A genius? I just love studying.

Chapter 272 Have you all heard of the Zheng Guo Canal?
Washington, D.C., S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, in the monitoring room.
Nick listened to Chen Hui finish the phone call, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

He didn't think Chen Hui was stupid, so Chen Hui should know that S.H.I.E.L.D. was able to find out about his phone call.

Even so, why did Chen Hui still so blatantly call his teacher to collaborate?

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation!
He felt that the matter was getting out of his control and that perhaps it should be reported to a higher authority for resolution.

At this moment, a staff member walked in and said, "Director, it has been determined that Professor Chen's listening device in the bathroom had a short circuit, and no signs of tampering were found."

"Professor Chen's classmate was indeed his high school classmate, who had helped him before. He had just graduated from high school this year and used some means to get into Princeton to study history."

"What methods?" Nick's eyes narrowed, and he immediately became interested.

“Environmental organizations + US dollars,” the agent chuckled. “A common tactic used by the Chinese.”

Nick shook his head. This was hardly a tactic commonly used by Chinese people. In fact, it was the Americans who were the originators of this method.

"This cannot be taken lightly."

Nick's intuition, a quintessential high-level agent, always told him that there was something wrong with the woman next to Chen Hui.

"I think you're overthinking it, Director."

"The problem with the listening device is probably not their fault. First of all, it's the timing of when it broke down, not when someone went into the bathroom."

This agent was clearly Nick's confidant, so he went on to say a few more words: "Secondly, our supplier has recently been embroiled in a scandal. Their cameras had a short circuit problem that almost caused a fire and resulted in huge losses for our customers."

"what?"

Nick's pupils dilated dramatically.

He found it hard to believe that such a serious accident could occur with the supplies they had purchased.

Nick was furious. "Immediately blacklist this manufacturer, have the legal department sue them, and test all purchased materials. If there are any problems, claim compensation from them as well."

Their work is so important that, if we don't expect them to be supplied with the best resources, at the very least, we should ensure their stability.

These capitalists are simply lawless!
The agent gave a wry smile. "Chief, I'm afraid we can't do that."

"Why can't it be done?" Nick glared angrily; he was already furious.

"The purchasers of these supplies were designated by higher authorities."

The agent said in a low voice, "It's definitely impossible to claim compensation, and it's unrealistic to replace them. As for the organization testing all the purchased materials, the manufacturers are unlikely to pay for it, so we'll have to pay for it ourselves."

"We probably don't have that much money for testing."

Nick opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

The recent news that Terence Tao's research funding was cut off has become widely known, and Nick has naturally heard about it as well, and he knows even more inside information.

The decision to cut off hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding from UCLA is not only due to political issues, but also because the American government's fiscal deficit has reached an alarming level, leaving them with no choice but to increase revenue and cut spending.

If even Phil Harper winner Terence Tao is in such a situation, then their S.H.I.E.L.D. budget is not exactly abundant either.

"So, that woman must really just be a coincidence."

Nick muttered to himself, "As for Chen Hui calling the teacher, it's not hard to understand. As a science fanatic, he only cares about research and doesn't care who provides the research resources."

Nick has met many people like this. They can be patriotic scientists who love their country, or they can believe that scientific research knows no borders. As long as it benefits them, they can switch sides at any time.

"Keep a close watch on them first."

A series of events overturned Nick's previous guesses. He raised Chen Hui's surveillance level again, but stopped keeping a close eye on Chen Hui. He had too many other things to deal with.

……

After calling his teacher, Chen Hui went to Fefferman's office without delay.

Unfortunately, Fefferman was not in the department.

At this hour, everyone would have already left work, let alone Fefferman, a man in his sixties.

Undeterred, the next day, after completing a day of training, Chen Hui went to Fefferman's lab again, explained his research project, and applied for computing resources from Fefferman.

Fefferman readily agreed. Chen Hui's application was quite significant, and he was also very interested in the topic Chen Hui was researching. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it would benefit the present and future generations.

This result was within Chen Hui's expectations. Putting aside his status as a Philharmonic Award winner, he was the one who proved the Navier-Stokes equations. If anyone in the world could complete this project, it would be Chen Hui.

Having resolved two major threats, Chen Hui happily returned to the teaching and research office.

Elena continues to study data and equations. Although the current data problem remains unsolved and computing resources are not yet available, it does not prevent Elena from conducting related research. Theoretical derivation is also an indispensable part of the research.

Deng Leyan had already finished reading the papers Chen Hui had prepared for him, and was now searching for papers of interest in the Princeton Knowledge Base. Although he was still an undergraduate, he was already looking for topics that interested him.

Michael, however, made a rare appearance in the research office. He was trying to summarize Chen Hui's method for proving the twin prime conjecture and then attempt to use it to prove the Mersenne prime conjecture.

Chen Hui suddenly understood why many professors were willing to take on students; it felt really good to have someone help them with their work.

"Teacher, I've found a place for your villa!"

"It's a brick and wood cabin in the small town of Princeton, less than three kilometers from the school. It was built three years ago. The owner is moving to Washington, which is why he's willing to sell it. It's in very good condition in all aspects."

Upon seeing Chen Hui, Michael excitedly approached him and showed him the detailed photos on his phone, saying, "It's just that the price might be a bit over budget."

Chen Hui looked at the photo Michael handed him. It was a three-story cottage with bright and clean windows. The dark walnut furniture was luxurious without being gloomy, and it was indeed very high-quality. Chen Hui liked it just by looking at the photo.

At least on this matter, Michael was definitely not lying to him, after all, he was still counting on having a party at Chen Hui's villa.

"How much does it cost?"

"Seven hundred and thirty thousand."

Michael chuckled awkwardly, knowing that the price was indeed a bit steep. Princeton wasn't New York or Washington, and this price was a little high for such a remote town.

This was the price he got after haggling with the landlord.

"Although it's a bit pricey, I think it's totally worth the price. The owner built it with the intention of living there permanently, so the materials used are very solid, and they've been taking good care of it..."

Michael began to explain.

"No problem, when do we sign the contract?" Chen Hui, being wealthy and generous, didn't care too much; he was now entitled to buy what he liked.

Michael paused for a moment, then flashed a bright white smile that illuminated the research room. "The teacher certainly knows his stuff!"

……

In Beijing, China, in a traditional courtyard house...

In a quaint conference room, four elderly men sat silently in a vintage sandalwood chair. "Professor Chen sent word through Professor Yuan that he's preparing to develop a weather forecasting model and needs our cooperation. What are your thoughts?"

Finally, the elderly man sitting at the head of the table spoke.

Those who are sitting here naturally know why they've come.

"This is a very important matter, and I think we should reconsider it."

An elderly man with a dignified appearance spoke in a deep voice.

"Old Li, do you have some kind of problem with young people?"

"Jealousy of the talented and capable?"

Why are you always targeting Professor Chen?

On the other side, an old man with a full beard opened his mouth like a firecracker and questioned, his beard trembling as he spoke, like swords waving in the air.

Old Li glanced at Old Zhao, his expression turning slightly cold. "Then I'll be blunt. Reducing the monitoring scale of meteorological data to 3 kilometers is a massive undertaking, let alone covering the entire territory of China. Even covering the entire capital city would be an enormous task, involving a wide range of people and posing immense challenges. Haven't you considered that?"

“Our country has 9.6 million square kilometers. If you don’t know what that means, I suggest you take a calculator and do the math before you speak.”

"What, you're not going to do it because it involves a lot of things and is too difficult?"

Old Zhao sneered, having seized on the other party's weakness, and questioned him again.

"I think you're the one who has a problem with me. What's the point of arguing all the time?"

Old Li also became somewhat angry and shouted, "I never said that we shouldn't do work if it's difficult, but what's the point of doing it this way?"

"significance?"

Old Zhao sneered, "Back when the Three Gorges Dam was being discussed, all sorts of people jumped out to ask what the point was, arguing that spending 2500 billion yuan to build a dam was a waste of resources and manpower. But now, look at it, since the Three Gorges Dam was built, has there been another flood like the one in 98 in China?"

"Do you know how much damage the 98 floods caused?"

"Let me tell you, that one major flood alone caused more than 250 billion yuan in losses!"

"In other words, we made a profit the moment the Three Gorges Dam was completed—98 billion yuan in 2500!"

The meeting room was quiet.

The example given by Lao Zhao is truly irrefutable. The great flood not only caused property damage, but also displaced countless people and broke up families that year. Considering this, the significance of the Three Gorges Dam cannot be measured in monetary terms.

It can be said that this is a great deed!

They also know that now that the Three Gorges Dam has been completed, its annual power generation has brought huge benefits to China. Just look at the electricity prices in China and America to see the huge difference.

After scanning the conference room several times, Old Zhao, with his beard and hair standing on end, continued, "If Professor Chen can really establish an accurate weather forecasting model, then we can issue early warnings for both earthquakes and typhoons, and complete the relocation of people and property. The benefits brought by this will be no less than those of the Three Gorges Dam. How can such a beneficial project for the country and the people not be worthwhile?"

"Do you really believe he can do it?"

Old Li chuckled. Of course he knew all that Old Zhao was talking about. He didn't object to investing a lot of resources in this project, just like he was a staunch supporter of the Three Gorges Dam back then.

The success of the Three Gorges Dam is obvious, but the meteorological model is vague and unrealistic.

"Don't let it end up like building a particle collider, where money is spent but no results are achieved."

"Furthermore, Professor Chen is still in America. Even if he does achieve results, it will only benefit others. Do you all remember Zheng Guoqu?"

Old Li poured cold water on the idea, saying that this was the real reason for his firm opposition.

In China's five-thousand-year history, any conspiracy or trick can be traced in history books. When the three words "Zheng Guo Canal" are mentioned, everyone naturally understands what Lao Li is trying to express.

But Lao Zhao still insisted, "I believe in Professor Chen's integrity, and I also believe in Professor Chen's abilities!"

"As long as Professor Chen can do it, it doesn't matter even if America steals the final result."

The deputy sect leader, sitting at the head of the table, smiled slightly. "As for the Zheng Guo Canal, it only delayed Qin's unification of the six kingdoms. Ultimately, it is a project that will benefit future generations, and we have no reason not to do it."

"I agree!"

At this point, the last old man spoke.

With a score of three to one, the conclusion of this meeting is quite clear.

"Alright, arrange this matter as soon as possible and get the data as soon as possible. We won't discuss the specifics here."

Master Qian waved his hand, ending the meeting.

From beginning to end, the four of them did not discuss whether the task could be completed. Chen Hui's requirements were indeed demanding. Not to mention the huge economic investment, to complete the task as soon as possible, at least a million people would need to be mobilized.

Such mobilization capability is something that, apart from China, perhaps no other force on the entire planet can accomplish. Fortunately, China is standing right behind Chen Hui!

……

The next morning, after attending a class on analytic number theory, Chen Hui and Michael went to the town of Princeton to sign the contract with their old landlord.

The elderly man, also a history professor at Princeton, was selling his meticulously crafted villa because he was getting old and wanted to move to Washington, D.C., to enjoy better medical care.

"If I had known it was Professor Chen who wanted to buy it, seven hundred thousand US dollars would have been fine."

When the old professor saw that the person who came to sign the contract was Chen Hui, he insisted on a $30,000 discount, which made Michael grit his teeth in anger.

When he negotiated the price, he talked himself hoarse, but the old man only charged him $20,000 less.

It's so nasty!

However, he quickly put aside his negative emotions and came to Chen Hui's side, "Congratulations on moving to your new home, teacher! Let's have a party in our new house!"

He's a total party fanatic!

Remembering how the last party almost turned into a disaster, Chen Hui decisively rejected his suggestion and sent him back to the teaching and research office.

At that moment, he received a phone call from his teacher, Yuan Xinyi.

"The data collection issue has been resolved, but it will take some time."

"Thank you, teacher."

Chen Hui was overjoyed. He hadn't had high hopes, knowing how difficult his request was; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it required mobilizing the entire nation's resources. Even he hadn't expected the elders to agree.

"No need to thank me, there's not much I can do." Yuan Xinyi hung up the phone after saying that. He had already found a new project and had no time for anything else.

Chen Hui locked the door and went to Fefferman's office again. Now that China had agreed, the computing resources should be in place soon.

(End of this chapter)