1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 209: Li Qiwei snatches food from the tiger's mouth

After returning from a visit to Germany, Li Qiwei devoted himself to the work of the Department of Physics.

While formulating the annual plan and budget for the department, he also sorted out his own research direction and assigned several topics to the next doctoral students.

When he first enrolled in his doctoral program, Thomson gave him four research topics.

Each one has Nobel Prize-level potential.

Now as a Nobel Prize winner and the top senior physicist, Ridgwell is based at King's College London, so his research topics certainly cannot be too bad.

At this time, his assistant Delia, wearing the popular purple dress, came in and told him that Professor Rutherford came to visit.

A smile appeared on Li Qiwei's face. Rutherford couldn't wait any longer. If he didn't come, he would go to Manchester to find him.

The Delia in front of him was the assistant to the former head of the Physics Department.

As a civilian university, King's College London recruits women and provides them with on-campus jobs or work-study opportunities.

Delia was originally a student in the Department of Physics. After graduation, due to her outstanding performance, she was hired as the director's assistant, responsible for assisting in the department's administrative work.

Delia, who is only 25 years old this year, is intelligent and generous, and she does things in an orderly manner, which makes her deeply loved by Li Qiwei.

The other person was incredibly beautiful, very much like a British actress in later generations: Emma Watson, but with a better figure.

However, Li Qiwei was a well-known gentleman. He never glanced at anyone more than once or asked any extra questions. Every time he talked, it was just normal work communication.

But Delia treated Li Qiwei differently.

Her successor was an old professor in his 60s who was stern and extremely serious. She had nothing in common with him and it was always unnatural for them to get along with each other.

Li Qiwei is only 29 years old this year. He is tall, handsome, knowledgeable and talented. He is a super boss in the field of physics.

As a physics student, Delia's admiration for Li Qiwei can be imagined.

So every time she goes to work, she dresses herself neatly and sprays perfume, just to leave a good impression on others.

After spending more than half a month together, Delia found that Li Qiwei was very approachable and never put on airs.

But when it comes to things he is sure of, he is extremely domineering, does not allow any objection, and is full of masculine hormones.

Such a strong yet gentle character made Delia obsessed and moved.

However, both parties adhered to professional ethics and did not overstep the line.

At this time, Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Delia, take Professor Rutherford to the reception room. I will be there soon."

"By the way, remember to make him the cheapest coffee."

"The department is short of funds, so we'll save as much as possible."

Delia was suddenly at a loss whether to laugh or cry. It seemed that Professor Bruce and Professor Rutherford had a very good relationship.

This may be related to the fact that both of them graduated from the Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University.

Delia said sweetly, "Okay, Professor Bruce."

Five minutes later, in the reception room, Li Qiwei just appeared and gave Rutherford a big bear hug.

Rutherford complained, "Bruce, you are so mean. If I hadn't come, you wouldn't have come to see me."

Li Qiwei said arrogantly: "Alas, after becoming the head of the Physics Department, I have so many things to do that I really can't spare the time."

"Some time ago, I took professors from the department to visit Germany."

Rutherford curled his lips, "Tsk, who isn't the dean of the department now?"

"My recent research has reached a critical juncture, and I think I'll win another Nobel Prize then."

"And I've recruited several good doctoral students."

"Bruce, it looks a bit deserted here."

Li Qiwei was very happy to hear Rutherford making fun of him.

Only Wilson and Rutherford would say this about him, not even Thomson and Planck.

The latter was worried about irritating Li Qiwei, while the former was his best friend.

Wilson has gone through so much stress, but nothing has happened to him. Is Li Qiwei really that fragile?

Only true friends can communicate freely without any mixed interests.

Moreover, Rutherford no longer has the cool and handsome personality of the past. Instead, he has become a bit childish and wants to compete with himself.

It seems that the big guys are returning to their original nature as they grow older, rather than becoming more cunning and treacherous.

Li Qiwei smiled slightly and said arrogantly: "Humph, that's because I let you fly for a while."

"During this period, the physics community has published a number of important papers."

"Finally it gave me some interest. Otherwise, it would be so boring if I were to perform a one-man show all the time."

"Just wait, after a while, I will be able to suppress all of you with just one paper."

Rutherford was stunned by his intimidation and asked carefully, "What, have you figured out the theory of general relativity?"

Li Qiwei smiled mysteriously, looking unfathomable. "We Chinese have an old saying: Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed."

Rutherford didn't want to see him pretending, so he drank his coffee silently, then suddenly frowned and said, "Bruce, your coffee tastes a bit weird."

Since it was such a pretty assistant who made the coffee for him, Rutherford was embarrassed to say directly that the coffee was of low quality.

Li Qiwei said: "You don't understand. This is the top-quality coffee I brought from China. It is usually used by the royal family."

"If you hadn't come today, I wouldn't have wanted to soak."

"It's more expensive than gold. I only use it to entertain my real guests."

Rutherford was shocked, wondering if there was any coffee in China? Isn't tea the most popular drink there?

However, considering that China is a vast country with abundant resources, larger than the whole of Europe, it is not surprising that it produces special coffee.

So he slowly and carefully tasted a few more mouthfuls and found that it was indeed interesting and the taste was gradually different.

At this time, Delia came in and covered her mouth with her hands to hold back her laughter as she watched Rutherford savor the cheap coffee with great relish.

But soon, she returned to normal, pretending to know nothing, and said to Li Qiwei:

"Professor Bruce, there's a guy named Bohr outside who wants to see you."

"He said he is a master from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. You should remember him."

Li Qiwei was very surprised. Why was Bohr here? Shouldn't he still be studying for a doctorate in Denmark?

"I know him, just bring him here."

"Okay." Delia replied.

Soon, Bohr came in. After the incident with Professor Thomson, Bohr became more calm.

He greeted Li Qiwei as a junior, and then sat down as arranged by Li Qiwei.

The two sides naturally talked about the speech seven years ago.

Unconsciously, we became closer.

Li Qiwei smiled and asked: "Bohr, why did you come to England?"

So Bohr told his experience. Of course, he did not slander Professor Thomson, but just said that the two parties might not be familiar with each other.

After listening to Bohr's narration, Ridgway and Rutherford burst into laughter.

Through Ridgway's introduction, Bohr also met Rutherford and was immediately excited.

Of course he had heard of Rutherford, a figure who was on par with Bruce.

Rutherford smiled and said, "Bohr, do you feel wronged? Do you think Professor Thomson shouldn't have treated you like that?"

Bohr quickly waved his hands and explained: "No, no, I was rude."

Rutherford continued, "Professor Bruce in front of you has suffered many times more injustice than you have."

"But he never complained and won respect with his own strength."

"Everyone has their own personality and preferences. Just because Professor Thomson rejected you doesn't mean you are unqualified."

"He has recently been elected as the president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and his schedule is very full."

"Even I have to make an appointment to see him."

"The fact that he is willing to take the time to talk to you for so long is enough to show his respect for young scholars."

"So, this is no big deal."

“Although doctoral research requires the guidance of a supervisor, in the end it is still up to you.”

"As long as you are willing to put your mind to it, I think you can achieve great results anywhere."

Rutherford's sincere words were like the warm breeze in December, instantly blowing away the coldness in Bohr's heart.

As a passionate young man, Bohr was rejected by a big boss. It would be a lie to say that he did not feel any sense of loss.

He also doubted himself.

Although the paper on metal electronics is considered an extremely impressive achievement in the eyes of peers.

But in Professor Thompson's eyes, there is not much difference between this and the slider research done by undergraduates.

Bohr's expectations were too high, which led to greater disappointment.

But now Rutherford's enlightenment has made him understand that a physicist who has not experienced setbacks is not a real physicist.

For a moment, Bohr looked at Rutherford and his favorable impression of him increased infinitely.

"Thank you, Professor Rutherford."

"Without your guidance, I would not have been able to truly grow."

Ridgeway thought to himself, this is bad, Bohr is going to be accepted by Rutherford.

That won't work!

When Bohr came and stated his purpose, Ridgway had already made the decision that he must make Bohr his doctoral student.

The future leader in quantum mechanics must be one’s own students.

Li Qiwei watched Bohr being convinced by a bowl of chicken soup, and shouted wildly in his heart:
"Bohr, stop comforting yourself. Professor Thomson just doesn't like you."

"Bohr, ask your favorite Professor Rutherford if he has ever suffered any setbacks?"

“All great physicists have smooth sailing.”

“If you are not awesome when you are young, you will not be awesome when you are old.”

But when the words came to my lips, they turned into, "Bohr, I don't have a single doctoral student now."

"I am also recruiting students recently. If you are interested, you can consider studying for my doctorate."

"I will take you to Cavendish from now on. Professor Thomson will definitely not embarrass you again."

Rutherford laughed out loud after hearing this. "Bruce, you are really good at giving advice."

"It's a really good idea, though."

"Bohr, you were originally going to challenge Professor Bruce. Now that you are his doctoral student, you can get to know your opponent better."

"I support you. It would be great if you could overturn your mentor's theory next year and shock the physics community."

"Your mentor has been silent for a long time recently and is in urgent need of a proof, even if it is a negative proof."

Bohr was dizzy for a moment. His luck today was so good that he couldn't believe it.

The two big guys, one was very kind to me, and the other wanted me to be a doctoral student.

All the grievances I had suffered from Professor Thomson disappeared instantly.

I, Bohr, am also a potential stock!
He didn't think of refusing, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And if he had rejected Ridgway in person, Bohr would probably have no need to stay in the physics community in the future.

"Professor Bruce, I am willing to be your doctoral student," Bohr said firmly.

Li Qiwei seemed calm, but he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he snatched the food from Rutherford's mouth.

"Bohr, wait for my notification next."

"I will organize a unified doctoral entrance examination. Don't worry, you will definitely pass it with your level."

Only then did Bohr feel relieved. He was really scared.

So, the three of them continued chatting for a while, and then Rutherford took Bohr away.

Bohr had no place to live and planned to go to Manchester to join his father's students, which happened to be the same route as Rutherford.

The two of them took the train back together.

On the train, Bohr and Rutherford had a very pleasant chat.

Given the relationship between Ridgway and Rutherford, Bohr actually had a double mentor in the future.

As a student of two Nobel Prize winners, Bohr was full of confidence in the future.

(End of this chapter)