Chapter 103 Will he give up?

It was drizzling outside the window. At night, from time to time, cars drove into the porch in front of the U.S. Embassy, and the star-Spangled Banner on the flagpole of the embassy yard had already fallen down. The rain flowed down their cheeks from the brim of the guards' hats, but these marine sentries stood straight and did not pay attention to the rain on their faces.

The female guests of the U.S. Embassy were crowded at the entrance. From time to time, the female guests made bursts of laughter, and the embassy in the corridor agreed with Mr. Roger. The muste on her lips droop slightly, and her pale face was full of wrinkles, with a tired look. Only when welcoming guests. Only then can the smile of the professional surname be shown.

This is a reception banquet held by the U.S. Embassy. On the one hand, it is to deepen ties with the Chinese diplomatic department and other political axe agencies, and on the other hand, it is also to maintain contact with the envoys in China. Almost since the founding of the Chinese Empire, the United States has been in a certain process in many aspects. To some extent, it has hurt the interests of some countries in China, and now the staff in the embassy believe that it is the political gesture shown by the United States that makes it possible for further coordination between the United States and China.

But not all countries are happy to comment, especially for countries like the United Kingdom, which also have the "traditional" influence, which enjoys the most interests in China.

After welcoming the French minister and counselor in China, Roger turned to Henry beside him and said.

"Well, what do you think of His Majesty the Emperor of China?"

Coloe Henry is a new embassy naval attaché just appointed two weeks ago, and was received by His Majesty the Emperor himself and the Queen. Although there is such a practice to some extent, in the diplomatic community, he is still a little surprised to receive Colonel Henry for His Majesty the Emperor.

"I was very impressed. He speaks English very fluently.

In the face of Roger's question, if Henry answered his opinion of the emperor, the young and somewhat surprising emperor seemed to be a legend to Henry and many people to some extent.

"He is fluent in more than English!"

Roger shrugged his shoulders and smiled at the rain curtain.

"Huh? I think His Majesty is better at inventions!"

Looking at the more than a dozen cars parked in the parking lot of the yard, Henry said truthfully that on the cruise ship from the United States to China, he had carefully looked through the emperor's official information and folk reports.

From businessman to emperor!

For Americans, the experience and changes of the emperor himself are a dreamlike legend, but if those materials are put together, it is the real legend.

"Composers, successful businessmen, improving cars, inventing airplanes, I heard that there is a yard in His Majesty's palace, which is for His Majesty's invention, and even the front mortar widely used by the [***] team, also comes from the invention of the emperor!"

"Really? Well, it seems that His Majesty's hobbies are very extensive.

"Do you know?"

Counsellor Roger smiled.

"When facing him, to put all this aside, you must consider that his mind is not the brains of businessmen, artists and inventors, but... politicians."

When Henry was slightly stunned, Roger wiped his slightly larger nose than ordinary people. When he was a teenager, his nose used to be the key point of other people's ridicule. Even in the current diplomatic circles in Nanjing, everyone knows the "big nose" diplomat, but most people don't know his name.

"Coloe Henry, didn't you and your wife talk to him for a long time? Henry, what did you all talk about?

"Nothing, just talking about some interesting things that happened to His Majesty the Emperor in the United States."

shrugged his shoulders, but Henry did not answer. After all, the conversation between the two involved some ** topics, which could only be reported to the ambassador himself and the U.S. Naval Intelligence Service, and finally reported to President Roosevelt.

Henry did not answer, and Roger did not continue to ask. "His Majesty has lived in the United States for more than ten years, and even pretended to be a foreign student to listen to college courses in Massachusetts, Yale, Harvard and other universities!"

When Henry met the emperor, the emperor himself said and even mentioned some interesting things that happened on the university campus, and he felt most regrettable that those university professors and even his classmates did not notice him as an Asian. Yes, who would notice the Asian on the university campus. Where are the people?

"Indeed, I once said that he should probably send a check to Massachusetts, Yale and Harvard to compensate for his tuition!"

"So how did he answer?"

Roger became curious about this question.

"He said, "My tuition is free. Let's take advantage of them, but I didn't take it for nothing. This year, China will prepare to send no less than 2,000 international students to the United States, which is a reward at that time!" But..."

Thinking of a pleasant chat with the emperor himself, Henry couldn't help smiling.

"In my opinion, his goal of sending a large number of international students to the United States may be because of the promotion of American education methods. After all, he has a corresponding study abroad experience in the United States, doesn't he?"

Looking at Colonel Henry with a smile on his face, Roger didn't say anything, but when he took a step forward, he turned around and spit out a sentence.

"Do you know the department that decides to send international students? It's the Imperial Ministry of Education!"

The rain is still falling, and the rain washes away the dust from the branches and leaves in the green walls and tiles of the Ministry of Education of the Empire. The Ministry of Education of the Empire is one of the few national administrative agencies in Nanjing that have not built new office buildings, but it still uses the Ministry of Education of Education in the south of the Qing Dynasty, which has won a reputation.

"It takes 3 million yuan to build a building. Since the current house can still be used, let's continue to use it. 3 million yuan is enough to send 300 to 400 students to study abroad, and the cost of returning from studying! Compared with buildings, China still needs college students more!"

Cai Yuanpei, as the Minister of Education, said these words in exchange for the praise of the rejuvenation of the country, and even the emperor himself took out 7 million yuan, saying that he wanted the Ministry of Education to send more excellent students to study abroad, and the business gentry from all over the country generously. Last year, the three million yuan in the building of the Ministry of Education was built. In the end, it became a special fund of 30 million yuan for studying abroad in the "Education Fund", and 3,000 students got the opportunity to study abroad, which was even sent again under the premise that the first batch of students sent by the Ministry of Education had not yet enrolled.

"Seeking knowledge in the world!"

For China, which is a hundred years behind the world, only by seeking knowledge in the world can there be a day when the country is rich and strong. In the view of foreigners, China's large-scale dispatch of international students has always been just a bit of China's intention to revitalize the country with education.

But is that really the case?

"The spirit of reading, the thought of freedom!"

In the signing room of the former Jiangnan Xuezheng, on the north wall of the office of the Minister of Education and the Minister of Education, a strong middle hall with strong word marks are hanging on the wall, and such a sentence hanging on the middle wall of the office of the Minister of Education, rather than the statue of His Majesty, will always make people feel a little strange.

And this difference shows the difference between the Ministry of Education and other political axe institutions.

Although it was late and it was early to get off work, Cai Yuanpei was still reading. The letters just delivered in the evening were more than a dozen letters from all over the country. Compared with the offices of most officials, his office was no different - the area was not very large, and the wall was made of steel filing cabinets. The cabinet is full of all kinds of documents and materials, and there is also a large bookcase with a large number of books.

There is a window in this office, and you can see the small garden. Every day, when he feels tired, Cai Yuanpei stands by the window, looks at the garden outside the window, and relaxes his heartstrings. Like everyone's office, this office is filled with a faint ink fragrance, which is exactly the unique smell of the Chinese office.

"Zhihui, look at this letter! It was sent by Ambassador Liang Cheng to the United States!"

While speaking, Cai Yuanpei had a smile on his face. He had been waiting for the letter sent by Liang Cheng. In fact, he had been waiting for half a year.

Last year, after the devaluation of silver again, Britain, France, Italy and other countries forced China to pay Gengzi compensation with gold. When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was negotiating in Nanjing at the same time, embassies and embassies in various countries were also holding talks with them in order to open a breakthrough. Last year, December In early November, Liang Cheng, the minister to the United States, held negotiations with U.S. Secretary of State Hay John on whether to repay Geng's money with gold or silver.

During the conversation, Hai John revealed: "There are too many Gengzi compensation cases..." This information was immediately captured by Liang Cheng. He realized that the American political axe had found that its relevant departments had the phenomenon of "floating" in the loss of reporting the Gengzi Rebellion. Liang Cheng immediately changed his negotiation strategy. Instead of entangling with Hay John with whether to use gold or silver for compensation, he took advantage of the gap and lost it. It was impossible for the Americans to take out the money in their pockets again, but he could change the way to let them take it out.

Then Liang Cheng secretly sent a telegram to China, hoping that China could approve the use of a refund from the United States as the cost of running a university and sending international students in China. The reason for putting forward this opinion was that his judgment was that both the American political axe and the people would support this plan. Cai Yuanpei, as the Minister of Education, naturally did not oppose this intention. Naturally, he tried his best to promote this matter, and he didn't even need to promote it. His Majesty, who had not yet ascended the throne, approved the matter as soon as he received the report.

Later, after receiving the full authorization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liang Cheng conducted direct negotiations with Hay John in the United States on the refund of the school. Since the beginning of the negotiations, Cai Yuanpei has been paying attention to the results of the negotiations. Today's letter is the most encouraging news after so many days of waiting, even more than the negotiation table. On the way, Hay John agreed to return half of the US$107,852.286 to China year by year, which is even more exciting.

"In the fourth year of the first year, at least 300 students will be sent to the United States every year. From the fifth year, at least 400 students will be sent every year until the refund is used up. Geng will be refunded to pay tuition fees, and China will pay for living expenses. Americans agree to this. According to Liang Chengxin, Geng will be refunded. At least 10,000 students can be trained for China!"

"The Geng-style international students are matched with official international students. Ten years later... Ten years later, China's education is very different from today!"

"Heqing, don't be happy so early!"

Wu Jingheng directly interrupted Cai Yuanpei's words.

"Your Majesty may not be very happy!"

Compared with Wu Jingheng to a certain extent, I believe that His Majesty may not be willing to see Chinese students go out of the United States, although the education policy of "loyalty to the monarch and patriotism, military education and strengthening the people, including the grand ceremony, conturing all families, freedom of thought, and inclusiveness" was approved by His Majesty, and even in that "wind" In Bo, although some university professors are involved, the university is the amulet of the professors. They just say some "free words" under the educational policy of "freedom of thought and inclusiveness", so they have not been shocked at all.

On the other hand, the "spirit of reading power, free thinking!" on campus at present, all benefit from your majesty's "grace". What if one day your majesty can't tolerate all this? For a long time, Wu Jingheng has been worried about this problem. In that disturbance, people have seen His Majesty's iron fist, and thousands of people have been arrested, followed by prosecution. And at the time of prosecution, in the face of the evidence listed by the prosecutor, although the defendant did not admit it, in the face of sufficient solid evidence, The dignity of the empire is successfully maintained by the judicial system of the country.

And what about Your Majesty? In the end, he generously pardoned some elderly people, or some "prisoners" with good social reputation and influence. In their gratitude, His Majesty was praised by all the people. Even when more than 1,000 people were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, in the face of the prosecutor's questioning, foreigners "violating the inspection" in this series. After the judgment of the inspector's subjective and actual political pressure, China's legal system was gradually trusted by European and American countries, and it was through some comments from foreigners that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began to discuss the abolition of extraterrary law.

"Although you and I don't know what your majesty thinks, your majesty is more inclined to Germany than the United States, which advocates "freedom". Although the constitution has not been decided now, you and I both understand that China's constitution will eventually be based on the German constitution, not the British constitution, Your Majesty..."

With a wry smile, Wu Jingheng did not continue to say that the constitution is your majesty's promise, but how about the constitution? What kind of constitution will be formulated? Although it is finally submitted to the Consultative House for deliberation, what kind of constitution will be considered by the Consultative Council? For those councilors who are eager to get the title of "noble", it is nothing new that they will succumb to the imperial power.

Silence. In the face of Wu Jingheng's problem, Cai Yuanpei chose to be silent. Although he is concerned about the school and students, there are some things that always need to be done.

After a moment of silence, Cai Yuanpei looked at Wu Jingheng in front of him and said nothing. Instead, he stood up and walked slowly towards the window, looking at the garden in the rain, looking at the branches and leaves swaying in the wind and rain like a sigh.

"Some things we all know. When the people chose the emperor, we were worried! Because I'm worried about this new bottle of old wine! China's imperial power will be far greater than civil rights, maybe!"

Taking a breath, Cai Yuanpei finally said what he had always thought.

"In China, from prime ministers, to mayors and county magistrates, and even affairs officials from cities and counties, officials are directly appointed by the emperor, which seems to be no different from the past. It seems that we have walked around and walked back to the original path, but at least, we should also see the progress of China now!"

Cai Yuanpei's voice was not loud, but there seemed to be a suspicion of exclaiming the emperor.

"At least now the Consultative Council has the power to reject the cabinet decree, and the cabinet also has the power to reject the emperor's decree! Of course, you can also question the cabinet and officials of various ministries, and in the local advisory bureaus, they can directly impeach local officials, which is an unprecedented progress in China!"

"Yes, this is progress, but you and I both understand that this is just a compromise. Compared with the original promise, these fulfilled rights are a compromise. Didn't Mei Enping say it in court?" Consultative Bureau, Consultative Bureau, consultation, discussion, but no decision. What's the use of such consultation!"

Wu Jingheng didn't go on to say the following words. He always compromised with reality. Just like after returning from studying in the United States, he chose to be a small official in the capital. He may be eager for something in his heart, but reality is reality. Now it is not so much nagging, but it is not caused by warning Cai Yuanpei. A phrase of.

"As Your Majesty once said, there has never been an ultimate goal. There is only social progress!"

"This is also a kind of progress! Therefore, what is worth believing in is progress itself, which is exactly what we are going to do, or what they are going to do. Once a person tastes the taste of freedom, he naturally wants to enjoy the air of freedom. A bird that was born and imprisoned can't feel the smell of the forest. But once he is allowed to stretch his wings, no matter how luxurious the confinement space is, it can't stop his desire to fly to the free sky even in a storm!"

When he opened his mouth and said something like this, Cai Yuanpei looked back.

"That's why I hope they go to the United States. The spirit of freedom is not only limited to academics, but also extends from academics to personality. Spiritual freedom. Many things are changed little by little... Just like society, it is also a little progress!"

He bowed his head slightly. Cai Yuanpei didn't know that he was still not a competent "imperial political axe official". What he did... Those international students may not change anything, but what about the future? They will become the pillars of this country in the next ten or twenty years. At that time, their descendants and students were in their prime. Finally, under their promotion, the country will gradually change towards a good side.

"Although I don't agree, but..."

Hearing these words, Wu Jingheng, who understood what Cai Yuanpei thought in his heart, spit out a sentence.

"Your Majesty once said that any power is won, not given by others. Do you think that if there is a day, when people fight for power from him in order to make progress, will he give up power?"

(to be continued)