Chapter 331 Meeting Yixian Again
"I hope to see you again in Solvay for the next meeting!" Before leaving, Lang Zhiwan and Madame Curie came specially to see him off.
"I hope so. I also want to communicate with you often. Unfortunately, China is too far from Europe. I also have teaching and research work to do, so I may not be able to spare the time." Zhang Xingjiu said helplessly.
"I heard that there has been a revolution in your country and the corrupt barbarian rulers are about to end their rule. I hope your country will get better soon. If I have time, I would also like to visit your country." Lang Zhiwan offered his warm blessings.
"If the time is right, I will send a telegram to invite you over." Having said this, the train was about to depart. Zhang Xingjiu boarded the train and waved goodbye to them from the window.
After drifting on the sea for more than a month, Zhang Xingjiu returned to Shanghai in mid-December. At this time, the domestic situation had undergone new changes. As soon as they met, Ma Xiangbo excitedly introduced them to him.
The world's dissatisfaction with the Qing Dynasty had been going on for many years, and the Wuchang Uprising quickly ignited this fire. Many provinces, especially some provinces in the south that had long contact with the outside world, had more open minds, and had stronger revolutionary forces, responded quickly. In a short period of time, the Qing court lost control of half of the country.
The Qing court had no choice but to re-employ Yuan Shikai, hoping that Yuan Xiangcheng could continue to maintain the rule of the Qing court like Zeng Guofan. However, when Zeng Guofan suppressed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, some people tried to test whether he had the intention to challenge the throne. Moreover, the ruling power of the Qing court was even weaker now. Yuan Xiangcheng did not intend to die for the Qing court. The Qing court had previously sent him home like a beggar, and now they wanted him to take the blame when something happened? How could such a cheap thing happen in the world? Moreover, the Qing court was about to collapse, and it was a time for the world to compete for supremacy. If he was lucky, he might even be able to challenge the throne. On the one hand, he acted like a loyal minister of the court to stabilize the Qing court, and on the other hand, he took a positive attitude to contact the revolutionaries.
The inexperienced revolutionaries were indeed fooled. They felt that as long as a republican government was established and a Han Chinese became the president, the revolution would be successful, and there would be no big deal about a ceasefire and peace talks with the north.
So Wang Jingwei and Yang Du each represented one side and formed the "National Freemasonry" to discuss matters such as the union of the North and the South, forcing the Qing emperor to abdicate, and electing Yuan Shikai as the president. The South was also preparing to nominate a representative to compete with Yuan Shikai for this position. After much discussion, it was decided that only Sun Yat-sen was qualified.
"Mr. Yixian is now preparing to return to China from the United States by boat. He will arrive in Shanghai in a few days. By then, all major issues will be settled, and China will also usher in a new life. Perhaps it will become as prosperous and strong as Japan." Ma Xiangbo was very optimistic about the current situation.
Zhang Xingjiu couldn't help but pour a bucket of cold water on him. "I don't think so. Looking at the revolutionary history of countries around the world, the old class was either cleared out through war or after a long period of evolution. Even if the North and South can unite to make the little emperor abdicate, the old forces will still exist, and they will still hinder China's progress towards a modern society."
It's not that he deliberately wanted to displease his father-in-law. If Ma Xiangbo was just his father-in-law, he could just say a few nice words to please him. But he is also the president of Aurora University, responsible for the future of thousands of teachers and students, so he has to think further ahead.
"I heard that Jiangsu only used bamboo poles to pick up a few eaves tiles on the main hall of the governor's office to show its revolution. The advisory councils of various provinces are still mostly made up of landlords, gentry, merchants or old bureaucrats, and they still control the military, financial and personnel powers."
Zhang Xingjiu also gave some examples of people they were familiar with. "Looking at the current situation, even if the North and South unite and the president replaces the emperor, they still have the final say in Shanghai's education sector. Do you think they will change their attitude and strongly support our school because it is now the Republic of China?"
Ma Xiangbo had not reacted to the previous big talk, but when he heard the last few specific names, he finally realized that the situation was not as optimistic as before, so he quickly asked, "Then is the success of the revolution meaningless?"
"Yes, and it is of great significance! It has been two thousand years since the first emperor unified the six kingdoms. The establishment of the Republic of China has let the people know that the world can still be fine without an emperor! Once the people's wisdom is opened, it will not be easy to close it again! The change from the imperial system to the republic is already a great progress. The environment for our school can also be more relaxed. But we can't be careless and think that we can sit back and relax!"
"That's true. It's a new dynasty and a new atmosphere. Even if they refuse to change their ways, they shouldn't go too far at the beginning." Ma Xiangbo finally regained some smile on his face.
After saying a lot of bad news, Zhang Xingjiu also revealed some good news, "I met Mr. Yixian when I was touring the United States with Zongwen, and we have kept in touch since then. I also received his telegram before returning to China this time. He wanted to invite me to serve in the new government, but I declined. I still only want to do research and run a school, and I have no interest in participating in politics."
Sun Yat-sen offered Zhang Xingjiu a price for the position of Minister of Education, but Zhang Xingjiu knew that this position would not allow him to play a very big role. Of course, he did not let Sun Yat-sen down too much, and immediately transferred him a sum of money so that he would have more money in his pocket when he returned to China, so that he could do his work more easily.
"But I have discussed many ideas about education with him before, and he is very supportive. He himself has received modern education, so if he can become president in the future, he will definitely make more progress in the field of education than the Qing court, and our Aurora University will also have a good opportunity for development. Let's run Aurora University well first, and if we have spare capacity, we can think about other things."
"You are not impulsive at all at such a young age, but it's good this way. Let's make preparations first so that it won't be in vain in the future." Ma Xiangbo accepted Zhang Xingjiu's proposal.
Zhang Xingjiu muttered to himself that after adding up the several worlds, his mental age had long been over a hundred years old. If he was still impulsive, then at this age he was really living a useless life.
A few days later, the passenger ship carrying Sun Yat-sen arrived in Shanghai. The dock was crowded with people. Revolutionaries, passionate young people, and even local gentry and old bureaucrats came here to greet him.
When Sun Yat-sen appeared at the top of the gangway, deafening cheers immediately rang out at the scene, which was truly what everyone expected.
Going down the gangway, Sun Yat-sen shook hands with the leading figures one by one. At the same time, he spotted Zhang Xingjiu in the crowd and quickly stepped forward to shake his hand. "Mr. Zhang, I finally see you again."
(End of this chapter)
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