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

The boat sailed through Dongting Lake, and then went all the way south via the Xiangjiang River to Changsha.

If it is not because there is no railway, there is no chance to take an inland waterway to experience Dongting Lake.

In the Governor's Department of Hunan Province, the new governor Zhao Erxun, who just took office, took the three fires, and made the establishment of new education the top priority of the "New Deal".

He happened to encounter obstacles from Wang Xianqian, the head of Yuelu Academy, and others, so he had to suppress their arrogance no matter what.

It's just that Yuelu Academy is so famous that no one has dared to touch it. After all, there have been so many big names.

But this mountain leader, Wang Xianqian, is indeed too jumpy, which is quite a headache.

Previously, Chen Baozhen, the governor of Hunan, was the only real power figure among the local governors who was inclined to reform.At that time, he was criticized by Wang Xianqian and his disciple Ye Dehui, and was deposed on the charge of "indiscriminate protection of bandits".

The grandson of Chen Baozhen was Chen Yinke, a famous historian and linguist during the Republic of China.

Chen Yinke was born in Changsha, but because of his grandfather's loss in the political arena, he returned to Jiangxi. After Chen Baozhen passed away, he moved to Nanjing.

Zhao Erxun can see that the current situation cannot allow the loss of talents. What is lacking is Western-style talents. If Western-style primary and secondary schools and colleges cannot be established, they will definitely continue to lag behind.

Wouldn't the educational foundation left by the Zeng family in Hunan be interrupted?

It's just that any cutting-edge move will encounter obstacles without exception, let alone the late Qing Dynasty.

Xiong Xiling knew that Governor Zhao Erxun must be eager to learn new things, so he took Li Yu directly to the Governor's Department of Hunan Province.

Xiong Xiling glanced at the carriage outside the yamen, and said to Li Yu: "The head of the mountain is indeed here today, and luckily the envoy Zhang Heling is also here."

The procuratorate is an official in charge of the judiciary of a province, that is, the chief official of the procuratorate, who is the third grade.

Zhang Heling is also a person who has made a lot of contributions to modern education, and later served as the head teacher of the Imperial University.

From this, we can also see the status of the Hunan School in the late Qing Dynasty. There are too many talented people. Even now, there are people in the court——Qu Hongji, a high-ranking scholar, is from Hunan.

The two entered the hall, and Xiong Xiling introduced Li Yu, Zhao Erxun, Zhang Heling, and Wang Xianqian.

After Li Yu took his seat, Xiong Xiling quietly whispered a few words next to Zhao Erxun.

Zhao Erxun was overjoyed when he heard the words: "Good idea!"

Wang Xianqian glanced at Li Yu: "Your Majesty is the emperor's teacher? Even your braids have been cut off, so what qualifications do you have to teach the emperor about saints?"

Li Yu said: "I'm sorry, but the sage didn't say that we must have braids. What's more, what I taught the emperor was all Western learning. Whether it was Archimedes, Galileo, Newton, etc., there was no such thing as braids."

Wang Xianqian had never heard of these people, but he stroked his beard and pretended to be calm: "Are they worthy of being called saints?"

Li Yu spread his hands: "I didn't say anything."

Governor Zhao Erxun said: "Master Shan, the imperial court has now issued an order to build new-style schools in various places. The imperial court has said so, and it seems to be the general trend."

"What's the general trend!" Wang Xianqian said, "What's wrong with learning, learning from foreigners?"

Zhao Erxun said: "A new-style school must be built, otherwise the imperial court will take me for granted."

Wang Xianqian did not dare to disobey the imperial court's order, so he said, "Master Futai will do it."

Zhao Erxun went on to say: "In addition, there is one item in the decree, in order to speed up the process, the college can be changed into a school."

"College changed to school?" Wang Xianqian didn't react for a while.

Zhao Erxun said to Li Yu: "Emperor Master, you come from the capital, so you can tell the mountain chief."

Li Yu secretly groaned in his heart, how could he push himself out, can't you be a governor?
He had no choice but to reply: "That's right, Governor Zhang's memorial has been approved by the court."

With an idea, he lifted Zhang Zhidong out.

"Master Zhang, Governor of Huguang?" Wang Xianqian obviously dropped his tone.

Li Yu said: "Not only this Mr. Zhang, but also Minister of Education Zhang Baixi and Mr. Zhang jointly participated in the performance."

The governor of Huguang is the first rank because he also holds the title of Minister of the Ministry of War; the Minister of Management is the second rank.

The level of the two senior members is quite high.

Wang Xianqian didn't even dare to object: "Since it is the imperial court's intention, it must be done."

"The so-called transformation of colleges into schools," Li Yu said after a pause, "is to change existing private schools and academies into corresponding primary schools or colleges."

Wang Xianqian pondered a little bit: "Is the meaning of the emperor's teacher?"

"Yuelu Academy is famous all over the world, so it should naturally be restructured into the highest-ranking university in Hunan Province." Li Yu said.

Wang Xianqian almost couldn't sit still: "That is to say, in the future, my Yuelu Academy will teach foreigners' fallacies and heresies?"

Zhang Heling, the procurator, said with a smile: "Where the academy divides yours and mine, it belongs to the whole province. And the head of the mountain also said that since the imperial court has a request, of course we must follow the imperial court's wishes."

Xiong Xiling added: "It is also for Yuelu Academy not to decline."

"Put... what nonsense!" Wang Xianqian almost burst into foul language, "Learning from foreigners will make my Holy Academy fall into the abyss!"

Zhao Erxun took a sip of tea: "The governor has already made a decision, so I will follow the emperor's wishes. With the golden signboard of Yuelu Academy in the future, I am not afraid that my university in Hunan will be worse than other provinces."

Wang Xianqian was furious. He was originally against the reformation, but now the new learning that the reformers are most passionate about has been directly sent to his own Yuelu Academy. It is really unacceptable: "The academy will never accept such absurd measures!"

"Hey——" Zhao Erxun said, "From now on, you will still be the head of the Yuelu Academy, but you will be named the head of the university hall. This name is also very good!"

Wang Xianqian blushed with anger: "Master Futai, such an abrupt decision really chills the hearts of the students of our academy!"

Xiong Xiling coughed: "Speaking of students, since it is a new school, the students who were expelled from the school for advocating Western learning and advocating reform before will also be recruited back."

Wang Xianqian couldn't take it anymore: "Absolutely not! If Master Futai does this, I will never be the head of the mountain again!"

Zhao Erxun couldn't wait for him to leave, but he still pretended to stay for a while: "The head of the mountain should think twice, Yuelu Academy can't do without you."

Wang Xianqian could see that Zhao Erxun was more accepting of Xiong Xiling's opinion, stood up and said: "Differences in ways are not for conspiracy, I can't stand it, sorry to continue to run the academy!"

Zhao Erxun immediately pretended to be very sad: "Master Shan, without you, the academy may not be able to survive."

Wang Xianqian snorted, pointed at Li Yu and said, "Isn't there still this famous emperor who is admired by foreigners? You should find him! Farewell!"

Wang Xianqian waved his hands and walked out of the governor's courtyard.

Xiong Xiling finally couldn't hold it anymore, and laughed loudly: "Master Futai, you're pretending too much!"

Zhao Erxun said relaxedly: "Thanks to the master's ingenious plan."

Li Yu quickly waved his hand: "It's just going with the flow."

This Zhao Erxun is a rather complicated person. The reason why he admires Western learning so much now is actually because he thinks Western learning is useful to the Qing Dynasty, not because he accepts reformers or revolutionaries.

Later, he was governor of Northeast China, and together with Zhang Zuolin, he massacred revolutionaries.

In addition, this person also did a major event during the Republic of China: organizing and compiling the "Drafts of Qing History".

But when he accepted Yuan Shikai's invitation to compile Qing history, he said: "I am an official of the Qing Dynasty, I compile Qing Dynasty history, I do Qing Dynasty affairs, and I eat Qing Dynasty food!"

He also claimed to be Guan Yu of the Three Kingdoms period, "surrendering Han but not Cao".

However, his actions were still condemned by many Qing Dynasty elders.

Xiong Xiling once again mentioned Li Yu's willingness to run a school, and Zhao Erxun quickly agreed: "The previous governor started to build primary and secondary schools. If the emperor needs it, he will directly open one for you."

In this way, it is simple.

Hunan has always been very concerned about education, and there is no shortage of primary and secondary schools at this time.

Zhao Erxun said to Xiong Xiling: "Master Xiong, these matters are up to you, and then choose a large school."

Li Yu didn't expect things to progress so easily.

In this way, the layout of primary and secondary schools in China is basically completed, and it will be completed soon.

After leaving the governor's office, Xiong Xiling led Li Yu to live in his mansion for a day.

The next day, Huang Xing came to the door.

"Emperor Master, we have met so soon!" Huang Xing said, "Today coincides with my 30th birthday, may I invite you to my residence for a briefing?"

The other party warmly invited him, and Li Yu replied without thinking, "What a coincidence? It's a great honor!"

Huang Xing said, "That's great! Master Emperor, please!"

When the two were approaching Huang Xing's residence, Li Yu suddenly recalled that Huang Xing seemed to be the Huaxing Club organized and established under the pretext of his birthday.

When they got to the gate, Huang Xing and a man got the signal and entered the gate.

Coupled with the appearance of a familiar figure, Li Yu was even more certain, because the young Song Jiaoren was in front of him.

Song Jiaoren said to Huang Xing: "Brother Okamoto, this is the emperor's teacher?"

Li Yu was stunned: "Oka...Okamoto?"

Huang Xing explained to Li Yu: "When you enter this courtyard, you can't use your real name. Okamoto is my name in the courtyard."

"I see." Li Yu nodded, but the name Okamoto was too ridiculous.

Huang Xing said to Li Yu again: "The young student in front of me is called Song Jiaoren, but everyone in this courtyard still calls him Yufu."

Li Yu said, "I remember."

Huang Xing then said to Li Yu: "It's better for the emperor to have an anonymous name."

"Is it necessary?" Li Yu didn't want to join the Huaxing Association, and besides, its existence was indeed too short.

Huang Xing said: "Now we are having a secret discussion. When I was on the boat last time, I observed that the emperor had his hair cut. He also had cutting-edge ideas. Everyone admires people like you, so please come and guide us."

Li Yu asked, "What can I guide?"

Huang Xing said: "Nowadays, the country is in turmoil and is being bullied by others. The way to strengthen the country firstly requires political and legal reforms, and secondly, technological progress is inseparable. But few of us understand scientific strategies, and we must have someone who knows how to guide us. .”

Li Yu said: "It's okay to point out the maze..."

Huang Xing immediately said: "Since this is the case, the emperor's teacher should take a number so that he can avoid the truth in the future."

Huang Xing roughly guessed in his heart that Li Yu didn't necessarily want to join their group, and it was for his own good to do so.

Li Yu thought for a while: "Let's call it Yu Li."

"Yu Li, Li Yu..." Song Jiaoren thought about Li Yu's words for a while, then clapped his hands and said, "Good name! Isn't it a chaotic world today!"

Li Yu smiled and said, "Just say it casually."

Several people walked into the house, and Li Yu saw Chen Tianhua again, as well as Zhang Shizhao and others.

——They didn’t run away, they were all the original members of Huaxinghui.

Zhang Shizhao met Li Yu when he was in Shanghai: "Hello, Master Di!"

Li Yu greeted them one by one.

Chen Tianhua happily said: "If Emperor Shi also becomes a shareholder of Huaxing Company, why not worry about the big thing failing!"

The revolutionary group must be acting in secret, so Huaxing will call it "Huaxing Company" to the outside world.

Then, under the name of "Starting Mining", the members are called people's shares, and "stocks" are membership cards.

The slogan is "Concentric piggy bank, face-to-face settlement", implying the meaning of "putting out Man Qing".

Li Yu said: "I'm not joining, but if there is a need, I just want to provide some help to everyone."

Huang Xing said: "I respect the emperor's decision, but your help will definitely be of great benefit to us."

Li Yu expressed his position and said: "Huang...oh, what brother Okamoto said just now is also my point of view. The way to rejuvenate the country is one of politics and law, and the other is technology. I stick to the way of technology, which is my own strength."

The name Okamoto is really difficult to pronounce.

Song Jiaoren said: "I also think what the emperor said is reasonable. It is more difficult to defend the country than to fight the country, so construction is more difficult than the revolution. And science and technology are the most important thing in construction. In the future, we cannot do without the emperor. I I figured it out, after the matter is completed, it is the time for the emperor to show his might."

Song Jiaoren's mind is really flexible, no wonder he was entrusted with important tasks by Mr. Zhongshan at a young age, and he almost replaced him.

Even Zhang Taiyan, the biggest lunatic in the Republic of China, spoke highly of Song Jiaoren: "If you choose the president, Huang Xing will be based on merit, and Song Jiaoren will be based on talent."

Li Yu didn't want to get involved in politics at all, and he had no experience.

From ancient times to the present, China has almost always had the smartest people playing politics, and everyone is a genius, so Li Yu would be exhausted to get involved in an official career.

Moreover, China's modern history can be described as changing, especially in the first ten years of the Republic of China, the city was almost always changing the king's banner.Even if Li Yu knew which team to stand on, it was really worrying to switch back and forth, and if he didn't, he would be called a house slave with the surname N.

So just stay away from the whirlpool.

Huang Xing asked again: "We have the intention to reorganize the world, but the gap in technology with the great powers is impossible to estimate due to lack of scientific knowledge. I hope Brother Yu Li can clarify."

Li Yu sighed: "Although I don't want to discourage everyone's enthusiasm, the actual gap is hard to imagine, just like a giant and a baby."

Song Jiaoren is currently studying at the Ordinary Middle School of Wenhua College of the Episcopal Church of the United States (now Central China Normal University), and has more or less contact with Western learning, so he asked: "Brother Yu Li's achievements in the scientific world are not like giants?"

"I am far from enough alone, so I try my best to build some schools." Li Yu said.

Song Jiaoren sighed and said: "Brother Yu Li has a long-term vision. If there are more people like you in the way of science, it will be a great fortune for the country."

The meeting between Song Jiaoren and Li Yu further convinced the importance of science.

Although he later studied in Japan to study politics and law, after the failure of the Huaxing Association, he will set up an organization called "Science Tutorial School" in Wuchang next year.

In fact, it is still a revolutionary organization, but in the name of tutoring and researching science, it conceals the government and deceives the public.