New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Yale University.

In the auditorium, a play called "Upside Down" is being staged, and from time to time there is warm applause.

In the middle of the last row sat a white male,

He is around forty years old, with clear facial features and clear contours, a neat and neat white shirt with black trousers, an ordinary outfit, but he has a calm strength.

His name was Arthur Hadley, and he was the president of Yale University.

It just so happens that "Upside Down" is played to the brilliant,

"Good!"

Hadley did not forget to applaud.

Just then, a clerk ran in briskly, handed a telegram to Hadley, and whispered a few words.

Hadley frowned,

"We're not as good as Harvard?"

The clerk lowered his head and did not dare to take the stubble.

"Tsk......"

Hadley was dissatisfied, and muttered hesitantly: "This Lu Shi, as expected, is still nepotism, because of his good relationship with Harvard, he ranked that side ahead of us." Hum...... Hum hum hum ......"

As he spoke, he let out a series of sneers,

Even the wonderful "Upside Down" on stage seems to have become tasteless.

The clerk was even more afraid to speak,

But he thought to himself,

Lu Shi is still the trustee of Columbia University, why don't you see Columbia University enter the top 20?

Of course, the principal is angry, so it's better to keep his mouth shut.

Hadley asked again, "Do the professors know?" ”

Unexpectedly, without waiting for the clerk to answer, he shook his head with a smile and said in a low voice: "I also have to ask." ”

The most important management feature of Yale is that it is taught to run the school.

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.

There is a saying circulating in the United States:

“

Princeton directors take power,

Harvard President in charge,

Professor Yale calls the shots.

”

Professors from other schools run schools, and they all learn Yale.

So, Hadley should have known the news a little later than the professors.

"Whew~"

He let out a long breath and looked at the stage.

"Upside Down" has reached the last scene, but for some reason, it was not the two protagonists who impressed him, but a rather smart Chinese girl.

I always feel that this girl will develop in the future.

About fifteen minutes later,

End of the show.

There was thunderous applause from the students.

This is actually the third show of "Upside Down" at Yale, and it is indeed a bit unexpected that it can still be sold out and receive a lot of praise.

Even the most selective theatre critic has to admit that Lu is one of the most brilliant playwrights of the moment, if not one of them.

Hadley tucked the telegram into his coat pocket and walked out of the auditorium.

The weather in New Haven in October is full of "surprises",

In the morning, the sky is still sparsely clouded, and the sun is warm and blazing.

As a result, at noon, cold air suddenly hit from the north, and the temperature dropped suddenly, making Hadley, who was wearing only a single coat, shiver.

He hummed and walked briskly to the conference room in the administration building.

As expected, a large number of professors' council members have gathered here to discuss global university rankings.

"It's not as good as Niu and Jian, why do you say that we are not as good as Harvard?"

"Huh...... It's called history! Where was Harvard founded? Cambridge, Massachusetts! It used to be called 'New Citizen College', which is a gift from Great Britain and a supreme historical precipitation and glory! ”

"You're being sarcastic, aren't you?"

"Irony, of course! What I want to say is Lu Shi, this Chinese is very bad~"

……

It's almost noisy.

Obviously, the professors do not recognize Harvard ahead of Yale.

This kind of thing is normal,

Harvard was originally modeled after the English model, and the Puritan philosophy was retained, and for a long time the leadership of the college was clergy, and it was not until 1708, when the first non-Puritan president took office, that Harvard became independent from the control of Puritanism.

And Yale, as "America's own university", has always been in fierce competition with Harvard.

Hadley clapped his hands,

"Everyone, don't be impatient."

The professors noticed the principal and fell silent.

"The question now is, how do we respond to this global university rankings? Admittedly, we are behind Harvard, but we are also in the top ten, do you recognize this honor or not? ”

The professors looked at each other,

Can it be dialectically recognized?

In the top ten, Yale has that strength;

After Harvard, Yale refused to accept it.

For a while, everyone began to communicate again.

Hadley listened to their chatter, and suddenly one head and two big said, "I know you all have their own ideas, but the problem now is that we have to agree on the same page. The Registrar's Office has to respond! ”

Once again, the professors discussed,

Finally, someone said: "Right now, we only know the criteria for global university rankings, but we don't know the specific weighting of each indicator, which is troublesome." ”

Others chimed in: "Yes, the most important thing is to know how the score is calculated!" ”

Hadley looked at the telegram again,

Cambridge, 10 points;

Oxford, 9.92;

University of Paris, 9.89;

……

It's all accurate to two decimal places!

At that moment, someone spoke: "If you don't say that you who study law and linguistics are nothing." A simple weighted average, a problem that can be solved by a multivariate system of equations, has been forced to rely on it for so long. My Chinese students can solve it. ”

It was a woman named Shamala Rosso.

Others sneered: "Your student's name is Zang Tianyou?" He's better than you, and everyone is now in charge of building railways in China. ”

Rosso's face flushed instantly,

"You! His name is Zhan Tianyou! ”

Hadley hurriedly rounded up and said, "Don't be angry, Mrs. Rosso. You say you can figure it out? ”

Rosso nodded,

"Well, it's not that difficult."

She pulled a pen and paper from the side, looked at the rest of them disdainfully, and muttered: "It's because we don't pay attention to science and engineering that we are not Harvard's opponents." What's wrong? You only pay attention to the liberal arts, but you still want to train the president? ”

After saying that, he began to bury his head in the calculations.

Not long after,

"That's it."

She wrote the final result on the blackboard,

——

Academic reputation: 41%;

Employer reputation: 16%;

Faculty Essay Citations: 22%;

Student-faculty ratio: 10%;

Proportion of international teachers: 6%;

Percentage of international students: 2%;

Revolutionary: 3%.

——

After reading it, everyone was confused.

Someone muttered, "What's the situation with all this bits and pieces?" Why is it like this? ”

Rosso shrugged his shoulders very masculinely,

"The reason is not clear. All I can say is that this weighting ratio is clearly made up. ”

Made up?

Everyone pondered.

Suddenly, a professor spoke: "Professor Lu is really an impartial scholar. I support the final results of the Global University Rankings. It's good to be in the top 10. ”

Attitude is inevitably becoming too fast, isn't it!?

Rosso looked confused.

Unexpectedly, someone actually chimed in: "What if it is ranked lower than Harvard now?" After we are ashamed of others, we must work harder and strive to surpass them as soon as possible. ”

Someone else followed: "Besides, many things can't be measured by data. For example, how many colleges and universities have been influenced by the concept of 'professors governing the university' proposed by Yale? A backward ranking doesn't make a difference. Take a long-term view. ”

Roseau:???

Overwhelmed by the sudden change in the direction of the wind.

But the rest rejoiced,

As they chatted, they said goodbye to Hadley and left the conference room.

Seeing their backs, Rosso was like falling into the clouds,

She turned to Hadley,

"Mr. Headmaster, what the hell is going on?"

Hadley looked at her helplessly and said, "Why can't you think of this?" Since I just said that this data was deliberately 'made' by Lu Shi, then, in your opinion, which region did he elevate the universities? And which areas are being depressed? ”

"Ah......h

Rosso finally understood.

For a while, she even felt that those liberal arts professors were not useless,

At least on these twists and turns, they are quicker than engineering professors.

Hadley took a deep breath,

"Professor Lu, I'm heartbroken for the United States~"

said, showing an expression of "he really, I cry to death",

Needless to say,

Full of gratitude is over.

……

London, United Kingdom,

Blya Road.

Lu Shi was sitting at his desk, watching my generation tease the turtle.

The turtle came from Wardhouse,

A cat and a turtle seem to have become good friends, and as soon as the turtle sees us, it voluntarily shrinks its shell, allowing us to use itself as a ball of yarn, rolling from the left paw to the right paw, and then from the right paw to the left paw, and having a great time.

After a few back and forth,

"Meow~"

Our voice of contentment.

Lu Shi wanted to laugh,

Fortunately, the turtle has a long lifespan, otherwise it would have been played to death.

Natsume Soseki on the side complained: "Lu, you just let my generation play lazy?" ”

This "little lazy" is the name of the turtle, which Wardhouse gave -

Lazy。

Lu Shi spreads his hands,

"My generation is pretty good at playing ball. Or, let's raise a few more cats and let them use the little lazy as a ball and play a game of five...... A five-cat soccer game? ”

What hellish joke is this meow?

Natsume Soseki was completely speechless.

It didn't take long for my generation to seem tired of playing, so I picked up the little lazy with two paws and carefully put it back into the fish tank.

The little lazy has long been accustomed to this kind of "ravage",

After returning to the fish tank, it stretched out its limbs and head and crawled at the bottom of the fish tank, back and forth, hitting walls everywhere.

My generation: "Meow meow meow~"

It seems to be complaining about the little lazy stupidity.

Lu Shi saw that the pair of friends were no longer playing, so he stretched and said, "Natsume, have you bought today's newspaper?" ”

Natsume Soseki spreads his hands,

"You might have to telegraph what you want to see."

On the table, there are newspapers from London, Edinburgh, Manchester, etc.,

A little farther away,

Paris, Munich, Berlin......

In addition to these newspapers, there were a large number of telegrams, all of which were taken from the United States on the other side of the Atlantic.

Lu Shi picked up one casually,

The content of the telegram is an excerpt from the New York Times,

——

Recently, Columbia University was ranked 26th in the global university rankings.

This honor not only demonstrates the University's excellence in academic research and teaching quality, but also reaffirms its excellent reputation and influence on a global scale.

There is no doubt that Columbia University deserves this place.

For students who want to further their studies, Columbia University is undoubtedly a very worthwhile choice.

Columbia University would like to thank the global university ranking agency for its impartiality and its leader, Professor Lu Shilu, for his hard work.

Professor Lu will be a permanent partner of Columbia.

Columbia University remains committed to advancing academic research, innovation, and entrepreneurship on a global scale to make greater contributions to human progress.

——

During this time, Lu Shi received a large number of titles,

Columbia's eternal partner,

Friends of Harvard,

An old friend of Yale,

……

In short, American universities have basically become pro-continental.

Not to mention the British side,

With the King and the Prime Minister standing at the back of the global university rankings, which university would dare to complain about the results of the rankings?

That's the old birthday star hanging himself - I don't want to live anymore.

Lu Shi is now collectively referred to as "just conscience" by all universities in the UK,

They are even more pro-continental.

Now, only a small number of universities in continental Europe are a little dissatisfied with this ranking.

As a land-smasher, their voices are pitifully small,

Only Theodor Monsen, the author of the History of Rome, because of his position in the historiographical circles, has attracted some opponents, saying that the relevant data of the University of Berlin will no longer be available the following year.

To this end, he also announced the weights of each indicator, saying that Planck calculated it, and there were even zeros and rounders, which then implied that the ranking was unfair.

Natsume Soseki said, "Lu, you're really powerful. ”

Lu Shi was surprised,

"What? Why do you suddenly say that about me? ”

Natsume Soseki explained with a smile: "Isn't it amazing that you can balance the interests of multiple parties and make so many universities obedient?" ”

Lu Shi waved his hand,

"Just making a cake for everyone to share, no big deal. As for the naysayers, let them go, and they will be back in the rankings in a few years. Because it's they who need to rank, not ......"

Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door outside.

Immediately, a deep voice sounded: "Professor Lu, you are at home." ”

It seems to be Frederick von Stephenson, the head of the Cold Creek Guards Regiment,

He came to prove that the king was also there.

Lu Shi hurriedly went over to open the door.

Sure enough, Edward VII was at the door,

He was still as high-profile as ever, wearing a gold and red coat, and from the front, he looked like Santa Claus.

Lu Shi said, "Your Majesty, how are you ...... Not...... Ha ......"

Edward VII suddenly came with a bear hug, and Lu Shi was out of breath.

Ignoring the royal demeanor like this, Stephenson has the heart to die next to him,

"Your Majesty!"

When Edward VII let go of the land,

"Well done! Nowadays, the whole world of higher education is dominated by the United Kingdom, and when it comes to universities, the first thing that comes to mind is the United Kingdom. Lu, it's all your credit! ”

After that, it was another bear hug.

Lu Shi hurriedly broke free,

I finally understood why Cecil and Belfort felt that His Majesty was frivolous.

Edward VII flashed into the room, and did not bother others, he moved a chair and sat down, and said, "Lu, this time it is thanks to you. Your contribution to Great Britain can no longer be measured by quantifiable indicators. ”

With that, His Majesty nodded to Stephenson.

The latter understood, took out a piece of paper,

"Please."

The paper unfolded,

Above is a series of design drafts for the badge, with a total of five styles.

Knight/Dame Grand Cross, abbreviated as "GBE" for both men and women;

Knight/Dame Commander, referred to as "KBE" for men and "DBE" for women;

Commander (CBE);

Officer, abbreviated as "OBE";

Member (MBE) for short.

Edward VII smiled,

"Lu, after New Year's Day next year, you can be called 'Sir Lu Shi'."

Lu Shi was a little surprised,

Theoretically, only citizens of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth of Commonwealth can obtain a knighthood, and they can add a title to their name,

Decorations received by foreign nationals can only be regarded as honorary and cannot be titled.

Perhaps sensing Lu's surprise, Edward VII smiled and said: "Lu, it's okay, we Britons are more flexible than Germans and Swiss, and we are not so rigid." ”

Lu Shi: "......"

I always feel that the other party must not have a good heart when making this kind of promise.

There are pits in the back.

As expected, Edward VII talked about global university rankings again,

"Lu, I've heard that some schools seem to be a little dissatisfied with the global university rankings? For example, at the University of Berlin, the archaeology professor ......"

Lu Shi corrected: "It's not archaeology, it's a history professor, Monsen." ”

Edward was so thick-skinned that he wasn't embarrassed at all, and continued, "Wasn't that the professor of history I just said? In short, it was that Monson who compared the global university rankings to 'indulgences'. ”

indulgences,

It's a very European metaphor,

Especially from the mouth of Monsen, there is a lot of historical charm.

Monson called the Global University Rankings project a "indulgence fraud."

The UK engages in rankings, and universities around the world hand over private data and money, and then listen to the ranking agencies to arrange the seats.

This is the humiliation of Chiguoguo's payment!

It must be admitted that this statement is not entirely wrong,

In modern times, many Asian universities, especially East Asian universities, from the University of Tokyo in Japan, to Seoul National University in South Korea, to the Qing Dynasty and Northern China in China, participating in similar rankings are indeed like buying indulgences.

Moreover, given the Anglo-German relations of the early 20th century, it is not surprising that the Germans felt that Britain was making trouble.

After the rise of Germany, it was impossible to expand its colonies and overseas markets.

Even higher education is at the mercy of it?

What is not a indulgence?

Monson also made good use of this German mentality.

Of course, the main thing is personal grievances, because countries do not attach much importance to cultural soft power, and do not know how high the voice of university rankings can bring.

Lu Shi spreads his hands,

"You're not trying to get me the University of Berlin, are you? It would be better for Britain to come forward and deal with Germany. ”

Edward VII smiled,

"Can't figure out the problem itself, can't you figure out the person asking the question?"

Lu Shi: "......"

Listening to an English king say this made him think that the world was too magical.

He said helplessly: "How do you let me get Mongson?" ”

Edward VII laughed even worse,

"Have you forgotten about the Nobel Prize in Literature? How did you pull Monson off the horse at that time, how did you come this time~"

Land-time: ̄□ ̄||

Petrified on the spot.

Edward VII was silent when he saw Lu, so he continued: "Lu, you can rest assured that Great Britain will always be your solid backing. Of course, there is also me, and I will always be your solid backing. ”

It turned out that the king's brother was the leader of the pro-Lu faction.

It's just that, looking at his unreliable appearance of throwing the pot when he encounters an accident, will the "backing" be broken when he touches it?

Lu Shi shook his head resolutely,

"No, no, no, I'm not going to Berlin."

Edward VII: "Huh? He said, "You don't need to go to Berlin, do you?" The Nobel Prize will be announced in the first week of next month, and you and Monson will surely be invited. When the time comes, even if you don't take the initiative to find trouble, people will look for you. ”

!

10,000 grass and mud horses galloped through Lu Shi's heart.

(End of chapter)