Chapter 165: Pillars of State

"No problem, Lu Xiao, the guidance radar section is all up to you. Feel free to offer your insights on the missile body design as well when you have time!" Hua Yanxing turned to look at Lu Xiao.

As the Mighty Dragon project was drawing to a close, Lu Xiao now had the capacity to step in and lend support. He was the one who had spearheaded the creation of the nation's Yaoguang anti-missile defense system. When it came to electronic information engineering, materials science, and electromagnetic wave manipulation, this comrade was a true expert. In the dynamics sector, he was even more top-tier; the Mighty Dragon was one of his most successful masterpieces.

"Understood, Leader, I will resolutely complete the mission!" Lu Xiao nodded with a smile and accepted the assignment.

With the matters properly delegated, Cheng Yanxing breathed a sigh of relief, a smile breaking across his typically stern face. "What kind of leader am I to you?" In terms of work administrative rank, they were almost peers.

"Whoever assigns the tasks is naturally the leader!"

Instantly, laughter filled the office, carrying hopes for a smooth future.

Having finalized the agreement with Wu Tong, Cheng Yanxing acted decisively and embarked on his return journey, heading back to Institute 624 to arrange the specific implementation details.

Lu Xiao was also making a trip back to the capital, preparing to detour home to visit his family. Before leaving, he made an arrangement with Wu Tong: "I'll draft a preliminary missile body design first. Once you've reviewed the data and have some time, we'll discuss optimizing the details together!"

The content of this section was actually not overly complex. Wu Tong had already solved the most difficult trajectory calculations, and by working backward from her results, designing a compatible missile body would not be too difficult. Having his initial version of the data would also make it easier for Wu Tong to conduct optimization deductions, with the two complementing each other.

"Thank you, Teacher Lu, I look forward to our next communication!" High-speed communication with a synchronized mindset and the collision of sparks between intellects were exceptionally gratifying.

After seeing off the two important visitors, Wu Tong said goodbye to Elder Cheng and resumed her mathematical research and derivations. Taking advantage of the time it would take for President Hua to apply for security clearance, she wanted to rush to finish the preliminary derivations leading up to the 1+1 problem.

As for the rest, she would wait until she finished the project entrusted to her by President Hua, and then slowly search for a direction to dive deeper. Through her research during this period, Wu Tong had already determined that the ultimate proof of the Goldbach Conjecture would still need to be unearthed through the foundation of the sieve method.

Mr. Jingrun's electronic manuscripts had been sent to her email the day after her visit to Dean Pan, and she had already finished studying them. For the process to be completed so quickly, the senior faculty members of the School of Mathematics must have previously helped her apply for borrowing privileges.

Therefore, when Hua Yanxing called to inform Wu Tong that the security clearance had been approved and the connection sent to her internal system communication, Wu Tong deliberately took the initiative to schedule a time to visit her two mentors.

It was rare indeed for Wu Tong to proactively schedule a meeting with them. Usually, it was they who sought out Wu Tong for matters. This was one of the few times Wu Tong acted like an ordinary student who wouldn't proactively seek out her teachers without a reason.

"I never visit unless there's a reason—I'm here to cause trouble for you both!" Facing the mentors' teasing, Wu Tong smiled with a touch of embarrassment. She truly was not someone skilled in socializing or smooth talk; ever since entering university, she had basically spent all her time buried in research.

Pan Wenhua smiled and said, "Welcome, welcome, we are very eager to be of help to you! Have you run into any difficulties?"

"There is a project that requires my assistance. The specifics are confidential and cannot be disclosed, so I won't be able to travel abroad in the near future. I'll have to trouble you both to arrange for someone to collect the awards on my behalf!" The mentors had always been concerned about this matter. Now that Wu Tong had made her decision and would need to trouble her teachers, she specifically came over to report it in person.

"We understand. Let Teacher Li make the trip for you. Send me a statement, and the university will step in to communicate with the organizers. What reason are you planning to give to the outside world, Wu Tong? Have you made plans?" Pan Wenhua nodded, presuming it must be another classified project. Now that Wu Tong's capabilities were coming to light, it was completely normal for confidential projects to seek her out for help.

Whether it was her mathematical calculation and derivation abilities or her materials preparation skills, Wu Tong had already reached the forefront of domestic capabilities. Therefore, the two men tacitly refrained from prying into the specifics. They both understood the confidentiality regulations and would never violate them.

Zhou Wenping made a quick phone call and, upon confirming that Li Yisheng was in the administrative building, asked him to come up.

"Do you need to go out?"

"Not for the time being. If I do need to go out, I'll report to you both again. To the outside world, just say that I am in secluded retreat researching the Goldbach Conjecture. Once I finish the project at hand before the New Year, I will dive into it with full force!" Without hesitation, Wu Tong came up with an excuse.

"That's reasonable, it's just that the pressure on you, Wu Tong, will be a bit greater!" Zhou Wenping nodded. Wu Tong's achievements were all in the field of number theory; having already proven the Polignac's Conjecture, it was entirely normal for her to study the Goldbach Conjecture.

Mathematicians had all sorts of eccentric personalities, and the excuse of going into seclusion and refusing visitors was common enough—it was a very useful cover.

"Dean Pan, Professor Zhou, and Wu Tong, you're here too!" In the same administrative building, Li Yisheng arrived very quickly. After knocking, he pushed the door and entered. "I heard you're researching the Goldbach Conjecture. How is the progress coming along?"

This was also the focal point of concern for both Dean Pan and Zhou Wenping, and they couldn't help but look at Wu Tong with anticipation. They were eagerly looking forward to Wu Tong's research results and had great confidence that she could achieve a certain breakthrough in this area. If even Wu Tong's level of ability couldn't produce results, the Goldbach Conjecture would likely remain hanging in the air for an unknown amount of time.

"I re-derived everything from scratch, and I just finished studying Mr. Jingrun's 1+2 proof manuscript today. I've gained some insights!" If time permitted, she might have produced a small progress report. However, time was tight right now, and she had already jotted down her fragmented realizations. Once she freed up her hands, she would continue her research.

"Wu Tong plans to go into secluded research for the Goldbach Conjecture in December. Xiao Li, how about you stand in for Wu Tong to collect the three major awards?" Seizing the end of Wu Tong's statement, Pan Wenhua made his inquiry, explaining to Li Yisheng why he had been called over.

"That would be wonderful! Such a glorious moment—Wu Tong, are you sure you want to let someone else collect it on your behalf?" Li Yisheng's mouth fell open, and it took him a moment to find his voice. Could such a wonderful thing really happen?

Although the awards weren't his, being able to step onto the stage to accept such major awards on her behalf, under the witness of countless renowned scholars on that international stage, was an immense honor.

To be able to participate in such a monumental occasion would be a stunning addition to his resume. Wu Tong was simply his lucky star; over the past year, the welfare opportunities he had received because of Wu Tong were making his resume glow so brightly that his peers were dying of envy.

Wu Tong nodded decisively. "Research is more important. I'll have to trouble Teacher Li to make the arduous journey back and forth!" Her words carried a double meaning; Pan Wenhua and Zhou Wenping understood that she meant the classified project was of greater importance.

She was the bright sun of Peking University's School of Mathematics, the future pride of China. Their staunch support and protection of Wu Tong stemmed not only from her extraordinary talent and promising future, but even more so from their admiration and appreciation of her character—unswayed by external distractions, indifferent to Western glamour, deeply patriotic, and willing to contribute. What a fine child, a true pillar of their country!

She was already slowly growing into the backbone supporting the spine of the nation!