I kidnapped an alien civilization

It was time to get off work, and the office building of the Department of Mathematics was silent. Li Mo stepped lightly and came to the door of the office with Professor Wu's signboard. Through the window, one can clearly see the gray-haired Professor Wu writing something at his desk.

He straightened his clothes and knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," came a voice from inside the house. Li Mo cautiously opened the door and entered the office. Professor Wu looked up at him and said, "Wait a minute, I'll finish writing soon."

Li Mo looked around, this is a simple office that can no longer be simple. In addition to books, there are still books in the room, and there is only a simple chair next to the desk.

After a long time, Professor Wu finally put down the pen in his hand, looked up at Li Mo who was still standing there and asked in surprise, "Why don't you sit down, didn't I just let you sit down?"

"Just after attending a college student education meeting, I quickly wrote down my thoughts, so I kept you waiting." Seeing that Li Mo was still standing, he urged, "Don't be restrained, sit down."

Li Mo had to sit down slowly, he felt uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment.

Professor Wu took a sip of water and asked, "Do you know what university education is popular in the world now?"

As if he didn't wait for Li Mo's answer at all, he went on to say: "Nowadays, the popular university education in the world requires both hands to be tough."

Both hands must be hard? Li Mo is no stranger to this phrase, but what does it mean when it is used here?

As if seeing Li Mo's doubts, Professor Wu stretched out two fingers and gestured: "One hand focuses on education for all, and the other hand focuses on elite education."

"What is education for all, and what is elite education?" Professor Wu unconsciously raised his voice, "Education for all is to improve the cultural quality of all people and make university education universal. Elite education is to select top-notch students and strengthen the selection of gifted students. educate."

"Do you know how I feel about participating in this meeting?" Professor Wu stopped and asked him. Li Mo felt that Professor Wu in front of him was another Pajero with a big head. They both like to ask other people questions without needing others to answer them.

Li Mo shook his head, Professor Wu was very happy to see his actions: "I found that our national education is doing very well, but there is a big gap between elite education and foreign countries. Now there are many foreign first-class universities. Talented students are inclined, and there is even a situation of cross-border competition for talents."

As soon as he finished speaking, Professor Wu slapped his head fiercely: "I called you here to ask how your recent study is going. Why are you talking about this. Tell me, are you still used to being in school now?"

Li Mo looked at the old professor who looked like a big child in front of him, and said seriously: "It's quite adaptable. The students are very enthusiastic and helped me a lot. The teachers are also very serious and responsible, but I think the knowledge in textbooks is too much. It’s shallow, and most of the time I’m currently studying by myself.”

Professor Wu said with a smile: "Yes, for a gifted student like you, the textbook knowledge in college is a bit simpler. But you should pay attention to mathematics is a subject that focuses on the foundation, and the foundation must be solid." He said After a pause, he asked again, "What books have you been reading recently, can you tell me?"

Li Mo said shyly, "I've been reading books on the four-color conjecture for the past few days."

"Interested in the four-color conjecture? This is a smelly and hard stone." Professor Wu said with wide-eyed eyes.

Li Mo was a little puzzled by Professor Wu's name for the four-color conjecture and asked: "Well, I am interested in the four-color conjecture, but why is it smelly and hard?"

Professor Wu laughed loudly: "It seems that although you have a high mathematical talent, you still don't know much about some basic mathematical allusions. For a difficult problem like the four-color conjecture, is it true that no mathematician has been able to prove it for hundreds of years? Can it come out? No. It is very difficult, but it is still within the basic category of mathematics. If a mathematician spends ten years and concentrates on research, he will be able to prove it after all.”

Seeing that Li Mo was still puzzled, he said, "Then why hasn't the four-color conjecture been proved so far? That's because it's not that important, and it's very difficult. Let a mathematical Is it possible for my family to spend more than ten years proving a difficult problem that cannot bring him fame and fortune?"

"It's ridiculous, now even the world of mathematics has begun to pay attention to fame and fortune." He sighed again.

Li Mo understood, and hurriedly said: "Teacher, don't worry, I study the four-color conjecture just for fun, and it won't delay my usual studies."

"That's good. This kind of remote problem is not a great way after all. Don't go astray and try to solve the problem." Professor Wu took out the teacup on the table and took a sip of water. "So is there any progress now?"

Li Mo said embarrassingly: "There is no progress at present. Although the content of the four-color conjecture is simple, it may involve graph theory and topology. But it is too difficult to find a breakthrough."

Professor Wu was not surprised. Suddenly he thought of something and said with a smile: "The four-color conjecture is not within the scope of my specialization. I can't help you. But I can recommend someone to you. You go to see him." Seeing him might yield something."

Li Mo: "Who is that professor?"

Professor Wu shook his head and said, "No, on the first floor of our school library there is an office dedicated to repairing old books. There is an old teacher named Fang there. You can communicate with him, maybe there will be unexpected things. reward."

Li Mo showed a puzzled expression. He didn't understand the relationship between an old teacher who repaired old books and the four-color conjecture.

"Well, Mr. Fang is actually my senior brother. When he was a graduate student, his talent far surpassed mine. Who knew that he was fascinated by the Riemann Hypothesis. He studied day and night so that his graduation thesis failed. There is no way, how many of us A senior brother helped him with this job." Professor Wu mentioned that his senior brother's eyes were full of regret. "However, my brother Fang has one of the biggest advantages, that is, his thinking is very jumpy. Back then, I encountered difficulties in my project, and I didn't make any progress for several years. I just met and exchanged a few words with him, and the difficulties were easily solved after I came back. So I said I recommend you to communicate with him."

"Mr. Fang, the library is on the first floor." Li Mo, who came out of Professor Wu's office, went straight to the library. He wanted to see if Professor Wu's brother was really so amazing?

"Ding" As the elevator door opened, the first floor of the negative floor arrived. Compared with the warm sunlight outside, the basement looked extraordinarily gloomy, and humming and roaring sounds could be heard from the main computer rooms on both sides of the corridor.