Chapter 108: The Plan

When she finally landed at the Capital International Airport in Beijing, it was already the morning of the 29th.

Those who had attended the conference in Hydra together were set to part ways here. Aside from the attendees bound for Beijing, everyone else had already booked their connecting flights and simply returned to the departure lounge to wait for their transfers.

As for the group staying in the capital, they would each return to their own homes. If time had permitted, Wu Tong would have been among those catching another flight.

However, on August 29th, students across the country faced the same prospect: the new school year was about to begin. At Peking University, freshman registration had already started the previous day.

Wu Tong no longer had time to return home. Her family had originally planned to accompany her to university, but she persuaded them to wait until the National Day holiday in October to visit Beijing. By then, everyone would be free, and her accommodation would be ready. They had just seen her brother off to university and needed some time to themselves.

She had always lived on campus at Peking University, so there was no need for any special ceremony to mark her enrollment. According to the academic plan the university had arranged for her, the beginning of the school year essentially marked the countdown to graduation.

Academician Shen Yuehua from the Mathematical Society and his group had intended to invite Zhou Wenping and Wu Tong to ride back with them. However, as soon as they stepped out of the exit, they were met by staff sent especially by the Academic Affairs Office of Peking University to receive Wu Tong and her party. Leading them was none other than Director Sun Rong of the Academic Affairs Office.

"Professor Zhou, Professor Li, Wu Tong, you've all worked hard!" Director Sun greeted each of them warmly, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. "Academician Shen, Professor Ming..."

Compared to the somewhat bookish professors, Sun Rong’s social skills were on another level. While he welcomed their own university's people, he also made sure not to neglect the visiting academicians and professors from the Mathematical Society and the Academy of Sciences.

After a brief exchange, the guests from the Mathematical Society and Academy of Sciences were sent off, and Sun Rong led the remaining Peking University group onto the university’s shuttle bus.

"Everyone, take a couple of days to rest first," Sun Rong said considerately to Wu Tong. "Wu Tong, the school has already handled your freshman registration—there’s no need for you to make an extra trip!"

When it came to Wu Tong’s enrollment, Peking University could not have been more proactive; everything was already in perfect order. Wu Tong was now, officially and unequivocally, a member of Peking University.

The recipient of the coveted Ramanujan Prize and the most promising candidate for the future Fields Medal was now theirs—unshakably so. This year, fortune had truly smiled on Peking University.

The group chatted as they arrived at the university. The accompanying students took their leave, while Sun Rong enthusiastically invited Wu Tong and a few others to the Academic Affairs Office. However, Zhou Wenping excused himself to meet with the dean, so Sun Rong accompanied them instead to the Mathematics Institute and the office of Dean Pan Wenhua.

Dean Pan and the department head were already waiting. After greetings were exchanged and everyone was seated, Pan Wenhua smiled at Wu Tong.

"Wu Tong, first of all, congratulations on your honors at the International Congress of Mathematicians and on winning the Ramanujan Prize. Welcome to Peking University. Given your academic foundation, the university is waiving all coursework requirements for you!"

For a scholar who had solved three major world problems, won prestigious international awards, published four top-tier papers, and delivered a one-hour report at the International Congress of Mathematicians, testing her on basic courses would be a waste of time. If not for appearances' sake—and to avoid causing Wu Tong trouble—they would have skipped even more formalities.

In truth, they wanted to grant Wu Tong a doctorate immediately and appoint her as a full professor—treatments barely worthy of her achievements.

"As for courses," he continued, "you may arrange your studies as you wish." He recalled how Wu Tong, with her wide-ranging intellectual interests, had previously attended classes in physics, chemistry, materials science, and other departments.

Professors and administrators from those departments, eager to encourage Wu Tong to learn more, were all in favor of granting her the freedom to attend any lecture she liked.

Everyone knew what they were after. In the academic world, if you could entice a genius mathematician to delve deeply into your own field, it would be nothing short of a coup.

He wanted to tell those shameless colleagues to forget it. No matter what Wu Tong might be interested in, she would always belong to the Department of Mathematics.

"The university anticipates awarding you your bachelor’s degree next year. For further study, we’ve planned two possible paths: the first is a direct Ph.D. at our Mathematics Institute. Once you produce doctoral-level work, the university will grant you your doctorate and extend a formal invitation to join Peking University as a full professor.

"Alternatively, we have partnerships with top international institutions—Princeton, MIT, Stanford, the École Normale Supérieure in France, and others. We can initiate a joint training program, sending you abroad to study and gain access to even greater resources. I believe these institutions would be thrilled to welcome you!"

Special measures were being considered for Wu Tong, given her extraordinary expertise and achievements. Unless she particularly wanted to enjoy campus life, there was no reason for her to spend too much time in school.

In fact, Wu Tong had already indicated her intention to accelerate her studies. The university had taken this into account and developed a special program for her. This was the first time the details were formally discussed.

If Wu Tong chose to study or work abroad, they would understand. The reality was that domestic conditions still lagged behind; someone of Wu Tong’s caliber could expect far better treatment overseas. That was an undeniable fact.

Nonetheless, they would do everything they could to persuade her to stay.

"In addition," Pan Wenhua continued, "the university is helping you apply for national academic status and research funding. Whether it’s the Ten-Thousand Talents Program, the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, the Distinguished Young Scholars Fund, or other major domestic awards—so long as you qualify, Peking University will do everything in its power to secure them for you." The domestic mathematics community was fragmented, but Peking University was still a dominant force in the North—no one dared underestimate them.

As long as Wu Tong remained at Peking University, they would do their utmost to protect her. They would not resort to underhanded means, but they could ensure that someone of Wu Tong’s achievements would not be hindered by questions of seniority, age, or hierarchy.

Exceptional talent deserves exceptional treatment.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Dean. The direct Ph.D. path is more than sufficient for me—I have no intention of studying abroad," Wu Tong replied with forthrightness befitting the occasion.

"Peking University lacks nothing; it offers everything I need for research and learning. If there’s anything truly confidential or cutting-edge, it wouldn’t be accessible abroad anyway," she said.

The benefits and freedom Peking University provided her were already more than enough.

(End of this chapter)