The Qing Dynasty recalled young children studying in the United States, and two of them refused to return to China. What is their fate in life?

In August 1872, 1 1, a group of Chinese sons and daughters in satin robes and long braids boarded a ship in Shanghai Port, and after a long journey, they arrived in San Francisco, USA, and began their study abroad career.

This is the first batch of young children from China to study in the United States. From 1872 to 1875, the Qing Dynasty sent 120 children to the United States in four batches. They are all around 12 years old, and have never gone out to study before, let alone crossed Qianshan to go to the United States, where the language, customs and culture are very different from those in China. They have great difficulties in lifestyle and language communication. Fortunately, they study hard, overcome all kinds of difficulties, get excellent grades, enter American universities, and gradually integrate into American society in their lives.

However, just as they were about to return home with academic success and honor, the Qing Dynasty recalled some young children studying in the United States to China in advance on the grounds that they believed in Christianity and cut off their braids. 188 1 year, 94 children studying in the United States were repatriated in three batches.

120 children studying in the United States went abroad and 94 returned home. This is because some young children studying in the United States were either repatriated in advance or died unfortunately in the United States. Among them, two young children studying in the United States rebelled against the orders of the Qing court and refused to return to China to finish their studies in the United States.

Their names are Tan Yew Fun and Yung Kwai.

Tan Yew Fun is a native of Xiangshan, Guangdong Province, born in1859; Yung Kwai, a native of Xinhui, Guangdong, was born in 186 1. Tan Yew Fun was one of the first children to study in the United States. It was only 1872 when he came to America. Yung Kwai is the younger brother of Mr Yung Wing, who is known as "the father of overseas students in China". Influenced by Yung Wing, he signed up as the second batch of young children studying in the United States. 1873 went to study in the United States.

188 1 year, when the Qing court recalled young children studying in the United States, Tan Yew Fun had been admitted to Yale University with excellent results and was a sophomore. On the other hand, Yung Kwai has just been admitted to Harvard University, happily preparing for her college career. The order of the Qing court shattered their dreams.

When other young children studying in the United States have to pack their bags, leave the United States where they have lived and studied for many years and are about to leave for home. Tan Yew Fun and Yung Kwai made a choice: disobeying orders and continuing to study in the United States. So, when they passed Springfield, the capital of Illinois, they got off the bus to say goodbye to their friends, ran away and hid.

Although they stayed in the United States, Tan Yew Fun and Yung Kwai faced great difficulties. I used to study in the United States, and all the expenses were borne by the Qing court. Now that nobody pays, what will they do? At this time, Hong Rong, the Qing ambassador to the United States, extended a helping hand to them and gave them economic assistance. After returning to China, young children studying in the United States also pooled their money to help them. Many American friends offered timely help.

At Yung's suggestion, Yung Kwai transferred from Harvard University to Yale University to study with Tan Yew Fun. In the end, they all finished the rest of their studies at Yale University.

Tan Yew Fun graduated from Yale University and works in the Consulate General of China in new york. But he hopes to go to California and work for more China compatriots. California is the second largest Chinese gathering place in the United States. Unfortunately, Tan Yew Fun suffered from lung disease that autumn and had to return to Kubruk, northwest of Hartford, Connecticut, USA. There is Tan Yew Fun's family in America. When Tan Yew Fun first came to the United States, she lived in Mrs. carrington's home for nearly 65,438+00 years.

1 13 years 10 month 13, Tan Yew Fun died of serious illness at the age of 24. He was buried in the graveyard of Mrs carrington's house.

1884 after graduating from Yale university, Yung Kwai became interested in science. He studied chemistry at Sheffield College of Yale University for two years, and then entered the Mining College of Columbia University 1886 to study engineering until he graduated in the second year.

After that, Yung Kwai lived and worked in the United States for most of his life, and fell in love with and married an American girl named Mary Boham. I returned to China with my family at 1908 and lived in Shanghai and Tianjin for half a year. Yung Kwai's longest job was as a translator, secretary and agent for the Qing embassy in the United States.

1909 years later, the Qing Dynasty sent three batches of G-class international students to study in the United States, and trained a large number of outstanding scientists, writers and sociologists for China, such as Mei Yiqi, Zhu Kezhen, Zhao Yuanren and Hu Shi. After coming to the United States, these G-level international students will be accepted by Yung Kwai, and then arranged to study in different schools according to the specific situation of each student. During their study, Yung Kwai is also responsible for arranging and supervising their study and life. George W. Yung Kwai, who is studying in the United States, is very concerned about the growth of G-type international students and takes good care of them.

1943, Yung Kwai died at the age of 82. 20 10 CCTV came to Austin, the capital of Texas, USA, to interview Dana and Richard, descendants of Yung Kwai, and obtained many first-hand information about young children studying in the United States.