Top Student at Their Peak
Chapter 326 - 125: It’s All About Mentality_2

Chapter 326: Chapter 125: It’s All About Mentality_2

Sure, here is the translation:

As for Columbia, which is prestigious in Huaxia, it only has two people.

However, Massachusetts, which is not part of the Ivy League, is on par with Princeton, having six Fields Medal winners.

So similar to private universities like Princeton, they are extremely eager for talent.

Especially for someone like Qiao Yu, with a high mathematical talent, who requires little effort to mentor yet can produce significant results...

One could say everyone likes low-investment, high-return opportunities.

Talent cultivation is no exception.

"Qiao Yu, a thirty-minute presentation at the World Algebraic Geometry Conference?" Zhang Shuwen frowned, but soon relaxed.

Considering Qiao Yu’s age, his first instinct was to think of the term "flattering to death."

However, taking into account the recent stir Qiao Yu has caused in the mathematics community, he felt it wasn’t excessive for him to give a thirty-minute talk at the conference.

Be it the paper published in Ann. Math discussing the upper bound of rational points on curves, or his uncovering of flaws and shortcomings in the proof of the Geometric Langlands Conjecture, both give Qiao Yu ample reason to take the stage at this conference.

But about recruiting him...

"Right, aren’t you happy? He is now representing Huaxia." Lott Degen shrugged.

Zhang Shuwen laughed and said, "I am very happy. I don’t mind introducing you to him then, but I think you might be disappointed. As far as I know, more than one person has asked Qiao Yu if he plans to study abroad, but he’s refused them all.

On one hand, it’s because he needs to take care of his mother. You might not know, he grew up in a single-parent family, and it’s clear he values family a lot. On the other hand, if he is Tian’s student, with Professor Yuan’s guidance, combined with his learning ability..."

Zhang Shuwen didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Why should Qiao Yu leave a comfortable life in Huaxia to suffer abroad?

For Qiao Yu, the only benefit of studying abroad might be to broaden his perspective, getting closer to mainstream mathematical thinking.

But in this digital age, by reading Peter Schultz’s papers, Qiao Yu can fully understand Schultz’s proposed theory of pseudocompleteness and even directly apply it, making this so-called benefit seem not so necessary.

"You always have to try, who knows, maybe there’s room for compromise? Everyone should learn more about the world while they are young." Clearly, Lott Degen held a different view.

Zhang Shuwen smiled but didn’t continue arguing.

He had already prepared them; if they couldn’t invite him, the blame wouldn’t fall on him.

If they asked him to extend the invitation at next month’s conference, he certainly wouldn’t initiate it.

Actually, if it were ten years ago, even without Lott Degen saying so, Zhang Shuwen would have advised Qiao Yu to study here, both to be at the forefront of the world’s mathematical community and to be able to conduct his studies quietly without external interruptions.

Besides, back then, Tian Yan was still young, and truthfully, Zhang Shuwen was not that confident in Tian Yan.

Yet, ten years later, Zhang Shuwen couldn’t bring himself to say this. The external environment has changed, and those in it feel this more prominently.

"Alright, it seems you don’t have much faith in Princeton’s appeal to Qiao Yu. I thought you would be very interested in my idea and would even help me with some suggestions, considering you Huaxia people understand each other better."

The old man complained with a touch of frustration.

Zhang Shuwen took a sip of his coffee, concealing his expression.

No wonder he specially called me out here for such a small matter instead of discussing it over the phone.

After setting his coffee down, Zhang Shuwen suddenly asked, "Was it you who suggested to the committee that Qiao Yu attend this Algebraic Geometry Conference?"

Lott Degen shook his head and said, "No, it was recommended by Peter Schultz along with several other professors."

Zhang Shuwen said seriously, "Then now, you not only have to consider whether Qiao Yu is willing to go to Princeton, you know. Qiao Yu seems to have a particular interest in Schultz’s theory, and maybe Schultz will try to draw Qiao Yu to Bonn University."

Lott Degen was taken aback, then suddenly realized this seemed very possible.

Often, a mentor’s appeal to a student can be much greater than that of a school.

Especially someone like Peter Schultz, who is a world-renowned mentor.

But what can he do? He can’t exactly bring Peter Schultz to Princeton, can he? He’d like to, but since Schultz enjoys his life in Germany and has settled there, the likelihood of him agreeing to move across seven to eight thousand kilometers to adapt to a new environment at Princeton is minimal.

"Alright, Professor Zhang, you can take your coffee and go." Feeling helpless, Lott Degen straightforwardly dismissed him.

Zhang Shuwen stood up calmly with his coffee, smiled at Lott Degen, and left easily.

Everyone at the School of Mathematics knew the old man’s eccentric temperament, so he wasn’t surprised at being dismissed and was in quite a good mood.

After all, Huaxia has produced such a young prodigy, who might become a leading figure in the future mathematics community, undoubtedly a reason to be happy.

...

Truth be told, Tian Yanzhen was quite pleased these past two days; often a retreat really does open up new horizons.

Recently, Tian Yanzhen has had this feeling. Ever since he appeared at Huaqing University’s Centennial Lecture Hall last time, many people have called or messaged him over these past two days. Most of them were trying to probe for certain things.