Chapter 56: Copy (7)
56 – Copy (7)
“The system operates by simulating human driving logic,” he wrote a simple prompt, saying: “Then, by optimizing priority criteria and improving the yielding mode, we allow those who most urgently need to drive quickly to reach their destinations in the shortest time, while the effects for others are pushed back accordingly. It’s equivalent to assuming that every vehicle possesses, well… noble ethics, improving the efficiency of the entire system through layered yielding.”
“But this may not be the optimal solution. What I mean is, it can achieve the highest efficiency under normal human logic, but it’s not the ceiling.” He paused briefly: “Just a hypothesis—we incorporate road rules, traffic light timing, speed limits… all these elements into the Automated Driving System as variables in the system’s scheduling. For example, increasing speed limits ahead of peak hours or dynamically adjusting traffic light timing based on the number of waiting vehicles. I don’t know much about traffic theory, so my ideas are limited. But the core idea is this: once a vehicle starts an automated driving trip, all traffic rules will, to some extent, make way for it.”
After a brief silence, Jiang Yun spoke: “This issue has been preliminarily considered, but it’s mathematically infeasible.”
He said: “When local rules are altered, this change causes disturbances elsewhere in the system… you should understand. In such a scenario, if we attempt overall computation, the scale of calculations far exceeds what we can currently achieve.”
Another person beside him wrote a formula on a blank sheet of paper, his tone slightly reproachful: “Ripple theory. When multiple ripples appear on the water’s surface, they eventually cancel each other out or become chaotic. In such cases, computations fall into disorder, and the final efficiency may even be lower than manual logic.”
Lin Xun glanced at them but said nothing. He tapped the electronic whiteboard twice with his pen, refreshing it to a blank page, and wrote a formula on it as well.
Then, he turned toward the conference table—but this time, he didn’t look at Jiang Yun and the others. Instead, he looked at Dong Jun.
Dong Jun and Zhi Zhen were both watching him.
According to Lin Xun’s analysis, Dong Jun showed no obvious displeasure; his demeanor was relaxed.
Lin Xun smiled.
He continued: “I’m aware of ripple theory. But actually, that’s exactly what I’m getting at.”
“The transmission of disturbances and chain reactions ultimately form a model similar to chaos, or some phenomena… consistent with the uncertainty principle. However, breakthroughs in nonlinear systems theory over the past two years have shown that, to some extent, this isn’t an unsolvable problem.”
“During the last two hours, I’ve been listening to everyone’s perspectives and gained a small bit of inspiration. I’ve improved the Duale model, which theoretically can be adapted to the entire system.”
Observing the expressions of the people in the meeting room—they sat upright, their attitudes clearly much more serious now—Lin Xun confirmed from their reactions that this was the first time they had heard of this model. This was normal; the field was too deep, still largely a form of pure mathematical self-amusement, not yet connected to computer science.
He said: “…First, let me introduce the Duale model.”
He then began explaining the concept of the model from the beginning.
In an abstract sense, all disciplines are mathematics. In fact, the bottlenecks limiting the development of these fields are often the lack of corresponding mathematical theories yet to emerge in academia.
However, this wasn’t a problem.
Among those in computer science, he specialized in algorithms, and among algorithm specialists, he was one who focused on mathematics.
—He lectured for quite a long time. After covering the foundational model, he immediately moved on to significant improvements.
It couldn’t be said that he had completed these improvements within just the past two hours. In fact, the paper he had saved the other day, intending to discuss it casually with Dong Jun, was related to the field of the Duale model. So, the inspiration had come a day earlier.
But he certainly wouldn’t tell these people about that. He needed them to feel envious of him, and then they would realize that Dong Jun hadn’t brought along a vase holding a cat—Lin Xun’s skill was Dong Jun’s reputation.
During the lecture, judging from their expressions and reactions, most people had given up, likely due to a lack of foundational mathematical knowledge—just as you couldn’t expect someone unfamiliar with matrices to grasp abstract algebra. Only about four or five people, including Dong Jun and Qi Yun, persisted until the end.
When he finally finished, Lin Xun let out a soft sigh of relief. He met Dong Jun’s gaze and saw a faint smile in his eyes.
Lin Xun said, “That’s all there is to it.”
Qi Yun seemed to hesitate for a moment before starting to applaud earnestly.
The others, who had fallen by the wayside during the lecture, followed suit and began clapping blindly.
“I still need to digest this, but theoretically, it’s feasible,” Qi Yun said. “Are you a new member of our team?”
“No,” Lin Xun replied. “If you have any follow-up questions, Mr. Qi…”
“He has his own project,” Dong Jun said calmly. “I’ll handle the follow-up.”
Qi Yun: “…Oh.”
Lin Xun smiled.
After another round of discussion, the small meeting finally concluded. The cat returned to Lin Xun’s arms, and he held Zhi Zhen as he followed Dong Jun out. Before leaving, he glanced back at the meeting room and saw those people still in their seats, watching them depart.
Lin Xun: “…”
All this commotion had long passed lunchtime. Dong Jun took him to make up for the missed meal.
During the meal, Zhi Zhen kept meowing—first at Dong Jun, then at Lin Xun.
He was hungry.
But the cat food and treats were in the car.
Lin Xun asked, “Do you have any other plans for this afternoon?”
As the words left his mouth, he realized he had used “you” formally again.
“None,” Dong Jun replied. “Shall I take you back? Then I’ll take Zhi Zhen home.”
Lin Xun thought for a moment and answered, “Thank you for the trouble.”
Along the way, Lin Xun continued discussing the model with Dong Jun.
—And in the gaps between their conversation, he was also replying to Qi Yun’s messages.
Jiyanzong-Feihong: Are you fucking ditching me?
A Happy Zhi Zhen: I’m contributing to human science.
Jiyanzong-Feihong: Then you’re fucking wasting my precious time contributing to human art.
A Happy Zhi Zhen: Five o’clock, we’ll go wait for that kid after school.
Jiyanzong-Feihong: Fine, I’ll trust you one more time. I’m going back to recording videos.
A Happy Zhi Zhen: ? You’re doing something else too?
Qi Yun went silent.
The journey was short—perhaps due to relativity, Lin Xun hardly felt the passage of time before they arrived at Chaoyang Community.
He actually wanted to keep talking with Dong Jun.
Dong Jun: “Actually, I’d rather invite you to visit my place.”
After a brief pause, he said, “But it seems you have other matters to attend to.”
“Actually, I also…” Lin Xun lowered his eyes slightly, “but see you tomorrow.”
Dong Jun replied, “See you tomorrow.”
Lin Xun got out of the car and closed the door. The window was fully open, and seeing Dong Jun looking at him, he said, “You were amazing today.”
Lin Xun smiled, then looked at Dong Jun and said, “Goodbye, Mr. Dong.”
Dong Jun smiled back.
The window rolled up, and the black Bentley drove away smoothly.
After watching Dong Jun leave, Lin Xun immediately got into his own small Jetta and headed for the suspicious old lady’s house.
Zhao Jiagou stuck his head out of the window: “Where are you going to fool around again?”
His voice faded as Lin Xun moved farther away.
When he arrived at the destination, Qi Yun hadn’t arrived yet. Lin Xun sat down on a bench in the viewing corridor downstairs, waiting both for Qi Yun and for Mingming, who was tormented by nightmares, to return from school.
At that moment, he noticed another person on the bench, wearing a baseball cap pulled low and dressed mysteriously.
He grew wary, but upon closer inspection, he found the figure somewhat familiar—wasn’t this Officer Cao from the Chaoyang District Armed Police Brigade?
He approached: “Officer Cao?”
Officer Cao: “Comrade Lin?”
“That’s me,” he said. “What brings you here?”
Officer Cao: “Investigating a major case.”
Officer Cao continued, “Comrade Lin, here to be a helpful citizen again?”
Lin Xun: “Yes… yes.”
He could only listen helplessly as the system notification chimed—the favorability of the Third Armed Police Brigade of Chaoyang District had increased by another 10 points.