Top Student at Their Peak

After more than ten or even dozens of years of persistent contemplation on a single mathematical problem, all the tools that could be used have basically been attempted.

Zhang Shuwen expressed understanding, but of course, he wouldn't take on everything. No choice, as Qiao Yu was not his student. It's hard to even say their relationship was good.

After all, when they first met, he had sternly scolded Qiao Yu, even criticizing him for being too ambitious.

Although he had the best intentions at the time, the gap between today's young people and their generation is profound, and Zhang Shuwen wasn't sure what Qiao Yu thought.

Perhaps he always considered him an old relic who liked to lecture others—this was very possible. Especially since this guy had grown into a genius he couldn't easily evaluate...

This made things even more awkward. However, even if he went back to when they first met, Zhang Shuwen believed he still would have said what he needed to say. He couldn't let fate's path be altered...

If he hadn't said those words, Qiao Yu might not have constructed the Generalized Modal Axiomatic System, which would have been a huge loss to the mathematics community.

Recalling the scene of first meeting Qiao Yu, Zhang Shuwen absentmindedly nodded and promised, "Don't worry, I'll pass your original words to him."

"Thank you, Zhang! I'll be waiting for your news."

After saying this, Peter Sanak couldn't help but glance at his almost untouched cup of coffee and commented seriously, "You all should protest to Professor Dugen; you must change this coffee.

This coffee is so sour and bitter, I really don't understand how you all can tolerate it. Next time you come to the institute, trust me, the coffee there is much better than the garbage coffee here."

Zhang Shuwen chuckled.

He wasn't the first to complain about the free coffee at the School of Mathematics being terrible, and he definitely wouldn't be the last.

After sending off Peter Sanak and sitting in the break room for a while, Zhang Shuwen returned to his office and dialed Yuan Zhengxin's number on the office phone.

"Hello, is that Shu Wen?"

"Yes, Elder Yuan, hello! How is your health recently?"

"It's alright, still able to eat, living another ten years shouldn't be a problem."

Listening to Yuan Zhengxin's hearty voice over the phone, Zhang Shuwen instinctively smiled.

One could tell the elder was in a good mood. It's not surprising, although there's still a lot of controversy between the two sides, having a genius like Qiao Yu as a lubricant is indeed reason to be happy.

After reaching the age of knowing destiny, the demands aren't very high anymore. For someone of Elder Yuan's status, having a successor is obviously the most important thing.

He had heard at Princeton that not only was Qiao Yu talented in mathematics, but Qiao Yu's mother also seemed talented. It's just a pity she's a bit older. However, it's said there's not much issue in passing down her mantle.

"Take care of yourself," Zhang Shuwen sincerely said.

"Is there something going on, Shu Wen, calling at this time? Isn't it 9 PM in Princeton? You're still in the office."

Zhang Shuwen quickly said, "Just now, Professor Sanak specifically chatted with me. He has also put a lot of effort into the Selberg Conjecture and has hit a bottleneck for a long time.

Recently, he came into contact with Qiao Yu's methods and is very interested. He wants to invite Qiao Yu to collaborate on researching this topic. He sent Qiao Yu three emails but hasn't received a reply.

So he contacted me, hoping I could ask whether Qiao Yu saw the emails. If possible, he would like to promote the collaboration."

After saying this, Zhang Shuwen fell silent, surprised that Elder Yuan on the other end also didn't speak immediately, leading to a moment of silence on the call.

Zhang Shuwen didn't rush him and just quietly waited, though he started to wonder. Honestly, it wasn't an unreasonable request. Whether agreeing or refusing, with Elder Yuan's personality, he should have responded promptly.

After about thirty seconds of silence, Zhang Shuwen was just about to speak when Yuan Zhengxin spoke, "Shu Wen, have you thought about returning recently?"

What a heavy topic. Zhang Shuwen thought for a few seconds and asked, "Do you mean resigning from the teaching position at Princeton?"

"Yes, come back, and teach at Huaqing. I can't manage the Math Research Center for many more years, come help me oversee it, and keep an eye on Qiao Yu. This child is still quite young. I'm not worried about the mathematics part, but there are other issues that are not very clear.

Someone needs to watch over him and make sure he doesn't go astray. I'm not too confident in Tian Yanzhen. Really, without Qiao Yu, I wouldn't be urging you like this. But think about it, even your colleagues are eager to collaborate with him now, what does that tell you?

Dare to dream? Huaxia will soon develop from a big mathematics nation into a strong one? Maybe even become the center of the world academic community? Previously, Huaxia's national strength might not have supported such a grand vision, but now?

Think about the current relationship between Huaxia and the other side. Shu Wen, carefully consider this! Perhaps the vision of our generation might be realized in Qiao Yu's generation!

History is a series of cycles. I have a premonition that a new era of technological outbreak may be about to begin. In this round, our national power is not inferior to any nation, and we even possess many advantages other countries may not have!"

Zhang Shuwen could feel Yuan Zhengxin's excitement as he said these words. After serious contemplation, he found himself beginning to waver.

But leaving everything behind here and going back directly, he hesitated.

After pondering for a moment, he finally said, "Elder Yuan, please allow me to think about it."

"Hmm, this is a big decision, take your time. As for what you mentioned, I will talk to Qiao Yu. But don't get your hopes up. There's a reason he's not responding to emails.

Recently, many teams and institutions have invited him to collaborate. The kid finds it overwhelming, and he even complained to me about it some time ago. Plus, he really has been quite busy recently. You must understand."

Zhang Shuwen replied, "I understand. I am just helping Peter by asking; Qiao Yu should naturally prioritize his own plans."

"Alright, think hard about what I just mentioned. Let me know your decision as soon as you've made up your mind."

"Alright, Elder Yuan."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Shuwen sat there lost in thought. In front of Elder Yuan, he was of the younger generation, but truth be told, he was already sixty-one this year.

At this age, whether to return or not is indeed a question. After thinking for a while, Zhang Shuwen's gaze focused on the course materials on the desk.

Underneath the course materials was a paper, which Zhang Shuwen absentmindedly pulled out and flipped through a few pages.

This was the paper Qiao Yu published in the Mathematical Yearbook.

Almost every page, along the top and sides, was filled with dense annotations, thoughts, and some supplementary derivations.

Huaxia becoming a mathematics powerhouse is still just a vision, but going back to engage with the frontier mathematical ideas would be true.

A massive system that turns all numbers into elements, it's astonishing that kid could think of it and even make it real.

Perhaps it really is time to go back?