Training the Heavens

Chapter 356 A Zhang's Wedding

Skepticism is the instinct of all scientists, especially these world-class scientists. Questioning authority has almost become their instinct. However, Zhang Xingjiu's achievements over the years are really outstanding. Whether it is Einstein's side or Bohr's side, many of the views they insist on were pioneered by Zhang Xingjiu, that is to say, they are debating within the framework built by Zhang Xingjiu.

Now that Zhang Xingjiu has given his own opinion, even without providing any argumentation, they feel that what Zhang Xingjiu said may be correct. Zhang Xingjiu used his extraordinary wisdom to see the truth hidden behind it, but he has not yet dug out these truths.

Einstein said regretfully, "You have too much work to do. This is a crime against human history. You should devote all your energy to the exploration of truth. This will greatly accelerate the pace of human understanding of the world!"

The other scientists nodded when they heard this. They all knew Zhang Xingjiu's identity. In addition to being a great physicist, mathematician, and chemist, he was also a university president. He had participated in the establishment of many universities over the years, which consumed a lot of his energy.

Lang Zhiwan couldn't help but persuade him, "Yes, many people can do things like founding a university, but when it comes to guiding new physical theories, no one in the world is more suitable than you."

Zhang Xingjiu shook his head helplessly. "Unfortunately, unlike the rest of you, I wasn't born in a prosperous country where I can conduct scientific research without worries. My country is still very backward. I can't just think about my own honor. I must shoulder my due responsibilities."

"You are not only a great scientist, but also a great patriot." Madame Curie praised. Among the scientists participating in the Solvay Conference, she was the only one who could best understand Zhang Xingjiu's feelings.

This statement resonated with many scientists. Although nearly ten years have passed since the end of the last war, economic crises and national conflicts continue to occur. Many people vaguely realize that the next war may not be far away.

However, they were just a group of scientists and could not do much to help in this situation. They could only sigh in unison, "The world is really terrible now."

After expressing their feelings, some people also tried to ask, "Can we do something for this world?"

"We can issue a statement calling on countries around the world to stop using anti-human weapons in wars, such as biological weapons, chemical weapons, etc. Although this may not have much effect, it can show our attitude." Zhang Xingjiu suggested.

In 1863, thanks to the efforts of Henry Dunant, a Geneva businessman, 16 countries held a conference to discuss the formulation of rules of war, which led to the formulation of the First Geneva Convention. The convention stipulates that the army needs to abide by certain laws of war and recommends providing humanitarian assistance to wounded soldiers. He also won the first Nobel Peace Prize for this contribution.

In 1899, the Hague Regulations Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land explicitly stated that belligerent nations were prohibited from using weapons containing asphyxiating or poisonous gases. However, during World War I, some countries still illegally used the chemical weapon mustard gas. Although this reversed the situation on the battlefield, it still caused huge public opinion. Therefore, the Geneva Convention signed after World War I explicitly prohibited the use of chemical weapons.

However, in the future World War II, some countries still used these weapons without scruples, and not all of the instigators received the punishment they deserved after the war.

Zhang Xingjiu brought this up now, not expecting to put an end to it, but with so many top scientists from around the world joining together to make this appeal, it will at least draw some attention, and perhaps lead to more punishments for some people in the future.

"I agree!" Lang Zhiwan was the first to respond. This was not only because he had a deep friendship with Zhang Xingjiu, but also because he was a member of the French Communist Party and instinctively disliked these anti-human weapons.

"I will also sign this statement!" Madame Curie followed closely.

"Agreed!" "Count me in!"

Most of the thirty participants agreed with Zhang Xingjiu's proposal, and the organizers were also very cooperative. They also felt that this statement was in line with Mr. Ernest's expectations, so they quickly notified reporters to come and hold a press conference.

At the press conference, Zhang Xingjiu read out the newly written "Statement Calling for a Ban on Biological and Chemical Weapons" on behalf of the participants, and then was the first to sign his name on the statement. Subsequently, other scientists took turns to come on stage and signed their names as well.

When the statement, densely signed, was displayed, the scene was ablaze with flashes of light.

Soon, the statement appeared in major newspapers around the world. Of course, there were some exceptions, such as Japan, where the official newspaper did not publish the statement.

There are still many victims of biological and chemical weapons of World War I who are still alive. They have taken to the streets and called on their governments to sign the agreement as soon as possible and support this statement.

The League of Nations, established after World War I, also took note of this declaration and began to hold meetings to discuss whether to add the contents of this declaration to the international convention. However, due to obstruction from certain countries, no results were achieved.

Zhang Xingjiu had no way to interfere with these things. He had already finished his journey in Europe and returned to China on a passenger ship with scientists such as Lang Zhiwan. He was preparing to go on a nationwide lecture tour with them, just like when Madame Curie came to China, to help Chinese students broaden their horizons, and at the same time let more foreigners know about China's situation through them.

Lang Zhiwan was looking forward to this trip. He had wanted to come here last time, but unfortunately, because of Madame Curie's presence, he had to give up temporarily. In the following years, Zhang Xingjiu had not been to Europe, and he was busy with research and teaching work, so he also had no time to spare.

This time it finally came together, and Lang Zhiwan decided to stay in China for a longer period of time and travel around to see the world.

Other scholars were also curious about China, and kept asking Zhang Xingjiu about various situations in China along the way.

After a month's sailing, they finally arrived in Guangzhou. They first gave several exchange speeches at Sun Yat-sen University, and then took a train north to Wuchang for a second round of exchange speeches.

Then he changed boats and went down the river and stayed in Nanjing for a few days before returning to Shanghai and starting to give exchange speeches at Aurora University.

Lang Zhiwan was preparing a speech on the stage, and Yan Jici, a graduate of Aurora University, was translating for him. He first obtained a bachelor's degree in science from Aurora University, and was then sent by Zhang Xingjiu to study under Lang Zhiwan. He had just graduated and returned to China to teach.

Meanwhile, Zhang, sitting next to Zhang Xingjiu in the audience, said before the speech even started, "I'm planning to get married, you must come to my wedding!"

(End of this chapter)