Each with Their Own Plans

Beside ETH Zurich, inside a café called "Metropolis."

Li Qiwei and the other two sat by the window, where they could savor their coffee while admiring the beautiful view of Lake Zurich. It was wonderfully relaxing.

Einstein was very fond of coffee. He took a satisfied sip, then smiled and asked, "Bruce, how long are you planning to stay in Switzerland?"

Li Qiwei gave a helpless smile. "I'll be leaving in a couple of days. I still need to hurry back to Cambridge for my experiments."

Grossman was a little disappointed. He'd been hoping to talk with Li Qiwei all night. "Bruce, I'm so envious of you. You haven't even graduated yet, and you're already doing experiments under a big-name mentor."

Clearly, Grossman had heard of Thomson and knew his standing in the physics community.

Li Qiwei smiled. "Professor Thomson is a very strict elder, and I'm under a lot of pressure." Then he changed the subject. "What about you, Einstein? What are your plans after you graduate?"

Einstein sighed. "I want to continue studying for a doctorate, but ETH Zurich can't offer doctoral degrees at the moment, so I'm still looking for a suitable university."

Li Qiwei asked, "Do you have any particular goal in mind?"

Einstein replied, "I'd like to apply for a doctorate at the University of Zurich. I've already had some preliminary discussions with Professor Kleiner. He's a wonderful experimental physicist."

Grossman, sitting beside them, was surprised. He hurriedly asked, "Wait, Einstein, aren't you planning to keep studying under Professor Weber?"

At the mention of that name, Einstein's expression suddenly turned gloomy. He said listlessly, "Ah, don't get me started. I had a huge argument with him."

"What happened?" Li Qiwei and Grossman asked at the same time.

Einstein recalled, "Professor Weber has forgotten why he started in the first place. These days, he's obsessed with building the Physics Research Institute and doesn't do any Theoretical Physics research at all."

"To be honest, I've been skipping his lectures a lot lately and studying on my own at home."

After hearing Einstein out, Li Qiwei couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

That was Einstein: pure and straightforward. You could even say he had no people skills.

He knew a little about the love-hate relationship between Einstein and Professor Weber.

Historically, Einstein's relationship with Weber had deteriorated, so he'd transferred to an experimental research group. His doctoral studies hadn't gone smoothly, since his strength lay in theory.

On top of that, he was dating Mileva, and money was tight.

So later, on Grossman's advice, Einstein chose to work at the Swiss Patent Office. There was no other reason: the salary was high.

Even Einstein knew that the end of the universe was a government job.

Then he went on to pursue his doctorate, have children, and work all at once. That was how simple and unpretentious life was for a great man.

Li Qiwei reassured Einstein. "Don't worry. With your intelligence, you'll accomplish great things even if you study on your own."

Then he turned to Grossman. "What about you, Grossman? What are your plans after graduation?"

Grossman shrugged, utterly unconcerned. "Einstein, you know my family has plenty of money. I don't want to look for a job, either, so I'll probably find a university and continue my academic work."

"Bruce, what do you think about me going to Cambridge University to study under you? Why don't you just be my advisor?"

Li Qiwei was caught off guard by the man's leap of logic. What a joke—he wouldn't graduate until next year, and Grossman already wanted him to supervise a graduate student?

The three of them laughed and joked, and Einstein took the opportunity to ask, "What about you, Bruce? What are your plans from here?"

Grossman quickly set down his coffee and listened attentively, hoping to spot a chance to latch on to someone powerful.

Li Qiwei rested a hand on his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "My goal is to keep climbing toward the summit of physics."

"Although I've proposed Quantum Mechanics, the theory is like a seedling. It's still fragile, and I hope to nurture it into a towering tree."

"I already have a plan. I'll start with Hertz's photoelectric phenomenon and prove that the quantum is correct."

"Then I'll delve deeper into atomic structure. My intuition tells me it's a vast expanse waiting to be explored."

"Finally, I'll also begin researching the principle of the speed of light, in the hope of solving the first Cloud Problem."

When Li Qiwei finished explaining his plans, Einstein and Grossman were utterly stunned.

There was only one way to describe how they felt about him: they were in awe of his genius.

While they were still unsure about the future, Li Qiwei was already launching an assault on the highest peaks of physics.

The two of them instantly regarded him with reverence. They also felt that meeting Li Qiwei and becoming his friend was the happiest and wisest thing they had ever done.

Einstein's expression was solemn, and his voice earnest. "Bruce, you're amazing. I was right to call you my friend."

"I feel much better now. I shouldn't complain about my circumstances. I can study physics anywhere, as long as I don't forget why I started."

"Thank you, Bruce. Your bold ambition has opened my eyes."

As he spoke, his gaze grew resolute, and his whole bearing changed. Li Qiwei was startled.

Oh no. Is Einstein going to publish his work on the Photoelectric Effect and Special Relativity ahead of schedule? I'd be losing out big-time.

Suddenly, Li Qiwei thought of an interesting topic and decided to ask the other two what they thought.

"Einstein, Grossman, since the three of us were fated to meet, and we're all so passionate about physics..."

"Why don't we establish a school of thought?"

"In the future, we could regularly hold physics conferences in its name and share our academic achievements."

Grossman was so excited he even shouted, drawing curious looks from the people around them. "Good heavens, what a brilliant idea! Bruce, you're full of surprises."

"Maybe we'll all be big names in the school someday. It'll definitely change the world!"

Einstein was also swept up in Grossman's vision, his thoughts taking flight.

Yes, it was a marvelous idea. It would benefit not only the three of them, but the entire physics community.

After all, once they established a school of thought, they would surely recruit more members and exchange ideas with other schools as well.

Just imagining it made Einstein tremble with excitement, his blood surging.

"Bruce, if we're founding a school, we need a name. What do you think we should call it?"

Li Qiwei smiled. They hadn't even begun, and Einstein was already calling it "our school."

Still, that showed what a good idea his proposal was.

Li Qiwei gazed into the distance. His purpose in establishing a school was to unite their strength, so that one day it could serve Huaxia.

As for the name, he thought it over before saying, "Since the three of us met in Zurich, and decided here to establish our school..."

"Why not call it the Zurich School?"

Einstein and Grossman silently repeated the name several times. They both thought it was excellent, and full of meaning.

They kept murmuring the name, as if they could already see it becoming famous throughout the world.

And so, inside this little-known café, a school of thought that would change the future of physics—and even the course of history—was born.

At that moment, the three young men celebrated its founding with nothing more than a cup of coffee each.

Congratulations to the protagonist on founding his first faction!