Chapter 91 Ridgway’s Ambition
On the afternoon of October 16, 1901, Ridgway was interviewed by a newspaper for the first time in the Cavendish Conference Room.
Baker, the editor-in-chief of The Times, is a senior journalist who knows how to proceed step by step. He will slowly guide Ridgway to reveal his true feelings.
"Bruce, forgive me for calling you this. The writing of the Qing Dynasty is so complicated that I haven't learned it for a long time."
"It doesn't matter, Bucker, the name is just a code name. I You also need to do as the Romans do. ”
"Oh, that's great, Bruce, you are a gentleman."
"I believe that most people are like me and don't understand what the results of your Nobel Prize in Physics are. Can you explain it in layman’s language? ”
“My major is physics. If I want to explain the essence behind physical phenomena, it actually depends on the cognitive level of the listener.”
“For example, why is it easy for people to slip on ice?”
“For ordinary people who have no basis in physics, they will intuitively think that the ice is slippery, so People slip.”
"Although this understanding is very superficial, it can meet people's daily needs."
"Because I know it is slippery there, so I will be careful when passing by to prevent breaking my leg."
< br>“However, for junior students who have studied physics, they will use a professional word to explain: friction.”
“The friction on the ice is very low. After a person’s center of gravity is unstable, It will move forward or backward and fall."
"However, this is still not enough to deeply understand the operation of the world."
"Physicists with higher levels, such as doctors and even professors, will explain the nature of friction from the interaction between molecules and atoms."
"And my quantum theory is a way to study these New physics tools for microscopic particles. ”
“Oh, Bruce, your explanation is wonderful, I think I understand quantum theory is the study of atoms and molecules.”
“ Well, that's understandable," Ridgway agreed, seeing that Buckel didn't want to go into this topic.
“With all due respect, in my mind, the Qing Dynasty was still a country with a feudal system. Not to mention science, there were not even decent schools there.”
"I heard that you came to Cambridge to study at the age of 17. In just four years, you have made such brilliant achievements."
"What do you think is the most important reason?"
Li Qiwei frowned and thought for a moment, "I think this is a question of the relationship between macro and micro."
"As a big country with a history of five thousand years, China has a very large inertia."
“Due to various reasons, the soil of science has not been able to sprout and grow.”
"But when it comes to a specific person, many of his talents and qualities are innate, regardless of where he was born."
"I think I am the kind of person who is born with a talent for physics."
“After coming to Cambridge and receiving a systematic and formal education, my talent was discovered, so I was able to do some minor work in physics.”
Baker did not expect that Li Qiwei could resolve it easily, and he also Amused by Li Qiwei's answer.
“Hahaha, Bruce, I don’t know whether you should be proud or humble.”
"You say that you are highly talented, but at the same time you say that your achievements are small."
Li Qiwei smiled faintly, "This is our Chinese golden mean."
"As for me personally, you You can think that I am sharp."
Baker did not expect Li Qiwei to be so straightforward, thinking that this young man has the capital to stand out.
“I know that your family is also a very powerful business family in the Qing Dynasty.”
"Is your success inseparable from the support of your family? If you don't have money, studying may be difficult."
"Yes, there is nothing to hide about this. I studied abroad. The expenses were all sent to me from China.”
“But I don’t think this is a stain. Do you have to be destitute to do research or study?”
“The family’s help. It’s something I was born with. It’s just a tool that I can use. There’s no pressure on me.”
“If I were born into an ordinary family, I could still achieve what I have today, maybe it would be a little more difficult.”
"I personally have no prejudice against poverty and wealth. People should not be bound by their environment."
Baker nodded and suddenly asked a tricky question:
"You just kept saying When talking about China, why not talk about the Qing Dynasty? "
"You seem to be averse to others calling you a Qing country, or you call yourself a Qing country. Is there any reason?"
Li Qiwei stared at Buck? I glanced at him for a few times, but there was no emotion on the other person's face, as if he was simply curious.
"History is always moving forward. The advanced will replace the backward, the civilized will replace the barbaric, and the highly productive will replace the low."
"Isn't this how you, the UK, have gone through it too? "
"Because of the rise of the industrial revolution, the transition from feudalism to constitutional monarchy"
"Each country's national conditions are different, and the methods of handling it are naturally different."
"In addition. , I am just a physicist and not interested in politics.”
"So, when I call Huaxia, it is just a habit. It has no special meaning. Please don't associate it with me."
Baker smiled bitterly. He did not expect that Li Qiwei looked very young, but his answers were experienced and impeccable.
And he also turned his own army. In essence, Britain and the Qing Dynasty are really no different.
But his goal has been achieved. He tested out that Li Qiwei embraces civilization instead of supporting ignorance.
This is very useful for the following strategies.
Ridgway was also thinking about Buckle's intentions.
On the surface, the other party is just the editor-in-chief of The Times, but due to his identity, he has an unclear relationship with the British upper class.
Maybe this question is the instruction from someone behind him.
"Bruce, you won the Nobel Prize in Physics. I think you will be reused after you return to China. How will you change your country."
Li Qiwei knew that this report would definitely spread to the country. It would even be sent to the hands of the Manchu rulers. So, after thinking about it, he said: "My goal is to follow the European model and build more universities in China."
“Teaching natural science knowledge allows countless Chinese people to be exposed to the most advanced ideas and pursue a better life.”
“But China is not without merits. We have our own Brilliant cultural and historical wealth.”
“I want to let foreign students understand and love China by establishing a unique university.”
“For example, I may build a porcelain university. Combining science and technology with traditional Chinese craftsmanship.”
"Concentrate on research and manufacture more exquisite or more durable porcelain, spread Chinese culture, and benefit the world."
"In addition, I will also run scientific and technological newspapers and magazines to introduce the latest scientific progress abroad, so that Excellent scholars in the country will have the opportunity to see a broader sky."
"In short, I will use what I have learned throughout my life in the fields of science and technology and education to improve the overall quality of the Chinese people!"
< br>Click!
Li Qiwei’s forceful gesture was recorded by the photographer and used as a precious picture.
Everyone was also infected by his innocent heart. This is a physicist who has escaped from vulgar taste.
Li Qiwei doesn’t know what other people think. Everything just happened was his performance.
This is also what he said after careful consideration.
He wanted to send a signal that he only wanted to make contributions in the field of scientific education, thereby paralyzing the top management of the Qing Dynasty.
For them, no matter how famous Li Qiwei is, even if he wins 10 Nobel Prizes in Physics, he is still just a craftsman and cannot make big waves.
At most, I can give you a few treasures and reward a few palace maids, and you can spend it as you like.
Pursue your research with peace of mind, just work as a cow or horse for the royal family, learn the arts of literature and martial arts, and sell your goods to the emperor's family.
Historically, this is exactly what they did.
When it comes to playing with people's hearts, the old witch Cixi has no rival in the world, and Li Qiwei thinks that even the flatterer can't compare to her.
But when it comes to foreign countries, industrial revolution, technology, etc., she is blind, no different from an ordinary old lady.
Not even as good as young children who have been exposed to Western learning.
In the final analysis, her essence is just a stupid woman who holds the highest power.
As long as you take off her coat, there is nothing to be afraid of.
She could never have imagined how much impact the science and technology of this era would have on the feudal system.
The mismatch between productivity and production relations will inevitably lead to changes.
No one can stop this torrent of the times, otherwise they will be shattered to pieces.
This power can only be mastered by those who accept Western learning.
Of course, it is impossible for Bucker to know what Li Qiwei is thinking in his heart.
After hearing this, he was only shocked from the bottom of his heart.
He also knows the Qing Dynasty well, and even knows the allusion that learning and excellence lead to officialdom.
In his mind, Li Qiwei was the first person in the Qing Dynasty to open his eyes to the world.
After returning to China, he will definitely be reused and occupy a high position, and then start drastic reforms, all in line with the West.
However, the other party now says that he only wants to engage in education and technology.
This made Buckle puzzled and could only admire Li Qiwei's purity.
How could he understand the intricate power relationships in China.
A little Li Qiwei can only be regarded as a celebrity at most in the eyes of the real big guys.
Rather than being the captain at the helm of the country, it is not his turn to dictate many things.
Next, Bakker asked some questions from novel angles, all of which were answered by Li Qiwei.
The interview ended in a friendly atmosphere.
The two stood up and shook hands at the same time.
Bakker finally congratulated Li Qiwei for winning the award and expressed his hope to interview him again next time.
Li Qiwei also responded with thanks and jokingly warned that the report must be reported truthfully and cannot be added to the story.
Baker laughed loudly and was even more impressed by Li Qiwei.
Soon after Buckle and others said goodbye to Thomson, they left Cambridge with the newspaper staff.
They have to go back quickly to finalize and publish it.
Ridgway's remarks convinced Buckle that the other party was a reformist.
So does it mean that the younger generation representing the Qing Dynasty all have this kind of thinking?
I think that in order to do business with the Qing Dynasty, Britain did not hesitate to launch two wars, just to get a huge market.
Now, Li Qiwei, the representative of young people in the Qing Dynasty, has openly wanted to learn from the West. This may be a signal.
As for the impact of such reports on Li Qiwei himself, Buckle did not consider it.
At this time, Wilson and others waiting outside the conference room filed in and asked him questions.
Wilson pulled away the crowd and asked eagerly: "Bruce, how do you feel, are you excited?"
"By the way, someone mentioned Wilson's cloud to the other party. Room."
Li Qiwei smiled and said: "Don't worry, I said you are the best physicist in Cambridge."
Everyone laughed wildly.
And he didn't know yet that his interview would shock China like a storm.
(End of this chapter)