Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

As soon as Liu Ye finished speaking, Feng Guifen's half-closed eyes suddenly opened.

"Your Excellency, do you really want to build a university that integrates Western and Chinese culture? Do you understand the risks involved?"

Feng Guifen asked in a deep voice.

Indeed, as a scholar who specialized in both Chinese and Western knowledge, Feng Guifen had dabbled in Western arithmetic, geometry, calendars, and other fields, and was even more proficient in Chinese studies. However, when he turned his attention to the West, he realized that his previous understanding was limited: Western knowledge surpassed, if not surpassed, that of China! This was especially true of the study of physics, which had already left China far behind.

I'm afraid that there are few people in China who want to establish an academy to teach Western knowledge more than Feng Guifen. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle. When Wei Yuan was alive, he also said that we should learn from the barbarians to defeat them. If we do not learn the strengths of the West and only know how to stick to our own ways, sooner or later, China will be surpassed by others in all aspects and even swallowed up by Western powers!

However, the difficulty and risks involved were too great. Speaking of the imperial court, most of the powerful figures were diehard Confucianists. Xiang Weiren and others were even masters of Neo-Confucianism, and they were completely disdainful of Western learning. If he really only taught Western knowledge, I'm afraid the impeachment memorials from these people would pile up in front of the emperor. If he wasn't careful, Liu Ye would be ruined and even killed! This is no exaggeration!

Liu Ye nodded and replied, "Mr. Lin Yi, of course what I said is true. Since we believe our approach is right, why not do it? China's exclusive respect for Confucianism and the rejection of all other schools of thought is the root of its decline. Think about it, if everyone were to study eight-legged essays and become officials to make a fortune, then who would research guns and artillery? Who would develop industry? Who would build ironclad ships? Who would explore the mysteries of the universe? Confucianism is merely a philosophy of life and a discipline for governing, but it is not a discipline for achieving physical goals. If we don't change the status quo of exclusive respect for Confucianism, China will be in danger!"

"But,"

Feng Guifen smiled bitterly and said, "If we try to change this situation, I'm afraid we'll be crushed to pieces..."

"What? Is Mr. Lin Yi scared?"

Liu Ye joked.

afraid?

Feng Guifen sneered and replied, "Sir, let me be disrespectful. As the governor, you have a promising future. You're still young and fearless, so why should I, a man half-buried in the ground, be afraid? Why should I be afraid? This is exactly what I've always wanted to do, but never had the chance. Even if someone comes first, I'll be the one to take the cudgel. I'll take the first step!"

Liu Ye was overjoyed and laughed heartily, "Mr. Lin Yi, that's what I've been waiting for. Don't worry, even if there really are swords and axes coming, it's me, the instigator, who will block them. Now it's not that we have no way out, but that we Han people have no way out, that China has no way out. The great Chinese nation has been passed down for five thousand years, and the descendants of Yan and Huang have been passed down to this day. We have really reached the moment of extinction. If we don't wake up and rise up, we will be ashamed of our ancestors! In a word, this matter must be done, whether we want to or not. No one in the world can stop me, not even the current emperor!"

Liu Ye was full of passion, and his words were full of intonation and cadence, which was very expressive and inspiring. The three people present were completely inspired. With such a responsible and ambitious person leading the way, if those who worked below him were to shrink back, wouldn't they be unworthy of their reputation in life?

Yung Wing, standing by, suddenly sneered, "Sir, let me tell you something that's really heartbreaking. Is China still China today? Ever since the Manchus took control of the Central Plains, we, the descendants of Yan and Huang, have been on the verge of extinction..."

Feng Guifen's face changed drastically, and she shouted, "Chunfu, you are so outrageous! How can you say such outrageous words?"

Yung Wing chuckled and said, "Mr. Lin Yi, that's nothing. I believe that with the chastity of the Governor-General, he will not forget the tragedies like the Ten Days of Jiading and the Three Massacres of Yangzhou. Moreover, I have become an American citizen. Even if the imperial court heard about this, what could they do? Would they dare to kill me?"

Liu Ye smiled and said, "It's okay. Brother Chunfu studied abroad in America. In America, everyone is equal and speaking without guilt. Even if you insult the American president, oh, their king, you won't be punished! Brother Chunfu has been influenced by European and American culture, so naturally his words are sharp."

Yung Wing chuckled and said, "I didn't expect that the Governor-General knows so much about American affairs. Could it be that you have also studied in Europe or the United States?"

Liu Ye shook his head and replied, "All my knowledge comes from my teacher. Let's not talk about that for now. Let's continue with the university."

Feng Guifen shook her head and said, "Your Excellency, if the university you're talking about is run by just me, then it can't be established. Without a large number of outstanding talents to teach, what can I do alone? My knowledge is far from enough..."

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Of course not! I have asked the American Minister, Mr. John Warren, to seek talents in various fields in the United States. In a few days, a large number of American elites will come to Shandong and teach at Qilu University. Not only that, I will also recruit some prestigious masters in China to teach. We will not only teach Confucianism, but also other disciplines. This is the true contention of a hundred schools of thought. Who is more capable and who is less capable will be determined in the classroom!"

Feng Guifen said generously, "Sir, if you want to recruit famous teachers from foreign countries, I can't help much, but within the Qing Dynasty, as long as you can name them, any great scholar, I will find a way to invite them to you. These people will definitely give me some face."

What Feng Guifen said was true. He was now famous throughout the country. Which scholar did not know the name of Feng Linyi from Jiangnan?

Liu Ye nodded and replied, "Mr. Lin Yi, the site for the university has been chosen. It's in Jiaozhou, next to the newly built Qingdao Port, covering 500 acres. Once groundbreaking begins, construction will be completed within six months. Western professors and lecturers will also be arriving within the same six months. It will then be up to you. Tolerance is the first principle of our academic pursuits! No one can waver!"

Feng Guifen said solemnly, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Leave this to me. I will immediately write to my old friends and ask them to come out and contribute to this future university!"