Chern Prize in Mathematics Awards Ceremony
"Cough cough."
Shen Qi cleared his throat twice as if nothing was wrong.
In academia, respect for elders is important. After the older Huang Weifeng finished presenting his academic views, it was Shen Qi's turn.
"Shen Qi, as the youngest winner in history and hailed as a mathematical genius, how would you evaluate yourself?" The reporters' attention shifted to Shen Qi.
"I used to be just an ordinary person," Shen Qi said modestly. "Now, I'm still just an ordinary person, only one who likes mathematics."
Click, click, click—ordinary people and reporters alike are snapping photos like crazy.
Professor Huang, a distinguished MIT mathematics PhD, an elite talent recruited by the state, and a full professor in the Mathematics Department of Fudan University, is known for his straightforward and honest approach.
Shen Qi, an ordinary person, won the Chern Prize in Mathematics at the age of 21. His style is to show off in an understated way.
I'm not afraid of showing off to the skies, I'm just afraid you don't love performing.
Journalists are happy to interview people who are good at showing off, because it's sensational and gimmicky, which is beneficial for later news dissemination and traffic generation.
"But Shen Qi, the outside world generally believes that you are not ordinary. You won the highest honor in Chinese mathematics at the age of 21, and published a number of papers in two years that other scholars would take ten years to complete. Some media commented that your life has been extraordinary. How do you view this?" the reporter asked again.
Shen Qi shook his head. "No comment."
The reporter continued, "Using a cheat code is just a metaphor. Let's put it another way: the Wash Conjecture has remained unsolved for 37 years since it was proposed, and you accomplished this remarkable feat. Shen Qi, how did you do it?"
"The Wash Conjecture is one of the series of conjectures on Diophantine equation. This involves the confidentiality procedures of relevant national and international research institutions, so I cannot disclose it," Shen Qi said seriously. He then softened his tone slightly and said, "I can only say that once the series of conjectures is completely solved, the rules of the game in the entire Mathematics Community will be rewritten."
Shen Qi's entire Mathematics Community, including Professor Huang's options trading and applied Mathematics Community, is already very high-level and worth looking forward to.
Shen Qi became a new academic star in the eyes of reporters, and the interview atmosphere reached a climax.
Since the rise of popular science programs like "Lecture Room," the term "academic star" has become a new concept.
Contemporary academic stars not only need to have a solid academic foundation, but also need to be good at expressing themselves.
The awards ceremony is about to begin; this concludes the pre-ceremony media briefing.
In the award winners' lounge, Huang Weifeng stared at Shen Qi for a long time before finally speaking, "Young man, you're quite the braggart."
"Professor Huang, we're in the same boat," Shen Qi replied, adopting a humble and eager-to-learn attitude. "Even if Professor Huang successfully completes the Black-Scholes model project, it won't change the rules of the options market, will it? Black and Scholes have already done all the research that could be done; it's unlikely that another Nobel Prize in Economics will be awarded in this field."
"Young man, why are you speaking such blunt truths?" Huang Weifeng wasn't annoyed; instead, he laughed. "With these reporters, would I dare tell them about my real research topic? But the research on the Black-Scholes model still has its significance. Shen Qi, your series of Diophantine equation conjectures are actually reduced to just one BSD."
"Professor Huang is also interested in basic theories?" Shen Qi asked.
"Without theory, how can there be application? The level of theory determines the level of application. I chose to apply it because my family was poor. I had no choice but to support my family. Poverty makes one lose ambition." Huang Weifeng sighed.
It turns out that Professor Huang was poor and lacked ambition.
Shen Qi suddenly felt a bit of goodwill towards Huang Weifeng. His acting skills and his demeanor were so similar to Huang's.
Huang Weifeng added, "Although I'm involved in applied research, I actually quite enjoy theoretical research and do it in my spare time. While the BSD problem is very difficult, even if it's solved, the Mathematics Community will remain largely unchanged. Of the seven Millennium Prize Problem, I believe only two can truly change the Mathematics Community and even the entire scientific community: the N-to-NP problem and the N/S equations."
"I have no plans to get involved with BSD in the near future. As for these reporters, can I really say that this is my real research topic? It's just a show," Shen Qi said.
"Hahaha!" Professor Huang laughed heartily, then handed Shen Qi a business card. "You specialize in basic mathematics, while I excel in applied fields. We can explore collaboration opportunities. Although I know the chances of academic cooperation between us are slim, given our almost nonexistent areas of expertise, you can always come over for a drink."
They became friends after a disagreement, and the two award winners, who were alone in a small room, found themselves chatting more and more happily.
Shen Qi and Huang Weifeng spoke freely about topics they were not comfortable discussing with reporters.
Huang Weifeng shared some of his views on Lê Conjecture and Goldbach Conjecture, which surprisingly made some sense and inspired Shen Qi.
Shen Qi shared his views on risk-free investment following Differential Equation. While not absolute truths, they still made Huang Weifeng frown and ponder for a moment before exclaiming how satisfying it was.
"The stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade."
Shen Qi and Huang Weifeng spoke in unison, unconsciously developing a sense of mutual respect between heroes. The Yanjing School and the Fudan School progressed harmoniously through the collision of ideas, with mutual respect between theory and application, all in pursuit of the truth.
Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly.
Sometimes, the opinions of non-experts can inspire professionals.
"I wish we had met sooner."
Shen Qi and Huang Weifeng chatted for a while, then walked side by side to the venue.
The auditorium was packed with distinguished guests, including mathematics experts from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong.
The president of the Chinese Mathematical Society first summarized the development trend of mathematics in China over the past two years, as well as the tremendous achievements made.
The awards ceremony then began.
Each of the two winners will receive a certificate of honor and a prize of 100,000 RMB.
"The first award recipient is Professor Huang Weifeng from the Mathematics Department at Fudan University! He has made outstanding contributions to the field of applied mathematics, and we hereby present him with the Chern Prize in Mathematics. Please welcome Professor Huang Weifeng to the stage."
Huang Weifeng walked confidently onto the stage to receive his certificate. In his acceptance speech, he said, "Actually, people who study mathematics work very hard. I haven't finished paying off my mortgage yet..."
Professor Huang's words resonated with many mathematicians in the audience.
Only Shen Qi knew that Professor Huang Magic City, with assets worth tens of millions. This was something Professor Huang had inadvertently revealed during their private chat earlier.
Professor Huang used real-world examples from the capital market and real estate operations to vividly explain Mankiw's economic principles to Shen Qi in just a few words.
Professor Huang, though poor, is a master of capital market operations. With Jing'an, Huangpu, and Changning districts under his belt, he has no worries about continuous development.
"... But I believe that mathematics is our greatest asset, and I will continue to strive for breakthroughs. Thank you!"
After Huang Weifeng finished delivering his acceptance speech, he bowed in gratitude, and the audience erupted in applause.
"Thank you, Professor Huang Weifeng, for your down-to-earth acceptance speech. Next, please welcome the youngest recipient in the history of the Chern Prize in Mathematics to the stage, Shen Qi!"