Li Zhen said: "This time I went to the United States, and some of the generals in the army went with Liu Jintang and Chen Yucheng. As for the children and nephews in your respective families, you can also bring some of them. This is our first time, which is equivalent to finding out, so the number of people who go should not be too large, no more than ten children, let them open their eyes. ”

Zeng Guofan said: "President, I have a son, Zeng Jihong, and I want to recommend him to the United States. This kid is not interested in fame, but likes arithmetic and the like, so it's okay for him to see the world. ”

Li Zhen rolled his eyes and said, "Brother Bohan, Ji Hong is not very old!" ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Only twelve years old! ”

Li Zhen said: "Ji Hong can accompany him, but I heard that your second son, Zeng Jize, is also very smart. Simply, let your second son Zeng Jize go out to see the world together, it will be good for him. ”

Zeng Guofan nodded and said, "Thank you, President!" ”

Zuo Zongtang said: "President, my son Zuo Xiaowei is fifteen years old, let Xiaowei go with him." ”

"Yes!" Li Zhen said happily.

Zeng Guofan said: "President, I know a person who may be helpful for us to go to the United States. He was even helpful to the children who came with us to the United States. ”

Li Zhendao: "Tell me who it is?" ”

Zeng Guofan replied: "Rong Hong (hong)! ”

Li Zhen frowned and said, "Rong Hong? This name is familiar! ”

Li Zhen was a little familiar with this person, as if he had heard it somewhere, but he couldn't remember what was going on for a while.

Zeng Guofan explained with a smile: "Rong Hong is a native of Xiangshan County, Guangdong, and when he was young, because his father was working in Macau, he was sent by his parents to study in a free foreign school run by foreigners in Macao. Later, Rong Hong went to the United States to study alone, and finally graduated from Yale University. Rong Hong has been back in China for a while, met me once, and is now in Beijing. If someone like Yung Hong comes with us, it will definitely help us. ”

After Li Zhen heard this, his eyes brightened, and he thought of Rong Hong's situation.

Rong Hong was the first person to study abroad, and the Chinese public student was initiated by Rong Hong, and he is known as the "father of Chinese students". "For this person, Li Zhen is familiar with several 'firsts' created by Rong Hong.

First, Yung Hong was one of the first batch of students in China, and he studied at the Foreign Academy in Macao as a child. Second, Yung Hong was the first international student to choose independently, he went to the United States alone, and finally studied at Yale University; Third, Rong Hong was the first self-financed international student and was not supported by the Manchu Qing Dynasty; Fourth, Rong Hong is the first work-study student, because of lack of money, he studies part-time, and studies while making money; Fifth, Rong Hong is the first international student to complete his studies; Sixth, Rong Hong is the first advocate of public study abroad and initiated the Chinese public study abroad.

Because of Rong Hong's persistence, Zhan Tianyou and a group of other international students saw the new situation on the other side of the world.

Li Zhen was excited in his heart and admired this person very much.

Such a person deserves respect.

Li Zhen immediately ordered: "Brother Bohan, invite him to see him immediately." ”

Zeng Guofan nodded and said, "I'll send someone to invite it immediately." ”

Immediately, Zeng Guofan sent someone to convey the order, and it didn't take long for a thin middle-aged man to come to the presidential palace. This person is Rong Hong. After he saw Li Zhen, he was excited, and bowed to Li Zhen again and again to express his respect in his heart. Li Zhen asked Rong Hong to sit down and said, "Mr. Rong studied and graduated in the United States, he can be called half an American, and he is very familiar with the United States, right?" ”

Rong Hong replied: "Back to the president, I know a little bit about it. ”

Li Zhen said with a smile: "Modesty is time-sharing, and there is no need to be modest in front of me." I was looking for you to discuss something, I plan to take someone to the United States for a trip, and I heard Premier Zeng say that you are studying in the United States and graduated, and I want to ask you as a guide, how about it? ”

"Yes, yes!"

Rong Hong nodded again and again, with an excited expression on his face.

Unexpectedly, a big pie fell from the sky. At this moment, Rong Hong's heart was full of surprise, he didn't expect Li Zhen to suddenly invite him.

Li Zhen waved his hand and said: "Since you agreed, then prepare, remember, the news can't be leaked." ”

"Yes, yes!"

Rong Hong came and went quickly, and left excitedly.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Shihai, Zhao Liewen and others proposed to let their children and nephews follow Li Zhen. They can't go, but at least they can let their nephews and nephews be with Li Zhen, which can open their eyes. The cadres and others discussed the candidates in the hall all morning, and after considering them one by one, the final candidates were all the sons and nephews of the old brothers who followed Li Zhen.

On the same day, Li Zhen sent someone to invite Ma Hui to the presidential palace.

In the living room, guests and hosts are seated.

Ma Hui said with a smile: "The president invited me to come, I must have made a decision." ”

Li Zhen said: "Yes, I decided to go to the United States. ”

Ma Hui was immediately overjoyed and said, "Great, I'll arrange it immediately." ”

Li Zhen waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, you don't have to worry about this." All you need to do is send the news of my trip back to the United States and inform Lord Lincoln. Naturally, I will take my men with me, and I will also use our own steamer. ”

Ma Hui understood Li Zhen's thoughts and said, "Can't the president trust the United States?" ”

Li Zhen shook his head lightly and said with a smile: "It's not that I can't trust the United States, on the contrary, I have 100 percent reason to believe in the sincerity of the United States in inviting me to go, and I also believe that the United States will do its best to ensure my safety." But I followed you on a fanfare, the target is too big, and it is easy to attract the attention of some countries. If these countries attack me, if they succeed, it is very likely to trigger a war between China and the United States, and I think this is what Your Excellency does not want to see. ”

After a pause, Li Zhencai continued: "In this case, I simply went to the United States by myself. Of course, Mr. Ma Hui also wants to arrange a ship to escort a fake Li Zhen to the United States to attract attention, what do you think? ”

Ma Hui nodded and said, "Be careful, the president is reasonable." This is the first time that a president has traveled to the United States, and there will always be people who do not want good relations between China and the United States. ”

Li Zhen said: "In this case, Your Excellency go and prepare!" ”

"Farewell!"

Ma Hui got up and left to prepare for Li Zhen's trip to the United States.

In the following month, Li Zhen handed over domestic affairs. Whether it is the affairs of the army, or the financial affairs, or the business system run by Wang Chi, etc., everything is handled properly.

On the eighth day of November, Li Zhen, Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Jize, Zeng Jihong, Zuo Xiaowei, Liu Jintang, Chen Yucheng, Huang Qiang, and others quietly left Beijing and went to Tianjin.

On the edge of the harbor, on a battleship.

On the deck, Li Zhen stood on the side of the ship, looking down at the harbor waiting for people, and waving. Zuo Zongtang, Huang Qiang, Zeng Jihong, Zeng Jize and others who were standing beside Li Zhen stared at the port, with a trace of reluctance to travel far away, but more excitement.

Most of the people on board had never been to sea.

ps: the third shift; Call it a day.