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

Chapter 21
Ding Weiliang got the news and rushed over quickly.

After reading the content of the Times and the telegram, he immediately said, "That's right, it's Li Yu. I sent the paper mentioned in the article to England."

"It's really Li Yu?" Yi Kuang was still somewhat shocked.

Ding Weiliang said firmly: "Of course! But I didn't expect to alarm Lord Kelvin and the President of the Royal Society."

Ambassador Sa Daoyi rubbed his pocket watch with his left hand and said, "It's more than alarming. You have also seen the content of the telegram. They want to find this Mr. Li to continue to ask for drafts."

Weiliang Ding said with a smile: "It's natural. If Li Yu's scientific literacy is as high as they say, they will definitely continue to seek papers. It's a pity that the distance is too far, otherwise there would be a chance to give a speech."

Li Yu will definitely go to his Beijing Normal University in the future. It will be a great honor for him if the students of his school can give a speech at the Royal Society.

Yikuang took the telegram and looked at it: "I said he understands everything. It turns out that your minister in charge of science in Great Britain also praised him so much."

"Congratulations, my lord. If your country had more outstanding talents, I'm afraid there won't be any more treaties signed." Ding Weiliang said.

Sa Daoyi felt a little uncomfortable after hearing this, but in fact, the Qing Dynasty did not sign any unequal treaties since then.

It's not that the Qing Dynasty has changed, but that it's really scared, and it really doesn't dare to fight, and it hasn't been a few years.

Although Yikuang couldn't guess the fate of the Qing Dynasty, there is still some good news today.

In Prince Qing's mansion now, the young prince Zai Zhen is chatting with Si GeGe in the hall.

Si Gege is a bit like an ice beauty, her expression has always been indifferent, which has something to do with her encounter.

The name of Sigege has long been lost in the dust of history. Later generations only knew of her existence when they found that this beautiful woman appeared frequently when sorting out Cixi's photos.

Cixi really liked her very much, so Yikuang took her as a political tool and kept her by Cixi's side.

Later, Yikuang betrothed her to the son of Zhili governor Yulu, but it was a pity that Yulu committed suicide by taking poison because of the disadvantage of resisting the Eight-Power Allied Forces during the Gengzi National Disaster, and his son died of illness soon.

It was almost impossible for women in that era to remarry, so Si GeGe became a widow early on.Cixi was very happy, and Si Gege called her back when she was still in mourning.

In fact, she didn't like this kind of life very much in her heart. As the saying goes, being with a king is like a tiger, and being with Cixi all year round, living in the palace, there are so many restraints that it makes one's scalp tingle.But what can be done.

Seeing Si Gege, Zai Zhen was in a great mood: "It's rare for my sister to come back, why didn't Lafayette keep you today?"

Si Gege managed to go home with great difficulty, feeling somewhat better in his heart, and said to Zai Zhen: "The eldest princess is back today, and she is with the queen mother."

"I see. No wonder the Empress Dowager is willing to let you back. I heard that the Princess Rongshou card is not as bad as yours." Zai Zhen said with a smile.

Si Gege was amused by him: "Alright, then go and try to play cards with the Queen Mother, and I will definitely lose your winnings."

Zai Zhen quickly waved his hand: "How dare I beat her old man..."

While the two were talking, Yikuang rushed back from the prime minister's office, and when he entered the door, he said, "Good girl, you are back!"

Si Gege got up and made a blessing, and Yikuang immediately let her sit back, "Tell me, what have you seen in the palace recently."

This is the purpose of Yikuang putting her next to Cixi. The topic was answered in a few sentences, and Si Gege's expression returned to loneliness. However, she has been in the palace for so many years, and her ability to control her emotions has long been cultivated. She calmly said : "Princess Rongshou asked the emperor to go to the Yiluan Hall to meet the queen mother today. When the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Industry came to play something, the emperor also asked the emperor to listen."

Yikuang stroked his beard: "How much has the empress dowager's attitude towards the emperor recovered?"

Si Gege shook his head and said: "I can't guess what the queen mother is thinking. I guess it is the eldest princess who wants to mediate."

"From this point of view, Princess Rongshou is still very important to the queen mother!" Yikuang continued, "Daughter, you should learn more from others! The queen mother told me before, why is your daughter so quiet, and you can't talk to me. It's okay when the queen is together, but if the queen is not here, I won't say a word."

When Si Gege heard Yikuang say this, tears began to roll: "I don't want to, but I can't do it."

Yikuang's heart is not hard enough. Seeing his daughter cry, she immediately subdued. After all, the Queen Mother still likes Si Gege very much: "Okay, okay, it's my fault. How could my Yikuang's daughter be worse than Guiziliu's daughter!"

Princess Rongshou is the daughter of Prince Gong Yi, the last princess of the Qing Dynasty, and was called the eldest princess in the palace.

There is a place on the West Third Ring Road in Beijing called Gongzhufen, which is also an interchange station between Metro Line 1 and Line 10. This "princess" refers to Princess Rongshou, the daughter of Prince Gong Yi, the "Devil Six".

She has been with Cixi since she was seven years old, and she has been with Cixi for 40 years now, and she has a very good relationship with Cixi.

Si Gege's time in the palace was too short compared to her, but the advantage lies in being young and beautiful, the key is that she is photogenic!As long as Cixi is taking pictures, she will pull her to improve her overall appearance.

Zai Zhen quickly smoothed things over by the side: "Father, knowing that my sister is coming back today, I specially called Tan Xinpei's adoptive son Yang Xiaolou and apprentice Jia Honglin to our house to sing a few verses."

"Jia Gou'er?" Yikuang is also a veteran theater fan, "That's right, there is a good show in our Xiulou today."

"That's right, listening to the opera! I also specially asked their team to arrange "The Cinnabar Mole". This is the finale that the Queen Mother loves to watch."

After Zai Zhen finished speaking, he got up and wanted to take Si Gege to Xiulou.

In the late Qing Dynasty, the status of Peking Opera was not much worse than today’s popular songs. The popularity was unbelievably high. From top to bottom, no matter whether they were high-ranking officials or ordinary people, they all liked to listen to operas. Even Emperor Guangxu played well. drum.

Tan Xinpei is the patriarch of the Tan School, the originator of Peking Opera, and is known as the King of the Performing Arts. Now he is a celebrity in the Imperial Palace Shengping Department, one of Cixi's favorite famous actors, and often sings for Cixi.

Tan Xinpei also starred in the first movie "Dingjun Mountain" in Chinese history.

Definitely the top traffic star at the time.

It's just that now that he is in the Shengping Department of the Imperial Palace, Cixi often has to listen to operas, so it's not easy to come out.

His apprentice Jia Honglin is not bad either. He has been a pillar of the opera troupe since he was a child. He is known as Jia Gouer. praise.

He often plays supporting roles, and has acted for famous actors such as Tan Peixin, Yang Xiaolou, and Mei Lanfang.

There is a little sense of Wu Mengda's golden supporting role - although he is not the protagonist, but without him, Zhou Xingchi's achievements may not be possible.

Of course, Jia Honglin's level can completely stand alone and provoke the leader.

(End of this chapter)