"China should bury head to work diligently for 10 years and then raise head to face Japan"

In this quote, Yuan Shikai, a Chinese general and politician, is highlighting the significance of hard work and devotion in order to achieve success. He suggests that China ought to concentrate on working diligently for a period of 10 years, without getting distracted or discouraged, in order to improve and strengthen itself. This hard work and perseverance will then enable China to with confidence face its rival, Japan. By using the metaphor of burying and raising one's head, Shikai is emphasizing the idea of putting in the essential effort and sacrifice in the present in order to profit in the future. This quote highlights the value of determination and long-lasting thinking in attaining goals.