"So it's not about what you said, the refusal of any form of collaboration with organizations is simply because you are too arrogant, lacking respect!"
Qiao Ze offered an explanation.
"Arrogant? Who has ever been arrogant before you and not suffered for it? Ackerman from the University of Bonn chose to retire in his fifties and completely left the academic world; Robert Stephen merely asked a silly question at your report meeting, and he has been locking himself in his office ever since, never coming out."
Besides, Roth Dugan has told you, right? You have already been successfully selected for this year's Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. This is an international mathematics award, and if there's no accident, your name will definitely be on the Nobel Prize nomination list this year, and the physics prize is also very likely yours, so where is this arrogance you're speaking of?"
Edward Witten said this with surprise, even somewhat excitedly.
In fact, for the Western academic community, they have already shown enough respect for Qiao Ze.
There are some things Edward Witten hasn't said yet.
For instance, he flew halfway across the globe just for a few words from Qiao Ze, isn't that respect enough?
Yet Qiao Ze still feels they are too arrogant...
Is this asking them to beg on their knees for collaboration?
Do they need to bow their heads just for cooperation?
However, Qiao Ze remained calm, and after pondering for a moment, he finally said, "All this is superficial, or perhaps what you consider respect, but the arrogance hidden deep down, you have not noticed at all. If we must talk about this issue, let's start with a small matter."
"Hmm?" Edward Witten stared at Qiao Ze, waiting for an explanation.
"On my first night at Xilin University of Technology, I wrote a letter to a professor of the school discussing his paper in English. My roommate raised a question, why should I write in English."
My response was, because many of the concepts in his research topic cannot be accurately described in Chinese, and to ensure that I can express my ideas accurately during the discussion, I used English."
After hearing this response, Edward Witten's mouth hung open slightly, suddenly getting a bad feeling because he sensed he was about to be successfully rebuked by Qiao Ze.
And Qiao Ze's next exposition confirmed his hunch.
"Superspiral algebra, transcendental geometry, the derived Dimensional Function, Super Helical Coordinate System, and theories including particle models and many theorems, specialized terms, and explanations, are all defined in my Chinese language.
But so far, in the 'Mathematics Annual' compiled jointly by the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and the School of Mathematics, as well as on your websites publishing related research, there's not only no specialized place for the Chinese version, but not even a Chinese font to be found, do you think this is respect?"
Qiao Ze spoke very calmly, not showing the excitement of Edward Witten, not even a fluctuation in his tone, but what he said exploded in Edward's ears like a thunderclap in spring.
If that was the reason, it seemed that Qiao Ze had indeed mentioned it before.
Lotte Dugan had also spoken of Qiao Ze's discourse on this issue.
But no one took it to heart.
After all, English academic journals were the mainstream, and in their minds, it was a matter of course.
He indeed hadn't considered releasing a Chinese version of 'Mathematics Annual' for relevant papers, or introducing Chinese content on the website.
After all, most of their research audience could master English proficiently.
But now he felt that Qiao Ze was making sense and even started to feel ashamed. Even if this perspective was so novel that he didn't know how to evaluate it, he could only attempt a defense, "It's just using language, after all, language..."
Qiao Ze shook his head, neither wanting nor planning to accept Edward Witten's explanation.
"It's just a tool for expression, I understand, and I know, but respect is not something you just talk about, nor is it those awards. I really don't care very much about how others evaluate my work and achievements, starting from not needing money. Besides you, the Clay Institute, Harvard, Duke... many invitations, but these do not represent respect."
"I can accept someone being prouder in front of me, even arrogant, but first his ability must earn my approval, and he must surpass me in some area I care about. Otherwise, this kind of inadvertent sense of superiority only makes me find it laughable and foolish."
"Out of the etiquette taught to me by Li Shu, I might not scoff at such foolishness in my heart, but I could never accept it. Li Shu said I should respect this world, but I've always felt respect should be mutual."
Edward Witten felt unable to continue debating on this issue.
He even thought that a medal should be awarded to Li Jian Gao.
Otherwise, if it weren't for Li Jian Gao teaching Qiao Ze the most basic manners, he felt he might be scorned by this young man every day.
No, perhaps Qiao Ze wouldn't even allow him to appear in this office at all.
Because he really couldn't discern if he had inadvertently shown what Qiao Ze called a sense of superiority.
"All right, Qiao Ze, I understand. Perhaps... Oh, no, you're right. Some conventional habits, or say inertia, are not necessarily reasonable. Maybe we truly haven't given you the most basic respect subconsciously, and on behalf of Princeton, I offer you my apology,"
Edward Witten said earnestly.
Qiao Ze nodded, maintaining a noncommittal attitude.
So Edward Witten continued, "Once I get back, I will start pushing this matter forward. It will definitely be difficult to establish a Chinese journal for 'Mathematics Annual.' The magazine is operated by Princeton, but the board of directors of the publishing house may not agree."