Rebirth 09: Synthetic Male God

Chapter 938: Right Time

The next morning, Zhou Rui was getting dressed in his old suite.

A custom-made grey suit, without a tie, but meticulously groomed.

Shiny leather shoes, with exquisite sleeve studs, look young and rich.

The hair was combed back like an adult.

Oh. You are an adult now, so forget it.

Zhou Rui combed his hair a few more times to make it look natural and energetic.
I pushed the door open and left the bedroom, just in time to see Linto coming out of the small room opposite.

Although he is conscientious in his duties, he is still a human being after all and needs to take turns to rest.

It's just that he usually only chooses the time when Zhou Rui is least likely to need him, so he seems to be always by his side and never sleeps 24 hours a day.

"Boss Zhou, shall we set off now?"

Zhou Rui nodded: "By the way, my room is a bit messy, so don't let Auntie clean it. I'll find a way to restore it to its original state when I come back in the evening."

It's hard to fully recover, I guess I'll have to pay some money, I had a lot of fun last night.

Lin Tuo was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what it meant.

When Zhou Rui got up and went out, he quickly glanced at the bedroom.

All the "furniture" inside has basically become parts.
The TV, telephone, tables, chairs, and light bulbs were all taken down!

There were also some "small toys" on the ground, which seemed to be airplane models made of various parts? There were many more that he couldn't even recognize.

Linto's cerebellum has atrophied
How come the bed was taken apart? Didn't Mr. Zhou sleep alone last night?
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After a simple meal and getting acquainted with a few new academicians who had eaten late for breakfast, Zhou Rui set off for the auditorium of the Academy of Sciences.

There is no need to take a car, there is a small door behind this old hotel that leads directly to the side door of the Academy of Sciences, just across the street.

Ignoring the offices of various departments and some association offices, Zhou Rui went straight to the auditorium.

This place is not grand. After all, it is a building within a courtyard. The interior is circular in shape, which reminds Zhou Rui of his own smart command center.

After looking at the stage nameplate, he saw that his position, in the second row in the center, was already the best position among the newly elected academicians, because the first row was reserved for former academicians and staff who participated in the review.

He sat down quietly and looked around, but did not see Qiu Lixun. The other party's home was in northern Beijing, so he did not stay in a hotel last night, so he would probably arrive soon.

Five minutes later, Qiu Lixun arrived, greeted Zhou Rui, and sat obediently in the back. There was no explanation for the arrangement of the seats, but it was obviously impossible to say that it was completely random.

After a while, more and more people came into the auditorium, and Zhou Rui saw a familiar figure.

Sun Jiadong, Mr. Sun.

As soon as Mr. Sun came in, he looked around, quickly locked onto Zhou Rui's position, and walked over with a smile.

"Boss Zhou, I heard you were awarded a title today. I'm nearby so I came to see you."

Zhou Rui quickly stood up and shook hands with Mr. Sun: "Just tell me, I'll just go visit you later."

Old Sun waved his hand and said: "You are very busy. How can an old man waste the time of young people? The time of young people is more precious than gold."

Before the two of them finished their conversation, there was a depressing noise coming from the auditorium. Zhou Rui looked back and froze in place.

An old but energetic figure walked in with the help of others.

If Mr. Sun is not that recognizable, then this face will be familiar to everyone.

The father of hybrid rice, a veteran.

The elder's purpose was also very clear. He came to Zhou Rui, squinted his eyes, and looked at this young man in formal attire and full of vigor.

Zhou Rui’s reflection was reflected in his turbid eyes, and countless emotions flashed through his mind.

The day has finally come.

Finally, all the emotions turned into a cordial greeting: "Xiao Zhou, I heard that you are going to be an academician, so I came to see you."

Zhou Rui patted the elder's hands and felt that the wrinkled hands were somewhat weak.

His pupils widened slightly as he activated the "Left Eye of Insight" for the first time.

After a moment, he said, "Is the elder on vacation?"

"That's right"

"Then don't rush back after this. Come with me to Shanghai and I'll show you something new."

The elder was a little hesitant because there was a lot of work to do in the fields in August.

But in the end he nodded: "Okay, it's rare that Xiao Zhou invites me."

After chatting for a while, as more and more people came in and the ceremony was about to begin, the three of them separated.

Mr. Sun sat in the first row on the Academy of Sciences side, while the elders sat in the first row on the Academy of Engineering side.

Obviously, they didn't really do it on impulse, they just didn't tell Zhou Rui.

Zhou Rui sat back, feeling somewhat happy. Normally, only new academicians themselves would attend the awarding ceremony of the title of academician, so there would be no "witnesses from relatives and friends". But today, two senior seniors came for him. How could he not be happy?
At around 11 o'clock, most people had arrived. Because the ceremonies of the two houses were held together, this was probably the one with the largest number of people. Except for a small part of the circular auditorium that was blocked due to the angle, the other three sides were almost completely full.

The ceremony of awarding the title of academician officially begins.
Although academician is not the highest honor in China's scientific community, it is the highest title in China's scientific community.

Academician is a lifelong honor. Once awarded, it will not be easily revoked unless there is a major academic scandal, violation of laws and disciplines, misconduct, or political error.

New members are elected every two years, and the number is not fixed, but is generally around 100 (both houses combined), and is decided after a multi-step review process.

Those who can reach this level are basically the top talents in their respective fields, with excellent and clear results.

Not all of them are perfect, nor are all of them saints, but they are definitely smart people, excellent scientific researchers, and geniuses in the eyes of others.

Today, 95 newly elected academicians gathered in the Great Hall of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The first half of the ceremony already demonstrated the special nature of the title of academician. There was no enthusiasm or jubilation, only caution and seriousness.

The presidents of the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering gave speeches respectively, mainly emphasizing the obligations of academicians and urging compliance with the academician management charter.

Among them, there are four examples.

Be a role model of caring for the motherland and serving the people.

Be a role model in pursuing truth and climbing to greater heights.

Be a role model in adhering to academic ethics and rigorous scholarship.

Be a role model of being willing to serve as a stepping stone for others and encouraging future generations.

Idealistic? Yes.

Is it unrealistic? No.

Academicians are not perfect, let alone saints. There is no perfect system, let alone a perfect system. Over the years, there have been cases where academic achievements have been questioned after many years, where personal conduct has been gradually exposed, where people have misled the public with their outspokenness, and where people have been criticized for their lack of personal ethics.

Since the academician position is lifelong and endorsed by the state, every time an honor is given, a point of credibility will be "borrowed".

Every word and action of the academicians affects society's view of China's scientific community.

But if even the rules and regulations are not ideal enough, how can we maintain credibility and the purity of honor?

Few people know that academicians receive allowances, which add up to about 9800 yuan a month, or an annual salary of yuan.

It's not much, and it's completely extra. Its purpose is just to ensure that every academician's basic living needs are met.

For some elderly retired academicians, allowances are even their main source of income.

Few people know that unless you are a foreign academician, if you join another nationality, you will be regarded as automatically giving up the title of academician.

There are not many benefits, but there are many restrictions. Although the title is important, it still attracts people to pursue it.

During the election and awarding ceremony, each new academician's academic achievements and fields of expertise were briefly explained. Due to the large number of people co-hosted by the two academies, this item alone lasted for more than an hour.

Applied mathematics, high energy physics, photophysics, organic chemistry, nanomedicine.
Embryonic stem cells, plant antiviral, paleontology, marine geology
Semiconductor optoelectronic devices, aerospace engines, bridge engineering, and spacecraft manufacturing.
Metamaterials, quantum computing, mobile communications, computer graphics.
Zhou Rui himself was naturally included and was mentioned twice.

Ordinary people may only see chips, machine tools, aircraft carriers, or even ballpoint pen tips, SLR lenses, and lighter gaskets.
But for a huge country, there are countless areas that need efforts.

Countless scientific researchers have worked silently, even anonymously, in countless unknown places to create the world's first industrial power today.

After introducing the achievements of the newly elected academicians, five speeches followed.

Five of the more representative newly elected academicians took the stage to speak.

It does not involve academic content, nor does it talk about specific details, but focuses on experience, insights, and commitments.

Zhou Rui, as the most special one in the audience, was naturally one of them, and the last one.

Zhou Rui listened carefully to the first four speeches, but noticed that one of the elders left.

I smiled in my heart, probably because he went to smoke.
The elder returned soon and it was his turn to go on stage.

Zhou Rui stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked calmly to the center of the auditorium.

The circular design allows everyone to face him.

He did not bring a script, but simply adjusted the height of the microphone, paused for a moment, and said in a deep voice:
"Hello everyone, I am Zhou Rui, the 15th elected academician."

The election process lasts about half a year, and the time division is determined by the results, so although the time has come to the 16th, he is the 15th.

“I am honored to be elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences”

Just as he was about to say the next sentence, Zhou Rui caught a glimpse of the staff from the Academy of Engineering waving frantically.

He quickly added: "And academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering."

"This is a cough, these are two special honors"

Well, mentally he pays more attention to the Academy of Engineering, but spokenly, he pronounces the three words "Academy of Sciences" more fluently.

Almost collapsed at the beginning
After a tactical pause and stabilizing his position, Zhou Rui continued aloud:

"Being an academician is an honor and recognition bestowed by the country, and also an expectation and admiration bestowed by the society. I remember when I was in primary school, the teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said I wanted to be an 'astronaut'! Later, the teacher asked me what an astronaut is, and I couldn't answer, so I changed my words and said I wanted to be a 'scientist'"

Zhou Rui's humor brought out many smiles, and he seemed to recall his past.

I wonder how many of the children who gave this answer got what they wanted, but I'm afraid that everyone here was one of these children.

"In our era, this was basically a standard answer. It showed my lofty ambitions. I have two dreams at the moment. I am lucky enough to have achieved the latter, 'scientist'. I don't know if I will have the chance to become an 'astronaut' in this lifetime."

Hearing this, several engineering academy leaders rolled their eyes to the sky.

You're overthinking it. Even if all of them were dead, Master Zhou would never let you take this risk.

Want to go to heaven? No way!

Zhou Rui continued: "When I recalled this incident just now, I couldn't help but have an idea, that is, what would the previous generation answer when asked this question, so I sent a message to my father."

“He replied that he was also a scientist.”

"I can't help but wonder, what about the generation before that?"

At this point, Zhou Rui couldn't help but look at the elders and Mr. Sun below, then smiled and said: "Perhaps different circumstances and experiences will lead to different answers, but I believe that among those children back then, being a scientist would still be an attractive answer."

"why?"

"Since the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, almost all the misfortunes, tragedies, and heroic deeds on this land cannot be avoided in one word, that is, 'technological backwardness'."

"We lack strong ships and powerful guns, sufficient food, industry, and infrastructure."

"We were ahead of the curve for thousands of years, but after a brief nap, we ended up like this. This is the grandest and truest portrayal of 'the path of science is like sailing against the current.'"

Many people below looked heavy-hearted.
Especially those who were born before the founding of the People's Republic of China, such as Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Lao.
They really experienced this.

"So, developing science, yearning for science, and pursuing science were almost engraved in the bones of that generation, and thus passed down from generation to generation. That's why when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I could blurt out 'scientist' when I failed math in elementary school and knew nothing about society."

"And now, the times seem to have reached a new turning point. 'Science' is noble, difficult, and not so dazzling. The same questions have different answers in the new era."

"Celebrity, singer, boss, internet celebrity, civil servant"

"I fully respect every independent personality, recognize every different ambition, and recognize that the pursuit of one's own happiness should be put first. A vibrant society needs diversity. But today in this special place, I want to say that perhaps this is the meaning of the word 'academician'."

"Only this honor bestowed by the country at great risk can inspire generations of young people to devote themselves to the cause of science."

“It will enable those who have already devoted themselves to science to maintain their passion and motivation and imagine a bright future.”

"Only then can hundreds of millions of Chinese people know that we will no longer fall behind and that there are always people moving forward."

"I think this may be the meaning of the title of 'Academician' awarded by the state."

“Today, we are at the right time, carrying history on our shoulders, looking forward to the future, carrying unpolished gems in our hands, and leading the way. I hope to encourage all the academicians!”

Zhou Rui bowed slightly, announcing the end of his speech.

In the auditorium, there was a burst of applause.
This was the most passionate moment in this solemn ceremony.

Qiu Lixun stood up at the back and kept waving his arms.

Old Sun had tears in his eyes and his nose twitched slightly. I don't know what he was thinking about.

The elder laughed loudly and clapped his dry hands.

In the auditorium, all 95 new academicians seemed to have experienced a "self-examination" during Zhou Rui's speech and under the mysterious influence of [entry].

They will see their true nature, they will be careful about themselves, and they will keep moving forward.

They will live up to the "right time" of the times!
(End of this chapter)