Chapter 171 The Two Paths of the Seniors and the Travelers
Time flies by like a white horse, and 1903 passed quietly in the busyness of everyone.
The Qing Dynasty experienced major defeats in several wars, its vitality was severely damaged, and it seemed that it was about to perish soon.
But the emergence of the New Deal seems to have brought new hope to this decadent empire.
Many officials paid tribute to Cixi, flattering her and shouting that a prosperous age was coming.
The Queen Mother and Lao Fuye turned things around and made the Qing Dynasty strong and prosperous.
Cixi was in a good mood, and then transferred another sum of money to build a garden for herself.
Because the New Deal encouraged industry and commerce, various private enterprises in the Qing Dynasty developed rapidly.
Business prosperity creates more wealth. When the people have money, the court will naturally collect more taxes.
In real history, the fiscal revenue of the Qing Dynasty in 1900 was 88 million taels of silver.
But by 1908, this number suddenly increased to 200 million taels of silver.
By 1911, it reached an astonishing 300 million taels of silver.
This is the power of industry and commerce.
The imperial court banned commerce before, but now encourages commerce, so there was a huge backlash.
In the Middle Ages, the taxes collected by the court were basically agricultural taxes.
The natural attributes of agriculture determine that its upper limit is too low.
Since the start of the industrial revolution, industry and commerce have experienced explosive development.
A massive amount of goods were produced, and wealth increased exponentially.
So even a feudal country like the Qing Dynasty dared to call itself a prosperous age after drinking a little bit of the soup of the Industrial Revolution.
However, under the appearance of a prosperous age, the internal conflicts within the Qing Dynasty were still getting more and more intense, with no sign of resolution.
At the same time, the voice of the revolutionary party appeared frequently in the country, and various revolutionary organizations were established in an attempt to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.
Li Qiwei discovered that Zhou Ziyu was very active during this period and often traveled to Shanghai, saying that he was inviting his friends to become professors at Huangpu University of Technology.
However, Li Qiwei knew it well and did not expose the other party.
Anyway, he will not join any organization. Calculating time, several revolutionary organizations should be established this year, and they will be very famous in later generations.
But Li Qiwei has decided to go his own way, and no idea can convince him.
"Brother Zhou, you and I hit it off right away. I don't want to hurt our feelings because of something."
"I'll tell you the truth, I won't be able to stay in China for long. In the future, I will return to Europe and continue my career." Scientific research career."
"I can provide you with shelter for the time being, but you must be careful."
"I personally think that the Qing Dynasty will fall, maybe within ten years. "
There was no shock on Zhou Ziyu's face. He had been getting along with Li Qiwei during this period and had already figured out the other person's temper.
"Hey, Qiwei, the most regretful thing in my life is that you can't join the revolutionary cause."
"To tell you the truth, after you became Guangxu's imperial master, I felt very unhappy. "Comfortable."
"How can a Han elite like you work for the Tatars and help the Tatars?"
"With your status and your connections in Western countries, if you get involved, The anti-Qing cause will definitely inspire the enthusiasm of our Chinese athletes."
"Maybe it will speed up the demise of the Qing Dynasty."
"But why do you just hold on to education?"
"I admit that education is very important, including myself. The means of revolution is to popularize education and promote new ideas."
" But you are different. You seem to be stuck in science and engineering education and cannot extricate yourself."
"Of course knowledge of ancient things is important, otherwise the West would not be able to take the lead in starting the industrial revolution."
"But. Do you think that what China needs most now is physics, not chemistry? ”
Li Qiwei was silent. He really didn't have enough reasons to prove his idea.
Zhou Ziyu then said: "Qiwei, do you still remember the first time you and I met?"
"I was indeed convinced by you at that time."
"You arm China's body with knowledge of natural science, and I arm China's brain with revolutionary ideas."
"This is really a beautiful plan, impeccable."
"However, this year, when I saw the New Deal in full swing, I discovered a fatal problem."
"That is, your plan takes too long!"
“The warriors in China who are interested in revolution cannot wait until they grow up.”
“What we have to do now is to overthrow the Manchu Qing Dynasty first, and then slowly develop science and technology.”
< br>“Your approach is still too optimistic.”
"Even if someone appears in the Qing Dynasty who can turn the tide and use your power to suppress the revolutionaries, it would be too unacceptable."
At this time, Li Qiwei was finally moved. At the same time, he also Discovered a problem he had been ignoring.
That is, he is the only one in this world who knows the direction of future history.
So, he can take his time and quietly develop education and improve technology.
As long as we have absolute force before the critical node, we can protect China. But others don't know.
Zhou Ziyu didn’t know, and neither did the revolutionaries.
In their eyes, the Manchu Qing Dynasty is now showing signs of resurgence, which is alarming.
If another figure like Kangxi and Yongzheng emerges, the revolution will definitely encounter unprecedented challenges.
So, Zhou Ziyu should emancipate his mind first, and then consider science.
From his point of view, there is nothing wrong with this idea, and it is even the best solution.
At this time, Li Qiwei felt the greatness of his predecessors in history.
They throw their heads and blood and are fearless, not because they see the future, but because they believe in the future!
As long as they have faith in their hearts, even if there is darkness ahead, it cannot shake their determination.
Li Qiwei would never dare to be so arrogant as to persuade Zhou Ziyu not to advance.
Without the efforts of these revolutionary organizations, could the Qing Dynasty really have declared its demise in 1912?
At this moment, Li Qiwei discovered that he could climb the technological tree with peace of mind because he was actually standing on the shoulders of his predecessors.
He was in awe.
Although he still won't change his mind.
Because the revolution did not solve the real problem, decades of chaos followed.
However, he can provide these great seniors with the help he can.
"Brother Zhou, I understand your thinking."
"But I have my own beliefs."
"This path of yours is the best way to solve the most difficult problem at present. Urgent question. ”
“My path is to prepare for the future.”
"Once a revolution breaks out across the country, it will inevitably fall into chaos."
"At that time, it will be more difficult to educate."
"And, let me tell you a piece of news."
“The development of physics has now reached a critical stage.”
“In the future, very terrible weapons are likely to appear.”
"The manpower, material resources, and financial resources required for this kind of weapon are all unimaginable."
"If we cannot get this kind of weapon in our hands at the first time, we will be very passive."
"This is the most fundamental reason why I have been forbearing and developing education in a low-key manner."
When Zhou Ziyu heard the secret deep in Li Qiwei's heart, he was also shocked and broke into a cold sweat.
He did not expect that Li Qiwei had such difficulties.
With his status as a great master of Western learning, this statement cannot be false.
It makes sense to lay out the plan decades in advance.
"Qiwei. You. Hey."
"Perhaps all the people in the country need to thank you in the future."
"There was actually a revolutionary organization before that planned the Your assassination."
"Because they believe that you are a lackey of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Otherwise, why would they spare no effort to help the Tatars run education."
"However, after today, you are worthy of the admiration of all of us."
"You I am prepared to spend my whole life fighting for China!"
Li Qiwei was also shocked into a cold sweat. He did not expect such a thing to happen. Fortunately, he expressed his feelings to Zhou Ziyu today.
Otherwise, it would be unlucky to be taken away by one of our own people.
"Brother Zhou, in order to show my support for you, I can introduce you to some Western arms companies."
"I think a revolution without the support of force is meaningless."
Zhou Ziyu was overjoyed, "That's great, Qiwei, you have solved an urgent need."
"On behalf of all the people with lofty ideals in the country, I thank you."
Li Qiwei said quickly: " I’m just trying my best, you are doing the really dangerous things.”
"Brother Zhou, please go back and publicize it. I am not a lackey of the Manchu Qing Dynasty."
Zhou Ziyu laughed loudly, "Don't worry, Qiwei, your innocent heart can be learned from heaven and earth."
"Besides, don't worry, I will still work at Huangpu University of Technology."
"Since you have such a long-term plan, I naturally want to give you a helping hand."
"Hope In my lifetime, I will be able to see China dominate the world! ”
Li Qiwei laughed loudly and said: "Don't worry, Brother Zhou, this day won't be long."
(End of this chapter)