Chapter 207 Nobel is not a country bumpkin

"Yuting, are you sure that the foreigners who will live in Xiaoxiang Cliff in the future will all be unrivaled patriots among the foreigners?"

"That's right, my father-in-law's vision is not wrong. I, an outsider, have heard of Maxwell back then. He is indeed a figure who will go down in history. Even if the other scholars invited by my father-in-law are not as good as Maxwell, they should be the academic leaders of various countries."

Qiao Songnian didn't know what time Shao Quanzhong was referring to. He put his hands behind his back and thought for a moment, "Then I won't sell my father's Xiaoxiang Cliff. I will donate it to these foreign professors as a place for them to study in seclusion."

"Then why are you so embarrassed?"

"As a father, I can't make donations in vain. Considering my father's status, it's not too much for me to be the honorary dean of this institute, right?"

"It's an honor for Xiaoxiangya Research Institute."

Even for a famous foreign research institute, it is normal to invite a first-class marquis, or one of the most important officials in the country, who can be counted on one hand, as honorary dean, which will bring a large amount of national investment to the institute.

Moreover, although Qiao Songnian did not understand natural sciences, he was at the pinnacle of the humanities of the era. If an academy of sciences did not distinguish between arts and sciences, it would be no problem for a giant in the social sciences to serve as the president of the academy, let alone as an honorary president.

Qiao Songnian patted Shao Quanzhong on the shoulder and said, "Yuting, you are too pragmatic. When you become a father, you will know that it is also important to be pragmatic. From your tone, it seems that you are embarrassed to reject Yung Wing's opinion. This is wrong."

"Please give me instructions, foster father."

"The imperial court, after destroying all the rebels, is now thinking about the Tongzhi Restoration. The coming of all nations is a sure sign of the restoration. The two Opium Wars made the imperial court realize how powerful the foreigners are. Now that we have recruited foreign talents, this is a major diplomatic victory. The imperial court will definitely take it seriously."

"What's the point of the court paying attention to it? Will they invest money?"

Qiao Songnian curled his lips and said, "People's hearts in this world, whether they are Han or foreign, are the same. They not only need money, but also status. Wasn't it that the Mai family couldn't be hired with a high salary, or was it attracted by the beautiful scenery of Hailing? The court has no money, but it can give them status."

"Can they be knighted?"

"That's impossible. Do you think it's so easy to get a title from the imperial court? But the British have a science academy, and we have the Imperial Academy. I will submit a petition to establish a foreign Imperial Academy in Hailing."

Foreign Hanlin Academy? My godfather is quite creative.

Qiao Songnian stroked his beard, "The Grand Council has Manchu and Hanzhongtang, so why can't the Hanlin Academy have foreign Hanlin? My father, the Prince's tutor, is qualified to be the second-rank president of the Hanlin Academy, which makes up for my father's regret of never being in the Hanlin Academy. At the same time, I recommend Yung Wing as the fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically responsible for recruiting foreign Hanlin."

It turned out that my adoptive father wanted to fulfill his dream of being a Hanlin, and my father-in-law could finally become an official. It would be more convenient for him to act in Europe and the United States with an official identity in the future.

"Let Yung Wing report to the court based on the academic level of each foreign Hanlin, and grant them the titles of Attendant Reader, Attendant Lecturer, Editor, Compiler, Reviewer, and Scholar. Foreign professors will definitely be more willing to stay if they have official positions in the court."

That’s right, I just don’t believe that foreigners don’t like being officials.

"Okay, let me handle this matter, you can go and do your own thing."

As soon as he came out of the Governor's Office, Shao Quanzhong received new information.

Ding Richang, the new governor of Shanghai recommended by Li Hongzhang, founded Longmen Academy and learned from Hailing Middle School, which was also a modern primary and secondary school system, but not bilingual.

Shandong Governor Ding Baozhen founded Shangzhi Academy at Li Qingzhao's former residence. He originally wanted to run it as a traditional academy, but influenced by Hailing and Shanghai, it was changed into a Western-style school with a complete primary and secondary system. Henan Governor Zhang Zhidong founded Guangya Academy, Ziqiang Academy, Wubei Academy, and Gongyi Academy in Kaifeng, completely copying the "Hailing experience". It had middle schools, universities, military schools, and technical schools, and he also asked Yung Wing to help find foreign teachers.

In the future, graduates of Longmen Academy, Guangya Academy, and Shangzhi Academy can apply to Hailing University and Ziqiang Academy, or they can follow Yung Wing's footsteps and study abroad.

As western culture spreads eastwards, western-style schools will flourish. It is not impossible for the imperial court to hold western-style imperial examinations in parallel with the spring examinations in the future.

…………

Three days later, Emery sent a telegram back from Stockholm.

"Nobel was very interested in your 10,000 taels of silver annual salary and your warm invitation. His dynamite and explosives companies in Europe and America are facing boycotts due to constant safety accidents and are suffering from heavy losses. They are in urgent need of funds, so he made a big request and asked for one million taels of silver in financial assistance."

Well, Nobel was not a country bumpkin. He was a leading figure who had opened countless businesses in Europe and the United States. He was well aware of the value of his research and asked for one million taels of silver right away, as aid.

"He rejected your suggestion to buy out the safe glycerine explosives he was developing, but was willing to cooperate with the Wen family and sell a portion of his shares to offset your financial assistance. At the same time, he was willing to move the laboratory to Hailing and take your annual salary of 10,000 silver coins."

Ah? You don't sell patents. You can only cooperate on dynamite and not monopolize it. Why are you taking my salary for nothing?

"He said he can't take your salary for nothing. You can propose other research projects and buy them out after they are realized. The only thing he can't sell is the dynamite patent. He estimates that the profit from this project will exceed 10 million taels of silver."

It's not easy to fool Nobel Laureates, they know their own value. Fortunately, they are willing to come, and it doesn't matter if they can't get a patent for dynamite.

"Call him back immediately, agree to his request, and ask him to leave immediately."

After initially solving Nobel's problem, Shao Quanzhong began to focus on military affairs.

"Report, Nie Shicheng's troops defeated Ma Guiyuan's rebellion and captured Xining. They fought fiercely with Ma Guiyuan and Ma Benyuan brothers in Xiaoxia. The Ma brothers were defeated and retreated to Bayanrongge."

"Report, Shao Hengzhong's troops encountered two groups of bandit reinforcements from Ili Province outside Suzhou. They were 3,000 horse bandits led by Kuitou Laosi and 4,000 Hongmiaozi bandits from Dihua. They were all regular troops equipped with Russian-made rapid-fire rifles. Shao Hengzhong took steady steps and used his firepower advantage to defeat these two groups of Ma Wenlu's reinforcements and headed straight for Suzhou. There are also fortresses outside Suzhou City, and their defenses are second only to Jinjibao. Shao Hengzhong requested more siege artillery."

"Go find Chief of Staff Ge."

Grant arrived with another piece of intelligence in his hand. "According to the intelligence from Ili Province, Bai Yanhu, who fled to Ili Province, led 4,000 bandits recruited in Ili Province and joined the 5,000 bandit reinforcements sent by the Ili bandit leader Tuodelin. They are heading towards Suzhou."

It seems that Suzhou is not easy to attack, mainly because there are reinforcements outside Jiayu Pass, which cannot be stopped at all.

Shao Quanzhong discussed with Grant for a few words and immediately issued an order, "Since Xining and Hezhou have been captured, transfer all the siege artillery to Suzhou to clear the outer fortresses. Order Ma Zhan'ao to lead his troops to Bayan Rongge to assist in the battle and quickly capture Ma Guiyuan so that we can concentrate on besieging Suzhou and realize the recovery of the entire territory of Shaanxi and Gansu."

Ma Zhan'ao ordered his deputy Ma Haiyan to lead 600,000 rioters and drive their sheep slowly towards Suzhou, while he brought 20,000 reinforcements supplemented by the rioters and marched quickly to Bayanrongge.

　Um, the update time has not changed. I accidentally read the wrong time today and posted it ahead of time at 4pm.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)

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