A Man of Science and Engineering in Troubled Times Wandering in the Late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 10 Prince Qing's Mansion
The royal palaces in Beijing are basically built on the north side of the Forbidden City, to be precise, on both sides of Houhai.

Today, Prince Gong's Mansion is the most famous, mostly because of He Shen, the number one corrupt man in the Qing Dynasty.

Prince Gong's Mansion was originally built by Heshen. After being ransacked by Jiaqing, he gave this mansion to Qianlong's youngest son, King Qing, so it was called Qing Wang's Mansion at first.

When Prince Qing's family was passed down to Yikuang, Yikuang was ordered to move out, and then the imperial court awarded the palace to Prince Gong Yi, so there was the familiar "Prince Gong's Mansion".

Afterwards, Yikuang moved into Qishan's old house, which became the Prince Qing's Mansion today.

Prince Qing's Mansion is not far from Prince Gong's Mansion, only two streets away. Although it is not as grand as Prince Gong's Mansion, there are at least two or three hundred rooms.

Li Yu and Ding Weiliang came to Prince Qing's mansion, and followed a housekeeper into the gate after the announcement.

Outside the hall, the two of them saw Yikuang's son Zaizhen directing a few handymen to install a huge crystal chandelier, with translator Ruizheng beside him.

——This Ruizheng didn't work in the yamen, but came to help Zaizhen get the furniture.

"My lord, this chandelier was personally arranged by the slave to contact the Italian envoy to select it. It is purely handmade, and it is a genuine Roman product!" Rui Zheng nodded and bowed behind Zai Zhen.

Zai Zhen looked at the crystal chandelier that was slowly lifted up by the handymen, it was indeed magnificent, noble and luxurious.

This is worthy of the status of a prince!

Zai Zhen, like his father Yikuang, was very good-looking. He later became the Minister of Commerce of the Qing Dynasty, and his bust was printed on the earliest bank notes of the Qing Dynasty issued in 1906.

Zai Zhen smiled and said: "That's right! Pu Wei usually shows me things from Prince Gong's Mansion. I don't think he has this chandelier in his house!"

After Yi died, he was succeeded by his grandson Pu Wei, but in fact, the line of Prince Gong no longer had much say in the court.

However, Yi has ruled the government for many years, and there are many good things in the palace. In addition, Prince Gong's palace originally belonged to Prince Qing's family. Now Zai Zhen feels somewhat uncomfortable seeing Pu Wei's appearance.

Moreover, the two of them are about the same age, both in their early 20s, and they are very competitive.

Rui Zheng next to him said along the way: "Prince Gong's mansion is full of old things, but ours is different. I have been to many embassies with the master, and none of them foreigners have such good things!"

"The 3000 taels of silver are really worth it!" Zai Zhen became more and more satisfied as he looked at it, and shouted to the handymen who were working: "You guys, be careful, if I bump into the slightest bit, I will have your good fruit." eat!"

The handymen obediently agreed, 3000 taels of silver, and they would not dare to make a mistake if they had the heart of a bear, otherwise it would not be enough for ten lifetimes.

Li Yu looked ridiculous. The imperial court was carrying such a huge debt, but these princes and nobles threw 3000 taels just for a lamp. It is a miracle that the Qing Dynasty can survive until now!
Zai Zhen took a step to admire the chandelier, and finally saw Ding Weiliang outside the hall from the corner of his eye, and hurriedly said, "Oh! It's the head teacher, Mr. Xi, who was greeted from a distance, why didn't he say hello when he came in!"

He came out quickly, and Martin Ting extended his hand and shook him: "I see that the prince is fascinated by such a beautiful work of art, so I didn't bother His Highness."

Zai Zhen said: "The chief teacher is really joking!"

"Bang bang bang!"

Ruizheng rushed over and kowtowed three times to Weiliang Ding, saying, "The student has seen the teacher!"

"What are you doing!" Ding Weiliang immediately helped Ruizheng up, "I've said it all, you can just shake hands or bow when you see me in the future, and don't give up such big gifts."

Ruizheng smiled all over his face: "The late student is so excited to see the teacher!"

When Ruizheng was studying in Tongwenguan, Ding Weiliang was still the chief teacher.In fact, they were already used to shaking hands and bowing, but Rui Zheng saw the little prince shaking hands with Ding Weiliang, thinking how he could be on the same level as the young prince, so he made a big gift.

Martin also often encountered this situation, and didn't pay much attention to it.

Zai Zhen welcomed Ding Weiliang into the hall, ordered the left and right to look at the tea, and then asked: "Mr. Chief Teacher, why are you here in the humble house today?"

Ding Weiliang pointed to Li Yu who was next to him: "I am here to introduce this learned talent to the prince, and I happen to be your student assistant."

Zai Zhen knew that his father was looking for a talented person in western studies to give lectures at his house, and he also declared that he wanted a great talent who "understands profound meanings". I didn't expect him to be quite efficient.

Seeing that the young man next to him seemed to be younger than himself, Zai Zhen asked suspiciously, "Is he... a master of Western studies?"

Ding Weiliang said: "That's right, this Mr. Li Yuxiao is much better than his subordinates in all subjects of Western Studies."

This immediately elevated Li Yu.

Zai Zhen also believed in Weiliang Ding absolutely unconditionally, and immediately got up and said to Li Yu: "In this case, I will ask you to teach me a lot in the future!"

Li Yu also got up and said politely: "Young Lord, you are serious."

In fact, the question that Martin and his physics teacher Shi Deming calculated yesterday was one of the questions asked by Martin to his American friends for the University of Pennsylvania exam. He planned to select a part of it as a reference for the subsequent entrance examination of the Imperial University.But later I found out that I sent it wrong. These questions are all test questions for graduate students.

Weiliang Ding asked Li Yu to do it, but unexpectedly he got almost full marks!If he did it himself, he would definitely not even be able to pass the grade.

Martin understands that this is definitely a talent!It's a pity that he has great influence in the Qing Dynasty, but very little in the United States.But in the future, he can be recruited to the university, and he may be able to study in Europe and the United States in the future.

Now in Prince Qing's mansion, it would be great if Prince Qing could be made to love Western studies, and then use his huge influence to promote his university and various primary schools.

I have to say that, as an American, Martin's academic quality is not high, but he really loves education!

As for Li Yu, he naturally knew in his heart that the Qing Dynasty would be over soon, and he didn't have a good impression of the Qing court, wishing it would be over soon.However, a gentleman can bend and stretch, and temporarily make contact with these lords, so that he can integrate into the times faster, otherwise, in this troubled world, if he is not careful, he will definitely lose his head.I can't even save my life, so what else are you talking about!
Ding Weiliang briefly introduced Li Yu's situation, and then said to Zai Zhen: "With Li Yu's little brother's level, even if he is a lecturer or even a professor at the University of Rome, he is fine."

Martin, intentionally or unintentionally, specifically mentioned Rome. Naturally, it was a bit ironic that he bought a chandelier made in Rome for 3000 taels.

Zai Zhen didn't realize it, and just admired: "I didn't expect Mr. Li Yu to have such a great talent. It's my great honor!"

Ding Weiliang was anxious to see Yikuang, so he asked, "Is the Prince at the residence?"

Zai Zhen touched the teacup and said: "Father is discussing matters with the Russian counselor in the inner hall. I think it's almost the same now. Shall we go in and have a look?"

"I'm afraid this is inappropriate." Ding Weiliang said.

"It's okay, it's not in the yamen anyway!" Zai Zhen said casually, "The chief teacher will follow me!"

Ding Weiliang has been in the Qing Dynasty for decades, and he understands the habits of these Qing ministers to some extent. The year before last, the Eight-Power Allied Forces had discussed the peace terms with Yiqian in Prince Qing's Mansion.

Zai Zhen said to Rui Zheng again: "Help me accompany Mr. Li Yu, my father will come over in a while."

Ruizheng immediately said: "Don't worry, little prince!"

When Zai Zhen and Ding Weiliang entered the inner hall, Rui Zheng looked back at Li Yu with a strange expression.

(End of this chapter)