The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 451 The proud daughter of heaven
"You! Why are you running around everywhere? If you get sick, it will be a big mistake. How can I rest assured?"

In Jiujiang Prefecture, at the residence of Ye Xianchun, General Anxi, Governor of Jiangxi, Commander of the Fenwu and Yaowu Armies of the Beijing Camp, and Earl of Pingyuan, father Wang Xichen was blaming his daughter Wang Zhenyi, but accidentally told the truth.

Wang Zhenyi, wearing a small Taoist boy's robe, was furious, her eyes rolling back. "Father, not only did you experiment on your own daughter, but you even nearly told the truth. Aren't you afraid of hurting me?"

Wang Xichen coughed awkwardly. He was now a professor at the newly established Jiangning Imperial College Medical School in Yingtian Prefecture, and also served as the chief judge of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

The most important task of the Imperial Medical Service this year is to develop cowpox and complete the experiments.

So far, 450 people have been vaccinated against cowpox, three of whom died from the disease, but none of them died of smallpox. It can be said that the effect is very good.

But everyone still has a concern, because all the children who will be vaccinated this time are children of ordinary people, and there are more boys than girls.

What if boys are more suitable for vaccination with cowpox, and civilian children who often run around outside are more resistant to the disease?
So, at the suggestion of Li Maosheng, the director of the Imperial Medical Service and a famous medical scientist in the Qing Dynasty, 67 medical officers of the Imperial Medical Service went home and vaccinated all the female children in their families with cowpox.

Wang Xichen was an excellent doctor and was obsessed with this, so he fully supported this. He went home and vaccinated his second daughter Wang Zhenyi and youngest daughter Wang Jingyi with cowpox.

"Okay, I'm fine. I just had a slight fever the day before yesterday, but I don't feel it anymore now. Dad, you won't forget that I also know medical skills, right?"

Wang Zhenyi, who was very good at observing people's expressions, saw that her father was a little embarrassed, so she smiled and snuggled up to him and acted coquettishly, which immediately eased the atmosphere.

Historically, this eleven-year-old girl is probably one of the people most likely to become a great scientist in the entire Qing Dynasty.

Qian Daxin called him the first person after Ban Zhao, and Yuan Mei also admired her very much.
In history, Wang Zhenyi was proficient in mathematics, astronomy, geography, and medicine. She could write poems and essays, and even learned horse riding and archery outside the Great Wall.

Her greatest achievements were in mathematics and astronomy.

In mathematics, Wang Zhenyi admired the senior mathematician Mei Wending. She wrote the book "Easy to Understand Calculation", which made the somewhat profound and obscure mathematical methods written by Mei Wending, such as square root, squaring, cubing and measuring equations, simple and easy to understand.

In astronomy, she strongly supported the heliocentric theory, wrote the theory of the spherical earth and the explanation of lunar eclipses, popularized astronomical knowledge to the public, and had a knowledge of stars, planets, and the Earth and the Moon that was close to and even ahead of the world.

Regarding exchanges between China and the West, Wang Zhenyi believed that "the truth should be sought, why choose between China and the West, but to embrace both as much as possible."

But unfortunately, Wang Zhenyi was born in the wrong era. In this era when even men were suppressed, one can imagine the obstacles she, a woman, encountered.

Because of Wang Zhenyi's passion for science, she became a weirdo among her peers, and many moralists were also dissatisfied with a woman studying science and often appearing in public.

Even Wang Zhenyi's marriage was not settled until she was 25 years old, and she hastily married a scholar named Zhan Mei.

Then, something painful happened to her. It was not her husband Zhan Mei who stopped Wang Zhenyi from continuing her research. Instead, Zhan Mei was extremely supportive. Regardless of other people's strange looks, he allowed Wang Zhenyi to recruit young male students as students and worked hard to publish her works.

There were two forces that made things difficult for Wang Zhenyi. One was Wang Zhenyi's mother-in-law and sister-in-law. As oppressed women, they not only did not understand, but were extremely hostile.

Whenever Wang Zhenyi discussed academic matters with Zhan Mei, she would be met with sarcasm or even outright curses from the mother and daughter.

The second was the prevailing atmosphere at the time. Wang Zhenyi's rebelliousness, especially her recruitment of male students, brought her great slander, and the reputation of Zhan Mei and even the Zhan family was affected.

This has always made her feel very depressed, especially since she and Zhan Mei have no children yet. In this era, this has become a sore point for outsiders to slander.

Under such circumstances, Wang Zhenyi fell ill with malaria at the age of 29 and died soon after.

The illness was secondary, her depressed mood was the main issue. After her death, her husband Zhan Mei also died of depression. Even Wang Zhenyi's manuscripts were not fully sorted out, and many of them were lost.

Many people cite the fact that the Qing Dynasty did not prohibit the study of sciences such as mathematics, intending to prove that the Qing Dynasty had no intention of suppressing science.

But from Wang Zhenyi's experience, it can be seen that the social atmosphere under the strong suppression of the Qing Dynasty no longer made scientific research possible.

Because in Jiangnan in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, if a person like Wang Zhenyi appeared, she could go out and communicate with scholars normally without having to bear the huge pressure of social opinion.

Not to mention Europe at the same time. If there was a woman like Wang Zhenyi in Europe at the same time, she would definitely cause a sensation throughout the European continent and become a person that all princes, nobles, great scientists, and scholars would be eager to make friends with.

But fortunately, there is still time.

Although I, Emperor Mo Da, had never heard of Wang Zhenyi's name before traveling through time, and did not know that she was a genius in mathematics and astronomy, some people had already invested in Wang Zhenyi.

Hearing the conversation between the father and daughter, Pingyuanbo Ye Xianchun walked in laughing, and the father and daughter hurried over to greet them.

At this time in Dayu, Ye Xianchun, who had participated in the bloody battle of Beihe Bawang Temple and fought against Fu Kang'an, was known as the number one general among the Hakka people. He had the same grandfather as Defei Ye Xiaomei and had a very high status.

The Wang family was able to climb up to the prosperous Ye family because of the foundation laid by Wang Zhenyi's grandfather, Wang Zhefu.

It turns out that in the ninth year of Qianlong's reign (1744), Wang Zhefu served as the prefect of Jiaying Prefecture. During this period, he worked diligently, loved the people, developed water conservancy projects, built Dongshan Academy, and did a lot of good things for the Hakka people.

Defei Ye Yizhen's father, Uncle Ye San, was selected as a scholar by Wang Zhefu.

Because of this favor, the relationship between the Ye family and the Wang family is very good. When Ye Xiaomei writes to Wang Zhefu, she always uses the title of "old benefactor" as a respectful address.

It was also because of this relationship that Wang Zhefu was able to serve as an important local official such as the prefect of Suzhou at the age of 69.

Wang Zhenyi's father, Wang Xichen, was only a scholar, so he could serve as a professor at Jiangning Imperial College and the director of the Imperial Medical Service.

"Zhen'er, you are so brave that you actually went to see His Majesty. You didn't see through me, did you?" Ye Xianchun asked with a smile, treating her like his own daughter.

Wang Zhenyi chuckled, a nervous look on her face, "Almost, His Majesty looked at me several times, I was almost recognized."

Ye Xianchun laughed heartily, "Brother Wang, I think Yi'er is indeed talented, and she is willing to go to Western Europe to take a look, so I support her."

Wang Zhenyi looked at her father, Wang Xichen, with hope. Wang Xichen hesitated, then shook his head. "It'll take almost a year to get to Europe. Not to mention the dangers of rough seas and strong winds, how can a woman survive a full year on a ship filled with men?"

Wang Zhenyi thought so too, and the light in her eyes dimmed.

The voyage on the sea was extremely difficult, not to mention the quality of the sailors. After sailing for more than a year, they saw that the sows looked almost like Diao Chan. If a woman really got on the ship, she would definitely become like Diao Chan.

"Zhen'er is so lucky, even God is helping you." Ye Xianchun said with a smile:

"Prince Baima has been doing a great job in Europe recently. His Majesty has issued a decree to elevate the Grand Duchy of Pahang to the new vassal state of Lu and to confer the title of Prince Baima on His Royal Highness the title of King of Lu. A formal delegation will be sent to Europe to confer the title.

At the same time, the son of His Royal Highness Prince Lu and Princess Parma of Shinra is about to be born. His Majesty has specially selected 55 ladies-in-waiting and maids, including female doctors, for the prince, who will symbolize the friendship between China and Shinra.

So this time when we go to Europe, not only will we have the official imperial navy escort, but we will also have a large ship with many women on board, which is perfect for Zhen'er to accompany us."

"Really? That's great!" Wang Zhenyi showed an expression of disbelief on her face, and then cheered loudly, her two little hands waving up and down in front of her chest towards Wang Xichen, as if begging.

Wang Xichen was still reluctant. He hesitated for a moment and wanted to say something else, but Ye Xianchun suddenly spoke first:
"I know, my brother, you're worried that Zhen'er will be scared alone and have no one to discuss things with, so let Hui'er go with her.

If you are still afraid, there are people from our Ye family among the ladies-in-waiting going to Europe this time, and there are also people from our Ye family among the ladies-in-waiting in Europe, so we can take care of them."

Ah! I didn’t say I was worried, I still want my eldest daughter to go!
Wang Xichen was stunned, but before he could explain, he saw his second daughter Wang Zhenyi blinking at him frantically.

Wang Xichen pondered over what Ye Xianchun had just said and suddenly came to his senses.

There was nothing else to it. In fact, Ye Xianchun's biological brother, Tao Gongjunbo Ye Xianyang, fell in love with Wang Xichen's eldest daughter, Wang Huiyi, Wang Zhenyi's fourteen-year-old sister.

Oh, no, it’s not that kind of liking. To be exact, Ye Xianyang hopes that Wang Huiyi can be his daughter-in-law.

The reason, of course, is that most of these big guys who first followed Mo Zibu to start their careers came from poor backgrounds. When they said they brought a "stick" with them when they went abroad, they were definitely not joking.

But now they are rich, especially those like Ye Xianyang who have become the king and have ruled over more than 30,000 Chinese and hundreds of thousands of indigenous people.

They especially needed a hostess who came from a prominent family, could take care of her husband and children, manage the inner chambers, and was familiar with finances.

Ye Xianyang certainly couldn't change his wife, so he could only let his son marry a daughter-in-law from a prominent family like this.

Wang Zhenyi's elder sister, Wang Huiyi, was of average appearance, virtuous, and had first-class knowledge and insight.

Historically, when he corresponded with Wang Zhenyi, the two sisters were not discussing anything else but trigonometric functions and geometry, which was simply too good to be true.

Ye Xianyang came to see her specially last year and liked her so much that he ordered his younger brother Ye Xianchun to make Wang Huiyi his daughter-in-law.

The reason for issuing this order was because Wang Huiyi had already been engaged three years ago. Although the Ye family came with hoes to dig, they couldn't go too far.

But if Wang Huiyi suddenly went to Europe to study for a few years and was no longer in the East, with the power of the Ye family, the small wealthy family that was engaged to the Wang family would definitely not be able to withstand it.

Oh boy, you're waiting here.

Wang Xichen was speechless, but he didn't know what to say.

There is a royal concubine in the Ye Family Palace in Jiaying Prefecture, two earls outside, and a large number of lieutenant generals and major generals. They are the top military heroes of Dayu.

Normally, they didn't treat the Wang family as outsiders, but respected them extremely. Now, they are making such arrangements, which is already a great honor for them.

If you still don't know what's good for you and continue to be hesitant, you will probably offend people greatly.

"Brother Ru Pei has made such a good arrangement. I am very grateful. I will do whatever you say." Therefore, Wang Xichen hesitated for a moment and agreed immediately.

"Hahaha, great!" Ye Xianchun was extremely satisfied. "Since I was the one who pushed for this, and Zhen'er and I get along really well, why not have her become my adoptive father? This way, it will be more convenient both on the road and in Europe."

When the Wang family father and daughter heard this, they were extremely moved. Wang Zhenyi even knelt down on the spot and called him "godfather" with tears in her eyes.

Because they knew that it was actually Ye Xianchun who was protecting Wang Zhenyi.

After all, she is a woman. Going thousands of miles away from home and being unfamiliar with the place will still cause many inconveniences.

But if she took Ye Xianchun as her adoptive father, the adopted daughter of an earl, then her situation would be completely different from that of an ordinary international student. Who would be so bold as to mess with the adopted daughter of a man like Ye Xianchun?

Moreover, Wang Zhenyi also knew that status was extremely important in Europe, and in Europe, an adopted daughter could actually be understood as an adopted daughter.

Being the adopted daughter of a count, she was considered a superior person and an aristocrat in Europe, which was extremely beneficial to her life and studies.

Of course, Ye Xianchun was not a completely selfless good person. He knew very well that if Wang Zhenyi, a genius who could point out problems in Mei Wending's works at the age of eleven, went to study in Europe and came back alive, it would definitely cause a huge sensation.

Especially for the emperor, it is very likely that he would regard Wang Zhenyi as the best propaganda object, and would enter the Imperial Academy to continue her studies, and then become a teacher to the princes, especially the princesses, in the palace.

Such an adopted daughter played an extremely important role for Ye Xianchun, who had no time to have children because of the war and whose first two children were sons.

Anyone who wants to marry his adopted daughter, who can be called a favored child of heaven, cannot avoid him as the adoptive father.

I'm afraid that by then, he will have more say than Wang Zhenyi's father Wang Xichen.

It would be great to get such a daughter for free, but all Ye Xianchun paid was a little money and a tiger skin.

(End of this chapter)