Chapter 41 Yung Wing

Zeng Guofan went, Li Hongzhang came, but the influence of the "Tianjin Religion Case" did not end there. One day at the end of 1870, a gentle and elegant young man came to the home of Li Hongzhang. His name was Rong Hong. He graduated from Yale University in the United States and was the first person in Chinese history to study in the United States. Yung Wing said to Li Hongzhang: It was your teacher Zeng Guofan who recommended me to come to you. Afterwards, Yung Wing told Li Hongzhang why he came: I think a few rumors can lead to such a catastrophe as the "teaching case", which is a great misfortune caused by the ignorance of the Chinese people. To prevent such incidents from happening again, only Education saves the country!Based on my experience of studying in the United States for seven years, I think it is necessary to send young children to study in the United States, to influence the wisdom of the people through Western science, and to turn this ancient ancient empire into a new China dominated by vigorous and civilized youth.

To put it bluntly, Yung Wing believes that education should start with children, and the most suitable way at present is elite education! After Yung Wing finished speaking, he quietly waited for Li Hongzhang's response.He has confidence in Li Hongzhang, and he firmly believes that among the current court officials, Li Hongzhang is the most enlightened one, which is why he came here! Li Hongzhang's thoughts drifted far away: I am 48 years old this year, and the time God gives me is running out.A scholar still has such great aspirations, so what am I afraid of?I originally had nothing, and I have gone through many hardships and obstacles to get to where I am today. Can't I just give it a go?

Li Hongzhang recognized the young people's ideas.Therefore, the two joined hands to fight for it. After several months of arguing, Cixi's mother and son finally approved the plan of "selecting young children to study in the United States". In the summer of 1872, Shanghai. Yung Wing led the first batch of young children to embark on the arduous journey to study in the United States, opening the curtain of reform. History is a coincidence. When China reformed again 106 years later, it also chose to send the first batch of overseas students to the United States to learn. Beginning in 1872, a total of 120 young children bid farewell to their parents in three years and walked on an unknown road with unpredictable good and bad. Most of them later became the leaders of China's reforms, such as Zhan Tianyou and Tang Shaoyi. , Cai Tinggan...

The era of studying abroad has begun, and Li Hongzhang's actions have also begun.Time waits for no one, as the Minister of Beiyang, he wants to speed up the pace of reform of the Westernization of "self-improvement and seeking wealth"!But what kind of breakthrough should we choose?