Chapter 4 Section 2 Yung Wing and his young children in America

The founder of the study abroad movement in modern China publicly recommended Yung Wing, a Chinese student who graduated from Yale University in the United States.Yung Wing, courtesy name Dameng, nicknamed Chunfu, was born in Nanping Town, Xiangshan County (now Zhongshan City), Guangdong Province in the eighth year of Qing Daoguang (AD 1828).At the age of seven, he moved to Macau with his father and entered a church primary school run by the British missionary Mrs. Gutrafu.Due to financial difficulties, the school soon closed down, and Rong Wing had no choice but to return to his hometown to work while studying by himself.In the 21st year of Daoguang (AD 1841), he entered the Morrison School, which was established on the basis of the Macao Church Primary School. The school was presided over by Brown, an American missionary who received a doctorate from Yale University. In the winter of 1846, Brown was preparing to return to the United States, and wanted to bring a few students back to the United States when he left.At that time, only three students including Yung Wing, Huang Sheng and Huang Kuan were willing to go.Their trip to the United States was sponsored by the editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong China Daily, the American businessman Meng Qi, the Scotsman Campbell, and others for a period of two years. At the same time, they also subsidized their parents’ alimony to stabilize the children’s desire to learn . On April 12, 1847, after a 98-day long sea journey, they arrived in New York, USA.Yung Wing and the other three entered the Monson School in Massachusetts.At that time, there were no high schools in the United States, and there were only preparatory schools as a preparation for entering college.After Yung Wing entered the school, he was assigned to the English class and studied arithmetic, grammar, physiology, psychology and philosophy.Although there is a certain amount of subsidy funds, it is far from enough. Apart from going to school, Yung Wing has to do small jobs, help people wash clothes and pull coal to earn some money to support his life. It is difficult and stressful.

In the autumn of 1848, Huang Sheng, who went to the United States together, returned to China due to illness, and only Yung Wing and Huang Kuan remained.Huang Kuan was funded by several British businessmen in Hong Kong and went to England.After he went to England, he specialized in medicine. Seven years later, in the sixth year of Xianfeng (AD 1856), he graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a doctorate in medicine.He was the first person in my country to study medicine in Europe, and later returned to China to practice medicine with a great reputation.Yung Wing, who stayed in the United States, was not able to enter Yale University until 1850 after receiving funding from a women's group.When he first entered school, due to difficulty in listening to lectures, he had to study late into the night every day, with little rest, and lack of physical activities, his body was very thin.When he entered the second grade, his homework was not good, and he failed the calculus test every time. Fortunately, his English was better and he won the first prize several times, so that the average score was raised.According to Dr. Bai, who once studied with him, when Yung Wing first entered the school, he had "unconventional clothes and was quite laughed at", but later "won the first prize in Chinese and English in the class", no one dared to laugh .Yung Wing himself said: "When I was in the second grade, I felt ashamed that my grades were too low, so I didn't dare to ask the teacher, and I might be downgraded. Fortunately, my English essay is quite good, and I won the first prize in the second and third semesters. The average score can still be used to make up for the deficiency. Since the two awards, the teachers and students in the school regard them very highly, even people outside the school also look at each other with favor." In order to solve the funding problem, Yung Wing actively sought a job at the school.He manages meals for self-catering students; he manages libraries for student fraternities.Relying on the remuneration he got for doing these odd jobs after school, Yung Wing was able to complete his studies.In the fourth year of Xianfeng (AD 1854), Yung Wing graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree. A total of 98 people graduated from the same class. Rong Wing was the first Chinese to graduate from a first-class university in the United States.Yung Wing recorded this in his memoir "The Eastward Expansion of Western Learning": "I graduated in 1854. There were 98 graduates in the same class. I graduated from the first-class university in the United States as a Chinese. Therefore, Americans have the best feelings for me. The Chinese students in the school are unique and easy to be noticed.” Pastor Twychell gave a speech at the Yale-Kent Club on April 10, 1878 , has a very vivid description of Yung Wing's performance at Yale, he said:

Yung Wing finally broke through.He entered college with braids and a Chinese robe, but within a year had cut both. Yung Wing's graduation in 1854 was the big event at the graduation ceremony that year, at least that's how many people saw it, and some people came to the graduation ceremony mainly to see this Chinese graduate. Yung Wing, who received a good education in the West, was deeply worried about the dilapidated Chinese society and wanted to change the corrupt and backward appearance of China.In his view, if most Chinese people can go to the United States to receive education like him, understand and master western social sciences and natural sciences, and transform China after returning home, China will become an American-style developed country.That is to say, "instill in China with Western academics, so that China will become increasingly civilized, prosperous and powerful."With this ideal of "saving the country through education", he returned home from New York by boat on November 13, 1854.

After returning to China, in order to realize his plan, Rong Wing ran around in an attempt to obtain the support and help of Qing court officials, but unexpectedly repeatedly hit the wall.The reason is not surprising. In China at that time, "ten thousand horses were silent", most of the officials closed their eyes and listened, stubborn and old-fashioned, and arrogant.They regard advanced Western technology as "exotic skills and ingenuity", and learning from the West is "changing summer with barbarians", and of course they will not pay attention to Yung Wing.Just when he was at the end of the road, suddenly the opportunity came. In 1863, he was recommended by others to meet Zeng Guofan.It turned out that Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang were organizing Westernization and planned to build an arsenal in Shanghai. They urgently needed someone who was proficient in foreign languages ​​and familiar with foreign conditions to go to the United States to buy machines, and Yung Wing was selected.After receiving the order, he worked tirelessly to purchase machines in New York, USA via the UK and successfully completed the job. Zeng Guofan was very happy and appreciated Yung Wing even more.At this time, Ding Richang, Yung Wing's good friend, was promoted to the governor of Jiangsu. Rong Hong believed that the time had come to realize his plan, so in 1868 he made a statement to the Qing court through Ding Richang, and put forward four suggestions:

The government should select talented young people and send them to study abroad in order to save talents for the country.For the dispatch method, 120 students can be selected for trial implementation for the first time.Among the 120 people, they are divided into four batches, which are dispatched on an annual basis, and 30 people are dispatched every year.The period of studying abroad is limited to 15 years, and the age of students must be between 12 and 14 years old.Depending on the effectiveness of the first and second batch of students studying abroad, Yongding will be an example in the future, and this number will be sent every year.When they are sent out, they must also be taught Chinese. Young students in the United States can still learn Chinese as well.As for matters such as students' boarding and enrollment in foreign countries, two foreign student supervisors shall be appointed to manage them.This study abroad fund can be allocated a few percent under the Shanghai tariff to make up for it.

Yung Wing took into account a series of issues such as the purpose, number, method, management, and funding of sending overseas students.However, due to unexpected delays, this item could not be played.It wasn't until 1870 that Yung Wing met Zeng Guofan again, and took the opportunity to state his intention to send overseas students, and Zeng and Li Hongzhang joined forces to play, and this plan was finally approved by the Qing court. The first step in the implementation of the study abroad plan is to set up a preparatory school for studying abroad in Shanghai. Students entering this school must be clean, well-off, healthy, and have passed the test of Chinese writing, reading and basic English (those who have not learned English can be exempted from the test) exam to be admitted.Students study Chinese and Western literature at the school for one year and then go to the United States. Before going to the United States, the parents of the students must sign a voluntary letter, which states that they voluntarily let their children study abroad for 15 years. During the 15 years, if there is any illness, death or accident , the government is not responsible for such content. In 1871, Yung Wing and others began to recruit students intensively. However, due to the lack of atmosphere at that time, most people believed that the West was a barbaric land, and sending their children abroad had to be charged with life and death. Many Chinese families were unwilling to take this risk. a risk.After a lot of effort, Yung Wing hadn't recruited 30 people, so he had to go to Hong Kong to recruit this number.In November of the same year, Li Hongzhang invited Chen Lanbin as the regular committee member and Yung Wing as the deputy committee member to be stationed in the United States to handle all matters related to the management of children studying abroad.After these selected young children underwent strict Chinese and Western language training in Shanghai, they were led by Chen Lanbin on August 11th in the eleventh year of Tongzhi (AD 1872) to the United States by boat from Shanghai, and arrived in San Francisco in the autumn of the same year.

On June 12, 1873, Huang Sheng led the second group of young children to go abroad, accompanied by seven students at their own expense. On September 19, 1874, Qi Zhaoxi led the third group of young children to go abroad. On October 14, 1875, the fourth batch of young children went to the United States led by Kuang Qizhao, accompanied by three cousins ​​of Xu Run who studied abroad at their own expense. So far, all 120 young children have arrived in the United States. Among them, the oldest is 16 years old, and the youngest is only 10 years old.Among them, 84 were from Guangdong (40 from Xiangshan County), 21 from Jiangsu, eight from Zhejiang, four from Anhui, two from Fujian, and one from Shandong.It can be seen from this that almost all of the 120 young children who went to study in the United States came from the south, and only one from Shandong in the north; and these young children from the south were from Guangdong (especially from Xiangshan). Majority.On the one hand, this is because there were no newspapers in China at that time to disseminate news, and most people in the north did not know that the government had this education program, so the number of people who applied for the exam was very small; , under the circumstances of being forced to open up, with more contact with overseas countries, it is easier to accept this enlightened education plan, so the response is more enthusiastic.

So far, Rong Hong's painstaking career has finally had a brilliant start. When the children came to a foreign country, they still wore Qing Dynasty costumes: long gowns and mandarin jackets, melon skin hats, white cloth socks, and black and white cloth shoes for washing the bridge of the nose, which aroused the curiosity and concern of the Americans.With the help of American friends, they were arranged to live in residents' homes so that they could get used to the American language life.According to records, almost all the homes of administrators, teachers and doctors in Connecticut have received Chinese children studying in the United States.Each host American family looked after two or four young children.Young children who are qualified in English will directly enter American schools, and those who are not qualified will receive individual tutoring from teachers to prepare for school.

Qi Zhaoxi, who once led the third group of young children to the United States, recorded this in his "Diary of Traveling to America", and introduced in detail the situation of the separation of the young children he led in various families in the United States: Zhu Xishou and Cao Maoxiang lived in Xinsi Baierye Library and studied from Alford. Shen Jiashu and Kang Gengling lived in Shidele Buddhist Library and studied from Ai Mosheng. Huan Weicheng and Cheng Daye lived in Xibaineng Library and studied from Posi Te. Qi Zuyi and Zhu Baokui lived in Souhaidnef Als Library and studied from Mu'a.

Kwong Xianchou and Kwong Jingyang live in the Esther Heimudeng Library and study from Mina. Cao Jiaxiang and Yang Zhaonan live in Whitley Library and study from Nie Yeen. Cao Jiajue and Lu Zuhua lived in Nafmester Library and studied from Knag. Tang Zhiyao and Lin Peiquan lived in Graffield Library and studied from Clark. Liang Ruhao and Tang Shaoyi lived in the Feier Library in Sibeiling and studied from Ge Aden. Rong Yaoyuan and Zhou Changling lived in Weishite Wensdie library and studied from Fei Liebeisi. Huang Jiliang and Yang Changling lived in Wenlasid Library and studied from Keersi.

Yuan Changkun and Zhou Wanpeng live in Huoli York Library and study from Ke Gewen. Wu Jingrong and Sun Guangming lived in Liyi Library and studied from Heite.Xue Youfu and Xu Zhixuan live in Sibeiling Phil Library and study from Mina. Xu Zhenpeng and Zheng Tingxiang lived in Haide Lie Library and studied from Bo Asiguo. Qi Zhaoxi also described the scene of his visit to the American family where his second son Qi Zuyi and his classmate Zhu Baokui lived and studied in "Diary of Traveling to America": On the fourth day of the first lunar month, Guiyou, the fourth day of the ceremony.At half past six, at eight o'clock I took a carriage with Lansheng and changed trains to Master Zuyi's house on the 15th "Mai" road.Zu Yi and Zhu Baokui are happy.There is an apple tree in the teacher's house, and he can eat apples all day long.His home is on the mountain, with eight rooms up and down.There are four people in the family, two female teachers and sisters, and the old mother is about 60 years old.There are no neighboring houses, and the back is the garden, surrounded by mountains and rivers, which is very elegant.Zuyi and Baokui said to me: "Since I arrived at the library, I have seen less than twenty people." Yu said: "This is a quiet place for reading." A few books with big drawers.The two share a big couch with complete bedding.When he sleeps at night, turn off the lights.Yu saw that his master sewed up the foreign cloth towels used by the two, and asked them to take apples as gifts to Yu and Lan Sheng.Take and carry can cope.Now it is about daily life, teach and write a sentence anytime and anywhere.When he was studying, he also started at nine o'clock and ended at four o'clock. It can be seen from Qi Zhaoxi's account that the relationship between the young children studying in the United States and the American families who took care of them is very close and harmonious.American friends also commented on this.Ms. Mary L. Bartra, who took care of and guided Wu Yangzeng and other young children studying in the United States, said in a letter to Wu Yangzeng's mother, Mrs. Wu: "We are sure that when you see your children have grown up, He must be proud of it. During his long years in the United States, he has been with us and made it difficult for us to separate. He has worked hard academically and morally, and we have no doubts that he will be a useful citizen. Come and serve his own country, and he will glorify himself and his parents." With the help of friendly people in the United States, after a while, the young children have been able to understand English and become familiar with the environment. In order to better manage foreign students, in 1874, at the suggestion of Yung Wing, the Qing government spent 43,000 US dollars to build a three-story building in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, with a large classroom dedicated to teaching Chinese. There are also restaurants, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and offices for supervisory teachers, which can accommodate 75 people at the same time. In 1875, Yung Wing and others moved into this building to work and officially named it the Overseas Study Office. The students going to the United States are all supervised and taught. They have to learn both English and Chinese, and English is the main subject.They are young, smart and quick to learn English.The Chinese teaching is also very tight to the students, and the children usually come to the study abroad office in groups of three.12 people go each time, with a period of two weeks, and then rotate in turn.Mainly learning to read and write, explaining and writing essays.The students' work and rest are very regular. They get up at 6 o'clock in the morning and go to bed at 90 o'clock in the evening. They even write home letters twice a month.In addition to studying formal courses, they also actively participate in various extracurricular activities, such as playing ball, dancing, and going out for excursions. In 1876, the young children went to Philadelphia to participate in the Exposition commemorating the 100th anniversary of American Independence. During the whole visit, they were polite to people, spoke and behaved gracefully, and showed no fear of shrinking, which won praise from Americans.Li Gui, a representative of the Chinese business community, saw these young children studying in the United States at the Expo, and took the initiative to talk to them. Question: Will this be beneficial? Said: Collect the things of the earth, let others watch, increase knowledge.Its new tools and good methods can be imitated and practiced.It is also of great benefit to unite countries for friendship.Before we left, the librarian told us to record what we heard in the library at will, and after returning to the library, we would each write a discussion in foreign language, and then translate it into Chinese. Q: What is the best? Said: Foreign printing methods, Chinese tooth carving utensils. Q: Are you homesick? Said: It's useless to think about it, but if you concentrate on studying books, you will eventually return home. Q: How about diet and daily life? Said: Diet seems to be cleaner, daily life is regular, and sometimes you have to take action to relieve qi and blood, especially if you are ill. Question: How do the owners of each residence take care of them? Said: If you take care of your children, if you have a slight cold, you are especially concerned; and the water and soil in Hadi are pleasant, and there are few illnesses. Question: Why do you dress up as a foreigner? Said: It is sometimes inconvenient not to modify it. The only rules for me are not to braid your hair and not to enter the chapel. After the conversation, Li Gui was very satisfied and thought: "The words are simple and reasonable, and I love them very much. The creation of Western learning is immeasurable." He sighed excitedly in his diary: I heard that as a man in the West, he does not advocate empty words, but focuses on practical results.Therefore, the curriculum is simple but strict, the teaching methods are detailed and sincere, and the relationship between teachers and students is as close as flesh and blood.You are good at tacit understanding and understanding of the mind. If you don't practice reciting, you will get rid of the trouble of eating without melting;Even if you are traveling, you must write an essay based on what you have seen and heard.It is not just a tour, it is used to encourage learning, but also to examine its knowledge.Moreover, persuasion without reward, and punishment without anger, are ingenious and obtuse, and there is no reason for it.All young children, if there is one, they will be melted into pottery! Li Gui saw the superiority of Western education from Chinese children studying in the United States, and criticized Chinese feudal education, the pedantic superficiality of stereotyped imperial examinations, mechanical indoctrination, and the cultivation of servility. In 1877, more than 50 children from the first two batches had entered middle school, and 18 had entered university.Li Hongzhang and other Qing Dynasty officials hoped that foreign students would become talents in mining, machinery, shipbuilding, post and telecommunications, and various military and industrial technologies out of the need for foreign affairs.On March 6th of this year, Li Hongzhang wrote to the study abroad office and pointed out: "What China should pay attention to urgently is the mine of coal, iron and hardware... The students who go abroad have unique talents that can be made. I hope they can be sent to the Mining School. After a year or two, I will visit the Metal Mining Institute of the United States, or temporarily serve as a laborer, or accompany the research. I will be able to identify the thickness of the real estate by myself? How to use the machine? If you are sure, you will send them back and send them to provincial mining bureaus for trial use. It will be beneficial to the national economy, so please pay attention.” Therefore, after graduating from high school in the United States, most international students basically enter various engineering majors Learning, such as Zhan Tianyou studied railway engineering at the Civil Engineering Department of Yale University, Ouyang Geng studied mechanical engineering at Yale University, Wu Yang studied at Columbia University's School of Mining and Metallurgy, and many of them entered Steven Industrial School.They also extensively dabbled in various social science works after school, and were deeply influenced by American bourgeois culture in terms of thought, life and habits.They are diligent and studious, have made rapid progress in all aspects, and have won praise from the United States.American friends spoke highly of them in a joint letter to the Prime Minister’s Yamen of the Qing government: “The young students sent by your country have been able to make good use of their time to study academics since they arrived in the United States. His progress has been excellent. That is to say, literature, conduct, technology, and all communication with beauties on weekdays are also satisfactory. In terms of his morality, there is no one who is not elegant and noble. His courtesy is thoughtful, and he bows The modesty is especially appreciated by outsiders. Because of this, students from your country, whether they are studying in school or traveling in the countryside, wherever they go, they are welcomed by beauties and become good friends.” In this letter American friends also praised these young children studying in the United States: "All these students are perfect in words and deeds. They are truly worthy of being representatives of the people of a great country and adding honor to your country. Every move is closely related to the reputation of the motherland, so it is more prudent to speak and act than adults." The letter also commented that the good behavior shown by the children during their study in the United States has also changed the past of a small number of Americans. Prejudice against China has further promoted the harmonious relationship between the people of the United States and China.These sincere remarks are all affirmations and praises to the young children. Just when this group of well-respected international students were studying vigorously and were about to complete their studies successfully, a tragedy of deportation befell them.That's what happened: Although the original intention of the Qing government for Chinese children to study in the United States was to let them learn Western science and technology so that they could return to China to do foreign affairs in the future, they were always influenced by capitalist social customs that were superior to feudal society when they lived in the United States. Influenced by them, they "play baseball, play football, and sometimes take on challengers with their fists. Soon, these young children who breathe the air of freedom and independence are completely 'beautified'." From elementary school, middle school to college, they accept the formal system American-style cultural education, in terms of cultural literacy and knowledge structure, has an absolute advantage in "Western learning" rather than "middle school".Subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, mechanics, mining, and civil engineering that they studied were not available in China at that time.With the deepening of this subtle influence, they began to show it in actions: they were not interested in feudal stereotyped essays, and were very disgusted with feudal etiquette such as kneeling and kowtowing. A wig was tied up to cope.These actions are all important manifestations of the ideological progress of students studying in the United States.As the "New York Times" on July 23, 1881 said: "Children in China, apart from the knowledge taught by book teachers, are influenced by American politics and Christianity. This is to be expected. If you think that these clever It would be inconceivable for young children to be satisfied only in the fields of engineering, mathematics, and science, and for them to be indifferent to the influence of American politics and society." Although Yung Wing expressed support for this, another The supervisor, Chen Lanbin, was extremely dissatisfied with the behavior of the overseas students because of his conservative nature as an official of the Qing court. For this reason, he had a quarrel with Yung Wing.Later, when Chen Lanbin returned to China, the supervisor of overseas students changed several times. In 1876, the Qing government appointed Wu Zideng, who was recommended by Chen Lanbin, as the supervisor.Wu Zideng has always regarded Chinese students studying abroad as a deviant act. When the students saw him, they couldn't kneel down and worship him, and they didn't bother to listen to his advice, which made him very angry.So he secretly reported to the Prime Minister's Office, telling how the students studying in the United States did not abide by feudal ethics, how they were assimilated by Western customs, put on suits, some joined the secret society organizations in the United States, and some became Christians, etc., and slandered them Not studying, not respecting teachers, playing and playing, completely deteriorated.He slandered the Qing court, saying: "Foreign customs are full of abuses. The students have few Confucian books, their moral character is not strong, and they have not yet learned their skills. It is easy to get involved in their bad habits. Even if they try their best to rectify them, they find it difficult to prevent them. The bureau will be abolished." He completely denied studying in the United States, and strongly encouraged the Qing government to take measures: "If these students are allowed to live in the United States for a long time, they will lose their patriotism, and they will be able to return to China after studying. , is not beneficial to the country, but also harmful to society; if you want to seek happiness for the Chinese country, you should dissolve the study abroad office as soon as possible and withdraw the students studying in the United States." Completely slander the foreign students with very vicious intentions.For a time, there was a lot of discussion in China, especially among the scholar-bureaucrat class, and negative opinions on overseas students prevailed. Yung Wing also defended and explained this, but the power was weak and the effect was not great.At this time, due to the economic crisis in the United States, there was a countercurrent of anti-Chinese, and Chinese students were prohibited from entering the US Army and Navy Schools. side of the students.Although Yung Wing, the president of Yale University, and former U.S. President Grande and other people who are friendly to China in the United States have made efforts. For example, the president of Yale University personally sent a letter to the Qing government’s Chancellor’s Yamen, urging the Qing court not to withdraw the students; the great American writer Mark Twain approached former U.S. President Grande to discuss this matter, and Grande immediately wrote to Li Hongzhang, saying that "young children can benefit a lot in the United States, such as building roads, mining, building forts, and making machines. It would be a pity if it was abolished." But it still didn't help. In the summer of 1881, the Qing government decided to withdraw all the students studying in the United States.It was summer vacation when the young children studying in the United States learned that they were going to withdraw. They were "holding a field camp by the Pandan Lake in order to gather together. Unexpectedly, Dr. Rong had brought the bad news that the Bureau of Foreign Affairs was closed. The students were all downcast when they heard it. They had to go back to the boarding place to pack their luggage and prepare to go back to China.” Wen Bingzhong later recalled the scene at that time and said: “When the order is issued, it is a sad day for young children. Most of them will graduate in a year or two. It is very sad and indignant to abandon your studies halfway. Youtong called a meeting and sent a representative to see Dr. Yung Wing, hoping that he would represent the young boy to negotiate with the government. Dr. Rong comforted the young boy and told the young boy that his return to China is only for vacation, and he will return to China in the future. Return to the United States to complete their studies. Because of this 'guarantee', the young children agreed to return to China, but there are still six students who have never returned to the United States." The young children studying in the United States were divided into three batches and set off. By the end of 1881, they had all returned to China.A total of 100 students were repatriated, because among the original number of students, in addition to the 9 who were repatriated for various reasons and the 3 who died, there were also several who stayed in the United States and did not return (such as Tan Yaodong, Rong Kui, etc. ).Among the repatriated international students, more than 60 had already studied in universities, and Zhan Tianyou and Ouyang Geng had graduated from Yale University.So far, the education campaign in the United States, which pioneered China's new education, was abandoned halfway because of the obstruction of the corrupt Qing court.The patriotic poet Huang Zunxian was extremely indignant about this, and wrote a long poem to condemn him: "Lang should be a hundred people. Send them back one by one. It's like copying melons and vines. How many burdens are involved... It's too late to make up for it. If you stumble and make a mistake, send it again. There is no end of time. Watching the sea boat return. Feeling sad." After these students studying in the United States were withdrawn, they went through a period of hardship.They were not warmly welcomed by the Chinese government. On the contrary, when they arrived in Shanghai, they were immediately sent to a building in Shanghai, where they were confined and not allowed to go out.Young children returning from a newly free land resent the inexplicable loss of freedom of movement.Soon, all the young children were assigned jobs. Because the officials of the Qing court were ignorant and incapable of learning, "they did not follow their personal interests and what they had learned in the United States. The whereabouts of the young children were all determined by the officials. When the young children left Shanghai, they were almost in a state of anger and In a trance." Although they started working, the treatment for the young children studying in the United States was not very good. Most of them had four taels of silver a month, and their lives were very difficult.In addition, they were resisted and discriminated against by Chinese literati and bureaucrats. They were regarded as "foreign devils" and people who were "not beneficial to the country".In the face of these material and spiritual pains, the students studying in the United States did not sink. Relying on their indomitable fighting spirit, they finally walked out of their own paths in life.Before and after the Revolution of 1911, they gradually became well-known figures in the political, military, and business circles, or became technical backbones of factories, railways, mines, and construction departments.According to statistics, there are 16 of them serving in the diplomatic circles. Among them, Liang Dunyan was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Tang Shaoyi served as the interim president and the first prime minister of the cabinet; Compensation matters.There are 5 people serving the education field. For example, Tang Guoan participated in the founding of Tsinghua Academy and served as the first principal, contributing to the large number of young people studying in the United States in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China; Cai Shaoji served in Beiyang University (today’s Tianjin University), Contributed to the construction of the university.The overseas students who were assigned to work in the navy were superbly skilled and brave in combat. In the Sino-French Fuzhou naval battle and the Sino-Japanese Yellow Sea battle, eight people including Song Wenhui, Kuang Yongzhong, Xue Youfu, and Yang Zhaonan died heroically.There are 62 people who are engaged in technical and mining work and serve as technical guides in factories, mines, railways, telegraph and telephone departments.Among them, Zhan Tianyou is the most famous.Zhan Tianyou took the lead in the construction of the Beijing-Shenyang Railway and completed the construction of the 305-meter-long Luanhe Bridge. This is the first modern bridge designed and built by Chinese engineers. Beginning in 1904, Zhan Tianyou led the staff to start the construction of the (North) Beijing-Zhangjiakou (Jiakou) Railway.The total length of this railway is about 200 kilometers, and there are high mountains along the way, especially the "Guangou section" from Nankou to Chadao City, which is the most dangerous, with Badaling as the highest peak, and the project is extremely difficult.As soon as the news of the Chinese building the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway spread, foreign public opinion was in an uproar, saying that "the engineer who can dig the Guangou section in China has not yet been born in his mother's womb!" Even if it is not a dream, it will take at least 50 years." Some people in China lack confidence in building such a railway by themselves, and some pour cold water on it.Zhan Tianyou was not moved by the rumors, he simply moved the chief engineer's office to the construction site, and fought side by side with the workers through thick and thin.He creatively used the principle of "turnback line" to design a "herringbone"-shaped line in the Qinglong Bridge area, and used two high-powered locomotives to pull forward and push back to ensure that the train climbed up the steep slope of Badaling safely.After five years of hard work, in August 1909, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway was completed and opened to traffic, two years ahead of schedule.The construction of this railway saved more than 280,000 taels of silver, and achieved Zhan Tianyou's goals of less money, better quality, and faster completion.There are four tunnels with a total length of more than 1700 meters dug along the whole line, 125 bridges, more than 200 culverts, and nearly 2 million cubic meters of earth and rock.The project was huge and difficult. At that time, some people listed the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway and the Great Wall as China's great projects.As a result, Zhan Tianyou became well-known both at home and abroad, and wrote a glorious chapter in the history of Chinese railways. The first batch of students studying in the United States, with their knowledge and sincere feelings of love for the motherland, brought hope to the poor and impoverished Chinese people at that time.This is as one American student put it: The young children crossed the Pacific Ocean regardless of the risk, and then crossed the 3,000-mile continental United States.They went to foreign countries to study languages, sciences and literature.They are the best witnesses for Chinese compatriots, and they bring China the right direction and benefits in terms of business and friendly relations.They promote China's prosperity and progress, and make China one of the world's allies. The young children studying in the United States have made contributions to both individuals and the times. In order to build a new China, they have contributed the best years of their lives.