I am devoted to scientific research, but you want to trick me into having a love relationship?

Chapter 778 Xia Kingdom Science and Technology Awards Conference
Inside the office, Xu Qingzhou poured tea for Ji Yunshi and said nonchalantly, "Even if they go back, our progress here might be a little slower, but it won't affect the overall situation. We've already overcome the most difficult times, what are we afraid of?"

"That's true."

Ji Yunshi nodded with a smile. Even if Shao Yilin and the others left, the people from the research institute could temporarily fill in; it would just be a matter of shifting the focus of their tasks.

The research institute is no longer in its early days.

The two chatted about the recent progress of their respective project teams.

"Okay, I'll go get busy now."

After finishing his tea, he got up and left without lingering any longer.

After Ji Yunshi left, Xu Qingzhou sighed and leaned back on the sofa, taking the opportunity to relax. These past few days, he had been working on a plan to add a reverse eddy current coil to the divertor region.

The institute is currently dealing with a multitude of tasks, and everyone is very busy. Xu Qingzhou decided to organize his thoughts on the matter of the Institute for Advanced Studies first, and then think about it carefully after this busy period has passed.

The competition between China and the United States in the field of controlled nuclear fusion is becoming increasingly fierce and shows no signs of abating.

In addition to the series of measures issued by the United States itself, it has also formed a technology alliance with Japan and South Korea.

Negotiations regarding ITER have also stalled.

China contributed 9% of the funding for ITER, but Chinese scientists only accounted for 4% of the core positions, and many of their applications were rejected on the grounds of "insufficient language skills" and "lack of international experience".

To paraphrase Professor Li Gang.

"Previously, ITER's discrimination against China was an open secret internationally. Now, it is the European countries that should be worried, not us."

This is technological confidence.

China is in a world-leading position in the field of controlled nuclear fusion.

The US is making a lot of noise, but there is still a gap compared to them.

"Alright, let's get back to work."

Xu Qingzhou shook his head, put his thoughts aside, returned to his seat, and focused his attention on the manuscript in front of him.

November flew by in a flurry of activity, and soon we'll be entering the last month of 2021.

The third day of December, 6:30 a.m.

Xu Qingzhou, dressed in a dark suit, and Song Yao, wearing a black suit skirt, got into the car. Today was the opening day of the Xia Kingdom Science and Technology Awards Conference.

Xu Qingzhou is an academic scientist, while Song Yao is a representative of a technology company in the industry.

Today, Yang Xiaolin, the deputy leader of the security team, was driving. After everything was ready, she started the car and tactfully pressed down the soundproof curtain so as not to disturb Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao.

He then drove the car toward the Great Hall of the People.

The hall was packed with people. This conference was attended by about 3300 people, including representatives of scientific and technological workers, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and international award winners. It is one of the largest scientific events in China.

Led by staff, Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao went to their respective seating areas.

The business representatives were seated on the right side of the lobby, while Xu Qingzhou's seat was in the first row in the middle section, directly facing the stage.

"Professor Xu."

In the hall, Xu Qingzhou met many scholars he knew, greeted them one by one, and exchanged a few pleasantries.

He soon saw Academician Chu Jiangfeng, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"Maybe we can look forward to something today."

Chu Jiangfeng glanced at Xu Qingzhou, who had a calm expression, and said with a smile, "You're as composed as ever, much better than us old men."

"There's no use in being anxious."

Xu Qingzhou said helplessly.

"Too."

Chu Jiangfeng felt somewhat gratified. In just a few short years, this young man had become a world-renowned scientist. To be honest, as Xu Qingzhou's master's thesis advisor, he hadn't been able to offer much help at all.

Last year, I met with Professor Roberts from MIT. He shared the same idea that Xu Qingzhou's current achievements can be attributed entirely to his own efforts.

"I heard from Lao Gu that you've already decided to put the construction of the Institute for Advanced Studies on the agenda?"

"I have this idea, but I've been busy lately, so this matter will probably have to wait until after the New Year."

The two chatted casually, and occasionally a passing scholar would come up to say hello.

far away.

"That must be Professor Xu. He's incredibly young."

"Yes, at our age, we're still struggling with our doctoral dissertations, while they're already standing at the pinnacle of science and technology."

“He’s incredibly talented. I dare say that Professor Xu is probably one of the most talented people in China in the last few thousand years.”

The two scholars sighed.

Hearing the conversation between the two scholars nearby, Zhang Zhigao frowned.

Although what the two said was true, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable. The more capable Xu Qingzhou was, the more petty and short-sighted he seemed.

"This kid is indeed a bit scary."

Zhang Zhigao squinted, sighing inwardly.

"Xu Qingzhou's name must be on the list of award winners this time."

The two scholars continued.

"Isn't this 100% certain? The Chern Prize in Mathematics, the Wolf Prize, the Fields Medal, and the Nobel Prize—if not now, Professor Xu is already unprecedented."

"Scholars like this shouldn't even be able to win an award."

One of the scholars didn't continue.

The other person nodded in deep agreement, understanding their friend's meaning.

At a certain point, it's not that Xu Qingzhou needs these national awards, but rather that these awards need Xu Qingzhou.

What kind of award do you think it will be?

"Actually, based on Xu Qingzhou's achievements, he is qualified to receive the State Top Science and Technology Award directly, but I think he would be awarded the National Technological Invention Award."

"I prefer the National Natural Science Award, which includes the criterion of major scientific breakthroughs."

Zhang Zhigao glanced at Xu Qingzhou indifferently before looking away. Just then, Xu Qingzhou seemed to sense someone watching him and looked over.

Their eyes met briefly before quickly looking away.

"Although these two people talk a lot, what they say makes some sense."

Zhang Zhigao thought to himself, "This kid is impressive, but it will be difficult for him to win the State's highest science and technology award."

He's been busy with the modification of the Circulation 3 satellite these days and hasn't paid much attention to the news about the Xia Guo Science and Technology Awards Conference, but he's still heard some rumors. Although an academician nominated Xu Qingzhou for the highest science and technology award, there are quite a few dissenting voices on the award committee's side.

They believe that Xu Qingzhou's qualifications need further evaluation.

He's only 25 years old.

The State Supreme Science and Technology Award is the highest honor in the scientific community of Xia State. From 2000 to 2021, only 35 people have won the award, and each winner is a towering figure in Xia State.

获奖者之中，90岁以上6人，最高龄达到了96岁，80-89岁18人.
In contrast, the average age of Nobel laureates is only 40.16 years old.

The highest science and technology award, to some extent, is not only based on scientific achievements, but also on contributions to the Xia Kingdom and the influence on the Xia Kingdom's scientific community.

(End of this chapter)