Thirty-eighth, Confucian disciples are high-ranking officials

The students are on vacation, and the paper on "Quantum Mechanics" is sent, and now that he has received this batch of oracle bones, Sun Yuanqi can finally spend the New Year in the Western calendar with peace of mind. In these years, the Qing Dynasty still used the lunar calendar as the main method of timekeeping. Next to Christmas and New Year's Day, Sun Yuanqi had to visit the US Legation and Ding Yunliang's residence. I also sent a few greeting cards to Rutherford and other friends and colleagues on the other side of the ocean to express New Year's wishes.

"My China is a dignified country of etiquette, how can this etiquette be lacking!"

These days, Sun Yuanqi stays in the suburbs of Jingshi University to plan the arrangements for the coming year: how does the school plan? How are the disciplines set up? How is the money raised? When will the teachers be available? When to go to the United States? How will the next batch of students be recruited? …… The plan of the year lies in the spring, and these issues must be decided before the Spring Festival.

While he was planning, the uncle in the capital sent someone to send a "gold medal for dispatching", so that he could hurry up and "go to the house". When I asked the servant who sent the letter, the servant couldn't tell if he was ugly, but only said that he was urgently summoned and urged to go quickly. Sun Yuanqi was like a second monk who was at a loss, so he had to order everyone to patrol carefully, and he hurriedly followed Sun's family to the city.

When I arrived in the city, it was already the time to hold the lamp. Sun Yuanqi didn't dare to delay and went straight to Sun's mansion. When they arrived at Sun's Mansion in Lianzi Hutong, the Sun family was preparing for dinner. Boss Sun Jianai greeted and said, "Baixi is not an outsider, let's sit down and eat together." ”

Sun Yuanqi was also not polite, thinking that the boss must want to whisper something at the dinner table. Throughout the ages, didn't officials always eat and drink while talking about work?

Washing his hands and washing his face, when he arrived in the hall, Sun Yuanqi opened his eyes: a large table was placed in the middle of the hall, and several adult children and grandchildren of the eldest were standing on both sides of the table waiting. There are two tables next to it, one table is women and children, who look like the children and daughters-in-law of the Sun family, with children, also waiting at the table; In the distance, there was a large table, around which several people were standing, not yet full.

It is said that Sun Yuan has been in the Qing Dynasty for three or four years, and he really hasn't officially eaten with these big people. On weekdays, in their own yards, everyone, young and old, men and women, regardless of dignity and inferiority, gather around a table to stir up rice, which is lively and lively. Going to the United States, it is like a fish in water, no different from China in the 21st century. It's really surprising to see this scene now.

Seeing that Sun Yuanqi was in a daze, Sun Jianai smiled and said: "Although there is a difference between respect and inferiority, our Sun family has always been very lenient, so the whole family eats together." ”

Is this still called "staying extremely wide"? You haven't seen my house yet! Although Sun Yuanqi muttered in his heart, he still had a smile on his face, and nodded his head again and again in agreement.

"Duoci, go and bring a chair over, Baixi will sit next to the old man today!" The old man said to a young man at the table. The boy answered, and moved his chair. Another servant brought a set of utensils.

Of course, Sun Yuanqi knew that it was not easy to sit at this table, especially when there was a group of uncles and uncles next to him. Just as he was about to say something, the old man swept over with a look like substance. There is a murderous aura! Sun Yuanqi was shocked, so he had to keep silent and acquiesce to the facts.

The old man sat down on the chief and said, "Sit down." ”

The entire hall sat down, and Sun Yuanqi did the same.

A servant came over next to him: "Master, do you want to pass the food now?" ”

The old man bowed slightly. The servant walked quickly to the door of the hall and shouted, "Pass the food!" ”

After a while, seven or eight servants brought a steaming meal. There are a total of six dishes on the table, two bowls of soup, and vegetarian dishes account for more than half, but the portion is quite sufficient. Scanning with the rest of his eyes, the meals on each table were all the same, and there was no special small pot of rice.

The servants had eaten together, and with a blessing, they went to the farthest table and sat down. Only then did Sun Yuanqi understand that the empty seats at the table were reserved for these later servants.

"Baixi, coarse tea and light rice, don't dislike it, and don't be polite!" The old man said, picked up the chopsticks, put a piece on the cabbage tofu and put it in his bowl, and the other people on the table picked up the chopsticks. With that, dinner begins.

It is said that there are dozens of people of all sizes eating in the whole lobby, except for the occasional sound of chopsticks and dishes, there is silence, and even the sound of chewing and drinking soup tends to be silent. Sun Yuanqi felt infinite emotion in his heart, and he had to be careful in his actions, so as not to make jokes.

There was food on the table, put down the dishes and chopsticks, and sat quietly in the seat motionless. When I looked closely, there was not a single grain of rice left in the bowl. By the time the old man put down his chopsticks, someone had already served a cup of hot tea. When the tea is finished, the meal is over. Everyone got up, and the servants hurried over to clean up the table and bring the toiletries.

Seeing that Sun Yuanqi also cleaned up, the old man greeted: "Baixi, come to my study." Then he cut his hands upside down and walked slowly to the study. Sun Yuanqi followed behind, following suit.

The study room was still the same as it had been seen a few months ago, except that there were a few more books on the shelves and new paintings and calligraphy on the walls. The old man sat on the Taishi chair behind the desk, and saw that Sun Yuanqi had asked for peace for himself, and then took a folding page casually, I didn't know what he was reading or thinking about, and only said after a while: "Baixi, do you know what the old man called you here today?" ”

"I don't know." Sun Yuanqi really didn't know.

"A few days ago, the emperor and the queen mother drove back to Beijing from Xi'an. Before leaving, there was a punishment for the rebellion of the boxers and bandits, thinking that the country was weak and the people were poor, and they could not be taken care of. Therefore, he issued an edict to the world to prepare for a new policy, hoping that the whole country would work together to strengthen China. Although the old man was talking, his eyes kept on the paper. When he paused, he glanced at Sun Yuanqi, who was listening. Then he retracted his gaze and continued slowly: "A few days later, the old man received a report from the palace, saying, 'It is really an urgent task to promote learning and cultivating talents. In the first good area of Beijing, it is especially advisable to add intention to breed and sound the wind of the tree. Former universities should be held in earnest. Zhang Baixi was sent as the minister of management, and the manager was instructed to be a generalist in the township. Its ruling constitution is properly deliberated. "Since the emperor and the queen mother want to restore the Jingshi University Hall, it is estimated that this matter will have to be handled again-"

Hearing this, Sun Yuanqi understood the general situation, and immediately replied: "Uncle Ancestor, my errand for teaching at Beijing Normal University had already taken leave from the University Hall before I went to the United States last year, and I didn't receive any more money. Now that I have run my own school, even if the Jingshi University Hall is reopened, I will not go. ”

"If you can't go, you and Zhang Yuqiu will say it yourself. The old man has long been ignorant of this university hall, and he does not want to be contaminated again, so as not to gossip about others. But that's not what the old man wants to talk about today. The old man said, holding his long beard.

"What else can I do?" Sun Yuanqi hurriedly asked.

"In the last few months, you brought a few books to the old man, one of which is called "The Preliminary Draft of the School System", and it is said that many people have praised it after reading it, saying that those who are not deeply versed in the method of intensive teaching cannot say this. The foreigners were also very convinced, thinking that although they came from the Taixi school system, they were better than the blue. The old man turned his head and pulled it elsewhere.

Sun Yuanqi was confused, thinking, where is this, Guan Gong Dou Qin Qiong? Kong Lao Er and Shakyamuni drinking? In his mouth, he thanked "Uncle Zu's false praise".

The boss saw that Sun Yuanqi was slow to open his mind, so he had to make it clear: "The edict said, 'Ruling the charter, properly discussing the performance'." But how to rule on the statutes of this university hall, although Zhang Yuqiu has served as an envoy to the United Kingdom, I am afraid that he will not be able to come up with good rules for a while. Coincidentally, someone sent him a copy of the "Preliminary Draft of the School System" written by you, and after reading it, he praised it again and again, thinking that it would be better for you to help in adjudicating the charter. I don't know where he got the news, but I came to visit him this morning, saying that the old man has a close relationship with you, and I hope you can help him. ”

"Huh? And this kind of thing? "Sun Yuanqi only understood the ins and outs of the matter at this time, just say no directly at the beginning, and go around in such a big circle, which is tiring." Actually, that book was written by an acquaintance, and I was half a bottle of vinegar, a bottle of dissatisfaction, and a half bottle of smack. Moreover, everything I can think of is written in the book. I see ......"

"Zhang Yuqiu privately told the old man that if you are willing to help, he will guarantee you as the doctor of the Guozijian Doctor's Office." The old man interrupted Sun Yuanqi's words.

Is Dr. Doctor Hall very powerful? I'm a Yale and MIT Ph.D. now, a true returnee! Do you care about the turtle's doctor? I thought so in my heart, but I couldn't say, "The younger generation is only shallow in learning, I'm afraid I won't be able to do this doctor's ......"

When the old man heard this, he smiled slightly: "Baixi, the old man heard that you have won several doctorate titles in the United States, and it is also rare to get it in Taixi." But do you know the difference between Dr. America and my Dr. in the Qing Dynasty? ”

The question of "this ......" is also asking Sun Yuanqi, a half-baked doctor.

"As far as the old man knows, the doctors of Europa and the United States are honorary titles given by passing the examination when they have reached a certain level of learning, just like the talents, lifters, and jinshi of my Qing Dynasty. This is just a qualification, and if you want to be an official, you still have to start from scratch. You're right? The old man looked at Sun Yuanqi.

Sun Yuan nodded from the starting point, this is really "one law, ten thousand laws", the boss is not ambiguous!

The old man continued: "I, the doctor of the Great Qing Dynasty, am an official from the seventh grade. If an ordinary jinshi wants to be an official, he must enter the Hanlin Academy at least and be a Jishi for three years. You say, is that a big difference? ”

From the seventh grade, it is worse than the county order of the seventh grade, which is considered a deputy department level? Sun Yuanqi smiled in his heart. But this late Qing Dynasty official did a very tasteless job, not to mention corruption, I have to worry about the wind and rain for this broken house, tired! At present, I want to set up a school, spread my knowledge and ideas to more young people, accumulate a little scientific and technological strength for the country, and better meet the invasion of the next storm. For this purpose, it is indispensable to refuse the golden job of this national civil servant: "Uncle Ancestor, now the younger generation wants to run the school well." This official is not official, but he doesn't care......"

"Ridiculous!" The old man's eyes pierced like a cold light: "You have to be an official because you want to run the school well!" ”

"Why?" Sun Yuanqi was very strange, his good-looking sword eyebrows went up, and he asked directly.

The old man stared at Sun Yuanqi tightly: "Who is in charge of your school?" That Zhang Yuqiu is the minister of management. 'Destroy the history of the assassination and copy the county order'. Annoyed him, can your school continue? ”

Sun Yuanqi only remembered at this time that this is a society governed by man, and his own private university does not have a "school license". If the minister of science is looking for trouble for himself, it is really a matter of minutes, and it is estimated that Bibi can pinch himself to death with his little finger. At the moment, he was short of breath and muttered for a long time, seeing that his uncle and grandfather had no intention of helping him, so he had to agree dejectedly.

"What is there to be decadent about learning and excelling?" Seeing that he agreed, the old man's words gradually became gentle, "Doesn't that saying 'learn literature and martial arts, and sell them to the emperor's family'?" You go back first, the old man will write a letter to tell Zhang Yuqiu, if you want to come in a few days, he will send someone to send you a post, and then you will go into the city to meet him. ”

Sun Yuanqi walked out of Sun's mansion in a daze, and saw Lao Zhao waiting at the door in a carriage. hurriedly put aside the unhappiness: "Lao Zhao, you haven't had dinner yet, have you?" ”

"Eat, eat." Hearing Sun Yuanqi's voice, Lao Zhao, who was squatting on the carriage and napping, hurriedly stood up, "The people in the old man's mansion brought me a meal." When I was about to enter the city, the family stuffed me with a steamed bun, and I still carry it in my arms. ”

"That's good." Seeing Lao Zhao rushing past the car, Sun Yuan got up and sat up, "I can't get out of the city today, let's go to Lao Zheng's place and spend the night." ”

Then Sun Yuanqi began to be in a daze: when he was an official of the Qing Dynasty, it was not a few years, now it is 1902, and the Xinhai Revolution is 1911, which means that there are still ten years to survive. At that time, I was less than forty years old, was I considered an old man or a young man? By the way, will the revolutionary party come to assassinate you? It is estimated that he is a rotten sesame little ant, and the revolutionary aspirants are not interested.

Sitting in the carriage on weekdays, Sun Yuan got back and talked to Lao Zhao about gossip and had fun. Halfway through today, Sun Yuanqi didn't say a word, Lao Zhao was a little worried, so he asked, "Sir, what's wrong with you today?" Not happy? ”

"Nothing." Sun Yuanqi spat at the cold moon outside the car window, and said for a long time, "Uncle Zu, his old man wants me to be an official......

"When...... While...... Officer? What kind of officer? Where to become an official? "Lao Zhao is clever. It is really impossible to be an official in the Qing Dynasty, for example, when you are a magistrate, it is possible to go to Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Gansu, without airplanes and railways, just by steamers and carriages, you have to walk for dozens of days on the road, which is really a difficult journey. Many officials couldn't stand this kind of toss and died directly on the road, and almost all of them "died in office". Lao Zhao thought that he was a servant of the Sun family, and of course he had to move around with the master's family, and he was uneasy.

"Oh, not yet. To be, that is, the official of Beijing City, he does not go far away. Sun Yuanqi's words gave Lao Zhao a reassurance.

"That's great! Hehe......" Lao Zhao turned his head, looked happy, and gave Sun Yuanqi who was sitting in the car a big look: "Congratulations to Mr. on his ascension!" By the way, sir, isn't it time to call me lord in the future? ”

"It's not allowed." Sun Yuanqi shook his head, "Besides, this official is estimated to be the size of your magistrate, what is your lord?" ”

"Huh!" Lao Zhao was so happy that he almost fell off the wheel, "That's a great official!" When we were in Shandong, we only saw the county lord from afar, but I didn't expect that now I am serving the county lord every day. No wonder Master Zhang in our town said that I am a blessed person, it's true! ”

Seeing Lao Zhao's excited expression, Sun Yuanqi's depressed mood improved a little, so he asked Lao Zhao: "Tell me, what is so good about being an official?" Isn't it just to make money? ”

"That's different!" Lao Zhao's head shook like a rattle, but his tone was categorical, "No matter how much money you have, it can't compare to the word 'power'." The landlords and wealthy people in our town usually look down on us, but if there is an official in the county, they have to kneel honestly, honestly give the silver, and dare not take a breath. At that time, what was the use of money? In my opinion, the first person in the world is still an official! ”

Sure enough, a few days later, the "Zhang Yuqiu" in the boss's mouth sent a post. When I opened it, it turned out that Zhang Qiuqiu's name was Baixi, and the word was Qiuqiu. Sun Yuanqi felt that the name "Zhang Baixi" was very familiar, not only because of his word "Baixi", it seemed that he had seen it a long time ago, and after chattering for a long time, an inspiration flashed in his head: Isn't this the first principal of his original alma mater? Another historical celebrity!

After that, I naturally came to my door respectfully. The old man is a good old man who is knowledgeable, gentle and tolerant, and he is very satisfied with Sun Yuanqi, a junior, and says a lot of kind words about "borrowing from the virtuous brother". In short, the matter of drafting the charters of the schools at all levels fell on Sun Yuanqi's shoulders. After the promotion of Mr. Zhang Baixi, the Qing court gave Sun Yuanqi the title of Xuanyilang and Doctor of Guozijian, with the title of Seventh Grade, and was temporarily transferred to the deputy organizer of the Beijing Normal University Hall.

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