Sun Yuanqi suddenly remembered that when he met Mr. Conger the day before yesterday, he seemed to say that the ministers of various countries stationed in Beijing were going to hold a meeting today to decide whether or not to jointly send troops to Beijing in the name of 'protecting the embassies.' That is, foreign interference is coming, and the situation will deteriorate to the point of no control. I'm afraid if I don't leave at this time, it will be too late to leave again!

On weekdays, Sun Yuanqi is an indecisive person. But when there is a big decision, it can definitely be called vigorous and resolute. At the moment, let Lao Tong go to the Beijing Normal University Hall to ask for leave for himself, but in fact, this is just a formality. Because of the Boxer Rebellion, the Jingshi University Hall will definitely be closed. This pause was not until 1902, when the situation in the country improved, and this is why many universities in China were founded in 1902.

asked Lao Zheng to go to Chongshi Middle School to ask for leave for himself, and by the way, he went to Qianmen Railway Station to buy a ticket to Tianjin tomorrow; Lao Zhao helped clean up the house, packed some urgent things into an empty room, and locked the door. He also asked Lao Zhao's family and Lao Zheng's family to help him clean up his clothes and daily necessities. He went to the telegraph office and sent telegrams to Yale University, MIT, and the Chemical Society in the United States, and Rutherford in Canada, saying that he would go to the Americas in June.

The three families didn't know what Sun Yuanqi was doing, so they had to do as he was told. Some of the students are teaching the primary school, some are sorting out and compiling teaching materials, and some are reviewing their homework, but they don't know what is happening outside.

In the afternoon, Sun Yuan first summoned the students of the Qi Physics Institute and said to them: "You all know that there is a Boxer Rebellion outside, and the situation in the Gyeonggi area is unpredictable. Needless to say, the slogan of the Boxers was 'Fu Qing and 'Fu Qing', and 'exterminating the foreigners' was not only to exterminate foreigners and eradicate foreign religions, but also to include all items from the West, such as railways and electric wires. In such an environment, I am afraid that the dissemination of scientific knowledge, including physics, will be greatly affected. The situation is unstable, and with the invitation of some universities in the United States, I may be abroad for a while. So I'm afraid the Physics Institute will—"

The students below were stunned, one by one. After a while, Chen Jide asked, "Sir, are you back?" ”

"Will be back!" Under the eager gaze of the student, Sun Yuanqi nodded very affirmatively.

"How long will that take?" Zhou Zongwu couldn't wait to ask.

How long? Sun Yuanqi doesn't know how long the Boxers lasted, but since it is called the "Gengzi National Change", most of them will not make trouble until 1901, right? After thinking for a while, he replied: "Half a year at a minimum, or a year at most." ”

Han Yu and Zhang Chun were relieved.

Gu Zhilin replied: "Sir, you can go with confidence." We can stay here and review our previous lessons with our classmates, and we can also teach elementary school. We're not going to let the mission close! ”

"Yes, we're not going to let the mission close!" The students shouted.

Sun Yuanqi's nose was a little sour, and after a long time, he said: "You students, in this stormy era, can still like science, especially physics, as a teacher, I am very grateful." China's progress and development depend on you! It's just that I, as a teacher, am incompetent, but I have to leave early. I, I, I'm sorry for you. As he spoke, he bowed to the student.

The group of students immediately scrambled, and several of them fell to their knees.

Liu Bin said in a nasal voice: "Sir, you can go with peace of mind, we are here!" ”

Before he finished speaking, he slapped Chen Jide on the back of the head: "Why are you talking!" ”

Sun Yuanqi earnestly warned them: In a critical period, don't go out easily; Prepare food and daily necessities at home; Life comes first, giving up property if necessary; In times of urgency, you can take refuge in the U.S. Legation, as long as you say that you are a relative or friend of YorkJohnson; Don't give up studying, I'll send you textbooks from the United States......

After saying that, Sun Yuanqi left the house. I don't have to worry about the elementary school, anyway, there are students from the physics school to teach them, and the students are all in the yard, and there are also teaching materials. Then, he called Lao Tong, Lao Zhao, and Lao Zheng's families to come over and told them that they were going abroad recently.

The three families, like the students, panicked. Especially Lao Tong, tears suddenly fell: "Mr. Sun, don't leave Lao Tong behind......"

Lao Tong's throat howled, and the tears of the old Zhao family and the old Zheng family also fell, babbling and crying. Lao Zhao also wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve from time to time, while Lao Zheng drooped his face and sighed on the side.

Sun Yuanqi had no choice but to coax them: "What are you crying about, what are you crying about...... Heck, I've only been around for a few months and I'm back! Look, it's not like I can't come back, why are you crying? ”

Lao Tong stopped crying: "Mr. Sun, how long will it take for you to go?" You tell the truth, you can't lie to our old Tong. ”

"Half a year at the least, or a year at the most." Sun Yuanqi replied, "I let you buy grain, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar." It's not peaceful outside, and you don't go outside. You can use all these things, just be careful not to spoil them. ”

All three families replied in a low voice, "Got it!" ”

"If there is really going to be a disturbance outside, the price of firewood, rice, oil and salt can definitely rise, if you have relatives and friends, you can help them. But don't give too much, it's not stingy, it's mainly because I'm afraid that someone will have bad intentions, but it's not good. If there is really any accident, this yard will be lost, and the key is to take care of people. If it really doesn't work, you go to the U.S. Legation, Lao Tong knows the U.S. minister, and you tell him that you are my relatives and friends, and they let you in. ......" Sun Yuanqi carefully said a few things that he could think of, and in the end, he felt that he was a little babbled.

Lao Tong and the others all nodded, indicating that they had written it down.

After speaking, Sun Yuanqi took out six one hundred taels of silver tickets from his pocket, which was the remuneration that "Science" had just sent to him, and he was going to divide two tickets for each family: "I'm going to leave for a while, I'm afraid that you will be short of money, so I'll give you some flowers first, if it's not enough, I'll make up for it when I come back." ”

The three families all shirked one after another: "Mr. Sun, you better keep it for yourself!" ”

"Yes, it's good to be at home for a thousand days, but it's hard to go out for a while. We are not poor at home! ”

"Mr. Sun, you have prepared everything for us to eat and use, what do you spend?"

……

Lao Zhao and Lao Zhao both ran out of the door as if they were running away, only Lao Tong was old and did not run away, and was caught by Sun Yuanqi. Lao Tong saw that Sun Yuanqi was going to stuff money into himself, and tears came down again: "Mr. Sun, Lao Tong admits that your affection is still less?" You gave money, there is still a lot left, how to ask for your money again! You're going to a barbarian country, how can you do it if you don't have any money? If I take your money today, I'll be struck by lightning when I go out! ”

Sun Yuanqi saw that Lao Tong didn't want to live or die, so he had to lie to him: "Otherwise, you take this money first-don't shirk, you listen to me!" You see, we don't run a school here, there are a lot of students, but there are not a few books. How can a school be without books? This world is not peaceful, books are definitely not valuable, wait for when it will be cheaper, you go and buy some for me to come back, show them to the students, the more the better! This money is the money to buy books. You see, in the middle or not? ”

In this way, Lao Tong took the six silver tickets like a hot potato.

It is better to go abroad sooner rather than later. Sun Yuanqi planned to leave the next day, although he only had less than two thousand taels of silver on his body, he didn't feel stunned: he didn't starve to death when he came to the Qing Dynasty penniless, and now that he has so much money, where else can't he go? Isn't it "a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers, but when it has horns, it is afraid of wolves"?

Early the next morning, the yard was busy. Lao Zhao's family and Lao Zheng's family have been picking up dumplings since last night, saying that they are "going out to dumplings and entering the store", eating dumplings, and the picture is "bent and smooth". Lao Zhao and Lao Zheng were busy killing chickens and cooking meat. I don't know, I thought it was the New Year.

Students from the Physics Institute also came. After eating together, Lao Zhao had already hired two big cars to wait outside the door and carry his luggage. At this time, for some reason, the old man Sun Jianai's house learned the news and sent a "Cheng Yi", a full five hundred taels. Sun Yuanqi did not refuse.

Han Yu and Gu Zhilin were originally going to send Sun Yuanqi on the train. Sun Yuanqi shook his head: "You all go back to class!" In this way, I can rest assured that I will go. "The students couldn't resist the teacher, so they had to send them to the door. When Sun Yuan got up and got into the carriage, the students all knelt behind him. Sun Yuanqi waved at them, and the carriage began to move forward. I don't know if it was Zhao Jinghui or Song Jingyao who cried for the first time, and suddenly there was a whimper behind him. Sun Yuanqi, who was sitting in the car, heard Liu Bin shouting: "Sir, you can come back early!" ”

Lao Tong, Lao Zheng and Sun Yuanqi sat in a big car, listened to the crying behind them, and sighed: "Look at that group of students, you know that Mr. Sun is a good person!" ”

Sun Yuanqi remembered a joke in the cross talk of later generations, so he said: "A person died, and when he heard the news, the neighbors cried: 'Such a good person, it's too late to die!'" ’”

Lao Tong and Lao Zheng sneered when they heard this, and the gloomy parting atmosphere suddenly diluted a lot.

On May 29, 1900, Sun Yuanqi stepped on a train bound for Tianjin and arrived at his destination on the same day. Then buy a ticket and get ready to board the Gerald cruise ship on June 2 and sail across the ocean.

On the next day, May 30, 1900, Zhao Shuqiao, Minister of Military Aircraft, Secretary of the Criminal Department, and concurrently in charge of the affairs of Shuntian Mansion, Yin He Naiying of Shuntian Mansion said: "The fist will spread, and the punishment will not be beaten, so it is better to use it, and use it as a general, and integrate it into the army. Such an opinion represented the idea of a part of the recalcitrant ministers at that time, who wanted to use the power of the Boxers against foreign invaders. However, Zhang Zhidong, the governor of Huguang, Liu Kunyi, the governor of Liangjiang, and Yulu, the governor of Zhili, sent telegrams to the Qing court, advocating that the suppression of the boxers should be intensified to avoid the intervention of foreign powers.

On the same day, in the name of protecting the embassies, the troops of various countries arrived in Beijing from Tianjin one after another, and stationed in Dongjiaomin Lane. By June 8, troops of about several thousand troops had arrived in Beijing. In order to prevent the invading army from continuing to enter Beijing, the Boxers began to dismantle the Beijing-Tianjin railway, cut off the Beijing-Tianjin telegraph line, and engaged in fierce battles with the Qing army that came to suppress it. At this time, 24 warships from Russia, Britain, Japan, the United States, France, and other countries had been assembled outside the mouth of Dagu, and there were more than 2,000 invading troops in the Tianjin concession. Around 6 June, the joint policy of aggression against China agreed upon by the envoys to China was successively approved by their respective governments. On 10 June, an invading army of more than 2,000 people, led by British Vice Admiral Seymour and in the name of "rescuing the envoys," landed in Dagu and attacked from Tianjin to Beijing. The Boxers armed primitive weapons such as broadswords and spears, and cooperated with the Qing army to wage bloody battles with the invading army in Luofa, Langfang and other places. The invading army suffered heavy casualties and fled back to the Tianjin Concession in disarray.

When the Boxers, the Qing army and the Eight-Nation Alliance were fighting, Sun Yuanqi had already taken the "Gerald" cruise ship and sailed in the Pacific Ocean. Sun Yuanqi had very conflicted feelings about this war that took place on the territory of the motherland: on the one hand, he hated the aggressor and hoped that the Eight-Nation Coalition would be defeated, and on the other hand, he hoped that Mr. Conger and Mr. Ding Yunliang would be safe; On the one hand, he hoped that the Boxers would win, but on the other hand, he complained about the Boxers' hatred of Western scientific and technological products such as railways and electric wires. Today, hiding on an isolated ship, I can no longer hear anything, as if I have wandered away from this century. At this time, you can calm down and think about some problems.

Soon after getting on the ship, Sun Yuanqi borrowed scissors and mirrors, and cut his hair short in the Qing Dynasty. He put on his suit, shirt, and tie when he first came to the Qing Dynasty, and looked at himself in the mirror, but he was slightly more melancholy and older than before. It was as if I had traveled back in time in an instant, back to my own century. Sun Yuanqi stared at the mirror in a daze, and he was stupid.

Because of the influence of the Boxer Rebellion, most of the people on the cruise ship were expatriates and missionaries from the repatriated countries, and Sun Yuanqi, who was yellow-skinned and black-eyed, became a minority in the crowd. Of course, Sun Yuanqi didn't know anyone on the ship, and he didn't have to take care of many things.

While the cruise ship was sailing peacefully on the sea, Sun Yuanqi sat alone on the deck, holding paper and pen in his hand, planning his itinerary in the United States: first the cruise ship went to San Francisco, and then to Yale University, which seemed to be in New Haven, Connecticut, but he didn't know where Connecticut was in the eastern United States; And then to the American Chemical Society, by the way, where is the American Chemical Society? Forget it, let's decide whether to go there or not. McGill University in Canada, where Rutherford is located, is a must-go, but there is no hurry, after all, there are still six long months. Six months is long enough, but I am afraid that there is not enough money in my pocket. Thinking of this, I subconsciously touched the dollars in my pocket, which I exchanged when I was in Tianjin, and almost all my belongings. By the way, you can write essays to make money, which is your own killer feature.

After thinking back and forth a few times, I began to plan a few papers to be written in the future: de Broglie waves, matrix mechanics, Schrödinger's equations, how? Well, de Brogliebo is a good idea, simple and straightforward. What else? Interpreting the spectrum of hydrogen atoms? In this case, the transition hypothesis of the atomic structure and the quantization of angular momentum seem to have to be written earlier......

On the second or third day, the ship soon arrived in Yokohama, Japan, and needed to add water and coal, many people got off the ship, and some people took the opportunity to get off the ship and hang out. Sun Yuanqi doesn't know Japanese, and he is not familiar with the place, so he can't move around at will, so he can only ask the familiar crew to get off the ship with him and buy a few changes of clothes and daily necessities.

Yokohama is one of Japan's first seaports, and it is very convenient for serving customers from all over the world. For example, in stores, the U.S. dollar can also be used. The suits, shirts, and ties that Sun Yuanqi wanted to buy were only a few foreigner-owned shops in the Qing Dynasty, and they needed to be tailor-made. But here, the shelves are hung with ready-to-wear. About these clothes are prepared for foreigners, like Sun Yuanqi, who is seven or eight meters tall, it is not difficult to pick the right one. On the contrary, I haven't seen a few small sizes that are suitable for the height of the Japanese, so are the Japanese all custom-made? Sun Yuanqi didn't ask.

Walked around Yokohama and returned to the boat. If Sun Yuanqi wants to talk about his feelings in Yokohama, there is no doubt that it is the vigorous atmosphere, whether it is a businessman, a customer, or a child, everyone has a sense of vitality on their faces, which is in stark contrast to the twilight of the old empire in the west.

Sun Yuanqi sat on the deck, looking at Japan on the shore, and pondered a heavy question in his heart: Why did the Chinese nation fail to grasp the most important opportunity for development at a time when the world was undergoing the most drastic changes? World War I and World War II were the starting point for the rise of modern countries, and they were also excellent opportunities to turn around. In both of these wars, China was in the position of a victorious power, but it did not gain any real benefits from it, and it was plain to make wedding clothes for others. After that, it took a series of upheavals to have 30 years of rapid development. After 30 years, China has finally kept up with the pace of the world, but unfortunately it has lost its voice in many fields. Why can't the rapid development of these three decades be mentioned in the early twentieth century? In this case, will China take a different path, and thus rise to become a world power, so that generations can live happily ever before?

No way! Sun Yuanqi shook his head, not to mention that China is now poor and weak, as well as strong enemies outside and mediocre masters inside, the key is that the people's wisdom is not yet opened, and their understanding of the country is still in a state of ignorance, and they are only satisfied with the life of a small peasant who is well fed and clothed; The political system is extremely corrupt, and basic government decrees cannot be uploaded; Science and technology are backward, and most Chinese people do not even realize the important role of science and technology in social development, and science and technology are the primary productive forces......

In the final analysis, these are the backwardness of education. For example, in China now, the imperial examination is still being held, and the four books and five classics are studied, and the examination is the Bagu Wen. Originally, when the Wuxu reform was supposed to promote Western-style primary and secondary schools throughout the country, it was aborted due to the failure of the reform; As the only surviving Beijing Normal University, it was the first university in modern China, and now it has been closed due to the Boxer Rebellion. This is a roof leak that happened to rain overnight, and the boat broke just in the head wind!

Thinking of this, Sun Yuanqi shook his head again: Old China was really poor and white!

When he came to the Qing Dynasty, while supporting himself, he also affected several people around him, making them live a life of food and clothing. That's all I can do at the moment. But can you do more? For example, educate more people and contribute to the suffering of China? But where does the school site and funding come from? I run a primary school and a physics workshop, I spend money and salary, and I am in a hurry, and I am exhausted.

Thinking of this, Sun Yuanqi shook his head again, and a feeling of powerlessness spread throughout his body: It seems that it is really difficult for him to change the direction of history or affect the development of history by himself! Since coming to the Qing Dynasty, I was in a hurry to solve the problem of survival, and then I taught the children every day, and I rarely thought about this problem. Now, on the vast sea, when there is no longer a problem of survival and work, these strange thoughts come to mind and become more and more urgent. Was it the Boxer Rebellion that caused the thoughts, or the melancholy of going to the country and nostalgia, or was it the stimulus of what I saw in Yokohama?

It was the beginning of June, the weather was fine and the temperature was pleasant, and under the sea breeze, it seemed that time could not be felt. When Sun Yuanqi was sitting on the deck and thinking nonsense, it was already time for afternoon tea, and there were gradually more people on the deck, some were holding on to the railing to enjoy the sunset view, and some were drinking tea and chatting under the parasol.

Perhaps seeing Sun Yuanqi's melancholy and confusion, a missionary in his sixties walked over, holding a copy of the Bible in his hand, and said a word to Sun Yuanqi, probably to say hello.

Seeing someone approaching, Sun Yuanqi recovered from his contemplation and glanced at the missionary.

The missionary saw that he did not speak, and said another strange word, a language that Sun Yuanqi did not understand.

Sun Yuanqi said in English: "I'm sorry, I think if you speak English, I should be able to understand it." ”

"Do you speak English? That couldn't be better! The missionary drew a cross on his chest, "Can I sit down on the side?" ”

"Excuse yourself, Father." Sun Yuanqi said.

After sitting down, the missionary stared at Sun Yuanqi: "Young man, I can see your weakness and hesitation. Come on, tell me about it. God may hear your heart and give you guidance. ”

Sun Yuanqi has never been a person with a strong desire to talk, and besides, who did he talk to about these things he encountered? So, he shook his head: "I'm afraid no one can give me guidance." Even so, I would like to thank you for your kindness. ”

"But fear the LORD your God, saith God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies." Apparently undeterred by this small setback, the missionary began to say at length: "We are all the shepherds of Jehovah, and in this world we will be deceived by Satan's messengers and will not be able to find a way forward." As long as we sincerely serve as God's people and pour out our prayers to Him, He will hear your appeal and give you guidance so that you will not be destroyed......"

Sun Yuanqi, who received a materialist education since childhood, naturally would not be bewitched by the missionary's theory. But knowing that he was kind, he couldn't bear to lose his face, and the road was lonely, so he chatted with him without a word.

“…… Speak out of your confusion, child, God's instructions for mankind are recorded in the Bible, and I will present them to you. ”

"What, God's instructions for mankind are recorded in the Bible?" Sun Yuanqi didn't want to fight with him, but just asked a casual rhetorical question to show that he was listening to him "seriously".

"Yes!" The missionary replied firmly, raising his Bible arm just to block the slanting sunset, and looked at it with a very holy color, "What God says is written in the Bible, and it shows you what you should do." ”

Sun Yuanqi's heart moved, borrowed the Bible from the missionary, closed his eyes in the light of the setting sun, meditated silently for a while, and then turned a page at random with his left hand, the index finger of his right hand was a little on the paper, and when he opened his eyes, it was a sentence from the Book of Genesis:

"Laban led all his brethren after him, and pursued them seven days, and he overtook them at Mount Gilead."

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