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

In the morning, just after dawn, I heard the cries of breakfast stalls outside. Li Yu was sleeping on the second floor. When he opened the window, he saw that there were already many people on the road.

Li Shutong stopped a peddler carrying a shoulder pole, "Give me two bowls of wontons."

"Okay." The peddler put down the pole and filled two bowls of wontons from the box behind.

This kind of shoulder pole is called camel pole, with high sides, and it came from Suzhou.

Li Shutong came to Li Yu's room with wontons in his hand, "Sir, try this, don't look down upon it, old Litou's wontons are the best around here."

Li Yu said with a smile: "I once wrote the book "Fractal and Chaos", but this is the first time I have eaten wontons this year."

Li Shutong said: "I don't understand your chaos, I can only eat a wonton."

After breakfast, the two of them came to Nanyang Public School to find Cai Yuanpei. Cai Yuanpei was reading Li Yu's introductory lecture notes on mathematics and science. Li Yu, "I don't understand Mr.'s other papers, but from the perspective of this introductory mathematics lecture you wrote, it is simply wonderful."

This handout was also Li Yu's painstaking effort in the Beiyang Military Equipment Crash School for more than a month. As an introductory book, it is really good, and there are some diagrams and tables in it, which are relatively vivid.The key point is that he directly used new mathematical symbols, which is in line with international standards.

Li Yu said: "If Mr. can use it, its value will be more reflected."

Cai Yuanpei said: "Of course I will use it, but I think there is someone who can play its role better."

Li Yu asked, "Besides Cai Jiaoxi, who else could it be?"

Cai Yuanpei said: "This person is a Jinshi of the same discipline as me. His name is Zhang Yuanji. He is now the director of the compilation department of the Commercial Press."

Of course Li Yu knew about the Commercial Press, and Zhang Yuanji's contribution to the Commercial Press was enormous.

Li Yu said: "Does Cai Jiaoxi mean to let the Commercial Press publish this book?"

"Exactly!" Cai Yuanpei said, "my fellow student is also a person who wants to save the country. Nowadays, new schools have been established in various places, but he suffers from the lack of teaching materials. He is worried about this. If he reads this book, he will be very happy." Close your mouth."

The Commercial Press has just been established for six years, and it is indeed preparing to start compiling teaching materials.And this is basically the most profitable business of the early commercial press, almost relying on it to grow rapidly.

Zhang Yuanji can be regarded as foresight. After all, textbooks are the most scarce book in China at this time, and the market demand is huge.

Li Yu felt that only Zhang Yuanji's Commercial Press could play the role of this book, and readily agreed: "If it can really help education, it would be great!"

Cai Yuanpei stood up, "Go, let's go together!"

Almost everyone has read the books in the Commercial Press of later generations, and the "Xinhua Dictionary" alone is the childhood memory of many people.

Cai Yuanpei said on the road: "Xiao Zhai (Zhang Yuanji) was summoned by the current Holy Master during the Reform Movement of [-]. At the beginning, he proposed to set up new schools, train various talents and pay attention to translation."

Li Yu said: "Fortunately, although the reform has not been completed, the construction of new schools has finally begun."

Zhang Yuanji was a Jinshi, entered the Hanlin Academy, and it was normal for him to be received by Emperor Guangxu.

Cai Yuanpei said: "Xiao Zhai also worked in Nanyang Public School. At that time, his main job was to translate books, and I appreciate his views very much. He no longer pays attention to the military books that he used to pay attention to, but focuses on the topic selection of translated books. Moved to social science books."

"It makes sense. Some purely military books do not have much guiding significance for us, after all, the foundation is different." Li Yu said.

"What Mr. said is very true. Most of the book translations at that time were relatively blind," Cai Yuanpei continued. "In fact, Xiaozhai had the opportunity to be the general manager of a public school, but he resolutely entered the printing press. But I devoted myself to education, and he Choose to publish all the way, all the way to the same goal, all of them are dedicated to the country."

Li Yu said: "Publishing and education are indeed inextricably linked."

Li Yu also admired Zhang Yuanji. First, he studied well and was able to be admitted to Jinshi, and second, he had a great career. The key was to benefit the country and the people.

Cai Yuanpei said: "Actually speaking, the special department of Nanyang Public School was founded by Xiaozhai, and his understanding of education is not inferior to mine."

Li Yu laughed and said, "Teacher Cai is too modest."

Cai Yuanpei said: "No, Xiaozhai has done a lot of things. You should have heard of Mr. Yan Fu's "Tianyanlun", right?"

Li Yu said, "I know."

Cai Yuanpei said: "Xiao Zhai compiled this book early on, and the influence is really not small."

"Evolution of Heaven" is actually a wonderful political treatise, not as academic as Darwin's "Origin of Species", so the translation of this book will cause a very sensational influence in China.

Even people like Wu Rulun, the chief Chinese teacher of the Beijing Normal University, can read the classics with fascination, and even the old man copied the book verbatim and put it under the pillow.

Wu Rulun abridged this book and gave it to many academies. Many schools like to use this to write questions. When Hu Shi was studying in Chengzhong Academy, he once wrote a composition titled "Natural Selection, Survival of the Fittest, Try To claim its righteousness".

But this is obviously not something that teenagers can play.

Kang Liang naturally also highly praised this book.

The young Lu Xun couldn't put it down after seeing it. Faced with the opposition of his parents, he even said: "I still don't think there is anything wrong. Whenever I have free time, I will eat persimmon cakes, peanuts, and peppers as usual, and read "Tianyanlun"."

Li Yu has not read this book, but the understanding of evolution in later generations is obviously much more advanced.

As soon as he arrived at the Commercial Press, Cai Yuanpei stopped someone: "Xiao Zhai, don't come here without any problems!"

Zhang Yuanji said: "He Qing, why are you here?"

Cai Yuanpei smiled and said, "You didn't read today's newspaper just by looking at it. Don't you know such a big news that the 'Science Giant' is coming to Shanghai?"

Zhang Yuanji asked in surprise, "A giant in science? Could it be the legendary Li Yu?"

Li Yu smiled and said, "It's not a legend, I'm just standing here."

Zhang Yuanji said: "Oh! I didn't expect it to be you! Your name is really impressive to me!"

Cai Yuanpei smiled and said, "Well, the people I brought today are not ordinary!"

"Come in and sit down!" Zhang Yuanji stretched out his hand into the room, "It's a small place, I'm afraid it won't be well received."

Now the Commercial Press has not built a new Zhabei library, and it does look like a bigger workshop.

Li Yu said, "Sir, you're welcome."

Cai Yuanpei put the introductory textbook on mathematics and physics on the table and said, "Look, I didn't come empty-handed, I brought you something good!"

"Good stuff?" Zhang Yuanji picked up the handout and exclaimed after turning a few pages, "Which expert wrote this?"

"It's far away in the sky, but close in front of you." Cai Yuanpei said.

"Could it be you, Heqing?"

Cai Yuanpei laughed and said, "I don't know so much. Of course it was Li Yu who wrote it."

Zhang Yuanji slapped his forehead: "Look at me, how can I say something wrong!"

Cai Yuanpei said: "Didn't I hear that you are compiling elementary school textbooks? It just happened that I just saw this introductory mathematics textbook by Mr. Li Yu. I thought it was really exciting, and I immediately thought of showing it to you."

Zhang Yuanji said gratefully: "It can't be described as sending charcoal in a timely manner. You don't know how much we have wasted on the textbook! But only the Chinese textbook has a little clue, as for the science, there is no way to start."

Then he said to Li Yu: "Sir, can this book be published and printed? We will push it to the whole country."

Li Yu said, "Don't you need to review it first?"

Zhang Yuanji said: "Of course we will review, but we believe in your ability. I have read reports about you in the newspaper. It can be said that you have reached the pinnacle of science. Don't worry about your professionalism. You just need to grasp the difficulty. After all, our school The foundation is really weak."

Li Yu said: "It's good to review. Your influence is too wide. If it's just a small school, it's okay. But I can control the difficulty of the handouts. They are all at the introductory stage."

"That's the best!" Zhang Yuanji said, "To be honest, we don't have much ability to review textbooks on science. If we say that the most authoritative one on science in China now, I'm afraid it's you, sir."

If you think about it, just talking about the "Latest Chinese Textbook for Elementary Primary Schools" first issued by the Commercial Press has already consumed a lot of energy.

But as long as you really understand it, the textbooks of mathematical sciences will be easier to write, after all, the content is relatively fixed.

However, the selection of texts for Chinese textbooks is a headache, and those who encounter difficulty in choosing can be sad to death.

As the old saying goes, there is no first place in literature, and whoever you choose will be considered more suitable.

Li Yu said: "Now I don't know what needs to be paid attention to. If there are any problems during the review process, sir, I will make changes in time."

Zhang Yuanji said: "I am still very confident in this set of textbooks. If possible, I hope that Mr. can provide help in the subsequent compilation of textbooks."

Li Yu immediately agreed: "No problem! After all, it is a universal education. Since there are no science textbooks, I should do my best."

Zhang Yuanji sighed: "Yes, although China has a population of 40 million, I am afraid that there are only [-] people who have read books and received education. And the people who have received education have only learned a few stereotyped essays, and they have almost no knowledge of what they really should know. Didn’t learn. In today’s developing world, our country will perish.”

Li Yu couldn't help being awed after hearing Zhang Yuanji's words, and there are really not many people who can realize this now.

It is meaningless to just say that the land is vast and the resources are abundant. Talent is the most important thing, otherwise it will be swallowed up by others sooner or later.

At present, there seems to be a population of [-] million, but most of them cannot produce due value because they have not received education.

Japan's current educated population has long since exceeded 40, and the reason for losing in the Sino-Japanese War is obvious.

Hearing Zhang Yuanji's words, Li Yu's blood was also ignited. Although compiling textbooks is not his strong point, but now that he is poor and has nothing, as long as he has a decent textbook, it is very precious.

Li Yu said: "Don't worry, sir. In addition to the current introductory lectures on mathematics and physics, I will write a few introductory textbooks on biology, chemistry and other western sciences as soon as possible."

Zhang Yuanji didn't expect Li Yu to know so much, and asked in surprise, "You can do all of these?"

Li Yu said with a smile: "If it's just an introductory material, of course."

I did not study for so many years in vain!
Although the test-taking component is very large, I didn't expect it to come in handy now.After all, there are so many things to learn in our compulsory education.

Zhang Yuanji was so excited that he almost cried: "Brother Heqing, you really brought me the most meaningful day today! I know very well that to open up people's wisdom, one must publish good books, and excellent textbooks bear the brunt of it! This problem bothers me too much. It’s been a long time, and today the textbooks of mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry are solved together, so much good news that I can’t believe it’s true.”

"Of course it's true! But," Cai Yuanpei looked at Li Yu, "do you really understand so much Western science?"

"It's just the introductory stage, no problem."

Li Yu knew that he needed to give them a shot in the arm and build up their confidence.

Cai Yuanpei stood up and bowed solemnly: "I have indescribable admiration for Mr.'s contribution to education."

"It's all what I should do," Li Yu said hastily, "You should do more in education."

Zhang Yuanji added: "One more thing, I know that Mr. has published many incredible scientific articles in the West. I don't know if there are Chinese manuscripts, and our printing house can also publish them."

Li Yu said: "It is indeed possible, but I am afraid there is no audience."

Zhang Yuanji disagrees: "We don't publish it just to see if it can sell well. Of course, this kind of meaningful book must be published. Maybe one day, someone will really understand it and benefit from it."

Li Yu thought about it too, so he said: "Okay, I will give you the Chinese manuscript later. In addition, I also wrote a science fiction novel, maybe the publication effect will be a little better."

In fact, Li Yu is not very sure about the market of science fiction novels. After all, the scientific foundation in China is really weak.

But printing is better than not printing.

Zhang Yuanji said: "We will pay the follow-up expenses to Mr. according to the publication situation."

Li Yu asked, "Is it in proportion?"

"Yes," Zhang Yuanji said, "according to Xiyang, it is 3 to 10 percent."

Li Yu said, "Then take the lowest one."

Zhang Yuanji said in surprise: "I originally wanted to pay a higher rate for my husband."

Li Yu said with a smile: "It is estimated that the initial publicity fee will cost a lot of money, even if I make a contribution to education."

Zhang Yuanji praised: "Mr. is really for the country and the people, but our Commercial Publishing House is by no means an ordinary small workshop. If the circulation of textbooks increases, we will renegotiate royalties with you."

It would be unnatural for Li Yu to decline any more, so he said, "That's the deal at the moment. In short, the most important thing is to make the teaching materials first."

Commercial Press later almost monopolized the primary school textbook market in the late Qing Dynasty, with a market share of at least [-]%, and a circulation of [-] million.

The circulation of that elementary school Chinese textbook alone exceeded [-] million.

Just horrible.

Moreover, the Commercial Press has introduced western technology, and the quality of printing and binding is excellent, which can be said to be the industry benchmark.

Even if the issue price is only a few tens of articles, if the minimum 3% is calculated for hundreds of millions of copies, the author's remuneration is tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Of course, after the 21st century, textbooks are already controlled, and they are no longer divided according to this kind of royalties.

It’s just that in the late Qing Dynasty, the imperial court was completely a decoration. As a private enterprise, the Commercial Press, if it didn’t produce teaching materials, the imperial court might not be able to hold back it for a few more years.

The foundation of the first pot of gold laid by the Commercial Press was so good that by the eve of the demise of the Qing Dynasty, it was one of only 15 large enterprises with assets exceeding one million yuan in the late Qing Dynasty.

Although Zhang Yuanji was ordered by Empress Dowager Cixi to be "dismissed from office and never to be employed" during the Reform Movement of [-], his political life came to an abrupt end, but he still wanted to do something.

At the beginning, it was Li Hongzhang who came forward to protect him, and then arranged for his subordinate Sheng Xuanhuai to invite Zhang Yuanji to Shanghai Nanyang Public School.

In fact, he could be the principal of Nanyang Public School, but after all, he decided to go to sea and enter the "low business" of the late Qing Dynasty, which really required a lot of courage.

Li Yu remembered that Zhang Yuanji was also a book collector, so he asked again: "I will leave for Huzhou, and I will be entrusted to help Song Loulue. Are you interested, sir?"

"Songlou?" Zhang Yuanji said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to know about it."

Li Yu said: "I also heard from others that I have difficulties now, and it seems that I have been targeted by the Japanese."

Zhang Yuanji sighed, "I tried to go to the Song Tower twice, but was rejected by the Lu family. I didn't expect the Japanese to come now."

Li Yu asked suspiciously, "Why did the Lu family refuse Mr. to go upstairs?"

Zhang Yuanji said: "In fact, I used to have a very close personal relationship with Mr. Lu Xinyuan, the previous patriarch of the Lu family, but Lu Xinyuan has passed away for nearly ten years, and now I want to visit again. The Lu family thought I wanted to buy books, and there was a grudge in my heart."

Li Yu said: "Isn't the intention of the Japanese now also to plot against the Lu family's collection of books?"

Zhang Yuanji said helplessly: "Maybe they know how to cover up and understand people's hearts."

Li Yu wanted to swear, so he tried his best to hold back and said, "How can the Japanese have good intentions!"

Zhang Yuanji said: "Of course the Japanese have no good intentions, but their wallets are full. The price offered by the Lu family is not low, and it is not affordable for ordinary people."

Li Yudao: "So I think we can unite."

Zhang Yuanji said: "I'm afraid that the Lu family doesn't want to sell them piecemeal, they just want to sell them together."

This is really difficult.

In fact, in history, before Lu Shufan of the Lu family sold the Songlou collection in 1907, Zhang Yuanji did pay the price.

Lu Shufan initially asked for 50 taels, then reduced it to 25 yuan, and finally reduced it to 10 yuan, but no one was able to accept the offer.

Zhang Yuanji could only come up with 5 yuan at that time, so he postponed the discussion for the time being, and out of enthusiasm for protecting the national cultural heritage, he asked someone to advise Lu Shufan not to sell it to the Japanese until the Commercial Press collected 10 yuan.

It's just that Lu Shufan couldn't wait and sold it to the Iwasaki family of the Mitsubishi Group for 12 yuan.

Li Yu knew in his heart how valuable these books were, and the Jingjiatang Library, which bought them, became an important center of Sinology in Japan.

"Let's try it a little bit," Li Yu said.

Zhang Yuanji said: "Since Mr. has said so, then I should go to Huzhou again no matter what."