858 Moving World of Mathematics

Of course, due to confidentiality reasons, the 20 million yuan bonus was given in a low-key manner. Lu Zhou felt quite unfortunate about this.

The whole reason for him giving out this hefty bonus was to motivate the other research departments.

But then he realized that this didn’t matter.

Such a large bonus amount was difficult to hide. Even if the Jinling Inst.i.tute for Advanced Study didn’t explain what was going on, anyone could guess the reason behind the bonus.

Before China completed its industrialization plan for the carbon-based chips, they had to keep this all confidential.

The Jinling Inst.i.tute for Advanced Study would also cooperate with intelligence departments and try to divert the attention.

The timing of Lu Zhou’s Quasi Riemann hypothesis report was perfect. The entire world was focused on Professor Lu researching the Riemann hypothesis…

The days quickly went by. It was soon mid-December, and the atmosphere in Jin Ling City became somewhat unusual.

First, there was a banner at the airport, welcoming mathematicians from all over the world.

Then, there were fire and sanitation inspections throughout the city, and everywhere, from the airport to the Jin Ling University, had its appearance totally changed.

The entire vibe of the city improved quite a bit.

The city council and the old folks from the China Mathematics Society wanted to leave a good impression on the international scholars.

However, what they probably didn’t expect was that these mathematicians from all over the world couldn’t care less about these trivial matters. All of their attention was placed on the report that was happening in two days.

Molina dragged her suitcase and walked through the airport terminal. She went through customs with the report invitation letter in her hand, and she looked a little clueless.

This was her first time in Jinling.

Also her first time in China.

Suddenly, she noticed someone who looked familiar walking nearby. She couldn’t remember why the person looked familiar, so she walked up to him and asked, “Hi… How do I get to Jin Ling University’s old campus?”

The person smiled and replied in a friendly manner, “Sorry, I’m not from here. I plan on taking a taxi… Are you going to Professor Lu’s lecture?”

Molina: “Yeah… You’re not from China?”

“Australian born Chinese, living in Los Angeles.” Tao Zhexuan smiled and looked at the letter in his hand as he said, “They’ve already booked a hotel for us. Apparently… We just have to show the driver this letter.”

The second Molina heard the words Australia and Los Angeles, her pupils widened. She immediately recognized the person in front of her.

“You’re… Professor Tao?”

“Indeed, may I ask…”

Tao Zhexuan smiled. He was about to ask for Molina’s name.

However, he suddenly noticed a man in a trench coat and black hat, walking out of customs.

His eyes widened, and he temporarily ignored the lady as he waved at his acquaintance with a smile.

“Professor Faltings? What a coincidence, didn’t expect to run into you at the airport.”

Faltings glanced at Tao Zhexuan. He nodded and replied, “You’re here as well?”

Tao Zhexuan smiled and said, “How could I miss such an important report?”

Faltings’ eyebrows furrowed, and he smiled with his lips closed and said, “Oh yeah? You’re a smart bloke, so I’m sure you came prepared with questions… Who do you think is correct?”

“It’s too early to say. I do have some questions regarding his thesis. Even now, I’m still trying to understand it… but,” Professor Tao shrugged and said, “he’s not entirely incorrect.”

Professor Faltings wasn’t happy with this ambiguous answer. He was about to say something, but Molina stepped forward and spoke excitedly.

“Mr. Faltings…”

Faltings raised his eyebrows and looked over at her.

He didn’t recognize her, so he politely asked, “Who are you?”

“Molina Abel, student of Sophie Morel…” Molina nervously reached out her hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Sophie Morel?

That name sounded a little familiar to Faltings. Faltings remembered Sophie as a Fields Medal candidate. However, a Fields Medal candidate was nothing impressive for Faltings.

There were only three scholars on Earth who deserved his attention, and he only paid attention to one of them.

“Daughter from the Abel family? I think I’ve met your father before.”

Molina didn’t expect her idol to remember her father, so she spoke energetically.

“When I was little, my father always praised your achievements in algebraic geometry…”

“Oh really? Unfortunately, I don’t really remember him.” Faltings looked bored as he said, “Looks like other than that prestigious surname, nothing else of value was inherited.”

Molina stood there. She was muddled.

What do you mean nothing else of value?

Why would you say that?

Tao Zhexuan noticed the awkwardness in the air, and he coughed and tried to mediate the situation.

“Not everyone is good at maths, it’s fine…”

Molina: “…”

Not good at maths…

F*ck you guys!

Jesus Christ!

Molina’s self-esteem was being attacked by two geniuses. She was about to have a mental breakdown. On the other hand, tens of kilometers away, at the old campus auditorium of Jin Ling University.

Professor Deligne, who arrived in Jinling one day ago, walked beside the garden while chatting with Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou gave his supervisor a tour of his workplace. The two didn’t talk a lot about the upcoming report. That was until they walked to the entrance of the auditorium, where the old man from Belgium asked, “Are you ready?”

Lu Zhou smiled and said, “Of course, I’m more than ready.”

“Faltings is one of the most outstanding scholars after the late Grothendieck. Even I can’t compare with him. He must be fully prepared to refute your thesis. Make sure you are armed and loaded.”

Lu Zhou responded with a question, “Do you think there’s something wrong with my proof?”

Deligne looked at a historic building in the distance and went silent. He placed both of his hands on his bald head.

“I’ve read your thesis, I think you are correct. But I am not certain. Let me ask you, you used the non-commutative cycle coh.o.m.ology theory to describe the isomorphic cla.s.s of flat φ-modules… Did you use Étale’s h.o.m.ology method?”

Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Correct.”

Deligne looked relieved.

“When I was researching Weil’s conjecture, I thought of a similar proof. To use coh.o.m.ology theory to define a Fourier transform layer derivations. However, I should remind you that this is where the debates are likely going to be centered around.”

Lu Zhou contemplated it for a moment and nodded.

“Thank you.

“Noted.”