Although Li Yu made 100 yen at the expo, he still had something to buy. After shopping around, I bought a pair of high-precision drawing instruments and several typewriters.
The drawing tools are naturally rulers, compasses, etc.; I bought several typewriters because I bought one each for English, French, and German.
Today's typewriters are simple mechanical mechanisms that can only input phonetic characters. As the only handwriting script currently used on a large scale in the world, real Chinese input will continue to struggle until the digital age.
Although someone invented the Chinese typewriter ten years later, once you see the real thing, you will know that the thing actually found words on a large lead plate with more than 2,000 words.
——Can’t be called it at all
"typewriter" is called
"Word picker" is more appropriate. The speed is even far slower than handwriting! So many people want to abolish Chinese characters or replace them with a set of Latin letters because they think Chinese is too
"Behind". There is even a Korean typewriter next to it. Many people may not know that although Korean characters look like square characters, they are actually a special phonetic alphabet with 24 letters.
But it’s not just Chinese that’s in trouble. Japanese is a mixture of kanji for meaning and kana for pronunciation. The Japanese typewriters that appeared later were as complex as Chinese. They all found words on a large character list.
"Character picker" is too troublesome. After all, Japanese does not all use Chinese characters. They once wanted to completely remove Chinese characters.
During the Meiji period, I tried not using kanji characters and using pseudonyms throughout the text, but I soon found that it was impossible to read at all, so I changed it back within a few years.
So, the Japanese are not much better, and the extreme desire of some Chinese people to abolish Chinese characters was definitely a wrong idea.
Even Davidson, the father of American Sinology, said personally: "Once Chinese characters are abolished, China will cease to exist." Foreigners can understand this problem.
Of course, there were really talented designers. Lin Yutang later designed a typewriter that could type more than 8,000 Chinese characters and used a purely mechanical structure.
There is no association or font library, which is somewhat similar to the early intelligent abc input method. However, the mechanical mechanism of this typewriter was too complex, and it was difficult to mass-produce it based on the technical level at the time. Even though Lin Yutang spent all his savings on this and invested a total of 120,000 US dollars, it failed to truly benefit the Chinese people.
——The structure is too delicate to be produced on the assembly line. Li Yu actually bought these typewriters just to type in foreign languages.
After all, it’s not easy to buy a typewriter in China. I finally saw it at an expo and bought it together.
Japan is a small country, and several major cities on Honshu Island have already built railway connections. On this day, Li Yu and King Gong and his party took the train to Yokohama.
Not long after the train started, King Gong said in surprise: "I don't know why, but I always feel that riding a train in Japan is a little different." Qi Chengwu, the son of Nayantu on the side, was eating Shaqima and casually said: "What difference can there be?" , aren’t they all trains?” Li Yu said next to him: “Prince Gong feels right, Japan’s trains are slower.” Prince Su’s son Xian Zhang felt it was impossible: “Japan is better than us, how can it be possible to build a train that is faster than ours?” Are we still going slow?" Li Yu pointed outside: "You can tell just by looking at the railway tracks." A few people stuck their heads out, looked at it and said, "It's also two railway tracks, the same as what I saw in China."
"I mean track gauge, which is the distance between two railway tracks." Li Yu added.
"It seems... a bit narrow?" King Gong finally saw the reason. But Qi Chengwu and Xian Zhang didn't seem to pay attention to this: "Isn't the width and width all built casually?" Li Yu said: "Of course the track gauge cannot be built casually, there are rules. Japan has many mountains and little land, so they chose narrow-gauge railway, and we chose standard gauge from the beginning." As the ancestor of the railways between the two countries, it is obvious that Zhan Tianyou has a better long-term vision on this point than Masaru Inoue, the father of Japanese railways.
Inoue Masaru's original choice of narrow-gauge railway was mainly due to economic issues, but his choice later plagued Japan's railway development for a long time.
The problems with narrow-gauge railways are obvious: slow speeds and poor capacity. However, Qi Chengwu didn't seem to know which one was better, wide or narrow, and said: "Fortunately, we don't build many railways. We should learn from Japan and adopt their standards in the future." This guy really doesn't know the difference between bad and bad, and he must learn from the good and the bad.
Li Yu had no choice but to explain to him: "Standard gauge is obviously better, and most countries also use standard gauge, including Western countries." King Gong asked: "So, Japan made a mistake? Impossible, right? ?" Li Yu said: "It can be said to a certain extent, but once inertia is formed, it is difficult to change." Japan did think about changing back to the standard track, but after three changes in the track in 1887, 1894, and 1908 , which has never been implemented due to the rigid thinking of the conservatives and the pushback and obstruction by vested interests.
It wasn't until the Shinkansen began to be built more than half a century later that speed had to be pursued, so standard rail was used.
But the charter said: "I don't believe the Japanese would make such a mistake!" Li Yunu pursed his lips: "If you don't believe it, go to Europe or the United States and have a look." He was also drunk, and this kind of Japan exists now.
But Li Yu has seen too many people like this, and there will be more in the future. Yokohama is a large city in Japan, close to the port, close to Tokyo, and densely populated.
Yokohama received the news early, and Takeshi Inukai, the honorary principal of Datong School specially set up for overseas Chinese students, and Utako Shimoda, the academic director, came to greet everyone.
Inukai Takeshi has now entered the political arena, but he is still unable to compare with the status of Saionji Konobo, Katsura Taro and others.
It would be nearly 30 years before he became Japan's prime minister. The accompanying Japanese counselor translated on his behalf and introduced both parties.
As the host, Inukai Takeshi said: "Welcome the Mongolian prince and the two crown princes of the Qing Dynasty to come to Yokohama." King Gong said: "Mr. Mr. Youkuo Councilor will come to greet you personally." Inukai Takeshi belongs to a faction in Japanese politics that is slightly friendly to China, and has always been Singing against the radical policies of the military.
What he envisioned was to exchange the nominal sovereignty of the Northeast for the actual interests of the Northeast, that is, the so-called
"peaceful way". Of course, it is China's interests that are actually harmed, but Inukai Yi's strategy is to boil the frog in warm water, while the military's approach is to kill the goose to get the eggs, not to mention unscrupulous means.
Inukai Takeshi was the last chain that could suppress the Japanese military. After he was assassinated by the military, no one could stop the Japanese military.
Inukai Takeshi said: "There are actually several similar schools for international students in Tokyo. It is my honor for you to choose my Datong school." Inukai Takeshi introduced everyone in front and said: "As expected, you will also Going to Tokyo?"
"Exactly," King Gong said,
"We wanted to see the various stages of school education in Japan."
"Very good, education is the weapon that has enabled our country to reach today and even a more glorious future. It is more worthy of attention than the weapons of the military." Inukai Yi still expressed his dissatisfaction with the military's uncontrolled increase in military expenditures from time to time.
Shimoda Utako, who had not spoken before, said softly: "Sneak into the night with the wind, moisturizing things silently. Education is the lowest foundation." Inukai Yi smiled and said: "Miss Utako's level of Chinese poetry is still high." Then he continued He said to King Gong and others: "Miss Gezi was once the female official with the highest level of Japanese songs and Chinese poems in the palace. Even the queen praised her very much." King Gong said: "It's amazing. It just so happened that we were accompanied by one of our holy masters. Come."
"Emperor Master?" Inukai Yi asked in surprise. King Gong said: "But he is the emperor's master of Western learning in Shengshang. His name is Li Yu. I wonder if you have heard of him?"
"Li Yu? I seem to have heard of it. It is said that he has achieved a level that shocked the West in terms of mathematics and physics." Inukai Yi didn't pay much attention to mathematical sciences, he just knew a rough idea.
King Gong pointed to Li Yu: "That's him."
"Can such a young person be the emperor's master?" Inu Yangyi couldn't believe it after seeing Li Yu. Utako Shimoda was also surprised. Naturally, she saw it on the news, but when she saw her in real life, she realized that she was indeed too young. In Japan, she was just a university student.
Utako Shimoda asked curiously: "Are you really proficient in Western science?" Li Yu said with a smile: "Proficiency is beyond the realm of possibility. Science is so vast. I just take a spoonful to drink."
"Can you speak Japanese?" Inukai Yi always thought that Li Yu was just a follower, but he didn't expect that the great master was behind him.
Shimoda Utako said: "I didn't expect that you are also outstanding in Chinese poetry." Well... maybe only the Japanese would say this. In China, Li Yu's level of Chinese studies could be crushed to dregs.
But Japanese people really like Chinese poetry and Japanese songs. Otherwise, Shimoda Utako was just a very low-level female official in the palace and had no chance to meet the queen.
You must know that the palace fighting in the Japanese imperial palace is no worse than that in China, and if female officials can climb to the highest level,
"Dianshi" means you can attend the bed. If you get the favor of the emperor, then you can achieve enlightenment directly, and the chickens and dogs can ascend to heaven.
In addition to the empress, many of the remaining concubines of Emperor Meiji were female officials. After hearing Shimoda Utako's praise, Li Yu had no choice but to reply: "My Chinese poems are simply unavailable in China." Shimoda Utako smiled and said, "I can understand, but you are not good at Chinese poetry." Inu. Yang Yi was even more concerned about Emperor Guangxu's enthusiasm for science: "Isn't the person in power in your country the Empress Dowager? The Emperor... what is his attitude towards Western learning?" Li Yu said: "The Emperor is interested in science, but the current foundation is still weak. After all, it’s just the beginning.” Inukai Yi pinched his beard and whispered: “In this case, the emperor may be able to fight for it.” After walking into the Datong School building, I saw many Chinese people attending the school. The arithmetic class was taught by a woman in her twenties or eighties.
Prince Gong asked in surprise: "Even the teachers are women? Can they teach well?" Japanese Counselor Amano-kun's eyes flashed: "Your Majesty, Miss Kawara is the most outstanding female teacher in our school, and she has an extraordinary background. She graduated from Tokyo Women's High School Normal College, and being able to speak fluent Chinese, he is a rare talent." King Gong was deeply interested: "I am thinking of building a girls' school in the palace, but I am struggling to find a good teacher." Amano-kun immediately tried his best to recommend: "Miss Kawara is perfect, and she is very friendly to China and has already thought of going to China." King Gong said: "This is the best! I have always been worried that even if I find a good teacher, I will not be able to go to China." If you agree to leave Japan, you will not be willing to go to the grasslands with difficult conditions." Amano-kun shouted to her: "Teacher Kawara, please come here." Amano-kun's performance was too obvious, and Li Yu tried his best to piece together the thoughts in his mind Memories finally made some impression on this Ms. Kawara.
Her full name is Soko Kawahara, she is Japan's first generation female spy, and can be said to be the ancestor of Yoshiko Kawashima.
Kawahara Soko walked in at a leisurely pace. She came from a feudal family and had good tutoring, giving people the feeling of being from an upper-class family.
She skillfully greeted the tribute kings and others in Chinese: "Welcome to the distinguished prince and crown prince to Japan, and I wish you a pleasant stay in our country." Takeshi Inukai and Utako Shimoda have always spoken Japanese and communicated through Amano-kun's translation , the sudden arrival of a Japanese who could speak Chinese really made King Gong and the others overjoyed.
King Gong replied: "Professor Kawara speaks Chinese very well." Kawara Caozi smiled slightly: "You're showing off your embarrassment." King Gong asked with a little doubt: "You are a daughter of a family, are you really willing to go to a distant place alone?" Grassland?" Kawara Soko flapped her lips and said nothing for a moment. She remembered what happened a few days ago.
At that time, Fukushima Yasumasa, a senior staff officer at the Japanese base camp headquarters, suddenly found her. Kawara Soko had also met Fukushima Yasumasa in the past, but she only knew that he was a friend of his father and that he held a high position.
Fukushima Yasumasa went straight to the point: "I don't have much time to tell you in detail, but the Empire of Japan needs your efforts now." The first sentence made Soko Kawara unable to resist.
Kawara Soko didn't know why. She had always been just an ordinary female teacher. She asked tremblingly: "What does the empire need from me?" Fukushima Yasumasa said: "Through our careful arrangements and years of planning, we finally found the king among the Mongolian kings. A breakthrough. You know, the Mongolian kings are not pro-Japanese now. Once we go to war with Russia, they can easily provide intelligence to the Russians due to the geographical location. We must be on guard." Kawahara Soko did not expect to say as soon as he came up. He was completely unprepared for a major military and national event: "I am a weak woman, why are you talking to me like this?"
"No, you are not a weak woman, you are a woman of the empire," Fukushima Yasumasa persuaded.
"Now King Karaqin of Mongolia wants to set up a girls' school and needs a female teacher. You are very suitable. The empire needs you to infiltrate the palace so that you can provide us with important information in the future."
"You mean, you want me to be a spy?" Kawara Soko asked in surprise,
"But I don't know how to be a spy." Yasumasa Fukushima said in a completely commanding tone: "You can do it! We have observed you for a long time and found that you are very talented and fully qualified for the position of spy. As for any problems during the process, I will arrange for a specialist to guide you." If it happened suddenly, an ordinary woman might not be able to adapt to it for a while, but Soko Kawara's father is a typical
A feudal lord who was "loyal to the emperor and patriotic", Kawahara Soko also grew up in this kind of educational environment. She thought for a while and then agreed: "I accept." Fukushima Yasumasa was very satisfied with Kawara Soko's performance. He just chose a sudden opportunity to ask the question. Only those who can quickly calm down at such critical moments can be a good candidate. A qualified spy.
"You have to remember that for the success of our business, we must always consider the worst-case scenario. You should also know what the ultimate destination of spies is. Frankly speaking, you must pay your own life at any time." Kawahara Soko actually replied directly Said: "I understand that my life is not worth cherishing. The future of the Japanese Empire is the goal that I disdain to pursue." Fukushima Yasumasa nodded: "Very good!" Then he told her about Mongolia and Russia situation, as well as some short-term tasks in the future.
That night, after Kawahara Soko's father knew that she was going to become a spy for the military, he excitedly called her to the Buddhist hall, handed her a pistol and a dagger, and said, "This is for ending your life. You must not tarnish the reputation of the Kawara family, let alone the honor of Japanese women! You are fighting for the country, and we will be extremely happy if we hear the news that you sacrificed your life for the emperor!" Well, the whole family has been brainwashed by militarism. .
Now that she saw King Gong arriving in front of her so quickly, Kawara Soko was actually a little excited. It turned out that she liked the exciting feeling of being a spy.
Kawahara Soko said categorically to King Gong: "I am willing to go to the grassland, and I am even more willing to do my best to build a girls' school for the palace. This is my supreme pursuit of education." King Gong was very happy: "I really didn't expect that the women of your country have such character. Noble." It was so perfectly concealed that King Gong couldn't see the flaw at all.
Li Yu felt like he was watching a show, and he was not in a hurry. On the one hand, he doesn't know much about spies, and he can only expose himself if he is deliberate; on the other hand, in a short period of time, Kawahara Soko must be familiar with the inside and outside of the palace, and has no chance to carry out espionage work. The real Russo-Japanese War will start a year later.
Several people continued to visit Datong School. Some of these overseas Chinese children were really studying hard. Li Yu said: "There are so many Chinese students in Japan now." Takeshi Inukai explained: "There is also a Datong school in Tokyo, which also accepts Chinese students. The founder is very famous in the Qing Dynasty. I think you will know him. .”
"I know him?" Li Yu asked in surprise.
"You should know," Inukai Yi said,
"This person's name is Liang Qichao."
