Super God-Level Top Student

But applied mathematics and number theory are ultimately two different fields.

From the title alone, it was evident that Qiao Ze's paper published in "Mathematics Annual" was purely in the realm of number theory.

Moreover, it had been featured on the official website for over half a month for promotion, a rare event that many years might not witness.

No matter how difficult it is to publish in "Mathematics Annual," at least six issues per year must publish around eighty articles; but to enjoy such a degree of promotion is something not seen every few years.

Therefore, on the day when Qiao Ze's paper went online in its electronic version, the download count was astonishing, reaching more than three thousand times.

Do not underestimate this number.

According to statistics, there are just over 40,000 top mathematicians worldwide, scattered across various specialized research directions.

If we look specifically at number theory, there are even fewer.

For mathematicians specifically interested in a certain direction, three thousand is a terrifying number.

A few days were enough for everyone to read Qiao Ze's paper and then give their evaluations.

"Mathematics Annual," or rather, the old man Roth Dugan faced pressure from this as well.

Fame, after all, is a double-edged sword.

As people are convinced, they also demand higher standards from the journal itself.

Undoubtedly, the vast majority still believed that Qiao Ze's paper met the standard for publication in "Mathematics Annual" and even stood out among this year's papers. After all, Qiao Ze had introduced some new mathematical tools; there was quite a bit of substance.

However, allowing "Mathematics Annual" to feature this paper on the official website for half a month's special promotion made many mathematicians perplexed.

Had it not reached that level, you know?

If Qiao Ze's paper was worthy of a half-month advanced promotion on the official website of "Mathematics Annual," then not to mention past years, there would be at least seven or eight papers this year that also deserved such promotion.

So why promote this one and not those of other famous mathematicians?

Mathematicians were annoyed, and they were indeed very serious about it.

It wasn't just direct attacks on Facebook; during this period, the official email of "Mathematics Annual" and the private email of Roth Dugan also received many queries.

In reality, Roth Dugan himself didn't care much about these.

The response he gave was also very standard.

"Before raising your questions, please take note of the author's age. Qiao is only eighteen years old! Yes, if your papers could reach this level at eighteen, I wouldn't mind using the little power I have to secure you a spot for advance promotion in 'Mathematics Annual.' Do I need to remind you why the age limit for the Fields Medal is set below 40?"

As expected, Roth Dugan's formulaic response email was directly posted on Facebook.

And then it sparked another round of verbal and written criticism.

To sum it up, it was three words: "Unprofessional!"

Many understood Roth Dugan's ulterior motives, and they also understood what it meant for an eighteen-year-old to produce such a paper—indicative of tremendous talent.

But that doesn't mean everyone accepted this explanation.

Stick to scholarship if you're doing scholarship.

If you, Princeton, want to poach someone, want to please a future mathematical genius, why use the professional standing of "Mathematics Annual" for promotion?

If Qiao Ze's future papers are worthy of advance promotion, naturally, no one would have objections.

But this paper simply has not reached the universally recognized standard for promotion, what does the main author's age have to do with it at all!

Clearly, this view wasn't exactly wrong either.

But in Roth Dugan's eyes, these people were just jealous. He couldn't be bothered with them.

However, "Mathematics Annual" wasn't Roth Dugan's after all; he was just the editor-in-chief.
Continue your journey on empire

So many started to raise their complaints higher up, and soon not only the email of Princeton University but also that of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton were besieged.

Roth Dugan was certainly an old-timer, but he was not the only veteran mathematician.

Not to mention, Roth Dugan's slightly radical way of doing things meant his number of friends and enemies was about the same.

In any case, while everyone was celebrating the national day, the world of mathematics was in an uproar over Qiao Ze's paper.

Qiao Ze was aware of this too.

Though he seldom visited foreign websites, Roth Dugan kept in regular email contact with him.

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This old man had also complained to Qiao Ze before.

He even used favors as leverage in his emails.

"Oh, Qiao, did you see that? I'm making enemies with the whole world just to support you! This really is a very, very terrifying thing! So are you really so heartless as not to consider coming to Princeton to study that wonderful topic with me? Believe me, just one visit and you'll discover that this is your holy land."

A different person might have gotten goosebumps from such statements.

Fortunately, Qiao Ze's mind wasn't cluttered with those messy thoughts and ideas.

In fact, in some aspects, Qiao Ze had always been so simple it was frightening, just like if his folder was labeled 'study materials,' then it definitely contained study materials. Even if videos popped up when he opened it, they were still deemed study materials.

Chen Yiwen had the most say on this matter.

Because he had somehow confirmed one hundred percent that Qiao Ze had grown up without ever watching even one adult film produced by a certain island nation.

The kind of cheeky banter that could make many young boys smirk only resulted in a puzzled look from Qiao Ze.

That look seemed to ask, "Are you sure you don't have some serious illness?"

Because of this, Chen Yiwen even offered Su Mucheng his sympathies in his heart for three seconds. He thought that if those two really got married in the future, it might be embarrassing for Su Mucheng to teach Qiao Ze certain things.

So Qiao Ze continued to reject Roth Dugan's invitation as always, which was to casually discuss a few math problems in the email before adding a final sentence.

"Roth, thank you for your support, but I don't wish to go. However, the new project is already complete, and I have uploaded the new paper through the 'Mathematics Annual' submission system. I hope my paper can be of assistance to your research."

Just that Qiao Ze had finished writing this email and clicked send at two in the afternoon, and the wretched time difference meant that the man on the other end was sound asleep.

...

United States, Princeton town.

The weather in the town in October was very erratic; you might still have had over ten degrees the day before.

But after a spell of gloomy, rainy weather, the temperature could drop to single digits.

Waking up in the morning and hearing the drip-drip-drip sound of rain outside the window, Lotte Dugen felt somewhat gloomy.

Being older, one often prefers bright, sunny weather.

Especially during autumn in Princeton, even under clear skies, the temperature is only around eighteen or nineteen degrees, and standing directly under the sun won't make one feel hot but just warm.

Like usual, he got out of bed, washed up, and his wife had already prepared breakfast, a sandwich paired with a glass of milk.

He nonchalantly tossed the cat off the dining table, then began to enjoy his breakfast.

There was also a fried egg in today's sandwich, which was delicious.

When he left the house, Lotte Dugen carried a large umbrella.

The advantage was that it could hide his whole persona under it, so he could legitimately avoid greeting anyone all the way.

He couldn't help it; his mood was just not very beautiful.

And so he made his way to his office like that.

He turned on his computer out of habit, and the pleasant chime of an email notification filled the office.

He had received over ten emails yesterday.

Without asking, a small portion was from former students offering their well-wishes, and some displayed dissatisfaction.

There was also an email from Qiao Ze.

The time difference made it hard for them to communicate instantly.

After all, they both had their own things to do.

He opened the email and glanced at it, then Roth Dugan blinked, removed his glasses, wiped them, and checked again.

Ignoring the nonsense about Qiao Ze's refusal, his attention focused on the latter half.

He had completed a new project?

The paper had already been submitted?

Hmm, one paper a month?

How many kittens did his cat have last time?

With his mind wandering to bizarre thoughts, Roth Dugan did not reply. Instead, with a skeptical mindset, he opened the paper submission system, quickly found the paper Qiao Ze had submitted, and then fell into contemplation.

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