Not long after breakfast, several Japanese came to the door. The news was probably spread by the media, because among the visitors were Mitsubishi Group's Koyata Iwasaki and reporter Takahashi Yoshio.
Li Yu originally thought of leaving after a short stay, but unexpectedly he was approached by the Japanese.
"Mr. Li Yu, we have met before." Iwasaki Koyata said. The current head of the Mitsubishi Group is Hisaya Iwasaki, the third generation, and Koyata Iwasaki will be the future fourth generation.
The two are cousins. The founder of Mitsubishi was Yataro Iwasaki, whom many people have heard of, and the second was his younger brother Yanosuke Iwasaki.
The current Sandaime is the son of the founder. The Iwasaki Koyata in front of me is the son of the founder’s younger brother, Iwasaki Yanosuke.
It’s a little chaotic, but after all, it’s the Iwasaki family. That’s why they are called chaebols. Li Yu shook hands with him: "Hello, Mr. Iwasaki." Iwasaki Koyata introduced him to the reporter next to him, Takahashi Yoshio: "This Mr. Takahashi Yoshio is from "Jiji Shinbo". He is not only an outstanding reporter. , he is also a disciple of Mr. Fukuzawa Yukichi." Takahashi Yoshio was very interested in Li Yu. After looking at him carefully, he said: "I never thought that a person like you could be born among the yellow race." Takahashi Yoshio is determined. Follower of Fukuzawa Yukichi.
Yukichi Fukuzawa is known all over the world in Japan, and he is honored as
"Father of Japanese Education". From a Japanese perspective, Fukuzawa Yukichi is undoubtedly an epoch-making ideological pioneer.
Before Japan's currency reform in 2019, his face was on the 10,000-yen bill. However, from the Chinese perspective, he is an opponent with mixed feelings.
In modern history, Japan has a profound impact on all aspects from top to bottom, from inside to outside.
The idea of "leaving Asia and joining Europe" came from Fukuzawa Yukichi. If you understand Japan’s modern history, you can see that in the nearly one hundred years from the end of the Tokugawa period to the end of World War II, the shadow of Fukuzawa Yukichi can be seen everywhere in Japan’s politics, economy, education and even diplomacy.
But as a Chinese, we should calmly realize that the militaristic connotation of Fukuzawa Yukichi’s educational philosophy has also been fully inherited by his descendants and turned into reality one by one.
In other words, while Japan's national power is becoming stronger and stronger,
The concept of "Leaving Asia and Joining Europe" gradually took on a strong conservative tone: "Leaving Asia" then evolved into
"Invasion of Asia"! Fukuzawa Yukichi once nakedly proposed that Japan realize
The prerequisite for the "Great Revival" - while strengthening armaments, at the right time
"Seize Asia" and invade North Korea and China. In March 1885, Fukuzawa Yukichi published the famous "On Leaving Asia", which launched an unrelenting criticism of China and North Korea.
He said in the article that China and North Korea are
"A country stagnant in Confucianism, bound by authoritarianism and cruel laws",
"Not only did Japan receive no assistance from the two countries, but it also caused numerous diplomatic incidents." Therefore, he thinks
"There is no need for any 'special care' for China and North Korea. Japan should follow the Western powers and jointly occupy China and North Korea." This kind of thinking has deeply influenced the Japanese political, military and even ronin circles.
Later, when the Sino-Japanese War broke out, Fukuzawa Yukichi's attitude towards China was extremely tough. In his special article, he described the Sino-Japanese War
"Praise" for
"Holy War" also compared the fact of Japan's victory to
"The long-dreamed victory." During the negotiations between the two countries, he not only demanded huge compensation from the Japanese government, but also demanded that Lushun, Weihaiwei, Shandong and Taiwan Island and even the three northeastern provinces be transferred to the Japanese government.
“Must be pocketed.” In short, the remarks made by Fukuzawa Yukichi at the end of the 19th century were full of extremely irrational, crazy and adventurous militaristic qualities.
But in the eyes of the Japanese, they are extremely enthusiastic about it. The Japanese people are like this at this time. Regardless of whether it is just or not, as long as they can win a foreign war, even if it is an invasion, they will praise it vigorously.
Of course, many countries are similar. When Britain established an empire on which the sun never sets, and later when the United States stationed troops around the world, how many British and Americans felt that something was wrong?
What is inappropriate is only losing wars, such as the quagmire of the Vietnam War. But to be able to dominate the world, whether it is the British in the early years or the Americans later, they may say a few high-sounding words that are not humane on the surface, but in their hearts they are happy to death.
Therefore, people like Fukuzawa Yukichi have very different opinions from different standpoints, but it is undeniable that his thoughts have truly changed the historical trend of Japan and even East Asia.
In the second half of his life, Fukuzawa Yukichi was mainly engaged in newspapers and education. It was also the most important achievement in his life: the founding of "Jiji Shinpo" and Keio University.
Yoshio Takahashi took office at Jiji Shinpo, and his remarks clearly had the characteristics of Yukichi Fukuzawa advocating for white people.
Li Yudan said: "Does your Majesty mean that Chinese people cannot master cutting-edge scientific knowledge?"
"Because it requires extremely good intelligence," Takahashi Yoshio said.
"And this does not seem to be something that yellow people can possess." Since entering the Meiji era in 1868, Japan has chosen to
"Westernization". It was precisely during this period that Western racism was introduced to Japan, and Westerners used anthropology, evolution, eugenics, etc.
Claims based on “natural science” that there are superior and inferior races. Then some Japanese people who went abroad, Japanese intellectuals, and social elites suddenly discovered that the Japanese race was listed in the middle and lower levels of the racial sequence. They were defined as
"Asian"
"Mongoloid" etc. Some Japanese scholars said that when they took a boat to the United States, they saw that there was a huge difference between the upper-class carriages and the lower-class carriages.
The Chinese workers lived in cramped, dark, smelly bottom cabins. Japanese scholars call them
"Rise and lie down like silkworms on a shelf." After arriving in the United States, I happened to encounter the so-called
The “lower class white” Irish labor immigrants strongly reject Chinese labor immigrants. Soon under the influence of the Chinese Anti-Chinese Movement in the United States, Japanese people were often misidentified by Westerners because of their similar physical characteristics to Chinese people, and encountered various kinds of racial discrimination.
This experience undoubtedly made modern Japanese people have a worse impression of China, and made them more eager to break away from Asia and form reciprocal relations with Western countries.
Yoshio Takahashi even wrote a book "On the Improvement of Japanese Race", which specifically discusses how to make Japanese people become like white people.
"Master nation". In addition to him, there were other Japanese scholars at the same time, such as Taguchi Ukichi, who directly proposed more absurd
"The Aryan Origin of the Japanese Race." Anyway, in order to leave Asia and join Europe, ancestors can be identified at will.
Li Yu snorted: "It's a pity that I am a purebred Chinese and I have disappointed you." Takahashi Yoshio was indeed surprised. He walked around Li Yu and asked: "Your ancestors really didn't have Europeans." Human relatives?" Li Yu crossed his legs and said, "Are you kidding?" Takahashi Yoshio wondered: "Is there an error in the theory of evolution?" Li Yu sneered: "Which theory of evolution are you looking at?" Takahashi Yoshio He took out his copy of "The Theory of Japanese Racial Improvement" and said, "Of course it's artificial selection, natural selection, and eugenics. These are all viewpoints in the theory of evolution. As a leader in Western learning, don't you understand?" Li The emperor asked, "Where did you learn it?"
"It is taught by Fukuzawa's mentor and Keio private school," said Takahashi Yoshio.
"So have you read the original work?" Li Yu continued to ask. Takahashi Yoshio said: "No, but I want to learn from the school to be more efficient, and I have got the essence."
"What's the essence of this? It's a complete misinterpretation." Li Yu said. I’m really convinced. In the past, the Japanese studied Confucianism and learned two swords, throwing away the core of Confucianism.
"Benevolence", I only learned one
"Loyalty". One is up, the other is down, both directions are wrong. Now I just create the theory of evolution out of thin air according to my own understanding.
Takahashi Yoshio said: "But when I looked at the exhibits and introductions at the 'Academic Anthropology Hall' in many museums and exhibitions, I mentioned the theory that human races have advantages and disadvantages." What he said is true. As early as 1889, The Paris World Exposition once used Hokkaido Ainnu, Japanese, Indians, and Javanese as exhibits.
Of course, future generations will understand that although this kind of display is under the guise of
The banner of "anthropology" is actually undoubtedly condescending to relatively underdeveloped ethnic groups.
The previous Japanese Industry Expo also learned from European practices and set up a human exhibition hall. However, the Japanese were very thief and treated the Chinese as exhibits.
However, it was canceled due to strong opposition from Chinese students. Li Yu said: "I want to tell you that from a biological point of view, at least 99.99% of human beings are the same, and at most 0.01% of the differences reflect people's differences, including so-called height, skin color, etc.
Differences in "race". "Li Yu gave up
"Genome"
He couldn't even understand the term "base pair". Yoshio Takahashi opened his mouth. He wanted to object, but he also knew Li Yu's status in the scientific community, so he added: "Maybe the 0.01% difference is very big." Li Yu said: "Then I will tell you. According to one statistic, the gap between humans and chimpanzees is less than 2%." Takahashi Yoshio said loudly: "Impossible, absolutely impossible!" Li Yu said calmly: "Otherwise, why do you think humans can evolve from them? "Yoshio Takahashi felt that his outlook on life was a bit shattered, and he just repeated: "It's definitely impossible!" Li Yu said: "Then you'd better ensure your health, maybe you can see the day when the proof comes. Even if you can't see it, Come, you can also ask your descendants to tell you in their dreams." Takahashi Yoshio's hands were shaking, and he couldn't even write a complete word with the pen he was holding. Wouldn't the racial improvement he had insisted on for many years become a joke?
He paused and then said: "As a reporter, I will write down everything, but I really can't accept it myself." Li Yu said: "The development of science and technology has just started. In the future, you will find things that you cannot accept." There are many more." After the interview with Yoshio Takahashi, Koyata Iwasaki said to Li Yu: "I heard that Mr. Invented a telegraph that can transmit information wirelessly over long distances. I wonder if our Mitsubishi Group can form a cooperation with you. ?" Li Yu spread his hands and refused: "Unfortunately, I can't guarantee the output now." Iwasaki Koyata added: "Sir, you can set up a factory in Tokyo, and we can provide support in all aspects, including funds." Li Yu said Yu said: "We will discuss this matter later. After all, my own business has just started." He first found an excuse to stall the matter. He did not want to have too much direct contact with the Mitsubishi Zaibatsu.
After all, Iwasaki Koyata came from a big company and knew that business negotiations were not easy, so she calmly accepted Li Yu's rejection: "Okay, we will follow you sir at all times." Damn it, we followed him all the time.
It’s really haunting. They are probably focusing on technical details. However, even though Japan's electronics industry was very strong in the 1970s and 1980s, at the beginning of the 20th century, few people in Japan knew anything about circuits.
When Li Yu was invited to interview, Konoe Aki sneaked out under the pretext of buying something. She came to a secret little house, opened the door and walked in.
This is a tea room, and there is already a person sitting there waiting for tea. Konoe Akiyuki knelt down behind him, and then shouted respectfully: "Master of the house." The tea ceremony master handed them two bowls of matcha in ceramic bowls.
Konoe Atsumaro took a sip of the tea soup, then glanced sideways at Konoe Akiyuki who was also drinking tea behind him, and shook his head: "You look too Japanese." Konoe Akiyuki put down the pottery bowl and said, "So similar. Japanese?" Konoe Atsumaro said: "It only takes me a few minutes to figure it out. How did you get close to Li Yu?" Konoe Akiyuki didn't dare to refute at all: "Akiyuki must study more." Konoe Atsumaro said: " Many things cannot be learned simply by studying. You should take advantage of your advantages." Konoe Akiyuki wondered: "Is it really worth it for Li Yu?" Konoe Atsumaro said: "It is worth it. I have traveled to China many times westward and stayed several times. In the year, I came into contact with countless so-called elites of the Qing Dynasty, ranging from princes to officials, but most of them were just mediocre people. The decadent Qing Dynasty was no longer in my eyes, but they unexpectedly showed up with such a dazzling talent, which shocked me greatly. I originally thought it might just be the dying struggle of this thousand-year-old country, but judging from his performance, it has exceeded expectations." It was the first time for Konoe Akiyuki to see the head of the family at such a close distance, and he really felt oppressed by his words. Sen: "Master, I understand." Konoe Atsumaro took another sip of tea soup: "Remember, looking at the entire Qing Dynasty, he is one of the top people, and he has extremely powerful skills in his hands. Information is crucial to the rise and fall of the empire. So, do you understand the importance of your mission now?" Konoe Akiyuki leaned over and said: "I will definitely improve myself and will not let the family master down." Konoe Atsushi said calmly: "If there is anything needed, we will support you. Chief Toushan reminded me of this matter, and your identity and file will be updated in the future. You and your family were stranded in Tokyo, Japan for many years because of the Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1895, but You come from a privileged family and are taught by Japanese teachers, remember?”
"Remember." Konoe Akiyuki was horrified. She was an ordinary woman and received personal guidance from so many elders.
"Go back, don't stay too long." Konoe Atsumaro said. He has seen too many distant relatives like this, but this woman is indeed talented. It is necessary to mention it, and it will have better results.
