I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 255 A Revolution Sweeping Across Europe

"The Tsar's power to rule the people comes from God, but he should not use his power to mock God and the people."

“Respect the law. If the Tsar disregards the law, then the people will not obey it either.”

"A nation that loves and spreads education is a nation without dignity. They are easy to lead, but slaves can also easily turn into angry rebels."

"Revolution is a destructive act; it jumps directly from Monday to Wednesday. But jumping back from Monday to Sunday is equally destructive."

—Words Zhukovsky taught the young Alexander II

In 1846, the railway network within the German Confederation was already taking shape, but it was not yet fully connected. Therefore, after Mikhail traveled by rail from Frankfurt to Heidelberg, he rented a horse-drawn carriage and slowly drove towards Baden-Baden, where Zhukovsky was located.

Baden, one of Europe's most famous health resorts, is known as the "summer capital of Europe." Every year from May to September, nobles, diplomats, writers, pianists, and others from various countries come here for health retreats and to escape the summer heat. Their presence makes this not-so-large city of Baden exceptionally prosperous and culturally vibrant.

Although the scenery here is extremely beautiful and there are hot springs to soak in, Mikhail, who still has a lot to do, does not plan to stay here for long. If it weren't for fulfilling the wish of a senior figure in the Russian literary world, Mikhail might not have made a special trip here.

As for Zhukovsky, he was already a leading figure in Russian literature of the previous era. After achieving great success and laying a solid foundation in his time, with the emergence of Pushkin, Zhukovsky focused more on translation.

He translated a large number of works by Goethe, Schiller, and others. He believed that when translating poetry, one should not be a "slave" to the author, but a "competitor," and even surpass the author.

So, after Pushkin died in a duel, who became the most famous person in Russian literature?
That was Gogol, who still wanders around Europe today.

Strictly speaking, Mikhail was initially praised as "Little Gogol" and began his literary career under Gogol's banner. However, times have changed. Although the novels that Mikhail is currently serializing in Europe are not of high quality, they are indeed bestsellers and can quickly enhance his reputation.

However, on the other hand, Mikhail did not yet have a work like "Dead Souls," so he learned from letters sent by his friends that many people in the Russian literary world still believed that he was not as good as Gogol in Russia.

Of course, there's not much wrong with that. I guess Belinsky would agree with that view. Mikhail is still relatively young, and his literary career has only just begun a few years ago. He probably needs more time to mature before he can become the widely respected leader of Russian literature.

Mikhail wasn't too concerned about that; what truly mattered to him was the publication of Gogol's "Selected Letters to Friends," which, judging by the timeline, should be completed in a few months.
Just as Mikhail was thinking this, the carriage had already stopped.

Mikhail then temporarily put aside his thoughts, thanked the driver with a smile, and headed towards the address Turgenev had given him.

Meanwhile, in another, quieter spot in Baden, an elderly man who looked somewhat frail was drinking tea when he looked at another guest with some surprise and said, "You actually came here in person after receiving the news. I thought you wouldn't have the time."

The guest's blond hair, which typically flowed straight down from his temples like a Cossack's, still retained a youthful luster, though it was noticeably thinning; his forehead was slightly sloping and smooth and white. His small, dark brown eyes always seemed somewhat tired.

Before the somewhat preoccupied guest could even think of what to say, the elderly Zhukovsky couldn't help but nod and continue, "Gogol, this young man is worth the trip. Among all the young writers in Russia today, he is the most talented. He will surpass all of us sooner or later."

Gogol: "."

It's not just among young writers.

According to information I've received from others, many people already consider him the most talented of all Russian writers, surpassing all of us.
Admittedly, only some more enthusiastic young people think this way, but it seems to reflect something.

Despite having some different opinions on the matter, Gogol didn't say much, only nodding almost imperceptibly. He then prepared to talk about other things. Just then, with a servant's announcement, Zhukovsky, whose health was indeed not good, stood up to go and greet him.

Not long after, a young man with black eyes appeared in front of them.

Even though Gogol and Zhukovsky had expected it, they were still slightly taken aback when they actually met him. After a moment, Zhukovsky grasped Mikhail's hand and said, "I've finally met you. I've read many of your works, and many people have mentioned you in their letters to me, including the Crown Prince."

If my health hadn't been deteriorating, I would have gone to see you long ago.

Mikhail, who was initially quite happy, was left speechless.

Crown Prince?
Are you referring to Alexander II, who was later blown up by a bomb?
Although Mikhail believed that being noticed was normal, for some reason, upon actually hearing this, he felt his neck inexplicably tighten.
Fortunately, Mikhail managed to regain his composure. Responding to the kind old man's words, Mikhail quickly replied, "It was I who should have made time to visit you sooner."

Some things about Zhukovsky and Alexander II's past have been mentioned before; to put it simply, Zhukovsky is currently dedicated to his translation work.

As for Zhukovsky himself, he was always a pure poet who separated art from reality and did not intend to use his artistic status to express anything excessively.

Although he was a very active person in real life, able to petition for poets and orphans and widows, and to receive protection and help from hundreds of suffering and starving people, his advice never went beyond his duty, and he never put himself in the position of tutor to the crown prince or mentor of the people. He preferred to help others quietly and create in obscurity.

Humanitarians are often like this.

Zhukovsky often taught the young Alexander II to learn Christian tolerance. Once, Nicholas I asked his son, "How will you deal with the Decembrist rebels?" The child's answer was exactly the same as what Zhukovsky had taught him, which was very much in line with Christian doctrine: "I will forgive them."

But Nicholas I later shook his fist and repeatedly told his child, "This is how you should rule. Remember: It is better to die on the steps to the throne than to relinquish power!"

However, Zhukovsky's teachings did indeed have a significant influence on Alexander II's character. After exchanging brief pleasantries with the pure poet, Mikhail quickly turned his attention to another middle-aged man on the field who looked increasingly familiar.

Having noticed this, the middle-aged man quickly stepped forward and introduced himself: "I am Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol Yanovsky. I've heard your name from many people, even here in Paris. Your short stories have a chilling power."

Perhaps it was more than just a tremor; for a period of time, Gogol reread one or two of his stories repeatedly, and in the process, he even felt a sense of despair.
Has this young man already surpassed him?

Fortunately, after arriving in Paris, the young man's work became more immersed in a novel yet superficial trend, which brought Gogol some comfort.
Although Gogol did not have any negative views of the young man, it was impossible not to feel pain when someone could easily surpass him.

When Mikhail met this Russian poet whom Belinsky called the most nationalistic and greatest, he exchanged pleasantries with him with some excitement, but he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Compared to Zhukovsky's purity and gentleness, Gogol during this period was a completely different story.

Perhaps it was because of his past success, perhaps it was because of vanity, a sense of honor and responsibility, or perhaps he felt that he was really shouldering some kind of mission. In short, for various complex reasons, Gogol was determined to step onto the podium, stand on high, and begin his preaching.

In the past, great figures always stood on high places and made their voices that commanded respect. What he needed was just such a place.

After hearing these sounds in himself, Gogol began experimenting on his friends. It was in the book "Excerpts from Letters to Friends" that Gogol made many strange sounds.

Strictly speaking, this didactic book offended almost everyone except the conservatives, including the Tsar.

Because there was such a Gogol (the Tsar never learned to pronounce Gogol's name correctly) who not only educated others, but also dared to lecture the Tsar on how to rule.

He treated the Tsar like a backward but hopeful schoolchild, calling him to his side and telling him to open his eyes, look at the Lord of Heaven, and take him as his role model.

It is like this: "If a monarch does not feel that he should be the image of a god from heaven on earth, then the monarch's power is meaningless. For failing to enforce the laws of heaven, he will suffer terrible retribution before God."

"Putting Emperor Nicholas aside, let's analyze what a monarch is in general..."

Mikhail could only say that Gogol was truly immersed in his own art and couldn't extricate himself from it.
In addition, he said things like, "Farmers shouldn't even know there are books other than the Bible," and "Wherever you go, take a village priest with you and let him be the manager of your estate."

This part of the content naturally aroused Belinsky's great disgust, which led to "A Letter to Gogol".

The problem is that Belinsky not only criticized Gogol, but also launched a fierce attack on the Tsar's rule in this letter.

The most unfortunate thing is that 1848 arrived very soon after this letter, and the existence of this letter brought Dostoevsky, who read it aloud in public, a Siberian gift.
It can only be said that everything is the worst possible arrangement. Even though Belinsky is much better now, if he were to commit a crime of passion again, he would most likely be beaten up because of this letter.

Thinking about this, Mikhail felt that Belinsky's neck should also tighten.

But then again, does that mean Gogol won't publish this book next?
Will Belinsky really remain silent after seeing this?

Mikhail thought it was highly unlikely; even if this incident didn't happen, something else would most likely occur.
With this in mind, Mikhail, feeling a bit of a headache, finished exchanging pleasantries with the rather reserved Gogol, and the three of them sat down together and began to talk about many issues related to life, travel, and literature.

As they talked, Zhukovsky couldn't help but ask with some curiosity, "Mikhail, how did you come up with the idea of ​​starting to write a novel in another language and then serializing it here in Paris? I know people who have tried it, but it's really difficult to succeed."

Upon hearing this question, even Gogol, who was virtually unknown in Europe, looked over. Mikhail could only wave his hand and say, "I just had a sudden idea and wanted to give it a try, but perhaps I was lucky, and I achieved some success right away."

Is it just a matter of luck?

Even though Zhukovsky and Gogol were both very knowledgeable, they were genuinely at a loss for words in the face of such humble remarks.
After the conversation continued, perhaps because Zhukovsky remembered that Mikhail had been in Europe for quite some time, he casually asked, "What has been your biggest impression of Western Europe during your time here?"

"My biggest feeling"

Upon hearing this question, Mikhail's mind was immediately filled with a multitude of scenes and thoughts. He considered what he had seen and heard, the approaching date, and Zhukovsky's character and his connection with Alexander II.
After a long silence, Mikhail finally spoke, saying, "I believe an unprecedented revolution will occur in Europe, a revolution that will sweep across every corner of the continent."

Why do you think that?

After a long silence, Gogol and Mikhail, who had never expected such a shocking answer, finally recovered from their astonishment. As terrifying images flashed through their minds, they couldn't help but stare at Mikhail with incredulous eyes.

"Did you perhaps get the news from someone?"

"No, that's just a feeling and a guess. I think some things are very intuitive."

Mikhail shook his head, paused slightly, and then continued:
"How can there be no resistance in places where oppression is so severe? The situation in Europe in recent years does not seem optimistic."

After explaining a few points, Mikhail added, "Of course, this is my experience in France and England; perhaps the same is true in Germany."

Just like in Baden where Mikhail is right now.
(End of this chapter)