Training the Heavens

Chapter 332 Inauguration Ceremony
Sun Yat-sen took Zhang Xingjiu's hand and said loudly, "Mr. Zhang is not only a world-renowned scientist and scholar, but also a strong supporter of the revolutionary cause. He has contributed greatly to the revolutionary cause over the years, and I cannot repay him enough. If I am elected president in the future and establish a new government, I intend to invite Mr. Zhang to serve as Minister of Education. I hope Mr. Zhang will not refuse."

There was an uproar at the scene, especially among the wealthy merchants, gentry, landlords and old bureaucrats. Why had they gone to the trouble of coming so early to wait? Wasn't it just to show their face in front of Sun Yat-sen, to leave a little impression on him, and hope to get a good position in the new government?

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xingjiu had quietly won favor. Sun Yat-sen immediately proposed the position of Minister of Education. In the past, this would have been equivalent to the Minister of Rites, right? At the very least, he would have been the Vice Minister of Rites. Many people were jealous and their eyes turned red.

Even more unexpected was Zhang Xingjiu's reaction. He politely but firmly rejected Sun Yat-sen's invitation. "Mr. Sun, you have devoted many years to the revolution. You are the greatest contributor to its success. I have only contributed a little. I really don't deserve such praise! I have always only taught and done research. I know very little about politics. I am really unworthy of the position of Minister of Education. Therefore, I can only decline Mr. Sun's kindness. You should seek someone else!"

"Mr. Zhang, you are too modest. You are a doctor from a famous French university and a winner of the Nobel Prize, the highest award in the scientific community. Moreover, Aurora University's current achievements are inseparable from your hard work. Since you have been able to build a nationally renowned university from scratch with Mr. Ma, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Yan and others, you must have a deep understanding of education. Who else but you can be the Minister of Education?" Sun Yat-sen invited again.

Zhang Xingjiu understood that it didn't really matter whether he became the Minister of Education or not. Sun Yat-sen was using him to win over the hearts of the people. Firstly, Zhang Xingjiu had invested in the revolution, and there were many people like him. Since Zhang Xingjiu could become the Minister of Education, others would surely get rich rewards. Once they knew what happened today, wouldn't they do their best to send Sun Yat-sen to the throne of the President?
Secondly, Zhang Xingjiu’s own influence cannot be underestimated. Over the years, he has trained a large number of new talents. These people are talented and knowledgeable, and many of them have become the backbone of the revolutionary party. Winning over Zhang Xingjiu is equivalent to winning over these people.

Sun Yat-sen also knew his shortcomings. He had been overseas for many years and lacked loyal support at home. If he could take this opportunity to win the favor of these backbone forces, things would be much easier in the future.

Third, revitalizing new learning and learning from foreign countries is also the current trend. Zhang Xingjiu is the biggest representative of learning new learning. Appointing him as Minister of Education can also show his determination to support new learning and learn from developed countries in Europe and the United States.

Taking these into consideration, Zhang Xingjiu cooperated extremely well with Sun Yat-sen in performing a good show of three refusals and three declines at the dock, allowing Sun Yat-sen to clearly convey his intentions.

This cooperation made Sun Yixian feel very comfortable. In the end, seeing Zhang Xingjiu's firm attitude, he no longer insisted. "Mr. Zhang is right. Your wisdom is a precious treasure for all mankind. You really shouldn't let these mundane matters interfere with your research."

The people around him wanted to rush over to replace Zhang Xingjiu. I don't mind the tediousness of mundane affairs. I can support the revolution and I can talk about it! I don't ask to be the Minister of Education. I will be satisfied with a small official like a county magistrate.

After all, Zhang Xingjiu had contributed so much to the revolution and held such a high reputation, so it would be inappropriate to offer him nothing. Therefore, Sun Yat-sen extended his invitation again, "Mr. Zhang, you can serve as a consultant in the future. If you have time, please offer some advice on the education of the Republic of China. I will be all ears."

This time, Zhang Xingjiu did not refuse. "Mr. Yixian attaches so much importance to education. It is really touching. I am willing to do my best to contribute to the development of education and science in the Republic of China."

Then Sun Yat-sen turned to Ma Xiangbo, shook his hand and started chatting. Logically speaking, Ma Xiangbo was Zhang Xingjiu's father-in-law and the president of Aurora University. If anyone wanted to talk, he should have talked to him, but who could blame Zhang Xingjiu for giving so much?
This also had the advantage of showing his determination to abandon the old practice of seniority, which would also win the favor of young people, who were the future of the revolutionary cause. Sun Yat-sen had so much to do that after a few words, he hurried away. The next day, he convened a meeting of Tongmenghui cadres to discuss the plan for organizing a provisional government. The meeting decided to first notify the provincial representatives to elect a provisional president and establish the Provisional Government of the Republic of China, which was agreed to by the provincial representatives.

On the third day, while meeting with representatives from various provinces, he stated, "The 1th day of this month (the 1th lunar month) is January st in the Gregorian calendar. If you elect me as President, I intend to take office on that day and announce that China will adopt the Gregorian calendar, with that day being the New Year's Day of the Republic of China."

He decided to learn from the West, adopt the Gregorian calendar, and change to the Republic of China calendar, with November 13, 4609 in the Yellow Emperor's calendar (that is, November 13 in the lunar year of Xinhai) as the New Year's Day of the first year of the Republic of China.

On the fifth day, representatives from 17 provinces across the country held elections. Sun Yat-sen received 16 votes and was unsurprisingly elected as the provisional president. He then immediately set out for Nanjing to hold his inauguration ceremony.

Zhang Xingjiu, Ma Xiangbo and others were also invited, and the first thing they had to solve was how to arrive in Jinling before January 1st. There were only two days left before the inauguration ceremony, and they were still 300 kilometers away from Jinling.

In the future, high-speed rail will only take an hour and a half to arrive, but now it still takes some effort.

Moreover, they could not set off now. It was not until 11 o'clock in the morning on January st that the special train started for Jinling. After several hours' journey, they arrived at Nanjing Xiaguan Railway Station, made a short stop, and then took the Ning Province Railway train in the city directly to the Dongjiandao Station of the Liangjiang Governor's Office.

After getting off at the Dongjiandao station, Sun Yat-sen changed to a blue silk embroidered carriage and went directly to the Governor-General's Office of Liangjiang. It was already past 10 o'clock in the evening when he arrived, and the inauguration ceremony did not begin until 11 o'clock in the evening.

Zhang Xingjiu and others also arrived on a special train to witness the ceremony in person.

The ceremony proceeded according to the following procedures: military music played → representatives reported on the election results → the President delivered a speech → representatives delivered a welcome speech and presented seals and ribbons → the President stamped his seal and took the oath → representatives of the navy and army delivered speeches → the President delivered a reply speech.

Ma Xiangbo and others were very excited, but Zhang Xingjiu remained calm. A scene of another ceremony emerged in his mind.

(End of this chapter)