Training the Heavens

Chapter 346 Invitations from all parties

"Originally, I thought that after expelling the Tartars and restoring China, the revolution would usher in a bright future. I didn't expect that ten years have passed and the revolution has still not succeeded. Comrades still need to work hard!" Yixian, who had just returned to Guangzhou, sighed.

During these ten years, he tried repeatedly and failed repeatedly. After many twists and turns, he finally returned to Guangzhou. He was deeply moved to see Zhang Xingjiu again. After talking for a long time, he finally told him the purpose of inviting Zhang Xingjiu over this time.

"After years of revolution, the results have been repeatedly eroded by greedy people. I have finally come to understand that talent is the foundation of a country. Without a group of like-minded talents, the dream of a successful revolution is nothing but a pipe dream!"

"If we want to cultivate talents, we cannot do without education. So I want to establish two schools in Guangdong, one for liberal arts and one for military. One will be used to train talents in liberal arts, science, engineering, medicine and other fields, to reserve talents for national construction."

"The other will be a specialized military academy, recruiting determined revolutionary youth and teaching them all kinds of military knowledge. We'll then use these students as the backbone to build a truly revolutionary army! Only in this way can we break free from the constraints of the old warlords, allow our long-suffering country to quickly become a republic, and build a brand new China!"

"Brother Zhouping, you are not only a world-renowned scholar, but also one of the nation's leading educators. Under your and Ma Gong's management, Aurora University has become the nation's top institution of higher learning and a leading institution in Asia. With your help, Peking University has also rapidly improved its science strength. So who else but you could be the president of this comprehensive university? If you don't mind, the entire planning of this university will be yours!"

"Also, during my research trips to Europe and the United States, I discovered that their military academies also place great emphasis on subjects like mathematics, physics, and engineering. Since you are a world-renowned physicist and mathematician, it would be wonderful if you could condescend to teach a few classes to the students at this military academy."

Yixian looked at Zhang Xingjiu expectantly as he spoke. "Now that Aurora University is on the right track, with Ma Gong as its director, Zhouping, could you spare a few years to come to Guangdong and help me build these two schools? Just like you did for Peking University?"

One of these two schools is the future Sun Yat-sen University, and the other is even more famous. It can be said that the Whampoa Military Academy influenced China's future for decades to come. Now having such an opportunity really makes Zhang Xingjiu feel excited.

"Establishing a school is a good thing. I'm definitely willing to support it." He thought about it and agreed. "Forget about the principalship. Just like at Peking University, I'll focus on building the science and engineering departments. I'll provide support to the new school in the same way as before. If the school needs funds, I can donate a portion. I happen to have half of the Nobel Prize money left, and I'm planning to use it to help develop education in our country."

Zhang Xingjiu won two Nobel Prizes and received two prizes. Although it cannot be compared with the first prize, it is still a considerable amount. Donating it to the future Sun Yat-sen University can also help them build several teaching buildings and purchase some teaching and experimental equipment.

Yixian was both moved and ashamed when he heard this. "Ever since I met Zhou Ping in Honolulu, Zhou Ping has contributed so much to the revolutionary cause over the years. Unfortunately, I trusted the wrong person. I took so much money, but the revolution still hasn't succeeded. Now I have to ask Zhou Ping for money again. I am really ashamed!"

"Sir, there is no need to do this. China's old system has lasted for thousands of years. How easy is it to completely overthrow it? Although the current situation is very bad, it has made considerable progress compared to the time when the Qing Dynasty was in power. This is the achievement of you and many comrades! What's more, it is absolutely appropriate to use the money on education. I originally planned to use this money to build a school. If you are willing to preside over it, I will save a lot of trouble." Zhang Xingjiu knew very well that Yixian did have various problems, but in this era, he still represented progress. At least he was much better than the warlords who took turns to be the boss in the north. Feifei and the others were not mature yet. If they wanted to provide help now, who else could they help but him?

"I feel even more embarrassed when Zhou Ping said that!" Hearing this, Yixian felt quite relieved and turned to tell Zhang Xingjiu about his plan. There were already some new schools in Guangdong. He planned to select a few to merge, and then expand on the basis of these schools. This would save some money and would be much easier than building from scratch.

Zhang Xingjiu also supported this plan. Based on his own understanding, he made some suggestions on the schools to be merged, and then said that when the school officially began preparations, he would send experts from Aurora University who were good at university management to help him formulate a plan. Once the plan was finalized, he would arrange for a large number of teachers from Aurora University to go south to take up the post, and strive to get the university back on track as soon as possible.

As for the other military academy, Zhang Xingjiu also sent several teachers who were more familiar with military mathematics, military physics and military engineering to help. Now there are still two or three years before the school starts, so it is a good time to select talents in advance to study in military academies in Europe and the United States. When Huangpu opens, these people can come back with more advanced concepts to teach students.

If Zhang Xingjiu is free, he will also teach a few classes to these students. When he thinks of the future organizational structure of this school, Zhang Xingjiu can't help but smile. At that time, he will be able to meet those outstanding students studying in France again.

Once Sun Yat-sen University is on the right track, Zhang Xingjiu also plans to send several teachers to Hong Kong to build a school here. Education has a far-reaching impact. If a school that is devoted to the motherland can be run here, it will definitely have a profound impact on the future development of Hong Kong.

The preparations for the two schools Mr. Yixian mentioned would take quite a while, so Zhang Xingjiu chatted with him a few times and then returned to Shanghai. In the future, the two would keep in touch via letters and telegrams to discuss matters concerning the school preparations at any time.

After returning to Shanghai, Zhang Xingjiu continued to teach and conduct his own research. Not long after, another guest came to him to discuss running a school.

This person was no stranger. He was none other than Chen Jiageng, who had previously partnered with Zhang Xingjiu to establish Jimei School. He immediately stated the same purpose as Yixian, "Two years ago, I issued the 'Notice on the Preparation for the Establishment of a Higher Normal School Affiliated to Xiamen University in Fujian' in Xiamen. Last year, the school site was approved, and subsequently, the 'Organizational Outline of Xiamen University' was drafted, and a board of directors was established."

"I came here this time to ask Brother Zhou Ping to serve as the first president of Xiamen University."

(End of this chapter)