The stars were dimly shining in the sky. Li Guolou had arrived at Xihua Gate, and several official sedans had stopped outside the palace gate. Prince Gong and Weng Tonghe both came in sedans. Li Guolou, who was fond of the crippled jaw, did not disturb them. , he stood alone on the steps, looking at Haizi in the distance to the west, with the breeze blowing on his face, Li Guolou's clear eyes looked up at the darkness before dawn.
The sergeant of Shanpu Camp opened the palace door, and the three ministers who went to the study filed into the Forbidden City. Li Guolou was the last one in line. He lifted his official robe and tied a "Minister in the Study Room - Li Guolou" around his waist. The sergeant guarding the gate checked Li Guolou's official seal and said with an unchanging expression: "Master Li, please come in!"
Li Guolou lifted up his front clothes and crossed the first threshold, like a carp jumping over a dragon gate, finally flying into the sky. In front of him was the majestic Qionglou Pavilion, with undulating yellow walls, seemingly endless red columns, and glazed tiles in the morning light. Shining brightly.
Under the guidance of the eunuch, Prince Gong Yixin, Weng Tonghe, and Li Guolou came to the study room. Li Guolou didn't know whether to sit or stand, and a young eunuch brought him a stool. Lou glanced at this short stool. It turned out that ministers could only sit on this small stool when meeting the emperor.
"Thank you, father-in-law. I'll stand for a moment." Li Guolou stood in the room and looked at the desk in the next room. That's where Emperor Weng Tonghe taught lessons to Emperor Tongzhi Zaichun. From where he was, he could see two desks. There are six desks in total in the row, and the Emperor also has classmates.
"Guo Lou, come here." Prince Gong Yixin was sitting on a porcelain stool, drinking hot tea, and said: "Let me tell you something, the Tongwen Museum run by the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Office is always understaffed. What can you do? Solve this problem?"
Tongwen Hall is a translation center founded by Prince Gong. It is the first Westernization school since the founding of the Qing Dynasty. The Tongwen Hall has three classes: English, French and Russian. It only accepts Eight Banners students under the age of thirteen or fourteen. .It is a pity that there are only a few diligent and good scholars among the Manchus, and due to the cultural differences between the East and the West, there are many Qing people who hate the West, and those who learn foreign languages are hostile to the Chinese. Therefore, within a few years of opening, it has never been full, and it is often lost. student.
At this time, Li Hongzhang also opened the "Guangfang Dialect Museum" or Shanghai Tongwen Museum in Shanghai, where Han students could be recruited. Of course, in the capital, this unique skill was to be kept in the hands of the Manchus. Prince Gong asked Li Guolou The meaning was to ask him to think of a way to get the Manchu students in the capital to actively learn foreign languages?
The Manchus in the capital are not even willing to learn their mother tongue "Manchu" well. The streets are full of Manchus who cannot speak Manchu. The Manchus have a hereditary system. A good job can take my place. Only the third child, The fourth child was a bit unlucky because he didn't have a replacement seat, so he carried the birdcage and walked around with the birds every day.
"Well...Prince Gong, I think the status of the translator is too low. He only has the status of an official, and there is no hope of being admitted to the Jinshi. For smart children, their parents do not allow them to learn foreign languages. People who are not talented enough , but I can’t learn it. According to the official, it’s better to subsidize those families who study with high subsidies. Give them dates first and recruit outstanding students. The country needs a large number of people who can speak foreign languages. To be honest, the official said, those Gongyuan students , and those students who failed the scientific examination are all masters of rote memorization. Let them switch to learning foreign languages and get twice the result with half the effort. As long as they are given corresponding official positions and status, these ** are willing to go to the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Office to learn foreign languages." Li Guo Lou looked at Prince Gong and saw thousands of failed Gong students. These are all masters of rote memorization and people with high IQs. The evil intention contained in them is self-evident, that is, they want to break the imperial examination system that has been passed down for thousands of years. But at the same time, It's hard to say clearly, but in the name of failed students, we will give those students a chance to become officials, as long as they are willing to learn foreign languages.
Prince Gong glanced at Li Guolou and immediately understood. He was still undecided. He was thinking about how to draft this memorial. He just happened to take advantage of the fact that the scientific examination had just ended to recruit a group of failed students with both ability and political integrity.
"I don't agree! This is unreasonable. How can students learn Neo-Confucianism with peace of mind? Absolutely not! The key to recuperating the body and mind is the basis of employment and administration. Studying the Four Books and Five Classics is the right way." Weng Tonghe's beard was fluttering, and his chest was filled with anger. Ups and downs, a pair of eyes stared at Li Guolou fiercely, and he was breathing heavily.
Prince Gong secretly admired Li Guolou for his cunning and devious strategies, and used roundabout strategies to turn a major event that changed the rules of his ancestors into a new rhetoric, making it difficult for people to grasp the handle. He chuckled and said: "Master Weng, we are just casual Let’s talk. But those students who failed to pass the Jinshi exam should be given an extra path to choose. I think we should give those students who failed the exam a chance in life and not let them live in poverty all their lives. It takes six years to choose the Eight Immortals. A few people are too few. Well... this matter can be discussed in the court, it's not a big deal."
Prince Gong has long since practiced Buddhism and has become a Buddha. He doesn't care about any objections and expresses his ideas tepidly. Only after trying it will he know whether it will succeed?
Weng Tonghe had nothing to say and did not argue with Prince Gong. If they disagreed, they could only form cliques and engage in several head-to-head confrontations in the court. He had plans in mind to expose Li Guolou's sinister intentions to the world. Let students all over the world condemn this betrayal of Neo-Confucianism.
Li Guolou flexed the muscles on his face, trying to force out a smile, but he couldn't. He accidentally revealed that he was a fake foreign devil, and that he was in agreement with the ideas of the Westernizationists.
The great eunuch Liu Deyin shouted loudly: "The emperor has arrived!"
Emperor Tongzhi wore a moon-white solid gauze robe, a rose-colored satin Batulu vest, and yellow soft-soled boots. A sleek braid was swung behind his shaved black head, and a pair of slender The eyes are clear and shiny, and the bags under the eyelids are blue. Have a romantic and happy night.
After the bowing ceremony, only Li Guolou stood up to reply. Who said he was not qualified? He was so young that he could not even get the gift of sitting on a stool.
The great eunuch Liu Deyin took the memorial from Prince Gong, Weng Tonghe and Li Guolou and placed it on the desk next to Emperor Tongzhi. Emperor Tongzhi first took Prince Gong's memorial and looked through it before starting his day's work. He was about to take charge of the government. Emperor Tongzhi had begun to read the excerpts alone and no longer asked others to explain them to him. If there was anything he didn't understand, he would ask questions.
The title of Prince Gong's excerpt is: "Excerpts about selecting schoolchildren to study abroad."
This report was originally drafted by Li Hongzhang, Ding Richang took the title, Li Guolou participated in the discussion, and was finally reported to the emperor in the name of the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Office.
Together, Chen Tiao elaborated to the court three points on the benefits of sending public students to developed countries:
First, knowing the situation overseas can help you grasp the thinking of Western powers.
Second, you can learn in depth the methods of maps, algorithms, skydiving, sea surveying, shipbuilding, and shipbuilding.
Third, the Qing Dynasty could master the skills that European countries were good at, and then they could learn and use them for their own use, thereby achieving the goal of using foreigners to control foreigners.
Finally, he wrote: In recent years, the Qing Dynasty has understood and studied all the skills that foreigners are good at in setting up bureaus, manufacturing, opening libraries, and teaching. All the necessary funds have been allocated by decree, and they are determined to succeed. Although it is difficult, we are not afraid. No expense was spared, and over time, the results were gradually impressive. I decided to take some smart children to work abroad. Although I have slightly different ideas, they are actually the same.
Next is Prince Gong and Li Guolou's reply to Emperor Tongzhi, telling the benefits of the country sending public students to study abroad. They say it with enough honey. Li Guolou's mouth is much smoother than Prince Gong. He has the ability to study abroad. He also had practical experience in bribing foreigners. Although he did not talk about coaxing foreign girls, the things he said were that the Qing Dynasty defeated the foreigners. He also mentioned the story of him winning a boxing match in the French Concession. The pressure, pain, and life hanging by a thread all exploded at the last moment.
Emperor Tongzhi had already experienced Li Guolou's endless talk skills last time, and he listened with gusto again this time.
Weng Tonghe did not agree with sending bright students to Western countries, and was originally very resistant. But when he saw that Li Guolou had achieved success in his studies and needed Li Guolou to cooperate in setting up the "New Wutang", he did not like it. As usual, I had a life-and-death debate with Prince Gong. It was rare that I didn't have a quarrel with "Ji Zi Liu" and sit on the stool and listen to Li Guolou's speech.
Prince Gong felt relieved that he finally had another capable ally. One of his right-hand men was Li Hongzhang, and the other was Wen Xiang. However, Wen Xiang was in poor health and was old, so he was afraid that he would not be able to stay in the military aircraft for a long time. There was a sense of crisis on the verge of danger, and Li Guolou's sudden arrival exceeded his original idea. The opportunity to silence the Neo-Confucian master Weng Tonghe was once in a lifetime.
Emperor Tongzhi originally came to the study room to show his face. He took the note from the minister who went to the study room, made a few casual remarks, ended it as early as possible and went to play. Unexpectedly, Li Guolou took over the topic, and then he was attracted. I explained it to him and he had a clear understanding of the contents of "School Students to Study Abroad".
"Well, enjoy a bowl of mare's milk." Emperor Tongzhi sat cross-legged on the couch, drinking tea and continuing to read the book. He had already gathered his interest in playing. After a while, he said: "Prince Gong, your The memorial is very timely. In my opinion, we should recruit smart students at home first and train them first. How much time do you think we need to train at home before going abroad?"
Prince Gong said: "To inform the emperor, there are already a group of students from the Tongwen School in the capital who can be sent abroad, but the staff is too small. Only a few students have the ability to study abroad. The other students will need at least two years. In addition to teaching the students, they must master In addition to basic foreign languages, students must also be taught self-care skills. In addition, the consulates in the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States will provide reception and find boarding schools that can accept these students. This will enable these students to learn knowledge without distraction, and in the future Can contribute to the Qing Dynasty."
Emperor Tongzhi frowned and said: "France, Russia, and the Qing Dynasty are currently in a freezing period in their relations. What if they are unwilling to accept those international students?"
Li Guolou replied: "Master, it shouldn't be the case. This kind of government-sponsored overseas students is in the nature of sending each other. The French and Russians also want to know more about our Qing Dynasty, and they also hope to have the opportunity for overseas students to study in our country. As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy. , You can fight a hundred battles without danger. To understand the enemy, you must penetrate into the heart of the enemy. Both sides have the same idea. If our country does not accept international students, it will only be temporary. Soon, foreigners will communicate with our country for their own benefit. Like the British, become one of our best friends in the Qing Dynasty. There are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends in the face of interests. The master does not have to worry, the slave will definitely do the job well. "
Emperor Tongzhi glanced at Weng Tonghe who was silent and knew that it was rare for Weng Tonghe to speak without objection, so he did not ask Weng Tonghe for his opinion and said: "Well...then let's keep it quiet, Prince Gong." , you can do it first. When I take charge next month, I will give you an approval document."
Smart people have smart ways. Emperor Tongzhi agreed with the "Selected School Children to Study Abroad", but he stayed in it and did not want to make a big discussion in the court. .
"The Emperor's Holy Ming!" Prince Gong and Li Guolou stood up and bowed. The benefits of going to the study room were highlighted. The two of them cooperated without shoulders and attacked from both sides. After more than an hour of defense, Emperor Tongzhi sided with the Westernizers, and a Qing Dynasty man next to him The leader of the school did not say a word.
Emperor Tongzhi began to read Weng Tonghe's excerpts and was very satisfied with Li Guolou's performance today. A newcomer joined the study, and the lifeless atmosphere was renewed. After reading it at the beginning, he was pleasantly surprised again. Weng Tonghe's excerpts were about reorganization. The defense of the Sixth Army in the Gyeonggi area. The ministers of Guanghu really understand my heart. Let the Eight Banners become elite soldiers first. This is the consciousness that a slave should have.
Emperor Tongzhi picked up his pen, wrote Zhu Zhu, praised Weng Tonghe a few words, and then said: "Weng Tonghe, I have approved your report. First, it will be transferred to the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Office for discussion. There is a charter. The day after tomorrow, the Empress Dowager will come to court in the morning. The Queen’s decision.”
Seizing military power was what Er Niang taught him. The defense of the Sixth Army in the Gyeonggi region was a top priority for Emperor Tongzhi. He was very happy today. The information given by the three ministers in the study room were all great news and gave him something to do. Continue to be patient in reviewing the papers.
[Serialization in progress, please pay attention.]