1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 679 Astounding Wealth! The Pangu Project, the Gold-Eating Beast! This money can't be sa

Chapter 679 Astounding Wealth! The Pangu Project, the Gold-Eating Beast! This money can't be saved!
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was 1928.

In the new year, the situation outside remains chaotic, a paradise for ambitious people and a hell for ordinary people.

On the northern continent, the second struggle between the new and the old forces is about to begin.

Months later, a massive train explosion will completely rewrite the course of history.

All of this has nothing to do with Kuching in Borneo.

The entire city felt no sense of impending storm.

For most ordinary people, emperors, generals, and dynastic changes are just topics of conversation over tea.

Humans have been going through this cycle for thousands of years, so it's nothing unusual.

People not only lack the ability to influence the fate of the country, but they also need to exert all their strength to control their own lives.

What's the point of considering those things?

Perhaps on some quiet night, an ordinary person, bent over by the weight of life, is also having sweet dreams:

"If only I could take down the whole world by myself!"

"I don't eat cilantro!"

The evening of July 1.

Li Qiwei spent a wonderful Lunar New Year's Eve at home with his family.

Today, the Li family, including the three Li brothers and their children, numbers over 100 people, making it a truly large family.

His elder brother, Li Bokai, is about to become a great-grandfather, at which point the Li family will be a five-generation household that outsiders envy.

Such large families are like reefs in the sea during times of chaos, standing firm and unyielding.

Li Qiwei watched all this with satisfaction; he had already truly integrated into this world.

After the New Year, Kuching returned to its usual bustling state.

Scholars, businessmen, and tourists from all over the world flocked to the area.

Today, Kuching has become a trendsetter in Asia thanks to the presence of Lee Chee Wei.

The technology here is so advanced that it is in no way inferior to that of Europe and America.

The city's area continues to expand, and skyscrapers are springing up everywhere.

The nickname "Little New York of the East" is truly fitting.

Many people even said excitedly in private:

"As long as Professor Li raises his voice, Borneo will belong to the Li family."

However, to everyone's utter bewilderment, Professor Li was solely focused on construction and never entertained any other thoughts.

It's as if the other party simply wanted to build a paradise.

Inside the Institute of Physics.

Li Qiwei was studying and thinking when Shen Jingqing suddenly knocked on the door and quietly walked in, holding a document in her hand.

"Professor, this is an invitation letter from the Executive Committee of the International Astronomical Union."

After receiving the invitation, Li Qiwei quickly glanced at it.

Although he had made it clear that he would not participate in the Third Astronomical Congress, Haier and others still sent him an invitation.

This is his standing in the field of astronomy.

Ridgway did not attend the astronomical conference for two reasons: time constraints and the fact that he had already completed his mission.

The Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background radiation, gravitational waves
He has already put forward the most core theories in these fields of astronomy.

All that remains is to find the evidence and verify it.

In other words, Ridgeway has already planted the seed; as for when it will sprout and bear fruit, that's up to nature.

After all, many of these theories remain unsolved mysteries even in later generations.

First, a breakthrough in the fundamentals of physics is needed before further development can proceed.

Take dark matter as an example.

Have you ever thought about this question:
Can the 61 fundamental particles in the Standard Model be combined to form dark matter particles?

Obviously, the answer is no.

This is why dark matter is so amazing.

It is clearly a real substance, yet it exists outside the system of elementary particles, which is puzzling.

The most mainstream view in later generations is that dark matter particles are a "very special kind of neutrino".

Because only the properties of neutrinos are more consistent with the characteristics of dark matter.

Therefore, some physicists have tried to find dark matter particles in the universe or in high-energy particle collision experiments.

When the time comes, we can add this new particle to the Standard Model and solve the problem. (Currently, there has been no progress.)

This is also why the standard model is so highly regarded.

It has strong framework and scalability.

If a new phenomenon is discovered that can be explained using particles, then we can simply add a position to the Standard Model.

There are only 61 types now, and there are still many slots available. It would be best to collect 108 slots.

Thirty-six Yang particles of the Heavenly Gang and seventy-two Yin particles of the Earthly Fiends!
Or perhaps there are 94 naturally occurring elements and 94 elementary particles in nature?
In short, these unsolved mysteries of astronomy are essentially unsolved mysteries of physics as well.

Therefore, Ridgway had to focus all his energy on physics.

He put the invitation aside and stopped paying attention to it.

Then he said:

"Jingqing, how's the financial situation of the Borneo Academy of Sciences that I asked you to review?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingqing immediately took out the documents from his briefcase.

"Dean, it's finished. I was planning to report to you at some time."

"I have already integrated all the assets under the Academy of Sciences, including the overseas Pioneer Group and Bruce Group."

"Please take a look."

After receiving the documents, Li Qiwei carefully read them.

Because this concerns the next phase of the Pangu Project, and there is no room for error!
According to his prediction, uranium nuclear fission would be proposed within three years at most, at which time the atomic bomb program would officially begin.

An army marches on its stomach!

At the core of every plan, money is ultimately the key, and the atomic bomb is no exception.

Li Qiwei has now consolidated all his forces with the aim of coordinating all funds and resources.

He has readily available resources such as personnel, venue, and management; the only thing he needs to focus on is funding.

Therefore, he instructed Shen Jingqing to secretly calculate how much working capital the Academy of Sciences could currently allocate.

The Manhattan Project in the United States cost nearly $20 billion.

Research and development expenses account for only 10%, while the remaining 90% is spent on the construction of factory and experimental infrastructure.

For example, it cost $5 million to build just one gaseous diffusion facility for separating uranium-235.

A heavy water plant that slows down neutrons cost another $1 million.

Staff salaries, material testing, reaction testing, etc. are all minor expenses.

Even the most crucial raw material for the atomic bomb, uranium ore, is actually a very small part of the whole.

Although Li Qiwei had experience from later generations, he could only save on these small expenses; he couldn't save on the big ones at all.

You can't separate uranium-235 by hand.

Moreover, Borneo's industrial technology level certainly could not compare with that of the United States at the time.

Perhaps the Pangu Project will require even more money.

Therefore, he is very sensitive to financial issues.

He also kept a firm grip on the finances to prevent anyone from interfering.

Soon, when Li Qiwei saw the final result, he finally couldn't help but show a relieved smile.

"$25 billion!"

"good!"

This is all of Li Qiwei's current liquid assets, excluding the physical assets of Shanhe Group.

This figure represents an astronomical fortune that is unimaginable to ordinary people.

In 1910, John D. Rockefeller was the richest man in the United States, with a net worth of $10 billion.

But now Li Qiwei has far surpassed him.

Of course, finance is complex, and this $25 billion cannot be considered Ridgeway's personal property, but belongs to the company.

Once all the funds are drained, all companies will face the risk of going bankrupt.

But for the Pangu Project, it's all worth it.

With the atomic bomb, he finally had a real foundation to stand on.

At that time, he could easily earn not just $25 billion, but $250 billion!
Earning wealth isn't difficult; preserving it is. Li Qiwei was in high spirits and laughed:

"Jingqing, thank you for your hard work these past few days."

"I'll give you a break, so you can get some rest."

Shen Jingqing quickly said:
"Okay, thank you, Dean."

Although he appeared calm, his heart was in turmoil.

The reason Ridgeway entrusted him with such an important task was because he was already one of their own.

Although Shen Jingqing does not yet know the specific details of the Pangu Project, he senses a great terror from the words "25 billion US dollars" and "not bad".

"My God!"

What kind of plan would require $25 billion?

“I know the dean is definitely doing something big, but this is a bit too big.”

"If this money were used to manufacture guns and cannons, how many could we make?"

Shen Jingqing was very familiar with the situation in China because someone in his family held a position in the military.

Those warlords, big and small, could raise a force and rule over territory with just $100 million, let alone $25 billion.

25 billion is a terrifying number.

It can absolutely sweep everything aside.

Seeing Shen Jingqing's surprised expression, Li Qiwei smiled slightly.

This handsome man always maintains a mature and composed elite demeanor, as if nothing can stir his inner emotions.

If even $25 billion can't impress them, Ridgeway would start to suspect he's a spy.

“Jingqing, now you should know some things.”

"I can tell you, within three years, there will be an earth-shattering change!"

"I asked you to compile a list of liquid cash reserves in preparation for that sudden change."

hiss!
Shen Jingqing gasped.

It was exactly as he guessed.

At that moment, he felt different.

It felt as if a dragon had carried me up into the sky, overlooking the earth.

He has the perspective of a dragon!

However, mortals can never comprehend the scenery seen through the eyes of a dragon.

So, he asked, puzzled:

"Dean, I don't understand."

"You don't seem to have any plans to build a weapons factory."

"There are rumors that you only want to develop Borneo and make it a haven for science."

"So, what is this upheaval you're referring to? And how can we face such an upheaval without guns and cannons?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qiwei stood up, slowly walked to the window, and looked out.

Shen Jingqing followed quietly behind, and he suddenly sensed a power powerful enough to change the world lying in wait.

Li Qiwei smiled slightly and said:

"Jingqing, let me ask you a question: how many weapons can 25 billion US dollars buy?"

Shen Jingqing was taken aback when he heard this; he hadn't expected the dean to actually ask this question.

He thought for a few seconds and then said:

"The price of weapons is related to various factors such as the country, model, and source of production."

"So I just took an average to calculate it."

"Based on current procurement prices: a rifle costs $20; a Maxim heavy machine gun costs $500; and a 150mm mortar costs $800."

"The cost of bullets will be 20 times the price of each weapon itself."

"Based on the calculations, $25 billion can purchase 600 million rifles, 23 heavy machine guns, and 15 mortars."

"Currently, a domestic infantry regiment needs approximately 1000 rifles, 18 heavy machine guns, and 12 mortars."

"After conversion, $25 billion can equip 3000 infantry regiments with the necessary gear."

hiss!
Shen Jingqing was startled by the numbers he had calculated.

Equipment for 3000 infantry regiments.

What incredible strength!
Is the dean planning to buy weapons directly?

Shen Jingqing asked, his voice trembling slightly:

"Dean, what do you mean?"

Li Qiwei knew what he was thinking and smiled:

"No."

"I have $25 billion to build just one weapon."

boom!
It felt as if thunder was exploding in Shen Jingqing's ears!

Even with his usually composed demeanor, he was now boiling with excitement.

What Li Qiwei said completely overturned his worldview; it was like a fantasy.

"Does a single weapon cost $25 billion to manufacture?"

Is it a weapon that could destroy the world?

Suddenly, Shen Jingqing's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

He felt he was involved in something earth-shattering.

Regardless of what that weapon is, it is absolutely something that will influence the world order.

His breathing quickly calmed down.

"Dean, I understand."

"I will definitely do what I'm supposed to do."

Li Qiwei nodded in satisfaction.

He admired the other person's ability to quickly analyze and adapt to any environment.

He patted the other person on the shoulder and said:

"Jingqing, you will have a heavy burden on your shoulders in the future."

Shen Jingqing immediately said respectfully:

"I'm willing to give my life for the dean!"
-
As the saying goes, a tiger father begets no dog son.

While Rigvii was working hard for the future of the country and Borneo, his eldest son, Ri Seung Dao, was also striving for his own goals.

Inside the library of Huangpu Polytechnic University.

Li Chengren asked in surprise:

"Big brother, are you really not going to participate in this year's Physics Olympiad?"

The fourth Physics Olympiad will be held in Rome, Italy this July.

That's a grand event that attracts university students from all over the world.

The results of the previous three editions have proven that those who achieve good results in the Olympiad eventually become leading figures in the field of physics.

Wu Youxun, Elena, Heisenberg, Pauli, Dirac, Fermi, and others.

Li Chengren had been eagerly preparing for this for a long time, and had been working hard to accumulate knowledge since he first enrolled in school.

He knew that his second brother, Li Chengde, would definitely not participate, because the latter was going to travel the world after graduation.

However, his elder brother Li Chengdao did not participate, which puzzled him.

After all, according to the rules of the organizing committee, even senior students who will graduate in July can sign up.

"Big brother, are you going on a trip too?"

Li Chengdao stopped writing and smacked his third brother on the head.

"Travel my foot!"

"I'm so busy every day that I don't even have time to relax."

"You must never be like the second son."

Li Chengren chuckled:
"Big brother, what have you been busy with lately?"

"Is there anything more important than the Olympiad?"