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

Chapter 353

At the same time that Li Yu published these two astronomy papers, Collins Press also published Li Yu's "Star Wars Story: Rogue One".

Although it is not an official Star Wars series, the current momentum of Star Wars does not prevent it from continuing to sell well.

Collins Press directly issued a grand plan for the first printing of 25 copies.

At the same time, the French Hachette Publishing House has to take care of multilingual translation, so the speed is a little slower, but it is not too bad.

As a businessman, Cartier has a sensitive sense of smell, so he quickly came to Li Yu to discuss some jewelry design issues, and planned to release some co-branded jewelry series of Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, such as bracelets and necklaces.

Li Yu didn't know much about jewelry, so he only signed a power of attorney and asked him to do it.

Louis Cartier was very happy after receiving the authorization letter, and said to Li Yu: "Mr. Academician, after I go back and finish the design, I will send you a copy of each model for free."

Li Yudao: "What do I want jewelry for? Your products are mainly aimed at women, right?"

The corner of Louis Cartier's mouth slanted: "You are young and promising, and you have no marriage. Bright, bling bling stuff."

Li Yu laughed and said, "Sure enough, you guys know women best."

But I sigh in my heart, women's money is really better earned!

Louis Cartier said: "In addition, after the British ended their war with the Boers, the situation in South Africa has been relatively stable, and we have resumed normal trade with South Africa. Now they have discovered diamond mines of good quality, and the entire jewelry industry They are all very concerned. Our Cartier company can design diamond rings for you in the future, academicians please believe me, although I don’t understand science, I am very good at jewelry, and women can’t resist its temptation!”

Well, the most successful marketing case of the twentieth century has already begun since then.

Although Li Yu knew that the deposits of diamonds are actually very large, and that the quality of artificial diamonds in later generations is even far superior to natural diamonds, and the price is still very cheap; but at present, most people don't know it at all, and they really regard diamonds as treasures.

Especially next year, the largest natural diamond weighing more than 3000 carats will be discovered in the south, which is the famous Cullinan diamond (the name of Rolls-Royce's first SUV also comes from here).

The diamond was divided and inlaid on the British crown and scepter, making women all over the world irresistible to the magic of diamonds.

Li Yu smiled and said, "I'll talk about the diamond ring later."

Louis said: "Sir, career is the most important thing. If you need it in the future, as long as it is about jewelry, you can ask me at any time."

Before World War I, it was considered a period of stability and prosperity in Europe, and the development of luxury goods was really fast.

After Louis left, Li Yu returned to his desk and picked up a knife to open a few letters.

Lu Bicheng happened to hear their conversation and came over and asked, "What are diamonds?"

Li Yu pouted at the pencil beside him: "This is it."

"What?" Lu Bicheng didn't understand.

"It's just carbon. If you throw it into the fire, diamonds are no different from graphite used to make pencil leads. They will all be burned to ashes," Li Yu said.

Lu Bicheng was thoughtful: "It seems that foreigners don't know all kinds of goods. Haven't you heard that real gold is not afraid of fire?"

Li Yu said with a smile: "At least these jewelers must know the truth."

Lu Bicheng said: "Anyway, it sounds like gold, silver and jade are better."

Li Yu even wanted to give her a thumbs up: "You are so reasonable!"

An unpacked letter came from Boston, and the sender was Elliott, then president of Harvard University.

He has been in charge of Harvard University for more than 30 years, and his contribution to Harvard is like that of Cai Yuanpei and Jiang Menglin to Peking University.

Elliott wrote: "Recently, from the journal "Science", I saw again the outstanding discoveries made by Mr. Academician in our school's observatory. Professor. Of course, as Director Pickering said, we will not arrange too many teaching tasks for you, and only need to conduct appropriate scientific reports and lectures."

Li Yu knew that he might still use their observatory, and he could not refuse this matter, otherwise it would be difficult to talk to each other in future meetings, so he agreed, and directly informed Harvard by telegram.

Schools like Harvard are very similar to Qingbei in China. They belong to special grades, and there are basically no weak subjects. Even if the subjects are not ranked first, others dare not really underestimate them.

And Harvard's natural science is not weak.

There are as many railways in the US as there are instant noodles, and it is not troublesome to travel to and from Boston.

In fact, Jinwei Zhaoxue really wanted to go with her, but Li Yu knew that it would be tiring to take her with him, so he decided to do his best to let her continue to live in the hotel with Lu Bicheng.

Fortunately, Li Yu has no clear attitude now, and the two women get along "reasonably harmoniously".

-

Principal Elliott once met Li Yu at the White House dinner, so he had a chance meeting.

After arriving at Harvard, Eliot invited him to his office and said, "It is actually our honor to invite such outstanding young talents and rising stars of science to become professors in the Faculty of Science."

Elliott is 70 years old, and he should retire normally, but he made a vow at that time to be the principal for 40 years, and of course he really did it.

Li Yu said, "Mr. Principal, I also have a small request."

Elliott said, "But it's all right."

Li Yu said firmly: "I hope your school can carry out cultural exchanges between China and the United States."

Elliott said: "Actually, you don't need to bring it up. I also have the same idea. After seeing such an outstanding talent like you, I am more determined."

Li Yu said happily: "Thank you principal, I can continue to publish a few high-quality papers as an observatory of your school in the future."

Elliott smiled and said, "You Chinese really know how to reciprocate courtesy. Now that you have said so, I can't pick and choose, but I haven't figured out the direction to cut in yet."

Li Yu immediately said: "It's very simple, start with medicine and education in the early stage. I hope your school can accept more of our international students, and it is best to run the school directly in Shanghai or Beijing."

Elliott said: "It sounds really good. We can accept foreign students and provide teachers. However, the funding issue may need to be discussed in a meeting. Fortunately, it is said that your country also has a Red Cross Society. It should not be difficult."

Li Yu has long wanted to build a university in China, but the number of teachers is a very headache. Liberal arts is easy to solve, but science and engineering are really troublesome.

Now hearing that Elliott is willing to provide teachers, it is a blessing in disguise!

Li Yu quickly said, "Don't worry about the funding issue. On the one hand, I have already applied for an education fund from Mr. Carnegie; on the other hand, I own several properties myself, so funding is the least of my problems."

Elliott was surprised: "Your Excellency, academician, is really willing to invest money in education? You know, this is a very expensive thing. It is best to obtain funds from the association or government in Shanghai."

Li Yu knew that this was a kind reminder from Elliott, after all, he had been doing higher education all his life.

However, Li Yu is more aware of the situation in the Qing court. It is already a mud bodhisattva crossing the river, and he can only rely on himself.

So he said firmly: "I know, but if I want to do it, I have to do top-notch ones. Money is something outside of the body. If you don't have it, you can earn it."

Elliott said: "Your Excellency, academician, has the demeanor of the so-called 'chivalry' in your country. It is even more rare and rare to be able to see through the wealth of gold and silver at such a young age. Is it true that in your country's Buddhism, you don't bring it with you, and you don't take it with you when you die?" Zen philosophy?"

The headmaster really spoke very cultured.

Li Yu said with a smile: "The principal actually knows the principles of Buddhism."

"Not only Buddhist principles," Elliott said, "I have heard that an archbishop has been looking for you under the order of the Vatican, and it seems that the other party has returned without success."

Li Yu said: "It's not a return for nothing. I think it won't be long before the Holy See will take the next step."

Eliot said: "It's really embarrassing to think about the indulgences hundreds of years ago, and then think about the Buddhist outlook on life in your country."

Maybe he didn't know that Buddhism was also very extravagant during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.In the 480 temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many buildings were in the mist and rain.

Eliot went on to say: "I won't mention this matter anymore. When it comes to cultural exchanges, the number of teachers we can send may not be too many. I still need the understanding of Mr. Academician."

Li Yu understood the truth and said, "I understand that your school will definitely not let everything be handled."

Elliott said: "Moreover, I also hope to build a medical school in Shanghai and name it 'Harvard'."

Li Yu said, "It's great to have such a famous name!"

Elliott said: "If you plan to build a comprehensive university, you can use this school as an independent college, just like our Radcliffe College."

At present, the operation of independent colleges has strong independence, which can be regarded as an early insurance measure for Principal Elliott.

Li Yu said, "I agree!"

Historically, Harvard University really built a "China Harvard Medical School" in Shanghai, but it stopped after only four years.

But although the time is short, the level of running the school is very high, and the level of the people who come out is really hard.For example, Xie Yuanfu, the founder of Chinese urology, he later founded China's first urology in Xiehe.

Therefore, sooner or later, this "Chinese Harvard Medical School" will be included in Li Yu's pocket, and it cannot be cut off like this.

It is more convenient to establish a good relationship with Harvard early.

Elliott called his assistant, and then said to Li Yu: "Excuse me, we need a formal written letter to ensure that you and the foundation you mentioned have sufficient financial resources to facilitate long-term cooperation."

"I understand that this is a necessary procedure," Li Yu said.

As long as Harvard can provide faculty, Li Yu can unconditionally accept any request they make. If it is just money, it will be even better.

Elliott said: "We will send lawyers and financial professionals to investigate the financial situation of Mr. Academician and your education foundation, and we will also go to Shanghai to look at your venue, hoping to cooperate."

"Full cooperation!" Li Yu did not hesitate.

Historically, Harvard only had teachers from the medical school. This time, Li Yu wanted to find more science and engineering teachers.

The assistant gave Elliot a handbook, and Elliot flipped through it and said, "The salaries of teachers in our school range from $4000 to $8000 a year, and in addition..."

Li Yuguo made a decisive statement: "Principal, as long as the teacher sent by your school, I can offer twice the maximum annual salary, which is 1.6 US dollars! If it is an associate professor level, I can offer four times the maximum annual salary, which is 3.2 US dollars. .And all round-trip tickets twice a year are reimbursed, and all living expenses in Shanghai are also reimbursed."

This condition is very attractive at the moment. As mentioned earlier, in the United States at the current time point, the annual salary of more than 1 US dollars is the top 5.00% of the rich.

Li Yu understood that only in this way could they be willing to send teachers.

This is Harvard!

If Xie Yuxi can't accept such an expensive condition, Li Yu will make up for the rest.Because in Li Yu's opinion, the money was well spent.

The end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China were different from the later generations. The transportation was not convenient. If excellent top university teachers could come to China to teach, they had to be given enough treatment before they could accept it. They couldn’t all have the heart of charity.

Moreover, a mere act of charity is unlikely to change the situation.

This is a bloody lesson in the failure of European and American funds to aid Africa in the following decades.

"This..." Elliot wanted to say something else.

Li Yu immediately said: "Principal, don't refuse, this is our sincerity."

Elliot then got up and shook hands with him: "Your Excellency's mind has made me know the East again."

Li Yu said: "I am also grateful for the generous help of the principal."

Elliott paused, and then said: "If Mr. Academician can stay in our school for a longer period of time, you can go to our business school to attend lectures, free of charge."

Harvard University's business school ranking has been ranked first in the world.

But Li Yu knew that Elliott was implicitly expressing that he didn't know how to invest, and that spending money was like running water.

However, Li Yu had also calculated in his mind that the construction of education does cost money, especially for universities. It is estimated that Carnegie's fund will not spend too much money, and they pay more attention to primary and secondary education.

And science and technology universities really need to spend money.

It was a special case that Tsinghua was able to develop so well later on. At that time, the teachers of Peking University had cut off their salaries for more than a year and complained endlessly.

But Li Yu probably had to pay for it himself.

However, Li Yu is very confident in his radio and automobile industries, and it will not be a problem for his profits to support ten first-class polytechnic universities in the future.

Anyway, Li Yu wants to promote education, and talents are the most critical resource.Of course, the actual industry must also be developed, but it is afraid that it will not be able to withstand the destruction of the warlords. Even if Wu Peifu and Sun Chuanfang sell their face like this, it will be difficult to save their face.

Li Yu was inconvenient to brush off Principal Elliott's kindness, so he said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the class in time, so just give me some handouts."

Principal Elliott said: "Lectures are easy to organize. Also, you are here, as a newly promoted professor of the Faculty of Science, why should you give a lecture today?"

Li Yu solved a difficult problem in his heart, and he was in a very good mood: "No problem, principal please!"

(End of this chapter)