Gu Hongming looked at Lu Shi carefully.
young……
too young!
Wouldn't it be a pity for such a young talent to stay in the UK?
Gu Hongming pondered for a moment and suddenly asked in a low voice: "Why did Mr. Lu cut off his braids?"
It’s in Chinese,
Obviously, there is an intention to play off the subject.
Lu Shi felt like a mirror in his mind, thinking about it and did not answer in a hurry.
Gu Hongming would not be anxious anymore and would wait quietly.
I thought Lu Shi would give an answer like "integrate into the UK", but unexpectedly, Lu Shi actually said: "Braids are too laborious to take care of, and it is easy to cut them. You know, water costs money here in London. I am alone." Poor students must live frugally.”
Gu Hongming couldn't finish a sentence. He choked on the spot and couldn't say a word for a long time.
The atmosphere is weird,
The editor's room was quiet.
Scott coughed lightly,
"You two, can you communicate in English and let me join in?"
Gu Hongming took a deep look at Lu Shi, then nodded and said in English: "Mr. Scott, please forgive me for being so excited when I first meet my compatriots in a foreign country. The local pronunciation has not changed, the local pronunciation has not changed..."
Scott is not stupid, how could he not see that Lu Shi and Gu Hongming had just fought?
But there are some things that you can’t tell when you see through them.
He chuckled and said, "Mr. Gu is here to discuss Mr. Lu's editorial?"
The topic was brought back lightly.
Gu Hongming also borrowed the donkey from the slope.
"That's right. I was enlightened after reading those articles, so I came all the way from China to ask for advice."
This is lying with open eyes.
It took at least forty days to get from Foshan to London. At that time, Lu Shi had not yet traveled through time, and "Guns, Germs and Steel" had not yet appeared.
In fact, Gu Hongming "escaped" to London.
From July to August 1900, the Eight-Power Allied Forces occupied Dagu and Tianjin, and increased their troops to 34,000 to prepare for the invasion of Beijing.
Anyone with knowledge knows that Beijing’s overthrow is imminent and must make early plans.
It was at that time that Gu Hongming went south.
Later, when it was reported that Guangxu was kidnapped and fled to Xi'an, Gu Hongming boarded the ship in dismay and arrived in London, preparing to transfer to Edinburgh later. Unexpectedly, he accidentally read Lu Shi's article, and then he was born. Thoughts of visiting.
But Lu Shi was not prepared to expose Gu Hongming.
He said modestly: "It's just done behind closed doors. Mr. Gu has given too much credit."
Gu Hongming waved his hand,
"Mr. Lu, why do you have to be so modest? Your article is very exciting and answers many questions."
Lu Shi said: "My article has too many conclusions, too little evidence, too many fantasies in the room, and too little practice outside the door. That's why I say it is a 'work behind closed doors'. If I feel that I can get into the room because of this, , that would be ridiculous."
This passage is very sincere.
It was the first time that Gu Hongming saw someone demeaning himself like this, and he couldn't help but feel dumb.
He took another high look at Lu Shi in his mind,
It is not easy for young people not to be dazzled by temporary success.
Scott on the side saw that the two people were silent again, so he took the initiative to assume the responsibility of the host and asked: "Mr. Lu's articles always mention the history of civilization development, so what do you think of China? Why is technology advanced? Will China be caught up by Europe, which was originally lagging behind?”
This question is fairly neutral and not sensitive.
Moreover, there is indeed a chapter in "Guns, Germs and Steel" titled "How China Became Chinese People's China".
Lu Shixin took it in hand,
"I wonder if Mr. Scott has ever heard of Zheng He's Seven Voyages to the West?"
Scott was confused.
Gu Hongming helped explain: "In the three years of Yongle... Well... Let me think about it... From 1405 to 1433, the Chinese fleet made seven voyages to the Western Ocean, reaching as far as the Red Sea coast and the east coast of Africa."
Scott looked shocked;
"So far? Then China's navigation technology should be very strong."
Lu Shi said: "There is no need for 'should', it means it is very strong. However, the imperial court later issued a sea ban, and the dock was abandoned."
Scott was not too surprised;
"The beginning of a good story always ends in an ugly way. This kind of backsliding is not only found in China, but also in countries all over the world. In the 1980s, London even passed a bill to continue using gas street lights~"
After hearing this, Lu Shi and Gu Hongming looked at each other, their fists hardened, and they even wanted to slap Scott hard.
Using gas street lights can compare with the sea ban! ?
Lu Shi said: "But China's example is a little different. The Ming Dynasty was a unified feudal empire. As long as the emperor made a decision, the country's fleet could be stopped and technology stagnated. Moreover, the consequences of such a decision are irreversible. .”
Seeing the big from the small,
On the surface, this is talking about the sea ban, but in fact it is talking about the reason why the buds of capitalism and the buds of the industrial revolution were strangled in the cradle.
Gu Hongming fell into deep thought,
"Is unification a bad thing? Then the division of Europe is a good thing?"
He couldn't understand.
Lu Shi didn't answer because there was no need to answer at all.
Scott on the side was thinking about something interesting.
"Lu, you have been emphasizing the role of geography and ecology in your articles. Now that I think about it, China's unification may have a lot to do with geography. The coastline is straight, the plains are vast, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River have huge amounts of water... Ha... Europe exactly the opposite."
Lu Shi smiled and said,
"Then if China achieves technological breakthroughs first and colonizes the world, will this geographical determinism need to be changed again?"
Scott was stunned on the spot.
"ah?"
He never expected that Lu Shi would refute himself.
Lu Shi said: "Mr. Gu asked me just now, 'Is unification a bad thing? Is the division of Europe a good thing?' I didn't answer because I couldn't answer it. Many historical questions are like rolling dice. Before taking away the cup, who will I don’t know whose point is bigger.”
Gu Hongming frowned,
"Did Mr. Lu forget that 'taking history as a mirror can help us predict the ups and downs'?"
The corner of Lu Shi's mouth curled up,
"In that case, Mr. Gu, let me ask you a question, what will happen to China in the future?"
Gu Hongming was momentarily speechless,
If he could know the answer to this question, why would he be so confused?
Lu Shi said: "The articles I wrote were just taking out a little bit of material and then making up a grand theory to talk about the 'development of human civilization'. In fact, it was just rhetoric. History can be used to summarize, but it is difficult to use it. To prophesy.”
A set of theories was told. Lu Shi came to the window and stood with his hands behind his back.
The demeanor of an expert is clearly visible.
Gu Hongming's breathing quickened,
Great talent!
This is a great talent!
What the current weak Qing government lacks is this kind of young and energetic talents who are knowledgeable in both China and the West.
Gu Hongming took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Lu, let's talk about something that can only be said behind closed doors."
Things that can only be said behind closed doors...
This is a very kind statement.
Lu Shi couldn't help but think of some important meetings he attended before traveling. When the leader said, "Let's talk behind closed doors," it meant that the content of the following meetings was closer to the truth and could not be recorded or spread. They could only be listened to.
Scott on the side didn't understand Chinese philosophy. He walked to the door and shook the door handle.
"It's closed. It's closed well."
Gu Hongming’s head is full of black lines,￣□￣｜｜
Lu Shi said awkwardly: "Mr. Scott, please allow us to occupy the magpie's nest and occupy your editor's room for a while."
