The East Wind Rises

November 8, 1900, Qing Dynasty, Ningbo Western Learning School.

A young man, with a face not yet free of childishness but etched with resolve, sat beneath a tree, engrossed in reading a newspaper.

The autumn air grew cooler. A gust of wind blew, and he casually tightened his clothing, his eyes never leaving the paper.

The youth was named He Yujie, eighteen years old. He had been intelligent and studious since childhood. After his father passed away at eleven, he became even more diligent, excelling particularly in classical poetry and prose. By fifteen, he had become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations).

However, influenced by the First Sino-Japanese War and swept up in the revolutionary tide of the Hundred Days' Reform, he believed the Qing Dynasty was rotten to the core and that the rigid eight-legged essay style was a stifling, useless constraint on thought.

Therefore, He Yujie decided to abandon the imperial examinations and study Western learning, researching the Western art of investigating things, to serve China and prepare for the overthrow of the Manchu Qing.

Thus, two years prior, he had joined the Ningbo Western Learning School, becoming one of its first students.

Since 1895, when Zhang Zhidong memorialized the throne with a "Memorial on Establishing Schools," advocating for the establishment of new schools, new-style academies, similar to modern high schools, were established across the country.

The Ningbo Western Learning School was founded in this context in 1897. Years later, Mr. Sun Yat-sen would give a speech here.

At this moment, He Yujie was reading a conference report discussing Li Qiwei's Quantum Theory.

In fact, he had learned of Li Qiwei two months earlier, following the publication of Quantum Theory.

He had even traveled to Guangzhou specifically to meet him, only to be told by Li Qiwei's family that he was currently in Britain and had not yet returned.

Helpless, he returned the way he came, but he had been following Li Qiwei ever since.

In this era, for a Chinese person to achieve such great scientific success was something He Yujie greatly admired and yearned for.

After physics class today, his instructor, Mr. Davis, had given him the newspaper, telling him to read it carefully.

He Yujie was known for his diligence and academic prowess at school, especially in subjects like physics and chemistry, where he often ranked among the top.

As a result, many foreign instructors liked this young Chinese man, believing he would achieve great things.

Upon receiving it, He Yujie discovered that the newspaper detailed a conference discussing Quantum Theory, even mentioning Li Qiwei's name.

He read it with rapt attention, then picked up the newspaper and hurried to find Davis. "Sir, can you tell me what the photoelectric effect is?"

Davis wore a wry smile. "I'm sorry, He. In my country, I'm just an undergraduate. I didn't even fully explain Quantum Theory to you last time."

"I understand even less about the photoelectric effect this time. This is already cutting-edge physics research."

"The number of people in the world who can understand this formula is likely fewer than the number of people in this school."

"However, the author of Quantum Theory, Li Qiwei, he is truly an indescribable genius. Even in Europe, he would be considered a physicist."

Hearing Davis's evaluation, He Yujie felt as sweet as honey. Although the praise wasn't for him, he felt honored by association.

Li Qiwei! That name was firmly imprinted in his heart, like a totem.

Who said China was ignorant and unenlightened? We Han Chinese can also produce scientific geniuses rarely seen in a century.

He now decided he had to go to Guangzhou immediately.

Because a few days ago, Old Man Li had sent someone to deliver a letter. Li Qiwei wanted to invite him to study in Britain and had already made all the arrangements there, so he wouldn't need to prepare anything.

If he was willing, he could go to the Li residence in Guangzhou within a month to wait.

Such an opportunity made He Yujie's heart flutter, though with a slight hesitation.

But today's newspaper solidified his resolve. He would go!

He wasn't the only son at home; he had two older brothers. Even if he left home for three to five years, it wouldn't have a significant impact.

It wouldn't be too late to fulfill his filial duties to his mother after he had learned his trade abroad.

Young men like He Yujie, as if by fate, were all receiving news about the Li Qiwei Quantum Theory conference at this very moment.

Meanwhile, in Hangzhou, 16-year-old Xia Yuanli (pronounced 'Li') was arguing with his father, Xia Zengyou.

Xia Yuanli, wearing Western-style glasses and still with a childish air, said angrily, "Father, why won't you allow me to study science? Memorizing the various schools of thought from the pre-Qin period every day, can that defeat the Eight-Nation Alliance?"

His father, Xia Zengyou, filled with disappointment, said, "Rebellious son! My Xia family has been steeped in literature for three generations, proficient in painting and poetry, with a profound foundation in the classic eight-legged essays. How is it that you, of all people, want to learn those 'ingenious but corrupting' arts?"

Xia Yuanli resented his father's pedantry and argued earnestly, "You always call them 'ingenious but corrupting,' but then how do they have steamships and cannons while we can only be beaten?"

"Do you know what a sensation Li Qiwei's published papers caused? He is the idol in my heart."

"No matter what you say, I am going."

His mother, standing nearby, seemed to age several years in an instant and sighed, "Fu Jun (Xia Yuanli's courtesy name), even if you want to study Western learning, aren't there other places? Why must it be England? Can't I have your father send you to a foreign school?"

Xia Yuanli looked at his parents' aged faces and cried, "Father, although the ancient saying goes: 'While parents are alive, one should not travel far.'

"But China is currently facing a change unseen in millennia. The foreigners are rampant, and the Manchu Qing are incompetent. They will be destroyed sooner or later."

"Are we supposed to hold onto the eight-legged essay to save China and usher in a new future?"

"Moreover, I have an elder brother above and a younger brother below. They can temporarily take my place in fulfilling filial duties to you both."

"Please forgive my unfilial conduct. When I return after completing my studies, I will surely provide for you both in your old age."

After speaking, Xia Yuanli knelt before his parents with a thud, his head bowed, not daring to look up.

After a long while, Xia Zengyou regained his composure and said softly, "Fine, go."

Xia Yuanli looked up, his eyes blurred with tears. He vowed that he would learn true knowledge and skills.

In Hubei, the 55-year-old Director of the Hubei Powder and Explosives Bureau, Xu Jianyin, was sipping tea while listening to his 19-year-old youngest son, Xu Qitai, speak passionately.

"Dad, I'm not bragging, but that Li Qiwei is truly astonishing. He published Quantum Theory in physics and proved it with the photoelectric effect."

"They say his achievements can rival Newton, you know, that Western scientific saint who was hit by an apple."

"So, could you grant my wish and let me go to Britain to study under him?"

Xu Jianyin slowly sipped his tea and said leisurely, "Is he really that amazing? It's probably just hearsay. Foreigners love to brag."

"When it comes to Western learning, our Xu Family can, without false modesty, say we are the foremost family in China. Your grandfather even published papers in Nature."

"Can any other Chinese possibly compare to my Xu Family?"

Xu Jianyin's father was the renowned Xu Shou, the initiator of modern chemistry in China, the founder of the modern shipbuilding industry, and the person who named the periodic table of elements in Chinese.

China's first steam engine, first steamship, first warship, first school to teach scientific knowledge, first scientific lecture, and first scientific journal were all related to him.

Seeing his father's disbelief, Xu Qitai hurried to say, "Oh, Dad, I've already asked foreigners. They said it's absolutely true. Li Qiwei's status in Britain's physics community is extraordinary right now."

"That's why I want to follow him to learn. When I return, I can naturally inherit your legacy."

Xu Jianyin chuckled and cursed, "You little rascal, daring to curse your old man. But with the current turbulent situation at home, it's good for you to go to Britain and stay away from trouble."

"However, remember, you must learn something substantial. Your current knowledge of physics and chemistry won't be enough in the land of foreigners."

Xu Qitai's face lit up with excitement. He clapped his hands and then solicitously poured his father another cup of tea.

What Xu Jianyin didn't know was that this very decision would change his own tragic fate.

In actual history, on March 31st of next year, he would tragically die in a sudden explosion while mixing medicinal ingredients at a pharmacy.