The ship sailed past Dongting Lake and then went south via the Xiangjiang River until it reached Changsha.
If it weren't for the lack of railways, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take an inland waterway ride and experience Dongting Lake firsthand.
In the Hunan Governor's Department, newly-appointed Governor Zhao Erxun took office as a new official and made establishing a new type of education the first priority of the "New Deal".
However, we met with the obstruction from Wang Xianqian, the headmaster of Yuelu Academy, and others, so we had to suppress their arrogance no matter what.
It's just that Yuelu Academy is so famous that no one has dared to touch it. After all, it has produced so many great figures.
But the mountain leader, Wang Xianqian, really jumped too much, which was quite a headache.
Previously, Chen Baozhen, the governor of Hunan, was the only real power figure among the local governors who favored reform. At that time, he was criticized by Wang Xianqian and his protégé Ye Dehui, and was dismissed on the charge of "excessive protection of bandits."
Chen Baozhen’s grandson was Chen Yinke, a famous historian and linguist during the Republic of China.
Chen Yinke was born in Changsha, but due to his grandfather's political failure, he returned to Jiangxi. After Chen Baozhen's death, he moved to Nanjing.
Zhao Erxun could see that the current situation cannot allow the loss of talent. What is lacking is Western-style talents. If we cannot run Western-style primary and secondary schools and colleges and universities, we will definitely continue to fall behind.
Wouldn’t the educational foundation Zeng left for Hunan be interrupted?
It’s just that any cutting-edge move will encounter obstacles without exception, let alone the late Qing Dynasty.
Xiong Xiling knew that Governor Zhao Erxun must be eager to learn something new, so he took Li Yu directly to the Hunan Governor's Office.
Xiong Xiling glanced at the carriage outside the yamen and said to Li Yu: "The mountain chief is indeed here today. Fortunately, Mr. Zhang Heling, the inspector, is also here."
An inspector is an official in charge of the judiciary of a province, that is, the chief official of the punishment inspection department, and is a third-rank official.
Zhang Heling was also a person who made many contributions to modern education, and later served as the chief instructor of the Capital University.
From this we can also see the status of the Hunan faction in the late Qing Dynasty. There were too many talented people. Even now, there are still people in the court - the high-ranking scholar Qu Hongji is from Hunan.
The two entered the hall, and Xiong Xiling introduced Li Yu, Zhao Erxun, Zhang Heling and Wang Xianqian.
After Li Yu sat down, Xiong Xiling quietly whispered a few words next to Zhao Erxun.
Zhao Erxun was overjoyed when he heard this: "What a great idea!"
Wang Xianqian glanced at Li Yu: "Your Majesty is the emperor's teacher? He even cut off his braids, what qualifications do you have to teach the emperor the teachings of saints?"
Li Yu said: "I'm sorry, the sage didn't say you must have braids. Moreover, what I taught the emperor was all Western learning. No matter Archimedes, Galileo, Newton or others, there is no saying about having braids."
Wang Xianqian had never heard of these people, but he still stroked his beard and pretended to be calm and said: "Are they worthy of being called saints?"
Li Yu spread his hands: "I didn't say that."
Governor Zhao Erxun said: "Chief Shan, now the imperial court has issued a decree requiring the construction of new schools in various places. The imperial court has said so, and it seems to be the general trend."
"What is the general trend!" Wang Xianqian said, "What is not good about learning from foreigners?"
Zhao Erxun said: "A new school must be built, otherwise the court will take issue with me."
Wang Xianqian did not dare to disobey the court's order, so he said: "Master Futai, just practice it."
Zhao Erxun continued: "In addition, there is a decree in the decree that in order to speed up the process, the college can be transformed into a school."
"Change the college into a school?" Wang Xianqian didn't react for a moment.
Zhao Erxun said to Li Yu: "Emperor Master, you are coming from the capital. It's up to you to tell the mountain chief."
Li Yu secretly complained in his heart, how could he push himself out? Can't you, a governor, restrain him?
He had no choice but to reply: "Yes, Governor Zhang's memorial has been approved by the imperial court."
He had an idea and lifted Zhang Zhidong out.
"Mr. Zhang, Governor of Huguang?" Wang Xianqian's tone obviously dropped a bit.
Li Yu said: "Not only Master Zhang, but also Master Zhang Baixi, the Minister of Management and Education, also jointly submitted the memorial."
Since the Governor of Huguang also holds the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, he is of the second rank; the Minister of Management and Education is of the second rank.
The level of the two senior officials is quite high.
Wang Xianqian did not dare to object: "Since it is the will of the imperial court, it must be done."
"The so-called college to school," Li Yu paused and said, "is to change the existing private school or academy into the corresponding primary school or university hall."
Wang Xianqian was a little confused: "What does the emperor mean?"
"Yuelu Academy is famous all over the world, so it should naturally be transformed into the highest-status university in Hunan Province." Li Yu said.
Wang Xianqian almost couldn't sit still: "You mean, in the future, my Yuelu Academy will teach foreigners' fallacies and heresies?"
Zhang Heling, the inspector, laughed and said: "What's yours and mine in the academy belongs to the whole province. And the mountain chief also said that since the imperial court has requirements, of course we must abide by the imperial court's wishes."
Xiong Xiling added: "It is also to prevent Yuelu Academy from declining."
"What nonsense!" Wang Xianqian almost cursed, "Learning from foreigners will make our Holy Academy fall into the abyss!"
Zhao Erxun took a sip of tea and said: "The governor has made a decision, and he will follow the wishes of the emperor. In the future, with the golden sign of Yuelu Academy, I am not afraid that my university in Hunan will be inferior to other provinces."
Wang Xianqian was furious. He was originally opposed to the reform, but now the new learning that the reformers were most passionate about was directly attacked by his own Yuelu Academy. He really couldn't accept it: "The academy will never accept such a ridiculous move!"
"Hey -" Zhao Erxun said, "from now on, the Mountain Chief, you will still be the Mountain Chief of Yuelu Academy, but your name will be changed to the General Office of the University Hall. This name is also very good!"
Wang Xianqian's face turned red with anger: "Sir Futai, such an abrupt decision really chills the hearts of the students in our college!"
Xiong Xiling coughed: "When it comes to students, since it is a new school, students who previously advocated Western learning and recommended the reform but were dropped out must be re-enrolled."
Wang Xianqian couldn't bear it anymore: "Absolutely not! If Mr. Futai does this, I, the mountain chief, will never serve again!"
Zhao Erxun was eager for him to leave, but he still pretended to persuade him to stay: "Captain, please think twice, Yuelu Academy cannot live without you."
Wang Xianqian could see that Zhao Erxun was more accepting of Xiong Xiling's opinion, so he stood up and said: "If we have different ways of doing things, we can't agree with each other. I can't bear it. I can't continue to be in charge of the academy!"
Zhao Erxun immediately pretended to be particularly sad: "Chief, without you, the academy may not be able to survive."
Wang Xianqian snorted, pointed at Li Yu and said, "Isn't there still this famous Imperial Master who is admired by foreigners? You go find him! Farewell!"
Wang Xianqian waved his hands and walked out of the governor's headquarters.
Xiong Xiling finally couldn't help it anymore and laughed loudly: "Master Futai, you are pretending to be too much!"
Zhao Erxun said easily: "Thanks to the master's clever plan."
Li Yu quickly waved his hand: "I'm just going with the flow."
This Zhao Erxun is a relatively complicated person. The reason why he admires Western learning so much now is actually because he believes that Western learning is useful to the Qing Dynasty, not because he accepts reformers or revolutionaries.
Later he served as governor of Northeast China and together with Zhang Zuolin massacred revolutionaries.
In addition, this person also did a major event during the Republic of China: he organized and compiled the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty".
But when accepting Yuan Shikai's invitation to compile the history of the Qing Dynasty, he claimed: "I am a Qing Dynasty official, I compile the history of the Qing Dynasty, I do Qing Dynasty affairs, and I eat Qing Dynasty food!"
He also claimed to be the Guan Yu of the Three Kingdoms who "surrendered Han but not Cao".
However, his actions were still condemned by many elders of the Qing Dynasty.
Xiong Xiling once again mentioned Li Yu's wish to run a school, and Zhao Erxun quickly agreed: "The previous governor immediately started building primary and secondary schools. If the emperor needs it, we can directly set up one for you."
This way it becomes quite simple.
Hunan has indeed always been very concerned about education, and there is no shortage of primary and secondary schools at this time.
Zhao Erxun said to Xiong Xiling: "Master Xiong, these matters are yours to take care of. When the time comes, choose a large school."
Li Yu didn't expect things to progress so easily.
In this way, the layout of primary and secondary schools in the country is basically completed and is ready to be completed.
After leaving the governor's office, Xiong Xiling led Li Yu to his mansion to stay for a day.
The next day, Huang Xing came to the door.
"Master Emperor, we meet so soon!" Huang Xing said, "Today is my thirtieth birthday. I wonder if I could invite you to my residence to have a chat with me?"
The other party cordially invited me, and Li Yu replied without thinking: "What a coincidence? What an honor!"
When the two of them approached Huang Xing's residence, Li Yu suddenly recalled that Huang Xing seemed to have organized and planned the establishment of the Huaxing Club under the pretext of his birthday.
When they arrived at the door, Huang Xing and one of them checked the code before entering the courtyard.
Coupled with the appearance of a familiar figure, Li Yu was even more sure, because in front of him was the young Song Jiaoren.
Song Jiaoren said to Huang Xing: "Brother Okamoto, is this the imperial master?"
Li Yu was stunned: "Oka... Okamoto?"
Huang Xing explained to Li Yu: "When you enter this courtyard, you cannot use your real name. Okamoto is my name in the courtyard."
"I understand." Li Yu nodded, but the name Okamoto was too funny.
Huang Xing then said to Li Yu: "The young student in front of me is called Song Jiaoren, and everyone in this academy still calls him Fisherman."
Li Yu said: "I remember it."
Huang Xing then said to Li Yu: "It is best for the emperor's master to have an anonymous name."
"Is this necessary?" Li Yu had no intention of joining the Huaxing Society, and besides, its existence was indeed too short.
Huang Xing said: "We are discussing secret matters now. When we were on the boat last time, I observed that the emperor had his hair cut, and at the same time he had cutting-edge ideas. Everyone admires people like you, so I asked you to come and give me some guidance."
Li Yu asked: "What can I guide?"
Huang Xing said: "Nowadays, the country is in turmoil and is being bullied. The way to strengthen the country firstly requires political and legal reforms, and secondly, it cannot be separated from technological progress. But few of us understand scientific strategies, and we must have knowledgeable people to guide us.
."
Li Yu said: "It's okay to give some advice..."
Huang Xing immediately said: "In this case, the emperor's master should take a title so that he can avoid being exposed in the future."
Huang Xing roughly guessed that Li Yu didn't necessarily want to join their group, and it was also for his own good.
Li Yu thought for a while: "Let's call him Yu Li."
"Yu Li, Li Yu..." Song Jiaoren thought about Li Yu's words for a while, clapped his hands and said, "What a name! Isn't it a chaotic and confusing world now?"
Li Yu smiled and said, "Just say it casually."
Several people walked into the house, and Li Yu saw Chen Tianhua again, as well as Zhang Shizhao and others.
——They haven’t run away anymore, they are all original members of Huaxing Society.
Zhang Shizhao met Li Yu when he was in Shanghai: "Hello, Emperor Master!"
Li Yu greeted them one by one.
Chen Tianhua said happily: "If Emperor Shi also becomes a shareholder of Huaxing Company, there is no need to worry about great things happening!"
As a revolutionary group, it must be operating in secret, so Huaxing will claim to the outside world as "Huaxing Company".
Then in the name of "establishing a mining industry", those who join the membership are called people's shares, and the "shares" are membership certificates.
The slogan is "We work together to save money, and we will settle it face to face", which implies the meaning of "extinguishing the Manchu Qing Dynasty".
Li Yu said: "I'm not joining, but I just want to provide you with some help if you need it."
Huang Xing said: "I respect the emperor's decision, but your help will definitely be of great benefit to us."
Li Yu stated his position and said: "Huang... Oh, what Brother Okamoto just said is also my point of view. The way to rejuvenate the country is firstly politics and law, and secondly science and technology. I stick to the way of science and technology, which is my own strength."
The name Okamoto is really hard to pronounce.
Song Jiaoren said: "I also think what the emperor said is reasonable. It is more difficult to defend a country than to conquer it, so construction is more difficult than revolution. And science and technology is the top priority of construction, and it will be inseparable from the emperor in the future. I
I understand that after the matter is completed, it will be the time for the Imperial Master to show his power."
Song Jiaoren's brain was really flexible. No wonder he was entrusted with important tasks by Mr. Zhongshan at a young age, and he almost replaced himself.
Even Zhang Taiyan, the biggest madman in the Republic of China, spoke highly of Song Jiaoren: "If you elect a president, Huang Xing will be chosen based on merit, and Song Jiaoren will be chosen based on talent."
Li Yu had no desire to get involved in politics, and he had no experience.
From ancient times to the present, China has almost always had the smartest people playing politics. They are all talented people. Let Li Yu pursue an official career and he will die from exhaustion.
Moreover, China’s modern history is full of vicissitudes, especially in the first ten years of the Republic of China, the king’s flag was almost constantly changing on the city wall. Even if Li Yu knew which team to stand on, it was really worrying to change back and forth, and he might even be called
A domestic slave named N.
So just stay away from the whirlpool.
Huang Xing asked again: "We are determined to reorganize the world, but we are not familiar with science and cannot estimate how big the technological gap is with the great powers. We still hope that brothers Yu Li can clarify our doubts."
Li Yu sighed: "Although I don't want to dampen everyone's enthusiasm, the actual gap is hard to imagine, just like a giant and a baby."
Song Jiaoren was currently studying at the Ordinary High School of the Episcopal Church in the United States (now Central China Normal University). He had some exposure to Western learning, so he asked: "Brother Yu Li's achievements in the scientific world are not like those of a giant?"
"I am far from enough, so I tried my best to set up some schools." Li Yu said.
Song Jiaoren sighed: "Brother Yu Li has a far-sighted vision. If there are more people like you in science, it will be a great blessing for the country."
Song Jiaoren's meeting with Li Yu further convinced him of the importance of science.
Although he later studied in Japan to major in politics and law, after the failure of the Huaxing Society, he will set up an organization called "Science Tutoring School" in Wuchang next year.
In fact, it is still a revolutionary organization, but in the name of tutoring and studying science, it conceals it from the government and deceives others.