Chapter Sixty-Five: Troubled Mind

“This child comes from an underprivileged county in the Central Plains, where educational resources are scarce and textbooks are lacking. That she has come this far is truly astonishing. Out of admiration for her talent, I sent her some of the materials she was missing, and she called me ‘teacher.’ If nothing unexpected happens and she officially enrolls, I might shamelessly vie to be one of her mentors.

Yet, her rate of progress has far surpassed all our expectations! I felt it would be a waste of her talent and time to keep repeating the same basic entrance exam drills in her local high school, so I invited her to Peking University for early studies.

Her thirst for knowledge puts me, as a teacher, to shame. She cherishes this opportunity dearly; right after the New Year, she came straight to Peking University, and ever since, her days have been a continuous cycle between the dormitory, cafeteria, and library. She never wastes a moment—if she is not studying or researching, she is on her way to do so. With the university’s resources at her disposal, her progress has become something I can only look up to.

Recently, during the IMO national team training, I thought even that would be a waste of her time, so I didn’t have her follow the curriculum. Instead, she attended physics lectures at the Physics Department, and I worried she might be taking a detour. Who would have thought that she would suddenly return to the Mathematics Department, and in my class, begin to prove Zhou’s Conjecture?

Your initial reaction was exactly mine. It was only her single-minded focus and utter disregard for distractions that made me decide to keep observing. Then, after verifying her results and being shocked to the point of disbelief, I rushed to organize her paper and bring it to you for judgment, fearing I might have missed something in my verification!”

Li Yisheng spoke from the heart. “I already held this child in the highest regard, but even so, I never saw the ceiling to her abilities! You’re certain she has genuinely proven Zhou’s Conjecture?”

“There is no doubt about it. Perhaps I could not produce the proof myself, but my ability to verify it is reliable!” Zhou Wenping exclaimed in admiration, “Truly, heroes are born young. When the youth are strong, so too is the nation. For Peking University to secure this student’s enrollment, the admissions office should be credited with a great merit this year!”

“You’re being too modest!” Professor Zhou’s accomplishments were in no way inferior to Zhou’s Conjecture. “I’ve advised her to submit her paper to the Annals of Mathematics. If you’re sure there are no issues, I’d appreciate it if you could use your connections to move her paper ahead in their queue and speed up the review process.

You know how arrogant these top journals can be. If we follow the normal procedures, it will take too long, and given her age, the editors might just reject it outright without a glance!”

“Very well, I’ll see to it. With such a remarkable achievement from a student of Peking University, we must not let foreigners slight us!” Zhou Wenping agreed without hesitation. With such a proud accomplishment, he was eager to help his student—it was his honor!

“Furthermore, this child comes from an ordinary family. I had originally wanted to consult you, and then arrange a defense at our Mathematics Department, to help her win some special awards from the university.”

“I’ll handle the rewards with the dean. You need not worry! A top-tier journal publication, the reward for proving a major conjecture... These are all things she deserves! Peking University has never been stingy with student recognition. As for a defense? There’s no need for one!”

He was certain the proof for Zhou’s Conjecture was genuine—he was more than capable of making that call. “Let’s arrange a small academic seminar at the university instead; she deserves that honor!”

Once the paper is published, it will be a presentation to the world! Such an outstanding prodigy stirred Zhou Yongping’s heart—he wanted to take her as a student, yet feared he would only hold her back. Her accomplishments in number theory already rivaled his own. At this level, he had nothing left to teach her.

Zhou Yongping felt he understood Li Yisheng’s sentiments; who would not want such a student? But being unable to guide her and serving only as a nominal advisor would be meaningless—a title without substance, nothing more.

If not for the matter of academic qualifications, Peking University could have awarded this child an honorary professorship, and she would have been worthy of it.

“Her talent in number theory is dazzling. Will she continue to delve into that field?” Mathematics has become a vast ocean; most researchers choose a primary direction. Wu Tong has had such a brilliant start and produced such outstanding results in number theory—it would be a pity not to continue.

Li Yisheng chuckled, recalling what Wu Tong had said at the time. “Do you know what she said after proving Zhou’s Conjecture? She said that what she was actually curious about was the Twin Prime Conjecture. It was a sudden burst of inspiration; she solved Zhou’s Conjecture almost inadvertently, thinking she’d already spent too much time on it—it took her seven hours!”

“Seven hours, hahaha… Truly, the vigor of youth is incomparable to us older folks. With such a prodigious student at Peking University and in our country, the future is bright!” Zhou Yongping couldn’t help but laugh. After all, she was still a child. The Twin Prime Conjecture is an excellent research direction.

A student of such extraordinary talent, not blinded by a moment’s achievement, but with clear goals and no waste of her gifts—excellent, truly excellent!

“Have her prepare well. Once I’ve discussed the timing with the dean and the president, I’ll let you know. Then all our faculty and students at Peking University can get to know this remarkable young prodigy!”

With the warmth of spring, Zhou Wenping saw Li Yisheng off. Judging by the time, he figured that certain gentleman, who relished being a night owl and found inspiration best in the quiet of night, had yet to retire. He dialed an international call.

“Professor Wiles!” Zhou Wenping greeted, “I send you my regards in the depth of night. This is Zhou Wenping.”

Andrew Wiles—the man who proved Fermat’s Last Theorem, the Nobel laureate of mathematics, special Fields Medal recipient, and the head of Princeton’s Mathematics Department, an international giant in number theory, who had once visited Peking University. Before such a figure, Zhou was but a junior.

“Oh, Zhou, it must still be that miserable morning work hour over there. The beauty of the night, you have yet to experience,” Andrew Wiles replied with a playful lilt. “You Chinese have a saying—nothing brings one to the Hall of Three Treasures without a reason. Is there something I can do for you?”

“It’s actually ‘no one visits the Hall of Three Treasures for no reason’—your version makes me blush. But yes, I do have a favor to ask! And I have some delightful news to share: Zhou’s Conjecture has been proven. It’s already been rigorously verified by myself and another professor at Peking University. This fascinating paper needs your help to communicate with Annals of Mathematics. If possible, please expedite its publication!”

Here is the second update!

(End of this chapter)