The Encounter with Jiang Baili and “Chinese Path” for the Occurence of Lu Xun’s Literature

Abstract: Lu Xun and Jiang Baili met each other when they studied in Tokyo, where the Zhejiang Association and its journal Zhejiang Tide（《浙江潮》） provided a public space for them to exchange ideas. As a super reader, Lu Xun not only recognized and accepted Zhejiang Tide, but also turned to be its important translator and author. The ideas of “national soul” （ “ 国魂” ） and “martial spirits” （ “ 尚武 ” ）resonated with Lu Xun and thus opened his literary road to transform the national character. Jiang Baili triggered the first translation of Lu Xun, “The Soul of Sparta”. Without “Fei Sheng”, there might not have been “Zi Shu”; without “national soul”, there might not have been “The Soul of Sparta” either. In the comprehensive mechanism of the occurrance of Lu Xun’s literature, the role of the Zhejiang Association and its organizer, Jiang Baili, have long been overlooked. Nationalism contributed to the awakening of Lu Xun’s national consciousness, and martial spirits was internalized into Lu Xun’s temperament as a warrior. When it comes to the issue of “Lu Xun’s youth”, while the influence of Meiji Japan and Western culture is certainly crucial, “Chinese influence” and “Chinese path” also need to be taken seriously.