Beijing.
Inside a faculty apartment at Yan University, two old men were sitting in the living room, drinking tea while chatting.
Because they were both academician level mathematicians, their conversation was naturally about mathematics.
The IMO competition recently came to an end. Academician Xiang Huanan began to talk about China’s performance with a smile on his face.
“First prize in group competition, 5 gold medals, and a silver. Someone even got full marks. Academician Wang, your team did quite well!”
Academician Wang Shicheng smiled and waved his hand.
“Pft, it has nothing to do with me, Professor Yang is more involved with the competition. I went to a couple of training, but I didn’t really help too much. Also, it’s also mainly due to the students’ abilities, they’re all talented in mathematics research. The mathematics center is just a venue for them to learn.”
Even though the old man tried to not take any credit, it was obvious he was still quite proud of how the students did.
At his age, it was impossible for him to produce any mathematics achievements. Ever since he retired as the chairman of the China Mathematics Society, he hadn’t conducted any mathematics research.
Yang Yongan was the teacher that led the IMO competition and one of Wang Shicheng’s proudest students.
Thus, Wang Shicheng was obviously pleased that his student was able to lead the Chinese mathematics Olympic team to success.
When you reached a certain age, money and materialistic things wouldn’t matter anymore. Leaving a legacy behind was more rewarding than anything else.
“You’re too humble. They are talented, but cultivating them is still important, right?” Xiang Huanan smiled and said, “But honestly, it’s getting harder and harder to win. 5 gold medals aren’t bad at all.”
“Yeah.” Wang Shicheng nodded and said, “The environment now is totally different. Education of the basic sciences is supported by the state and society. Things are a lot more competitive. I’m happy we were able to achieve this result.”
Basic scientific education didn’t directly affect a country’s scientific research abilities, but any country with a strong scientific research background also needed strong fundamentals.
Especially when it came to mathematics.
Knowledge wasn’t shared through books or hard disks; it was shared by people.
“You’re right.” Xiang Huanan sighed and said, “Speaking of which, this is all thanks to Professor Lu. He has inspired thousands of people to enter this field. I’ve been to many elementary schools and kindergartens, and when I ask the kids why they want to be a scientist, they all say Professor Lu—”
“Pff!”
Wang Shicheng suddenly spat out a mouthful of tea. Xiang Huanan paused for a second and quickly handed him some tissue.
“What happened? Did you choke? You should be careful, we’re getting old now.”
“…”
Wang Shicheng’s face turned red, he wanted to say something, but his throat was still hurting.
This old b*stard!
Just a second ago you were praising Yan University, now you’re kissing Academician Lu’s as*…
Wang Shicheng patted his chest for a while and tried to catch his breath. He wiped his mouth with a tissue and spoke while panting.
“Nothing, go on.”
Xiang Huanan looked at this old man and felt something was strange.
He shook his head and was about to continue speaking, but he suddenly rubbed his head awkwardly and said, “Wait a second, what was I talking about?”
Wang Shicheng: “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.”
“Fine, it wasn’t important anyway. Damn, my memory!” Xiang Huanan then said, “Speaking of which, I nearly forgot something. There was a kid that got full marks, right? What is his name?”
Wang Shicheng: “Li Mo.”
“Li Mo? Interesting name.” Xiang Huanan smiled and said, “Looks like he’s going to get a lot of training at Yan University.”
Wang Shicheng’s eyebrows twitched.
“He didn’t apply to Yan University…”
F*ck sake!
Can’t you talk about something else?!
Did this old man come here just to piss me off?
Xiang Huanan didn’t expect this kid to refuse Yan University’s invitation.
“He didn’t apply? No way? Did he… go to Shuimu?”
Wang Shicheng snapped, “Jinling!”
His worst regret was letting Professor Lu visit the mathematics center at Yan University. Not only did Professor Lu poach away Chen Yang, but he also poached an IMU gold medalist!
Screw this!
Screw that Lu Zhou kid!
Xiang Huanan nodded. He rubbed his beard and spoke.
“Jinling… Jinling is pretty good, Professor Lu is there. Anything is better than going to a temple and praying all day.”
Back in the 2006 IMO, student Liu from China and Schultz from Germany both won gold medals with perfect scores. However, one of them was now a Fields Medal-winning scholar, one of the most likely scholars to surpass Faltings. The other was drawn to Buddhism, never to be seen or heard again.
Whenever Xiang Huanan thought about it, he couldn’t help but feel agonized.
Xiang Huanan had met the young kid before; he had even argued with Wang Shicheng about the kid, claiming that Yan University ruined a good talent.
While the two men were thinking about separate things, it was time for a noon repast.
As usual, Wang Shicheng turned on the news channel while he ate.
The international news began showing precisely at 12 o’clock.
The news anchor sitting in the studio began with some opening remarks, and soon, the anchor talked about today’s first international news story.
And this story was obviously about the anti-terrorism military training “exercise”.
Wang Shicheng, who was sitting at the dining table, looked at the scene on the television, watching the airborne capsule falling from the sky. He had a look of comfort in his eyes, but he soon sighed with melancholy.
“I can no longer keep up with the times. When I heard about the aerospace forces on television, I had no idea what it was. But now, in less than two years, they were able to conduct a real-life exercise drill in space.”
“That’s what happens when you get older,” Xiang Huanan said. He looked at the television and suddenly remembered something, and he said, “Speaking of which, I heard a rumor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.”
Wang Shicheng: “What rumor?”
Xiang Huanan: “Apparently, this exercise drill was for Academician Lu’s visit to Russia for the ICM conference… But I think this rumor is quite unreliable. Qian Xuesen also traveled internationally back in the day, and the international tensions back then were way worse. He didn’t receive this kind of treatment. I just feel like this is unnecessary.”
Academician Lu again…
Today was the third time Wang Shicheng heard this annoying name.
However, this time, he didn’t react at all; he didn’t even comment on this matter.
After a moment of silence, the old man spoke.
“Never has there ever been a scholar that has received such treatment…”
Not to mention that Lu Zhou wasn’t a scientist, he was a mathematician.
Even though Wang Shicheng hated this person, he still acknowledged that Lu Zhou deserved this kind of reception.
“It’s just a rumor, take it with a grain of salt. But this kid is quite nutty. It’s a shame he didn’t come to the Chinese Academy of Sciences!” Xiang Huanan said as he looked at Wang Shicheng, “Speaking of which, I’m sure you’re invited to this year’s ICM. You didn’t go to the one in Brazil, are you going this time?”
It would be a shame if someone missed the opportunity to attend the ICM.
It only happened once every four years; no one knew how many opportunities this old man would have.
But if I go, I would have to see that imperious face…
Wang Shicheng hesitated for a second before clenching his jaw and nodding.
“I’m going! I have an invitation, why shouldn’t I go?”
Even though he detested that Lu Zhou guy.
But having the opportunity to witness China’s mathematics community flourish on the international stage…
That… would put a smile on my face.
