Family Letter

Just as Sir Lockyer was tearing his hair out over the paper, Li Qiwei himself suddenly had free time.

After mailing the paper, he went back to his routine of attending classes, studying, and doing experiments.

By the efficiency of this era, the publication process for a paper was bound to be lengthy and complicated.

Unlike later generations, where it would be published electronically and spread across the globe in an instant.

Li Qiwei estimated that the paper wouldn't be published until around mid-June.

By then, final exams would be over, and he'd be on break.

Cambridge University's holiday ran from June to September.

And during that time, he was also supposed to accept Professor Planck's invitation and go to Berlin University in Germany.

That meant, for this period before the holiday, he actually had nothing to do.

And oddly enough, Cecil hadn't come to cause trouble so far, nor had he sent any lackeys to annoy him.

Li Qiwei guessed that Professor Thomson's words might have done the trick.

So he stopped dwelling on it and put Cecil out of his mind.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was June 1900.

One day, Li Qiwei had just come home from school when Hong'er rushed over excitedly, holding something in her hand.

"Young master, come quick! The master sent a letter from home!"

Li Qiwei didn't bother changing clothes and hurriedly called Li San and Hong'er into the house.

He carefully opened the letter, wanting to see how things were with the family.

For some reason, ever since Li Qiwei had transmigrated, the original owner's memories of home were sparse.

But his body's instinct still carried a deep longing for his family.

Li Qiwei sighed inwardly. Oh well, I'll take on this karmic bond.

After all, in his past life he was an orphan, raised in a welfare home. Having parents in this life wasn't so bad.

So he slowly unfolded the letter and read it earnestly, while Hong'er and Li San stood by, faces full of excitement.

"Zhengge, my son, seeing this letter is like seeing me."

"."

Zhengge was Li Qiwei's courtesy name, taken from the phrase "to govern with righteousness, to reform the old and innovate."

The name carried his father's high hopes for Li Qiwei, wishing him to accomplish great things.

The sincere words in the letter, the deep longing, moved Li Qiwei deeply.

It was the aching yearning of parents for a child far from home—truly, the love of parents knows no bounds.

Even though Li Qiwei had transmigrated, he was still touched by these words, nearly shedding tears.

Then his father wrote about the family's situation and the changes in the domestic situation, finally leaving Li Qiwei with some instructions.

Overall, the key points were as follows:

1. The family judged that the Qing Dynasty's fall was inevitable, and the Han Chinese elite were watching and quietly building strength.

2. The Qing Dynasty might soon go to war with foreign powers, so Li Qiwei should not return home for now and stay in Britain.

3. Huaxia was now facing a change unseen in five thousand years, and they hoped Li Qiwei would study his professional knowledge well and make great strides in the future.

4. Finally, there was a bank draft sent along with the letter, for the living expenses of Li Qiwei and his two servants.

From this letter, it was clear that Li Qiwei's family was no ordinary one, especially his father.

The letter must have been written over a month ago, and his father could already foresee the outbreak of war—truly sharp-eyed.

Although at that time, the common people of Huaxia were numb and apathetic.

But the true elites had been lying low, waiting for an opportunity.

Once they saw the Qing Dynasty's decline, they would stir and bury this last feudal dynasty in Huaxia's history.

And the war with foreign powers would undoubtedly accelerate that process.

Li Qiwei didn't regret being unable to take part in that magnificent era.

If the coming decades were about countless extraordinary people reshaping Huaxia and making its people stand up, then he, Li Qiwei, would use his knowledge and influence to make Huaxia stand at the very top!

He had no military talent, no political talent, no diplomatic talent. Even if he went back, he'd just be an ordinary man of no use.

But if he stayed in Britain and played to his strengths, he could have a huge impact.

But what about Li San and Hong'er? Would they have to stay here with him forever?

Li Qiwei thought about this problem again, but for now, he didn't need to worry too much.

So he carefully relayed the contents of the letter to Hong'er and Li San.

Their initial excitement gradually gave way to red-rimmed eyes and tears welling up.

Clearly, they were all stirred by the words in the letter, missing their families and friends back home.

Li Qiwei instead comforted them, telling them not to worry.

He explained the current situation back in Huaxia, saying that being unable to return for now was actually a good choice.

He also promised that once he graduated, he would definitely go back for a visit.

Only then did he barely manage to soothe both their emotions.

Then, Li Qiwei suddenly thought of something cheerful and said:

"Alright, you two, don't be sad anymore."

"Once I'm on break in mid-June, I'll take you two to Germany for a trip."

"In three years since coming to Britain, I've never taken you out to see the sights—this time, it'll be a chance to broaden your horizons."

Hong'er, thick-skinned as ever, stopped sniffling right away and asked with a smile:

"Wow, young master, are you serious?"

"We're going to another country to have fun?"

"How long can we stay?"

"..."

Li San, annoyed by Hong'er's endless chatter, stopped being sad and started bickering with her again.

The two squabbled back and forth, finally pulling themselves out of their grief.

Li Qiwei smiled as he watched them mess around, his gaze drifting past the room and into the distance.

After a while, he had Hong'er prepare letter paper and began writing his reply.

Besides letting his parents know that the three of them were doing fine over here, He also planned to have his father keep an eye out for young talent in Huaxia, to prepare for the Spark Plan.

He wanted those aspiring to study physics to come to Britain for further training, with him overseeing their guidance.

Li Qiwei had already figured it out.

The coming chaos in Huaxia wasn't suited for developing technology, nor did it respect talent enough.

So, he needed his own foundation, to keep core talent firmly in his hands.

Once his achievements and reputation were big enough, he would naturally attract countless young people from Huaxia.

Then, through his family's influence, he could have them sent to Britain.

He would write introductory textbooks on physics, chemistry, and more, and first teach these core talents.

He'd already thought out the content—just transplant the system from later-era Huaxia ahead of schedule.

Finally, they would return to Huaxia, become teachers at various universities, and spread the knowledge to more people.

If possible, Li Qiwei even wanted to found his own university, to make science take deeper root in Huaxia.

He would center everything on physics, build Huaxia's scientific framework, and deliberately train students in science and engineering.

Then, with Huaxia's population of hundreds of millions, the pace of industrialization would far surpass Britain's.

From then on, they would stand atop the world!

At this point, the Spark Plan finally took shape in Li Qiwei's mind.

Such a vast and complex systemic project would require countless people's effort and sacrifice.

Li Qiwei was the captain, responsible for steering this great ship in the right direction.

Having thought through the whole process, Li Qiwei felt refreshed, a satisfied and hopeful smile spreading across his face.

Hong'er watched Li Qiwei writing his letter with that smile, and found herself a little dazed.

A strange feeling stirred in her heart, one she couldn't quite name.

But tonight, when she slept with the young master, she felt a bit uncomfortable.

How to put it—just a little warm.