Chapter 424

The sixth day of Song Yao's business trip.

At noon, Xu Qingzhou took a hot shower, and the dizzy feeling in his head after that high-intensity calculation finally subsided. He tidied up simply and went to attend the last class of this semester.

After these days of effort, there was gratifying progress. In order to study the Riemann Hypothesis, he planned to solve it in three steps, or rather, proposed three propositions.

Proposition 1: In the region 0

Proposition 2: In the region 0

Proposition 3: All non-trivial zeros are located entirely on the line where the real part equals 1/2.

These three propositions are like mountains rising gradually; it is very clear that this last mountain is the Riemann Hypothesis.

Currently, Xu Qingzhou had already managed it; he used his own ξ(z) to handle the first proposition, proving that the non-trivial zeros are on the strip region where the real part is greater than 0 but less than 1.

Walking out of the apartment, Xu Qingzhou couldn't help but take a deep breath; fresh air entered his lungs, and his head became a bit clearer.

"Although the road is blocked and long, it is better to have steady progress..."

He thought of a story.

Once, the famous mathematician Hardy needed to return to his country, but upon arriving at the pier, he found there was only a small boat. However, crossing hundreds of nautical miles from Denmark to the UK, one could easily be buried in the belly of a fish if not careful.

While everyone was praying for God's blessing, Hardy sent a postcard to a friend, on which he wrote: I have proven the Riemann Hypothesis.

Did Hardy really prove the Riemann Hypothesis?

Of course not.

Hardy was a person who firmly did not believe in God.

Hardy later explained that he was willing to say that if an accident happened halfway, everyone might really believe he had proven the Riemann Hypothesis. Sure enough, for a person like him who didn't believe in God, God didn't give him the lofty honor.

Even though more than half a century had passed, the stingy God still hadn't found anyone who could bear such a great honor.

Xu Qingzhou moved his arms, thinking that was all in the past; with him, a cheater, appearing, things would probably be different.

Xu Qingzhou took a taxi and arrived at class on time at 2:00 PM. The class went without any surprises and ended smoothly.

Just as he was tidying up his lesson plans, a middle-aged man walked up, "Xu, let me introduce myself. My name is Andrew Vincent, a physics professor."

"Hello, Professor Vincent."

Xu Qingzhou shook hands with him.

Professor Vincent got straight to the point: "We all know that besides mathematics, you are also quite insightful in physics. Currently, our laboratory is engaged in the research and development of new solar cell materials. Are you interested in joining our research group?"

Whoa, another battery-related topic.

Energy is indeed one of the issues most concerned by today's society.

Thanks to Professor Zhao Shengwen, Xu Qingzhou had indeed read a lot of battery-related materials before and had a certain understanding, and was interested, but he didn't have time right now.

Furthermore, like going to Professor Zhao Shengwen's side, it's fine to play a supporting role, but for such a large project... he prefers to have absolute dominance himself.

Xu Qingzhou said apologetically: "Sorry, you should know that my current focus is all on mathematics, and I don't have more energy to participate in the project here."

"Xu, why not listen to our conditions first."

Professor Vincent said: "If you are willing to come, you can enjoy professor-level treatment, allowances, salary, etc., just like me. Of course, this is not important; if the experiment produces patentable results, you can get a 15% share of the remuneration."

"15%?"

Xu Qingzhou was a bit surprised. Excluding the funding from the "gold master father" and the school's share, it was already quite good.

"Yes, including you, there are four main members in our project team." Professor Vincent said with a smile.

"Very tempting conditions."

After Xu Qingzhou finished sighing, he sighed again and said: "Thank you very much for your invitation, but... I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. Compared to batteries, I now want to solve problems related to the Riemann Hypothesis more."

Professor Vincent was a bit unwilling to give up: "If you are not satisfied with the remuneration, we can talk."

"No, it's not a remuneration problem."

Xu Qingzhou shook his head.

Seeing Xu Qingzhou so persistent, Professor Vincent could only say helplessly: "Within this week, if you change your mind, please be sure to call me."

Xu Qingzhou nodded and went out to pack his things.

Sun Simin held her notebook, caught up with Xu Qingzhou, and said: "Senior Xu, thank you for your care this semester."

"You're welcome, it's my duty."

"Senior, will you still be teaching next semester?" Sun Simin asked full of expectation.

"Next semester? Let's see the arrangements. Before Professor Roberts finds a new coolie, I guess I'll still come to teach."

From the bottom of his heart, Xu Qingzhou didn't really reject coming to teach; less than two hours a week couldn't be considered trouble, and indeed, there would be a little inspiration during the teaching process.

Taking advantage of crossing the road, he turned his head to look at the little girl beside him and asked: "Why, still want to take my course? Haven't been tortured enough?"

Sun Simin shook her head like a rattle-drum, "I can learn a lot from following you, Senior. The boring mathematics of the past now feels very interesting."

"You can take a look at Hua Luogeng's *Introduction to Number Theory*, and G. H. Hardy and E. M. Wright's *An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers*."

Xu Qingzhou recommended a few books to Sun Simin.

"Mm-hmm, I've written them down, thank you, Senior." Sun Simin secretly glanced at Xu Qingzhou and plucked up the courage to say: "Senior, to express my gratitude, let me treat you to dinner."

"No need, I have things to do tonight."

Xu Qingzhou didn't give Sun Simin any hope, paused, and said: "If you really want to thank me, then remember the knowledge points well and definitely don't fail the course."

"Senior, I definitely won't let you down."

"Mm, alright, I'm going back from here, you..."

"Goodbye, Senior."

"Mm, goodbye."

The two separated at the intersection of Saville Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

At the intersection, Sun Simin watched the back gradually moving away and slowly let out a breath. Although she knew the senior had a girlfriend, she still wanted to stay a little longer.

On this side, Xu Qingzhou shook his head helplessly; of course, he could see the thoughts of these girls, but very sorry, he, Xu, is loyal and unswerving.

Now, he was actually thinking about another problem, "Should I buy a car?"

Then he could drive to play around Boston, and it would be convenient to go out.

As for the driver's license, Boston lifted the restrictions on foreign driver's licenses last year, which also included Xia Nation driver's licenses, but a translation was needed. This way, the Xia Nation driver's license could also be used for three months, and he could find time to take a test later.

Xu Qingzhou pondered for a long time; they would stay here for at most one or two years, and they would definitely have to return to the country in the end. Moreover, buying a car is not a small matter, so he still had to wait for the school beauty Song to return before deciding.

He was also too lazy to take a taxi home; he came out of MIT, crossed the Harvard Bridge, and walked back along the route Song Yao often ran.

(End of chapter)