Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

"Dear Professor Lü Yongchang, in recognition of your numerous groundbreaking achievements in cutting-edge science and technology and your outstanding contributions to the Xia Kingdom, you have been nominated as a candidate for the Xia Kingdom's highest national science and technology award. The selection results will be announced at the National Science and Technology Awards Conference next week. Please be sure to attend!"

Looking at the few lines of large characters on the letter in his hand, Lü Yongchang took a deep breath.

"This...is the Speaker of the Council serious?"

Lu Yongchang's eyes trembled slightly.

He had never received this award even in his previous life.

The reason is, of course, quite simple.

In his previous life, when he was eligible for this award, Xia Kingdom had already become part of the Human Federation, so naturally there was no such thing as Xia Kingdom's highest national science and technology award.

"Of course I'm serious."

"This is the highest-level award among the five national science and technology awards of Xia Kingdom, tsk tsk tsk..."

Fang Xu's voice was full of envy.

No researcher can resist the allure of this award.

Lu Yongchang stretched out his finger and gently brushed over the large gold-embossed characters on the letter paper, his heart trembling slightly.

The letter, as thin as a cicada's wing, seemed to carry an inexplicable weight, pressing heavily on his heart.

This level of award has been won by very few people since the founding of the Xia Kingdom.

In a sense, this is actually similar to a so-called lifetime achievement award.

Therefore, this award is usually given to older researchers.

The fact that the Speaker of the Legislative Council was able to award this prize to a young man who is only 21 years old is undoubtedly a great trust and encouragement to him!

Fang Xu, who was standing to the side, stared longingly at the letter in Lü Yongchang's hand and swallowed hard.

"Yongchang, you've now reached the very top of Xia Kingdom's academic circles!"

Lü Yongchang chuckled, folded the letter in his hand, and put it in his pocket.

"What are you talking about? It's just a nomination; we don't even know if we'll win!"

Fang Xu pursed his lips and didn't reply.

In his opinion, unless those judges were out of their minds, the award was definitely Lü Yongchang's.

As for the so-called candidate list and awards ceremony... it's just a formality.

……

One week later.

Sandaokou University.

Office of the Dean of the School of Nuclear Physics.

"Knock knock knock!"

Hearing the urgent knocking, Jiang Yongxing subconsciously looked up at the clock on his desk.

10:18 a.m.

He frowned slightly.

"Who is it?" Jiang Yongxing put down his pen and called out loudly towards the door.

"I!"

"Tian Zhixuan!"

Hearing the loud voice outside the door, Jiang Yongxing was stunned for a moment, then stood up and quickly walked to the door to open it.

"Old Tian? Why aren't you in your materials science department? What are you doing here?"

Seeing Tian Zhixuan's excited expression outside the door, Jiang Yongxing frowned even more deeply: "What? Have you made any new breakthroughs?"

Tian Zhixuan's expression froze, and his eyes suddenly became a little strange.

"you do not know?"

Jiang Yongxing frowned and shook his head.

"Hey! Let me in first, I'll tell you slowly!" Tian Zhixuan waved his hand casually, then strode towards Jiang Yongxing's office. "By the way, you have a TV in your office, right?"

Jiang Yongxing nodded slightly, stepped aside to open the office door, and welcomed Tian Zhixuan in.

"Old Tian, ​​what's going on?"

Seeing Tian Zhixuan sitting calmly on the sofa, Jiang Yongxing's doubts deepened.

Tian Zhixuan didn't say anything, but simply reached out and turned on the television next to him, switching it to the Xia Kingdom news channel.

Looking at the gold and red hall on the television screen, Jiang Yongxing was stunned.

He frowned as he glanced at the date, a hint of realization flashing in his eyes, but this realization was quickly overshadowed by deeper confusion.

"If I remember correctly, this should be the National Science and Technology Awards Conference, right?"

"What? You came here today just to show me this?"

Jiang Yongxing returned to his seat, annoyed. "I don't remember anyone from your Materials Science department winning any awards!"

Tian Zhixuan's gaze grew increasingly strange.

He turned to look at Jiang Yongxing and asked softly, "Old Jiang, you really haven't heard about that news?"

Jiang Yongxing's eyes showed even greater confusion and doubt: "What news?"

"That kid Lü Yongchang has been nominated for the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award!"

Jiang Yongxing's pupils contracted slightly, and he abruptly stood up from his chair, slamming his hands on the desk in front of him: "What?!"

"Are you telling the truth?!"

Tian Zhixuan didn't say anything unnecessary, he just gestured towards the TV with his lip: "If you don't believe me, just watch TV yourself and you'll see."

As soon as he finished speaking, the national anthem of Xia Kingdom came from the television.

The conference has begun.

Jiang Yongxing's eyes flickered, and he stared intently at the television in front of him.

"Ever since ancient times, energy has been the greatest obstacle to human progress."

From the steam age to the electric age.

"From coal-fired power generation to wind and hydropower generation."

"We think about energy issues every moment."

"..."

Upon hearing this string of award citations, a hint of disorientation flashed across Jiang Yongxing's eyes.

"It's a sure thing." Tian Zhixuan's voice came from the side. "This top science and technology award belongs to that kid Lü Yongchang!"

The next moment, the sound from the television came through.

"...Next, please welcome Professor Lü Yongchang, recipient of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award!"

As music and applause began, the television screen switched to Lü Yongchang.

Looking at the slightly immature faces in the video, Jiang Yongxing and Tian Zhixuan both fell silent.

After a long silence, Jiang Yongxing sighed deeply: "Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years!"

……

Standing on the awards stage, looking at the various gazes of the crowd below, Lü Yongchang couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

Even with his extensive experience, his heart skipped a beat when he heard his own name called.

After all, for a researcher from the Xia Kingdom, the symbolic significance of this award is extremely great!

Just as he was somewhat stunned, the Speaker of the Council appeared on one side of the award stage.

Councilor Li slowly walked onto the stage and solemnly handed the medal and certificate to Lü Yongchang.

Keep up the good work!

A smile appeared on Representative Lee's lips: "I'm waiting for you to describe that scene to me!"

As he spoke, Councilor Li reached out and gently patted Lu Yongchang on the shoulder.

Lu Yongchang was slightly taken aback, then realized that the councilor was referring to the Heavenly Court Project.

He nodded vigorously, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Speaker, rest assured, the Xia Kingdom will never perish!"

"Snap!"

The flash went off, and the scene was permanently captured by a nearby camera.