The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

  At the beginning of 1923, 55-year-old Cai Yuanpei left Europe because of the "Luo Wengan case".

   The so-called "Luo Wengan case" was a trick that Cao Kun used to forcefully transfer charges in order to overthrow the cabinet at that time. The judiciary has repeatedly acquitted Luo Wengan, and Cao Kun instructed his men to protest again and again. Judicial officials were reluctant to arbitrarily pronounce sentences, so Cao Kun simply dismissed all the prosecutors handling the case and replaced them with a new batch. In the end, Luo Wengan was acquitted.

  Speaking of which, there was no shortage of officials who adhered to principles during the Republic of China, such as the two groups of prosecutors who maintained judicial justice under enormous pressure.

  Unfortunately, it was of no use. In the end, Cao Kun still forced the chief prosecutor to prosecute Luo Wengan.

   Cai Yuanpei left at that time. He was completely disappointed with the Beiyang government and went to Europe to study and study.

   Originally, the Ministry of Education was short of money and could not afford to pay wages. It all depended on Cai Yuanpei to maintain it, and in the turbulent situation, he tried his best to shelter the teachers and students of the school from the wind and rain. After he left, Peking University's life was even more difficult, and they all hoped that President Cai would come back sooner.

  At the end of 1924, after bribing the election of President Cao Kun to resign, Peking teachers and students called Cai Yuanpei: "Principal, come back quickly, that **** president has already run away!"

   In early 1925, Duan Qirui held an aftermath meeting. Peking teachers and students called Cai Yuanpei: "Headmaster, come back soon, Lao Duan is a good and reasonable person!"

  In April 1925, the Beiyang government signed a contract with France, and the teachers and students of the Peking University called Cai Yuanpei: "Headmaster, come back soon, the Gengzi indemnity has been settled, this time it is the golden franc!"

  At the beginning of 1926, Cai Yuanpei finally returned to China, but he stayed in Shanghai and refused to go north. The teachers and students in Peking called again and said, "Come back soon, president, the country can have no president, but Peking University can't have no president!"

  In April 1926, Zhang Zuolin sent troops to surround Peking University. Peking University teachers and students called Cai Yuanpei: "Come back soon, Principal, these soldiers are afraid!"

  Cai Yuanpei did not dare to go back, for fear of being killed by Wu Peifu.

  Wu Dashuai said in an interview with an English newspaper a while ago: "China has radicalism, which began with Sun Wen... In the north, there is Cai Yuanpei... Chinese young people are poisoned by it. If it is not contained, the government will be uneasy."

   Although Wu Peifu compromised with Zhang Zuolin, he was still very powerful in Peiping. He believed that Cai Yuanpei instigated the troubles among the students. How could Cai Yuanpei dare to go back under such circumstances? What's more, Cai Yuanpei actively promoted the Northern Expedition and was wanted by Sun Chuanfang.

  Beijing University was about to cry, because the government did not pay salaries, the teachers had a hard time. The authorities have also arrested and murdered famous scholars, and shot them at every turn on charges of being red elements. Now many professors are running to the south, and if they go on like this, the school will only be empty.

  So - Principal, come back soon, we really can't take it anymore!

  …

   Shanghai Concession.

   His beloved wife Zhou Jun brought three letters and a newspaper and said with a wry smile, "There's another letter from the north, and one of them is still published in the newspaper."

   "Hey, at this time, what can I do?" Cai Yuanpei took the newspaper and looked at it first.

The **** in the newspaper was written by Zhou Zuoren. He first eliminated the political concerns of Cai Yuanpei's reinstatement in the letter, and then cited the difficulties that Peking University is facing today. In one sentence: "Principal, come back soon!"

  Cai Yuanpei took a few glances, put the newspaper aside, and opened the other two, all of which persuaded him to return to Peking University as the principal.

   It was not until the third letter was opened that Cai Yuanpei read it carefully. It was Liang Suming's theory of saving the nation through education. I hope he will take the lead in rebuilding the China Education Association.

  Cai Yuanpei has been engaged in education for many years and knows the hardships.

   At the beginning of the founding of the Republic of China, the Ministry of Education clearly stipulated that primary schools, normal schools, and higher normal schools are exempt from tuition fees.

The "Education Constitution" also stipulates that the funds for education, science, and culture shall not be less than 15% of the total budget in the central government, 25% in the provinces, and 35% in the cities and counties.

   and eggs!

  Even well-known universities like Peking University cannot afford to pay wages, let alone those elementary schools in the backcountry. The various laws and regulations of the Republic of China look beautiful, but they are all castles in the air and cannot be realized at all.

Liang Suming wrote in the letter that he hopes to bypass the government and warlords, run schools through social fundraising, and concentrate funds on basic education in primary schools. Citizens have infinite merits.

   Most of the literati of the Republic of China shouted slogans loudly, but did not take actual actions. Liang Suming, however, was a pragmatist. When he thought of it, he would study and do things. He later wrote a couplet: If you are not a saint, you will be a beast. Don't ask about the harvest, but about the cultivation.

  Cai Yuanpei was quite moved after reading this letter. His academic research in the past few years has come to an end. In Shanghai, apart from promoting the Northern Expedition, there is nothing else to do. There is still a lot to do in rebuilding the China Education Association.

   As for Zhou Hexuan and "Rise of Great Powers" mentioned in the letter, Cai Yuanpei said to his wife, "I'll go out."

  Cai Yuanpei naturally went out to look for the "Beijing-Tianjin Times". He had many friends and he had a lot of face, so he quickly got the latest 20 or 30 issues of the newspaper.

   After reading each article, Cai Yuanpei couldn't help feeling astonished. He has traveled to the West for many years, and has a deep understanding of the situation in the European and American academic circles. There is really no Western scholar who can study the rise and fall of the world's major powers so clearly and thoroughly.

   This kind of high-end historical academic talent can definitely easily hold a professorship in any European university.

   But which rock crack did Zhou Hexuan pop out of? Why haven't I heard of it before?

Cai Yuanpei finished reading "The Rise of Great Powers" overnight, and first wrote back to Liang Suming, and then to Jing Hengyi, chairman of the National Government Education Committee and acting president of Sun Yat-sen University: "My disciple Yuan Huijian: I recently came across a book called "The Rise of Great Powers", which has recorded the rise and fall of the world's great powers, is full of golden and stone words. I see it as an enlightenment, and I have benefited a lot..."

  Cai Yuanpei's letter is to recommend "Rise of Great Powers" to Jing Hengyi, hoping that he will invite Zhou Hexuan to teach in Guangzhou, and don't let this talent go. Even if no one is invited, the content of "Rise of a Great Power" can be used as extracurricular reading material for students to read.

  Jing Hengyi is also a legend in the education circle of the Republic of China. When he was transferred from Zhejiang No. 1 Normal School six years ago, the students of the school spontaneously marched and were shot and wounded by the military police. A classmate named Zhu Zantang was so sad and angry that he took the knife from the police and committed suicide on the spot.

  The students would rather use their lives to keep the principal, which shows how respected Jing Hengyi is. The supporters around him used to be these people: Feng Zikai, Zhu Guangqian, Zhu Ziqing, Xia Chengzun...

  Cai Yuanpei will send the collected newspapers to Guangzhou together with the letters. After reading "The Rise of Great Powers", Hengyi frantically inquired about Zhou Hexuan's whereabouts, and finally got the news from a reporter from "Linxi Daily", and immediately called a friend in Tianjin to invite him, hoping that Zhou Hexuan could become a professor at Sun Yat-sen University.

   At the same time, "Rise of a Great Power" was also rapidly circulated in Guangzhou, a revolutionary center. "Zi Linxi News" and "Beijing-Tianjin Times" are hard to come by. Young students have compiled a book by hand-copying, and various versions of the manuscript are circulated in the school.

Economics students regard the Netherlands as a role model, and believe that business and finance can also enrich the country and the people; military students believe that China should learn German, and only the unification of iron blood can realize national rejuvenation; mechanical chemistry students respect the United Kingdom and pursue the line of strengthening the country through science and technology and saving the country through industry. ...

   It seems that everyone can find the way to save the country. For a time, "The Rise of Great Powers" has become a popular reading in major schools in Guangzhou. Zhou Hexuan, who only heard his name but did not see him, was also regarded as an idol by young students, and some even shouted: "Zhou Hexuan is my teacher!"