Chapter 170 Graduation Ceremony
After entering the question-and-answer session, Ma Zhiming was the first to ask about the research direction of the topic, to which Xu Yuan pointed out his previous improvements and innovations on the screening method.

It means that the proof of Goldbach's conjecture can be further improved based on the existing sieve method.

The judges, including Ma Zhiming, naturally approved of this answer.

After all, this is not just nonsense.

Whether it is the proof of the problem of the interval between infinite Carmichael numbers or the breakthrough in the twin prime conjecture, they are all the results of Xu Yuan's improvement of the sieve method.

That is to say, there are actual examples.

In this way, by further improving the sieve method, Chen Jingrun's proof result can indeed be advanced to 1+1.

In the following time, the judges on the stage asked a few more questions, and Xu Yuan answered them all with confidence.

However, it is worth mentioning that when Xu Yuan finished his defense and was about to leave, he heard Ma Zhiming say:
"Don't leave in a hurry, I have something to ask you."

"Okay, Academician Ma." Xu Yuan turned around and responded after hearing this. He had no objection to this.

Although Ma Zhiming did not explain what he said, one can basically guess with a little thought that it must be related to his topic.

After Xu Yuan came out of the lecture hall, he naturally did not stay in the waiting area. He said hello to the rest of the people waiting for the defense, and decided to go over and meet up with Tang Shihong first.

……

"You're done with your defense. How do you feel?"

Tang Shihong was sitting on the sofa in the lounge, reading a newspaper boredly. When he noticed Xu Yuan, he quickly stood up and asked.

Although he was concerned about Xu Yuan's defense, he was not too worried judging by the smile on his face.

"It shouldn't be a problem, but Academician Ma asked me to wait for a while." Xu Yuan answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Tang Shihong naturally said nothing, but nodded and said, "Then wait for a while."

In a blink of an eye, it was already past eleven in the morning, and it was very close to lunchtime.

After all applicants from the Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences finished their defense, Xu Yuan and Tang Shihong finally met Ma Zhiming, who was accompanied by several other acquaintances from the Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

"Old Tang, you're here too. Why are you worried about Xiao Xu's defense?"

When Ma Zhiming saw Tang Shihong next to Xu Yuan, he immediately smiled and half-joked.

"I am definitely confident in my students. I have sent him here." Tang Shihong replied with a smile.

After hearing these words, Ma Zhiming turned his attention back to Xu Yuan.

Then he took the initiative to propose:
"It's getting late. I'm treating you to dinner today. If you have anything to say, let's talk while we eat."

Xu Yuan naturally had no objection when he heard this: "I'll follow your arrangements, Academician Ma."

Tang Shihong looked like he hadn't eaten the meal Ma Zhiming invited him to for a long time, and he seemed very happy.

Soon the group arrived at the dining place. In the private room, while everyone was waiting for the food to be served, Ma Zhiming suddenly spoke up and brought the topic to business.

"Xu Yuan."

"How confident are you that you can study the Goldbach conjecture?"

As Ma Zhiming finished speaking, Xu Yuan and several other people from the Department of Mathematics and Science looked indifferent, but Tang Shihong was a little confused.

Without waiting for Xu Yuan to answer, he couldn't help but ask.

"What is Goldbach's conjecture?"

Ma Zhiming looked at Tang Shihong with some surprise: "Old Tang, don't you know that Xu Yuan's outstanding research project is the Goldbach conjecture?"

"I only know that Xu Yuan is good at the field of number theory. Who knew that he would study the Goldbach conjecture?" Tang Shihong replied with a smile.

When he heard that Xu Yuan was researching in the field of number theory, he was quite happy and thought that he would be able to secure the Young Elite Scientists Program this time.

It turns out that this is the ultimate problem in number theory.

He was well aware of the difficulty of the Goldbach conjecture. The last time Chen Jingrun made new progress was half a century ago.

However, this thought did not stay in his mind for long before he suddenly let it go.

After all, this is not the first time.

He should have thought that with Xu Yuan's current achievements in mathematics, he would definitely not study those simple mathematical problems.

Otherwise, it is no different from a fake publication.

Finally, he sighed, looked at Xu Yuan and said, "Since you have decided to study the Goldbach conjecture, I support you no matter what the result is." His tone was quite firm when he said this.

If someone else had said that they wanted to prove the Goldbach conjecture, he would definitely have made them face reality.

This person happens to be Xu Yuan, the recognized prince of mathematics.

Xu Yuan saw that Tang Shihong did not blame him at all, but instead believed in himself unwaveringly.

Moved by this, he hurriedly said, "I chose the Goldbach conjecture as the research topic for the Young Elite Scholars Program after careful consideration. If I had no confidence, I would definitely not have done it."

"It's OK as long as you have an idea in your mind." Tang Shihong nodded in response.

At this time, Ma Zhiming, who had remained silent for a while, added with a smile on his face.

"Xu Yuan is a recognized mathematical genius in the mathematics community and won the Gauss Prize at the Congress of Mathematicians. Given his level in number theory, it is indeed a good choice for him to study the Goldbach conjecture."

“If this is successful, I think it will be easy for me to win the Fields Medal.”

"And this will also bring great benefits to our Chinese mathematics community and help future development."

Ma Zhiming said this, and then he added as if he had thought of something. "I and the Department of Mathematical Sciences support it. Even if it fails to be proven in the end, it will not have any impact on you."

Tang Shihong was relieved when he heard this. It was obvious that this was like some kind of promise.

When the Young Elite Scientists Program cycle ends, even if the project is not completed, it will not have any impact on Xu Yuan. Xu Yuan only needs to concentrate on studying the Goldbach conjecture.

However, Xu Yuan's expression remained the same as before.

After all, he can be said to be confident in himself.

"I will study the Goldbach conjecture carefully and try to complete the project ahead of schedule."

Finally, Xu Yuan said this to everyone, and as the food was served, everyone stopped discussing this topic.

-

After dinner, Xu Yuan returned to school, and in the evening, just as Li Zhenya, the dormitory head, had said, he went out to a restaurant with his roommates.

We are celebrating the successful completion of his thesis and his upcoming graduation, and also congratulating Xu Yuan on his successful defense this morning.

Perhaps it meant separation, and as the atmosphere became a little sad later on, even Xu Yuan, who usually didn't drink, joined them in drinking some beer.

Among them, Li Zhenya had the worst alcohol tolerance, but he drank the most at night.

So when they returned to the dormitory to sleep, Xu Yuan and Liu Yang each supported one person.

Time flies by like a fleeting moment.

June finally marks the graduation season.

This marks the final entry of graduates into society, and also represents the separation between classmates and lovers.

Saturday, June 2007, 6, at Bauhinia Apartment, Qinghua University.

In the morning in the boys' dormitory, Li Zhenya, Wang Haitao and Liu Yang were adjusting each other's bachelor's gowns. They were probably quite excited because the graduation ceremony was in the morning.

"My bachelor's gown seems to be a little small, but I think I look quite elegant in it. As the saying goes, clothes make the man!"

"After the ceremony, let's find a place to take some pictures."

Li Zhenya stood in front of the mirror on the wall, admiring himself in the mirror with a narcissistic look.

For this purpose, he even borrowed a camera, thinking of taking some photos in front of some iconic buildings on campus as a souvenir. After all, one doesn't always have the chance to wear this kind of bachelor's uniform.

At this time, Wang Haitao and Liu Yang's eyes were all on Xu Yuan, full of envy.

"This doctoral gown is different from our bachelor's gown. We were all freshmen together, so how come there is such a big gap between us after graduation?"

"Brother Yuan's outfit is indeed enviable, but I should still have a chance to wear it." Liu Yang took over Wang Haitao's words.

The graduation ceremony was held simultaneously for undergraduates and postgraduates. Since Xu Yuan was already a doctor of science, his clothes were naturally different from the other three people in the dormitory.

In fact, it is not just Wang Haitao and Li Zhenya who have this idea. I believe anyone else would be unable to help but express envy.

Just as Wang Haitao said, we all entered Qinghua University together.

In just four years, they successfully graduated from undergraduate studies, but Xu Yuan went straight to becoming a doctoral student.

This speed is even faster than riding a rocket.

Especially when the two of them heard Liu Yang's words, they were immediately hit hard.

But there is nothing that can be done about it, since they have no intention of continuing their studies as postgraduates.

Liu Yang was admitted as Tang Shihong's graduate student and may continue to pursue a doctorate in the future.

Naturally, I will have the opportunity to wear a doctoral gown like Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan listened to what they said, then smiled and said, "It's not a bad thing that you graduated. At least you don't have to call me teacher like Liu Yang does in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Yang's face suddenly fell.

Li Zhenya and Wang Haitao smiled and immediately became excited.

They all knew that with Xu Yuan's academic achievements in mathematics, he would definitely stay in school. So even if Liu Yang studied for a master's degree, strictly speaking he still had to call him Teacher Xu Yuan.

Then they joked with each other and decided not to spend any more time in the dormitory.

Then they set off together to the graduation ceremony.

For a prestigious school like Qinghua, the graduation ceremony is undoubtedly very grand and solemn.

In addition, there will be media reporters on site to film and report on the graduation ceremony.

It is worth mentioning that during the graduation ceremony, Xu Yuan spoke on stage as a representative of the doctoral graduates and received the tassel from the president himself.

From giving a speech as a representative of the freshmen when I first entered the school, to speaking again as a doctor after graduation.

It can also be regarded as a perfect end to my college career.

With the end of the graduation ceremony, the list of outstanding young scientists was finally officially announced to the public.

Among them is naturally Xu Yuan from the Department of Mathematics at Qinghua University, whose research project topic is the Goldbach conjecture.

Both domestic academic scholars and netizens would be more or less interested in this public list. After checking it, they easily found Xu Yuan and were surprised by the topic he was going to research.

The relevant news soon spread on the Internet and even caused discussions in the entire mathematics community.

……

(End of this chapter)