Colleagues are rivals, but this saying doesn't really apply to the relationship between Ma Botao and Zhang Zuolin.
Old Xue once told Qiao Yu about the various dark sides of the academic world. But generally, it's more about mutual harm at the research base level.
However, at higher levels, such as outstanding youth, leaders, or Changjiang Scholars, the connections within the same profession are relatively close.
Especially when both parties don't actually have consistent research directions.
After all, anyone with these titles theoretically has a chance to become an Academician. Sometimes, it really comes down to luck.
If someone else makes it, having a good relationship might lead them to share part of a big project later on.
