1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 102 The family is excited! Guangxu is shocked again!
Li Qiwei didn't know that his knighthood had attracted the attention of Prime Minister Cecil, and that he was part of the conspiracy.

After five days of sea voyage, they finally arrived in London safely.

On December 1901, 12, Li Qiwei returned to his home in Cambridge with Wang Luyao and others, and he began his doctoral life again.

However, the Nobel Prize ceremony held in Sweden was spreading to the Qing Dynasty at lightning speed, causing even greater shock.

Qing Dynasty, Guangzhou, Li’s House.

A family dinner is going on with laughter and joy.

Li Tingzhao sat in the main seat, and on his left was his wife, Ye Guizhen, who was also Li Qiwei's biological mother.

On the right are: the eldest son Li Bokai and the second son Li Zhongxing.

On Ye Guizhen's left are: the eldest daughter-in-law Li Chen and the second daughter-in-law Li Lin.

There was another table next to them with the children of Li Bokai and Li Zhongxing, also the third generation of the Li family.

When he was five or six years old, he was very naughty and would eat anything he wanted under the care of two old maids.

Around the main table stood several clever maids and servants, responsible for adding wine and food and waiting to be called.

Li Tingzhao was all smiles. He raised his glass and said to his two sons, "Come, let's have a drink together to celebrate Wei'er's academic success."

Li Bokai and Li Zhongxing quickly picked up their wine glasses and drank them all in one gulp at the same time as their father.

As for the three women, they stood aside with a smile on their faces and talked in private.

At this time, Li Bokai said excitedly: "Dad, Mom, this time, my third brother has really brought honor to our Li family."

"I read the report in Shenbao. That was the king of a country. He actually personally presented the award to my third brother and even shook his hand."

"Although Sweden is a tiny country and cannot compare to the Qing Dynasty, it is also an industrialized country and its strength should not be underestimated."

"It is unbelievable that the king of such a country, who is so high and mighty, could condescend to award a group of craftsmen."

After listening to his eldest son's words, Li Tingzhao slowly raised his head and looked around. The maids and servants were so frightened that they quickly lowered their heads, indicating that they knew nothing.

"In European countries, people like Weier are called 'scientists', instead of 'craftsmen' like we are here."

"It shows their respect for the pursuit of knowledge through investigation of things. Perhaps this is why they were able to achieve a rapid industrial revolution."

Li Zhongxing then echoed, "Alas, my Qing Dynasty also had a chance, but unfortunately, the court struggle was complicated and treacherous."

"Scientists are also human beings, and they have weaknesses. They can't beat those old foxes in the officialdom."

Of course everyone knew what he was talking about, but they kept it secret and didn't discuss it in detail publicly.

At this time, mother Ye Guizhen said worriedly: "Master, I hope nothing will happen to Wei'er when he returns to China in the future."

Li Tingzhao was silent for a while after hearing this, and he thought about the contents of the letters he had exchanged with his third son Li Qiwei over the past two years.

Even the bystander Wang Shiyuan was able to analyze from clues that Li Qiwei had lofty ambitions and great plans.

As a father, how could I not know what my son is doing and what his intentions are.

However, the other party never said it explicitly, and all they claimed to the outside world was that they just wanted to improve the science and education of the Qing Dynasty.

Father and son are connected by heart, and Li Tingzhao could probably guess it almost exactly.

Especially since Li Qiwei recently asked him to send a few business talents over there and reminded himself to let his elder brother climb up as much as possible.

Thinking hard.

However, before all this matured, the shrewd Li Tingzhao would never reveal any information, even to his family.

He would complete Li Qiwei's plan imperceptibly and quietly.

After he returns home, I will have a good talk with him and his son to determine the future direction of the family.

"Don't worry. What Weier has learned is orthodox Western science and technology, which is different from what those people want to do."

"He won't get involved in court politics, so he won't be criticized or used against him."

"Moreover, Wei'er may not be afraid of anyone in the Qing Dynasty in the future, and no one will dare to touch him."

Wow!
As soon as the words fell, everyone at the table was shocked.

Impatient Li Bokai asked quickly, "Dad, how is this possible? In the Qing Dynasty, who can be higher than Empress Dowager Ci?"

"What trump card does Third Brother have?"

Li Zhongxing also said: "Yes, Dad, tell me what it is?"

Ye Guizhen and her two daughters-in-law also stared with their eyes wide open in disbelief, wondering what amazing abilities their youngest son (brother-in-law) had.

Li Tingzhao looked at the shocked expressions of the others and said with a bit of amusement, "Don't spread the news. This matter has not been finalized yet."

"Weir may be knighted by the King of England, something like a knight of the Order of the Lower Order."

"Although it is the lowest rank of nobility, with this amulet, no one in the Qing Dynasty dares to touch my son!"

Li Tingzhao was also proud of his third son and spoke with great dominance.

boom!
This shock made everyone so shocked that they couldn't recover and were stunned.

Li Bokai murmured, "A knighthood? How is that possible? My third brother is a Qing citizen. Are the British willing to give him a knighthood?"

"My God, even the Governor-General of Huguang, Zhang Zhidong, doesn't have a title."

"Nowadays, seeing a foreigner in China is like seeing a mouse seeing a cat. If you see a British knight, what will happen?"

Li Zhongxing said excitedly: "Third brother is too terrifying. Is the physics theory he proposed so important?"

"There are differences between titles. As the world's most powerful country, the titles of the United Kingdom cannot be compared with those of other countries."

"If my third brother can really be awarded the title, he can walk around the Qing Dynasty with ease."

"As for the size of the title, it is not important. Anyway, the Qing Dynasty dare not offend it." "My immediate superior, the Guangdong Provincial Governor, will probably treat my third brother with courtesy when he sees me."

Ye Guizhen had a smile in her eyes at this time. She didn't care about wealth and glory, as long as her sons were safe and sound.

In this festive atmosphere, the family kept talking about Li Qiwei, and the room was filled with laughter.

On the other side, some people were also discussing Li Qiwei, but they were doing it secretly for fear of leaking the news.

Henan, Kaifeng, back to the palace.

After the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance, Cixi fled to Xi'an in a hurry with Guangxu.

Now that the war is over, she has returned to the capital in a swagger. Without the threat, the old witch naturally begins to enjoy herself again.

When passing through Henan, local officials built a luxurious palace to curry favor with her, just to serve her.

Because Cixi lived uncomfortably, some people suffered misfortune.

For example, Xia Liang, the magistrate of Tongguan County, was dismissed by Cixi because the accommodation conditions he prepared did not meet the standards.

She felt that she would soon be in power again, so her power grew day by day.

They also plundered the property of local officials, gentry and wealthy businessmen along the way. When they returned to Beijing, they had 3,000 carriages filled with gold, silver and jewelry.

The old witch's extravagance and cruelty are evident from this.

However, Guangxu was not so lucky. He was still under strict surveillance, and his food, clothing, housing and transportation were all monitored. He had no freedom at all.

Now, he was having a heart-to-heart talk with Emperor Ronglu and his ministers in his simple bedroom.

Although Ronglu was Cixi's man, he had deep sympathy for Guangxu and could not bear to see the emperor of the Qing Dynasty being treated so miserably.

"Your Majesty, this is the latest newspaper about Ridgway."

"He was in Sweden, and was personally awarded an award by the King of Sweden, who also shook his hand, which shows how much he was favored."

"This kid is a traitor. He is a citizen of the Qing Dynasty, but he is treated with courtesy by a foreign king. Does he still have the Qing Dynasty in his eyes?"

Guangxu had long recovered from his shock. Two months ago, Li Qiwei was just famous in the West, but now he actually shook hands with the king.

He didn't understand various things in the West, but he also knew the dignity of the King of Sweden.

Such people are willing to lower their status and chat and laugh with the "craftsmen" mentioned by the Qing Dynasty.

How could those talented people not be loyal to them? No wonder they have guns and cannons.

"Alas, it's a pity that my Qing Dynasty cannot attract such talents."

When Ronglu heard this, he was shocked and said quickly: "Your Majesty, I am giving you advice at the risk of my own life. I beg Your Majesty to be careful with your words."

Guangxu sneered, "Why, Lord Ronglu, are you going to ask the Empress Dowager for credit?"

Hearing such heart-piercing words, Ronglu could no longer hold back, and fell to his knees, crying, "Your Majesty, I would never dare to do what you said, even if I die a thousand times."

"The systems of Western countries are very different from those of the Qing Dynasty. We cannot copy them completely, but should learn from them step by step and subtly."

"Otherwise, even if Li Qiwei is deeply loved by His Majesty and has reached a central position, how can he clean up the world and eliminate the accumulated problems?"

"Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider!"

Guangxu sighed softly and said tiredly: "My dear, please get up. I was just angry."

Hearing such sincere words from the bottom of his heart, even Ronglu, who had a heart of stone, was melted at this moment.

This is because the emperor regards him as his confidant, which is why he speaks so frankly.

Guangxu asked again: "My dear, do you think if I only let Li Qiwei reform education and technology, as he said, how much resistance will I encounter?"

Ronglu thought for a while and said, "I think we can do it slowly."

"Now that the Office of Supervising Government Affairs has been newly established, it is the time to recruit talents. We can use this as an excuse to recruit Li Qiwei."

"Appoint him as a deputy and be responsible for the affairs of schools across the country."

"Shandong University was established a month ago, and its first president was the industrialist Zhou Xuexi."

"Perhaps we can let Li Qiwei take charge of both the overall planning and his abilities. He will be of great use to us. We must not rush."

It turned out that the Qing Dynasty was forced to implement a new policy because of the huge blow brought by the Eight-Nation Alliance.

On April 4 of this year, the Qing government established the Office of Supervision of Government Affairs as the central office for the new policy.

Responsible for handling national schools, imperial examinations, civil service, finance, military affairs, commerce, and diplomatic relations.

The Office of Supervision of Government Affairs brought together a group of powerful figures, such as Yixin, Li Hongzhang, Ronglu, Wang Wenshao, Lu Chuanlin and others.

Under its impetus, the new policies of the Qing Dynasty proceeded in an orderly manner.

Although it did not meet expectations, some achievements were made, such as the establishment of various universities.

Guangxu nodded slightly when he heard this, "What you said, my dear minister, is indeed the words of maturity and prudence."

"I am worried that Li Qiwei might think that this position is of low status. I heard that this person is very arrogant and has a bit of the arrogance of a scholar."

Ronglu sighed inwardly that it must be a very unpleasant experience for the emperor to have done this.

The Qing Dynasty also declined.

He was just a craftsman in the previous dynasty. He would have done whatever he was asked to do honestly and dared not bargain.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. No matter how talented Li Qiwei is, he is just a commoner."

"He is deeply honored by the emperor's grace and would never dare to be picky."

Guangxu nodded slightly, then looked into the distance, with a fire in his heart rekindled.

(End of this chapter)