For a pure scientist like Professor Wu Ci, monetary incentives and fame are in no way capable of tapping into his full potential. Only grand narratives and appeals to national enthusiasm can effectively reach him and others like him.
The reason is that scientists of this era enjoy the benefits befitting the middle class of imperialism. Having dwelled in the middle layers of the ivory tower for a long time, they rarely truly stoop to observe the mundane world. Let alone in this time of extreme information backwardness and isolation between communities, the only area they can see is Paris. They may mourn for the workers upstairs who toil from 7 AM to 9 PM, yet are entirely unwilling to ponder what has led them to such a plight.
