The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1155: Chapter 119: Dreamlike Reality (Part 2)

This was not merely because Arthur acknowledged the accuracy of the experimental data, but more because Arthur actually wrote the word “resistance.”

It should be noted that, the reason why he was widely criticized during the “calculation of current” was because he proposed this new concept of “resistance.”

In this era, electricity was still an emerging field, with many fundamental concepts yet to be fully established. Additionally, since most researchers lacked sufficiently precise experimental apparatus to measure the relationships between voltage, current, and resistance, the concept of resistance was not widely accepted in the scientific community, nor was it as well-defined as it would be in later times.

However, as the second leading figure in Britain’s electromagnetism and one of the academic authorities in electromagnetism in Europe, Sir Arthur Hastings dared to write the word “resistance,” which was enough to indicate his stance.

Arthur turned on the current switch on the laboratory table and casually held the tip of his cigar to the electric spark. Bright sparks and pale blue smoke slowly rose in the laboratory. “I support Mr. George Ohm’s argument.”

Upon hearing these words, the burden that had weighed on Ohm for six whole years seemed to be lifted all at once. His legs wobbled slightly, such that he had to hold onto the laboratory table to barely stand.

Weber caught Ohm’s movement out of the corner of his eye, but he deliberately pretended not to see it. Being a fellow natural philosophy researcher, Weber understood exactly what Arthur’s words meant to Ohm. Hence, he did not want to disturb Ohm in his excitement, as he feared that Mr. Ohm would not be able to help but cry out loud, which would be disrespectful to Ohm.

Weber smiled and said cordially, “Although I also support Mr. Ohm, I think… shouldn’t you verify with an experiment first?”

Arthur knew that Weber was tactfully reminding him not to rush to conclusions, otherwise, if mistakes were made, his academic reputation could be completely ruined.

But Arthur didn’t care that much, he didn’t want to conduct experiments. If he were to follow Agares’s words, while working with Mr. Faraday on publications, he had already done all the experiments he needed for a lifetime.

Moreover, even if an experiment was needed, hasn’t Gauss already started working on it? Why should he meddle blindly?

Arthur silently took another puff on his cigar, and invoked Faraday’s reputation to support his stance.

“In fact, while following Mr. Faraday, I had done countless similar circuit experiments. At that time, I had already vaguely sensed the relationship between current and voltage; I just hadn’t considered the possible existence of ‘resistance,’ so I couldn’t find the entrance to solve the mystery. But after reading ‘calculation of current,’ all my doubts were resolved. So I don’t need any further experimental verification to declare my position. I support George Ohm.”

Ohm, who had been barely holding back his emotions, finally couldn’t help but burst into tears when he heard Arthur reiterate his position.

He covered his face with his hands, apologizing between sobs, “I’m sorry, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Weber, I… damn, I…”

Weber, seeing Ohm in such a state, smiled and helplessly scratched his head: “Mr. Ohm, you don’t need to say anything, I understand how you feel. And I believe Director Hastings can understand too, after all, he is Mr. Faraday’s assistant.”

Arthur knew what Weber meant.

The reason why he emphasized Faraday was that Faraday had been falsely accused of academic plagiarism in his early years and, just like Ohm, was heavily criticized due to his not-so-great family background. But since Mr. Faraday’s academic prowess was truly outstanding, he eventually overcame those tough times, proved himself innocent, became famous, and ultimately became Britain’s most respected scientist.

Weber watched the senior man in front of him cry so uncontrollably and, being glad for Ohm on one hand, did not know how to deal with the scene. So he looked over to Arthur, trying to fill the awkward silence, “Director, seeing how Mr. Ohm has come such a long way, surely he should not be sent back after merely verifying an experiment?”

Naturally, Arthur had no intention of sending Ohm back just like that, as bringing Ohm over was never about simply conducting an experiment.

Arthur spoke, “Actually, from the moment I arrived at Gottingen, I’ve been considering the idea of establishing an electromagnetism training system here. My position as a professor of electromagnetism at the University of Gottingen is under the direction of His Majesty the King, and the decision to expand into this new field is a resolution by the Kingdom Government, hence it is imperative that we develop this new discipline to perfection. However, to propagate electromagnetism by relying solely on myself is ultimately unrealistic…”

Arthur said up to this point and took out a handkerchief from his jacket to hand it to Ohm, smiling as he asked, “Mr. Ohm, as I recall, you have lectured privately at Erlangen University, implying you hold professorial qualifications granted by the Kingdom of Bavaria, right?”

Ohm was taken aback by this question, and raised his head, his eyes still red and seemingly yet to calm down from his earlier excitement.

“I… I do hold a professorial qualification.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur simply nodded slightly, immediately pulling out a small notebook from his pocket, and signed a note: “In fact, from my personal perspective, I wish to invite you directly as a professor at the University of Gottingen. However, as you know, your theories are still not understood by most, even among the professors at the University of Gottingen, there are many opponents. Therefore, I can only invite you to be a private lecturer in electromagnetism for the time being. As for the professorial position…”

Ohm wiped his tears with his sleeves and nodded repeatedly: “It’s not your fault; I know my reputation and understand that gaining wide acceptance for my theories will take time. Truthfully, the fact that you openly expressed your willingness to support me today has already been a tremendous comfort, not to mention your willingness to let me lecture at the University of Gottingen. I dare not ask for a professorial position as I know that even giving me the title of lecturer means you have to bear considerable pressure.”

What Ohm said came from the bottom of his heart.

It could even be said that today’s outcome had already exceeded his highest expectations before coming to the University of Gottingen, so how could he dare to ask for more?

Unexpectedly, Arthur listened with a smile and simply shook his head slightly: “George, you misunderstood me.”

“Misunderstood you?” Ohm’s heart, which had just calmed, uneasily rose again: “Are you saying that even the lecturer’s position has to be put on hold?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

Arthur fiddled with the circuit switch on the experimental table, saying: “I meant, for this month, you’ll hold the lecturer title first. Then next month, the University of Gottingen will host the Pan-European Electromagnetism Conference, where renowned electromagnetism researchers from all of Europe, including France’s Mali Ampere, Britain’s Michael Faraday, and Denmark’s Hans Oersted will attend.

Of course, as representatives of the host, Mr. Gauss, Mr. Weber, and I will also be present. At that conference, as the host institution, the University of Gottingen will have to announce some noteworthy achievements to these eminent scholars. So, would you be willing to represent the University of Gottingen and deliver an academic report based on ‘calculation of current’ at that conference?”

Upon hearing this, Ohm was startled, feeling as though his mind was humming, as if someone had hit him with a hammer.

Arthur, seeing his silence, paced around the laboratory with his hands behind his back and said: “Of course, this report will not be in vain. After all, the truth of your theories, with Mr. Faraday, Mr. Ampere, and Mr. Oersted’s expert eyes, will definitely come to light. So once you finish this academic report, I will have ample reason to formally appoint you as the professor of electromagnetism at the University of Gottingen.”

“I… I…”

Ohm held the laboratory table with one hand and pressed his heart with the other. His forehead was glistening with sweat, but this time it was not due to nervousness, but due to happiness.

He felt that all the words of gratitude he had learned in his lifetime were insufficient to convey his feelings to Arthur at this moment.

Trembling, he reached out to Arthur, but before Arthur could take his hand, Ohm felt a blackout and then fell headlong to the floor.

“Mr. Ohm? Mr. Ohm!”

“Damn it! Your Excellency, you shouldn’t have made him so many promises at once!”

“How can you blame me? How could I have known his body was so frail beforehand?”