Chapter 56: The Show Begins_1

In a dilapidated industrial park skyscraper, Kong Xiang, panting with exertion, finally made it to the rooftop carrying a pack of pull-tab beer cans.

Jiang Yu had arrived a step earlier and set up the folding table and chairs.

On the folding table, there were several marinated dishes and a pack of peanuts, as well as two military binoculars.

Jiang Yu went to take the beer from Kong Xiang's hand, "Teacher Kong, you really should exercise more."

Kong Xiang collapsed into the folding chair, "Indeed, even if I exercise more, I can't keep up with you young folks."

Jiang Yu opened a can of beer and handed it to Kong Xiang, who took the beer, wiped the sweat from his brow with a tissue, and then took a few sips to quench his thirst.

Once Kong Xiang's breathing had evened out, Jiang Yu pointed him in a direction.

Through the binoculars, Kong Xiang could see that an abandoned chemical factory was bustling today; after watching for a short while, he spotted several major leaders from other countries who were members of the Redemptionist faction.

He also saw Pan Han enter the spacious employee cafeteria, presumably where the Redemptionist meeting was taking place.

With the binoculars in hand, Kong Xiang laughed, "This is really quite the spectacle!"

"The real show hasn't even started yet," Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Come, let me first toast to Teacher Kong.

"Thank you for your guidance all this time, not only teaching me knowledge, but also how to be a person. It's rare to find such a dedicated teacher nowadays."

Kong Xiang put down the binoculars and, smiling, clinked his can with Jiang Yu's, "To encounter a student as perceptive as you is a teacher's fortune."

The two of them took a few sips of beer and sampled the snacks.

Jiang Yu began to recount the scene of their first meeting: "Back then, I believed I was above everything and everyone, not even sparing teachers my regard.

"It was only after hearing Teacher Kong's analysis of primitive societies that I realized there are higher skies and greater people beyond myself."

Kong Xiang smiled and said, "I wasn't relaxed at that time, either. I had long heard that there was a thorn among the new students, and you managed to intimidate most of the teachers with your remarks, so much so that they dreaded teaching your class.

"I secretly listened to several of your debates with teachers in class. While the teachers said you didn't act like a student and tried to suppress you with their authority,

"from an outsider's perspective, I saw that your arguments were logical and impressive.

"It was the teachers who weren't up to par, not compelling enough for you to admit you were mistaken, and a genius should not be treated as a mere troublemaker.

"I had to show some real skill to awe you on our first meeting!"

Jiang Yu shook his head with a laugh, "I wonder if someone will write our first meeting into a story someday?"

Kong Xiang offered Jiang Yu a cigarette and lit one himself, "That depends on what kind of achievements you'll make in the future.

"If you become a master, many people would enjoy digging up such anecdotes, and I might bask in your reflected glory."

Jiang Yu smiled and raised his pull-tab can, "No matter what happens in the future, you'll always be my teacher."

Kong Xiang clinked cans with Jiang Yu, "It seems like you have a premonition of something?"

"That's what you taught me, Teacher Kong, to use current societal behavior to foresee the future." Jiang Yu took a couple of sips of beer and suddenly changed the subject:

"Later, under your influence, I came into contact with the Adventist ideology."

He paused and then asked, "Teacher Kong, I've always wanted to ask, why have you lost hope in humanity?"

Kong Xiang was startled and put down his chopsticks. He took a couple of puffs of his cigarette before saying, "I've always been reluctant to talk about these things, but today, with that drama unfolding outside, I'll share some of the stories from the bottom of my heart."

He finished his cigarette before continuing, "My ideal was to try and change some of the societal status quo.

"There are problems that could have been easily resolved when they first emerged, but because they don't cause immediate pain for the majority, they're ignored.

"When a small issue becomes a big one, and everyone is hurt by it, by then you'll find that a problem which was originally simple has become complicated, intertwined, and pulling on one thread affects the whole."

"To solve it then involves many people's interests, and a slight misstep could lead to disaster."

Kong Xiang took a sip of his drink and continued, "When I actually set out to do it, I discovered that it's impossible for humanity to change its bad habits.

"The darkness that emerges from vested interests is a hundred times filthier than the darkness born of force.

"Mr. Lu Xun said that this society 'devours humans', and who could say he's wrong?

"In the past, it consumed human flesh and blood, now it consumes the essence, with a more refined method.

"However, Mr. Lu Xun wasn't entirely correct on one point, people are not numb, but rather, they are pretending to be asleep.

"You can use some methods to touch the softest part of a person's soul, make them no longer numb, but you can't wake up those who pretend to sleep."

This was the last class, so Jiang Yu listened particularly attentively.

Kong Xiang looked out at the sky and paused for more than a dozen seconds before continuing, "For example, I once tried to shake everyone awake, make them realize that our current achievements are nothing.

"Even if we catch up to America, it's nothing. We were the number one in the world for a long time in history, so returning to that position is just that, nothing worth celebrating.

"We need higher goals, to take on the responsibility of leading humanity towards a brighter future.

"But most people are already self-satisfied, immersed in the beautiful dreams they've woven for themselves, strutting around with a second-place honor, paying no mind to what I said.

"This was one of my viewpoints when I was young, not polished, but very 'youthful'.

"At the time I also raised many issues and basic solutions, such as the dangers of overly marketized healthcare and educators at the grassroots level losing their sense of responsibility, among others.

"I won't go into details, I'm afraid it might affect you. The biggest hurt I suffered back then came when many people, including victims of these issues, told me I was meddling in others' affairs."

At this point, Kong Xiang shook his head, "Anyway, you know I've had my share of hard knocks.

"The more I tried, the greater the disappointment grew. After one disappointment piled upon another, I suddenly realized that no amount of effort mattered, that the norm in human society is to not achieve recognition and to despair."

Jiang Yu opened another can of beer for Kong Xiang, "Have you ever considered that maybe your approach was wrong?"

Kong Xiang's hand paused as he took the beer, and with a hearty laugh, "Good, good, good. I thought I'd have to wait another year or two before you'd retort, but you're starting now."

He guzzled down a can of beer in one breath before saying, "Come on, then, surpass me!"

Jiang Yu also took a couple of gulps, "Teacher, the lives of ordinary people are just ordinary, eh? They too are victims of social problems; we can't take out our frustrations on them."

Kong Xiang lit another cigarette and took a couple of puffs before saying, "Go on."

"As for methods for social change visible today, there are two main types: revolution and reform," Jiang Yu continued.

"And what you wanted to do back then was closer to a third kind: guidance.

"That's also the purpose of social science, to detect and offer solutions at the onset of social problems.

"But back then your theories lacked support; you couldn't grab the bull by the horns, which made guidance very difficult.

"So you leaned toward reform, but from ancient times to now, social reformers are always reviled and spat upon by many, until years later, after social problems are resolved, the reformers are given fair recognition.

"You weren't resolute enough, not able to stand the slander…"

Bang~

Suddenly, a loud noise interrupted their conversation.