137: Chapter 137 Live Broadcast! Connecting with Terence Tao!

"Student Zhao Yang spoke so well! Not only does he have theoretical depth, but he also let us see the scientific spirit."

The host said with some excitement: "Furthermore, just before the program started, we received a latest piece of breaking news!"

She raised the paper in her hand, facing the camera:

"According to the latest display on the official website of the journal "Nature", the paper published by the Professor Gu Ming team at Beijing Forestry University has been officially released in the sub-journal "Nature Biotechnology"! And our Student Zhao Yang, as the second author, provided key support for this project!"

The host turned to Zhao Yang and asked with some excitement: "Student Zhao Yang, is this what you mentioned earlier in your speech—using mathematics and computer tools to solve Biology problems?"

If Zhao Yang's speech earlier about the lack of boundaries between disciplines was a theoretical counterattack and a logical self-verification, then this "Nature" sub-journal article was brand new evidence, validating what Zhao Yang had just said!

The bullet comments in the live broadcast room experienced a brief vacuum, followed by a screen full of exclamation marks.

Facing the camera, Zhao Yang smiled calmly and nodded: "Yes, this is also one of the pieces of evidence."

Meanwhile.

In the living room of a high-end apartment in Changcheng, the television was on, and the volume was high. The laptop on the coffee table was also on, displaying the forum interface of the Changcheng Hotline.

Li Jun slumped on the sofa, staring intently at the smug Zhao Yang on the television screen. He was filled with a sense of powerlessness.

"How is it possible... How is it possible..."

Li Jun muttered to himself. He felt like a joke. For the past few days, he had racked his brains to find internet trolls, fabricate black material, stir up trouble, and even spent money to bribe a few so-called anti-fraud fighters, thinking he could pull Zhao Yang down from his pedestal and ruin his reputation.

And the result? Not only did the other party not fall, but instead, he used this opportunity to show off his face again in front of the entire city's people! He even took the opportunity to show off even more!

"Nature" sub-journal... Even though he was ignorant and incompetent, he knew that it was the ultimate dream of all researchers. Many professors lost all their hair and still couldn't publish a single article, so what right did Zhao Yang have?

Li Jun's eyes were full of anger. He absolutely could not let him turn things around like this! So what if he published in a journal? The current academic circle is so dark; as long as you have money and power, what can't you buy?

Gritting his teeth, Li Jun logged into one of his many burner accounts and posted a comment under the live broadcast thread on the forum:

"Heh heh heh heh! The god-making movement continues, right? So what if he published in a "Nature" sub-journal? This simply proves that the forces behind him are even stronger! How impressive! To mobilize such huge resources just to create a god out of a freshman? How much money did Beijing Forestry University receive? Does Professor Professor Gu Ming have some dirt on him in their hands? I suggest a strict investigation into Zhao Yang's family background!"

This comment was pure conspiracy theory, but on this internet, no matter when, conspiracy theories always have a market.

With the appearance of Li Jun's comment and the internet trolls he hired starting to follow up, the comment section, which had already started to tilt in one direction, was stirred up again.

"The person above makes sense. Second author? That can be just a name added, right?"

"It's terrifying to think about. A freshman, what qualifications do they have to be a second author on such a high-level paper??"

"Could it be that he is really the illegitimate child of some big leader?"

Voices of doubt began to spread on the internet once again.

In the studio, after listening to the director, the host's expression turned slightly unpleasant.

"Student Zhao Yang... There are some new voices on the internet now." The host said with some embarrassment.

"Some people are questioning... questioning that your paper, just like the TIP one, is just a name added, something manipulated by others..."

After hearing the host's words, Zhao Yang's eyes remained calm, not even raising an eyebrow. Zhao Yang had long anticipated such things; after all, publishing a paper really couldn't prove capability.

"I know. There are always some people who are used to looking at the world while kneeling, so they think that those who stand are all guilty." Zhao Yang said to the camera in a flat tone, "Since some people question that I had backing forces when I published in TIP, then my publishing in a "Nature" sub-journal must also be the result of backing forces exerting influence. This is very reasonable. You want to see a person dissect themselves, so I will help you find a suitable character. In a moment, I will find such a character, an internationally renowned professor, who can weigh my worth."

"In fact, I am very well prepared today." Zhao Yang took his mobile phone out of his pocket; it was his newly purchased Nokia N96.

"Last night, I contacted a friend via email. His name is Terence Tao."

"Terence Tao?" The host was stunned for a moment, clearly having never heard this name.

But among the audience watching the live broadcast, those who were knowledgeable had already exploded.

"Holy crap! Terence Tao? That Chinese-descent math genius?"

"A fields medal winner! A living god of mathematics!"

"Is it real or fake? Can Zhao Yang actually contact Terence Tao?"

Zhao Yang did not explain, but walked to a networked computer in the studio and skillfully opened Skype, which was the most popular international communication software of that era.

"Director, please cut the computer screen to the big screen." With a prompt sound, the video call connected. On the big screen, a background of bookshelves appeared. A young Asian man wearing a plaid shirt and glasses, looking very gentle, appeared on the screen. It was indeed Professor Terence Tao.

"Hi, Zhao, very nice to see you." Terence Tao's voice came out through the studio speakers, clear and real.

"Hello, Professor Tao, sorry to disturb you so late." Zhao Yang responded in fluent and authentic American English.

At this moment, the whole scene was silent. Even those who couldn't understand English could feel that academic atmosphere.

Zhao Yang did not complain or defend himself in the video; he just started talking about academics with Terence Tao.

"Professor, I have made some more progress on the twin prime conjecture recently. I have further optimized the weight function in the Sieve Method."

"Really?" Terence Tao's eyes lit up instantly.

"Really? I read your preprint on arXiv, it was very brilliant. If you can go further, that would be historical. Please send me the draft as soon as possible."

The two chatted for a few minutes, full of high-level mathematical terminology throughout. The TV station had specially found a person responsible for translation, a professor brought in from Changda. He translated the conversation between Zhao Yang and Terence Tao.

Although the audience couldn't understand what Sieve Method or prime numbers gaps were, Terence Tao's attitude of equality towards Zhao Yang, even carrying a hint of expectation, could not be faked. That was the mutual appreciation between geniuses.

Hanging up the video, Zhao Yang turned around and looked at the camera: "This is Professor Terence Tao, a tenured professor at UCLA and a fields medal winner. If anyone still thinks that the forces behind me bought off Professor Tao to act with me, then I can only say that this force might have already united the Earth."

At this moment, all the doubts, in the face of absolute strength, appeared so pale and ridiculous. Li Jun's internet trolls were completely routed.