Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven In the Editorial Office

Behind the office building of the president of the Provincial Academy of Sciences, there is a three-story building where the editorial department of "Academic Research on Archeology" is located. Bai Lizhen was answering the phone in her office. The call was from a university in Hunan.One of the teachers there, based on the results of his own research, strongly supported the false pretense.He cited a large number of data to demonstrate his correctness.Bai Lizhen listened patiently to the other party's narration, a pencil in her hand made rustling noises on the paper.After the call was over, she sat on a single sofa and had a brief talk with Xiang Xukun, vice president of the Provincial Academy of Sciences, who was waiting here.

Xiang Xukun sat on a double sofa next to her and waved his hands impatiently, as if to say that he didn't come here for this call.He asked Bai Lizhen, "Have you investigated Xu Zhenyu's situation?" "Investigated." Bai Lizhen went to the phone and made another call while talking. After a while, a young man came in with a document, and said to Xiang Xukun, "Vice President Xiang, here is the document you want." Xiang Xukun twisted his fat body on the double sofa to relax his limbs, and said dismissively: "Then you can talk about it." "Xu Zhenyu was an astronomy enthusiast in middle school. After graduating from high school, he applied for the astronomy major, but failed. Soon, Nanshan Observatory publicly recruited several workers. Worked as a cleaner. While working, he studied by himself. Within five years, under the guidance of some enthusiastic people in the observatory, he basically completed the courses of the university's astronomy department. A few years ago, he discovered Nova Aquarius with the naked eye, which caused yellow Professor Jingzhi attached great importance to it, and was nominated as an astronomer of the station. In recent years, under the guidance of Professor Huang, he has actively studied which stars in the Milky Way have planets, especially the four stars of Eridanus and Cetus The tau star is being studied in depth, and at the same time, he is also very interested in the development history of ancient Chinese astronomy. In recent years, he has published several papers in the "Quarterly Astronomy"." The young man said the situation again, his eyes Never leave that material.

Bai Lizhen asked him to send the materials back, so he got up and left.Xiang Xukun's face in Chinese characters was full of smiles, as if this material announced that he was the winner of a dispute.He said unhurriedly: "Comrade Bai Lizhen, I have long said no, but you insist on publishing his paper. How about it, the results of the investigation now prove that he not only does not have a corresponding professional title, but also has no academic qualifications. In order to be responsible for the cause of science, in order to Readers are responsible, I still have the same opinion: this unconventional paper cannot be published."

"Vice President Xiang, what does this title, education have to do with publishing papers?" Bai Lizhen was unhappy, but still asked in a measured manner. Xiang Xukun ignored her question, with an indisputable expression on his face, he continued in his own way: "A few months ago, Secretary Yang of the Institute of Archeology recommended Xu Zhenyu, and wanted to second him to do research on ancient star maps. At that time, I knew that he did not have a professional title and did not agree. Through this investigation, I found out that he does not even have a university degree. None. Think about it, what basis can he have? What can he be responsible for his thesis? How can he argue that the copper ball is an information rocket for aliens?"

"Our magazine adheres to the policy of 'a hundred schools of thought contend', and I think publishing his paper is in line with this policy." Bai Lizhen still insisted on her opinion.That young man came in again, he held a stack of letters and said to Bai Lizhen: "These letters from readers are all about the ancient star map. Some of them support the 'entity theory', and some support the 'false trust theory'. The editor-in-chief asks you to sort out these letters, write a summary of the letters, and then select a few published together in a representative way.”

Bai Lizhen took these letters, nodded and said, "Okay, I'll sort it out later." Xiang Xukun saw that young man had left, and started talking again on the topic of letters from readers: "Now the 'substantial theory' and the 'pretend theory' are arguing endlessly around the ancient star map, so far there is no clue. You see, at this moment, there are long-distance calls and letters from readers. It is already lively enough. If If you come up with another "say", your editorial department will be overwhelmed. Of course, if the argument is correct, it is worthwhile to be busy. However, as far as I know, many serious astronomers in the world do not think that there are Traces of aliens. But what about Xu Zhenyu, he insisted on linking an archaeological discovery with aliens, which is simply whimsical! I heard that he is also worthy of his responsibility in love. Linking these things together, I think , he is likely to be a very high-minded person who likes to make a name for himself. If his paper is published, you will be fooled!"

After hearing these words, Bai Lizhen's face flushed with anger.Those faint freckles became quite obvious.She tried her best to suppress the indignation in her heart, and argued to Xiang Xukun: "I know Xu Zhenyu, and it's not unfamiliar. He never talked to me about discovering new stars and publishing papers. I didn't know until now. It can be seen that he is a humble person. As for the relationship issue, I respect him. Just a little bit more. He has no problem with that at all." Therefore, Bai Lizhen simply told the story of Xu Zhenyu and Yang Fan's love, and finally she said:

"I think Xu Zhenyu's attitude towards Yang Fan is sincere and he is thinking of her." She also wanted to say that the claims in question were pure gossip, but she never said it. "Okay, let's not talk about this." Xiang Xukun put away his smile, his face became serious, and there was a taste of order in his tone, as if his opinion could not be changed, "In short, I don't agree to publish his opinion. thesis." Just as he was talking, a voice came from outside the door: "Am I not disturbing you?" Xiang Xukun glanced at the door, stood up from the double sofa, and went to the door.He held his visitor's hand in both hands and said kindly:

"Old Huang, it's you! Please sit down, please sit down." He gave Huang Jingzhi to the double sofa, introduced him and Bai Lizhen, and poured him another glass of water. Then he sat on the single sofa at the other end and said: "Old Huang, you came just in time. We just finished studying the paper written by Xu Zhenyu from your station..." Bai Lizhen asked first, "Professor Huang, what do you think of his paper?" "I've read this paper," Huang Jingzhi didn't answer her directly, "When are you going to publish it?" Bai Lizhen's lips moved slightly, obviously wanting to say something, but she didn't say it for some reason.

Xiang Xukun said confidently: "Old Huang, you know that Xu Zhenyu has neither a professional title nor a diploma. We cannot publish his unconventional papers." Although Huang Jingzhi is very rigorous in academic research and has amazing patience in astronomical observation, he couldn't help becoming impatient when he heard Xiang Xukun's words: "Having a diploma and a professional title does not necessarily mean achievement. I studied abroad at Cornell University in the United States, and all my classmates received diplomas when they graduated. There was a student who was very good in academics. The teacher thought he was very promising. At that time, I got a considerable inheritance and gave up my career in science. Some people couldn't find professional jobs and had to find another way out; I found an assistant position in the observatory, dedicated to the study of extraterrestrial civilizations, but due to the meager income, I had to assist his father in running a store after get off work. They all have diplomas. In that society, what is the use of diplomas? ?In our society today, we should not just look at diplomas. Xu Zhenyu’s thesis has unique insights, why can’t it be published?”

Huang Jingzhi spoke very excitedly, and Bai Lizhen felt him panting slightly, so she filled his glass with water. Xiang Xukun didn't mind, and said to Huang Jingzhi with a smile: "You know, his thesis is against yours." Huang Jingzhi hurriedly stood up from the sofa, his voice trembling slightly: "Deputy Dean Xiang, what do you mean by that? As the old saying goes, blue comes from blue and is better than blue. Although he hasn't listened to my class in class, I have always regarded him as my best student. Xiao Xu doesn't care. I take pleasure in presenting my own novel arguments, sticking to my entity. What is wrong with a student who differs from his teacher's point of view?" He paused for a moment, and if it hadn't been for something wrong with his windpipe, he would have finished it in one breath: "I now declare that I give up the speculation that the copper ball is an ancient celestial globe, and support Comrade Xu Zhenyu's statement that the copper ball is an alien information rocket. The purpose of my coming to the editorial department today is to submit this statement. " After finishing speaking, he took out some neatly folded papers from his coat pocket, and carefully handed them to Bai Lizhen. Xiang Xukun was astonished by what happened in front of him.He sat on the sofa and thought about it for a while.He thought, out of consideration of Huang Jingzhi's reputation and status in the academic world, since he supports the publication of Xu Zhenyu's paper, it may not be appropriate if he refuses to publish it.Furthermore, considering that even if Xu Zhenyu's paper is not allowed to be published, according to the usual practice, the editorial department has no reason not to publish the statement about the paper submitted by Huang Jingzhi as an author who has already published the paper.Once published, wouldn't it be equivalent to affirming Xu Zhenyu's thesis.Readers will definitely demand the publication of Xu Zhenyu's thesis, but at that time they will be passive.From these two perspectives, it is better to... Thinking of this, he also stood up from the sofa and said with a smile: "Old Huang, don't get excited, just speak slowly if you have something to say. I just had some personal opinions just now, and you don't need to mind. Let me see it this way. Whether Xu Zhenyu's paper will be published or not is a matter for the editorial department, or let it Editor Bai and the others can decide on their own.” Xiang Xukun and Huang Jingzhi said goodbye and left.