Training the Heavens

Chapter 326 Slight Changes
One day in August 1909, Zhang Xingjiu and Ma Zongwen arrived at the dock early, found a teahouse, and drank tea while waiting. Even in the 8st century, transoceanic ships were often delayed, and it was even more so now. Fortunately, the distance from Dongyang to Shanghai was relatively short. Under normal circumstances, it would take four or five days to arrive, so even if it was delayed, it would not be too long.

Moreover, since Zhang Xingjiu invented the wireless telegraph, it was quickly applied to navigation. The ship that A Zhang was riding on was also equipped with it, and it would communicate with the dock on a regular basis about the arrival time. So if there were no accidents today, we would be able to see A Zhang soon.

After adding water several times, the driver came to inform that the ship that A Zhang was on was about to arrive. Zhang Xingjiu hurriedly took Ma Zongwen to the dock to wait. After a while, a passenger ship slowly emerged from the sea level.

The ship blew its whistle to dock, and as soon as the gangway was lowered, the passengers who had been waiting impatiently hurried down from the ship. Zhang Xingjiu spotted A Zhang, who had hair standing up like a hedgehog and a mustache, in the crowd.

"Ah Zhang!" He waved and shouted.

Ah Zhang came over following the voice and waved excitedly, "A Tu!"

"Haha, we haven't seen each other for four years, right? I missed you so much!" Zhang Xingjiu walked up quickly and held A Zhang's hand tightly. He went to Japan to study on public funds with Li Suizhi and Qian Junfu in 1902. It has been seven years now, and he has only come back once or twice during this period.

"Yes, it's been four years! Just a few letters can't ease my longing. Now, I'm finally back, and we can see each other often in the future! Guoqiang, Guosheng, and Guowei are all grown up now, right? I also brought them gifts." Ah Zhang's face was full of smiles.

A few years ago, Ma Zongwen gave birth to another child for Zhang Xingjiu. Guoqiang and Guosheng are now in primary school, studying at the primary school affiliated to Aurora University. Perhaps because they inherited their parents' talents, they both have very good grades.

"You have been concentrating on studying in the past few years and neglected your personal issues. Now that you are back, ask your sister-in-law to introduce you to some new women with open-minded ideas. You can go and meet them, and maybe you will like them!" Zhang Xingjiu started to act as a matchmaker.

"Speaking of this, I have to thank you. If you hadn't helped stop it, my mother would have arranged a marriage for me long ago." The two of them talked as they walked towards the dock.

Because of Zhang Xingjiu, A Zhang's mother did not trick him back from Japan and force him to marry Zhu An. A Zhang is still single now. Considering that Xu Guangping is only ten years old now, Zhang Xingjiu thinks A Zhang should find someone else.

He is already 28 years old this year, which is an older age for a young man in this era. If Zhang Xingjiu doesn't introduce him to someone, his mother might have to find him a wife like Zhu An, which would be a real pain.

When I walked outside, the driver had already driven the car over. In 1901, Hungarian Li Enshi brought two Oldsmobiles to Shanghai, and cars have existed in Shanghai since then.

Last year, Ford launched the famous Model T. Zhang Xingjiu bought a few cars for Ma Xiangbo and others to use, and kept one for himself. He brought it here to pick up A Zhang today.

Zhang was also very curious when he saw the car. After getting in, he asked this and that, and suddenly sighed. "Britain, France, Germany, the United States and other countries all have their own cars. Five years ago, Yoshida Shintaro founded Japan's first car factory, Tokyo Automobile Manufacturing Works (now Isuzu Motors), and two years ago, they produced the first domestically produced gasoline car, the 'Taikoo Li No. 1'. I wonder when China will have its own car!"

"Oh, I'm afraid we'll have to wait!" After hearing this, the joy in Zhang Xingjiu's heart faded a lot.

Historically, China's first automobile was the Minsheng 75 truck, produced on May 1931, 5, by the Fengtian Manufacturing Plant in Shenyang (later Shenyang FAW). Built using American Dodge truck technology, it was assembled under the leadership of Zhang Shigang. Xiao Liuzi named it "Minsheng Brand," and this was over 31 years later.

After returning home, Ma Zongwen personally cooked a table of Shaoxing dishes for A Zhang, who had been away from home for a long time, and let A Zhang feast on them. After the meal, A Zhang, despite being tired from the journey, went to the study and talked to A Zhang about his experiences over the years.

He first learned Japanese in the East, and then went to Sendai Medical College to study medicine, where he met Mr. Fujino. Three years ago, influenced by the Russo-Japanese War, he decided to give up medicine and pursue literature. He learned German and Russian, began to translate literary works, and met revolutionaries such as Zhang Taiyan.

He had already mentioned these things in his letter, but it was very brief. They would have the opportunity to discuss them in detail when they met today. Zhang Xingjiu strongly supported his change of heart. "The works of Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch, and others promoted the development of the Renaissance. Today, China is in a state of confusion and muddle. We need a group of writers with new ideas to use words as daggers and spears to fight against the ignorant old customs. Only in this way can the people awaken."

"Haha, if a country wants to be strong and prosperous, it must not be biased towards either literature, art, or science. You are already a world-renowned scientist, while I am just starting out. I don't dare to hope to achieve your current achievements, but I only hope to awaken a few more citizens."

The two chatted until late at night and fell asleep only when they were too sleepy to bear it.

A Zhang had been away from home for many years and was eager to go home to see his mother, so Zhang Xingjiu did not try to keep him. It was summer vacation, so he accompanied A Zhang back to Shaoxing.

The mother was indeed happy to see A Zhang, but she became anxious when she talked about his marriage. Zhang Xingjiu quickly expressed his willingness to introduce him to someone, and only then did his mother let him go temporarily.

In the next few days, they first visited Mr. Shou Jingwu, and then met their classmates who studied together at Sanwei Bookstore, as well as many old friends.

Mr. Shou was still in good health, which made Zhang quite relieved. Most of his old classmates had gotten married, and most of them had become mediocre. Some of them had even developed bad habits of eating, drinking, whoring and gambling, which made Zhang sigh again and again.

The most regrettable thing is that Xu Xilin has already sacrificed his life. After hearing about some of the things that happened after his death, A Zhang was deeply moved and planned to write these materials into a novel.

Zhang Xingjiu also had to preside over the entrance examination of Aurora University, so he couldn't stay in Shaoxing for too long. Before leaving, he helped A Zhang solve his job problem and introduced him to Shaoxing Middle School as a teacher and supervisor.

This is different from the original history, and can be regarded as a slight change made by Zhang Xingjiu to history. Although such changes are small, there are many similar changes. When they accumulate to a certain extent, there may be unexpected surprises.

　Tomorrow's update will be a little later

　　
　
(End of this chapter)