I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 244 Challenging Serfdom and Low-Level Games

Michael Faraday, this great scientist, was arguably the closest person to sainthood that Mikhail could encounter in his time. Besides his enormous scientific achievements, Faraday was also morally impeccable.

First and foremost, he was indifferent to fame and fortune. He refused the patent for the generator, the royal title, and even the nomination for president of the Royal Society. He also refused the generous government pension because the British Prime Minister who met with him showed disdain for scientists. Faraday firmly refused, even though some people tried to mediate, he still demanded a written apology from the Prime Minister.

Ultimately, the Prime Minister personally sent someone to deliver the letter of apology to Faraday.

Secondly, Faraday was quite fair in his academic work, never engaging in academic cliques, and he acknowledged the contributions of his assistants in every paper he published, which was a very rare practice at the time.

Finally, he was always enthusiastic about public welfare. In addition to the "Friday Science Symposium," he would hold a series of popular science lectures for children during the Christmas holidays starting in 1826. Later, during the Crimean War, he refused the royal family's request to develop chemical weapons because chemical weapons violated his moral principles.

In addition, in his personal life, he and his wife Sarah were devoted to each other and spent their lives together. Even though they had no children, they still walked together to the end of their lives.

Faced with such a figure, even though Mikhail was completely confused by the lecture, he ultimately did not do anything impolite and listened to the entire lecture quite attentively.

After the lecture ended, just as Mikhail was pondering who he should ask to formally meet Faraday, perhaps because many people in the room were looking at Mikhail, or perhaps because Mikhail himself was quite conspicuous, Faraday undoubtedly noticed the young man who was deep in thought.

After asking the people around him briefly, Faraday walked directly towards Mikhail and asked enthusiastically, "Are you Mr. Mikhail, the author of 'Around the World in Eighty Days'?"

Faced with this situation, Mikhail paused for a moment before quickly standing up and shaking hands with the scientist. Faraday's next words somewhat answered Mikhail's doubts:

"Your science fiction novels are very interesting in their bold use of scientific knowledge and speculation, especially the speed and convenience of the telegraph as depicted in the novels. People from the government have even asked me if it is really possible for the telegraph to connect the whole world as depicted in the novels."
I replied that with current technology, there is still a long way to go, but it's not that there's no chance.

now it's right!

In fact, from a scientific point of view, there would be no telegraph without Faraday. The telegraph actually appeared quite early. In 1837, British scientists demonstrated their five-needle telegraph and specially invited Faraday to see it. Faraday praised it highly and provided support and endorsement for this new technology, promoting its acceptance by the public and the academic community.

However, Faraday was ultimately a pure-hearted person. He loved scientific exploration and was disgusted by the crazy "telegraph craze" and financial speculation that followed with the rise of the telegraph company.

Also in 1837, Samuel Morse of the United States invented the telegraph around the same time and obtained a patent in the United States in 1837. This led to a fierce patent dispute between the British and American inventors. Faraday was very disgusted by this endless legal dispute, believing that it hindered the progress of science and the popularization of technology.

Furthermore, the letter expressed contempt for such "profit-driven" behavior.

It can only be said that people's levels of thinking are indeed different.

At this very moment, Faraday continued, "Your novel has also sparked children's interest in science. Just this year at the Christmas science lecture for children, some children even asked me about telegraphs and their underlying principles. They also really enjoy your 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,' finding the marine and scientific knowledge in it very interesting."

Listening to the great scientist talk about these things and their impact, Mikhail was almost moved. After all, wasn't this also a great undertaking?
However, as they spoke, Faraday, in a warm and gentle tone, suddenly changed the subject, looking Mikhail in the eye and saying, "However, your discussion of some scientific knowledge in the novel is not very rigorous, which may lead to some misunderstandings among readers. At times, you also romanticize science too much, which is really not in line with the spirit of science."

Mikhail: “.”

Faraday has put me in a difficult position in the scientific field. Do you think I can talk back?
Just as Mikhail was sweating profusely, Faraday smiled and expressed his understanding: "Literary creation is a very unfamiliar field for me, and I'm sure you have your reasons. I was too offensive with my words. Mr. Mikhail, what are your impressions of this lecture?"

Mikhail: “?”

Here comes another difficult question, isn't it?
"I didn't quite understand what you were saying."

Despite the attention he received, Mikhail honestly replied, "I don't know much about this, so even though your explanation was clear enough, there are still some things I don't fully understand."

Of course, Mikhail's lack of scientific knowledge is one aspect. On the other hand, the scientific expressions used in later generations are almost completely different from those used in his time, and many terms require in-depth study to understand.

"I see. I'll definitely give you a further explanation when I have the chance."

Mikhail: “???”

Although it's a great honor, but the tonic...
However, if I had to say, it's worth learning from.
Due to time constraints, Mikhail ultimately steered the conversation away from that topic, and then proceeded to discuss one of his reasons for wanting to meet Faraday:

"Dear Mr. Faraday, I have long heard about the series of science lectures you hold for children during the Christmas holidays. Do you have any transcripts? If so, I would like to summarize and refine these transcripts and then edit them into a popular science book. I will pay you the corresponding copyright fees."

"Popular science books?"

Upon hearing this rather novel idea, Faraday quickly realized what was going on. While feeling intrigued, he couldn't help but say, "As far as I know, there probably isn't much of a market for books like this, right? You won't make much money from this."

Sometimes money isn't important.

Mikhail replied with a smile, "I plan to take it back to Russia and distribute it for free to anyone who might be interested. It may be a small amount, but perhaps it can really spark some children's interest in science? No one can predict what will happen next."

Of course, it's not just Russia.

"Yes, just like when I was a child."

Faraday nodded unconsciously at this noble proposal, but soon, realizing something, he spoke frankly:

You mentioned bringing it back to Russia? Forgive my bluntness, but every country has its own problems, though Russia's are more pronounced. If poverty kills a person on a practical level, then the status of slavery might directly destroy a person's curiosity and thirst for knowledge on a spiritual level.

"You have a noble heart, and I also hope that Russia will be able to resolve this issue sooner or later." To some extent, most of the people Mikhail encountered along the way who brought up this matter had some ill intentions, but with Faraday, he probably genuinely thought about it and briefly shared his views.

Faced with such a person, Mikhail's mind raced with a multitude of thoughts. In the end, he couldn't help but mention one that had been lingering in his heart for a long time:

"Yes, I think I should also do my part in this, in a more public way, even if that effort is somewhat insignificant."

Want to contribute? In a public way?
Does this gentleman mean that he wants to publicly oppose serfdom?
But where would such a person be sent in Russia?
Thinking of this, even the well-informed Faraday was quite shocked and said:
"Wouldn't that be too difficult in Russia, and very disadvantageous for you?"

Mikhail understood these principles perfectly well, but to be honest, at this point, he certainly couldn't tell Belinsky and his many other supporters that he was no longer pretending, but that his heart belonged to the Tsar.
Putting aside the backlash, even Mikhail himself couldn't get over his conscience.

As his fame grows, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to remain as discreet on certain issues as before. Similarly, as his fame grows, Mikhail's room for maneuver is effectively expanding. In the past, he might have died instantly, but now he might actually be able to make a comeback.

It can only be said that once a person reaches a certain position and gains some kind of glory, he must shoulder certain responsibilities. If he fails to do so, he will either fail in reality or become a negative example in history.

Mikhail had always been troubled by courage, conscience, worry, and all sorts of messy thoughts. Sometimes he thought he would wait and see, sometimes he felt powerless, and sometimes he thought, "What if?"
But overall, he is still on the right track. Now, even in a limited space, he can move around and dodge.

In short, let's just do it!
After expressing his thoughts, Mikhail did feel much clearer about his mind. Faced with Faraday's shock, although Mikhail's heart pounded with anxiety at the thought of his future, a real man shouldn't say no.

Mikhail then smiled calmly and said, "Some things always have to be done by someone, and many things develop and change without us having to wait for them to happen."

"Then please be very careful."

Even though it was their first meeting, the young man before him had undoubtedly left a very deep impression on Faraday. After looking at Mikhail intently for a few moments, he finally returned to the words Mikhail had spoken at the beginning:

"I may need to spend some time finding the speech drafts you mentioned. As for payment, I hope these drafts will be helpful to you."

"The payment should still be made."

Since Faraday was so particular, Mikhail certainly couldn't just take it for free; he insisted on giving it to him anyway.

But Faraday seemed genuinely unwilling, so after some back and forth, Mikhail, somewhat at a loss, said, "How about this: I'll edit these lectures into a book and donate a batch to schools and public libraries in England."

"That would be perfect."

Faraday readily agreed.

After discussing this matter, Mikhail and Faraday moved to another location to talk about many other things. When they had to say goodbye due to time constraints, Faraday extended an invitation to Mikhail:

"You're welcome to visit me again sometime. If you have any questions about science, or if you're interested in anything, perhaps I can answer them for you."

Mikhail: “.”

So you mean giving me a lesson, right?

After nodding in agreement, Mikhail formally said goodbye to the great scientist.

In the following days, besides his normal social activities and work, Mikhail also focused on his other business.

But for Sanders, the magazine's owner, his biggest concern was whether the latest issue of A Study in Scarlet would still be popular with the public.

Similarly, he thought Mikhail would also pay attention to this matter, but unexpectedly, Mikhail has hardly devoted any energy to this area recently, instead focusing on other things.

Sanders initially thought Mikhail was addicted to playing cards, but according to rumors, Mikhail hasn't actually been participating in such activities much lately.

With the latest issue of "Fiction Weekly" about to be published, Sanders felt uneasy and also happened to have something to discuss with Mikhail. So, the day before the new issue was released, Sanders went to Mikhail's door.

When he knocked on the door, Mikhail opened it shortly afterward. Just as he was about to talk to Mikhail about the novel, he found Mikhail fiddling with some strange wooden props, dice, and a wooden chessboard covered with grids, with a large pile of cards next to him.

"what are these?"

Sanders couldn't help but ask.

“Mr. Sanders, after all this time, don’t you think some of the games in London are too low-level and outdated?”

Without directly answering Sanders' question, Mikhail rolled the dice and then said with a smile, "Perhaps we can be a little more innovative."

Sanders, seeing Mikhail roll a six: "?"

Do you have any new ideas?
Is it possible that the gambling games and stakes in London are no longer enough for you, so you've come up with something even bigger?

Can't you please pay some attention to the serialization of the novel?

(End of this chapter)