"This is a foregone conclusion!" Upon hearing that the Huang He Chemistry Prize was awarded to Xu Guangxian, many people expressed their calm acceptance. Unlike Wei Wei's surprise earlier, out of more than 60 media outlets, 42 had already predicted the Chemistry Prize for Xu Guangxian.
It was unavoidable, given Xu Guangxian's standing in the chemistry world and his esteemed reputation. Unless Huang He could find someone like Hou Debang, there was truly no one more qualified than Xu Guangxian to receive the award earlier.
Therefore, this award was unsurprising, and almost everyone had guessed it correctly.
"Next, we will present the Huang He Biology and Medicine Prize!" the leader continued.
"Here comes this award again! I wonder if there will be another dark horse today!" the media reporters in the audience buzzed amongst themselves.
"Yes, Tu Youyou last year completely surprised everyone. If it weren't for this award, we wouldn't have even known who Tu Youyou was."
"I don't think there will be an upset this year. After all, the first two awards were for a hot favorite and a somewhat dark horse who was still a well-known figure, a true master in his field. So, I suspect that even if this year's medicine prize goes to a dark horse, it will undoubtedly be a figure of master caliber!"
"That makes sense. Then who do you think are the masters qualified to win this year?"
"I'll name three: Mr. Zhu Bo from dermatology, 'Master of Chinese Medicine' Mr. Zhang Lei, and Mr. Zhang Xiaofang from ophthalmology."
"Wait, I respect Mr. Zhu Bo and Mr. Zhang Xiaofang, but please don't bring up 'Master of Chinese Medicine.' What qualification does Traditional Chinese Medicine have to win an award?"
"Why doesn't Traditional Chinese Medicine have the qualification to win?"
"Don't you remember what the previous laureate, Mr. Lu Xun, said? He called TCM practitioners intentional or unintentional charlatans, saying they only spoke ambiguously and couldn't cure diseases. Otherwise, wouldn't the medicines commonly used today all be Western medicine?"
"You simply don't understand TCM, you idiot!"
"You..."
As the two reporters were on the verge of fighting, they thankfully remembered where they were, and their confrontation ended with angry glares.
In the medical field, the competition was quite fierce. The more than 60 media outlets listed more than 30 potential laureates, and not a single candidate received support from more than 10 media outlets. In short, it seemed anyone could win.
Therefore, the recipient of this award made people feel even more the thrill of suspense.
Soon, the leader opened the envelope. Upon seeing the name on it, the leader, who had been smiling all along, was stunned.
Then, to everyone's surprise, the leader's body trembled slightly, and his eyes seemed to well up with tears. He even looked back at Huang He and nodded.
After a moment, the leader, holding the envelope, said with a smile, "I apologize, seeing this result has made me a little emotional. It reminds me of the passionate and dedicated people of the turbulent years over 30 years ago. And, I never expected that even now, someone would still remember them."
"I believe this is the best possible outcome. Now, I announce that the Huang He Biology and Medicine Prize is jointly awarded to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Ms. Wang Guizhen."
"What, three entities won!" Hearing the result, everyone was bewildered. While Wei Wei had been predicted by two media outlets, this year's Biology and Medicine Prize was another major upset. Not only was it a "three-way tie," but none of the three laureates were on the predicted list of the 60 media outlets.
Most of the media outlets still didn't understand the reasons behind these three entities winning. Only some of the older reporters, upon hearing the name Wang Guizhen, showed expressions of recollection and deep thought.
"Old Liu, who is this Wang Guizhen? Do you know her?" a young man beside him asked a middle-aged man in his fifties.
"I don't know her, but I heard her name when I was a child. She was even on the ration coupons!" the middle-aged man sighed.
At this moment, the leader continued reading the award speech.
"In the old society, there was a time when China had only over a million doctors. 90% of them were concentrated in cities and towns, leaving only 10% of doctors to serve the 70% of the population in rural areas. A large number of farmers lacked medical care and medicine, could not afford to see a doctor, and could not even access one. They could only suffer and groan in pain from their illnesses."
"Over 30 years ago, there was a group of people who, carrying simple medical kits, wearing straw hats, and barefoot, walked the fields and paths, treating farmers suffering from illness. Millions of people were saved each year."
"Over 30 years ago, there was a book with a purple cover, without ornate wording, only simple sentences forming prescriptions, descriptions of ailments, and methods of treatment."
"This group was called 'barefoot doctors,' and this book was called the 'Barefoot Doctor's Manual.' Because of the existence of this group and this book, a large number of Chinese farmers received treatment, increasing China's average life expectancy by 3.7 years. And these barefoot doctors dedicated their lives and youth to these fields."
"Today, please allow us to express our gratitude to these barefoot doctors who dedicated their lives to the broadest masses of the Chinese people, the most common rural population, and to the 'Barefoot Doctor's Manual' in their hands that saved countless lives!"
"Let us thank the compilers of the 'Barefoot Doctor's Manual,' Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and let us also thank the most outstanding representative of the barefoot doctors, Ms. Wang Guizhen!" the leader said with deep emotion. It was evident that this leader, in his early sixties, had strong memories of the barefoot doctor movement, as he himself had come from a rural background.
"Quickly check, quickly find out what these barefoot doctors and the 'Barefoot Doctor's Manual' are all about!" The reporters below sprang into action, secretly sending messages to their colleagues outside, asking them to gather information on barefoot doctors, the "Barefoot Doctor's Manual," and Wang Guizhen as quickly as possible.
They had a feeling that this year's event would create another "Tu Youyou" miracle, allowing the entire nation to once again recognize a group filled with light, hope, and memories. This was likely to be the biggest news of this year's Huang He Awards.
While the reporters were busy investigating, the next award ceremony began. The Huang He Mathematics and Industry Prize was about to be presented.
When the leader announced the name Hua Luogeng, it confirmed that this was another outcome predicted by most.
Indeed, in the field of mathematics, no one was more qualified to receive this award than Hua Luogeng.
Next was the Huang He Personality Award. The leader easily tore open the envelope and nodded slightly upon seeing the name.
This was perhaps the least suspenseful award, as the leader already knew who the laureate was.
Of course, this wasn't due to a leak. Huang He had specifically inquired through channels if it was possible to present the award to this individual, as their identity was highly classified, and there was a risk of revealing state secrets.
The result was that the leader personally approved Huang He's request with a single sentence: "Must award!"
So, the leader smiled and announced, "I declare that Mr. Yu Min is the recipient of the Huang He Physics Prize!"
"Mr. Yu Min was born in Tianjin in 1926 into an ordinary family. He studied locally in Tianjin, and in 1944, he was admitted to the School of Engineering at Peking University. In 1946, he transferred to the School of Physics. In 1949, after graduating with his bachelor's degree, he was admitted to graduate school. In 1951, he completed his graduate studies at Peking University and subsequently worked at the Institute of Physics, becoming a meritorious scientist of the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' project."
"What is most commendable is that, unlike most meritorious scientists of the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' project, Mr. Yu Min had no experience studying or living abroad, nor did he receive any systematic education from foreign institutions. He is a homegrown Chinese scientist nurtured by Chinese educational institutions."
"It was precisely this homegrown Chinese scientist, when faced with restrictions on hydrogen bomb development and the refusal of other countries to share their designs, who, leading his team, independently developed the Yu Min configuration. In just two years, he enabled the hydrogen bomb to detonate along with the atomic bomb, astonishing the world."
"It took the United States 7 years and 3 months from the detonation of its first atomic bomb to its first hydrogen bomb. Britain took 4 years and 7 months, the Soviet Union took 6 years and 3 months, and France took 8 years and 6 months. China, however, only took 2 years and 8 months."
"Despite achieving such immense success and making such great contributions, Mr. Yu Min always remained in obscurity. He kept this secret from his relatives and family, and for 28 years after the hydrogen bomb detonation, no one knew his identity or his work. He is a great person who completely disregarded personal honor, a true revolutionary!"
Yu Min's award surprised everyone. As the leader mentioned, Mr. Yu Min had always remained in a state of secrecy. To protect his safety, despite his innumerable contributions, he remained unknown.
Although relevant information began to be declassified in the 1990s, and he no longer needed to remain in obscurity, Mr. Yu Min continued to avoid the media and remained silent.
Therefore, many media representatives at the scene were unaware of Mr. Yu Min's name and achievements. It was only when the leader read the award speech that they learned of this great contributor to the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' project.
And through this award speech, it was clear that Mr. Yu Min's award was well-deserved, and it could be imagined that Mr. Yu Min would soon become famous both at home and abroad.
This was also why Huang He had asked for the official opinion beforehand; such matters could not be taken lightly.