Coming to Jinling?

When Academician Wang Shicheng heard this, he almost spat out blood.

The person Lu Zhou was trying to poach used to be a nobody, so even if Chen Yang left the mathematics center, Wang Shicheng wouldnt care

However, anyone that was being poached by Academician Lu wasnt just a nobody.

Wang Shicheng knew that Academician Lu had an eye for talent.

After all, Wang Shicheng trusted Lu Zhous judgment more than his own.

Academician Lu, Wang Shicheng coughed and said, thats not the best idea, right? Professor Chen is the backbone of our young researchers at the Yan University International Mathematical Research Center. Poaching him directly in front of us is a bit inappropriate

Is it?

Whats so inappropriate?

You guys dont want him anyway

Lu Zhou frowned and said, But I heard that Professor Chen doesnt even have an office here? Since the mathematics center is clearly overcrowded, isnt it better for him to leave?

Wang Shicheng had an awkward expression on his face.

Thats misconstrued! Mr. Chen is a respected associate professor, and we removed him from his office as a way to sharpen his mind.

Wang Shicheng looked at Chen Yang and said, Chen Yang, I was planning on giving you a full professor role this year; I just didnt tell you yet. A full professor title from Yanjing University, think carefully.

However, Associate Professor Chens answer shocked Academician Wang.

Either Chen Yang was sick of this place, or he just didnt care about his academic ranking title, but he pushed his glasses and spoke without hesitation.

Sorry, Academician Wang, Ive already made my decision.

Thank you for the past five years, at least you didnt fire me.

As for the title you mentioned, you should give it to someone else. I dont really care for it.

You ! Wang Shichengs face turned bright red. He then sighed and said, Okay then, since youve decided, do what you want.

Professor Yang Yongan stared at Academician Wang in disbelief; he didnt expect Academician Wang to compromise this easily.

The other scholars standing nearby also looked baffled. They didnt expect Academician Wang Shicheng to admit defeat this quickly.

Even though hes facing Academician Lu

He should at least put up a fight, right?

Chen Yang looked at Lu Zhou and spoke.

I want to go to Jinling.

Lu Zhou smiled and nodded.

Youll be welcomed there.

Even though Academician Wang didnt want his man to get poached, he didnt want to offend Academician Lu either. Not to mention that Chen Yang himself wanted to leave.

Academician Wang Shicheng knew there was nothing else he could say. In the end, he said some fake words such as best of luck in your future endeavors.

As for Chen Yang, he didnt really care about leaving the Yan University International Mathematical Research Center at all. After all, he hadnt been treated fairly; he was even kicked out of his office.

He had lived in Beijing for his entire life, so he was hesitant about moving into a brand new city.

However, that was a small sacrifice.

Not to mention, if he wanted to visit his family, he could easily take the high-speed rail back to Beijing anytime.

After poaching a talented man in front of so many people, Lu Zhou didnt want to stay in the Yan University International Mathematical Research Center any longer. He could feel that Academician Wang Shicheng no longer welcomed him.

After some small talk, Lu Zhou and Chen Yang quietly left the Siheyuan.

They walked on the tree-lined Yan University path while Lu Zhou briefly explained to him about the situation at the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.

The Jinling Institute for Advanced Study doesnt have any end of year performance metrics. You can concentrate on whatever research project youd like, as long as you can prove that your project is meaningful. If there are any necessary expenses, you can apply for funding.

Also, I might not be able to help you with the Hodge conjecture. After all, I have my own stuff to do. But when Im not busy, you can come talk to me. I do have some experience in algebraic geometry.

Chen Yang was walking with a large stack of draft paper and documents in his hand when he nodded and said, Thank you, youre doing me a huge favor.

Youre welcome. Lu Zhou smiled and said, Speaking of which, you really dont recognize me?

Recognize? Chen Yang thought for a second and said, I do know of you, I saw your name in that Annual Mathematics thesis and some other theses. But I didnt know what you looked like

Lu Zhou coughed and asked, When was the last time you went on the Internet?

Chen Yang thought for a second and replied, Five years ago. Ever since I went to the mathematics center, I barely went online I didnt really need to. Theres a lot of resources at the mathematics center, and I was able to find any resource I wanted.

Lu Zhou said, You dont watch TV either?

Chen Yang: Theres a TV in the cafeteria, but I dont really watch it.

I see

Its like this guy is living in the 19th century!

This type of person was common in Princeton, where a lot of the older professors didnt like to use the Internet. They would even ask their PhD students to help them book flights and academic conference tickets.

However, a Chinese scholar in his thirties that didnt go online was quite rare.

Lu Zhou coughed and said, I dont want to criticize your research habits, but the times have changed. The Internet simplified a lot of things. For example, arXiv is a goldmine. Even though the preprints are not peer-reviewed, there are a lot of sophisticated ideas on there.

ArXiv?

No way, you dont even know what arXiv is?

Chen Yang began to reflect on his research habits. He then said thoughtfully, Ill check it out.

Even though this guy was a bit old-fashioned, he was still open to advice.

Lu Zhou nodded and didnt continue speaking on this topic.

He finally understood how a mathematician like Chen Yang didnt recognize him.

Five years ago, Lu Zhou was still in Princeton.

If Chen Yang never went online or followed the mathematical worlds gossip, it made sense for him to not recognize Lu Zhou.

Just like that kid in the baseball cap, he was probably one of those genius students that never went online or watched TV, thus he wasnt able to recognize Lu Zhou either.

After all, the academic community was a relatively introverted circle; it wasnt like the entertainment industry at all, where everyone knew everyone.

Speaking of which, I havent talked about comp yet.

Comp? Chen Yang paused for a second and said, I dont really care, just cover the cost of living and the cost of the journal subscriptions.

Lu Zhou shook his head and smiled.

I cant do that, thats not how we do things You have a PhD, right?

Chen Yang nodded.

Yeah

Lu Zhou thought for a second and said, Since you were an associate professor in Beijing, your monthly salary will start from 10k RMB a month. Your accommodation and insurance will be covered. After you arrive in Jinling, youll receive all of the specifics. I dont have any performance requirements for you, but the compensation is result-oriented. Were working on a total meritocracy basis. All Im providing you is an environment for research.

After hearing Lu Zhous words, Chen Yang nodded. He didnt focus on his compensation at all.

Instead, he said, Youre not going to Jinling with me?

Lu Zhou smiled and said, I didnt come all the way to Beijing to poach you; I still have a meeting here. Just go to Jinling with my recommendation letter. You know how to take a taxi, right?

Chen Yang nodded.

I do know that.

The two nearly arrived at the school gate.

Lu Zhou saw his black sedan parked nearby.

Suddenly, he heard someone shout from behind him.

Academician Lu! Wait a second, Academician Lu!

Lu Zhou turned around and saw the guy in the baseball cap running toward him.

As the guy stopped and began panting, Lu Zhou raised his eyebrows and calmly asked, Hey, what do you want?

The guy panted while patting his chest. He barely stood up straight as he replied, Um, my name is Li Mo, a member of the national IMO training team. Im sorry I didnt recognize you. Ive never seen your photo before, Im really sorry Um, can you be my mentor?

Lu Zhou wanted to refuse, but seeing how eager the teenager was, he didnt want to immediately reject him.

Okay then, tell me, what are you good at?

Um, the guy scratched his head and said, my achievements arent even worthy of mentioning.

Oh, so youre aware of that?

Then why do you think Ill be your mentor?

Lu Zhou smiled and was about to tease the kid.

However, the teenage boy spoke first.

B-but, the training team coach told me what I was the only student who finished the hardest question on the winter training camp exam. He told me that if I wanted to continue in mathematics, I should go into the field of number theory or complex analysis. As far as Im concerned, youre the strongest scholar in number theory!

Lu Zhou paused for a second before asking, Wait a second, you were the only one that solved that question?

Yeah! the guy said with a proud look on his face. He then smiled and added, The teacher talked crap about the person that came up with such a hard question for high school students. Apparently, the teachers who marked the question complained about how the Riemann zeta function was outside of the curriculum! Of course, a competition has no curriculum

This Li Mo was clearly a rambler.

Lu Zhou didnt fully listen to his words at all. Instead, he had an awkward look on his face.

Wasnt I the one who came up with this question

But is it really that hard?

Only one person solved it?

Really?

Lu Zhou thought that he clearly chose an easy question and that it could be solved with high school mathematics knowledge. It was just that the steps would be a little cumbersome.

Lu Zhou stared at Li Mo and coughed.

Dont get cocky, that question isnt difficult.

Lu Zhou paused for a second then continued, I admit youre talented in mathematics, but you cant be too proud.

Since you know who I am, you know my background. Being my student isnt that easy.

I know! Youre super amazing! the guy said with a twinkle in his eyes. Tell me, what do I have to do, to have you teach me mathematics?

Lu Zhou could tell that the guy wasnt thirsty for fame or fortune, and he was doing this purely for the love of mathematics. Lu Zhou contemplated for a second and spoke.

Easy, win an IMO gold medal and then well talk.

After that, he and Chen Yang walked out of the school gate.