Volume 1: Student Life Chapter 476: Winning the Grand Prize
In Chen Zhou's opinion, the reason why the old leader mentioned this.
Probably the same reason why he appeared here.
Although there has always been a distinction between pure mathematics and applied mathematics , pure mathematics is the foundation in the final analysis.
If there is no breakthrough in pure mathematics, how can there be any applications?
Therefore, it is not difficult to see from the problem mentioned by the old leader.
His purpose of coming here is actually very simple.
I hope to convey a message through this mathematicians' conference.
That is, the country encourages pure mathematics research.
As Chen Zhou was thinking this, he heard the old leader continue, "So what is the answer to this question? I won't tell you for now. I'll tell you later."
"I want to talk to you first about why I asked this question about pure mathematics just now. I think you must be curious too, right?"
"In fact, the reason is very simple. If we want to carry out original innovation, we must pay more attention to basic research. Without solid basic research, there will be no original innovation."
"The IT industry is developing rapidly now, but what does the source code rely on? Mathematics!"
"We have passed the material test for building large aircraft, but we still have to buy engines from abroad. Why? Because our math foundation is not good enough!"
"So, we really need a group of people who can sit on the bench and concentrate on studying basic mathematics. Only with such people can we have the most fundamental competitiveness..."
"But unfortunately, although some of our Chinese compatriots have won the Fields Medal, the highest award in the international mathematics community, no one in China has won it so far..."
Although this is a joint mathematicians' conference, and many of the people present are no longer Chinese citizens.
But when the old leader said this, everyone still felt a little heavy in their hearts.
Mr. Qiu Chengtong, who was sitting in the front row , and Mr. Tao Terence, who was not far from Chen Zhou, were the ones who felt the most deeply.
There are too many inherent emotions involved here.
What the old leader said makes a lot of sense and is full of meaning.
Glancing at the silent crowd below the stage, the old leader chuckled softly and said, "Then let's get back to the question I asked earlier. Have you thought about the answer? Let's see if it matches Principal Qiu's answer."
As the old leader spoke, he glanced at Principal Qiu who was sitting in the audience, and also glanced at the dazzling young man in the audience.
This time, Chen Zhou was very sure that the old leader was indeed looking at him.
But Chen Zhou was a little strange.
If the old leader had just glanced at me before, that would be explainable.
But now, it was obviously directed at me. Why was that?
The old leader withdrew his gaze and said again: "I guess you must have thought wrongly. You must think that the number of people applying for pure mathematics is too small, right?"
After hearing the old leader's words, everyone in the audience looked at each other in surprise.
Indeed, from what the old leader said just now, almost no one could see anyone sitting on the bench.
The temperaments of those young people are becoming more and more impetuous than the previous generation. There is no one who can be patient enough.
Therefore, most people believe that fewer people are applying for pure mathematics.
But judging from what the old leader said, it doesn't seem to be the case...
At this time, the old leader on the podium continued, "I originally thought that the number of applicants for pure mathematics was decreasing, but the answer given by Principal Qiu is that it is increasing."
"To be more precise, the number of applicants has been decreasing in the past. However, the number of applicants in the past two years has increased significantly..."
The old leader said this and looked at Chen Zhou again.
Chen Zhou finally understood why this old leader always looked at him.
So that's why.
From what the old leader had just said, plus the looks he kept giving him, Chen Zhou had already figured out the reason.
Perhaps it is because of the influence I have created that the number of applicants to Yanda University’s Department of Mathematics has continued to increase in the past two years?
Sure enough, the old leader's voice came into my ears again.
"As for why there is a rebound, I think most of you should have guessed the reason..."
"Yes, we have an outstanding young mathematician who can sit on the bench, endure the impatience of young people, and constantly explore in the field of mathematics..."
"In the end, he successfully solved a problem that had troubled the mathematical community for hundreds of years, and won the highest award in the field of number theory!"
"I believe everyone knows who I am talking about. It is precisely because of the influence of this young man that more young students have come to know the subject of mathematics and are willing to devote themselves to the study and research of mathematics..."
Although the old leader's opening speech had not yet ended, Chen Zhou could clearly feel that many more eyes were on him.
Some are glanced at quickly, some are looked at in large quantities, and some are stared at for a long time.
I have to say that although the old leader did not mention Chen Zhou's name in his speech, he really elevated Chen Zhou a little bit.
"I would like to take this opportunity to say a few more words at this Mathematicians' Conference. I hope everyone can calm down and do their own research well. Original innovation in basic research is a century-long plan!"
"I also hope that everyone can move towards higher academic goals and win China's first Fields Medal!"
As soon as the old leader finished his opening speech, warm applause broke out from the audience.
Apart from anything else, it is a truly great thing that national leaders promote the development of mathematics.
Moreover, what probably touched the mathematicians present most was that the Nobel Prize was not mentioned.
Generally speaking, whenever we mention the Fields Medal, isn’t it referring to the Nobel Prize in mathematics?
It's as if the Fields Medal is a foil to the Nobel Prize.
But in fact, it is not certain which one is more powerful, the Fields Medal or the Nobel Prize!
The simplest one is, how many Nobel Prize winners are there? How many Fields Medals are there?
Just compare and you will know.
But at the same time, everyone in the audience felt tremendous pressure from the old leader's expectations.
If the Fields Medal was easy to win, Chinese mathematicians would have won it long ago.
But so far, nothing has been achieved.
In addition to this tremendous pressure, the people in the audience also sensed another meaning in the old leader's words.
That is about Chen Zhou.
Aren’t the people surrounding here Chen Zhou now?
Moreover, the Fields Medal that his old leader expected is also Chen Zhou’s current goal.
It’s not to say that the old leader’s greatest expectation is Chen Zhou, but it must be something.
Because of this, Chen Zhou felt much more gazes being directed at him than before.
However, Chen Zhou himself was relatively calm.
After all, he has been on the news broadcast three times and has been blocked by countless media reporters.
This is just a rise in the level of praise, it's no big deal...
Although Chen Zhou was calm, Zhang Shouwu beside him seemed a little uneasy.
"Do you know, kid, that China has never promoted someone as young as you to the position of a mathematical leader? Once today's incident is reported, your position in the Chinese mathematical community will definitely change!"
Zhang Shouwu's tone was very excited, and there was a strange light in his eyes when he looked at Chen Zhou.
After hearing what Zhang Shouwu said, Chen Zhou suddenly realized that he had been thinking too simply.
With the old leader's speech today, he will once again be on the front page of major newspapers tomorrow.
The matching words should be the mathematical leader mentioned by Zhang Shouwu.
It sounds very domineering, and it is indeed a very domineering word, but it also represents too many meanings.
There are countless things that need to be undertaken behind it.
Just the expectations that the old leader finally put forward are not something that a mediocre mathematics leader can shoulder.
What's more, there is also a Fields Medal.
But it was precisely these expectations of the old leader that gave Chen Zhou, who had always been the focus of the speech, a direction.
Chen Zhou grinned and said slowly: "Didn't the old leader say that? Calm down, do your research well, and move towards higher academic goals."
Hearing Chen Zhou's words, Zhang Shouwu was slightly stunned, and then a look of admiration appeared in his eyes.
Wu Xiping and Zhang Zhongyuan, who were sitting on the other side of Chen Zhou, also heard the conversation between Chen Zhou and Zhang Shouwu.
The two didn't say much, but the look in Chen Zhou's eyes showed not only admiration but also a hint of worry.
A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.
This principle is the same everywhere.
Not to mention the Chinese academic community, which has a special environment.
Wu Xiping and Zhang Zhongyuan only hope that Chen Zhou can really keep his original intention in mind and concentrate on his own research.
After the old leader finished his opening speech, the next people to come on stage were Academician Xi Nanhua, Chairman of the Chinese Mathematical Society, and Mr. Qiu Chengtong, the founder of the World Congress of Chinese Mathematicians.
These two giants in China's mathematics community will jointly announce the opening of this Mathematicians' Congress.
The two will each announce the first prize of the Chinese Mathematical Society and the World Congress of Chinese Mathematicians, and then present the awards.
According to international practice, this first mathematics award is also the most important and most valuable mathematics award.
Among the three major awards of the Chinese Mathematical Society, the most valuable one is naturally the Chern Mathematics Award.
The highest award among the many awards of the World Congress of Chinese Mathematicians is the Morningside Mathematics Prize, which is known as the "Chinese Fields Medal".
Moreover, whether it is the Chern Mathematics Award or the Morningside Mathematics Award, more than one person will win the prize.
The Chern Mathematics Prize is not so bad, with no more than two people winning it.
But the Morningside Mathematics Award includes gold and silver medals.
Generally speaking, there will be no more than two people who will receive the gold award, and no more than four people who will receive the silver award.
Of course, if there are outstanding research results, the number of winners will naturally increase.
So, when Academician Xi Nanhua and Mr. Qiu Chengtong announced the official opening of the Mathematician Congress.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the podium.
Everyone's expressions became tense.
After all, there are so many places, who doesn’t want to fight for one?
Even though many people already know who won the award, and even more people know that they have no chance of winning the award, this is the atmosphere.
Take Chen Zhou for example. He received news that he had a high probability of winning the Chern Prize in Mathematics.
But when he was about to make the announcement, he was still a little nervous.
After all, things are likely to change before you get them.
The so-called safe haven in the pocket.
“Besides the Chern Prize in Mathematics, are there any other awards?”
While Chen Zhou was staring nervously at Academician Xi Nanhua and Mr. Qiu Chengtong on the stage, Zhang Shouwu, who was standing beside him, quietly bumped into Chen Zhou and asked in a low voice.
Chen Zhou glanced at Zhang Shouwu and said unhappily, "I've said it many times. They didn't mention it in the email they sent, so apart from the news about the Chern Mathematics Award, I really don't know anything else..."
Zhang Shouwu just smiled when he heard this: "I'm just concerned about you. You seem so nervous. If you don't win the prize, wouldn't you be heartbroken?"
Chen Zhou was speechless.
But because of Zhang Shouwu's words, Chen Zhou completely relaxed.
Wu Xiping and Zhang Zhongyuan on the side looked at each other, and finally they suppressed the urge to spoil the plot in advance.
I've been holding it in for so long, I can't just give up at the last minute, can I?
Academician Xi Nanhua and Mr. Qiu Chengtong on the stage looked at each other, and Academician Xi Nanhua made a gesture of invitation.
Mr. Qiu Chengtong gave him a slight greeting and spoke first: "Because this mathematics award conference is jointly organized by the Chinese Mathematical Society and the World Congress of Chinese Mathematicians, we discussed how to present this award."
"Finally, we came up with a method, which is to announce the winners of each other's awards and present the awards to the winners of each other's awards. In other words, we acted as each other's award presenters..."
"What are the benefits of doing this? We don't have to invite additional award presenters, so we can save some money. Then this money will naturally be added to the prize money for the mathematics award."
"Of course, this is also due to the previous communication with the old leader, which made us deeply aware of the responsibility of developing the mathematics cause of our country..."
Mr. Qiu Chengtong's words immediately aroused everyone's curiosity.
So how much is the prize money for this mathematics award?
Chen Zhou also looked at Qiu Chengtong curiously. He wanted to know if the Chern Mathematics Prize was still a prize of 100,000 yuan?
However, Chen Zhou also felt a little disappointed.
I originally thought that what Mr. Qiu Chengtong would announce would be the Morningside Mathematics Award, an award he didn't know whether he had won or not.
But I didn't expect the two sides to be switched...
"Okay, now that everyone knows about the bonus increase, let's get back to business and start awarding the prizes."
After taking a quick look around, Mr. Qiu Chengtong said with satisfaction.
Then he opened the list of winners in his hand.
When he saw the name, he was not surprised at all, he just felt that it was all expected.
On the contrary, if that person's name was not on it, he would be really surprised.
Qiu Chengtong smiled, looked up at the audience, and slowly read out: "The winners of the 16th Chern Shiing-Shen Mathematics Award of the Chinese Mathematical Society are..."
"PhD student Chen Zhou from Yenching University and MIT, and researcher Dai Yuhong from the Institute of Mathematics and Systems Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences."
"Let us congratulate them with warm applause!"
There was warm applause from the audience at the right time.
However, most of the applause was somewhat mechanical.
Most people are still a little angry about Chen Zhou winning the Chern Prize in Mathematics.
No matter what, Chen Zhou is still too young and has too little experience.
No matter how you arrange the shots, you won't be able to take a picture of Chen Zhou.
Even with the previous achievements, there are also the words spoken by the old leader just now.
But in the eyes of some people, Chen Zhou is just luckier.
After the applause, Mr. Qiu Chengtong explained the reasons why they both won the awards.
Whether it was the hailstone conjecture from a math game or the long-standing problem of prime number intervals, they were both absolute contributors to Chen Zhou's winning of the award.
After Qiu Chengtong finished reading the reasons for the award, he signaled Chen Zhou and Dai Yuhong to wait for a moment and come up together to receive the award after the award in the hands of Academician Xi Nanhua was announced.
Since it is a joint mathematicians' congress, the awards will naturally be presented jointly.
Chen Zhou and Dai Yuhong understood and sat back in their seats, waiting for the awards to be announced.
Qiu Chengtong took a step back, made a gesture of invitation, and handed the microphone to Academician Xi Nanhua.
Xi Nanhua thanked him and took the microphone, ready to announce the highest award of the World Congress of Chinese Mathematicians.
In comparison, the Morningside Mathematics Prize is actually more valuable than the Chern Mathematics Prize.
This can be seen from the award process.
The Chern Mathematics Award is awarded by the Chinese Mathematical Society.
The Morningside Mathematics Prize is nominated by a nomination committee of Chinese mathematicians around the world, led by Qiu Chengtong, which repeatedly screens the candidates.
The entries will then be submitted to a selection committee composed of well-known non-Chinese mathematicians from various countries for evaluation to determine the final winners.
In other words, the Chern Mathematics Prize is awarded entirely within the Chinese Mathematical Society.
But the Morningside Mathematics Prize is jointly selected by world-renowned mathematicians.
Therefore, the expectations of the audience for the upcoming Morningside Mathematics Prize are even higher.
"...I believe everyone has been waiting a little impatiently, so I will reveal to you that the gold medal winner of the 7th Morningside Mathematics Award of the World Congress of Chinese Mathematicians is Chen Zhou, a doctoral student from Yenching University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology!"
"Gold Medal Winner in Applied Mathematics..."
Chen Zhou didn't listen carefully to the following words, because they didn't matter anymore.
Having won the Chern Mathematics Prize and the Morningside Mathematics Prize, he can be said to be the biggest winner of this mathematician's congress, and it can also be said that he has won all the awards.
Like Chen Zhou, Zhang Shouwu also did not listen carefully to the names of the winners.
Zhang Shouwu smiled and teased, "Not bad, you have now won all the highest mathematics awards in China's mathematics community, and even in the Chinese mathematics community. Do you feel very proud now?"
Chen Zhou looked at Zhang Shouwu, smiled and nodded: "Let me float for a while, I have to land and receive the award later..."
Zhang Shouwu smiled and pointed at Chen Zhou when he heard this: "You kid..."
