Chapter 39

These were all people who had stirred up trouble and added fuel to the fire after Chen Haoyu's article was published that morning.

"The operating principle: punish the big fish severely without leniency, penalize the medium fish lightly, and educate the small fry."

After his colleagues had finished reading the documents and no one raised any questions, Zhang Puze spoke again. "If there are no problems, let's begin. Contact all relevant departments and take action immediately."

Ten minutes later.

The official daily published a statement: "This morning, a Weibo article caused a sensation across the internet, drawing the attention of the entire nation. It also turned the tide of public opinion, leaving our national treasure, our hero, besieged by online abuse."

"The person who published the article is Chen Haoyu, from D City, S Province. Attached are recordings of his calls with the Ten Conglomerates. Once you've listened, you'll understand that the struggle in the cultural and ideological sphere has never ceased."

"Everyone should unite knowledge with action and think independently, rather than lose the ability to exercise their own judgment..."

"Likewise, the internet is not a place beyond the law. Those influencers, streamers, content creators, and others who chase trending topics without regard for right and wrong, seeking only traffic, should fulfill their social responsibilities and obligations as public figures..."

"In total, 27.43 million accounts have been banned for illegal statements, over 230,000 self-media accounts have been banned, and over 13,000 influencers, streamers, content creators, and others have been blacklisted. Several internet platform companies are to begin self-inspection and rectification immediately and have been issued substantial fines..."

As soon as the official article came out.

In an instant.

Countless people across the internet applauded. It was immensely satisfying.

"Someone, kill me to add to the festivities!"

"This is fucking unprecedented. I've never seen anything on this scale before. Holy crap."

"That was the Riemann Hypothesis, not to mention that he's even more likely to solve the other six conjectures. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a modern-day Einstein."

"Isn't that a bit much?"

"Not at all. He's accomplished this much at only twenty. Can you imagine what heights he'll reach in the future? He'll only get more and more badass."

Meanwhile.

Backstage at the production, when the chief director saw public opinion across the global internet reversed in one fell swoop, he was so furious that he smashed everything in sight to pieces.

"William, there's no need for this. He hasn't created any real value for Dragon Country yet, has he?"

Charlie, the DuPont Consortium's representative, picked up a cup of coffee and took a sip before continuing, "If he solves the Millennium Problems, all of humanity benefits. Our entire civilization benefits. So we should be thanking him instead."

Chief Director William was somewhat puzzled. Looking at him in confusion, he asked, "Mr. Charlie, could you put it more plainly!?"

Chapter 39: Finally Starting to Prepare for the Next Step of the Spaceship (Begging for All Kinds of Support)

Charlie glanced at him. "You should spend more of your free time following what goes on in academia."

"Mathematics is the foundation that drives and develops other disciplines. So advances in mathematics allow scientists in other fields to benefit, enabling them to innovate."

Chief Director William began to understand, and his eyes immediately lit up. "I think I get it, Mr. Charlie."

"You mean that no matter who does the mathematical research, any results are bound to be made public worldwide. Other fields that rely on mathematics to advance will naturally benefit, and most importantly, they don't have to pay the researcher."

"And compared with the number of scientists in the Ten Conglomerates, the number of Dragon Country's scientists is like the difference between heaven and earth."

"So it would be even better if he solved all the Millennium Problems, because the ones who'd benefit most from the mathematical results would be the Ten Conglomerates."

Charlie stood in front of the screen watching the livestream, his right hand in his suit pocket and a cup of coffee in his left. A contemptuous smile curved his lips.

"That's right. Compared with tangible benefits, what is honor worth?"

But Chief Director William soon frowned again and asked, "Then should we let him continue studying mathematics?"

Charlie shook his head. "Enough is enough. It would take other disciplines decades or even a hundred years or more to digest the results of all seven Millennium Problems, turn them into innovative technology, and reap the benefits."

"Don't forget the purpose of our show. Wake the tiger up and have him do the things we want to see."

"Then should we protect him?" the chief director asked after a moment's hesitation.

"Of course. We have to make sure he's well protected. He's a mathematical genius. Whether he's in Dragon Country or somewhere else, we still stand to benefit from his mathematical results!"

"I understand."

On the screen.

As time passed.

Jiang Ye's video recording was also drawing to a close.

Facing the camera, he smiled. "The seven Millennium Problems are seven great mountains standing in the way of our progress in mathematics. I'm honored to have been able to solve them."

"But this is where it ends. Destruction is coming, and I need to devote my time and energy to other things."

"I hope my research results can be of help to your civilization."

Everyone had spiritual needs.

Jiang Ye was no exception.

With his own kind suddenly gone, the recognition and satisfaction that came after hard work could only be sought from the next civilization.

To put it plainly, there was no one left to show off to, so he'd just have to show off to the next civilization instead.

Besides the video, the accompanying materials also had to include information on Dragon Country's language. After all, he had recorded it in Chinese, so the information would help the next civilization understand it better.

Jiang Ye put the camera away. He would figure out how to preserve it later; there was no rush for now.

[System, you can tell me the next part of the plan now.]

[Host, you studied diligently and solved the seven Millennium Problems in a short time. This system has seen your attitude.]

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Ye's face.

The system had said before that it would provide the technology and he would carry it out.

Studying and solving the mathematical conjectures on his own had been necessary partly because he needed a foundation to carry out the work, and partly as a test of him and a way for the system to acknowledge him.

After all, given the system's capabilities, it could easily have told him the proofs directly, leaving him to study them without having to work them out.

[Attitude determines everything]

[Host, before you can formally begin building the spaceship, you still need to study knowledge from other disciplines.]

[Only then will you be able to understand and digest the technology this system provides as quickly as possible.]

Jiang Ye nodded slightly. This step could be completed quickly.

Unlike mathematics before, which had required painstaking study and thought to solve the problems, he only needed to study from here on out, without having to work anything out.