In Hu Shuhua, we can see the epitome of the literati in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, and we can also see the spirit of intellectuals at that time pursuing progress.
Hu Shuhua has been studying for 30 years
In the first ten years, he read the Four Books and Five Classics. He was enlightened at the age of six and became a scholar at the age of seventeen, which is already rare for a child of a township school teacher. However, Hu Shuhua did not choose to continue taking the imperial examination. Instead, he entered the private Mingde School in Hunan and began to study. Western knowledge.
In the intervening ten years, he received a new education in China. He dropped out of the Translation Institute of Beijing Normal University at the age of 25 (his studies were interrupted due to the Revolution of 1911). At the age of 27, he was admitted to Germany as a publicly funded international student and became a member of the wave of studying abroad in the early years of the Republic of China.
In the last ten years, he received higher education in Germany, studying in one sitting, and finally received a doctorate in metallurgy at the age of 34.
After returning to China, although Hu Shuhua joined the Kuomintang, he did not choose to become a government administrative bureaucrat. He first became the director of various factories, such as the director of the Shanghai Iron and Steel Plant and the director of the Hanyang Arsenal. He was also invited to help Tang Shengzhi organize the Hanyang Iron Plant. During this period, he published monographs such as "Iron Metallurgy", "Metallurgical Engineering", and "Iron and Steel Industry".
It can be said that Hu Shuhua made great contributions to China's modern national industry.
This kind of academic talent is obviously not suitable for being an official. Hu Shuhua once served as the director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, the director of the Central Farmers Department, the director of the Central Agriculture and Forestry Department, etc., but he finally chose to be a principal. From then on, Hu Shuhua became the He became the president of five universities, including Hunan University, where he served three times.
Hu Shuhua had several Central Committee member positions in the Nanjing government at this time. Why did he come to the remote Chongqing to become the principal?
Of course it's because of political suppression.
Hu Shuhua also had the identity of being the chairman of the Shanghai Federation for National Salvation. He issued many telegrams and declarations calling for "stopping the civil war and uniting with the outside world." This made him unable to continue his job as president of Hunan University, and he had to go to Sichuan to accept Liu Xiang's asylum. .
With Liu Xiang's emphasis on talents and his policy of vigorously developing Sichuan's internal affairs, Hu Shuhua became a popular figure as soon as he arrived in Chongqing. At least Sichuan's arsenals and steel plants needed academic talents like him to be in charge.
It can be said that he can enter and leave Liu Xiang's official residence at will, but Chongqing Mayor Li Hongkun can only perform discipleship ceremonies in front of him.
This can be seen from Li Hongkun's reaction before. Li Hongkun sat on a sliding pole at first, but after meeting Hu Shuhua, he could only get off the sedan and walk together.
When a cultural person encounters a gun, he may be useless, but most of the time he will be respected by the gun.
At this moment, in the living room of Zhou Mansion.
Chongqing garrison commander Li Gengu took the initiative to give up the chief guest seat to Hu Shuhua, and Hu Shuhua sat down without any hesitation or psychological burden. Chongqing mayor Li Hongkun could only sit in the second seat, and Li Gengu took the second seat, and Fan Haer took the seat again. The teacher obediently stayed with him in the last position.
Although everyone had something to talk to Zhou Hexuan, before Hu Shuhua finished speaking, everyone else unanimously chose to shut up.
"Principal Hu," Zhou Hexuan asked, "when I came to Chongqing last time, there were only a few preparatory classes in Chongqing. How is the school developing now?"
Hu Shuhua stroked his long beard and said with some pride: "There are three major colleges of liberal arts, science and engineering. The engineering college only recruits preparatory students for the time being. After this summer, undergraduate classes will be opened. The three major colleges plus preparatory courses have a total of 400 students. I am the leader of Sichuan!"
Hu Shuhua is fully qualified to be proud. Although he did not found the National Institute of Technology, it has flourished under his hands and has invited many engineering scholars to be professors. Just looking at the faculty of the National Institute of Engineering, they can already dominate the entire Chinese industry.
The college ranks in the top ten.
"I didn't expect major developments to develop so quickly. Principal Hu is running the school well." Zhou Hexuan flattered him smoothly.
Hu Shuhua said happily: "When the engineering college is on the right track, I will also prepare to establish a business school, a law school and a medical school in the major. By then, the six subjects will be complete. Although it will not surpass Tsinghua, Peking University and Central University, at least it will be better.
To catch up with Fudan Tongji."
"There will be such a day." Zhou Hexuan nodded.
Chongqing University was very good during the Anti-Japanese War. Even the Central University lived in a major campus. It can be said that there were as many masters as dogs and scholars everywhere.
Just like Central University and Tsinghua University, the super universities during the Republic of China were split up after the founding of New China.
The major medical school was later merged into West China University of Medical Sciences and eventually became part of Sichuan University; the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Science were also merged into Sichuan University; the railway engineering major was merged into Southwest Jiaotong University; the Business School was merged into Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and Sichuan University of Finance and Economics.
University; the School of Law was split and merged into Southwest University of Political Science and Law; the Department of Geology was split and merged into Chengdu University of Technology; the Department of Architecture was split and merged into Chongqing Jianzhu University; the Department of Physical Education and the Department of Agriculture were merged into West Normal University and Xinong University respectively, all of which became
It became part of Southwest University; the Department of Chemical Engineering was merged into Chengdu University of Science and Technology, and later became part of Sichuan University...
In later generations, more than half of the universities in Sichuan and Chongqing inherited the important genes of the Republic of China. In addition, many majors were split into Guida, Yunda, Huda, Wuhan University, etc.
The reason why it is so important in history is because Chongqing served as the capital during the war, and elites from all over the country gathered here.
Hu Shuhua stroked his beard and said: "Nowadays, the national crisis is facing us. North China and East China cannot be defended. Sichuan will be the rear area of the Anti-Japanese War, and Chongqing is the throat of Sichuan. Chongqing University should seize this opportunity and quickly expand the strength of the school to accommodate more people."
There are many scholars and students. Over time, China’s hope lies in Sichuan, and Chongqing University should cultivate more talents for the country’s rejuvenation.”
"Principal Hu has far-reaching vision, I admire him!" Zhou Hexuan praised.
In fact, at this time, people with understanding can see some future situations clearly. When Chiang Kai-shek inspected Chongqing University last year, he already said similar words, which shows that he also has something in mind.
After another conversation about education, Hu Shuhua watched Li Hongkun for two years and said, "I won't delay any more. Mayor Li has other business to do, right?"
"Education is also a business." Li Hongkun said with a smile.
Zhou Hexuan asked: "Mayor Li, what advice do you have?"
"I don't take advice seriously," Li Hongkun said sincerely. "Although Li has studied for a few days, he only went to a military school and is a big boss. Now that he is appointed as the mayor by Commander Liu, he is rushing to the shelves and issuing orders.
We are sincere and fearful, and we are trembling with fear. Mr. Zhou is a great talent in this world. Since he has settled in Chongqing, how can he leave his talents in the countryside? I also ask Mr. Zhou not to refuse and take up the post of Speaker of Chongqing Municipality."
During the Nanjing National Government, a provincial and county-level administrative system was adopted, and cities could be established only if certain requirements were met. There are also some places that have met the criteria for establishing cities, but due to the excessive administrative expenses of municipal-level institutions, they still have a county system, such as
Suzhou County, Wuxi County, Yantai County, etc.
In the local administrative system, the parallel approach of party and government is adopted, with local party committees and local governments jointly governing.
At this time, Chongqing was a municipality under the jurisdiction of Sichuan province. The highest governing bodies were the municipal party committee and the municipal government, and there was also a "municipal council". This was a lame institution that learned from Western democratic politics, and was somewhat similar to the local people's congresses of later generations. Li Hongkun is now
Want Zhou Hexuan to serve as the top leader of Chongqing Municipal People's Congress.
According to the "Organic Law of the Municipal Council" promulgated by the Nanjing National Government, public servants are not allowed to concurrently hold the position of councillors, and the Municipal Council can propose motions. If the mayor has different opinions on the motions of the council, he can submit a reconsideration. If he still consults with the mayor after the reconsideration,
If there is a conflict, then the citizens of the city must vote.
This provision seems very beautiful, but in fact it is nonsense. You want all local people in the Republic of China to vote? Haha.
However, since Li Hongkun personally recruited Zhou Hexuan to be the Speaker of Chongqing City, the situation is different. He attaches great importance to Zhou Hexuan. If Zhou Hexuan makes municipal development requirements for Chongqing in the future, Li Hongkun will basically agree to it as long as the content is not too excessive.
Otherwise, he will slap himself in the face.
Zhou Hexuan felt this was particularly new. Chiang Kai-shek had previously recruited him as a minister or director of a department, and he had never been asked to serve as Senate President.
This is very interesting!
"Since Mayor Li sincerely invites you, I can't refuse." Zhou Hexuan said with a smile.
Li Hongkun laughed loudly: "With Mr. Zhou's participation, Chongqing's future development will definitely be faster."
