With the announcement of the question of the century, the "Centennial Physics" conference has also officially kicked off.

After a night of brewing, the news about the opening ceremony of the previous day was finally released in the eyes of people's eager anticipation.

Shanghai News: "The highest academic award of this century was born at the Shanghai International Convention and Exhibition Center!" ”

The Washington Times: "Individuals who contribute 100 million bounty to the grand unified theory are confident that no one can take the prize?" Or do you believe that this proposition will be solved within a hundred years? ”

"The Sun": "Lu Zhou: Whoever can unify the four basic forces will receive a bonus of 100 million!" ”

The Times: "The moment to start a new era in the history of physics!" ”

There was hardly any suspense, and the focus of the news was almost entirely focused on the question of the century announced by a hundred well-known physicists, and the huge prize money set up by the IMCRC for it.

Especially after the reward of the Great Unification Theory was announced, almost everyone was shocked by the jaw-dropping amount of the prize, whether it was the academic community or the people who ate melons outside the academic community.

Bib on the neck.

"Holy! One hundred million! ”

"It can't be fake, right?"

"Don't stop me, I'm a physicist from today!"

"Save it, have you passed the big things test? A few dishes drank like this! ”

"It's inhuman! Kneel down to the god of land! ”

"I can't believe that he is so rich when he is engaged in scientific research! I recommend a close check on his account funds to see if there are any shady PY transactions behind this. It doesn't mean anything else, it's just a little suggestion, keyboard warriors don't like it, don't spray. ”

"This is all in the era of Internet 2.0, how can there still be such a retarded mind."

"No, just because he built a controllable fusion pile, just because you can use 1 penny a kilowatt-hour to play a video game, why can't people be so rich?"

On an intramural forum of a well-known university.

"A prize of 100 million! It's horrible. ”

"I'm still not too busy to understand, why didn't Academician Lu think about solving this problem himself? Or is he already sure that he will solve this problem on his own, so he deliberately set the bonus so high that no one else can get it anyway? ”

"Haven't you read the interview written by Belinda's editor-in-chief in the latest issue of Nature?"

"What's written on it?"

"At the dinner after the announcement of the question of the century, an interview with Lu Zhou himself! If you read it, you'll know why people don't solve this problem themselves! Hey, I have to blow a wave, I'm really convinced. ”

"Damn, what did he say in the interview?"

"I have to give young people a chance...... If I'm not mistaken, these are his exact words! Thinking about it carefully, so many years have passed since the completion of the unified theory of strong electricity, and the problems that have aroused his curiosity so far have all been solved without exception! According to common sense, there is no reason why he would not take the last step. I even suspect that the Great Unification Theory already has the answer in his heart! ”

The whole world was shocked by Professor Lu's generosity.

Mere news is no longer enough to satisfy people's desire for gossip, and various claims are spreading on the Internet.

In this way, under the heated discussion of netizens, the question of the century initiated by a hundred well-known physics experts occupied the headline position of major online platforms overnight at an incredible speed.

It was also on this night that physics seemed to have changed from an unpopular major that only belonged to a small number of people to a popular subject that people talked about.

And it's not just that.

It is not only the people who eat melons on the Internet who are talking about the problems of the 100th century of physics, but even the dignitaries of various countries have sent congratulatory messages to the IMCRC one after another after the news spread.

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Facing the reporters gathered at the press conference, the president held the speech in his hand and read it out.

“…… This is a glorious moment in the history of physics, a moment that deserves to be recorded in history! ”

"The brightest minds on the planet have come together to discuss the problems we all face. Believing in our physics, under the leadership of IMCRC, we will be able to go further and be able to create greater miracles. ”

10 Downing Street.

Also facing journalists from all over the world, the prime minister said in a solemn tone.

“…… Although physics is far away from our lives, looking back at history, every social change is closely related to the transformation of physics. I believe that we are standing at the crossroads of a great era, and I believe that our future must be full of light—"

"Because of the great people."

The same is true for Chang'an Avenue.

And not even just congratulatory messages.

Even the Great Elder himself personally came to Shanghai......

……

A five-star hotel next to the International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Executive Lounge on the top floor.

The two of them sat in a seat away from the window, chatting about what had happened in recent days while drinking afternoon tea.

“…… In the next 100 years, the pattern of physics has been set, and IMCRC, with the Lunar Hadron Collider and huge scientific research capabilities, has undoubtedly replaced CERN as the new world physics center. ”

"In the past 100 years, Western academia has occupied an absolute voice in the world's academic circles, and now this pattern has changed. Our scholars have been able to communicate with the world's academic community in a more equitable environment, and so far nothing has had to be done by me personally. ”

Taking a sip of tea, Lu Zhou looked at the old man sitting opposite and said his decision.

"I plan to resign as chairman of the board of directors after this conference."

Although it was expected, after all, something similar had happened after the end of the controllable fusion project, but when he heard Lu Zhou say it himself, the old man's face couldn't help but show a surprised expression, and he sat up straight and asked.

"Is it because the IMCRC is working too hard? If you have any difficulties, you can tell me. We can't help much with academic matters, but I can help you figure out how to do things outside of academics. ”

"It doesn't matter if you're busy or not," Lu Zhou said with a smile, "It's just that the two years are over, and it's time to replace them." ”

The old man sighed and said earnestly.

"However, the IMCRC has finally achieved its current achievements, and it is difficult to find a scholar who can convince the public among the young physicists in our country, and I am worried that after you leave, the advantages and status that the Chinese physics community has finally achieved in this international cooperation organization will be divided by others."

"Why don't you do it again?"

"Your worries are actually unnecessary," Lu Zhou said with a smile, "There are still quite a few outstanding talents among the younger generation of physicists. For example, our Professor Wei, he will definitely win a Nobel Prize in three years. There is also our Professor Luo, although he has not achieved any particularly outstanding academic results for the time being, but he has a wide range of research scope, and he is under the tutelage of Witten, who is good at using mathematical tools and has a wide range of contacts, and I am very relieved that he will be the next chairman. ”

Luo Wenxuan?

When he heard the name, the old man frowned.

I seem to have an impression of the name, but I can't remember exactly where I've heard it.

However, since Academician Lu has said so, there must be something remarkable about this young man.

Out of trust in Lu Zhou's vision, the old man didn't say anything more, just nodded, and then changed the topic and continued.

"If you think it's appropriate, so be it...... Speaking of which, I heard you're planning to leave physics for a while? ”

Lu Zhou shook his head slightly.

"It's not a departure, but for me personally, it's hard to make a higher breakthrough in pure physics research."

The old man asked seriously.

"And what are your plans?"

"Energy, materials, and information are the three pillars of modern science. The former already has controlled fusion, and the core production capacity has not yet fully met the needs of the global market, while the latter is also laying our submarine quantum fiber optic cable, and the construction of the Pacific section is only halfway there. The technology has not yet been fully digested, and even if there is a major breakthrough at this time, the marginal effect will limit its development. ”

After a pause, Lu Zhou thought for a moment before speaking.

"I'm going to try to start with the material."

"Let's see if I can combine what I've learned in math and physics to create something interesting."

Lamp pen