Big Shots Fight Over Students

To Du Ke, an SCI journal with an impact factor of 0.4 was just that. Publishing three papers there wouldn't even amount to 1.2 impact factor points, so there was really no need to make a fuss.

The sophomore suddenly found himself speechless. Getting into Xiake University already marked him as a favored child of heaven, but he also knew how difficult it was to publish in an SCI journal, especially in the Journal of Chemical Physics. While its impact factor had dropped this year to around 0.4, last year it had once surged to 0.791, almost reaching 0.8.

Impact factor is calculated by summing the citations of papers published in a journal over the past two years, divided by the total number of papers published in those same two years.

In simple terms, a journal with a 0.4 impact factor means that papers published in it are cited an average of 0.4 times. This number definitely can't be considered small, as there are still a large number of journals that can't even achieve an impact factor. Of course, papers within the same journal vary in quality; some might be cited multiple times, while others might be completely overlooked.

Regardless, in the minds of ordinary students at Xiake University, the Journal of Chemical Physics was the ultimate goal for undergraduates and even graduate students.

Du Ke's three consecutive papers in the Journal of Chemical Physics, coupled with the enthusiastic discussion among the editorial board members, were enough to prove the high quality of his work and guarantee numerous future citations. To this sophomore, such a senior was an exceptional talent. However, this exceptional talent seemed a bit too arrogant, as if anyone could get published in the Journal of Chemical Physics—though he admitted there were indeed many who got in by chance, he believed most published papers had real substance.

"Perhaps this is just genius." Watching Du Ke enter the editorial office and be warmly welcomed by the editorial board members, the sophomore sat back in his chair, feeling a faint sense of disappointment.

This disappointment came and went quickly.

After all, Xiake University was never short of geniuses. If he felt disappointed by every genius he encountered, he'd probably get depression.

"Little Du is here." In the editorial department, Tao Xun immediately showed his social skills, pulling Du Ke over to introduce him. "This is Dean Chen Yang, the dean of Xiake University's School of the Young Class... and this is..."

Du Ke greeted everyone one by one.

Although the people present weren't all academic giants, they held titles such as Professor and Associate Professor, making the introductions quite impressive. Chen Yang's position as dean of the School of the Young Class carried significant weight. However, having mingled with the wealthy second generation while modifying cars and experiencing large-scale events, Du Ke was not at all intimidated and soon engaged in lively discussions with the editorial board members, primarily explaining the ideas behind his three papers.

Of course, his explanations were selective.

He wouldn't casually reveal the true core secrets.

Academic competition was common. Even if Du Ke hadn't experienced it before, he had heard about it—academic rivalries, intelligence gathering, patent races, all vivid displays of the "survival of the fittest" in academia. Du Ke never hesitated to assume the worst of others. At the very least, he wouldn't let his guard down until he had built a complete patent barrier around electron flow.

Yet, even with his reservations, many of his ideas left the attendees in awe.

The electron flow theory itself wasn't particularly groundbreaking, but its internal details were highly specialized, making it difficult for non-industry professionals to grasp deeply. The editorial board members had different academic focuses, so not everyone could fully comprehend it. After Du Ke's explanation, they began to appreciate the true potential of the electron flow theory. Dean Chen Yang even stated directly, "Put these three papers at the very front, and use this mechanical balance diagram drawn by Little Du on the cover."

An editorial board member nodded heavily. "Perhaps our journal's impact factor this year will depend on Du Ke's electron flow theory."

Once the electron flow theory created a buzz, the citation count for these three papers would inevitably increase, significantly boosting the Journal of Chemical Physics' impact factor. Last year, the Journal of Chemical Physics' impact factor had surged to nearly 0.8 because several excellent papers had been cited numerous times. The subsequent lack of high-quality papers led to a direct halving of the impact factor, a surprisingly steep decline.

That evening, Tao Xun arranged a dinner gathering with Chen Yang, Du Ke, and others.

The sophomore was also included, running errands and keeping busy. Du Ke learned his name was Xu Weijun, a student from the School of Engineering and also the vice president of the student union. While cleaning the office of a professor on the editorial board, he was noticed and assigned to help out at the Journal of Chemical Physics editorial department to gain some early experience.

As the drinks flowed, the conversation became more relaxed, moving beyond academics to politics, military affairs, entertainment, and gossip.

Du Ke wasn't particularly skilled at navigating social situations, but as long as someone brought up a topic, he could hold his own in the conversation. While boasting, Dean Chen Yang suddenly gestured for everyone to quiet down. "Wait a moment, I have something to say."

Once everyone quieted down, he asked Du Ke, "Little Du, you graduated from Anhui University, right?"

"Yes."

"Do you have plans for graduate studies?"

Before Du Ke could answer, Professor Tao Xun's feigned drunkenness instantly vanished. He then resumed his squinting and smiling expression and interjected, "Dean Chen, Little Du doesn't plan to pursue graduate studies, but I've already spoken with him. I'll arrange a recommendation for graduate study for him and have him join my program." Academic competition aside, he also wanted to secure students. Hearing Chen Yang's intent to poach, he quickly blocked him.

"Is that so, Little Du?" Chen Yang asked Du Ke directly.

Du Ke nodded. "That's right. Professor Tao and I have already agreed. I don't have much time to study further, so I plan to accept the recommendation for graduate study and just get a degree." He smiled, feeling no shame about "just getting a degree." After all, "slacking off" in academia wasn't considered slacking.

"Oh," Chen Yang nodded.

At this point, an editorial board member suddenly chuckled, "Old Tao, you're in materials and engineering, right? That's part of the chemistry department. Du Ke's research direction is electron flow, which should fall under physics, shouldn't it? Why not pursue graduate studies in physics?"

"The electron flow theory is physics, but to realize it and create an electron flow battery, we still need to focus on materials. It's perfectly fine for Little Du to study this area. Besides, he doesn't have much time to study; a master's degree is just a... how should I put it, an honor." Tao Xun suddenly regretted hosting the dinner; it felt like a banquet of deception aimed at him.

The members of the Journal of Chemical Physics were ill-intentioned; they wanted to snatch his student!

And this Old Chen was also unethical. Having Cao Yuan emerge from his gifted children class wasn't enough; now he wanted to take Du Ke under his wing too. He was too greedy!

However, even the strongest fist can't fend off four hands. Chen Yang didn't need to say much; the familiar editorial board members took the initiative to speak, their words and implications all subtly urging Du Ke to reconsider his graduate study plans, preferably to study under Chen Yang.

To Tao Xun's slight relief, Du Ke never agreed to switch graduate advisors.

"It's good that today's young people understand gratitude and loyalty, unlike these old geezers who are never satisfied, always looking for more, wanting to stuff everything good into their mouths," Tao Xun mused inwardly.

At this moment, Chen Yang suddenly said, "Tao Xun, if he pursues his master's under you, no matter which one, he can then dedicate himself to researching electron flow theory for a few years. After graduating with his master's, he can apply for my doctoral program." He had clearly chosen to give up on competing for the master's student and shifted the battlefield to the doctoral level. This was an unbeatable move, as Tao Xun did not have the qualification to supervise doctoral students.

Du Ke opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. It seemed he had suddenly become a future doctor.