Zhang Hongcai paused mid-sentence and turned to Li Jiangao.
"Ah?" Li Jiangao responded blankly.
The recent conversation between Zhang Hongcai and Qiao Ze had once again brought to mind the scene from the first day he met Qiao Ze. The young man had his head slightly raised, speaking with a hint of pride and satisfaction.
"...The problem I want to solve is the mass gap hypothesis. It won't be long before I can prove that in a tight single gauge group, the quantum Yang-Mills equations in four-dimensional Euclidean space have a mass gap solution."
Li Jiangao couldn't really remember his feelings at that time.
But looking back now, he probably just thought the kid was too arrogant, and he didn't take that declaration too seriously.
Even before going to meet with Zhang Chunlei and the other professors, he specifically told him not to reveal his idea, as it would seem too presumptuous.
How long has it been since then? From the end of May to the beginning of November, just half a year at most, this youngster could even discuss the issue with senior professors at Yanbei University.
Indeed, the "not too long" that Qiao Ze had mentioned really hadn't been very long at all...
Even the senior professor had no doubt that Qiao Ze could indeed solve the problem, well, at least the initial part of the propositions.
Such a life is truly thrilling.
"Professor Jian Gao, if Qiao Ze doesn't understand, don't you either? Oh... come to Yanbei, both of you. I remember you're still an associate professor, right? If you're willing to come to Yanbei University, next year... no, this year, I'll help you secure a position as a full professor."
And any titles and honors you'll be up for afterwards, we guarantee full Keep reading on NovelHub - where stories come alive! As for Qiao Ze, he can start as your teaching assistant. You know how it is with public schools and..."
"Cough cough... Oh my, look at me, I forgot to pour water for the two professors... Su, you must remind me next time."
Yu Chenggong interrupted Zhang Hongcai's sudden outburst without hesitation.
What the hell is all this!
Whether it's Yang-Mills Theory or the mass gap hypothesis, Yu Chenggong didn't understand it much.
But to start ranting about it out of nowhere, Yu Chenggong really couldn't stand it.
Sure enough, when Huaqing and Yanbei wanted to poach talent, they had no bottom line.
From admissions officers to research institute big shots, they all have the same agenda.
Zhang Hongcai glanced at Yu Chenggong with dissatisfaction. The guy was really impolite, always interrupting him at crucial moments.
It was the same at dinner parties, and it was the same now.
This man was clearly not too serious.
What kind of respectable head of a university admissions office would go on a business trip with an invited speaker?
This was just causing trouble!
If Yu Chenggong were just an ordinary administrative staff member accompanying them, or still the admissions officer as before, that would be one thing.
Zhang Hongcai wouldn't even mind poaching people along with Yu Chenggong.
The problem was that Yu Chenggong was now the head of the admissions office, a solid mid-level cadre in the university hierarchy.
At that level, it wasn't something he could arrange just by making a suggestion, especially at a university like Yanbei University, where there were many people eyeing each position, he really couldn't be the one to decide.
The arrangement of Xilin University of Technology could only be described as incredible.
He certainly didn't expect that it was actually Qiao Ze's request to bring Yu Chenggong along...
"Haha, Professor Zhang, please hear me out. Let's talk about Yanbei University's resources for a moment. Needless to say, they're definitely more abundant than those of Xilin University of Technology. But with more resources, there are also more people to take care of. How many talents are there at Yanbei University! From top to bottom, they are the country's top professors, and those resources are not easy to divide, right?"
"Yes, even if you have the authority to allocate resources, can you really afford to completely disregard the feelings of others? It's not possible that the entire mathematical research center will rely solely on Professor Li and Qiao Ze, is it? If it causes other professors to be unhappy and they all leave, that would be a loss that outweighs the gain!"
Yu Chenggong, who went to refill the water kettle, completely ignored Zhang Hongcai's annoyed look and continued cheerfully.
"Heh... so you're saying that Xilin University of Technology can allocate all its resources to them?" Zhang Hongcai reflexively retorted.
"Hehe, it actually works! You see, the professors at our School of Mathematics are not as excellent as those at Yanbei. Even if they wanted to jump ship, it would be hard for them to find a better position! But it's different for the professors at your School of Mathematics, even if they wanted to go abroad for teaching positions, they are highly sought after. Am I right?"
Yu Chenggong rebutted gently.
He had never feared anyone in such debates.
Although if the professors of the university's School of Mathematics knew what he had said, they would certainly feel uncomfortable.
But what did that have to do with Yu Chenggong? Could these people determine his future?
Besides, Yu Chenggong didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said.
If they really had the ability, why would they stay at Xilin University of Technology instead of going directly to Yanbei or Huaqing? Didn't they want to?
"You... ah, Professor Li, isn't your school's head of admissions office a bit too meddlesome?" Zhang Hongcai had no desire to continue arguing with Yu Chenggong.
He could see that the head of admissions was very slick with words. It was impossible to win against him, so better focus on the essentials.
"Oh, Professor Zhang, thank you very much for your kind offer, but to be honest, with my limited ability, I'm not sure I would fit in with the pace of Yanbei University. On the other hand, Xilin University of Technology has also been quite gracious to me. I can only graciously accept your intention."
After a moment of contemplation, Li Jiangao humbly responded.