British writer

Chapter 277 Live up to the name

Five days later.

Next to the Lu Family Museum on Palace Street, there is an empty mansion where many people are moving furniture.

The conductor at the scene was Margarita,

"Be careful when you move, don't bump into it."

"Put the cabinet over there."

"No! That's a cat carrier, don't use it as a litter box."

…

Interestingly, it was not workers who moved it, but guards at Buckingham Palace.

They were wearing red military uniforms and were sweating profusely from their work.

Stephenson scratched his head,

"Your Highness, is this... really possible?"

Margarita spread her hands and said: "You think I want to? Before, I simply mentioned it to His Majesty, but he volunteered to let me choose furniture from the guest bedroom in the palace. I have refused many times, you Guess what His Majesty said?"

Stephenson shook his head,

"Don't be so pretentious, just tell the truth."

Margarita sighed: "Your Majesty actually said, 'I gave Sir Lu the furniture, in what capacity did you refuse it on his behalf?'"

In fact, there is a sentence appended to the end:

"You are not the mistress of the house yet~"

Of course, Her Royal Highness the Princess was really embarrassed to say this.

But looking at her various actions in setting up a new house, what is the difference between her and the hostess?

Stephenson's head is full of black lines,

￣□￣｜｜

Edward VII was too outrageous.

But I felt a little relieved when I thought that the king liked to mess around before.

It's just furniture, just give it.

Anyway, the whole world knew that Lu Shi was a guest of the British royal family.

Stephenson looked around;

"But besides the furniture, there are also various other utensils. Silver forks and knives, ceramic plates, crystal cups..."

Those who didn’t know better thought the palace had been ransacked.

Margarita blushed,

"These are just incidental."

By the way?

Stephenson complained in his heart,

Just a rough calculation, I must have several thousand pounds.

What's more, it also has the emblem of the Hanoverian Dynasty on it, which has extraordinary symbolic significance.

Your Highness the Princess is too eager to get married~

Margarita was embarrassed, looked away, and whispered: "There is a saying in China, 'Help people to the end, send Buddha to the west.' After all, furniture has been given, so we can't lack anything else, right?"

Stephenson: "..."

Silence means that he has never heard of that saying.

The atmosphere at the scene was very weird.

Fortunately, someone broke the calm with a knock on the door;

"Excuse me, is this Sir Lu's new mansion?"

The two of them followed the sound.

It was an old gentleman in his sixties or seventies, leaning on a crutch with his left hand and placing his right hand on the open white wooden door. He was looking at the hall curiously.

His skin was as aged as autumn leaves, like rough parchment.

A guard dropped what he was doing,

"Who are you?"

The old gentleman saluted and began to fumble around on his body, as if looking for his business card.

Margarita walked over quickly and winked at the guard.

"You get busy."

The guards went on to work.

The reason why Her Royal Highness the Princess wanted to receive the old man in person was because he had an aura of wisdom and nobility, much like a scholar.

Unexpectedly, what the old gentleman took out was not a business card, but a rolled-up magazine——

"Nature".

Margarita works in media and advertising, and has contact with the upper class. She immediately knew who the visitor was——

Joseph Norman Lockyer.

Famous astronomer and one of the discoverers of helium,

Most importantly, he is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Nature magazine.

Margarita stepped aside to give way,

"Sir Lockyer! Please!"

He saluted slowly,

"Thank you, ma'am."

Margarita said "Huh?" and waved her hands in panic: "No...I am...I'm not..."

Lockyer:? ? ?

Subconsciously looking at the other person, I realized that I had said the wrong thing.

He had seen Her Royal Highness the Princess from Hesse at both the Queen's funeral and the New Year's Day investiture ceremony. He quickly bowed and said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't recognize you for a moment."

Although he apologized, for some reason, he always felt that the other party seemed quite happy when he heard the title "Madam".

Um,

Maybe it's the delusion of the elderly?

Lockyer walked in slowly and explained: "I went to Braiya Road just now and found that Sir Lu was moving. I wanted to visit again tomorrow, but I heard that he was leaving for Japan in the afternoon, so I had to come. Nagging."

Margarita understands,

"That's it. He is upstairs now. I'll find someone to inform him."

Lockyer waved his hand gentlemanly,

"Come to think of it, Sir Lu is 'fighting' with the luggage, right? I'll just wait here..."

Before the words fell,

Dong dong dong——

There was another knock on the door.

This time it was a young man who came and looked very handsome.

Moreover, his clothes are quite casual and look like an American.

Margarita recognized the other person,

"Mr. Jack London."

When Lu Shishang returned to London from France last time, this young reporter was with him.

He also wrote a biography of Lu and published it in the United States.

Jack London nodded,

"I heard that Sir Lu is going to Japan? When I was 17 years old, I worked as a sailor on a hunting ship. I passed through Korea and Japan and went seal hunting in the Bering Sea. I also wrote an essay called "Typhoon at the Seaport of Japan." I want to talk to Sir Lu."

Margarita raised her eyebrows slightly,

The drunkard's intention is not wine,

If she were still the flower in the greenhouse, I'm afraid she would really think that the other party's intention of coming was just to reminisce about old times.

But after running an advertising company, she has understood the principle of not going to the Three Treasures Palace for anything.

She smiled and said: "Mr. Jack London, you also know that Sir Lu is leaving in the afternoon. Moreover, he already has a guest."

This of course refers to Lockyer.

The latter also cooperated very well and smiled at Jack London.

"Hello."

Jack London had no choice but to take out a magazine from his arms and said in a very low voice: "Madam, there is indeed something important. Please be accommodating."

Margarita blushed.

Just now, Lockyer said "Mrs." was indeed a misunderstanding.

But Jack London is different,

He had seen Margarita act coquettishly towards Lu Shi, so the word "ma'am" was somewhat fulfilling.

This American has such a sweet mouth~

Margarita was very satisfied and looked at the magazine with a surprised expression.

"Science? This is also a journal, right?"

Lockyer glanced immediately.

His and Jack London's eyes intertwined in the air, like two sharp samurai swords clashing, sparks that vowed to take their lives.

Both of them knew the purpose of the other's coming here.

Lockyer cleared his throat.

"Your Highness, can you find someone to come up and inform you?"

I no longer care about gentlemanly etiquette.

Jack London curled his lips and then said: "Then I will also trouble Your Highness."

Margarita snickered,

Professor Lu is really in demand.

…

The second floor of the mansion.

Master bedroom.

Riku Toki and Natsume Soseki were packing their clothes.

Pack your suitcase with what you want to bring;

If you don't need it, move it from the old wardrobe to the new wardrobe.

Natsume Soseki said: "When did you buy the furniture? Why didn't I hear any movement?"

The person next to me also tilted his head,

"Meow~"

It means it doesn't know either.

Lu Shi spread his hands,

"His Majesty the King moved it for me from the palace~"

"Can it still be like this!?"

Natsume Soseki was shocked.

He looked around and didn't know how to comment. He could only find something to say: "I'm just saying why we suddenly became honest. This guy used to like to use the wooden table to sharpen his claws, but here he sits upright. Yes, you know how to protect your furniture.”

Lu Shi spread his hands,

"I think you misunderstood. He just has a better scratching post now."

As he spoke, he pointed to the fish tank next to him.

We jumped up, fished out the little lazy boy, and rolled it with our paws.

The picture is extremely harmonious.

Lu Shi: "..."

Natsume Soseki: "..."

Both of them decided not to talk about it anymore, otherwise they would look too lazy and pitiful.

At this time, someone knocked on the door outside.

"Professor Lu."

It's a margarita.

Lu Shi opened the door and immediately noticed the two journals in the other person's hand.

"Nature" and "Science\

,"They are all authorities in academia.

"Tsk..."

He couldn't help but be speechless.

I had expected that the editor of a journal would come to my door in London, but I didn’t expect that the news would be heard in the United States, which is far away across the ocean.

No one would believe that the Lighthouse had no spies in London.

Lu Shi asked softly: "Who?"

Margarita already had a clear understanding with him, and she could understand it in one word, and answered: "Nature is the editor-in-chief, Sir Sir Lockyer; Science sent Mr. Jack London to take the lead."

It turned out to be Jack London,

It was not unexpected that this guy went to London on assignment from the American News Agency to collect some intelligence.

Lu Shi said: "Let them come up."

Margarita nodded,

"Okay, I'll go right away... um... wait! You mean, let them come together?"

Lu Shi smiled and said,

"Go ahead. I can handle it."

Margarita trusted him unconditionally and immediately went downstairs.

After a while, the two came up.

They reached out their hands enthusiastically at the same time,

"Sir Lu!"×2

in unison.

"hiss……"

Lu Shi took a breath, as if it was not appropriate to shake hands with anyone first.

For a moment, I felt a bit like a scumbag.

He looked around,

"Sit down first. You guys sit down first."

Lockyer and Jack London looked at each other again, disgusted, before taking their seats.

Lu Shi said: "I can guess the purpose of your visit. However, the actions of the United States are a bit unexpected."

Even sending a telegram means crossing an ocean.

It must be urgent and urgent.

Jack London said: "The American Association for the Advancement of Science takes the impact factor issue very seriously."

He made it clear directly.

Lockyer chuckled,

"We also take it very seriously."

Lu Shi has a big head.

Both are international, interdisciplinary weekly science magazines that are generally concerned by the scientific community.

It's hard to answer who is more authoritative.

Of course, because the current center of higher education is still in Europe, "Nature" must have several advantages.

But from a development perspective, "Science" will rise very quickly.

Lu Shi thought for a while,

I have no other choice, let’s draw the cake first~

He said: "The impact factor is just a temporary idea. When and how to implement it still requires in-depth and extensive discussions. You two, running a journal is like doing academic work, there is no need to rush."

Having said this is like saying nothing.

Lockyer knew that Lu Shi would not express his position clearly, so he decided to make insinuations.

He asked: "After all, Sir Lu proposed the Global University Rankings, and he must have insights into academics. In your opinion, how can journals establish their authoritative status in the academic world?"

Lu Shi pondered,

Looking back from modern times, there is indeed a difference between "Nature" and "Science".

They represent big science, not branch science, and include areas such as science and technology ethics, policy preferences, etc.

But the former has a characteristic——

readability.

The latter is more focused on publishing the best original research papers, as well as reviewing and analyzing current research.

These are two ideas for running a journal.

Lu Shi replied: "I have read "Nature", but not "Science"."

The corners of Lockyer's lips curled up, and he even glanced proudly at Jack London next to him.

Then, he said: "Sir Lu thinks that Nature is more readable and interdisciplinary, right? After all...with all due respect, you are a liberal arts scholar."

Lu Shi did not deny this,

"That's right. But Nature and Science have more similarities than differences."

Jack London said: "Let's talk about commonalities first?"

Lu Shi replied: "First of all, when both were founded, the contributors were all scientists with certain academic status, which gave them a high starting point."

This is always the case for academic journals,

Who is the founder?

Who did the articles published in the first few issues come from?

These two issues largely determine the future direction of the journal.

Lu Shi continued: "Second, both of them are very rigorous, even so rigorous that it gives people a headache. I heard that it is common for an article to go through more than ten drafts, right?"

Jack London spreads his hands,

He is actually a middleman who passes the news.

He didn't know much about journals.

Lockyer was very excited.

"Sir Lu, you really understand! No wonder you can come up with the concept of impact factor."

You could tell that his words were not compliments, but sincere.

Lu Shi said: "The third point is that both are somewhat legendary."

Lockyer was stunned for a moment, then laughed,

"That's right. After all, the current academic circle is still very small. Although it is difficult to infer that what is published now are all the best, it can at least be predicted that some articles will lead the times, which is the so-called 'legendary color'."

Lu Shi also agreed,

"It's just a small added value."

Jack London said: "The thing about readability..."

Lu Shi replied: "If I remember correctly, Nature will publish some interviews and even letters from professors, right? By the way, there will occasionally be book recommendations and job applications for graduates. Its interest and accuracy can expand the readership." "

This is why many liberal arts departments order "Nature".

"Science" is slightly inferior.

The two were lost in thought.

After a while, Jack London said, "I think I understand."

Lockyer looked at him and said,

"What? Are you going to imitate "Nature"?"

Jack London shook his head confidently and replied: "That is not the American way of doing things. Our methods will be wilder and more unexpected."

Lockyer frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Jack London chuckled and said: "I'm not the person in charge of Science, so I can't say for sure. But I have a hunch... hum..."

He asked the other person in turn: "Sir, have you heard of the supplement to The Times?"

Lockyer frowned.

“Isn’t the Daily Times already beaten to death by the Mirror?”

Lu Shi was embarrassed,

"It's not dead yet~ It is said that hundreds of copies are sold every day."

Jack London spreads his hands,

"Some things don't necessarily have to be published in one journal. For example, "Science" only emphasizes scientific value, and then has a supplement that has the service characteristics of an 'academic community tabloid.' Wouldn't it be great?"

Lu Shi looked at this American and couldn't help but think of a hundred years from now.

China was trying to cross the river, unable to light up certain blocked technology trees, so it tried to find ways to overtake in corners.

This is very similar to the lighthouse in the early 20th century.

Crossing the river by touching Yingjiang,

Since "Science" is not the opponent of "Nature" on the front, then it will try to be more "evil", create a supplement, and create a tabloid.

Countries on the rise have some similarities.

Lockyer looked at Jack London;

Suddenly, he smiled,

"In that case, let's wait and see."

Jack London shrugged,

"I don't care~ I'm not the editor of Science anyway."

It’s okay to say that,

But Lu Shi always felt that there must be some exchange of interests for Jack London to make this trip for "Science".

As for who is more authoritative?

Lu Shi would not give a clear answer.

He said: "Actually, what I just talked about has nothing to do with the impact factor. Because the main factor in calculation is the number of citations~"

Lockyer shook his head seriously,

"Sir Lu, this statement is wrong. Only when a journal establishes an authoritative position and accepts a larger readership will it be noticed and cited by more and more scholars. What you said is more important than the impact factor, not only the indicators, but also the impact factor. Treat the root cause.”

"Ah this..."

Lu Shi scratched his head,

"That's okay."

Lockyer pondered for a moment and asked: "Sir Lu, have you ever considered setting up a publishing group? If you don't mind, Nature is willing to be published by you."

There is no modesty in this statement;

Because from a profit perspective, "Nature" makes almost no money.

All it brings is fame.

Lockyer made the request because he sincerely felt that Lu Shi knew how to run a journal well and could make Nature bigger and stronger.

Lu Shi knew that "Nature" would become more awesome in the future.

He thought for a while, thinking that it was not a problem for the "Mirror" to always be affiliated with the school publishing house of the London University Alliance, so he nodded,

"Okay, I will start setting up a publishing company when I come back from Japan."

Lockyer was happy;

"In that case, it's settled!"

He stood up, shook hands with Lu Shi tightly, and made a joke: "But you can't take care of your own people when judging the impact factor. Otherwise, American journals will be in a hurry."

Lu Shi laughed loudly,

"certainly!"

After that, he looked at Jack London again,

The latter's lips moved, as if he had something to say.

Lockyer said: "Then I'll go out first."

After saying that, he took the lead to leave.

Jack London glanced at Natsume Soseki again, and seeing that Lu Shi did not let him out, he knew that he was someone Lu Shi trusted absolutely.

He stopped thinking about it and said bluntly: "Sir Lu, I will run errands for the American Association for the Advancement of Science because they promised me a degree from the University of California, Berkeley."

This has been said from the bottom of my heart.

Lu Shi was speechless,

"I can't determine the impact factor of Science right now. But I might be able to help you get a degree from Columbia University, or even Harvard University..."

Jack London shook his head,

"I'm not obsessed with a degree."

I am not obsessed with my degree.

That means being obsessed with school.

Lu Shi was deep in thought, and then thought of the other person's life.

In 1897, 21-year-old Jack London entered the University of California, Berkeley, but later dropped out of Berkeley due to a lack of funds.

"Tsk..."

Lu Shi was speechless.

"You seemed to have said that you dropped out of school."

Jack London smiled bitterly,

"I dropped out of school. I was very naive at the time and hoped to make a living by working and continue studying. But I soon discovered that it was almost a fantasy. I was working in a laundry workshop and was almost exhausted. I had no time or energy at all."

Lu Shi patted him on the shoulder,

Thought,

No wonder this man joined the ranks of the unemployed from San Francisco to Washington to petition at such a young age.

It turns out that there is experience and life.

He comforted: "This is not your problem. There is no end to the hard labor. Moreover, no matter how strong you are, there will always be younger and stronger people to replace you and throw you away in ten or twenty years." Go to the trash heap.”

Jack London's eyes lit up as he chewed on these words over and over again.

He worked for Auckland Trams,

The manager asked him to work thirteen hours a day, which exhausted him to death.

Later he learned that two workers were actually fired from their jobs by him.

The two people each have a monthly salary of US$40, while he only earns US$30 a month, which is equivalent to saving the manager US$50 in costs.

The most terrible thing is that one of the people he pushed to work had a wife and three children to support, and he committed suicide because he could not make a living.

Lu Shi's words inspired him,

He solemnly said: "Thank you, thank you very much, Sir Lu."

Lu Shi was confused.

"Thank me? I didn't do anything?"

Jack London laughed and said, "No, you taught me a lot."

Lu Shi: "..."

For some reason he thought of Clemenceau in Paris.

Isn't Jack London also thinking about it?

Too outrageous.

Lu Shi looked helpless,

"All right……"

Jack London saluted Lu Shi and said, "Sir Lu is leaving for Japan, so I won't bother him... um... that's right."