The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Chapter 148 Tesla Arrives

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Marquis!" Tesla and his entourage entered the Marquis's residence and met this extremely famous Marquis. They were surprised to find that he was so young, looking to be only in his early twenties.

By this time, Shen Lian had already gained considerable fame in the West, and the fact that he had single-handedly defeated the Eight-Nation Alliance was no longer a secret from the governments of those countries. Although Tesla was engrossed in his research, he was also aware of these important events.

“Mr. Tesla, you’re too kind. I’ve been looking forward to your arrival for a long time!” Shen Lian said, speaking fluent English as he stepped forward and took Tesla’s arm.

In other words, Shen Lian chose the right time. At this time, although Tesla had already begun to make a name for itself in the United States, its importance had not yet been realized.

He wasn't originally American; he was born in Austria to Serbian parents. You can imagine how difficult it was for him to make it in the United States.

Currently, he is being suppressed and exploited by Edison. His laboratory was burned down, and someone else preemptively applied for the patent on his invention of radio technology. Although he won the case in the US Supreme Court, the ordeal has left him physically and mentally exhausted.

Shen Lian's warm invitation and generous terms, coupled with Shen Lian's current international fame, made him want to visit China. Of course, the people Shen Lian sent also used some tactics.

He was accompanied by his assistants and family, as well as some recruited, unsuccessful scientists and scholars.

They had initially thought China was still a backward slave-owning country, but when they set foot in Shandong, they discovered that factories and businesses were being built everywhere. A railway was also under construction.

When they checked into the Yuntianlou Hotel, they were even more amazed by its interior design. It was more upscale and advanced than any hotel they had stayed in in the United States.

The fact that most of the guests inside were Westerners made them feel much more at ease.

"Mr. Tesla, this is the wireless telegraph machine we assembled according to your design concept. What do you think?" Shen Lian said, pointing to a crude and enormous machine.

"Oh! I didn't expect you to already be using radio?" Tesla was taken aback. His invention hadn't even been widely used in the West yet. He never imagined that this backward China would be using it so quickly.

“Sir, I also studied in the United States. I had heard about your invention before. As a soldier, I am naturally interested in things that can spread information quickly.”

"So after returning to China, I purchased a batch of parts and assembled a few units!" Shen Lian wasn't making this up; the wireless telegraph machine in front of him was assembled from parts he had instructed others to purchase. It was precisely to prepare for this possible situation.

“Good, good! Your method is very ingenious, and it’s more reasonable than my design.” Tesla opened the machine and began to examine it.

“Mr. Tesla, although I studied military science, I am very passionate about scientific research and often tinker with these things. I think the power of this wireless telegraph is a bit too low, and its size is too large, making it inconvenient to carry.”

"If we could reduce the size and increase the power..." Shen Lian began to discuss with Tesla.

Although the person in front of him was a scientific luminary, Shen Lian still possessed over a hundred years more of experience. Having done his homework beforehand, he managed to completely astound Tesla.

“My lord, you shouldn’t be a general. You should be a scientist. Your ideas are very inspiring to us. I can’t wait to start our research,” Tesla said with heartfelt admiration.

This is a genius who can complete designs with just deduction and imagination, so Shen Lian should definitely make good use of him.

“I didn’t want to either! But my country is too backward, and it needs me to do more. But now that you’re here, we can often discuss scientific research!” Shen Lian nodded and said.

"That's wonderful! It's my honor to discuss scientific matters with His Excellency the Marquis!"

The two talked for almost half an hour, and their conversation was very pleasant.

"It's getting late! I've arranged a luncheon to welcome you all. You've traveled across the ocean to come to our country, and I guarantee I will provide you with the best research conditions and the most ample research funding to support your research," Shen Lian stated earnestly.

"Thank you, Your Excellency Marquis!" the scientists thanked him happily. They could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At noon, Shen Lian treated them to a lavish meal at the Marquis's residence, even inviting Hans and his men to join them. Under Shen Lian's guidance, they had found a method for large-scale production of sulfonamides. The factory was now under construction, and mass production was the next step.

With Hans and his group joining them, the atmosphere at the banquet improved considerably. Their flattery further increased Tesla and the others' admiration for Shen Lian.

A group of guests from Songzhou, Shen Lian hummed a little tune as they returned to the backyard.

"Husband, is there any good news? Why are you so happy today?" Nie Xiaoqian asked, looking up at her son.

"This is truly a momentous occasion! Today, I have summoned a true genius who can advance our technology by at least fifty years!" Shen Lian said, waving his hand.

"Who is this amazing person?" Nie Xiaoqian had never heard her husband praise anyone like this before.

"His name is Tesla. I, your husband, went through great lengths to bring him back from America. As for him..." Shen Lian rambled on.

Although Nie Xiaoqian didn't understand these things, she was happy that her husband had acquired such talent. She only knew that the more talented people her husband acquired, the better Shandong would develop, and the better their Shen family would prosper!

"Where's Yue'er? I can't see her!" After talking for a while, Shen Lian realized that Xiao Yue'er was not there.

"Little Moon is feeling heavy and sleepy right now. She's already eaten and gone to her room to rest!"

Shen Lian nodded. Xiao Yue'er was now seven or eight months pregnant. Her excessive sleepiness was also quite normal.

Tesla, as expected of a scientific genius, produced a design in less than ten days. He then led his team to research and manufacture a miniaturized radio transmitter.

"My lord, Xiao Zhuzi is requesting an audience!" Shen Lian was organizing documents in his study that day. Now that Tesla had arrived, Shen Lian was carefully planning how to use it effectively without seeming too futuristic.

"Let him in!" Shen Lian nodded. Xiao Zhuzi was Xiao Yue'er's older brother. He was twenty years old and already a father of three.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!" Xiao Zhuzi tried to kneel as soon as he entered. Even though Shen Lian was his brother-in-law, he was just a farmer. He was still very afraid of a marquis like Shen Lian.

"Brother Zhu, I told you not to be so polite! Please sit down. What brings you here?" Shen Lian waved his hand.