Although the money has been paid, it will take several months until Hartung completes the formalities before he actually gets the title deed.
Li Yu and Hartong left their telegram contact information and prepared to return to Beijing first.
It will definitely take several days to make the ship along the way. Anyway, I have nothing to do. I can write some introductory lectures on chemistry.
In order to be rigorous, Li Yu was still going to buy some corresponding books. After all, he was not specialized in chemistry, and it was indeed easy to make mistakes when writing from memory alone.
It just so happened that Shi Liangcai had agreed to write a small scientific manuscript for him last time when he agreed to "Shen Shen". Li Yu started from aspects that are easily accessible to everyone in daily life.
This time I wrote an article about the introduction of planets in the solar system. For example, the sun actually has a lifespan, the earth also has a lifespan, and Jupiter is a gaseous planet and does not have a rocky surface.
Anyway, at this time, it’s all quite subversive content.
Shi Liangcai was very happy to get the manuscript: "Except for you, it is really difficult to find such excellent scientific articles. Recently, I heard an old man from the newspaper office say that "Shenbao" also published a scientific magazine called "Gezhi Compilation" many years ago.
, it’s a pity that it was discontinued ten years ago.”
"Gezhi Collection" is China's earliest scientific magazine. It was founded in 1876 and ceased publication in 1892.
Li Yu asked: “Do you want to start a science magazine again?”
Shi Liangcai immediately said: "Of course I do! I finally understand that if we want to become stronger, we cannot do without science."
Li Yu said: "I also have this idea. Let's study it with you when we have time."
Shi Liangcai said: "Of course I can't do without you."
"Also," Li Yu asked, "I want to buy some books on chemistry. Is there any such bookstore in Shanghai?"
"Yes," Shi Liangcai said, "Mr. Fu Lanya, the editor-in-chief of "Gezhi Collection" I just mentioned, opened a Gezhi Bookstore, specializing in scientific books."
"Oh? There is a place like this. Take me to see it quickly!"
It is indeed the great Shanghai.
Frya is an Englishman who once taught English at the Tongwen School under Ding Liang. Later, she was appointed by the Shanghai Christian Church as the editor-in-chief of the "China Church News", which is well-known among missionaries.
However, although Franya was sent by the church, he had little interest in missionary work. After arriving in China, he saw that the missionary work was in a very sluggish state, so he quickly gave up the idea.
He then entered the translation office of Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau and specialized in translating scientific books. Xu Shou, Hua Hengfang, Xu Jianyin and others had all done translation work with him.
As soon as he entered the Gezhi Library, Li Yu felt that it really looked like a modern library, with everything from Chinese translations to Western originals, and the categories also covered various categories of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
Thinking about it, you know that this thing doesn't have much market now, but it's not easy for Flan Ya to actually spend decades making it.
"It turns out to be Mr. Li Yu." Fu Lanya from Gezhi Bookstore recognized Li Yu at a glance.
It was Fu Lanya herself who introduced Li Yu to Li Yu through Shi Liangcai.
He is already an old man in his 60s, but he seems to be in good spirits.
After asking, Li Yu said: "It is really admirable for you to collect so many science and technology books."
Frya laughed and said: "Of course. Looking at the UK, there are not many private bookstores that have my collection. Wait a minute, I have something for you to look at."
Fryer pulled out two copies of "Fractals and Chaos" and some journals of the Royal Society, "I have them all, including the books you wrote and the magazines that published your articles."
"Good guy," Li Yu said in surprise, "it's not easy to get these."
Frya said: "You are so famous that people come to ask you about it all the time, and many people ask me to buy your books from abroad."
Only then did Li Yu know where Hua Shifang's first edition of "Fractals and Chaos" came from. It turned out that the source was here.
Li Yu smiled and said: "It will also be published in China in the future, and it will be a Chinese version."
Fu Lanya said: "This saves trouble. Quanzi is also doing translation work now, but your book is indeed too high-end, and many of the vocabulary are unfamiliar even to me."
Nowadays, no matter which translation bureau it is, when it comes to translating scientific books, it basically chooses relatively simple ones, which do not involve the latest scientific achievements at all.
The scientific achievements of recent decades have not been translated. Now basically no one in China knows Maxwell's "On Electricity and Magnetism", Poincaré's "Measurement of Time" and other new theories.
Li Yu asked about the purpose of coming here this time: "I would like to buy some systematic and comprehensive books on chemistry. Are there any in the store?"
"Of course," Frya took out several books from the bookshelf such as "Chemical Technology", "Chemistry Quality Examination", "Chemistry Calculation", "Chemical Identification" and other books, "If you say what I have translated the most, it is really chemistry.
"
Frye has translated hundreds of books, but he couldn't do it on his own, so he adopted an oral interpretation method, a bit like Lin Shu.
However, it is exactly the opposite of Lin Shu. Lin Shu did not understand foreign languages, so he had others interpret and then polished and wrote Chinese. Folanya just interpreted by herself, and then others wrote.
Anyway, this speed is indeed very fast, so both of them can be regarded as highly productive.
Li Yu asked: "How much do these books cost?"
Frya shook her head, "It doesn't cost money. It's really not easy to meet you. It's enough if you can sign these copies of "Fractals and Chaos" for me."
Li Yu smiled and said: "Is my autograph so valuable? I will definitely come to your store more often when I come to Shanghai in the future."
But Flan Ya said: "I'm afraid I won't be in Shanghai by then."
Shi Liangcai was surprised: "Sir, are you going to the United States again?"
Flan Ya nodded: "I'm afraid I won't come back this time."
"Not coming back?" Shi Liangcai asked.
Flan Ya replied with a hint of sadness: "I've done enough, but... well, I'm already old anyway, and I'm really tired from traveling back and forth these past few years."
Since 1896, Fu Lanya has been employed as a professor of Oriental Literature and Languages at the University of California, USA. In recent years, he has come to China every year to translate books. He also donated money to open the Shanghai School for Blind Children, and his youngest son Fu Bulan served as the principal.
Franya has been in China for 35 years, and she has spent almost half of her life translating scientific and technological books. However, after the defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1891, she became obviously disheartened.
Shi Liangcai had no choice but to say: "I wanted to invite you to re-launch the "Shen Shen" scientific magazine, but it's a pity..."
"Responsibility?" Flan Ya's eyes shone slightly.
Shi Liangcai said: "Yes, and Mr. Li Yu will be able to help."
Flan Ya touched her chin: "This is quite interesting."
Even if Li Yu runs a scientific magazine, the current situation must be mostly translation, so Fu Lanya can definitely help.
So Li Yu also tried to persuade him: "It would be a great honor if I could get help from you, sir."
In fact, Flan Ya didn't want to let most of her life's hard work go to waste, but she couldn't make up her mind at the moment, so she said: "I will consider your proposal carefully."
Shi Liangcai also said: "Sir, you must think carefully."
After picking up the books, Li Yu set off for the dock. It was still China Merchants' ship, heading for Tianjin Port by sea.
Although the southern section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is still open today, the Shandong section has basically been slowly silted out since the Yellow River changed its course.
On the way, Li Yu concentrated on writing part of the introductory lecture notes on chemistry. In fact, among all the Western sciences in China, chemistry is the most popular one.
After all, doing experiments is fun, and getting started is relatively easier than mathematics.
Back in the capital, after Li Yu returned home, Fengling had already typed a telegram from Britain. The sender was Lord Kelvin:
"Mr. Li Yu from the East, after my discussion with President Huggins of the Royal Academy of Sciences, I have decided to grant you the status of a foreign academician of the Royal Academy of Sciences. However, President Huggins made a small request. I hope you can submit it again.
A professional scientific manuscript, which is also a personal requirement. Above."
The content is very short, but the message is quite explosive.
Unexpectedly, they wanted to give Li Yu the status of a foreign academician so soon. I am afraid that Li Yu will become the first person to receive this honor in modern times.
The Royal Society has many foreign academicians, including Mendeleev who I met before.
Li Yu immediately telegraphed back: "Dear Lord Kelvin, it is a great honor to receive your telegram. I will provide you with a very valuable manuscript, so stay tuned."
There are many benefits to getting this foreign academician. At least Li Yu can cut off his braids openly.
And with this status, Li Yu can attract a lot of sponsorship.
In this case, we need to take it seriously and write a paper that is loud enough.
While I was thinking, someone came to the door.
"Little friend Li Yu, I heard that you are finally back."
Li Yu took a look and saw that it was Liang Cheng who came.
"It turns out to be Brother Yiai. I'm very honored to have come to my humble home."
Liang Cheng said: "You are really busy. I heard that Governor Zhang of Huguang invited you to sit in his house."
Li Yu said with a smile: "The news in the capital is really fast."
"Of course," Liang Cheng said, "to be the guest of Governor Yuan of Zhili and Governor Zhang of Huguang at the same time, now the officials in the capital will also look at you differently."
Li Yu stretched out his hand toward the room: "Brother Yiai, please sit inside quickly," and then said to Uncle Wang, "Hurry up and serve tea to Mr. Liang."
Liang Cheng saw the telegraph machine in the east wing and was surprised: "No wonder I saw a telegraph pole set up at the entrance of Dongchang Hutong. It turns out that the telegraph machine is here."
"It's really convenient to have a telegraph machine," Li Yu said. "Brother Yiai, what do you want from me today?"
Liang Cheng said: "I have recently been appointed by the imperial court to serve as the ambassador to the United States. After Lord Zhang Baixi, the Minister of Management and Academic Affairs, and Ding Taoliang, the chief professor of Western Studies at the Capital University, found out, they hoped that I could open up the way to appoint students to the United States again as soon as possible. Lord Zhang Baixi said
I can take you with me, because you are the person who knows the most about Western learning in the country now. Although you are a student representative in name, everyone knows that it is more than that."
Li Yu felt that he was really running around and said with a smile: "I've just arrived with my front foot, and I'm about to board the ship again with my back foot."
Liang Cheng said: "You are so young, you have to go through experience."
Li Yu touched his forehead: "Okay, when will we leave?"
"It won't take long, you should prepare as soon as possible. Don't worry, the boat ticket has been bought for you." Liang Cheng said.
Li Yu smiled and said: "The tickets have been bought, I can't help but go."
Liang Cheng also smiled and said, "It's good that you know!"
Li Yu has been very busy these days. He first found Yu Deling. She had already translated the manuscript of "Star Wars" and it just so happened that this time he could take it to the United States and find a publisher to publish it.
I wrote some more introductory chemistry lectures non-stop.
Then I went to give Guangxu some extra lessons.
The busier I am, the busier I get.
When Li Yu went to Yingtai as usual that day, he happened to meet Xiaode Zhang who was delivering food to Guangxu.
So the two of them went together, while Eunuch Cui stayed at Cixi's place in Xiyuan.
Xiaode Zhang is a very clever person, and like his predecessor Li Lianying, he tries to please everyone.
Every day, the meals for Guangxu were prepared in the imperial kitchen and sent to Guangxu after Cixi inspected them. However, Xiaode Zhang would secretly exchange a few of Guangxu's favorite foods at every turn, so Guangxu also trusted Xiaode Zhang very much.
Xiao Dezhang still had a booklet in his hand today. After giving Guangxu food, he took out the booklet and said: "Long live Lord, this is a transfer order from the Military Aircraft Department. It must have your seal before it can take effect."
Guangxu doesn't have much real power now, but the Military Aircraft Department still has some status. According to the rules, the transfer orders of court officials must have the emperor's seal.
Of course, if it was someone Cixi valued, she would appoint him directly without caring about so many things.
This time the transfer order was to transfer Jiangxi Chief Envoy Yang Shixiang to be the new governor of Shandong.
It does not involve Beijing officials, it is just a local transfer order. Cixi usually does not pay too much attention to it, so the Military Aircraft Department must obtain Guangxu's seal according to the rules.
But Yang Shixiang was Yuan Shikai's man, and Guangxu hated Yuan Shikai so much. If he could take charge personally, the first thing he would do would probably be to kill Yuan Shikai. So when he saw that the transfer order was Yang Shixiang, he was very reluctant.
However, Shandong has always been Yuan Shikai's sphere of influence, so he must have one of his own serve as governor of Shandong.
Yang Shixiang knew full well that he was a smart man, so he found Xiao Dezhang through his connections and declared that as long as Guangxu stamped his seal, he would give him a benefit of 200,000 taels of silver.
With such a large amount of money, Xiaode Zhang was immediately moved and agreed.
Guangxu was still very reluctant at this moment, and just said: "I know, let's put it here first."
Xiao Dezhang knew that Guangxu would not seal it even if he put it down, so he advised: "Long live Lord, I know that I should not interfere with the court's affairs. But now the Yellow River in Shandong is flooded, and it has burst its banks for many years, and the people are suffering miserably. Long live Lord knows
, Yang Shixiang is the best at dealing with water, and there is no one more suitable than him to control floods."
"But..." Guangxu was already a little shaken.
Xiao Dezhang struck while the iron was hot: "And there are many foreigners in Weihai and Qingdao, Shandong. Yang Shixiang is well versed in foreign affairs and can deal with foreigners. Isn't this an appointment that kills two birds with one stone?"
After thinking for a while, he added: "It's all for the people and the country."
Guangxu thought for a moment and sighed, "Okay, I will seal this."
Xiaode Zhang said happily: "Long live the wise Lord!"
Of course he was thinking of two hundred thousand taels of silver.
Li Yu looked at him and didn't know what to say. Guangxu was such a person. He was a bit indecisive and had a soft ear. He would be swayed by persuasion.
If he is a true emperor, he must have his own ideas. Regardless of what is right or wrong, he must be decisive and resolute. It's just that a good emperor knows how to admit his mistakes in an emperor's way.
Therefore, if Guangxu could be in charge again, the upper limit would probably be Jiaqing or Daoguang, which would be of little use.
But after Yang Shixiang arrived in Shandong, he did some good things.
It's also very simple, because Yang Shixiang understands a seemingly simple truth: most of the time, floods are not floods at all, but people's problems. So he doesn't care about the Yellow River at all, and just takes care of the people responsible.
It is for this reason that there were no problems with the Yellow River during his tenure.