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

Chapter 690: Auto Repair Genius Wang Ganchang

When Li Yu went to Shanghai again, Hu Shi accompanied him. He was going to Hangzhou to recuperate.

Also on the train were British Legation Counselor Harding and Japanese Legation Counselor Sadao Sabari.

Saburi Sadao said, "Dr. Hu, Minister Yoshizawa has seen your speech on relations with Japan and he appreciates it very much."

Hu Shi said: "I was also inspired by the idea of ​​'Sino-Japanese mutual assistance' in the Japanese academic circle and believed that this was an area worthy of more in-depth exchanges."

Saburi Sadao said, "Please enlighten me, Dr. Hu."

Hu Shi said: "China today is full of anti-Japanese ideas. If the Japanese want to truly achieve 'Sino-Japanese mutual assistance', they should strive to make the Chinese understand Japanese culture. Although China has the largest number of students studying in Japan, few can truly appreciate Japan's core culture like Mr. Zhou Zuoren. This is a fundamental reason why the Chinese are anti-Japanese. If there were a hundred Zhou Zuorens among the students studying in Japan, then the Chinese would no longer be anti-Japanese, and China and Japan would be friendly."

"Dr. Hu's views are profound!" Sadao Sakimoto agreed greatly, and then sighed, "It's a pity that the Japanese education sector does not have much say and cannot influence the direction of Japanese policies."

Li Yu snorted after hearing Hu Shi's words. Sadayobu Rin had ears as sharp as a dog and heard it, so he asked, "Academician, do you have any good ideas?"

Li Yu said: "If these words were said on the National Humiliation Day, the Chinese public would not agree."

Being a politician, Sadao Saki said immediately, "We should look forward and not always focus on the past."

His words might as well be a fart. Look forward? Japan invaded China?

Hu Shi also shook his head and said, "Two years ago, I gave a speech at Tsinghua University entitled 'A Proposal to Abolish the Commemoration of National Humiliation'. That was my first time talking about politics on the podium. At the time, I said that we should not forget the present by commemorating the past; and that commemorating the past externally is not as good as working hard at home. Unfortunately, not many people understood my painstaking efforts, and the students in the audience booed."

Li Yu asked, "Dr. Hu, have you ever thought carefully about why there was so much booing from the audience? Why can't you look for the reason from yourself?"

Hu Shih said: “I just felt that the speech did not seem to be very popular at the time.”

Fortunately, I am not popular, and it is impossible to be popular! Li Yu thought.

"Dr. Hu, I advise you to study sociology and political economics before talking about politics," Li Yu said, "or it's better not to talk about politics. Ren Gong is the best example. Now Ren Gong no longer wade into the muddy waters of politics."

Hu Shi was at most a man of culture, and had no political skills at all. If he had been in politics, he would have given Northeast China to Japan in the hope of so-called "Sino-Japanese friendship" before Japan invaded China.

That was what he suggested to President Chiang in the 1930s, and he also wanted to be the ambassador to Japan…

Of course, Principal Jiang would never listen to him.

However, Saburi Sadao said, "There are too many military men in your political arena. We have always believed that it would be better if there were more educated people like Dr. Hu. Our negotiations with your country would be much smoother. At least he would not be as cunning as Duan Qirui and Cao Kun, these military men."

Li Yu smiled faintly and stopped the topic: "As for political matters, you should work hard on your own."

Speaking of which, this Sadao Saki is quite funny.

Didn’t Duan Qirui previously launch the “Nishihara Loan”? The amount was huge, 1.45 million yen, which was equivalent to more than half of the indemnity of the Treaty of Shimonoseki.

Duan Qirui stepped down shortly after borrowing the money, and subsequent governments did not recognize the loan.

Japan sent Sadao Sakiri, who was already the Japanese ambassador to China at that time, to collect the debt.

Sadayo Sakimoto first went to Duan Qirui, and Duan Qirui spread his hands and said: I have already stepped down, my words don’t count!
Sabonri Sadao went to find the guarantor Zhang Zuolin. Zhang Zuolin was born a bandit, how could he possibly get a penny out of him?
As expected, Zhang Zuolin played the rogue and said he had no idea. Guarantee? Do you have a written agreement? Guarantee!

After the victory of the Northern Expedition, Sadayo Sakimoto went to Chiang Kai-shek to collect debts again, and brought with him several secret agreements signed by Duan Qirui.

Chiang Kai-shek shook his head at this, saying that Mr. Sun had refused to acknowledge it at the time and had issued a statement that the foreign debt owed by the Beiyang government had nothing to do with Nanjing.

There is nothing wrong with what Chiang Kai-shek said. From a legal point of view, Japan is indeed not in the right.

But Sadao Saburi is a ruthless man. You won't pay me back, right? Fine! I'll hang myself for you to see!

Well, Minister Zofenli was not exaggerating, he really hanged himself! He became the first senior diplomat in history to die for debt collection.

British Counselor Harding said: "It is really meaningless to always talk about politics. I have discussed a question with several professors in my country before, but we did not come to any conclusion. I would like to ask you two, that is, why has China regressed to this state in the past thousand years?"

Hu Shih said: "I do not agree with Counselor Harding's words. China has actually made a lot of progress."

Harding asked: "Is the culture of the Qing Dynasty stronger than that of the Tang Dynasty?"

Hu Shi said: "Of course! The culture of the Tang Dynasty has been over-praised by historians, especially foreign scholars. It is precisely because the culture after the Tang Dynasty has been overly slandered that everyone believes that China has not made any progress since the Tang Dynasty. Overall, the scholarship of the Qing Dynasty is enough to overwhelm the past."

Hu Shi elaborated on these words on many occasions, including speeches at prestigious universities such as Tsinghua University and Union Medical College.

Harding said, "Isn't Dr. Hu advocating a new culture?"

Hu Shi said: "That's right, but these are two different things. We should naturally pursue the great Western culture and learn from it for our own benefit."

One can hear many contradictions in Hu Shi's words.

There is no doubt that Dr. Hu highly respects Western culture, especially Europe and the United States, and he may not think highly of Japan.

On the other hand, due to his academic background, Dr. Hu cannot leave the Chinese cultural circle, which makes it impossible for him to integrate into the "center of the world" in his mind.

In the words of Fu Sinian: Hu Shih remained a traditional Chinese wherever he lived.

This resulted in Hu Shi being very much like a "foreign missionary".

I remember Lu Xun's comment in a book: "You say China is not good. Are you a foreigner? Why don't you go abroad? It's a pity that foreigners look down on you."

This sentence is very suitable for some people on the margins between China and the West.

Although they always speak highly of the West in China and act as spokesmen for the West, Westerners do not regard them as their own kind. Therefore, the cosmopolitan Hu Shi could not enter the center of his "world".

In the 50s, when Hu Shi was a little down and out, Mr. Tang Degang suggested to the leaders of Columbia University that they hire Hu Shi to teach Sinology research.

Columbia University was where Hu Shi studied. But the other party smiled and asked a very sour question: "What can Hu Shi teach?"

The feeling of keeping a distance from Hu Zao and not really looking down on him was revealed in her smile, which had a special flavor.

Mr. Tang sighed: "Hu Shizhi did regard Columbia University as Peking University; but Columbia University did not regard Hu Shi as Hu Shi in the same way as Peking University did!"

Many non-Europeans and Americans who advocate cosmopolitanism like Hu Shi are willing to regard the West as their "world", but this "world" does not regard them as "world citizens."

It is very sad, and it is even more disgusting to think that a hundred years later, there are still so many so-called "public intellectuals" making the same mistakes.

A hundred years ago, Hu Shi was faced with some historical limitations. China at that time was truly a country in dire straits, with almost no hope of success. Everyone felt helpless but unable to vent.

A hundred years later, the so-called "public intellectuals" are simply ignorant and licking the boots.

Harding said: "I think I can borrow a phrase from Dr. Hu just now. If China had a hundred Li Yus, China and Japan would be able to be truly friendly."

Hu Shi laughed out loud: "Then China and the United States can also be friendly."

Li Yule said: "Just let the world have peace."

Several people laughed in different ways.

——After arriving at Shanghai Station, Hu Shi did not choose to continue taking the Shanghai-Hangzhou Railway to Hangzhou.

Li Yu asked: "Isn't Dr. Hu going to Hangzhou to recuperate?"

Hu Shi said, "Don't worry, let's go visit Mr. Kang on the way."

"Kang Nanhai?" Li Yu asked.

"Yes," Hu Shi nodded, "Mr. Liu Haisu of the Tianma Society has been bringing them together."

The Tianma Society was an organization in the painting community. Liu Haisu was a very famous painter in modern times, and he recently became Kang Youwei's apprentice.

It seems that Kang Youwei took the initiative to propose this, as he felt that none of his disciples knew how to paint, so he wanted to take Liu Haisu in as a disciple. Otherwise, I really can't understand why a painter would want to become Kang's disciple.

Li Yu laughed and said, "Mr. Kang founded Confucianism, and you want to bring down the Confucian School. You two are really incompatible."

Hu Shi also laughed and said, "I will definitely not mention this then."

When the two of them meet, you can imagine how awkward the situation is. At most, they say a few high-sounding, meaningless, and complimenting words to each other.

Kang Youwei said to Hu Shih regarding the "overthrow of the Confucian shop": "You are very enthusiastic about overthrowing the Confucian shop, but this shop is very difficult to overthrow!"

Li Yu went directly to Tatung University and then to the automobile factory, where he happened to meet Mr. Sun who was there for inspection.

His condition did not look good and he was supported by T.V. Soong and H.H. Kung.

"The academician's strategies of saving the country through industry, science and education have all been effective. This is a gratifying sight," said Mr. Sun.

Li Yu noticed that his face looked a little yellow, so he asked, "Mr. Sun, have you been to the hospital?"

Mr. Sun said: "I have seen it, and they recommended transferring to Peking Union Medical College."

Li Yu sighed, "It's better to go early."

He had an incurable disease - liver cancer (some say it was gallbladder cancer, but the diagnosis given by Union Hospital at the time was advanced liver cancer).

Kong Xiangxi asked: "Sir, you have introduced the most advanced Western medicine from Germany. Is there nothing you can do?"

He is now highly regarded by Mr. Sun.

Li Yu said: "Those drugs are only for treating common diseases, and they are powerless against cancer. The medical level of Peking Union Medical College is not inferior to the top hospitals in Europe and the United States. It is better to go there as soon as possible."

Kong Xiangxi asked: "Didn't Marie Curie's radium rays say that they could be used to treat cancer?"

Li Yu said: "I don't know much about radiotherapy, but they should still be in the experimental stage."

Kong Xiangxi said: "Experimental treatments are also possible!"

Mr. Sun waved his hand to interrupt him: "I used to be a doctor, I know the situation well. Doctors can't treat themselves, so just leave it to fate!"

A few months later, Union Hospital did perform surgery on Mr. Sun, with American doctor Tai Le'er as the lead surgeon and Liu Ruiheng, then acting president of Union Hospital, as the assistant surgeon. But when they saw that his liver had completely hardened, they knew that there was no hope, so they had to stop the surgery and opt for conservative treatment.

Mr. Sun said: "When I get to Tianjin, I will go to see Feng Ru Aircraft Factory, but unfortunately my current health condition does not allow me to take a flight."

Kong Xiangxi said: "There will definitely be opportunities in the future. I heard that a new all-metal passenger plane will be successfully developed."

"I hope so," Mr. Sun said. "Yongzhi, Ziwen, you should learn more from Mr. Li Yu."

Kong Xiangxi and Song Ziwen said: "We will listen carefully to your teachings."

After a while, Song Ziwen pulled Li Yu aside and said, "Sir, I may not have much time to be busy with the car factory now."

"It doesn't matter," Li Yu said, "I know you have been appointed as the governor of the Central Bank by Sun Xianrang."

Song Ziwen said: "Mr. Xie understands, but during this period, Director Liu and I discovered some talents. Students from a technical school came to the factory for internship. They are all professional technicians who are learning automobile driving and maintenance technology."

At this time, there are very few people in China who can repair cars.

Li Yu said: "It's very suitable!"

After Mr. Sun and his party left, Li Yu met these young students in the factory. One of them was very excited when he saw Li Yu: "Mr. Academician!"

"You, you are..."

"Mr. Academician, my name is Wang Ganchang."

Well, it’s true.

The big boss of two bombs and one satellite!

Li Yu was surprised: "You?! Studying car driving and maintenance in a technical school?"

Wang Ganchang said: "That's right, but it's not as interesting as I thought. It's better to study mathematics and physics."

"This is incredible!" Li Yu said immediately, "Go to Datong University and enroll directly in the Department of Physics."

Wang Ganchang was confused: "So simple?"

"Tuition is free, and you can study abroad in Europe and the United States after graduation." Li Yu added.

"what?!"

If he didn't know that the person in front of him was Li Yu, he would have thought he had met a scammer. It was a bit too straightforward.

Li Yu said: "The physics labs at Tatung University are the best in Asia. You will never be disappointed."

The temptation was too great. Wang Ganchang hesitated for a second and then said, "I...will give it a try?"

"What are you waiting for?" Li Yu said with a smile, "Hey, wait, put that wrench down!"

Wang Ganchang is someone who will definitely help in the future.

Li Yu was thinking about the three Nobel Prizes in Physics that he had to help win.

The first is Wu Youxun's research on the Compton effect; the second is Zhao Zhongyao's research on antimatter; and the third is Wang Ganchang's research on the discovery of neutrons.

And there is no doubt that they deserve these Nobel Prizes.

Unfortunately, in history, scientists in China and even in Asia as a whole have not been taken seriously enough, and due to a series of coincidences, they unfortunately missed out on the Nobel Prize.

Li Yu now has enough ability to help these few people. As long as there are more Nobel Prizes, the help to domestic science will naturally be immense.

(End of this chapter)