Volume 1: Student Life Chapter 503 Papers Received Simultaneously
After uploading the paper to the preprint website e-Print arXiv.
Chen Zhou finally couldn't resist the sleepiness anymore and fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed.
Even though the phone rang several times, it failed to wake him up.
He had no idea that not long after he uploaded the paper, a famous foreign mathematics forum exploded.
"Wow, another paper proving the Goldbach conjecture? Is someone trying to seize the right to prove the Goldbach conjecture again?"
"Brother above, can you please read it carefully before commenting? This paper was published by Dr. Chen Zhou!"
"Damn, Dr. Chen Zhou finally spoke up, but isn't it too late?"
"Yes, Dr. Chen Zhou's paper was published much later than Professor Harold Hoffgot's. If both proofs are correct, then Dr. Chen Zhou still loses, unless..."
"Unless one person's proof is wrong, or flawed..."
"What do you mean? A math expert of this level shouldn't publish a paper with errors, right?"
"Let me explain to the above poster. To be precise, once a paper is published, it does not mean that the research result is correct. It needs to be reviewed by peers and confirmed that there are no irreparable defects before it can be considered completed. And for a proof of the level of Goldbach's conjecture, peer review alone is not enough. At least a report conference needs to be held to gain the recognition of the entire mathematics community."
"I roughly understand. In other words, Dr. Chen Zhou and Professor Harold Heofgot need to have a head-on confrontation?"
"Uh... maybe you can understand it this way..."
"Fuck, this is so exciting. Just thinking about it makes me feel like it's the war of the century..."
"By the way, have any of you seen the Weibo post by Dr. Chen Zhou? He said that his paper is 'I guess the correct way to open it'..."
"Oh my God, has Dr. Chen Zhou found a flaw in Professor Harold Heofget's paper?"
"I don't know, but just thinking about it makes me excited. It's a battle to prove the conjecture of the century..."
"Looking forward to..."
"+1..."
"+943133581..."
…
At this time, Yang Yiyi, who was far away in LIGO, was looking at the chat interface with Chen Zhou.
The above are two messages sent about 10 minutes apart.
Yang Yiyi tapped the phone screen and clicked the video call button.
But in the end, she shook her head helplessly and exited the chat interface with Chen Zhou.
According to Chen Zhou's habit, Yang Yiyi guessed that Chen Zhou should be really asleep at this time.
However, although Chen Zhou was asleep at this time, Yang Yiyi had to get busy.
It’s not because of anything else, it’s just that Chen Zhou has been waiting for no reply to his message.
Many people began to find Yang Yiyi and ask her about Chen Zhou's situation.
After all, the messages that Chen Zhou replied to them, the updates that Chen Zhou posted on Weibo, and the papers that Chen Zhou uploaded have all caused impacts to varying degrees.
However, Yang Yiyi didn't know Chen Zhou's current situation, nor did she know what Chen Zhou meant by "Brother guessed the correct way to open it".
She could only help Chen Zhou and explain some unnecessary questions.
At this time, in the dormitory building of Yanda University.
Li Li, Zhao Qiqi and Zhu Mingli were putting their heads together at this moment, waiting intently for a reply to the message on their mobile phones.
"Qiqi, Lao Zhu, what do you think is going on right now?"
Li Li said softly after seeing Yang Yiyi's reply.
Zhao Qiqi, who was sandwiched between the two people, was about to turn around to speak when suddenly a "bump" sound happened.
Suddenly, the three of them covered their heads at the same time.
However, Zhao Qiqi covered her head and said, "Do I even need to ask? Brother Chen's proof must be correct!"
Zhu Mingli also rubbed his head and said while sniffing, "I think so too. Brother Chen is not the kind of person who brags. From what he said, 'I guessed the correct way to open it,' he must have known that Professor Harold Heofgot had uploaded the proof paper."
"But he still said this, which means that there must be something wrong with Professor Harold Heofgot's proof. Although I don't know what the problem is..."
Li Li agreed, "What Lao Zhu said makes sense. Judging from Brother Chen's work habits, he is not someone who cannot afford to lose, and he would not say this casually. Whatever he said, he would not make a mistake. This is especially true when it comes to proving mathematical conjectures."
Zhao Qiqi put down her hand that was rubbing her head and said hesitantly, "How about giving Brother Chen a call? If I don't figure this out, I'll feel uneasy..."
Zhu Mingli immediately rolled his eyes at Zhao Qiqi: "It's not you who proved the Goldbach conjecture, what are you worried about?"
Zhao Qiqi: "You can't say that. What belongs to Brother Chen is ours, isn't it? Haven't you seen what the public opinion has become now? I'm really worried that Brother Chen was praised too highly before, and now someone wants to step on him..."
Li Li and Zhu Mingli looked at each other. The situation Zhao Qiqi described was indeed what they were worried about.
Because Chen Zhou was too dazzling before, this "competition" with Harold Heofgott on the proof of Goldbach's conjecture has been rendered in a different color.
If Chen Zhou loses this time, there will definitely be a large number of people jumping out to blame Chen Zhou.
What youthful recklessness, what ignorance of the immensity of the world...
No matter how hard you blew before, you will definitely step on it this time.
Zhu Mingli glanced at the news about this incident on his computer, and suddenly said with a smile: "Anyway, I believe Brother Chen will win this 'competition'."
Zhao Qiqi looked at Zhu Mingli and said with a smile: "I also believe in Brother Chen. He has never lost in our dormitory, and this time will definitely be no exception!"
Li Li didn't say anything. He looked at Zhu Mingli and then at Zhao Qiqi.
Zhu Mingli and Zhao Qiqi also looked at Li Li at this time.
All three of them have absolute confidence in Chen Zhou.
The three were also helpless. They could not understand either Harold Heofgott's proof paper on Goldbach's conjecture or Chen Zhou's proof paper, nor could they verify it themselves.
Zhao Qiqi asked again: "Should we call Brother Chen first?"
Li Li shook his head: "Forget it, Yiyi has already said that Brother Chen is probably resting now, let's wait until tomorrow to ask."
Hearing this, Zhao Qiqi immediately said, "The whole world is paying attention to this matter, and Brother Chen can still sleep. If it were me, if I didn't figure out whose proof is the correct way to open it, I'm afraid I would suffer from insomnia until the day after tomorrow..."
Li Li looked at Zhao Qiqi helplessly and said, "Qiqi, you know how Brother Chen does his research. He must have stayed up a lot of nights before. He finally finished it, so he took a break."
Zhao Qiqi was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "If you hadn't mentioned this, I would have almost forgotten. It seems that Brother Chen is really trying hard this time."
After hearing what Zhao Qiqi said, Zhu Mingli said, "Is there ever a time when Brother Chen didn't fight?"
Zhao Qiqi: “…”
After a while, Zhao Qiqi sat back at the desk and followed the latest progress. He said, "If it is really Brother Chen who proved the Goldbach conjecture, we should at least celebrate for him, right?"
Hearing this, Zhu Mingli and Li Li immediately turned their heads and said with a smile: "This is possible~"
In fact, in addition to the dormitory where Zhao Qiqi and other two lived, similar discussions were taking place in many dormitories of the Department of Mathematics at Yan University.
Although Chen Zhou has left, news about him has always been followed by these students.
After all, Chen Zhou is the only person in the history of Yanda Mathematics Department who has solved three mathematical conjectures in a row and left with the most amazing undergraduate thesis in history.
Moreover, they were abused over and over again during Chen Zhou's studies.
They also want to see what happens to foreign students after being abused...
Similarly, in addition to the students of Yanda University, many professors in the Department of Mathematics are also paying attention to this matter.
Wu Xiping and Zhang Zhongyuan were now together studying Chen Zhou's thesis and Harold Heofgot's thesis.
"Mr. Zhang, I don't see any problem with Chen Zhou's paper. Have you found it?"
Hearing this, Zhang Zhongyuan immediately rolled his eyes at Wu Xiping and said unhappily, "If you don't understand, then you don't understand. What's wrong with you saying you can't see it..."
Wu Xiping, who had long been accustomed to his old friend's temper, was not angry even though his thoughts were exposed in front of him. Instead, he smiled and asked, "I really don't understand it. How about you? Do you understand it?"
"Uh..." Zhang Zhongyuan hesitated for a moment, then immediately said, "This certificate is very beautiful, there is no big problem."
Wu Xiping asked again: "Are there any small problems?"
Zhang Zhongyuan opened his mouth and turned his head to see Wu Xiping looking at him mischievously.
His face suddenly turned red, and he said helplessly: "Well, I don't quite understand it..."
Hearing this, Wu Xiping burst into laughter.
Seeing this said, "Why are you laughing? Don't you understand it? What's so funny? Anyway, the guy said that this is the correct way to open it, so there must be no problem."
Wu Xiping stopped laughing, looked at Zhang Zhongyuan and asked, "Do you believe what Chen Zhou said?"
Zhang Zhongyuan nodded and said angrily, "I don't trust my own students, so how can I trust others? Should I trust that person who talks nonsense?"
Wu Xiping was silent for a moment, then said, "No matter what, Zou Minwang is also a professor in the Department of Mathematics at Yenching University. Before we find the problem with the paper, we can't say that he is talking nonsense. As long as we believe in our students, what does it matter whether he believes it or not?"
Zhang Zhongyuan didn't say anything.
He really disdains to associate with people like Zou Minwang.
They are all professors of Yanda University, but he not only does not support students who graduated from his own school.
On the contrary, after professors from other universities spoke out, he also took the initiative to speak out.
It means that Harold Heofgot's paper has completely proved the Goldbach conjecture, and Chen Zhou has completely lost.
Moreover, he has been making critical remarks about Chen Zhou.
It is said that Chen Zhou has become too proud and is not doing his job properly. He treats the national "Thousand Talents Plan" projects as a joke and does not take them seriously at all.
Otherwise, how come it has taken so long to apply for the project but still not be solved?
It is also said that Chen Zhou went on to study rubber balls and difficult problems in algebraic geometry.
I just didn't think about solving the Goldbach conjecture.
Zhang Zhongyuan really couldn't understand why a mathematics professor would slander students who graduated from his own school like this?
What good does this do him?
What’s even more infuriating is that Zou Minwang.
It would have been fine if he just jumped around by himself, but he also brought some people with him to jump around.
Also because they are professors in the Department of Mathematics at Yanjing University, the outside media generated more speculation.
Of course, these speculations are not favorable to Chen Zhou.
What Zhang Zhongyuan was even more puzzled about was when did Chen Zhou offend Professor Zou Minwang?
How could there be any conflict between Chen Zhou, a student who spends all day doing research, and Zou Minwang?
Didn’t the two of them follow President Sun to participate in academic exchanges?
"Old Zhang, do you think we should look for Dean Sun?"
Zhang Zhongyuan's thoughts were interrupted by Wu Xiping's voice, and he looked at his old friend with some surprise.
There has never been anything that could make Wu Xiping take the initiative to find Dean Sun.
Even when Wu Xiping encountered great difficulties when he was being evaluated as a professor, he did not go to see Dean Sun.
Zhang Zhongyuan didn't expect that Wu Xiping would go to see President Sun for Chen Zhou.
"Do you want Dean Sun to take care of them?"
Wu Xiping nodded: "No matter what, before the results come out, people from Yan University should not express their opinions outside."
Zhang Zhongyuan thought about it and said, "I think we should not go. Dean Sun did not stop them, which means that Dean Sun has his own plans. Besides, we believe Chen Zhou's words, so we should not go."
Wu Xiping nodded silently: "Okay, then, let's wait for the results of the paper review to come out."
Zhang Zhongyuan: "It shouldn't take that long..."
Wu Xiping was slightly surprised, but soon understood what Zhang Zhongyuan meant.
The Zou Minwang mentioned by the two people was currently studying Chen Zhou's thesis.
Pinching his brows with his hands, Zou Minwang murmured, "Although I can't guarantee that Harold Heofgot's paper is correct, I must make sure that your paper is problematic..."
Zou Minwang has been feeling somewhat uneasy ever since he saw what Chen Zhou posted on Weibo.
In desperation , he had to bite the bullet and study Chen Zhou's paper, trying to find irreparable flaws in it.
Otherwise, if things go the other way, he knows the consequences.
Even though Dean Sun doesn't say anything to them now, it's just that he hasn't found a suitable reason.
Zou Minwang took a short break and then started looking for mistakes in Chen Zhou's paper again.
In fact, like Zou Minwang, there are many people who are reviewing Chen Zhou's paper.
Including professors of mathematics departments in many universities around the world.
Because of what Chen Zhou said on Weibo, it spread at an incredible speed.
They wanted to figure out who was right between the two people's proofs.
Compared to these mathematics professors who can do it themselves, most ordinary people can only wait for the final results.
This matter, which originally seemed to have no suspense, suddenly became suspenseful again because of Chen Zhou's voice.
And it’s more exciting than before.
In addition to these mathematics professors who volunteered to review the papers, Chen Zhou's submitted paper is also currently undergoing peer review.
As soon as the editorial department of "Annals of Mathematics" received Chen Zhou's submitted paper, they immediately began to contact the relevant reviewers.
As for the first step of technical editor review, it was completely passed.
Technical editors really can't see anything in this kind of paper.
It’s just a coincidence that before Chen Zhou, Harold Heofgot also submitted a paper to the Annals of Mathematics.
The time he and Chen Zhou submitted their papers was no more than one day apart.
It can almost be said that these are the papers received by the Annals of Mathematics at the same time.
Therefore, the editors of the Annals of Mathematics were somewhat undecided.
They felt a headache when they thought about the fact that Wiles' paper proving Fermat's Last Theorem had six reviewers.
Fortunately, the mathematics giants at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study helped them solve this problem.
If they were asked to find reviewers themselves, it would definitely be a huge headache, right?
After all, for two papers, at least 12 reviewers are needed...
While the two papers were undergoing peer review, related matters of the conference were also finalized.
However, the location of the report meeting was something many people had not expected.
Because Chen Zhou and Harold Heofgot both agreed with the opinion of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton.
Taking into account the inconvenience of reviewers, they chose Princeton, the world's mathematics center, as the venue for this conference.
Moreover, the two of them will hold a lecture together.
As soon as the news came out, it immediately aroused the expectations of countless people.
After all, this is the right to prove the question of the century...
