Chapter 87: Special Issue

Wu Tong had no idea that, during the time she submitted her manuscript, the editorial office of the Annals of Mathematics at Princeton had been working around the clock. Upon receiving Wu Tong’s paper, the reviewing editor performed a preliminary check, found no major formatting issues, and immediately reported it to the chief editor. The chief editor, Boris, who was highly skilled in mathematics, verified the work himself and, noting Terence Tao’s comments at the same time, decisively began to contact other experts for peer review.

With each step accelerated, and confirmation from authoritative experts secured, Boris wasted no time in securing a feature in a special issue. Such groundbreaking content in the mathematical world, confirmed as genuine and published by the Annals of Mathematics, would further cement their authority. Wu Tong had chosen them, and they could not afford to let the opportunity slip by.

This was also a gesture of goodwill toward a rising star in mathematics who was almost stepping into the ranks of Fields Medal contenders.

“Special issue?” Wu Tong wasn’t very familiar with that section and turned her head to ask Li Yisheng, who she felt understood the field better. “Professor Li, what exactly is a special issue in the Annals of Mathematics?”

She felt she’d heard of it somewhere before.

“A special issue? The Annals of Mathematics only releases a special issue for truly extraordinary achievements?” Li Yisheng was so surprised he couldn’t help but raise his voice. He exchanged a glance with Professor Cheng in the front passenger seat; both were astonished, hardly believing their ears.

They could have imagined Wu Tong would have another paper published in an SCI Q1 journal, but they never expected that, having missed the normal publication window, the always lofty and proud Annals of Mathematics would issue a dedicated special edition for Wu Tong.

Within less than half a year, she had published two papers in top journals—one of them in a special issue. This could top the global record books! This achievement already surpassed them, and even many professors and associate professors at Peking University.

This year’s academic report for the School of Mathematics at Peking University would be infinitely glorious because of these two papers. If possible, Professors Li Yisheng and Cheng would love to ask Wu Tong for lessons on how to get published in top-tier journals.

Their shock spread from Professors Li and Cheng to all the professors in Peking University’s School of Mathematics.

A special issue—a dedicated feature—such an honor, who among them wouldn’t be both envious and proud!

After carefully explaining to Wu Tong the distinction and honor of a special issue, the meeting moved to its main topic.

“Wu Tong, I’ve already discussed the matter with the president. The one-million-yuan award will be issued soon, and the award ceremony will be held at the opening convocation. Give me a few days, and I’ll arrange your housing as well!” After the initial surprise, Dean Pan Wenhua made his decision immediately.

“The university also appoints you as a formal research fellow at the Mathematics Research Center, with all the accompanying benefits, effective this month!” Professor Zhou Wenping added with a smile. As head of the Mathematics Research Center, it was most fitting for him to deliver this announcement.

The Mathematics Research Center at Peking University wasn’t a place any ordinary student could enter; even lecturers needed outstanding achievements to become formal fellows.

Wu Tong was anything but ordinary—her brilliance and achievements already supported half the School of Mathematics at Peking University. This year, the university basked in glory thanks to her.

“Dean, there’s really no need to move. I understand your intention. Whether it’s a dormitory or the housing in Yan Garden, it’s more than enough for me to live, study, and do research. You really don’t need to move for my sake, and I’d be too embarrassed to take your place anyway!” Wu Tong had only ever joked about it, but seeing Dean Pan’s sincere intention to make it happen, she quickly tried to dissuade him.

For her to make her teacher, the dean, move was too much psychological pressure; her young shoulders couldn’t bear it. No student should make their teacher move—wouldn’t that be an act of rebellion?

“Haha… Dean, we all understand how you feel. You’ve lived in that house for so many years, we can’t let Wu Tong live in your old place. Why not talk to the university leadership and upgrade Wu Tong’s housing benefits, so she can move into a new home?” Professor Zhou Wenping suggested with a laugh.

If the dean really moved, Wu Tong would feel uneasy. But Dean Pan was a man of his word—he always kept his promises, which was why everyone respected him so much.

In that case, a compromise was in order. The previous housing in Yan Garden no longer matched Wu Tong’s rapid progress and deserved to be upgraded. Or perhaps the university could subsidize part of it, with Wu Tong contributing a portion of her own funds to purchase, granting her ownership. That way, if her family wanted to join her in Beijing, they could live together more freely.

Moreover, if Wu Tong owned property at the university, it would be only natural for her to remain at Peking University after graduation. Letting such a top scholar slip away would be a true regret.

Why could Tsinghua University compete with Peking University in mathematics? Simply because the Shing-Tung Yau Mathematical Sciences Center was situated there, with a Fields Medalist in residence.

Wu Tong was still ten days away from turning seventeen, with a long future ahead. Having already solved two great conjectures in number theory, at this pace, who would dare say she couldn’t stand on the Fields Medal podium? There were already rumors that Wu Tong was currently the most likely Chinese citizen to win the Fields Medal—a true citizen of China.

So far, though there have been Chinese recipients of the Fields Medal—the Nobel of mathematics—none have held Chinese citizenship.

As for funding, the rewards were always meant for Wu Tong; they were Peking University’s investment in her future, and she needn’t bear much of the cost. With her two prizes combined, she was under no financial pressure.

In the end, the plan was set: Dean Pan would not insist on moving. Though he was the head of the School of Mathematics, his own home was indeed an old one and it wouldn’t be fair to make Wu Tong live there.

Instead, Wu Tong would be granted a three-bedroom, two-living room apartment of 158 square meters—a housing benefit usually reserved for the top professors or higher. Peking University’s regard for Wu Tong was clear. Her prize money would be used as a housing supplement, and the ownership would be registered in her name.

After enrolling, Wu Tong could apply for project funding at the level of a full professor… all kinds of resources and privileges would be available to her. The university’s top priority was to ensure Wu Tong stayed and became a pillar of Peking University.

With business concluded, Dean Pan, accompanied by a group of curious professors, asked, “Wu Tong, take a good rest during the summer. What are your plans for the next step after school starts? Will you continue to delve into number theory? Is there anything the university can help you with?”

Over the past six months, the university had gained so much honor thanks to Wu Tong, but in truth, their contribution had been nearly nothing, apart from library and some limited classroom resources.

Even the rewards after she solved the conjectures felt almost embarrassing to mention—mere afterthoughts.