In 1872, as a twelve-year-old, he was chosen by Qing (Ch'ing) imperial officials to be sent to the United States as part of the Chinese Educational Mission.

[5] He was considered lucky, because only a few months after his graduation, the Qing government decided to recall all students studying in the United States.

They had adopted many Western practices such as playing baseball and wearing shirts and pants instead of traditional robes and had their queues cut off.

Instead of utilizing their talents to the fullest, the government sent them all, including Jeme, to work as translators or as officers in the newly formed Imperial Navy.

Viceroy Li Hongzhang in Peking was constructing a railroad that would link Tientsin to the coal mines in Tangshan.

[3] In 1902, Yuan Shikai decided to build a special line for Empress Dowager Cixi so she could visit the tombs of her royal ancestors.

[7] In 1905, the Imperial Qing government decided to build a railroad that would link the capital of Peking to the important trade city of Kalgan to the north.

He included a zig zag section near the Qinglongqiao (Ching-lung-chiao) railway station to overcome the steep gradient.

[8] He was a founding member of the Chinese Institute of Engineers, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hong Kong in 1916.