Chapter 67

In the brightly lit hall, amidst the elegant and graceful waltz, dozens of people in formal attire danced joyfully, creating a lively scene.

"Has Edison managed to reduce the cost of the bamboo filament light bulb yet?"

As John entered the hall, he subconsciously began to seriously consider this question. According to his memory, it took Edison several years to reduce the cost of the light bulb to about twenty cents, after which he transferred the production rights. However, from the current situation in Berlin, light bulbs were already very common in university laboratories and many high-end hotels.

But John soon shook his head, dispelling these thoughts. At this time, Edison should have gradually shifted his focus to the promotion of electrical facilities, with direct current being his development priority for a long time to come, until Tesla's alternating current would completely shatter this dream!

Alternating current is the real money-making thing!

John wasn't without thoughts of developing it early, but he only understood the principles of alternating current. When it came to the design of specific equipment, he was at a loss. Alternating current motors weren't like bicycles; John hadn't studied them in his previous life and didn't have detailed blueprints in his head. It's worth noting that in 1882, someone in Britain had already built an alternating current motor, but it would take at least a decade for alternating current to truly become widespread. John didn't have the time or energy, nor the financial resources, to undertake this work. The simplest way would be to find Tesla for cooperation after returning to the United States.

"However, in a couple of years, I can consider selling the patent for the storage battery!"

Thinking about Edison's promotion of direct current, John thought of the storage battery patent he had registered long ago. It should be a valuable asset a decade later, and when the competition was most intense, he could sell it at a high price, which would certainly benefit the promotion of various electrical systems...

Seeing John standing there in a daze, Luther thought he was savoring the beautiful waltz and leaned in to explain quietly, "This is Johann Strauss's 'The Blue Danube Waltz.' I heard it caused a sensation in the United States a few years ago."

"Oh, I've heard of it!"

Hearing his friend's explanation, John snapped out of his thoughts and responded with a smile. He had certainly heard the famous 'The Blue Danube Waltz'; there were few people in the future who didn't know this piece.

To cover up his momentary lapse, John's eyes darted around, and he whispered, "Luther, it seems the规格 of today's banquet is quite high... How did you two manage to get the invitations?"

Just a moment ago, John had seen the list of attendees on a golden sheet of paper. Besides Koch, there were also Fehling, Cohnheim, and other prominent figures in German medicine. Clearly, tonight's ball was not a simple affair; it was a top-tier gathering in the German medical community.

"Hehe, just good luck!"

Luther grinned, tilting his head and speaking in a low voice, "There's an important academic conference of the German Physiological Society today and yesterday, so they held this ball to wrap things up... Pick's mother is acquainted with the hostess of the ball. Knowing how much you admire Koch, she helped you get these three invitations."

"Oh, I see."

Hearing Luther's explanation, John suddenly understood.

Indeed, given their current status, it wouldn't be easy to attend such a high-level ball without connections. It was just a matter of good luck. However, John only smiled slightly at Luther's assumption that he admired Koch, without further explanation. He had always held the medical scientists and doctors of this era in the highest regard, so calling it admiration wasn't entirely wrong.

But...

"Which one is Mr. Koch?"

Looking around, all he saw were elegantly dressed gentlemen, and John couldn't identify which one was Robert Koch. He was also very interested in the cell pathologist Fehling, but he most wanted to meet Koch. In the future, Pasteur and Koch, like the institutes named after them, were renowned in the fields of microbiology and pathobiology!

"Be patient."

Perhaps sensing John's impatience, Luther gently tugged at his sleeve and smiled, "Pick has already gone to find out. We should know which one is Mr. Koch soon."

"Okay, thanks."

Hearing Luther's words, John felt reassured and was deeply grateful to his two friends.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Pick quietly approached and nodded toward the center of the hall, "John, see that middle-aged gentleman? He's Mr. Koch!"

John quickly turned to look.

After Pick's confirmation, John finally knew which one was Mr. Koch.

In his forties, of medium build, with a slightly receding hairline, wearing small-framed glasses, and sporting a full beard, he had a classic German middle-aged appearance.

John immediately felt a surge of excitement.

"Hey, what are you planning to do?"

Seeing John straighten his clothes, apparently intending to approach Koch directly, Pick quickly grabbed his friend and asked anxiously.

"Of course, I want to meet him!"

Knowing what his friend was worried about, John smiled and reassured him, "Don't worry, I won't do anything impolite. I just want to express my respect for Mr. Koch's work!"

John certainly didn't want to miss such a good opportunity.

Unlike other students who came to Germany to learn from Koch, John didn't intend to learn anything from him. Just like when he visited Lister in London, John planned to have a direct conversation with him, even if it was just for a minute or two.

"Is that so... Alright."

Looking at John with some suspicion, Pick hesitated for a moment before releasing his right hand.

Under the worried gazes of Pick and Luther, John quickly walked to Koch's side. However, as a prominent figure, Koch was never short of people waiting to meet him. John waited for a while, and when Koch finished talking to another elder, he stepped forward and bowed slightly, asking, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Koch?"

"Yes, I am."

Turning to see John, Koch's eyes flashed with curiosity, and he nodded with a smile.

"Hello, sir, I apologize for the interruption!"

Taking a deep breath, John respectfully said, "My name is John Hunter, a student at the University of Berlin. I have read many of your papers and admire your work greatly!"

"Hello. Where are you from?"

Koch raised an eyebrow, asking with a hint of confusion.

"America, but I am of German descent!"

Nodding vigorously, John emphasized this point.

Although he knew Koch was a broad-minded scientist who had trained many foreign students, Europe was the center of the world at that time, and many people were not fond of Americans, even looking down on them. John had experienced this since arriving in Liverpool. Therefore, during his studies in Berlin, he usually emphasized his German heritage to avoid many troubles. After all, apart from the Chinese blood he truly recognized deep down, the outer layer didn't matter much to him.

Sure enough, upon hearing that John was of German descent, Koch's face immediately brightened, and he nodded, "Young man, it's good to see such enthusiasm... You said you've read many of my papers? Which areas are you most interested in?"

"Anthrax, tuberculosis, and the paper on typhoid you published this year. However, I am most interested in your suggestions on steam sterilization! Ha ha, because I aspire to become a surgeon, and before coming to Berlin, I visited Mr. Lister in London, so I am particularly interested in this area."

"Really?"

Hearing this, Koch's eyes lit up, and he looked at John with renewed interest, "Do you also believe that sterilization is necessary in surgical procedures?"

Although his achievements were mainly in bacteriology, Koch was also a physician and was very interested in the sterilization of surgical procedures due to his research.

"Of course!"

John nodded without hesitation.

Under Koch's curious gaze, John continued, "In fact, I have not only studied your papers but also those of Mr. Semmelweis, Mr. Pasteur, and Mr. Lister. I believe that the biggest enemy in modern surgery is the potential for bacterial infection, so sterilization is not only necessary but must be done better!"

"Semmelweis? You have studied his theories?"

Hearing this, Koch seemed even more interested, nodding, "Unfortunately, he was an outstanding surgeon, a real pity... By the way, you mentioned you are a student at the University of Berlin, right?"

"Yes, sir!"

John was slightly taken aback but quickly nodded.

"Very good!"

Koch chuckled, "It just so happens that I will be teaching at the University of Berlin next year. If you are interested, we can sit down and have a good chat about these matters..."