Subtitle of this chapter: South-east-north-west winds rise in Washington

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"That's right, Hongji. I haven't congratulated you on your engagement yet. You, a Western doctor, will now become the son-in-law of the Nanyang giants, and if you become a senior official of the Beiyang government in the future, then you will be a big four! When the time comes, I'll have to take my little brother with me. ”

The friendship between the two of them is deep, and Meng Xiancheng is also quite witty, so he made such a joke.

"Southeast, northwest, hahaha......" Our Master Yuan was also amused, "Then when I return to 'China', become a 'red' person, and 'make a fortune', I will definitely build a big Sanyuan University and ask you to be the president!" ”

"Hahaha......" The two old friends looked at each other and laughed.

Yuan Yanqian suppressed his laughter and asked, "Bo Hong, since you mentioned mahjong, then I just wanted to ask you, the chairman of the Washington branch of the No. 144 Mahjong Club, how are you doing now, and how many members have you recruited?" ”

Since our Master Yuan wants to promote the traditional culture of Seris, it is naturally impossible to be limited to New York. It's a pity that he doesn't know many people in other places, so he has to entrust President Luo Puxiang. But he had an educator friend in Washington.

Hearing this question, Meng Xiancheng said with some excitement: "We already have more than 50 regular members here, and there are more than 100 people who are interested. I was about to write to you asking how many more tiles you wanted. ”

This is naturally nothing compared to the current four-digit membership figure at the New York headquarters, but considering that there is no Chinatown in Washington, D.C., only a few international students can only rely on a few international students to become mahjong instructors.

Meng Xiancheng is not as extensive as Yuan Yanqian, which is not satisfactory.

"Hong Chuan, I also compiled a set of mahjong textbooks according to your instructions." As he spoke, the educator pulled out a pamphlet from his bosom.

Master Yuan's spirits perked up, and he hurriedly stretched out his hand and said, "Bring it to me and show it......"

"The art of the 144 Cards, also known as The ay of Mahjong, is the world's first mahjong textbook for non-native Chinese speakers."

Its emergence has greatly promoted the development of mahjong in the United States and the West, and in less than ten years, it has been translated into dozens of languages and marketed all over the world. It is said that in the twenty-first century, the booklet was sold more than the Bible. Therefore, it is also known as the Mahjong Bible. ”

In addition to the mahjong textbook, this is also a Chinese textbook that is entertaining and educational. In the preface to the first edition, Mr. Yuan Yanqi, one of the co-authors of the book, declared that as long as you learn mahjong tiles, you can learn to Chinese everyday language, and as long as you master this booklet, you can travel all over China without Chinese translation. ”

Of course, there was some exaggeration in his words. However, this textbook is indeed very helpful to Western Chinese learners, so that many Western learners who originally thought that Chinese was very difficult and boring felt the joy of learning Chinese at the beginning. ”

And because mahjong can promote children's intellectual development as early as the twenties of the twentieth century has become a public opinion in the field of psychology and education, so many Westerners have learned mahjong under the guidance of their parents since childhood, and have also learned various Chinese mahjong terms during this period. As a result, he also developed a strong interest in Chinese culture. We can see so many Westerners who are fluent in Chinese today, and this book is a great credit. ”

As Mr. Yuan Yanqian himself said, most of the credit for this goes to the real author of this book, Mr. Meng Xiancheng, who is also a famous educator in China. Of course, the reason why he compiled "The Art of 144 Cards" was commissioned by Mr. Yuan Yanqi. ”

"The two of them, together with the first chairman of the No. 144 club, Mr. Luo Puxiang, are known as the 'Three Masters of Matan'."

General Joseph Stilwell praised the booklet and the way to learn Chinese with mahjong. In fact, he himself is a linguistic wizard. In August 1919, he was appointed the first Chinese language officer to study Chinese at the University of California, Berkeley. In August 1920, he came to China for the second time and officially took up the post of a language officer stationed in China, where he continued to study Chinese at the North China Union Language School in Beijing. ”

"When he first came into contact with The Art of 144 Cards at the end of 1921, he couldn't help but marvel that if he had learned Chinese and Chinese culture in this way from the beginning, he would have mastered the language twice as fast."

Stilwell vigorously promoted mahjong among the U.S. troops stationed in China at the time. And after these officers and soldiers returned to the United States, they set off a mahjong frenzy in the army. So much so that by World War II, the logistics department of the US army had to print as many paper mahjong tiles as playing cards to supply front-line combat troops. ”

"Until the 21st century, the U.S. military held an annual mahjong competition. In honor of the first person to promote the game of mahjong in the U.S. military, this trophy is called the 'Joseph Stilwell Award'. This is also one of the most important prizes outside of the four major mahjong open tournaments at present. ”

Another famous linguist and philosopher, and a good friend of Mr. Yuan Yanqi, Ludwig? Wittgenstein even called mahjong the guiding light of his life. The title of the reprint of his Treatise on Logic and Philosophy is: Dedicated to Neo-Yuan and his 144 elves. ”

"In 1926, Wittgenstein, who had always proved to be out of step with adults, left the 'vulgar and stupid southern peasant' and ended his post as a village teacher. At that time, he received a gift from Mr. Yuan Yanqi, a deck of mahjong tiles and a book of "The Art of 144 Cards", and since then he has become a loyal fan of mahjong. ”

"In 1947, Wittgenstein, convinced that teaching philosophy was an absurd job, resigned from Trinity College, Cambridge, to devote himself to the promotion of mahjong in various European countries, and became honorary president of the European Mahjong United Club."

Russell once said that Wittgenstein and Yuan Yanqian are the perfect examples of geniuses, they are full of enthusiasm and deep thinking about life, so they have a fanatical love for mahjong. This is because Majhong is Life. ）。 ”

Under the influence of Mr. Yuan, Yamamoto Isoroku, who was already known as a gambler, also became a mahjong enthusiast and brought this hobby to the Japanese Navy. Later, the Yamato aircraft carrier, the flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet, was nicknamed 'Yamato Mahjong Hall', because the air force on the Yamato used mahjong tiles as a call sign. (Author's note: With our Master Yuan, how can there still be such a thing as a Yamato battleship?) ）

In addition to them, there were many historical celebrities who were mahjong enthusiasts at that time, such as Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, and Roosevelt served four consecutive presidents of the United States. It is said that Hitler and Mussolini, as well as a group of high-ranking Nazi officials, also enjoyed the sport and played cards together. ”

"Probably because of his hatred of Mr. Yuan Yanqi's relationship, or possible racist thoughts, Winston Churchill was the world's number one opponent of mahjong, calling it an oriental trick to corrupt Western civilization, and during his tenure as prime minister, he also wanted to ban mahjong in the UK, but at that time even the British royal family was obsessed with mahjong, and this ban was finally abandoned."

——Excerpt from the preface to the Chinese edition of The Art of 144 Cards

“Very Good！” Yuan Yanqian flipped through the pamphlet and praised sincerely, "Bohong, you have helped me a lot!" ”

Sure enough, professional things should be left to professionals. As educators, the textbooks they write are easier to understand than their own, and they are more in line with the laws of the human learning process.

Meng Xiancheng said with a smile: "Hong Chuan, you said that this is to promote our traditional Chinese culture, and the little brother doesn't dare not be unreasonable." ”

Yuan Yanqian patted the booklet with her hand and said: "That's right, with this book and the charm of mahjong tiles, why worry that our traditional Chinese culture is not recognized by people all over the world?" ”

Our Master Yuan began to complain again in his heart, and if the people who are now holding high the banner of "Down with the Confucian Family" see that their juniors are opening "Confucius Institutes" in foreign countries, they are happy, complacent, and proud, and they are not ashamed but proud.

To put it seriously, what is there to promote Kong Lao Er, it is better to have this kind of funding than to open dozens of mahjong clubs.

If they don't do it, I'll do it for them.

Yuan Yanqian pondered for a while and explained: "Bo Hong, I am not familiar with Washington, so I have to trouble you in this matter." Please find a printing house to print this book as soon as possible, it must be exquisite, it must be beautiful, it must be atmospheric, and you must not be afraid to spend money! ”

He said solemnly: "I've been useful for a few days, so the sooner the better." ”

Meng Xiancheng nodded and said, "Hong Yan, I'll arrange it right away." ”

Yuan Yanqian and Meng Xiancheng finished talking about this "business" to promote the traditional culture of Seris, and then chatted about the recent situation of relatives and friends in China and their respective current situations.

Then the topic of their conversation will be more in-depth, after all, these two are old classmates and old friends who have known each other in China.

"I really don't understand why you hate President Wilson so much. You know, there are quite a few people at George Washington University where I am studying are very disgusted with your political essays, and some people even say that you are ...... Well, say you're taking revenge for yourself. ”

In fact, the progressive or racist intellectuals call him a mad troll, an anti-peace warmonger, a big capitalist dogleg, and an arrogant pigtail braid...... And so on. Meng Xiancheng still chose the lightest scolding method.

"Hehe......" Our Master Yuan chuckled a few times, and instead of interrupting him, he sat on the sofa and swallowed the fog by himself.

To be honest, he doesn't care much about someone scolding him, he only cares about whether the person who scolds him has a reputation. If you have a reputation, you have to go back with great fanfare, and if you don't have a reputation, just scold a Shabi in your heart.

Meng Xiancheng raised his glasses in embarrassment and continued: "Okay, Wilson really didn't speak up for our country and properly solve the Shandong problem at the Versailles Peace Conference, but he can't be blamed for this. It is mainly the two immoral colonial empires of Britain and France that are in the way, and Japan is arrogant and cunning, and does not care about international justice at all.......

He sighed and said, "Plus our Beiyang government is weak and can be bullied......"

You must know that Chinese intellectuals have great expectations for Woodrow Wilson and his Wilsonianism. Before the Versailles Peace Conference, cultural bigwigs such as Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, and Hu Shi gave Wilson enthusiastic praise and pinned their hopes for world peace on his League of Nations.

In February 1919, Cai Yuanpei and Xiong Xiling also initiated the establishment of the "League of Nations Comrades Association" to promote the idea of the League of Nations in China.

From the point of view of the Seris intellectuals of the time, Wilsonism was indeed worth expecting.

In his public speech in New York in 1918, Wilson proposed five principles for a peace plan: 1) national equality, 2) common interests, 3) the League of Nations, 4) international economic cooperation, and 5) open diplomacy. Sounds familiar.

In any case, these seemingly rosy proposals were very attractive to Seris, who had been bullied by the Great Powers. So it's not uncommon for this Meng University educator to have this kind of thought.

However, Yuan Yanqian was not ready to put a loudmouth cannon to persuade him to change his mind.

The reason is simple, the Master Ball system does not issue quests...... And that's just one of them.

Second, Master Yuan doesn't think about scaring the sky and the air all day long, and it is also very tiring to let go of the cannon.

Just like later generations on the Internet, in order to prove that some people are Shabi, they have to find dry goods to slap their faces, what other results do they have in addition to satisfying their desire to slap their faces?

Third, he, a time-traveler, does not want to change the life trajectory of all historical figures.

For example, this "old friend" in front of him is very good to be a patriotic educator who cultivates educational talents for China, and he can also become an "educator of the older generation of the Republic" in the future, so what does it matter if he is naïve about international political relations?

"Bohong, you don't know anything." Yuan Yanqian smiled slightly, "Let me ask you, do you know why I came to Washington?" ”

"You didn't say anything in the letter." The other party shook his head and said with some confusion, "I thought you were here to accompany Minister Shi Zhaoji to watch the ceremony, and by the way, you came to see me." ”

"Hahaha......" Yuan Yanqian didn't hide it, and said with a smile: "So you just don't know one thing." Actually, I'm here to ......."

Meng Xiancheng was greatly taken aback after hearing his words, and said in disbelief: "Ah! So, you came to Washington to be an advisor to the next secretary of state?! ”

He stood up excitedly and walked around the room before stammering, "This, this, this, this, ”

Even a hundred years from now, it would be shocking for Chinese students to serve as advisers to the U.S. Secretary of State.

Our Master Yuan waved his hand and said calmly: "What adviser, Mr. Hughes is just looking for me, a Chinese, to understand the situation in the Far East." ”

Meng Xiancheng sat down beside him, approached him and asked in a low voice, "Hong Yan, what are you going to say to him?" ”