Seeing that Sun and Zhang seemed to have something to talk about, and they were not in a hurry about their own affairs, they left after a few words of greeting. Sun Yuanqi sent them out of the building, and when they came back, they no longer went back to sit behind the desk, but accompanied Zhang Yuanji to sit on the chairs on both sides of the coffee table.

In fact, when Zhang Yuanji got started, he looked at the principal's room: the office was not big, very plain, there was not even a single calligraphy or painting on the white-lime wall, there were no common brushes, ink blocks, rice paper, inkstones on the desk, only an inkwell, a few pieces of cut white paper, on the white paper was placed the pen just held in his hand, and there were a few pieces of paper next to it, which were full of words. In addition to the desk, the coffee table for the guests, and a few chairs, there was a bookcase with 100 books, all of which were new, many of which should still be foreign books, but there was hardly any yellowed Four Books and Five Classics on the desk of ordinary readers.

When Sun Yuan sat down, he put down the teacup and said solemnly: "It's very presumptuous to come to disturb you suddenly without informing you, and please don't be surprised." It's just that I'm very curious, and I want to use my own eyes to see what the school planned by the virtuous brother looks like. ”

"Hahaha, the school is open, it is originally a place for people to visit and learn, why is it strange? Besides, you are also a member of the school, so why bother? Obviously, Sun Yuanqi didn't care about this, "How is it?" How do you feel after looking around? Needless to say, the good places are not good, and we will work together to change them. In this way, the school will get better and better! ”

"Then I don't take the liberty of it, just say a few words casually as I see and hear?" Zhang Yuanji was also not polite, shook the hem of the cotton robe, changed to a more comfortable position, and then said slowly: "The school is generally good, the mountains and rivers are beautiful, the scenery is beautiful, and the building also has a unique charm. However, isn't this a little far away from Jingshi? It's inconvenient to go to the city and back to school, right? ”

"Isn't this 'rice is expensive in the capital, and it is not easy to live in a big place'?" Sun Yuanqi replied with a smile.

"Isn't that right? There is more wasteland around the capital, and the price is not much more expensive than this. "Zhang Yuanji has been in the world for a long time, so he will not be confused by this false shot.

Seeing that he was more serious, Sun Yuanqi no longer concealed it: "The capital is a prosperous place, and many of the world's talents gather here, so the school should be selected near the capital." However, while the capital gathers books and belongings, it is also the most trouble-prone place, not to mention the national change the year before last, the Beijing division was burned and looted, and the Old Summer Palace outside the city could not escape the catastrophe. If such a change happens, how can the school avoid disaster? This is one of them. The students in the school are all strong-blooded, and once the country has something, they will definitely not stand idly by. Throughout history, such things have been most hated by the authorities. is close to the Beijing Division, and it is difficult to prevent it; And far away in the mountains, the news lags, and there may be a way to buffer. This is the second one. ”

Hearing this, Zhang Yuanji's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he interjected: "Reading is reasonable, in the final analysis, it is still for the benefit of the country and the people, how can you cower because of a temporary disaster?" ”

"What the gentleman said is very true. In the end, students learn to serve the country and the people, but there is more than one way, such as rejuvenating the country through science and technology, rejuvenating the country through industry, rejuvenating the country through education, and so on. What we are preventing is only the impulse of the students, not their patriotism and love for the people. And with the development of the school and the progress of science and technology, the forty-mile road into the city may only take half an hour, or even less than half an hour. This is the third one. When you come, you should see a small village at the school gate, but for half a year, it is empty. I believe that in about ten years, everything will change! ”

Yes, as long as the Xinhai Revolution broke out ten years later and the Republic of China government was established, everything would be different. Sun Yuanqi added this sentence in his heart.

"Oh, that's it." Zhang Yuanji nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Brother Xian just talked about 'ten years later'. Actually, I always had a question in my mind. In the "Zuo Biography", it is said, 'Its rise is also muddy, and its death is also sudden', a country, a dynasty, a province, a county, and even a family or a person. Thinking about the Wuxu years, the law changed suddenly, and people of insight in the world were all happy and inspired, thinking that the country's prosperity could be expected. However, in the past few months, the situation has changed, and now, the country's strength is declining, and the country's strength is declining. ”

"The same is true for running schools, not to mention the recent Jingshi University Hall, which is the famous Shigu Academy and Bailudong Academy in history, etc., and most of them are due to people's success and people's political rest. I have been working in schools in Shanghai for the past few years, and I know a little bit about the situation of Taixi School. I heard that the University Hall of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England, the University Hall of Paris in France, and the University Hall of Heidelberg in Germany all have a history of six or seven hundred years, and they are still prosperous today. Compared with the two, I can't help but feel a little emotional, and I also want to build my school into a university hall that can be passed on to future generations. Hehe, but life is often unsatisfactory, but because of some discord, they can't do anything, so they can only resign. ”

"Today, when I see the school founded by the virtuous brother and listen to the conversation of the virtuous brother, I also have the idea of passing on the school to future generations. I wanted to ask the question that had been hidden in my heart for a long time, and I hoped that my brother would teach me: What is the way to make the school prosperous? After speaking, Zhang Yuanji bowed to Sun Yuanqi.

Sun Yuanqi gave up again and again, considered his words, and said: "Before answering this question, we must first answer such a question: What is a university? What is the necessity of the existence of universities? ”

"The so-called university should be the place where the most advanced and abundant ideas and science and technology are produced and disseminated. She has produced outstanding people with knowledge, skills and morals, and she represents the intellectual power, social conscience and direction of development of a country. At present, the competition between countries is, in the final analysis, the competition of cutting-edge science and technology, and this aspect is what China lacks the most. As a base for the dissemination of scientific and technological research, it is imperative for the university to be established. Moreover, with the dissemination of information, the opening of people's wisdom, and the popularization of knowledge, the people's desire for education will become more and more urgent, and higher education is a vital part of the education system. Nowadays, primary and secondary schools have been established in the country, and the establishment of universities as the main institutions of higher education is expected by all. ”

"Of course, universities are not unique to Europe and the United States. Comparing the current education systems in China and the West, if the private school for children's enlightenment in China is a primary school in the West, then the Hanlin Academy is a university hall in the West. However, the interests of those people in the Hanlin Academy lie in poetry and songs, or in promotion and wealth, which are not all the pursuits that should be pursued in a university. This is not to criticize the Hanlin Academy, in fact, many of them have attainments in poetry, calligraphy and painting, which are our precious treasures. However, this is like a field, if left unchecked and allowed to overgrow, until the autumn harvest season, there may be some rare medicinal herbs, or wild meat such as hares and pheasants. The rigorous scientific training of Western universities is equivalent to planting crops in the field, intensive cultivation, pulling weeds and fertilizing. Although the rice is planted in the same way, it is difficult to have other strange harvests, but the results are predictable. Isn't our country now rich in all kinds of game, but lacking in these paddies? This is the necessity of the existence of universities, especially the University of Honse. ”

"If universities can exist, how can they exist and prosper? Sir's question, I will now begin to answer it positively. Sun Yuanqi took a sip of tea and continued: "The method I think of now is 'academic independence'. ”

"Academic independence?" Zhang Yuanji stared at Sun Yuanqi and waited for the following.

"Because the school is private, and it is located in the wilderness, it is a small independent kingdom, and it is possible to ignore government interference for a while. At the same time, the school's rules clearly stipulate that the school's funding comes from donations, and donors only have the right to make suggestions and not decisions on school affairs, in other words, they cannot interfere in the management of the school. These are the prerequisites for academic independence.

"Academic independence is first and foremost reflected in school management. The management of the university will be jointly managed by the two institutions, and in addition to the existing school council, a professor committee will be gradually established in the next one to two years. At that time, both parties can put forward opinions and suggestions, and the professor committee is responsible for decision-making and supervision of the school's affairs, while the school board is mainly responsible for implementation and enforcement. After several years of running-in, we will gradually realize the goal of professors governing the school. ”

"Academic independence is second reflected in the academic atmosphere. On campus, academics are free and inclusive. As long as scholarship does not violate human morality, it can exist and be discussed. There is a saying in the West that I can disagree with you, but I will defend your right to speak to the death. Teachers, teachers and students, and students can argue with each other on the premise of mutual respect, which is the basic requirement of academic independence. Of course, we must not use our words to make a fool of ourselves or abolish them because of our words, still less can we bully each other with a strong hand, speak ill of each other, and engage in personal attacks. ”

"The third thing about academic independence is to be reflected in the construction of disciplines. For example, even if there are no students applying for a major, as long as it is deemed necessary to exist academically, the subject should be preserved. ”

"Academic independence should also be reflected in campus planning,......"

"In short, academic independence is to ensure that the school can progress in an atmosphere of democracy, freedom and peace, where both teachers and students can progress, and science and ideas can be passed on and developed."

After listening to this, Zhang Yuanji just nodded slightly, and did not say anything to oppose or agree for a while. Sun Yuanqi also knows that these require careful thinking and future practice, and they are not convincing by talking about them in generalities, so he doesn't care.

After a while, Sun Yuanqi's point of view was roughly clarified, and then Zhang Yuanji changed the topic: "Then the school was established, how to solve the problem of hiring teachers?" ”

"At present, there are only four departments in the university, with less than 40 people, all of whom are science and engineering, and the teachers are mainly teachers and students from MIT, Yale, and McGill universities, in addition to Yang Yulao, Yan Jidao, Xiong Huizhen, Lu Bi and several other gentlemen. As for the higher school, the middle school, and the primary school, these students are all part-time students, and occasionally I am in charge. Overall, although it is stretched, it can barely cope with it. Sun Yuanqi gave a general introduction, "After the New Year, there will be Wang Xianqian, Sun Yirang, Pi Xirui, Liao Ping, Cui Shi, Chen Yan and other teachers to come, and the teachers will be a little more generous." However, in July and August, the Faculty of Liberal Arts of the University will recruit students for the departments of Chinese Chinese Chinese and Literature, Foreign Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, and Education, and there will inevitably be a shortage of teachers. Now that you're here, I'm afraid you'll have to work hard. ”

"Hehe, no problem." Zhang Yuanji smiled heartily, "Well, Brother Xian, are you still in trouble?" I won't bother too much. I went around the campus again and became familiar with the school. Then he stood up and went away.

Sun Yuanqi understood that this Mr. Zhang was staying, so he also got up with him, called a school worker, and told him to take Mr. Zhang to settle down at the residence in the middle of the mountains first, and then listen to Mr. Zhang's instructions. In the evening, arrange a table in the cafeteria to receive the wind.

"By the way, I heard on campus, it seems like you're getting married recently? When the time comes, don't forget to treat my old brother to a glass of water and wine! Before going out, Zhang Yuanji suddenly turned his head and smiled narrowly at Sun Yuanqi.

Sun Yuanqi had no choice but to smile sneeringly: "Definitely, definitely." ”

With Zhang Yuanji's help, Sun Yuanqi suddenly felt that the burden on his shoulders was much lighter. For example, Mr. Sun Yirang, who set off from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province after the Lantern Festival, was the first of all the teachers to go to Beijing. Zhang Yuanji considered that Sun Yuanqi's wedding was imminent, so he took the initiative to invite Ying to the station to greet him. Although Sun Yuanqi still went together in the end, but in the subsequent accompaniment and reception, with Zhang Yuanji coming forward, Sun Yuanqi did save a lot of effort, and could even have time to discuss some problems with Dracula, Kassel and other people, and go to the playground to guide military training.

The wedding is scheduled for February 28.

Three days before the wedding, Sun Yuanqi took Vera to meet Boss Sun Jianai - this is the only elder in the family recognized by the whole Qing Dynasty, how can there be no reason not to tell him when he gets married?

In order to make it acceptable to the old man, Vera put on the clothes of a Qing Dynasty woman. It is said that this winter fat clothes cover Vera's bumpy body, coupled with her brown hair, not to mention, if you don't look at your face, she really looks like a Chinese girl.

Hearing the report from Menzi, his nephew and grandson brought his daughter-in-law who had not passed through the door to visit, the eldest was first shocked, and then overjoyed, specially freshened up, changed into new clothes, and met in the main hall, instead of the usual study. When he came, Sun Yuanqi had repeatedly instructed: kneel to kneel, kowtow to kowtow, and not to speak if you can. Sun Yuanqi took Vera to kneel down in the hall, and kowtowed to the old man in a proper manner, thanking him for taking care of him all the time, from being naked to now having a career and a family.

After the New Year, the old man is already seventy-six years old, and his eyes are very bright, and it is estimated that Vera who is kneeling behind Sun Yuanqi kowtows, he can't see clearly. Sure enough, Sun Yuanqi didn't expect it, and when the two of them kowtowed, the boss reached out to let Sun Yuanqi get up: "Ah, Baixi, a family, don't see the outside like that, kowtow ......"

Three black lines appeared on Sun Yuanqi's forehead: Don't let kowtow, then you still say it so late every time?

Before Sun Yuanqi could sit down, he heard the old man say again: "Baixi, which family is the daughter of my nephew and daughter-in-law?" Later, let her go in and show your grandmother, aunt, and sister-in-law, and there will be a lot of contacts in the future......"

Sun Yuanqi couldn't hold back, so he had to vent his bottom line: "Back to my uncle, my fiancée's name is Vera, Vera Coster, she is American, I met her in the United States, and she doesn't speak Chinese well......"

Seeing the old man's smiling face, he froze suddenly, and after a while, he continued to brush his beard and whispered to the little maid: "Go and call the grandmothers in the back room to meet the new nieces and granddaughters-in-law......"

He pondered for a moment before he said to Sun Yuanqi and Vera: "In that case, the old man doesn't have to say anything. However, since you are married to my Qing Dynasty and my grandson's family, you have to follow the customs of the country, and the Western etiquette is not suitable for the Qing Dynasty, so you must change it carefully. What three obedience and four virtues, family rules and family precepts, must be abided by. Got it? ”

Vera was smart and tight, and she had already been blessed with good rules, and replied crisply: "Yes, Uncle Ancestor! ”

At this time, the old man's face soothed a lot, and he said: "Baixi, in the future, I still have to find a woman from the Qing Dynasty!" ”

Sun Yuanqi couldn't refuse, so he had to vaguely reply with an "oh". At this time, a group of women hugged an old lady from the back hall, and Sun Yuanqi hurriedly stood up and saluted with Vera in his arms. Those people obviously already knew that Sun Yuanqi had brought a foreign daughter-in-law over, and they were all very curious, and their eyes were focused on Vera, but they were all blessed and blessed, and they didn't talk much.

"Grandma", "aunt" and "sister-in-law" in a big circle, after seeing each other, they sat down, and the old grandmother asked Sun Yuanqi how to hold the wedding. According to the original arrangement, a Western-style wedding will be held in the church in the morning, and then a Chinese-style wedding will be held at Jingshi University. Sun Yuanqi said so, and the old grandmother shook her head again and again: "It's not good, it's not good, it's not polite!" ”

"......" Sun Yuanqi was not good at arguing with the old lady, so he had to resign himself to fate.

I saw a few middle-aged aunts muttering together, and then one of them said a few words to the grandmother, and the grandmother gently stroked her palm and said, "That's good!" Baixi, just now a few of your aunts discussed, aren't you getting married on the twenty-first day of the first month? You come here on the twentieth day of the first month, go to the chapel on the morning of the twenty-first day, and after the deed, you come back first, and then we will send a sedan chair to the chapel to pick up your daughter-in-law and come here to worship. Twenty-two and go back! ”

The wedding arrangements were finalized like this, and Sun Yuanqi was not allowed to resist at all.

But getting married is also quite insightful.

Take a church, for example. As for the church in Beijing, Sun Yuanqi only knows the most famous Xishiku church, which he used to play once during Christmas in the 21st century, so he was particularly impressed. Through this marriage, I learned that the original Xishiku Church was a Catholic church, and it was not the same as the Protestantism believed in by Vera's parents......

This marriage can be regarded as involving all the people Sun Yuanqi can know: Mr. Ding Weiliang is a priest, Mr. Conger, the American minister, is a witness to the marriage, and I don't know where a few foreign children were found to act as flower girls, and many foreigners in the school attended the ceremony.

When I arrived at Lianzi Hutong, I found that it was blocked, and all the officials who came to cheer on it. At the banquet, Sun Yuanqi swore with the happiness of his lower body: 99.9% of people have never seen it. But people have a "virtuous brother" and a "foolish brother", and they are called kind!

There is also a group of old people who don't cultivate, with a gray beard, and some nonsense that is out of tune, saying something like "Virtuous nephew, I think when you were five or six years old, the old man saw it from afar, and with just one glance, he knew that the virtuous nephew would have great achievements in the future." Looking at it now, it's really true", if it weren't for the presence of so many people, I really wanted to smack him with a sesame flower! When I was five or six years old, you actually saw me? Are you always traveling through the crowds?

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