Reborn and become a Great Scientist

Chapter 422 161 Hilbert’s Invitation

"Chen Muwu! He is Dr. Chen Muwu from Cambridge University!"

Chen, a surname with a single syllable that is not easy to pronounce, is very typical of a Chinese surname.

Professor Hilbert also called him Doctor, and Chen Muwu had a very typical East Asian appearance.

The other people who had come to watch the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians who had not yet had time to leave around Hilbert quickly realized that the young man holding Professor Hilbert's hand was, if nothing else, the young man holding hands with him. That Chen Muwu from Cambridge University.

Seeing Hilbert at the International Congress of Mathematicians is nothing new, because before the opening of the conference, the organizing committee had already determined that German scientists would participate in this year's conference.

But seeing Chen Muwu at the International Congress of Mathematicians was a completely new thing.

No one knew that this Chinese, who has been unparalleled in physics in recent years, would also come to Bologna, Italy, to participate in their mathematicians conference.

Others who heard the news were very excited. Everyone who had just taken a photo with Hilbert and asked for his autograph wanted to take another photo with Chen Muwu and have him sign his autograph.

Chen Muwu was unwilling to leave Hilbert aside, so he extended an invitation to the latter: "Professor Hilbert, if you have time, how about we go have lunch together?"

"Of course that's good. I think after dinner, the two of us can talk about mathematics and physics."

Chen Muwu's invitation cleverly separated the two people from the place of right and wrong.

Of course, Hilbert didn't want to be watched by others, so he readily agreed to have lunch with Chen Muwu.

Hilbert was a distinguished guest of the organizer. He did not have to eat with the more than a thousand people who came to the International Congress of Mathematicians. Instead, he had a place specially prepared for him by the organizer of the conference.

Chen Muwu's invitation allowed him to take advantage of Hilbert's status to a certain extent and go to the high-end restaurant in Bologna rented by the conference organizer.

After the two of them ordered their meals, while waiting for the food to be served, Hilbert anxiously found some topics to talk to Chen Muwu.

"Dr. Chen, I wanted to meet you a few years ago. I even sent John to visit the University of Cambridge and invited you to visit the University of Göttingen.

"Dr. Chen's personal charm is so outstanding that John almost stayed in Cambridge, England, never to return!"

Hilbert and Chen Muwu made a joke. It was not Chen Muwu who forced von Neumann to stay at Cambridge University, but the latter who stayed at Cambridge University voluntarily.

"Professor Hilbert, you are joking. By the way, how is Mr. von Neumann doing now? Is he doing well in Göttingen?"

Now that von Neumann was mentioned, Chen Muwu remembered that since he started going to Stockholm, because he was so busy at work, he had not been in touch with his old relatives and friends for a long time, except for von Neumann. , as well as Oppenheimer of the United States, Heisenberg of Germany and others.

I really should find time to write a few letters to them and re-communicate and exchange feelings.

——Oppenheimer, who was crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a steamship, was standing on the deck when a strong sea breeze blew, causing him to suddenly sneeze.

"John is doing well in Göttingen. But there seems to be some problems with the direction of his research."

Speaking of von Neumann's matter, Hilbert suddenly had a worried look on his face.

"Compared to those more purely mathematical problems, his mind seemed to be focused on a machine that only existed in his imagination.

"John has also communicated with me on related issues several times, but I'm not very interested in this kind of virtual machine that doesn't appear in the real world, so I can't give him much help."

Well, Chen Muwu didn't expect that the fruit Hilbert mentioned was the cause he planted at Cambridge University.

If nothing else, the virtual machine that von Neumann was so devoted to studying should be the kind of machine that he had described to him in that steakhouse in Cambridgeshire.

Counting the time, von Neumann has been conducting research with Professor Hilbert at the University of Göttingen for several years.

In the past few years, I haven't seen him produce any famous results.

Chen Muwu felt that now was the time to wave his little hoe and dig von Neumann back to his side.

Von Neumann was of course a genius. His only weakness was that he was not sure about the direction of his research, and his ability to pioneer and innovate was somewhat poor.

If someone could point him in the right research direction, then von Neumann's future would be immeasurable.

Of course, he must find this kind of person in Stockholm and use him as his right-hand man.

Chen Muwu remembered that von Neumann's name should also be on the list he left in London, England.

If nothing unexpected happens, the eldest brother should have sent a telegram to Göttingen.

It just so happened that I could take this opportunity of my marriage to have a good chat with von Neumann about the Prince's College in Stockholm.

Chen Muwu somewhat arrogantly believed that with his own personal charm, he should be able to bring von Neumann to Sweden.

Thinking of this, Chen Muwu said with a smile: "Professor Hilbert, the kind of virtual machine studied by Mr. von Neumann was a thought I accidentally mentioned with him when I was at Cambridge University.

"I didn't expect him to be so concerned about this issue, so I think I should find an opportunity to write him a letter and talk to him about my views and opinions on this issue."

Hilbert also laughed: "I asked why John has always had such a strange problem in his brain as soon as he returned to the University of Göttingen. It turns out that the initiator of this is Dr. Chen.

"Since you asked this question, I suddenly feel that it doesn't seem so strange anymore.

“I even think now that if nothing unexpected happens, this issue should be of great research value.

"After I finish this International Congress of Mathematicians and return to the University of Göttingen, I will have a good chat with John to find out what this virtual machine is about."

"It's an honor, Professor Hilbert."

Chen Muwu did not expect that Hilbert would be very interested when he revealed that he had raised the question.

He didn't know if the other person really thought this question was interesting, or if it was just a polite comment.

After chatting for a while, lunch for the two of them was finally served.

Both the dishes and the presentation are exquisite, and the attitude of the waiters is also very friendly.

Chen Muwu cut off a small piece of steak and chewed it carefully. The taste was also good.

"Professor, I heard that you were ill some time ago. I wonder how you are recovering now?" Chen Muwu also asked a polite question.

If he remembered correctly, Hilbert, like Planck, lived into the 1940s.

It was only 1928, so even if Hilbert was ill, it was probably not a serious illness.

Newspapers said that Hilbert came to Italy due to illness to attend this International Congress of Mathematicians. Chen Muwu felt that there should be a lot of water in this.

It is just to highlight how hard it is for German mathematicians to attend the International Congress of Mathematicians again after eight years.

"Hey, I just had a cold a few days before I came here, so it's not really a serious illness at all.

"Their newspaper reporters are like this. As soon as there is some trouble, they are eager to make a big news that will be known to all women and children."

Chen Muwu picked up the cup filled with sparkling water: "Professor, I sincerely wish you good health and a long life."

"Thank you, Dr. Chen."

Chen Muwu felt relieved after hearing the news that Hilbert was in good health.

After a few more polite words, Chen Muwu extended an invitation to Hilbert.

"Professor, do you have any schedule after this International Congress of Mathematicians is over?"

"There are no arrangements! It's just that I will go back to China with the mathematicians from Germany. After returning to the University of Göttingen, I will go to John to have a good chat about the virtual machine problem I raised."

Chen Muwu didn't expect Hilbert to repeat his question again. Obviously, he took it seriously.

"In that case, Professor Hilbert, I would like to invite you to go to England with me. I will hold a wedding to Madame Curie's youngest daughter Eve in London in October, and I hope you can come with me. Please. Don’t worry, I’ll cover all your travel expenses from Bologna to London and back from London to Göttingen.”

"Dr. Chen, congratulations!"

Hilbert didn't expect that Chen Muwu would actually offer such an invitation.

"Since you invited me to attend the wedding, of course I can't miss such a lively event. Then I will shamelessly go to London with you after the International Congress of Mathematicians to attend Dr. Chen's wedding.

"By the way, Dr. Chen, speaking of the International Congress of Mathematicians, you are coming to Bologna, Italy this time. Aren't you going to give a speech or speak at the conference?"

Facing Hilbert's question, Chen Muwu acted very honestly: "Professor, to be honest, when I came to attend the conference this time, I heard that German mathematicians were finally allowed to participate in international academic conferences, so I came to Italy and wanted to I want to meet you.

"You have always invited me to visit the University of Göttingen before, but I have never had time. This matter has always been a regret in my heart.

“That’s why this time, I said I would take time to come to Italy before getting married, just to meet you.

"By the way, professor, this is a comprehensive academic journal I run in Stockholm. If you have the opportunity, you are welcome to submit articles to this journal."

As he spoke, Chen Muwu took out the first issue of "Journal of Prince's College" from the bag he carried with him and handed it to Hilbert across the dining table.

After Hilbert took it, he politely opened the cover of the journal and briefly browsed the contents inside.

When he saw that the title of the paper was either neutron, positron, or iodine-like and manganese-like, he raised his head with a wry smile.

"Dr. Chen, the content in your journal is a bit profound to me.

“If it was about general relativity, I could barely read it.

“But it’s all experimental physics, so there’s really nothing I can do about it.

"Speaking of general relativity, Dr. Chen, did you know that there is also content about this part at our mathematicians conference? In the third mechanics branch, there will be information about celestial mechanics, astronomy, fluid mechanics, elasticity, and mathematical physics. Seminar in Equations and Relativistic Mechanics.

"I myself am actually looking forward to you taking the stage to give a speech. I guess other participants attending the International Congress of Mathematicians this time also hope that you can do the same."

Hilbert smiled and looked at Chen Muwu.

Now, it's neither Chen Muwu agreeing nor not agreeing.

Agree, he had no preparation for this matter in advance.

If Chen Muwu were asked to come on stage and talk about how he discovered neutrons and positrons, Chen Muwu would definitely be able to do it at his fingertips.

Chen Muwu felt that it would not be appropriate if he refused.

In particular, Hilbert was staring at him with stern eyes. It was obvious that he wanted Chen Muwu to come on stage to give a report.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Muwu finally agreed to Hilbert's invitation.

——But he only agreed to half of it.

"Professor, to tell you the truth, I actually have the idea of ​​​​going on stage to give a lecture, but what I want to talk about is not a mathematical problem based on physics such as general relativity, but something else.

“I don’t want to go to the third Mechanics branch, but I want to go to the seventh History of Mathematics branch.

“I read the conference brochure issued before the opening of the conference and found that the history of mathematics section can publish papers or speeches on the history of mathematics in ancient times and the Middle Ages, and the history of mathematics in the Renaissance and modern times.

"I am very interested in this topic myself. You know, I come from China, one of the four ancient civilizations. I am also the only country among those four countries whose culture has been passed down without interruption to this day.

“Perhaps since modern times, China has been far behind Western countries in all aspects.

“But in ancient times, China was definitely at the world’s advanced level in all aspects.

"I'm not a professional historian, so it's impossible to explain all aspects of the matter clearly.

“But I happen to be very interested in the mathematical achievements of ancient China, and I did some research on this history when I was in China.

"So I thought, if the organizer of the conference allows it, I would like to go on stage at the seventh history of mathematics branch to give a report called "The Development and Achievements of Mathematics in Ancient China."

"Of course that's good." Although he couldn't get a satisfactory answer, Hilbert still nodded with a smile. "The West has always lacked a certain understanding of the development of mathematics in China. If Dr. Chen, you are willing to speak out, I will I believe it will also be of great help to mathematicians in broadening their horizons.”

(End of this chapter)