That evening, I was in the study room of the Beiyang Minister's residence.
"Jing Fang, you know why my father asked me to go to Nanhua!"
Facing his sixteen-year-old son, Governor Li asked.
"The father sent the child there because he must have wanted the child to learn Western knowledge in preparation for serving the country in the future."
Li Jingfang replied 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 forty years old, still had no children, so he adopted his brother's son into his name.
However, two years later, Governor Li had a biological son. Despite this, Governor Li also regarded him as his eldest son. In his heart, Li Jingfang was even his lucky star. Since he adopted this son, he has become a prosperous official.
Moreover, Li Jingfang was extremely smart and a talent that could be made. Therefore, after having his biological son, Li Hongzhang solemnly declared: "Li Jingfang is my heir" in the face of rumors that Li Jingfang was not the eldest son, officially clarifying Li Jingfang's role in the Li family
The status of "first brother".
It was precisely because of this inside story that Governor Li felt it necessary to tell his son some things before he went to Nanhua.
"Hu Tu, if my father just wants people to learn Westernization, why should I let you go in person? There are more than thousands of people available in the apprentice school?"
After scolding him softly, Governor Li said again.
"My father asked you to go to Nanhua to learn not only Western knowledge, but more importantly, the knowledge of a powerful country. After all, you are the eldest son of Li, who will go if you don't go!"
His father's instructions made Li Jingfang's eyes heat up, and he hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed.
"How can the child not know that the father has worked hard, but if he goes to South China, he will not be able to fulfill his filial piety..."
Looking at his son kneeling on the ground, Governor Li sighed.
"Children, as long as you can study and come back, you will have fulfilled your filial piety to your father. Go ahead and don't let your father down!"
A few days later, when Li Jingfang and the 123 accompanying students "disguised as immigrants" boarded the departing immigration ship in Haizhou, Governor Li said while standing in a restaurant near the dock.
"Brother Xian, is my move right or wrong?"
Standing beside him, Liu Kunpeng said.
"In today's world, if China wants to be strong, it must seek knowledge from the world. Although the universities in Ming Dynasty are not as good as those in Europe and the United States, there are no language barriers to study there. For the governor, sending overseas students to Ming Dynasty is the best
s Choice."
In fact, even when Liu Kunpeng said these words, he did not know what kind of history this group of students studying in Ming Dynasty created. But one thing is certain that starting from 1871, studying in Ming Dynasty not only became Li
The governor's first choice also became the first choice for governor Zeng and the Kingdom of Heaven to send overseas students. After all, language barrier is the biggest obstacle to sending students to learn Western culture. Because the Chinese language is the prevailing language in the Ming Dynasty, the time cost of learning the language is completely zero.
In addition, because the national power of the Ming Dynasty developed rapidly, especially through the fact that the Ming Dynasty sent troops to France to assist in the war, his national power was fully verified. This made many knowledgeable people realize that studying in the Ming Dynasty would be better than
Learning from Europe and the United States can be more direct and effective and avoid detours.
On February 13, 1871, when the immigration ship "Fumin" set sail towards the other side of the ocean, a heated discussion was going on in Tokyo, Japan.
"If Japan wants to make the country rich and powerful, it must send overseas students to the Ming Dynasty. Not only is there no problem with the language of the students studying there, but the Ming Dynasty is actually one of the most powerful countries today. Not only does it have a unique spaceship in the world,
, and also owning automatic cars, all of which are derived from science, but these are not important!”
Looking at Okubo Toshimichi, Yin Teng Bowen said.
"The important thing is that it only took Ming Dynasty ten years to become one of the powerful countries. This is what we have to learn from. Ten years ago, Nanhua was just a wasteland with less than 10,000 people.
But what about now?"
When he mentioned the Ming Dynasty, Yin Teng's tone was full of longing. He had always been looking for ways to enrich the country and strengthen the army, but he never thought that an example of enriching the country and strengthening the army was right in front of him.
"Not only have they established a foothold in Western countries, they have also sent troops to Europe, and their industrial products have been sold all over the world. Aren't these things worth learning from?"
"Indeed, who would have thought that last year, when the Ming Dynasty, well, when it wanted to occupy Nanhua and 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 also
To be able to completely defeat North Germany's 100,000-strong army with inferior troops, such a strong military strength is really unexpected!"
When it comes to the strong military strength of the Ming Dynasty, Okubo Toshimichi was even a little lucky that there was no direct conflict with Nanhua on the Ryukyu issue last year, and the matter was settled. Otherwise, the fleet sent by Nanhua would not only visit the Qing Dynasty, but would probably even
Japan will also visit us. By that time, it will probably be more than just signing a treaty.
"Yes, when we were still arrogant, even the United Kingdom, the most powerful country in the world today, actually swallowed in front of them. It's really hard to imagine!"
As the stories spread more and more, if the British knew that their daring to fire cannons was known as weakness in the East, they would probably regret it in their guts, but there is no regret medicine in this world.
For East Asian countries accustomed to Western oppression, especially for Japan, a country that is eager to seek strategies to enrich its country and strengthen its military, the sudden rise of the Ming Dynasty is like a tomorrow that lights up the dark night. After all, here,
Before, they had no idea how rich and powerful the country was and how powerful it was. It was as if they were in the dark, and they couldn't figure it out. But now that living examples are right in front of them, they naturally hope to learn from them.
"That's why we should learn from them. Moreover, I specifically asked people to go to Ryukyu to inquire. The cost of studying in Nanhua University is very low. As long as you pass the high school proficiency test, you can apply for university. As for the language, it is also extremely convenient. After all,
, as long as anyone comes from a noble family, he will always be able to read and write Chinese characters."
Taking a deep breath, Yin Teng Bowen said,
"Also, although this trip is for the purpose of revising the treaty, the most important thing is to visit and inspect the advanced cultures and systems of European and American countries for reference. My suggestion is to include the Ming Dynasty among them, and it can even be the first item on this trip.
A destination, after all, Ming Dynasty is really worth learning and emulating!"
mentioned
"Go to the Ming Dynasty! If we can really find strategies for prosperity and strength there, then we must send our people to learn from it, just like the "envoys to the Tang Dynasty" in history. Those "envoys to the Tang Dynasty" changed Japan. Learning from China has been Japan's mission for thousands of years.
I want to learn from China’s traditions and habits, and there shouldn’t be any objection from anyone!”
Back then, they relied on fighting the barbarians to overthrow the shogunate, but what about now? Okubo Toshimichi and the others promoted a more radical "Westernization" than the shogunate. Because of this, they were opposed by many anti-barbarian patriots, even though Okubo Toshimichi made great changes for reform.
, ruthless, regardless of friend or foe, all that stands in his way can only 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 and after China was reduced to barbarians under the rule of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Japan looked down upon China with great contempt. But now with the rise of the Ming Dynasty, Japan has once again seen an example to learn from.
And more importantly, this example is indeed a good example worth learning from. In just ten years, they have accomplished what other countries have not been able to accomplish in decades.
Thinking of this, Okubo Toshimichi said with some emotion.
"Oh! I really want to know what this Ming Dynasty looks like!"
This chapter has been completed!