Chapter 82: Returning Home
The matters of funds and talent had been mostly resolved, and Carlo’s diplomatic visit to Italy had also come to an end.
Under the courteous send-off from his brother Crown Prince Umberto and Italian Prime Minister Giovanni, Carlo boarded the steamship returning to Spain, conveniently taking with him an interest-free loan of 10 million lira and over a hundred talents.
Among them, only a few scientists were arranged on the accompanying ship, while the other scientists would stagger their times and take different ships to Spain.
Onboard the steamship, Carlo also met one of the talents he had particularly focused on, the future Nobel Prize winner Camillo Golgi.
No matter how outstanding Camillo Golgi’s achievements would be in the field of medicine later on, he was now just a 27-year-old doctor who had graduated from university only a few years ago.
When meeting Carlo, Camillo Golgi appeared very reserved, not even daring to make direct eye contact with Carlo.
“Don’t be nervous, Mr. Golgi.” Carlo said with a smile: “You graduated from Pavia University Medical School?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. After graduation, I have been working at San Matteo Hospital and dedicated to research on nervous system diseases.” Camillo Golgi nodded and answered very respectfully.
“Excellent, Mr. Golgi.” Carlo smiled; there were not many medical workers in Spain engaged in nervous system research, so this was like finding a treasure.
“Spain also has corresponding medical schools. If you don’t mind, you can first serve as a visiting professor at these medical schools.” Carlo thought for a moment and arranged Golgi’s work:
“Once the Royal Academy of Sciences in Spain is built, you can also apply to join the Royal Academy of Sciences and engage in medical research.
Any researcher who joins the Royal Academy of Sciences can apply for a project research funding at the academy to help your research.
I will have someone arrange a residence for you, trying to make it as close as possible to your workplace. Mr. Golgi, welcome to Spain.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Coming to Spain is my honor. I will devote myself fully to research to repay Your Majesty’s trust in me.” Camillo Golgi nodded hurriedly, expressing his gratitude to Carlo.
Although Camillo Golgi had shown extraordinary talent during his studies at medical school, Italy did not place as much emphasis on medical talent.
For Camillo Golgi to become a professor at his alma mater, Pavia University, he would need to achieve a certain breakthrough in his research projects and gain some reputation.
Carlo starting him off as a professor at a Spanish medical school, and even allowing him to apply to the prestigious Royal Academy of Sciences in Spain, showed remarkable trust in him.
“Of course, Mr. Golgi. If you have acquaintances or good friends at Pavia University, you can also invite them to Spain together.
I am quite welcoming to you people engaged in medical research; they can also enjoy treatment similar to yours.
Please rest assured, as long as you have sufficient ability, I will provide enough research funding for your medical research and not interfere excessively in your research.
Progress in medicine is beneficial to the whole world. I hope we can jointly promote the progress of human medicine, so that people around the world can enjoy more advanced medical levels to treat those previously incurable diseases.” Pavia University was also quite famous in Italy, and friends acquainted with Camillo Golgi were at least not ordinary people of mediocre ability.
Even if they were just good-level medical workers, bringing them to Spain would be completely worthwhile. After all, there weren’t that many good doctors in this era, and even the doctor training system was not well-developed.
“I can try, Your Majesty.” Camillo Golgi nodded, but fearing he might not recruit anyone and cause Carlo’s displeasure, he quickly added: “However, I’m not sure if anyone would be willing to travel thousands of miles to Spain. I will try my best.”
Carlo smiled. The relationships among these research scientists weren’t that complicated; perhaps Camillo Golgi could really bring some people.
After all, the conditions Carlo offered were quite top-tier across Europe. They might not have great appeal to top scientists, but they were extremely attractive to ordinary scientists.
The fleet’s docking point was in Valencia, from where he could take the train back to the capital Madrid.
As for why not choose Barcelona in Catalonia, it could only be said that the separatists there were not peaceful, and for safety considerations, Carlo preferred Valencia as the docking point.
After enduring the long jolts of the train, Carlo finally returned to the capital Madrid.
Although this era already had relatively well-developed railways and trains, the speed of trains was truly too pitiful.
The current mainstream train speeds were maintained at 20 to 30 kilometers per hour, with only particularly flat straight railways able to sustain around 30 kilometers per hour.
Even though the carriage Carlo rode in had been specially modified, featuring not only comfortable luxurious sofas but also a kitchen and bedroom, including conference rooms and offices.
But at such speeds, it still took over ten hours from Valencia to Madrid, not to mention slightly longer distances.
Spain’s current railways basically connected the major cities and key regions. To circle around these cities would take at least several days.
This was also why Carlo was always reluctant to travel. Whether on land or sea, journeys of several hundred kilometers took too much time, making it really inconvenient.
Carlo was also immensely looking forward to the advent of cars and airplanes. Only after these two technologies achieved true commercial use would modes of transport be thoroughly reformed, making travel both comfortable and convenient.
This visit to Italy had only taken a little over half a month, and Madrid had not seen too many changes.
Along the way from Valencia to Madrid, one could see many factories in the Madrid outskirts constantly expanding, and between cities, large expanses of farmland shimmered with golden light, suggesting this year would be one of double bumper harvests in industry and agriculture.
Carlo’s mood was still quite wonderful. Currently, Spain’s development seemed quite smooth. Although it wouldn’t lead to a sudden massive increase in comprehensive national strength, this kind of stable improvement was equally pleasing.
Along the way, one could also see Spaniards showing smiles; people were genuinely enjoying their current lives from the heart. After reducing various heavy taxes, large numbers of Spanish farmers could finally catch their breath.
Although it wasn’t yet a good life, it was at least somewhat better than before. At least most of the Spanish farmers’ grain could stay in their own hands, whether sold for income or kept as food rations, it eased their worries.
Day 2/7, updated 2000/10000 words, seeking support! Sharing some news with everyone: first subscriptions collapsed, only 300+, author’s heart sank halfway. This book’s current performance is much worse than the previous one; it all depends on whether it can recover later.
But the author never considered dropping it. Since the book was started, it will be finished, treating it as accumulating experience.
