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

Chapter 57 Westminster

On the third day after arriving in the UK, under the leadership of Prince Arthur, Zai Zhen presented the credentials to Edward VII at Buckingham Palace. The credentials were signed by Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi, and most of them were written by Guangxu himself.

I don't know what mood Guangxu was in when he wrote this letter of credence. He must really want to kill Cixi, and there is a little bit of envy in his heart for Edward VII, who has been the crown prince for decades.

Originally, there would be a coronation ceremony in a few days, but Edward VII has been a little seriously ill recently, so he had to postpone the ceremony.The specific date has not been confirmed, but since the special mission has completed the congratulatory gift, it has started its investigation mission in London.

What they value most is the British parliamentary system, diplomacy, military affairs, finance and other fields. On the first trip, they went to the Palace of Westminster, which is the seat of the British Parliament.Until now, the British Parliament, also known as Westminster Parliament, is held here.

Liang Cheng and Huang Kaijia are very concerned about the constitutional monarchy, and have been instilling in Zai Zhen the superiority of the British system, but they talk about it in a textbook style, and all kinds of nouns such as monarchy, civil rights, parliament, cabinet, and division of rights De Zai shook his head to explode.After all, they learned it in the United States. There are still many differences between the separation of powers and the constitutional monarchy, and they only learned it from books.

Zai Zhen said directly to Li Yu: "It's still easy for you to speak normally, just talk about it!"

In fact, Li Yu didn't understand politics at all, so he had to use the historical knowledge he had learned in junior high school to reply: "Master Bei, it's actually very simple. If you understand it this way, didn't Mencius say that the people are more important than the emperor, and that's actually what you see now." In England, the people are more important than the monarchy. All major matters involving taxation, military administration, and laws and regulations are decided by the parliament, and the monarch only needs to sign a promise."

Zai Zhen said, "I understand now! But this matter must still be decided by the Queen Mother."

very good!Your queen mother has returned to the west and hasn't started a constitutional monarchy yet.

After visiting the Palace of Westminster, Zai Zhen felt a little tired. He asked, "What's there to do in London?"

Yang Laizhao responded quickly: "We can go boating on the Thames!"

This was indeed a very comfortable and elegant thing in London at the time.

Zai Zhen immediately agreed, and they came to the pier, but the boat was really small, and one could only seat two or three people.Among them, only Li Yu was good at swimming, so Zai Zhen dragged Li Yu along.

The boat sailing on the Thames is really like watching the Bund on the Huangpu River.

Zai Zhen looked at the buildings on the shore and asked, "Why is England so powerful?"

Li Yu searched his mind. Fortunately, he had learned some foreign history before, especially the modern power of Britain, and he had watched many documentaries, so he gave Zai Zhen a general talk based on the content of the rise of great powers.

Although it is all superficial knowledge, it is basically enlightenment to Zai Zhen.

Zai Zhen was surprised and said: "Sir, you have such insights in politics and law. Why don't you wait for me to go back and write a letter of recommendation to you, because there is a shortage of talents in the court."

Li Yu quickly shook his head greatly: "Master Beizi, I only know the general outline, but when it comes to specific details, I don't know anything about it."

"It's really a pity." Zai Zhen said casually, but soon immersed himself in the landscape architecture on both sides of the strait.

Since I went to the Palace of Westminster in the morning, I will naturally go to Westminster Abbey next to it in the afternoon, which is the famous Westminster Abbey. The coronation ceremony of Edward VII will also be held in Westminster Sturt Church.

"Master Bei Zi, Westminster Abbey is the place where British kings are crowned and married, and many British kings are buried." It was still Liang Cheng who introduced Zai Zhen.

Zai Zhen thought for a while and said, "Why are the royal tombs and auditoriums built together in England?"

"Ah, this... this is their tradition." Liang Cheng didn't expect Zai Zhen's thinking to be so active.

"Tradition?" Zai Zhen murmured, "I see."

Many celebrities were buried in the church, and there are also many inscriptions.

Zai Zhen practiced calligraphy when he was a child, and he was interested in inscriptions. They saw the famous inscription in the tombstone forest in the basement. It is said that Mandela of later generations was enlightened after reading it. Liang Cheng translated for Zai Zhen: :
"When I was young, my imagination was never limited and I dreamed of changing the world.

as i matured, i realized that i could not change the world, so i shortened my sights and decided to change only my country.

When I entered my twilight years, I found that I can't change my country, my last wish is just to change my family.

However, this is also impossible.

As I was lying in bed, dying, I suddenly realized:
If I just change myself first, then as an example, I may change my family;
With the help and encouragement of my family, I might do something for the country.

Then who knows?I might even change the world. "

Zai Zhen thought about it for a reason: "After all, it is the inscription of the British Cathedral, and it really should be excavated! Liang Cheng, you copy the entire inscription, and also copy the English. I will show it to Ama and the Queen Mother when I go back. "

Li Yu laughed beside him and said, "Master Bei, don't bother, our ancestors have already explained it clearly, and only used nine words: self-cultivation, family harmony, state governance, and world peace!"

Zai Zhen laughed loudly after hearing this: "I said, why does it feel so familiar!"

Several people visited the tombstones of celebrities besides the king, such as Newton, Darwin, Herschel, Dickens and so on.

Li Yu said to Zai Zhen, "Master Bei, have you noticed anything different?"

Zai Zhen asked, "What's the difference?"

"These men of letters and science are buried in the same church as the King of England."

Zai Zhen didn't realize anything at all, but instead said puzzledly: "Don't say it all, it's the tradition of others."

Li Yu sighed inwardly and said nothing more.

He stopped at the very imposing and conspicuous tomb of Newton, the first scientist to be buried in Westminster Abbey.

The sarcophagus is inlaid with pictures depicting a group of boys working with mathematical instruments.Above the sarcophagus is a statue of Newton in a reclining position, his left hand pointing to a scroll held by two boys.Many people think it is calculus, but it is actually his binomial formula.The background sculpture is a celestial sphere, on which are painted the twelve signs of the zodiac and related constellations, revealing Newton's great achievements in astronomy.

Li Yu thought of the epitaph written by the poet Pope for Newton: "Nature and the laws of nature are hidden in darkness; God said: Let Newton be born! Then, everything becomes light."

Just as he was engrossed in watching, a blond-haired, blue-eyed Englishman ran over and asked out of breath, "Which of you is Li Yu?"

Li Yu said, "It's me."

"Great! I finally found you! I am Jorson, the editor of the Royal Society's "Proceedings of Natural Sciences". We, President Huggins and Lord Kelvin, know that you are coming to the UK, and we specifically want me to invite you to meet .”

Well, it came really fast!

(End of this chapter)