From small town academic to chief scientist

August 1, 2026.

At 8 o'clock in the morning, the academic lecture hall of Chongqing High Court was already packed with people and all seats were occupied.

Today is the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians held every four years.

It is also the day when the Fields Medal, the Chen Shengshen Prize, the International Mathematical Union Abacus Prize (this award is the continuation of the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize), the Gauss Prize and the Lilavati Prize are awarded.

It was also the day when countless mathematicians who made great achievements came to prominence in the world.

Every mathematician invited to give a 45-minute report or a one-hour report is a star or leader in their respective fields.

But everyone’s light will be suppressed by one person,

That person seemed like a huge mountain pressing down on everyone, making them unable to breathe.

Regardless of the direction of mathematics, I feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Zhou Yi had already set off from home, holding Xia Xue's hand and enjoying the journey.

The assistant and Zhang Bin beside him were very excited.

Zhou Yi has already won the Nobel Prize in Physics on behalf of Daxia Kingdom.

If nothing else goes wrong, today we will win the first Fields Medal for Daxia.

That is the most honorable award in mathematics.

It is also synonymous with talent and IQ.

"Academician Zhou, are you not excited at all?"

Zhang Bin couldn't help but ask,

"Today is a global live broadcast. All official media will broadcast live at the same time. The number of viewers may exceed 3 billion."

Zhou Yi glanced at Zhang Bin and said calmly:

"Why are you excited? I was already excited once when I won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

With my current achievements in mathematics, is it surely not an honor for me to win the Fields Medal? "

Zhang Bin and various assistants:...

It has to be you, Academician Zhou.

Just like your teacher Qiu Shing-tung, he makes a lot of dirty talk.

In the lecture hall, many people raised their heads and looked forward to Zhou Yi's arrival.

Not surprisingly, today’s protagonist is still Zhou Yi.

Yesterday's report meeting was still fresh in their minds.

That high-spirited young man is truly unforgettable.

And today will definitely be another super event.

Because the number of media present is no less than yesterday, or even more.

As the chairman of ICM 2023-2026, Tao Zhexuan has already begun to arrange various things at the venue.

The new IMU president Heihisa Nakajima was also on hand to arrange various matters with Terence Tao.

The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) is one of the most important events of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), and the two new leaders will definitely attend it ceremoniously.

Tao Zhexuan, a young genius and winner of the Fields Medal and the Crafford Medal, has the ability and strength to fill this position.

If not for his age, Terence Tao would also have won the Wolf Prize.

The new IMU president Nakajima Heihisa asked Terence Tao:

"Tao Sang, Zhou Sang hasn't come yet, are you so calm?

This is the Fields Medal, an award that countless mathematicians are looking forward to, and it is also the first medal in Daxia. "

"He became famous all over the world yesterday. Even Mochizuki Shinichi couldn't help but praise him."

"We sent countless invitations to Zhou Sang a long time ago.

He was even offered the position of president of the Mathematical Association of our island country and president of the Royal Academy of Sciences, but he was unwilling to take it, alas! "

Nakajima Heihisa couldn't help but praise Zhou Yi, he was so outstanding, even for some reason he couldn't help but praise him.

Tao Zhexuan rolled his eyes and didn't bother to pay attention to this guy.

What level is Wang Yuexinyi and what level is Zhouyi?

Is this comparable?

There are really no B numbers left.

It will undoubtedly lower the level of Zhouyi.

Except for the old guys in the first row yesterday, who would dare to say that they are in a 5-5 relationship with Zhou Yi?

Even an old guy who is about to die would not dare to say that.

If Mochizuki Shinichi dares to say this, why should he be pissed to death by these old men who are about to die?

What kind of cats and dogs can be compared with labor and capital?

And digging up Zhou Yi, what can you dig out?

Is this even worthy of a tiny place?

However, out of politeness, Tao Zhexuan still replied very politely:

"Maybe I drank too much yesterday, so I'm on my way here now. Isn't the conference only half an hour away?"

Nakajima Heihisa complained:

"August, too, but it's really hot in Yuzhou. It's still in the mountains. I can't imagine how to sleep without air conditioning."

Terence Tao would have left long ago if it weren't for the fact that he is the chairman of IMU.

Mudd, B talks a lot.

Tao Zhexuan couldn't help but want to punch this little devil!

At this moment, countless mathematicians in the audience are also talking about who will win this year's Fields Medal.

Schulz said to Anna Cariani:

"Hey, my friend, besides Zhou Yi, who do you think has a chance to win the Fields Medal this year?"

Anna Cariani is a female mathematician who specializes in number theory. She is also Wiles's disciple and one of Schulz's collaborators.

Anna Cariani said:

“This year, apart from Zhou Yi, the most promising one is Xiao Wanyi, and it’s hard to say for the rest.

I don’t even know how many people will be awarded the Fields Medal this year. "

Schulz was silent for a moment and said:

"The Fields Medal is awarded to at least 2 people and at most 4 people in each session. Depending on the situation, there is a high probability that there will only be 2-3 people this year.

That Sun Song's achievements are probably not yet qualified for the Fields Medal. "

Sun Song has won the Veblen Geometry Prize, the Sloan Research Award and other awards.

But in terms of mathematical results, it is still very reluctant, and the chance is not great.

Seeing that Anna Cariani did not speak, Schulz continued:

"When Xiao Wanyi won the Fields Medal, she broke a record. She is the youngest female mathematician in the history of the Fields Medal.

The mountain on your body is not small. "

Anna Cariani was silent and did not speak.

Even Henrik Ivanets, winner of the 2015 Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences, remained silent.

Although she has also made great achievements in the field of number theory,

But Xiao Wanyi's achievements are not low, and Xiao Wanyi is younger.

Perhaps only the first two female Fields Medal winners can compare with Xiao Wanyi, but they are not worth mentioning in terms of potential and age.

Ivanets and Faltins developed many powerful modern tools in the fields of algebra, analysis, algebraic and arithmetic geometry, automorphic forms and the theory of zeta functions.

They and others used these tools to solve many long-standing problems in classical number theory.

At this moment, Sun Song was also sitting in the audience, his expression a little unclear.

Who among the mathematicians who studies mathematics does not want to be recognized by the Fields Medal?

Is it really possible to wait until old age to compete for the Wolf Prize?

The Fields Medal is an affirmation of a mathematician's talent.

If you don’t produce results when you are young, it will be more difficult to produce results when you are old. Not everyone is Zhang Yitang, and not everyone is the old guy who won the Wolf Prize.

The mathematicians present are all looking forward to it. In addition to the Fields Medal, there are several other prizes that are also very valuable.

With one, you can teach in any university around the world and get a high-paying offer.

Even if you want to go to the Institute of Mathematics, Chongqing High School, there won’t be much of a problem.

Wiles sat at the front and said to Faljens:

"Did you eat that rake chicken feet last night? Tsk tsk, it's really delicious. I want to eat it again for lunch today."

Faryans rolled his eyes and said:

"Okay, okay, how about you stay here and eat every day?"

Faryans will not coddle this old guy and directly attack him.

"There is no suspense about the Fields Medal today."

Wiles uttered the last sentence lightly.

If it hadn't been for yesterday's BSD guess conference, they wouldn't have come here to attend ICM.

Based on their status, it is completely unnecessary. They are walking mathematical super bosses.

As the time approached 9 o'clock, Zhou Yi brought Xia Xue and others to the lecture hall in anticipation of everyone.

Today’s organizer is not Chongqing High Court, but IMU and ICM. However, as hosts,

The deputy dean of Chongqing High School, the other deputy directors of the Institute of Mathematics, and others have already arrived.

Receiving everyone, helping to decorate the venue, getting to know various mathematicians, and expanding their network are all things they need to do.

Zhou Yi came so late just because he didn't want to be surrounded by a group of people.

Another reason is that I was overworked last night.

However, in a live broadcast that was watched by at least 3 billion people around the world, Zhou Yi had no stage fright at all.

Small scene!

At nine o'clock sharp, the 30th International Congress of Mathematicians officially kicked off.

First, IMU President Heihisa Nakajima delivered an opening speech.

Immediately afterwards, ICM Chairman Terence Tao delivered the opening speech. Terence Tao was dressed in formal attire at the moment.

His expression was solemn and solemn.

“First of all, I would like to thank all the mathematicians from all over the world for participating in this event.

The ICM conference has a long history, dating back to the end of the last century, when the first ICM conference was held in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1897;

If we have to go back even further, it is the 0th Chicago International Mathematical Congress, in 1893.

Now, 133 years have passed. During this period, countless mathematical geniuses have appeared, and we are all familiar with them.

Poincaré, Hilbert, Weil, Grothendieck, Milnor

They have made indelible contributions to the development of mathematics,

But the waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead, and geniuses will always get younger and more powerful.

As younger generations, we should inherit the mathematical achievements of our predecessors and promote and develop on this basis.

Now, I declare the official opening of the 30th International Congress of Mathematicians! "

At this moment, the applause from the audience was like thunder, resounding throughout the entire lecture hall.

Countless reporters took photos.

After the opening ceremony, the most exciting part came.

That is to award various mathematics awards.

Gauss Prize, Chen Shengshen Prize, Lilawati Prize, International Mathematical Union Abacus Prize.

Issued one by one.

Among them, the Chen Shengshen Award is similar to the Lifetime Achievement Award, similar to the Wolf Prize and the Abel Prize.

The winners are all elated, and as soon as they win the prize, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

The future is promising, even if he goes to college to hang out and wait to die, he is a mascot and must be supported.

Whether a university's mathematics department is strong or not depends on whether it can be recognized internationally.

Among them, winning a prize is the best recognition.

In front of countless media, their names will spread all over the world.

After the awards were handed out, it was time to reach the top of the conference.

The focus of the entire meeting, the most core part of the meeting,

Terence Tao will announce the list of winners of this year's Fields Medal.

Most of the achievements in the history of mathematics were produced before the age of 40.

The Fields Medal is awarded exclusively to young talents under the age of 40.

A medal cannot determine a scholar’s ​​future mathematical career;

But the recognition of this medal will definitely inspire people and make countless people climb for this medal.

Terence Tao's expression at this moment was more solemn and serious than before.

Countless people held their breath and stared at Terence Tao with burning eyes.

Sun Song and others all clenched their fists, although there was a high probability that they would not have a chance.

But there is always a little hope in my heart.

Terence Tao read in a very solemn voice at this moment:

"He made his debut at the 29th International Congress of Mathematicians. At the opening ceremony of the conference, he solved 400 unresolved Kepler conjectures, which caused a sensation in the mathematics world.

Then completely solve Hilbert's eighteenth question,

He created Zhou's geometry, which shocked the past and the present;

That year, he was only 17 years old.

Soon after, he founded the number theory bible "Zhou's Analytical Method".

Solve Beer's conjecture, 3n+1 conjecture, and the Crown Goldbach conjecture, twin prime conjecture, Polignac conjecture, and ABC conjecture in number theory,

And the BSD conjecture of the seven major mathematical problems of the millennium that has attracted the attention of the whole world and shocked the world.

This Bible has become a must-read book for beginners in number theory. If you study number theory and do not understand "Zhou's Analytical Method", I think he is probably not a qualified mathematician.

Countless mathematics prizes are eager to be awarded to him.

Even the Fields Medal was eager to be awarded to him immediately.

I think this is not his honor, but the Fields Medal honor.

His name can even run through half of the history of mathematics, shining brightly in the history of mathematics.

Whether discussing geometry, number theory, algebra or even differential geometry, analysis, and combination, his presence is indispensable.

Even this is only his achievements in the field of mathematics, and his achievements in non-mathematics fields are not even too much.

For example, in physics, he won the Nobel Prize in Physics at the youngest age in the history of the Nobel Prize. In the computer field, he won the Turing Award at the youngest age.

Kill all difficult subjects by yourself.

He is an uncompromising genius! "

Tao Zhexuan recited Zhou Yi's achievements one by one, which made everyone present feel numb.

In ancient times, Galois emerged from the sky, and now there is the Book of Changes that shines brightly.

These achievements, as long as the mathematicians here can solve one of the simpler ones, it will be enough to join the strong series.

But Zhou Yi not only solved it, but also developed two new subjects.

I saw Terence Tao continue to say:

"After the advent of BSD Zhou's theorem, the connection between algebra, geometry, and number theory will be unprecedentedly strengthened.

It seems that our road to unified algebraic geometry has suddenly taken a big step forward.

BSD Zhou Theorem looks like a paper, but in fact it is a new subject.

I pride myself on being a young genius, and I am conceited about my talents, but I can't help but pale in front of him.

But mathematics is so cruel, and there will always be more geniuses and more evil people.

I believe that his ability to achieve these achievements is not only the hard work late at night, getting up early in the morning, tireless persistence, but also the talent that makes us envy. "

Speaking of this, Tao Zhexuan paused, and then announced in a very solemn tone:

"I declare below,

The first winner of the Fields Medal was from Daxia——

Zhouyi! "