1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 353: The logic can explain the secrets of the universe! The text can warn people! The novel

Chapter 353: The logic can explain the secrets of the universe! The text can warn people! The novel was released, shocking the world!
As the war in Europe intensified, its impact finally spread to Asia.

China was also affected by the war, and relations between countries became more tense.

A chaotic and cruel world finally slowly began.

War is cruel, especially for ordinary people.

Their wealth and safety are not guaranteed.

Living in fear every day.

Moreover, Romain Rolland's experience made many people realize that it is not so easy to call for anti-war.

Germany has even begun arresting anti-war groups.

Of course, this kind of arrest is not to arrest people like Romain Rolland who publish articles, but to arrest those who secretly plan activities.

The anti-war group that Einstein belonged to was forced to go underground and lost several members, many of whom were scientists.

Germany has no concerns when it comes to its own scientists.

Although it is impossible to kill them, we can just lock them up until the end of the war to make these smart people shut up.

When Li Qiwei saw the letter from Einstein, he was also worried for him.

"God of love, you don't have a great man by your side in this life, so you have to be more modest."

"If you get caught for organizing activities, even I can't save you."

In his letter, Einstein also asked when Ridgway's novel would be published.

Everyone in the public opinion circle is now in danger, and fewer and fewer people dare to speak out.

We need a big shot like Li Qiwei to speak out.

And most importantly, Einstein believed that Ridgwell was a Chinese, so he could stand on a neutral position and make an objective evaluation.

After all, if a European expresses opposition to the war, he will inevitably be criticized by his own people.
-
1915 1 Month 10 Day.

Macmillan Building, London, UK.

The headquarters of the journal Nature is located here.

It is also the headquarters of its parent company, Macmillan Publishing.

Founded in 1843, Macmillan Publishing Company is now one of the world's largest and most well-known international publishing organizations.

The business scope covers many countries in the world and has local branches.

The various high-quality books and periodicals it publishes have won the love and support of readers from all walks of life around the world.

And because of the great success of Nature, Macmillan Publishing Company has taken a step forward and become the most authoritative publishing house in the scientific community.

In addition to scientific journals, the company's publications include encyclopedias, dictionaries, novels, poetry, music, education, and other content.

The famous "Alice in Wonderland" was published by this company.

It can be said that Macmillan Publishing Company is involved in anything related to text, and is an absolute giant company in the cultural field.

In later generations, paper media publishers were defeated by the Internet and seemed to have no sense of existence.

But in this era, publishing houses are definitely at the top of the food chain.

Because they have the say!
At this moment, on the top floor of the company building, in the president's office.

Alexander, president of Macmillan Publishing Company, is holding a book without a cover.

Sitting opposite him was Gregory, the editor-in-chief of Nature.

There was a slight blush on the other person's face, and he was obviously very excited.

Alexander weighed the book in his hand. Based on its weight, he estimated that the book was about 50 words.

He asked somewhat uncertainly:
"Dr. Gregory, are you sure this is the work of your mentor, Professor Bruce?"

Alexander, who is only 40 years old this year, took over the company from his father a few years ago. Now is the time for him to make great achievements.

He is determined to reform and forge ahead, hoping to make the company achieve greater success.

Therefore, he highly regarded young and promising talents like Gregory and gave them strong support.

During the reform period, Nature experienced a period of declining profits.

It was Alexander who spoke up for Gregory at the board meeting and supported his reform plans.

It turned out that his vision was correct and Gregory's reforms were a great success.

So, Alexander liked Gregory more.

But Nature is, after all, a professional academic journal. No matter how big its profits are, its total revenue cannot be compared with that of popular reading materials.

Therefore, Alexander also needs to expand into more areas, especially popular literature, such as novels.

A popular novel can even bring a publishing house on the verge of bankruptcy back to life and turn it into a well-known company.

And now, he has such a novel in his hands, of course this is what Gregory said.

Alexander himself was still a little unconvinced, and muttered to himself:

"When people write novels, they first serialize them to see if readers like them, and then adjust the plot based on the readers' tastes."

"Wait until the serialization is finished, then print and publish it and sell it in bulk."

"Professor Bruce is better. He finishes the book first and then publishes it directly."

"How confident he is in his content."

"A novel is not an academic paper. It's hundreds of thousands of words long. How can it be flawless?"

He just thought this in his mind and certainly wouldn't say it out loud.

Gregory was so excited that he did not hear the doubt in Alexander's words. He said excitedly:

"Yes, Professor Bruce has been writing this work for almost five years."

“This is a science fiction novel with an anti-war theme.”

"I swear to God, this is absolutely the best science fiction novel I have ever read in my life."

“I can’t even find the right words to describe how amazing it is.”

“This is undoubtedly a work that transcends its time.”

"Mr. Alexander, please be sure to finish reading."

"Professor Bruce commissioned me to have Macmillan publish his works."

“I think this is a huge opportunity for the company.”

Alexander couldn't help but feel tempted when he saw Gregory boasting so much.

He knew Gregory very well. He was the doctor of the famous Professor Bruce and his vision was unmatched by ordinary people.

But Alexander was still a little bit unbelievable.

"Professor Bruce can actually write novels?"

"Oh my god, isn't this bullshit?"

And Alexander didn't understand why Ridgway wanted him to publish it.

Given his wealth and status, it shouldn't be difficult for him to set up a publishing company.

After all, in terms of strength, Bruce Group is much stronger than his own publishing company.

Alexander felt that Professor Bruce might be doing this for his students.

It is rumored that Bruce loves his students like his own children, and his reputation is indeed well-deserved.

However, novels are not positively correlated with scientific intelligence levels.

Alexander had to be careful, so he said:

"Don't worry, Dr. Gregory, I will finish reading this novel in the next few days."

"If the quality is really as you say, then the company will definitely publish it."

Gregory was overjoyed, he couldn't wait to see everyone's shocked expressions.

Five days later, Alexander, with dark circles under his eyes, immediately convened a meeting of core employees.

At the meeting, he raised "Bugs" in his right hand and said passionately:

"Everyone, the moment to change the fate of the company is coming!"

"The novel in my hand is the debut work of Professor Bruce, the first person in today's scientific community."

“This is a science fiction novel about anti-war themes.”

"You must not think of this as a novel like 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'."

"I guarantee that if you take the novel home today, you will have to take a day off tomorrow."

The employees below burst into laughter.

Alexander continued to cheer excitedly:

“This novel is going to be a worldwide hit.”

"It may even create a new literary genre and era."

“No words can describe the shock this novel brought to me.”

"And now, Macmillan has temporarily acquired the publishing rights."

"Although I don't like being a dictator, today, for Professor Bruce's book "Bugs", I have to be a dictator for once."

"From today on, everyone should put down the tasks at hand and devote all their efforts to the publication of 'Bugs'."

"We must seize this golden opportunity and make this novel a bestseller around the world!"

Alexander screamed loudly.

"Roar!"

The employees in the audience responded at the right time.

"Bugs" is coming soon! ——
On the morning of September 1915, 2.

Wells, 49 years old this year, has just asked his maid to make him a cup of fragrant black tea.

He was sitting in the yard, preparing to start a day of reading.

Although war has broken out now, there is no need for an upper-class writer like him to go to the battlefield.

Like other anti-war writers, Wells was busy publishing articles, organizing activities and calling for peace every day.

Today is a rare free day.

So, he needs to devote time to literature.

For someone like him, life without books is simply unimaginable; it would be better to die.

In real history, Wells was a famous British science fiction writer.

During World War I, he devoted himself to social movements, became a politician and sociologist, and published many articles commenting on current affairs.

In later generations, he and Jules Verne of France were collectively known as the "Father of Science Fiction."

Wells' representative works include "The Time Machine", "The Invisible Man" and "War of the Worlds".

His science fiction novels include science fiction elements and concepts such as time travel, alien invasion, and dystopia.

Different from Jules Verne's science fiction which is closer to reality.

Wells' works are even more imaginative. He is not bound by existing science and technology, but gives full play to his imagination and does whatever he wants.

There are many technologies in the novel that seem completely impossible.

Therefore, his novels are closer to the concept of "science fiction" than Verne's.

Of course, science fiction is a slow-moving genre today, a niche genre in literature.

It was not until several decades later, when the Golden Age of American Science Fiction began, that science fiction began to take off.

The famous "Three Giants of Science Fiction" in the 20th century: Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and Arthur C. Clarke.

Each of their works has influenced several generations and has been adapted into countless classic movies, which remain popular.

Especially Asimov, the talented Russian-American novelist, is the pinnacle representative of the Golden Age.

His three major works, "Foundation Series", "Galactic Empire Trilogy" and "Robot Series" are hailed as science fiction bibles.

The "Three Laws of Robotics" proposed by Asimov are even called "the cornerstone of modern robotics."

Of course, the future three giants of science fiction are either children now or have not yet been born, and their era has not yet arrived. In this era, Wells is the boss of science fiction.

Verne had died in 1905, so Wells was now the ultimate authority on science fiction.

He also had a wide range of friends and was close friends with traditional literary giants such as George Bernard Shaw.

Although limited by the times, science fiction is now a niche field.

However, due to the unique nature of its imaginative subject matter, even though science fiction is a niche genre, its audience is very large.

After all, compared to obscure and profound masterpieces, easy-to-understand science fiction novels can arouse more interest among ordinary people.

Readers read to find pleasure, not because they really want to know how steel is made.

Now, Wells picked up a science fiction novel that had just been delivered today.

For a big shot like him, Macmillan would send someone special to deliver the latest works.

He took a sip of the black tea, put on his glasses and started reading.

"insect?"

"It's an interesting title. It makes me want to open it."

"Ouch!"

"Written by Bruce Lee?"

"Is that the man?"

Wells quickly turned to the page of the author's introduction and found that it was indeed the famous Professor Bruce Lee.

The first person in today's scientific community to propose the theory of relativity, a great figure comparable to Newton.

Wells was recently conceiving a novel based on the theory of relativity.

"What a joke!"

"Professor Bruce can actually write novels?"

“Although science fiction requires a certain amount of scientific knowledge.”

"But that doesn't mean scientists can write good science fiction."

Wells instantly became interested, with a slight smile on his face.

He couldn't wait to see what the novel of this first scientist would be like.

It can’t be a toy created by the boss on a whim.

But soon, Wells couldn't laugh anymore.

"Three-star civilization."

"The atoms unfold in two dimensions to cover the earth, locking down basic science."

"Physics no longer exists!"

"Water drops!"

"Savior Plan!"

"Law of the Cold Forest!"

"Dancer civilization!"

"Two-dimensional regular weapon!"

"Dimensionality reduction strike!"

"The universe restarts!"

"."

Before I knew it, the sky had already darkened.

A whole day passed unexpectedly.

It was not until the maid cautiously reminded him again that Wells came back to his senses from the novel.

The black tea next to it was untouched and had long lost its heat.

Wells's face was still filled with endless shock.

It was as if thunder was exploding in his mind and huge waves were rising in his heart.

He was so excited that he had forgotten his hunger.

Without food, the body will be hungry; but without books, the soul will be hungry.

Wells's soul is now full, so he has completely forgotten about his body's reactions.

"hiss!"

"Oh my God, I am not dreaming."

“Is this really a science fiction novel that a human could write?”

"Compared to this, the interstellar war that I wrote before and was so proud of is as childish as a child playing house."

Wells's interstellar war is still at the stage where the earthlings and Martians are fighting each other with muskets and cannons.

Even when the Martians finally landed on Earth and were about to win, they were infected by bacteria from Earth and died.

This is indeed sci-fi enough.

Of course, his idea is still countless times more advanced than the lightsaber duels and spears tied to chips in later generations.

"It's terrible, so terrible that science fiction can be written like this."

"This novel completely transcends its time, even a century."

"Is this the strength of Professor Bruce? It's so terrifying!"

"I thought he was only talented in physics, but I didn't expect his talent in literature was no less than that in physics."

"It is a combination of literature and science. The science can explain the secrets of the universe, and the literature can warn people."

Who is Wells? After all, he is the great man who will be called the father of science fiction in the future. He has a sharp vision and profound literary literacy.

He immediately saw the deep ideas that the novel wanted to express.

That's anti-war!
Especially the finale, the regular weapons of the dancers' civilization were so shocking that it was beyond words.

The image of a super civilization that is cosmic, vast, dark, cold and profound is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Everyone can feel the irresistible greatness

In the face of this kind of civilization, humans are indeed insects, the kind that have no power to resist and are not even qualified to submit and become slaves.

Wells' heart was still pounding.

No one could understand what he felt at this moment.

As a science fiction writer, he knew deeply what this novel meant.

“It will start a new era of science fiction.”

“Science fiction should be cold and serious!”

"Just like the vast universe."

At this moment, Wells was completely conquered by Li Qiwei.

Although he did not attend the second Bruce Conference, he was aware of Li Qiwei's influence.

However, science and literature are two very different fields after all.

Even though Li Qiwei could come up with a few good sentences, in the eyes of true literary masters, he was still at the level of an amateur.

Because of his status, the bigwigs believed that if Li Qiwei really gave up science and turned to literature, he would definitely be able to write good works.

But that is just a hypothesis, not reality.

However, now, no one dares to say that Li Qiwei is a literature lover.

One article, "Bugs", is enough to make him one of the top science fiction writers.

At least Wells thought that all his works put together were not as good as "The Bug".

Even adding Jules Verne's work may not necessarily surpass it.

Of course, Verne is a pioneering figure, and his groundbreaking historical significance cannot be compared with that of Ridgway.

It's roughly equivalent to the relationship between Galileo and Newton.

Although scholars look down on each other, when the gap is big enough, looking down on each other would be quibbling and would only damage one's own reputation.

Wells muttered to himself excitedly.

"No, I looked at it too quickly today and there are many details that I haven't figured out yet."

“I’m going to read it at least three more times.”

“Also, the anti-war angle of this novel is extremely unique and very suitable for publicity.”

"I have to discuss this with George Bernard Shaw and others and vigorously promote 'Bugs'."
-
The next morning, Wells quickly finished his breakfast and left home in a hurry without even letting the maid take care of his clothes.

A remote street in London, where the Fabian Society holds activities.

The society was founded by British writer George Bernard Shaw. Its main purpose is to focus on social construction and advocate social services of mutual assistance and love.

Now that Europe is engulfed in war, the main task of the society naturally becomes calling for peace, advocating anti-war sentiment, and promoting humanitarian care.

The members of the society are mainly figures in the field of British culture and history, including well-known novelists, poets, university professors and so on.

Today is the club's gathering day, and most of the members are here.

Originally today's topic was to discuss how to treat civilians in war well.

However, the president, George Bernard Shaw, suddenly changed the subject and asked Wells to give a speech.

This left many members confused and bewildered.

Wells walked to the front excitedly and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, since the outbreak of war in Europe, people from all walks of life have publicly called for a peaceful resolution of the incident."

"But the opposite happened. Now the war is getting more intense."

“There are certainly many reasons for this.”

“But I think the lack of publicity for anti-war articles is a very important factor.”

"Most people's writing is too obscure and beyond the level of understanding of the average person."

“Even the ‘Letter to Scientists Around the World’ written by Professor Bruce, the foremost figure in the scientific community, has not been read by many ordinary people.”

Everyone nodded.

Ultimately, anti-war movement can only have an impact if it relies on the joint efforts of the general public.

"But now, things are finally beginning to have light, a new possibility."

"Professor Bruce just published a novel called "Bugs"."

"I brought more than a dozen copies today. You can pass them around."

"I swear to God, you're going to be blown away by what's in it."

The many literary giants present looked at each other in surprise. They were moved by Wells' passionate speech.

Although still confused.

"When did the famous Professor Bruce start writing novels?"

"And it's worthy of Wells' praise."

But he also opened the novel in his hand and started reading.

The noisy room soon became quiet.