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

Chapter 520 Returning to Beijing
Masuda Takashi picked up another newspaper and said: "Foreign newspapers have been going crazy recently, claiming that they have built an unprecedented super luxury cruise ship. It is so huge that a naval warship looks like a baby boat that has just turned a full moon in front of it."

Konoe Akiyuki saw Li Yu's cruise ship and asked, "How is that possible! How big is that?"

Masuda Takashi put down the newspaper and gestured: "The newspaper said it was over 880 feet, which is close to 270 meters."

Konoe Akiyuki was surprised: "Emperor...the commander of Japan's United Fleet, General Togo Heihachiro's ship, the Mikasa, is only over 120 meters long. Why is there such a difference?"

Masuda Takashi said with emotion: "I can only say that the shipbuilding capabilities of foreigners are really amazing."

Konoe Akiyuki said: "Is it already officially in operation?"

Masuda Takashi said: "It should be sailing soon. This ship is called Titanic. It seems to be funded by the American billionaire Morgan."

Konoe Akiyuki envied: "If I could ride on such a magnificent ship, it would be such an unforgettable journey."

Li Yu said: "It definitely hits the soul so hard that there will be no second chance."

Masuda Takashi said: "Foreigners can build such a ship, so it's no wonder they can build an airship of the same size."

Li Yu asked: "Why did Mr. Yitian say that?"

Masuda Takashi said: "Thanks to the recommendation of Academician Li Yu, we got a Russian design drawing and a complete set of plans, which are enough to build a 250-meter giant rigid airship. When the empire builds it, what will it be like?" Remarkable.”

Li Yu said without changing his expression: "You should really hurry up, otherwise the Germans will take the lead."

Masuda Takashi said: "The Military Research Institute has previously conducted fundraising, and our Mitsui Society participated in it. We will never miss such a large-scale project."

Historically, the super airships built by Zeppelin Company were all very large, about the same size as the Titanic.

But this thing has already been mentioned. How should I put it? It can be said that it is completely formalistic. Its actual value is far less than that of an airplane. It is also very expensive and not profitable at the same time.

The reason why Germany's Zeppelin could be built was because the Zeppelin company would have gone bankrupt if it weren't for the liking and continued investment of Nazi Air Force Commander Göring.

But even if they don’t say it, the Japanese still want to follow the German path.

It's a pity that they don't have the technology of Germany, and even after ten years of research, they may not be able to complete the test flight of the airship.

Anyway, just let them play.

Li Yu encouraged: "The shocking effect of such a huge airship flying over the city is definitely much more shocking than a giant ship sailing on the sea."

"The publicity effect must be good," Masuda Takashi said enthusedly, "I really want to see that day sooner."

It's probably hard to see.

Li Yu took the newspaper and found that it mentioned that because the Titanic was built in the UK, it still used wireless telegraph machines produced by the Marconi Company, which monopolized the European market.

However, the Titanic disaster was more of a disaster caused by man-made factors and had little to do with machinery or technology, at least not so fatal.

Konoe Akiyuki said: "Judging from the docks in Shanghai, [-]% of the ships currently sailing on the Yangtze River, the busiest inland shipping, belong to the United Kingdom and France, and [-]% belong to Japan. But most of the ships are purchased from Europe. If East Asia reaches Europe We really don’t know how long it will take to develop our shipbuilding capabilities.”

She must not know that in another 100 years, almost all the ships in the world will be made by China, Japan and South Korea.

But her words also reminded Li Yu to help more private shipping companies develop quickly in the industrial association.

During World War I, the British and French shipping companies would free up a large market, and the Japanese could not be allowed to take it all.

Little Japan has always attached great importance to the shipping industry in the Yangtze River Basin. As early as 1887, the Japanese General Staff drafted the "National Policy to Conquer the Qing Dynasty" and included a plan to occupy the Yangtze River Basin, but it has never succeeded.

People's Hearts Are Insufficient and She Tun Xiang really fits the current look of little Japan.

After leaving the hotel, Li Yu summoned Yu Qiaqing and other businessmen specializing in shipping at the Industrial Association to study future business plans.

Yu Qiaqing had a good sense of business and immediately expressed his intention to increase investment in the Yangtze River Basin.

Li Yu knew that Yu Qiaqing would gain great benefits from it. After all, it was still a national enterprise and had to deal with the small Japan in a unified manner, so he provided as much help as he could.

It's just that Li Yu can't help much in the shipping industry, because this industry is difficult to grow and relies too much on a country's overall industrial strength.

Even at its peak, the Steamship Merchants Bureau and various private shipping companies still accounted for less than one-third of the Yangtze River inland shipping market.

The bulk is in the hands of three foreign companies, Swire, Jardine and Nissin.

Among them, Nissin is a Japanese company.Both the Japanese military and government attach great importance to this company. Like the Manchurian Railway Company in Manchuria, it is a strategic enterprise and is relatively difficult to penetrate.

However, Yu Qiaqing, Zhang Jian, and the China Shipping Merchants Company were not just freeloaders. If the war hadn't broken out later, it would have been hard to say what the situation would have been.

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When he returned to Datong University, Ping Hailan had already started the preparation work for the English-Chinese dictionary, and he also recruited a helper from nearby Shanghai St. John's University.

"Principal, even though Xiao Lin is young, he has an outstanding talent in language. He is the best in the entire St. John's University." Ping Hailan praised highly.

"Xiao Lin?" Li Yu asked, "Classmate, what is your name?"

"My name is Lin Yutang." The student replied.

Oh it's you.

Li Yu said: "Thank you to Mr. Lin for taking time off to do these things that benefit the country and the people while maintaining his studies."

Lin Yutang, who is just 17 years old this year, continued: "I suffered a lot when I learned foreign languages. If I could have a qualified dictionary, I don't know how much trouble would be saved. In fact, I have wanted to sit down for a long time, but I have never had the chance."

Li Yu said with a smile: "I will regard this as a social activity, write a letter of praise to the president of St. John's University, and provide you with the credits you deserve."

Lin Yutang said happily: "It would be better if it can also help students study abroad."

Ping Hailan was also happy: "You have a lot of little calculations in your mind."

Li Yu said: "It is not easy to compile a dictionary, especially when it involves some professional scientific vocabulary. The difficulty will rise sharply. If you encounter this kind of problem, you can write to me directly and ask the school's foreign teachers for help."

Lin Yutang was very proud of his language talent: "Foreign characters are just a few letter combinations, so how can it be difficult?"

Li Yu said: "The difficulty is not the language itself."

Lin Yutang made it clear: "I know, you must be trying to say that words with random letters represent scientific meanings that I cannot explain."

Li Yu said: "That's what it means."

Lin Yutang said: "Principal, don't worry, I'm not stupid. I won't hold back on problems that I can't solve."

Li Yu said: "This makes me feel relieved."

Two days later, Li Yu was ready to return to the capital.

Also riding the train were Cai Yuanpei, Wang Zhaoming, Song Jiaoren, Lu Xun and others.Cai Yuanpei and the others had a mission to greet Yuan Shikai when he went south.

As a time traveler, Li Yu knew that this goal was impossible to achieve, but Cai Yuanpei stayed in Beijing as the Minister of Education.

Cai Yuanpei said: "I'm sorry that I couldn't go to celebrate when I learned that Shu Cai founded a university. This period of time is really hard to get away from."

Li Yu said: "Minister Cai's words are serious. I dare not disturb you now that the situation is changing. Welcoming President Yuan is not an easy task."

Cai Yuanpei adjusted his glasses: "Everyone knows that this trip will not achieve the goal. Many people advised me not to go, but if I don't go, someone has to go. I'm afraid it's hard to shirk the responsibility, but I can't say anything."

Wang Zhaoming said relaxedly: "Minister Cai, don't worry, President Yuan will not embarrass us."

Wang Zhaoming has become a brother with the Yuan family master. He believes that because of this relationship, Yuan Shikai will at least entertain them well.

Song Jiaoren remained silent and looked out the window thoughtfully.

Everyone was traveling in a high-class carriage with beds.

When it was time to rest, Lu Xun entered a cabin with a copy of "A Dream of Red Mansions" he bought before getting on the train. He happened to see Cai Yuanpei's younger brother Cai Guqing in the cabin, so he laughed and said: "Gu Qing was carried by a turtle. , I don’t want to sleep with him.”

Li Yu was next door, wondering: "What does it mean for the turtle to carry it on its back?"

Lu Xun said: "When he was in Beijing, Gu Qing went to Bada Hutong to eat flower wine and have tea. He encountered a sudden rain and there was water in the courtyard and he could not go out. He was carried out by the turtle man of the brothel and waded out."

Li Yu said: "I see. Then we can have a box."

Cai Guqing scratched his scalp: "I only said this once when I was drunk, how come you all know about it."

Lu Xun picked up his suitcase and put on his hat: "What I know is already the version before adding more details."

After arriving in the capital, Lu Xun and others stayed at the Shaoxing Guild Hall, while Li Yu returned home.

It’s only after you have children that you realize that you really want to go out.

Li Yu hugged Xian'er and said to Zhao Qian: "Keep the doors and windows closed these days. If you hear shooting outside, set off firecrackers."

After hearing this, Lu Bicheng asked doubtfully: "Isn't the revolution over?"

Li Yu said: "It's early."

As expected, Yuan Shikai told the ministers of various countries that he was going south, but secretly he instigated the Beiyang Army to stage a self-directed "mutiny" and even robbed the hotels of Special Envoy Cai Yuanpei and others.

Then Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang, the direct line of Beiyang generals, jointly sent a telegram to Nanjing: "It is difficult for the president to leave Beijing after being appointed, and a unified government must be formed overnight."

To put it bluntly, don't leave, otherwise you won't be able to control the situation in the capital.

Yuan Shikai was indeed much better than the people in Nanjing in playing politics.

Li Yu looked bored.

Can a country become rich and powerful by playing tricks of power?
Cixi also had good political skills, but lacked political wisdom.

Now it seems that Yuan Shikai will start to decline rapidly after reaching the peak of his life.

But Nanjing finally made concessions and agreed to Yuan Shikai's appointment in Beijing.

Yuan Shikai then invited hundreds of people to his inauguration ceremony, and Li Yu also received invitations.

On the day of the inauguration, Beiyang's troops lined up neatly outside the former Qing Ministry of Foreign Affairs office and also acted as a police force.

Li Yu arrived at the house and saw Zhang Xun, who was in charge of security. Unlike other Beiyang Army generals, he still had Qing braids.

Zhang Xun smiled at Li Yu and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Li will continue to be the emperor's master in the future."

Zhang Xun naturally knew that Li Yu also served as the teacher of the Yuan brothers.

Li Yu looked at him: "Now I no longer have the title of Imperial Master."

Zhang Xun said: "It's all the same, it's all the same!"

Li Yu said: "If you have time, you can go to my Zhuangyuan Barber Shop to have your braids cut off."

Zhang Xun said quickly: "That's impossible, I can't live without braids."

Yuan Shikai, who was wearing a military uniform and a long sword, raised his voice and read out the oath: "Shikai is deeply willing to do his best to carry forward the republican spirit and cleanse the filth of autocracy. He will strictly abide by the Constitution, follow the wishes of the people, and pray that the country will be fulfilled. A safe and strong territory will allow the five major ethnic groups to enjoy common prosperity."

Cai Yuanpei, as the special envoy of Nanjing, then handed over Mr. Sun’s congratulatory message.

Yuan Shikai said cheerfully: "Shikai has declined and cannot be elected president. He has inherited the recommendation of President Sun and the support of the five major ethnic groups. He attaches great importance to the public election of the Senate. He has refused to accept the resignation and has been reluctant to accept it. I am willing to do my best to create happiness for the five major ethnic groups. , making the Republic of China a powerful country."

Although Cai Yuanpei knew that what he said was not true, he could only hope that he would abide by his oath.

Then Yuan Shikai glanced in the direction of the Forbidden City and said to the British Minister Zhu Erdian: "I have been alive for 53 years, and today is a reckless move!"

After saying that, he laughed.

After that, it was time to take a group photo, and Li Yu didn't want to come forward.

According to Yuan Shikai's order, Cai Yuanpei was still the minister of the Ministry of Education and took over the Qing Academy.

The office conditions in Beijing are much better than those in Nanjing. The Qing Dynasty Academy is a high-level government office.

Li Yu went to the Ministry of Education to congratulate Cai Yuanpei, but found that Cai Yuanpei was still as clean and honest as ever.

Cai Yuanpei said to Li Yu: "In the former Qing Dynasty, education was extravagant and extravagant, and its details were nothing more than extravagance and indulgence. Now, no matter how the country is short of expenditure, it is impossible to reduce education expenses. We can only practice strict frugality and advocate it throughout the country."

Li Yu knew that Cai Yuanpei was a man of his word in this regard, so he held up his hands and said, "Minister Cai is upright and upright."

Speaking of which, during the entire Republic of China period, no matter whether the Beiyang government or the later Nanjing government, the major departments under its jurisdiction did not do many practical things.

There is only one department that has really been working conscientiously, namely the Ministry of Education.

Since Cai Yuanpei became minister, although there have been some factional struggles among the subsequent ministers, their goals and ambitions have never changed, which is to "save the country through education"!
In order to save the country through education, they formulated countless educational regulations and came up with many remedies for the poor domestic situation at that time.

No matter how confused the Beiyang and Nanjing governments are, they still know that education is a top priority for a country and a nation, no less important than the development of industry and military.If you want to achieve leapfrog development, education is undoubtedly the first step.

That’s why I said before that the Department of Education has always been a force that was attracted and valued by all parties during the Republic of China; professors during the Republic of China were also able to enjoy very generous treatment.

For Cai Yuanpei, although Yuan Shikai is not an easy person to work with, he can still be patient if he can implement some education policies.

(End of this chapter)