The unparalleled talent of the country started from Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 116: Meeting Professor Wang Duoyu Half a Century Later? Harbin Institute of Technology to Add Aerospace and Missile Majors?
"Professor Chen, welcome home!"

Zhou Peiyuan stood at the front of the welcoming team and greeted with a smile.

In early October, he met with Chern Shiing-Shen and Shing-Tung Yau at the Berkeley campus. They had a lot of conversations and were filled with emotion.

Zhou Peiyuan was really surprised that less than two months later, Chen Shiing-Shen would return to the mainland with his students.

"Go home?" Chen Xingshen was surprised, then overjoyed, "Yes, go home!"

Although he is already an American, his roots are still in the mainland and his heart is attached to the land under his feet.

No matter what he did in the past, it's a good thing that he is willing to come back now.

Hua Luogeng, Duan Xuefu, Su Buqing and others all exchanged pleasantries with Chen Shiing-Shen. They were all prominent figures of the same era. For example, Duan Xuefu had been a colleague of Chen Shiing-Shen for a period of time when they were at Southwest Associated University.

Of course, at that time, Chen Shiing-Shen was already a professor at Southwest Associated University, teaching differential geometry.

When Wu Wenjun and Zhou Yulin saw Chen Shiing-Shen again, they felt very complicated because they couldn't understand why Chen Shiing-Shen wanted to go to the United States and became an American.

But he is their teacher after all, and respecting teachers is the most important thing. Moreover, Chen Shiing-Shen is a very important guest today, and treating guests well is the serious matter.

The fact that Zhou Peiyuan, the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the president of Peking University, personally welcomed Chen Shiing-Shen and Yau Shing-Tung was already giving them enough face.

After some pleasantries, everyone got into their cars and returned to the Jingxi Hotel.

There is no need to elaborate on how important the Jingxi Hotel is.

What's more, it was a time point like the end of November 1978, so there is no need to say more.

After resting for one night at the Jingxi Hotel, the next day, Chen Shiing-Shen and Yau Shing-Tung were picked up by a special person and car and came to the Institute of Mathematics for a visit and exchange.

Both the master and the apprentice are professors of mathematics, so their first stop was of course to visit the Institute of Mathematics.

Before liberation, Chen Shiing-Shen was the acting director of the Institute of Mathematics of the Academia Sinica in Nanjing, and was in charge of all the work of the institute.

Therefore, I am filled with emotion as I come to the Institute of Mathematics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Accompanied by two students, Wu Wenjun and Zhou Yulin, Hua Luogeng introduced several of his students: Chen Jingrun, Wan Zhexian, Gong Sheng, Tao Fangqi and others.

In 1930, Shiing-Shen Chern was admitted to the Department of Mathematics at Tsinghua University, becoming the first mathematics graduate student in Chinese history, while Xiong Qinglai was the professor and head of the Department of Mathematics at Tsinghua University at the time.

Of course, Chen Shiing-Shen did not actually become Xiong Qinglai's disciple.

Also at the end of that year, Hua Luogeng published "The Reason Why Su Jiaju's Solution to the Quintic Algebraic Equation Is Invalid" in the Shanghai magazine "Science", which caused a sensation in the mathematics world. In the same year, Xiong Qinglai made an exception and allowed him to work as a librarian in Tsinghua Library.

So to be precise, both Chen Shengshen and Hua Luogeng were students of Xiong Qinglai. They were brothers from the same school, with the former being the senior brother and Hua Luogeng being the junior brother.

Now, times have passed. Xiong Qinglai died unjustly nine years ago. Although his name has been cleared now, things have changed after all.

After reminiscing about the past, Chen Shiing-Shen discussed other things with Hua Luogeng and others, and the topic soon turned to Wang Duoyu's proof of the Poincare conjecture in four-dimensional space.

"Director Hua, the main purpose of my visit to Beijing this time is to meet Professor Wang Duoyu of Harbin Institute of Technology and invite him to study abroad at UC Berkeley and give an academic lecture."

Chern stated his intention directly, and the originally cheerful and relaxed atmosphere in the entire office froze in an instant.

Especially those who were more familiar with Wang Duoyu, such as Hua Luogeng, Tao Fangqi, Feng Kang, and Lu Qikeng, all looked very strange: Professor Wang Duoyu?
My goodness, when did he become a professor?

Seeing the expressions of Hua Luogeng and the others, Chen Xingshen thought they were unhappy and immediately added:

"If there are any difficulties, we can discuss it. It's even possible to give an academic report here in mainland China!"

Why was he so anxious to arrange for Wang Duoyu to give an academic report?
The reason is very simple. First, overseas Chinese may seem very powerful, but they are ultimately rootless and wanderers in a foreign land. Deep down, they do not have that much confidence.

Although Chinese scientists and professors enjoy a high status overseas, Chen Shiing-Shen also knows that this is just an exception.

Of course, Chen Xingshen did not have any lofty ideals. He was just old, and the current situation was like this, so he reflected on himself and tried to help as much as possible within his ability. That's all.

Second, he dedicated his entire life to mathematics. Looking at his past, it is not difficult to see that he is a person who likes to teach and support students.

From the earliest Wu Wenjun and Zhou Yulin to Isadore Singer, Shing-Tung Yau and others, these are all outstanding students trained by Shiing-Shen Chern.

Now that Wang Duoyu has successfully published a paper on the Poincare conjecture in four-dimensional space, Chen Shiing-Shen certainly wants to promote such an outstanding young man.

Third, the International Congress of Mathematicians was just held this summer, and the next one will be four years later.

But the four-dimensional Poincaré conjecture is still too difficult. Many voices in the American mathematics community have expressed the hope that the author can give an academic report, and everyone is eager to listen.

For example, Smale, a mathematics professor at Berkeley, is the one who most eagerly wants to communicate with Wang Duoyu.

Many people can’t wait and don’t want to wait four years to hear an academic report.

Therefore, the main purpose of Chen Shiing-Shen's visit to Beijing this time was to negotiate the academic report as soon as possible.

Before Hua Luogeng opened his mouth to speak, Duan Xuefu spoke first:
"Professor Chen, no problem. Peking University can host this academic conference and provide the venue."

Duan Xuefu was the director of the Department of Mathematics at Peking University. After hearing what Chen Shiing-Shen said, he immediately reacted.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Peiyuan also added:
"Yes, Director Duan is right. We at Peking University can welcome guests from afar and provide a venue for lectures."

The Peking University president also spoke, but Chen Xingshen shook his head and said:

"President Zhou, Director Duan, we actually still hope to hold this academic symposium at UC Berkeley. Although the special issue of the Annals of Mathematics was only recently released, this paper has already spread across the United States, and many people in Europe have received the paper."

“If a symposium is held, it will surely be a grand gathering for the mathematics community.”

Chen Shiing-Shen's meaning is self-evident. Peking University is very impressive, but only in mainland China. It would not be up to par if it were to be considered impressive abroad.

Hua Luogeng interrupted at this time:

"Professor Chen, regarding the lecture, we should first apply to the higher-ups."

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Shiing-Shen couldn't help but sigh, "Alas!"

In Beijing, inside an office in the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building compound, Li Rui sat bored and waiting. Across from him, Fang Lihe calmly reviewed the documents, working as usual, unaffected by Li Rui's presence.

As lunchtime approached, Fang Lihe glanced at the large clock on the wall, then at Li Rui who was still in a daze, and finally couldn't help but say:
"Hey, Lao Li, can you please stop sitting in my office? I have to go to lunch."

"Director Fang, go ahead. I'm not stopping you." Li Rui said rudely without even batting an eyelid.

He came to the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building with only one purpose, which was to obtain cutting-edge majors such as aerospace and missiles for Harbin Institute of Technology. After all, Harbin Institute of Technology has become the National University of Defense Technology, and there is no Harbin Institute of Technology in the Ice City at present.

Therefore, Harbin Institute of Technology should naturally inherit everything from Harbin Institute of Technology.

Besides, as early as 1959, Harbin Institute of Technology had established the Department of Aeronautical Engineering and the Department of Automatic Control, etc. These departments are the basis of aerospace and missile majors.

Therefore, no matter what, it is imperative for Harbin Institute of Technology to establish an aerospace engineering department!
However, the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building was a bit disappointing and failed to meet Li Rui's expectations.

The National University of Defense Technology has been established, but Harbin Institute of Technology's two major majors, aerospace and missiles, are nowhere to be found. It is really weak.

Fang Lihe heard this and widened his eyes:
"I've never seen such a shameless person. Old Li, you're already in your fifties, why are you still acting like a child? You're using these little tricks?"

"It's not that I'm not allowing Harbin Institute of Technology to establish aerospace and missile majors. That's up to the higher-ups. What's the point of you coming to me?"

Li Rui immediately retorted:
"Director Fang, that's not how it works. The Seventh Ministry of Machine Building is the boss of Harbin Institute of Technology. If we don't go to the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, can we go directly to the higher-ups?"

"Anyway, it's you who are doing nothing. Look at the National University of Defense Technology, and then look at our Harbin Institute of Technology. Old Fang, aren't you ashamed?"

Fang Lihe opened his eyes wide and wanted to hit someone.

Old Li is going too far. Whether Harbin Institute of Technology has aerospace and missile majors or not has anything to do with Fang Lihe.

Some time ago, because of Wang Duoyu's matter, Fang Lihe's throat was sore that it was smoking. If he had not formed a united front with Hua Luogeng and others, there would be no way to defeat those people.

I finally got the chance and wanted to take a break, but Lao Li brought up the old issue again and insisted that Harbin Institute of Technology also have aerospace and missile majors.

Now it was even more excessive. They actually said that to him. He was so angry that he really wanted to duel with Lao Li.

Just when the situation was tense, the phone on the desk rang. Fang Lihe glared at Li Rui, then picked up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Fang Lihe warned Li Rui:

"Old Li, you guys at Harbin Institute of Technology are really capable of making a fuss. Forget it, I'll tell you when I get back, humph!"

Li Rui was completely confused when he heard this. Seeing the other party get up and leave the office angrily, he shrugged his shoulders and didn't take it seriously.

On the other side, Fang Lihe got off the car and walked into the Lingjing Hutong compound.

Half an hour later, Fang Lihe walked out of the compound happily, returned to the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, and found Li Rui.

"Lao Li, your chance at Harbin Institute of Technology has come. Come on, come with me to meet someone."

"No, Lao Fang, what's wrong with you? I haven't finished my business yet, why would I want to meet you?"

At this time, Li Rui had a clear goal. He just wanted Harbin Institute of Technology to have aerospace and missile majors. He ignored other things.

But it was no use. Fang Lihe pulled him into the car and drove straight to the Jingxi Hotel.

Why go to Jingxi Hotel?
Because Chen Shiing-Shen was at the Jingxi Hotel, and the reason why Fang Lihe went there to meet him was, of course, because of the purpose of the other party's visit.

Shiing-Shen Chern wanted to invite Wang Duoyu to give an academic report at the University of California, Berkeley. According to the above meaning, that meant persuading Chern to agree to hold the report in China.

Then he asked Chen Shiing-Shen to help invite mathematicians from all over the world to come to China to attend academic conferences in his name.

Nowadays, China is very eager to communicate with the outside world, especially in July this year, when the State Planning Commission has put together an 85 billion US dollar economic and trade import and export plan, and communicating with the outside world has become the most urgent thing.

Although the country may not be ready to welcome foreign guests now, opportunities like mathematics academic conferences are not common.

According to Hua Luogeng and other mathematics experts, the paper published by Wang Duoyu in the American "Annals of Mathematics" has a great influence in the global mathematics community.

If the academic conference is held at UC Berkeley, it will be a great honor for UC Berkeley.

Of course, for Berkeley, it's just icing on the cake.

But for the domestic situation, if the academic conference can be successfully held, it will be a timely help.

This is why the higher-ups hope that Hua Luogeng and others can persuade Chen Shiing-Shen to help promote it internationally and invite more mathematicians to come to China to participate in this academic conference.

On the way, Fang Lihe briefly explained the whole story to Li Rui.

After hearing this, the latter opened his mouth wide with an expression of complete disbelief.

"Lao Fang, are you talking about our Harbin Institute of Technology student Wang Duoyu? Not someone else?"

Seeing Fang Lihe nod, Li Rui took a deep breath and said:

"But what merits does he have? It's just a paper, how could it have such a huge impact?"

Although Li Rui is not a professional scholar, he is in charge of the local university and is now the head of Harbin Institute of Technology. Naturally, he cannot be unfamiliar with the thesis.

However, why is the influence of a paper so amazing?

Who is Shiing-Shen Chern?
He is a world-renowned top mathematician and a professor of mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. How could he have taken the initiative to invite Wang Duoyu to give an academic lecture at the University of California, Berkeley?
How is this possible?
"Don't think too much about it. The most important thing now is to help convince Professor Chen to invite those international scientists to attend academic conferences in our country."

"Professor Chen is currently staying at the Jingxi Hotel, but he won't be in Beijing for long. Time is running out, so you should help and make sure this academic conference is held in Beijing."

Fang Lihe interrupted. Li Rui was surprised when he heard this and asked, "Why can't our Harbin Institute of Technology host this lecture?"

When these words came out, Fang Lihe's eyes widened instantly and he asked in disbelief:
"Old Li, do you want to listen to what you're saying? Harbin Institute of Technology is in Ice City. Don't you know how cold it is there? Transportation is also not convenient. What are you thinking? How can you be so clear-headed?"

　It should be processed the day after tomorrow, and normal updates should be resumed the day after tomorrow, so I will use the saved draft for now.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)