1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 194 Visitors from Southeast Asia, Lan Fang survivors?
October 1905, 10, in the office of the president of Huangpu University of Technology.

Li Qiwei is checking students' transcripts.

Those who can leave their names in history are indeed not simple. After only one year, there was a gap between the students.

The results of Yan Renguang, Zhang Yihui, Li Yaobang, Wang Jidian and Wang Jin were far ahead.

They have already begun to emerge.

Li Qiwei was very happy that the five of them would bring out more students in the future.

But I also feel a little discouraged. Isn't it possible for an unknown kid to become outstanding after my guidance?
Li Qiwei doubted his abilities.

He also knew that science was something that could not be achieved in a hurry and required cultivation bit by bit.

If four years isn’t enough, then ten years. If ten years isn’t enough, then twenty years.

Li Qiwei didn't believe that he couldn't bring up a world-famous figure, he had enough time.

Nowadays, he is running between the Ministry of Education and Huangpu Institute of Technology.

Since he solved the funding problem on his own, Li Qiwei has now become a leading figure in Guangdong's education sector.

Although he was a new official, all his subordinates were obedient and dared not disobey him.

Because they know that this education envoy is the boss who has the final say, and they just need to strictly follow his orders.

Li Qiwei only went to the Education Department for two days a week, and spent the rest of his time at Huangpu Polytechnic.

Bosses are willful.

At this time, Secretary Yu Tianchi walked in.

"Principal, there is a businessman outside who claims to be from Southeast Asia and wants to see you."

Li Qiwei was slightly stunned, "Nanyang?"

This is also a place filled with countless heroic deeds.

But he didn't have any acquaintances in Nanyang, so he asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

Li Qiwei is now a big figure, and countless people want to visit him every day.

Therefore, he asked Yu Tianchi to set up an appointment system.

In fact, it is not to show off, but to treat people fairly and prevent someone from thinking that I am partial to him and not to me.

Yu Tianchi said: "I don't have an appointment, but I think you'd better meet him."

"Oh?" Li Qiwei became interested. He liked Yu Tianchi's cleverness. He was not rigid and was very flexible in handling things, yet made him satisfied.

"Talk about it."

"The other party's name is Li Qiguo. He once donated 10 taels of silver to Guangdong Province's education funds in the name of overseas Chinese."

Li Qiwei was shocked. He thought that he had to meet the sponsor in person. The sponsor had come, so he had to meet him in person.

When the call for donations was made, too many people responded and Li Qiwei was busy dealing with various things, so he really didn't know about Li Qiguo's situation.

So, he immediately asked Yu Tianchi to invite the person over.

After a while, a middle-aged man in his forties walked into the office with a smile on his face.

"Principal Li, I am sorry to bother you."

"I was in a hurry to return home this time and didn't have time to make an appointment. I hope you can forgive me for breaking your rules."

Li Qiwei stood up, walked up to the other party, and said with a smile: "Brother Li, you are too polite."

"You and I have the same surname. Maybe we were from the same family 500 years ago. We can just be friends as equals."

"Come, please sit down."

After the two guests and hosts sat down, Yu Tianchi quietly made some tea and left the office.

While drinking tea, Li Qiwei looked at Li Qiguo carefully. The other party looked like a businessman who traveled frequently, but his skin was well maintained.

It can be seen that the family was very wealthy, otherwise they would not have donated 10 taels at one time.

"Brother Li, I wonder what brings you here today?"

Li Qiwei's straightforwardness stunned Li Qiguo. He thought that Principal Li was just as rumored, deeply influenced by Western learning and hated nagging when doing things.

So he followed the host's wishes and explained his purpose.

"Principal Li, this time I came back to China, in addition to worshipping my ancestors and taking care of the family business, my father has something to ask of me."

"Some time ago, I heard that you, President Li, publicly expressed your desire to open a university in Nanyang and absorb millions of overseas Chinese students from Nanyang."

“I don’t know if this is true or not.”

Li Qiwei said: "It is true."

This was also his preparation for the Science City plan.

After several years of careful consideration, he has decided to build the City of Science in Nanyang.

On the one hand, there are many overseas Chinese there, so there is no need to worry about the culture and population.

In addition, Nanyang is very close to China, so it will be very convenient to attract talents from China in the future.

The most important thing is that his family is in Guangzhou, and after the City of Science is established, his ties with his family will become closer.

In this era, never underestimate the power of family.

The Guangzhou Li family is just a branch.

In addition, Li Qiwei's strategy for acquiring territory has also been adjusted.

He didn't want to buy it, and planned to borrow it first and then buy it.

By establishing universities, building research institutes, or starting companies, they deceived Britain and finally established their own territory, leaving Britain helpless.

Nanyang has been China's territory since ancient times. Why should I spend money to buy it from you?

However, he currently only has a rough draft in his mind and has no detailed plan yet.

And Li Qiguo may be the opportunity.

So, Li Qiwei continued:

"Since ancient times, Nanyang has been closely connected with China."

"But most people there survive by hard labor, and are bullied by foreigners day after day."

"I want to follow the example of my country and establish a university in Southeast Asia to enlighten the people and create a possibility for my Chinese compatriots in the future."

"Since Brother Li has donated 10 yuan, he must know something about me."

“I still have some experience in education.”

Li Qiguo stood up excitedly at this time, "Of course I know."

"Now you are not only a household name in China, but also an idol in the hearts of countless people in Southeast Asia." "We Chinese in Southeast Asia are very proud that you are the first person in Western learning in the whole of Asia."

"And he sincerely worked hard for the country and vigorously built new education."

"My father once sighed to the sky, saying he had no chance to see you."

Li Qiwei had a smile on his face, but he didn't believe it at all in his heart. Just keep talking nonsense. I guess you will mention your purpose next.

Li Qiguo continued, "Principal Li, my family was originally a citizen of Lan Fang Country. Do you know?"

Li Qiwei was surprised and asked, "Is it the Lan Fang Republic in Borneo?"

"But hasn't the Dutch occupied that place? Lan Fang should have disappeared too, right?"

Li Qiwei didn't feel comfortable saying destroy the country directly, after all, the country was right in front of him.

Li Qiguo sighed, "Alas, more than a decade ago, Lan Fang was already in name only and became a colony of the Netherlands."

"The Netherlands is now wary of the Qing dynasty, although it has not been publicly announced."

"But they support a puppet regime of their own. All the top leaders of the real Lan Fang Kingdom have left."

"My father's name is Li Yuchang, and he was a senior staff officer of the Lan Fang Republic."

"In 1884, after the fall of Lan Fang, he took my brothers and I, who were still young at the time, and fled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaya."

“Since then, it has been rooted there.”

"My father is already over seventy years old, but he always tells people that he will never return to the Central Plains until Lan Fang is restored."

"So he sent me here when he returned to his hometown to worship his ancestors."

After listening to this, Li Qiwei finally understood. Wow, this guy must be one of the old followers of Lan Fang.

He suddenly looked strange and asked uncertainly, "Your father wouldn't want me to help him restore his country, would he?"

Li Qiguo was stunned, and quickly shook his head and waved his hands, "No, no, no, how is that possible? Britain and the Netherlands are now in their heyday in Borneo."

"The Qing dynasty no longer cares about that land, and we no longer have the dream of restoring our former glory."

"When Lan Fang was at its peak, its population was close to 400 million."

"The country is now in ruins, but the mountains and rivers are still there. The original Lan Fang people are now under Dutch colonial rule."

"Those foreign devils only know how to plunder and oppress the Chinese. Their lives are even harder than before."

“Just like what you said, Principal Li, the future of a country and a nation will always be education.”

“My father also agrees very much.”

"But he only knows how to do business and knows nothing about education."

"However, he was very happy when he heard about your deeds."

"He once shouted, China is lucky!"

"Nowadays, when it comes to education, there is no one in Asia who can compare to you, Principal Li."

"Even the foreigners who do business with my family say that your influence abroad is comparable to that of a head of state."

"To be honest, I came here today with a nervous mood."

"I just didn't expect you to be so approachable and not put on airs at all."

Li Qiguo's flattery made Li Qiwei feel very comfortable even though he was aloof. He was indeed a businessman and his words were always pleasant to the ears.

Next, it is the ultimate purpose of Li Qiguo’s trip.

"So, my father hopes that you can go to Borneo to build a university, preferably in the former Lan Fang territory."

"Because our family has some connections there, we can provide you with a lot of help."

"This can be considered as a little thought of his."

“He wanted to give the Lan Fang people a chance to rise again through education.”

"In this era, technology is advancing at a rapid pace. If you stick to the old ways, you will be left behind forever."

"I wonder what you think, Principal Li."

After hearing what Li Qiguo said, Li Qiwei was overjoyed. It was like a pillow given to me when I was sleepy.

Of course he does.

This is the best breakthrough.

He planned to study the situation in Borneo carefully after seeing Li Qiguo off.

Parts of Borneo were British colonies.

Perhaps, we can take this opportunity to apply to the British government to establish a university.

During this era, the rule of European and American countries in their colonies was very different from that in their own countries.

They are basically free-range.

That is to say, they only control the local high-level officials and cooperate with them to exploit ordinary people and reap wealth.

Important resources, such as minerals, bananas, coffee, etc., are basically monopolized by the colonists.

Among them, domestics were the colonists' favorite.

Because they are known for being hard-working, submissive and unwilling to participate in politics.

No matter how much oppression we face, we will always find a way to adapt.

Therefore, the colonists could exploit the wealth of the Chinese people crazily.

Li Qiwei thought about these things in his mind. Although he was angry, he could not do anything for the time being.

"Brother Li, don't worry, I already know about this."

"I would very much like to establish a university in Borneo, but this is something that needs to be considered over a long period of time."

"Yinghe won't agree to my intervention so easily. We need some mediation."

"It just so happens that I might have to go to Europe soon. I'll try to make this happen."

Li Qiguo was delighted after hearing this, "That's great, Principal Li."

“You don’t have to worry about the manpower and money required to build a university.”

"Our Li family is quite famous in Southeast Asia."

"Besides, there are many Chinese people in Borneo. They will be very happy when they know you are there."

Li Qiwei was also very happy. After shaking hands with Li Qiguo, he sent him away.

(End of this chapter)