Chapter 37 I am a worker bee

  Inside the Tongren Academy, the small garden's pavilion was filled with people, more than 20 students of slightly different ages were seated. In the past six months, Tongren Academy has already gained 25 new members. Recently, two unsuccessful candidates who came to Beijing for the imperial examination also joined, giving Tongren Academy a bit of popularity. Because Deng Zixuan comes every now and then, each time he comes, he expresses some "strange views", which broadens the horizons of these students at the same time, and they develop respect for Deng Zixuan's vast knowledge.

  At this time, Deng Zixuan was talking eloquently, and Wan'er and the maidservants Biying and Danxia sat aside, listening intently. As they listened, they gradually became interested in Deng Zixuan's words. "Mr. Deng! I heard that our neighboring Japan is undergoing the Meiji Restoration, and Japan wants to open its doors to learn from the West." Deng Zixuan glanced at this scholar and confirmed that he was Xiang Jiazhi, a new member of the group.

  "Yes! Mr. Deng, we've more or less understood the Western political system, so tell us about Japan's situation!" Wang Jiuming chimed in. Pei Xuan also said: "What are the differences between Japan's Meiji Restoration and the imperial court's new policies?" Many of the scholars below expressed their own views, instantly raising many questions. Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "Alright then! Today I'll be lecturing on Japan's Meiji Restoration."

  Twenty years ago, the American general Matthew Perry led a fleet into Edo to intimidate by force of arms and handed over a letter from the US President to the Tokugawa shogunate, demanding that Japan open its doors to trade and establish diplomatic relations. The United States used gunboat diplomacy to coerce Japan into submission. The following year, the Tokugawa shogunate signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US on behalf of the Emperor, agreeing to open two ports. Since it was an unequal treaty forced upon Japan, it was opposed by conservative elements in Japan and the Tokugawa shogunate became a target for attack.

  Teng Tzu-hsuan continued: "Later, the conservatives proposed 'Respect the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians', and a chaotic situation began to emerge. A movement of worshipping the emperor and expelling foreigners was staged. As the slogan of 'Expel the Barbarians' was used to drive out foreigners, attack foreign merchants and diplomats, and attack foreign ships along the coast of Japan. Therefore, the foreigners dispatched warships to jointly suppress the anti-foreigner movement with the shogunate army."

  Deng Zixuan saw that everyone was listening intently and continued: "However, the reformist faction of Japan did not give up. They immediately abolished the expulsion policy and began armed rebellions in various parts of Japan. The Choshu Domain knew that without relying on foreign powers, they would be unable to shake the Tokugawa shogunate, so they formed an alliance with the British, while the shogunate formed alliances with the Americans and French, and a chaotic war began!"

  "Seven years ago, Emperor Kōmei died and the Crown Prince Mutsuhito ascended to the throne as Emperor Meiji. Emperor Meiji strongly supported the movement against the Tokugawa shogunate, gathering military forces to overthrow it, leading to intense battles. After a fierce battle in Kyoto, Tokugawa Yoshinobu fled, and after a year of fighting, he was forced to surrender Edo Castle the following May. By five years ago, hostilities had largely ceased within Japan, marking the end of the shogunate era and heralding the beginning of the Meiji Restoration!"

  Deng Zixuan continued: "Although Japan's Meiji Restoration took a difficult step, there are still conservative factions obstructing it. However, Japanese society has shown good development momentum. The Meiji Emperor and the reform faction deeply felt that if they did not learn from the West, they would face destruction. Therefore, Japan chose to open up selectively, first fully accepting Western models in education, technology, and commerce. Currently, Japan has shown a good development trend. Don't underestimate Japan!"

  Deng Zixuan's tone suddenly changed: "Looking at the Qing dynasty as a whole, currently with Li Daren and Zuo Daren leading the way, it is clear that the court has opened its doors to accept Western technology, and a thriving scene has emerged. However, our traditional ideas are still deeply entrenched, and reforming and eliminating evils is extremely difficult. Even if Li Daren and Zuo Daren have a passion for reform, they are subject to great constraints. The subtleties of this situation can be pondered by each of you yourselves. I know that everyone present has lofty aspirations, and only by knowing oneself and others can one navigate with ease. This is just my humble opinion, and I hope we can all learn from it!"

  "Mr. Deng, your insights are profound and far-reaching. What is your grand aspiration?" a scholar asked, breaking the silence. "Everyone has heard about the foreigners' sturdy ships and sharp instruments, so we have no other choice but to sit down and humbly learn from them. My ambition is to save the country through industry. Whatever the foreigners have, we must also have; whatever they don't have, we must also have. I believe that the Chinese nation is a wise nation and will certainly change our backward appearance."

  "The saying 'learn from the West and apply it to China, get rid of the old and bring in the new' is really great! Mr. Deng, we've decided to follow you and do something big!" "Mr. Deng, please show us a clear way forward!" The scholars below chattered among themselves. Deng Zixuan said: "Everyone, by joining Tongren Academy, it means we share a common goal. As the saying goes, 'one's glory is everyone's glory, one's loss is everyone's loss', the future and reputation of each of you gentlemen are also my face."

  "I guarantee to each of you, next year Deng Xiong and Li Xiong, I will secure an official position for you. To those present, the year after next, I will make sure that your names are on the list, please believe me!" Deng Zixuan patted his chest in guarantee. Suddenly, the scholars were stirred up, and in a moment, they seemed to see a brilliant future ahead of them. At this point, Wang Qiming and Pei Xuan said separately, "For half a year now, Mr. Deng's lectures have been recorded, and from now on, each person must carefully study and grasp the subtleties within."

  Deng Zixuan bid farewell with Wang Qiming and Pei Xuan, and the two down-and-out scholars Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong continued to chat. At this time, Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong suddenly knelt down in front of Deng Zixuan. "Mr. Deng, I am willing to follow you, no regrets for this life!" "Mr. Deng, I am willing to serve Mr. Deng!" "Two brothers please get up!" Deng Zixuan personally helped the two up.

  After sitting down, Deng Zixuan said: "You two have already entered the age of thirty, and it's a pity to spend your good years on the imperial examination. As the saying goes, 'it's easy to be an official when you have someone in the court', I don't have the ability to get a rich position, but I can do a county magistrate in a remote area. Next year, I will strive to let you two be appointed outside. Since you two are my people, I have the responsibility to arrange your future!" "Everything depends on Mr. Deng's arrangement," the two men stood up again and bowed.

  Kuang Jia-zhi and Li Tong left, Wang Jiuyang and Pei Xuan looked at each other, suddenly knelt on the ground and said: "Mr. Deng, we two have decided not to take the imperial examination again, willing to follow Mr. Deng to do something big. For half a year, Mr. Deng's extensive learning has made us admire you, please agree to our request!" Deng Zixuan was taken aback, hurriedly helped the two up and said: "I agree with you, from tomorrow on, Tongren Academy will be managed by you two."

  "We thank Mr. Deng for his kindness, we are willing to work hard like a horse!" The two men spoke in unison. To be honest, Deng Zixuan was a bit surprised by the sudden decision of the two men, but he did not expect that his profound insights would deeply convince them, and they had the idea of following him. After sitting down again, Wang Jiuming said: "Mr. Deng, since we share the same aspirations, I suggest establishing the Tongren Party." Deng Zixuan was shocked.

  "Yes, I and Brother Jiuying have always believed that Mr. advocates industry to save the country, we should widely publicize it and let more ambitious people join." Pei Xuan said with a serious expression. Deng Zixuan heard this and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they were going to rebel: "I agree with the suggestions of the two gentlemen, but the establishment of the Tongren Party must not be out of bounds, we absolutely cannot provoke the imperial court into thinking that we are a chaotic party."

  Wang Jiuming said, "Mr. Deng, we only advocate for industry to save the country and will not go beyond that." "Alright! We agree with your decision, you two can rest assured and do it boldly!" "Mr. Deng, from now on you are the master, please promise!" "I promise!" Deng Zixuan stretched out his hand, and the three hands clasped together. "Like-minded and sharing the same goal!" "Like-minded and sharing the same goal!"

  Deng Zixuan returned to the Deng Mansion with his wife, visiting his mother and coincidentally seeing their one-month-old daughter. At this time, Yuanniang was holding the full-moon-old daughter, her face filled with joy as she played with the child. "Zixuan, our daughter is a month old, it's time to give her a name!" Mother said. Deng Zixuan replied, "Our daughter's formal name will be Deng Xin, and her nickname will be Little Red." Little Red heard this and twisted her somewhat plump body in delight, saying, "Young Master, I've thought of a nickname for our daughter - Autumn Chrysanthemum." Deng Zixuan felt that the nickname was too common, but since he had already made his decision, it wasn't good to oppose it.

  Before leaving, Yuanner whispered to her mother, and Le's mother was overjoyed. On the way, Deng Zixuan curiously asked: "Yuanner, what did you say to your mother? She's so happy!" "You're really a careless man, I haven't had my period for two months!" Yuanner scolded. "Had her period?" Deng Zixuan was puzzled. "I'm pregnant!" Yuanner said with some shyness. "Haha! So that means I'll have a son!" "What if it's another daughter?" "Boys and girls are the same, I don't mind!" "You really don't mind?" "Really not, do you want me to swear an oath?" Upon hearing this, Yuanner happily leaned her head on Deng Zixuan's shoulder.

  Ya Tou Biying and Dan Xia looked at each other with complicated emotions, both of them turning their heads away to think about their own troubles. Suddenly, a girl appeared beside the road, "Look! So many bees!" "The bees are probably collecting nectar!" Biying and Danxia exclaimed happily. Deng Zixuan gazed at the busy silhouettes of the worker bees, suddenly realizing that he was just like one of them, laboring tirelessly every day without rest.

  Entering the Rose Manor, passing by Wang Tie's courtyard, seeing that it was very lively inside, he immediately jumped off the carriage. He instructed Wan'er and Biying, Danxia to go back first, and he went in to take a look. Walking into the courtyard, he found that there were many more people inside than before, including some women. "Mr. Deng is back, quick, come here!" Wang Tieyong dragged over a sturdy woman in her thirties. Behind the woman stood a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy and an eight or nine-year-old girl. Further behind them were several other women and more than ten unfamiliar strong men.

  "Boss, this job won't be finished in a year or two, I've brought my wife and kids over!" Wang Tiejiang was somewhat nervous. "That's right, Brother Wang, my factory is opening one after another, and the workers are coming in droves, you probably can't go back for several years." Deng Zixuan and Wang Furen paid their respects. Wang Tiechui added: "Boss, my apprentices' wives have also arrived, and I've brought all of my apprentices over!"

  Deng Zixuan roughly estimated that there were more than thirty people, both old and new, and frowned, saying: "Go call Zhang Guanjia." Wang Tiechui saw Deng Zixuan frowning and whispered: "Master, don't worry, I won't ask for a raise!" Deng Zixuan smiled but didn't respond. Before long, Zhang Guanjia hurried in, flustered, and said: "Young Master! What instructions do you have?"

  "Has the factory area on the east side of Luanshi Beach been built?" asked Deng Zixuan. "Reporting to Master, the factory has already been built!" Zhang Guan replied truthfully. "Master Wang, I plan to build an ironwork workshop. If Master Wang is willing to stay, I will entrust the ironwork workshop to you to manage. What do you think?" Upon hearing this, Wang Tiechui was overjoyed and immediately knelt on the ground, followed by everyone else: "Master, you are truly a great benefactor! I, Wang Tiechui, have no second thoughts, and will work as hard as an ox or a horse to serve Master!"

  Deng Zixuan hastily pulled Wang Tiejun along, saying: "Master Wang, rest assured, I, Deng Zixuan, will definitely let you all live a good life. This small courtyard is too cramped, Zhang the housekeeper will move tomorrow!" At this moment, Wang Tiejun's wife stammered: "Master, my husband and his fellow workers asked if there are still people needed here?" "Old lady, shut your mouth, aren't you causing trouble for Master?" Wang Tiejun scolded his wife.

  Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "Master Wang, I'm going to set up an ironware factory soon and I'll need a lot of manpower. Go back and spread the word, anyone who knows how to work with iron is welcome, the more the better!" The crowd's faces lit up with joyful smiles. Deng Zixuan continued, "Master Wang, your iron clamps are too small, we need to make bigger ones. The tungsten ore will be transported back by the end of this month, so we must prepare ahead of time!" "Master, don't worry! I, Wang Tiechui, won't let you down!"

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