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

Chapter 619: Scholars despise each other
At this time, the Battle of the Somme was basically over. Li Yu contacted Fan Yuanlian, the Minister of Education, and sent a telegram to Cai Yuanpei in France, asking him to return to China and serve as the president of Peking University.

After seeing the words "National affairs are gradually calming down, education is urgent" in the telegram, Cai Yuanpei really could not refuse anymore. Taking advantage of the breathing space of the Allied Powers and Allies, he boarded the ferry back home at the Port of Marseille.

Zhengyangmen Railway Station.

Li Yu and Fan Yuanlian received Cai Yuanpei, who was tired of life.

Seeing that he had lost a lot of weight, Li Yu asked, "The food in France isn't so stressful, right?"

Cai Yuanpei said: "I lost four or five pounds in more than a month on the ship. No one could bear to eat potatoes every day."

Fan Yuanlian circled around him: "It's not bad, there are no missing parts."

Cai Yuanpei smiled and said: "The war did not reach Paris."

Fan Yuanlian said with some emotion: "I heard that almost all of Britain, France, Germany, Austria, and Russia were maimed this year. It's really their own fault. I think they were all in the Eight-Nation Alliance back then!"

In the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme, Britain, France and Germany basically fought for their fortunes. After millions of casualties were paid by both sides, the battle lines remained unchanged.

At the same time, a major battle also took place on the Eastern Front: the Brusilov Offensive. Although it is much less famous, it was the Russian army's greatest victory in World War I.

In this battle, the Russian army suffered 50 casualties. Germany on the other side suffered 35 casualties, Austria-Hungary suffered 100 million casualties, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire alone took 40 prisoners!
Austria-Hungary was completely crippled, and the 86-year-old emperor Joseph I was directly angered to death.

Overall, by the end of 1916, 800 million people had been killed in Europe, including 200 million civilians.

As for what happened in this war? Like a joke really.

"It was indeed tragic. I saw many injured people with amputations or blindness on the way," Cai Yuanpei said, and then sighed, "The wars between the great powers are indeed more brutal. For the first time, I have seen that gas can kill people."

Li Yu said: "It may be chlorine gas, a chemical weapon."

"Chemistry? Weapons?" Cai Yuanpei said.

Li Yu said helplessly: "Technology is affecting modern warfare at an extremely terrifying speed, and modern warfare can affect the political landscape and then the entire world."

Fan Yuanlian has been in politics for a long time and said: "Where is the Hague Convention? Doesn't it prohibit the use of poisonous gases?"

Li Yu said: "The treaty is for others to see. How many foreigners will abide by it when they are endangered?"

Fan Yuanlian said speechlessly: "They have the final say."

Cai Yuanpei spent several years in France and had some experience: "Morality is not worth mentioning in the face of war. There are many evocative stories and many heroic soldiers on the front line, but the blood they paid can only become pawns in the hands of Paris politicians." "

Anyway, it won't be long before France will usher in a super mutiny.

"It's all the same..." Fan Yuanlian murmured.

Cai Yuanpei said: "Fortunately, I have witnessed this terrible war. Only when a country tries its best can we see its full face. The great powers are indeed terrifyingly powerful. Aircrafts, airships, tanks, cannons, and heavy machine guns are all cold and cold. New weapons are beyond our reach. Technology can determine the upper limit of civilization. Although we lack funds to invest in science and technology, we can rely on liberal arts to raise the lower limit first. At that time, it is impossible to say who is more civilized. "

Fan Yuanlian said: "We also have a scientific giant like Li Yu."

Li Yu said: "Science is not entirely technology. Catching up with hard power such as technology cannot be achieved in a short time. I can only try my best to reduce the gap, accumulate talents, and wait for peacetime to catch up again."

Fan Yuanlian agreed with Li Yu's approach: "The rise of great powers is inseparable from education. The worst thing to do is to devote a generation to immersing ourselves in it."

Li Yu thought to himself that at least two generations would have to pay in vain for the chaos caused by warlords fighting in the Republic of China.

Cai Yuanpei said: "When I passed by Shanghai, I paid my condolences to General Huang Xing and General Cai E. Unfortunately, current events have brought trouble, and there was only a portrait of their bodies when we met again. I also met Ma Junwu in the mourning hall. He heard that I was going to be the president of Peking University. Later, he kept trying to dissuade him, saying that the corruption of Peking University was well known to everyone. It had changed many presidents in a revolving door, but no one had escaped unscathed. Hu Renyuan really couldn't stand it anymore, so he resigned. I, a former Qing Dynasty scholar, could only corrupt him. But when I faced the photos of General Huang and General Cai, I became more determined to do something."

"We all have to rely on the jaegers!" Fan Yuanlian said with a bitter smile. "Due to the farce of the Hongxian monarchy, Peking University has suffered another wave of blows during this period. The Academy of Sciences is relatively better because there are more students from preparatory courses. The Academy of Liberal Arts is in a mess. There are many teachers who just print out old lectures to fool the students. Those students who are the sons of officials only know how to eat flowers, drink wine, play mahjong, do not study, and spend their days in the Ma Shen Temple area where the university hall is located. Now it has become a place full of restaurants and prostitutes. As a cultural holy place, it is so ironic! By the way, Kang Nanhai is clamoring for President Li to declare Confucianism as a state religion. "

Cai Yuanpei said: "Five years ago, when I first took office as Minister of Education, I formulated measures to abolish the idea of ​​loyalty to the king and respect for Confucius and merge the two subjects of classics. Five years later, not only has there been no progress, but there has been a regression."

Li Yu said: "Not everyone respects Confucius. Brother Jiemin, do you remember Chen Zhongfu (the one who stands out)?"

Cai Yuanpei said: "I know."

Li Yu said: "He published an article in the newly established magazine "New Youth" specifically refuting Kang Youwei's assertion."

Fan Yuanlian said: "I have also seen it. It is called "Our Last Enlightenment". It is a very brilliant criticism of the thought of respecting Confucius."

"New youth?" Cai Yuanpei said, "Okay! I will draft a telegram to recruit him to Peking University. I can't let the reputation of the university be ruined anymore."

A few days later, Cai Yuanpei went to Peking University to give his inaugural speech.

Cai Yuanpei is really good at being the principal, and the details can be seen in the details. As soon as he arrived at the campus gate, the school workers collectively bowed to him. Cai Yuanpei took off his hat and bowed to them as well.

The school staff were very surprised. In the past, Peking University was a very official university, and the president often held a very high title. But now the new president has no official authority at all?

Cai Yuanpei pointed to the red building and said to Li Yu, "Is this built with Shucai's investment?"

Li Yu nodded and said, "It was repaired last year and is now in use."

Cai Yuanpei immediately gave a speech in front of the Red Building, using the amplification facilities provided by Li Yu:
"Today I take charge of Peking University and I have three things to inform you.

First, have a determined purpose and understand why you are reading;
Second, sharpen your virtues and revitalize the atmosphere of Peking University;

Third, respect teachers and friends and treat them with courtesy.

......"

Cai Yuanpei’s speech was very long. In a nutshell, it was Peking University’s famous idea of ​​“academic freedom and inclusiveness” that created a great era for the University of the Republic of China.

Finally, Cai Yuanpei said:

"As for specific things, I just came back a few days ago. I don't know many school affairs very well, but I have two plans. The first is to improve the lecture notes. It depends not only on the knowledge taught, but also on your own dedicated study. I will print it later. The teachings are only printed in outline, and the details and essential content are all dictated by the lecturer, or the students themselves can find references in order to learn something and gain something, and it can really have an effect on everyone's learning.

The second is to purchase additional books. Although there are many books in the school library, there are very few new books. If we do not purchase books extensively, it will not be enough for students to refer to. Now I am raising money to buy more new books. In the future, the shelves will be full of books, and I will naturally be able to refer to them from many sources, so there will be no lack of knowledge.

That’s all I have to tell you today. We have a long way to go, so you can come to me to continue discussions at any time. "

After the lecture, in the principal's office, Li Yu immediately stated that he could help provide a large number of books, which he would posthumously donate every year to enrich the university library.

Cai Yuanpei knew that the price of books was not cheap, and he was moved: "Not only did Shucai contribute to the Red Mansion, but he also spent so much money!"

Li Yu said easily: "A Russian named Gorky once said that books are the ladder of human progress. Spending money on books is not called spending, it is called investment."

Cai Yuanpei did not think about who Gorky was for a moment, and said: "In the future, it would be a good idea to name the library after Brother Shucai or simply let you be the librarian."

Li Yu immediately said: "Don't! You can be anything, but you can't be the librarian..."

Cai Yuanpei said: "It's just an honorary one. I don't need to be responsible for specific affairs. Otherwise, if you donated so many books..." "If you let me be the one, I won't donate!" Li Yu said, "But I can recommend one person, Li Keep up the good work.”

It's Li Dazhao.

Cai Yuanpei said: "It is indeed good to keep the old ways."

Li Yu quickly breathed a sigh of relief.

In addition to recruiting new people, Qian Xuantong and Shen Yinmo, who are currently in the Academy of Liberal Arts, are also very valued by Cai Yuanpei.

Shen Yinmo held a calligraphy research meeting, and Li Yu came to Peking University to give lectures and asked him to teach him some experience from time to time. There is no way, in this era, it is really embarrassing to have poor handwriting.

As a top calligrapher in the Republic of China, Shen Yinmo was a kind-hearted person. Regarding Li Yu's bad calligraphy, Shen Yinmo would explain how to use the pen one by one every time.

With the guidance of such calligraphy masters, Li Yu could reach the level of writing Spring Festival couplets no matter how bad he was.

It is said that it was not easy to practice calligraphy in the old days. It is not like in later generations. You can find any calligraphy you want by just searching it on your mobile phone.

In ancient times, those who could afford to collect rubbings and calligraphy were definitely wealthy families. The emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were very good at calligraphy because they had a good educational environment and had top calligraphy professors since childhood.

Cai Yuanpei attaches great importance to new learning, but is not extreme. He understands the principle of "taking the essence and discarding the dross". Calligraphy is undoubtedly one of the essence, so he supports it very much.

"Mr. Shen, don't forget to give me some advice on my calligraphy when you have time." Cai Yuanpei said.

Shen Yin said silently: "The principal is too modest."

Chen Zhongfu arrived just in time and laughed when he heard it: "Brother Shen's calligraphy seems to have improved a lot? Even the principal and the academician have asked you for advice."

Shen Yinmo smiled and said: "It's the two of them who promoted me."

Chen Zhongfu's calligraphy level is also very high. During the Xuantong period, Shen Yinmo's calligraphy was evaluated as "the custom is in his bones". At that time, Shen couldn't say anything. After several years of hard training, he was no longer what he used to be.

Cai Yuanpei said: "Zhongfu, when you come here, you will take up the post of dean of liberal arts. You must not refuse!"

"Yes," Chen Zhongfu said, "but the principal must allow me to continue publishing "New Youth" magazine on campus."

Cai Yuanpei said: "I won't say anything if you move the editorial department here."

Chen Zhongfu said: "In this case, I definitely can't refuse."

Cai Yuanpei whispered again: "Remember to promote more new people from now on."

Chen Zhongfu said: "I understand."

After a while, Zhang Taiyan's eldest disciple Huang Kan suddenly broke in and said loudly: "I heard that there is a new dean of liberal arts?"

Cai Yuanpei immediately said: "Let me introduce, this is Mr. Chen Zhongfu."

Huang Kan said coldly: "It turns out that he is just a scholar from Tongcheng. Why does he need to mobilize troops like this?"

After saying that, he walked away directly.

The scene was a bit awkward, and Cai Yuanpei quickly said to Chen Zhongfu: "Don't blame Zhongfu, he just has this temper."

Chen Zhongfu smiled lightly, "It doesn't matter, it's all old things that make him behave like this."

As early as in Japan, Chen Zhongfu went to chat with Zhang Taiyan, and Huang Kan and Qian Xuantong were in the next room.

Chen Zhongfu and Zhang Taiyan talked about the situation of Sinology in the Qing Dynasty, and somehow they mentioned Hubei. Chen Zhongfu said: "There are no great scholars in Hubei."

Zhang Taiyan agreed: "What I'm saying is that there doesn't seem to be any decent talent."

Their conversation happened to be overheard by Huang Kan in the back room, who immediately became furious: "Hubei has no talents! Although there are no great scholars in Hubei, there are still only a few; Anhui has produced many scholars, but they may not be the only ones!"

The two had a bit of a rapport from then on.

Cai Yuanpei said: "It will be fine if we get along for a while."

"Of course, I have to apologize to him when I have time." Chen Zhongfu said.

Qian Xuantong said, "Brother Zhongfu, don't worry too much. My 'elder brother' is used to being arrogant. I can't apologize to everyone."

Chen Zhongfu said: "This is not good..."

Qian Xuantong said: "He always calls himself senior brother, and sometimes calls me 'Qian Er'. Not long ago, he called me 'Qian Erfeng' in front of Master Zhang. Then he said, 'Er Feng, hello. What a pity! Why don't you read the phonology books carefully these days? Instead, you play with phonetic alphabet and vernacular Chinese!'

I was so angry at the time that I slapped the table and said angrily, "I want to work on phonetic alphabet and vernacular Chinese. Can you, a bastard, take care of that?" '

If I don't refute him a few times, he will really be ignorant of his own limitations, which will be even worse for him."

Li Yu said with a smile: "Your senior brother doesn't like to see vernacular literature."

"It's not just vernacular writing," Qian Xuantong said, "he has a saying that all eight books are bullshit."

Li Yu asked: "Which eight departments?"

Qian Xuantong said: "Mao Shi", "Zuo Zhuan", "Zhou Li", "Shuowen Jiezi", "Guangyun", "Historical Records", "Hanshu" and "Selected Works".

Cai Yuanpei said: "My view is that universities should be eclectic, and Huang Kan will definitely stay."

Li Yu nodded in agreement, and then asked: "Where is the vernacular? What does the principal think?"

Cai Yuanpei said: "It must be promoted."

"Just in time," Li Yu took out a letter, "This is an article just received by the international student group of Datong University. Hu Shi, an international student from the United States, is called "Review of Literary Reform" and strongly advocates vernacular literature and literary revolution. "

Chen Zhongfu took it over and looked at it, and said happily: "It's just an essay, great! Has he graduated?"

Li Yu said: "The PhD defense should be held soon."

Chen Zhongfu said: "I will send him a telegram and return to China immediately after getting the diploma!"

Hu Shi's article is actually half written and half white, and a bit ideologically biased, but it is indeed quite groundbreaking.

Li Yu suddenly felt that in this current situation, it was necessary for someone to be radical, otherwise the power of decay would come back.

Of course, if you want to raise the level of vernacular writing, you will need Lu Xun and a bunch of other big names who will follow.