In the afternoon of the same day, Sun Yuanqi, accompanied by Mr. Hough, came to the principal's office.

Yale University does not have a large administrative staff that is not taught or a dedicated administrative building. If you ask the president of this world-famous and wealthy university where he works, people will tell you that the president's office is in the lowest and most inconspicuous building. If it weren't for Mr. Hough by his side, Sun Yuanqi really couldn't find a place for a while.

But when they walked into the office, there were already four people in the room, and sitting behind the president's desk was naturally the protagonist of the visit, President Smith McCard of Yale University. The one who accompanied the last seat, Sun Yuanqi had seen, was Mr. Mace Gerrard, who was in charge of paying the bill before.

After meeting and shaking hands, I learned that one was Mr. Sam Pike, the official president of the Yale Alumni Association, and the other was Professor Elijah Newman, the president of the Yale University Faculty Association.

Why is the president of the Professors' Council in this place? This is related to the management characteristics of Yale's "professor-run school". This feature has had a huge impact on higher education in the United States. In the early days of the university, through the efforts of three generations of presidents, Yale gradually formed a rule that the board of trustees did not participate in the management of the university, but the professors would govern the school. In the United States at that time, there was a saying that "the Princeton board of directors is in power, the president of Harvard is in charge, and the Yale professor is in charge." ”

Because of the authority of professors, they are particularly concerned about the interests of students, attach great importance to the reputation of the college, and are very strict about the quality of teaching. At the same time, it gave the university a strong sense of independence, so much so that Yale's pioneering system of non-resident school boards and the off-campus system of power institutions were adopted by many universities that were established later.

Since professors play an important role at Yale, the quality of the teachers themselves must be very high, and Yale teachers need to be rigorously selected. The teachers are superhuman, and the students adore them very much; But because they are very strict with their students, and the students are also in awe of the teachers, they privately give many image nicknames to those strict teachers. But Yale students are fortunate to have early access to prestigious teachers who are highly respected and taught in person, which is one of the reasons for the high quality of Yale students.

Of course, Sun Yuanqi didn't think of this. Not long after he sat down, Principal McCal, who was a scholar, went straight to the topic, you know, it is no less difficult for these Americans to learn the water mill in Chinese officialdom than it is to teach sows to climb trees; It is even possible that the sow has already climbed the tree and they have not yet learned.

“…… Yank, you have done a lot of pioneering work at the forefront of physics, chemistry and other natural sciences, and have achieved a series of outstanding results. Suffice it to say, you are the best graduate of Yale University in recent years. And your research results have also effectively corrected the misunderstanding of Yale that 'emphasizes literature over reason' in society. In fact, the university has been working to change the state of research in the natural and engineering sciences. The alumni association has also given a lot of support in terms of funds and manpower, hoping to reach the advanced level in some disciplines. ”

Sun Yuanqi naturally knew the meaning of the song when he heard it, but he couldn't say anything, only smiling and nodding frequently.

As the most influential figure at Yale University, Professor Elijah Newman, the chairman of the Faculty Council, opened up: "Yanke, after the discussion of our joint faculty meeting, I believe that you are one of the best young scientists in the world today, and Yale University also has the ambition to make a difference in some areas of the natural sciences, and if you can stay at Yale, this university will set up a special professorship for this." ”

Mr. Sam Peck, president of the Yale Alumni Association, continued, "At the same time, the alumni association will contribute $100,000 to establish a dedicated laboratory for you to conduct your own academic research. ”

Sun Yuanqi took a deep breath: This is the so-called "cooperation"? The conditions are too rich, right? It's almost impossible to refuse. After weighing it for a long time, he replied, "First of all, I would like to thank my alma mater, Yale, and the alumni association for their attention to me. Second, as a Yale graduate, I very much hope to serve Yale University. But I myself founded a school in China, IPRT, and served as its principal. So, I'm so sorry, I don't think I can take up the teaching position offered by my alma mater! ”

At this point, there was a visibly disappointed look on the faces of the other five people in the room. President McKar shrugged and said, "Many of our Yale graduates are actively engaged in education, becoming the founders or first presidents of many prestigious universities, such as Princeton University, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, University of Chicago, etc., and dedicating the crown of 'Mother of American Colleges' to their alma mater." Now, the name Yank is added again. ”

Sun Yuanqi decided to sell his idea: "I am very interested in my alma mater to strengthen its investment in natural sciences. If possible, IPRT and Yale University can cooperate in the establishment of joint laboratories, exchange of students, faculty visits, etc., to achieve resource sharing. ”

"Oh? Go ahead and talk about your thoughts. "Principal McKar is now in a better place than nothing.

It's time to unleash the bait! Sun Yuanqi continued to agitate, "If possible, we can set up an elemental laboratory. In my book "Principles of Chemistry", I conducted a series of studies on the periodic table and found that many places are vacant, that is, there are still many elements to be discovered. Optimistic estimates suggest that there should be between 25 and 40 unknown elements. ”

"Huh? And so many undiscovered elements? Professor Elijah Newman, the president of the Professors' Council, was a little moved.

"Yes, I believe that these elements will be discovered in the next hundred years." Sun Yuanqi replied in the affirmative, "Of course, the vast majority of naturally occurring elements have been discovered, but the future direction is no longer to look for them in nature, but to synthesize and discover them in the laboratory, because these elements are unstable and have a short lifespan." This is also one of the important roles of the 'nuclear reaction'. ”

"Nuclear reactions? It's the alchemy verified by Professor Martin at UC Berkeley, right? Mr. President put down the Havana cigar he was playing with and looked full of interest, "Can you really turn copper into gold?" Hehe, a lot of people are thinking about this question. ”

"Turn copper into gold? This is very difficult. Even if they could, the cost of the experiment would be much higher than the value of the gold obtained. This is called 'more than you gain'. Sun Yuanqi explained with a smile, "The specific principles and practical applications of nuclear reactions are still in the exploration stage. But there is no doubt about its great value. This should be demonstrated in the discovery of new elements. ”

Professor Newman weighed it up: "So, how do you work together?" ”

Sun Yuanqi feels like a salesman: "Because in the next year, I may have to work with Professor Rutherford of McGill University in Canada to verify the electron distribution model outside the nucleus. In other words, they will stay in the Americas all the time. If I were to set up a joint lab, I would spend about four months at Yale, where I would set up the lab and determine the content and direction of the research. After a year, I may return to China and set up a laboratory in China, but I will come to the United States for about three months every year to determine the research plan for that year. In this way, Chinese laboratories focus on theoretical research, while American laboratories focus on experimental research. The two will work together to discover 2 to 3 new elements in the next 10 years, and reach the international leading level in element research and element synthesis. ”

A big pie was placed in front of several Yale authorities. Now, it's up to them to decide.

After a moment's silence, Professor Newman nodded at Principal McCal. Principal McKar just said, "Well, Yank, we can try to set up a joint lab. However, we need you to be able to provide a detailed proposal in the next month, including the research content, research direction, research plan, staffing, funding arrangement, etc. Within the next year, only a laboratory needs to be established at Yale, and the laboratory is in trial operation. If the cooperation goes well after a year, Yale's laboratory will be officially put into operation, and a certain amount of money will be invested to start building the laboratory in China. What do you think? ”

"No problem!" Sun Yuanqi felt that his plan had succeeded 80 percent.

Mr. President waved the Havana cigar in his hand and said heroically: "The alumni association will give sufficient financial support to the laboratory, and hope that the laboratory will put a gold border on the emblem of Yale University." ”

Principal McKarl seemed to remember something, and pulled a document out of the drawer: "By the way, Yanke. Since the news appeared, reporters have known that you are lecturing at Yale, and they have called our university to interview you. To this end, the school wants to organize a press conference tomorrow morning to meet the needs of journalists. At the meeting, the university will announce the establishment of the Elemental Laboratory, and at the same time, you will be awarded a doctorate in philosophy and a letter of appointment as a professor at Yale University. What about your opinion? ”

"Thanks to the school's arrangement, I don't have any opinions!" Sun Yuanqi thought to himself: If I didn't cooperate with you, wouldn't there be this one? Now that you've all said it, what else can I say?

By the time Sun Yuanqi walked out of the principal's office, it was already evening, the campus boulevard was covered with mottled shade, and not far away was a large emerald green lawn, on which many students were playing or discussing problems, and the sun was shining obliquely on the antique buildings made of yellow-brown ashlar, making the whole campus look extraordinarily beautiful and romantic.

This is the most common college scene in the 21st century, and the appearance of this moment makes Sun Yuanqi have an illusion for a moment: Oh, I am still in the university, and I am still a part of it.

Mr. Hough saw Sun Yuanqi standing in the sunset, his eyes narrowed slightly, thinking that he was thinking about something, so he quietly accompanied him. In the middle of the night, the sound of the evening bell in the distance woke Sun Yuanqi's contemplation. Sun Yuanqi secretly clenched his fists:

I want to build a school in China that is not inferior to this university as well!

In the days that followed, with the exception of attending the lively press conference and becoming a Ph.D. and Frontier Professor of Natural Sciences at Yale University, even the seminar was suspended. Sun Yuanqi is hiding in his newly assigned apartment at Yale University, laboring to write a plan for the Elemental Lab. In addition, he will supervise some of the preliminary experimental preparations. This is because Sun Yuanqi suddenly remembered an interesting thing and felt that he might have the possibility of changing history. It is an element that is closely related to the Elemental Laboratory and atomic physics: radon.

At the end of the 19th century – a few years ago – scientists discovered that thorium constantly emitted a gaseous radioactive substance and determined that it was chemically inert and had a high atomic weight. Since it comes from thorium, it is called thorium thoriumemantion, and the symbol is ThEm. In 1900, the German physicist Dawn also discovered the laser gas radiumemantion, whose symbol is RaEM. In addition, in 1903, a actinium emantion, symbolized as AcEm, was discovered; and niton, an inert gas. In 1918, the German chemist Schmidt called RaEM thoron according to the nomenclature of noble gases argon and neon, and the element symbol was set as Tn, officially recognizing it as an element. Later, it was discovered that thorium injection gas is radon-220, actinium injection gas is radon 219, and niton is radon 222.

In general textbooks, it is also believed that radon is caused by Dawn (. Dorn) was discovered in Germany in 1900. In fact, it is known that after 1918, radon was officially included in the periodic table. There is an 18-year time difference between this, which gives Sun Yuanqi a lot of room to move - and now Dawn doesn't know if he has found this laser gas or not.

What Sun Yuanqi has to do now is to "study" thorium, laser, and actinium as a new element in the periodic table, as a congratulatory gift for the opening of the element laboratory. Therefore, when Sun Yuanqi first began to write the plan, he encouraged Yale University to prepare these radioactive elements and experimental equipment.

As a former tutor's worker, I have a lot of contact with things like proposals. Haven't you ever eaten pork, haven't you ever seen a pig run? In the past, there were more monks and fewer porridges, and professors and doctors fought hard to break their heads for a National Natural Science Foundation project. One of the battlegrounds for this competition is the project application. Which application is not written in a colorful and dazzling manner? I'm afraid that Newton and Einstein will hide their faces and flee when they see it. Although it has been a few years, when I picked up the pen, the familiar feeling immediately rushed to the paper, which was really "a spring of talent". Soon, a sprinkling proposal was delivered to the Yale president's office.

Sun Yuanqi did not stay at Yale University and waited, because MIT had already sent two telegrams to urge him, hoping that he would be able to "come to the guide" as soon as possible. So, as soon as the proposal was handed in, I immediately caught the train to Boston. Fortunately, it's not far between the two, just over 150 miles, and it doesn't take a day to get there.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a comprehensive private university in the United States, known as "the best polytechnic university in the world". In 1861 by a famous natural scientist, William? Barton? Rogers founded. He wanted to create a liberal academy to accommodate the rapidly growing United States. Due to the Civil War, it was not until 1865 that MIT welcomed its first students. Subsequently, it developed rapidly in the fields of nature and engineering. Originally located in Boston, Massachusetts, MIT moved from Boston to Cambridge in 1916.

Today, MIT has a very important influence both in the United States and around the world, has produced many people who have had a significant impact on the world, is a pioneer and leading university in high-tech and advanced research around the world, and is also home to the world's elite in science and engineering. MIT is home to some of the world's best students, as one of their professors said, "No matter how good you are, you are not good enough." The intense science and engineering studies here are known as "pressure cookers", and the freshmen are not given letters in the first semester of classes, but only "pass" or "fail". This is undoubtedly the result of the school's best efforts to relieve some pressure on the students. In the 3S - study, sleep, and social activities, the average MIT student can only do two, and if anyone can do all three, it is a "superman". MIT students must earn a full 360 credits to graduate. In the midst of heavy study, students are "trying to survive in the cracks". You'll see people running and watching on the treadmill, the "24-hour room" with people reading, researching and taking a nap, and MIT students reading books regardless of the time and sleeping regardless of the space. It is also rare for students to study hard after entering school. Even so, MIT students have a 92 percent graduation rate within four years of enrollment (the third highest in the nation). In the long winter of the northeastern United States, in the boring campus and under the heavy academic pressure, some students are emotionally low and have a love-hate relationship with school. "I hate this damn place", this is said to be the most common phrase spoken by MIT students.

Sun Yuanqi didn't know anything about Boston, so before getting on the bus, Sun Yuanqi sent a telegram to MIT, hoping that someone could pick up the station.

When we arrived in Boston, it was already dusk. The people who greeted Sun Yuanqi at the train station, in addition to Professor Rossi, who he had met before, there were several other people who didn't know each other very well. After shaking hands, I learned that in addition to Professor Rossi as a representative of the Faculty of Science, there were also two professors from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, as well as a vice president.

Well, there was also a bunch of flowery girls at the back of the crowd, whispering around there, pointing at themselves from time to time, or covering their mouths and chuckling, a childish look. Seeing Sun Yuanqi looking over, one of the girls waved at him excitedly while jumping. Oh, it turned out to be Professor Rossi's daughter, Elena. It's just that I'm surrounded by these professors, and it's hard to go over to see them. Sun Yuanqi smiled and bowed slightly to them, indicating that he greeted them.

Because it was late in the day, Professor Rossi, as an acquaintance, walked out and gave a general introduction to the arrangements for the next few days: "Yank, you just arrived in Boston today and need to take a break, so we have prepared an apartment in the school. Tomorrow afternoon, we will come to the apartment and discuss with you the arrangements for the next period of time. By the way, there's also a welcome dinner tomorrow night, which I hope you'll be able to attend. ”

The group of girls followed the crowd from a distance, watching Sun Yuanqi get into the carriage and gallop away accompanied by a group of people, and his voice suddenly rose an octave higher.

Elena lectured Lilith on her toes, "Hahahaha——, how's it going, Lilith? Is Professor Johnson very young and very handsome? ”

Lilith didn't hear Elena's ridicule, and looked obsessed: "Handsome! It's so handsome! He smiled at me and my heart skipped a beat! God, I'm not going to like him, am I? - By the way, he just smiled at me, does he like me too? If so, I wouldn't mind marrying a Chinese, but what if my parents were against it? ……”

Looking at Lilith's nymphomaniac look, Elena said disdainfully: "Lilith, don't daydream!" I'm telling you, this! No! Can! Yes! ”

The youngest girl tugged at Vera's cuffs: "Sister Vera, is Lilith okay?" ”

Vera patted the little girl's cheek lightly and said with a smile: "Nina, don't worry, Lilith is just a little stimulated, and she will be fine in a while." ”

"But that Professor Johnson is really pretty! Isn't it, Sister Vera? Nina tilted her head, as if recalling the scene when they had just met.

"Yes." Vera nodded, "But he's a good scientist first and foremost. ”

“…… By the way, Ella, our Yank shouldn't be married yet, right? But I've heard that a man in China can marry many wives, and I wouldn't mind sharing it with other women if he wanted to. Oops, there will still be some minds, and it's really best to be exclusive! Suddenly, Lilith slapped her face and said to Elena very seriously, "Dear Ella, I heard that Professor Yanke's apartment was arranged by Professor Rosie. You should know where it is, right? ”

Like a frightened cat, Elena jumped to the side and looked at her warily, "Lilith, what are your intentions?" ”

Lilith looked shy: "People want to visit—"

"Lilith, I tell you for the most solemn part: first, I do not know the address of Professor Johnson; Second, even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you! There was anger in Elena's voice, "I think I made a serious mistake, I should never have brought you to the train station!" ”

"Dear Ella, I was wrong, can't I?" Lilith is an acting school that definitely has the strength to win the little golden man, and when she saw that the situation was not good, she immediately changed to a pitiful look, "I, I invite you to eat chocolate!" As long as Ella takes me to Yanke......"

"Do! Dream! Elena said through gritted teeth.

Nina didn't care, she jumped up for joy when she heard that there was chocolate to eat: "Lilith, I want to eat Godiva chocolate!" ”

Hearing this, the gritted teeth immediately became Lilith.

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