From failed candidate to chief scientist

Chapter 52 Just rely on him?
"Teacher Zhang, I have a few questions..."

The excitement of the paper soon passed, and Lin Mo's life returned to normality again. In the past few days, he had been immersed in research.

The last discussion with Fu Mingli opened Lin Mo's mind and gave him a lot of inspiration. However, after these days of in-depth research, Lin Mo encountered a bottleneck again.

Lin Mo pondered for two days but still had no breakthrough, so he found Zhang Qihua.

After hearing Lin Mo's question, Zhang Qihua scratched his head in shame.

Lin Mo's question related to topology. Although he had dabbled in this area, he was not deep in it. He could not give an answer to Lin Mo's question at all.

"Teacher Zhang, do we have any experts in topology in our department?"

Seeing that Zhang Qihua was in trouble, Lin Mo took the initiative to help him out, hoping to learn from other teachers.

Of course, it is impossible to find another academic leader with profound knowledge and profound foundation like Fu Mingli.

Dongshan University’s background is insufficient, and there is still a gap with Donghai University, especially in mathematics, which is even worse. Dongshan University’s mathematics department does not have academicians, and Lin Mo can only settle for the second best. Professors who do related research, ask for advice, hope to get some ideas, and even if they can create some subject bubbles, that would be great.

"Topology?"

Zhang Qihua thought for a while.

"As far as I know, Professor Liu Qin in the department has been engaged in topology research."

"Can I discuss a few issues with him?"

"Wait a moment, I'll ask him if he's free now."

As he spoke, Zhang Qihua picked up his cell phone and dialed.

"Professor Liu, it's like this..."

"Well, okay, okay, then we'll go find you..."

"Let's go, Professor Liu is free right now, let's go over."

After all, Zhang Qihua took Lin Mo to Liu Qin's office.

"Hey, isn't this Professor Zhang? Why are you here free? You have a new office. Have you forgotten about us?"

Liu Qin's office is next door to the Mathematics Teaching and Research Department. Passing by the Mathematics Teaching and Research Department on the way, a teacher who used to be familiar with Zhang Qihua said with a bit of envy.

Zhang Qihua had a few polite words with the other party before he got rid of the other party, knocked on the door and entered Liu Qin's office.

In the office, a middle-aged man who looked about 40 years old, about the same age as Zhang Qihua, and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, sat behind the desk.

"Professor Liu, that's it. My student Lin Mo has some topological issues that I would like to discuss with you. I hope you can give me some advice."

"Ah."

As I said on the phone before, Liu Qin was not surprised.

"Why, Lao Zhang, you can't help me?"

"This one……"

Zhang Qihua scratched his head.

"Haha, that's interesting. There's still Lao Zhang, a top editor who can't do it."

"Haha, I really haven't studied topology in depth enough. Professor Liu is the expert in this area."

"Okay, ask any questions."

Liu Qin obviously didn't realize what kind of problems he was going to face, and thought he was tutoring students.

Lin Mo was not polite. He had already been delayed for such a long time and he didn't want to waste any more time. "Professor Liu, that's it. I want to build a three-dimensional topological structure that can have..."

Lin Mo told Liu Qin his thoughts.

The more Liu Qin listened, the more surprised he became, and the more he listened, the more he frowned.

Can a graduate student come up with this?
Until later, the more he listened, the more uncomfortable he became. Why did he feel that the young man in front of him had deeper research and attainments in topology than himself?
When Liu Qin heard what happened, he could hardly keep up with Lin Mo's thoughts. He had to interrupt Lin Mo with words.

"Wait, according to what you said, your topology is to solve the set problem of infinite number of solutions, so I want to know, what kind of set is your set? What is it for? Simply put, you do What is this topology for?”

"My collection is..."

Lin Mo introduced again.

"Wait, wait, I'm a little dizzy."

Liu Qin couldn't understand.

"I still don't understand what the meaning of this topology is. Well, you should briefly introduce to me the project you are researching."

Liu Qin no longer had the relaxed state of mind before. At this time, his expression was solemn and he was thinking seriously.

"My project is actually very simple. It is to study the 3n+1 problem. I think you know it..."

"3n+1? Are you studying 3n+1?"

Liu Qin finally understood something, but he became even more confused.

"Isn't 3n+1 a number theory problem? Why are you studying topology? Is there a problem like 3n+1 that you, a graduate student, should study?"

I'm discussing academics with you, but you question whether this is something I, a graduate student, should study?

Hearing this, Lin Mo couldn't help but rolled his eyes, and didn't bother to explain to Liu Qin anymore. He suddenly felt that it was a mistake to come to Liu Qin today, and he felt that it was a waste of time.

Seeing that Lin Mo didn't answer, Liu Qin couldn't help but look at Zhang Qihua, who had been standing silently beside him.

"What did you teach?"

Zhang Qihua had some understanding before, and now he has listened to it some more, and he has a closer understanding of Lin Mo's thinking.

"No, Professor Liu, is there anything wrong with this idea? I think Lin Mo's idea is very good. You also know that for so many years, predecessors have done countless work on the 3n+1 problem, but they have been unable to make a breakthrough, so Lin Mo found another way. , want to combine number theory and topology to create a new mathematical method to solve this problem, is there anything wrong with that?"

"Creating a new mathematical method? Haha!"

Liu Qin smiled.

"Just him? How old is he? A graduate student who has not yet entered school and has not learned the basic knowledge yet wants to create new mathematical methods. Are you kidding me?"

"Zhang Qihua, are you crazy?"

"Do you think that if you publish a top journal, you are a bigwig in the academic world? You can dictate academically, whimsical?"

"Zhang Qihua, I think you are drifting!"

"In order to become famous, you really dare to think about anything. You published a top-ranked article. That's just your luck. Do you really think it's your ability?"

"Mathematics is science, not metaphysics. You can't just do whatever you want. Really, all the cats and dogs want to poop and urinate on the head of mathematics!"

"You are talking about discussing with me, but you just want to get endorsement from me so that you can endorse your bullshit method, right?"

"I'm telling you, stop dreaming and give up on this idea. It's impossible for me to endorse you. My mathematics cannot tolerate your contamination!"

Liu Qin put his hands on his hips, pointed at Zhang Qihua's nose and cursed.

(End of this chapter)