The World Is Shaken

By 1900, telegraph technology was already quite mature.

As the world's foremost power, Britain's undersea cables spanned the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, connecting numerous surrounding countries.

Information transmission was instantaneous, and communication between people had become incredibly convenient.

Starting from June 15th, if one looked down from high above London, they would see Li Qiwei's paper published on the front page of Nature magazine spreading rapidly in a web-like fashion across the globe.

In a detached house in central London, Lord Kelvin was diligently reading the Quantum paper.

Even though his hair was white and his eyesight was failing, he didn't let his secretary help.

He slowly traced each word with his finger, a smile appearing on his face from time to time, rather than the anger one might expect.

Lord Kelvin's mind conjured up an image of Li Qiwei, the young man who had stood against him. He had indeed kept his word.

He had truly opened a new future for physics. Although Quantum was still weak, it was like a beacon, guiding the way for those who came after.

As the world's top physicist, Lord Kelvin found no reason to refute the concept of "quantum."

At the same time, he deeply understood how astonishingly brilliant Li Qiwei, who proposed this theory, was.

To negate Newton's classical, continuous view of space-time, and to suggest the world was discontinuous – it was simply incredible.

The sheer courage required to propose such a theory was beyond ordinary imagination.

Therefore, he had lost this bet, lost to the young man he had once mocked.

It was, in a way, a peculiar irony.

Lord Kelvin murmured, "Bruce Li, I truly wish I could apologize to you in person, but I am old now, I cannot travel."

"I have come to believe that when a person grows old, what they appreciate most are the things that can take them back to their youth."

"And you, Bruce Li, your achievements have helped me rediscover that youthful purity. Thank you."

"Perhaps I agreed to the bet back then precisely because I saw a reflection of myself in you."

"When I was young, I was just like you, so obsessed and passionate about physics, forgetting to eat and sleep."

"I should not judge a person based on their race. Physics belongs to all of humanity."

The secretary beside him dared not interrupt Lord Kelvin, merely holding a pen and continuously taking notes.

This material would later become precious historical artifacts.

Lord Kelvin's voice grew softer and softer, and finally, he fell asleep with a smile.

The secretary had never seen the Lord sleep so peacefully. It seemed this paper had deeply moved him.

Inside the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University.

Thomson and Wilson, master and disciple, reread the paper from beginning to end three times in silence.

Finally, Thomson couldn't help but break the silence: "I thought I had overestimated Bruce Li."

"I didn't expect to still have underestimated him. Such astonishing and brilliant ideas are truly unimaginable."

"Wilson, I have a strong intuition that 'Quantum Mechanics' is correct."

"Perhaps it is the most powerful weapon to explain atomic structure."

If Li Qiwei were present, he would have been deeply impressed.

Thomson truly lived up to his reputation as the discoverer of the electron; his intuition was extraordinary.

Thirteen years later, in 1913, Thomson's student's student, Bohr, would successfully explain the hydrogen atom model using the concept of "quantum," becoming a leading figure in Quantum Mechanics.

However, Bohr was only 15 years old at this time, still just a kid.

Wilson listened to his mentor's conjecture with mixed feelings.

Had the young man who often came to the lab to help him after school already become almost unreachable?

No wonder he could casually solve the problems that had been troubling him. A genius who could create an entirely new theory.

Wilson cried out in his heart, deeply shaken by Li Qiwei.

From the initial rocket problem, to the proposal of the Cloud Chamber, and now Quantum.

Wilson had watched Li Qiwei grow step by step, but the speed was just too fast.

"Mentor, what kind of reaction do you think Bruce's quantum theory will receive?"

Thomson replied, "I don't know, but at least Lord Kelvin's second cloud problem has been thoroughly solved."

"Moreover, Quantum Mechanics has strong extensibility. I believe there will be many breakthroughs soon."

"Wilson, you need to talk more with Bruce and get involved in the research of the new theory."

"Perhaps you can help Bruce find more compelling evidence and perfect the theoretical foundation."

"As it stands, Quantum Mechanics can only be considered a hypothesis, one that happens to be self-consistent."

Wilson said, "I understand, mentor. I will pay close attention to quantum theory."

"Like you, my intuition tells me the theory is definitely correct; it just needs experimental proof."

"And experiments are precisely my forte."

"I'm very happy you can think this way, Wilson," Thomson said.

"Although your talent isn't as good as Bruce's, nor as good as your senior Rutherford's, you are still my favorite student."

"Because I see your passion and persistence for physics in you, which is very rare and valuable."

"I hope you can maintain this excellent quality."

Wilson said, "Thank you, Professor. After Bruce finishes his exams, I will definitely bring him over to ask him properly why he didn't put your name on the paper."

"He even did experiments at Cavendish."

Thomson laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Perhaps it's because he hit it off with Professor Planck."

"However, any future achievements by Bruce will definitely belong to the laboratory."

"After all, he's about to become my doctoral student."

The master and disciple looked at each other and smiled.

Germany, Berlin University.

Planck was surrounded by a group of teachers and students. Everyone was going crazy, constantly asking him questions.

"Professor Planck, was the achievement of that Quantum Mechanics paper completed solely by Bruce Li, or did you also participate significantly?"

"Professor Planck, why are you willing to be the corresponding author of the paper?"

"Is Bruce Li really from the Qing Dynasty? Is he really only 20 years old?"

"Professor, since you are Bruce Li's honorary advisor, will you invite him to lecture at Berlin University?"

Looking at the excited students and colleagues he usually got along with, Planck could only force a smile.

The paper's influence was too great, enough to drive everyone studying physics mad.

Of course, he and Li Qiwei would also face various challenges. Newtonian classical mechanics was not so easily overthrown.

But Planck believed that young man would solve everything; his intuition told him so.

Thus, he calmed everyone down and explained that Li Qiwei would soon come to Berlin University for a visiting scholar program, which finally dispersed the crowd.

Germany, University of Munich. The 55-year-old physics professor, Wilhelm Röntgen, praised it endlessly. After reading the Quantum paper, he let out a hearty laugh.

France, Paris Higher Normal School for Women. The 33-year-old female teacher, Marie Curie, became infinitely curious about Li Qiwei. She felt as if she could explain the radioactivity of elements using the concept of [quantum].

Canada, McGill University. The 29-year-old physics professor, Ernest Rutherford, his eyes flashed with brilliance. He decided to immediately set off back to Britain to participate in the great era that was about to begin.

Switzerland, ETH Zurich. After reading the paper, Einstein's breathing quickened, and his expression became agitated. He wished he could fly to Li Qiwei's side immediately.

Countless future renowned physics giants were at this moment utterly shocked by Li Qiwei's paper.

Everyone sensed that physics was about to undergo a seismic shift!

At the same time, everyone also wanted to know, who exactly was this Qing Dynasty person named Li Qiwei, Bruce Li!

Thanks to [Tiandi Xingjian], [Xianren Fu Ni Ding], [Beiwai 31111] for their recommendation votes. The new book is in its early stages. Old Xu asks for follow-up reading and various votes. Thank you, all the book friends and大佬s~