Training the Heavens

Chapter 155 Building momentum
"Thank you, this is Tuanan, right? I heard that there is a little genius in Suzhou, so the newspaper asked me to come here to learn more about the situation." Fang Boliang sat down and looked around, his eyes set on Zhuang Tuanan.

"It's me. I'm not a genius. I just learned a little more than other students." Zhuang Tunan responded modestly.

"I heard that you have started studying high school courses now? And you are good at math?" Fang Boliang began the interview.

Before Zhuang Tunan could speak, He Chengxuan answered for him, "He has already completed high school math and has learned it very thoroughly. I found college entrance exam papers from other provinces for him to do, and he usually gets full marks."

"Oh? That's incredible!" Fang Boliang's eyes lit up. This trip was really worthwhile. "Based solely on math scores, Tu Nan is even better than Ning Bi? Oh, I forgot to ask, who are you?"

"My name is He Chengxuan. I used to be a mathematics teacher at Jiangsu Normal University. I will be returning to school after the New Year to continue teaching mathematics to freshmen. During this period, Tunan has been learning mathematics with me. I also plan to recommend Tunan to USTC so that he can study in the junior class like Ning Bi." He Chengxuan felt that this was an opportunity. Since he couldn't persuade him himself, he asked the reporter to write an article and publish it so that others could help persuade him.

"Hello, Teacher He." Fang Boliang was in awe. He didn't expect that he would meet a university teacher. With his approval, it became more credible that Zhuang Tunan was a young genius.

"What do you think of Tunan's math level?" he asked immediately.

"He is definitely not worse than a freshman, and he has to be compared with students in the mathematics department of a key university." He Chengxuan said firmly. He was completely convinced of Zhuang Tunan's mathematical talent.

"Is there anything that can prove this?" Fang Boliang almost believed it, but he still had a little doubt. He didn't know He Chengxuan. What if the identity of the university teacher was fake?
Having been a journalist for so many years, he has encountered so many cases of exaggeration that he has developed the habit of asking more questions about everything.

"You can test me on the spot." Zhuang Tunan realized that this was a great opportunity to build momentum for himself. He Chengxuan wanted to make a big deal out of it, and he had the same idea.

Journalists can write articles and have their deeds published in newspapers. Only when more people notice themselves will there be hope for change. At the beginning of the last world, Zhang Lifeng gave me a lot of help. I didn't expect to meet Fang Boliang again this time.

Fang Boliang looked ashamed and said awkwardly, "I studied liberal arts in technical secondary school. I've been working for so many years that I've forgotten math."

Even if you ask him to come up with questions now, he won't be able to do it. The questions he can come up with are simply not enough to judge Zhuang Tuanan's level.

That's even better, Zhuang Tunan immediately followed up, "You can invite some high school or even university math teachers. Let's find a place and have them give the questions live. I'll answer them on the blackboard so everyone can see clearly."

Hey, this is a really good idea. Fang Boling was immediately interested. He had visited some schools before. Now it is winter vacation and teachers don’t have to teach, so it should be convenient to find people.

After a brief thought, Fang Boliang came up with a plan. "Tomorrow I'll go to the High School Affiliated to the Normal College and ask if there are any teachers willing to help. It would be even better if I could invite a few teachers from the Normal College to come over."

When He Chengxuan heard this, he immediately recommended several candidates to him, "I am familiar with both schools. You go find Director Ping Zetao of the Department of Mathematics and tell him that I want to ask him for help. He will definitely agree. As for the Affiliated High School, you go find Xiong Jinhua and Duan Yiping. They are both my students." "That's great. I'll go there early tomorrow morning. Tuanan, you won't be going anywhere else these days, right? If I have any news, I'll come find you and take you there for the test." Fang Boliang immediately believed He Chengxuan's identity because he had interviewed Ping Zetao before.

Huang Ling and Zhuang Chaoying naturally had no objection, so the matter was settled. Fang Boliang then asked some questions about his usual study habits and how his parents cultivated them. After more than an hour, he left with satisfaction.

Back at the newspaper office, I reported the results of today's interview to the editor-in-chief, who also became interested. "Bring your camera tomorrow. I'll give you three, no, five rolls of film. You must take some beautiful photos."

"Wow, editor-in-chief, you've invested a lot of money here! Don't worry, I promise to take good photos." Fang Boliang was also surprised. Film is very expensive and the quota is limited now. Even the Suzhou Daily can't get many photos every month. Five rolls of film are not enough for an average leader's inspection.

"Ever since Vice President Fang met with Ning Bi, people all over the country have been looking for talented young people. Everyone wants to get local talented young people into the junior class of USTC. If we in Suzhou can send Zhuang Tuanan in, what does it matter if we waste a few more rolls of film?" the editor-in-chief said generously.

But the next sentence gave him away, "But it's still too early to tell whether he's a genius or not. Don't rush to take pictures when the time comes. Pay attention to the teachers' reactions first. Wait until they're sure before taking pictures."

This is because I’m afraid that after taking the photos I’ll find out that Zhuang Tunan’s genius is a fake, then wouldn’t the film be wasted?

The editor-in-chief thought for a moment and reminded, "Besides the teachers at the Normal College and the Affiliated High School, you'd better find a few teachers from other schools. Ask Suzhong High School, No. 1 High School, and the School of Civil Engineering. Call them now."

He Chengxuan is a teacher at the Normal College. His students were examined by teachers from the Normal College and the Affiliated High School, which is less authoritative and impartial, so teachers from other schools had to be involved.

Suzhong and No. 1 Middle School are the two best middle schools in Suzhou now, and the School of Civil Engineering is a university directly under the Ministry of Construction. It will be merged with other schools in the future and then renamed Suzhou University of Science and Technology. If these colleges are willing to send people to help, fairness will not be a problem.

Fang Boliang immediately picked up the phone and contacted several schools. They were also very interested in this matter. Ping Zetao from the Department of Mathematics of the Normal College also confirmed He Chengxuan's identity.

After some discussion, they decided to hold the test at the Affiliated High School of the Normal College and set the time at nine in the morning, because people's minds are clearer in the morning, which is more suitable for Zhuang Tuanan to perform.

The next day, at 7:30 in the morning, Fang Boliang came to the Zhuang family courtyard with a camera and an interview notebook, and took Zhuang Tunan and Zhuang Chaoying to the Affiliated Middle School of the Normal College.

As soon as they entered, He Chengxuan was already waiting at the door. He led them to an empty classroom. After everyone got to know each other, Fang Boliang asked tentatively, "Shall we start now?"

(End of this chapter)