1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 74 Belgium and Uranium Mines

On August 8, Li Qiwei and his four companions finally arrived in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

Belgium has a small population and a small area. It is a typical small country, and its land area is roughly equivalent to a prefecture-level city in China in later generations.

However, its economy was very developed, and it was also the first country in Europe to carry out the industrial revolution and complete industrialization in the 19th century.

Unfortunately, its land resources and geographical location determine that it is impossible for it to become a great power.

Belgium is sandwiched between Britain, France and Germany, and no matter how it struggles, it cannot make any waves.

In two wars that affected the whole world, they were beaten black and blue.

They are just unwilling to learn from their neighbor, the Netherlands, and become a neutral country.

In order to expand its power and increase its influence, Belgium has no choice but to find another way.

Therefore, the current King Leopold II, through special diplomatic means (licking Britain), obtained the Congo colony in Africa.

But he did not hand over the area to the government. Instead, he created the Congo Free State and turned the Congo colony into his private territory.

Because of this incident, Leopold II became world-famous and went down in history, but he was notorious.

In order to make money, he forcibly conscripted laborers in Congo on a large scale, resulting in the deaths of nearly 300 million Congolese. He was an out-and-out tyrant.

Leopold II did not die until 1908, when his nephew Albert I succeeded him, who was not as cruel as his uncle.

Sitting in the hotel room at this moment, Li Qiwei felt helpless when he thought about cooperating with the king in the future.

The key is that he has to cooperate with the other party because in his private territory is the world's most famous uranium mine: the Shinkolobwe uranium mine.

The uranium mine is located in Katanga Province in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (after its independence, the Congo was divided into two countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo).

Almost all the uranium needed for the Manhattan Project in the United States was obtained from here, with a total of 1200 tons transported at that time.

In that era, ore separation technology was not yet mature, so the higher the quality of the uranium ore, the greater its value.

If mines in the United States and Canada can dig up ore containing 0.03% uranium, it will be considered to have "good" mining value.

At Shinkolobwe, the ore typically yields 60% uranium.

Even waste rock, or tailings, considered too low quality can contain 20% uranium.

From this we can see how great the value of the Shinkolobwe uranium mine is.

At that time, the United States even blocked the news of the mine and spread rumors in order to confuse Germany, and eventually seized the initiative and developed the atomic bomb first.

However, it is now 1901, and in this world, only Li Qiwei knows the great value of the Shinkolobwe uranium mine.

He must find a way to take possession of this uranium mine as soon as possible.

Because five years later, Belgium would establish the United Mining Company and start mining the Shinkolobwe uranium mine in 5.

But it was not to find uranium, but to find radium.

In real history, since Madame Curie discovered radium, people have found that it is highly radioactive and can effectively kill diseased tissue in medicine.

Therefore, the value of radium increased unprecedentedly.

In the 1920s, in the United States, there was even a craze that led to the emergence of radium cream, radium toothpaste, radium water, and radium watches, because no one knew that radioactivity could cause huge harm.

When the Belgian Union Mining Company mined the Shinkolobwe uranium mine, it threw away the uranium as if it were worthless rock, just to find traces of radium.

Today, the sudden emergence of Ridgwell has accelerated physicists' research on radioactivity.

History has been changed, so he is worried that Belgium will mine the uranium prematurely.

He now needs to think of a reason to be able to participate in the mining of Shinkolobwe uranium openly.

On the train to Belgium, Li Qiwei kept thinking about this question.

In addition to his identity as a physicist, he came up with a brilliant idea: ceramics. Yes, it is the most classic product of China, all kinds of gorgeous and exquisite ceramics.

As a Qing citizen, it was only natural for him to make and sell ceramics.

However, firing ceramics requires various additives, so he had a reason to go mining, because what he wanted to make was: radium porcelain.

On the contrary, if he did not make ceramics but spent all day studying radioactivity, the British government would think that he had ulterior motives.

Thinking of this, Li Qiwei smiled happily and gave himself a thumbs up for his wit.

Wang Luyao, who was reading a book nearby, saw him grinning and asked, "Brother Qiwei, what are you laughing at? You look so happy."

Li Qiwei walked up to her and kissed her suddenly. Wang Luyao's cheeks immediately turned red.

Don't be fooled by the little witch who seems careless and impetuous all day long. Once it comes to these intimate actions, she suddenly becomes gentle, shy and charming.

"Lu Yao, I'm thinking of opening a ceramic factory, so that these European guys can see our Chinese craftsmanship and make money from them."

Wang Luyao was very excited when he heard this. "Oh, really, Brother Qiwei? My father also has a ceramic business."

"He has many skilled masters who can transfer their skills to you when the time comes."

Li Qiwei scratched her little nose and thought to himself that your father would be heartbroken to hear this, you're already flirting with someone else before you even get married.

"No hurry, Luyao, this is just a plan for now. I haven't decided where to build the factory yet."

"Oh." Wang Luyao was a little disappointed. She wanted to help as soon as possible.

Li Qiwei looked at the time. The meeting time agreed upon with Solvay today was about to arrive. They would mainly discuss the relevant arrangements for the meeting.

So he talked to Wang Luyao and Xu Qitai, and took Li Sanchao to the agreed place.

In an upscale cafe, Li Qiwei and Solvay, one old and one young, sat opposite each other.

"Bruce, it's been a while since we last met. I heard that you published another important paper that shocked the physics community."

"Mr. Solvay, you are too kind. The wave-particle duality of light is just a bold guess and needs further verification."

Solvi sighed, "I really envy your brain."

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Now you have the opportunity to gather more brains like this."

Solvay laughed. "Bruce, you are so humorous. I will set the meeting place at the Brussels Metropole Hotel. I guarantee that the environment there will satisfy you."

Li Qiwei quickly complimented, "Thank you for your support. Next, I will be responsible for welcoming the scholars who come."

Then he suddenly asked: "Mr. Solvay, I want to run a Chinese specialty ceramics factory, and I need many different kinds of ores."

"I heard that there are many mines in Congo, a Belgian colony. I wonder if you can introduce me to the relevant person in charge?"

Solvay was stunned after hearing this, thinking that you just made light bulbs and now you are working on ceramics, you are trying to combine Chinese and Western cultures.

"Now King Leopold II has put his nephew, Count Albert of Flanders, in charge of the construction of Congo."

"But it's not easy to meet him. You should consider it after your factory is built."

When Li Qiwei heard this, he knew there was a chance, so he quickly expressed his gratitude and understanding.

It's really ridiculous that he wants to become the future king with nothing but his mouth.

However, sooner or later he would be sure to take down Albert.

Lao Xu, please collect and read! The data is a bit weak recently.

Don’t be impatient, brothers, there will be another climax soon.

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(End of this chapter)