The day before the official opening of the International Congress of Mathematicians, Qiao Yu had a very fulfilling life.
I met with three small groups and talked about the mathematical development after the generalized modal axiom system was proposed. Then I talked with scholars from the Structure Committee of the International Mathematical Union about tomorrow's opening report.
Director Tian, ​​who I had not seen until noon, finally showed up. I met him once and chatted for a few words. In the afternoon, I went to see an old acquaintance again.
It can be seen that Director Tian still has a great influence in the world of mathematics.
But what made Qiao Yu the happiest was that at around four o'clock in the afternoon Philadelphia time, he received the news that Mr. Yuan and Qiao Xi had also arrived.
Zheng Xiwen told him the news. At that time, Qiao Yu was chatting with mathematicians from the Structure Committee in the conference room.
Zheng Xiwen handed him a note directly, saying that Mr. Yuan and Qiao Xi had arrived at the hotel successfully.
From this point, Qiao Yu could see that Lao Zheng's team was indeed very professional. They were always by his side, but they knew everything about them clearly.
After patiently chatting with the math giants like the Structural Committee, the meeting adjourned at five o'clock in the afternoon.
In fact, the content to be discussed in the presentation report has already been submitted to the organizing committee. Today’s meeting is not so much an academic exchange as it is a group of big guys coming together to review this legendary rookie in the world of mathematics.
Sense of presence.
Among the members of this IMU Structural Committee, there is only one member who is known to the public and is the only Structural Committee Chairman - Pierre Delini. It is the first time for the others to meet him.
After bidding farewell to these world-famous math figures who were meeting for the first time, Qiao Yu went directly to Mr. Yuan and Qiao Xi, who were also in rooms arranged by the organizing committee.
Although Yuan Zhengxin will not speak at this conference, after all, his status in the world of mathematics is there.
Let’s put it this way, so far there are only two mathematicians who have won the Fields Medal, Wolf Medal and Crafford Medal at the same time.
One is the chairman of this structural committee, Pierre Delini, whom Qiao Yu has just met. The other is his senior master, Yuan Zhengxin.
It is indeed not easy to win these three awards at the same time. Of course, there will definitely be more in the future. After all, the Wolf Prize is a final award, and the winners are all senior figures in a certain field of mathematics.
Therefore, it is usually awarded to mathematicians after they are older, which means that their status in the mathematics world is unshakable.
In other words, for mathematicians, winning the Fields Medal at a young age means making a breakthrough contribution in a certain field. But it still requires decades of academic accumulation, maintaining a high level of activity and continuous innovation.
You can't get a Wolf Medal until later in life.
As for the Crafford Prize, because it covers multiple disciplines, in addition to mathematics, it also includes astronomy, biology, medicine, etc. To be able to win the prize by chance requires not only strength, but also a bit of luck.
For example, the research results happen to fall within the cycle of the Craford Prize for evaluating mathematics awards. Otherwise, the research results during this cycle happen to win other mathematics awards, and there is a high probability that they will be missed when the Craford Prize evaluates the mathematics prize.
After all, the review committee of such a world-renowned award will tend to balance factors and generally will not award different awards to people continuously for the same research results.
For example, Qiao Yu won the Fields Medal for all his current contributions. If next year happens to be the judging year for the Crafford Prize in Mathematics, and Qiao Yu has no new research results, then he will definitely not get it this year.
Crawford Award.
After all, the international mathematics community has already rewarded you for your contribution, so naturally you have to give the opportunity to others.
Therefore, if you want to win all three major awards, what mathematicians need is continuous output, and they must constantly come up with new things. Then those arrogant review committees have to hold their noses and award the prizes.
Of course, this was what Qiao Yu thought when he listened to Mr. Yuan talking about the evaluation rules for international large-scale mathematics awards. He still remembered that Mr. Yuan specifically told him at that time to be reserved and accept any other awards.
Especially some rubbish awards designed to boost one's self-esteem. They often invite well-known mathematical rookies.
Well, what Qiao Yu thinks about this is that he will definitely not go to those unknown awards with small bonuses.
…
Rushing to the hotel from the conference center, what made Qiao Yu happy was that Mr. Yuan and Qiao Xi lived on the same floor as him.
But at this time, Mr. Yuan was entertaining guests, and Qiao Xi was also called over.
Logically speaking, it would be impolite for Qiao Yu to visit him at this time. But Qiao Yu didn't care about that.
After all, he is the grandson...
He is also a grandson that makes his grandfather feel proud.
In fact, Yuan Zhengxin did not intend to attend this meeting. The old man has seen almost everything in his generation, so it doesn't really matter whether he attends this meeting or not.
Not to mention that I am older now and have been tired of traveling all the way.
If Qiao Yu hadn't been sure to win the Fields Medal, he wouldn't have come here specifically.
Although the winners of all this year's awards have not yet been announced, this does not include the winners.
In order to ensure that the winners can come to the International Congress of Mathematicians and receive their awards, the committee will often contact the winners a few weeks before the conference to ensure that they can make time to receive their awards.
It’s just that the committee asked the winners to keep it secret for the time being and not to publicize it everywhere. Although Qiao Yu received the call a little late, he knew he would win the award half a month in advance.
This was also the reason why he gave up returning to Star City just because of Tian Yanzhen's words.
As for the principle of confidentiality...
It is true that Qiao Yu didn't tell anyone. But Tian Yanzhen, Yuan Zhengxin and Qiao Xi were obviously not among them.
The tutor and grandpa Shi know the rules of these awards better than he does, so naturally they won't spread it. As for Qiao Xi, a person who hasn't posted a message in Moments in ten years, it is naturally even less likely to spread it everywhere.
The only purpose of Yuan Zhengxin's visit this time is to see with his own eyes the moment when Qiao Yu wins the award tomorrow.
So he chose to come a day early. As for bringing Qiao Xi, it was natural for Qiao Xi to witness the most important day in Qiao Yu's life.
In this case, let alone Mr. Yuan who was waiting for guests, even if he was sleeping and was woken up by Qiao Yu, he probably wouldn't say a harsh word.
Not to mention that Qiao Yu, the guest who was meeting Mr. Yuan, also knew him.
"Grandpa, Mom, eh, Professor Zhang, you are here too!" In fact, Qiao Yu knew that Zhang Shuwen was in Yuan Zhengxin's room at this time.
Zheng Xiwen had already told him when he came up.
Let's put it this way, Zheng Xiwen, who has been following Qiao Yu, seems to know everything about this building and the building opposite, and all the happenings of everyone who has anything to do with Qiao Yu.
Qiao Yu didn't even know how many people had to be arranged in this hotel to have such an effect. It couldn't be that the surveillance system of the hotel was controlled, right?
The Professor Zhang mentioned by Qiao Yu is naturally Zhang Shuwen from Princeton.
He actually arrived in Philadelphia yesterday, but he didn't find a chance to meet Qiao Yu.
After all, Zhang Shuwen felt that he was not familiar with Qiao Yu, and Qiao Yu was still so busy. There were so many people who wanted to see Qiao Yu. Not to mention that it was Yuan Zhengxin who invited him back to China.
It can only be said that most of the old-school scholars of Chinese descent are still very traditional. They are really not as liberal as Western scholars on many things.
For example, Western scholars feel that Qiao Yu's academic research is useful for what they are studying, so they try their best to meet with Qiao Yu and have a chat to see if they can bring him over.
"Qiao Yu has finished the meeting. Come, come and sit." Mr. Yuan looked up and saw Qiao Yu smiling happily, and pointed to the chair next to the room.
Qiao Yu made a face at Qiao Xi, and then sat down obediently. Zheng Xiwen followed behind Qiao Yu.
"Xiao Zheng, please stop standing. Find a chair and sit together." Mr. Yuan explained again.
"Don't you need me to introduce Professor Zhang to you?" Yuan Zhengxin asked with a smile.
Ever since the old man knew that Qiao Yu would win the Fields Medal this year, his mouth opened unconsciously when he saw Qiao Yu, and he couldn't be serious even if he wanted to.
"Grandpa, how could you forget that? Professor Zhang and I have met several times. When we first met at Yanbei University, Professor Zhang gave me guidance. If you really want to say it, I am as successful as Professor Zhang now.
A credit."
Qiao Yu immediately replied without hesitation.
After all, Zhang Shuwen has a good relationship with Mr. Yuan, and he is a well-known mathematician in China. It is always right to sell more and get better.
Anyway, you won’t suffer any loss if you say good things.
"Haha, did you hear that? Shuwen, I just said that this kid Qiao Yu is sensible and knows who is good for him." As expected, Mr. Yuan was even happier and said loudly and with great enthusiasm.
Zhang Shuwen glanced at Qiao Yu with a smile, then looked at Mr. Yuan and Qiao Xi and said, "Old Yuan and Qiao Xi taught me better."
Qiao Xi smiled. In fact, she had never been very good at dealing with such situations. But to be honest, Qiao Xi felt that Qiao Yu was more influenced by his grandfather.
"By the way, Qiao Yu, let me tell you something. Professor Zhang resigned from his tenure as a tenured professor at Princeton and decided to go to Huaqing for development after this meeting. I plan to recommend Professor Zhang to be the deputy director and chair professor of the Center for Mathematical Sciences.
What do you think?"
Qiao Yu immediately said: "Wow, grandpa, do you need to ask specifically? What a great thing! Huaqing's mathematical power has been greatly improved, and it will not be a problem to catch up with Princeton in the future!
By the way, Professor Zhang, I happen to have a promising big project. When I get back, I will call my supervisor and we will work together to try to get Yanbei and Huaqing to win this project together."
Today, Qiao Yu's mind was filled with the morning project on realizing quantum simulation calculations.
This project is indeed huge, and the three melons and two dates he can control now will definitely not be able to support it.
But it will be different if you take two schools, Yanbei and Huaqing. The mathematics centers, the School of Mathematics and the School of Computer Science on both sides have absolutely all kinds of talents.
To put it bluntly, even if the current talent pool is not enough, two domestic super universities are trying to recruit people, especially if they are working on projects with the youngest Fields Medal winner, the number of senior talents applying for the job will probably be full.
A playground.
At that time, he must suggest that the "Teacher Wen" be invited again and let him teach these new people involved in the research together.
"Oh? Big project? How big is it? Can't tell now?" After hearing Qiao Yu's words, Yuan Zhengxin and Zhang Shuwen were indeed interested, especially Zhang Shuwen, who immediately took the initiative to ask.
"Well, it's really hard to say that right now. We can discuss this matter when we get back." Qiao Yu said seriously.
After all, it was someone else's idea and it was still on someone else's territory. Qiao Yu felt that he still had to respect the big guys.
It won't matter when we get back.
As long as the project can be approved, the next step is to compare who can do it faster.
This Qiao Yu really doesn't boo those people.
The whole world knows that he is the fastest in doing research. Even though it has been two or three years since the big guys started the project. But now that these people have asked him for help, it is enough to show that they have determined that the path they took before will not work.
There's nothing to be afraid of now.
No one who can defeat him in his field of expertise has been born yet.
This kind of confidence is certainly not inexplicable, it happens to be given by these people.
After all, if they really had that ability, why would they have gone so far? Is it because they were modest? Was it because they were afraid that the seniors had picked all the fruits close to the ground on the apple tree and wanted to leave some for the younger generations?
So what unsolved problems such as the Riemann Hypothesis, N-S equation, P=NP problem, Hodge hypothesis, etc. are deliberately left to the latecomers of mathematics?
Yes, that’s where confidence comes from.
When he first started learning mathematics, Qiao Yu thought those foreign big guys were very powerful.
Check out the correct version one by one!
But now that he has experienced more, Qiao Yu already feels that those big guys are not as powerful as he thought before.
Even some proof processes that seemed obvious to him had to be completely unfolded for the big guys to understand their own ideas.
Confidence was built up little by little. Of course, it can also be said that Qiao Yu was a little distracted.
But it is undeniable that, as the youngest prospective Fields Medal winner in the world, Qiao Yu is really talented.
"Okay, Shuwen, don't be anxious. Although Qiao Yu is still young, it's a good thing to have his own opinion. Let's discuss the project when we get back. Don't worry, Qiao Yu, as long as it is a good project, this
I can still make some contribution to the situation. This time I’ll see who can’t do it or not!”
Yuan Zhengxin expressed his stance almost unconditionally.
Zhang Shuwen smiled.
Of course he knew what it meant to have a big shot like Yuan Zhengxin make such a clear statement.
At Yuan Zhengxin's status and level, even if he makes a promise, he will definitely leave some room for it.
It's like when I persuaded him to return to China for development, I just asked him to help look after Qiao Yu, and didn't mention the specific treatment at all.
However, Zhang Shuwen also knew very well that it was very rare for Mr. Yuan to make such a statement to him.
But I am most afraid of comparison. When I treat Qiao Yu, I mean to give all my guarantees. I am really envious of him.
Fortunately, this also made Zhang Shuwen more confident.
The youngest winner of the Fields Medal, plus there are two big bosses around him who are almost unconditionally willing to protect him. There is a high probability that he will really witness history again and again if he chooses to return to China this time.
"Thank you, Grandpa. By the way, it's almost dinner time. Let's go eat first? You must be tired from the plane ride. You should have a good rest after eating. The conference will start tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, I really need to rest early today. Come on, let's go eat first! Oh, by the way, there is one more thing I forgot to tell you. The central media has inquired about the broadcasting rights for the opening ceremony of the International Mathematical Union meeting.
!Do you understand? Haha..."
Yuan Zhengxin said enthusiastically.
"Ah?" Qiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then instantly understood what the old man meant, and was a little surprised for a moment...
The central media is so well-informed? He didn’t say anything!
…
July 23, 2026, Philadelphia, sunny.
Even though Qiao Yu felt that he was used to big scenes, when he walked out of the hotel and saw the crowds of people around him, he realized that he might have underestimated the group of mathematicians.
There are too many people here!
Especially today, it is said that there was a security check when entering the Pennsylvania Convention Center, so the gate was really crowded with mathematicians and students waiting to enter.
Fortunately, as a special speaker of the conference, Qiao Yu did not need to squeeze in with others. The organizing committee had prepared a special passage.
Of course, big figures in mathematics such as Mr. Yuan, Director Tian, ​​etc. who have special seats in the front row of the conference can also enter the venue in advance through special channels.
There is no other way. Many Fields Medal winners are already old. For example, Mr. Yuan is almost 80 years old. It is not easy for these old people to squeeze in with those young people.
Of course, Qiao Yu was a special case. So he also found that they were all acquaintances along the way. He had basically met everyone who could walk through this passage yesterday.
By the time Qiao Yu walked into the conference hall, greeting everyone, it was already packed with people and extremely noisy.
Qiao Yu found his seat and found that his seat was not arranged next to his mentor and Mr. Yuan, although their seats were also in the front row. Even Zheng Xiwen was arranged behind him.
"Hi, Qiao Yu. Hello, I am Jack Thorne, professor at Cambridge University."
While Qiao Yu was still looking around, a middle-aged man in his thirties next to him took the initiative to say hello to him.
Qiao Yu retracted his gaze that was looking for Chinese photographers everywhere, looked at the people around him, thought for a moment, and then said: "Jack Thorne? Huh? This name is so familiar. I must have read your paper."
"Haha, it's a great honor. My working direction is mainly in the fields of number theory and representation theory, especially the number theory-related issues involved in the Langlands Program." Jack Thorne said with a smile.
Qiao Yu instantly understood why this name was so familiar and why the organizing committee arranged the seats in this way.
Obviously, there is a high probability that this person will be one of this year's Fields Medal winners like him, or other awards.
No wonder everyone around me looks so young.
"Yes, yes, I remember. Did you collaborate with Peter Schultz? I saw your co-authored paper in the Annals of Mathematics! "Potential Automorphy over CM Fields" was co-authored by you.
Right?"
Jack Thorne nodded, and just as he was about to say something, the person sitting on the other side of Jack Thorne also said, "Jack, you should also introduce me."
"Haha, yes, I almost forgot, Qiao Yu, this is Alex Wright, a professor at the University of Michigan. He mainly studies dynamical systems and Teichmüller theory."
"Wow, I met a real person again. Professor Wright, have you published an article "The Domain of Affine Invariant Submanifolds in Abelian Differential Modular Spaces"?"
"Have you read this paper?" Alex Wright was a little surprised.
"Yes! I was involved in a research at that time and needed to know something about the hyperbolic behavior of dynamical systems. I read an article called "The Boundary of Linear Submanifolds" and your paper was quoted in it. Then I went to get you
I read this paper once. It’s very exciting!”
Qiao Yu replied seriously.
Jack Thorne and Alex Wright looked at each other and didn't know what to say for a moment.
When we met for the first time, Qiao Yu was able to accurately report their papers as soon as they mentioned their names. The key is that their research directions are different.
Jack Thorne had better to say. Qiao Yu had studied the Langlands program of geometry before, and the generalized modal axiom system he created also had the shadow of the Langlands program.
But they really didn't know that Qiao Yu also researched power systems, which was too broad.
This means that they don't know that Qiao Yu is still a non-staff member of the Chinese moon landing project. In order to process those complicated data, they just happened to read some relevant papers recently...
In addition to being surprised, the three of them quickly became familiar with each other.
After all, a mathematical rookie who solved the Riemann Hypothesis has read their paper and approved their research, which is indeed very happy.
Just like that, at nine o'clock in the morning, the participating mathematicians had already taken their seats, and the conference hall became quiet.
The 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians has finally officially kicked off.
As usual, Pierre L. Lion, chairman of the organizing committee of this conference, and Kei Nakajima, chairman of the International Mathematical Union, gave the opening speeches.
There is not much to say in this section. For mathematicians, a bunch of thanks is basically a part that can be skipped.
Fortunately, these two people understood everyone's mood very well and their speeches were not very long.
Soon we entered the most important ceremony of the opening ceremony, the awards ceremony.
The first award was the Gauss Prize.
"First of all, I want to announce the winner of this year's Gauss Prize..." At this point, Pierre L. Lion paused before continuing: "Professor Ingrid Dobech from Duke University
."
In recognition of her pioneering work in wavelet analysis, which played a key role in applications such as image processing and signal processing, she is awarded the Gauss Prize!"
As soon as the words fell, thunderous applause immediately erupted in the conference hall that could accommodate thousands of people...
Really, at this moment, Qiao Yu suddenly felt excited all over his body, and he couldn't help but look back.
This is a really big scene!
Looking at the heads behind me and the applause that could almost lift the ceiling, this atmosphere can indeed ignite the passion in people's hearts.
No wonder everyone wants to win an award...
Being able to stand on the podium on such an occasion, even if the money was a little less, he would accept it.
Originally, he wanted to complain on stage that the Fields Medal prize money was too small, but now it seems a bit inappropriate, especially considering that the central media also bought the broadcast rights.
So in the lively atmosphere of the audience, Qiao Yu began to think seriously about his acceptance speech after taking the stage.
Chapter completed!