For a long time to come, students at the University of London Union were proud to question Guns, Germs and Steel.
This phenomenon triggered a large number of ideological collisions, leading to a blowout among scholars in history and sociology.
They have two things in common:
1. Claiming to be Lu Shi’s disciple;
2. Claim to be a believer in modern history.
Lu Shi was therefore called the "Father of Modern Historiography" and became a figure worshiped by later generations of historians.
Of course, these are all things for later.
At this moment, Lu Shi was being besieged by a group of young men.
In particular, a Spanish student named Negati Nikolic took a piece of paper and asked questions one by one. There were a total of nineteen questions, each of which was quite in-depth.
Lu Shi either couldn't answer these questions or found them troublesome.
Because there are so many new concepts in "Guns, Germs, and Steel", pulling out the carrot and bringing out the mud can easily trigger a chain reaction that will be endless.
Lu Shi pressed his hands down to signal the students to be quiet.
Then he said: "Everyone, remember what I just said. Don't take the conclusions in my article as golden rules. The important thing is the interdisciplinary research method. It is much better for you to think more about it yourself than to be forcefully indoctrinated by me."
Solomon gave Nikolic a hand;
"That's right, don't ask."
Nikolic was still unsatisfied.
"Can……"
Before he finished speaking, a voice sounded not far away: "Professor Lu, you mentioned Zhu Yuanzhang just now. What are your real thoughts about him? Do you really think he may become a ruler who is inclined to maritime trade? ?"
Everyone was stunned,
It's not that I have any objection to this question, but the questioner's voice sounds quite high-pitched, like that of a girl.
Looking around, I saw that the man was covering his head tightly, wearing a big scarf and even earmuffs.
Even though it's early December, London shouldn't be that cold.
The students whispered,
"girl?"
"Hiss...it seems to be a girl..."
"Which college are you from?"
…
They were surprised because in 1900 none of the London University Alliance institutions was open to admitting women.
Lu Shi stared at the girl and observed carefully,
Soon, he recognized the other person,
It's margarita!
Unexpectedly, the queen really followed her kindness and sent the princess to study in college.
"Gu..."
Lu Shi swallowed and asked, "This classmate, which college are you from?"
Margarita said: “I chose the London School of Economics and Political Science because I heard about Professor Lu’s name.”
Even though his mouth was covered by a scarf and his voice was muffled, he could still hear it clearly.
At this point, the students were all sure,
It is indeed a girl!
Everyone's eyes were focused on Margarita.
Lu Shi coughed lightly,
"Regarding the question just now, Zhu Yuanzhang. China's rulers firmly believe that 'those who do not plan for eternity can only plan for a moment.' The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang did not dare to open the country randomly was actually influenced by the previous dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, there was the Anshi Rebellion, and in the Song Dynasty, Mongolia……"
I can't talk anymore.
Because no one is listening.
Everyone's attention was attracted by the margarita.
Lu Shi looked at Bernard Shaw.
George Bernard Shaw shrugged helplessly and replied: "Sir Wodehouse sent it. I can't help it."
Each member college of the University of London Alliance operates independently from admissions to funding.
But in terms of administration, each college was controlled by the alliance. Therefore, the honorary principal Wodehouse made a speech and wanted to send the noble princess to London to study economics. Bernard Shaw really had no position to refuse.
Moreover, as a Fabian, Shaw supported progressive reforms,
Seeing that the royal family is becoming more and more open, it's too late for him to be happy, so how can he refuse?
Lu Shi was quite speechless.
The Queen once invited him to be the tutor of the royal family, but he refused. As a result, he went round and round and became Margarita's tutor.
I don’t know if this is fate.
Lu Shi cleared his throat,
"Everyone... my classmates!"
The students came back to their senses and their eyes fell on Lu Shi again.
Lu Shi said: "You all should pay attention, behave like a gentleman, and don't act like you have never seen a woman before."
One sentence caused a roar of laughter.
Everyone feels a lot more comfortable.
Lu Shi said: "What? Don't you support women studying in universities?"
Looking at this issue in modern times, it is simply a joke.
But in 1900, it was really a social focus that everyone participated in the discussion.
Especially in the conservative United Kingdom, the two parties are fighting at almost all levels over women's right to vote and to be elected. Naturally, women's right to go to university is also a top priority.
Someone asked in a low voice: "Professor Lu, do you support it?"
Lu Shi had already gained a certain degree of recognition among London's elite and could express his views appropriately.
But some particularly sensitive topics require caution.
Lu Shi pondered for a moment,
"I believe many people are aware of the fact that the University of Paris recruits female students. But you may not know that there is even a precedent for women to teach in Paris."
Don’t talk about students, even Bernard Shaw didn’t know about it.
He asked curiously: "Which school?"
Lu Shi said "hmm",
“Just in March of this year, the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Sèvres in southwest Paris opened a science subject, physics, and its lecturer was a Polish woman, Maria Skłodowska Curie.”
It is normal for women’s normal schools to have female teachers;
But if the subject is physics, it is no longer a matter of fun.
Everyone was silent.
In the crowd, Margarita’s lips hidden behind her scarf clenched involuntarily.
She wanted to remind Lu Shi that he had not answered the question just now, whether he supported or did not support women going to college.
But in the end I endured it,
It was thanks to Lu Shi that she could come to London to study, and she could not cause any more trouble to Lu Shi.
As a result, Lu Shi actually changed the subject himself: "As for the matter of women studying, our support or opposition is not important."
Some people are confused,
"What does it mean?"
Lu Shi smiled and said,
"The female lecturer I just mentioned is not an ordinary person. She has a paper, "On the Containing a Highly Radioactive New Substance in Pitchblende". In the paper, she explained the discovery process of the new element No. 88 , and named it radium. I believe she will soon win the Nobel Prize in Physics for her research on radioactivity."
Most of the people present were liberal arts students.
They have no idea about radioactivity or radium.
But the Nobel Prize is different.
“Women win Nobel Prizes?”
"Professor Lu is really whimsical..."
"Maybe it's true?"
"impossible!"
…
Students generally disagreed with Lu Shi's statement.
Lu Shi waved his hand,
"It doesn't matter, let's keep our opinions to each other and wait and see."
Then, he continued the topic: "I gave the example of Madame Curie, and what I want to express is actually very simple. If one thing can develop productivity, then no matter how we support or oppose it, it is meaningless."
Someone asked: "What Professor Lu means is that women attending university can liberate productivity?"
Lu Shi laughed loudly,
"This is what you said, I didn't say anything."
Slick!
The students couldn't help but label Lu Shi like this.
But the amazing thing is that they are not disgusted with Lu Shi's slickness at all, but think it is a sign of wit.
As the saying goes, "If you love someone, you must love everything about him."
They were already impressed by Lu Shi.
