Ambitious Individuals
In February of this year, Shen Qi made a short trip back to China to visit the China Quantum Computer Science Laboratory, where he helped Academician Pan's team improve the quantum key distribution system.
After eight months of practical testing, Academician Pan's team verified that the Riemann Theorem Number Carrier Quantum Key System is indestructible in quantum communication application environments.
Academician Pan immediately shared this good news with Shen Qi, expressing his Shen Qi for Shen Qi's outstanding contributions to China's quantum communication cause.
The eight-month-long practical testing of quantum key distribution has generated considerable buzz.
Professionals both at home and abroad have been closely following the research progress of Academician Pan's team.
Shen Qi helped Academician Pan's team improve the quantum key distribution system. This news spread throughout the industry within days after Academician Pan spoke with Shen Qi.
This matter is currently in a semi-public state, but Shen Qi's masterpiece, "Riemann Theorem Prime Number Carrier Quantum Key System," will not be made public. As for how many years it will be kept secret, it depends on the speed of quantum communication upgrades.
Once a new generation of quantum communication systems emerges, it may be possible to decrypt older data.
Nobody knows when the next generation of quantum communication systems will be available.
"Professor Shen, the country has been paying close attention to the progress of quantum key distribution. According to Academician Pan's report and our investigation, we believe you have played a decisive role in this project. We would like to commend you and now ask for your opinion: should it be a public commendation or an internal commendation?" The relevant department leader met with Shen Qi express his gratitude.
Shen Qi expressed his stance. "There's nothing to hide. Our independently developed scientific and technological achievements don't need to be concealed. What I mean is, we can publicly announce that we've made significant progress in quantum key distribution research. Of course, the specific technical details cannot be made public; we'll just follow national security regulations."
"Understood!" The leader shook hands with Shen Qi. He was a technically minded leader who had been a university professor before becoming a leader.
The following day, Shen Qi went to the department in charge of science and technology and, together with Academician Pan, received the "National Major Scientific and Technological Breakthrough" award.
At a regular press conference, a spokesperson for the relevant department delivered an official statement to journalists worldwide:
"China's quantum communication project has made groundbreaking progress. The successful development of a new type of quantum key will ensure communication security. The country will invest more than 10 billion yuan in science and technology funding to further expand the application of China's quantum communication project. We would like to express our special thanks to Academician Pan Shaowei and Professor Shen Qi's team for their contributions. Thank you."
This news caused a stir in the industry.
Courant Institute, New York, USA.
Upon seeing this message, Professor Stari, who was in charge of quantum key distribution research, angrily overturned his table.
"Liar, liar, Shen Qi, you're a big liar!"
Professor Stari was furious. His institute had spent a year painstakingly researching a new type of quantum key based on the plan provided by Shen Qi, investing a great deal of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, but to no avail.
Now, the Chinese government is claiming that Shen Qi and Academician Pan are in cahoots. Professor Stari is left speechless with bitterness. He telegraphed his colleagues in the American applied research community. "Beware of Shen Qi. He has exploited the United States; he is America's most dangerous enemy! Who let him return to China? Someone must take responsibility!"
Shen Qi had no way of knowing the contents of Professor Stari's telegram, but he knew that he had definitely been blacklisted in the American application community.
"What could I do? In that situation, I couldn't possibly betray my country, could I?" Shen Qi was a man who cared about his reputation, and he was extremely reluctant to see a fan turn into a hater.
But there was nothing he could do; everyone was on their own side. So be it, as long as Princeton didn't smear Shen Qi, he didn't care about the other American institutions.
"Shen Qi, don't worry, no one dares to do anything to you. The more advanced our technology becomes, the stronger our motherland becomes, and the less likely foreign forces will dare to touch you," Academician Pan reassured him. He then asked Shen Qi, "Have you looked into the rules for the biennial election of academicians?"
"I've heard that to be elected as a new academician, a candidate needs to be recommended by at least three incumbent academicians, and then the academicians of each division vote. A candidate who receives more than a certain number of votes is elected as a new academician," Shen Qi said. It seems this is not just a rumor. Before he returned to China, he heard from Lu Guozhen that someone wanted to recommend him for academician.
"That's right, you're under 65 years old, so recommendations from three academicians are enough," Academician Pan said.
Candidates aged 65 and above must be recommended by more than six academicians. The issue of the aging of China's scientific research elite has long been a topic of discussion.
Internationally, it is generally believed that 35-45 years old is the golden age for a scientist's creativity. After this age, research ability gradually declines, and it is difficult to say that a scientist can be creative after the age of 70.
According to national regulations, researchers, professors, or scholars and experts with equivalent titles who have made systematic and creative achievements and significant contributions in the field of science and technology, love their country, have a good academic style, and hold Chinese nationality can be recommended and elected as academicians.
Over the past five years, Shen Qi's systematic and creative achievements in the field of science and technology are well known. He loves his motherland and resisted the temptations of capitalism during his trip to the United States. With his superb wisdom and extraordinary courage, he successfully misled the Courant Institute and strategically delayed his competitors' golden opportunity.
"Shen Qi, you fully meet the eligibility requirements for being nominated as an academician. Next year is the year for announcing the newly elected academicians, and my letter of recommendation has been submitted to the academic division. I have recommended you." Academician Pan was afraid that Shen Qi would not believe him, so he took out his phone and uploaded a picture.
The photo shows a sheet of letter paper with the words: "... In view of the above, I recommend Shen Qi as a candidate for academician. Signed: Pan Shaowei."
"Academician Pan is so kind, I will do my best." Shen Qi couldn't let down the recommender's good intentions. If he really was elected as an academician, then he would accept it.
Becoming an academician brings new resources, such as a wider network of contacts and more abundant research funding, among others.
Upon returning to Yenching University, Shen Qi learned that all four academicians of the Mathematical Sciences Academy had submitted letters of recommendation to the faculty for election as additional academicians.
Each academician can recommend no more than two candidates. Shen Qi's name is on the list of recommenders for all four academicians of the School of Mathematical Sciences at Yenching Big Mathematics Department.
Academician Shi from Nangang University of Technology also recommended Shen Qi. With six academicians recommending him, Shen Qi has qualified to enter the voting stage.
The voting process for academicians in each division will take place next year. Shen Qi has several academician friends. Whether he can win the approval of more than half of the academicians in the Department of Mathematical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and be elected as a new academician remains to be seen next year.
This year's main task is to build a team and establish a leadership structure, Shen Qi has set his sights on areas outside of Yenching University.
And believe it or not, there really were ambitious people outside the school who volunteered themselves.
This morning, someone came to Shen Qi's office.
The man was thin but had a piercing gaze. He respectfully handed his resume to Shen Qi: "Professor Shen, my name is Ma Chaofan, a PhD in mathematics. I am eager to work at the Shen Qi Mathematical and Physical Research Center and humbly request that Professor Shen hire me."
Shen Qi browsed the resume. "Dr. Ma, your resume shows that you are currently working at the Qiu Chengtong Mathematical Research Center at Shuimu University?"
Ma Chaofan said sincerely, "Yes, I worked there for a year. Professor Shen, I admire you very much. Please take me in. I won't let you down."