Chapter 49: Thousands of Miles Away
Guangzhou Mansion, Li’s House.
In the feudal era, the residences of princes and nobles were called mansions, the residences of officials were called zhai, and the residences of ordinary people were called homes.
As a wealthy person in Guangzhou, the Li family could only be considered "ordinary people".
But the owner of the family, Mr. Li Tingzhao, directly spent money and donated his official position in order to facilitate his work and make the house more grand.
In fact, given the relationship between the old man and Li Zhongtang, a high official in the current imperial court, no one would dare to say anything even if the name "Fu" was mentioned.
But Li Tingzhao never acted arrogantly. Instead, he kept a low profile, abided by the rules, and never used the relationship between the two as an issue.
At this moment, he was entertaining guests in the main hall of the house, and there were an old man and a young man.
"Brother Wang, why are you free to come to my humble home today? I should take the initiative to visit you."
Wang Shiyuan said with a smile: "Brother Li, you and I don't have to be polite. When I come here this time, I will go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing.”
Li Tingzhao was confused. Although the Wang family was not as good as the Li family in Guangzhou, they should not encounter any difficulties that could not be solved in their own business.
Therefore, he smiled and said: "Brother Wang, you are so polite. Li has passed his destiny at this age. He is neither a high-ranking official nor a rich man. How dare you stand up in front of my brother? Please tell me."
Wang Shiyuan sighed secretly, everyone said that Li Tingzhao was humble and low-key, and he lived up to his reputation.
His eldest son now serves as a middle-level officer in the "New Army". This army is a direct descendant of Li Zhongtang and Yuan Shikai's army. The entire army is equipped with German equipment.
The second son served as an official in the Experience Department under the Chief Envoy of Guangdong, and was responsible for assisting the Chief Envoy in handling official documents and administrative affairs.
It is said that the third son is studying abroad in England thousands of miles away and is considered to be extremely talented. The Li family is full of talents.
The family is so prominent, but they never show off their status, let alone show off their power in front of outsiders. Therefore, Li Tingzhao is very popular, has a wide range of friends, and has close contacts with many foreigners.
The purpose of Wang Shiyuan's visit today is to have something to do with his third son, Li Qiwei. "Brother Li, to be honest, I came here today actually because of my daughter's affairs."
After that, he said to a young girl behind him: "Yao'er, why don't you come and see your Uncle Li soon. "
At this time, a girl about 160 meters tall and wearing a moon-white dress said with a smile on her face: "Uncle Li, do you still remember me?"
Li Tingzhao looked at it carefully and said without daring to confirm: "Are you Lu Yao?"
Wang Luyao said sweetly: "Yes, Uncle Li."
Li Tingzhao suddenly realized that, Phew: It’s really a woman’s transformation, she’s becoming more and more beautiful.
It turns out that the Li and Wang families are old acquaintances. They have lived together for several years, so the children of the two families know each other.
Li Qiwei and Wang Luyao have been childhood sweethearts since they were young, so Li Tingzhao naturally has an impression of her.
Later, the Li family moved away from the original address, and Li Qiwei separated from Wang Luyao when he was 15 years old.
From then on, the Li family and the Wang family had much less contact.
The little girl she once was is now as graceful as ever, but she is still the same as before, a little naughty.
Li Tingzhao thought in his heart and wondered what Wang Shiyuan's purpose was in bringing his daughter.
Wang Shiyuan also had a headache. He really had no choice.
It turns out that Wang Luyao and Li Qiwei often played together. The little girl was already precocious. In addition, Guangzhou has been civilized since ancient times, and foreign ideas are widely spread here.
Nowadays, the women's liberation movement in the West is in full swing, calling for the rise of women, which naturally spread to the Qing Dynasty.
Wang Luyao has been secretly in love with Li Qiwei since she was a child. His appearance has been deeply engraved in her mind. Now that she has grown up, she does not shy away from it and always begs her parents to be with Li Qiwei.
Wang Shiyuan is an old daughter, and she regards her as a treasure, even holding it in the palm of her hand makes her melt. Therefore, no matter how big or small, we answer everything. Wang Shiyuan thought that it was nothing at all. At worst, he would put down his dignity and take the initiative to ask the Li family for information. Anyway, if he could marry into the Li family, it would be of great benefit to the Wang family.
Moreover, Li Qiwei had seen him before, and he was very handsome and worthy of Wang Luyao.
Then something happened that gave him a headache. "Brother Li, a few days ago, I heard that You Guang was promoting propaganda to find young talents who are interested in Western learning and send them to study in the UK at public expense. Is this possible?"
Li Tingzhao said: "Yes, my family San'er is currently studying at the University of Cambridge in England, and he has made a name for himself in the world of foreigners."
"So he wanted to learn the Western art of studying objects and spread it back to China to recreate the world, but he was unable to do so. , so I want to find some good seedlings to bring over for training.”
“When you return from school, you can start a new school, teach scientific knowledge, and start the industrial revolution like the foreigners.”< br>
After Wang Shiyuan heard this, he immediately stood in awe. Regardless of whether things are successful or not, even this amazing spirit is definitely not something ordinary people can have.
At that moment, he had a high opinion of Li Qiwei, and then asked: "I wonder how many domestic talents Brother Li has recruited?"
Li Tingzhao said: "San'er told me that the first batch There shouldn’t be too many people, there are only three at the moment.”
“Oh.” Wang Shiyuan thought thoughtfully, and then his expression suddenly became awkward and his tone was awkward, “Brother Li, I wonder if you can recruit a girl?”
Li Tingzhao was slightly stunned and didn’t understand.
Wang Luyao on the side couldn't wait any longer and said immediately: "Oh, Uncle Li, even I want to go to England and study with brother Qiwei. Do you think it's okay?"
"Huh?" Li Tingzhao was old and prudent. He was also shocked at this moment. After thinking for a long time, he said: "Niece, Britain is far away overseas and not as good as China. Are you sure?"
Wang Luyao said smartly: "It doesn't matter. Uncle Li, I’m not alone along the way, and when I get there, I’ll definitely be with Brother Qiwei, and there won’t be any problems.”
Li Tingzhao was also confused, thinking: Girl, yes. Did you take the initiative to deliver it to your door? He looked helplessly towards Wang Shiyuan, wanting to ask for his opinion.
Wang Shiyuan could only sigh: "Brother Li, if it is convenient, I hope to agree to this request."
Seeing this, Li Tingzhao could only agree, so he said: "Brother Wang, don't worry, there are people serving and protecting San'er, and we will never let my niece suffer at all."
"This time I am going to England, sit down This is the latest ship produced in Britain. It is fast and comfortable. Even if it travels thousands of miles, it will not be bumpy. "
"Furthermore, San'er told me in the letter that it can take as short as two years or as long as possible. Then in three years, this group of people will return."
When Wang Shiyuan heard this, he felt much better, but he was still a little reluctant.
Actually, he was also very torn in his heart. He hoped that Li Qiwei and his daughter would do well, but he also didn’t want his daughter to go too far.
Through his inquiries over the past few days and the conversation he had just had, he guessed that Li Qiwei had lofty ambitions and was by no means a mere creature of the pond. Moreover, the two families knew each other well.
Now that the other party is employing people, it is much better to provide help in times of need than to add icing on the cake later.
Seeing that the Li family’s preparations were so meticulous and thorough, I felt relieved in the end.
On December 1, 1900, a British ship carrying four young people set off from Guangzhou.
Wang Luyao and the other four will travel along the South China Sea, cross the Strait of Malacca, enter the Indian Ocean, pass through Sri Lanka, then enter the Red Sea, then cross the Suez Canal, and finally enter the Mediterranean Sea.
After resting in Port Said, we crossed the Mediterranean Sea again, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, followed Portugal and France, and entered the English Channel from the Atlantic Ocean.
Finally, we landed at the dock in London. The whole journey took 29 days.
The real thing is: the journey thousands of miles away is Qiwei.
Thank you to [Ten Million Readings] for your monthly votes, and thank you to all new and old book friends for your recommendation votes. The heroine finally appears. Some book friends think these two chapters are relatively bland, because they are all key figures in the next chapter, so they are described in a slightly more colorful way. Don't worry, let's start pushing the plot right away.
(End of this chapter)