Chapter 310: Mathematical Diplomacy
“China?”
Lyndon Johnson’s repetition caught McNamara’s attention.
McNamara murmured, “China? Yeah, why hasn’t anyone thought of talking to China? If it weren’t for the Chinese people drawing that line, we wouldn’t have the situation where every time our offensives achieve an effect, the Vietnamese just hide behind that line, rest and recuperate, and then come out again.
If it weren’t for that line, Operation Cedar Falls wouldn’t have failed.”
McNamara had a feeling of sudden realization; he felt that not only he, but the entire White House had been trapped in a myth in the past—why not talk to China?
One point here is that the White House doesn’t really want to stop the war; the conditions offered by the White House are absolutely unacceptable to Vietnam; the White House just wants a temporary truce, waiting for Johnson’s election next year to end, and then start fighting again after next year’s election ends.
Simply put, the White House hopes to gain about a year of breathing room, restart after the general election ends, so Lyndon Johnson’s position is secured, the interests of the Military-Industrial Complex are guaranteed, and after Lyndon Johnson wins the campaign, he can fight for another four years.
After hearing Lyndon Johnson’s reply, Lin Ran thought that such phrasing was too much in the style of China in this era. He said: “President Johnson, what I mean is, how will we know it’s not feasible without trying?
From my observations, compared to Moscow, Yanjing is clearly a more pragmatic negotiation partner; they have no political baggage like Leonid’s, nor the obligations of the Soviet Union.
Their consistent bottom line in the past has been 17° North Latitude. I think negotiating with Yanjing, and then using Yanjing’s pressure on Hanoi after successful negotiations, will have a better effect.
If Moscow can talk to London, why can’t Washington talk to Yanjing?”
This last sentence was the key to persuading Lyndon Johnson.
Despite the escalation of the Vietnam War in early 1965, Kosygin visited Yanjing twice, holding five meetings with Kosygin on February 4, 5, and 10 respectively, and also met with Kosygin on the 11th.
Regarding Kosygin’s proposal that the two countries should have a highest-level meeting, Yanjing resolutely refused, believing the timing was not yet mature, but essentially because the development of relations between the two sides had already undergone a substantial turnaround.
This trend was unavoidable and irreversible.
Once the arrow is shot from the bow, it cannot return.
Yanjing and Moscow were well aware of this matter, and Washington was equally clear.
“I understand.”
Adding a bit of era background here: at this time, the White House, led by Lyndon Johnson, had a very high willingness to negotiate.
In the original spacetime, Johnson’s proposal for a ceasefire was forwarded to Hanoi by Kosygin after the Gettysburg talks, and before Hanoi made a decision, Lyndon Johnson preemptively announced a pause in bombing.
Even before the pause deadline, Lyndon Johnson announced again to extend the pause in bombing until the mediation efforts were completely declared a failure.
So in this era background, Lyndon Johnson was willing even to talk to China.
That morning, after learning from McNamara that Lyndon Johnson was willing to talk to China, Lin Ran took a special plane to Washington before dinner.
“Professor, why did you suddenly come?” Lyndon Johnson was a bit surprised to see Lin Ran in the Oval Office.
Lin Ran said: “Mr. President, if you are willing to talk to China, I think I can provide you with a little small help.”
He took an envelope from the pocket of his suit jacket, placed it on the table, and then slowly pushed it in front of Lyndon Johnson with his hand:
“Mr. President, I think we can start by breaking the ice with mathematical diplomacy.”
Johnson immediately became interested because he had talked to Rusk, and Rusk’s meaning was that we could talk to China first in Geneva, and if the talks in Geneva went well, he would consider going to Yanjing.
And now, Lin Ran provided a new proposal.
“Professor, tell me in detail.” Lyndon Johnson frowned, thinking about what mathematical diplomacy meant.
Lin Ran said: “It’s not easy for China’s diplomacy to turn around; it’s best to have an ice-breaking diplomacy in advance, with ice-breaking first.
In my view, exchanges in the field of pure mathematics would be a good way.”
Lin Ran pointed to the envelope on the table, “Mr. President, you can take a look first.”
Johnson picked up the envelope, opened it, and found that the letter paper was not NASA’s letterhead, but Columbia University’s letterhead, with the following written inside:
“June 30, 1967
Dear Professor Hua,
Hello! I hope this letter brings you a moment of pleasure amid your busy work. As a fellow enthusiast of mathematics and a scholar with deep affection for Chinese culture, I write to you with great enthusiasm and expectation, proposing an initiative that may have profound significance for the mathematics communities of our two countries.
Although I did not receive higher mathematics education in China, during my time overseas, I often interacted with scholars of Chinese descent, including those from China, such as Professor Shiing-Shen Chern. These experiences have given me deep affection for China’s mathematical tradition.
Now, as a mathematics professor at Columbia University, I deeply appreciate the importance of international academic cooperation in promoting scientific progress. Therefore, I hope to take this opportunity to discuss the possibility of cooperation with you.
I propose that we jointly organize a joint conference of mathematicians from our two countries, inviting scholars from both nations to gather together and share the latest research achievements in fields of common interest such as number theory, algebra, topology, or others. This conference would not only promote academic exchange but also build a bridge for mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of our two countries.
I firmly believe that mathematics, as a universal language, can transcend current obstacles and pave the way for cooperation and peace.
I have discussed this idea with colleagues in the America academic community and received widespread support and enthusiastic response.
We are willing to closely cooperate with the Chinese Mathematical Society to jointly plan this historic event.
If you find this proposal feasible, I would be greatly honored to discuss details further and contribute to realizing this vision.
With the most sincere regards and greetings,
Randolph Lin
Mathematics Professor
Columbia University”
This letter only mentioned the academic position, without any White House position; the implication was obvious.
After reading it, Lyndon Johnson understood, “Professor, you mean academic first, then politics?”
Lin Ran corrected: “No, ice-breaking first, then politics.
Ice-breaking is key; whether it’s Rusk or other White House senior officials suddenly going to Yanjing, it would seem too abrupt.
My suggestion is to first organize a team of mathematicians to go to Yanjing for a conference of mathematicians from both countries; this team can include officials with Chinese connections like James Thompson for preliminary communication.”
James Thompson is the Special Assistant for East Asian Affairs, with Chinese descent.
Lyndon Johnson was still hesitating.
Lin Ran said: “Mr. President, believe me, this is the most efficient way and the most likely to establish a cordial negotiation atmosphere.”
Lyndon Johnson hesitated: “But Professor, your identity makes it inconvenient for you to go personally.”
That was what he was worried about.
Damn, you show such affection for China; what if you go to Yanjing for the conference of mathematicians from both countries and just stay there and not come back?
Not to mention the Vietnam War being in such a mess; if you really go to Yanjing and don’t come back, even if we win the Vietnam War, I would have to step down and apologize.
This can’t be solved with five divisions.
Lin Ran suddenly realized, “Oh, you mean that? I definitely won’t go myself; I have a ton of work at NASA, no time; it’s just that in terms of identity, I’m the most suitable to write this letter.
Later, let Columbia University host it; I’ll write a speech, and have a Columbia University professor read it on my behalf.”
Lyndon Johnson nodded, “Okay, Professor, I understand; I’ll discuss it with others.”
After having dinner with Lyndon Johnson at the White House, on the eve of leaving Washington to return to Huntsville the next day, Lin Ran received a reply from Johnson: the letter had been taken by White House staff to Geneva and handed to the Chinese Representative in Geneva.
The letter never reached Hua Luogeng’s hands.
Hua Luogeng was not in Yanjing; he was working at Area 51.
Area 51 has developed to this day into a manufacturing complex similar to Samsung, which in this era can absolutely be called high-end.
Covering semiconductors, electronics industry, aerospace, military industry, etc., with production bases spread across the entire southwest region.
Pressure from the North has caused China’s heavy industry and industry to further shift to the southwest.
Area 51, as the only industrial group capable of generating large amounts of foreign exchange, and due to its ultra-high secrecy requirements, has a somewhat isolated feel.
“Geneva forwarded a letter, sent from America by Lin Ran. He proposes holding a joint conference of Chinese and American mathematicians, saying it promotes scientific exchange and enhances understanding between the two countries.”
Lin Ran—this name was too familiar to everyone present; not just a renowned Chinese person in the mathematics community, nor simply a White House senior official; his contributions to China were beyond doubt.
It’s just that in the past, when he was discussed here, his name was White Horse, but now he was being discussed by his real name.
“Lin Ran? What is the motive behind this letter?”
“The letter says mathematics is a universal language that can transcend political differences; he hopes to build a bridge for the peoples of the two countries through academic exchange.”
Understanding the implied meaning: since it came through official channels, it means this is a signal from America trying to negotiate and ease the situation.
When Hua Luogeng received the letter, it was already three days later; he began drafting a reply according to Yanjing’s requirements.
His pen paused on the paper for a moment, and in his mind appeared the scene of his student Chen Jingrun in America; though he hadn’t seen it, he could imagine it.
After all, at the award ceremony of the Moscow Mathematician Conference, Hua Luogeng witnessed from the audience the glorious moment of his student receiving the Fields Medal, and even chatted a few words afterward with this promising American “scholar of Chinese descent.”
Just like back in the Goldbach Conjecture class at the Chinese Academy of Sciences: the same simplicity and purity, a pure mathematician, unchanged by experiences.
“I wonder if Chen Jingrun will come back this time.” Hua Luogeng thought, “Since it’s an exchange of mathematicians from both countries, he and Shiing-Shen Chern should both come; as for White Horse, White Horse probably won’t be able to come back.”
Hua Luogeng shook his head, swept the distractions from his mind, picked up the pen, and prepared to start drafting the reply.
