Volume 1: Student Life Chapter 496: The Conference Ends
"Professor Wu, Professor Zhang, are you here?"
After hearing what Chen Zhou said, Wu Xiping and Zhang Zhongyuan hesitated for a moment before they replied together, "Just arrived..."
Originally, the two of them planned to act as a "surprise" and give Chen Zhou a "surprise" "by surprise".
Because according to Dean Yang, Chen Zhou couldn't spare the time to come and see them.
Their "surprise attack" strategy has a lot of room for maneuver.
However, I didn't expect that this kid Chen Zhou would not play by the rules at all and would suddenly come to see Dean Yang.
Dean Yang also reacted at this time and asked, "Why are you here?"
Chen Zhou deliberately said: "I am here to reminisce about the past with you. Because of the report meeting yesterday, I didn't have time to come to see you..."
Dean Yang looked at Chen Zhou and was very skeptical of what he said.
It's almost evening again. Even if you were surrounded by people and didn't have time last night, what about today?
Although he thought so, Dean Yang still quickly moved aside and let Chen Zhou into the house.
After closing the door, Dean Yang turned around and began to say, "You have been in the limelight these past two days."
Chen Zhou smiled softly and said, "You must have laid a good foundation for me when I was an undergraduate. Otherwise, how could I have achieved this result?"
Although he knew that what Chen Zhou said was not from his heart, he also knew that his current research results had little to do with him.
But Chen Zhou still felt comfortable hearing these words.
"Okay, let's just assume that you are sincere." Dean Yang said with a smile.
Chen Zhou smiled and stopped beating around the bush. He said directly, "Dean Yang, Professor Wu, Professor Zhang, I heard from Senior Brother Liu Maosheng and Senior Brother Zeng Zigu that you came to see me on purpose?"
After hearing Chen Zhou's words, Dean Yang and the other two looked at each other.
Since Chen Zhou has made it clear, what else do they have to say?
Dean Yang then said, "This is what happened. Our physics academic team came here for the physicists' conference, and also to get in touch with you."
Liu Maosheng and Zeng Zigu talked about communication and exchanges, while Dean Yang talked about contact.
Although the words are not much different, the meanings are very different.
Before coming here, Chen Zhou had roughly thought of some possibilities.
After hearing what Dean Yang said again, he basically confirmed his guess.
Looking at the three teachers he had as an undergraduate at Yan University, Chen Zhou thought for a moment before saying, "Actually, you can just give me a call to discuss this matter. There's no need to make a special trip."
Dean Yang and Zhang Zhongyuan were both stunned for a moment, only Wu Xiping looked at Chen Zhou with a smile.
He knew that this kid must have his own ideas.
There is absolutely no need for a mathematics exchange team or a physics academic team.
"Chen Zhou, do you know why we are here?" Zhang Zhongyuan asked uncertainly.
Chen Zhou nodded slightly, then smiled and said, "It's not that hard to guess, right?"
"It's really not difficult to guess." Wu Xiping took over Chen Zhou's words and said softly.
Hearing Wu Xiping's voice, Dean Yang and Zhang Zhongyuan both looked at him.
Wu Xiping noticed the two people's gazes and explained with a smile: "What do you think if you were like Chen Zhou and achieved such dazzling achievements in mathematics and physics at the same time? What would you think of the people from Yanda?"
Zhang Zhongyuan immediately said: "How would I know? When I was young, I wasn't this fierce..."
After hearing this, Chen Zhou and Wu Xiping were stunned for a moment, and then laughed at the same time.
Especially Chen Zhou, he remembered that when he first entered school, Zhang Zhongyuan said this, right?
Dean Yang also couldn't help but shook his head.
However, since Chen Zhou knew the purpose of their visit, it would save a lot of trouble.
As one of the leaders of the Yanda physics academic team, Dean Yang said to Chen Zhou solemnly: "Chen Zhou, since you have guessed it, I will be more direct. What are your plans for the future? Have you ever thought about returning to China after graduation?"
"We at Yanda have also held a meeting to discuss this. If you choose to return to China and Yanda after graduation, the school hopes to re-employ you. You don't need to worry about the salary or anything like that."
Dean Yang spoke directly and without reservation, showing all of Yanda's sincerity.
This was actually a bit beyond Chen Zhou's expectations.
Even Wu Xiping and Zhang Zhongyuan, who were standing by, looked at Dean Yang twice.
After all, this time, the main thing is to find out what Chen Zhou is thinking.
But the two of them probably understood Dean Yang's thoughts.
If you want to retain outstanding talents like Chen Zhou, it is best to show enough sincerity from the beginning.
Chen Zhou looked at Dean Yang who was staring at him, but did not answer immediately.
Dean Yang was very patient and just waited for Chen Zhou's answer.
Chen Zhou thought for a moment and replied softly: "Dean Yang, I haven't even graduated from graduate school yet, isn't it too early to rehire me?"
Dean Yang smiled and said, "I knew you would come up with this excuse, but in fact, does it matter whether you graduate or not? The discovery of the glue ball and the solution to the 'color confinement' problem, which one is not more important than the graduation thesis of a master's or doctoral student in physics?"
"Besides, I guess that after this physicists' conference, Professor Friedman will also start arranging your graduation. So, it really doesn't matter whether you graduate or not."
Dean Yang is actually right about this point.
Does a potential Nobel Prize candidate still need to consider the issue of graduate school graduation?
I'm afraid there are many schools willing to award Chen Zhou a doctoral degree certificate.
At this time, before Chen Zhou could speak, Zhang Zhongyuan also said: "And don't mention your graduate thesis in the Department of Mathematics. We all know that you just published a paper some time ago, and that is more than enough."
Chen Zhou looked at the two of them and whispered, "I didn't say I wouldn't graduate..."
Hearing this, Dean Yang was immediately surprised and asked: "So what are your plans?"
Chen Zhou was silent for three seconds before he slowly said, "It's already April, and there are still two months until this year's graduation season. My original plan was to spend a year to complete my graduate studies. I have also thought about my graduation theses in mathematics and physics. It's just that..."
"Just what?" Dean Yang and Zhang Zhongyuan asked in unison.
Chen Zhou replied softly, "It's just that the graduation thesis of the Department of Physics is no longer a big problem, but the graduation thesis of the Department of Mathematics has not made much progress."
"Not much progress?" Dean Yang asked in surprise.
Chen Zhou nodded gently: "I have been researching for a long time, but I haven't made any breakthrough progress..."
Hearing Chen Zhou's words, Zhang Zhongyuan reacted immediately and said in surprise: "You are not really going to use the Goldbach conjecture as your graduation thesis, are you?"
As soon as Zhang Zhongyuan said this, Dean Yang's eyes widened.
Only Wu Xiping seemed to have thought of something and continued to look at Chen Zhou calmly.
Chen Zhou asked curiously, "Is there anything wrong with that?"
Zhang Zhongyuan: “…”
Dean Yang: “…”
How can you say this?
Is there anything wrong with that?
Maybe it really can't be done by others, but for you, Chen Zhou, it seems that there is really nothing you can't do.
Not to mention the distant past, just take last year’s breathtaking pace in solving mathematical conjectures.
It seems that there is nothing wrong with using the Goldbach conjecture as a graduation thesis...
Moreover, when Chen Zhou graduated from college, he used the proof of the Jebov conjecture as his graduation thesis.
Dean Yang and Zhang Zhongyuan were even more speechless.
But they all want to ask Chen Zhou, is it really okay for you to do this?
How do you want other doctoral students, or students pursuing a master's and doctoral degree, to deal with this?
At once, he produced a quasi-Nobel Prize-level paper and a quasi-Philippines Prize-level paper as his master's and doctoral theses. It's really unique.
After a long while, Dean Yang asked, "Are you sure you can solve the Goldbach conjecture in these two months?"
After asking this question, Dean Yang regretted it.
As expected, Chen Zhou immediately replied: "Like I said, I'm not sure."
Upon hearing this answer, Dean Yang's expression suddenly dimmed.
Zhang Zhongyuan wanted to say something else, but he didn't say it.
Chen Zhou has already expressed his thoughts. Can he still force others?
However, Chen Zhou did not say anything final. He added: "But no matter what, there are still two months left, and nothing can be certain. Just like the 'color confinement' problem, when all of us are at a loss, we only need an inspiration."
After saying this, Chen Zhou revealed a sincere smile.
But in the eyes of Dean Yang and Zhang Zhongyuan, this smile was like a warning to quit.
If it were that simple, the Goldbach conjecture would not have troubled the mathematical community for hundreds of years.
In the end, Dean Yang could only say, "This is your plan for graduation. What about after graduation?"
Chen Zhou replied: "That'll have to wait until after graduation."
After hearing what Chen Zhou said, Dean Yang's expression became even darker.
I just feel that I am afraid that I will not be able to complete my mission this time.
Chen Zhou naturally noticed the change in Dean Yang's expression. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Actually, Dean Yang, don't worry. Before I came out, I had already answered this question in the public opinion about returning students. The only thing that may change is the time issue."
Before he finished speaking, a bright glow suddenly appeared on Dean Yang's face.
Zhang Zhongyuan couldn't wait to ask, "Chen Zhou, do you mean that you will definitely return to China?"
Chen Zhou nodded slightly.
These are questions that have been answered long ago, so why make such a fuss?
At least, so far, the answer has not changed.
Wu Xiping, who was standing aside, looked at Chen Zhou with a smile on his face.
This kid, I knew that what he said before was intentional.
However, I really don’t know when this guy will be able to solve the Goldbach conjecture.
If he returns home with both the Fields Medal and the Nobel Prize in Physics, his influence would probably be unmatched!
I stayed in Dean Yang's room until six o'clock in the afternoon.
A few people went out together, planning to have a meal together.
No extra people were called, only Peng Jia was called by Dean Yang, and Yang Yiyi was called by Chen Zhou.
Dean Yang was also very surprised at Yang Yiyi's growth.
At the same time, he had a new plan in his mind.
After the dinner, Wu Xiping found Chen Zhou alone and the two went out for a walk.
Wu Xiping also explained the whole story of Yanda's arrangement.
When Chen Zhou heard that the mathematics exchange team had become a physics academic team, he couldn't help laughing.
No wonder there are two more students and two professors from the Department of Mathematics at this conference of physicists.
Finally, Wu Xiping told Chen Zhou all his thoughts.
In Wu Xiping's view, there are still differences between China and foreign countries.
The best research for Chen Zhou is what Chen Zhou needs most.
He was not like Dean Yang and Zhang Zhongyuan, who were only thinking about bringing Chen Zhou back to Yanda.
He hopes that Chen Zhou can make a decision according to his own ideas.
Chen Zhou is still very grateful for this.
To be honest, Wu Xiping was the guide who led him into academia.
On the third day of the physicists' conference, Chen Zhou was finally found by people from SLAC.
Before this, SLAC already knew about Chen Zhou's contact with the Yanda physics academic team.
Therefore, SLAC increased the conditions offered to Chen Zhou because it missed the opportunity.
But unfortunately, Chen Zhou really doesn't have any feelings for SLAC.
Moreover, without the collider laboratory , SLAC could not provide Chen Zhou with satisfactory research conditions.
With Cross's reminder, Chen Zhou did not hesitate and directly rejected the other party's invitation.
When they heard Chen Zhou's refusal, the people at SLAC were somewhat surprised.
After all, what they gave Chen Zhou was the position of laboratory director!
But Chen Zhou refused without any hesitation.
This is really a bit hard to accept.
After being rejected , the people at SLAC naturally thought about trying harder.
They really want to have a talented physicist like Chen Zhou.
However, Chen Zhou's words "You no longer have a collider laboratory, so what ?" completely blocked their way.
SLAC chose to give up calmly.
In fact, they value Chen Zhou's talent and hope that Chen Zhou will be the next Friedman.
In the post-collider era, he can lead SLAC to rise in the field of X-rays.
However, Chen Zhou didn’t have this idea.
He won't be the next Friedman.
In fact, neither Friedman, Cross, nor Chen Zhou himself felt that SLAC was at fault for shutting down the collider laboratory.
When a laboratory cannot keep up with the times, it should make choices and make changes.
Otherwise, all that awaits him is disappearance.
Unfortunately, SLAC's choice is different from Chen Zhou's choice.
Without the distraction of external affairs, Chen Zhou spent the next few days of the physicists' conference quite leisurely.
While accompanying Yang Yiyi, cultivating feelings and raising the temperature.
While listening to lectures at a conference of physicists.
Occasionally, I would chat with these physics experts and listen to their compliments on me.
By the way, I also received a few letters of recommendation to the Nobel Prize Committee.
Chen Zhou has achieved a lot of success and feels like he's ready for a vacation.
It’s just that this holiday is a bit short.
It's only enough for one weekend.
The five-day physicists' conference soon came to an end.
The fact that glueballs were discovered was also recognized by the physics community.
The closure of the SLAC collider laboratory also received the respect it deserved.
The physicists attending the conference had a pretty pleasant time during these days.
The only ones who may not be very happy are the members of the Nobel Prize in Physics Committee.
They received several letters of recommendation for the nominated candidates.
Moreover, the people recommended were all Chen Zhou.
Even Edward Witten, who had always recommended himself, wrote a letter of recommendation to Chen Zhou for the first time.
On April 9, the physicists' conference held by SLAC came to a successful conclusion.
Chen Zhou also packed his bags and followed Friedman, Matheson and Coyle the next day.
I got on the plane back to MIT.
