Midnight - World Literature Classics (Commentary Edition)

Author: Maodun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: "World Literature Classics · Famous Author's Introduction Edition" series, edited by the renowned Chinese writer Liu Xinwu as the series chief editor, with experts such as Chen Jinming, chairman of the National Chinese Language Education Association, and Zhang Yijian, core member of the New Chinese Language Curriculum Standards Development Team and vice chairman of the National Chinese Language Education Association, as the editorial committee. It is the series with the largest expert lineup in the current market. On a night in May 1930, industrial tycoon Wu Sunfu and Wu Erxiao Fu Fang, along with his father-in-law, financial tycoon Du Zhuzhai, were waiting at the Dai Sheng Chang Steamship Bureau in Shanghai to greet Wu Laoye, who had fled from the turmoil in Shuangqiao Town. Relying on the Great Compassion Sutra as his spiritual anchor and having not stepped outside his study for twenty-five years, Wu Laoye was practically an ancient corpse. Upon arriving in Shanghai, the atmosphere of the capitalist metropolis immediately eroded him. Overwhelmed by the shock, Wu Laoye suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died that night. The next day, the Wu family held a grand funeral, with various characters gathering at the Wu residence. The protagonist, Wu Sunfu, was deeply troubled by the rebellion of farmers in his hometown Shuangqiao Town and the strike by workers at the Yuhua Silk Factory in the city. However, when he heard Du Zhuzhai talk about the financial agent Zhao Botao and Shang Zhongli planning to form a secret "long" company to engage in bond speculation, a glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes. He immediately abandoned the funeral to negotiate with Zhao Botao, formulating a grand plan in his mind: to swallow up all small and medium-sized industrialists and become the master of industry. After several rounds of planning with Sun Jiren, the general manager of the Pacific Company, and Wang Hefu, the general manager of the Daxing Coal Mining Company, they successfully formed the industrial conglomerate "Yizhong Trust and Investment Company." Wu Sunfu succeeded in bond speculation, and "Yizhong" acquired eight factories valued at 300,000 yuan for only 50,000 yuan. Wu invested all his assets in bonds, initially betting against them and later switching to betting with them. Zhao Botao was the demon of the Shanghai bond market, backed by Americans and connected with the military and political circles, with vast influence. He aimed to control industrial capital through a financial trust and threatened to "bring down Wu Laosan and bankrupt Yizhong Company!" Wu Sunfu, while expanding factories and engaging in industry, also participated in bond speculation, facing a shortage of funds. At a critical moment, Du Zhuzhai withdrew from "Yizhong." Some depositors demanded early withdrawals. To fight Zhao Botao to the end, Wu bribed Zhao's lover, Liu Yuying, and broker Han Mengxiang, as insiders. However, the Yan army suddenly launched a full-scale attack, aiming to reach Jinan within four days, causing bonds to plummet and the "long" position to face a devastating defeat. To transfer the crisis, Wu Sunfu ordered a 20% deduction from workers' wages and suppressed the strikers with force! The labor ruffian Tu Weiye exhausted all his efforts but achieved nothing. The labor movement surged, and Wu Sunfu was trapped inside the factory, fleeing like a frightened bird through the back door. To escape his troubles and seek excitement, Wu Sunfu and his group took the socialite Xu Manli for a boat ride on the river. Due to full speed, they accidentally capsized a small boat. Zhao Botao showed up, threatening to impose a comprehensive economic blockade. "Yizhong" was finally defeated by the Western "foreign companies" and the Eastern "societies." Wu Sunfu felt he had reached the end of his rope. Yet, he still took a gamble, deciding to face Zhao Botao in the final showdown, even mortgaging the land of the Wu family residence. The moment of the showdown between the "long" and "short" positions arrived. Zhao Botao had mastered the weaknesses of Wu Sunfu and his group. Wu made a final move, dumping 1.5 million "layoff" bonds. If Du Zhuzhai had joined Wu's side at that moment, Wu would have won, but Du Zhuzhai, taking advantage of the price drop, allied with Zhao Botao and made massive profits. Wu Sunfu was utterly defeated and prepared to commit suicide with a gun, but he did not fire. In the end, Wu Sunfu and the young mistress left the pier at midnight to escape the heat. Ziye is the masterpiece of Mao Dun's long and also the first social analysis novel in the history of modern Chinese literature. Set in Shanghai in the 1930s, it offers profound insights into the social realities of old China with rich ideological depth, successfully portraying a group of national capitalists represented by Wu Sunfu. It accurately reflects the social conditions of China at the time and is hailed as the first realistic long in Chinese literature, establishing Mao Dun's position in the history of modern Chinese literature. This book is part of the "World Literature Classics · Famous Author's Introduction Edition," edited by the renowned writer Liu Xinwu, and is designed to complement Chinese language teaching. It includes content such as ideological themes, artistic features, famous author's introduction, main text, and reflections, helping to improve students' Chinese language performance.