Chapter 101 The British Prime Minister’s scheming!
The first Nobel Prize Award Ceremony, which shocked the world, officially ended with the reluctance of countless people.
But its subsequent impact will be spread in all directions at the speed of light.
Li Qiwei and his party chose to leave Sweden by boat with Thomson and others.
Wandering on the North Sea, admiring the magnificent scenery of water and sky.
Occasionally, a few unknown seabirds fly over, and the light salty wind blows, intertwining with the steaming water vapor.
Intoxicated by the vastness of the sea, Li Qiwei and others were in a very good mood.
However, while he was enjoying this rare leisurely day, a secret discussion about his knighthood was going on.
10 Downing Street, London, Westminster, United Kingdom.
This is the official residence of the British Prime Minister.
Inside the Prime Minister's Office.
The 44th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 71-year-old Robert Cecil, was looking through documents while talking to a middle-aged man.
Robert Cecil is a legendary Prime Minister. This term is his third term as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
As the only remaining second son of the 2nd Marquess of Salisbury, he inherited his father's title and was an aristocratic politician.
This man is extremely arrogant, cold, and far-sighted, and is an out-and-out imperialist.
He believed that the backward races in the world must be evolved by Europeans.
In 1900, he sent troops to suppress the Boxer Rebellion in the Qing Dynasty.
His governing philosophy is that British rule must be maintained with absolute force, and he advocates the expansion and defense of the British Empire.
So during his term of office, he actively expanded Britain's overseas colonies and did not hesitate to launch many wars.
In Europe, he implemented the "glorious isolation policy", believing that Britain did not need allies and would not ally with any country.
Instead, we must act like the boss, stand high above the rest, maintain the balance of power in Europe, and beat whoever takes the lead.
As for the middle-aged man opposite Robert Cecil, it is his nephew, Arthur Balfour.
The 53-year-old Balfour is the leader of the House of Commons and the most trusted and most capable assistant to Prime Minister Cecil.
After Robert Cecil resigned as Prime Minister in July 1902, he gave up the position to Arthur Balfour.
As the 45th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Balfour basically inherited everything from Robert Cecil, including his character and governing philosophy.
Some people call him "Bloody Balfour" and "He has a heart of stone" and is a cold political loner.
And this person devalued China in his heart. When he later served as the British Foreign Secretary, he criticized China many times.
However, Balfour has not really become prime minister at this moment, so he is still a little immature.
"Mr. Prime Minister, why is there a Qing nationality in the list of knights submitted this time?"
Except in private situations, Balfour always calls Cecil Mr. Prime Minister. Because when you work, you have to address your duties!
He was called here today to help Prime Minister Cecil check the knighthood list for January next year.
According to the current British law, the list of kings' knighthoods is submitted after review by the current prime minister.
The list in the hands of the Prime Minister is made up of candidates proposed by the heads of various fields and then reported and summarized.
Edward VII ascended the throne as the new emperor, and Balfour could understand his eagerness.
However, he actually saw the name of a Qing nationality on the list, which made him feel incredible.
When did the British Empire knight a foreigner?
Prime Minister Cecil looked at his surprised look and smiled faintly: "Have you never heard of this name?"
Belfort picked up the list again and read it several times in a low voice: " Qiwei Lee, Qiwei Lee.” The more I read, the more confused I become.
"Sorry, Mr. Prime Minister, I have never heard of this name. Is this person famous?"
Prime Minister Cecil finally put down the pen in his hand, leaned back, and asked Make your body more comfortable, and then say slowly:
"This young man from the Qing Dynasty is not a simple man. He has made great achievements in the world of physics and recently won a Nobel Prize."
"His names are Lord Kelvin and Lord Rayleigh. Jointly nominated, as a candidate in the scientific field, I have to pay attention."
Hearing this, Belfort felt a little unusual and began to read Li Qiwei's reasons for recommendation carefully.
He also knew the names of Lord Kelvin and Lord Rayleigh.
They themselves are both nobles and great scientists, and they are quite famous in the British upper class.
This is enough to show that Qiwei Li, a Qing native they are optimistic about, is not a simple character and must have his own merits.
However, if you are just a scientist, no matter how great your achievements are, there is no need for Prime Minister Cecil to pay too much attention.
He has to deal with so many military and state affairs every day. Even if the lowest title is given to a foreigner, it seems to be nothing.
As if he saw Balfour's doubts, Prime Minister Cecil took out another document from the drawer and handed it to him.
Belfort quickly stood up, took it carefully, and then opened it to read.
"Causes of the Industrial Revolution", "First Mover Trap", "Rise of China".
What he was reading was Li Qiwei's speech at his undergraduate graduation defense, which recorded his evaluation of the current world structure.
The more Belfort looked at him, the more solemn his face became, and he even broke into a cold sweat.
He was born into a wealthy family, a Scottish nobleman, and his family had a large estate.
He received an elite education from the upper class since he was a child. He first went to Eton College and later studied philosophy and natural sciences at Cambridge University.
Therefore, although he does not know the specific situation of Ridgway quantum theory, he can also know its sacred position in the world of physics.
For such an achievement, if it were achieved by a British person, it would be more than enough to make him a baron.
Even if Li Qiwei was from the Qing Dynasty, it would be reasonable to only grant him the lowest knighthood.
Using a worthless honor to win over a top scientist is a very good deal.
However, when Balfour read Ridgway's deeds, he fell silent, and a turmoil arose in his heart.
Is this really something that a 21-year-old can think independently?
The key point is that Li Qiwei came from the civilized desert of the East. How could he have such a profound insight into the development of science.
Are there really people in the world who are born spiritual? You can also understand the essence of things you haven't seen before.
"Mr. Prime Minister, is this Qiwei Lee really as terrible as recorded?" Balfour even used the word terrible.
Prime Minister Cecil said calmly: "That little guy William had a conflict with Qiwei Lee in Cambridge, and asked me to cross him off the list."
"I scolded him severely. How can a brat interfere in national affairs?"
"If you don't study hard all day long, you just know how to fool around."
Belfort agreed with a smile. Said: "No wonder I saw him depressed a few days ago, and even ignored me." Prime Minister Cecil said: "He was spoiled by his parents."
Belfort did not dare to answer the question and could only smile. He knew how much the uncle in front of him doted on his grandson.
"Mr. Prime Minister, are you ready to agree to put Qiwei Lee in the knighthood list?"
Prime Minister Cecil did not answer directly, but asked a question: "Do you think Qiwei Lee will be included in the knighthood list?" Will Li be a threat to Britain in the future? "
Balfour was stunned and didn't understand why the other party asked, but he still thought for a while and said cautiously:
"If he can realize what he said, with the Qing Dynasty's population of hundreds of millions, after completing the industrial revolution, I think its strength cannot be underestimated."
"But the current system of the Qing Dynasty determines that even if they happen After the revolution, it will inevitably fall into endless civil war.”
"This is our British opportunity to divide the huge Qing Dynasty by drawing together divisions."
"Furthermore, industrialization is an extremely large and complex project of a big country. I think the power of individuals is not a factor."< br>
“Of course, the above are all my personal opinions, and I still need the guidance of Mr. Prime Minister.”
After hearing this, Prime Minister Cecil nodded lightly, with a hint of approval in his eyes. He kept referring to the other party. When it comes to cultivating successors, this choice seems to be the right one at the moment.
"Belfort, you are very good. It seems that you have sharpened your vision by frequently fighting against those old guys in the parliament over the years."
After hearing Prime Minister Cecil's compliment, Balfour became as embarrassed as a child.
“However, there is another thing you have not considered.”
“That is, Qiwei Li is not a threat, but we need to help him to speed up the Qing Dynasty. Industrialization process. "
"Although the British Empire is now prosperous, its internal conflicts are also very serious."
"We urgently need a huge market to divert the increasingly intensified domestic conflicts."< br>
"Currently, the Qing Dynasty is the best choice. It has a wide area and a large population."
"The potential of that country is really too great."
"You know because of the war last year , How much money does the Qing have to pay in this year’s indemnity treaty?”
“With interest and principal, it’s a total of 980 million taels of silver, nearly 150 million pounds, which is more than the annual fiscal revenue of our British Empire? "But this country is still a feudal agricultural society and cannot absorb much of our products and markets."
"Therefore, we need to turn it into an industrialized country."
"At that time, our steel, chemicals, automobiles, industrial products, etc. can all be dumped there."
"Then we will buy their silk, tea, porcelain, etc. at low prices and transport them back to the country for sale."
"In this way, the empire's economy will be revitalized and the internal conflicts will be resolved."
"But I may not be able to wait for that day. These will be your political achievements in the future." After saying that, he looked at Belfort with relief.
After hearing this, Belfort's face flushed and he trembled with excitement, but he gritted his teeth tightly, forced himself to calm down, and said:
"Uncle, your health will definitely get better, and maybe you can do it again. Where is the first Prime Minister?"
Prime Minister Cecil smiled and said nothing, and then continued: "So, I agree to give Qiwei Lee the lowest rank of knighthood."
< br>"And we have to publicize it vigorously, especially to let the Qing Dynasty know the news."
"Let their people in power and the Han elites create irreconcilable conflicts and intensify hatred."
< br>
"I am too familiar with everything in that country. As long as we intervene a little bit, we can change everything."
"No matter how smart Qiwei Lee is, he is only a scientist after all, not a politician. , He can't change anything."
"The game between countries is not something that a young man like him can understand."
"Even in the words of his country, he is a. Craftsman, just be responsible and work hard.”
“Helping our British Empire improve the level of physical science is his greatest achievement.”
"How can such a person be a threat?"
After hearing this, Balfour smiled and said: "Mr. Prime Minister, you are indeed strategizing from a high position."
"It seems like the whole world In your hands is a chessboard, and all of us are your chess pieces."
"The chess pieces think they are important, and winning the Nobel Prize is the pinnacle of life."
"But in this world. From the perspective of a great being like you, it is like an ant finding food crumbs and enjoying itself there.”
Although Prime Minister Cecil held a high and powerful position, he couldn't help but smile like a chrysanthemum after being praised like this.
At this time, Balfour suddenly stopped being casual, and then asked seriously:
“But, Mr. Prime Minister, I have a worry.”
“In case. After the Qing Dynasty was divided, it was unified in just a few years, and then it completed industrialization, which may be a threat to Britain."
Prime Minister Cecil smiled: "You can plan ahead and do everything for the best. It is very good to consider the bad situation. This is an essential quality for a qualified politician.”
"First, by then, no matter whether it is through military means or political means, this situation cannot be allowed to happen."
"Second, as long as the turmoil can last for more than twenty years, then the United Kingdom will, at that time, We have already entered the third industrial revolution.”
“The guns, ships, trains, etc. of the Qing Dynasty are all outdated by our British Empire. They are a generation behind.”
"As Qiwei Lee said, as long as we keep breaking through, there will never be a Forerunner trap."
"Third, even if they have cannons and explosives, can they still be more than ten thousand apart? Will it reach the UK mainland? ”
"As for naval battles, our British Empire Navy has been in the deep blue for hundreds of years and has never suffered a defeat."
"In this world, more people does not mean greater power."
" Backward nations will always be backward. Even if they master high technology, they will only throw spears as spears." As soon as he said this, Prime Minister Cecil laughed, and Balfour also laughed. Laugh.
The British Empire will always be the center of the world, trampling other nations under its feet.
But a few years later, the gray-haired Balfour knelt tremblingly in front of Prime Minister Cecil's tombstone and said with tears streaming down his face:
"Uncle, you have done me a terrible job. "
"That Qiwei Li's cannon is different from other people's."
"It can not only circle the earth, but also hit anywhere with accuracy. "
"The key is, it's so powerful, it can blow up the city with one fucking shot."
It's a pity that Prime Minister Cecil can no longer hear it, nor can he feel the shocking power of the weapon, which is like God's punishment.
(End of this chapter)