Text: Yu Yu
Edited by Yu Yu
Preface:
In the history of Chinese science, there is such a legendary figure: he was Einstein's right-hand man, and enjoyed a high academic status and favorable treatment in the United States.
However, he resolutely chose to return to China to serve, and made great contributions to the scientific and technological development of the motherland with his wisdom, but fate made people, this scientist was forced to clean the toilet for 20 years in the golden years of his life.
He is the famous Chinese physicist Shu Xingbei, what made him give up the high-paying job in United States? And what was the strength that sustained him through those difficult years?
Beam Star North
Shu Xingbei's life is like a movie full of drama. He was once a world-famous physicist, but overnight he was reduced to an obscure cleaner, and such a reversal is enough to break anyone's mind.
Imagine that you were still in the laboratory yesterday, and today you have to clean the toilet with a broom, this huge gap that few people can afford.
But Shu Xingbei accepted this reality, not only did he not complain, but regarded cleaning work as a kind of practice, in his opinion, cleaning the toilet is also a contribution to the country, this mentality, is really admirable.
Some people say that a person's pattern can only be truly reflected in adversity, and Shu Xingbei uses his own actions to interpret what it means to be wise and foolish.
He did his job of cleaning toilets to the extreme, but at the same time did not give up the pursuit of science, in between cleaning, he still thought about physical problems, and even staged formulas in the snow.
This kind of attachment reminds people of Archimedes, who can discover important theorems even if he is in a bathtub, and the story of Shu Xingbei also shows the almost paranoid concentration of scientists.
However, the trick of fate did not end there, in that special era, Shu Xingbei not only lost his job, but also lost the opportunity to communicate with the outside world, which is undoubtedly a great blow to a scientist.
But Shu Xingbei was not defeated, and he continued to contribute to the cause of science in his own way. During those difficult years, he quietly accumulated knowledge in preparation for his return to scientific research in the future.
Before Shu Xingbei returned to China
Shu Xingbei's story also has an amazing chapter, that is, he gave up United States preferential treatment and resolutely chose to return to China. This choice seemed unbelievable at the time.
Think of the courage and determination it takes for a scientist who is highly respected in United States academia to choose to return to a country that is in ruins!
Shu Xingbei's experience in the United States can be said to be smooth sailing, he has studied at many top universities and obtained multiple degrees, this kind of education is simply rare in China at that time.
What's even more enviable is that he also became Einstein's research assistant, you know, it is a great honor to be favored by a master of physics.
The experience of working beside Einstein has undoubtedly brought Shu Xingbei's academic level to a higher level, his talent has been fully displayed, and the future is bright.
But at this moment, Shu Xingbei made a decision that surprised everyone, he wanted to return to China and serve his motherland, a decision that many people did not understand.
Some people say that he is a fool, some people say that he is stupid and loyal, but in my opinion, Shu Xingbei's choice just reflects his foresight.
He knows that in order for a country to be truly strong, it must have its own scientific and technological strength, and to achieve this, it needs someone who is willing to pay and sacrifice for it.
Shu Xingbei's choice reminds me of another scientist, Qian Xuesen, who chose to return to China in their best years for the development of science and technology in the motherland.
After returning to China, Shu Xingbei was not discouraged by the backwardness of the environment, on the contrary, he worked harder, hoping to narrow the gap with foreign countries as soon as possible.
His efforts were not in vain, and in the years that followed, Shu Xingbei made great contributions to China's scientific and technological development, especially in radar technology, and his achievements were groundbreaking.
The other side of the beam of stars
In Shu Xingbei's life story, there is also an admirable character - educator, in his long career, teaching and educating people has always been one of his most important jobs.
Some people say that the peach and plum do not speak, and the next is its own, and this sentence is very suitable for Shu Xingbei, the students he trained later became the mainstay of China's scientific community.
For example, Nobel laureate Tsung-Dao Lee is a student of Shu Xingbei, and Lee Tsung-dao has said many times that Shu Xingbei's influence on him is far-reaching, and this influence is not only intellectual, but also spiritual.
There is also Cheng Kaijia, the winner of the Meritorious Service Medal of Two Bombs and One Star, who was also enlightened by Shu Xingbei, it can be said that without the guidance of Shu Xingbei, there may not be Cheng Kaijia later.
Shu Xingbei's educational philosophy can be summed up in four words: strict and loving, he is strict with students, but at the same time full of care, this education method was very advanced at that time.
He often told students that studying is not for exams, but for mastering knowledge, and this view is undoubtedly a clear stream in the era of test-oriented education.
Shu Xingbei also has a characteristic, that is, he is good at discovering the potential of students, he can see the shining points of each student, and guide them, this ability is a necessary quality of an excellent educator.
In terms of teaching methods, Shu Xingbei also has his own set, he doesn't like to read from the book, but likes to guide students to think, he often says that physics is not for memorization, but for thinking.
This teaching method cultivates students' ability to think independently, and it is this ability that allows his students to go further on the road of scientific research in the future.
However, what everyone didn't expect was that he ushered in the lowest point in his life, in 1955, when the society was in turmoil, and Shu Xingbei's character offended many people at that time, and he was finally suspended.
Not long after, he was arranged to clean the toilet, and from this time on, Shu Xingbei began a long period of manual labor, but during this time, he did not give up on himself, but still carried out his own research in his spare time.
Shu Xingbei's life story ushered in a moving climax in his twilight years, this former top scientist, after twenty years of low points, finally returned to scientific research.
At that time, his disciple Li Zhengdao returned to China, and after hearing what happened to his master, he strongly recommended him, and it was his suggestion that allowed Shu Xingbei to return to the road of scientific research, but at this time he was already past the age of six.
Some people say that time is the best witness, and the story of Shu Xingbei just confirms this, those who once questioned him and ignored him finally had to admit his value.
Shu Xingbei, who returned to scientific research, showed amazing vitality, and at the age of 73, he took on a task that almost everyone dared not take on - calculating missile trajectories for the country.
Imagine the scene of an old man in his prime, holding a calculator in his hand and writing paper, this kind of picture can only be seen in movies, right?
But Shu Xingbei did it, he not only completed the task, but also refused the bonus, in his opinion, contributing to the country is deserved, and there is no need for anything in return.
This kind of spirit reminds people of the old saying: Lao Ji is ambitious, and Shu Xingbei uses his own actions to interpret what is called the responsibility and responsibility of a scientist.
In fact, Shu Xingbei's scientific research achievements are not limited to his later years, as early as 1945, he developed China's first radar, this achievement, for him to win the reputation of the father of China's radar.
Looking back on Shu Xingbei's scientific research career, we can see the persistence and persistence of a scientist, no matter how the environment changes, his love for science remains the same.
What's even more touching is that at the last moment of his life, Shu Xingbei still wanted to contribute to the cause of science, and he put forward his last wish to donate his body, hoping to contribute to medical research.
Although due to various reasons, this last wish was not fulfilled in the end, the spirit of Shu Xingbei is undoubtedly worth learning from each of us.
Epilogue:
Shu Xingbei's life is like a legendary novel with ups and downs, he has experienced peaks and valleys, glory and tribulations, but he has always maintained his love for science and loyalty to his motherland.
His story tells us that true patriotism is not an empty slogan, but a real action, whether it is to abandon the preferential treatment of United States and resolutely return home, or to persist in scientific research in the face of adversity, Shu Xingbei has used his actions to explain what is the responsibility and responsibility of scientists.
His spirit has not only influenced his students, but also inspired generations of Chinese scientists, in today's era of rapid development of science and technology, we need more scientists like Shu Xingbei, who do not care about personal gains and losses, only work for the development of the country and the progress of mankind.
The story of Shu Xingbei will always be a bright pearl in the history of Chinese science, inspiring us to make unremitting efforts to realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
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Resources:
The Paper2024-06-28Science and Technology Figures | The Father of Chinese Radar - Shu Xingbei