Go back to the past and be a schoolboy

Chapter 143 The Academy of Social Sciences Revising National History

"Zhiyuan, it's better to come early than coincidentally. It just so happens that I have something to discuss with you."

When he opened the door and saw Cheng Nuo coming, Cai Yuanpei was overjoyed and led him in.

Cheng Nuo was carrying his things and asked curiously, "Cai Gong, do you want to ask about the Second Workers' and Peasants' Academy again? Don't worry, when I return to Beijing, I won't take care of myself. I will definitely contact the best gentleman in our Academy of Sciences. Guaranteed not to delay the normal studies of students.

Maybe after a long time of training, there will be sincere emotions between teachers and students, and I am afraid that Mr. Cai, you will not let him go. "

"Where do you start with this? Professor Cheng Zhiyuan is also doing his own private work and taking up normal office hours. I didn't say that I would deduct your salary or anything. We at Peking University have always respected real talents. Personal choice, stay or stay as you like." Cai Yuanpei teased.

After hearing this, Cheng Nuo's old face blushed, and he said stubbornly, "I applied through the normal procedures when I went out, and even the college's class hours were fully booked."

"Okay, let's talk about these things when we return to Beijing." Cai Yuanpei smiled and did not expose it. After leading Cheng Nuo into the door, he pointed to the young man sitting inside and smiled, "Let me introduce you, this little friend is called Wang Lezhi." , People from Tai’an Prefecture, Shandong Province, I’m an old friend with his father, I heard that I’m in Shanghai, so I came over to have a sit down.”

The young man is also very polite, when he saw himself being introduced, he immediately got up and smoothed the wrinkles on his body, cupped his hands and said enthusiastically: "When I saw Professor Cheng, I heard that Professor Cheng was the best in mathematics, and I thought he was an old man with white beard and hair. When it comes to real people, it is very different from the rumors in the market, it is my short-sightedness."

Cheng Nuo bowed his hand and returned the salute: "You can't wear the hat of Jia Tianxia. It's all rumored by outsiders. It can't be true. As for the rumors in the market, it can't be true either, but I hope it's not my name called Cheng." , but the knowledge in it, these are the dry goods."

Cai Yuanpei smiled and said, "That's right, you're right. It's not so much about the Academy of Sciences, but rather about the Academy of Social Sciences under it."

Cheng Nuo asked, "What did Mr. Zhang Taiyan say?"

Cai Yuanpei replied: "Now that the political situation has calmed down, the former curator Wang Kaiyun was supposed to be reinstated. Unfortunately, Mr. Wang is old and just passed away not long ago. President Sun naturally thought of Zhang Taiyan and wanted to recommend him as the next curator. What a pity. , even with President Sun’s strong recommendation, this matter did not go smoothly.”

Cheng Nuo, who was drinking water, almost choked when he heard this.

Isn't he a master of Chinese medicine? When did he become a master of Chinese medicine? It's really weird. "

Now it happens that Peking University can be used to overtake on curves.

After re-handing the pamphlet to Cai Yuanpei, Cheng Nuo asked in confusion, "The things on it are very good. I don't see any problems. I don't know why Mr. Cai asked me to read them?"

"Article [-] This office is affiliated with the Department of Chinese History of Peking University

……

Thinking about it in another way, if Cheng Nuo was to be the director of the National History Compilation Office, he would have to be blinded if he had nothing but a name, personnel, staffing, and office.

Cai Yuanpei smiled, and directly under Cheng Nuo's gaze, he picked up a pen and added a line of five words for the Academy of Social Sciences after the four words Peking University.

He once advised Zeng Guofan to proclaim him emperor, but unfortunately he was resolutely rejected by the other party.

Cheng Nuo suddenly realized that there are meanings at these levels. In addition to the recognition of the independent status of the Academy of Social Sciences, there is also respect for Mr. Liang Qichao, and even the obsession with Mr. Zhang Taiyan.

Cai Yuanpei also said earnestly: "The compilation of traditional Chinese history books can be divided into three types in terms of style: biographical style, chronicle style, and chronicle style.

As a master of Chinese studies, Zhang Taiyan's ability will naturally be recognized by all walks of life, otherwise he would not be recommended by President Sun.

In other words, President Sun is also a mascot, and his recommendation is not taken seriously by all parties.

Without taking time to drink tea, Cheng Nuo flipped through it hastily. It mainly stated the work responsibilities and personnel arrangements of the National History Compilation Office:

No wonder the smile on Mr. Cai Yuanpei's face hasn't stopped since Cheng Nuo came over. It turns out that this calculation has been crackling.

Article [-] This disposition edits and solicits second shares

Thinking of this, Cheng Nuo scratched his head in embarrassment, swallowed the tea in his mouth, and said forcefully, "There should be other plans, there are so many masters, so it shouldn't be a problem to invite another person. I think Mr. Wang Guowei is quite suitable."

"Can you find the problem now?" Cai Yuanpei asked gently.

Wang Lezhi smiled and said: "He usurped power to proclaim himself emperor. Which dynasty and generation of emperors did not have historians to accompany them? In fact, although Yuan Shikai contributed to the establishment of the National History Museum, in fact he did not carry out substantive historical work. It’s just a tool in Yuan Shikai’s hands to help others in name only.”

Wang Lezhi, a young man on the other side, sighed and said, "However, since the Republic of China, there have been very few people who have published their biographies in the History Museum, and they have not given official documents to hand over their personal records. It is empty and there is no way to start."

Wang Lezhi nuzzled: "Of course I know, I personally went to inform, but Mr. Zhang is also very backbone, he didn't hear any objections from all walks of life, so he directly rejected the invitation."

Therefore, the revision of history books should not only serve politics, but should fully reflect history and meet the needs of social development.The Department of National History Compilation plans to edit various dictionaries, focusing on the social function of historiography, with the purpose of popularizing scientific and cultural knowledge and providing reference for social development and national revitalization. "

After thinking about it, Cheng Nuo began to communicate with Cai Yuanpei on some of the details.

Cai Yuanpei explained: "The compilation of national history should be absolutely free from the interference of government power, but Peking University is institutionally limited by the national government, and it is difficult to avoid government interference in the future, and it is not impossible to even transfer power to other government departments. With this possibility, the work of compiling the history of the country may be suspended at that time.”

Looking at the back of the young man going away, Cai Yuanpei said with emotion: "Zhiyuan, do you know how famous your name is among these young people? It's endless, I have to inquire about the conditions for working in your Academy of Sciences."

Under Cheng Nuo's curious eyes, Cai Yuanpei took a sip of tea, wiped his mouth and said, "Do you know the National History Museum?"

The history of the founding of the Republic of China was compiled after a detailed investigation of the founding of the Republic of China. Our historians have compiled the history from generation to generation. Therefore, the regulations, systems, and characters of each dynasty can be found in historical records such as Ji Zhuan Biao Zhi. "

Cheng Nuo was relatively unfamiliar with this word, and said puzzledly: "I remember that when the provisional government of the Republic of China was just established in Nanjing, revolutionary predecessors such as Hu Hanmin and Huang Xing applied to the provisional president at that time for the establishment of the Academy of National History, saying yes At the beginning of the Republic of China, the tradition of compiling history should be inherited.

Wang Lezhi also said from the side: "I heard from Uncle Cai that Mr. Liang Rengong is the future president of the Academy of Social Sciences, and Mr. Liang Rengong is the creator of the 'New Historiography'. He just took this opportunity to innovate the compilation of history books in our old society. .”

Cheng Nuo asked curiously, "Then what did Mr. Cai say?"

Cai Yuanpei took a deep look at Cheng Nuo: "It doesn't matter in the front, but it matters a lot here."

Cai Yuanpei joked: "Think about how to pass on your knowledge on the campus of Peking University first, and then let's talk about spreading it to the public, but the price of spreading it is not small, at least a thick stack of draft paper will work. .”

The position that such a big boss once held is not even qualified for ordinary people to take a look at it. What's more, he is still in charge of the task of compiling the history of the country. In addition to the necessary knowledge of Chinese studies, his reputation must be able to suppress all the history-compilers. staff member.

"Don't be so quick to deny it. Who doesn't know that you, President Cheng, are good at recruiting people. I think you can do this job." Cai Yuanpei refilled Cheng Nuo's water and took out a copy from his briefcase with a smile. File, pass it on.

Cai Yuanpei nodded and said: "It is better to show the strength of the former, and to strengthen the foundation of the country by making the official history. It is reasonable to write the history of the country in a book and write it as a trusted history, so that the people of the country will know it."

"No, Mr. Cai, this is a mission given to Peking University by the Ministry of Education. Why should we add our Academy of Social Sciences? You must know that we don't even have a plaque now. It's worse than when you just took over the National History Museum." Cheng Nuo thoroughly I was stunned, and hurriedly asked.

After these people finished joking, Cai Yuanpei poured the tea and said: "The reason why you said you came just now is because the matter we are talking about happens to have something to do with you, and I want to hear your opinion."

Cheng Nuo is completely responsible for why a good master of traditional Chinese studies became a master of traditional Chinese medicine. If he hadn't invited Mr. Zhang Taiyan to enter the medical school affiliated to the Academy of Sciences, how could he have changed today? stand up.

Therefore, maintaining the independence of national history compilation is our first consideration. It just so happens that your Academy of Sciences is becoming more and more influential, and the two of us can cooperate with each other to spread the reputation of your Academy of Social Sciences. "

"His original words were 'I don't know the original feelings of my generation. In today's human feelings, it is better to believe in the history of the country than to believe in the wild history'. He is very disapproving of the position of the curator of the National History Museum." Speaking of this, Wang Lezhi also wondered: "How can I hear In addition to this, Mr. Zhang has recently become obsessed with medicine and is seeing patients everywhere.

Cheng Nuo understood what was going on, and said uncertainly: "Mr. Cai said that because our Academy of Sciences has a private identity, and the two companies cooperate, if the government wants to regret it, there is more room for mediation?"

Cai Yuanpei sighed: "Originally the Museum of National History was filled with literati from the Imperial Academy of the Qing Dynasty. After the failure, the National History Museum will be closed as a matter of course."

Wang Lezhi said helplessly: "Since the establishment of the National History Museum, the achievements have not been outstanding, and the funds have been squandered. There is no one to support it, so it is temporarily closed and handed over to the Ministry of Education. University, so that Peking University set up a National History Compilation Office, with Cai Bobo concurrently serving as the director of the office.

Speaking of which, Wang Kaiyun is also a legendary figure. He really has some abilities. He is the number one Confucianist in Hengyang. Even the well-known painter Qi Baishi is also his disciple. He was once an aide of Zeng Guofan. Fascinated by the so-called art of the emperor.

However, from an overall point of view, the cooperation between the two parties is also a good thing for Cheng Nuo. After all, other natural science academies are gradually on the right track, and it will not be easy for the humanities to catch up.

However, because Zhang Taiyan not only opposes the constitution of the Qing government, but also opposes the bourgeois democratic system that the revolutionaries will implement in the future, the new warlords and stubborn bureaucrats all oppose Zhang Taiyan as the curator of the National History Museum. Therefore, even if he is approved by President Sun, he still cannot go to work normally. .

Cheng Nuo asked, "What do you think?"

Even the last time Wu Lien-teh and others were sent to Tianjin for prevention and control, Mr. Zhang Taiyan also set off for the north after learning about it, and went with him, saying that he wanted to investigate these juniors carefully.

There are not many things written on it, the fifteen articles are concise and to the point, and it didn't take much effort to read them.

On the way, the young man Wang Lezhi had something to do, so he left first.

Cai Yuanpei smiled wryly: "It would be nice if it was that simple, and now everyone is avoiding it, so why would they want to jump into this pit again."

After figuring out the ins and outs of the matter, Cheng Nuo couldn't help asking: "Then does Mr. Zhang Taiyan know about this matter?"

Cai Yuanpei nodded: "Historians record the phenomena of the past society with a view to the future. We read the history and get the knowledge of the ancients. We regard it as the basic, and further study it. This is the reason why human knowledge has progressed. It is of great significance. Therefore, we contemporary people have the responsibility and obligation to let future generations know the truth of this past period of history.

Impressively written on it is the "Guidelines of the National History Compilation Office Attached to Peking University" in large characters.

Cheng Nuo was puzzled: "Although I don't know exactly what happened, I know that the interim president had already agreed to this matter and established the Academy of National History. Although the fruits of the revolution were stolen by Yuan Shikai later, he was not concerned about this matter." It is also relatively recognized, as if the name of the National History Museum was changed at that time."

"Mr. Cai, you two have said so much, isn't it as simple as complaining to me?" Cheng Nuo thought about it, and felt that things were not as simple as imagined: "Could it be that you have taken a fancy to our Academy of Social Sciences? But right now? Even the dean is not in place yet, we can't do the work of compiling history even if we want to."

Hearing this, Cheng Nuo was a little puzzled and said: "Just close it and open it again. Compiling history is a boring thing. As long as the bottom line remains the same, you don't have to stick to the past. But when it comes to this, it seems to be different from our social sciences." Does it matter to the court?"

The annual budget allocates 4 yuan to support the editing business.But what about the funding problem? Just look at it, and don’t take it seriously. When I received the materials from the National History Museum, apart from a few packets of files and a wooden sign, there was not a single word on the materials of the national history, and there was not even a word of editing regulations. . "

Cheng Nuo held the cup and asked curiously, "Is there something to do with me? I guess it has something to do with the Academy of Sciences, right?"

It is estimated that if everything goes well, Wu Liande, Zhang Taiyan and his party will soon arrive in Tianjin by boat.

No.15 The salary of the director of the solicitation unit shall be regarded as the head of the library of the school; the salary of the office staff and secretary shall be regarded as the office staff and secretary of the school. "

Cai Yuanpei adjusted his glasses and said, "Let me tell you, if you can go to the Academy of Sciences, you must have a master's degree at the very least. Ordinary universities are only worthy of serving tea and water."

Cheng Nuo pressed, "What did that little friend say?"

Cai Yuanpei smiled and said: "He said it was just right, he was going to study in the history department of Princeton University, and he just met your requirements after returning.

It's good for you, you fall from the sky when you sit at home. "

(End of this chapter)