Volume 1: Student Life Chapter 449: The Youngest Winner in the History of the Cole Award
This was the first time Chen Zhou heard of this news.
Could it be that the speed at which I complete the project has affected other people's research?
Xu Chenyang glanced at Chen Zhou, thought about it, and explained the domestic affairs to Chen Zhou.
Because Chen Zhou completed the project so quickly, the project funds were too little.
Other mathematicians who also apply for national funding for research are worried about the speed of their research and the cost of the funds.
His speed is not as fast as Chen Zhou's, and his expenses are higher than Chen Zhou's. There is no guarantee that the relevant funding management department will not have any complaints.
At the same time, they are more worried about the funding application for the next project.
So, these mathematicians are now all in a depressed mood and don’t know what to do.
They also want to speed up their research like Chen Zhou.
But this is not something you can just bring up whenever you want...
There is no way. The domestic mathematics community is now keeping an eye on Chen Zhou’s next topic.
That is the research progress of Goldbach's conjecture.
They were afraid that Chen Zhou might accidentally solve Ge Guess's problem again.
If that were the case, then their pressure would double again.
After hearing Xu Chenyang's explanation, Chen Zhou understood it instantly.
However, he didn't think it was a bad thing.
It would be great if he could inspire domestic mathematicians to work passionately on their research projects.
It's better than them just thinking about fame and fortune, right?
While Chen Zhou was thinking this, Xu Chenyang also said directly: "In fact, the current situation may prompt the creation of a different research atmosphere in the country."
Chen Zhou glanced at this "senior brother" and nodded slightly: "It's a good thing to be able to change a little."
Xu Chenyang looked at Chen Zhou with some surprise. He read a different meaning from Chen Zhou's words.
Could it be that the young man in front of me has always had this idea?
But isn't he only 20 years old?
Isn’t this too incredible?
If you can't be like them, then change them?
As soon as this idea popped into his mind, the way Xu Chenyang looked at Chen Zhou changed completely.
Xu Chenyang himself is a person who has deep feelings about the domestic environment. He once doubted whether his decision to return to China was correct and whether he could persist in the domestic environment.
But today, the unexpected meeting with Chen Zhou gave him a different feeling.
After they started talking, there was no longer any awkwardness between Chen Zhou and this "senior brother".
After all, we all graduated from Yanjing University and are both mathematicians.
At the last academic exchange meeting at MIT, Chen Zhou was not able to communicate properly with this "senior brother", but this time he had the opportunity.
The two of them walked and chatted like this, with no limit on the topic or the words they said.
However, Liu Maosheng and Zeng Zigu, who were following behind them, enjoyed a "treat for their ears".
After touring the AMS headquarters, Chen Zhou, Xu Chenyang and others prepared to leave and return to the hotel.
However, at the entrance of the AMS headquarters building, Chen Zhou met an old acquaintance again.
Chen Zhou has always felt that AMS and MAA must have an unspeakable relationship.
Now, he felt so even more.
Otherwise, why would the chairman of MAA appear at the door of AMS headquarters?
Looking at Chen Zhou who looked puzzled, Professor Francis, the president of MAA, smiled and said, "You look surprised?"
Chen Zhou nodded: "I just didn't expect to meet you here."
Francis pretended to be surprised and said, "Before becoming the president of MAA, I was first a mathematician. So, isn't it normal for me to be here?"
Chen Zhou was stunned for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Yes, this is an academic exchange meeting for mathematicians."
Francis looked at Chen Zhou with a smile. He admired the young mathematician in front of him very much.
Because he truly broke the wall.
He was just an ordinary college student, but with his personal ability, he broke the structural barriers in mathematics.
Therefore, Francis has always wanted to have a good talk with Chen Zhou, and by the way, he invited Chen Zhou again regarding the matter in the email.
However, now is not the best time. Francis plans to discuss this issue with Chen Zhou after the Cole Prize ceremony.
At least, he couldn't let Chen Zhou use fame as a reason to reject him again.
Francis then said, "Although the official award ceremony will be tomorrow, we all know that this year's Cole Number Theory Prize belongs to you! So, congratulations in advance, China's mathematical genius."
Chen Zhou expressed his thanks politely.
After a few brief exchanges, Chen Zhou left with Xu Chenyang and others.
Only Francis and his assistant were left there.
Francis looked at Chen Zhou and others who were leaving, and whispered: "The mathematical genius of China is the best choice to break the barriers..."
When his assistant heard this, he agreed and said, "The Chinese mathematics community has never been at the forefront of the world's mathematics, so the emergence of Chen Zhou is likely to be an opportunity."
Francis nodded, said no more, and turned to walk into the AMS headquarters building.
He came here with other things to do.
Although Chen Zhou and others did not run into any familiar faces when they returned to the hotel, they did meet quite a few mathematicians who came to participate in this academic exchange.
Although Chen Zhou didn't know them, many of them knew Chen Zhou.
Faced with these people's proactive greetings, Chen Zhou had no choice but to respond politely one by one.
By the way, accept another wave of advance congratulations.
To be honest, Chen Zhou felt that these people had been stifling his expectations.
Now, it’s really just the medals and bonuses that he hasn’t gotten yet that make him look forward to it.
The next day, November 20th.
The academic exchange conference of the American Mathematical Society, hosted by AMS, has just kicked off.
The opening ceremony of the conference was held in the auditorium of AMS headquarters.
By the time Chen Zhou and his companions arrived, the place was already crowded.
After strengthening security in some restricted areas of the headquarters building, AMS chose to open all venues for this academic exchange.
Students from nearby Brown University or other colleges and universities can come and participate spontaneously.
You can communicate with some mathematics enthusiasts, or listen to lectures by mathematics experts.
When Chen Zhou and others couldn't find a seat, he noticed that someone in the front row was waving at him, and there were several empty seats next to that person.
Without hesitation, Chen Zhou pulled Xu Chenyang and others and squeezed through.
Looking at the man in front of him, Chen Zhou asked excitedly: "Yiyi, when did you come here? Why didn't you tell me?"
The one waving at Chen Zhou was none other than the girl he had been thinking about day and night.
Yang Yiyi smiled and explained, "I got here early in the morning, and then I followed Professor Witten directly here."
Chen Zhou asked doubtfully: "Professor Witten?"
Yang Yiyi nodded. "It was Professor Edward Witten who studies string theory. He happened to be visiting LIGO. Then I heard that he was going to attend the AMS academic exchange meeting, so I asked my supervisor for leave and came with him."
"Oh, I see..." Chen Zhou immediately understood.
He was not surprised why Professor Witten went to LIGO for an exchange visit.
After all, this is a mathematician, physicist, and economist who studied history as an undergraduate, economics as a master, and then switched to physics midway, and ended up winning the Fields Medal...
Anyway, the happiest thing for Chen Zhou is that Yang Yiyi can appear here.
Also because of Yang Yiyi's appearance, Chen Zhou also had more expectations for the Cole Number Theory Prize award ceremony to be held today.
It is definitely a great thing to win the highest award in number theory in front of my beloved girl and receive congratulations and applause from everyone present.
When Liu Maosheng and Zeng Zigu saw Yang Yiyi appear, they consciously refrained from interrupting and disturbing Chen Zhou and the others.
However, Chen Zhou and Yang Yiyi were interrupted by others before they could even talk for a few words.
"Chen Zhou..."
Chen Zhou felt his clothes being pulled, and he turned his head to look at Liu Maosheng beside him in confusion.
Liu Maosheng nodded at Chen Zhou, motioning him to look behind him.
Chen Zhou turned his head in confusion and looked at the person behind him.
He saw Zhang Yitang and Tao Zhexuan sitting together, smiling at him.
Chen Zhou immediately laughed and said, "Professor Zhang, Professor Tao, why are you two sitting here?"
Tao responded: "I just want to communicate with you up close."
Zhang Yitang also smiled and said, "He just wanted to ask you if you have a lecture today. He wanted to hear about your latest research on distributed deconstruction."
Chen Zhou looked at Tao Zhexuan with a bit of a smile and shook his head slightly: "There is no report from me at this academic exchange meeting. I am just responsible for listening."
Tao immediately said, "No way? How did AMS arrange it? You, the only winner, didn't even arrange a lecture?"
Chen Zhou thought for a moment and said, "I have a speech to express my gratitude for winning the award. Do you want to hear it?"
…
As the noisy sounds in the auditorium gradually quieted down.
The opening ceremony officially began.
This academic exchange meeting lasted a total of 5 days.
And on the first day, which is today, the Cole Medal in Number Theory will be awarded.
On the stage in the auditorium was the chairman of AMS.
He was giving the opening speech.
Looking at the old man on the stage, Chen Zhou felt that this person was not as interesting as Francis.
At least, Francis' speech was more contagious.
So, although there was applause from the audience, it was not enthusiastic.
As the regular procedures of the opening ceremony were completed, the highlight finally arrived.
This is the award ceremony for the Cole Prize in Number Theory.
Every three years, the number theory prize is awarded first, followed by the algebra prize.
On the stage, the president of AMS cleared his throat, straightened the microphone, and slowly said: "Originally, 2017 was the year for the Cole Prize in Number Theory, but we can't wait and want to move the year forward by one or even two years."
"Everyone knows the reason. From last year to this year, too many important events have happened in the field of number theory."
"Whether it's Professor Henry Damon from McGill University in Canada, who has done outstanding research on elliptic curves, or the significant progress made on the BSD conjecture..."
"It was Professor James Maynard from Oxford University who proved the Duffin-Schaeffer conjecture, a landmark open problem in number theory..."
"Or maybe Professor Terence Tao from UCLA and Professor Yitang Zhang from UC Santa Barbara, who worked together to solve the twin prime conjecture..."
“…”
The president of AMS recounted on the stage the brilliant achievements made in the field of number theory in such a long time since Zhang Yitang last won the Cole Prize in Number Theory.
However, the name of the person that many people are looking forward to has not yet appeared.
However, although this name has not appeared yet, everyone knows that his name will definitely appear.
"Their achievements are all important conclusions in the field of number theory that are worth remembering..."
"Of course, although we have many outstanding mathematicians who have made many outstanding achievements in the field of number theory, we must not forget that there is another person whose achievements in the field of number theory are the most remarkable..."
"Chen Zhou, a graduate student from MIT and Yenching University, has solved the Hailstone conjecture, the Cramer conjecture, and the Gerbov conjecture."
"And by using the sieve method, circle method, secret method, normal distribution, probability analysis and other mathematical tools and mathematical ideas, he creatively proposed the distribution deconstruction method..."
"This is a major new mathematical tool and mathematical idea hailed as 'an opportunity to analyze number theory'..."
"Therefore, our 2017 Cole Number Theory Prize will be awarded to Chen Zhou from China for this most remarkable achievement!"
Chen Zhou, who was sitting in the audience , slowly stood up and greeted the crowd around him who were applauding enthusiastically.
When Chen Zhou saw Zhang Yitang and Terence Tao, he couldn't help but look a little strange.
Does this count as letting these two big guys run with me?
Yang Yiyi quietly helped Chen Zhou tidy up his clothes, then slightly moved sideways to make way for Chen Zhou.
Chen Zhou slowly walked onto the stage amid applause.
The president of AMS did not rush to present the medal and bonus check to Chen Zhou. Instead, he smiled and shook hands with Chen Zhou, then said: "Francis is right, you are indeed an excellent mathematician."
Chen Zhou was a little confused by this unreasonable remark.
But then he heard the voice of the AMS chairman coming through the microphone again.
"I believe everyone has heard some stories about our winner, especially the fact that he made history last year at a lecture at MIT when he proved the Cramer conjecture on the spot."
"But have you ever thought about it? He made history again today!"
Intentionally keeping the topic in suspense, the chairman of AMS smiled and turned to look at Chen Zhou before continuing, "I believe many people have guessed it. You are right!"
"He will be the youngest winner in the history of the Cole Trophy!"
"He suddenly lowered the age record for Cole Medal winners to 20 years old!"
As the AMS president said, some people had already guessed what he would say later.
But some people were shocked after these words were spoken.
The most interesting thing is that Tao Zhexuan teased Zhang Yitang next to him: "When you won the award last time, did you break the record for the oldest winner?"
Zhang Yitang: “…”
