Duanmu Ci glanced at the vice principal, and his evaluation of him became more specific.
The relationship between China and Japan is arguably one of the most complex in the world. While relations have been continuous for millennia, they have deteriorated into bitter enmity in modern times. Generally speaking, if citizens of the two countries meet and feel compatible, they should avoid discussing history, as this risks a breakdown in the discussion and an unpleasant ending.
This is similar to the idea that it's best for French and Germans not to talk about history.
His words were eloquent, but somewhat unrestrained; perhaps he was a bit of a literary youth, but it wasn't a big problem—that was Duanmu Ci's impression of this vice principal.
Duanmu Ci thought for a moment and replied, “Ito Hirobumi is indeed a man of vision. He transformed from a samurai of a regional state into a minister of the Meiji Restoration. His talent, insight, and circumstances were all rare talents in our East a hundred years ago. However, our country is not without such figures. I believe that someone like Li Hongzhang, the Minister of Beiyang, could rival Ito Hirobumi.”
The vice principal nodded. "I have read Ito Hirobumi's biography, in which he spoke highly of your country's Li Hongzhang! He regarded him as 'the only person in the Qing Empire who was capable of competing with the world's great powers.' Even when judging the scholars and officials of Japan, Ito Hirobumi never made such a comment."
Duanmu Ci sighed, “When the enemy was pressing in, it was a time for people to swallow their anger and speak out. Even bystanders felt heartbroken, let alone Li Hongzhang, who had experienced it firsthand. Later generations have made many slanderous remarks, all attributing the humiliations of modern times to Li Hongzhang alone, which is truly unfair. If it weren’t for Li Hongzhang’s effective mediation, China would have been completely divided up by the great powers long ago, and the country would not have been able to survive. How could there have been any chance to rebuild the nation later?”
The vice principal smiled and said, "I also know a little about the general opinion of Chinese people regarding Li Hongzhang. They regard him as a treacherous minister and a criminal, bearing the infamy of Qin Hui while carrying out the grand strategies of Zhuge Liang. On the contrary, foreigners and Chinese people of his time have a high opinion of him, almost equivalent to Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Prussia. It must be said that Li was indeed an excellent minister, but unfortunately he was born at the wrong time."
“Yes,” Duanmu Ci sighed slightly, “If circumstances were different, Ito Hirobumi wouldn’t have done as well as Li Hongzhang in China, and Li Hongzhang might not have done as badly as Ito Hirobumi in Japan!”
The two sat under the pavilion, discussing heroes of the past and present, their conversation quite lively, somewhat like a "discussion of heroes over wine." Unfortunately, there was no wine, only a few listeners.
Over the course of more than two thousand years, Duanmu Ci made many acquaintances among historical figures, but he did not have a deep relationship with Li Hongzhang. However, this did not prevent him from making some fair evaluations of Li Hongzhang, after all, he also came from that turbulent era when China was in decline.
In an era when the nation was on the verge of collapse, Li Hongzhang had both merits and demerits. However, when this ancient ship was about to sink, he repeatedly acted as its shipwright, preventing it from sinking too quickly. "Governing a weak country is like repairing a dilapidated room," and Li Hongzhang spent his entire life as the patcher of this "dilapidated room" called the Great Qing Dynasty.
So when the "paperhanger" died, the "house" collapsed.
This topic is too heavy for Chinese people, and it's understandable that the vice principal, being a literary youth, didn't know how to avoid it. In the following conversation, Duanmu Ci gradually shifted the topic, bringing the matter back on track.
They discussed the travel arrangements.
After speaking for a while, the vice principal suddenly said, "How about I invite Mr. Duanmu to give a lecture at our school in a couple of days? He can choose the topic himself."
It was clear that Duanmu Ci's performance in the previous discussion had impressed the vice principal, which was why he made this suggestion.
This was something Duanmu Ci hadn't expected, since he was just a lecturer at Haishan University, and it probably wasn't his turn to give a lecture.
However, this suggestion is not bad... Duanmu Ci was somewhat tempted.
...
...
P.S.: The "Under-the-Eyebrows" item will be available on October 1st!
Thank you to readers [Dugu Zuimian], [Bai Youmo], [Xingguan 1969], [Loulan Diao], and [Suqiu] for their recommendation votes! Reading Home! Official website:
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