Training the Heavens

Chapter 366 Return to Beiping
Mei Yiqi, whose courtesy name was Yuehan, was a native of Tianjin County, Tianjin Prefecture, Zhili Province. He was born into a poor family and was a student of the first class of Nankai Middle School. In 1908, he entered Baoding Higher School. The following year, he applied for the first batch of Boxer Indemnity students to study in the United States. He was admitted with the sixth place among 630 candidates and became one of the first 47 students to study in the United States. He entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the United States to study electrical engineering.

He graduated four years later with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. The following year, he returned to China and taught at Tsinghua University, serving as a physics teacher at Tsinghua School. Later, he served as the Dean of Academic Affairs, acting as the principal, and the supervisor of Tsinghua University's Office of Students Studying in the United States.

Not long ago, Luo Jialun, the former president of Tsinghua University, was forced to resign because of his autocratic style and disrespect for the opinions of teachers and students, which triggered a "drive-Luo" movement among teachers and students. Mei Yiqi took over the position.

After taking office, he was determined to build Tsinghua into a first-class university. However, Tsinghua is currently very short of teachers, especially teachers in science and engineering. In order to solve this problem, he thought of Zhang Xingjiu first.

Under Zhang Xingjiu's guidance, the science and engineering disciplines of Aurora University have now become first-class in Asia and enjoy a good reputation internationally. He has previously helped Peking University, Xiamen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Wuhan University, Shandong University, Sichuan University and other schools to establish high-level science and engineering colleges. Now that Tsinghua University wants to improve the teaching level of science and engineering disciplines, is there anyone in the country more suitable than him?

So, upon hearing that Zhang Xingjiu had returned to Shanghai, Mei Yiqi personally traveled south to Shanghai to invite him. As soon as he saw Zhang Xingjiu, Mei Yiqi reminded him of Ma Xiangbo's words, "Master Ma once said, 'A university is not a place with buildings, but a place with great masters.' I quite agree with him. Now that I have just taken over the helm of Tsinghua University, I also believe that 'faculty is the most important element of a university.' So I have the audacity to come to your house and invite Mr. Zhang to come north to give lectures."

Zhang Xingjiu admired this man. He had only done one thing in his life, which was to serve Tsinghua. At the beginning, he conscientiously completed his teaching work. When he became the president, he tried his best to protect Tsinghua in the chaotic world. During his 17 years as president, he finally made Tsinghua one of the best universities in the country and laid a solid foundation for Tsinghua's future development.

Zhang Xingjiu also wanted to help Tsinghua improve, so he agreed without much hesitation. "The current situation of Chinese universities can be roughly summarized as strong in the south and weak in the north. For many students in the north, getting a good education is much more difficult than in the south! Especially in science and engineering. Just having Peking University in Peking is not enough. Brother Yuehan, if you are determined to revitalize Tsinghua's science and engineering programs, I will do my best to help you!"

Mei Yiqi was delighted to hear this. He had originally thought it would take some effort to convince Zhang Xingjiu, but he hadn't expected him to agree so readily. He quickly stood up and thanked him. "Mr. Zhang is so generous, I can't be stingy. When you come to Tsinghua, just like you were at Peking University, you will be in charge of all the teaching work in science, engineering, and even medicine. You will have the final say on which departments and subjects to set up and which teachers to hire."

He looked ashamed as he said this, "It's just that Tsinghua's current funding is limited. I'm afraid we can't spend too much money on building a laboratory."

"We can do as much as we can with the money we have. Let's build the framework first and then slowly fill it out later." Zhang Xingjiu didn't care too much about these things. He also prepared a gift for Tsinghua University. "It just so happens that Aurora University is planning to replace some equipment soon. These equipment are naturally inferior to those of world-class universities, but compared to the level of domestic universities, they are still very good. If you don't mind, I will donate it to Tsinghua University."

Mei Yiqi's face flushed immediately. He had only explained the difficulties and had no intention of soliciting donations. However, these equipment were indeed important to Tsinghua, so he had no choice but to agree. "Mr. Zhang has truly dedicated himself to the development of higher education in China. On behalf of all the faculty and students of Tsinghua, I would like to thank you and Aurora University for your kindness. We will certainly not let these equipment down and hope to use them to cultivate more talents and achieve greater results."

If you want to give a gift, be generous, so Zhang Xingjiu presented another gift, "The library of Aurora University can also donate a batch of books and materials to Tsinghua. Also, I earned some money when I traveled in Europe and the United States last year. This time I can donate 50,000 US dollars to Tsinghua to purchase equipment and support poor students to study. Brother Yuehan, there is no need to refuse. No matter which school I go to, I will bring gifts, and Tsinghua is no exception." "Then I will accept it on behalf of Tsinghua." Mei Yiqi didn't know what to say. No wonder they all said that Mr. Zhang was a timely rain in the education field. Which university would not be moved by his kindness?
"You will come with me to school tomorrow. I will call a meeting together with the teachers of science and engineering and the students who are about to graduate to see who is willing to go north with me. If you, my dear brother Yuehan, have a teacher you particularly like, I can also try my best to help persuade him." Just like before, Zhang Xingjiu is going to lead an entire team to the north to support Tsinghua University. Otherwise, how much can he accomplish by himself?

"Based on Mr. Zhang's instructions, I have no objection." Mei Yiqi finally put down the heavy stone in his heart. The gains from this trip to Shanghai were really rich.

Mei Yiqi slept very peacefully that night. When he woke up in the morning, he hurried to Aurora University. Looking at the high-spirited students and the science and engineering buildings in the school, he felt extremely envious. He wished that Tsinghua University could have these.

Zhang Xingjiu announced the notice on the loudspeaker, and many teachers from science, engineering, and medicine departments, as well as students who were about to graduate, crowded into the auditorium. They had long been accustomed to Zhang Xingjiu's approach, and similar support would come every once in a while.

The teachers and students who originally followed Zhang Xingjiu to assist other schools have now become backbone members of their respective schools. Except for a few particularly outstanding teachers and students, most people are still very interested in this choice.

Especially those students whose families are in the north, they also want to be closer to home. Although Shanghai is good, they are still not used to the food and customs. Now they have the opportunity to go back to the north, they must go and take a look. If it is suitable, they will go. If not, they will wait for the next opportunity.

Mei Yiqi stayed in Shanghai for a few days and then went back with Zhang Xingjiu's donation and the first batch of supplies. Zhang Xingjiu spent some time making preparations before taking a large group of people on a train north.

The railway department has made some progress in recent years, so it only took more than two days to reach Peking, which was much faster than last time.

When Zhang Xingjiu got off the train, he saw the platform was crowded with people coming to greet him.

(End of this chapter)