shadow of britain

Chapter 542: Germany has only one university, just as Britain does

In the slightly cold morning, the sky was still covered with a thin layer of mist, and the carriage carrying George Ohm slowly drove into the city gate of Göttingen.

He leaned against the window of the carriage, gazing at the outline of the university town gradually emerging in the morning light. The cobblestones on the street were slippery due to the light rain last night, and the wheels made a low creaking sound when they passed over.

The church spire in the distance was looming, and the silhouette of the bell tower became clear in the morning light.

Most of the buildings in Göttingen are made of simple stones and bricks. Everything here exudes an academic solemnity and tranquility, as if every inch of the town is soaked in the breath of knowledge. This made Ohm, who also grew up in the Bavarian university town of Erlangen, feel particularly at home.

The carriage passed through the narrow streets and alleys, and some early-rising students could be seen on the roadside rushing to the lecture hall.

They were dressed in simple robes and carried heavy school bags on their shoulders. Judging from their expressions, most of them had obviously not fully woken up yet.

Ohm's eyes swept over them, as if he saw the shadow of his youth.

He couldn't help but chuckle, "Many people here must have drunk too late last night, so they are so listless."

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a low-key stone building.

This is a small hotel with a simple yet elegant appearance.

There was a rusty copper plaque hanging in front of the door with the name of the hotel written on it, but the handwriting had become a little blurred due to its age.

Ohm pushed open the car door, leaned forward slightly and walked out of the car. The fatigue from the long journey suddenly hit him at this moment, making him feel a little tired.

He stood in front of the hotel and looked up at the sky. The morning glow in the sky had gradually been replaced by clear sunshine, and the day in Göttingen had officially begun.

He took a deep breath, as if he wanted to absorb the unique atmosphere of this town into his chest.

Everything here seemed both strange and familiar to him, as if God had destined him to embark on a new academic journey here.

Although he was exhausted from the journey, Ohm did not dare to slack off. He walked into the hotel, completed the check-in procedures at the front desk, simply threw his luggage on the bed, and then hurried out the door, heading straight for the famous German university that he had been dreaming about - the University of Göttingen.

When promoting themselves to the outside world, the University of Munich, the University of Heidelberg and the University of Jena often tout themselves as one of the top five universities in Germany. However, the University of Berlin and the University of Göttingen, which are also among the top five universities, never use this term to tout themselves. They only say that they are the best universities in Germany.

In the eyes of Germans, is the University of Berlin better or the University of Göttingen better?

This is indeed a difficult problem.

However, if we look at the subjects separately, the University of Göttingen, with Gauss and others as its head, is clearly superior in natural sciences such as mathematics, while the University of Berlin, proud of Hegel and others, takes the lead in humanities and social sciences such as philosophy.

Of course, this does not mean that Göttingen is not good in humanities and social sciences, nor does it discredit the University of Berlin for its shortcomings in natural sciences. Because they are also the second best schools in humanities and social sciences and natural sciences in Germany, and their status in Germany is like Oxford and Cambridge in Britain.

Of course, these words were not to be heard by a certain Royal Navy draftsman and the chancellor of the University of Göttingen.

Because in their words, the status of the University of Göttingen in Germany is like that of the University of London in Britain. It is absolutely unique and the great Göttingen will never accept any comparison with second-rate schools like the University of Berlin.

This statement did not exaggerate the arrogance of the two guys. After all, they were already so arrogant when they did not even have a degree certificate. Today, when the University of London was awarded a teaching license, they even believed that church universities like Oxford and Cambridge should have been swept into the history books long ago.

There is only one university that can undertake the task of spreading the flame of civilization to the British people.

That’s right, only one.

Because they don't even recognize King's College, which also adopts new educational methods, and they think the name of King's College is inappropriate. It should be renamed "Oxford University Failure Students Repeat School" or "Cambridge University Underachievers Class" or something like that.

In their opinion, all the students who studied at King's College were losers in life. They came to King's College not because they liked it, but simply because they could not get into Oxford and Cambridge.

But looking at the University of London, the students here are different.

Students here are loyal to the school and come here because they believe in the ideals of the University of London.

Because of this, everyone who goes to the University of London can have a happy and complete life. Graduating successfully from here means that your life is half successful.

However, although they said so, the two guys obviously forgot when they said these words: one of them, two outstanding representatives of London University graduates, was exiled to the Kingdom of Hanover as a thief. As for the other, it was obviously even worse. He was exiled 5,000 miles by the Admiralty and went directly to the sea of ​​South America.

But no matter what, as long as they think their life is happy, that's enough.

After all, they can still say that it's not that the environment in London is bad, nor that the girls in London are not pretty, it's just that the sunshine in Hanover and the dolphins in South America are more appealing to them.

I know some people are laughing in their hearts when they see this.

But do not blame me for not warning you that to ridicule the University of London at the University of Göttingen is a greater crime than rioting.

Although this crime is not written into the campus management regulations, it is still an unspoken rule.

If you don't listen to the advice, don't blame the Gestapo for finding your door the next day.

Of course, Ohm, who had just arrived in Göttingen, did not know about the dirtiest and most filthy places in the University of Göttingen.

He had a humble attitude in his heart as he came to this holy place of academia to admire and learn.

Everything here made him feel close. Not only did he see relaxed smiles on the campus of the University of Göttingen, but he could also see students in every corner of the campus busy setting up display boards to promote their ideas for running for president of the student union.

On a simply built outdoor stage, the two presidential candidates were arguing over their different campaign platforms.

As for the students watching the show below the stage, some of them shouted slogans of freedom and democracy, while others insisted on upholding their nation and traditions.

"Bismarck, you're a bastard!"

"I agree!"

"Why would Provost Hastings allow this guy to run for president of the society? He can't even graduate normally. This is simply ridiculous!"

"Is a guy who ranks in the lower half of his academic performance qualified to lead the student union?"

"Why can't Bismarck run for election? In my opinion, you guys are just hypocritical. You say you want to fight for freedom, but in the end you are excluding Bismarck. In the final analysis, you guys are no different from Metternich."

"How can you say that? I'm not against Bismarck's candidacy, I just think he's not qualified for the position."

"Oh, so anyone with good academic performance can become the chairman? If that's the case, then you shouldn't be against Metternich. When he was studying in Göttingen, his grades were among the best."

"I……"

"What? Did I hit a sore spot? Or do you intend to go to Vienna tonight to lick Metternich's hemorrhoids as Heine said?"

"That's enough! You guys are just being unreasonable!"

"You are making a fuss! If you want to support Metternich, go ahead. I won't go along with you!"

"That's right. Those who oppose Bismarck's election are Metternich's lackeys! Good academic performance does not mean good moral character, nor does it mean that one is qualified to lead the student association in Göttingen." Ohm was surprised when he saw the students arguing in a mess.

Although he had not taught at the school in recent years, he had heard about the amendment to the Carlsbad Resolution passed by the Confederation Congress a while ago. Logically, all student associations in Germany should be banned from activities, but the hot election campaign at the University of Göttingen overturned his perception.

If it were in Berlin or Munich, a student club activity of this scale would have attracted the police long ago.

However, not only did the Göttingen police not take action against these students, the two policemen who were patrolling at the school gate even listened with great interest. It seemed that they had no intention of returning to the police station to file a report.

Seeing this, Ohm couldn't help but reveal the same relaxed smile as the students: "Göttingen is indeed the best university in Germany. The free atmosphere here doesn't seem like a German university at all."

Ohm believed everything that happened before his eyes. This was not because Ohm was stupid, but because he had not studied Scotland Yard's "Advanced Police Course".

The drafter, Sir Arthur Hastings, made it clear in the tutorial that the most senior police officers would often appear as opponents.

At the University of Göttingen, the highest-level police are students.

Of the two candidates on the stage, there is no need to say much about Bismarck, the designated leader of the Gestapo. Even the guy standing on the opposite side of him was also recruited and won over.

Sir Arthur Hastings, the new academic director of the University of Göttingen, is best at betting on both sides. Although he does not doubt Bismarck's ability, this does not mean that he will put all his chips on Bismarck.

While supporting Bismarck, Arthur also anticipated another possibility.

He doesn't care what the election process is like, as long as the final result is highly consistent.

As for the chairmanship that Bismarck and his opponents had been fighting fiercely for, it didn't really matter who got it, because they would all end up working for the knight.

It's just that the loser of the two will owe Arthur more favors, because Arthur plans to appoint the loser as vice chairman of the Gestapo and issue him school recommendation letters as usual.

Therefore, if the chairman is disobedient, Arthur can always promote the vice chairman. And judging by human nature, the vice chairman will most likely be more loyal and work harder than the chairman.

But no matter what, these things are done under the table.

In the eyes of an outsider like Ohm, Göttingen was a thriving city, filled with a vibrant and free atmosphere.

This situation also made Ohm feel a little relieved.

"Sir Arthur Hastings is truly an outstanding man of both character and talent."

He muttered to himself as he strolled along the path in the square.

He looked around but couldn't find anyone who looked like a professor.

Ohm held the papers he had published in his hands, looked at the sun rising above his head, and became almost anxious waiting.

Suddenly, he saw the door of a conference hall not far away open, and a group of scholars who looked to be in their forties or fifties walked out.

Ohm happily went towards them, but as soon as he reached the professors, he couldn't help but feel a little afraid, because he had been scolded badly by these guys over the years.

He hesitated for a long time before he found a young man who looked friendly among the crowd and asked, "Excuse me, do you know where Sir Arthur Hastings is?"

"You're looking for the dean?" The young professor, who looked to be under 30, looked at Ohm and said, "The dean is quite busy. What do you want to talk to him about?"

"Ah... that..." Ohm's palms were full of sweat, and the paper in his hands was wet: "I... I am, have you heard of George Ohm?"

"George Ohm!"

The young professor exclaimed, attracting the attention of the professors around him.

Some professors could not help but frown and ask, "Weber, could you please stop being so startled? You scared away all the birds in the forest."

Weber laughed and apologized to the professor: "I'm sorry, Mr. Elman, I'm too excited. Look who this is, George Ohm, weren't we just talking about him?"

"Ohm?" Professor Elman glanced at Ohm, then shook his head and said to his colleagues around him, "Let's go back first. We still have classes in the morning."

Weber couldn't help curling his lips when he saw their reactions. He turned around and comforted them, "Mr. Ohm, don't take it too seriously. You have to know that there are old antiques like this in the academic world. Dean Hastings showed me your monograph. Although the mathematical expressions and argumentation process are a bit messy, it is generally acceptable."

"You... you believe me?" Ohm had originally prepared himself for ridicule, but Weber's attitude towards him was unexpectedly so cordial, which was far beyond his expectations.

Weber winked at him. "Whether I believe you or not, I can't say yet, because I haven't tested it according to your experimental process. But at least I can't see any mistakes in the written text."

"I...I really thank you so much!"

Ohm excitedly held Weber's hand and said, "You can do the experiment anytime. If there is anything wrong, you can chop off my head with a sword and I will have no complaints."

"Oh... I'm not that rude." Weber replied with a smile, "And I don't know much about swordsmanship. That's the area that Dean Hastings specializes in. Let me introduce myself. I'm William Weber, a professor of physics at the University of Göttingen. At the same time, I'm also the assistant of Mr. Gauss, the director of the school's observatory."

As soon as Weber announced his name, Ohm was immediately stunned.

Wilhelm Weber's name is well-known in the German electromagnetic research circle. He is a typical genius. He obtained his doctorate from Halle University at the age of 22 and was hired as a professor of physics at Halle University the following year. When Ohm became notorious for publishing "The Calculation of Electric Current", the 27-year-old Weber was poached from Halle University to Göttingen University as a professor.

Standing in front of such a person, 44-year-old Ohm couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

"I……"

He wanted to say something polite, but he didn't know what.

After all, a figure like William Weber does not need flattery from an academic fraudster like him who has only been a middle school teacher.

Ohm wanted to say something, but before he could open his mouth, he heard a helpless sigh behind him.

"Mr. Gauss, I have already reported the matter of the geomagnetic monitoring station to the Ministry of Culture and Education. As for you and Weber's plan to lay telegraph lines at the observatory, I can immediately allocate the funds to you, but you asked me to instruct on how to lay the wires, which is..."

"Sir, you are just trying to fool me. I have heard that you were involved in the construction of Mr. Wheatstone's telegraph."

"Yes, I participated, but that doesn't mean I was the one who dragged the wire! How about this? I have a good relationship with Mr. Wheatstone. How about I take advantage of the opportunity of the European Electromagnetic Conference to be held in Göttingen next month and write a letter to Mr. Wheatstone to ask him to come with the scholars of the Royal Society. Then, I will use our friendship as an excuse to detain him in Göttingen and let him be responsible for guiding the construction of the telegraph line in Göttingen. What do you think of my suggestion?"

"Can you really persuade Mr. Whetstone?"

"Of course, Mr. Whetstone and I are very close friends. He has said himself that he would go through fire and water for me."

As Arthur was talking, he suddenly saw Weber in front of him. He quickly found an excuse to get away from Gauss: "Mr. Weber, do you need any help?"

Weber had a favorable impression of the new school supervisor, who was also a young man. He glanced at Ohm beside him and replied with a smile, "What a coincidence! I actually have something I need your help with."

(End of this chapter)