1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 91 Li Qiwei's Ambitions
On the afternoon of October 1901, 10, in the Cavendish Conference Room, Ridgway gave his first newspaper interview.

The Times editor-in-chief Buckle is a veteran journalist who is well versed in the gradual approach. He will slowly guide Ridgway to speak his mind.

"Bruce, forgive me for calling you that. The Qing language is so complicated that it took me a long time to learn it."

"It's okay, Baker. The name is just a code name. I also need to adapt to the local customs."

"Oh, that's great, Bruce, you're a gentleman."

"I believe that most people, like me, do not understand what exactly your achievement that won you the Nobel Prize in Physics is. Can you explain it in plain language?"

"My major is physics. If I want to explain the essence behind physical phenomena, it actually depends on the cognitive level of the audience."

“For example, why is it so easy for people to slip on ice?”

"For ordinary people who have no basic knowledge of physics, they would intuitively think that the ice surface is slippery, so people will slip."

“Although this understanding is superficial, it can meet people’s daily needs.”

"Because I know it's slippery there, I'll be more careful when I pass by to prevent breaking my legs."

"But for elementary students who have studied physics, they will use a professional term to explain it: friction."

"The friction on the ice is very low, and when a person loses their balance, they will move forward or backward and fall."

"But this is still not enough to gain a deep understanding of how the world works."

"Higher-level physicists, such as PhDs and even professors, would explain the nature of friction from the interaction between molecules and atoms."

"And my quantum theory is a new physical tool for studying these microscopic particles."

"Oh, Bruce, your explanation is brilliant. I think I understand. Quantum theory is about the study of atoms and molecules."

"Well, that's understandable," Li Qiwei agreed. He could see that Buckle didn't want to go into the topic further.

"Excuse me, but in my impression, the Qing Dynasty is still a feudal country. There is no science, not even a decent school."

"I heard that you came to Cambridge to study when you were 17 years old. In just four years, you have achieved such brilliant achievements."

“What do you think is the most important reason?”

Li Qiwei frowned and thought for a moment, "I think this is a question of the relationship between the macro and micro."

"As a great country with a history of 5,000 years, China has great inertia."

"For various reasons, the soil for science has not been able to germinate and grow."

"But when it comes to a specific person, many of his talents and qualities are innate and have nothing to do with where he was born."

"I think I'm just a natural at physics."

“After coming to Cambridge and receiving a systematic and formal education, my talent was discovered, so I was able to do some small work in physics.”

Baker didn't expect Li Qiwei to resolve the situation so easily, and he was also amused by Li Qiwei's answer.

"Hahaha, Bruce, I don't know whether to say you are proud or humble."

"You say you are highly gifted, but you also say your achievements are small."

Li Qiwei smiled faintly, "This is the golden mean of our China."

"As for me personally, you can think of me as being sharp."

Baker didn't expect Li Qiwei to be so straightforward. He thought that this young man had the capital to show off his talents.

"I know that your family is also a very powerful business family in the Qing Dynasty."

"Is your success also inseparable from the support of your family? Without money, studying would be a very difficult thing."

"That's right. There's nothing to hide about this. The money for my study abroad was sent to me by my family from China."

"But I don't think it's a stigma. Does one have to be penniless to do research or study?"

"My family's help is something I was born with. It's just a tool I can use. I don't feel any pressure."

"If I was born in an ordinary family, I could still achieve what I have today, but it might have taken a little more effort."

"I personally have no prejudice against poverty or wealth. People should not be bound by their environment."

Baker nodded, and suddenly asked a tricky question:

"Just now you have been talking about Huaxia, why not Qing Dynasty?"

"You seem to object to others calling you a Qing national, or you call yourself a Qing national. Is there any reason?"

Li Qiwei stared at Baker for a few seconds. There was no emotion on the other person's face, as if he was just simply curious.

“History always moves forward. The advanced will replace the backward, the civilized will replace the barbaric, and the highly productive will replace the less productive.”

"Isn't this how you guys in Britain got here?"

“Because of the rise of the Industrial Revolution, we moved from feudalism to constitutional monarchy.”

"Each country has different national conditions, so the way of dealing with it is naturally different."

"Besides, I'm just a physicist and have no interest in politics."

"So, I call it Huaxia out of habit. It doesn't have any special meaning. Please don't make any associations."

Buckle smiled bitterly. He didn't expect that although Li Qiwei looked young, his answers were so experienced and flawless.

Moreover, they even turned the tables on themselves. In essence, there is really no difference between Britain and the Qing Dynasty.

But his goal had been achieved. He had found out that Ridgway embraced civilization rather than supported ignorance.

This is very useful for reference of various strategies to come.

Ridgway was also thinking about Buckle's intentions.

On the surface, the other party is only the editor-in-chief of The Times, but his identity determines that he has an unclear relationship with the British upper class.

Maybe this question was an instruction from someone behind him.

"Bruce, you won the Nobel Prize in Physics. I'm sure you will be highly valued when you return to your country. How will you change your country?"

Li Qiwei knew that this report would definitely spread to China and even be sent to the hands of the Qing Dynasty's rulers. So, after thinking about it, he said: "My goal is to build more universities in China based on the European model."

"Teaching natural science knowledge allows countless Chinese people to be exposed to the most advanced concepts and pursue a better life."

"But China is not without merit. We have our own brilliant culture and historical wealth."

"I want to build a distinctive university so that overseas students can understand and love China."

"For example, I might establish a porcelain university to combine science and technology with traditional Chinese craftsmanship."

"We should devote ourselves to research and produce more exquisite or more durable porcelain, spread Chinese culture and benefit the world."

"In addition, I will publish scientific newspapers and magazines to introduce the latest scientific progress abroad, so that outstanding domestic scholars can have the opportunity to see a broader sky."

"In short, I will use what I have learned throughout my life in the fields of science and technology and education to improve the overall quality of the Chinese people!"

click!
Li Qiwei's vigorous waving gesture was recorded by the photographer as a precious picture.

Everyone was also infected by his innocent heart. He was a physicist who had escaped from vulgar interests.

Li Qiwei didn't know what others were thinking. Everything that just happened was just his performance.

This was also his statement after careful consideration.

He wanted to send a signal that he only wanted to make achievements in the field of science and education, so as to paralyze the Qing Dynasty's top leaders.

To them, no matter how famous Li Qiwei is, even if he has won 10 Nobel Prizes in Physics, he is just a craftsman and cannot make big waves.

At most, he could be given a few treasures and a few palace maids and then be sent away.

Just focus on your research and work like a slave for the royal family. Learn the civil and martial arts and serve the imperial family.

Historically, that is exactly what they have done.

When it comes to playing with people's hearts, there is no rival in the world for the old witch Cixi. Li Qiwei thinks that he cannot compare to her even if he flatters her.

But when it comes to foreign countries, the Industrial Revolution, technology, etc., she is completely blind and no different from an ordinary old lady.

They are not even as good as young children who have been exposed to Western learning.

After all, she is essentially just a stupid woman who holds the highest power.

As long as you take off her coat, there's nothing to be afraid of.

She could never have imagined how great an impact the science and technology of this era would have on the feudal system.

The mismatch between productivity and production relations will inevitably lead to change.

No one can stop the tide of the times, otherwise they will be crushed to pieces.

Only those who have accepted Western learning can master this power.

Of course, Baker had no way of knowing what Li Qiwei was thinking.

After listening to it, he was shocked from the bottom of his heart.

He was also familiar with the Qing Dynasty and even knew the story of "study hard and become an official".

In his mind, Li Qiwei was the first person in the Qing Dynasty to open his eyes to the world.

After returning to China, he will definitely be valued and held a high position, and then he will start to carry out drastic reforms and align everything with the West.

However, the other party now says that he just wants to engage in education and technology.

This left Baker puzzled and he could only admire Li Qiwei's purity.

How could he possibly understand the complex and complicated power relations within China?

A little Li Qiwei can only be regarded as a celebrity at most in the eyes of those real big guys.

Instead of being the captain at the helm of the country, it is not his turn to have the final say on many matters.

Next, Baker asked some questions with novel angles, which were all answered by Li Qiwei one by one.

The interview ended in a friendly atmosphere.

They both stood up and shook hands at the same time.

Finally, Buckle congratulated Li Qiwei on the award and expressed his hope to have the opportunity to interview him again next time.

Li Qiwei also responded with thanks and jokingly warned that the story must be reported truthfully without exaggerating.

Buckle laughed out loud and was even more impressed with Li Qiwei.

Soon, Buckle and others said goodbye to Thomson and left Cambridge with the newspaper staff.

They have to go back quickly to finalize the draft for publication.

Li Qiwei's remarks convinced Baker that the other party was a reformist.

Does this mean that the younger generation of the Qing Dynasty all hold this kind of thinking?

Back then, Britain launched two wars in order to do business with the Qing Dynasty, just to gain access to the huge market.

And now, Li Qiwei, a representative of the young people of the Qing Dynasty, openly wants to learn from the West. This may be a signal.

As for the impact of such reports on Li Qiwei himself, Baker did not consider it.

At this time, Wilson and others who were waiting outside the meeting room came in one after another and asked him questions.

Wilson pulled everyone apart and asked anxiously, "Bruce, how do you feel? Are you excited?"

"By the way, did you mention Wilson's Cloud Chamber to him?"

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Don't worry, I said you are the best physicist in Cambridge."

Everyone laughed wildly.

But he didn't know yet that his interview would bring a shock like a storm to China.

(End of this chapter)