According to the data, as of 2021, there are more than 700,000 students studying abroad in China, and this data is also developing with an increasing 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 group of 30 international students was difficult to assemble.
It is not difficult to understand the difference in thinking, the difference in the times, and if you were in that era, it would have been the same.
However, there is such a person who is determined to let the Chinese youth enjoy Western education, so that the backward old China can be rejuvenated, and the country can become civilized and strong.
Picture丨Rong Hong. He did it on his ownKick off the prelude for Chinese students to study abroad, but forgotten by the world for nearly a hundred years, he is the first person in China to study abroad, known as ".Father of Chinese students"ofRong Hong
Of course, his contribution is far more than that, and in the long river of modern Chinese history, we can see his unremitting figure for the prosperity and strength of the nation at any time.
Today, let's revisit that unknown history and approach the life of Rong Hong, a pioneer in China's modernization.
In 1828, Rong Hong was born in a poor family in Nanping Village, Xiangshan County, Guangdong.
Despite the difficult living conditions, Yung Wing's parents were very concerned about their children's education, and when Yung Hung was 7 years old, his father sent him to a church school in Macau.
The school was run by British missionaries at the time, and in order to attract Chinese to the church, the school did not charge any fees.
Due to the social environment of the time, people did not accept these schools founded by the church, especially those founded by foreigners, and they were even more repulsive.
In the eyes of the general population,The imperial examination is the way to the official career, the only way to glorify his ancestors, Rong Hong's parents obviously went against this historical trend, but it is precisely because of this that his future life can be different.
In this church, Yung Hong studied the Bible, English, and a lot of advanced Western cultural knowledge, which gave him a preliminary understanding of English, geography, chemistry, physics and other courses.
The six-year study time is fleeting, and Rong Hong, who has seen the advanced culture, cannot let go of it for a long time, and he does not want to lose this opportunity to open his eyes to the world.
One day in 1846, Chancellor Brown was about to return to the United States for personal health reasons, but he wanted to take a few Chinese students to the United States to continue his unfinished studies.
Picture丨Rong Hong's hometown.
Hearing this news, Rong Hong stood up without thinking, and he was unwilling to give up the opportunity to further contact advanced ideology and culture.
When the family learned the news, the mother was silent for a long time, she was reluctant to give up her child, but finally agreed.
At the beginning of 1847, Yung Hong and two other classmates followed Principal Brown and boarded a sailing ship from Whampoa Harbor to the United States on the other side of the ocean.
In the nearly three-month voyage, Rong Hong saw the storm on the sea for the first time, and he once described the rough waves again and again:
The wind howled and howled, as if a group of unseen ghosts were roaring behind us. In the dark night, the electric lights on the mast and the top of the ship's mast swayed from side to side, like countless dark lights floating in the dark night.
At that time, China was at the outbreak of the Opium War, countless foreign invaders were encroaching on the Chinese nation, and the beginning of the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society deepened the national hatred and family hatred of the Chinese people.
He wanted to change that.
On April 12, Rong Hong and his entourage finally arrived safely in New York Harbor in the United States, where they took a short rest.
Although New York was not as prosperous as it is now, its advanced level still left a deep impression on Rong Hong, and no one knew that Rong Hong had silently made up his mind in his heart at this time, and he wanted to make his motherland more prosperous than this.
A few days later, the group traveled to Massachusetts, where Brown enrolled the three of them at Monson School, while the three Chinese youths temporarily lived in Brown's mother's home.
During their time at the Mengsong School, the three Chinese youths received a more advanced education, which they had never seen before in China, and they were fascinated by the fact that they had broadened their horizons.
Photo丨Mengsong School.
The following year, one of the Chinese youths chose to return to China due to health reasons, ending his study abroad career.
Three years passed in a flash, and after graduation, another Chinese young man went to the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom to study medicine.
At first, Yung Hong planned to return to his homeland after completing his studies at Meng Song School, but after graduation, he realized that the opportunity to accept advanced ideas was not easy to come by, and he wanted itKeep exploring
In 1850, Yung Hong was successfully admitted to Yale UniversityHe became the first Chinese student in the history of Yale University
When he first entered Yale, the students of Yale University became "curious" about this yellow** Asian face, and Rong Hong did not care about this, in his heart, as long as he could absorb advanced ideas and culture, even if he was sneered at by others, it was not enough.
In addition, Rong Hong had to face the high tuition fees, which a young man from a poor background could not afford, which made him depressed.
On one occasion, the local church offered to sponsor him to complete his studies, but Yung agreed to a request to return to China as a missionary after graduation.
Rong Hong had no way to agree to the church's request, and he refused the other party.
He once said something like this: ".Although I am poor, I love freedom, and in the future I will only choose the work that is most beneficial to my country.
Later, with the help of Brown, Rong Hong was funded by a local ** club to solve the urgent need, and in the future study, Rong Hong did many part-time jobs among the students, studying in a foreign country in the form of part-time work and study.
On Yale's campus, Yung studied English, French, German, mathematics, science, history and other subjects more systematically.
In addition, during the football game held at Yale University, Yung Hong also actively participated, and scored at the bottom at a critical moment, helping the freshman team to achieve the highest goal in Yale University's historyFirst victory
Figure丨Yale University.
As time passed, Yung Hong began to gradually adapt to the life of Yale University, and the foreign students around him who used to look down on him gradually changed their attitudes towards him, and his life became better day by day.
At the same time, deep in Rong Hong's heart, he is still thinking about the motherland on the other side of the ocean, what should he do to change the backward appearance of the motherland? In his own personal experience, he seems to have found the answer.
Rong Hong said: ".China's young people should be able to enjoy the benefits of advanced education just like me, so that China can be rejuvenated and become a civilized and prosperous country.
And this has become a beacon on his way forward, pointing out the direction for his future life.
In 1854, Rong Hong successfully graduated from Yale University, and returned to his long-lost motherland with his ideal of serving the motherland and changing China's education.
After 8 years away from China, when he set foot on the land of his motherland again, the scene in front of him made him feel both familiar and unfamiliar, under the division of various powers, China has become "dilapidated", Rong Hong felt that the burden on his body was much heavier.
In order to be able to realize his ambitions, Rong Hong has served as the first secretary of the United States in China, interpreter, translator and other positions in Guangzhou, with the advantages of work, he gradually accumulated a lot of contacts.
But even so, it is extremely difficult for Yung Hong to achieve his goal of transforming China's education and promoting national rejuvenation, and he needs an opportunity, an opportunity that can give him a helping hand.
After a period of observation, Rong Hong pinned his hopes on the "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement".
In the troubled times, the reason why he made such a choice, Rong Hong has his own views and understanding.
Rong Hong met Hong Renji in his previous work, and although the relationship between the two was not close, he found that Hong Renji was open-minded and might support his idea of "transforming China".
Picture丨Ganwang Hong Renji.
And the relationship between Hong Renji and Hong Xiuquan is also extraordinary, and he was later named the god king, if he can get his support, it will definitely be able to play the icing on the cake.
Finally, after some twists and turns, Rong Hong arrived in Tianjing (present-day Nanjing) on November 18, 1860, and met with Hong Renji.
Rong Hong did not want to delay for a moment, and even if he said his "modernization" strategy for building the country, Hong Renji did not respond to these subversive opinions that Rong Hong said, but only replied a few days later.
Hong Renji told Rong Hong that he could understand these suggestions, but the vast majority of people could not accept them, and without the support of others, it was naturally difficult to do this, but he was willing to grant him a fourth-class title, but this was not Rong Hong's original intention.
Rong Hong didn't stay too long, and after thanking Hong Renji, he left Tianjing.
Indeed, Rong Hong, who has received advanced cultural education, has been neglected, and it is difficult for people to accept the constructive suggestions he put forwardIt's hard to get there
However, just when Rong Hong was at a loss, a new opportunity found him again.
In 1863, two years after the "Westernization Movement", Rong Hong received an invitation from Zeng Guofan, hoping that he could do itEstablishment of a modern factorycontribution, and in order to show sincerity, Zeng Guofan asked many people to send letters for Rong Hong, which made Rong Hong very moved.
And Rong Hong thought that if he could get the help of the famous minister Zeng Guofan in the future, he would definitely be able to promote the realization of his plan to serve the motherland, so he did not hesitate and immediately rushed to Anqing.
Zeng Guofan warmly received this high-achieving student who returned from studying abroad, and discussed some factory construction matters with him.
Figure丨Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau.
During the conversation, Rong Hong learned that Zeng Guofan wanted to build a factory in China to produce **, which made him feel gratified, after all, someone finally discovered the importance of "modernization", but he did not agree with the factory of manufacturing **, but thought that the "mother factory" should be built, which is the so-called".The Instrument of Making
Rong Hong's suggestion was understood and supported by Zeng Guofan, and he gave Rong Hong full authority to handle this important task.
After being recognized, Rong Hong set off to the United States again with Zeng Guofan's trust to purchase machinery to set up a factory, and the factory that he presided over later built was exactlyGangnam Shipyardpredecessor.
Later, in this factory, not only machines capable of making ** were produced, but also machines that could make civilian tools such as agricultural tools and utensils.
It has to be said that Rong Hong's advanced cognition has provided the foundation for China's modern industry and made it have a higher starting point.
At the same time, in Rong Hong's heart, there has always been another important thing to promote the progress of the country, that is, to send students to study abroad, so that more Chinese young people can receive advanced ideological and cultural education like him, and cultivate more advanced talents for China.
However, in order to do so, he will have to face more difficulties and resistance.
Irrigating China with Western scholarship has made China increasingly civilized and prosperousIt has always been the ideal in Rong Hong's heart, and it is also the "strategy to save the country" that he summed up through his own experience.
As early as when he returned to China, Rong Hong wanted to achieve his goal, but because no one supported him, he was unable to achieve it, and now, with the support of Zeng Guofan, a big man, he can become "easy" to realize his ambitions.
Rong Hong solved a lot of troubles for Zeng Guofan in the matter of setting up a factory, and the results achieved are obvious to the world, and he was also highly praised by Zeng Guofan.
Figure丨Zeng Guofan.
Later, under the protection of Zeng Guofan, Rong Hong was awarded the alternate Tongzhi of Jiangsu Province, mainly engaged in the position of "general affairs translator", and his official position was five grades, which can be regarded as having a certain strength.
Rong Hong once approached Zeng Guofan and suggested that a group of young Chinese students should be selected to study in the United States in order to learn the advanced technology of Western countries, so as to bring advanced culture back to China and then preach, so that they could better serve China's modernization drive.
In his opinion, sending young students to Western countries, there are too many uncertainties, coupled with the influence of the times, this fact is difficult, this is exactly what Rong Hong has been worried about, but he did not give up this opportunity to succeed.
In the autumn of 1970, Zeng Guofan, Ding Richang and other ministers went to Tianjin to handle the case, and because foreigners were involved, Rong Hong was called to serve as an interpreter.
During this period, Rong Hong informed Ding Richang of his thoughts, hoping that he would come forward to advise Zeng Guofan about the matter again.
Ding Richang expressed interest in this matter because he was studying the matter of preparing for the establishment of the navy, and if he could get the help of a group of students studying abroad, he would be able to better promote this matter.
In the future, Ding Richang discussed this matter with Zeng Guofan and other ministers many times, Rong Hong was not idle, he was also repeatedly persuading, Ding Richang and Rong Hong's unremitting efforts finally made Zeng Guofan change his mind and expressed his willingness to ask the imperial court to send foreign students.
Zeng Guofan sent schoolchildren to study in Western countries, but two days later, they were rejected by the Qing court, which was expected by Rong Hong.
Later, Li Hongzhang came forward and jointly signed a joint performance with Zeng Guofan and other ministers, indicating more details of the plan, as well as the relevant funds funded by Shanghai Customs, and clearly pointing out that the schoolchildren would be sent to the United States.
At that time, the Qing court was establishing friendly relations with the United States, and Rong Hong had a basic understanding of American culture and education, which made this matter more likely to succeed.
Picture丨Group photo of the first batch of young children studying in the United States.
Sure enough, the Qing court approved the matter, and Chen Lanbin was appointed as a member of the Overseas Affairs Bureau, and Rong Hong was appointed as a vice member.
According to this plan, the Qing court planned to select 120 students, each batch of 30 students, to be sent to the United States in batches over four years, and all expenses were paid by the Qing court.
Such conditions made Rong Hong feel gratified, after all, this was much better than the situation when he studied abroad, but what he didn't expect was that in the face of such a policy, no one was willing to go!
It is not difficult to understand such a situation, after all, people at that time were still stranded in the era of the Four Books and the Five Classics, and no one wanted to leave their homeland and go to a foreign country to study.
People may even think that studying abroad is a humiliating act, and only those who can't stay in China will choose to go abroad.
Seeing that the deadline was approaching, in order to gather the first batch of 30 schoolchildren as soon as possible, Rong Hong and other ministers tried all kinds of ways to finally get together enough people.
In August 1872, a steamer carrying the first batch of 30 students to the United States set sail from Shanghai to the United States, which was an epoch-making chapter in the history of Chinese education.
In order to provide a convenient life for the first batch of international students in China, so that they can have more energy to study in a foreign country, Rong Hong can be said to have worked hard, he does not want the children who choose to study abroad to feel his helplessness again.
Yung Hong chose Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, as the headquarters of the Bureau of Infant Overseas Rehabilitation (proposed by Zeng Guofan to the Qing court to establish the Bureau of Overseas Youth).
It was once an industrial center in the United States and the center of machine manufacturing, which is why Yung Hong chose this place.
In addition, Rong Hong also released news in the local area, soliciting local families who can afford to host Chinese students, solving the problem of children's accommodation, and these families can also receive financial compensation from the Qing court.
Picture丨The life of young children in the United States.
During their time 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 be able to live better with the locals, these international students chose to take off their robes and cut off their long braids, and the children are gradually "moving forward" towards modernization, but they don't know that their actions will make the study abroad plan go down the drain.
The international students are gradually getting used to the cultural customs of other countries, which is extremely normal in Rong Hong's opinion, after all, this is also the purpose of his plan, but in the eyes of some Qing courts, these behaviors of international students are a manifestation of "great rebellion".
For this reason, there were two factions in the Qing court: on the one hand, they supported the "Overseas Students Program", believing that it would allow China to acquire advanced culture, and on the other hand, they strongly opposed it, believing that the study abroad students would be used by the Americans, thus threatening China's development.
Moreover, Yung Hong had obtained American citizenship when he was studying abroad, and in the eyes of conservatives, he was an American with bad intentions, and the "international student program" was also one of his conspiracies to hinder China's development.
More fatally, relations between the two countries changed dramatically, with the Americans beginning to arbitrarily drive out the Chinese and unilaterally abolishing the immigration payments in the Sino-American Treaty, which disgraced the Qing court.
All kinds of unfavorable factors were taken advantage of by conservatives, and even though Rong Hong and others strongly opposed them, it was still to no avail, and the Qing court decided to withdraw the students who went to the United States.
In August 1881, Chinese students studying in the United States were arranged to return to China in batches, so far, the fate of international students was forced to come to an end, and Rong Hong's plan of "rejuvenating the country through education" was also broken.
The bankruptcy of the "International Student Program" was undoubtedly a fatal blow to Rong Hong, but he did not fall down, but continued to devote himself to the construction of China.
Picture丨Group photo of young children studying in the United States in 1890.
In July 1894, when the Sino-Japanese War broke out, Rong Hong, who was far away on the other side of the ocean, wrote to Zhang Zhidong at the first time, hoping to return to China to serve, and Zhang Zhidong immediately agreed to his request.
Rong Hong rushed to Nanjing, met with Zhang Zhidong, and proposed a series of strategies to rejuvenate the country, the most important of which was the construction of a national bank and the construction of a national railway, but unfortunately they were not adopted.
Rong Hong couldn't help but sigh that the Qing court would be so corrupt that institutional change was imminent, and at this time, the emergence of the reform faction made his eyes shine, and he was over seventy years old and immediately devoted himself to the reform movement.
However, it is not easy to change the policies of a country that have existed for many years, and those diehards whose interests have been violated by the reformers have not chosen to sit idly by, and the old and new factions have reached the point where they are fighting each other.
On September 21, 1898, the diehards led by the Empress Dowager Xi suddenly launched a coup d'état, Emperor Guangxu was imprisoned, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao and other representatives of the reform faction were wanted, and the reform movement was declared a failure.
Rong Hong was also wanted by the Qing court because of his participation in the Reform Movement, and finally escaped the pursuit of officers and soldiers by hiding in the concession.
Repeated changes, repeated failures, just when Rong Hong, who was already over the age of old, thought that he would never see hope in this life again, a new revolutionary force began to rise
After the end of the Reform Movement, the revolutionaries led by Sun Yat-sen began to be active on the stage of history, and on the cruise ship from Shanghai to Japan, Rong Hong and Sun Yat-sen met for the first time.
Sun Yat-sen's attitude towards the revolution made Rong Hong extremely agreeable, and at this time he had already made up his mind to do his best to help Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary cause when he was still in the background.
At that time, some revolutionaries planned to elect Rong Hong as the ** big ** after the success of the revolution, but he politely refused, and proposed to everyone that the position of the big ** should be held by Sun Yat-sen.
Photo丨Sun Yat-sen.
In order to support the armed struggle of the revolutionaries, Rong Hong often traveled back and forth between countries in the following years, seeking fundraising and assistance with equipment, and with his efforts, the armed forces belonging to the revolutionaries began to gradually take shape.
On October 10, 1911, the Xinhai Revolution broke out and the Wuchang Uprising achieved a great victory, but Rong Hong had already fallen ill at this time, but the victory of the revolutionaries to overthrow 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 was inaugurated as the provisional president, hoping that Rong Hong could return to China to take up important positions, but unfortunately, this revolutionary pioneer who witnessed the process of China's modern history was never able to see the new China with his own eyes.
On April 21, 1912, Rong Hong, who had been ill for a long time, died in his apartment on Shajing Street in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, due to the deterioration of his condition.
From a reformer to a revolutionary, Rong Hong's life has had a profound impact on Chinese society in later generations, and has made outstanding contributions to China's ability to stand again in the world.
And facts have proved that the "International Student Program" that he was most concerned about at the beginning was also an indelible contribution to China's road to prosperity and strength.
Picture丨Monument to Mr. Yung Hong.
Later, Tang Shaoyi, Zhan Tianyou, Cai Tinggan, Zhou Shouchen, Tang Guoan and other people who made outstanding contributions to China's development were all students studying in the United States that year.
The people have passed away, but the spirit lives on!
Rong Hong, who dedicated his life to the development of China's modernization, deserves our respect and remembrance!