Chapter 47 Genius

  At noon, in a teahouse at the entrance of Yenching University in Beiping, Gu Lianyun sat by the window on the second floor, holding a tea bowl with his right hand and occasionally taking a sip, looking like a refined guest savoring his tea. In reality, however, he was playing another role. If someone paid close attention, they would notice that this gentleman without an Adam's apple had been intentionally or unintentionally keeping an eye on the main gate of the school across the street.

  Half an hour passed, and Gu Lianyun saw that Ouyang Yun had not come out yet, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself. She thought to herself, "Could it be that he slipped away through the back door?" Or did he already discover my tailing? She looked down at her outfit, a long gown and leather shoes, and pulled out a small mirror to take a look. In the mirror was the face of a middle-aged man, complete with fake whiskers. She couldn't help but be puzzled, thinking to herself, "Is this 'Anti-Japanese Hero' really so difficult to deal with?"

  She looked up to Ouyang Yun now.

  Ouyang Yun did not know that he was being followed. He stayed at Yenching University and didn't come out because he was detained by S.T. Leland.

  Ouyang Yun brought Chu Tiange and Chen Shichang, Li Bing three people into Beiping city for an important matter.

  Among the three, Chu Tiange had studied at Tsinghua University, Chen Shichang had a cousin studying at Women's Normal University, and Li Bing was a graduate of Beijing University's Engineering College. The four people each carried a brief version of "The Use and Production Method of Penicillin" and "Multifunctional Vehicle Design Brief" and went to Tsinghua University, Women's Normal University, Northern Engineering Institute, and Yanda University to carry out the "Talent Digging Plan".

  It's called talent scouting, but it looks more like showing off. At least that's what Chu Tiange and Li Bing thought, the two of whom had entered Tsinghua University and Beihang University, and as soon as they stood at the entrance of the cafeteria, they began to shout: Come and see! The miracle in medical history, the latest antibiotic penicillin, multi-functional car design drawings, all from Chinese hands, leading technology in the world, sincerely recruiting ambitious people to develop and research together.

  As it was lunchtime, the two were soon surrounded by onlookers like street performers. At first, everyone went to join in the fun, and those who knew them started teasing them. One said: "Hey! Tian Ge classmate, aren't you in the army? Where's your uniform?" Another said: "Li Bing, what are you doing? Ah, have you gone crazy?"

  Gradually, after carefully examining the two designs, someone in the know couldn't help but exclaim: "Good heavens, is this what you've discovered? Do you have any experimental data?"

  ……

  Among the four, Chen Shichang's encounter was probably the most romantic. Coincidentally, his cousin was also his fiancée since childhood, and they had a crush on each other. His cousin got along well with her classmates, so when everyone heard that her fiancé had arrived, they all rushed to help her take a closer look. As a result, a group of girls surrounded him like a mother-in-law checking out her son-in-law, some looking at his face, others at his figure, and some even asked him questions like "Which school did you graduate from?" and "Where do you work?" Poor Chen Shichang was also someone who had gone through the storm, but when he encountered this group of girls, he was completely flustered, holding the two designs in his hand, stuttering and unable to speak. Finally, when he had the chance to be alone with his cousin, the security guard came over and intervened, saying that visiting hours were over and he had to leave. The Women's Normal College was not like other schools, with very strict rules, so in the end, he could only hand over the two designs to his cousin, remind her of a couple of things, and then reluctantly leave.

  Ouyang Yun didn't have any connections with the three people, so he went directly to Yan University and found Chen Jiayao, asking her to use her lunch break to spread the news about preparing to return to "Ghost House". However, before he could leave, Chen Jiayao called him back. He turned around and saw a middle-aged foreigner with white hair, and suddenly had a certain premonition - this person should be Sutherland.

  As it happens, Sutherland was passing by and saw Chen Jiaoyao and several classmates holding something and looking at it. He glanced over curiously and was immediately attracted to it. After taking a rough look, he realized its value and asked Chen Jiaoyao where she got it from. Chen Jiaoyao realized this was a good opportunity for publicity and quickly introduced Ou Yangyun's figure in the distance. Sutherland requested to meet him, and thus, Ou Yangyun and his benefactor met by chance.

  At that time, Ouyang Yun only knew that Searle was the president of Yenching University and an American. He launched this so-called "talent poaching plan" to take advantage of college students' patriotism to find some helpers to solve specific production problems - plagiarism is always plagiarism, although outsiders can plagiarize, but when it comes to actual implementation, they will encounter all sorts of troubles, without professional help, there are some technical details that he cannot handle. It's like a foodie, who knows how to configure the ingredients and cook a certain dish, but if he does it himself, he may not be able to produce the corresponding flavor.

  As the 29th Army began to control Pingjin, and Song Zheyuan was about to take over Hebei Province, the matter of the pharmaceutical factory was also brought up on the agenda by Ouyang Yun. It was only then that he realized that if he were to single-handedly set up a pharmaceutical factory from scratch, it would be an impossible task.

  Pharmaceutical factories are different from ordinary factories, and the requirements for production environment and other aspects are very strict. The technical requirements are also very comprehensive. Machines and so on can be bought with money, but the problem is how to combine them, how to configure the factory building, and how to arrange the production process? These things don't have detailed instructions in the computer.

  He had to seek some practical talents to accomplish specific tasks.

  Sai Tafu's stature is not considered tall among Americans, about 1.7 meters, thin, with a head of white hair and bright blue eyes shining with wisdom, high nose bridge. The old man was very kind, directly inviting Ouyang Yun to his office for coffee, with something to discuss while drinking.

  Ouyang Yun readily agreed. And so, an old man and a young man walked into Stout's office under the curious gaze of many Yanjing University students.

  After entering the office, Strydon asked Ouyang Yun to sit down first, then started brewing coffee. He himself sat down and carefully read through the two designs, then raised his head and asked Ouyang Yun: "Mr. Ouyang, can you tell me who their authors are?"

  Ouyang Yun smiled and bowed slightly, saying: "That's me."

  "Ah!" Although he had already vaguely guessed the answer in his heart, the old American was still shocked. He couldn't help but take a closer look at the young man in front of him, marveling in his heart - this was clearly just a student, and in Chinese terms, he was still wet behind the ears. With a sigh, he asked: "Do you speak English?"

  "I know a little."

  Sai Tuo Le Deng waved the design in his hand and said, "My Chinese level is general, some words and characters are not very clear. Can you leave this design here? I want to ask someone to help me translate it."

  Ouyang Yun's heart moved, and he smiled: "Why bother asking someone to translate? That's too much trouble. If you have any questions, just ask me, I can still handle translating the Chinese on this into English."

  "Really?" The old man was surprised. At this time, the coffee was ready. He first poured a cup of coffee for each of them and then asked him to drink while inquiring.

  Ouyang Yun answered one by one and intentionally or unintentionally mentioned his identity as an American Chinese.

  Satreton was overjoyed and thought to himself, "This is incredible! With China's current level of scientific research, how could they possibly cultivate such outstanding talent? No, this must be a genius! And indeed, it seems that our American influence has played a role." The American's arrogant mentality began to take hold, and he asked, "As far as I know, only a few experts in the US and UK are currently researching penicillin. Where did you get the formula for your penicillin? Was it brought back from America? Hehe, do you have the patent rights?"

  Ouyang Yun originally had a good impression of this American old man, but after hearing these words, he was filled with anger. He thought back to the era in which he used to live, where Americans would often wield the "patent" and "intellectual property rights" big stick, frantically flailing about like mad dogs. The guilt he had previously felt for plagiarism suddenly vanished. His mouth curled up slightly as he said in a low voice: "If I were to say that this formula was something I researched myself, Principal Sutu would definitely think I'm lying. However, from what I know, so far several countries' medical experts are still working on researching its properties, but none of them have been able to fully grasp it yet. On the other hand, I've already mastered the method for mass production, although the technology still needs further refinement. Compared to them, I'm in a completely different league - Mr. Sutu, I admit that Americans are very clever, but we Chinese aren't stupid either!" He stared into his opponent's eyes and asked unfriendly: "What do you think?"

  Seward was still wearing a proud smile on his face, but now facing the provocative gaze, his smile froze, and he hastily explained: "No, no, Mr. Ouyang, I never thought that we Americans are smarter than you Chinese people, besides, in my mind, I am also half-Chinese," looking at him with great interest, continued: "I heard that you want to be a professor at our school? Mr. Ouyang, is this true?"

  The old man's expression was very sincere, and Ouyang Yun's face turned red instead. He had also said this to Chen Jiaoyao and Chu Tiange, knowing that it must be Jiaoyao who had betrayed herself - as the saying goes, "spoken words are like spilled water", since Hai Kou had already boasted about it, there was no way to take it back now. He nodded and said: "I've had this idea before."

  The old man smiled: "What? Have you changed your mind now?" He took out two employment contracts from the drawer and said, "I have the contract ready here. As long as you agree, we can sign it immediately. Our university has a strong faculty in history and humanities, but what we lack is a master in engineering and medicine. Mr. Ouyang, I have high hopes for you."

  The old man's sudden change of tone was quite large, and Ouyang Yun couldn't react in time. The other person had a sincere expression, looking very expectant. In his heart, he was sweating, thinking "What kind of master am I? A plagiarizing master?" He coughed twice to adjust the awkward atmosphere, then said: "Principal Sutu, how can I be considered a great master? In America, I didn't even finish high school."

  Situ Leiden thought he was humble, and smiled: "Don't be polite, I may not know much about engineering, but I do know some common sense about cars. Currently, the fastest multi-functional car in the world is only around 20 miles per hour. Your design speed is more than four times higher, its technology is absolutely at a world-leading level. If it can really be manufactured, the history of the automotive industry will be rewritten. Hehe, if we can hire you as a professor at our school, then in the future when this car comes out, our Yanda University will also benefit from it." The old man's words were not finished, his tone gradually rose, obviously excited: "What I admire most is that you have such high achievements in medicine. You're right, currently no country in the world can use penicillin to make medicine, so the prospects of penicillin are... hehe, it should be described as priceless - oh my god, Mr. Ou Yang, I guess you won't be over 25 years old this year, you really are a genius!"

  "Pffft!" The mouthful of coffee Ou Yang Yun had just swallowed suddenly sprayed out, followed by violent coughing.

  What a genius! This time he's jumped into the Yellow River and can't be washed clean! This is the price of plagiarism, I suppose. But it's also good in a way - having a professor from Yanda University as a front will make it more convenient to scout for talent.

  "Principal Sze-toh, I'd be delighted to teach at Yenching University. However, what I want to know is whether Yenching has laboratories? Laboratories for chemistry and mechanics, like the ones we use for research - it's impossible without them."

  "Of course, Mr. Ouyang, as long as you accept these two letters of appointment, I can give you the key to the laboratory building right now. Don't say anything else, but if we Yan University acknowledge second place in terms of the advancement of our laboratories, there is absolutely no university in all of Beiping that dares to claim first place," said Old Master Sutu with a proud face.

  Ouyang Yun's eyes widened as he thought to himself, "Is this for real? I was just worrying about the experiment, and now this good thing has come knocking on my door?"

  Seeing this, Mr. Situ knew he didn't believe him and hurriedly explained: "Mr. Ouyang may not know that in 1927, our Yenching University and Harvard University jointly established the Harvard-Yenching Institute, and Harvard University supported us with a large batch of experimental equipment..." Finally, he made a small request: From now on, all of Mr. Ouyang's papers must be published externally under the identity of a professor at Yenching University.

  It was reasonable and Ou Yang Yun readily agreed.