Before today, if soone asked Yang Xuanqing what the greatest tragedy of his life was, he would probably have responded jokingly, "Perhaps it's that I'm not dead, but my money is."
But if he were asked the sa question now, Professor Yang would probably answer seriously, "When you realize the gap between your intelligence and a genius's intelligence is so wide that you might fit a Newton in it."
When he realized this, the overpowering sense of helplessness that rose from the depths of his heart could indeed drive a person mad.
It's said online that the difference in intelligence between people might be greater than between a person and a dog, but that's just a joke.
But now Yang Xuanqing knew this to be true.
Yes, Professor Yang had been thoroughly agitated.
Especially when he saw Qiao Ze say he might need half a year to fully catch up on the complete structure of mathematics, this guy even felt that half a year was too long...
Half a year was too long to go from nothing to sothing?
Just this simplest part described in Qiao Ze's mind, a normal person – no, even a typical genius – would probably find half a year far from enough to master it completely.
The feeling was quite different. For a mont, he even felt so sympathy for Edward Witten before him.
Such top-level scholars probably felt that despair more acutely, right?
If one also considered the age difference between the two...
But Yang Xuanqing quickly ca to his senses; surely Edward Witten couldn't have brought him here just to lant that Qiao Ze might not be human?
He even showed him emails from his private inbox; that must not have been simply to curry favor, right?
"Professor Whitten, is there sothing you need help with?"
Edward Witten nodded without hesitation and said, "Ha, you guessed right. Here's the thing, I have two students, they have so talent in mathematics, and I want to send them to Xilin University of Technology as exchange students, or perhaps for direct studies abroad. But due to so non-academic issues, it has beco a troubleso matter.
You should believe that I'm not interested in Qiao Ze's materials model. I purely want them to embrace the latest direction in mathematics, to study Qiao's Algebraic Geotry, and be able to make so achievents in the future. So, I wish to ask you for a favor to vouch for them."
Yang Xuanqing was startled and asked, "Does Xilin University of Technology no longer plan to accept mathematics students from abroad? Are the requirents so strict? One needs a dostic professor's endorsent to get admitted?"
Edward Witten shook his head and said, "It's not that the school won't accept them, but the Xilin Institute of Mathematics does not accept foreign students. As far as I know, Xilin University of Technology's graduate school does not yet offer courses in Qiao's Algebraic Geotry.
Don't you see, Professor Yang? If Qiao Ze manages to complete this mathematical proof, the future could see an entire rewrite of the fundantal theoretical structure of physics. Whether it's String Theory or field theory, or the standard model we're currently using, all could be unified under a single theory.
I hope my students can comprehend these fundantal mathematical concepts to pave the way for researching the latest physics directions in the future."
Yang Xuanqing suddenly felt enormous pressure and asked, "Professor Whitten, why don't you talk directly to Qiao Ze about this matter? If he spoke up, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"Qiao Ze refused . His exact words were that he neither manages such affairs nor wishes to exploit privileges, because it would affect his academic pursuit. But Qiao Ze also said he wouldn't mind having two extra foreign students in the institute, if I could help them to enter through the regular channels and pass his test, he wouldn't object."
Edward Witten said, sowhat disheartened.
"However, I've asked friends to inquire. In principle, the Xilin Institute of Mathematics doesn't recruit foreign students, but if two tenured professors from key Huaxia universities and one professor from the Xilin Institute of Mathematics are willing to vouch for them, and they pass the review, they can go to complete their studies."
Seeing Yang Xuanqing look sowhat reluctant, Edward Witten spoke more earnestly, "Professor Yang, if you're willing to write this letter of recomndation, your students can call anyti if they wish to study or conduct research at Princeton in the future. Of course, even if they don't pass the review, my promise still stands."
Yang Xuanqing felt a mix of emotions.
He truly hadn't expected Edward Witten to treat him with such importance, even personally brewing him coffee, just for a letter of recomndation or guarantee from him.
What was requested was rely the chance to study at the Xilin Institute of Mathematics.
Keep in mind, Edward Witten himself worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
That was also a coveted destination for the most brilliant students worldwide.
So, the commitnt offered by Edward Witten held sincere value.
Not everyone is suited to study the theory proposed by Qiao Ze.
"This... If it's just a letter of recomndation, then, all right, Professor Whitten." Yang Xuanqing thought for a mont, then nodded in agreent to the request from this influential figure.
As Edward Witten had said, he was rely writing a recomndation letter.
Givens how strictly foreigners were screened, there certainly was a set of internal admissions regulations.
He might not be able to reach Qiao Ze, but earning a favor from Edward Witten would undoubtedly be useful in the future.
"Thank you, Professor Yang. Qiao Ze is trying to tell everyone the truth about this world, but unfortunately, the language he uses to describe it is too abstruse. Thus, we need to send those who can comprehend what Qiao Ze is indicating to his side. If you have suitable students, I suggest you recomnd them quickly too."
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