Into Unscientific

"The delegation from the East?"

At this time in 1850, Xu Yun was subconsciously taken aback when he suddenly heard such a word with an unusual style of painting.

East, exhibitors, delegations.

The appearance of these words in this era seems to be inexplicably inconsistent.

But soon he came back to his senses, straightened his body, and confirmed to William Whewell:

"Mr. Dean, you are talking about the Eastern delegation that came to participate in the World Expo?"

William Whewell nodded:

"That's right."

Xu Yun thought for a while, then asked:

"Is this Orient some kind of generic term—say, India, or the Orient of my hometown?"

"Of course it's your hometown, that's the one"

William Whewell spit out a few Chinese words awkwardly:

"Staying pot."

When Xu Yun heard this, his eyes straightened up.

As a Li Kewang, he must have heard about the reputation of the International Industrial Expo-after all, it was the first industrial expo.

But on the other hand.

His knowledge of this conference is not in-depth, limited to the keywords of 1851, Prince Albert and Crystal Palace.

As for the exhibitors.

He did have limited knowledge, and he remembered that India and Africa were exhibiting.

At the same time in his impression.

It seems that Daiqing has been inactive in communicating with the outside world. The most widely spread is the Guangxu Emperor's refusal to participate in the Olympic Games:

On the eve of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Coubertin, a Frenchman, once sent a letter to the Qing government, inviting Late Qing to participate in the Olympic Games to be held in Athens, Greece.

At that time, he was the Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang Commercial Affairs, and none other than the well-known Li Zhongtang was in charge of foreign affairs.

Li Zhongtang believed that since it was a world competition, the mighty Qing Empire should of course send athletes to participate.

Otherwise, it would be too low and too embarrassing.

So he wrote to Emperor Guangxu to ask for an order.

Guangxu agreed with it at first, thinking that he could show his face.

However, Cixi and quite a few ministers knew nothing about the rules of Olympic competitions, so they finally rejected Coubertin's invitation.

In addition, later generations also heard that Guangxu once wanted to send eunuchs to participate in the 100-meter race, because they ran extremely fast in the palace for a long time.

This rumor is just a joke with little evidence, but the previous part is historical fact.

This matter is mentioned in both Eastern literature and Coubertin's own memoirs.

Just didn't expect it.

Before 1896, the East participated in the Industrial Fair?

Then Xu Yun thought about it, and asked William Whewell:

"Mr. Whewell, what you mean by assistance"

William Whewell put his left hand on the palm of his right hand, leaned his right elbow on the sofa, his face looked relaxed, and explained:

"It's mainly about the docking of some daily affairs. After all, the representatives from the East who came this time are mainly from Guangdong Province."

"They and Europeans have ... barriers that are difficult to break in terms of language and concepts, and it is not easy to communicate."

"For example, according to my friends who work in Oriental Commercial Bank, it is difficult to understand what these people often talk about about the braised Fujianese."

"As for their compatriots, Luo Feng, you should be able to communicate with each other in language, so the school hopes that you can come forward to help."

"Of course, your identity is just a consultant, and other substantive matters of the expo will be dealt with by special personnel-after all, there are still some orientals living in the UK."

Xu Yun then nodded slightly.

To put it bluntly, this job is a translator, and it is not difficult. It is estimated that a certain translator surnamed Wu will disappear inexplicably.

Then he looked at William Whewell again, and made another request:

"Mr. Whewell, I want to confirm one more thing - do you have a list of the members of the delegation?"

"Of course, you wait."

William Whewell rummaged through the documents around him a few times, and quickly took out a bound document with about ten pages, and handed it to Xu Yun:

"Here, this is it."

Xu Yun took it with both hands.

The cover of the document looked ordinary, standard archival paper, with the words 'Oriental Industry Delegation List' written in English at the beginning.

Turn to the second page.

What appeared in front of Xu Yun was a simple black and white photo of a person.

This is a man in his fifties, looks a little thin, wearing a blue python robe and an official hat.

He put his hands on his knees, deliberately made a face, with a dignified expression with a hint of restraint.

It's a coincidence.

In his previous life, when Xu Yun first entered the online literature industry, he once wrote a Qingchuanwen. The content was of course X.

After all, what was popular at that time was the saying that "clean wear does not make X, chrysanthemum cover XX", and it will be sprayed with Longkong.

At that time, Xu Yun had collected information on the clothing of some Qing Dynasty officials out of creative needs, and these contents are still fresh in my memory:

To distinguish the rank of officials in the Qing Dynasty, one can start with hats and clothes.

For example, the top beads worn by first-rank officials are made of rubies, which are light red in color.

The raw material used for the top bead of the second grade official is coral, which is deep red in color.

The top bead of the third-rank official is made of sapphire, which is dark blue in color, which makes people subconsciously want to shout out a little bit at a glance.

Then there are lapis lazuli, crystal, clam, plain gold, engraved gold and so on.

The colors of these materials vary greatly, so this method can usually be used to distinguish the grade of the characters in some portraits.

But right now this photo is black and white, and the colors are obviously invisible.

In this way, it can only be distinguished from the clothes.

Students who have participated in the Nine Dragons Seizing the Inheritance in their previous lives should know this.

There were only four types of boa robes in the Qing Dynasty, namely:

Princes and princes embroidered with five claws and nine pythons.

From the first grade to the third grade, four claws and nine pythons are embroidered.

The fourth to sixth tiers are embroidered with four claws and eight pythons.

The seventh to ninth ranks are embroidered with four claws and five pythons.

The officials in the black and white photo in front of Xu Yun couldn't tell how many claws they had, but there were only five pythons, so it was obviously an official rank of seventh to ninth rank.

Seventh to ninth grade, to be honest, it's really not high.

Even if it is the seventh rank, it is just an ordinary county level in later generations.

Think here.

Xu Yun couldn't help touching his chin, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Any government in ancient and modern China and abroad is particular about ranking. In theory, the person who can be ranked first on the list must be the person in charge of the delegation.

But the leader of such a delegation has only seven ranks at most?

this is a bit strange

Could it be a relative of the royal family?

Then Xu Yun moved his gaze down, and his gaze shifted to the name of the person outside the image.

"Ran Hongfu?"

I don't think I've ever heard of this guy.

Then Xu Yun turned another page.

The photo on the second page is also a little old man in his fifties, but he is a little fatter.

The braids on the back of this person's head can be clearly seen in the photo, and the clothing is also four-clawed and five-python.

According to the introduction, this person's name was Qu Zhongxing, and he was also a person Xu Yun didn't know.

I don't know if he and Ran Hongfu are characters that existed in the original history, or were they accidents caused by changes in the timeline?

Then Xu Yun flipped through the list again, and found that all the names that appeared were unfamiliar names:

"Liu Qingji, Hou Kaiyin, Xue Shoufan, Yan Geng."

In fact, what Xu Yun didn't understand was.

In the original history, the late Qing Dynasty really sent people to participate in this exposition.

throughout the exhibition.

There are a total of three booths in the evening invitation, and the items on display include models in Qing Dynasty official uniforms, vases, silk cloth, mahogany furniture and oriental handicrafts and so on.

However, the same as Emperor Guangxu's rejection of the Olympic Games, the Qing government at that time also ignored the invitation letter.

Except for a few officials, all the participants were representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Among them, the most famous one is "Master Cantonese" Xi Sheng.

This person was a fairly early comprador, and there are photos left by later generations, and even appeared next to Queen Victoria at one time.

The highest official in the entire delegation is only the seventh rank, and there is only one in number, and the rest are all little transparency from the eighth rank down.

Let alone Li Zhongtang, Li Lianying will never be seen.

A few minutes passed.

Xu Yun combined the documents in his hand and handed them back to William Whewell:

"In that case. No problem, Mr. Whewell, I'll take over the job. When will the Eastern delegation arrive in England?"

William Whewell took the document, made a calm gesture to him, and explained:

"Student Luo Feng, the fair will only start in May, and it's only the beginning of February, so don't be too impatient."

"The Eastern delegation should have just set off now, and it is planned to arrive in Plymouth in mid-June, and you will be arranged to assist in the reception at that time."

"So at present your main task is to fulfill our agreement as much as possible."

Xu Yun nodded knowingly, expressing that he understood.

William Whewell, who had completed today's goal, seemed a little relaxed, and had a brief chat with Xu Yun, and the two parted ways.

After leaving the dean's office.

Xu Yun walked alone on the trail in the school.

Today is a rare sunny day in the UK. The warm winter sun shines on pedestrians, making people feel warm from the inside out.

"Today is Tuesday, and there is no class in the afternoon"

Xu Yun muttered something about the rap he had with Ji Nitaimei, thinking about the next arrangement while walking:

"Where should I go, the library or the dormitory."

As a result, Xu Yun suddenly stopped after walking two steps.

Only at this moment.

Under a big tree about ten meters in front of him, there was an acquaintance standing impressively:

Aveline.

Today, Evelyn is wearing a brown sweater, a conservative light-colored long skirt on the lower body, and a scarf wrapped around her neck, which is simple and full of vitality.

She still held the "Classical Physics" that made Sylve feel the power of knowledge in her hand, and looked at Xu Yunyao calmly.

It is clear.

This descendant of Lilani did not pass by here by accident.

She should have written down the location from Stokes' words, and she was waiting for Xu Yun on this only way out.

be honest.

Ever since he knew Avelyn, Xu Yun was inexplicably scared of her.

In particular, although this girl doesn't like to talk very much, her eyes are like Conan's anesthesia gun. Whenever Xu Yun's body is swept over, Xu Yun's neck is always a little chilly.

Although Avelyn was also sitting next to Xu Yun this morning, Lao Tang mainly had the right to speak, and she remained silent almost the whole time.

At first Xu Yun thought that she didn't like to talk very much as usual, but unexpectedly.

She actually waited for him here?

And judging by her posture, she probably has something to say to herself today.

If it weren't for Stokes' appearance, maybe she would stop herself after class.

Think here.

Xu Yun couldn't help but took a deep breath, bravely walked up, and said hello:

"Good afternoon, Aveline."

Avelyn nodded at him:

"Good afternoon, Luo Feng."

After speaking, Avelyn pushed back a strand of her hair, glanced around, looked at a bench on the right of the two and said:

"Go and sit down?"

"."

Xu Yun was silent for a moment:

"good."

Then the two walked a few steps side by side, came to the bench and sat down.

be honest.

Xu Yun has really sat on benches a lot in his previous life - especially with the opposite sex.

I won’t talk about the time when I had a girlfriend. In addition, I often sit on the bench and chat with my classmates, cousins, and female teachers on my mobile phone.

But Xu Yun has never felt so much pressure as he does today, no matter whether it is a serious occasion, a serious occasion or an informal occasion.

Just when Xu Yun wanted to say that today's wind is very noisy to enliven the atmosphere, Avelyn suddenly spoke first:

"Luo Feng, I have a question to ask you."

coming.

Xu Yun's expression froze immediately, and he said:

"Student Avelyn, if you have something to say, just say it."

Avelyn nodded, took out a piece of paper from her backpack and handed it to Xu Yun, her voice was still as clear as a bird's voice:

"Student Luo Feng, do you know what are the perfect square terms in the Fibonacci sequence?"

Xu Yun: "?"