When Li Qiwei said that he would solve the Cloud Problem within three years.
Everyone at the conference thought he was crazy. Even quite a few leading physicists couldn't help turning to look at him.
"Who does Bruce Li think he is? The god of physics?"
"Bruce really is just like the rumors say: clever, but outrageously arrogant, always saying shocking things."
"Young people these days really don't know the limits of heaven and earth. Fundamental theories aren't so easy to innovate."
"Bruce is my idol. What do those old fogeys know? Studying physics takes that kind of nerve."
Many people discussed Li Qiwei's bold claim. Some agreed, while others scoffed.
The great Röntgen fixed his wise eyes on Li Qiwei, making the latter feel that Nobel's gaze was indeed sharp.
The great physicist spoke. "Bruce, since you say that the X-ray I discovered is the most important, I'd like to ask you: what do you think X-rays can do?"
Li Qiwei was taken aback, unsure why the other man had asked, but he still replied, "I believe X-rays will be tremendously useful in medicine."
"They can pass through the human body, letting doctors see what's going on inside a patient."
Röntgen nodded. He had used X-rays to photograph his own hand, and the results had been excellent, so he agreed with Li Qiwei.
In history, it was because Röntgen studied X-rays too obsessively that his body became deformed in his later years, leaving him in terrible pain and misery.
His discovery could save countless people, but it couldn't save him. That was the fate of a great physicist!
But Röntgen hadn't yet gone through any of that. He continued, "Ever since I discovered X-rays five years ago, I haven't stopped studying them."
"But unfortunately, even now, I still don't know what X-rays are, how to observe them, or how to measure them."
"I have countless outstanding scholars by my side, researching this with me, and yet we still can't crack the problem."
"Bruce, why are you so confident that you can create another miracle?"
"Or have you already come up with some ideas, and that's why you dare to set a deadline?"
Old ginger was the spiciest. Röntgen's account of his own experience had nearly exposed Li Qiwei's secret.
That was true. No one present would admit to being less intelligent than Li Qiwei.
Why should everyone else toil for years without solving a known problem, while you, Bruce, dared to declare that you'd crack the century-old mystery in three years?
Unless you'd already made some discoveries, or at least had a reasonable hypothesis.
Fortunately, no matter what, Röntgen couldn't possibly guess that Li Qiwei had come from the future.
Li Qiwei smiled. "Professor Röntgen, explanations are cheap. Papers are what count. I'll prove it with a paper."
It was the exact same thing he'd said before, but now no one looked down on Li Qiwei anymore.
In the end, ability was the best proof.
Back at the Royal Society, when he'd said he would solve the Cloud Problem, everyone had treated him like a clown and a fraud.
But now, although some people doubted him, no one called him presumptuous. Some even looked forward to seeing him keep his promise.
After all, although everyone present was among the finest in physics, few could truly compare to greats like Röntgen and Lord Kelvin.
People naturally liked those who challenged authority—especially when they succeeded.
After Li Qiwei finished speaking, Röntgen nodded and said no more.
Still, his expression showed that he admired Li Qiwei.
Young people should let their brilliance shine!
Always keeping their cards close to their chest and pretending to be modest would only rob them of the courage to forge ahead.
Röntgen himself had taken up physics because he'd once been looked down on by a great man.
So he'd refused to accept it and set out to prove himself.
Looking at Li Qiwei, he seemed to see an image of himself in his youth.
Just then, a rich, resonant voice sounded, carrying a slight Russian accent.
"Hello, Bruce. I'm Minkowski. I used to teach mathematics to Einstein."
Li Qiwei turned to look at him. The great man wore glasses and seemed gentle and refined.
He was the one who had helped Einstein build a solid mathematical foundation, enabling him to develop the Theory of Relativity.
Minkowski continued, "Einstein often mentions you in his letters to me. He says you're a once-in-a-century genius."
"He's recently become interested in the First Cloud Problem, too. He believes the principle of light speed is key to solving it. What do you think?"
With that, he smiled at Li Qiwei.
All the great physicists were eager to hear how Li Qiwei would answer.
Li Qiwei was astonished. So God of Love was already thinking about the Theory of Relativity at this point?
He knew that Einstein had published Special Relativity in 1905, using two important principles: the Principle of Relativity and the Principle of Constant Light Speed.
From those two principles, one could derive length contraction, the Clock Slowing Effect, and the most famous Mass-Energy Equation!
It completely disproved the existence of the Aether, explained the macroscopic high-speed world, and incorporated Newtonian mechanics into its framework.
From then on, Einstein had been deified.
Now, Li Qiwei had already decided to bring Special Relativity into the world ahead of schedule, where it would shine alongside Quantum Mechanics.
So he said, "Professor Minkowski, Einstein is a very good friend of mine."
"I agree very much with his thinking. I also believe the speed of light is key to solving the problem."
"When I have time, I'll sit down and talk it over with him. Who knows? Perhaps we'll come up with a whole new theory in a single afternoon."
Minkowski burst out laughing. Röntgen and the other greats could only stare at Li Qiwei in exasperation. Did the man feel uncomfortable if he went even a moment without bragging?
Only Planck watched quietly, still remembering their first encounter. Li Qiwei had been just as composed and confident then.
Soon, several more scholars asked questions. Li Qiwei answered them one by one, and then his presentation came to an end.
It hadn't been very long, but it had left a deep impression.
Next, Planck, Röntgen, Boltzmann, and the other greats took turns at the lectern.
Their brilliant presentations taught Li Qiwei a great deal.
These men's achievements were the real thing. Every figure and every letter embodied countless hours of painstaking work.
And listening to these greats give their presentations was nothing like the soporific lectures of later generations.
It just went to show that without real results and ability, people should stop talking nonsense and wasting everyone's time.
By the time the conference ended, Li Qiwei noticed that Li San was nearly asleep. The poor man had spent the whole time listening to what might as well have been a book from the heavens.
After they left the institute, Li Qiwei said goodbye to Planck, then took Li San back to the inn.
It was already around six in the evening.
As they walked under the dim lights, Li San asked Li Qiwei how Huaxia could be revitalized.
Li Qiwei glanced at him in surprise. Well, Third Brother had grand ambitions, too.
He laughed and said to Li San, "I'll handle the pen, you handle the sword. One civil, one martial—we'll rebuild China! Ha ha ha!"
Li San felt embarrassed by his words and scratched his head. He couldn't help thinking that his young master wasn't the same as before.
Just then, a man in a black trench coat approached them, hands in his pockets.
Years of habit made Li San keep his eyes fixed on the man, his entire body tensing.
Li Qiwei was still calling out loudly, dreaming about the future, completely unaware that danger was closing in.
Suddenly, a flash of cold light appeared. Li San shouted, "Young master, watch out!"
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