With complex emotions, Lionel shook hands with the two young Chinese students.
He could feel that both their palms were quite rough and very strong—marks left by long-term sailing and training.
Following the tradition of British naval training, they should have all drilled on old-fashioned sailing warships.
Lionel switched to English and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Actually, you can just call me Lionel."
A look of surprise flashed across the eyes of Yan Fu and Sa Zhenbing. They hadn't expected Lionel to be willing to converse with them in English, and so cordially.
Sa Zhenbing showed a sincere smile: "Lionel, how is your recovery?
I read in a British newspaper about your unfortunate illness in London."
Lionel smiled a little awkwardly: "Thank you for your concern, I have fully recovered.
I can only say that London's air… well, it certainly has its unique characteristics."
This remark made Sa Zhenbing smile knowingly: "Indeed! The Thames River…
At every low tide, it reminds people of its presence with its strong odor.
When my older brother Yan and I first arrived in England, it took us a long time to adapt."
Yan Fu also laughed: "Lionel, please allow me to express my admiration for your work.
I have read the old guard, and your critique of social injustice deeply impressed me."
Lionel was a little surprised: "You've read my work?"
Yan Fu nodded: "We've studied both English and French—I stumbled upon it in the Greenwich library.
But what I admire most is your public advocacy for free compulsory education.
I have always believed that if China truly wants to become strong, it must also take this path—allowing every child, regardless of wealth, to receive basic education.
Only by enlightening the people can the nation be revitalized!"
Lionel keenly noticed that after Yan Fu finished speaking, Sa Zhenbing showed a look of disapproval.
But Yan Fu did not notice his companion's displeasure and instead made a request to Lionel: "Lionel, I even had an idea—
I hope to translate your work into Chinese!
Stories like the old guard, although set in France, it… it's almost as if it was tailor-made for China.
Chinese readers might gain some inspiration from it."
Lionel's heart trembled.
Yan Fu later indeed became one of China's most important translators, translating Western classics such as Evolution and Ethics, influencing several generations of Chinese intellectuals thereafter.
If his own work were translated into Chinese…
Lionel quickly nodded sincerely: "This is my honor, the old guard belongs to France, and also to China!
If you are interested, I can provide authorization and make some annotations."
Yan Fu was overjoyed and tightly clasped Lionel's hand: "Then it's a deal!"
Lionel smiled: "A gentleman's word, a quadriga cannot catch up to it!"
As soon as this sentence came out, not only Yan Fu and Sa Zhenbing were stunned, but Chen Jitong was also bewildered.
After a while, the three Chinese only realized that this meant "a gentleman's word, four horses cannot overtake it."
"Gentleman" corresponds to "junzi" (noble person), and "quadriga" is the name of a four-horse chariot in Europe.
Once they understood, the three burst into laughter; Chen Jitong patted Lionel's shoulder: "Leon, I didn't expect you to be proficient in Chinese idioms!"
Lionel smiled and nodded: "I know a little…"
At this moment, Lionel looked at the two young faces before him, and the feeling of time and space intertwining made him momentarily dazed.
He seemed to see the long river of history flowing before his eyes, and he himself stood at a special intersection.
Chen Jitong interjected at the opportune moment: "It seems you are very congenial—but the dinner is still ongoing, you two should return to your seats first, there will be other opportunities later."
Sa Zhenbing and Yan Fu politely nodded to Lionel and then returned to their seats.
After Lionel sat down again, France, who was sitting next to him, leaned over with a curious smile: "Lionel, you seem to have a particular fondness for Chinese people?
This is quite unusual!"
Although France was Chen Jitong's good friend, this was a private acquaintance—his overall impression of Chinese people was not good.
This was also the mainstream attitude of European intellectuals towards China in this era.
After all, less than twenty years ago, the Anglo-French Allied Forces had marched into Beijing and burned down the Chinese emperor's Summer Palace.
Many European homes still hid gold, silver, jewels, porcelain, silk, calligraphy, and paintings plundered from there…
Lionel pondered for a moment before speaking: "Thibault, I have always believed that any country and nation that does not give up its efforts to strengthen itself after failure deserves respect."
He paused, his gaze turning to Yan Fu and Sa Zhenbing: "You see, this ancient empire, repeatedly defeated, sent figures like Guo Songtao and Zeng Jize to engage in diplomacy, and also sent young people like Sa Zhenbing and Yan Fu to study.
Whatever their initial intentions and goals, this plants the seeds for this country's re-emergence!
It may not be now, or even in the foreseeable future, but that day will surely come."
France was surprised: "Lionel, do you have such a high opinion of China?"
Lionel nodded: "The greatness of a civilization lies not in never falling, but in being able to rise again after every fall, and even learning from its former adversaries.
China is doing this with difficulty, and although there are obstacles and setbacks in the process, this effort itself deserves respect."
France nodded thoughtfully: "Your perspective is very interesting. Indeed, acknowledging one's shortcomings and learning from others requires great courage and wisdom.
I think I understand why you view them differently."
The dinner approached its end in an atmosphere of friendly exchange.
Zeng Jize began to rise and give a speech. He spoke in Chinese, and Chen Jitong translated into French, with appropriate wording: "Distinguished guests, thank you all for coming tonight.
There is an ancient Chinese saying, 'Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?' Although France and China are separated by vast oceans, the pursuit of knowledge and beauty is our common language.
I hope that through such exchanges, we can deepen our understanding and friendship…"
The brief speech also earned polite applause.
However, Lionel was particularly moved—this was the first time he had heard "Chinese" in such a long time.
He even took a few seconds to realize what Zeng Jize was saying.
After the dinner, there should have been a ball.
But Paul Pigout, editor-in-chief of Le Petit Parisien, quipped: "I guess the upcoming ball might be too 'enthusiastic' for our Chinese friends?
After all, ballroom dancing might be considered indecent in the East."
Indeed, soon the servants skillfully and quickly removed the dining tables and chairs, replacing them with comfortable sofas and small tables laden with desserts and drinks.
A small stage was temporarily set up in the embassy hall, and several actors in splendid costumes with exaggerated facial makeup appeared, immediately attracting the attention of all the French people present.
Lionel listened for a couple of lines, realizing they were singing The Orphan of Zhao, and feeling uninspired, he quietly slipped out through a side door to the legation's back garden for some fresh air.
The September night in Paris was already cool, and the garden was filled with the scent of damp earth and plants.
Lionel was just about to find a bench to sit on when he heard familiar voices coming from behind a bush—it was Sa Zhenbing and Yan Fu.
However, they were not using English or French, nor the common "Chinese," but another language Lionel was very familiar with—
Pinghua, which is the Fuzhou dialect.
Both were Houguan people with former residences in Fuzhou, and conversing in their hometown dialect clearly meant they didn't want anyone to know the content of their conversation.
He had intended to go forward and greet them, but upon hearing the content of their conversation, he couldn't help but stop.
These two figures, who would later be famous in history, were actually arguing fiercely!