amaotonovel Chapter 1246: Becoming Famous
Chapter 1246: Becoming Famous
Chapter 1246: Becoming Famous
The ginkgo leaves of Guanzhong University turned yellow and fell. Qin Hao had been working for three hours under the light of the library. In front of him was the "Basic Chemistry Principles" just sent from Germany. The pen in his hand rustled on the paper as he translated the German into Chinese sentence by sentence. Leng Qiuyue sat beside him, concentrating on recording what he dictated.
"It says here that combustion is the process of releasing phlogiston." Qin Hao's pen suddenly stopped and his brows furrowed.
"What's wrong?" Lu Zhaopeng asked puzzledly.
Qin Hao shook his head. This theory has been proven wrong in later generations. Combustion is actually a chemical reaction between matter and oxygen. He turned to the next page and found that this textbook published in 1887 still used the "caloric theory" to explain the phenomenon of heat conduction, and the introduction to electromagnetism was only three pages long.
This was not the first time he had made such a discovery. In the past month, Qin Hao had encountered similar situations many times when he was helping Leng Qiuyue translate Western medical textbooks. Even the English and French textbooks that were said to be at the forefront of the world still had many common sense errors.
But even such teaching materials are full of errors and omissions in translation.
Moreover, many schools are very conservative in their use of Western textbooks. Many schools are still using "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" as a mathematics textbook, and the physics and chemistry courses are even more difficult to describe.
Coming out of the library, he happened to meet his university mentor, Professor Chen. Seeing that he was holding a stack of information, Qin Hao took the initiative to help, and the two of them went all the way to Professor Chen's office.
After the scholar who had studied in Germany sat down, he sighed and said, "These are the latest textbooks I brought back from Germany, but even printing them in China is a problem."
Professor Chen took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes tiredly: "Nowadays, science education in China is struggling, textbooks are scarce, and many new schools can only use old teachings. Students cannot learn real scientific knowledge. How can we make the country strong?"
Qin Hao suddenly had an idea: "Textbooks seem to be a good entry point?"
After returning home, Qin Hao immediately took action. He hung a large blackboard on the wall of his study and began to plan the teaching material system. Leng Qiuyue prepared plenty of paper and ink for him and often accompanied him to work until late at night.
"Primary school students should start with common sense in life." Qin Hao wrote the words "life-oriented teaching" on the blackboard: "We should make children feel that science is around them."
He drew on the educational philosophy of later generations and creatively arranged the knowledge points from simple to complex:
In the mathematics textbook, he introduced the concept of equations by using the problem of "chickens and rabbits in the same cage" and explained geometric formulas by "building a house"...
The physics textbooks are more practical. Qin Hao used the "water well pulley" to explain the principle of levers and the "kettle" to explain the principle of steam machinery. He also specially designed a series of small experiments that can be completed in class, such as making a simple barometer with bamboo tubes and cowhide.
The chemistry part was the most difficult, because many schools did not have any chemical instruments at all. Qin Hao could only use common phenomena in daily life as examples: using "rusting of iron pans" to explain oxidation-reduction reactions.
At the same time, Qin Hao also restructured the textbook. Instead of just explaining, it adopted a three-part structure of "knowledge points + examples + after-class exercises". Each chapter first explains the core concepts, then demonstrates the solution ideas through typical examples, and finally sets exercises with increasing difficulty. This structure makes it more convenient for teachers to teach, and students also have a clear path for self-study.
Three months later, the first draft was completed, and Qin Hao's hands were already covered with calluses. Leng Qiuyue helped him bind the manuscript into a book, wrapping it neatly with blue cloth.
When Professor Chen saw the manuscript, he didn't take it seriously at first, but as he flipped through it, his expression gradually changed from surprise to shock. When he saw the chapter on electromagnetism in the physics section, the German-educated scholar slammed the table and said, "This is more advanced than the current German textbooks!"
"Bai Hao, if this textbook is promoted, it will be a pioneering work that will benefit the present and future generations!" Professor Chen said excitedly, "I will contact the principals of several new-style schools in Xi'an and make sure this set of textbooks is put into use as soon as possible!"
However, reality soon gave Professor Chen a heavy blow.
Despite Professor Chen's efforts, the Xi'an Education Department was reluctant to approve his application. The first application was rejected on the grounds that "the content was too novel and required careful evaluation." The second application was rejected without any response.
During this period, some conservative scholars jumped out to oppose it.
A group of conservative scholars, led by Zhao Mingde, the president of Xi'an Academy, publicly declared that "Western learning has shaken the foundation of the country" and even accused Qin Hao of "forgetting his roots" and "worshiping foreign things."
Zhao Mingde threatened at a gathering of scholars: "What kind of lever principle is this? Can it be compared with the mechanical theory in the Mohist Canon?"
What frustrates Professor Chen the most is the bureaucratic style.
Section Chief Zhang of the Education Bureau’s Teaching Materials Section is a typical bureaucrat. Every time Professor Chen goes to inquire about his affairs, he always gives the same excuses: “This is a serious matter and requires approval from our superiors” and “We need to study it further.”
A month passed and there was no progress. Professor Chen even thought about printing the book at his own expense.
At this time, Mr. Nan, the editor-in-chief of "Qinfeng Daily", was very angry after hearing about this. He immediately sent a reporter to interview Qin Hao and published a commentary article on the front page titled "Old textbooks mislead students, when will the new textbooks see the light of day?", denouncing the backwardness of the current textbooks:
"While our children were still reciting 'The Mysterious World of Heaven and Earth', Japanese elementary school students were already learning the periodic table; while our private school teachers were still explaining eight-part essays, German middle school students were already able to do electromagnetic experiments. This set of textbooks compiled by Mr. Bai integrates Chinese and Western knowledge and progresses from the simple to the complex. It is truly the dawn of scientific education!"
As soon as the article came out, it immediately caused a stir in the academic community in Xi’an. Immediately afterwards, Lu Zhaopeng also wrote an article in the Qinjin Daily titled “On Scientific Textbooks and the Foundation of a Strong Nation”, calling for educational reform from the perspective of national development:
"Today's China is not short of scholars who can write eight-legged essays, but what it lacks is new talents who understand science and can create! Mr. Bai's teaching materials are the cornerstone for cultivating such talents!"
The two newspapers' continuous reports formed a wave of public opinion, and the teachers and students of Guanzhong University even launched a joint petition, asking the education department to promote the new textbooks as soon as possible. The signature campaign spread from the campus to the streets, and finally collected 10,000 signatures.
Under pressure from public opinion, the Xi'an Education Department finally gave in and decided to organize a textbook review meeting.
On the day of the review meeting, the Xi'an Education Bureau's large conference room was packed with people. In addition to the official review experts, there were also teachers and student representatives from various schools who heard the news and even several foreign missionaries who came to observe.
Conservative representative Zhao Mingde was the first to attack: "Bai Hao, you keep saying that new learning is good, but can it be that our great Chinese culture, which has been passed down for thousands of years, is not as good as that of the Western barbarians?"
Qin Hao said calmly: "Facts speak louder than words. The facts of the Opium War and the Sino-Japanese War have long told us that truth is only within the range of cannons. How can we build cannons with longer range and greater power? Can we rely on Confucius's "zhihuzheya"? "
There was a sudden burst of laughter in the conference room.
Zhao Mingde was so angry that his face turned red. He could only helplessly and angrily scold Qin Hao for being disrespectful to his teacher.
Professor Chen immediately stood up and said: "The purpose of the review meeting is to allow everyone to speak freely and pool their wisdom. Today, there is only a debate of ideas, not a distinction between high and low!"
The student representatives present applauded vigorously, and their palms turned red from clapping.
After the applause died down, Qin Hao continued, "The great powers have already opened the door to the world with their powerful ships and cannons. The cruel facts tell us that if we fall behind, we will be beaten."
At this point, the conference room was filled with suppressed sighs.
"It's not that you're being beaten that's scary. What's scary is that after being beaten, instead of thinking about how to catch up, you bury your head in the sand like an ostrich, pretending not to see the danger."
Lu Zhaopeng took the lead and shouted: "We should be eagles, not ostriches!"
“Be an eagle, not an ostrich!”
Suddenly, the entire conference room was filled with the loud shouts of student representatives.
After the student representative calmed down, Qin Hao continued, "That's right. If we want to catch up, how do we do it? What do we rely on to build a cannon? It's impossible for us to kneel down and kowtow to a bunch of iron men and they will automatically turn into cannons, right?"
There was laughter in the meeting room.
"Steelmaking alone involves physical and chemical changes. After steel is made, it needs to be cast into cannons, which involves geometry and mechanics. Our country is weak. We don't lack literati and scholars now, but we lack talents who can build airplanes and cannons. This is the cornerstone of China's revival!"
Leng Qiuyue sat in the corner, looking at the excited teachers and students around her. At that moment, she seemed to see a halo on her husband, dazzling and brilliant.
Lu Zhaopeng wrote down the contents of the speech with trembling hands. He couldn't wait to publish them in the "Qinjin Daily" so that everyone in Xi'an could hear this deafening voice.
The review lasted for most of the day. Qin Hao seemed to be able to debate with a group of scholars. He became more and more courageous as the debate went on, and he refuted Zhao Mingde and other conservatives so much that they left the stage in shame and anger.
In the evening, the jury held a closed-door discussion.
When the door to the conference room opened again, Professor Chen walked out with a happy face and announced: "The jury unanimously approved it! The Xi'an Education Bureau has decided to start trialing the new textbooks next semester!"
The student representatives waiting outside the door immediately cheered, and Lu Zhaopeng and several classmates lifted Qin Hao high up and threw him into the air.
Soon after, more and more student representatives joined in, and the noise was deafening.
Mr. Nan and Professor Chen couldn't help but tear up when they saw the scene.
"As long as this generation exists, the Chinese nation will surely be able to stand up!"
……
After the cold winter, all things began to flourish. The new-style schools in Xi'an also used new textbooks, and the teachers highly praised the new textbooks.
Not only are the knowledge points in the new textbooks more complete, but Qin Hao also added some exercises. Many teachers don’t even need to make lesson plans and can just teach according to the content in the textbooks.
When students were studying, the textbooks written by Qin Hao provided progressive knowledge points, which made learning easier. In just one month, most students' scores in mathematics, physics and chemistry improved significantly.
……
In the golden autumn of October, ginkgo leaves form a golden corridor on the campus of Guanzhong University.
Professor Chen stood in front of the office window, looking at the falling leaves outside, stroking a brand new set of textbooks in his hands.
This is the latest revised edition that Qin Hao has just completed. The cover is bound with dark blue cardboard, and the large characters in Yan style, "New Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Textbook", sparkle in the sun.
"Professor, the luggage is ready." The teaching assistant knocked on the door gently: "The train will leave in two hours."
Professor Chen nodded, carefully wrapped the textbook in oil paper, and put it in the top layer of the suitcase he was carrying. He deliberately put a note in the title page: "This is written by my favorite student Bai Hao. I would like to share it with Mr. Cai."
The train heading north passed through the golden fields, and Professor Chen was flipping through the textbooks all the way.
He noticed that Qin Hao had made a lot of improvements in the latest version: more real-life examples were added to the mathematics section; the physics experiments were designed to be simpler and easier to carry out; and several interesting experiments that could be done at home were added to the chemistry chapter. Each modification reflected the young man's unique insights into science education.
The Red Building Auditorium of Peking University was packed. Professor Chen's speech on "The Enlightenment of the German Science Education System to China" won rounds of applause.
After the speech, Mr. Cai personally came forward, shook Professor Chen’s hand and said enthusiastically: “What you said today was really thought-provoking!”
During the tea party in the principal's office, Professor Chen finally had the opportunity to take out the textbook. Mr. Cai took it and flipped through it, his eyes gradually brightened. He became more and more excited as he read, and suddenly slammed the table and said: "This book is like a candle in the dark night, illuminating the new path of science education in China! Brother Chen, I didn't expect that you could compile such a masterpiece besides teaching!"
Professor Chen waved his hands quickly and said, "Mr. Cai has misunderstood. This is not my work. It was actually compiled by my student Bai Hao."
"Bai Hao?" Mr. Cai was stunned at first, then he suddenly realized: "But is it the Bai Hao who wrote the "Exhortation to Punish Zhang Xun"? "
"That's right." Professor Chen smiled and said, "This kid is not only good at writing, but also has a keen eye for science education."
Mr. Cai couldn't wait to open the textbook again. He exclaimed as he read it: "Excellent! This textbook is easy to understand and the most valuable thing is that the knowledge points are progressive and closely linked..."
His finger stopped at the chapter on physics experiments: "These experiments are so cleverly designed, using the simplest materials to demonstrate scientific principles. They are perfect for promotion in primary schools!"
That afternoon, an urgent telegram was sent from Peking University to Guanzhong University. Mr. Cai personally drafted the telegram, asking Qin Hao whether he was willing to submit this set of textbooks to the Ministry of Education for approval and promotion nationwide.
When the telegram was delivered, Qin Hao was not at school, so Lu Zhaopeng rushed all the way to deliver it.
When Professor Chen returned to Xi'an, he gave Qin Hao the set of textbooks he had brought to Beijing. On the title page was a preface written by Mr. Cai himself.
"I have always lamented the backwardness of science education in China. Now I have this book, which is like a treasure. I hope this book can sow the seeds of science and cultivate the seeds of innovation for China, so that national rejuvenation can be expected!"
Lu Zhaopeng was jealous standing by.
"Brother Hao, with Mr. Cai writing the preface for your textbook, you will become famous overnight!"