373: Chapter 373: Dragon Academy of Sciences Zone 1 Journal!

He walked into Vice Dean Qian's office.

He gestured for Zhao Yang to sit on the sofa. He didn't go to the large chair behind his desk, but instead pulled up a guest chair and sat down next to Zhao Yang.

The secretary came in to refill the tea, then exited and closed the door.

"Professor Zhao, I really want to thank you for the arresting gear issue today. The research institute has been struggling with this for nearly two years, and we've gone through several material teams without solving it. You stepped in, spent half a day on deductions and half a day on testing, and came up with a viable product plan directly."

Vice Dean Qian's tone carried a hint of emotion.

"Honestly, your talent in material science and engineering applications is so impressive that an old guy like me, who has spent most of his life working with materials, really doesn't know what to say. It's amazing! I will definitely report your contributions truthfully to the higher-ups."

Zhao Yang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smiled. "Vice Dean Qian, you are too polite. The aircraft carrier is a vital national asset. Although the arresting gear is just one component, it concerns the safety of the pilots and the combat effectiveness of the entire formation. It is my honor to be able to contribute in this regard. However, the long-term reliability of carbon fiber materials in deep-sea, high-salt-mist environments hasn't been verified. Although I have performed modeling calculations, it's not the same as reality. If any stress corrosion or interface fatigue issues arise later, please notify me promptly, and I can make further adjustments."

"Of course."

Vice Dean Qian smiled slightly, then changed the subject.

"Professor Zhao, besides the arresting gear, there is another matter I want to give you a heads-up about. It concerns the 'Spark Biology Journal' you founded."

Upon hearing Vice Dean Qian's words, Zhao Yang's expression became slightly more serious.

Vice Dean Qian watched Zhao Yang's expression, smiled slightly, and continued.

"Several leaders in the institute have met and, after deliberation, unanimously decided to list the 'Spark Biology Journal' as a Tier 1 journal within the Chinese Academy of Sciences system. In terms of professional title evaluations, project completion, and doctoral graduation qualification reviews, any paper published in the 'Spark Biology Journal' will be recognized at the same level as a Tier 1 SCI paper!"

Zhao Yang's hand holding the teacup paused. He looked at Vice Dean Qian with genuine surprise.

For a newly established Chinese journal—where the inaugural issue had only been released a few days ago and the second issue was still in the manuscript collection stage—to be granted Tier 1 status directly by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the level of support far exceeded his expectations.

This was entirely out of consideration for his own reputation!

He set down his teacup and joked with a smile, "Vice Dean Qian, you're offering such high conditions, what if I abuse my power for personal gain? If the 'Spark Biology Journal' publishes any substandard papers in the future, your Chinese Academy of Sciences' Tier 1 brand will be ruined along with it."

Vice Dean Qian was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then burst into laughter. "Given Professor Zhao's current academic status and the high revenue of your company, Spark Technology, if even you were to abuse your power, I would just have to accept it. To be honest, when several of our leaders discussed this matter, we did consider the risks. But we all agree that you are a person with principles, and your insistence on academic quality can be seen in the papers you've published previously. If someone else were running this journal, we might have to weigh our options, but for you, we are willing to take this gamble."

Zhao Yang was silent for a few seconds after listening, then spoke very solemnly. "Vice Dean Qian, thank you for your trust. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is one of the most authoritative institutions in the domestic academic evaluation system. I am very clear about the weight of this support in listing the 'Spark Biology Journal' as a journal equivalent to Tier 1 SCI. I guarantee that the 'Spark Biology Journal' will never lower its review standards due to any personal relationships, and every paper that passes review will stand up to scrutiny. I will strive to operate it to a world-class level. By then, not only will domestic scholars consider publishing in the 'Spark Biology Journal' an honor, but foreign peers will also feel that being accepted by the 'Spark Biology Journal' is a form of recognition. This is my promise, and I will keep it."

"I believe in you."

Vice Dean Qian leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with a hint of expectation.

"However, there is one thing I need to give you a heads-up about. The updated list of Tier 1 journals will be officially announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the near future. When the 'Spark Biology Journal' appears in the Tier 1 list as a new journal that has only been established for a month, it will likely cause some controversy online. You are already at the center of public opinion recently; once this notice is released, there will surely be another wave of public discourse. You don't need to worry about it then; the institute will arrange a unified public statement to endorse the rating of the 'Spark Biology Journal' in an official capacity."

"Understood."

Zhao Yang nodded.

When he left the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it was already completely dark outside.

Few stars could be seen in the night sky of Peking. Only the streetlights and the neon lights of distant office buildings flashed past the car windows. Wang Hai was driving quietly in the front. By the time they were almost home, Zhao Yang saw a figure loitering at the entrance of his villa from a distance. Of course, he wouldn't mistake that somewhat thin figure.

The car stopped at the villa entrance. Zhao Yang pushed the door and got out. Terence Tao was leaning against the doorpost, scrolling through his phone. Seeing him return, he shoved the phone into his pocket, his expression somewhat helpless.

"You're finally back. I've been waiting at the door for nearly twenty minutes, and the guards at your gate almost checked my ID."

"Aren't you at Peking University? Why did you come over at this hour? What happened?"

Zhao Yang asked Terence Tao curiously while opening the door.

"You're asking me what happened? Just look at how many phone calls I've received in the last few days."

Terence Tao followed him into the living room and sat on the sofa. He took the coffee cup Zhao Yang handed him, took a big gulp, and then began to vent his grievances.

"Once you posted that response on Weibo, the foreign internet exploded, and the domestic internet exploded too. And then? You turned off your phone and ignored everyone. Those who couldn't find you all called me instead. Pierre Deligne called twice, Faltings called once, Prof. Witten sent several emails, and even Perelman sent me a text message for the first time ever, with only a few words: 'Has Zhao Yang changed his email?' Look at how much trouble you've caused me."

Zhao Yang sat down beside him, picked up his own cup, and took a sip of tea, his expression very calm. "Sorry for the trouble. What did they want with me?"

"What else could it be? It's about the recent online events, asking what you're actually thinking. Pierre Deligne's tone was relatively restrained, saying that while he understands your original intention, he thinks you could be more gentle in your wording and that there's no need to push all Western scientists to the opposite side. Faltings was more direct; he said you are a genius, but even a genius has to learn how to deal with people, otherwise you'll suffer a big loss sooner or later. Prof. Witten didn't criticize you; he's just very curious about what you plan to do next, saying that if the 'Spark Biology Journal' can accept Physics and Mathematics papers in the future, he is willing to try writing one in Chinese."

Zhao Yang raised an eyebrow. "Prof. Witten writing a paper in Chinese? What's his Chinese level?"

"Zero."

Terence Tao said with a straight face.

"He said he can learn it now."

The two looked at each other and simultaneously couldn't help but laugh.

After laughing, Terence Tao leaned back on the sofa, his tone becoming a bit more serious. "There's one more thing. The Clay Mathematics Institute called me too. It's about that one million dollar prize money after you solved the P vs NP problem; they are urging you to go and collect it!"

Zhao Yang leaned back on the sofa, thought for a moment, and then said, "Then let them send someone to deliver it. After all, it's prize money—might as well take it."

"In your dreams!"

Terence Tao rolled his eyes at Zhao Yang.