Training the Heavens

Chapter 283 Academic Exchange
After buying the house, Zhang Xingjiu and Ma Zongwen hired someone to redecorate it according to their own preferences and bought some new furniture. Apart from anything else, they definitely had to have a Chinese-style kitchen. They would start by cooking by themselves and then slowly teach the cook. Then they would be able to eat Chinese food.

So for the time being, they still lived in their original apartment. After Ma Zongwen registered at the Sèvres Women's Higher Normal School, Zhang Xingjiu accompanied her to and from get out of class every day, and then went back to the Sorbonne University to attend classes and do experiments.

A few days later, Lippmann suddenly called him over and presented him with an invitation. "Professor Thomson of the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University invites you to Cambridge for a few days of academic exchange. You can tell students about your discovery of the electron and discuss it with several Cambridge scholars working in this field. What do you think?"

"Hasn't Paul already gone to Cambridge? He has personally experienced the entire process of discovering electrons. Wouldn't it be the same if he could communicate?" Zhang Xingjiu asked curiously.

"There is still a big difference! You are recognized in the academic community as the discoverer of the electron, and Paul is only involved as your assistant. His understanding of cathode rays and electrons is definitely not as thorough as yours! Perhaps it was after communicating with Paul that Professor Thomson came up with the idea of ​​inviting you over for a communication!" Lippmann explained.

Zhang Xingjiu was speechless for a moment. Even Lang Zhiwan looked down on him. How could he ever seek justice?
Perhaps seeing that he wasn't too resistant, Lippmann continued, "If you don't mind, you should go. From the university's perspective, a student from the Sorbonne giving a speech in Cambridge will undoubtedly enhance the Sorbonne's reputation!"

"It will also be of great benefit to you personally. I know you're well-off and might not consider the appearance fee Cambridge is offering you. However, Cambridge's influence in the academic world is unmatched by many other schools. There are many world-leading physicists there, and you'll benefit greatly from communicating with them!"

"More importantly, the Nobel Prize Committee has already begun preparations, and it's expected that the prize will be officially awarded within a few years. If you can get their support, it will be very beneficial for your future efforts in pursuing the prize!"

"Don't assume that the European academic world is pure. If you were French, we would definitely do our best to help you win the award, but you don't seem to have any plans to become a French citizen!"

Zhang Xingjiu was deeply moved by Lippmann's consideration for him. He immediately responded, "When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, Germany forcibly occupied French territory. Out of deep affection for his motherland and immense hatred for the aggressor Germany, the respected Professor Pasteur resolutely returned his honorary degree certificate to the University of Bonn."

"I remember he said, 'Science has no country, but scientists have their own motherland.' Although China faces many problems today, my love for China is the same as Professor Pasteur's!"

"My experience studying at the Sorbonne, and the help you, Pierre, Marie, and others have given me, will surely become the most precious memories of my life. I am also very proud of this experience. The Sorbonne is my lifelong alma mater, and I am willing to repay its kindness in any way, except for changing from Chinese to French!"

Zhang Xingjiu expressed his attitude tactfully but firmly.

His words not only did not arouse Lippmann's disgust, but instead made him respect him. "Professor Pasteur is one of the greatest scientists in France. His greatness lies not only in his discoveries that laid the foundation for industrial microbiology and medical microbiology and pioneered microbial physiology, but also in his ardent patriotism!"

"The fact that you have such an idea is the greatest respect for our French education! I understand your feelings very well, so from now on I will never again advise you to join the French nationality!" "Thank you very much." Although France will soon join the Eight-Nation Alliance to attack the capital, it does not mean that there are no good people in France. The morally noble Professor Lippmann is one of them, and Lang Zhiwan, who is very friendly to China, is another.

More than 20 years ago, Victor Hugo, who denounced the Anglo-French forces that invaded China as bandits in his "Letter to Butler", was also one of them. Unfortunately, he died more than 10 years ago, otherwise Zhang Xingjiu would have visited this great writer no matter what.

"Since this matter is beneficial to both the school and me, then I will go. I haven't seen Paul for a long time. It is something worth looking forward to meeting him again in Cambridge. But my wife has just come to France, and it is her first time going abroad. I am a little worried about leaving her alone in Paris. I wonder if I can take her with me?" Zhang Xingjiu asked.

"It is common practice in the academic community for relatives to accompany students to exchange activities. You don't have to worry about it. I'll send them a telegram, and I believe Professor Thomson will also welcome you to go together! I will also help coordinate with your wife's school." These are all trivial matters, and Lippmann didn't care at all.

"That's great!" The two of them hadn't had a honeymoon yet. They went to sea right after their wedding. Life on the ship was too boring, and now they could take the opportunity to make up for it by going to Cambridge.

"This is your first time participating in an academic event. Let me tell you what to pay attention to. Of course, you don't have to worry too much about it. Simple academic exchanges are relatively relaxed, and the school will arrange for someone to accompany you."

Lippmann patiently told Zhang Xingjiu many details, and Zhang Xingjiu carefully took them to heart.

A few days later, he and Ma Zongwen left Paris together with Michel Boulogne, first taking a train and then changing to a passenger ship to arrive in London. Michel was an old acquaintance of Zhang Xingjiu, as it was Michel who helped him with his admission procedures.

When they arrived in London, Lang Zhiwan had been waiting there for a long time. After a night's rest, he took Zhang Xingjiu to visit London the next day and took the train to Cambridge in the afternoon.

Professor Thomson, along with Ernest Rutherford, Townsend, McLellan, Wilson and other students, hosted a welcome dinner for Zhang Xingjiu. Many of these students later won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Considering that Zhang Xingjiu was tired from the journey, Thomson did not arrange any other activities after the dinner. He asked Lang Zhiwan to take him back to his room to rest. Seeing that it was still early, Zhang Xingjiu asked Lang Zhiwan to stay and continue chatting.

The two of them were chatting about each other's recent situation while drinking. Just after two drinks, they heard someone knocking on the door. They opened it and saw a waiter appeared at the door. "Mr. Zhang, there is a gentleman who wants to visit you."

(End of this chapter)