Xiang Xiaotong pulled open a drawer, took out a document envelope, and handed it over.
"There's a job that's very important, but first-rate mathematicians look down on it. I don't have time to do it myself, so I could only find about ten second-rate mathematicians to work on it. They've been at it for a long time without making any progress. I'm desperate enough to try anything, so give it a shot."
Song He took the folder and quickly unwound the string binding the envelope. "Teacher, are you saying I'm a second-rate mathematician?"
"No. At most, you count as third-rate." Xiang Xiaotong smiled.
Song He: "..."
"I'm not expecting you to solve it, but as your teacher, I should at least give you some study materials. This should keep you busy for a long time." Xiang Xiaotong said, "If you somehow get incredibly lucky and solve it, I'll immediately give you a doctorate, plus a ten-million-yuan bonus."
"A ten-million-yuan bonus?" Song He was startled. "Can't you hire a first-rate mathematician for that price?"
"You know nothing about top mathematicians. The first-rate mathematicians employed by major corporations make several million in base salary every year. The moment they produce even slightly worthwhile results, they get bonuses worth tens of millions." Xiang Xiaotong raised her eyebrows. "My Neuron Company employs four first-rate mathematicians. Last year, I spent a hundred million yuan providing them with homes and cars and paying their salaries."
Song He clicked his tongue. His Chenghuang Company didn't place much importance on mathematics, so he really didn't know the market rates for mathematicians. By comparison, biologists and chemists were much cheaper. It was also possible that Chenghuang hadn't truly tried to recruit the most top-tier biologists yet.
The document envelope opened, and a stack of papers came out.
Song He