Ch. 261The Man Closest to God?
Key Plot Points and Events
- Li Qiwei prepares for the physics conference in New York.
- He meets Nikola Tesla, who pitches his disc-shaped aircraft idea to Li Qiwei, seeking investment.
- The Nobel Prize in Physics is announced, awarded to Johannes van der Waals.
Character Developments
- Li Qiwei: He remains humble despite his achievements, attributing his success to diligence and hard work. He is intrigued by Tesla's ideas but declines to invest.
- Tesla: He is portrayed as a visionary with groundbreaking ideas but struggles to find support for his projects. He is persistent in seeking investment for his disc-shaped aircraft.
Significant Themes
- Genius vs. Talent: Li Qiwei believes in the power of diligence over innate talent, while Tesla's ideas suggest a visionary mind.
- Invention vs. Imagination: Tesla's ideas blur the line between practical inventions and imaginative concepts, challenging the norms of innovation.
- Investment and Validation: The struggle to secure investment highlights the importance of validation and support for groundbreaking ideas.
Character Interactions
- Li Qiwei and Tesla: They meet for the first time, with Tesla seeking Li Qiwei's investment in his disc-shaped aircraft. Li Qiwei is intrigued but declines, leaving Tesla undeterred.
- Li Qiwei and Richardson: They discuss the Nobel Prize and Li Qiwei's potential science fiction novel. Richardson admires Li Qiwei's diligence and work ethic.