Li Zhen said: "This time when we go to the United States, some of the generals in the army will go, and Liu Jintang and Chen Yucheng will accompany them. As for the children and nephews in your respective families, you can also bring some of them with you. This is our first time, and it is equivalent to getting a feel for it, so we go
The number of people should not be too large, no more than ten children, let them broaden their horizons."
Zeng Guofan said: "President, I have a son Zeng Jihong, and I would like to recommend him to go to the United States. This boy is not interested in fame, but likes arithmetic and the like. It is okay to let him see the world."
Li Zhen rolled his eyes and said, "Brother Bohan, Ji Hong is not very old."
Zeng Guofan said: "Only twelve years old."
Li Zhen said: "Ji Hong can accompany you, but I heard that your second son Zeng Jize is also very smart. It will be good for him to let your second son Zeng Jize go out to see the world together."
Zeng Guofan nodded and said: "Thank you very much, President."
Zuo Zongtang said: "President, my son Zuo Xiaowei is fifteen years old. Let Xiaowei go with him."
"Okay." Li Zhen said happily.
Zeng Guofan said: "President, I know someone who may be helpful to us in going to the United States. He may even be helpful to the children who follow us to the United States."
Li Zhendao: "Tell me who it is."
Zeng Guofan replied: "Rong Hong."
Li Zhen frowned and said, "Rong Hong, this name seems a bit familiar."
Li Zhen was somewhat familiar with this person, as if he had heard it somewhere, but he couldn't remember exactly what it was about.
Zeng Guofan explained with a smile: "Rong Hong is from Xiangshan County, Guangdong. When he was young, because his father worked in Macau, his parents sent him to study in a free foreign school run by foreigners in Macau. Later, Rong Hong went to the United States to study alone, and finally graduated
At Yale University, Rong Hong has been back in China for some time. He met me once and is now in Beijing. It will definitely be helpful to us if someone like Rong Hong follows us."
After hearing this, Li Zhen's eyes brightened and he thought of Rong Hong's situation.
Rong Hong was the earliest person to study abroad. It was Rong Hong who initiated the Chinese government-sponsored students abroad. He is known as the "Father of Chinese Students Abroad." Li Zhen was familiar with this person because of several of his first works created by Rong Hong.
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Firstly, Rong Hong was among the first batch of foreign school students in China and studied in a foreign school in Macau when he was young; secondly, Rong Hong was the first self-selected overseas student and went to the United States alone, and finally studied at Yale University;
Third, Rong Hong was the first self-financed overseas student, who was not supported by the Qing Dynasty; fourth, Rong Hong was the first work-study overseas student. Because of lack of money, he studied part-time, earning money while studying; fifth,
Rong Hong was the first overseas student to complete his studies; sixthly, Rong Hong was the first advocate of government-sponsored study abroad and initiated the Chinese government-sponsored study abroad program.
Because of Rong Hong's persistence, Zhan Tianyou and other international students were able to see new situations on the other side of the world.
Li Zhen was excited and admired this person very much.
Such people deserve respect.
Li Zhen immediately ordered: "Brother Bohan, invite him to see you immediately."
Zeng Guofan nodded and said: "I will send someone to invite you immediately."
Immediately, Zeng Guofan sent someone to convey the order. It didn't take long for a thin middle-aged man to come to the presidential palace. This man was Rong Hong. When he saw Li Zhen, he looked excited and bowed to Li Zhen repeatedly.
, expressing his respect in his heart, Li Zhen asked Rong Hong to sit down and said: "Mr. Rong studied and graduated in the United States. He can be said to be half American. He is very familiar with the United States."
Rong Hong replied: "Report to the President, I know a thing or two."
Li Zhen smiled and said: "Humility comes in time. You don't need to be humble in front of me. I came to you to discuss something. I plan to take people to the United States. I also heard that Premier Zeng said that you studied and graduated in the United States. , how about asking you to be your guide."
"Okay, okay."
Rong Hong nodded repeatedly with an excited expression on his face.
Unexpectedly, a big pie fell from the sky. At this moment, Rong Hong was filled with surprise. He did not expect that Li Zhen would suddenly invite him.
Li Zhen waved his hands and said: "Since you agreed, let's get ready. Remember, the news cannot be leaked."
"Yes Yes."
Rong Hong came as quickly as he left, and he left excitedly.
Immediately afterwards, Huang Shihai, Zhao Liewen and others proposed to let their nephews and nephews follow Li Zhen. They couldn't go, but at least they could let their nephews and Li Zhen be together. This would open their eyes. The whole group of people had been waiting all morning. The candidates for the trip were discussed in the hall and considered one by one. The final candidates were all the nephews of the old brothers who followed Li Zhen.
On that day, Li Zhen sent someone to invite Ma Hui to the presidential palace.
In the living room, the guests and hosts were seated.
Ma Hui said with a smile: "The president invited me here, so he must have made a decision."
Li Zhen said: "Yes, I decided to go to the United States."
Ma Hui suddenly became overjoyed and said, "That's great, I'll make arrangements immediately."
Li Zhen waved his hands and said: "Don't worry, you don't need to worry about this matter. You only need to send the news of my going to the United States back to the United States and inform Mr. Lincoln. I will naturally take my people there and use our own The ship goes."
Ma Hui understood what Li Zhen was thinking and said, "The president can't trust the United States."
Li Zhen shook his head slightly and said with a smile: "It's not that I can't trust the United States. On the contrary, I have 100% reason to believe in the sincerity of the United States in inviting me to go, and I also believe that the United States will do its best to ensure my safety. But I will follow you there with great fanfare. , the target is too big and can easily attract the attention of some countries. Once these countries attack us, it is likely to trigger a war between China and the United States after success. I think this is what you don’t want to see."
After a pause, Li Zhencai continued: "In that case, I might as well go to the United States by myself. Of course, Mr. Ma Hui will also arrange a ship to escort a fake Li Zhen to the United States to attract attention. What do you think?"
Ma Hui nodded and said: "It's better to be careful. What the president said is right. This is the president's first trip to the United States. There will always be people who don't want China and the United States to have good relations. I agree with what the president said."
Li Zhen said: "In that case, your Excellency, go and prepare."
"Farewell."
Ma Hui got up and left to prepare for Li Zhen's trip to the United States.
In the next month, Li Zhen took over the domestic affairs, whether it was military matters, financial matters, or the business system run by Wang Chi, etc., all were properly handled.
On the eighth day of November, Li Zhen, Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Jize, Zeng Jihong, Zuo Xiaowei, Liu Jintang, Chen Yucheng, Huang Qiang and others quietly left Beijing for Tianjin.
By the port, on top of a battleship.
On the deck, Li Zhen stood on the side of the ship, looking down at the people waiting at the port, waving to him. Zuo Zongtang, Huang Qiang, Zeng Jihong, Zeng Jize and others standing next to Li Zhen stared at the port, with a hint of uneasiness in their hearts about traveling far away. Feeling relieved, but more excited.
Most of the people on the boat had never been to sea.