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

Chapter 479 Orphans and Widows
Li Yu didn't even know that he had made a mistake, but it didn't matter anymore.

Because he predicted the Tunguska explosion, it caused vibrations in the Western astronomical community. Japanese astronomers and astronomers who were investigating in Japan came to the capital and gathered together at the Beijing Observatory.

Seiji Hirayama of the Kyoto University Observatory said with emotion: "It would be unimaginable if this meteorite hit Japan. Fortunately, Amaterasu protects Japan."

Li Yu met Hirayama Seiji in Paris a few years ago and corrected him: "An astronomer should not say such mysterious words."

However, Hirayama Seiji sighed: "I have been observing the asteroid belt for these years, but I have not found this dangerous asteroid. But Mr. Academician found it accurately. The gap is too big."

If Li Yu hadn't known it in advance, it would have been really difficult to observe. There are no super telescopes for automatic sky surveys. It would be almost impossible to do it with the naked eye and written calculations.

It is for this reason that the astronomical circles in Europe and America admire Li Yu very much.

Of course, Li Yu didn't observe it at all.

Li Yu said casually: "It's all luck."

"This is not luck!" said a white astronomer. "I have also been observing for seven or eight years, and I know how difficult it is."

Li Yu could only accept the "fake name" and said: "Thank you for the compliment, I don't know your name."

The other party took off his hat and said politely: "Mr. Academician, this is Karl Schwarzschild from the Göttingen Observatory in Germany."

Another guy named Carl.

He was the one who later proposed the "Schwarzschild radius" of black holes.

As for the so-called Schwarzschild radius, it is a solution obtained when solving the equation.

It’s just that this equation is a bit more powerful: Einstein’s equations of general relativity.

Naturally, it is also a differential equation, and it is a very complex differential equation: a second-order nonlinear partial differential equation system composed of 10 equations!
Just hearing the description makes one's head tingle.

Li Yu shook hands with him: "It's our first time meeting you. Nice to meet you."

Karl Schwarzschild said: "Actually, I listened to Mr. Academician's speech when I was in Göttingen, but there were too many people, so you may not have noticed it."

"I'm really sorry." Li Yu apologized.

Karl Schwarzschild said: "Mr. Academician does not need to apologize."

Li Yu asked: "Why did you come to China?"

Schwarzschild said: "I am an observer myself and was recently invited by the Japanese Observatory to exchange and learn."

Schwarzschild said it was an exchange of learning, but in fact, Japan asked him to come over and teach.

Schwarzschild has no voice at all in European, especially German, academic circles, but he is a German professor after all, and has worked with big guys like Hilbert and Minkowski for a long time. If he is thrown into the United States or Japan, he will be the first to speak. A first-rate scholar.

Schwarzschild looked at the Capital Observatory, "To be honest, the facilities of this observatory are not advanced, but Mr. Academician can use it to complete unparalleled discoveries. It is indeed admirable. It also proves that ability is more important than equipment."

Li Yu said with a smile: "Excessive praise."

A few people were chatting animatedly when Prince Chun Zaifeng suddenly arrived.

Zaifeng said directly to Li Yu: "Master Emperor, you know the celestial phenomena. Now that the country is in danger and the Queen Mother is unwell, are there any celestial phenomena that are difficult to ascertain?"

Li Yu frowned: "Your Majesty, what I see is the movement of celestial bodies, not fortune telling."

Zaifeng said: "Observing the sky is not just about predicting good or bad luck. Back then, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang were able to predict the fortune of the Tang Dynasty by deducing the "Tuibei Diagram". As the best stargazer in the world, couldn't you do it?"

Li Yu was a little embarrassed. This old man regarded astronomy as divination.

Li Yu was speechless and could only continue to explain: "Astronomy is about observation and calculation, which requires knowledge of mathematics and physics, such as the law of universal gravitation and logarithmic calculations."

How could Zai Feng understand this? He waved his hand and said, "You can predict the falling of a meteorite. Are things on earth more difficult than things in heaven? I just want to know from you, what will happen to the Queen Mother's body?"

Damn it, Li Yu cursed in his heart, is this what I can say?

But then he thought, Zaifeng could not have such good intentions.

And if you don't ask about Cixi's well-being out of good intentions, then it may be instigated by an old official like Cixi.

Li Yu was shocked and said calmly: "Astronomy is not used for divination. If you don't believe me, you can ask the German professor Schwarzschild and Mr. Seiji Hirayama of the Kyoto Observatory in Japan."

After translating, Schwarzschild said categorically: "This Chinese prince, I can say with certainty that astronomy cannot predict, let alone determine the direction of a person's health. There is no scientific basis."

Hirayama Seiji also said: "Didn't Academician Li Yu write a book on chaos? The movement of celestial bodies is mixed with countless chaos, and human social relations are eternal chaos. And the degree of chaos is unpredictable."

Although Li Yu's level was obviously higher, Manchus like Zaifeng, especially the royal family, believed in foreigners more and were satisfied after listening to what the two said.

Li Yu breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, Schwarzschild and Hirayama Kiyoshi were here, otherwise it would have ended badly.

-

Li Yu escaped another small disaster, but Cixi and Guangxu in the palace were really dying.

Cixi was bedridden and could only wake up for a few hours every day. The bedroom was crowded with imperial doctors, but no one dared to make a conclusion.

Cixi knew that her end was approaching, so she hurriedly completed a few things before she died.

She first summoned Guangxu's Queen Longyu, her own niece.

Longyu had never had any opinions, but when Cixi looked like this, he cried with snot and tears.

Ci Xi said weakly: "Don't cry so much. You will be the Queen Mother from now on. How can you shed tears casually?"

When Xiao Dezhang heard the word "Queen Mother", his heart instantly burst with joy, and he could hardly hide the smile on his lips.

One family was happy and the other was sad. Li Lianying glanced at his expression and guessed that she was about to lose power.

Longyu wiped away tears and said, "I'm worried about you, Lafayette."

Cixi said: "Don't worry about me. I know everything about myself better than those useless imperial doctors."

The several imperial doctors nearby shivered after hearing this.

Cixi continued: "You should be more worried about the emperor. You are the queen and should take care of the emperor. This is the queen's duty."

How could Longyu and Guangxu have any feelings? Longyu said with a crooked mouth: "I, I won't go, I will stay by Lafayette's side."

Cixi sighed in her heart. This niece had always been under her protection and had no idea what harem politics was.

Cixi continued: "The biggest thing in the Qing Dynasty is the change of power. This is a major juncture. You should wipe away your tears quickly and be on guard at all times."

Longyu still didn't know what was going on, so he asked blankly: "What should I be wary of?"

Cixi said: "I am afraid that someone will harm the emperor."

Longyu opened his mouth wide, so frightened that he didn't know what to say.

On the contrary, Xiao De Zhang and Li Lianying next to him both understood the meaning of the words, and Guangxu's fate was self-evident.But Cixi said this, obviously to clear herself from suspicion, and at the same time to pave the way for continuing to blame Guangxu for half a century of humiliation.

Cixi's political wisdom was indeed poor, and could not be compared with those emperors who were talented and ambitious and expanded their territories, but her political skills cannot be said to be inferior.

Longyu was completely lost at this moment, just muttering: "I want to be by Lafayette's side, I want to be by Lafayette's side..."

Cixi sighed again, turned to Li Lianying and said, "Little Li, you should go see the emperor first."

"Cha." Li Lianying exited the bedroom, couldn't help but speed up her steps, and quickly came to Yingtai.

Guangxu saw Li Lianying's nervous and anxious expression and immediately guessed it.

"This servant bows before the Emperor." Li Lianying entered and saluted.

Guangxu leaned over and grabbed his collar, and asked anxiously: "Tell me, dear father, is she... seriously ill?"

Li Lianying did not dare to speak, but nodded slightly.

Guangxu instantly felt that the invisible mountain that had been weighing him down for more than ten years had dissipated, and his whole body was full of energy. However, he did not dare to show too much excitement at this time. He just said to Li Lianying: "Manager Li, after I take charge, you will still be a eunuch." Superintendent."

Guangxu was obviously trying to win over Li Lianying.

Li Lianying was happy to see this situation, but he knew that Guangxu might not survive tonight, so he could only kowtow and thank him: "I have failed to serve the emperor for so many years, and I deserve death."

Guangxu's eyes were wandering and he said to him: "Go down."

Li Lianying walked out of Yingtai, looked back, didn't dare to stay anymore, and left this place of right and wrong at a faster speed.

That night, Queen Longyu, who had been crying all day, finally came to Yingtai with Xiao Dezhang.

Longyu put his hand on Xiao Dezhang's arm and said, "I haven't been to this place for several years."

Xiao Dezhang was holding a lantern in his other hand and replied: "Master has always been thinking about the emperor."

Longyu was absent-minded: "He doesn't care about me."

Xiao Dezhang said: "But you are the queen after all, the niece of Lafayette, and you are kind-hearted."

Walking to the door, Xiao Dezhang knocked lightly and shouted: "Your Majesty, the Queen is here."

There was no answer in the house, so Xiao Dezhang knocked on the door again, but it was still the same.

After knocking for five or six minutes, Longyu felt something was wrong and urged Xiao Dezhang: "Go in and take a look."

Xiao Dezhang knew that he had to go in at this time, so he pushed the door open, and in front of him was Guangxu, who was wearing a dragon robe, his hair was a little messy, but he had died long ago.

Xiao Dezhang was frightened and shouted: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has passed away!"

Longyu still didn't believe it, so he raised his legs and stepped in. He reached out and shook Guangxu: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

Seeing that he was motionless, he reached out tremblingly to touch the arteries in his neck and found that there was no vibration in the blood vessels.

Longyu collapsed to the ground: "The emperor, the emperor... really died!"

-

At this time, Cixi was nervously summoning ministers.

The first one was of course Zaifeng. Zaifeng came in and said, "Old Buddha, I asked Li Yu from the Qin Tian Jian and the Capital Observatory. There have been no unusual celestial phenomena recently."

Cixi sighed softly: "That's all."

After a pause, he then said: "Zaifeng, you will be a big leader in the future, so you must take up the responsibility."

Zaifeng said: "This slave is not capable enough, I'm afraid..."

Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Longyu's scream. She rushed in and said loudly: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, he can't survive!"

Cixi knew this a long time ago and was secretly glad that she was behind.Otherwise, in her opinion, if Guangxu takes charge, he will definitely overturn all his measures.

Cixi said to Longyu calmly: "Why panic! Go and sit aside first."

He immediately turned to Zaifeng and said, "Go back home quickly, bring Puyi over, and prepare to ascend the throne."

Zaifeng didn't dare to hesitate and quickly left the palace after receiving the order.

Cixi then called Yuan Shikai in. After taking a sip of ginseng soup, he said, "I know that you are the most loyal to me, the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty cannot do without you."

Yuan Shikai immediately kowtowed and said: "I swear to protect the Qing Dynasty for thousands of years."

Cixi said: "You are a big man, and the Ai family only wants one thing from you: to wipe out Sun Wen's revolutionary party."

Yuan Shikai said: "I will definitely do it."

Cixi nodded: "That's good."

She could not have guessed that a few years later, Yuan Shikai and Sun Wen would die together for the Qing Dynasty.

Cixi didn't have much time, so she asked Yuan Shikai to step aside and then summoned Zhang Zhidong.

Cixi said: "Zhang Zhidong, Yuan Shikai is in charge of the external affairs, and you will be the backbone of the internal affairs of the court in the future. Zaifeng and the others are too young, so you need to provide more guidance."

Zhang Zhidong said: "I will do my best to serve you."

Cixi finally felt a little relaxed: "Don't forget to give the emperor a posthumous title. You know what I mean. The emperor is sorry for me, but I can't be sorry for the emperor."

-

At Prince Chun's Mansion, Zaifeng was about to leave with Puyi in his arms.

Xiao Dezhang had just read out the imperial edict: "Pu Yi, the son of Zai Feng, will succeed the emperor and become the successor emperor, and Zai Feng will be the regent of the country."

After hearing this, Puyi's grandmother burst into tears and almost fainted.One of her sons, Zaitan, died inexplicably when he became emperor, and now it is her grandson's turn.

-

The next day, Cixi, who had finally put on her court uniform, met Puyi and asked Zaifeng to watch.

I remember there was a scene in "The Last Emperor" where after announcing that Puyi was the emperor, Zaifeng kowtowed to him.

In fact, this is wrong. No matter what, it is impossible for Zaifeng to kowtow to Puyi. After all, the relationship between father and son is still there. At most, he has to kneel on the ground when hugging him.

Cixi slowly spoke her last words to Zhang Zhidong, Yuan Shikai, Yi Kuang and other important ministers.

"My whole life, I have been troubled internally and externally, but at last I have not ruined the fortunes of my ancestors in my hands." Cixi said with a trace of relaxation in her tone.

Then he blamed me and said: "The posthumous title of Emperor Daxing uses the word 'virtue'. He lacked too much virtue during his lifetime. After his death, he hopes to make up for it in the underworld."

Finally, and most importantly, Cixi said word for word: "Under the ancestral system of this dynasty, eunuchs cannot participate in politics, and women cannot participate in politics. But you all know the situation at that time. I had no choice but to break the ancestral system. But from now on , this article needs to be reinstated. But when it comes to serious matters, the regent should ask the queen mother for instructions to implement it. "

These words made the ministers below a little confused. Don't you mean to listen to your niece, the Queen Mother Longyu?

After the explanation, Puyi, who was less than three years old, officially ascended the throne.

There were a total of twelve emperors in the Qing Dynasty, and it was not unusual for five of them to be minor emperors.

Before Puyi, Shunzhi and Tongzhi both came to the throne at the age of six, Kangxi came to the throne at the age of eight, and Guangxu came to the throne at the age of four.

What a historical coincidence. When the Qing Dynasty was founded, there were orphans and widowers: Shunzhi and Xiaozhuang;

The country is destroyed and there are still orphans and widowed mothers: Puyi and Longyu.

(End of this chapter)