1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 131 Education and Industry Boom

While Li Qiwei was focusing on physics, the others were not idle either.

It was now September 1902, and there were only more than three months left before He Yujie and other two's undergraduate thesis defense.

This was quite a challenge for them as it was their first time traveling far away and experiencing something like this.

Although Li Qiwei had helped them revise their thesis to meet graduation standards.

But when he thought about having to defend his thesis publicly in front of so many people, even the most lively Xu Qitai started to get nervous.

He pleaded with Li Qiwei with a playful smile:

"Brother Li, can't you discuss this with Dean Sanders? The three of us are really afraid of messing up the defense."

"We have never experienced this kind of ceremony in the country, and we are afraid of losing your reputation."

Now all students in Cambridge University know that Chris, He Yujie, Xia Yuancong and Xu Qitai are Li Qiwei's four major disciples.

Chris went from being an unknown ordinary student to becoming a leading student in the physics department at Cambridge University.

It all depends on Li Qiwei's support.

Because Chris was the only one who could go to the Cavendish Laboratory to inspect the instruments and even operate them when he had nothing to do.

Laboratories were rare in that era. Even though Li Qiwei was not a doctoral student yet, he was able to go there because he was recommended by Planck.

As for ordinary students, there is no need to even think about it.

That's why Chris is envied by physics students.

Moreover, Li Qiwei has won the Nobel Prize and proposed the theory of relativity, and his fame is at its peak.

When one person succeeds, everyone around him benefits. Chris also became a little famous in the circle, of course, only in the student circle.

As for He Yujie and the other two, everyone knew that they would definitely return to China in the future, so they were not very envious.

I will just keep paying attention to see how good Li Qiwei is at training his apprentices.

Therefore, the three of them always studied hard in school and did not dare to make any mistakes, for fear of bringing shame to Brother Li.

Li Qiwei shook his head and said, "What's there to be afraid of? I personally reviewed your papers, and there is absolutely no problem with their professionalism."

"As for the embarrassment, I don't care what effect you have on me. Don't think too much about it."

“Graduation defense is the most important symbol of university education.”

"Even if it's Cecil, the son of the Prime Minister, he has to answer honestly."

"Even if you are just going through the motions, this ceremony cannot be skipped, otherwise your degree will be illegal and will be questioned."

"When you three return to China in the future, you must also learn this graduation system and greatly enhance the value of your graduation defense."

Li Qiwei can be said to be a man who uses harsh punishments in troubled times.

He will not be like later generations, where college students can graduate easily without much effort.

In this era, China’s foundation is too weak. If it wants to overtake others, several generations must work harder than others.

Therefore, the university he founded was destined not to be as easy to graduate as in later generations.

The potential of these young people must be tapped.

He doesn't have time to care whether the students can bear it or not. Even if they can't, they have to bear it.

However, he still underestimated the ordinary people's thirst for knowledge in this era.

If they were given a chance to go to college, they would educate Ridgway into bankruptcy.

These days, Li Qiwei is also planning the education blueprint he will implement in the country.

He Yujie and Xia Yuancong will run an engineering university and offer basic subjects such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

Following the example of MIT, Caltech, Princeton and other universities in the United States, it takes the small but fine approach.

In the early stages, he would not choose to run a comprehensive university, as that would be too demanding and not in line with current national conditions.

Xu Qitai hosted a professional skills school, which was later called a technical school.

This is also the result of Li Qiwei's careful consideration.

China today must walk on two legs, with both theory and practice.

Anyway, there is no need to worry about discrimination in technical schools now.

Even according to his guess, technical schools may be more popular than orthodox universities in China.

After all, the traditional Chinese way of thinking is that only by learning a skill can one avoid starvation.

However, whether it is a university or a technical school, the admission requirement is lenient but the graduation requirement is strict, so the graduation thesis defense is very important.

Li Qiwei would never turn the defense into a mere formality, so he had to instill this principle into Xu Qitai and others now.

"You three will all be teachers, or even principals, in the future. If students and other teachers find out that you didn't defend your graduation thesis, how will you convince them?"

"It's just like being an official in the Qing Dynasty without passing the imperial examination. You will never be in the mainstream."

"So, there is no room for negotiation. Even if you cry, you have to finish talking about your research results while crying."

The three of them immediately wilted and had to go back and practice speaking in front of the mirror.

Li Qiwei also secretly sighed that he really didn't have much time to train the three people slowly, so he could only force them to do it.

You have to know that the oldest one, Xu Qitai, is only 20 years old this year, which is really too young.

So don’t be fooled by the fact that these three people are smiling all day long. In fact, they are all holding back a lot of anger in their hearts, but it is concealed by the unique Chinese reservedness.

After solving the three people's problems, Li Qiwei found Hu Xizhong and Sheng Jingran who had finally returned. The two did not look tired from long-term travel, but seemed particularly energetic.

Sheng Jingran first reported on his work results during this period.

"Chairman, I have met with the heads of major high-tech companies as you requested."

It was also Li Qiwei's request to be called chairman in order to separate himself from his academic career.

"Among them, 15 secondary patents have been transferred, and the patent transfer fees have been received one after another."

"There are another five first-level patents, all of which have found suitable companies for commercial implementation cooperation, and the expected income is stable."

"At present, the available funds in the Pioneer Investment Group account are 73000 pounds, and it is expected to reach 10 pounds by the end of this year."

Li Qiwei was overjoyed after hearing this, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Well, well, well, Manager Sheng, I really didn't misjudge you."

"In just half a year, you have achieved such great success for the group. I want to reward you well."

Sheng Jingran smiled modestly and said quickly: "It's all because of the chairman's foresight and planning."

"Without those high-quality patents, I would be helpless."

Although selling the patent was Li Qiwei's plan, he also wrote the patent himself.

However, within just half a year, Sheng Jingran was able to sell all of his patents, which shows his outstanding external negotiation skills.

With the help of professionals, it really makes a difference.

Otherwise, if he had to negotiate with companies one by one for these patents, he would have no need to stay in academia and could just be a capitalist.

As for the selling price, it was in line with Li Qiwei's psychological expectations.

In this era, it is impossible for a patent to be sold for hundreds of millions.

Moreover, the patents he wrote were all insignificant light industrial patents, which were not very valuable in themselves.

He didn't dare to write about valuable things. Although the patent law was very complete at that time, he couldn't discuss the law with you about things that were too valuable.

With this money, he can launch various plans after returning home.

"By the way, Jingran, we will be returning to China in a while. Do you want to go back?"

Sheng Jingran said, "Third Young Master, I am not going back for the time being. The market in Europe has just opened up, and I need to keep an eye on it."

"When the time comes, I will have to trouble the Third Young Master to send me a few assistants from China."

Li Qiwei nodded. He knew that Sheng Jingran was now focused on his career and would definitely not want to go back. Besides, his family didn't need him anymore.

Then, Hu Xizhong stepped forward to report: "Chairman, I have visited 7 companies in 16 countries including the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands."

"I now have a general understanding of the basics of heavy industry factories, staffing, production processes, etc."

"This is a plan I wrote for Shanhe Industrial Group. Please take a look."

Li Qiwei took the thick plan and flipped through a few pages. He found that it was written very carefully and in detail, and it was obvious that a lot of effort had been put into it.

It contains detailed information about the company's budget, location, etc.

"Very good, Manager Hu."

"Your work is actually long and arduous, and requires patience."

"After you return to China, you should first set up the framework of each subsidiary and recruit key personnel for each position."

"My request to you is that within three years, I hope to see all modules functioning normally."

“By then, the basic industrial products produced by the company can even be sold overseas through Pioneer Investment Group.”

"I am very optimistic about Shanhe Industrial Group, Manager Hu, I hope you can create a miracle with me."

Hu Xizhong stated on the spot that he would definitely complete the goals set by the chairman within three years.

The reason why Li Qiwei was anxious was that he hoped to train experienced employees and leadership before the domestic changes.

An industrial system is not built overnight, but is the result of decades of experimentation and accumulation.

In the future, for safety reasons, Shanhe Industrial Group will definitely move out of the country, at least the core companies will move out.

Hu Xizhong suddenly mentioned: "By the way, Chairman, Zhang Zhidong from China sent five technical personnel and they contacted me a few days ago."

"Where should I place them then?"

Li Qiwei remembered this matter after he mentioned it. "You can take care of those people and leave them in Krupp Company for the time being."

"I think Lord Zhang will be satisfied with my arrangement."

He is not in the mood to play guessing games with Zhang Zhidong now. If you don't tell me the specific plan, then I will just arrange it and give you training anyway.

Li Qiwei was very satisfied with the company's progress. Now that they had cash flow, the physical industry could be built immediately.

Everything is going in the right direction.

Finally, he called Wang Luyao again and prepared to discuss an important matter with him.

Wang Luyao was very excited about her career during this period, and even Xiang Lan was pulled over by her.

The reason was that the other party had been in charge of accounting before and could help the company with its finances.

When Li Qiwei told her about the deal with Albert, the little witch danced with joy.

Her business was growing bigger and bigger, and she was about to do business with the king of a country, completely surpassing her father.

This made her feel that her life was different. The queen of business had begun to awaken.

(End of this chapter)