Chapter 22: Little Morgan, Seen Through

"I apologize, but I have already accepted an invitation from the University of Hong Kong. I will be lecturing there this summer, so I am afraid I must decline the offer from the University of Tokyo."

Lin Ran was very polite, yet his tone was resolute. Even without the invitation from the University of Hong Kong, he had no intention of serving as a visiting professor in Japan.

After returning to 1960 and researching the era, he discovered something quite intriguing: neither Chen-Ning Yang nor Tsung-Dao Lee had ever lectured in Japan. Yang, unless it was for an academic conference, avoided even general lectures and did not serve as a visiting professor at the Japan Academy until 2010. Tsung-Dao Lee similarly avoided Japan. While he did receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, it was only in 2007, and it was not for promoting academic exchange or contributing to Japanese academia, but simply an honor bestowed upon distinguished Asian figures by the Japanese government to mark the 50th anniversary of his Nobel Prize.

Lin Ran had been curious whether this was due to a lack of invitations or other reasons. During a casual chat after an interview, he specifically asked them. Both men explained that it was a matter of national tragedy and personal grievance; while science may have no borders, scientists have a motherland, and they could not bring themselves to cultivate talent for Japan. Seeing that even these two predecessors felt this way, Lin Ran was even less capable of embracing "Sino-Japanese friendship" to lecture in Japan, even though the salary offered for those two months equaled an entire year's pay at Columbia University.

"Mr. Huang, I am going to Hong Kong only to discuss academics, nothing more. I will be staying in Hong Kong for two months, where I will have time to teach students and answer questions. I believe my academic achievements in mathematics will be sufficient to help resolve many difficult problems."

Upon learning that Lin Ran had accepted the Hong Kong invitation, Huang Yunji, possessing a keen sense of opportunity, arrived at his doorstep a few days later, using the excuse of delivering local specialties. When Lin Ran accepted the Shanghai adzuki bean cakes from him, he finally understood the reason behind Huang's earlier inquiry about his ancestral home during the interview. Asking about his roots to inform readers was a pretext; the real motive was to prepare a hometown delicacy to present to him.

As both men were sharp, Lin Ran's meaning was not lost on Huang. "I can provide help with academic issues; anything else is off the table."

Beyond the succession of visitors—mathematicians, Chinese-American scientists, reporters, and the like—there were those he could not have anticipated. This unexpected guest was John Adams Morgan, a member of the Morgan family whose mother hailed from the Adams family. The Morgan family was infamous in the modern era due to the prominence of the elder and younger Morgans.

The Adams family, however, was America’s first presidential dynasty, holding the reins of the defense contractor Raytheon; they were a quintessentially established power. As the product of this union, John Adams Morgan was a figure of real authority within the Morgan family. Though only thirty, he was already a partner at a prestigious New York investment bank. Clearly, John Morgan was not content with merely being a partner; he craved greater power within the family, which is why he had sought out Lin Ran.

"Professor, I know of you. You have made remarkable contributions to mathematics, but you are even more interested in aerospace. Professor Horkheimer hoped we would provide you with an opportunity, saying you possess a talent unlike any other. The old men in the family didn't believe it, but I do. I am willing to give you the chance to obtain what you desire."

John Morgan had the look of an old-money WASP, but he was exceptionally robust; Lin Ran later learned he was a former Olympic champion. In the high-end restaurant where they had met, Lin Ran felt that the man was desperately trying to prove himself, attempting to seize control of the negotiation's rhythm.

But how could he let that happen? Even if he had to leverage the influence of the Jewish community, even when facing a behemoth like the Morgans, the sixty years of information asymmetry he held was not to be underestimated.

"Is Eisenhower losing his nerve? It seems the media has infuriated the Republican Party and Eisenhower himself."

"Let me guess: to surpass the Soviet Union, a moon landing is clearly the best option. The Soviet Sputnik 1 is already in orbit, and their Sputnik 2 has even sent a dog into space. If it were just about putting a man in space, the White House wouldn't be confident in outpacing the Soviets. Only a project like a moon landing—with a long timeline and countless technical hurdles—holds the value and the possibility of a comeback. So, the White House is planning a moon landing?"

Before John Morgan could speak, Lin Ran tapped the table to signal him to wait, not having finished his thought. "A moon landing requires a feasibility study first. This is a massive project—a project of unprecedented scale. It demands meticulous preliminary assessment. It's not something just anyone can take on. Given the Morgan family's influence in the White House, you must have received word in advance that the White House is organizing a feasibility study and that companies will be asked to submit proposals. The winning proposal will secure the American moon landing contract. Only a few companies have the capacity for this."

"In 1892, under the guidance of the Morgans, the Edison General Electric Company merged with the Thomson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric, leaving Edison out in the cold. Although General Electric carries the name 'Electric,' it spans too many fields, including aerospace. However, in the aerospace sector, GE lacks an advantage; in fact, the aerospace-related departments are hardly influential within the company, feeling somewhat marginalized. So, sir, you want me to participate in drafting the feasibility report for GE's moon landing proposal to help them secure the NASA contract."

"And if you secure that order, with your power within the Morgan family, you would likely have the aerospace division spun off into a new company: General Aerospace. General Aerospace could become a titan on par with General Electric. Just as your grandfather swallowed General Electric, you could use this to rebuild an entity of equal magnitude, thereby positioning yourself to become the head of the Morgan family."

Before meeting Lin Ran, John Morgan had not only consulted Professor Horkheimer but had also checked on Lin Ran's background with Haynes, who worked at NASA. It was because he had some understanding of Lin Ran's prowess in aerospace that he had approached him. Haynes had told him Lin Ran was "a bit special," but John hadn't believed it—how special could one man be? But as Lin Ran finished speaking, John Morgan truly felt as though his very soul had been laid bare. It was, damn it all, terrifying.