Li Yu got on the train at Tanggu Railway Station. The train went to Zhengyangmen East Railway Station in Beijing via the Beijing-Tianjin Railway. This railway later became the Beijing-Tianjin section of the Beijing-Fengcheng Railway.
The earlier the railway was built, the more urgent and important it was. In subsequent wars in the north, the Beijing-Fenghuang Railway was the first to compete. This is an important transportation thoroughfare between inside and outside the Pass. In 1928, the Northeast King Zhang Zuolin was also bombed to death by the Japanese at the Huanggutun Station of the Beijing-Fenghuang Railway.
Li Chun was still very interesting. The ticket had been purchased in advance, and it was a first-class carriage.
Li Yu looked at the ticket. The face price was 15 silver dollars, which was about 3,000 yuan in the 21st century.
If it is the most common third-class carriage, the price is 3 silver dollars, which is more than 600 yuan. It is almost equivalent to the income of camel Xiangzi pulling a cart for twenty days.
Think about the fact that hard seats between Beijing and Tianjin only cost 20 yuan in the future, and high-speed trains only cost 56 yuan. It can be seen that the current ticket price is still very high, and it is not affordable for ordinary people.
After arriving in Beijing, where he had been away for a long time, Li Yu hailed a rickshaw outside the train station and returned to Dongchang Hutong.
As soon as I entered the gate of the house, I saw Uncle Wang cleaning the house. Uncle Wang is still very serious about his work and keeps everything clean inside and out.
"Young! Master! You are finally back!"
Uncle Wang was very excited when he saw Li Yu, and quickly ran over to help take the box from Li Yu's hand, "I didn't expect that the master would be gone for so long!"
Li Yu smiled and said: "You don't need to call me 'Master' from now on, just call me, um... just call me husband." "
"It's no good. Since you asked me to be the housekeeper, of course I will be my master." Uncle Wang said.
"Westerners don't have such rules, look at me," Li Yu opened his hands, "How foreign! From now on, I will call you sir according to foreign rules. Everyone will call you sir."
It seems that housekeepers in the West call their masters by their title or official title, such as lord, earl, etc. However, Li Yu now has neither an official nor a title, so it seems more appropriate to call him Mr.
Uncle Wang was a little embarrassed: "But...but everyone in other big houses calls me Master. If I don't call me that way, won't people think it's strange?"
Li Yu felt that it would be difficult to change his mind for a while, so he added: "If it doesn't work, you can call him master outside, and sir in the house."
"I understand, sir."
"look!"
Uncle Wang grinned: "I understand, sir."
Li Yu nodded, "It sounds much easier."
Don't expect him to change his tune anytime soon, just take your time.
Uncle Wang said again: "Sir...ah, sir, you just came back, and I have something else to tell you."
It is indeed difficult for Uncle Wang to change his title immediately. The power of habit is still very scary.
Li Yu asked, "What's the matter?"
Uncle Wang said: "Cui Laosan from the teahouse came over a few days ago."
Li Yu suddenly remembered, "Cui Laosan? Do you have to pay the rent?"
He had only paid three months' rent, but he didn't expect to live there for even a few days.
Uncle Wang nodded: "Yes, he came to ask the master, ah, sir, do you want to continue renting? I said I need you to come back and make a decision."
"I understand. You go to the teahouse and tell him that I have returned to the capital. The contract with the house will definitely be renewed."
Li Yu now has a lot of money and no longer has to worry about rent.
Uncle Wang came to the tea house and quickly found the melon skin hat.
"Cui Laosan, my master sent me to renew the lease."
Cui Laosan asked casually: "Who is your master?"
Uncle Wang said proudly: "Master Li Yu!"
"Oh! Are you from Mr. Li Yu in Dongchang Hutong?" Cui Laosan suddenly asked in surprise, "Li Daxuewen came back?"
Lao Yu and others who were drinking tea next to them also heard the noise.
"What? Li Daxuewenjia?"
The guys immediately surrounded Uncle Wang, "Who are you from Li Zhai?"
Uncle Wang sat down and said, "I am the housekeeper of Li House!"
Everyone clasped their fists and said, "Disrespectful!"
“Li Daxue’s scholarly work is truly remarkable!”
"That's right! Please tell me, how did Li Daxuewen find new stars in the sky?"
"Also, what books does Li Daxue ask his family to read on a daily basis?"
"Li Dahe asked whether he would like to become a high official in the imperial court in the future?"
The teahouse is the most well-informed. Of course, these things have been known for a long time. Now every time Li Yu is on the front page of the newspaper, someone will even read the newspaper to everyone. The whole teahouse is not so clean. I really can't resist it. Everyone is enthusiastic.
Because it’s so fresh: it feels fresh to the big guys from the foreign side, and it feels even fresher to be famous on the territory of the foreigners.
After all, after being bullied for so long, it’s hard to find someone who can make a difference and make foreigners not only look up to him, but even praise him. Naturally, everyone cares about him.
Uncle Wang enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by everyone. His master had become famous, and he felt light on his face. What's more, Li Yu was in a peaceful mood and was very friendly to him.
"Okay, okay! Don't talk nonsense!"
As soon as Uncle Wang spoke, everyone fell silent. He continued: "Even if I tell you, can you find another star to surprise foreigners? As for what books to read, I usually read foreign languages. I I don’t understand either... Hey, Cui Laosan, what’s your expression?! Why, can you understand it?”
Cui Laosan shook his head quickly: "I don't know foreign languages."
Uncle Wang continued: "That's it! Then I want to talk about what kind of official I will be. Of course I can't say that."
"Tch~" The guys booed, "You don't even know it's been going on for a long time."
Uncle Wang said: "Of course I don't know. Well, I won't mess around with you. Cui Laosan, our master said, the house will be extended."
When the deal came, Cui Laosan's eyes immediately lit up: "Renew the lease? No problem! You don't need Li Dawen to leave in person, I will go to the house by myself!"
Li Yu directly extended the residence for one year this time, and the rent totaled 160 taels of silver. Because it was a lease renewal, Cui Laosan charged an additional 8 taels of silver for miscellaneous fees.
Of course, some of the 160 taels of silver can still go into his pocket, which is a big deal.
Uncle Wang was not idle during this period. He even sorted out the kitchen and learned to cook. Although his cooking skills were not very good, it was still much more convenient.
Li Yu felt that he should go to Ding Deshan of Dong Laishun to learn from him.
The next day, Li Yu first came to Tongwen Hall to say hello to Ding Haoliang.
Long time no see, I miss you very much.
Ding Haoliang has long known about Li Yu's stay in England and France, and a few papers have raised his personal image again. That's really high!
Ding Haoliang really didn't know how much ink there was in Li Yu's head. It was bottomless.
"Li Yu, I've been paying attention to the news recently. You really stole the show in the West! You actually discovered a new planet, which really makes me feel unbelievable!"
Li Yu smiled and said, "I didn't expect the chief instructor to be so concerned."
Ding Haoliang also smiled and said: "I don't care if I don't pay attention! There are really too many reports about you in the capital now! Haven't you read "Declaration" and "Beijing-Tianjin Times"?"
Li Yu shook his head: "No."
"You should really take a look. They even turned to the front page for reports. For almost ten days, you were the one on the front page."
"Forehead."
Li Yu didn't expect that he could still dominate the headlines.
Ding Haoliang said: "Many young students take you as a role model. You also know that the first batch of enrollment in the Capital University is about to begin. Originally, I wanted to push the complicated normal course, for fear that there would not be enough applicants. It’s great, I’m considering expanding the enrollment!”
The initial enrollment of the Capital University School was also an accelerated course, and it was divided into the Normal School and the Official School.
It can be seen from the name alone that the official school was obviously more sought after by the scholars at that time: firstly, it was easy to enter, study, and graduate; secondly, it was easy to be assigned after graduation, and you could directly enter the officialdom. In fact, it was Indeed.
When this batch of official school students graduated, it coincided with the year when the Qing government was brewing constitutional reforms and announced "imitation constitutional government"; in addition, the imperial court established several new departments, and the demand for talents in this field was even greater. Soon, there was even a dispute between the New Commercial Department and the Patrol Department over grabbing people.
As for the Normal School, the learning content is much broader and deeper. If you have the ability in the future and can be admitted to universities in Europe, the United States, Japan and other countries to continue your studies, you can certainly engage in related research work.
But if you don't pass the exam, you have to follow the assignment.
After all, they are the first batch of students, and the Normal School must be assigned to them, but the direction of the assignment must be to engage in education-related work, otherwise how would they call it a "Normal School".
Moreover, the imperial court stipulated that graduates of Normal College were not allowed to engage in other businesses during the compulsory period. To this end, the "Obligation Regulations for Normal College Students" was formulated, which stated: "Normal College students have the obligation to serve in national education, and their number of years is tentatively set at five years. Within the period of time, students should devote themselves to education and are not allowed to engage in careers other than education. They are not allowed to evade education duties and serve as special messengers for various yamen outside Beijing."
The Ministry of Education of the Qing Dynasty will also conduct a detailed investigation on the flow and employment situation of normal graduates. If any violation of obligations is found, the rewards will be revoked and penalties will be imposed.
Fortunately, at that time, almost all of these normal school students graduated as general teachers or even principals of various small schools, and the pay was not bad.
According to common sense, if a country wants to become stronger, it must vigorously develop education, and normal schools are the vanguard of education. There are not many new schools in the Qing Dynasty. Even if they are built in large numbers, they still lack corresponding teaching. Therefore, the role of normal schools is extremely important.
But all in all, the remuneration for graduates from teaching and official schools who directly become officials is definitely still a lot worse.
Therefore, officials are more willing to enter the official school, and the official school has even raised the admissions threshold: you need fame or status to enter. Ordinary people are naturally not eligible to register.
But Ding Weiliang knew that modern universities could no longer be like the Imperial College or Imperial College in the past, just for the purpose of selecting talents for the imperial court.
A university should look like a university! Ding Wei would not be able to accept it in his conscience if he came to study at the Capital University just to become an official.
It's a pity that the current national situation is like this. Basically all officials study to become officials.
——This is a thousand-year tradition, and it is hundreds of times more difficult to change one's mind than to change Uncle Wang's words.
But who would have thought that when there was nothing to do, Li Yu suddenly appeared!
Everyone suddenly discovered that people who engage in learning and research can become famous, and Chinese people can also learn science!
This instantly gave many students a reassurance, and also slightly changed the students' age-old thinking of "learning well leads to a career".
Of course, it’s just a “slight change”.
Fortunately, with such a large base, a little change would be good. As long as a little more people can apply for the Normal School, it would be great.
Ding Haoliang continued to say to Li Yu: "Actually, I still have a question. Do you still want to enter the Capital University?"
Li Yu said: "Of course! Why does the chief instructor ask this?"
"With your current knowledge and achievements, I don't think there is much need to be a student." Ding Haoliang said sincerely.
Li Yu said: "I still hope to have a diploma! Even if I want to study in a Western university, I still have to have a place to belong to."
Li Yu really wants to leave his first degree in the Capital University. If his name can really shine in the future, it will also boost the reputation of the Capital University. In this way, there will definitely be benefits in all aspects. And metaphor.
Li Yu's thinking was a bit far-reaching. After all, he couldn't join the military or politics, so this could be considered a good thing he could do.
Ding Haoliang smiled and said: "In that case, I really want to thank you for coming on behalf of the Capital University."
"Teacher Xi is serious!" Li Yu said, "How can I say thank you! It's obviously an honor for me!"
An American actually bothered so much for the first modern university in the Qing Dynasty. Li Yu should thank him.
Ding Haoliang said: "I will definitely take special care of exceptional students like you, just like what Timothy Richard mentioned before."
Ding Hailiang is indeed a flexible person. Li Yu said: "Does the chief instructor mean that the conditions can be relaxed a little..."
"Of course! Otherwise, what if Timothy Li snatches you away to Shanxi University." Ding Haoliang continued to say with a smile, "You don't have to be so rigid about going to class every day. It doesn't mean anything to you. I will help you as soon as possible." You get a diploma. But you have to go through many necessary procedures during the process, such as taking exams."
Li Yu patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Xi, what I, Li Yu, are best at is taking exams!"
He has been studying for 16 or 17 years since elementary school, and taking exams is as easy and comfortable for him as eating and drinking!
Ding Haoliang nodded and said: "That's good!"
I am always afraid of being happy too early!
.
Li Yu bid farewell to Ding Haoliang and returned to the house. He saw Tang Wenzhi from the special envoy sitting in the reception room, and next to him was an old gentleman in his fifties.
Uncle Wang was serving them tea and water.
After Tang Wenzhi saw Li Yu, he immediately stood up and cupped his hands and said, "I heard that Brother Li returned to his hometown, so I came here to pay him a visit."
Li Yu hurriedly cupped his hands and replied, "I didn't know Brother Tang was coming, so I'm sorry for not welcoming him!"
"It doesn't matter. Brother Li is a famous person now. It's normal to be busy."
Li Yu asked, "I wonder if Brother Tang is here today. What advice can you give me?"
Tang Wenzhi said: "The advice is definitely nothing. In fact, we are here today to ask Brother Li for advice."
Li Yu sat down with them in the hall and asked, "Can I ask for advice?"
Tang Wenzhi said: "Yes! As a special envoy, Bei Ziye needs to record the politics, academics, laws and regulations of Western countries, and also introduces the political, economic and cultural conditions of each country. Considering the long schedule, he had to keep it in the form of a diary The record is the "Diary of Ying Jin" in front of us. However, during the trip, we knew very little about this important aspect of science, and Brother Li happened to be communicating with outstanding scientific leaders from Western countries this time, so we hope to share this aspect with you. Please ask for advice."
"So that's what happened, of course." Li Yu replied quickly.
He took a look at the first draft of "Yingzhen's Diary" on the table. The signature on the title page was "The British Minister Gushan Beizi, the special envoy of the Qing Dynasty, titled General Zai Zhen." Li Yu flipped through it, and the writing was indeed based on Zai Zhen Zhen is the first person tone.
This book was published by Shanghai Civilization Book Company in 1903 and has been circulated to later generations. It can even be purchased in the 21st century. The signed author is indeed Zai Zhen.
Li Yu had not read this book, but he immediately understood the truth at a glance: with Zai Zhen's ability, it was impossible to write such an in-depth book. The author of this book was actually Tang, the counselor accompanying the special mission in front of him. Wenzhi!
Tang Wenzhi obviously became Zai Zhen's "gunner".
But on second thought, it's understandable. After all, Zai Zhen is no longer short of money. He just wants to gain fame, which can also be used as his subsequent political capital.
Tang Wenzhi did not shy away and said directly: "I wrote the content of this book, but I am not an expert at writing articles, so I asked Brother Shen to help polish it."
It can be seen that Tang Wenzhi was forced to "catch the knife" on his behalf because of the authority, and he did not want to work hard to make wedding clothes for others.
Tang Wenzhi stretched out his hand to the old gentleman next to him: "Let me introduce, this is Mr. Shen Zengzhi, the academic envoy of Anhui and the lecturer of Lianghu Academy."
Li Yu stood up and said, "Nice to meet you!"
Shen Zengzhi said: "Young man, you don't have to be polite. I have really admired you for a long time. When I see you today, you are indeed young and promising!"
Shen Zengzhi was a scholar, calligrapher, and bibliophile in the late Qing Dynasty. He later supported Zhang Xun's restoration, but his thoughts were more enlightened than ordinary people in the late Qing Dynasty.
He supported the reform and reform, but did not support Kang Youwei's radical measures, and the relationship between the two was not good.
Kang Youwei once wrote a modern calligraphy treatise called "Guang Yi Zhou Shuang Ji", so he became famous in the calligraphy circle.
Due to Kang Youwei's original character, he was easily impatient and arrogant after becoming famous, as if he was the best in the world of calligraphy.
Shen Zengzhi was dissatisfied with Kang Youwei's attitude and angrily shouted: "If you study for another ten years, you will still be close to talking about calligraphy with me!"
In fact, there was a time when the Calligraphy Association of later generations quite praised Kang Youwei's calligraphy works. Li Yu had seen it, but I don't know if it was a matter of appreciation. I really couldn't tell how good it was, because the Calligraphy Association praised Kang Youwei's "Ugly". Book"……
Maybe for "innovation"?
After all, Kang Youwei was a Jinshi during the Guangxu period. His calligraphy skills were indeed good, but he preferred his "ugly calligraphy", which was really an indescribable source.
Regarding the scientific aspect of "Yingzhen's Diary", it was indeed Li Yu who had to write it. He said: "I am naturally not good at writing articles. After I finish writing, I will hand it over to my husband and help polish it."
Shen Zengzhi stroked his beard and smiled and said: "It is an honor for me to work hard to publish a masterpiece, and I can also take this opportunity to open my eyes and see the world."
Tang Wenzhi continued: "Brother Li can write the text when he has time. We are not in a particular hurry. I have not finished some other chapters."
"Brother Tang, don't worry, I will do my best."
"Thank you brother!"
Li Yu said: "You're welcome, it's all what I should do."
Li Yu will definitely write well, and he will write a few more diaries, which proves that the author of "Diary of Yingjin" is actually Tang Wenzhi.
But I definitely can't say it publicly now. I will wait until the Qing Dynasty is gone before publishing it. It can also be used as circumstantial evidence to help Tang Wenzhi regain his own copyright.
Not long after Tang Wenzhi and his wife left, Li Yu just took a few sips of hot tea when Prince Qing's translator Rui Zheng also came to the door.
[To be honest, I have been reading books recently to catch up on updates, switch sources, read aloud with many sounds, and it can be used on both Android and Apple. 】
Unexpectedly, I have been really busy in the past few days since I came back.
Rui Zheng said: "Master Li, the prince and Master Bei will invite you to a dinner at my house."
Li Yu had no excuse to refuse, so he agreed: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the invitation."
As soon as he entered Prince Qing's Mansion, Zai Zhen greeted him with a smile on his face, "Mr. Li is finally back! I miss you so much!"
"Master Bei, please come back and be fine!"
"Hurry, hurry, Ama is waiting for you."
Yikuang was also in a good mood when he saw Li Yu: "Thanks to Mr. Xiao, you have promoted our country's prestige with the special envoy this time. The Queen Mother is very happy! By the way, the imperial court has specially awarded you a reward for this. Ruizheng, hurry up Bring it up."
Li Yu didn't care about Cixi's displeasure, but the reward was indeed worth looking forward to.
Ruizheng trotted all the way and brought over a plate with four 500-tael silver notes on it.
Yikuang said: "This is a special reward from the imperial court to the young gentleman."
"Thank you for your grace." Of course having money is a good thing.
Zai Zhen on the side said: "Two thousand taels is the highest reward for a member of the special mission. Of course, sir, it is well deserved."
That is a must! It’s all based on ability!
