A Man of Science and Engineering in Troubled Times Wandering in the Late Qing Dynasty

They are all bosses, and one of them is a colleague. Of course, Li Yu must reply as soon as possible.

Li Yu typed the Morse code very slowly, just in time the guard Zhaoxue in the office came over and said, "Sir, I am good at sending telegrams, so leave this trivial matter to me."

"Do you know Morse code?" Li Yu asked.

Konoe Zhaoxue said confidently, "I can not only send English telegrams, but also German telegrams."

Among them, Earl Zeppelin's telegram was sent in German, and Li Yu said: "Okay, you send these two telegrams."

First the telegram to Planck:

"Professor Planck, I'm honored that you like this set of books. As for the rumors, I will create them when I have time. You may not know that for me, writing science fiction works is much harder than writing papers and making inventions!"

Konoe Zhaoxue took the telegram and quickly coded it out. It is more convenient to obtain information through telegrams. She intentionally or unintentionally asked, "Sir, is Professor Planck a very good writer?"

She saw that the telegram was about draft reminders, so she naturally thought so.

I am afraid that no one in the future will know that Planck and Einstein are the two pioneers in quantum mechanics and relativity respectively, but at this time they are really not very famous.

Needless to say, Einstein, a small temporary worker.

Although Planck was a university professor, it was only that, because the number of professors in Europe was not in the minority.

Li Yu had no choice but to say: "Professor Planck is an epoch-making figure in the quantum field."

Konoe Zhaoyuki has received certain mathematical training, so he said: "Epoch-making? Why haven't I heard of it? I only know that the leading figures in the European scientific community are Lord Kelvin and Professor Roentgen."

Li Yu said: "They are all very powerful, but in terms of influence, I am afraid that Professor Planck will be even higher in the future."

Konoe Zhaoyuki didn't know what the so-called "quantum" studied by Planck was, and it was a completely unfamiliar word to her, so she said, "I'm ignorant."

Li Yu quickly wrote another telegram to Earl Zeppelin:

"Mr. Earl, I respect pioneers who explore new technologies, so you can naturally use Star Wars elements to promote airships."

Li Yu actually knew that the airship was not a particularly good technology, and the main reason was that: safety.

Plus there are a host of other big flaws that make it completely outcompeted by rising aircraft.

The Zeppelin airship later became the pride of Germany, but after the largest "Hindenburg" was built, its crash also declared the complete demise of the airship.

However, scientific and technological exploration is the only way for human beings, and the love for the sky and the sea will not change.

For at least the next 30 years, airships were a technology that the wealthy talked about.

——Airplanes quickly reduced the cost by increasing the passenger capacity and flight speed, but airships have always been the toys of the rich almost from the beginning to the end. Taking an airship is a very good thing, which can greatly meet the social needs of the rich.

Konoe Zhaoxue said, "Is the airship the kind of hot air balloon that can carry people?"

"It's not the same, but you can generally understand it this way." Li Yu said.

Konoe Zhaoxue is obviously more interested in the airship: "Then can it be used in the military field?"

Li Yu said: "It is possible, but the effect will not be very good."

Konoe Zhaoxue continued to ask, "Why is it not good?"

Li Yu said, "Because it is too bulky."

Anyone who has played Red Alert 2 should remember the terrifying "Kirov reporting". The Kirov airship in the game is from the Soviet Union, but the prototype is actually a German Zeppelin. I don't know why it was installed on the Soviet Union in the game.

In the game, the Kirov airship has amazing bombing capabilities, and it has also carried out bombing missions in reality.

Germany formed an airship fleet during World War I, using Zeppelin airships, and even bombed the British mainland.

The airship at that time was definitely an ultimate weapon, just like the tank that the British army had just secretly developed on land.

As soon as the airship is released, it can be said that it is invincible, invincible, and all countries have surrendered.

Airplanes during World War I were naive and pitiful, and they had no power to stop the airship from coming.

There are almost no aircraft capable of fighting at night. Even if the British aircraft found the airship, the only thing they could do was poke two small holes in its thick skin.

What can stop these German aerial monsters from visiting their British cousins ​​is the unpredictable weather over the North Sea.

Airships usually take off from bases in Cuxhaven, Cologne and Dusseldorf in mainland Germany in the evening, and arrive in the sky over the UK when the lights are on.

The street lamps and the lights from inside the houses of British cities are precisely their best signposts, because the word "blackout" has not yet been invented.

After dropping their bombs, they turned around and headed back to Germany before dawn the next day.

Simply come and go.

Many missions have been carried out, and the main damage is from the storm, but this has already revealed the weakness of the airship.

Konoe Zhaoyuki said: "Sir, are you interested in modifying Earl Zeppelin's airship, because I think you also know aviation knowledge."

Li Yu shook his head: "I'm still more interested in airplanes."

Konoe Zhaoxue said: "I found that these latest knowledge can't be learned from books at all. Can I ask you for more advice in the future?"

Li Yu said, "Of course."

Konoe Zhaoxue smiled: "Great, thank you sir, I really admire you more and more!"

Confidence is a disaster.

-

Berlin, Germany.

After seeing Li Yu’s reply, Planck didn’t buy it at all, and immediately sent a telegram back: “It’s hard work? It’s not hard at all! You are only in your 20s, and I didn’t feel sleepy when I slept 5 hours a day when you were your age! If If you don't work hard, can you sleep?"

Li Yu rubbed his head, well, he can only accept the boss's strong reminder, anyway, he is quite boring when he is on the boat.

And Earl Zeppelin was very polite: "Thank you, academician, when you come to Germany again, I will let you take my airship for free! The flying experience will definitely make you linger! And I will not use the Star Wars series promotion in vain, A full commission will be paid."

Earl Zeppelin is not a person short of money, and Li Yu had already guessed that he would offer it.

-

At this time, Henry Leland, the boss of Detroit Cadillac, added an order for the electronic ignition system.

Germany's Karl Benz and Daimler's companies also have long been interested in ordering, and it seems that it is very necessary to expand production.

Li Yu took Xie Yuxi to Detroit by train, and not only Henry Leland came to him, but also GM, and many small car factories.

Henry Leland smiled and said: "First come, first served, Mr. Li Yu must ensure my needs first."

Henry Leland put out an order contract. Li Yu picked it up and looked at it. It turned out to be a long-term supply contract.

Now Cadillac's sales in the United States are very good, giving him the confidence to increase production.

Not only Cadillac, but other small companies are also steadily increasing their sales.

Li Yu and Xie Yuxi came to the meeting room to discuss: "Can we buy more factories in Detroit, the current factories are obviously not enough."

Xie Yuxi said: "As long as the funds are sufficient, there is no problem. There are many factories in Detroit, and there are even many nearby."

"Get together as much as possible, and the distance should not be too far," Li Yu said, "Also, to make it easier for you to move, you will be the marketing director of LY Company in the future."

Xie Yuxi smiled and said, "Are you going to ask me to work for you? But I am optimistic about your industry. Moreover, I have never seen a woman as a corporate executive. It's just for others to see."

Although she understands economics and business, she is not proficient in technology, so Li Yu arranged for David Buick to work with her on the expansion of the factory.

Now David Buick puts a lot of energy into engine research and development.

Li Yu also has a lot of design ideas about the engine in his mind. With David Buick, he only needs to draw the blueprints and let him complete the development, which can save a lot of time.

The people recruited by Li Yu, such as Tesla and Buick, are all technology obsessed.

Fortunately, Zou Zhou took up the responsibility of production affairs, and he is worthy of vigorous training in the future, and his identity as a Chinese is very convenient for managing the Chinese workers in the factory.

Li Yu found Zou Zhou and said to him, "Work hard, from now on you will be the executive director of LY America."

Zou Zhou asked in surprise, "Executive...director?"

Li Yu patted him on the shoulder: "He has a lot of real power."

"I……"

Li Yu didn't wait for him to refuse: "You deserve it."

Well, the rate of ascension feels like a rocket ride.

Zou Zhou is on the production line, and he can clearly feel the strong competitiveness of the company's products, and it is very likely to become a first-class large enterprise in the future.

Few of the Chinese in the United States even have a serious job now, and it is a dream to be able to become an upper-level executive of a large company.

Zou Zhou's eyes filled with tears: "Sir, I can't repay you even if I am a cow or a horse!"

Li Yu laughed and said, "Don't talk about the old society. What I pay attention to here is distribution according to work."

Zou Zhou was so excited that he didn't understand the meaning of the word "old society" at all, "I will not disappoint my husband's great trust!"

Li Yu said: "In the future, your tasks are really heavy, and there are many new products to be launched. You still need to spare time to learn some management knowledge. I will ask someone to let you have the opportunity to take management courses at the University of Detroit."

Similar to the night school of later generations.

Zou Zhou has a good learning ability, and said: "I do often feel that I lack knowledge. It would be great if I could take tutoring."

After setting a preliminary supply contract with Henry Leland and others, Li Yu set off for New York.

The transportation in the United States is very convenient, and it is much faster than going from Beijing to Shanghai in China. It seems that we have to find a way to get the railway repaired in advance.

As soon as Li Yu got off the train, he found Liang Cheng, the ambassador to the United States, coming to greet him in person.

After Liang Cheng saw Li Yu, he said, "I'm really sorry, I just now know that the emperor has arrived in the United States again."

Li Yu said, "I've been busy all the time, and I didn't bother the ambassador."

Liang Cheng said: "You are not an ordinary person, so why bother, just let the embassy know if you have anything to do."

The two came to a cafe outside the station. Liang Cheng had stayed in the United States for a long time, ordered two cups of coffee skillfully, and said, "Is your company going well?"

"It's a good start, but I hope it will be on the right track," Li Yu said, and then asked, "How is the refund of Boxer's indemnity going?"

Liang Cheng said: "Overall, it's good. I think it will be approved by the Congress early next year, and the next step is to study how to connect with the country."

Li Yu said: "The United States is fast, but I don't know if it can be connected in China. I am worried that it will be abused."

Liang Cheng understood Li Yu's worry: "This time is not the past. Even some princes and nobles have seen the benefits of studying abroad. If the smell of copper penetrates in, it seems that good things will really be ruined."

Li Yu said: "We can only let the domestic academic departments pass some review standards as soon as possible. Fortunately, most of the academic department officials still have principles."

China has always attached great importance to education. If the same review standards as the imperial examinations can be introduced, it will be as fair as possible.

——Although there was really not much fairness in the feudal era, the selection of the imperial examination was really fair that attracted worldwide attention.

There has never been a so-called aristocratic tradition in China, and this is indisputable.

The imperial examination gave ordinary people a way to rise.In contrast to other countries, the nobles have always dominated the country.

So Li Yu never blindly worshiped or even envied all kinds of people with titles abroad.

Moreover, the countries in Europe are generally small, resulting in too many nobility sincerity, and most of the titles just sound a little bluffing.

Liang Cheng said: "After the matter here is settled, I will go back to China. I must not make such an important matter go wrong."

Li Yu believed in Liang Cheng's character, and it would be best for him to come forward.

Moreover, as the envoy of a weak country like the Qing Dynasty, Liang Cheng didn't have much to do in the United States. Refunding the boxer indemnity and opening up channels for studying abroad were his top priorities.

As for the various other diplomatic notes, they are completely at the level of relying on others, and they can't get anything to say at all.

Moreover, he can't help Li Yu with the business affairs, at most he can provide a little information about Washington.

He is not as good as his godfather Situ Meitang in terms of business and recruitment.

Liang Cheng said to Li Yu: "There is one more thing. Your company is located in Detroit. In addition to considering the relationship with the United States, you must also be careful of your own people."

Li Yu asked in surprise, "One of our own?"

Liang Cheng said: "Detroit is close to Canada, and the distance to Toronto is much closer than New York, and now many Chinese Canadians still listen to Mr. Kang."

Liang Cheng knew that Kang Youwei was the one whom the Qing court named to arrest him, but firstly he had no police force, so he naturally had no ability to arrest him; secondly, Liang Cheng had a subtle feeling for Kang Youwei in his heart. The pillars of the country".

Li Yu frowned. It was true that Kang Youwei was not easy to deal with, and he had made trouble with him before.

After thinking for a while, I said, "What I do is always for the good of the Chinese. After all, Mr. Kang won't make trouble, will he?"

Liang Cheng sighed, "People's hearts are separated by belly, you know that since ancient times, there have been struggles in the imperial court. How can you talk about good or bad? It's no different here. Besides, your business has begun to show a strong ability to make money , it will definitely become a major force in the future, so... so we still have to pay more attention."

Liang Cheng can only express it euphemistically. It is a pity that as the minister to the United States, even the major Chinese forces in America cannot mediate.

It was impossible for Kang Youwei to listen to him, and it was even more impossible for Hongmen to listen to him, and what Li Yu was doing was too high-end to do anything about it.