Chapter 94: Having Cheats Is Great
In fact, what Lin Ran said was extremely arrogant, with a hint of being all-powerful.
If someone stumps him, although it wouldn’t necessarily affect his prestige, it would at least mean that his halo in this field is somewhat dimmed.
Just like Shing-Tung Yau going to give a lecture at an elementary school and being stumped by an elementary Olympiad math problem—adults wouldn’t think he’s undeserving of his reputation, but the elementary school students would think, “Is that all a mathematics master is?”
“Professor, I’m very interested in your linear form in logarithms theory and believe it can be widely applied to Diophantine problems. Mainly, I think it can have good applications in class number problems and Mordell equations.
I want to hear your opinion.”
The speaker was Allen Baker, who at this time was studying for his PhD at University of London under Harold Davenport.
The linear form in logarithms theory proposed by Lin Ran was originally supposed to be discovered and proven by Allen Baker, and he won the Fields for it in 1970.
Now, although Allen Baker couldn’t prove the linear form in logarithms theory again, his intuitive high affinity for this theory still led him to ask a very valuable question.
After hearing this, Lin Ran felt fortunate that after obtaining the gate, he had hardly rested for a moment, constantly studying, reading, thinking, and working. If not for that, he really couldn’t have made such bold claims.
If it were Lin Ran before obtaining the gate, he probably wouldn’t even know what a class number problem was. While feeling fortunate inwardly, Lin Ran answered:
“The class number problem isn’t actually a typical Diophantine problem, because it involves understanding integer solutions to equations related to units and ideals in number fields, so we can view it as a generalized Diophantine problem.
In my view, for this type of problem, using linear form in logarithms theory might be more effective if we narrow the scope—for example, proving that imaginary quadratic fields with class number 1 are finite, targeting only those.
Additionally, regarding the Mordell equation you mentioned, I think that’s even more interesting, because the lower bound can restrict possible values of x and y, so we can systematically enumerate the solutions to the Mordell equation.
Personally, I think it actually reflects the application of transcendental number theory tools in algebraic geometry, and in a sense, also reflects the connection that can be generated between number theory and geometry.”
What Lin Ran didn’t say outright was that this indirectly proved the correctness of the Randolph Program.
After the academic seminar ended, Lin Ran had returned to Winfield Manor to rest, which was also the residence of the Ambassador to England, because it was particularly large—second only to Buckingham Palace in London—so generally, whether the President or senior officials would stay here instead of a hotel.
When Lin Ran left, he thought in the car: if Winfield Manor gets infiltrated by Russians again, and Korolev is waiting for him there, then he might as well surrender directly—no point in competing anymore.
In Professor Harold’s office at University of London, Allen Baker was still chattering endlessly about the inspirations he gained today:
“As expected, linear form in logarithms theory is a revolutionary existence in the field of computational number theory; it can be applied to a large number of problems.”
Harold wiped his black-rimmed glasses with the handkerchief from his suit pocket, then put them on while asking his student: “Professor Lin once mentioned birds and frogs—do you know what that refers to?”
“I know: birds point the way, frogs dig deep into details.” Allen Baker said.
Because Lin Ran had successively thrown out top achievements, the Randolph Program he proposed was gaining recognition from more and more mathematicians.
Including the research everyone was doing around it, which indirectly proved the feasibility of this program.
In xianxia terms, this would be equivalent to Lin Ran’s foundation for proving the Dao. Once the Randolph Program is verified, he could ascend to immortality on the spot.
Therefore, the higher the recognition of the Randolph Program, the higher Lin Ran’s status in the mathematics community.
Even though birds and frogs was a theory Lin Ran proposed in a Chinese newspaper, it was translated into English and widely circulated in the mathematics community.
“Do you think Randolph is a frog or a bird?” Harold asked next.
Allen Baker replied without hesitation: “Of course a bird.
If birds point the way, then Professor Lin has drawn the largest map in the history of the mathematics community.
Currently, some pathfinders have proven that the map he drew is useful.”
Harold said: “Then the direction he pointed out to you is very valuable.”
“Director Lin, did something happen at University of London earlier?” That evening, George Thros, in charge of security, finally realized something was off.
More precisely, CIA and MI6 realized something was off.
Because when they sent the report back home that night, they discovered Lin Ran had a one-hour gap where he was alone.
Lin Ran knew the best response was to selectively state the facts.
Moreover, he wasn’t worried about what America would do to him—at this point in time, he was indispensable to America and to NASA.
“Yes, someone from the Soviet side named Korolev met with me.
He said he was the chief designer—yes, the one you know, the chief designer in charge of Soviet aerospace.”
George Thros’s face turned green instantly.
Because this meant his security work was no different from shit, and he’d definitely be held accountable when he got back.
“Director, why didn’t you tell me at the time?” George Thros tried to make excuses.
Lin Ran’s eyes narrowed slightly as he stared into his eyes: “George, even at University of London, Korolev managed to get a direct one-on-one chance with me just like that.
If I told you, what if they made a move on me?
How could you guarantee that University of London was definitely safe?”
But for America, the worst part wasn’t this—instead, that night they learned, the next day it was sent back home, and the third day English newspapers were reporting everywhere that America couldn’t even protect its own scientists.
America also began nuclear tests.
After Americans had this scandal exposed, from London to Paris to Berlin, European media got excited like they’d picked up a gun:
“London security full of loopholes, chief designer faces mathematics master directly”—this was an article mocking America’s powerless security and claiming London was full of KGB.
“Randolph puts huge pressure on Soviet side, Soviets try to solve it through assassination”—this was reporting from a London newspaper supporting America.
It was to express the Soviets’ desperate measures and that the Soviets were anxious, falling behind in the space race.
Intelligence agencies were already anxious enough, and now it was exposed—this once again verified the fact that London was a sieve.
The entire CIA and MI6 were in chaos, everyone investigating which link failed and how many Soviet people were inside London.
Lin Ran, staying at Winfield Manor, felt none of London’s tense atmosphere, because he was on the phone with Seagull.
This trip to England had arranged for the Göttingen academic lecture from the beginning.
After all, this was his “alma mater”—he couldn’t go to University of London and skip Göttingen.
Plus, Lin Ran felt a bit embarrassed for mentioning Göttingen so frequently and wanted to give back what he could.
“Professor, I’m really sorry. I was definitely going to visit the alma mater this time, but because of this incident, I have to return home as soon as possible.” Lin Ran explained.
Seagull fully understood: “I get it, Randolph. Safety first.”
After Seagull hung up, he looked at Döblin sitting across from him with a wry smile:
“Because of the recent turmoil plus this incident, Randolph can’t come to Göttingen this time.”
Döblin fully understood, because the Third Berlin Crisis was unfolding right now—the Berlin Wall had been built, the Soviets unilaterally tore up the three-year nuclear test ban agreement and resumed a series of tests.
With Germany so tense, divided into East Germany and West Germany—Göttingen was in West Germany, sure, but if London was infiltrated, Göttingen’s security would only be worse.
As a core figure at NASA, it would be a wonder if Lin Ran came.
Still, Döblin couldn’t help complaining: “Sigh, Professor, sigh—if only you hadn’t let Randolph go back then.”
Lin Ran’s originally packed itinerary now had only one thing left: appearing on BBC’s Face to Face program with Major John Freeman.
This flagship celebrity interview program on BBC television premiered in 1959, each episode about 30 minutes, in a one-on-one interview format, hosted by former Labour MP John Freeman.
It became a global sensation upon launch.
(Television only reached England, but shortwave broadcasts could reach most of the world, including Africa and Asia, mainly through BBC World Service, broadcasting in multiple languages worldwide.)
The interview took place in a minimalist studio at BBC headquarters in London, with an overall layout typical of the early 1960s style.
The background was a simple dark curtain, highlighting the focus on dialogue.
Two high-backed chairs faced each other across a small round table, with a glass of water and Freeman’s notebook on the table.
This black-and-white broadcast was filmed by one camera, switching lenses between the two to highlight their expressions and gestures.
BBC used soft lighting to create a serious, introspective atmosphere.
Lin Ran wore a dark suit, sat upright, hands on his knees, appearing exceptionally calm, not tense at all despite being in the eye of the news storm.
“Welcome to Face to Face, Sir Lin. It’s an honor to have you here.
You are widely regarded as NASA’s de facto leader. Earlier this year, you led NASA to achieve the first moon landing, followed shortly by manned spaceflight.
At the same time, you made the bold claim within NASA that you only have success and no failure. How do you view past NASA versus current NASA—what’s different, what’s the same, and what did you bring?” John Freeman asked.
Similar to Lin Ran, he also wore a suit, but sat slightly leaning forward, more aggressive, with his notebook in hand recording the questions he wanted to ask.
“NASA has always had a large number of engineers and scientists—they’re all excellent, outstanding.
The reason for past failures was that these people weren’t well integrated—too many centers. As a new institution, NASA was too focused on competing with the Soviets, rather than first managing as a massive industrial enterprise.
Mr. von Braun was more focused on rockets.
But aerospace is a systemic engineering project: rockets, spacecraft, satellites, even astronauts—it’s a complex system.
Previously, NASA lacked managers who understood the technology to unify them.
My role is to forge them into a single force.” Lin Ran explained.
John Freeman naturally wouldn’t let him off easily: “Some say you’re NASA’s shadow director, while the actual director is James Webb.
Does this mean you have more power in NASA than Webb, and will there be conflicts between you over power division?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “Of course not. I handle technology, Director Webb handles personnel management.
We’re very good partners—past proves it, and the future will continue to prove it.”
Freeman asked: “In the past, the Soviets were always the leader, America the chaser.
After you joined NASA, you expressed determination to turn from chaser to leader, proposing the space station concept. We all know space stations originated in science fiction novels—do you think NASA can really achieve it in the short term?”
This was yet another proof that America was a sieve.
Only after Soviet space program successes did the outside learn; America’s space program was always hyped up before success.
Washington congressmen’s internal meetings appeared in the New York Times and Washington Post the next day.
Lin Ran was confident: “Didn’t you just mention that my life only has success?”
Freeman laughed: “Yes, I forgot.”
Lin Ran continued seriously: “Of course, I’m very confident in NASA. NASA has an outstanding engineering team, and I’ll lead them to achieve this goal.
On the theoretical level, it’s much simpler than the moon landing.
In the long term, the space station will be more complex.
The space station needs to operate long-term in space, solving a series of complex ongoing issues, including oxygen supply, water recycling, food storage, energy supply, waste processing, and radiation protection.
Because we need to send human astronauts into the space station.
The moon landing mission only needs to consider rocket propulsion, navigation, landing, and return.
Of course, there’s some technical overlap between the two, but the moon landing is a one-time mission with relatively concentrated and clear technical needs.
The moon landing only needs short-term life support; the space station needs long-term maintenance of a habitable environment.
So comparatively, the moon landing mission is a one-time massive project—though requiring huge funds and human resources, its resource needs are limited and predictable, with no ongoing investment after completion.
But the space station can also bring massive revenue.”
The benefits of the space station were the same old pitch to Congress.
Freeman nodded repeatedly: “Sounds great indeed. If I had money, I’d want to go space station tourism too—that was a dream only possible in science fiction novels in the past.”
Lin Ran added: “Precisely because our goal isn’t simply competing with the Soviets.
But constantly pushing the boundaries of space exploration, propelling humanity from Earth to the cosmic era—America needs to take on the purpose of expanding humanity’s living space.
America must shoulder the role in the cosmic era like Magellan or Columbus.”
In the Cold War context, Lin Ran’s bold words quite moved the audience.
At least for now, after Lin Ran’s explanation spread globally via broadcast, people worldwide felt current NASA was starkly different from the past.
If a snap poll were done, NASA’s support rate would rise at least ten percentage points.
John Freeman raised an eyebrow, pressing further:
“You mentioned the space race. We all know Korolev met you in London—that’s the hottest news these days. I believe the audience is very curious about what he said to you?”
Not just the audience—John Freeman himself was curious, showing it clearly in his eyes.
“He invited me to be his successor, asked if I wanted to become the next chief designer.” Lin Ran laughed.
John Freeman exclaimed: “Oh!”
Surprised inwardly, he was secretly delighted—at least viewership and listenership were guaranteed; this news alone would make Face to Face’s ratings lead by a wide margin.
Though there wasn’t the same audience measurement as in later years, BBC already had an audience research department collecting data.
They used household surveys—randomly selecting families to ask about viewing habits—and diary methods, having participants record daily programs watched, to compile viewership statistics.
According to BBC’s post-event survey, this Face to Face exclusive interview with Lin Ran reached 8 million viewers, second only to last year’s Olympic coverage, the highest-rated BBC program of the year.
“So did you accept?” Freeman knew it was a dumb question but asked anyway, because the audience would love it.
Lin Ran replied: “If I accepted, I’d be in Moscow now, not BBC’s studio.
I’m already a figure like Korolev at NASA—why would I go to the Soviet Union to be his successor?”
For such questions, the best way isn’t denial but counter-questions, guiding listeners to think for themselves.
Freeman said: “The Daily Mail thinks you have potential **background**, considers you very high risk, calls for America to investigate you.
Thinks you’re from a red country.
After this incident, the Daily Mail reiterated this view, saying you’d pose a major threat to the free world—what’s your take?”
The Daily Mail at the time focused on nationalism and anti-communist sentiment, even more hysterical after the Berlin Wall.
Freeman asking this didn’t mean hostility—asking in this setting gave a chance to defend.
It related to the era’s context.
BBC then prided itself as a neutral public broadcaster, but not right enough meant left.
Plus BBC aligned highly with the left on anti-nuclear, student protests, and government welfare.
The Daily Mail Freeman just mentioned often criticized BBC.
Lin Ran had high prestige and reputation—due to his mathematician identity and leading NASA out of the quagmire, seen as indispensable for the free world winning the space race.
Precisely so, BBC hoped to use Lin Ran’s mouth to properly bash the Daily Mail and related conservative media.
Another background was that BBC staff mostly came from educated elite classes, many influenced by the Fabian Society or similar progressive socialist ideology.
For example, BBC’s first general manager John Reith—though no direct evidence of Fabian Society membership—his admired education and social reform ideas highly overlapped with Fabianism.
Sidney Webb, George Bernard Shaw—these Fabian Society members often voiced through articles or broadcasts on BBC platforms.
After hearing this, Lin Ran laughed: “If leading NASA to moon landing and manned spaceflight is a major threat to the free world, then what is NASA repeatedly causing rocket explosions on its own?
Or during live broadcasts, stabbing the free world’s public right in the heart?
Neither the White House nor Washington has expressed doubt about me—what evidence does a London newspaper have?
Just a newspaper living in speculation and fantasy.”
Freeman laughed heartily, genuinely—this, spread through England’s streets, would pin the Daily Mail as a rumor-mongering tabloid.
Of course, if one day Lin Ran’s identity was proven Soviet-linked, that’d be another story.
But what does that have to do with BBC? It wasn’t BBC who said it.
And if that day came, Buckingham Palace would lose face first.
Because Buckingham Palace gave Lin Ran the medal and baronet title.
“Sir Lin’s answer is brilliant—not unworthy of the Lin who spouts golden quotes.
Sir Lin, weren’t you afraid at the time? What if Korolev or KGB made a move on you?” Freeman asked.
Lin Ran thought, then suddenly turned to the camera:
“I wasn’t afraid, because that would prove the Soviets completely lost this Cold War.
The Soviets and America are to prove which social form is better for humanity.
The space race means who can lead humanity to space, who can help humanity expand living boundaries.
If the Soviets rely on assassination to win this competition, it shows they lack confidence in themselves and that their system is built on despicable means.
Without Randolph, other geniuses would lead the free world forward.
So I wasn’t worried at all then—using my death to prove the Soviet path unviable for humanity, I think my death would be invaluable.”
Actually, it was because Lin Ran was fully confident he wouldn’t die.
At the time, he observed Korolev had no gun, plus Soviets guarding the door—his ears always attuned to movements outside.
Once they pulled anything, Lin Ran was confident he could use the “gate” ability to escape before they entered.
No way around it—having cheats allowed such grand, righteous answers.
This answer moved even a veteran like Freeman; in the studio, he gave Lin Ran a salute with the England Army gesture:
“Sir, your answer is too good. I salute you on behalf of the free world.”
Freeman was formerly an Army major.
“Sir Lin, how do you view the Soviets’ actions in Berlin, and are you worried about the risk of nuclear war breaking out in the human world?”
This chapter is 6k words, plus the previous two chapters, totaling ten thousand words!
