Super God-Level Top Student

This is obviously unscientific.

But when unscientific events actually occur, as a mathematician, one can only try to find scientific explanations for the unscientific.

Really, Zhao Guangyao had already stopped caring about losing face at this point.

He couldn't understand how an eighteen-year-old high school student could spot an error in a top journal's Group Theory paper at first glance, and also have the ability to give professional criticism on his paper on geometry.

It's true that Group Theory is related to geometry.

Theoretically, given a Transformation Group, there corresponds a type of geometry.

A hundred years ago, understanding both fields at eighteen, although impressive, would not make people question their existence.

But after all, it's the twenty-first century now!

Today's mathematicians focus on increasingly specialized subjects!

The various mathematical tools have become so specialized that they might as well be worlds apart.

Even within the same branch of mathematics, researching different topics requires starting from reading papers and tackling various difficult problems.

So ten years ago, a notable figure in the mathematical world confidently stated something in an interview, which received agreement from the entire community.

"...sadly, David Hilbert is the last universal genius in mathematics the world will see, and it is impossible for another mathematician with the towering genius of David Hilbert to appear again!"

This statement alone might sound like ancient adulation, right?

But when combined with the entire content of the interview, we can see that this mathematician was correct.

Because what he meant was that after mathematics has become so diversified, even if another David Hilbert were to emerge, they could only achieve in one field of mathematics in their lifetime, without the capacity to research other branches.

Take Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) as an example.

From the time this subject was proposed, mathematicians only used it as a tool to study and explain certain specific phenomena.

But as it has developed to the present day, PDEs themselves have become a large research direction, further divided into several categories.

For instance, theoretical study of PDEs focuses on explaining the existence, uniqueness, and stability of solutions to such equations; numerical solutions research seeks to obtain numerical solutions to these types of equations with computers; while the applied perspective researches how these equations can be utilized in disciplines like fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, electromagnetic theory, and so forth.

Not to mention the classifications like geometry and Group Theory...

Thus, it is almost universally recognized in the mathematical community that the world will no longer see a universal genius in mathematics.

But now, the things Qiao Ze has done in just a few days at school are overturning their understanding.

Could it be just a coincidence that Zhao Guangyao and another foreign mathematician's fields of study happen to collide with the areas that Qiao Ze happens to know a bit about?

So how terrifying must this kid's mathematical reserve be?

And after thinking through all this, Zhao Guangyao suddenly let out a "gurgle."

It was an involuntary swallow.

Without any exaggeration, if they could inherit his mathematical talent by 'consuming' Qiao Ze, the two people in the office might truly be tempted.

Xu Dajiang looked at Zhao Guangyao and took a deep breath, saying, "Sigh... Do you understand now? There's really nothing to be ashamed of. Keep this letter treasured, and in time, it might become a wonderful anecdote."

Zhao Guangyao did not take Xu Dajiang's suggestive remark, but instead counter-asked, "Who in our School of Mathematics is qualified to mentor such a student?"

Xu Dajiang counter-questioned, "Does such a student need mentoring?"

Zhao Guangyao glanced at Xu Dajiang and said unceremoniously, "Even so, we'd need to be able to retain him! Do you believe if this gets out, others would dare come to our school to poach him?"

These words instantly made Xu Dajiang feel somewhat uneasy, but after thinking about it, he still said, "It's not that frightening. I can tell that Qiao Ze is quite close to Li. Moreover, I've heard from the admissions side that he insisted on coming here to follow Li."

Zhao Guangyao laughed and said, "Oh, that's pretty good. Just perfect to dig them both out in one go! Each university is indeed short on professorship quotas, but those universities in the Capital can't be shorter than us. Squeeze a bit, and even a senior rank should be squeezable. Li's appointment is for five years, right? That's good, there are still four years left.

But Xu, you can certainly expect their bottom line isn't that low."

This comment made Xu Dajiang so restless that he couldn't sit still.

The University of Technology is now gradually implementing an appointment system, after 3+3, promoting to associate professor, directly with a five-year appointment term.

If one can complete the University's specified tasks within the appointment term, such as finishing a national or provincial project, publishing several core journal papers, then one could be directly reappointed after the term expires.

As for those who don't complete it, that would depend on their luck.

Since the University doesn't provide a lifelong appointment benefit, it naturally also has to relinquish some authority in terms of personal freedom, as well as losing some attractiveness.

If Li Jian Gao really had his heart set on resigning, the School of Mathematics really couldn't keep him.

After all, the higher-ups only restricted poaching professors with titles... such as Yangtze River Scholars, Outstanding Youths, and the likes—ordinary associate professors were not included in this restriction.

What made Xu Dajiang feel like vomiting blood was that Qiao Ze's student status hadn't even been transferred to the University. Theoretically speaking, Qiao Ze wasn't even a student at Xilin University of Technology yet.

"I know, I know! Don't worry, old Zhao, I'll talk to the kid today. And don't mention this to anyone else. Also, keep quiet about the kid's profound understanding of Group Theory," said Xu Dajiang with a hint of irritation as he waved his hand at Zhao Guangyao.

Zhao Guangyao didn't feel like saying anything more.

He silently picked up his notebook, intending to leave.

There's no need for him to urge anymore, which is great.

As for the genius student Qiao Ze... Zhao Guangyao just thought it over in his mind and gave up.

He's not worthy.

And he couldn't get over that hurdle in his heart.

He was in his fifties; there was no need to recruit such a student to support anymore.

However, Zhao Guangyao was truly curious to see what achievements Qiao Ze could produce at the Xilin University of Technology School of Mathematics.

Although he still didn't really hope for Qiao Ze's incoming letters and his replies to be seen by others, he still planned to keep these two letters.

Who knows, just like Xu Dajiang said, if Qiao Ze stands out in the future, these two letters could become an anecdote in the academic community, right?

Even though he was already a professor, and Qiao Ze was still a high school student,

But by the time Qiao Ze becomes a great mathematician, his reply might be interpreted as recognizing a talent with a discerning eye...

Well, being the background board for a top mathematician, that's also damn good!

...

After Zhao Guangyao left, Xu Dajiang calmed down for a moment, then picked up his phone and directly called Zhuo Wenyu.

He truly couldn't feel at ease if he didn't expedite transferring a child like Qiao Ze's student status to the University.

The School of Mathematics couldn't directly interface with high schools, let alone with the additional hurdle of cross-provincial education departments. It needed to be handled by the specialized people in the admissions office.

As soon as the call connected, Xu Dajiang went straight to the point and said, "Director Zhuo, I need a favor. Can your admissions office coordinate with Qiao Ze's previous high school as soon as possible to expedite the transfer of the kid's student status over?"

"What?"

"Qiao Ze's student status might be a problem? The agreement we signed isn't recognized by the University?"

"Don't joke with me!"

"Who! Who the hell is blocking it?!"

"What? Zhang Xiaoquan?! How dare he?!"

"Wait for me in your office, I'm coming over right now!"