Since Li Yu was recommended by Yi Kuang, he first came to the Prime Minister's Yamen to meet Yi Kuang.
Yi Kuang is absolutely full of confidence in Li Yu: "Mr. Xiao Li can learn from Long Live Lord in the future, and his future is boundless!"
Li Yu said: "I don't have any experience in teaching today's saints, and I don't know if I am qualified."
"It's not difficult. I heard Governor Yuan say that you have already taught Western learning in the Beiyang Army. It's just that the target audience has changed." Yikuang said, after all, in his eyes, teaching Western learning is really different from the previous lectures on classics and history.
It's different, and of course you can't teach in the same way. Since it's a new form, there's not so much emphasis on it.
Li Yu really had no clue, and said: "Beiyang is Beiyang, and the emperor is the emperor. There is a huge difference, and the content of the lessons must be very different."
"As for the content, just teach me how you taught me before, just like how you taught me Long Live Master," Yi Kuang advised him, "and the Queen Mother also knows what I learned."
When Li Yu taught Yi Kuang about Western learning, he always said something interesting, but Guangxu obviously still had a little ambition, and it was definitely not the same.
Ding Haoliang also learned that Li Yu was going to teach the emperor about Western learning. Although foreigners now call Cixi the "Queen of the Qing Dynasty", they obviously prefer Guangxu.
Ding Haoliang rushed to the Prime Minister's Yamen and shook hands with Yi Kuang: "Hello, Your Majesty."
Yikuang laughed loudly when he saw Ding Taoliang: "Now you have three people under you who have become Long Live Master's masters."
Ding Hailiang felt that things were indeed incredible: "The emperor has not asked for tutors for many years, why does he suddenly want to learn Western learning now?"
Yikuang said: "It is the intention of the Queen Mother. Now when the minister comes to the palace to meet, he sometimes has to talk directly to the Queen Mother and Lord Long Live. It is inconvenient for the Queen Mother to come forward directly, so she can only let Lord Long Live receive her."
After returning from Xi'an, Cixi also began to let Guangxu meet with ministers and ministers every day, and would issue edicts in his name, so he would be picked up from Yingtai every day.
But in the final analysis, Guangxu was nothing more than a tool used by Cixi to decorate the court. He could not leave the Qing Dynasty's dragon chair empty. After all, he was still the emperor in name only.
This was a rare opportunity for Guangxu to see more outsiders every day, but after the duel between the emperor, ministers and envoys, Cixi would immediately send Guangxu back to Yingtai.
Ding Yuliang had stayed in China for so many years, and he also knew that he could not get involved in high-level power struggles. He told Li Yu: "If the Queen Mother only asks you to teach Western studies, you must only teach Western studies and not mention anything else."
Ding Haoliang had long regarded Li Yu as the most important student in his university and was very concerned about his situation.
Li Yu naturally understood the key and replied: "Thank you, Mr. Xi, for reminding me. Even if there is Western learning, there are already too many to teach. How can I have the time to teach other things?"
Ding Haoliang took out some books: "These are my textbooks from Chongshi School. They are some elementary mathematics, physics, chemistry and other related subjects."
Ding Nailiang has been an educator for decades, and he has these resources at his fingertips.
Li Yu was very grateful, but he was still worried about where to find materials. It is difficult to find science textbooks in Daqing nowadays.
"Thank you, Professor!"
"In addition, I also have some small blackboards and chalks in the Tongwen Library. You can bring them with you. If you are teaching Western learning, these things will come in handy." Ding Hailiang continued.
Ding Haoliang was so considerate that he had already arranged everything before Li Yu even mentioned it.
Yikuang also smiled and said: "If the Queen Mother had not specified that foreigners should not be taught, you would be the most suitable candidate."
Ding Haoliang said: "In the past, I was indeed suitable, but now there is a better one. In terms of Western learning, Li Yu is already far above me."
Yikuang clapped his hands and said, "I want to tell the Queen Mother this, and she will feel more at ease."
Although Cixi hated foreigners, she was also afraid of foreigners in her heart. One sentence from Ding Hailiang might be more important than ten words from a court official.
Ding Hailiang gave Li Yu a strong reputation, otherwise the ministers below would not know how long it would take to discuss such a big matter as finding a teacher for the emperor.
After everything that needs to be explained has been explained, it’s time to take the mule or horse out for a walk.
Yikuang and Li Yu set off for Xiyuan, and also gave Zhang Deyi Xin'er to go with them.
Although Cixi did not care about Guangxu, Guangxu's every move had to be reported to her. Of course, if she wanted to learn from him, she also had to personally inquire about it.
Maybe it's also a kind of abnormal "love and kill each other".
In Yiluan Hall, Yikuang and the two of them met Cixi.
Cixi said profoundly: "Li Yu, right? We have met before. I know your abilities. Since it was recommended by Prince Qing, the details are clean. But I still want to tell you what you should teach."
Just teach whatever you want, and don’t teach anything that shouldn’t be taught.”
Cixi just wanted to train Guangxu into a qualified puppet emperor. If it involved reform content, she would definitely not accept it.
Cixi's views are actually in favor of Japan's constitutional reform, and the emperor still has great power. Although the political system is more feudal than Europe, he also respects Western learning such as science and technology. Of course, it is all relative terms.
However, if she really wants to implement administrative decrees to imitate Japan, Cixi's stubborn thinking will not be able to take a step further.
"I will obey the Queen Mother's will." Li Yu himself didn't understand politics, so he couldn't say anything.
Cixi stroked the finger cot on her hand: "It's good to know."
Then she said to Cui Yugui: "Eunuch Cui, take them to see the emperor."
"Cha!" Cui Yugui said to Li Yu: "Come with me."
It is impossible for Yi Kuang to go to Yingtai together. Now the attitude of the ministers towards Guangxu is very subtle. After all, they have read the books of sages and still respect Guangxu. Even if Cixi asked them to go to Yingtai, they would feel sad when they saw the emperor in such a state.
Unacceptable.
But the eunuchs were different. They acted according to the prevailing situation and even dared to speak rudely to Guangxu.
Penglai has just arrived, and it is really in the middle of the water.
Yingtai was originally a beautiful place with great scenery, but now it has become the emperor's palace prison.
Li Yu looked at the past, pavilions, pavilions, verandas and boats, facing water on all sides, like a fairy island in the sea, which is where the name Yingtai comes from.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a lot of effort was put into the construction of Yingtai. It has always been a place for emperors and concubines to listen to politics, escape from the summer, and live.
Nowadays, not only Guangxu lives in Yingtai, but Concubine Jin also lives in Yingtai. It's just that Guangxu lives in Hanyuan Hall, the so-called "Mausoleum Hall"; Concubine Jin lives in Xiangku Hall, south of Hanyuan Hall, separated by two
There is a big courtyard. Without the order of Empress Dowager Cixi, it is impossible for the two to meet.
There is only a small bridge between Yingtai and the mainland, and guards stand guard day and night.
"Get out of our way."
The guards must know Cui Yugui. To enter Yingtai, they must either "brush their faces" or have Cixi's order.
Although there was no Guangxu in his eyes, the superficial etiquette still had to be observed. Cui Yugui and others saluted the emperor together. Guangxu was not happy when he saw Cui Yugui and did not want him to stand up immediately.
Cui Yugui knelt on the ground for a long time, unable to hear Guangxu's voice. He raised his head and said, "Long live my lord, the Queen Mother asked this servant to come."
Logically speaking, eunuchs cannot raise their heads when kneeling before the emperor. Guangxu felt angry after seeing this, but after thinking about it, he still didn't have an attack, so he said, "Get down."
Sure enough, Cui Yugui moved out and took charge of Cixi's affairs.
After several people stood up, Guangxu's confused eyes saw two more people behind Cui Yugui, one of whom was Zhang Deyi, a former English teacher.
The other young man also looked familiar.
Cui Yugui said: "Long live my lord, the Queen Mother and Lafayette have said that in the future, Mr. Li Yu will be your Western learning teacher and he will give you half-an-hour lessons on a regular basis."
"Li Yu?" Guangxu remembered this name in his mind. He once had newspapers brought in.
Guangxu stood up, ran to the desk, and pulled out a few newspapers.
Li Yu discovered that Emperor Guangxu was barefoot and without shoes. The weather was getting colder now, but he didn't seem to notice.
Guangxu ran over with a copy of the Beijing-Tianjin Times: "You, are you the Li Yu in the newspaper?"
Guangxu had a certain stutter.
"Beijing-Tianjin Times" used Li Yu's photo at that time. Guangxu compared it and said, "It's really similar."
Li Yu said: "Your Majesty, the common man is Li Yu."
Guangxu said excitedly: "You are not a common man! There is plenty of grass in the world, and there are straw bags in the palace, but you are not a common man!"
Guangxu flipped through the newspaper, "I've read it all, you really make me proud!"
Cui Yugui realized that Guangxu had completely ignored his presence, and said angrily: "I will wait outside the palace."
He wouldn't be too far away, but Guangxu didn't want to pay attention to him at all.
At close range, Li Yu discovered that Emperor Guangxu was not in good mental condition. Fortunately, because he had to meet with ministers and ministers, the eunuchs paid great attention to his personal hygiene.
Li Yu said: "I didn't expect that His Majesty also cares about science."
The "Beijing-Tianjin Times" in Guangxu's hands was from a long time ago. It seems that the eunuchs did not deliver the newspaper to him in time.
Zhang Deyi on the side said: "Your Majesty, not only was it mentioned in the newspaper, Mr. Li Yu recently traveled around the European powers with Zhenbeizi and published several scientific papers, which shocked the whole of Europe. Even the Royal Academy of Sciences of Great Britain expressed deep gratitude to him.
admire."
Guangxu's news was obviously lagging behind, and he was shocked when he learned about it: "Is it all true?"
Zhang Deyi said: "How dare I deceive the emperor?"
Nowadays, many ministers in the government and the public are very sympathetic to Guangxu, especially Zhang Deyi, who was once his disciple.
Guangxu said excitedly: "You are indeed a talent of our Qing Dynasty. I must let you be, be..."
Guangxu suddenly couldn't speak anymore and sat back on his chair helplessly. Not to mention that he didn't have much power now, but the people he promoted when he had power in the past were in a mess now.
Guangxu's house was very simple, and the cushions on the chairs were torn and had not been replaced with new ones.
Zhang Deyi felt very sad and said: "Your Majesty, don't think too much. Why don't we start class? Each class is only given half an hour."
Guangxu said: "That's fine."
Li Yu brought in the small blackboard from outside the palace. Cui Yugui saw it and came up and said, "What is it?"
"An ordinary blackboard used in class." Li Yu said.
"Blackboard? In the past, gentlemen used books in class. How could there be a use of a board?" Cui Yugui asked doubtfully, "Let me check it. It won't hurt me."
Naturally, he was not worried about harming Guangxu.
Cui Yugui took the blackboard and carefully checked that there were no hidden spaces before handing it back to Li Yu, "What is that thing in your hand?"
Li Yu said helplessly: "This is chalk, for writing on the blackboard. This is a pencil, for writing on paper."
Cui Yugui was worried, so he took them all over and opened the chalk box one by one to check and even broke a few pieces. After confirming again, he said: "Okay, go in. From now on, you will put your things here and don't carry any more items."
Li Yu saw several legal books on Guangxu's desk, such as "Explanation of the Japanese Constitution", "Montesquieu's Law", "General Theory of Law", etc. It seemed that he was still thinking about reform.
But unfortunately, this will be a dream that he can never realize.
Li Yu held up the blackboard and asked, "I wonder how much your Majesty knows about Western science?"
Guangxu thought for a while and said: "I don't know much. I only studied English and politics and law."
Li Yu asked: "Okay, what do you want to learn most?"
Guangxu said: "Can you teach me? Then I want to learn!"
Well, Emperor Guangxu was really keen on Western learning. In fact, even if it wasn't Cixi's order, he himself wanted to learn more about Western culture.
However, Li Yu nodded and wondered how to start teaching. After thinking about mathematics as it is the basis of science, he could only start from it. Li Yu asked: "Does your Majesty know Arabic numerals and numerical symbols?"
Guangxu shook his head, "I don't know."
Well, it seems that I can only be an enlightenment teacher.
Fortunately, Guangxu is still much stronger than Yikuang, and his ability to accept is much better.
The half-hour course was quite fast, and Guangxu learned a lot of new things.
"It turns out that Western symbols are so convenient for calculation." Guangxu was quite surprised. "Liang Qi... someone once told me that Western mathematical formulas are extremely advanced. It turns out that they are much simpler to express and easy to learn."
As he spoke, Guangxu said to Zhang Deyi: "It must be implemented in the future. You'd better report it to your biological father."
Guangxu always called Cixi "dad", and it is said that Li Lianying taught him this.
Zhang Deyi was already a second-rank official and would go to England to be an ambassador in the near future. He replied: "Your Majesty, now the university has started recruiting students again, and Western writing methods will gradually be implemented in the future."
Guangxu asked in surprise: "Great University Hall?"
Zhang Deyi said: "Yes, the Capital University."
Of course Guangxu remembered the contents of his reform: "I didn't expect it was not destroyed."
Zhang Deyi said: "Not only has it not been destroyed, but now the Capital University has just begun to officially recruit students, and the first batch of students in high school is Li Yu."
Guangxu looked at Li Yu in disbelief: "You are indeed a talent. I want...I want...Hey! You are a talent."
Guangxu's mood was sometimes excited and sometimes depressed. Under Cixi's pressure, he was already somewhat abnormal.
"Cough cough cough!"
Emperor Guangxu suddenly began to cough violently. Zhang Deyi quickly ran over and asked: "What's wrong with you, Your Majesty?"
Guangxu was so coughed that he couldn't speak for a while. Zhang Deyi quickly shouted: "Imperial doctor, please send the imperial doctor quickly!"
Guangxu interrupted him weakly: "Master Zhang, there is no need to shout."
Cui Yugui outside the house still heard the sound, came in and said impatiently: "The emperor wants to invite a medical officer?"
"No, no need!" Guangxu insisted.
"That's it." Cui Yugui turned around and left the hall without asking any more questions.
Zhang Deyi asked worriedly: "Why didn't your Majesty call the medical officer?"
Guangxu whispered: "It would be better not to drink the medicine than to drink the decoction."
Guangxu's words were very vague, but Li Yu immediately understood his helplessness.
Zhang Deyi was not stupid, but he did not believe that anyone would harm Guangxu. However, he did not dare to ask, so he could only say: "Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself."
Emperor Guangxu's health was indeed very poor, and he would become increasingly weak in the future, and even suffer from restlessness, sweating and other problems. However, he rarely dared to take medicine, which is quite sad.