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

Chapter 348 The Last Pure Land

Bell belonged to the kind of people who had a wide range of hobbies, but posterity only remembers him as inventing the telephone.

Of course, the invention of the telephone is as much an unsolved historical mystery as the invention of the radio.

There are at least three versions of the inventor of the radio: the Italian Marconi, the Serbian-born Tesla, and the Russian Popov.

The United States first revoked Tesla's radio patent in 1904 and assigned it to Marconi; it was re-granted to Tesla in 1943.However, Tesla had already passed away at that time, and it can be said that he did not enjoy any blessings during his lifetime.

As for the telephone, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution in 2002, adjudicating Italian Antonio Muzzi as the inventor of the telephone.

But within a few days, the Canadian Parliament passed a resolution on June 2002, 6, reiterating that Bell was the inventor of the telephone.

Not only the two of them, but also some people think that Elisha Gray is the inventor of the telephone.

Anyway, it's messy, but it's Bell who is more widely known.

And in fact, the development of science and technology has always been accumulated and thinly developed. At that level, no matter who it is, it is possible to take the last crucial step.

On the eve of the invention of the telephone and radio, all the technical prerequisites were already in place, except for the finishing touches.

As mentioned before, many people have already touched the threshold of special relativity, such as Maxwell, Lorentz and other great masters, they are just a little bit behind, Einstein himself admitted that without him in 1905, he published the special theory of relativity , within five years there must be others who come to the same conclusion.

What is really difficult is the general theory of relativity, which is Einstein's unique and real killer.

As for winning the Nobel Prize for the photoelectric effect, it should be attributed to the field of quantum mechanics; and as we all know, Einstein opposed quantum mechanics...

The history is also really interesting.

Speaking back on the phone, Bell himself has historically lived a much better life than Tesla, mainly because he is not as financially strapped as him.

Bell sold his shares in the Bell Telephone Company he founded very early, became a technical consultant, and then continued to engage in various inventions and creations he was passionate about.

Today, Bell is still the president of the National Geographic Society of the United States, which is the famous National Geographic Magazine.

Anyway, Bell is not short of money, even rich.

Bell was full and sat on a chair drinking mung bean paste to relieve the heat.

Bell was a handsome guy when he was young, but then he lost his weight management, his belly grew, and his hair and beard turned gray.

Bell put down the cup of mung bean paste and said to Li Yu, "By the way, I recently received some photos from the west of your country. I want to publish them in National Geographic."

Li Yu roughly guessed where it was, and asked, "Can you let me see?"

"Of course," Bell said, "I have never been to your country, but judging from the photos taken by the explorers ahead, it is simply beautiful!"

Bell asked his assistant to take out the photos, and Li Yu flipped through them one by one, and was very shocked, because the photos were so detailed.

In the photo, there are high mountains and white clouds, grassland yaks, and many temples and monks. The most incredible thing is that not only a few conventional temples, but also a very complete Potala Palace.

Seeing Li Yu's uncertain face, Bell said: "Not only you, but everyone in our magazine office is shocked. This is really a magical area. You don't know, before that, due to the difficult-to-reach geographical environment, there is currently a It is one of the few places in the world that has not been photographed. Years ago, British, French and Western European expeditions tried several times without success."

Li Yu asked, "Isn't it filmed in Western Europe?"

Bell said, "No."

Li Yu asked, "Who took that picture?"

Bell picked up a pipe and took a puff slowly: "It's more interesting to say, I received a big envelope from the Russian Geographical Society that day, which contained thick photos. The photographer was a Russian named Zibikov. Most of the photos were taken two or three years ago.”

Bell, like most inventors and scientists, actually doesn't like to talk about military politics, especially as an American scientist, he doesn't care about it.

If it is a European scientist, due to the complicated geographical situation, they may be forced to stand in line, but people of insight such as Einstein and others are very contemptuous of this approach.

——It is true that the European political scene before and after World War I was a mess. Although it looks complicated, it is like playing a game when you study it carefully. Many decisions are made as child's play.

Bell didn't notice anything.

As for Li Yu, he doesn't like politics either, but as a traveler, he must know history. The purpose of the British invasion is obvious, and it is still their usual strategy: to contain Russia.

The Russian detection must have alarmed the British.

Li Yu said helplessly: "Mr. Bell, when you publish these photos, you must give a special attribution that they are from China."

Bell said naturally: "Of course I want to do this. What the whole world wants to see now is the more mysterious western part of the Qing Dynasty."

Li Yu let out a sigh of relief, but fortunately, Bell is not an unreasonable person.

And his identity is quite special: Scottish descent.Not completely with the English, and the photo was taken by the Russians.

Bell added: "It just so happens that I, in my capacity as the National Geographic Society, invite you to write a manuscript about the western part of your country."

Li Yu said, "I'm afraid I can't write well. I don't know geography."

Bell said: "Just take it as a picture introduction, no matter how much you don't understand, you still understand better than us, right?"

Li Yu said, "But I..."

Bell interrupted him and said with a smile: "Why, you are now a member of the American Physical Society and the Astronomical Society, so you can't sell our Geographical Society?"

Li Yu thought about it, writing it himself might be at least a little better than letting a foreigner write it, so he bit the bullet and agreed: "Well, I hope Mr. Bell doesn't think my level is too low."

"Just as long as you agree!" Bell said, "And I have already thought about it. This issue of the magazine will publish your profile picture. Well, let's say that you are the most mysterious and great oriental scientist who personally describes the even more mysterious Qing Dynasty. Western. That sounds so appealing!"

Bell even called the editor-in-chief to take photos of Li Yu, and asked for some illustrations from Star Wars.

Li Yu said: "Mr. Bell, isn't what you did a little too..."

Bell said: "Is it too full? Haha, don't laugh at me. Now the sales of "National Geographic" magazine are getting worse and worse. The bankrupt "Science" has become a super popular magazine, so I am looking forward to your article!"

At this moment, "National Geographic" magazine is really on the verge of bankruptcy, which is even more dangerous than the situation of "Science" before, and it urgently needs a shot in the arm.

It has historically been the success of these first published photos that have made it famous all over the world.

It is said that Russia has suffered a lot. They still do not have very professional geographical magazines.

Of course, this is knowing the result from the perspective of the traverser.

Bell at this time also pinned his hopes on the photos and Li Yu's article.

Li Yu has been thinking about how to write geography articles when he has nothing to do these days.

In the past few years, "National Geographic" has developed quite powerfully, and geography is a relatively popular subject that ordinary people can understand, at least those beautiful pictures are very attractive.

Geographic magazines also played a big role in promoting photography technology, because the requirements for their pictures are very demanding.

However, it is really difficult for Li Yu to write about humanities and social sciences. It is definitely much more difficult than asking him to write a manuscript for "Science". It is better to solve a few physics problems for fun.

Xie Yuxi saw Li Yu frowning, and said to him, "Are you worried about the development of the company? There's no need, right now, it's so good that I'm afraid. By the way, it must be because of the Chinese idiom that everything must be reversed?"

Li Yu smiled wryly and said, "Your Chinese culture has improved a lot, and you know more idioms."

Xie Yuxi smiled and said: "Not only that, I got news from the family that the Dow Jones Index will soon add LY Radio Company. Isn't it very exciting!?"

The Dow Jones Index is a specialized industrial index, and the current stock market in the United States basically has the industry accounting for the vast majority, so it has a high status.

The Dow Jones Index will only select a small number of representative stocks to formulate a stock index. It is definitely super good news to be included in the Dow Jones Index.

I'm afraid this news alone will make Li Yu's LY Radio soar a lot.

Li Yu said: "If you can really be selected, it is indeed good news."

Xie Yuxi wondered, "You don't seem to be happy enough? What's the matter?"

Li Yu had no choice but to tell her about writing an article for Mr. Bell, "I have no idea at all."

Xie Yuxi thought for a while: "I've heard that it's like a piece of pure land that hasn't been touched by anyone. Because of its unique plateau environment, so..."

"Wait!" Li Yu said, "Repeat what you just said."

Xie Yuxi said, "Because of its unique plateau environment?"

Li Yu said, "No, the last sentence."

Xie Yuxi said: "The last sentence? It's like a piece of pure land that has never been touched by anyone."

"That's great. I didn't expect to use the name 'The Last Piece of Pure Land'. Those who destroy it will be reviled by everyone." Li Yu said happily.

With an idea in mind, Li Yu immediately wrote a short article.

"I hope "National Geographic Magazine" will become popular, and then the whole world will know what scandalous things the British have done!" Li Yu excitedly handed it to Xie Yuxi, "You can also help me take a look."

Seeing Li Yu's appearance, Xie Yuxi felt a little touched in her heart: "I, I seem to...forget it!"

Li Yu said, "What's the matter? Tell me."

Xie Yuxi sighed lightly: "I seem to have a feeling in my heart that I don't know if it's a mistake."

Li Yu wondered, "How does it feel?"

"Sympathy!" Xie Yuxi said, "but I know, you definitely don't want me to feel sympathy because Qing is a weak country."

Li Yu smiled at the corner of his mouth: "Your feeling has surpassed many people."

This girl has been in China for so long, and her mood seems to have changed a lot, which must be different from her original imagination.

Bell was very happy when he got Li Yu's article. In fact, even if Li Yu only wrote a few words, he would be happy. What he wanted was Li Yu's name.And now that Li Yu has published articles, the pictures of Star Wars can be used boldly, which will definitely be of great benefit to the publication of the currently miserable National Geographic Magazine.

Bell is an optimist, hopeful that National Geographic will become the next Science.

He looked at Li Yu's manuscript and said, "I heard that Chinese scholars are all calligraphers, and they really deserve their reputation."

This manuscript is of course written in English.

Li Yu said awkwardly: "There are too many people who are better than me."

However, Li Yu's hard-tipped pen calligraphy and English calligraphy were really good because of the college entrance examination that year.

"After the magazine is successful, I will definitely thank you very much!" Bell said, "The way to thank you is to let you join the Aeronautical Experiment Association I am planning to establish for free, and it is at the founder level, isn't it very attractive."

Li Yu asked in surprise, "You've also dabbled in the aviation field? Don't you use the phone anymore?"

"I've already researched everything thoroughly, so what's the point?" Bell said, "Actually, I also became interested in an article you wrote about the Wright Brothers' experimental aircraft in Science."

Well, this old gentleman really has a wide range of hobbies just like Tesla.

Anyway, Li Yu is also more interested in aviation, and he still dreams of flying the plane himself to God!
Li Yu said, "Then I'd rather be respectful than follow orders."

Bell was puzzled and asked, "What do you mean?"

"It's just toasting and not eating fine wine." Li Yu said.

Bell wondered again: "Whiskey? Rum? Or tequila?"

Li Yu said: "This is a euphemistic expression for Chinese people. To put it bluntly, I agree!"

Bell said: "That's fine, and, hey, the founders have to inject capital."

Li Yu laughed loudly: "Sure enough, ginger is still old and spicy!"

Bell wondered again: "How to explain this?"

Li Yu said, "That means I fell for your trap."

Bell was also amused: "Founder, after all, there are more benefits, and you are now a millionaire. How do you say this money in Chinese? A dime of a yak?"

"You have seen too many pictures," Li Yu said with a smile, "It should be a drop in the bucket."

Bell proudly said: "You admit it yourself!"

Li Yu surrendered: "I can't say no to you, as long as I can get on the plane, it really doesn't matter."

Bell murmured, "There will be sea airships in the future."

Li Yu didn't hear what he said, and asked, "Can you repeat it again?"

Bell quickly said, "I didn't say anything!"

Historically, there are really many inventions and creations made by Bell. He has actually done research on aircraft, and his research time is actually quite long, and he has manufactured several aircraft with good performance.A water airship was also built to set a world record.

Li Yu knew that the Wright Brothers' protection of patents had gone too far since then, and their aerodynamic layout was not particularly suitable for early aircraft. Bell might have some unexpected gains.

(End of this chapter)