After the public discussion was over, Qi Yu left Peng Wenchang alone to discuss other matters.
"This is my latest science and engineering textbook. What do you think of it?"
"oh oh……"
If you understand something you don’t understand, just show it off first.
The old master pretended to turn over a few pages carefully and said: "Uh...these graphics are well drawn, with edges and corners. Uh...there are also these weird symbols, which look very mysterious, almost comparable to Taoist talismans."
It’s sealed.”
Um?
Are you complimenting me? Why does it sound like you are laughing?
Seeing that he was perfunctory, Qi Yu added: "Sir, you might as well read it carefully before talking. I have added a lot of Chinese character annotations to this tutorial. If you can understand it, it means that I did not write wrongly."
Peng Wenchang was originally a private school teacher, and he had more or less the ability to judge textbooks.
In addition, he is also his confidant, and he will basically not hide any routine things from him.
After the tea time, Qi Yu asked again: "What do you think, sir?"
"Well, I basically understand what it means." Peng Wenchang nodded first, and then asked cautiously: "Master Qi, are these learnings from overseas?"
"That's right!" Qi Yu replied without commenting.
"Then, how did adults learn it?"
"I was... lucky enough to learn something because of some special opportunities. This happened many years ago..."
Involuntarily, Qi Yu recalled his previous life as a student and was immersed in it for a while.
Regarding his apprenticeship, Peng Wenchang did not continue to ask, but brought up other topics: "What is the logic of Mr. Qi's high praise of foreign education? Is my Chinese culture not good enough?"
Do you think I worship foreigners?
Ahem, this shit basin is quite big, so you can’t wear it.
An explanation must be given.
Qi Yu's face straightened and he said solemnly: "Our Chinese culture is broad, profound and has a long history, and its charm is unparalleled. However, this does not mean that this culture is perfect and flawless."
"how do I say this?"
"I believe that traditional culture has its essence, but it also has unsatisfactory aspects. We should take the essence and discard the dross, and follow the good things."
"Uh... sir, continue..."
"Although foreign culture is straightforward, it is objective. There are also some practical experiences in it. Why not use such a capable and good thing?"
The development of science and technology is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. If you are arrogant and stubborn, and don't humbly learn from other people's strengths, how can you make progress?
Stones from other mountains can be used to attack jade. In the same way, the essence of other countries can also be used by me.
Eggs are delicious, so why care about what kind of chicken laid them?
The principle is such a principle, but Peng Wenchang does not think so. In his thinking, the culture of Confucius and Mencius is the eternal right way, and there can be no flaws.
"Master Qi, you just said that our Chinese culture contains dregs, but the editor disagrees with this. Which of the major classics of Confucius and Mencius does not contain a wonderful meaning?"
Haha, Mr. Peng’s literary character is quite noble~~
Qi Yu laughed and said: "Sir, don't be impatient. Let me explain to you slowly. The core essence of Confucian culture lies in its five constants, namely: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith. It not only teaches us cognition
Right or wrong, it also explains how to behave as a person. This point can be said to be every word of pearl, extremely precious."
"However, Confucianism after the Han Dynasty has derived some imperceptible confinement attributes, and it is this confinement that suppresses the creativity of the Chinese people. Just imagine a civilized system that only advocates obedience and loyalty.
, how can we cultivate people's spirit of exploration? If we lose exploration, we will stop moving forward. The result of standing still is to be surpassed by others. Haha, this is the dregs of Confucius and Mencius. This system is difficult to cultivate talented people.
Creative elites.”
Talent?
China has never lacked talents?
Peng Wenchang tried to understand it out of context and kept shaking his head, still not approving it.
"Oh, let me explain again. The talents I mentioned are real pillars of talent, not those literati and poets who only know how to dance and write."
Qi Yu sighed quietly and continued: "Actually, we Chinese people have never lacked wisdom and creativity. What we lack is a kind of correct guidance. Let me take the gunpowder in firearms as an example to illustrate. In the process of discovery and invention,
Well, China is more than seven hundred years ahead of the rest of the world. It should have been far ahead, but what happened? But it fell behind others. Why is this?"
Peng Wenchang then asked: "Why?"
"It is because the Chinese people have not really explored gunpowder in depth and have been stuck in the stage of mainly using fireworks and firecrackers. Looking at foreign countries, although they started late, they have slowly figured out the application of firearms. This is the biggest difference.
Let me take Sinan as an example again. In terms of time, our invention in China is more than a thousand years earlier than overseas. However, we only know how to use it to survey Feng Shui and not for other purposes. But overseas, it is used for
On the great voyage."
Suddenly, Qi Yu's expression changed and he said solemnly: "Now, the Franco Kingdom has used its navigation technology to sail its warships to Tuen Mun, our Finnish port. Isn't this enough to explain the problem? Let's not learn from the pain.
, cultivate usable talents, how to catch up with them? If this continues, the nation's history of humiliation will not be far away!"
"this……"
Peng Wenchang froze there and fell into deep thought.
In fact, Qi Yu only used the most convincing military example to make a comparison. However, in fact, whether technology is falling behind must be viewed from an all-round perspective, and it is not just about guns and navigation.
Qi Dalang has personal experience of this.
If the development of science and technology in foreign countries is not as advanced as it is in reality, then the living space in this world will be much wider. I dare not say that if I am too big, I can support myself by just making some small inventions, so why bother to work so hard?
What about taking the imperial examination?
After a long time, Peng Wenchang finally came to his senses: "Your Excellency has a far-sighted vision, insight into the subtleties, and a very thorough analysis. Not only can he pinpoint the current problems and point out the problems, but he can also take precautions and nip them in the bud. I admire you!" After a pause, he asked again.
: "I have a question in my mind, and I hope you can clarify it."
"Oh? Say it!"
"Since China has such a long history of gunpowder, why haven't successive courts paid much attention to it?"
"It's true that you don't take it seriously... Alas, the saddest thing in the world is that you clearly hold a golden lump in your hand, but you treat it like a piece of earth for wiping your buttocks."
The words are rough and the reasoning is not rough.
Strictly speaking, China is the true originator of firearms. The primitive fire blunderbuss and the rudimentary musket were recorded as early as the history of the Song Dynasty. Now hundreds of years have passed, not only have they not made progress, but they are still worse than before.
.
Qi Yu thought for a while and replied: "There are two reasons. First, this type of talent has never been valued, and it is even more difficult for the court to reuse it. As we all know, among scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, 'workers' are still ranked after farmers. This
How can there be any status at all? Workers are all just trying to make ends meet, using the wages earned from drinking gruel to play with the wishes of the Minister of War? Isn’t this nonsense!”
The Minister of War was innocently shot.
There are also shrimps.
"The second point is a bit disrespectful. Although the court doesn't say it, in its heart it is very repulsive to such a lethal weapon! Just imagine, if there is a rebellion by separatist forces holding firearms, what will happen to the court?
Enemy? So, there is no best!"
Oh, I see!
This is an anti-change strategy.
It’s no wonder that no one improved the musket developed during the Song Dynasty, and it was gradually lost. Unexpectedly, the crux of the problem lies here.
The court's lack of emphasis on firearms is only temporary, and it will definitely be forced to make changes in the future.
At present, there are no facts and evidence to prove the importance of firearms. Once a textbook-level war breaks out, firearms will inevitably become the focus of everyone's attention.