Chapter 56: I Am Standing on the Shoulders of Successors

Lin Ran smiled wryly.

While Newton stood on the shoulders of giants, he stood on the shoulders of posterity.

He desperately wanted to tell Siegel that number theory was merely a hobby, that he only had a passing acquaintance with it, and that his true area of expertise was partial differential equations.

Whether it was Fermat's Last Theorem or Fermat's Diophantine conjecture, those were solved relying on the collective wisdom of future generations. The Navier-Stokes equations were the only thing he had solved entirely by himself.

If he were to publish the Navier-Stokes equations, he would instantly become the emperor of mathematics.

However, Lin Ran had no intention of doing so at present.

Given the strength of America and the Soviets, publishing the Navier-Stokes equations might accelerate the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles to an unpredictable degree, leaving other nations completely defenseless.

China in this timeline would find its strategic maneuvering space further compressed.

Lin Ran could only fake a look of being deeply inspired. "Professor, being able to make a tiny contribution to the mathematical world means I haven't let down the teachings I received when studying at Göttingen back then, nor have I tarnished the reputation of Göttingen as a sacred sanctuary of mathematics."

Siegel had been waiting precisely for him to say those words. "Not at all, not at all! Everything you have done adds luster to Göttingen.

Professor Hilbert summarized twenty-three mathematical problems at the Second International Congress of Mathematicians in 1900. In the sixty years since, all major achievements in the mathematical world have, to varying degrees, been linked to these twenty-three problems.

You proposed the Randolph Program in 1960, laying the very first cornerstone for the unification of mathematics. I believe that the major achievements of the mathematical world over the next sixty years will likewise be connected to the Randolph Program.

This is the relay baton of Göttingen as a sacred sanctuary of mathematics, and the finest proof that even after enduring the fires of war, division, and turmoil, Göttingen remains Göttingen."

Hearing this, Lin Ran thought to himself: Well, I actually *am* from sixty years in the future.

Siegel made no effort to correct the fact that Lin Ran had never actually studied at Göttingen. Even though he, Lin Ran, and Horkheimer all knew perfectly well that Lin Ran had only spent a single day at Göttingen—just that one day to talk with him about helping arrange a doctoral degree.

So what if it was only one day? Even a single day was the product of Göttingen's teachings! Siegel felt this was entirely as it should be.

As for relying on a person of Chinese descent to uphold Göttingen's reputation, that was even less of an issue for a Germany that had experienced World War II and the Nazis.

In the Germany of this era, no one dared to utter a single word about pure Aryans—that would be tantamount to seeking death.

Let alone the fact that Siegel himself was of Jewish descent.

"Therefore, Göttingen cordially invites you to return and teach here. We can guarantee that your compensation will be no less than that of Columbia University." Siegel had already taken action, grasping Lin Ran's hand with an expression full of sincerity.

Lin Ran thought to himself, *As expected*, and then glanced at Professor Horkheimer, wondering if it was really appropriate for someone to poach students right in front of his face.

Fortunately, he had the best shield available. Lin Ran said,

"Professor, it is a great honor to receive an invitation from my alma mater, but unfortunately, I am still pursuing my doctorate under Professor Horkheimer. Might I be allowed to wait until I obtain my Doctor of Philosophy before considering it?"

Professor Horkheimer chimed in at the appropriate moment. "Indeed, Randolph, how are you coming along with the introductory philosophical readings I assigned you for your trip to Hong Kong?"

Siegel was dumbfounded. So I am not Randolph's sole mentor? Horkheimer, you rascal, you're trying to get a slice of the pie too.

"Professor, I have finished all the books you gave me.

Among them, I have repeatedly and meticulously read the exposition on the antinomies within the dialectic section of Kant's *Critique of Pure Reason*, and I have likewise repeatedly read sections 260 to 360 of Hegel's *Elements of the Philosophy of Right*.

However, as for the manuscripts you handed me, *Dialectic of Enlightenment* and *One-Dimensional Man*, I have only skimmed them once so far."

*Dialectic of Enlightenment* was co-authored by Horkheimer and Adorno—the very same Adorno whom Horkheimer had previously mentioned when discussing the aggregate of atonality.

The original book was published in 1947, and the manuscript Horkheimer had given him contained extensive annotations by both himself and Adorno.

As for the latter, *One-Dimensional Man*, it was written by Marcuse and would not be published until 1964. The version given to Lin Ran was similarly a manuscript edition annotated by both Marcuse and Horkheimer.

Bringing just these two manuscripts back to the year 2020 would be more than enough to casually coast through a PhD in philosophy at Columbia University and secure a faculty position.

Publishing a few papers would then effortlessly make him an influential scholar within the Frankfurt School.

Pulling these out, who would dare claim I am not Horkheimer's true successor?

To be precise, all four books contained Horkheimer's annotations. Within the *Elements of the Philosophy of Right*, Horkheimer had written:

"If you read Hegel on your knees, you are unworthy to critique Marx; but if you stand up and curse Marx, you will never understand Hegel."

When Lin Ran read this passage, he thought about how in the future, numerous scholars in China's humanities and social sciences would read all Western philosophy texts on their knees, not daring to harbor a single doubt.

"Actually, Max, there is completely no problem if you would like to come and teach at Göttingen," Siegel proposed.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt this was a brilliant idea. Horkheimer was a top-tier heavyweight in the field of philosophy; getting two for the price of one, how wonderful would that be?

"Besides, you're getting older anyway, you can consider coming to Göttingen to spend your twilight years. The air, weather, and environment here in Göttingen are quite pleasant," Siegel continued.

Horkheimer interrupted irritably, "If I'm returning to Germany, don't you think I'd go back to Frankfurt?"

What kind of backwater countryside was Göttingen? It didn't even have an airport; coming from New York, you still had to transfer in Frankfurt! This was just like people from Shanghai looking down on Suzhou, where even Suzhou residents had to travel to Shanghai's airport to catch a flight.

"Professor, how about this: I am willing to accept a visiting professorship at Göttingen, and I will take time out each year to come and lecture.

Additionally, around Christmas at the end of this year, I plan to go to London to attend Queen Elizabeth's investiture ceremony. I can drop by Göttingen on the way to give a round of academic lectures. How does that sound?" Lin Ran looked at Siegel.

Knowing this was already the best possible outcome, Siegel said helplessly, "Alright, alright."

Then, turning to Horkheimer, he said, "You must reimburse me for my plane ticket back to Frankfurt! If I fail to bring Randolph back, Duyling might actually follow through on refusing to reimburse my ticket."

Since Lin Ran was effectively coming back halfway, the ticket expenses would presumably still be covered. If he let Horkheimer buy it, he could pocket the ticket money himself anyway. Since Horkheimer's purchases were reimbursed by Columbia University by default, it would be foolish not to take advantage of a wealthy benefactor's money, Siegel figured.

Horkheimer agreed instantly; after all, his research funding was more than he could ever spend. Taking the cue, Siegel said he wanted to drop by the Columbia University mathematics department to visit some old friends, leaving only Horkheimer and Lin Ran in the office.

Lin Ran seized the opportunity to brief him on the progress of his collaboration with John Morgan, as well as the invitation to attend Nixon's fundraising gala that very evening, hoping to get some advice from Horkheimer.

"Got it. Have fun. Those kinds of banquets get pretty wild—just make sure you don't catch anything."