Volume 1: Student Life Chapter 450: The Next Target
After a while, AMS Chairman McClain raised his hand to signal the audience to be quiet.
"We have made our winners wait for a while. Now we will officially present the awards to our winners."
After saying that, McClane turned around and said to Chen Zhou with a smile: "Congratulations, young man! I hope you can make more outstanding achievements in the future!"
“I believe that the Cole Prize is just the beginning for you. The broader world of mathematics in the future will be your destination!”
Chen Zhou took the medal and check from McClain with a smile and said politely: "Thank you for your encouragement. I will continue to work hard."
McClane took a step back, gave up the microphone, and gestured for him to give his acceptance speech. “Please give your acceptance speech first.”
Chen Zhou did not hold back. After all, he had already told Terence Tao that there would be no lecture this time, only an acceptance speech.
We can't let him miss the lecture and not even hear the acceptance speech, right?
After organizing his words a bit, Chen Zhou slowly said, "This is the first mathematics award I have ever won. This is something I could not have imagined three years ago..."
As Chen Zhou spoke, the people in the audience finally got their first in-depth understanding of the past experiences of this shining new star in mathematics.
Although it was only a little over three years in total, there was a special appeal in Chen Zhou's narration.
“So, mathematics may be a world for geniuses, but more often than not, it is a paradise for those who are willing to work hard!”
As Chen Zhou finished speaking, thunderous applause followed.
Professor Henry Damon and Professor James Maynard, who were sitting in the audience, felt helpless but also admired after hearing Chen Zhou's acceptance speech.
They asked themselves, have they ever slacked off?
The answer is, maybe, but not much.
However, in front of a "bookworm" like Chen Zhou.
They don't have much, but they are just slacking off.
Although neither of them quite agreed with Chen Zhou's last statement.
However, as a common declaration of encouragement used by winners, it is not completely without reason.
Judging from Chen Zhou's own experience alone, his hard work did play a big role.
Moreover, in just over three years, he went from being a college entrance examination fail to becoming the youngest Cole Medal winner in history.
The effort and dedication involved cannot be determined solely by talent.
Therefore, they admire Chen Zhou very much.
As for why you feel helpless?
This is because Chen Zhou is not only hardworking, but also talented.
More importantly, he lived up to his talent.
And it is achieved at an extremely fast growth rate.
From the hailstone conjecture to the Jebov conjecture, his progress is simply terrifying!
In particular, the new mathematical tool of distribution deconstruction has been praised by many big names in the mathematics community as "an opportunity for analytical number theory."
After all, they were simply defeated by Chen Zhou, who had grown up over the past year.
So, they really feel helpless.
Unlike these two runners-up, other people have different opinions on Chen Zhou's story.
Moreover, Chen Zhou's final words of encouragement also made them feel very excited.
On the stage, Chen Zhou looked at the effect of his acceptance speech with satisfaction.
By the way, I looked at the medal and check in my hand.
The check said "100000".
Chen Zhou was quite satisfied with the amount of the bonus.
It turns out that we should not trust too much the comments on the Internet.
Perhaps among all mathematics awards, the Cole Medal in Number Theory is not the most famous.
However, if we only talk about the field of number theory, the Cole Prize in Number Theory is definitely the crown in the field of number theory.
Otherwise, it would not be known as the highest award in number theory.
So, how is it possible that the prize money is only 5,000 US dollars as it is said online?
After nodding to McClane again, Chen Zhou walked away.
Amidst the applause of congratulations, Chen Zhou returned to his seat.
As soon as he sat down, Tao smiled and joked, "As the youngest winner of the Cole Medal in history, should you break the record of the Fields Medal next time?"
Chen Zhou smiled and said nothing.
However, as Terence Tao said.
Now Chen Zhou should indeed set his sights on the Fields Medal.
The remaining person on the stage was AMS Chairman Mike Ryan.
This old man was labeled by Chen Zhou as someone who likes to keep people in suspense.
He ignored the noise that was occasionally heard from the crowd below the stage.
At this moment, he was smiling and continued to speak his lines.
According to the procedures of the opening ceremony, he still has a very important task after the Cole Prize award ceremony.
"Ladies and gentlemen, before the opening ceremony comes to an end, I have a few words to say to you. I would also like to share with you a question that I am thinking about..."
After hearing Meyerline's words, the audience gradually quieted down, and everyone shifted their attention from Chen Zhou to the podium in the auditorium.
Seeing this, McClane continued, "Everyone here, whether you are a famous mathematician, a leader in an academic organization, or a student studying in college..."
"Let me ask you, how confident are you that you can create history that will be remembered by the world in one year?"
"Let me ask you again, can you solve three world-class mathematical problems in a row within one year?"
"Oh, I almost forgot that the mathematical method he created also helped other mathematicians solve a difficult mathematical problem..."
The crowd had already been aroused by the old chairman.
Hearing the last sentence, the emotions that had been brewing instantly dissipated.
Sitting in the audience, MAA Chairman Francis also shook his head helplessly.
It turned out that his old friend was not suitable for giving such a speech.
Francis no longer had too many expectations and just hoped that this old friend could finally convey his meaning correctly.
Chen Zhou looked at the old chairman with some helplessness, even though the other party was talking about him and he felt like he was showing off for him.
But Chen Zhou still felt worried for the old chairman.
After all, the difference between going from a passionate feeling to a sudden drop in the tone during a speech is really too big...
"Perhaps you will first measure yourself, then think about the great mathematicians in history, and try to find someone who can do what I said..."
"I don't deny that there are math geniuses among the people present..."
"And you can also find some great mathematicians in history..."
AMS President McClain did not share the same idea as Francis and Chen Zhou. He thought his speech was pretty good.
So, this full emotion was immediately put into it again.
"But what if I add one more condition?"
McClane's eyes scanned the crowd sitting below sharply.
The people sitting in the audience were once again drawn into the conversation by McClane's words.
Francis, who had originally given up hope, began to look forward to it again.
McClane retracted his gaze and said slowly, "What if we add an age limit of 20?"
"I'm afraid there aren't many people who can meet this condition, right?"
After a pause, McClane said with emotion: "Twenty years old is really too young..."
"I think that most of us, at this age, are still in college , studying professional knowledge, and are far from solving mathematical conjectures..."
“Those who are in a better position may already be preparing for graduate school exams and hope to be favored by a responsible mentor.”
"Those who are not so good may want to continue their studies in graduate school, but most of them may be worried about the make-up exams?"
"I just recalled that when I was this age, I was worried about the make-up exam. To the point that no instructor was willing to take me..."
When talking about this, everyone smiled knowingly.
It doesn’t mean that outstanding mathematicians have never had the experience of retaking exams.
McClain also smiled and continued, "In fact, I am not saying this for anything else. I just want to tell you that there are indeed some structural barriers in our mathematics community."
"We often encounter these barriers. And when we face them, we don't have much to do."
"Unless you can break it with actual actions..."
McClane stared at Chen Zhou in the audience with his bright eyes, and Chen Zhou was also looking at the old chairman in confusion.
What Chen Zhou wondered was whether this old chairman had been bewitched by Francis?
Otherwise, why do these two people say exactly the same thing?
McClane retracted his gaze and spoke loudly into the microphone: "I don't know how many people can break this barrier with practical actions."
"All I know is that today, our Cole Award winner, Chen Zhou from China, has successfully broken through the barriers and achieved everything I just said!"
"The reason I say this is certainly not just because he solved three mathematical conjectures in one year, nor because he became the youngest winner of the Cole Medal at the age of 20."
"But as you all heard just now, when Chen Zhou was in high school in China, he was just an ordinary student. He couldn't even get into some of the better universities in China."
"However, he did not choose to compromise, but took the college entrance examination again, which started his journey of breaking barriers!"
“To this day, he amazes us all!”
“It also tells all of us that the structural barriers in the mathematics community can be broken!”
After a brief silence, the audience burst into warm applause again.
They finally understood what the old chairman was planning to do after saying so much.
As Meyerline said, Chen Zhou is a vivid example.
And, it’s right in front of you.
Whether it is solving three world-class mathematical conjectures in a row within a year, or becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Cole Medal, it is very eye-catching.
Francis in the audience finally looked at his old friend with satisfaction. Fortunately, the old guy stopped his speech halfway.
Liu Maosheng and Zeng Zigu, who were sitting next to Chen Zhou, were whispering something at this time.
When Chen Zhou heard the conversation between the two, he shook his head helplessly.
However, Chen Zhou himself was actually quite curious about whether his deeds, as the two said, would be included in elementary school textbooks.
After all, he is a celebrity now.
He is also a communicator of positive energy with a good image.
If it could be included in primary school textbooks, perhaps it could cultivate a group of... little mathematicians?
Chen Zhou coughed twice, interrupting the whispers of Liu Maosheng and Zeng Zigu.
With the end of McClane's speech, the opening ceremony came to an end.
The mathematicians in the auditorium, as well as the students who had come to join in the fun, began to leave.
As for the reporters outside the auditorium, they had already set up their cameras, waiting for the winner of this year's Cole Number Theory Prize to appear.
"Hey, Bob, so many reporters?"
"Yeah, I thought there wouldn't be any reporters coming to the AMS headquarters."
"It seems that AMS still intends to not let go of the newsworthiness of the Cole Prize and Mr. Chen Zhou..."
Two students who came out of the auditorium saw this scene and exchanged expressions of surprise.
Because it has been decided to hold this academic exchange meeting and award ceremony at the headquarters, AMS has already prepared a strategy to deal with the visits of media reporters.
All the reporters who are able to come here have obtained relevant certificates and are certified to work.
Just like what the two students just said, AMS has no intention of letting go of the newsworthiness of the youngest winner in the history of the Cole Medal.
Chen Zhou was mixed in the crowd and came out with Tao Zhexuan and others.
He thought the same as the two students, thinking that this was the headquarters of AMS and there shouldn't be any reporters or anything.
But he didn't expect that he had just stepped out of the auditorium door.
The reporters caught his sight in an instant and then immediately activated their bodies.
He rushed to Chen Zhou as fast as he could and tried his best to put the microphone in his hand into Chen Zhou's mouth.
Reporters who were a little slower could only helplessly circle around the outer circle, looking for possible opportunities.
Perhaps only the photographer was a little more relaxed. As long as he could maintain his position and capture Chen Zhou's shots well, he considered his mission accomplished.
The reporter who ran to Chen Zhou first asked the first question: "Hello, Mr. Chen Zhou, I am a reporter from The Washington Post. As the youngest winner of the Cole Prize in history, how do you feel at this moment?"
Chen Zhou subconsciously wanted to say "It's okay", but when he thought about so many people watching, it seemed a bit inappropriate to just say three words.
So he adopted the most official statement: "I am a little excited and very happy to win the Cole Prize in Number Theory."
After hearing Chen Zhou's answer, the reporter felt quite annoyed that he had wasted the first opportunity he had finally gotten.
Just as he thought, the next reporter had already seized the opportunity.
This is a beautiful reporter with big wavy blond hair. She asked very quickly: "I am a reporter from the British newspaper The Times. Mr. Chen Zhou, what is your next goal?"
