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

After translating the prequels of Star Wars, Yu Deling gave the translation to Li Yu.

Because I have to start in a hurry, I only have the English translation this time, but it is enough.

In fact, Yu Deling also wanted to go to the United States to see, but as Cixi's female official, although she was not too busy, she couldn't leave for too long.

In addition, Li Yu also wanted to transcribe a copy and send it to the "Oriental Magazine" under the Shanghai Commercial Publishing House Zhang Yuanji, which he had already agreed to.

Li Yu didn't have time to transcribe, and it happened that Konoe Zhaoxue came to deliver the mechanical books that he had borrowed some time ago.

So Li Yu handed over the work to her, and told her: "It's a confidentiality stage, don't spread it."

"Secret?" Konoe Zhaoxue immediately became interested when he heard the word, "I will definitely complete the task!"

Li Yu said: "Also, tell Hu Jiayan and the others that we are going to leave for the United States in a while, so we are all ready."

Li Yu selected a total of five students, including Konoe Zhaoxue, to go with him.

One of them was Hu Jiayan, an interesting kid who was the grandson of Hu Xueyan, a legendary red-capped businessman in the late Qing Dynasty.

Hu Xueyan has been miserable since his home was ransacked, but he is still better than ordinary people.

At that time, Hu Qingyutang had 120 "signboard shares", each worth about 1 taels of silver.Wen Yu, the Minister of Internal Affairs who took over Hu Qingyutang, still handed over 18 of the shares to the Hu family to make ends meet.

Hu Xueyan has two sons who have grown up, and the main one in China is Hu Pinsan.

Another older son, Hu Yansan, sent all the children abroad to study.

When he was dying, Hu Xueyan once set up a family motto: "Don't get close to the white tiger", the white tiger refers to Baiyin.That is to say, the children and grandchildren are not allowed to do business.

Naturally, he couldn't do politics, because Hu Xueyan was originally a red-top businessman, that is, an official businessman.In the feudal era, there was almost no separation between officials and businessmen.

In the feudal era, there were not many ways out, and all of a sudden official and business careers were blocked.

Hu Jiayan is the son of Hu Yansan. Seeing that there is no hope of success in the examinations, he turned his interest to Western learning.

He inherited some of Hu Xueyan's brains, and he could roughly see that Li Yu had great potential, and it would be a good way to follow him, so he resolutely came here.

He also did not violate the Hu family's training. There is still a difference between industry and commerce.

Li Yu also felt that he was more flexible in his mind, and that a family with a downturn experience would pay special attention to some life experiences and principles in raising children and grandchildren, so as not to fluctuate too much.It is worth cultivating.

-

Konoe Zhaoxue returned to his alone bedroom, and immediately read this "secret document" carefully, but in the end he found that it was just a manuscript of a novel.

Immediately, I felt a little discouraged, and after Lu Bicheng polished it, there was not even Li Yu's handwriting.

But...it was really fun to read.

After finishing the transcription work, Konoe Zhaoyuki went to the Aoki Mansion to report, and finally saw Aoki Nobusumi himself rarely.

It was almost the end of the year, and the situation between Japan and Russia was extremely tense. Nobusumi Aoki spent most of his time secretly investigating in the Northeast.

To be precise, it should be Japan that is really nervous.

Because the Russian side still does not believe that the Japanese side will do it.

But the Japanese side has almost made up their minds to kill Lao Maozi, and they don't have much confidence in their hearts, so of course they have been nervous all the time.

After learning that she was going to the United States with Li Yu, Nobujun Aoki said: "This is a very good opportunity, just to explore the situation in the United States."

Konoe Zhaoxue asked, "Do I have an upline in the United States that I can connect with?"

Aoki Nobusumi shook his head: "No."

Although in China, there are Japanese spies everywhere, and even most of the Japanese who come to China are almost spies.

But even if it is pushed back decades, Japan's intelligence agencies in the United States are basically blank.

It seemed that he was going to fight alone, so Jinwei Zhaoxue had no choice but to accept it calmly: "Zhaoxue understands."

Tou Shanman on the side said: "If you can get close to Li Yu, you should be able to get a lot of information."

So the breakthrough point is Li Yu.

Nobujun Aoki asked: "What progress has been made recently?"

Konoe Zhaoxue said: "Not yet, but I think only long lines can catch big fish, so there is no rush to act."

Nobujun Aoki agrees with Konoe Akiyuki's strategy: "Very good. To deal with smart people, we must be patient and use smart methods. Once a fish is hooked, we will be more proactive."

-

A few days later, when it was the day of departure, because Zhang Baixi and other second-rank officials accompanied him, almost three train carriages were booked.

One compartment is dedicated to the administrators of the university, such as Zhang Baixi and the Japanese professor Hattori Unoyoshi; the other compartment is for the international students of the university; one compartment is dedicated to women, including family members who accompany them off.

Because some university students have already married and established businesses, and they must bring some family members with them after going abroad for so long.Anyway, the remuneration given by the government to study abroad is very generous, and it is not a big problem for the whole family to go there.

Many people are taking a train for the first time, not to mention a ship, and they have never even seen the sea, so they are so excited along the way.

Gu Hongming and Yan Fu were also on the train, and because of Li Yu's special status, they were in the same carriage.

Gu Hongming said: "I heard that a German counselor approached you a few days ago."

Li Yu said: "Yes, he wants to discuss Zhuangzi, which is ridiculous."

Gu Hongming snorted: "In any case, foreigners will not understand our classics."

Yan Fu said: "Mr. Gu will also translate "The Analects" abroad."

Gu Hongming said: "Mr. Yan, you know how to translate. If you read the Four Books translated by foreigners yourself, you will probably be pissed off. If I don't do this, their misunderstanding may be even greater."

But in fact, no matter how good the translation is, it is of little use. Most foreigners, until later generations, still regard "The Analects of Confucius" as a collection of aphorisms and aphorisms, and do not think it has such a profound influence.

Yan Fu stroked his beard: "It's easier for us to understand foreigners. It's much easier to translate foreign languages ​​into Chinese. It's just that there are too few translated books now, so we can't really see the whole picture of the West."

After all, Chinese is too special and complicated to express its charm.

Gu Hongming said: "If you want to say that it is now translated into foreign languages ​​and really circulated, it must be your Star Wars novel, Master Di."

Li Yu smiled and said, "It's just reading for entertainment. This time I happen to bring a translated sequel, which is about to be published."

"There is already a sequel?" Gu Hongming asked.

"It should be called a prequel," Li Yu said.

"Interesting! I must read it immediately." Gu Hongming had never read such a novel before, and he was very interested.

And for them, reading novels is a great leisure time.

After arriving in Tanggu, everyone needs to wait for the ship to arrive.

Zhang Baixi took this time to give a mobilization speech to the students.

Li Yu didn't have much interest, he just wanted them to study hard and come back to serve the country in the future.

But he knows that these students will indeed serve the country in the future, but it won't be the Qing Dynasty in a long time.

Just as he was about to stroll around, he saw Lu Bicheng walking over with two old men in the distance.

"Is he Li Yu?" It was an old man who spoke.

Lu Bicheng replied: "Yes, Uncle, you...don't talk too seriously to him."

He is Lu Bicheng's natal uncle, Yan Fengsheng.

When Lu's family property was usurped, Lu Bicheng's mother Yan took several daughters and defected to the uncle's house who worked as a salt transporter in Tanggu.

Now Yan Fengsheng has resigned from the post of salt transportation envoy, but he has accumulated a lot of savings over the years.

The salt transport envoy is a third-rank official. It sounds small, but in ancient times, salt and iron have been monopolized, and the profit of salt is extremely considerable.

The salt transport envoys are not under the jurisdiction of the local government, and there is a lot of silver in the treasury, so they even have their own private armed forces, the salt soldiers.

Generally, after a few years, the salt transport envoys can greedy 10,000+ or ​​even several 10 taels of silver.

It feels a bit similar to Tianjin Road in charge of Tang Shaoyi.

Yan Fengsheng said: "You still have the nerve to protect? I've heard that you two, a man and a widow, went to Europe for so long! How decent! It's only because your uncle was too busy and didn't discipline you well. look."

Yan Shi hurriedly protected Lu Bicheng: "Brother, you speak too seriously."

"What's wrong with me? Why, I can't teach her a lesson?" Yan Fengsheng said, "I'm going to meet him right now."

But when he came in front of Li Yu, he still softened his face, and said in a deep voice: "Your Excellency is the imperial teacher of the dynasty, Li Yu?"

Li Yu glanced at Lu Bicheng who was standing in the distance, and replied, "I'm right here."

Yan Fengsheng said: "I, Yan Fengsheng, a former salt transport envoy, is Bicheng's uncle."

Li Yu said: "It turned out to be Lord Salt Transport Envoy. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Yan Fengsheng said: "We already know the situation and have inquired many ways."

Li Yu was a little puzzled: "Inquire?"

Yan Fengsheng continued: "It's amazing that the emperor's teacher can have such high courtesy in Western countries."

Li Yu clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, thank you."

"But although you are an elite of Western learning," Yan Fengsheng looked at a lot of Li Yu, "you have cut your hair again, and you may admire the customs of foreigners, but such a big event as a wedding or funeral always has to return to the roots, which is not a trifling matter."

"What?" Li Yu was taken aback.

-

Lu Bicheng, his mother Yan Shi, and his younger sister Lu Kunxiu stood far away.

Lu Kunxiu is only 14 years old now, she took Lu Bicheng's hand and said, "Sister, that brother is so tall and handsome, you really have vision."

Lu Bicheng smiled and said, "You little girl, what do you know about movies?"

Lu Xiukun straightened his back: "I know everything!"

The Yan family said to Lu Bicheng: "Xianxi (Lu Bicheng's real name), my mother is from here, so don't lose your body casually. The rich kids often lie to you kind-hearted silly girls."

Lu Bicheng grabbed her hand: "Mother, no."

"What isn't it?" Yan said, "Your child has been self-reliant since he was a child. He is different from ordinary girls, but you can't learn from foreigners."

"Where did I learn bad things?" Lu Bicheng asked.

Yan said: "All of you lonely men and widows have gone to places thousands of miles away. This is what a big girl should do?"

Lu Bicheng said: "I..."

Yan went on to say: "What if he is not responsible? Your uncle came to him for your own good, and you can't let him fail you!"

Lu Bicheng shook his head hastily: "Mother, there's nothing left to say."

"What do you mean? Could it be?" Yan asked.

Lu Bicheng immediately said: "Mother, don't ask, it's really nothing."

Yan Fengsheng on the other side really wanted to ask the teacher to ask the crime, but Li Yu was a man of dignity no matter what, so his words were still polite.

Yan Fengsheng said: "My family Bicheng can't let you tarnish your reputation for nothing. Now the whole world knows that she and you have been to a foreigner's country alone. How will you meet people in the future? What if..."

Before Yan Fengsheng finished speaking, someone suddenly greeted Li Yu: "Mr. Li Yu, I finally found you!"

When Yan Fengsheng turned his head, I was obedient, and I didn't care about Li Yu, so I immediately greeted him: "Master Taiwan! Why are you here?"

Yuan Shikai glanced at Yan Fengsheng: "Are you Yan Fengsheng, the former salt transport envoy?"

Yan Fengsheng nodded vigorously and said, "It's the next official."

"I see."

Yuan Shikai didn't want to talk to him either, and walked towards Li Yu, "The wireless telegraphs you gave are really useful! I heard from Tang Daotai that you returned the friendship price. Doesn't this make me Beiyang owe you a favor again?"

Li Yu smiled and said, "It's good that it's useful, after all we are all Chinese."

Yuan Shikai was very happy: "You are such a great talent! It's the first time I saw that something made by my own people is more advanced than foreigners. It's just too long. This thing must be supplied more in the future, and there is no need for any friendly price. It should be How much is so much, I can't let you spend the money before handing over the money, Beiyang is not a place short of money."

Tang Shaoyi said from the side: "Brother Li Yu, the commander is right."

Li Yu cupped his hands and said, "From now on, I will give priority to supplying Beiyang."

"I love to hear that!" Yuan Shikai was very happy, and continued, "I heard from Tang Daotai that you are going to take Miss Bicheng and a few students to the United States again? Is she here today?"

"That's right, I'm going to visit my factory in the United States," Li Yu greeted Lu Bicheng, "Your Excellency is calling you."

"Me?" Lu Bicheng was a little panicked.

The Yan family next to him was even more dumbfounded. Yuan Shikai is now the governor of Zhili and the minister of Beiyang, with a high position and authority.

Lu Bicheng leaned over and said, "My lord."

Yuan Shikai said: "Don't be rigid, after all, you have a very close relationship with Emperor Li Yu."

Li Yu suddenly thought: "Master Taiwan, since the New Deal is going to be implemented, why don't you build a girls' school in Jinmen now?"

Yuan Shikai had the intention to build Tianjin, his base camp, into a demonstration site for the New Deal. After thinking for a while, he nodded and said, "That's a good idea. Foreigners have women's schools, and we should indeed have them."

Li Yu knew that Lu Bicheng wanted to engage in women's rights and promote women's education, so he suggested, "I thought Miss Bicheng could be of great help."

"It must be very busy!" Yuan Shikai said, "Since you have suggested it, in the future the head teacher of the women's school will be Bicheng girl."

Lu Bicheng was a little dazed, why he suddenly became the head teacher of the women's school: "My lord, I'm afraid that women are not worthy of the position."

"You are the most talented woman in Beijing and Tianjin, who else is more suitable as the head teacher of the Women's School?" Yuan Shikai directly agreed.

Yan Fengsheng and Yan Shi on the side were completely dumbfounded.

It turns out that Li Yu is not only a teacher of the emperor, famous in Europe and America, but also has such a good relationship with the governor of Zhili?
Yan Fengsheng originally wanted to teach Lu Bicheng not to abide by women's morality and morality, but now she has directly become the head teacher of women's school appointed by Yuan Shikai, how can she teach her a lesson?

Yuan Shikai was a very busy person, and seeing that Zhang Baixi's speech was about the same, he went to see him again.

After Yuan Shikai left, Yan Fengsheng's face was full of smiles: "My lord, Bicheng is a bit wild and likes to go all over the place. In the future, you will have to take care of me."

Li Yu said, "This is a good habit."

"That's right! Good habits, of course they are good habits!" Yan Fengsheng said, "It's as long as the emperor likes it. But you must give Bicheng a name anyway. Bicheng still knows the three obediences and four virtues, the three principles and the five constant principles."

Li Yu cupped his hands and said, "When I return to China, I will definitely pay a visit in the future."

Yan Fengsheng was even happier. In his opinion, coming to the door to propose a marriage means that the matchmaker is marrying. It must not be a concubine, but the wife. "The emperor is really a good man in this world!"