Chapter 312: Meeting a revolutionary bosom friend! (Please order, please vote)
"Master Li, do you think we should ask these two foreigners for help?"
Wang Libin wanted to accept the help of the two enthusiastic Prussians, but with Mr. Li Hongzhang at his side, none of his followers dared to make their own decisions, so he turned around and asked for instructions.
Li Hongzhang knew that Wang Libin came to Europe to buy teaching materials and go back to education on Luo Xueyan's order, but he did not dare to ruin the affairs of the five trade ministers.
So Li Hongzhang smiled and nodded to the two Prussians and said in English: "Thank you very much, but this is not the place to talk. We live in the Brown Hotel on Dover Street. If it is convenient for you, wait until we finish buying the books. Come with us back to Brown's Hotel."
"Oh," Moore nodded slightly, looking at the two young and energetic Qing officials in front of him, and asked curiously: "Are you buying Prussian textbooks to establish an education system in China?"
Li Hongzhang couldn't answer Moore's question, and he didn't understand it very well, so he looked at Wang Libin. The latter nodded and said: "Yes, Mr. Moore, I am entrusted by His Excellency Luo Xueyan, the Minister of Commerce and the Governor of Shanghai, to come to Europe." Purchasing Prussian textbooks. Your Excellency Luo Xueyan has long heard that Prussia’s public education is very good, and hopes to follow Prussia’s example and establish a similar public education system in his jurisdiction to impart Western scientific knowledge and philosophical ideas, and prepare for China’s future rise. Cultivate talents."
After these words, Moore and Friedrich nodded repeatedly. Moore smiled and said: "I think this Governor has found the right path for the rise of his country! I am now more and more interested in what is happening in China." By the way, Mr. Wang, Prussian primary and secondary school textbooks are actually just the most basic things for building a public education system. There must be many more things you need to purchase, right?"
Wang Libin nodded and said with a wry smile: "Yes, but our knowledge of the European knowledge system is limited, and we don't know what books to buy? In addition, we only have some talents who understand English and French, and there are no talents who are familiar with the languages ​​​​of other European countries. .If you buy books in German or Russian, it will be difficult to translate them into Chinese for a while.”
Moore smiled and said: "Then let me do you another favor. I will help you draw up a list now. These are all textbooks on natural sciences, European philosophy, physical education, geography, etc. that are needed to build a good public education system. , reference books, teaching aids and experimental equipment. They are not only needed by primary school students, but also by middle school students and college students. And these can be bought in the UK, and most of the books are in English."
Moore himself was a scholar trained by the Prussian education system. After graduating from high school, he was admitted to the University of Bonn, and later transferred to the University of Berlin to study law, and finally obtained a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Jena. He was really impressed by the Prussian education system. It couldn't be clearer.
Although in his opinion, the universities in the Kingdom of Prussia currently lack the necessary academic freedom, its public education system is still excellent! It is very efficient, not expensive, and is very easy to popularize. Once it is successfully constructed, it can be used in large quantities Produces skilled workers, engineers and soldiers. It is especially suitable for countries that want to fall behind temporarily but are determined to become stronger.
If China can introduce and promote such an education system, it can at least ensure that China will not follow in the footsteps of India and become another colony of the British Empire in the future.
Wang Libin was naturally overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately saluted the warm-hearted Mr. Moore: "Mr. Moore, thank you so much. As for what is happening in China, if you want to know anything, just ask later, and Wang will tell you everything you know!"
The Brown Hotel on Dover Street is one of the best hotels in London today. The Sushun delegation visiting Britain this time, including their entourage and servants, totaled more than a hundred people. Wytoma, who accompanied them when they arrived, invited the British diplomats The Ministry came forward and helped book the entire Brown Hotel.
So when Moore and Friedrich followed Li Hongzhang and Wang Libin and sat down in the coffee shop on the first floor of the Brown Hotel, there was only one listless waiter besides the four of them.
Wang Libin ordered a cup of coffee for himself, Moore, and Friedrich each. Li Hongzhang didn't like the bitter taste of coffee, so he ordered a cup of milk tea and sipped it alone - anyway, with his English level, it was impossible to participate in the conversation, so he Let's practice listening while sipping milk tea.
"Mr. Moore, Mr. Friedrich, this is the "Book of Revolution" that I translated on my way to England. If you want to know what happened in China? Just read this book first. There are not many words. It should be You can finish it quickly."
After Wang Libin returned to the Brown Hotel, he and several servants first put several large boxes of books they bought from Hatchards Bookstore back to his room, and then went to the coffee shop to meet Moore and Friedrich, and returned He conveniently picked up two bound volumes of one, two and three volumes of "Anti-Jing" that he had translated by himself. He also gave "Anti-Jing" a lofty title - "The Book of Revolution"!
When Moore and Friedrich heard the word "revolution", their spirits perked up. They immediately took the "Book of Revolution" handed over by Wang Libin and started reading. After reading for a while, the excited expressions on their faces changed. Can't hide it anymore.
The first half of "The Book of Revolution" is the rebellion of the common people in Volume 1 of "Anti-Jing".
The so-called "rebellion of the common people", in the final analysis, is not
Moore and Friedrich certainly felt that they had found a soulmate!
"Abolish the debt, divide the land equally, and emancipate the serfs," Moore said with surprise. "There is no doubt that this is a revolution!"
Friedrich asked Wang Libin: "Mr. Wang, what is the current situation of these Chinese revolutionaries? Is it possible for them to achieve final victory?"
This issue is a bit sensitive!
Wang Libin glanced at Li Hongzhang, who was still sipping milk tea, and then said in fast and urgent English: "Before I left China, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had achieved great success, and I think they will soon become the master of southern China. .But it may not be easy to unify China. The reason is mentioned in the second half of "The Book of Revolution". There are many participants in this revolution, and the relationships in all aspects are also very complicated. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom gained power with the help of the poor people. Great success, but at the same time, the power of gentry landowners and local officials was also unleashed, and these people sometimes opposed the Tatar dynasty, and sometimes supported the Tatar dynasty.
In addition, the Tatar dynasty, which is in an existential crisis due to the attitude of the European powers, is also trying every means to save itself, which naturally includes asking the European powers for help! Prince Sushun is here for this!"
After hearing what Wang Libin said, Moore and Friedrich continued to read the second half of "The Book of Revolution".
The second half of "The Book of Revolution" is about the rebellion of the gentry in Volume 2 of "Anti-Jing" and the rebellion of Han officials in Volume 3 of "Anti-Jing".
In the view of Moore and Friedrich, it is worth learning from the revolutionaries in Europe - these two "rebellions" can be regarded as successful experiences summed up from the practice of "rebellion" in China.
Although the study of revolutionary theory in Europe is relatively in-depth, there is not much practice. It is nothing more than the British bourgeois revolution, the French Revolution, the Revolution of 1830, the Revolution of 1848, the Decembrist Uprising in Russia, and so on.
The revolutions that took place in Europe were generally "each revolution had its own revolution." It was rare that the revolution of the working people and the rebellion of the middle and upper classes were mixed together as described in this "Book of Revolutions". And it has an extra layer of religious cloak. Not to mention, the leading force in this "compound revolution" is the power of the working people.
Thinking of this, Moore first closed the "Book of Revolution" in his hand and asked with a smile: "Mr. Wang, can Friedrich and I publish this "Book of Revolution" in the UK? In today's Europe, Many people want to know what is going on in China? I think this book and our interview with you will definitely attract many readers."
Friedrich added: "Mr. Wang, the more people who are interested in China, the easier it will be for you to attract intellectuals who are willing to work in China. This will also be very beneficial to Governor Luo's plan to introduce the Prussian public education system. "
Wang Libin nodded and said: "Mr. Moore, of course I have no objection to your wish to publish the Book of Revolution, but I did not write this book. I just translated it into English."
"By the way, who is its author?" Moore asked.
Wang Libin said: "It's the Holy Angel of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, King Wu Luo Yaoguo, who is the so-called devil!"
"Devil? Hahaha" Moore laughed and said, "Mr. Wang, there is no devil in the world!"
Friedrich also laughed and said: "Moore, maybe he is the real devil to the emperors, nobles, officials and European colonists of the Tatar dynasty, right?"
Obviously, Moore and Friedrich did not believe that Luo Yaoguo was a devil or a prophet. They still defined him as a revolutionary with flexible means - in order to achieve the goal of revolution, he could teach feudal landlords and What's wrong with officials engaging in rebellion and wearing a religious cloak?
Wang Libin didn't say anything more, let alone take out the second volume of "The Book of the Prophet" that Luo Xueyan thrust into him to prove that Luo Yaoguo was really the devil. Anyway, Moore and Friedrich had agreed to help translate the textbook.
Thinking of this, he smiled and nodded and said: "You are right, he is a devil to the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the powerful and those foreigners who want to invade China!
I think he must be very willing that his "Book of Revolution" can be published in Europe, so that Europeans who agree with his views can know what is happening in China. Let's sign a contract, and I authorize you to publish "Book of Revolution".
I can also write a report on the Taiping Revolution for you, and you can help me translate Prussian textbooks."
"Okay!" Moore said with a smile, "I studied law, let me draft the contract!"
Chapter completed!