Chapter 84: The Challenge Has Just Begun
At this time, Section Chief Zhang in New York and “Big Head” Chen Jingrun were also discussing this matter with friends.
There were few Chinese people in New York’s mathematics community. Chen Jingrun quickly got to know Zhou Yuanshen, who had just graduated not long ago, after arriving in New York to study.
Although everyone worked in different directions, it did not prevent them from becoming friends due to similar cultural backgrounds and shared professions.
The task assigned to Chen Jingrun itself, besides establishing a communication channel with Lin Ran, also included befriending Chinese people in New York’s academia and assessing who had the will to return to China for work.
Chen Jingrun was responsible for the assessment, and naturally others would later handle persuading them to return to China.
That day, Harvey Cohen’s number theory seminar was held at Columbia University.
Even so, during breaks in the discussion, everyone would still occasionally mention Lin Ran. With Randolph absent, it always felt like something was missing.
After the seminar ended, Chen Jingrun thought of going to Zhou Yuanshen’s office to chat for a bit.
Zhou Yuanshen was currently an assistant professor in the statistics department at Columbia University, but that did not mean he only did statistics.
Before working on probability statistics, he had studied at the University of Illinois with Professor A. H. Taub on how to use computers for aerospace mechanics research.
Chen Jingrun was very interested in this experience of his, especially after seeing the latest generation of computers in New York, he even more believed that this would become an important direction for the future of applied mathematics.
“Dehui is here, come, sit, I’ll pour you some tea.” Zhou Yuanshen was very enthusiastic. In this era, overseas Chinese helping each other was the most normal thing.
He was able to come to America to study thanks to Yang Zhongdao’s recommendation, and being able to study for his PhD under probability theory master Joseph Doob was thanks to Shiing-Shen Chern’s recommendation.
Shiing-Shen Chern recommended him to Joseph, similar to how Lin Ran recommended Chen Jingrun to Harvey Kane.
In this context, Zhou Yuanshen was also very willing to provide help within his ability to this Chinese compatriot who was only a little younger than himself.
“Is this Professor Lin?” Chen Jingrun looked at the photos that seemed to be of Lin Ran and the NASA lettering on multiple newspapers on the other’s desk, asking somewhat uncertainly.
Zhou Yuanshen handed the mug full of tea to Chen Jingrun: “Here, this is the mopin tea I finally got from the Mainland, the flavor from my hometown, try it. If you think it’s good, I’ll give you some to take back later.
You’re talking about this, right? Yes, it’s Professor Lin. He’s been incredible lately, making big news.”
After Zhou Yuanshen finished speaking, he handed the newspaper to Chen Jingrun. Chen Jingrun was the type who paid no attention to matters outside, focusing solely on mathematical research. He had vaguely heard everyone mention Professor Lin at the seminar, but he only got the gist.
He quickly took the newspaper and read it. If he had to buy it himself, Chen Jingrun really would be a bit reluctant.
After reading it, like Chinese people of this era, Chen Jingrun also felt greatly encouraged. “Professor Lin is truly amazing!”
The excitement flashed by, and soon he felt worry again for Lin Ran working at NASA.
Zhou Yuanshen did not have Chen Jingrun’s worry and could not capture the other’s thoughts. He said excitedly: “Yeah, Professor Lin is indeed the light of the Chinese!
I remember after the White House announced he was the special assistant for aerospace affairs, some newspapers mocked sarcastically, saying President Kennedy gave him this position to win over people of Chinese descent, calling it a nominal sinecure.
Now it’s great. Not only did Professor Lin point at NASA’s white people’s noses and curse them, they didn’t dare retort, he can even lead NASA’s moon landing program.
A couple days ago I went to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s social event, and everyone was full of praise for Professor Lin.
It has to be Professor Lin. I knew on his first day at Columbia University that he was no ordinary person.”
In this era, Lin Ran’s behavior at NASA encouraged Chinese people across America and even globally.
And Bruce Lee, majoring in drama at the University of Washington in Seattle, after reading this news in the newspaper, paced back and forth in his room less than 10 square meters, gesturing with his fists while saying to the wall:
“I’m not talking about anyone specific, I’m talking about all of you here—you’re all trash!”
Imagining himself not trapped in this confined space, but in a huge arena, surrounded by fighting experts from all over the world.
Then saying this line to these experts of various skin colors, and defeating them one by one, winning the championship under the gaze of thousands.
“Just thinking about it feels great. My movie should be filmed like this!”
Lin Ran had not expected that his spur-of-the-moment idea of using the gag to PUA NASA’s high-level officials would ignite the flame in the hearts of Chinese people of this era, even making Li Xiaolong want to use this gag.
With overseas Chinese thrilled, Lin Ran knew the challenges he faced had only just begun.
In this era when black people did not yet have voting rights and McCarthy was only gone a short while, pointing at white people’s noses and cursing was certainly satisfying, but the resulting wave of opposition would not be small.
Chinese newspapers for Chinese people were all praising it, but English newspapers were not so friendly—describing it as a chorus of curses would be no exaggeration.
More importantly, doubts, attacks, and impeachment from the Elephant Party had already begun.
The reason Lin Ran said to land the Pioneer probe on the moon before Congress started in August was precisely to make his words come true.
I said NASA is all trash—things you couldn’t do in three years, I can do in three months.
But with the precedent of Liberty 7, NASA, to fight James Webber for power and profit, did not hesitate to sacrifice Liberty 7 and the astronaut’s life.
Lin Ran did not believe NASA would cooperate well with him to complete Pioneer’s moon landing program.
If this moon landing succeeded, it would not only be Lin Ran’s merit, it would nail all of them at NASA to the pillar of shame.
Whether it was the prophecy or the optimization proposal for Pioneer, both proved that Lin Ran truly understood aerospace. NASA did not want such a knowledgeable person to parachute in as their direct superior.
Now, whether as special assistant for aerospace affairs or director of the manned spaceflight office, Lin Ran was temporary. If he could not achieve the flag he set, then cooperating with Washington’s Elephant Party opposition voices could very well send Lin Ran back to Columbia to teach.
With only the technically ignorant James Webber left, NASA would still be theirs to control.
So this was not just a battle for reputation, but for interests.
And the foreshadowing laid before needed to come into play now.
“John, I need your help.” In the Russell Erskine Hotel in Huntsville City near Redstone Arsenal, Lin Ran met John Morgan, who had rushed over dusty and weary.
John Morgan first shook hands with Lin Ran, then placed his deep blue gentleman’s hat by the dining table, and finally replied:
“Of course, we’re the best partners, aren’t we!
You know, I’ve been busy lately with the merger with Glenn Martin Company, negotiating every day with that damn William Bergen—this old guy is too greedy.
They’re clearly facing financial pressure with poor stock performance, yet acting like they want to tear a big chunk out of us. I’m fed up!”
