Chapter 283 Academic Exchange

After buying the house, Zhang Xingjiu and Ma Zongwen hired someone to redecorate it according to their own preferences, and then bought some new furniture. Apart from anything else, they must have a Chinese kitchen. At first, they would cook by themselves, and then slowly teach the cook. Then they would be able to eat Chinese food.

So for the time being they still lived in their original apartment. After Ma Zongwen registered at the Sèvres Women's Normal School, Zhang Xingjiu accompanied her to and from get out of class every day, and then went back to the Sorbonne University to attend classes and do experiments.

A few days later, Lippmann suddenly called him over and showed him an invitation letter. "Professor Thomson of the Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University invites you to Cambridge for a few days of academic exchange activities. Tell students about your experience in discovering the electron and have some discussions with several scholars in Cambridge who are engaged in research in this field. What do you think?"

"Hasn't Paul already gone to Cambridge? He has also personally experienced the entire process of discovering the electron. Wouldn't it be the same if he were to communicate?" Zhang Xingjiu asked curiously.

"There is still a big difference! You are recognized in the academic community as the discoverer of the electron, and Paul only participated as your assistant. His understanding of cathode rays and electrons is definitely not as thorough as yours! Perhaps it was after communicating with Paul that Professor Thomson came up with the idea of ​​inviting you over for a discussion!" Lippmann explained.

Zhang Xingjiu was speechless for a moment. Even Lang Zhiwan looked down on him. How could he reason with this? Perhaps seeing that he was not too resistant, Lippmann continued, "If you don't mind, you'd better go. From the perspective of the school, a student from the Sorbonne University giving a speech in Cambridge will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of the Sorbonne University!"

"It will also be of great benefit to you personally. I know you are financially well-off and may not be interested in the appearance fee Cambridge will give you. However, Cambridge's influence in the academic world is currently unmatched by many schools. There are many world-class physicists there, and you will gain a lot from communicating with them!"

"More importantly, the Nobel Prize Committee has already started preparations and is expected to officially award the prize in a few years. If you can get the support of these people, it will be very helpful for you to strive for the prize in the future!"

"Don't think that the academic world in Europe is pure. If you were French, we would definitely do our best to help you win the award, but you don't seem to have any plans to become a French citizen!"

Zhang Xingjiu was touched by Lippmann's consideration for him. He responded immediately, "When the Franco-Prussian War broke out, Germany occupied French territory. Out of deep affection for his motherland and great hatred for the invader Germany, the respected Professor Pasteur resolutely returned the honorary degree certificate to the University of Bonn."

"I remember what he said at the time, 'Science has no country, but scientists have their own motherland'. Although China has many problems now, my love for China is the same as Professor Pasteur's!"

"My experience studying at the Sorbonne, as well as the help you, Pierre, Marie and others gave me, will definitely become the most precious memory of my life. I will also be proud of this experience. The Sorbonne is my lifelong alma mater. I am willing to repay the kindness of my alma mater in any way, except changing from a Chinese to a French citizen!"

Zhang Xingjiu expressed his attitude tactfully but firmly.

His words not only did not arouse Lippmann's disgust, but made him respect him. "Professor Pasteur is one of the greatest scientists in France. His greatness lies not only in his discovery and establishment of the foundation of industrial microbiology and medical microbiology and in the creation of microbial physiology, but also in his ardent patriotism!"

"You can have such an idea, which shows the greatest respect for our French education! I understand your feelings very well, so from now on I will never advise you to join French nationality again!"

"Thank you very much." Although France will soon join the Eight-Nation Alliance to attack the capital, it does not mean that there are no good people in France. The morally noble Professor Lippmann is one of them, and Lang Zhiwan, who is very friendly to China, is another.

More than 20 years ago, Victor Hugo, who denounced the British and French forces that invaded China as bandits in his "Letter to Butler", was one of them. Unfortunately, he died more than ten years ago, otherwise Zhang Xingjiu would have to visit this great writer no matter what.

"Since this matter is beneficial to both the school and me, then I will go. I haven't seen Paul for a long time. It is also something worth looking forward to meeting him again in Cambridge. But my wife has just come to France, and it is her first time going abroad. I am a little worried about leaving her alone in Paris. I wonder if I can take her with me?" Zhang Xingjiu asked.

"It is a common practice in the academic community for relatives to accompany students to exchange activities. You don't have to worry about it. I'll send them a telegram. I'm sure Professor Thomson will welcome you to go with him! I'll also help coordinate with your wife's school." These were all trivial matters and Lippmann didn't care at all.

"That's great!" The two of them haven't had a honeymoon yet. They went to sea right after their wedding. Life on the ship was too boring, and now they can take the opportunity to make up for it by going to Cambridge.

"This is your first time to participate in an academic event. Let me tell you what to pay attention to. Of course, you don't have to worry too much about it. Pure academic exchanges are relatively relaxed, and the school will arrange someone to accompany you."

Lippmann patiently told Zhang Xingjiu many details, and Zhang Xingjiu carefully took them to heart.

A few days later, he and Ma Zongwen left Paris together with Michel Boulogne, first taking a train and then changing to a passenger ship to arrive in London. Michel was an old acquaintance of Zhang Xingjiu, as it was Michel who helped him with his admission procedures.

When they arrived in London, Lang Zhiwan had been waiting there for a long time. After a night's rest, he took Zhang Xingjiu to visit London the next day and took a train to Cambridge in the afternoon.

Professor Thomson, along with a group of students including Ernest Rutherford, Townsend, McLellan, and Wilson, hosted a welcome dinner for Zhang Xingjiu. Many of these students later won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Considering that Zhang Xingjiu was tired from the journey, Thomson did not arrange any other activities after the dinner. He asked Lang Zhiwan to take him back to his room to rest. Seeing that it was still early, Zhang Xingjiu asked Lang Zhiwan to stay and continue chatting.

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The two of them were chatting about each other's recent situation while drinking. Just after two drinks, they heard someone knocking on the door. When they opened it, the waiter appeared at the door, "Mr. Zhang, there is a gentleman who wants to visit you."

(End of this chapter)