Shen Zeyi and Zhang Yuanxun: It's Time (1957.5.19)

Nov 28, 2022

My mentor once said to me that if there is no thought in the school, this society will be over. After 6 years away from the campus, one of the biggest feelings is that all the spirit of resistance deserves the highest respect, especially the cry that goes beyond personal interests. Of course, I hope that all young people will get rid of the cold air, just go up, know what can't be done, and don't ask whether it will be successful, but ask whether it is appropriate. However, the complication is that it is hard to tell what the group and individual consequences of this kind of thing are. Hope everyone is well.

(one)

it's time,

young people

Let go of your voice and sing!

take our pain

and love

All poured down on paper!

Don't be injustice behind your back,

secretly indignant,

Secretly sad.

Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy

shake out

See the light of day.

to criticize and accuse

It rains down on your head,

Newborn vegetation

Never be afraid of the sun shining!

my poem

is a torch

burn everything down

The alienation of the world,

Its light cannot be blocked,

because of its tinder

From - "May 4th"! ! !

(two)

it's time.

towards our today

I speak!

Yesterday, I didn't dare

Striking the heavy strings.

I only use soft tones

Sing the zephyr and the petals!

Today, I will sing the song in my heart,

as a giant whip,

Lash all darkness in the dead sun!

Why, some people say, there is no warmth in the group?

Why, some say, the wall between us

Why, you and I dare not talk frankly?

Why……?

I cry with anger,

Call out to us:

brothers who sing the truth

hold up the torch

To bury all darkness under the sun! ! !

Originally published in the fourth issue of "Red Mansion" (Peking University student publication). Edited by Niu Han and Deng Jiuping: "Original Grass: The Anti-Rightist Movement in Memory" (Beijing: Economic Daily Publishing House, 1998), pp. 16-18

In addition to say a few digressions, the two authors of the poem.

Shen Zeyi (1933-2014), pen name Mengzhou. A native of Huzhou, Zhejiang. In the autumn of 1953, he was admitted to the English Department of the Western Language Department of Peking University, and transferred to the Chinese Department the following year. In 1957, inspired by the spirit of "a hundred schools of thought contend and a hundred flowers bloom", Peking University students erupted with enthusiasm. Taking the poem "It's Time" by Zhang Yuanxun and Shen Zeyi as the fuse, the students put up big-character posters day and night, arguing and questioning ,support. Graduated in 1958. In the autumn of the same year, he worked as a rural teacher at Shuanghuyu Middle School in Zizhou County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province (formerly Yulin area). He was arrested and imprisoned during the "Cultural Revolution". He returned to his hometown in 1969 and worked as a mud worker, porter, and road builder for ten years. In 1978, he returned to teach and served as a professor of the Chinese Department of Huzhou Teachers College. Director of China Contemporary Literature Research Association, special researcher of Zhejiang Literature Institute, special poetry researcher of Zhejiang Writers Association.

Zhang Yuanxun (1933-2013), born in Ganyu, Jiangsu. In 1954, he was admitted to the Chinese Department of Peking University, majoring in literature. In 1957, he was labeled as "extreme right" and arrested for "counter-revolutionary" crimes. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. In 1979, he was rehabilitated and "corrected". Later, he taught in the Chinese Department of the School of Liberal Arts of Qufu Normal University and retired at Qufu Normal University.

In 1957, it was hard to say what would have happened to the students of the Chinese Department of Peking University if they hadn’t happened later, but imprisoned would probably not be an option. Given the current state of the university, one worked in Huzhou Normal University and the other in Qufu Normal University, which probably would not have happened. If nothing else, if you were to concentrate on academics, it would be impossible for you to be an academic "big boss" in a top university. Something unexpected happened. I can only use the words in the storytelling, Shi Ye? Luck? Fate?

Therefore, no matter what the current situation is like before or behind it, it is just scholarly anger after all. I hope everyone will not be affected, after all, they are more likely to be the future of this country.

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