Chapter 39: National Soul

  Ye Tong was originally a student studying in Europe, after joining the Zhongyong Army, he was sent to Germany by Zhou Yu, and entered the German Normal University for further study. There were many others with him, some had attended private schools, and some had studied abroad.

  Ye Zong is one of the most outstanding personnel, and also Tan Sitong, who was a close friend of his age. Tan Sitong was a close friend of Wang Wu, and he was recommended by Wang Wu to Zhou Yu in 82 years.

  Although Zhou Yulai had been in this era for a long time and was basically immune to historical celebrities, when Wang Wu suddenly mentioned Tan Sitong, Zhou Yulai couldn't help but exclaim: "Wow, that's the famous reformist figure Tan Sitong, one of the Six Gentlemen of the Wuxu Coup!"

  He was one of China's earliest truly awakened patriots during the late Qing dynasty!

  Zhou Yu immediately sent Tan Sitong to Germany for further study, he couldn't let him stay in the country! If he stayed for a long time, someone would end up dead, Zhou Yu didn't want him to become a monarchist figure in the future!

  To leave behind their useful bodies to serve the Chinese nation! The old master has studied too much theory, which is also not good.

  Actually, in Zhou Yu's heart, there were other small thoughts, but he didn't show them.

  According to the information in Zhou Yu's mind: Tan Sitong's father was Tan Jixing, and Tan Jixing had served as Langzhong of the Ministry of Households, Gansu Dao Tai, and Hubei Xunfu. As long as Tan Sitong is captured, wouldn't Tan Jixing be obedient? Hehehe! Someone is gloating.

  So, Tan Sitong became a classmate and good friend of Ye Kuangzhao. Since both of them learned knowledge at a relatively fast speed, the three-year study was completed by them in just over a year, and they also passed the school's assessment.

  So, those who graduated ahead of time will be recalled to Vietnam and teach at the Hua Xia University founded by Zhou Yu for a period of time. As for Zhou Yu, he has more than just teaching in mind, but the timing is not yet ripe.

  Tan Sutong, have you packed up? We're going back to Vietnam tomorrow, don't leave anything behind! After we go back, basically we won't be coming again.

  I don't have anything important, just some clothes and books, are you ready?

  Tan Sitong was still touched by his good friend Ye Zhishen's concern, Ye Zhishen did things more meticulously, completely unlike himself who was careless and always lost or misplaced things.

  So during his further studies in Germany, Ye Qian took care of him like an older brother. And he also got used to Ye Qian's care.

  Hey! Ye Que, you said our principal put so much heart and soul into founding all sorts of schools and implementing free compulsory education for the Chinese people. Will it be possible that in the future, after these people have finished studying, they will become difficult to manage or turn into ungrateful wolves?

  Haha! Tang Zhenzong, you're overthinking this. We're also beneficiaries of the Chinese people's kindness, aren't we? Would you really do such a thing?

  Moreover, our principal once said: He wants to make the Chinese nation have culture, ideals, and morality, let them understand what is national and ethnic righteousness, objectively cultivate new democratic advanced thoughts.

  He also said: Science is the primary productive force, and the innovative ideas of the whole nation are the driving force. A large number of educational institutions and talents are also the key components of casting technology. Only when the cultural quality of the Chinese nation has improved can China stand proudly at the top of the world.

  He also made the simplest analogy: our Chinese nation, she is like a giant, when she is dozing off, the devils hit her with a slap in the face, and she will only turn over and continue to sleep.

  So, now we put a big bell in her mind, and whenever there is danger, the big bell will make a loud noise, waking up the giant, and the standing giant is someone who cannot be resisted.

  The improvement of the cultural quality of the whole nation is the alarm bell for our Chinese nation, this Eastern giant. Only with the awakening, supervision and promotion of the whole nation can our China become a truly standing super giant in the world, and our Chinese nation can truly stand tall among the strong nations of the world.

  It's great, I'm really envious. What else did the principal say to you? You should learn from him! Unfortunately, when I was studying in China, I couldn't listen to the principal's teachings as often as you do. Tan Sitong looked a bit regretful and urged Ye Tong to speak up.

  Wow! The principal spoke a lot of knowledge and theories in the school, many of which we didn't even have in universities in Western countries, new sciences, new ideas...

  Later when you arrive at the Vietnam base, you will have the opportunity to listen to the principal's teachings. Now let's talk about your thoughts! Are you returning to Vietnam for education or politics?

  Of course, it's about education! As you just said; we, the pioneers who were sent abroad by the principal, if we don't go back to serve as a warning bell for the Chinese nation, would we rather return to the Qing dynasty to read the Eight Shares, take the imperial examination, and become corrupt officials of the Qing dynasty?

  The principal said in his writings, didn't he! Mastering mathematics and science can take you anywhere without fear! Tan Sitong couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he spoke.

  Ye Ya smiled and replied:

  Hehe... indeed! What is governing the country and bringing peace to the world, relying on deceitful tricks? Obviously not. With today's science and technology, which one can be grasped through the eight-legged essay? None. However, people in our country would rather have their children read the eight-legged essay, take the imperial examination, and refuse to send them to Europe and America to study Western learning.

  And our loyal and brave army sends a large number of students abroad every year, including those who study mathematics, physics and chemistry, mechanics and navigation, as well as civil and military talents.

  These are all changes brought by the principal. While our school vigorously develops agriculture, industry, commerce, military affairs and science and technology, we have not forgotten national arts.

  The principal wrote such as "Hanyu Pinyin", "Punctuation Studies", "Chinese Language and Literature", "Xinhua Dictionary", "Simplified Characters of Complex Characters" and other Chinese linguistic academic works.

  Take our Chinese nation's cultural heritage to new heights, so that people from children to adults are willing to learn about my Han culture, and it is no longer as difficult to understand as the eight-part essay was in the past.

  My current ideal is: teaching and educating people, passing on what I know to those who don't know yet, so that everyone has knowledge, goals, and pursuits.

  As he spoke, Ye Tong pushed open the window of his dormitory and pointed at the German night scene outside, saying to Tan Si: "Look, Germany was a divided country not long ago. Now they are technologically advanced, economically developed, with skyscrapers everywhere. What did they rely on?"

  It relies on the national quality, it relies on Bismarck and William I, who implemented the German workers' pension, health and medical insurance system, or social insurance. Their people are basically all cultured, have ideas, and understand what true patriotism is.

  This is the main reason why Germany can rise rapidly, without an enlightened government and a people with aspirations, everything is empty talk. Therefore, my wish is to strive to tell all the knowledge we have learned to all the Chinese people as soon as possible, and never betray the principal's sincere hope for us.

  Yes! I'm thinking the same way now. Looking at Ye Tong's face full of fighting spirit and passion, Tan Sitong also felt some emotions.

  In the past, I had an idea that relied on the awakening and reform of the Qing government to change the fate of China. Now, I no longer have such a naive idea. The Qing government has become corrupt and decrepit from top to bottom. They are not the protectors of the interests of the majority of Chinese people, but rather the representatives of the minority ruling class.

  They are the ruling class, they only maintain their own class interests and disregard the lives of ordinary people. They are rulers rather than managers.

  There is only one open-minded government that wholeheartedly considers the people, which is the hope for the resurgence of China. Let the Qing government go with the wind!

  Ye Tong looked at Tang Zhen sincerely and seriously, what you said is right, but in any case, the principal does not hope that a civil war will occur on the land of Huaxia, he said: it will hurt the foundation of Huaxia's country, and help some people's political ambition.

  He also said: Now what we have to do is to lie in ambush, slowly waiting until our loyal and brave army has a large number of talented people and enlightened citizens, so that we can toll the funeral bell for the Qing dynasty.

  There is a saying: it's easy to conquer a country, but difficult to govern it. We cannot achieve our goal of overthrowing the Qing government at the expense of the people's lives.

  Only when we have enough governance talent, economy and strength in the country can we make a big difference.

  So, I hope you pay attention to confidentiality in this regard. We have many secrets that are unknown to outsiders. It's best to keep a low profile when not exposed to the public eye. What do you think?

  Hehe, you think I don't know? This is just a discussion between us, why are you being so serious! Tan Sitong found Ye Tong's solemn expression amusing.

  No, what I said is all true. You shouldn't stand under the wall to prevent being overheard by the wall with ears! We should cultivate good habits of keeping secrets, right?

  Alright, I'm listening to you, isn't that enough?! You're going on and on like an old lady, I really can't take it anymore! Tan Si Tong exaggeratedly shouted towards the sky, occasionally making a face at Ye Qiu.

  It's true, if the information about our loyal and brave army is leaked out, it will give the Qing dynasty a head start, and who knows how many comrades and compatriots will die as a result!

  It's true what they say: a stitch in time saves nine. Even Ye Tong couldn't help but burst out laughing at the end.

  The two of them continued to chat and laugh for a while before they started making arrangements.

  They first visited their teachers in Germany, thanking them for their selfless cultivation. Next, they bid farewell to their classmates and after completing various trivial matters, they went shopping separately for some essential items to bring back.

  The various talents of Zhūrúxīlèi's loyal and brave army's external training have shocked a great god in the United States.

  He is: Dr. Yung Wing, the pioneer of China's study abroad education, and also one of the early reformists in modern China. The precursor to Chinese students studying abroad, he was also hailed as "the father of Chinese overseas students".

  Due to the inaction of the Qing government, he has now angrily resigned as the Qing government's resident ambassador to the United States.

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