Chapter 532: Sending the Ming Envoy Again (First Update, Please Subscribe)
That evening, in the study of the Beiyang Minister's Office.
"Jingfang, do you know why your father asked you to go to Nanhua?"
Governor Li asked his sixteen-year-old son.
"My father sent me there because he wanted me to learn Western knowledge so that I could serve the country in the future."
Li Jingfang answered respectfully.
He is the eldest son of Governor Li, but this eldest son is not his biological son. Nine years ago, Governor Li, who was over 40 years old, still had no children, so he adopted his brother's son.
However, two years later, Governor Li had his own son. Despite this, Governor Li also regarded him as his eldest son. In his heart, Li Jingfang was his lucky star. Since adopting this son, he has been promoted rapidly in his career. Moreover, Li Jingfang was extremely smart and a promising talent. Therefore, after having a biological son, facing the rumors that Li Jingfang was not the eldest son, Li Hongzhang solemnly announced: "Li Jingfang is my adopted son", officially clarifying Li Jingfang's status as the "number one brother" in the Li family.
It was precisely because of this inside story that Governor Li felt it necessary to instruct his son on some things before he went to Nanhua.
"You are so stupid. If your father just wanted someone to learn Western affairs, why would he let you go there in person? There are more than a thousand people available in the apprenticeship school."
After a gentle reprimand, Governor Li said again.
"Your father is sending you to Nanhua not only to learn Western knowledge, but more importantly, to learn the knowledge of a powerful country. After all, you are the eldest son of the Li family, so if you don't go, who will?"
Li Jingfang's eyes welled up at his father's instructions, and he quickly knelt down and kowtowed.
"Father, how could I not know how much you have done for me? But now that I have gone to Nanhua, I will not be able to show my filial piety to you anymore..."
Looking at his son kneeling on the ground, Governor Li sighed.
"Foolish child, as long as you can return after completing your studies, you will have fulfilled your filial duty to your father. Go, and don't let your father down!"
A few days later, in Haizhou, when Li Jingfang and his 123 accompanying students "disguised as immigrants" boarded the departing immigrant ship, Governor Li said while standing in a restaurant near the dock.
"Brother, is this move of mine right or wrong?"
Standing beside him, Liu Kunpeng said.
"In today's world, if China wants to become stronger, it must seek knowledge from the world. Although the universities in Ming Dynasty are not as good as those in Europe and America, there is no language barrier to study abroad. For the Governor, sending students to Ming Dynasty is the best choice."
In fact, even when Liu Kunpeng said this, he didn't know what kind of history this group of students studying in the Ming Dynasty created. But one thing is certain: starting from 1871, studying in the Ming Dynasty became not only the first choice of Governor Li, but also the first choice of Governor Zeng and the Heavenly Kingdom to send students abroad. After all, the language barrier is the biggest obstacle for sending students to learn Western knowledge. Because the Chinese characters are the common language in the Ming Dynasty, the time cost of learning the language is completely zero. In addition, because the national strength of the Ming Dynasty developed rapidly, especially through the actual experience of sending troops to France to assist in the war, its national strength was fully verified. This made many knowledgeable people realize that studying in the Ming Dynasty can be more direct and effective than studying in Europe and the United States, and take fewer detours.
On February 13, 1871, when the immigrant ship "Fumin" set sail towards the other side of the ocean, a heated discussion was taking place in Tokyo, Japan.
"If Japan wants to become rich and powerful, it must send students to Ming. Not only will the students have no problem speaking the language, but Ming is one of the most powerful countries today. Not only do they have unique spaceships in the world, but they also have automatic cars. All of this is derived from science, but that's not important!"
Looking at Okubo Toshimichi, Ito Hirobumi said.
"The important thing is that it only took the Ming Dynasty ten years to become one of the powerful nations. This is what we should learn. Ten years ago, Nanhua was just a wasteland with only tens of thousands of people. But what about now?"
When mentioning the Ming Dynasty, Itō Hirobumi's tone was full of longing. He had always been seeking ways to enrich the country and strengthen the military, but he never thought that the example of a rich and strong country was right before his eyes.
"Not only did they gain a firm foothold in Western countries, but they also sent troops to Europe. Their industrial products were also sold all over the world. Aren't these things very worthy of our learning?"
"Indeed, who would have thought that last year, when the Ming Dynasty, well, also wanted Nanhua, to occupy Ryukyu, we used it as an example, but that was it. But now? They can directly send troops to Europe to participate in the war, and they can even defeat the 100,000-strong army of North Germany with inferior forces. Such a powerful military force is really unexpected!"
When talking about the strength of the Ming army, Okubo Toshimichi was even a little glad that there was no direct conflict with Nanhua over the Ryukyu issue last year, and that the matter was settled peacefully. Otherwise, the fleet sent by Nanhua would probably not only visit the Qing Dynasty, but would also visit Japan. By that time, it would probably not be as simple as signing a treaty.
"Yes, when we were still arrogant, even Britain, the world's most powerful country, had to swallow its anger in front of them. It's really hard to imagine!"
The more the story spread, the more the British would regret it if they knew that their fear of firing would be seen as weakness in the East. However, there is no medicine for regret in this world.
For the East Asian countries that were accustomed to oppression by Westerners, especially for Japan, a country that was eager to find a way to enrich the country and strengthen the military, the sudden rise of the Ming Dynasty was like a rising sun illuminating the darkness. After all, before that, they had no idea how to enrich the country and strengthen the military. It was like being in the dark and having no idea what to do. But now that there was a living example right in front of them, they naturally wanted to learn from them.
"That's why we should learn from them. I specifically asked someone to go to Ryukyu to inquire. The cost of studying at Nanhua is very low. As long as you pass the high school ability test, you can apply for university. As for the language, it is also very convenient. After all, anyone from a noble family will always be able to read and write Chinese characters."
Taking a deep breath, Ito Hirofumi said,
"Although this visit is for the purpose of revising the treaty, the most important thing is to visit and study the advanced culture and systems of European and American countries for reference. My suggestion is to include the Ming Dynasty in the list, and even make it the first destination of this trip. After all, the Ming Dynasty is really worth learning and emulating!"
Mentioned
"Let's go to Ming! If we can really find a way to become rich and strong there, then we must send our people to learn, just like the "Tang Envoys" in history. Those "Tang Envoys" changed Japan. Learning from China has been a tradition and custom of Japan for thousands of years. I think no one should object to learning from China!"
Back then, they overthrew the shogunate by expelling foreigners, but what about now? What Okubo Toshimichi and his people promoted was a more radical "Westernization" than the shogunate, and it was for this reason that they were opposed by many anti-foreigners. Although Okubo Toshimichi was ruthless and ruthless in his reform, no matter whether he was an enemy or a friend, anyone who stood in his way would be wiped out.
But it is also extremely important to reduce some opposition.
"Yes, it's time to learn from China again!"
Once upon a time, with the demise of the Ming Dynasty, Japan was extremely contemptuous of China after China became a barbarian under the rule of the Qing Dynasty. But now the rise of the Ming Dynasty has once again allowed Japan to see a role model to learn from.
What's more important is that this example is indeed a good example worth learning from. They have achieved what other countries have failed to achieve in decades in just ten years.
Thinking of this, Okubo Toshimichi said with some emotion.
"Oh! I really want to know what this Ming Dynasty looks like!"
(End of this chapter)
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