1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 185 Opening Ceremony, Li Qiwei's Speech
On April 1904, 4, admission letters from Huangpu Polytechnic University were being sent to all parts of the country at the fastest speed.

There will be 27 lucky students who will become the first batch of undergraduates and begin their learning journey.

In Panyu, Guangdong, Li Yaobang excitedly showed the notice to his father.

"Father, this is a university founded by the current imperial teacher. Look at this notification letter, it's different from other schools."

Father Li smiled and said, "You can see the big picture from the small, and you can see the leopard through the tube."

"The fact that he is willing to work hard on such insignificant details shows that Principal Li has lofty ambitions."

Mr. Li is a businessman, so he naturally knows that the quality of a product is often determined by the details.

"But Bang'er, you are lively and have a good chance of doing business, but now you want to study science. I don't know whether it is right or wrong."

Li Yaobang smiled and said, "Father, this is not contradictory. I can still do business after I graduate."

"Also, learning Western scientific knowledge can broaden my horizons."

"How can foreign products be so good and cheap? For example, the lighter is so ingenious and practical."

"I want to make something like this in the future, and all this requires scientific knowledge."

Father Li was very pleased. He seemed to see his son surpassing himself in the future.

"My son Yaobang has the potential to be a very rich man!"

In real history, Li Yaobang dropped out of school to go into business after working as a university professor for a few years and failed to persist on the path of science.

In Quanjiao, Anhui, Zhang Yihui is listening to his father's teachings.

Zhang Yihui was born into a scholarly family. He passed the imperial examination and became a scholar at the age of 12. His father was a Jinshi of the current dynasty and was currently serving as a Cabinet Secretary.

After the Jinshi took the imperial examination, in addition to the best ones being appointed as Hanlin Academy Scholars, some of the inferior ones were employed as Cabinet Secretaries, in charge of record-keeping, translation, etc., with an official rank of seventh grade.

"Yihui, at your age, you should have taken part in the provincial examination this year."

"But since you have made up your mind, I will not force you."

"I hope you will stick to your original intentions. All great ways can save the country."

"If you want to save the country, you must first govern it. If you are on the path of science, you should climb the path of science."

Zhang Yihui said respectfully: "Father, I will remember your teachings."

Father Zhang added: "If it is appropriate, your brother can also go."

In real history, Zhang Yihui and his brothers Zhang Yitong and Zhang Yizi all specialized in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

In Leluo Village, Qiongzhou, Guangdong, the Yan family is a famous declining scholarly family in Leluo. They are also descendants of Yan Hui, the sage who can continue the family tree.

Yan Renguang's father was a tribute student studying at the Imperial College.

"Ren Guang, now the imperial examination is declining and science is in vogue. I foresee great changes in the future."

"This trip may be an opportunity for you."

"Principal Li Qiwei is the Imperial Tutor and a great master of Western learning. His vision is always right."

"There's even a message from him in your admission letter, which shows how much he values ​​you. You must not let him down."

Yan Renguang said respectfully: "Don't worry, father. I will study hard."

Such conversations between father and son, or teachings from elders to younger generations, are happening all over the country.

Almost any open-minded person can judge the value of this notice.

The prospective college students who received their admission letters also began to gear up, preparing to work hard and stand out from the crowd in the next four years of their studies.

At this moment, their principal is busy with the opening ceremony.

By June, the list of faculty, staff and students of Huangpu University of Technology was finally finalized.

Li Qiwei looked at the list and felt a sense of pride.

It was he who built the entire school from scratch, making it the first private university in China and the most famous university in the future.

This will become the starting point of his career in Chinese education history and will be admired by future generations.

The Whampoa University of Technology, which later became famous all over the world and was even regarded as a national university, had a very simple situation for its first batch of teachers and students.

There are 8 teachers, 27 students, 1 principal's secretary and a security team of 12 people.

Details are as follows:

Principal: Li Qiwei
Office Secretary: Yu Tianchi

Security Captain: Li San

School of Physics: Dean, Li Qiwei; Vice Dean (temporary), He Yujie

The faculty and students of the college include He Yujie (professor); 11 students, including Li Yaobang, Zhang Yihui, Yan Renguang, etc.

School of Chemistry: Dean, Li Qiwei; Vice Dean (temporary), Xu Qitai

Faculty and students of the college: Xu Qitai (Professor), Xu Jianyin (Professor); 8 students, including Wang Jidian, Wang Jin, etc.
School of Mathematics: Dean, Li Qiwei; Vice Dean (temporary), Xia Yuanshao

Faculty and students of the college: Xia Yuanzhen (Professor); Wang Jitong (Associate Professor); 5 students

School of Life Sciences: Dean, Li Qiwei

The faculty and students of the college: 3 students

College of Humanities: Dean, Zhou Ziyu

The faculty and students of the college are: Wang Guozhen (professor); the college does not currently implement independent closed teaching, and all students are required to take Chinese courses.
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On September 1904, 9, the construction of Huangpu Polytechnic University, which took a year and a half, was finally completed.

All buildings are operational and the university covers an area of ​​approximately 3.7 square meters (55 acres).

Buildings related to teaching include: administrative building, teaching building, laboratory building, library, auditorium, etc.

Those related to life include: gymnasium, dormitory, canteen, etc.

The main gate of the school is a classical and elegant three-arch arch-style building with blue bricks, white columns and white columns.

On the lintel, there is an inscription in Li Qiwei’s handwriting: “Huangpu Polytechnic University”.

Li Qiwei is a master of Western learning, but he also studied traditional culture before he was 17 years old, so he can naturally write good calligraphy.

Although he is far from the level of a calligrapher, his characters are majestic and full of his lofty ambition to transform China.

Therefore, the six big characters "Huangpu Polytechnic University" are vigorous, powerful and unrestrained.

Even if a great calligrapher comes, he will have to say "good".

The school motto is engraved on both sides of the school gate: "Use the right to control the extraordinary" on the left, and "Reform the old and establish the new" on the right.

Today is the most important day for Huangpu University of Technology.

The opening ceremony for the first undergraduate class will be held in the auditorium.

The Imperial Tutor of the Qing Emperor, Principal Li Qiwei, will deliver a public opening speech.

In addition to teachers and students from Whampoa Polytechnic, many other people were also invited to the opening ceremony.

For example, the presidents of national universities in various provinces, celebrities in Guangdong’s education circle, etc.

Therefore, this opening ceremony has attracted much attention.

In the auditorium, Li Qiwei was wearing a Western-style suit, his hair was combed meticulously, and he looked extremely handsome.

“Dear guests, colleagues, and students:”

"Welcome to the opening ceremony of Huangpu Polytechnic University."

“Here, I have four feelings that I would like to share with you.”

“First, what are the responsibilities of college students?”

"I think there is only one thing: you have your own expertise, and after graduation, you should do your best to contribute to the country."

"China is weak, surrounded by powerful nations, eyeing us covetously. All we can rely on are our powerful ships and guns."

"The core of these powerful tools is natural science." "However, there is no superiority or inferiority among people, and no distinction among things. If Westerners can master science, why can't we Chinese?"

"You have been selected and are all chosen by heaven. Your intelligence, heart, and physique are no less than others."

“When I was studying in the UK, I didn’t find anything special about Western students.”

"They also need to eat, drink water, and fail exams."

"Even the stupid ones can't count."

"But he is still arrogant. Why?"

“Because Britain is the empire on which the sun never sets.”

"A strong country gives them strong self-confidence."

"Therefore, every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country, and it is our duty to make our country strong."

"I hope you can all study for the revitalization of China!"

The 27 freshmen in the audience applauded wildly, and their emotions were instantly ignited by Li Qiwei.

A sense of heroism surged in my chest, let’s do it!

Li Qiwei looked at their expressions and was very pleased. He then said:

“Second, what are the responsibilities of a professor?”

"Today is the first day of classes at our school, and many of you students may have already met the professor."

“They are very knowledgeable and have deep insights in their field.”

“Perhaps in the future, all of you here can become professors and pass on knowledge to more people.”

“When you first arrive at our school, you will be shocked by the architecture and environment.”

“I’ve heard people say: Wow, the school is so big.”

There was laughter from the audience.

“But what I want to say is: a university is not about having big buildings, but about having great masters.”

“The goal of a professor is to be a master.”

“The responsibility of a professor is not only to teach students how to study and how to research, but also to teach students how to be a good person.”

“Because studying and being a good person are related.”

"Those who study hard and earnestly will not take shortcuts and will eventually achieve success in their studies."

He Yujie and others nodded solemnly and kept it in mind.

“Third, don’t abandon learning.”

"You may be curious. We have just entered school and have not yet started studying. How can we talk about abandoning learning?"

"I know that some of you may value the piece of paper called a diploma more than the knowledge itself."

"In school, teachers guide you and force you to study, but after graduation, perhaps no one is willing to freely study according to their heart."

"You may say: After going out to work, how can I have time to study? Even if I want to study, how can I do it without a laboratory?"

“But I want to say this: Anyone who wants to wait until there is a library before reading will not be able to read even if there is a library.”

“Anyone who wants to wait until they have a laboratory before doing research will not do research even if they have a laboratory.”

"If you really want to study a problem, you will naturally work day and night to solve instrument problems, time problems, and any problems."

"To abandon learning is to abandon oneself."

"After you graduate, you can choose from the following paths: continue to do research, become an official, enjoy life at home, or become unemployed and idle."

"Except for the first one, the other paths have the risk of falling into depravity."

“The way to escape the trap of depravity and maintain a positive attitude towards life is to not abandon learning.”

“Whether it is natural science knowledge or humanities and ethics knowledge, they are all a kind of learning.”

At this time, the students in the audience began to make a commotion. It was obvious that the principal's straightforward words contained a very profound truth.

It has eliminated the negative, decadent and dark side of many students' hearts.

Li Qiwei became more and more excited as he spoke, waving his hands constantly, stirring everyone's heartstrings.

"Finally, in academics, you should pursue independent spirit and free thinking."

As soon as these words were spoken, they caused a huge reaction in the auditorium.

Fortunately, Li Qiwei added a restriction at the beginning, requiring that this should be done academically, otherwise it would probably cause ambiguity.

You should know that there must be people from the Qing Dynasty attending the opening ceremony today.

They have extremely strict control over thoughts.

If Li Qiwei had promoted liberal ideas on the spot, I'm afraid this university would not be able to continue operating.

Those who supported Li Qiwei couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It's okay, it's okay.

Li Qiwei knew this very well, so he deliberately added the prefix.

But as long as these students are willing, they will be able to appreciate the pure heart of their principal Li.

“I believe that the most important quality in academic research is not intelligence, but independent spirit and free thinking.”

"When I was studying in the UK, all Western physicists revered Newton."

"Its three laws of mechanics are the absolute truths of physics."

“No one dared to object.”

"But I objected. I proposed quantum theory and relativity, and believed that Newton's ideas had limitations."

“This caused a huge uproar in the Western physics community.”

“It turns out that Newton can be wrong.”

"Why should I prove that Newton was wrong? Don't Western physicists have free thoughts?"

"Of course they did, but they did not have Newton's point, and thus could never have pointed out Newton's mistake."

"As for me, I am Chinese anyway. I don't care about Newton or Martin. If it's wrong, it's wrong."

"I only care whether the theory is correct or not, and I don't care who proposed it."

"So my spirit is independent and my thoughts are free."

“So I became famous.”

Everyone laughed at Li Qiwei's humor.

“So, in the academic field, you can refute the professor in the class, and you can even refute me.”

“At Huangpu Polytechnic University, people are not judged by their status or position, but by their academic level.”

“If you want to achieve something in the field of natural science, you must question the theories of your predecessors, be innovative, and dare to break authority.”

“This is the correct learning attitude and method.”

"This is the end of my speech. I hope you will all share this."

There was a prolonged applause in the auditorium.

Li Qiwei's speech at the opening ceremony has also been regarded as a guiding principle by countless later generations.

The subscription has dropped a lot recently. It seems that people really don’t like domestic dramas.

I plan to end the domestic plot in Chapter 200. I hope everyone can support the domestic plot, otherwise the data will be too ugly. I beg all the big guys.

I will definitely take your words to heart.

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(End of this chapter)