Chapter 48 The Wind Rises in the East
November 8, 1900, Qing Dynasty, Ningbo Central and Western Talents Academy.
A young man who is still childish but has a resolute face is holding a newspaper, sitting under the tree, and reading attentively.
The autumn weather was getting colder, and a gust of wind blew by. He wrapped his clothes tightly, but his eyes did not leave the newspaper for even a moment.
The young man's name is He Yujie. He is 18 years old this year. He has been smart and studious since he was a child. After losing his father at the age of 11, he has become more diligent in studying. He is especially good at ancient poetry and prose. He was selected as a scholar at the age of 15.
However, affected by the Sino-Japanese War of 1898 and the revolutionary wave of the Reform Movement of 1898, he believed that the Qing Dynasty was decadent and that the eight-legged essay restricted thoughts and was of no use.
Therefore, He Yujie decided to abandon the imperial examination to study Western learning, study the Western techniques of studying objects, serve China, and prepare for the overthrow of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
So he joined Ningbo Zhongxi Chucai School two years ago and became one of the first batch of students.
Since 1895, Zhang Zhidong wrote "The Creation of a School for Preserving Talents" and advocated the establishment of a new school, and various places have been planning to build new schools, similar to the high schools of later generations.
It was against this background that the Ningbo Chinese and Western Talents Academy was established in 1897. Dr. Sun Yat-sen gave a speech here more than ten years later.
At this moment, He Yujie was reading the conference report on Ridgway's quantum theory.
In fact, he had learned about Li Qiwei two months ago because of the publication of quantum theory.
He even went directly to Guangzhou for this purpose, wanting to see the other party, but was told by Li Qiwei's family that the other party had not returned from the UK for the time being.
He had no choice but to return the same way, but he kept paying attention to Li Qiwei from then on.
In this era, there are Chinese people who can make such great scientific achievements, which makes He Yujie admire and yearn for it.
After the physics class ended today, the teacher Mr. Davis gave him a newspaper and told him to take a good look.
It turns out that He Yujie was very diligent and studious in school, especially in physics, chemistry and other courses, and he was often among the best.
So many foreign teachers like this Chinese young man and think that he will definitely achieve great achievements.
After He Yujie got it, he discovered that the newspaper actually described in detail a meeting to discuss quantum theory, and Li Qiwei's name was also included in it.
He read it fascinatedly, then picked up the newspaper and quickly found Davis, "Sir, can you tell me what the photoelectric effect is?"
Davis smiled bitterly, "Sorry, He, I am only an undergraduate in my country. I didn't explain the quantum theory to you clearly last time."
"This time the photoelectric effect I don’t understand it even more. This is already the most cutting-edge physics research.”
“There are probably fewer people in the world who can understand this formula than there are people in school.”
"However, Li Qiwei, the author of quantum theory, is really an indescribable genius. Even in Europe, he can be regarded as a physicist."
Hearing Davis's evaluation, He Yujie's heart was as sweet as honey. Although he was not praising himself, he felt honored.
Ridgway! The name was firmly engraved in his heart, like a totem.
Who said that all China is ignorant, we Han people can also have scientific geniuses that are rare in a century.
He has now decided to go to Guangzhou again immediately.
Because Mr. Li sent a letter a few days ago, Li Qiwei wanted to invite him to study in the UK, and everything had been taken care of there, so he didn’t need to prepare anything.
If he is willing, he can go to Guangzhou Li's house to wait within a month.
Such an opportunity made He Yujie excited, but he was slightly concerned.
But today’s newspaper made him completely determined to go!
Anyway, he is not the only son in the family. He has two older brothers. Even if he leaves home for three to five years, the impact will not be big.
It is not too late to fulfill your filial piety to your mother after you finish your studies and return to China.
Young people like He Yujie seemed to be destined to receive the whole story of the Liqiwei Quantum Theory Conference at this moment. On the other side, in Hangzhou, 16-year-old Xia Yuanzhen (pronounced "power") was having a quarrel with his father Xia Zengyou.
Xia Yuanzhen, wearing Western glasses, still childish, said angrily: "Father, why don't you allow me to study science and memorize hundreds of pre-Qin scholars every day? How can I defeat the Eight-Nation Alliance?"
My father, Xia Zengyou, hated the fact that iron cannot be made into steel. "You treacherous son, my Xia family has read poetry and books for three generations. I know everything about painting and poetry, and I have a profound knowledge of classic eight-part essays. Why do I want to learn that strange skill when I am young?" "
Xia Yuanzhen was disgusted with his father's pedantry and argued: "Every day we say that other people are clever and cunning, so why do we have to be beaten if they have ships and cannons?"< br>
“Do you know what a huge sensation Li Qiwei’s paper caused? He is my idol.”
"No matter what you say, I'm going to make a decision."
The mother on the side seemed to have aged a few years in an instant, and sighed: "Fuyun (Xia Yuanqi's character), even if you want to study Western learning, there is no place you can go. "Why do you have to go to England? Can't I ask your father to send you to a foreign school?"
Xia Yuanzhen looked at the old appearance of his father and mother and cried: "Father, although the old saying goes: My parents are here, so I won’t travel far away.”
“But China is undergoing changes that have not happened in thousands of years. Foreigners are raging and the Qing Dynasty is incompetent. Sooner or later, we are going to perish.” Are you going to save China and open up a new future with the eight-part essay? ”
"Besides, I have an eldest brother above me and a younger brother below me. They can take my place temporarily and serve you two as filial piety."
"Please forgive me for being unfilial. When I finish my studies and return to China, I will definitely support you and your two elders." "Tian Nian."
After saying that, Xia Yuanxi knelt down to his parents without raising his head, keeping his head down.
After a long time, Xia Zengyou recovered his emotions and said softly: "That's it, you go."
Xia Yuanzhen raised his head, his eyes were blurred by tears, he swore , we must learn real knowledge and skills.
In Hubei, Xu Jianyin, the 55-year-old general manager of the Security Gunpowder Bureau, was sipping tea while listening to the impassioned speech of his 19-year-old son Xu Qitai.
"Dad, I am not bragging. That Li Qiwei is really amazing. He published the quantum theory in physics and proved it with the photoelectric effect."
"It is said that his achievements are all Comparable to Newton, you know, Newton is the sage of Western science who was hit by an apple."
"So, can you please tell me, I want to go to England and follow him. Let's study together."
Xu Jianyin took a sip of tea and said leisurely: "Is it really that powerful? I'm afraid it's just a rumor. Foreign devils like to brag."
"In terms of Western literacy, our Xu family can say without humility that we are the first family in China, and your grandfather is a person who can publish papers in the magazine "Nature"."
"Is there any other Chinese family? Can anyone compare to my Xu family?”
Xu Jianyin’s father is the famous Xu Shou, who was the enlightener of modern Chinese chemistry, the founder of the modern shipbuilding industry, and the Chinese author of the periodic table of chemical elements.
China's first steam engine, first ship, first warship, first school teaching scientific and technological knowledge, first scientific lecture, and first scientific and technological journal are all related to him.
Seeing that his father did not believe it, Xu Qitai hurriedly said: "Oh, dad, I have asked the foreigners, and he said it is absolutely true. Now Li Qiwei's position in the British physics community is extraordinary."
"So I want to study with him. When I come back, I can take over your old mantle."
Xu Jianyin laughed and scolded: "You little bastard, how dare you curse me. But now that the domestic situation is in turmoil, you go to the UK It's good to stay away from right and wrong. "
"But remember, you must learn real skills. Your little knowledge of physics and chemistry is not enough for foreigners."
< br>Xu Qitai suddenly became excited, clapped his hands, and then diligently poured his father a cup of tea.
What Xu Jianyin didn't know was that it was this decision that changed his tragic fate.
In real history, on March 31 next year, he went to the pharmacy to mix medicine and was suddenly bombed by explosives, and unfortunately died.
——
(Note: He Yujie, Xia Yuanwei: my country’s early physicists and educators; trained my country’s first undergraduate physics graduates. Xu Qitai: I can’t find it Name, so I made up this name. His father is Xu Jianyin, and his ancestor is Xu Shou. If you are interested, you can check it out. )
Thanks to [Chen Xi Xing Pu] for your monthly votes, and thanks to new and old book friends for their recommendations. . The heroine appears in the next chapter.
(End of this chapter)