Training the Heavens

Chapter 263 Enrollment
Of course, Zhang Xingjiu was not visiting the Moulin Rouge now. This place would not open until three years later. However, with the rise of the bourgeoisie, entertainment venues also prospered. Before the Moulin Rouge, there were already many famous nightclubs.

The most famous of these are the Black Cat Club and the Folies Bergère. In 1881, artist Rudolf Salis opened a nightclub called the Black Cat in the Montmartre district of Paris, France.

He decorated the interior in a Gothic style and provided a stage for performers to sing and dance. Painter Paul Signac, poet Albert Saman, composer Achille Claude Debussy and others were regular visitors.

The cabaret performances at the Folies Bergère were even more spectacular. The dancers in gorgeous costumes were not only captivating, but also became the protagonists in posters created by artists of the period. Édouard Manet's masterpiece in his later years, "The Bar at the Folies Bergère," was based on this performance.

Pierre brought Zhang Xingjiu to the Folies Bergere. It seemed that although he claimed to be a lover of literature and art, he actually preferred those female dancers with gorgeous clothes and amazing figures.

He found a seat inside and ordered some drinks. Just after a few sips, the boldly dressed female dancers began their passionate dance. Pierre had been on the boat for over a month, so how could he withstand such a test? Soon, his mouth was dry.

Unfortunately, he was unable to take one away in the end. Regardless of ancient or modern times, in China or abroad, it is the same in high-end places. If you want to have something happen with a girl, it is not enough to just have money. And even if you can, with his wealth, he probably can't afford the price.

After returning to the hotel to rest for a night, Zhang Xingjiu woke up in the morning and had breakfast together. Then he said goodbye to Pierre and took a rented carriage to report to the Sorbonne University.

The school's history dates back to 1253, when the Sorbonne Seminary was founded by Robert de Sorbonne, a chaplain to Louis XIX.

After the French Revolution, the Sorbonne added the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science and began its transformation into a modern university.

With the development of capitalism, the demand for higher education has also increased. In order to adapt to this trend, France has also begun modernization reforms in the field of education, and successively introduced the "Guizot Education Law" and the "Ferry Education Law".

The former was proposed by Professor Cousse of Sorbonne University after returning from an inspection tour in Germany. It mainly focused on expanding the scale of primary education, increasing investment in primary education, standardizing the teacher training system, etc.

The latter expanded investment on the basis of the former and established the three principles of compulsory, secular and free national education.

Primary education has provided a large number of talents for secondary education, and secondary education has provided sufficient students for higher education. As a result, higher education in Paris has flourished.

As a result, the Sorbonne became one of the leading universities in Paris. When the driver heard that Zhang Xingjiu was going to the Sorbonne, he showed him some respect and kept telling him about the Sorbonne's glory. "The famous Cardinal Richelieu, the Prime Minister, once served as the president of the Sorbonne. His Majesty the Emperor established five colleges in Paris, three of which were located at the Sorbonne."

When he said "His Majesty the Emperor", he did not specify which emperor he was referring to. However, in the minds of the French, there was only one emperor who could enjoy such treatment, Napoleon from Corsica.

Although he has been dead for more than seventy years, he still enjoys a unique place in the hearts of the French people.

Napoleon also laid the foundation for French higher education. In 1805, he promulgated the "Law Concerning the Organization of the Imperial University," which stipulated: "An institution specifically responsible for the education of the people of the entire empire shall be established under the name of the Imperial University." Two years later, Napoleon, building on this law, issued the "Decree on the Organization of Universities," which stipulated: "The national administrative organization shall be divided into three levels: the central government (Imperial University), the school districts, and the provinces. The Imperial University shall be the leading body of educational administration in the empire, responsible for public education throughout the empire."

Not long after passing the Panthéon, they arrived at the campus of Sorbonne University. Zhang Xingjiu got out of the car and showed his admission notice to the guard. The guard took the notice with an incredible look on his face and studied it for a long time. He really couldn't believe that a Chinese could be admitted to the pride of France.

He didn't dare to make the decision on his own, so he consulted his superiors. After much effort, Zhang Xingjiu, accompanied by a staff member, went to the Academic Affairs Department. "I'm sorry, but school hasn't started yet, so we don't have anyone in charge of new student registration."

"I know it's too far from Asia to Europe. I have to come here early to avoid missing the start of school. I can wait outside the school, but I still want to ask, can I use the school library from now on?"

"If you are indeed a student of our school, then of course there is no problem. Even during holidays, the school library remains open for students and teachers who stay on campus to use."

After arriving at the Academic Affairs Department and presenting his admission letter, Zhang Xingjiu was greeted warmly. "Oh, dear Zhang, we have been looking forward to your arrival since the moment we received the admission letter. Thank God, we finally get to see you today."

The staff member named Michel Boulogne knew Zhang Xingjiu's background well. Not only was he a student recommended by the Jesuits, he had also published articles in Nature magazine before enrolling, and was favored by Cambridge University.

Although scientists are now more accustomed to publishing articles in journals in their own country, the influence of Nature cannot be underestimated, and even for teachers at Sorbonne University, it is not easy to publish articles in Nature.

Of course, they would warmly welcome such a talented young man to study at the Sorbonne. If they thought about it more carefully, when Zhang Xingjiu returned to China after completing his studies and became a big figure in the ancient Eastern country, it would be very beneficial for France to gain interests in the East.

So Boulogne personally helped Zhang Xingjiu complete the admission procedures, took him around on a tour, and introduced him to the school's glorious history, such as which building was built by Prime Minister Richelieu, and which building was personally inquired about by His Majesty the Emperor.

Of course, he couldn't help but boast about the scientific research level of the Sorbonne University. "Today, the Dean of our School of Physics is the respected Gabriel Lippmann. He has made outstanding contributions in the fields of electricity, thermodynamics, optics, optoelectronics, etc. He invented color photography."

Zhang Xingjiu knew that he would later win the Nobel Prize and be elected President of the French Academy of Sciences.

After the visit, Zhang Xingjiu took his library card and went to the library, ready to read recent scientific research magazines.

When he entered and found the storage area for physics books, he immediately saw a familiar face.

(End of this chapter)