Chapter 13 second quarter

Ye Qisun's admission to Tsinghua University was only related to one person, and that person was Mei Yiqi.The dispositions and tempers of the two are actually so consistent.Looking at Tsinghua University, Ye Qisun is probably one of the few in Mei Yiqi's private photo album who fell in love with each other at first sight.Mei Yiqi was 9 years older than Ye Qisun. When he became Ye Qisun's teacher, he also taught him mathematics and physics. These two subjects were Ye's favorite subjects. With his talent and hard work, Mei Yiqi couldn't help liking him.Mei's gentleman character and profound knowledge are of course also a role model for Ye.When he was studying in Tsinghua University, Ye Qisun was Mei Yiqi's most proud student, and this situation was already the same as that of him and Zhang Boling when they were in Nankai.Teachers and students are like father and son, which is one of the most unique cultural and ethical landscapes in China.Therefore, when Tsinghua University was restructured to form a university, when Mei Yiqi, the "chief professor" of the Department of Physics, provided the school with a list of candidates, Ye Qisun was the first candidate that came to mind.

Ye Qisun quickly entered the state and was able to take charge of teaching alone.After the restructuring of Tsinghua University, the University Department began to fully promote Zhang Pengchun's curriculum reform. One of its characteristics is that there are no departments and all courses are divided into two stages: "general" and "specialized".After completing the prescribed courses within 2-3 years, the students will obtain the "diploma" of the examination, and then choose whether to continue studying or transfer to another school for employment.If you continue to study, you have to take the exam again, and then you will be promoted to the "specialized" course after obtaining the qualification. This is the so-called "specialized" stage.Later, Zhang's reform plan was criticized. Most students thought that it took a lot of effort to get into Tsinghua University, and after three years of hard work, they only got a diploma and could not go abroad for further studies. The professor also held an opposing attitude, making this reform a failure after only half a year of implementation.Ye Qisun's eldest disciples Wang Ganchang and Shi Shiyuan enrolled in September 1925, just in time for this reform experiment.At first, they chose chemistry instead of physics, but after they took Ye Qisun's class, they changed their original intention.Ye Qisun's class is called "Ordinary Physics Class". The reason why it is called "Ordinary" probably corresponds to Zhang Pengchun's "Ordinary Stage".When talking about how to switch from chemistry to physics, Wang Ganchang recalled:

As for the science, I chose the subject of nuclear physics, and it was Master Ye who paved the way for me. In 1925, when I was admitted to Tsinghua University together with my classmate Shi Shiyuan from Pudong Middle School, we both chose the Department of Chemistry.In the first year of the course, the chemistry class fascinated me the most. The chemical experiment equipment is very good and fascinating. I forget everything when I do the chemical experiment. Feeling hungry, hurry to the cafeteria to find something to satisfy your hunger.In the second grade, Shi Shiyuan and I both transferred to the physics department. How did this happen?It was Ye Shi's character, his love for students, and his teaching that attracted me to the career of physical science like a magnet.Once in a general physics class, Master Ye demonstrated Bernoulli’s principle to us in a large class. He held a small funnel with a tube, and put peas down the funnel with his other hand, while holding the other end of the tube with his mouth. Blow the air, and the peas float in the middle of the funnel, neither falling down nor being washed away by the blowing air.This phenomenon is very interesting and thought-provoking.Master Ye stood on the podium and asked: "Everyone here, is there anyone who can answer this question?" I thought for a while, then stood up and explained the question. He was very happy to hear that, saying that I understood the question clearly and accurately, Since then, he often came to me, talked with me about many physics problems, cared about my study and life, and told me that I could go to him at any time when I had difficulties or problems in study.Under Master Ye's persuasive guidance, I gradually found that physics experiments are also very interesting.In this way, when I entered professional courses, I chose physics, and since then I decided that I have been swimming in the ocean of physics for more than half a century!

At the beginning of the establishment of the Department of Physics, there were only 10 teachers, staff and students in the whole department.There was only one professor, Ye Shi, who taught the main courses by himself. He taught us general physics in the first grade, electromagnetism in the second grade, and optics in the third grade.In addition to lecturing, he also led three teaching assistants to set up various physics laboratories and open various experimental courses.The situation changed when we were promoted to the fourth grade. After various efforts, Master Ye finally invited two very knowledgeable young professors, Wu Youxun and Sa Bendong, in 1928. Teacher Wu Youxun taught us modern physics. It has laid a solid foundation for nuclear physics research, and it has given me an excellent training especially in the research ability of experimental physics. (Wang Ganchang, "Seeing the Difficult Road and Blue Wisp of the Department of Physics, Teacher Si Ye's Spring Wind Turns into Rain", see "A Generation of Teachers Ye Qisun", pp. 49-50)

Not to mention that Ye Qisun was already the main force in teaching at Tsinghua University when he first entered Tsinghua University, but what really tested him was not teaching, but the complex interpersonal environment inside Tsinghua University. Although the conflict between Cao Yunxiang and Zhang Pengchun has become close to the public, they still have similar views on the general direction of Tsinghua's restructuring.Both of them know that Tsinghua will survive if it reforms, and it will perish if it does not reform.But to reform a university, we must learn from the old and absorb new blood.Under such circumstances, the overseas students trained by Tsinghua returned to the school one after another, becoming another "new generation" after the "new forces" of Zhang Pengchun and Mei Yiqi.

It has been a month since the news of Cao Yunxiang's resignation spread to the lower levels, and his plan of retreating into advance has at least partially won.Because Zhang Pengchun didn't know how to bear it, he exposed his attempt to replace him too early, so he was resisted by many teachers and students.From Wu Mi's diary on November 18, 1925 and the diary entries in the following months, we can see the clear imprint of Cao Yunxiang's counterattack plan: Wednesday, November 18 In the morning, Zhuang Zexuan came and talked about President Cao's going to the UK. He seemed to recommend Zhang Pengchun to replace him and Zhang to succeed him. He was afraid that there would be conflicts in the school and it would be difficult to work together.So try to resist...

Thursday, November 19 ... On the evening, I talked with Ye Qisun and Qian Duansheng about school affairs.Have dinner there. Friday, November 20 In the morning, Zhuang Zexuan came to talk about the succession of the principal.Among colleagues who disapprove of Zhang, there are (1) Fan Yuanlian, (2) Zhou Yichun, and (3) Guo Bingwen.Mi thinks (1) is appropriate, and (3) absolutely not. ……… Saturday, November 21 ……… The next time I went to Donghua Hotel, Tong Xixiang invited a banquet.Yuan Tongli and Ye Qisun were also there.After that, I went to Tsinghua University with my children to talk with my classmates and talk about school affairs...

Sunday, November 22 At 9 o'clock in the morning, I went to Nanchizi Tang's House and met Tang Yongtong.Xuantong Xixiang and Ye Qisun came to discuss... Tuesday, November 24 9-10 on the "Translation" class. From 11 to 12, at No. 6 of the North Campus, I negotiated with Zhang (Xinhai), Zhuang (Zexuan), Chen (Da), Qian (Duansheng), and Ye (Qishun) about the principal, and I plan to express it by my colleagues and push (a ) Fan (two) Liang (three) Thursday (Thursday) Wang Wenxian (five) Ma Yinchu is the principal.That is to draft a manifesto in both Chinese and English.Have lunch there.

We know from Wu Mi's diary for nearly a week that Cao Yunxiang has successfully exiled Zhang Pengchun.He put Zhang on the stove and roasted it on a high fire, but the impatient Zhang Pengchun didn't know what to do, so he voluntarily jumped onto the stove in a very cooperative way. He didn't know until there was a lot of opposition from Tsinghua University that it wasn't just that he couldn't be the principal. , and even the dean is afraid that it will be difficult for him. We can see from Wu Mi's diary that Ye Qisun appeared very frequently in the activities of rejecting Principal Zhang, while Mei Yiqi, who was very close to Zhang Pengchun, was rarely mentioned.

This is a very puzzling situation.Wu Mi is sure to record every event and post his feelings. As long as he has something to do with this matter, he will definitely record it.However, during this special rejection period, there is almost no information about Mei Yiqi in Wu Mi's diary. Cao Yunxiang used the knife-dragging strategy, and Zhang Pengchun was not the only one who wanted to behead.In a sense, he beat Zhang with the intention of Mei Gong.Judging from Cao's many years of political experience and reading people's judgments, Mei Yiqi is the only one who can really pose a threat to him or call him an opponent in Tsinghua University.Zhang Pengchun, a scholar, thinks he is talented, but lacks experience. He is not familiar with the world, but also arrogant and impetuous. In his eyes, he is just a yellow-mouthed child. If he removes the support behind him, he will be embarrassing in a short time. .But what kind of person Mei Yiqi was behind Zhang, Cao Yunxiang was unable to capture his complete image.In the process of assisting Zhang, the various designs he provided for Zhang, or the idea of ​​running a school, or the reform of the curriculum, when I think about it carefully, are all for the future of Tsinghua University!In addition, he frankly refuses to avoid any personal grievances or tricks involving stealing, and his indestructible body makes it difficult to criticize.

Perhaps it was this reason that prompted Cao Yunxiang to take such a ruthless hand.You can't beat plums, but you can always beat Zhang.Anyway, he can't wait for the new forces to come to power, and he has no power to fight back.Cut Zhang Pengchun under the horse, so that you can see, especially Mei Yiqi, how can a scholar be allowed to stand up in the field of power? Even though Cao Yunxiang was also a scholar, even though he also went abroad to learn some freedom and democracy in the West, even though he used the drag knife to count the time and felt a little humble, especially when compared with people like Mei Yiqi, he suddenly felt It was a little petty, but he didn't care about it at all.Now that he has patted his horse back, since the hand that was holding the knife hidden in the shadow has shown its sharp edge, and a hazy head has appeared in the dust, he can only raise the knife... It is confirmed from current materials and related books that Cao Yunxiang's secret plan has achieved considerable success.Among the people who first opposed Zhang Pengchun were those who engaged in curriculum reform with him, such as curriculum committee member Zhuang Zexuan and others.It can be seen from this that if Mei Yiqi hadn't given her full support, perhaps the plan would have been aborted from the very beginning.In addition, the most serious opposition to Zhang Pengchun's succession as the principal was actually the youth faction of Tsinghua University.Mr. Su Yunfeng wrote in his book "From Tsinghua School to Tsinghua University": "...According to Zhang Pengchun's own analysis, it is a hh faculty association in Tsinghua University (the full name of which has not yet been found) that opposes him. Its members For Qian Duansheng, Zhuang Zexuan, Wu Mi, Wang Wenxian, Chen Da, Ye Qisun, and an ambitious man named tl (whose name is unknown), except for Wang Wenxian, they are all from Tsinghua’s young school.” It can also be seen from Wu Mi's diary that Ye Qisun has always played a completely different role from his mentor Mei Yiqi in the activities of rejecting Zhang.Why is there such a situation where two peaks stand side by side?Mr. Su Yunfeng seems to have answered this question in his writings: Because the education circle has always regarded Tsinghua as "fat meat", powerful social groups or individuals want to get involved in Tsinghua, so they have conflicts with Tsinghua's teachers and students.According to Zhang Pengchun's diary, we found that those who coveted Tsinghua University in the north, besides Nankai, included Li Shizeng from Peking University who studied in France, and Tao Menghe, a "Modern Commentary" who studied in Britain.In the south, it is the Southeast University Group, including the Southeast University President Guo Bingwen and the China Education Improvement Society led by Huang Yanpei and Tao Xingzhi.Those who defend Tsinghua are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US Embassy, ​​and Tsinghua teachers and students.Among Tsinghua teachers, there is also the problem of factionalism. Those who have been educated by Tsinghua for a long time are the mainstream school, and those who are directly selected to study in the United States, short-term transfer students, and students with scholarships for studying in the United States are all non-mainstream schools.The mainstream faction is "afraid that people from Peking University or Nankai will gain power and control Tsinghua's annual funding of 600,000 to 700,000 yuan", and they are always on the alert.Both Zhang Pengchun and Mei Yiqi were born in Nankai, and they were the first and second batch of Tsinghua students studying in the United States at public expense, but at this time they both belonged to the non-mainstream school. In the north, Nankai was ahead of Peking University. Mei Yiqi was the first Nankai person to enter Tsinghua University, followed by Jin Bangzheng. Jin Zhineng became the president of Tsinghua University in 1920. It was another "trump card" played by Yan Xiu and Zhang Boling of Nankai University. ".After Jin was forced to resign, Nankai suffered setbacks.Zhang Pengchun is the third.In July 1923, Zhang became the head of Tsinghua University's academic affairs, and Nankai placed high hopes on it.Zhang was dissatisfied with the people and affairs of Tsinghua University, and tried to reform to expand Nankai's influence in Tsinghua University. However, he was opposed by the mainstream of Tsinghua University and only supported by a few people such as Mei Yiqi.Qian Duansheng (1900-1990) was a seed of Peking University in Tsinghua University, but it has not germinated yet. In the south is the Southeast Group led by Huang Yanpei, Guo Bingwen, and Tao Xingzhi.Zhang Pengchun, who is also an important member of the Improvement Society, blatantly said that Huang Yanpei, Guo Bingwen, and Tao Xingzhi were "education supervisors", and Tao wanted to be Wu Peifu.Tao was also very interested in Tsinghua in addition to promoting the Pingjiao movement. In January 1923, he said that Tsinghua's suspension of sending American students was proof of neglect of women's education, and he drafted a "Tsinghua Proposal", intending to intervene in Tsinghua. On March 5th, Zhang Pengchun pointed out that Kaifengshe "this group of self-proclaimed great educators must try to interfere with Tsinghua University, and want their people to gain some power in it... Now I am afraid that Tsinghua University will also fall into their hands." .Not to mention what Zhang said, Tao May wrote in the magazine "New Education" edited by him under the pseudonym "Liang Da", saying that under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tsinghua University had little success to speak of, and advocated that it should first "employ the national A well-known educator, studying the organizational law of the board of directors and the reform outline", and then "national leaders" "formed an independent board of directors" to manage Tsinghua University. In August, Tao took advantage of the opportunity of the annual meeting of the Tsinghua Talking and Improvement Society to give a speech to Tsinghua students, asking them to "be the leaders of the whole country."Later, in the name of the Ping Church, he suggested to Cao Yunxiang and Zhang Pengchun how to reorganize the board of directors.Tao clearly stated that Huang Yanpei and Guo Bingwen of the Education Improvement Society are interested in participating in the candidates for Tsinghua's board of directors and president, and said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hired Zhang Pengchun as the dean of Tsinghua School for the purpose of boycotting the Southeast University group in the south.But Tao’s activities had no effect, because after 1922, Tsinghua students studying in the United States who returned to teach in succession not only gradually replaced the status of American teachers, but also became the mainstay of Tsinghua, strong enough to resist foreign forces and consolidate Tsinghua.Zhang Pengchun felt this pressure deeply. He said that Tsinghua graduates, especially those who have returned to China in the past two or three years, "have the ambition (to work together) to occupy Tsinghua's territory." For the "Nankai Department", "the thorn in their side".And Liang Qichao also pointed out in 1925, "Today's Tsinghua University has gradually been dominated by the graduates of this school who returned to China. This trend will become stronger in the future, and there is no need to be taboo about it." In Zhang Pengchun's speculation, the so-called "an HH faculty association in Tsinghua University" who opposed him, we have reason to believe, may be the "No.