Preface
data shows that as of 2021, there have been more than 700,000 overseas students in my country per year, and this data is also developing with an upward trend year by year.
In the eyes of modern people, they have become accustomed to studying abroad, but who knows that more than 150 years ago, a team of 30 students was difficult to gather.
The differences in ideas and the differences in times, it is not difficult for us to understand that such a situation occurred. If you were in that era, you would definitely be the same.
But there is such a person who is determined to allow Chinese youth to enjoy Western education, revive the backward old China, and realize the country's civilization and prosperity.
pic丨Yun Hong
He used his own strength to to open the prelude to Chinese students studying abroad , but he has been forgotten by the world for nearly a hundred years. He is the first person to study abroad in China and is known as the "Haven of Chinese Students " Yung Wing .
Of course, his contribution is far more than that. In the long river of modern Chinese history, we can see his persistent figure for the prosperity and strength of the nation at any time.
Today, let us relive that unknown history together and get closer to the life of Yung Wing, a pioneer in China's modernization career.
1. Go to the United States to study and broaden your horizons
1828, Yung Wing was born in a poor family in Nanping Village, Xiangshan County, Guangdong Province. In order to support the family, his father chose to go out to work and often stayed away from his family.
Although living conditions are relatively difficult, Yung Wing's parents are very concerned about their children's education. When Yung Wing was 7 years old, his father sent him to a church school in Macau to attend.
This school was run by British missionaries at that time. In order to attract Chinese people to the church, the school did not charge any fees.
Affected by the social environment at that time, people did not accept these schools founded by churches, especially those founded by foreigners, and were even more rejected.
In the eyes of ordinary people, imperial examinations are the only way to achieve a career in officialdom and the only way to glorify his ancestors. Yung Wing's parents obviously violated this historical trend, but because of this, his future life is unique.
In this church, Yung Wing studied " Bible ", English and a large amount of advanced Western cultural knowledge, which gave him a preliminary understanding of courses such as English, geography, chemistry, and physics.
Six years of study time are fleeting. Yung Wing, who has seen advanced culture, could not let go for a long time. He was unwilling to lose this opportunity to open his eyes to the world.
1846 One day, Principal Brown was preparing to return to the United States for personal physical reasons, but he hoped to take several Chinese students to the United States to continue completing his unfinished studies.
pic丨Yun Wing's hometown
Hearing this news, Yung Wing stood up without hesitation. He was unwilling to give up the opportunity to further contact with advanced ideas and culture.
After the head of the family learned the news, the mother was silent for a long time. She couldn't bear to leave her child, but she finally agreed.
In early 1847, Yung Wing and two other classmates followed Principal Brown on a sailboat, set out from Huangpu Port, and headed to the United States on the other side of the ocean. Everyone's hearts were full of longing.
In the past three months of voyage, Yung Wing saw the storm on the sea for the first time. He once described the waves again and again:
" The wind whistled and howled, as if a group of invisible ghosts roared behind us. In the dark night, the lights at the masts and trusses on the top of the ship were shaking back and forth, left and right, just like countless dark lights floating in the dark night. "
At that time, China was at the outbreak of the Opium War, and countless foreign invaders were eroding the Chinese nation. The beginning of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society deepened the national hatred and family hatred of the Chinese people. Just as the storm Yung Wing saw on the sea, wasn’t it a “storm” that swept the Chinese nation?
He wants to change all this.
On April 12, Yung Wing and his party finally arrived safely at New York Port in the United States, and had a short rest here.
Although New York was not as prosperous as it is now, its advanced level still left a deep impression on Yung Wing. No one knew that Yung Wing had already made a silent decision in his heart that he wanted to make his motherland more prosperous than this.
A few days later, the group went to , Massachusetts. Brown registered his school status at Mengsong School for Yung Wing and the other two. During this period, the three Chinese young people temporarily lived in Brown's mother's home.
During their study at Mengsong School, these three Chinese young people received more advanced education. This is a knowledge they had never seen in China before. While broadening their horizons, they were also intoxicated by it.
pic丨Mengsong School
In the second year, one of the Chinese young men chose to return to China due to physical reasons and ended their overseas student career.
Three years of time passed in a flash. After graduation, another Chinese young man went to the University of Edinburgh in the UK to study medicine. The three teenagers then rushed to different lives.
At first, Yung Wing planned to return to his motherland after completing his studies at Mengsong School, but after graduation he realized that the opportunity to accept advanced ideas was hard-won, and he wanted to continue exploring .
1850, Yung Wing successfully entered Yale University , and became the first Chinese student in Yale University's history .
first entered Yale , Yale University students became "curious" about this yellow-skinned Asian face. Yung Wing did not care about this. In his heart, as long as he could absorb advanced ideas and culture, it would not be worthy of justice even if he was ridiculed by others.
In addition, Yung Wing had to face the high tuition fees, which was really unaffordable for a young man from a poor background, and this matter made him feel depressed.
Once, the local church expressed his willingness to fund his studies, but Yung Wing must agree to their request, which was to return to China to preach after graduation.
Yung Wing had no choice but to agree to the church's request, and he refused the other party.
He once said this: " Although I am poor, I love freedom. In the future, I will only choose the most beneficial job for my motherland. "
Later, with the help of Brown, Yung Wing received funding from a local foundation to solve the urgent problem. In his future studies, Yung Wing did many part-time jobs among students, and studied in a foreign country in a semi-working and half-study manner.
On the Yale campus, Yung Wing has learned more systematically English, French, German, , , mathematics, science, history and other subjects. Whenever he encounters difficult places, he will chase the professor or classmates around him for advice and try his best to overcome academic challenges.
, and Yung Wing also actively participated in the football match held at Yale University and scored at a critical moment, helping the freshman team win the first victory of in Yale University's history .
Picture丨Yale
As time goes by, Yung Wing began to gradually adapt to the life of Yale University. The foreign classmates who had looked at him coldly gradually changed their attitude towards him, and their lives are getting better day by day.
At the same time, deep in Yung Wing's heart, he is still thinking about the motherland far away from the other side of the ocean. What should he do to change the backward appearance of the motherland? In his personal experience, he seemed to have found the answer.
Yung Wing said: " Young people in China should be able to enjoy the benefits of advanced education just like me. Only in this way can China be revived and become a civilized, prosperous and powerful country. "
And this has also become a beacon on his way forward, pointing out the direction for his future life.
2. Success in learning and serving the motherland
1854, Yung Wing successfully graduated from Yale University, took himself to serve the motherland, changed the ideal of Chinese education, and returned to the motherland that he had been away from for a long time at the first time.
has been away from the country for 8 years. When he set foot on the land of his motherland again, the scene in front of him made him feel both familiar and unfamiliar. With the division of powers from various countries, China has become "destroyed", and Yung Wing feels that the burden on him has become much heavier.
In order to realize his ambitions, Yung Wing served as the acting secretary of the United States in Guangzhou, with positions such as translation and translation. With his work advantages, he gradually accumulated a lot of connections.
But even so, it is still extremely difficult for Yung Wing to achieve the goal of changing China's education and promoting national rejuvenation. He needs an opportunity, an opportunity that can wish him a favor.
After a period of observation, Yung Wing placed his hopes on " Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement ".
. Yung Wing has his own opinions and understanding of the reason for making such a choice in troubled times.
Yung Wing met with Hong Renyan in his previous work. Although the relationship between the two is not close, he found through getting along with him that Hong Renyan is open-minded and may support his idea of "transforming China".
Picture丨Gan Wang Hongrenyu
And the relationship between Hongrenyu and Hong Xiuquan is also extraordinary. Later, he was named Gan Wang. If he could get his support, he would definitely have the effect of adding icing on the cake.
Finally, after some twists and turns, Yung Wing arrived in Tianjin (now Nanjing) on November 18, 1860 to meet Hong Renyi.
Yung Wing was not willing to delay for a moment. He immediately expressed his "modernization" strategy for founding the country. Hong Renqi did not respond immediately to these subversive opinions Yung Wing said, but only responded a few days later.
Hong Renyu told Yung Wing that he could understand these suggestions, but most people could not accept them. If they did not receive support from others, it would be difficult to accomplish. But he was willing to award him a fourth-class title, but this was not Yung Wing's original intention.
Yung Wing did not stop too much. After expressing his gratitude to Hong Renyu, he left Tianjing.
Indeed, Yung Wing, who has received advanced cultural education, was neglected, and it is difficult for people to accept the constructive opinions he put forward. In this way, no matter how much power he has in his heart, it is difficult for to be useful.
However, just when Yung Wing was at a loss, new opportunities came to him again.
1863, the " Westernization Movement " had been in operation for two years. Yung Wing received an invitation from Zeng Guofan , hoping that he could contribute to the establishment of a modern factory in . In order to show sincerity, Zeng Guofan asked many people to send letters to Yung Wing, which touched Yung Wing.
and Yung Wing believes that if he can get help from famous minister Zeng Guofan in the future, he will definitely promote the implementation of his plan to serve the motherland. He did not hesitate and immediately rushed to Anqing .
Zeng Guofan warmly received this top student who returned from studying abroad and did not discuss some factory construction matters with him.
Picture丨Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau
During the conversation, Yung Wing learned that Zeng Guofan wanted to build a factory for producing weapons in China, which made him feel relieved. After all, someone finally discovered the importance of "modernization", but he did not agree with the factory for producing weapons, but believed that the "maternal factory" should be built, which is the so-called " device ".
Yung Wing's suggestion was understood and supported by Zeng Guofan, and this important task was fully handed over to Yung Wing. After
was recognized, Yung Wing took Zeng Guofan's trust and set off to the United States again to purchase factory machines. The factory he later presided over was the predecessor of Jiangnan Shipyard .
Later, in this factory, not only machines that can make weapons were produced, but also machines that can make civilian tools such as agricultural tools and utensils.
It has to be said that Yung Wing's advanced understanding provides a foundation for China's modern industry and gives it a higher starting point.
At the same time, in Yung Wing's heart, another major event that promotes national progress has always been buried, that is, to send students to study abroad, so that even Chinese young people who have lived in a more advanced ideological and cultural education like him, and to cultivate more advanced talents for China.
However, if he wants to accomplish this, he will face more difficulties and resistance.
3. education is based on . The pioneer of studying abroad
" uses Western academics to irrigate China, making China increasingly civilized, prosperous and strong " has always been the ideal in Yung Wing's heart, and it is also the "strategy to save the country" summarized through his own experience.
As early as when he returned to China, Yung Wing wanted to achieve his goal, but he was unable to achieve it because no one supported him. Now, with the support of the big shot Zeng Guofan, realizing his ambitions can become "easy".
Yung Wing solved a lot of trouble for Zeng Guofan in the matter of running a factory. The achievements made by the world are obvious to all, and he was highly praised by Zeng Guofan for this.
pic丨Zeng Guofan
Later, with Zeng Guofan's strong support, Yung Wing was awarded the alternate magistrate of Jiangsu Province, mainly engaged in the position of "common interpreter", with a fifth-rank official position, and he also had a certain degree of strength.
Yung Wing once found Zeng Guofan and suggested that a group of young Chinese students should be selected to study in the United States to learn advanced technologies of Western countries, so as to bring advanced culture back to China and then preach, so that they can better serve China's modernization construction.
However, Zeng Guofan did not immediately agree with Yung Wing's advanced view. In his opinion, there is too much uncertainty in sending young students to Western countries. Coupled with the influence of the times, this fact is difficult to deal with. This is exactly the problem Yung Wing has always been worried about, but he did not give up this closest opportunity to success.
In the autumn of 1970, Zeng Guofan and Ding Richang and other ministers went to Tianjin to handle the case. Because foreigners were involved, they called Yung Wing as the translator. During
, Yung Wing informed Ding Richang of his thoughts, hoping that he would come forward to advise Zeng Guofan again.
Ding Richang expressed interest in this matter because he is studying the preparations for the construction of the naval force. If he can get help from a group of overseas students, he can better contribute to this matter.
days later, Ding Richang discussed this matter with Zeng Guofan and other ministers many times. Yung Wing was not idle either. He was repeatedly persuading that the relentlessness of Ding Richang and Yung Wing finally changed Zeng Guofan's mind and expressed his willingness to request the court to send overseas students.
Zeng Guofan submitted a memorial to send school children to study in Western countries. However, two days later, he was rejected by the Qing court, which was expected by Yung Wing.
Later, Li Hongzhang came forward and jointly submitted a report with Zeng Guofan and other ministers, indicating more details of the plan, as well as the relevant funds invested by Shanghai Customs , and clearly stated that the school children would be sent to the United States.
At that time, the Qing court established friendly relations with the United States. In addition, Yung Wing had a basic understanding of American culture and education, and the right time, place and people made this matter more likely to be successful.
Picture丨The first batch of young children studying in the United States took a group photo
As sure, the Qing court approved this matter, and Chen Lanbin served as a member of the Foreign Affairs Bureau and Yung Wing as a vice member.
According to this plan, the Qing court was preparing to select 120 school children, each batch of 30 people, and sent to the United States to study in batches in 4 years, and all the fees were paid by the Qing court. The conditions like
made Yung Wing feel relieved. After all, this was much better than his study abroad, but what he did not expect was that in the face of such a policy, no one was willing to go!
It is actually not difficult to understand such a situation. After all, people at that time were still stranded in the Four Books and Five Classics and retired from the imperial examinations. No one was willing to leave their hometowns and go to foreign countries to study.
even people think that studying abroad is a disgrace to the family, and only those who cannot stay in the country choose to go abroad.
: The deadline is coming, in order to gather the first batch of 30 school children as soon as possible, Yung Wing and other ministers tried every means and finally got enough people.
In August 1872, a steamer carrying the first batch of 30 students from the United States set off from Shanghai to the United States. This is a new chapter of epoch-making significance in the history of Chinese education.
4. Repeated changes and repeated failures
In order to provide the first batch of international students in China with a convenient life and allow them to have more energy to study in foreign countries, Yung Wing can be said to have put in his thoughts. He did not want the children who chose to study abroad to feel his helplessness again.
Yung Wing selected Hartford , the capital of Connecticut, United States as the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Children's Foreign Studies (Zeng Guofan proposed to the Qing court to establish the U.S. Department of Children's Foreign Studies Department).
was once an important industrial center in the United States and the center of machine manufacturing. This is also the reason why Yung Wing chose this place.
, Yung Wing also posted a message locally to solicit local capable families to receive Chinese students, solve the children's accommodation problem, and these families can also obtain financial compensation from the Qing court.
pic丨The life of young children studying in the United States
During the days of studying in the United States, Chinese students learned a lot of advanced culture, mastered English, and began to gradually integrate into American society.
In order to better live with the locals, these international students chose to take off their robes and cut off their long braids. The children are gradually "moving" towards modernization, but they do not know that their actions will actually put the study abroad plan to waste.
International students gradually got used to the cultural customs of other countries, which seemed extremely normal to Yung Wing. After all, this was also the purpose of his proposal. However, in the eyes of some Qing officials, these behaviors of international students were manifestations of "great rebellion".
For this reason, two factions emerged in the Qing court. On the one hand, they supported the "International Student Program" and believed that this would allow China to obtain advanced culture. On the other hand, they strongly opposed it, believing that international students would be used by Americans, thus threatening China's development.
, and Yung Wing had obtained American nationality while studying abroad. In the eyes of conservatives, he was a malicious American, and the "International Student Program" was also one of his conspiracies to hinder China's development. What's even more fatal is that later the relationship between China and China changed drastically, and the Americans began to drive away the Chinese people wantonly and unilaterally abolished the immigration funds in the Sino-US Treaty, which made the Qing court lose face.
various unfavorable factors were exploited by conservatives. Even though Yung Wing and others strongly opposed it, it was still useless. The Qing court decided to withdraw the students who went to the United States.
From 8 in 1881, Chinese students studying in the United States were arranged to return to China in batches. At this point, the fate of international students was forced to come to an end, and Yung Wing's longing for "education and prosperity" plan was also broken. The bankruptcy of the "International Student Program" of
is undoubtedly a fatal blow to Yung Wing, but he did not fall, but continued to devote himself to China's construction.
pic丨Planning for children studying in the United States in 1890
11894, Sino-Japanese War of 1895 broke out. Yung Wing, far away on the other side of the ocean, wrote a letter to Zhang Zhidong as soon as possible, hoping to return to China to serve. Zhang Zhidong immediately agreed to his request.
Yung Wing rushed to Nanjing non-stop, met with Zhang Zhidong, and proposed a series of strategies to promote the country. The most important one was to build National Bank and build a national railway, but unfortunately it was not adopted.
Yung Wing couldn't help but sigh that the Qing court was so corrupt that institutional change was imminent. At this moment, the emergence of reformist made his eyes lit up. He was over 70 years old and immediately joined the reform movement .
However, it is not easy to change a country's policies that have existed for many years. The diehards who have been violated by the reformists have not chosen to sit still and wait for death. The old and new factions have reached the point of meeting each other.
1898 On September 21, 1898, the diehard faction headed by the Queen Mother of the West suddenly launched a coup, the Emperor Guangxu was imprisoned, and representatives of the reformists such as Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and other reformists were wanted, and the reform movement was declared a failure.
Yung Wing was also wanted by the Qing court for participating in the Reform Movement. Finally, he hid in the concession and escaped the pursuit of the officers and soldiers.
has repeatedly changed and failed repeatedly. Just when Yung Wing, who is already over 70 years old, thinks that he will never see hope in his life, a new revolutionary force begins to rise. After the end of the reform movement, the revolutionaries led by Sun Yat-sen began to be active on the historical stage. On a cruise ship from Shanghai to Japan, Yung Wing and Sun Yat-sen met for the first time. The two talked about state affairs and thought they met too late.
Sun Yat-sen's attitude towards the revolution made Yung Wing extremely agree. At this time, he had made up his mind to do his best to help Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary cause while remaining.
At that time, some revolutionaries planned to elect Yung Wing as the president of the government after the successful revolution, but he refused and suggested to everyone that the position of the president should be Sun Yat-sen.
pic丨Sun Yat-sen
In order to support the armed struggle of revolutionaries, Yung Wing often traveled between countries in the following years, seeking fundraising and weapons and equipment assistance. With his efforts, the armed forces of revolutionary people began to take shape.
On October 10, 1911, the revolution of 1911 broke out, and the Wuchang Uprising of achieved a huge victory. At this time, Yung Wing was already ill, but the victory of the revolutionaries overthrowing the imperial system still made the white-haired old man ecstatic, and his efforts were not in vain.
On January 1, 1912, Sun Yat-sen took office as interim president, hoping that Yung Wing would return to China to serve as an important position, but unfortunately, this revolutionary pioneer who witnessed the process of modern Chinese history with his own eyes could never see the brand new China with his own eyes.
Conclusion
On April 21, 1912, Yung Wing, who was ill for a long time, died at his residence in Shajing Street, Hartford City, Connecticut, USA due to his condition worsening and his rescue failed.
From a reformer to a revolutionary, Yung Wing's life had a profound impact on Chinese society in the future and made outstanding contributions to China's ability to stand tall in the world again.
, and it turns out that the "International Student Program" he was most concerned about at the time was also an indelible contribution to China's journey of prosperity and strength.
Picture丨Monk of Mr. Yung Wing
Later Tang Shaoyi , Zhan Tianyou, Cai Tinggan , Zhou Shouchen , Tang Guoan , etc., who have made outstanding contributions to China's development, are all students who went to the United States to the United States.
This person has passed away, and his spirit will last forever!
Yung Wing, who devoted his life to the development of China's modernization cause, deserves to be respected and missed by us!
