Chapter 407: 213 Zhang Blemished Scholar (7.8K)_3

It was essentially setting up an artificial rainforest in the lab, then having a group of parkour enthusiasts hop and swing around on these artificial tree branches like Tarzan.

The project is glamorously named as aimed at measuring the energy consumption of primate animals living in trees and comparing it to terrestrial primates.

This way, we, the primates at the top of the food chain, can understand why other monkeys don’t come down from the trees. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The school undertaking this project was Fudan, with funding of 3 million.

Furthermore, there were numerous instances of embezzling funds, with the accumulated amount reaching an astonishing level.

Therefore, under such circumstances, it was imperative to set an example.

Coincidentally, Zhou Shan was at the height of his prominence and became the scapegoat.

Truth be told.

Given Zhou Shan’s status as an academician.

If he had simply admitted fault, his future career would not have been affected.

As there are quite a few cases to prove this.

Take Zhejiang University’s Vice President Chu X for example.

He was arrested in October 2013 and admitted guilt.

In January 2017, he was sentenced to three years and three months.

Then.....

Released on the third day after the trial concluded.

Upon release, he returned to ZK Group and soon obtained a national key research project with funding of 27.58 million.

There’s also Shuimu’s Fu Lin.

Detained in March 2016, returned all disputed funds.

Released on bail in February 2018.

In September 2018, the prosecution withdrew the case.

After the withdrawal, he continued being a professor at Shuimu University.

But Zhou Shan was stubborn, overturning his confession and accusing the investigators of coercion during his trial.

Resulting in prolonged detention, and it took five and a half years before a verdict was reached.

Therefore, the Zhou Shan incident is not something that can be easily explained on the surface.

His crimes are unforgivable, but his situation is pitiable.

Now, Zhou Shan has already served twelve years, and the lengthy detention period was punishment for his illegal actions, which is beyond reproach.

Now that he has been released, even the harshest critics can no longer label him with ’crime’.

"Still, Old Zhou, after all, was the established example at that time, so his identity remains somewhat sensitive."

In the lab, Lin Zhenhua sighed again:

"Our Hanhua Group is a state-owned enterprise, and when Old Zhou was incarcerated, he was somewhat involved in political maneuvering, which I won’t elaborate on."

"All in all, after Old Zhou’s release, due to various internal systemic reasons, I find it challenging to place him at the Hanhua Factory."

"But your Huadun Biotech is different, officially under the Science Institute but operates independently, so you can sign an employment contract with Old Zhou without pressure."

Xu Yun nodded in agreement.

After listening to Lin Zhenhua’s explanation, the situation became very clear.

Then he proactively poured Lin Zhenhua a cup of water and asked:

"Elder Lin, personally, I am very welcoming of Academician Zhou joining our group, but I have a concern I’d like you to clarify..."

Lin Zhenhua glanced at him:

"Go ahead."

Xu Yun pondered for a moment and organized his words, saying:

"Without a doubt, Academician Zhou was a top scientist before he was imprisoned, but the lengthy imprisonment may have led to a lapse in keeping up with cutting-edge technology."

"After all, in twelve years, technology has changed too fast."

"So..."

Xu Yun didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear:

He worries that Zhou Shan’s current level of knowledge might not keep up with the iteration of knowledge.

Twelve years...

It’s not a duration that can be described as ’fleeting’.

It’s enough for a child to grow into an adult, enough for high-tech to evolve through several generations, enough for Conan...oh, forget this one.

To sum it up.

In the field of scientific research.

Twelve years is enough for dramatic changes to occur.

If Zhou Shan faces considerable cognitive barriers with today’s scientific frontier.

Then, in a sense...

He is actually not much different from Old Su, at least not capable of immediate contribution.

However, Lin Zhenhua’s answer soon eased Xu Yun’s mind:

"You need not worry, Old Zhou is still an academician, and his ability is recognized by the state."

"During these years of imprisonment, he hasn’t severed ties with the scientific community, he even participated remotely in the Sixth International Conference on Molecular and Cellular Biology."

"In these years, through communication via his lawyer, he advised on twelve papers published in top journals."

Xu Yun blinked lightly.

Goodness.

Zhou Shan is right on track, this maneuver is impressive.

Guidance, as mentioned by Lin Zhenhua, is clearly not just putting his name on a paper, this sort of tactic is apparent to professionals in the field.

To put it another way.

Due to his long absence from hands-on experimentation, Zhou Shan might be slightly rusty in practical operations.

But theoretically, he is still connected with cutting-edge advancements.

Thinking of this.

Xu Yun was practically drooling.

That’s Zhou Shan, one of the country’s and even the world’s top molecular geneticists!

To use a web literature analogy, it’s like opening a new website and fretting over a lack of resident experts, only for a reputed contributor to send you an article...

Thinking of this.

Xu Yun couldn’t wait to ask Lin Zhenhua:

"Elder Lin, do you know where Academician Zhou is now? Can we arrange to visit him?"

Lin Zhenhua smiled, pointed his finger to the ground, and said:

"In Yong City, he just went fishing with me a few days ago."

After saying that, Lin Zhenhua glanced at Xu Yun again, and continued: