Chapter 903
Technological Dominance Has Shifted Eastward
The hustle and bustle of the academic conference has subsided, but the night in Tangdu is still immersed in a kind of indescribable aftertaste.
Only one floor lamp was lit in the living room, casting a soft glow on the dark coffee table.
Wang Donglai and Edward Witten sat facing each other, the steam rising from their two cups of tea intertwining in the lamplight into faint wisps.
Witten was still holding the printed paper in his hand, the title page covered with dense red annotations of his forty years of research findings.
He didn't rush to speak, his gaze lingering on the night view of Tangdu outside the window.
In the distance, the tower cranes at the Tang Imperial City construction site are still operating, and the lights accentuate the outline of this ancient capital with a history of thousands of years.
"Professor Wang."
Witten finally spoke, his voice soft yet carrying a sense of composure born of experience: "I have been studying string theory for forty years, from a young researcher at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton to a white-haired old man. I have mentored hundreds of students, published thousands of papers, and attended countless academic conferences. I thought that seeing string theory move from mathematical structure to physical verification in my lifetime would be an immense stroke of luck."
He paused, his gaze falling on Wang Donglai's face, his eyes flashing with a complex light: "But your conch shell model showed me something I had never imagined. It wasn't a gradual advancement, but a paradigm-level reconstruction. You pieced together all the fragments—classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, relativity, string theory, M-theory. Those concepts we thought were the 'foundation,' dark matter, dark energy, don't even need to exist in your model."
Wang Donglai picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and remained silent.
He knew that what Witten needed was not a humble refusal, but a genuine conversationalist.
"So, I came tonight to ask you a question."
Witten leaned forward slightly, staring intently into Wang Donglai's eyes, and asked, "Was your conch shell model a product of intuition or the result of systematic deduction? How did you come up with the idea of using that special symmetry to connect different energy scales?"
Wang Donglai put down his teacup, calmly met Witten's gaze, and replied, "Professor Witten, I can give you a direct answer. That symmetry was derived by me mathematically. It wasn't inspiration or intuition; the equations themselves told me it."
He stood up, walked to the whiteboard on the wall, picked up a marker, and began to write.
Formulas flowed from his pen, so smoothly that it was as if he were not performing calculations, but reciting a musical score that he already knew by heart.
Witten's gaze followed the formulas, his pupils contracting slightly.
Five minutes later, when Wang Donglai wrote down the last equal sign, Wei Teng let out a long sigh of relief.
"That symmetry... I see."
He muttered to himself, "I've explored this direction before, but I haven't come this far. I thought it was the end of mathematics, but it turns out it's just the entrance to another door."
Wang Donglai put down his pen and turned around: "Professor Witten, this is what I wanted to tell you. Breakthroughs in theoretical physics are often not because we are smarter, but because we stand on a higher platform. At the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, you have the best minds and the freest academic atmosphere. But what are your tools? Chalk, blackboard, and decades of academic intuition."
He walked back to the sofa, sat down again, and his tone became more serious: "I'm different. I have 100,000 engineers at Galaxy Technologies, a general-purpose quantum computer with 5,000 qubits, a computing platform that can simulate the electronic structure of any material, and a laboratory that can verify extreme physical conditions. If I propose a hypothesis, I can run a simulation on a quantum computer that same day, design a preliminary experimental plan within a week, and get feedback data within a month."
Witten remained silent.
Wang Donglai continued, "Einstein spent twenty-two years at Princeton trying to unify field theory, but he couldn't figure it out. Why? Not because he wasn't smart, but because all he had was chalk. The next step in physics isn't derived by one person on a blackboard, but rather fostered by new tools, new platforms, and new ecosystems."
He looked directly into Witten's eyes: "Professor Witten, you are sixty-eight years old this year. With current medical conditions, you have at least fifteen years left for research. In these fifteen years, do you want to continue deriving on the blackboard at Princeton, or do you want to stand on this platform I have given you and truly push string theory a step further?"
Witten lowered his head, looked at the paper in his hand, and fell silent.
"Professor Wang, your invitation... is very tempting."
His voice was a little hoarse as he said, “But you have to understand, I’ve been in Princeton for forty years. My students, my colleagues, everything I have are there. I can’t leave.”
Wang Donglai did not rush to refute.
Instead, he changed the subject and said, "Professor Witten, let me tell you a story about someone."
"Sheng Zhang is a professor in the Department of Physics at Stanford University and one of the pioneers in the study of topological insulators. He has lived in the United States for more than 30 years, published hundreds of papers, and won dozens of awards. He has always believed that science has no borders and that as long as you focus on your research, there will be no problems."
He paused, his gaze deepening. "But last year, he realized something was wrong. He submitted his resignation to return home, but was refused. He helped Warwick research 5G technology and was targeted. His name was added to certain lists. If it weren't for this landmark academic conference, he would now..."
Wang Donglai didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already quite clear.
Witten's expression changed.
"Professor Witten, do you think you're safe?"
Wang Donglai's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Weiteng's heart like a hammer blow.
"You are the founder of string theory, and you possess the most core knowledge in this field. In the eyes of some people, your knowledge is your sin."
"Moreover, the current Bald Eagle Federation is no longer the beacon that welcomed talent from all over the world twenty years ago. How many Chinese scientists has the 'China Action Plan' targeted? How many have been investigated, prosecuted, dismissed, or even mysteriously 'committed suicide' or 'accidentally'? You can check the data."
Witten fell silent. He thought of the colleagues who had suddenly disappeared over the years, the friends who had been investigated, and the Chinese scholars he could no longer contact.
He used to think it was just a political ripple that wouldn't affect his "academic rock".
But Wang Donglai's words were like a scalpel, precisely dissecting his self-deception.
"Professor Witten, I'm not trying to scare you."
Wang Donglai softened his tone and said, "I just want you to understand one thing: true academic freedom is not based on the 'tradition' of a certain country, but on your ability to control your own destiny."
"Your coming to China is not a betrayal, but a choice. You've chosen to continue your career in a place that truly supports basic research, truly respects scientists, and is truly willing to invest in the future."
Witten looked up at Wang Donglai. The young man's eyes were clear and firm, without the slightest wavering.
"Professor Wang, you're right."
Witten finally spoke, his voice filled with relief, saying, "I have indeed been deceiving myself. I thought that as long as I didn't get involved in politics, politics wouldn't get involved in me. But your conch shell model made me realize something: when your research touches on the essence of the world, you are already at the center of politics."
"If I really stay, what can I do?"
Wang Donglai was not surprised by Weiteng's directness; the more direct someone is, the harder they are to fool.
"The next breakthrough in string theory will not be the result of one person's idea, but the result of a group of people's work."
"I need you to do three things for me."
"First, we will establish a world-class string theory research center. Tangdu Jiaotong University will provide the best hardware, and Galaxy Technology will provide quantum computing and AI computing power support. You can recruit people you approve of from around the world, and I will take care of the compensation."
"Second, we need to establish a new academic evaluation system. We should not consider background, titles, or connections; we should only look at the substance of our work. We want the world's brightest young people to know that coming to China to do fundamental physics is the best choice."
"Third, cultivate a group of young people who can truly take over. Your students, your academic lineage, can continue to take root and flourish on this land of China. Ten years from now, twenty years from now, when people mention string theory again, they will not only think of Princeton, but also of Tangdu."
Witten's eyes lit up as he listened.
He thought of his teacher and the days he spent doing research with him.
Isn't this how academic knowledge is passed down from generation to generation?
"Professor Wang, do you know, when I was listening to you explain the conch shell model on stage today, I suddenly thought of someone."
Witten's voice softened, as if recalling something: "My teacher, Eugene Wigner. He often said in his later years: 'Physics is getting harder and harder, not because the problems are getting harder, but because we are getting older.'"
He turned to look at Wang Donglai and said earnestly, "I didn't understand why he said that before. I understand now. It's not because he's old and his mind isn't sharp anymore, it's because when you get old, you find that you can't move forward anymore. Others have paved the way ahead, but you can only watch."
Wang Donglai did not respond.
He knew that what was needed at this moment was not comfort, but understanding.
The two remained silent for a long time.
Finally, Witten let out a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. "Professor Wang, I'm willing to stay."
His voice regained its calm: "It's not about escaping, it's about moving forward. I've been on the path of string theory for forty years, and I don't want to stop before the end."
Wang Donglai turned around and extended his hand: "Professor Witten, welcome. Tangdu Jiaotong University will be proud of you."
Witten grasped the hand, feeling its dryness and strength.
He suddenly recalled how he felt forty years ago when he first walked into the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton—a mix of trepidation, excitement, and a hint of uncertain anticipation for the future.
Now, at the age of sixty-eight, the same feelings well up in my heart again.
“Professor Wang, I have a request,” Witten said.
"Please speak."
“Some of my students are willing to come with me, and I hope we can arrange it together. Also, my research materials need to be transported from Princeton. This process…”
Wang Donglai nodded: "I'll handle it. We'll go through the proper channels. If there's any resistance, I'll deal with it."
Witten paused for a moment, then laughed.
That smile held a sense of relief, a sense of acceptance, and a hint of anticipation.
"Professor Witten, I have another idea."
This academic conference has attracted 35,000 scholars. Many of them, while not as renowned as you, are leading figures in their respective fields. I would like to take this opportunity to invite them to stay, even if only for a short visit or to collaborate on research.”
"what do you mean……"
Witten seemed to be deep in thought.
"I would like to establish an 'International Scholars Residency Program' at Tangdu Jiaotong University."
Wang Donglai continued to explain: "Every year, we invite one hundred of the world's top scholars to stay in China for three to six months. We don't set rigid targets or assess the number of papers published. We only do one thing—let them stay here and focus on the research they want to do."
“I will provide the funding and the necessary conditions. They only need to do one thing: do their own research well, and then, if they are willing, mentor our young researchers.”
Witten's eyes lit up, a hint of interest in them: "Your idea is very bold. There has never been such a precedent in the international academic community."
That's why we have to do it!
“In the past, academic exchanges were always about us going out to learn. Now that we have the capability, why can't we let others come in to learn? What should they learn? Our environment, our platform, and our determination.”
He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "Professor Witten, you may not know this, but at this press conference, many people have privately asked me if they could stay longer. Some are because of their research interests, and some are because of... the reasons you just mentioned."
Witten remained silent.
He certainly knew what those "reasons" were.
"So, I need your help."
“You are the founder of string theory, a Fields Medal winner, and a leading figure in the international academic community. Your staying here itself represents a signal—China is a place where scholarship can be pursued.”
Wei Teng looked at Wang Donglai with a complex expression in his eyes.
He suddenly realized that the young man's invitation to stay was not just for breakthroughs in string theory, but also for building a larger framework.
"Professor Wang, you just said you wanted me to do three things for you. Now it seems there are four."
"The fourth thing is to be a 'signboard,' right?"
Wang Donglai did not deny it, but nodded frankly: "Yes. But I won't let you do it for nothing. I will give you the best research conditions in China. I will fully support whatever direction you want to pursue. I will give the best opportunities to the students you supervise. Your academic lineage will truly continue on this land of China."
Witten was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Deal."
The two smiled at each other.
That smile contained mutual appreciation, mutual support, and an unspoken understanding.
"Professor Witten, I have another question."
"Please speak."
"You just said you've been in Princeton for forty years and can't leave. Now, you've decided to stay. What do you think made you change your mind?"
Witten thought for a moment, then gave an answer that surprised Wang Donglai: "Because of your conch shell model, I saw the next possibility for string theory. But more importantly, it was what you just said—'True academic freedom is based on the ability to control your own destiny.'"
He paused, his gaze growing even more profound: "I spent forty years at Princeton, always thinking I was free. But today I realize that that freedom was built on the charity of others. As soon as what I wanted to say or do touched on the interests of certain people, that freedom would disappear."
"What you give me is a different kind of freedom, not a handout, but a co-construction. I use my research to exchange for your platform. I use my academic reputation to exchange for your support. This is an equal exchange, not dependence."
Wang Donglai nodded: "Professor Witten, you understand freedom better than I do."
“Professor Wang, I also have a question for you,” Witten suddenly said.
"Please speak."
"Where do you think the next breakthrough in string theory will be?"
Wang Donglai thought for a moment, then gave an answer that surprised Witten: "In the experiment."
"experiment?"
"Yes. String theory has been developing for forty years, and the biggest problem is the lack of experimental verification. But in the next ten years, the situation will change. Our quantum computers can simulate physical processes under extreme conditions. Our Xirang superconducting materials can build magnetic fields with higher strength. Our thorium-based molten salt reactors can provide more powerful energy support."
He looked directly into Witten's eyes: "What do all these conditions mean? They mean we can start designing real experiments to verify the predictions of string theory. If those dragon particles really exist, we can find them with a collider. If those extra dimensions really are curled up at the Planck scale, we can detect traces of them in some way."
Witten's breathing became rapid.
He studied string theory for forty years, and his biggest regret was that he had no experimental verification.
Now, Wang Donglai tells him that this regret may be made up for.
"Professor Wang, are you telling the truth?"
"It's true. But it takes time, investment, and patience. Experimental verification of string theory cannot be completed in one or two years. It may take ten, twenty years, or even longer."
Witten took a deep breath and said resolutely, "I can wait. I've waited forty years, so what's another twenty?"
"Professor Wang, do you know, when I was listening to you explain the conch shell model on stage today, a sentence suddenly came to mind."
"What?"
Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, and giving birth to evolution."
Wei Teng looked at Wang Donglai with a hint of awe in his expression: "Your conch shell model showed me the power of imagination. It wasn't just wild speculation, but genuine imagination based on deep understanding."
Wang Donglai nodded: "Professor Witten, technological dominance has shifted eastward. China will lead the technological development and civilizational progress of all humankind in this new era, and we will all dedicate ourselves to this great undertaking." (End of Chapter)