On the third day after arriving in the UK, Zai Zhen, led by Prince Arthur, presented his credentials to Edward VII at Buckingham Palace. The credentials were signed by Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi, and most of them were written by Guangxu himself.
I don’t know what Guangxu’s mood was when he wrote this letter of credence. He must have really wanted to torture Cixi to death, and he also had a hint of envy in his heart for Edward VII, who had been the crown prince for decades.
Originally, there would be a coronation ceremony in a few days, but Edward VII's illness has become serious recently, so the ceremony can only be postponed. The specific date has not been determined, but now that the special mission has completed the congratulatory gifts, it has begun its inspection mission in London.
What they value most is the British parliamentary system, diplomacy, military, finance and other fields. Their first trip was to the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the British Parliament. To this day, the British Parliament is also known as the Palace of Westminster.
The Stminster Parliament is held here.
Liang Cheng and Huang Kaijia were very interested in the constitutional monarchy and had been instilling in Zai Zhen the superiority of the British system. However, their explanations were too textbook-like, using terms such as monarchy, civil rights, parliament, cabinet, and division of powers.
Dezaizhen's head is about to explode. After all, they learned it in the United States. There are still many differences between the separation of powers and constitutional monarchy. They only learned it from books.
Zai Zhen said directly to Li Yu: "You should still speak simply, just tell me!"
In fact, Li Yu didn't understand politics at all, so he had to use the historical knowledge he learned in middle and high school to reply: "Master Beizi, it's actually very simple. If you understand it this way, didn't Mencius say that the people are more valuable than the king? In fact, it is what we see now.
In England, the people are more important than the monarch. All major matters involving taxation, military administration, and laws are decided by the parliament, and the monarch only needs to sign and pledge."
Zai Zhen said: "That's it, I understand! But this matter must still be decided by the Queen Mother back home."
Very good! Even after your Queen Mother passed away, she didn’t even start to establish a constitutional monarchy.
After only visiting the Palace of Westminster, Zai Zhen felt a little tired. He asked, "What is there to do in London?"
Yang Laizhao responded quickly: "We can go boating on the Thames River!"
This was indeed a very comfortable and elegant thing in London at the time.
Zai Zhen immediately agreed and they came to the pier, but the boat was really small and could only accommodate two or three people. Only Li Yu in their group was good at swimming, so Zai Zhen took Li Yu with him.
Boating on the Thames River is really like watching the Bund on the Huangpu River.
Zai Zhen looked at the buildings on the shore and asked, "Why is England so powerful?"
Li Yu searched his mind. Fortunately, he had learned a lot about foreign history before, especially about modern powers like Britain. He had also watched a lot of documentaries, so he gave Zai Zhen a general lecture on the rise of great powers.
Although it was all superficial knowledge, it was basically an enlightenment for Zai Zhen.
Zai Zhen said in surprise: "Sir, you actually have such knowledge in politics and law. If you hadn't waited for me to go back and write a letter of recommendation to you, the DPRK would be short of talents."
Li Yu quickly shook his head: "Master Bei, I only know the general outline. If it comes to specific details, I know nothing about it."
"It's really a pity." Zai Zhen said casually, but soon he was immersed in the scenery and architecture on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Since we went to the Palace of Westminster in the morning, we naturally had to go to the adjacent Westminster Abbey in the afternoon, which is the famous Westminster Abbey. Originally, the coronation ceremony of Edward VII would also be held in Westminster.
Hosted by St. John's Church.
"Master Bei, Westminster Abbey is the place where British kings are crowned and their weddings are held. Many British kings are also buried there." It was Liang Cheng who was still introducing Zai Zhen.
Zai Zhen thought for a while and said, "Why are the British imperial mausoleums and the auditorium built together?"
"Ah, this... this is people's tradition, right?" Liang Cheng didn't expect Zai Zhen's thinking to be so active.
"Tradition?" Zai Zhen murmured, "That's it."
Many celebrities are buried in the church and there are many inscriptions.
Zai Zhen practiced calligraphy when he was a child and was interested in inscriptions. They saw the famous inscription in the forest of tombstones in the basement. It is said that Mandela in later generations was enlightened after seeing it. Liang Cheng translated for Zai Zhen.
:
"When I was young, my imagination was never limited and I dreamed of changing the world.
When I matured, I found that I could not change the world. I shortened my vision and decided to only change my country.
When I entered my twilight years, I found that I could not change my country. My last wish was just to change my family.
However, this is also impossible.
As I lay in bed, dying, I suddenly realized:
If I just change myself at first, then as a role model, I might change my family;
With the help and encouragement of my family, I may do something for the country.
And who knows? I might even change the world."
Zai Zhen thought about it and it made some sense: "After all, it is an inscription from a British cathedral. It should be copied! Liang Cheng, copy the entire inscription in English, and I will show it to Amma and the Queen Mother when you get back."
"
Li Yu laughed at the side and said: "Master Bei, there is no need to go to such trouble. Our ancestors have made it clear a long time ago, and they only used nine words: cultivate one's morality, organize one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world!"
Zai Zhen laughed loudly after hearing this: "I wonder why it feels so familiar!"
Several people also visited the tombstones of many famous people besides the king, including Newton, Darwin, Herschel, Dickens, etc.
Li Yu said to Zai Zhen: "Master Bei, have you noticed anything different?"
Zai Zhen asked: "What's different?"
"These men of letters and science are buried in the same church as the King of England."
Zai Zhen didn't realize anything at all, but instead said doubtfully: "I told you not to, it's my family's tradition."
Li Yu sighed in his heart and said nothing more.
He stopped at the very impressive tomb of Newton, the first scientist to be buried in Westminster Abbey.
There are pictures inlaid on the sarcophagus, depicting a group of boys using mathematical instruments. Above the sarcophagus is a statue of Newton in a reclining posture, with his left hand pointing to a scroll held by two boys. Many people think it is calculus, but if you look carefully, it is actually
It is his binomial formula. The background sculpture is a celestial sphere with the zodiac and related constellations painted on it, revealing Newton's great achievements in astronomy.
Li Yu thought of the epitaph written by the poet Pope for Newton: "Nature and its laws are hidden in darkness; God said: Let Newton be born! Then everything becomes bright."
Just as he was looking at it, a blond and blue-eyed British man ran over and asked breathlessly: "Which one of you is Li Yu?"
Li Yu said: "It's me."
"Great! I finally found you! I am Joelson, the editor of the Royal Society's "Transactions of the Natural Sciences". We, President Huggins and Lord Kelvin, know that you have come to the UK and specifically asked me to invite you to meet us.