Edward Witten has been in style for the last two years, he and his wife have traveled the world and have circled the globe, this time on a world map for the second time.

Witten was wealthy, a lifelong tenured chair at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and he published seventeen scholarly monographs during his lifetime, the highest selling of which was Superstring Theory published in 1987.

The protection of intellectual property rights in the United States is very strict, and Witten, which has sold academic monographs for decades, is now in a state of lying down and collecting money.

Scholars who do purely theoretical research will also live a very beautiful life, and Witten is a vivid example.

Shen Qi knew that it was difficult to impress Witten by the material temptation of money or something, and if he wanted to invite a palace-level boss, the more reliable entry point was feelings and feelings: "Edward, do you remember that early morning five years ago, I walked aimlessly on the big lawn in front of the Institute for Advanced Study, and I lost my way for a while, it was you who pulled me back on track, you are the most important mentor and friend in my life." ”

"Get down to business. Witten was succinct.

Shen Qi said frankly: "I want to hire you as a visiting professor in my department, I will tell the school, and they will definitely agree." I hope you can help us in physics, mathematics, physics, etc. ”

"I'll think about it, see you at PKU in about a week...... Erin, is it our number? Strange, first, bye-bye. Witten on the phone seemed busy, with a background sound similar to the noisy environment of a restaurant, Hong Kongers speaking Cantonese, and Witten and his wife waiting in line for a meal.

Rich American old men and old ladies are very good at enjoying life, they are all over the world when they retire, and the Witten couple should be waiting in Hong Kong for afternoon tea.

A week later, Witten and his wife arrived at Yanda as scheduled.

Today is Saturday, and Shen Qi took Witten to visit the Shen Qi Mathematical Research Center alone: "Edward, this is my territory, it's not bad." ”

"It's big enough, about twice the size of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton," Witten said. ”

"Edward, what do you think of my proposal last week?" Shen Qi asked.

"Visiting professor, is it, so strange, what do you need me to do?"

"N-S equation, we're ready to officially attack this project, Edward, we need your advice. ”

"The N-S equation is yes, I think it should be fine. When Shen Qi got married, he flew from the United States to China to attend the wedding, which shows Shen Qi's status in the mind of the old man Witten.

"Wow, cool. Shen Qi is very happy, his center is about to usher in a big guy-level reinforcement, which means that the center has taken a solid step on the road of internationalization.

"In fact, the N-S equation will be led by the mathematics team at our center. Shen Qi briefly introduced the organizational structure of the center.

"It's actually better to have the math team in charge of this project. "Witten agrees with mathematicians as the main force to overcome the N-S equation.

Shen Qi said: "There are three physical problems that have been bothering me, first, the lifespan of protons. Second, the black hole information paradox. Third, the basic degrees of freedom explanation of M-theory. These are all theoretical physics problems that will be studied in depth by our physics team at the center. The third question is one that Edward is most familiar with. ”

The third question is closely related to chord theory, and Witten asks, "Strange, what do you want to do?"

Shen Qi smiled: "I want to answer this question, with you, Edward." ”

"Are you serious?" Witten suddenly trembled, probably because the old man was talking about a teenager.

Witten's famous book "Superstring Theory" is known as the bible of theoretical physics, which has been read by countless physicists.

Whether it is applauded or not, it may be Witten.

Even though Witten has godfather-like status in the field of theoretical physics, the Nobel Prize is not in his possession.

After so many years, the old man has almost looked down on it.

But life is sometimes harsh, and when you are full of anticipation, she is indifferent to you. When you are close to the abstinence of pure heart and little desire, she teases you and makes you horny again.

Shen Qi decided to work with Witten to study the basic degree of freedom explanation of Theory M, and Witten was picked up.

The two talked and laughed and went to the second floor, where Witten found that the second floor was a laboratory, but there was no equipment related to proton lifetimes, black hole information paradoxes, and M theory.

"It's all about material preparation and testing. Witten said.

"As you can see, yes, it's all about condensed matter physics materials. You know Edward, I also have to do some application projects, otherwise I won't be able to support so many good employees. Shen Qi explained, and took Witten up to the third floor.

Half of the rooms on the third floor are empty, and the other half is quite casual, with a café, gym, calligraphy and painting room, chess and card room, and audio-visual entertainment room, like coming to an entertainment club.

"It seems that you are very nice to the staff. Witten complimented.

"Unfortunately, the use of other entertainment and leisure facilities is quite low, except for the café, they are too busy to relax. This is not the situation I want to see. Shen Qi shook his head and smiled helplessly, he was quite busy himself.

"Hey, this café is set up in the style of a math café at Princeton. Witten walked into the café and walked around.

"Do you like it here, Edward?"

"The hardware is great, but I always feel like there's a little bit of humanity missing. Witten came to this conclusion.

You're right, the humanistic atmosphere of the Princeton Department of Mathematics is based on more than a dozen Filipino award bigwigs getting together every day to drink coffee, and the accumulation of time is precipitated...... Shen Qi and Witten came to the fourth floor, and he said: "My office is on the fourth floor, Edward, the visiting professor doesn't have to stay in Yan University every month, your office is also on the fourth floor, you worked here during your time at Yan University, I don't know if you are satisfied?"

"Looks pretty good...... God, why do you still have animals here?monkeys?" Witten visited with great interest, and suddenly found a few monkeys, quite surprised.

Shen Qi explained: "They are experimental animals, and they are great heroes. ”

Witten's puzzle: "Strange, N-S equation, M theory, or condensed matter physics, why do we need experimental animals?"

"Because this laboratory is a chemistry laboratory, it is mainly engaged in drug research. Shen Qi took Witten to the 401 laboratory.

Looking at the room full of chemical instruments and raw materials, Witten was shocked: "Qi, you really want to study chemistry, medicine, monkeys?"

"Do you think I'm joking? I'm still going to study math overall, to be honest Edward, I'm under a lot of pressure, so I urgently need your help, even if you can only stay at Yanda for two months a year, it will be very helpful to me. ”

"N-S equations, M-theory, proton lifetimes, black hole information paradoxes, condensed matter physics, chemical synthesis, drug preparation, monkeys, mathematical unification......" Witten concatenate all the information and come to an astonishing conclusion: "I see, Qi, you want to rule the world before the age of forty." ”