. The streaks of green became the highlight of the entire painting.
She finally stopped writing after a while. Looking at the whole picture, she shook her head, "This green is too eye-catching."
Zhou Xiye smiled and said, "People are just ordinary people. Teacher Hua, you like plum blossoms. The elegant plum blossoms are made even more noble by the green background."
"But how can there be lush green trees in winter?"
"What you have in your heart will appear in your painting."
Hua Chunyang smiled, put down his paintbrush, and waved. The naked man opposite him stood up and hurriedly left.
"Xiao Zhou, have you eaten?"
Zhou Xiye shook his head, "Minister Ye asked me to bring you a gift..."
Hua Chunyang picked up a damp towel to wipe her hands. "I know, he told me," she said, glancing at Zhou Xiye. "I haven't eaten yet, have some with me."
A small wooden table made of Hainan rosewood was placed in front of him. Zhou Xiye sat cross-legged and looked at the food on the table. The rice was crystal clear and fragrant, the green vegetables were lush and green, there were small pieces of pickled vegetables, and the freshly cooked rice cakes were glistening with every grain. It was a meal that looked delicious.
Hua Chunyang ate a few bites of rice and then put down her chopsticks. The person kneeling beside her placed the teacup down, then stood up and left. She picked up the teacup, blew on it, and took a sip.
"How much have you heard about the River Faction?"
After asking the question, Hua Chunyang put down his teacup and looked at Zhou Xiye. Zhou Xiye thought for a moment before saying, "I know."
"Oh? How much do you know?"
Speaking is an art, and the speaker's position determines the content and depth of the conversation. A large part of officialdom's interactions are reflected in the art of speaking. Hua Chunyang was asking Zhou Xiye how he viewed the suppression of the He faction.
She wasn't testing her knowledge of history; she wanted to hear how Zhou Xiye would analyze the situation and offer what she considered to be good solutions.
Zhou Xiye paused for a moment, then replied with a smile, "When Huan Wen was the governor of Jingzhou, he was ashamed to use his power and harsh punishments to govern the people. He was particularly afraid of the severity of the punishments."
Hua Chunyang burst into laughter after hearing this, as if she had heard a funny joke. After she calmed down, she said to Zhou Xiye, "You actually think that politicians are too lenient? This is a life-or-death game, the Hunger Games."
Zhou Xiye nodded, "This is all I can think of, I am not very capable."
"The emperor's ambitions at the time were greater than we imagined. Underestimating the enemy was one thing, but more importantly, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Chinese culture dictates behavior patterns, and the American approach of inclusiveness and openness doesn't work in China. The political arena is a battle of human nature, and what is human nature? It's culture. Chinese culture is so ancient that it's deeply rooted in the hearts of every Chinese person."
Zhou Xiye did not refute, but waited quietly for Hua Chunyang to continue.
"Tolerance is to indulge the enemy. Take today's tough foreign policy, for example. To some extent, it is also protecting traditional Chinese culture."
“They are the ones who are afraid,” Zhou Xiye said.
Hua Chunyang shook his head and sighed, "Politics is not just about power, but it is power everywhere. It is not a virtual thing, but like an exquisite palace, presented before everyone. It has a precise top-level design, a solid foundation, and a strong base. It is a complex and magnificent palace full of traps."
Zhou Xiye was stunned by her words.
"You've only just opened this door, don't rush."
After saying this, Hua Chunyang picked up his chopsticks and focused on eating, remaining silent. Zhou Xiye ate his meal while pondering the meaning behind Hua Chunyang's words. Leaving aside other political aspects, the traditional legitimacy of political rule has always existed in every matter, especially when traced back to its origins.
The statements "We are descendants of Yan and Huang" and "I am a descendant of the Zhou family" are essentially the same: both seek to justify their existence and express their uniqueness through historical legitimacy. This negates historical nihilism and affirms the profound significance of history for our existence.
For Zhou Xiye, feminism has fallen into historical nihilism. Women should open history textbooks and search for the figures of every woman crushed by history in every nook and cranny, using Wu Zetian and Li Qingzhao to prove the power of women.
Actually, this is a trap.
To some extent, history has been a shackle for women, especially for Chinese women. We might wonder, why are there so few female roles in China's five thousand years of history? Are women inherently inferior to men?
We are used to finding answers in history, but we forget to create history ourselves. Finding answers in history is a way of proving political problems, which subtly influences the whole society, especially in terms of women's self-affirmation and the search for self-worth.
Look ahead.
The past is not something to be forgotten, but rather something to be remembered as a disgrace that we must never allow to happen again. We should care about nothing else but this lesson. Historical nihilism may sound pessimistic, but it is a way for us to save ourselves.
In conclusion, if we set aside our identities as "descendants of Yan and Huang" and "I am a descendant of the Lao X family," we should be able to create even more glorious history.
Zhou Xiye smiled helplessly and finished the last piece of green vegetable on his plate.
Hua Chunyang took a tissue and dabbed his mouth. "I'll give you the information on those people. Pick a few decent ones, arrange a time to meet them, and register your marriage as soon as possible. Don't let this delay your important matters."
After speaking, Hua Chunyang stood up, pressed something nearby, and a moment later, his bodyguard came in with some documents and placed them on Zhou Xiye's desk.
"When you get old, you need to rest for a while. I won't see you off."
After everyone left, the room was quiet. Zhou Xiye opened the documents and looked at them. The first page was the table of contents, with names and positions listed, and corresponding page numbers.
Looking at the matchmaking list, Zhou Xiye had good reason to suspect that it was updated from time to time for other people to choose from. She couldn't help but wonder if she herself was on another matchmaking list. Zhou Xiye opened the page for each person; it contained photos, personal introductions, hobbies, future aspirations, and their parents' family backgrounds.
Zhou Xiye picked out a few people she found pleasing to the eye, just like choosing vegetables, and sent them text messages one by one. Whoever replied first would be chosen for a date. Soon, a person named Zhou Qiming replied, "Hello Ms. Zhou, I'm free tonight. How about we meet tonight?"
Looking at Zhou Qiming's photo, he seems like an ordinary person. Zhou Xiye doesn't need him to be handsome or capable; she just needs someone who won't hold her back.
After leaving Wangyue Villa, Zhou Xiye drove to the restaurant Zhou Qiming had arranged. It wasn't uncommon for them to have several gatherings a day; it was all about eating—business at the table, friendships outside the table, and everyday gossip in the office.
Zhou Xiye arrived at the restaurant first; it was quite far, but there weren't many people outside the Third Ring Road. The New Century Nikko Hotel was near the Beijing Zoo. Seeing that it was still early, Zhou Xiye parked the car and strolled around the zoo. There were quite a few people at the zoo at this time, all there to see the Xizhimen Third Prince statue.
Zhou Xiye didn't join the crowd and just strolled around casually. Her favorite animal was the golden python, with its beautiful skin color. When coiled up, it moved slowly and had a gentle temperament. Suddenly, Zhou Xiye remembered her college days. She had kept two scorpions in her bunkmate's room, and they had always been fine. Then one day, the scorpions crawled out. When Zhou Xiye went to the bathroom in the morning, she saw two scorpions hanging diagonally on the wall. To be honest, she was quite startled when she saw them.
He immediately went back to his room and woke up his roommate, asking her to deal with the scorpion. Thinking of his sleepy roommate, Zhou Xiye couldn't help but laugh.
Strange memories would always suddenly strike her unexpectedly.
After leaving the zoo, Zhou Xiye went to Nikko Hotel. Inside, he ordered two desserts and opened a bottle of wine. Leaning back in his chair, he observed the people around him. Everyone spoke softly and quietly, even their laughter was reserved.
"Sorry I'm late."
Suddenly, a gentle voice pulled Zhou Xiye out of her own world. She turned her head and saw Zhou Qiming.
"It's alright, please have a seat," Zhou Xiye said with a smile, then waved for the waiter to come over. "I only ordered some desserts, see what you'd like to eat."
"You order, but we should prioritize the ladies."
Zhou Xiye smiled, rubbing her temples with her fingers. Perhaps because she had been drinking, her voice became a little softer and more charming. "You come here. I'm not familiar with the food here."
She was indeed unfamiliar with him. Last time, she and Yi Chenling met Ling Xingzhi here, but now she could only recall Ling Xingzhi's dark eyes staring at her motionlessly in the corridor.
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Zhou Qiming ordered two dishes and returned the menu to the waiter.
"Ms. Zhou, are you currently working at the Central Military Commission...?"
Zhou Xiye nodded, and Zhou Qiming continued with a businesslike smile, "I'm a native of Beijing, and I currently work at the tax bureau as a section chief, not too high or too low. I think you should know that."
"Yes, I know."
Zhou Qiming saw that Zhou Xiye had no reaction at all; at the very least, there was no fervent expectation that he wanted.
"Does Ms. Zhou have any requirements for the other party?"
Zhou Xiye frowned in thought, propping her elbows on the table, her left hand slightly bent to support her cheek, her black hair falling over her shoulders, her posture graceful, her eyes looking up, "Hmm... be obedient."
"Obedience?" Zhou Qiming found this amusing, almost laughing as he retorted, "Obedience, what kind of standard is that?"
Zhou Xiye blinked and looked at him, "She's just well-behaved and sensible. When I come home from social events, she knows I'll make her some hangover soup. When I'm tired, she can help me remove my makeup. She can cook and do laundry... She can't embarrass me when attending important occasions..."
Zhou Xiye nodded, "That's all... I haven't thought of anything else yet."
Zhou Qiming suppressed a laugh, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Excuse me for being blunt, but with Miss Zhou's standards for choosing a partner... it would be very difficult for her to find a boyfriend."
Zhou Xiye said noncommittally, "Yes, but I felt you would be that kind of person, so I contacted you."
Now it was Zhou Qiming's turn to feel awkward. "In what way did I cause Miss Zhou to have such a misunderstanding?"
"All aspects."
"Huh?" Zhou Qiming's eyes were already showing a hint of anger. "You don't know me, yet you say I'm this kind of person. Miss Zhou, your statement is too rigid..."
Zhou Xiye waved his hand and leaned back in his chair. “Let me analyze this for you. You work at the tax bureau now, as a junior section chief. I understand the tax system, especially your position. The tasks are all done by the people below you. You don’t have much to do every day except read the newspaper and practice Tai Chi. Your work is very easy, so you have a natural advantage – you’re an idle person.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiming almost stood up to refute it.
Zhou Xiye slowly reached out and patted his shoulder. "Don't rush, young man, keep listening to me... I've looked at your family background, and it's probably difficult for you to rise any higher in the short term. So for the next ten years, you can stay at home and wait for me, helping me with the housework. Also, you have a good personality, you've never fought or argued with anyone, and you have no violent tendencies, so I won't fight with you after we get married."
"In short, you're a very good candidate. By the way... I don't accept infidelity."
Zhou Qiming laughed in exasperation, "Are you looking for a husband or a nanny?"
Zhou Xiye spread her hands. "For someone like me, what's the difference between a husband and a nanny?"
The next second, Zhou Qiming's smile disappeared. He lowered his head and adjusted himself for a while before saying, "Miss Zhou, would you like to hear my criteria for choosing a partner?"
Zhou Xiye shook her head. The dishes were served one by one. She picked up her chopsticks and said, "I can't eat much. I'll just eat a couple of bites with you..."
“Zhou Xiye, if you look down on me, you don’t need to humiliate me like this. We’re complete strangers, and your words are rather inappropriate.”
Zhou Xiye didn't quite understand which of her statements was considered boastful. Suddenly, she understood what Zhou Qiming meant. She put down her chopsticks, leaned back, and interlaced her fingers on her lap. "Zhou Qiming, I am an opportunity for you. I advise you to seize it, otherwise you'll just be a lowly section chief for the rest of your life, with no future."
"Ms. Zhou, have you never been in a relationship? Marriage is a matter of mutual consent, not something that can be forced upon you..."
“I have no feelings for you, nor do I intend to develop any feelings for you. There is only exchange and exploitation between us… Let me put it this way, Zhou Qiming, if you are here to choose a wife, then please leave. I do not want to be your wife. In this relationship, I am your boss.”
Zhou Qiming immediately stood up. "I still have a Beijing hukou (household registration). You, an outsider, are showing off here. You'll get your comeuppance sooner or later!"
Zhou Xiye ignored his words completely, looking at him with a smile as if he were watching a joke.
The two remained locked in a stalemate; one stood, large beads of sweat streaming down his forehead, while the other tilted his head back, his eyes full of laughter.
The scene Ling Xingzhi witnessed resembled a superior reprimanding a subordinate. He smiled and shook his head; Zhou Xiye, despite being so thoroughly humiliated by him, remained arrogant and domineering.
"secretary?"
Suddenly, someone called out beside him, snapping Ling Xingzhi back to reality. "Oh! You guys go ahead, I've run into a friend..."
The people surrounding him laughed and left, with Li Qingshan following behind him. "Secretary, I'll go get the car first..."
Ling Xingzhi nodded and strode towards Zhou Xiye.
But he was still a few seconds too late; a figure appeared in front of Zhou Xiye before him.
Pei Zhiyu
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