Go back to the past and be a schoolboy

Chapter 72 The No. [-] Scholar Entrepreneur
Facing this [-]-year-old old man, Cheng Nuo was really not sure who he was at first. After all, he had only seen photos in history textbooks in his previous life, and there was still a big gap compared with the real person.

Cheng Nuo was both surprised and moved when he learned that the person in front of him was Zhang Jian, the champion industrialist, and his purpose was to pick him up.

Regarding this character, the great man once commented: "When it comes to China's national industry, there are four people who must not forget; when it comes to heavy industry, Zhang Xiangshuai must not be forgotten; when it comes to light industry, Zhang Jian must not be forgotten; when it comes to chemical industry, Fan Xudong must not be forgotten; When it comes to the transportation industry, Lu Zuofu cannot be forgotten.”

Zhang Jian’s ancestors were just ordinary people, and the family situation gradually improved after his grandfather entered the family. Adhering to the idea that “China must develop industries, the responsibilities must come first to the scholars and bureaucrats”, and he chose to leave Officialdom, set up industry.

Counting from the completion of the Dasheng Spinning Mill he founded in May 1899 to the end of 5, the total capital of various enterprises run by Zhang Jian reached 1921 million yuan, which was second to none in that era.

In the middle, in order to increase the source of cotton, the Tonghai Reclamation Company was established in 1900; in 1902, the Guangsheng Oil Factory was established in order to solve the problem of cottonseed; in 1904, the Shanghai Dada Waijiang Lunbu Company was established in order to solve the problem of transportation of raw materials and products Hetianshenggang Lunbu Company; in order to maintain and manufacture machinery and equipment, Zisheng Iron Smelter was established in 1906 and so on.

It can be said that he has contracted the entire industrial chain of the entire cotton textile industry with his own strength, and he is a well-deserved industrialist.

Seeing him, Cheng Nuo put down the suitcase, stepped forward and bowed, "I'm really flattered that Mr. Zhang came here in person."

Zhang Jian smiled, asked his attendants to put down the sign with the word "Cheng Nuo", and said politely: "I heard magpies chirping at the door early in the morning, and I said at that time that something good was about to happen. It’s the famous Professor Cheng who is coming to Suzhou, so I’m so happy. Hurry up and finally come to the station to pick you up, and it’s not in vain for me to walk this distance.”

Respect is respect, and when he couldn't figure out the other party's intentions, Cheng Nuo smiled and asked tentatively: "Haha, Mr. Zhang is just joking. I wonder if you are here this time because of the China Vocational Education Association?"

"Yes, but not entirely." Zhang Jian smiled, and instructed his attendants to pick up Cheng Nuo's luggage: "There are too many people talking here, so it's not a good place to talk, let's talk about it on the way."

Cheng Nuo originally wanted to come by himself, but he couldn't compete with the entourage, so the suitcase was put in the trunk of the car.

But it still has to be the Shanghai stock market. This can be regarded as Cheng Nuo's first time returning to China to take a car. Although the overall comfort cannot be compared with the previous life, he still can't help but take a closer look.

The cars passing by from time to time made him a little curious, but he lost interest after seeing a few of them, because he was too simple.

As far as car lights are concerned, the Police Department required all vehicles to turn on their lights at night, but this was still the early days of the Republic of China, and car indicator lights were not popularized. Some car owners installed two candles in front of their cars for lighting in order to cope with inspections.

Say he has no money, he has a car; say he has money, candles serve as car lights.

That is to say, Zhang Jian's "square sedan Ford" is better equipped, with two calcium carbide lamps installed in front of the car, but the driver still needs to extend his hand out of the car when crossing or parking, and gestures to passers-by and vehicles next to him. .

Zhang Jian didn't pay much attention to his performance at first, but after he keenly caught the disappointment in Cheng Nuo's eyes, he couldn't help but ask, "Why is Professor Cheng sighing? Is it because I, Zhang, didn't treat me well?"

Cheng Nuo waved his hands again and again: "Mr. Zhang invited me as a distinguished guest. I am naturally grateful. The sigh is just thinking of the development of our country, especially the industrial industry. Compared with the United States on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, there is still a big gap. Driving on the road Although cars are not the most advanced, they are all imported, and we still have a long way to go to catch up."

"Professor Cheng's words are convincing, and I have a deep understanding." Zhang Jian looked away and sighed: "Heaven produces people, just like grass and trees. If one or two useful careers are left behind, and they grow together with grass and trees, then Not to rot with the grass and trees. Taking advantage of the fact that his body is barely feasible, Zhang also wants to develop our own industry and commerce without being held hostage by foreign countries."

"So, Mr. Zhang, are you here for business?" Cheng Nuo thought for a moment and understood Zhang Jian's purpose. I believe that with his years of business vision, he also saw the crisis behind the prosperity of the domestic cotton textile industry.

Zhang Jian nodded with a smile: "However, with Professor Cheng's talent and learning, it's just that the industry is a bit overkill. In terms of new education, I also need your help."

After talking all the way, he also roughly understood what Zhang Jian meant, that he wanted to take Cheng Nuo to the local area to guide the work while the China Vocational Education Association had not yet opened.

It covers agriculture (cotton planting), industry, and education, which happen to be the three areas that Cheng Nuo focuses on. The fit between the two parties can be said to be [-]%.

On the Tongzhou side, there is the Minli Tongzhou Normal School.

A group of teachers and students were busy preparing for the welcome ceremony, and the banners they pulled up also said welcome to Cheng Nuo.

Student A prepared the ribbon in his hand: "Hey, if I remember correctly, our school is the first private normal school. Compared with those national schools, the gap is not too big."

Student B frowned and thought about it, a little unsure: "It shouldn't be that bad. The first batch of students recruited by Mr. Zhang were all selected from the tribute students and supervising students. Compared with public schools, they are not bad. But in terms of great teachers, we only have the only one in Wang Guo, so there is still a gap."

"Nonsense, have you forgotten Professor Zhang Binglin? Compared with Peking University in terms of Chinese studies, it is not bad at all." Student A was not convinced, but he lacked confidence after speaking: "But this time, after all, Mr. Zhang invited Professor Cheng Nuo, today's No.1 in mathematics, here we are. "

Classmate C, who was quietly watching them talking, stood up, babbling and gesticulating.

Classmate A couldn't understand, so he bumped into Classmate B with his elbow, and asked, "Look at what Lao Li is talking about, help me read it."

"Well, Lao Li said that he knew what we were talking about just now from the words on our lips. He wanted to say that our school has the first normal department in a school for the blind and dumb. I have never heard of it in other schools. Although Professor Cheng is amazing, but We're great too."

With the help of this deaf-mute classmate, they calmed down a lot in an instant.

When Cheng Nuo arrived at the private Tongzhou Normal School by car, he received an unprecedented welcome.

There is a couplet at the gate, welcoming school visitors.

The first couplet is "respected by all countries in the East and West as an education for everyone, and the sages also said: I never tire of learning and teaching."

The second couplet "The contract is for all the sons to be judged as one of madness, and the future generations have ambitions: each obeys what he hears and does what he knows."

"Professor Cheng, the couplets I wrote are quite impressive." Zhang Jian couldn't hide his pride from the side: "The normal school in China began in the 28th year of Guangxu, and the self-supporting normal school among the people began in Tongzhou."

In the 28th year of Guangxu, it was the day when Zhang Jian founded the private Tongzhou Normal School in 1902.

During Cheng Nuo's visit to the school, he also learned that in addition to the normal department, there are also practical majors such as surveying and mapping, agriculture, civil engineering, and sericulture. The school environment is even stronger than that of Peking University at that time. Quite a few.

Cheng Nuo also praised him without hesitation: "Mr. Zhang, this normal school of yours has a hidden universe. I guess the development of the past ten years has contributed a lot to Tongzhou."

Zhang Jian smiled: "There are too few students, and the number of students graduating is less and less, but it can only cover the surrounding areas, and other places can only be sighed, and the work is far from enough."

Even though he said that, Cheng Nuo only regarded him as being humble, and the process of visiting was also a process of learning. When it came time to start his own school in the future, there was a high probability that he would come to learn.

Then at the welcome ceremony, Zhang Jian made a solemn speech in front of many teachers and students.

"Knowledge and theory combined with experience is the result. While researching and practicing, we are looking for ways to make up for the lack of knowledge. Nowadays, the development of overseas science is changing with each passing day. We are still standing still. Every time I think about this, I feel anxious. I sincerely invite you today. Professor Cheng came here to set up mathematics and do his best in his studies. All sages should think about the catastrophe of the country in the future, and try to educate the fundamentals of the plan. Be able to concentrate, not to be content with self-sufficiency, not to be in a corner because of smallness!"

Then Cheng Nuo walked up to the stage in the midst of warm applause: "It's a great honor for Mr. Zhang to invite you, and I feel everyone's enthusiasm here. Let me talk about the importance of arithmetic. In my opinion If we want Chinese civilization to stand shoulder to shoulder with Western civilization, we must directly explore the spirit of science. The progress of science and the improvement of technology are closely related to and even based on mathematics.”

In a speech that was simple and profound, Cheng Nuo described how mathematics affects science, society, and humanities, and added some interesting examples from time to time, which fascinated the students who had never heard of these theories.

The students who originally wanted to listen and memorize were gradually fascinated. By the time they realized it, more than half of them hadn't had time to copy it, and they were anxious and regretful.

Simply put down the pen in your hand and listen to the lecture with peace of mind.

When Cheng Nuo finished speaking and was about to come down amidst warm applause, many students were still reluctant.

"Professor Cheng, we haven't heard enough, tell us more."

"That's right, arithmetic is so attractive, you should talk about it more, it's much more exciting than the storyteller."

"Such a wonderful thing, just talk about it for a while, it's not enough to listen to."

Cheng Nuo just smiled and waved his hands without continuing.

"Students, mathematics can show people the rules of truth and inspire the freedom and richness of thought. Therefore, it is not only the foundation of natural science, but also the guide of all knowledge about the soul. Let everyone explore the charm of it."

Looking to the side, Zhang Jian was waiting for him with a smile.

(End of this chapter)