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

Chapter 345 Coubertin

The Japanese were really excited to see the information on the airship, they had never seen such "high-tech" technical materials.

The tissue engineers at Tokyo Imperial University studied all night, but soon found that they were full of problems, because the things involved seemed to them like a bible.

This matter even alarmed the military headquarters. The army's general staff, Yamagata Aritomo, personally approached Konoe Atsumaro, the speaker of the House of Nobles, to learn more about the impact of technology on warfare and about Li Yu's situation.

The term Noble House is relatively unfamiliar to most people. It was originally created by Japan. It refers to some royal families, Chinese (nobles), or high taxpayers and scholars appointed by the Emperor.It doesn't have to be aristocratic either.

It can be roughly regarded as the later Senate.Anyway, the Speaker of the House of Nobles has the right to speak.

Konoe Atsumaro is a China hand, so he must know Li Yu. After listening to the introduction of the professors at Tokyo Imperial University, he thinks that starting the plan for airship research is indeed a good topic.

However, Konoe Atsumaro still asked Professor Nagaoka a key question: "If research and development are carried out, how much money do you need to invest?"

Nagaoka Hantaro said: "I am afraid it will cost millions or even tens of millions of yen."

At this time, the yen is quite valuable, and 3 yen is almost a silver dollar.

And Nagaoka is just a conservative estimate.

This is a big number. The indemnity of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" after the Sino-Japanese War was only about 1000 million yen for the education fund.

Compared with the navy, the army is not so popular in Japan, and the funds are not too rich.

Moreover, Japan's financial ability is much worse than that of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It has no ability to borrow money and can only spend real money.

Not to mention Germany, the United States has a strong industry and can create a lot of wealth through industry.

Konoe Toshimo's head felt heavy, "I'm afraid the empire will not be able to afford such a huge expense."

Nagaoka Hantaro said: "Of course I know it, but we used to spend a lot of manpower and material resources even to obtain these technical materials, but now we can easily get them. If we still don't conduct research, I'm afraid it will be even more wasteful."

Konoe Atsumaro couldn't understand the complicated formula inside, so he asked, "Is this document genuine?"

Professor Nagaoka said: "From the hands of Li Yu, he is one of the best physicists in the world today, and he will never make mistakes. And a lot of materials have obtained German patents, and there are no fakes."

Professor Nagaoka now regards Li Yu as the god of physics and admires him very much.

Konoe Toshimo asked Yamagata Youpeng, "Chief of the General Staff of Yamagata, what do you think?"

Shanxian Youpeng said: "Looking from the front line, the tethered balloons for observation alone have achieved good results. If you can have aerospace technology, the gains will definitely outweigh the losses."

The Japanese love to settle accounts and gamble very much. After listening to the words of Yupeng Yamagata, Konoe Atsumo looked at the document in front of him and said, "The Germans have always had the best technology. If we can also have hard airships, the Emperor will Will definitely like it very much."

The cost of hard airships is far greater than that of soft-shell airships, and the safety factor is relatively high. It is the housekeeping skill of the Germans. This is the reason why Zeppelin airships can become synonymous with airships.

Li Yu's trick of "throwing bricks to attract jade" really worked, and he also remembered the tricks of American crooks who used engine technology to deceive Beiyang at that time.

This most brilliant deception really works.

The key point is that what Li Yu presents are all real things, nothing fake is mixed in, and it is clear that they want you to be hooked, and those who wish to be hooked.

Konoe Totsumaro coughed a few times and said, "I will report this to the Emperor."

"Master Konoe, pay attention to your health." Aritomo Yamagata and Professor Nagaoka got up to leave.

After the two left, Konoe Tomoko called Konoe Zhaoxue, who was beside Li Yu, and asked about the airship.

Konoe Zhaoxue replied: "My lord, Li Yu is indeed in contact with Earl Zeppelin in Germany, and the documents were also sent from Germany. There is no mistake."

Atsumo Konoe was a little relieved: "This is a project with a huge investment, and there can be no mistakes."

Konoe Zhaoyuki thought for a while and said, "I have paid attention to the news. Many countries in Europe are paying attention to this technology, especially Germany."

"That's good." Konoe Totsuma coughed hard a few more times, rubbing his chest and abdomen, which seemed to be in pain.

Jinwei Zhaoxue asked, "My lord, what's wrong with you?"

Konoe Totsumaro said: "I contracted a strange disease, and even after seeing a doctor, I couldn't tell what was going on."

Konoe Zhaoxue said, "Should we invite some Western doctors?"

Konoe Toshimo shook his head: "Please, it's useless. You go back first, pay more attention to Li Yu's situation, and don't forget your mission."

Konoe Tokumaro got an infectious disease caused by bacteria, which can only be cured by penicillin.In other words, it is terminally ill now.

Konoe Zhaoxue had no choice but to say: "Zhaoxue understands! My lord, please take care of yourself."

Konoe Zhaoxue really hoped that he would live well, because he was still pointing at him to let his distant branch be promoted.

Konoe Totsumaro reported the situation of the airship, and the emperor was indeed interested. Although the council felt that the budget was too large, they finally agreed to try it out first, and then invest more according to the situation.

Professor Nagaoka happily found Li Yu: "Mr. Li Yu, you really know how to unite, we should unite!"

Professor Nagaoka is not a militarist. During the Japanese invasion of China, he strongly opposed slavery education. Unfortunately, at that time, most of Japan was extreme right-wing forces. car of Japan.

But many people, including him, really think that the yellow race wants to achieve "down against the top", win over the white race, and come to "yellow against white".

Professor Nagaoka thought that Li Yu was helping Japan, but in fact Li Yu was already a bit dark at this time.

Nagaoka discussed some technical details with Li Yu enthusiastically, but got stuck in the theoretical part.

Li Yu immediately cheered up and said: "The research and development of technology requires continuous investment, otherwise how can we reach the level of the German airship."

In fact, Nagaoka didn't need Li Yu's encouragement at all, and he was full of confidence: "Tokyo Imperial University and Kyoto Imperial University will send students to study in Germany as soon as possible, specializing in airship technology."

Li Yu said, "Good luck!"

Hey, this is not an easy task.

Even if they conquer German technology, there is still a huge cost from the United States.

Because the airship still has a key technology in the hands of the Americans: the preparation of helium.

To put it bluntly, the biggest safety hazard of the airship is that it is full of hydrogen, which is like carrying a huge explosive bag.If the inert gas helium is used instead, the safety factor will not be improved by a single star.

However, helium production is a technology monopolized by the United States.

Later, the United States even imposed sanctions on Germany, restricting the export of helium to Germany.The Hindenburg had to switch to hydrogen, which led to the famous air crash.

But even when it is available, helium is prohibitively expensive.

At this time, Pu Lun and other visiting troops to the United States also arrived in Yokohama, and Li Yu's people joined them and embarked on a ship bound for the United States.

The North Pacific was calm and calm, and Li Yu even did a lot of experimental design and planning on board, and he had a big project in mind.He has now discovered that the experiment cannot be done without making more preparations. It is necessary to get a lot of experimental equipment that does not exist yet.

After the ship arrived in California, it was transferred by train to St. Louis.

The city is located in Missouri and is currently one of the top ten largest cities in the United States because it is one of the three hubs of the Mississippi River: Chicago on the Great Lakes in the north, St. Louis where the tributaries meet in the middle, and New Orleans at the mouth of the south.

But the city declined later, and its reputation was not as great as that of Detroit, and few people knew about it.

There is a university in the city called Washington University in St. Louis, which was once considered a pheasant university...

Because of the name "Washington", it is not in Washington, and "St. Louis" in front of it sounds like a small place.

But at this time, it has become the most dazzling city in the United States because of the World Expo and the Olympic Games.

The bids for the Olympic Games in later generations will often be successful for several consecutive sessions, and the current World Expo is very similar.St. Louis had bid to host the Expo a decade ago, but it was turned down because of a lack of hotels.

So St. Louis has a grand plan this time, and invested 1500 million US dollars in the World Expo.

This fund also commemorates the land purchase 100 years ago.

Around 1803, the United States purchased Louisiana from Napoleon of France for US$1500 million, a vast land with an area of ​​more than 210 million square kilometers.

It was a big win, and the territory of the United States doubled overnight.

So this year's World Expo will use 1500 million US dollars to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana from France.

I don't know how France feels after seeing it.

Of the 1500 million US dollars, one-third was even obtained through spontaneous fundraising by citizens.

Due to the lack of venues, the city of St. Louis recruited Washington University at the same time, renting out the entire campus for US$75, and conveniently used it as one of the exhibition projects: "Model University".

After arriving at the venue, most of the staff were busy building the "China Village". Fortunately, Lei Xiancai had ironed samples, and the process would not take too long.

Yang Xiaolou's troupe also had to build a stage, and everyone was very busy.

Since Pu Lun was regarded as an official representative sent by the Qing court, Liang Cheng, the Qing ambassador to the United States, came to St. Louis to greet him in person.

Pu Lun arrived here for the first time, so he was very novel, so Liang Cheng took him to a more distinctive American cafe.Li Yu was also called over.

Liang Cheng said, "Master Bei, you can try this authentic coffee."

Pu Lun had never drank it before. Although it was a bit bitter, he still found it very interesting. He said, "Minister Liang, in the eyes of the United States, you live a pretty good life."

Liang Cheng said: "Master Bei was joking, he is doing things for the imperial court."

Li Yu remembered the matter of Boxer's compensation, and asked, "Minister Liang, has the payment been approved?"

Liang Cheng said happily: "The Congress has passed it! When you return to China this time, there should be American diplomats going to the capital to handle the receipt and use of the funds."

Li Yu was also very happy: "That's great! Minister Liang really did a great thing that benefits the country and the people!"

Pu Lun didn't know much about the level of education in the United States, but he was surprised to see the big powers spit out the money they swallowed: "The minister is really a god!"

Liang Cheng said with a smile: "It's just a little mediation. It can be done with reason, emotion, and the help of God's teacher. Besides, for the United States, more than 1000 million US dollars is not a big amount. , the key point is that they didn't really spend a penny."

Li Yu didn't continue to drink coffee with them, but called Zhang Boling to visit the nearby Olympic stadium.

It's a pity that there is no big stadium. Compared with the bustling World Expo, the visual impact is very small.

But Zhang Boling was still in high spirits, and more importantly, they met a legendary figure: Coubertin, the father of the Olympic Games.

Historically, Coubertin did not participate in the 1904 Olympic Games.

However, according to regulations and traditions, the chairman of the Olympic Committee and the top leader of the host country should attend the Olympic Games.

Maybe it was because he heard that the mysterious ancient oriental country was invited to participate, which made Coubertin interested in taking a look, because his goal was to spread the Olympic Games to every corner of the world.

"At first glance, you look like people from the Qing Dynasty!" Coubertin walked over and said excitedly.

Zhang Boling didn't know him, but Li Yu had seen Coubertin's photo in the textbook: "Are you Mr. Coubertin?"

Coubertin smiled and said, "Exactly!"

Coubertin was in his prime at this time. He was only 40 years old, and he was in a very good state of mind, and he continued to actively work for the Olympic Games.

Li Yu and Zhang Boling shook hands with him happily: "I am Li Yu, this is Mr. Zhang Boling."

"Oh? It's an honor to meet a famous scientific giant!" Coubertin said, "I don't know many people in your country, but your Excellency is definitely one of them."

Li Yu smiled and said, "I also know your name."

Coubertin said with emotion: "When I was in the first Greek Olympic Games, I wrote a letter to Li Hongzhang, the Prime Minister of your country, in conjunction with the Crown Prince of Greece, hoping that your country can participate in the Olympic Games, but it was a pity that it was rejected. If there is no With the participation of many countries, the Olympic Games will lose too much color.”

Li Yu said: "Perhaps at that time Li Zhongtang, oh, Prime Minister Li was sad because of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, so he didn't take it to heart."

The situation back then was actually much more complicated, and Coubertin also generally understood: "I am very pleased that you can come today."

It was not easy for Coubertin. The international situation at the beginning of the twentieth century can be called "turbulent and unpredictable". There are too many small calculations in the hearts of countries, and it is really difficult to match up an international sports event.Even the first Greek Games was organized by persuading a wealthy Greek businessman to pay for it.

Zhang Boling said: "It's a pity that our preparations are too insufficient, we are just a few temporary athletes."

Coubertin didn't take it seriously: "The most important thing is to be able to participate! Unity, friendship, and peace are my slogan and purpose."

Li Yu sighed: "These three words of yours are the three most difficult words in the world today."

"There is always a vision!" Coubertin said, "By the way, did you bring any flags?"

Zhang Boling said: "There is the dragon flag of the Qing Dynasty."

Coubertin said: "Yes, you can give me one as soon as possible, and I will hang it on the venue for you."

Li Yu and Zhang Boling found Banner, and together with Coubertin went to the International Olympic Committee's office in St. Louis to handle the matter.

(End of this chapter)