Sa Zhenbing's voice carried a persuasive tone: "Brother Yan, I truly don't understand why you are so interested in translation!
We were ordered to study the navy in England, our purpose being to return home in the future and build a powerful navy, to wipe away past shame!
Yet you spend all day in the library reading philosophy and literature. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"
Yan Fu's voice, in contrast, was calm and firm: "Dingming (Sa Zhenbing's courtesy name), do you think that merely buying a few warships, learning some navigation skills, and knowing how to fire cannons—
—can truly make China strong? During our time in Europe, haven't you seen the deeper reasons behind the strength of England and France?"
Sa Zhenbing was a little agitated: "Of course I have! Their ships are strong and their cannons are powerful, their industry is developed… "
Yan Fu interrupted him: "You are wrong! More important are the cultural system, the spirit of science, and the education system! Look at why England can become the Empire on which the Sun Never Sets?
It's not just because of its powerful navy, but also because they have a parliamentary system to ensure reasonable decision-making, a patent system to encourage invention and creation, and an education system to cultivate talent!
These are the foundations of a strong nation!"
Sa Zhenbing still stubbornly held his ground: "Those are matters for the Lords in the imperial court to consider.
As soldiers, our duty is to master advanced military technology, and in the future, train soldiers and command fleets…"
Yan Fu's voice rose a few octaves: "Foolish! If the system doesn't change, and thought doesn't change, even if we buy the most advanced warships, they will become mere decorations!"
His voice was impassioned and powerful: "I believe that what China needs is not only technological reform, but also enlightenment at the ideological level.
This is why I believe that translating European classics and introducing new ideas is more important than simply learning technology.
We need to let more people understand the global trends and grasp the true meaning of modern civilization!"
Sa Zhenbing was silent for a moment, his tone carrying a sense of helplessness: "Brother Yan, what you say might be reasonable. But I think you are too idealistic.
Changing minds? Easier said than done! Those high officials couldn't even tolerate Lord Guo, how could they tolerate you spreading Western learning?
I, on the other hand, think it's better to be down-to-earth and first master practical military technology.
At least in this regard, we can still make some tangible contributions to the country—
We cannot lose the next naval battle! And we will not lose it!"
Lionel: "…"
He really wanted to say that in the next naval battle, not only did we lose, but the opponent was someone neither of you could ever imagine…
Seeing their argument grow more intense, Lionel couldn't bear to listen anymore and cleared his throat.
Yan Fu and Sa Zhenbing instantly fell silent, turning their heads with nervous expressions. Upon realizing it was Lionel, they breathed a sigh of relief.
They exchanged glances, both with a look of relief in their eyes.
If their recent argument had been overheard by someone with malicious intent, and a report was submitted, Sa Zhenbing might be fine, but Yan Fu would definitely be in trouble.
It might even implicate others—which was why they were speaking in their hometown dialect.
Fortunately, it was Lionel who came; he wasn't even Chinese, so it didn't matter if he overheard them.
Lionel could tell what they were thinking, and even a mischievous thought arose in him to say a few words in their dialect to scare them.
However, he ultimately suppressed this rather absurd idea, simply greeting them calmly in English: "Oh? Are you two also out here for some fresh air?"
With slightly awkward expressions, they turned around and exchanged pleasantries with Lionel.
Lionel pretended not to have understood their previous heated debate: "The nights in Paris are indeed much more comfortable than London, at least the air is fresher.
Speaking of which, how much longer will you two be studying in England? When do you plan to return home?"
Sa Zhenbing, being more straightforward, immediately replied: "Our courses at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich will conclude next April, at which point we will set sail for home."
His tone carried the clarity and decisiveness characteristic of a soldier.
Lionel was a little surprised: "Next April? So there's only a little over half a year left?
I just got to know you, and I didn't expect to part ways so soon."
Sa Zhenbing smiled: "Lionel, although China and France are separated by thousands of miles, we are both still young.
I believe that as long as our aspirations are aligned, there will always be a day when we meet again. Just as a Chinese poet once said—
'If there is a kindred spirit in the world, even if far away at the edge of the sky, it is as if they still live next door to oneself.'"
Lionel: "…" How did that translation sound so much like Oscar Wilde?
He had thought his own translation of "A gentleman's word, a team of four horses cannot overtake" was bad enough, but he didn't expect Sa Zhenbing to be "one step better."
Poetry truly is untranslatable.
Yan Fu said sincerely: "Indeed. And, I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to invite you to China in the future to lecture and travel.
Chinese schools desperately need talent like you—to tell young Chinese students about the current situation in Europe, and about French literature and thought.
This will broaden their horizons."
Lionel nodded: "That is an enticing invitation. So, will you both join the navy after returning home?
I wish you both an early promotion to general!"
He specifically looked at the two of them, noticing that Sa Zhenbing's gaze was firm, while Yan Fu showed a hint of hesitation.
Sa Zhenbing glanced at Yan Fu, his tone resolute: "Yes, I will definitely join the navy. The country sent us abroad to study precisely to build a powerful navy.
This is my duty and honor as a soldier."
Yan Fu, however, seemed somewhat hesitant. He opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Lionel asked gently: "Yan, your thoughts seem to differ from Sa's? Earlier at the banquet, you said you wanted to translate my works…
Are you perhaps more interested in translation?"
Yan Fu nodded helplessly, his voice low: "Lionel, you are right. I am indeed more passionate about translation and education.
I believe that, compared to commanding warships, enlightening the populace and spreading new ideas are more important for China's long-term development."
As he said this, he dared not look into Sa Zhenbing's eyes.
The atmosphere in the garden became somewhat solemn for a moment. The evening breeze gently blew, carrying the faint singing of Peking opera performers from afar.
Lionel pondered for a moment, then slowly began: "In fact, whether it's naval construction or translation and education, they are all essential paths for a nation to become strong."
He looked at Yan Fu: "The work of translation and education is like lighting lamps, allowing more people to open their eyes to the world and understand the essence of modern civilization.
This can fundamentally change a nation's way of thinking."
Then he turned to Sa Zhenbing: "Building a navy is not just for showing off power at sea right now.
A powerful navy requires science, technology, and an industrial system as its support, and only then can it propel the entire nation forward.
More importantly, after you return home having completed your studies, you will train the next batch, and the batch after that, of naval talent—
This is a legacy; as long as the spark continues, even if it's just a few scattered points, it can eventually ignite the entire prairie."
Yan Fu and Sa Zhenbing's eyes both lit up!
He paused, allowing the two to digest what he had just said, and then continued: "So I believe that the right thing should be 'done immediately,' but one should not be fixated on 'immediate success.'
The strengthening of a nation is a long process. Military power without the spirit of civilization as its foundation will ultimately be a castle in the air; and ideological enlightenment without strength as its backing will hardly escape the fate of being trampled upon."
Sa Zhenbing and Yan Fu both fell into deep thought, their expressions gradually becoming profound and complex.
The Peking opera singing from afar had stopped at some unknown point, with only the crisp sounds of gongs and drums occasionally reaching them, signaling that the banquet seemed to be nearing its end.
Yet, the three people in the garden still stood in the night, each lost in their own thoughts.
Lionel looked at these two future historical figures, a peculiar sense of mission welling up within him.
He had no intention of intervening in or changing the course of history, but fate seemed to always make him gaze upon this river.
Were the principles he had just spoken difficult to understand? In fact, no Chinese person who had studied modern history would have any doubts—building a navy and translating Western learning were two paths that could run parallel without conflict.
However, Sa Zhenbing, Yan Fu, or other "men of insight" caught in the torrent of their era, were all too engrossed to see clearly.
And Lionel, the clear-sighted observer, could not voice his thoughts.
Their disagreement was but a moment in this long historical "labor pain."
Lionel really wanted to tell them that no matter which path they took, at that moment, it would converge with other paths into a grand avenue—
It's just that Yan Fu, among them, probably wouldn't live to see the Chinese people walk down this grand avenue.
Lionel patted Yan Fu's shoulder with a touch of sympathy, just about to say something, when a voice suddenly rang out:
"I've been looking for you, why are you hiding here?"