Expedition to Europe

The College of New Jersey was founded in 1746. It was named "The College of New Jersey" because it was located in Elizabethtown, New Jersey.

Ten years later, the College of New Jersey moved to Princeton, located between New York and Philadelphia. In 1896, the College of New Jersey was officially renamed Princeton University.

18 Tesla resigned as vice president of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. He had just won the "Electric Current War" with Edison, and then Nikola Tesla's laboratory on Fifth Avenue in New York was destroyed by a fire.

Compared with the American political world, the American science and technology world is darker. Nikola Tesla's example is definitely not an exception. I don't know how many people in the United States have suffered the same treatment as Nikola Tesla. John Ball is just one of them.

If there was no trip to Lanfang by Nikola Tesla, perhaps John Ball's deeds would never be mentioned, and John Ball would be forgotten by everyone. However, just like the "butterfly effect", the world has changed too much because of Qin Zhiyuan's arrival, and John Ball's fate will also be completely changed with the recommendation of Nikola Tesla.

In fact, when Nikola Tesla recommended John Ball to Qin Zhiyuan, John Ball was facing the biggest crisis in his life.

"Catherine, don't leave, for the sake of our children--" At the door of the attic of a three-story building on the Delaware River in Princeton, John Ball was begging his wife Catherine Stephens.

No, it's still Catherine Ball now.

John Ball is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Princeton University. Under normal circumstances, John Ball's salary can allow his family to live a decent life, at least they don't have to rent someone else's attic. John Ball's family has fallen to such a state now, and it is obvious that something unknown has happened.

"Joe - I can't stand it anymore. You can live in the laboratory and marry an engine bearing as your wife, but have you ever considered me and the children? For your damn experiment, I sold all my jewelry and borrowed from all my relatives and friends, but what did I get? It was your shameless deception again and again!" Catherine was determined and dragged her suitcase to scold John Ball.

Catherine was not old, probably in her thirties, but she was wearing a shabby white pleated long skirt. The cuffs and hem had traces of mending, and the white had become a little yellow. It was obvious that John Ball's family was not living well.

"Catherine, give me another chance, I promise that I will succeed this time. As long as my experiment is successful, I can sell the patent to Lockheed and Boeing. They will definitely give me a high price. Then we can move, repay all the debts, and let the children enjoy a better life-" John Ball did not give up.

But looking at Catherine's expression, John Ball's words didn't have much effect, perhaps because these words had been said too many times.

Sure enough, Catherine became more emotional after listening: "Shut up! How many times have you said this to me? I've heard enough - I can guarantee that even if you complete the research, the patent will belong to that damn Mike, and it has nothing to do with you at all. Besides, can your experiment continue? Where are you going to get the money? Do you want me to sell it on the street?"

Catherine's emotions were on the verge of collapse, and she could even blurt out words like "sell it on the street". You can imagine the torment Catherine suffered.

"Mom, don't go, please--" John Ball's son John Jr. came over and grabbed Catherine's skirt.

On the only bed in the attic, John Ball's daughter Catherine Jr. was crying loudly.

John Jr. was only six years old, and Catherine Jr. was even younger. At the age of two, she needed her mother the most.

"Dear, Mommy doesn't want to leave either, but this is life--" Catherine's eyes were red. If she hadn't been patient to the limit, why would she be willing to leave her husband and children--

"Damn it, can you guys be quiet for a while--" An irritable voice came from the corridor on the second floor, and then a head with messy hair and beard poked out from the stairs: "I'm really fed up with you, arguing all day long without a moment of silence, can't you guys just be quiet?"

After scolding John Ball, the sturdy man in his forties turned to look at Catherine with an obscene look: "Catherine, I've said it before, this The guy is not worth relying on, you should live another life. "

"Shut up, is it better to follow you to the market to sell meat? Dream on!" Catherine was not polite. After scolding, she turned back to face John Ball with a sad expression: "Look, this is our life, living with butchers and ****, is this a life that a decent person should accept?"

The appearance of the butcher strengthened Catherine's determination. Catherine shook off John Ball's hand, and then carefully opened Little John's hand. She looked at Little Catherine who was still crying, and tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out, dragging the box and leaving without looking back.

John Ball could no longer say anything to keep him. The man, who was a university assistant, sat on the floor dejectedly with his head down and kept silent. Only the crying of Little John and Little Catherine lingered in his ears.

After leaving home, Catherine was confused for a moment. She didn't know where to go. In the past ten years, Catherine had given her best time to the man in the attic. Her husband and children were everything to Catherine. Although she was determined to let go, Catherine could not feel any relaxation or pleasure. Her whole body felt as if it had been hollowed out. If it were not for the support of the suitcase, Catherine would collapse to the ground now.

A taxi passed by, and the driver rang the inquiry bell. Catherine seemed unaware and walked forward carrying the box.

Catherine had no money, not a cent on her body.

Princeton is a small city covering an area of ​​no more than four or five square kilometers. The largest and most extensive building complex in the city is Princeton University.

This place was once the pride of Catherine. Perhaps before leaving, Catherine wanted to take another look at Princeton University, so Catherine carried her suitcase to the gate of Princeton University.

There were two men wearing top hats and three-piece suits at the door who were communicating with the security guards at the door. Their conversation caught Catherine's attention.

"——Yes, we are looking for Mr. John Ball. We are from the French Renault Group. We have a question that we would like to ask Mr. John Ball. That will help us solve a big problem. Yes, we just got off the plane. , so we don’t have an appointment, but I’d still like you to inform me, that’s not difficult to do, isn’t it?” A middle-aged man was talking to the security guard, and another man was standing next to a brand-new Wuzui car.

Catherine knew the price of this "Wuzui" car from Lanfang, which was an astronomical figure for Catherine now. And while the middle-aged man was talking to the security guard, Catherine saw clearly that the middle-aged man thrust a rolled banknote into the security guard's hand.

Even if it was rolled up, even if it was only from the side, Catherine could still recognize Franklin's head at a glance.

The portrait of Franklin on the side is a hundred-dollar bill issued by the Federal Reserve just before the World War.

Just to meet John Ball, just to bribe a concierge, these two people could spend a hundred dollars, which was really rich.

What did one hundred dollars mean to the average American in the 1920s?

Let’s put it this way, the per capita national product of the United States last year was only $784.

For a concierge, that's about two months' salary.

Read the original article in Liu#9@书/吧!

"Gentlemen, are you looking for John Ball? Maybe I can help." Catherine tidied her messy hair and tried her best to look dignified. She didn't care about clothes or anything like that. Fortunately, although Shabby, but not dirty at all.

"Oh oh oh, if you want to find Mr. John Ball, just go to Catherine. This lady is the wife of Mr. John Ball." The concierge had just made an unexpected fortune, and now he was particularly enthusiastic.

"Thank you very much!" The middle-aged man expressed his gratitude to the concierge first, with a tone of alienation and rejection.

The meaning is obvious. There is nothing to do without you now. Please give us a quiet space to communicate.

The concierge was already very satisfied and happily returned to the security room to confirm this unexpected gain.

"Ms. Catherine Power?" The middle-aged man came to Catherine. He was not overly enthusiastic, nor did he show contempt for Catherine's shabby clothes. He was just polite and business-like.

Hypocritical European gentleman!

Catherine was complaining in her mind, but her expression was still reserved: "Not anymore, Ms. Catherine Stephens - no, miss."

Well, all women are very concerned about titles, and they are a bit harsh.

"Well, Miss Catherine Stephens, nice to meet you. My name is Todd Pittman. I come from the French Renault Group. If you can introduce Mr. John Ball to me, I will be very grateful." Todd Don't take it personally and continue to be polite.

"Gentleman" demeanor is still very useful, especially when it comes to women with higher education, which is simply irresistible to women.

"I am very happy to serve you." Catherine held up the hem of her somewhat worn skirt and performed a squatting salute. If you ignore the clothes on her body, she is indeed a lady with a noble status.

"Madam, please let me serve you." The young man next to the car hurried over. After getting Catherine's permission, he picked up the suitcase beside Catherine's legs and put it into the trunk of the "Wuzi". Then open the rear seat door behind the driver, put one hand on the roof to prevent bumping, and hold the door with the other hand to prepare to close it at any time.

Tears suddenly burst into Catherine's eyes. How long had it been since she had enjoyed this kind of treatment?

It seems that the last time I was married was when I was married to John Ball, and it was still a horse-drawn carriage——

It feels like a world away.