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Chapter 165 The World of the Boss

Colleagues are enemies, but this sentence does not actually apply to the relationship between Ma Botao and Zhang Zuolin.

Old Xue once told Qiao Yu about the various dark secrets in the academic world, but in general, it was just mutual harm among the bottom of scientific research.

But at a higher level, such as Young Outstanding Scientists, Leaders, and Yangtze River Scholars, the connections within the same major are still relatively close.

Especially when the research directions of both parties are actually inconsistent.

After all, if you can wear these hats, you have the opportunity to become an academician in theory. Sometimes it really depends on luck.

What if someone gets promoted and we have a good relationship with them? Maybe if they get a big project in the future, we can get some share of the money.

Especially in the field of science and engineering research, if an academician gets a large project worth tens of millions or even hundreds of millions, it is definitely too much for one person to handle, and it will eventually be divided into several or even dozens of small projects.

This is when friendship comes into play. After all, if the levels of the two people are similar, it doesn’t matter who does the project.

Therefore, as long as one has a little emotional intelligence and there is no direct conflict of interest at this level, one can still save face.

Not to mention that although the two of them took on the same task, their research directions were different at the academic level.

The success or failure of a project does not affect their respective status in the academic community, and both of them remain experts in their respective fields.

It seemed like just a few hours ago, Zhang Zuolin was planning to transfer his right-hand man Liu Hao to his new project.

It’s not that we don’t attach importance to this project, but it has been too long without any results, so we might as well devote our energy to focusing on other projects.

This is the disadvantage of horizontal projects. If it is a pure scientific research project and the laboratory really can't produce good data, you can just modify it and it will look good.

Anyway, as long as the paper can be published in the end, it’s fine. If you can’t Photoshop a picture when writing a paper in this field, you are not a skilled person.

But for horizontal projects, you have to be responsible to the client and produce real things. Most of those who can eat this job are still good research groups.

Let me put it this way, if you don’t have a certain reputation and successful cases in the industry, Party A won’t even consider it.

In fact, Ma Botao and Zhang Zuolin have a pretty good relationship in private. At least Ma Botao didn't act like he did in the meeting, completely disdainful of Zhang Zuolin.

So after hearing Zhang Zuolin tell him that the laboratory had made major achievements, Ma Botao was just stunned for a moment, then quickly adjusted his mood and spoke in a joking tone.

"That's really great news, but isn't it too late today? Brother Zuo Lin, are you really going to treat me to a meal, or are you just thinking of calling to show off?"

"Haha, Brother Botao, you are wrong. Actually, I am not inviting you to dinner this time, nor am I calling you to show off. It is because a very powerful brother wants to meet you.

Let me tell you this, our laboratory was able to break through the bottleneck so quickly this time, all thanks to the help of this little brother. If it were me who made the decision, I would definitely not call you.

As for whether you come to this celebration banquet or not, that depends on your own opinion. In fact, it is best if you don't come. Anyway, I just promised to help this little brother pass on a message. "

Ma Botao was startled when he heard this and asked, "Little brother? Brother Zuo Lin, do I know the little brother you are talking about?"

"One thing I'm sure of is that you've heard of this little brother's name. That's it. If you want to eat, go to Boya's Jianmo box in Yanchun Garden. I'm about to go over there, and we'll talk later."

"Hello, Brother Zuo Lin, hello, hello..." There was a busy tone on the phone and the other party hung up.

Ma Botao wanted to curse, but unfortunately no one was around. But then again, Zhang Zuolin probably wouldn't make such a joke. After thinking for a moment, he really wanted to go to the dinner today.

Even if it's just a joke, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go to the lab and see if the samples on the other side are really a breakthrough.

As for not letting him enter the laboratory?
We tricked him out of the station and brought him to Yanbei, a distance of twenty or thirty kilometers. We can't just send him off with a joke and a meal.

……

Boya Hotel, Yanchunyuan Restaurant.

After the group arrived, they didn't wait for Ma Botao to come. Everyone ordered food after they arrived.

Zhang Zuolin really put it into practice. He was only responsible for making phone calls to invite people, and it was up to them to come or not.

After all, it takes at least an hour and a half to get from Huairou Research Institute to Yanbei University.

But after the call was connected, I didn't leave immediately to eat. The main reason was that I still spent some time in the laboratory.

There were more than 30 samples to be taken care of, so it was not enough for just one person. Several people worked together for nearly an hour before they set off.

Arriving at the hotel box, it took some time to wait for the dishes to be served. In any case, in Zhang Zuolin's opinion, if Ma Botao really wanted to come, he would definitely not wait until everyone had finished eating before rushing over.

Naturally, everyone started eating first.

The weather in Beijing in December has turned cold, but the box is warm and the atmosphere is cheerful.

For Liu Hao and other members of the research team, today's results are like a reassurance to everyone.

The Chinese New Year is just a few days away. Even if the project cannot be completed before the New Year, it should be not too far away.

In short, after there is good news, given my boss's character, he will most likely not treat his students unfairly, and I should be able to get more bonuses.

It's not easy to live in the capital.

It is also good to make more money while studying. After all, scientific research also requires food. Everyone has to face the pressure of survival.

Naturally, Qiao Yu also became the most popular person at the dinner party today. As soon as they arrived at the private room, a group of people started to come.

"Boss, you have to keep your seat."

"Boss, let me pour you some tea."

"Thank you so much, sir."

……

Qiao Yu felt embarrassed. Fortunately, Professor Zhang was here to calm the situation, otherwise Qiao Yu would not dare to think about how these brothers...well, no, uncles could be too much.

Of course, it is also possible that because the tutor was present, these people saw how much their tutor valued Qiao Yu, so they deliberately behaved like this.

In short, ever since Mr. Yuan helped him analyze Senior Brother Chen's various mentalities, Qiao Yu has never underestimated the emotional intelligence of the graduate students at Yanbei University who follow their supervisors to do scientific research.

They are all very smart. Even if they are showing weakness on purpose, there must be comprehensive considerations.

"Come, let's toast to Qiao Yu and thank him for his contribution to our project! Really, Qiao Yu, if it weren't for you, I would have gone crazy! I'm most afraid of doing this kind of horizontal project, and I can't compile data, ah..."

Liu Hao raised his beer glass and said.

Qiao Yu smiled and picked up the juice.

Professor Zhang next to him also picked up a glass of beer.

The reason why Qiao Yu doesn't drink is not entirely because he is underage, but mainly because he doesn't like alcohol, even beer.

When Qiao Xi drank before, he had tried it before. White wine, beer, red wine...none of them tasted good.

Beer tastes bitter, red wine has no taste, and white wine is even more bitter and spicy. When swallowing it, he will have an instinctive resistance.

So Qiao Yu never understood why people drink alcohol... Isn't sweet juice delicious? And no matter how much juice you drink, it will not affect your judgment.

Alcohol is different. Drinking too much will really make your brain crazy and make you prone to doing stupid things.

"Brother Liu, you are too polite. In fact, the main credit goes to you. Without the preliminary data you provided, and these data are indeed accurate and not made up, otherwise I would not be able to do anything even if you killed me."

Qiao Yu smiled and said politely.

"Qiao Yu, you don't have to..." Zhang Zuolin put down his wine glass and had just said a few words when the door of the box was suddenly pushed open by the waiter.

Then Qiao Yu saw another burly old man in his forties striding in.

Yes, this person looks about the same age as Zhang Zuolin, but he is obviously bigger and looks much stronger.

Zhang Zuolin also saw the person coming and stood up.

When the students saw their instructor stand up, they also stood up.

Only Qiao Yu hesitated for a moment. Seeing that everyone was standing and he was the only one sitting, he felt out of place, so he simply stood up. He had already guessed who the person was.

"Brother Bo Tao, I thought you weren't coming today? It seems you are very curious about the little brother who wants to see you."

Zhang Zuolin greeted him warmly, which made Qiao Yu confirm his judgment.

"Haha, Brother Zuo Lin, that's not right. If you invite me to dinner, I would definitely come even if my friends were not here, not to mention that my lab has made some achievements today. This is a great event, so I have to come and congratulate you anyway."

Ma Botao responded with a smile.

Well, no matter whether this sentence is true or false, it still gives Qiao Yu a pretty good feeling.

He likes dealing with people with good manners. Mainly because he is not afraid of anyone as long as they don't shout at him to fight or kill him in person, Qiao Yu, who plays tricks, is not afraid of anyone.

Similarly, what Qiao Yu hates most are those disputes that have no technical content at all, especially those where harsh words are hurled at each other face to face, or even physical violence is involved, which have absolutely no aesthetic appeal.

Of course, it could also be that in this kind of direct fight, his thin arms and legs would not have much of an advantage...

Qiao Yu thought this person was nice, but the students who had guessed who this person was had different expressions.

After all, this is a competitor at this stage. When Qiao Yu asked Zhang Zuolin to call Ma Botao, they were not around and they really didn't know that the tutor had also invited this big guy.

"Okay, since you said that, I'll invite you to dinner next time. By the way, let me introduce you, this is Qiao Yu, Tian Yanzhen's student. Don't say you haven't heard of this name."

After saying hello, Zhang Zuolin directly introduced Qiao Yu to Ma Botao.

"Qiao Yu? Oh, hello, hello. I finally see you in person today! I was wondering who the little brother that Zuo Lin was talking about was. It turns out that he is Professor Tian's disciple."

He smiled and said to Qiao Yu, then looked at Zhang Zuolin and said, "Brother Zuolin, why didn't you say it was Qiao Yu earlier? How could I not have heard of him? After several academicians came back from attending a meeting in Linhai, they would always say to everyone they met that Professor Tian had accepted a good student."

"Hello, Professor Ma." Qiao Yu nodded slightly and greeted him.

"Okay, you're welcome. Take a seat first. You're late today. Do you want to drink a glass as a punishment?"

"Haha, I didn't plan to drink today. But since Brother Qiao Yu is here, I have to have a couple of drinks."

...After a few pleasantries, Ma Botao took a seat.

The others obviously quickened their eating speed, and soon after, when Zhang Haoyuan planned to leave first under the pretext of bringing food to Chen Jiang who stayed behind, the other juice drinkers in the group also left together.

Soon, there were only three people who had drunk alcohol and one who had drunk juice in the box.

There is no way, everyone can see that the tutor specially invited Professor Ma to discuss something.

This is true.

When the others left, Ma Botao started talking about business.

"Qiao Yu, Brother Zuo Lin just called and said that it was you who invited me here today?"

Qiao Yu glanced at Zhang Zuolin, then nodded and said, "Yes, I read an article you published on Shuangdan University today. It talks about the latest progress of amphiphilic block copolymer template technology in mesoporous metal-based materials.

Then I happened to hear that you were in charge of a project competing with Professor Zhang, jointly developing temperature-responsive gel materials. I suggested that Professor Zhang invite you. After reading some literature, I felt that the two technologies could be combined in this project.

This new material will have the advantages of both technologies. It can achieve high mechanical strength and precise temperature response at the same time, and the interaction between hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks can enhance the environmental responsiveness of the material and provide physical support for self-healing ability. "

After hearing Qiao Yu's answer, Ma Botao looked at Zhang Zuolin beside Qiao Yu in surprise, but Professor Zhang just smiled and said nothing.

However, Ma Botao could see that Zhang Zuolin's expression was a little surprised at this moment. The two of them probably had not talked about these things before, at least not in depth.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Botao smiled and replied: "Qiao Yu, your math level is naturally excellent. There is no doubt about that. But when it comes to chemical research, you may not understand that laboratory operations are different from pure theoretical research.

For example, the combination solution you mentioned does sound great. It can be multifunctional and can also expand the temperature range and optimize performance. But the actual operation is not as simple as 1+1=2.

For example, how to solve the problem of interface compatibility? There will be chemical and physical incompatibility between block copolymers, nanoparticles and dynamic covalent bonds. If it is not solved well, not only the interface performance will be reduced.

How do we solve the problem of preparation complexity? I cannot comment on Zuo Lin's research, so I will just talk about the technical difficulties on our side.

To ensure the phase separation behavior of block copolymers in materials, their molecular weight distribution including PDI, polymer dispersion index needs to be as narrow as possible. In addition, the ratio of different blocks directly affects the phase separation behavior and the final material properties.

In addition, nanoparticle filling needs to be sufficiently uniform, otherwise microscopic defects will occur inside the material. If dynamic covalent bond technology is introduced, how to solve the problem of decreased activity of dynamic covalent groups in multi-step reactions? "

After listening to Ma Botao's words, Qiao Yu nodded, and then explained seriously: "So this is what I think. I can first help both of you use your own technical means to produce a finished product that can meet your requirements.

I think this can at least save you a few months of time, and then you can use the extra time to try to combine the two technical methods. This way, whether it succeeds or not, it won't take too long.

I've thought about it carefully and it's not impossible. I don't know the specific solution, but as long as it involves calculations and data analysis, I can provide help. "

"This...can you help us make the finished product?" Ma Botao asked in surprise.

Zhang Zuolin next to him didn't say anything, but turned his head to glance at Liu Hao who was sitting on the other side and had been listening to the boss's conversation obediently.

There is a tacit understanding between teachers and students.

When he noticed that his instructor's eyes were on him, Liu Hao immediately understood, coughed twice, and then took the initiative to speak: "Professor Ma, I am mainly responsible for this project.

You may not know that we have been optimizing this card for three months. We also invited Professor Lu from the School of Mathematics to help us analyze the laboratory data.

But Professor Lu felt that the data we provided was insufficient and it was difficult to give a useful analysis report. We had no choice but to ask Qiao Yu to help us with some analysis because we had worked together before.

Qiao Yu designed a new analysis technology specifically for our project. In just half a month, we went from having no clue to having a major breakthrough today.”

In fact, Zhang Zuolin said on the phone that their breakthrough this time was all thanks to Qiao Yu.

However, Ma Botao was still quite surprised after listening to such a complete report from Liu Hao.

He knew that the covalent bond technology would be stuck in the optimization stage. Although he had not studied this technology specifically, it was also a cutting-edge technology in the field of new materials. Ma Botao naturally knew about it.

Data that left other professors helpless could be transformed into magic in Qiao Yu's hands?

To be honest, if it were someone else, Ma Botao wouldn’t quite believe it.

But considering Qiao Yu's recent reputation in the mathematics community, he was skeptical.

The most important thing is, there is no need for Qiao Yu to invite him just to play a joke, right? What's the point?
After thinking about it quickly, Ma Botao asked seriously, "This...Qiao Yu, can you tell me what this new method is?"

Qiao Yu answered, "I call it geometric modal analysis. It has been proven to be very effective for data analysis of nonlinear systems. Projecting from high-dimensional modal to low-dimensional modal can effectively remove redundant information in the data.

A more specific idea is to map the system state to a high-dimensional modal space. As we all know, in mathematics, if the dimension is too high, direct analysis will lead to high computational costs and difficulty in extracting patterns.

So my method can project high-dimensional data into low-dimensional modal space by finding low-dimensional subspaces, while trying to maintain the geometric characteristics of the data."

After Qiao Yu finished speaking, Liu Hao thought for a moment, then took out from his bag the pictures that Qiao Yu had given him that he didn't quite understand.

"Professor Ma, this is the report Qiao Yu produced after helping us analyze the data. You can take a look."

"Oh, thank you."

Ma Botao took the drawing handed to him by Liu Hao and flipped through it.

To be honest, you can't really tell anything just by looking at the chart.

But it can be seen that these charts have a regular pattern, whether it is a two-dimensional projection chart or a curve chart.

Combined with what Liu Hao just said, if the laboratory data really leaves other mathematics professors helpless, no matter what method Qiao Yu uses, he can summarize the rules, which is enough to show the advancement of this analysis method.

"So you created a method for analyzing laboratory data? And it's not limited to a specific technology?"

After looking at the drawings and returning them to Liu Hao, Ma Botao asked in surprise.

Qiao Yu nodded and said, "Yes, this method is very suitable for data analysis of complex nonlinear systems. So it can be used in laboratories such as materials science, chemical reaction kinetics, nonlinear dynamics, etc."

Ma Botao nodded in understanding and said, "What this means is that we will provide you with the laboratory data first, and you will provide us with data analysis services and verify this method at the same time?"

Qiao Yu smiled and said, "In fact, the effectiveness of this method has been verified. If it has no effect at all, there will be no meal today.

My idea is that if my analysis can really help you, then if the project is successful, you only need to pay some consulting fees. As for the integration of the two technologies later, we will talk about it later.

If the results of my analysis are of no help to your experiment, then I will have worked in vain. Of course, if the data needs to be kept confidential, I can sign a confidentiality agreement. "

"Cough cough..." Zhang Zuolin, who had been listening to the conversation between the two people attentively, started coughing violently while holding the wine glass, with a strange expression on his face.

Originally, his idea was similar to Ma Botao's. Qiao Yu wanted to verify his method and publish a paper.

But when he heard Qiao Yu talking about the consulting fee, he suddenly felt that it was not the case. This reminded him of the last time he gave Tian Yanzhen a consulting fee of 2 million directly for her sake...

Did you plant willows by accident and get a good result? I was so absorbed in thinking that I choked on the wine...

After probably guessing what Qiao Yu was thinking, Zhang Zuolin said without hesitation: "Sorry... Well, everyone has almost finished eating. Why don't we go sit over in the laboratory? Brother Bo Tao has finally come here, so go and give some advice on the work."

Yes, Zhang Zuolin's idea was simple. Find a way to help Qiao Yu close this deal. Of course, if he tried hard but failed, that would be even better!

It will definitely be beneficial for him to establish a good relationship with Qiao Yu in the future

It's not just this analysis system. When he is evaluated for academician in the future, maybe a word from this 16-year-old boy will be more useful than that of many professors.

But he definitely wouldn't tell Ma Botao about this. Their relationship wasn't that good yet. It seemed like the consulting fee for this project could be a little higher.

Especially if Ma Botao also decided to ask Qiao Yu to do data analysis, at least this time he would definitely not give less than this guy.

Of course, Zhang Zuolin does have an advantage in this regard, after all, money really allows you to do whatever you want. This is also true in the university circle.

Unlike professors who live entirely on salary and lecture fees, he can make a good living just from patent licensing in his two companies outside, and he doesn't really care about money.

And sometimes the world is so wonderful. People who have less need for something always find it easier to get it than those who do.

For example, the direction of money flow is always from the side that lacks money to the side that does not lack money. Even the favorite thing of banks is to lend money to the rich, not to the poor...

Zhang Zuolin has been troubled by this problem. He is no longer short of money, and now he has higher aspirations. He wants to prove his worth in the world academic community and publish a few heavyweight papers.

However, he could not take on such projects that could fully demonstrate his academic value. After all, even if he succeeded in such projects, he could not publish papers casually.

We want to work together on research, even at our own expense, but every year all kinds of profitable cooperation projects come to us.

Who the hell can I go to for justice?
As for Ma Botao, he naturally had no objection. After all, he was not here for this meal!
When he came here, he had thought that if he didn't get any results, he would definitely go to the laboratory to have a look. What Liu Hao just introduced aroused his curiosity.

So he immediately agreed, "I've already eaten, let's go to the lab first. I've heard that Brother Zuo Lin's lab is doing well, this is a good opportunity to go and see it!"

Zhang Zuolin smiled and nodded, and said to Liu Hao generously: "Professor Ma is not an outsider. Don't hide anything when you go to the laboratory. It will make you look petty. Just show the data to Professor Ma."

Liu Hao glanced at Qiao Yu and agreed with a smile.

Just as Qiao Yu judged, there is no stupid person who can study for a master's degree at Yanbei University.

……

Soon, several people returned to the laboratory. Today's thirty samples had all been processed and the next step of testing was being carried out in an orderly manner.

After all, what needs to be tested is not only the initial performance, but also the durability test under various extreme environments.

After the three of them returned to the laboratory, Ma Botao was indeed not polite to Zhang Zuolin at all.

After arriving at the laboratory, he not only learned about the instruments and samples, but also took the initiative to go to the computer, asked Liu Hao to retrieve the data, and then sat there to study it.

You know what, the professor looked at it very carefully, asking him questions from time to time. He even asked him for the chart that Qiao Yu had given him and started to compare it.

This gave Liu Hao a new understanding of these great professors. As expected, bosses who can wear hats are shameless enough and really don't consider themselves outsiders.

However, the boss just pulled Qiao Yu aside to have tea and chat without showing any unhappiness, and naturally, as the project manager, he had no objection.

I just secretly warned myself that I shouldn't be too thick-skinned when I go out. When it's time to be shameless, I really have to be thick-skinned.

In this way, Liu Hao sat there and served Professor Ma for more than two hours, but he didn't feel that he was at a loss.

He witnessed with his own eyes that after Professor Ma rigorously studied the laboratory data, he went over to chat with his boss and Qiao Yu for less than ten minutes and reached an agreement to hire Qiao Yu as a laboratory consultant.

Even this temporary employment contract was printed by him. As expected, he couldn't understand the world of the big bosses at all!
　Thanks to the book friend 20200127175815663 for the reward and encouragement

　　
　
(End of this chapter)