272: Chapter 272 Two Million Yuan Commendation Bonus!

After returning to the apartment, Zhao Yang prepared to enter seclusion.

But Zhao Yang's seclusion ended before it even began.

Because Beijing Forestry University and Peking University, in order to commend Zhao Yang for winning the cole number theory prize, as well as for completely solving Goldbachs Conjecture, solving the twin prime conjecture, and a series of major honors that overturned the history of mathematics.

After meeting and discussing overnight, the high-level officials of the two schools decided to join forces to hold a high-specification commendation ceremony.

At the ceremony, the two universities would each provide one million in special funds, totaling two million RMB, as a rare special contribution award for scientific research, to be high-profilely presented to the 21-year-old Zhao Yang.

According to the standard process in academia, this kind of commendation ceremony should have been held at least after Zhao Yang attended the annual meeting of the American Mathematical Society and brought back the trophy and certificate for the cole number theory prize back to the country.

However, a while ago, Zhao Yang's paper, over a hundred pages long and containing the complete proof of Goldbachs Conjecture, had been officially published as a special independent issue in the Annals of Mathematics.

This meant that this achievement had received the highest level of official certification from the global mathematical community, and there was no longer any possibility of it being overturned.

Moreover, the principals of the two universities were also getting a bit restless.

After all, given Zhao Yang's previously near-perverse research efficiency and track record, no one knew if he would suddenly throw out some other shocking mathematical result. If they didn't hurry to commend the previous honors, they feared they wouldn't even be able to keep up with holding the commendation ceremonies later.

The commendation needed to happen, and it needed to happen immediately.

This joint commendation ceremony was held grandly.

The venue was chosen at Peking University's most iconic Centennial Memorial Hall. Many people attended, including representatives of teachers and students from both schools, relevant leaders from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as dozens of mainstream media reporters from home and abroad, almost filling the passageways outside the hall.

Inside the venue.

First, Professor Wang Wenyuan gave a speech as Zhao Yang's mentor representative, reviewing and introducing Zhao Yang's various achievements in mathematics.

Next, Principal Zhou Limin of Yanlin University and President Wang of Peking University, among others, took the stage to deliver impassioned speeches, setting Zhao Yang up as a benchmark for young scholars in the new era.

After all the official procedures were completed.

Principal Zhou and President Wang walked onto the stage, each holding a special transfer check model printed with a huge amount. Smiling, they solemnly handed these two checks, each representing one million RMB, to Zhao Yang.

Thunderous applause suddenly erupted from the audience, and camera flashes flickered frantically.

The award ceremony segment ended.

Then it was time to invite the only protagonist of the day—Zhao Yang—to the stage to give a speech.

To be honest, Zhao Yang inherently disliked these kinds of formalistic occasions; it was purely a waste of his time.

However, except in the case where there is money to be had.

A two million RMB cash reward, tax-free, deposited directly into his personal account. This amount of money was enough to buy a ten-minute speech from him.

Zhao Yang straightened his suit, walked calmly onto the podium, and adjusted the height of the microphone.

The audience fell silent instantly, with thousands of eyes staring intently at him.

Zhao Yang's speech was brief.

The core content of his speech consisted of only two words: Encouraging Learning.

"I know that recently there have been many voices from the media and the outside world that like to attribute my achievements to a once-in-a-century talent and call me a genius."

Zhao Yang's voice was steady and clear, echoing through the huge lecture hall.

"Edison once said that genius is ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration. Many people use this phrase to emphasize the importance of hard work."

Zhao Yang paused, his gaze sweeping over the group of students in the audience, his tone carrying a sense of absolute objectivity and reason.

"But what I want to tell you is that in the field of mathematics and the pursuit of ultimate truth, many times, that one percent of inspiration and talent plays a decisive role that even far surpasses the ninety-nine percent of perspiration. This is a cruel objective fact; the gap in talent cannot be made up simply by staying up late."

Hearing these words, which were almost a bit heterodox, several old professors in the audience frowned slightly.

But Zhao Yang changed his tone and immediately threw out his core logic.

"But! Since talent is so important, why do we still have to study so hard, shed sweat, and grind through those boring formulas?"

"The reason is simple."

Zhao Yang looked at the audience and gave a powerful answer.

"Because, if you don't put in that ninety-nine percent of painful and boring perspiration, and don't fully familiarize yourselves with existing basic knowledge, your brains will simply have no chance to touch the threshold of that one percent of inspiration. And how can you know whether you actually have talent in this area?"

"Do not use 'I have no talent' as an excuse to avoid high-intensity intellectual labor. In this world, the level of effort of the vast majority of people is so low that they don't even get to the point of competing on talent. So, everyone, set aside your fantasies and go engage in the most boring accumulation of knowledge. This is the only path to the truth."

Twenty minutes later.

The speech ended.

Escorted by security personnel, Zhao Yang left the venue from backstage.

That afternoon.

News about this joint commendation ceremony by Peking University and Yanlin University, carrying eye-catching labels such as "Two Million Grand Prize" and "21-Year-Old Mathematical Genius Encourages Learning," began to be reported overwhelmingly across major online platforms.

Online public opinion boiled over completely.

Comments from netizens showed strong polarization and diversity.

A large portion of people focused all their attention on that huge two million bonus.

"Holy crap! Two million! And it's direct cash from two top prestigious schools! God Zhao's money-making speed is practically faster than a printing press! So envious!"

"I really didn't expect that doing academia could also make so much money... Who the hell was it that said those who make nuclear bombs are worse off than those who sell tea eggs? The country is quite generous after all!"

"Counting the time, how long has it been since God Zhao got the national prize for proving the twin prime conjecture? This money-making ability—is this the ultimate form of monetizing IQ?"

"It's worth whatever amount is given! To be able to completely take down Goldbachs Conjecture, let alone two million, the country should give twenty million! This is a solid national honor, far better than those actors who pose and flirt on screen every day!"

A large portion of university students and people in the academic circle were also discussing the viewpoints in Zhao Yang's speech.

"God Zhao's words are simply too heart-wrenching, not a drop of chicken soup added, all cold facts. Indeed, the level of effort of most people doesn't even get to the point of competing on talent."

"This is the kind of discourse power a top scholar should have. Don't use lack of talent as an excuse; go put in that ninety-nine percent of perspiration first! I've learned something!"

"Although it's cruel, this is the scientific truth. God Zhao is right!"