The Nobel Prize consists of six awards. In the parallel world, they're usually handed out in three waves. First comes the Nobel Prize in Literature in early November, awarded by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm. Then, in early December, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine are given, jointly organized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Karolinska Institute.
Finally, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences are awarded in mid-January.
The economics award is different. Its full title is the [Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel]. In a way, it exists to ride the Nobel brand, which somewhat goes against Alfred Nobel's original will. The Nobel family has repeatedly protested it, and even laureates have called for its abolition.
Scheduling the economics prize alongside the Peace Prize is a practical move, designed to link prestige and public attention.
The economics prize has honored plenty of familiar contributions, like the Nash equilibrium, the Black–Scholes option pricing model, and the founding of public choice theory. This year, three people won, each for different reasons. One studied the impact of minimum wage and social environment on employment. The connection between minimum wage and unemployment isn't straightforward; it's complex. He even wrote a book called myth.and.measurement, though there's no Chinese edition.
For economists, it's mind-blowing. For those with no background in economics, it's like reading an alien language.
Because of this barrier, even when the economics prize and the Peace Prize are awarded at the same time, public attention overwhelmingly focuses on the Peace Prize. And this year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the laureate for the Peace Prize—Chu Zhi.
The committee's citation read: [For his efforts to prevent conflicts in Africa through his music and to help heal the wounds of war.]
American netizens: "I didn't even need the announcement. Of course it's him. It's like kicking someone in the ass with pointy shoes—you just know it'll hurt."
Japanese netizens: "He deserves it. If angels really existed in our world, it'd be him."
British netizens: "The Nobel Peace Prize has always been political. Winners don't necessarily bring peace, but they align with Western values. I accept the 2026 laureate."
Italian netizens: "A voice as pure as spring, healing so many."
Colombian netizens: "Chu Zhi will become the most unique singer on this planet."
…
Even though Chu Zhi had been tipped as a nominee, and people expected him to win, the official announcement still caused a sensation.
No celebrity had ever won before. Expanding from stars to artists, even artists hadn't clinched it. Chu Zhi's win was unprecedented!
"The Nobel Peace Prize owed to China is finally returned" — The Guardian
"The Believer in Miracles Wins the Nobel Peace Prize" — International Herald Tribune
"Chu Zhi's Nobel Peace Prize: A Case of Celebrity Influence Expanding" — Straits Times
"Who Nominated Chu Zhi?" — Sankei Shimbun
"From Nie Hualing to Chu Zhi: Why Chinese Artists Are Legendary" — Global Times
Multiple hot reports flooded the media.
Nie Hualing was the first Chinese person ever nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Sankei Shimbun dug deeper and found that the nominators were the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme. They even interviewed the heads of these organizations.
The UNHCR has twice won the Peace Prize, and the WFP once, so they're eligible to nominate. UN officer Beckson had promised to surprise Chu Zhi—it was clearly the Nobel nomination.
The online buzz boosted the fame of Is It Peace?. Across the globe, everyone remembered that figure from four months ago.
Even if some songs in the album weren't top-tier, people might accuse the singer of riding the "Peace" wave. But Chu Zhi packed the album with over a dozen tracks, each strong enough to be a single.
Frankly, Is It Peace? is the best anti-war, pro-peace album in the world and parallel worlds. No competition.
Its energy was blinding. By the second day, sales reached 10.43 million copies, including online sales.
It dropped a little from the first day—over two million fewer—but album sales are like movie pre-sales. The advance purchases from Little Fruits counted in the first day, so a natural drop would have been six to seven million.
It's obvious how the Peace Prize fueled sales. In two days, it easily surpassed twenty million, a feat unseen in the 21st century—until Chu Zhi achieved it.
The black iron era of physical albums has one advantage: as soon as you hear news about a singer or writer, you can instantly pre-order online. You don't have to leave your house like twenty years ago.
After all, leaving home is a hassle—you have to change, wash up, psych yourself up. Most people give up or forget.
Amazon, Flipkart, Taobao, Best Buy, Shopify—all of them had Is It Peace? as a top seller.
The sales were outrageous, and the shockwaves from the Nobel Peace Prize were everywhere.
"Fuck, I've been in the industry for twelve years, and my global sales barely hit 25 million. He did in two or three days what took me twelve years. Shit, shit!"
Holman was referring to his nine albums plus one EP. Even in rap, his total sales are top twenty historically.
"Being born in the same era as him is bullshit, seriously bullshit." Holman muttered loudly. The voice echoed through the villa.
Suddenly, a cold laugh cut through: "Heh, if it weren't for the albums you bought today, I might've believed your words."
It was Leighton, one of the seven lead singers. "These" referred to the eight versions of Is It Peace? albums.
"I just bought them online," Holman immediately explained. "You're not going to accuse me of buying them to support him, right? And you're the hardcore fan—you've probably got dozens?"
Dozens? Who the hell buys that many? Leighton knew he wasn't crazy—he only bought ten, staring at the different album covers on the table.
It was the second day of release, yet Holman already had all eight versions, something most loyal fans wouldn't achieve so quickly.
"This album is destined to go down in music history," Leighton admitted reluctantly. "The timing of its release was perfect."
The seven-member band had been active for 19 years, released 22 albums, and sold just thirty million. No matter the era, they were top-tier, but against Is It Peace?, they were like paper, easily torn apart.
"Holman, aren't you jealous Chu Zhi got the Nobel Peace Prize? You stood on stage with him," Leighton suddenly asked.
The Peace Prize often allows multiple laureates.
"Fuck, I'm not jealous. I'm religious—envy's one of the seven deadly sins," Holman said.
Leighton was speechless. Holman's only religion was the Dog Cult, sworn enemies of the Cat Cult.
"As a human, I can't be jealous of Chu Zhi," Holman said. "Do you know how scared I was? If I hadn't drunk so little water, I'd have pissed myself. I've never felt death so close."
"But Chu Zhi was in front, shielding me. If the rebels had shot, he'd be first, I'd be second. I've never seen anyone so brave. Humanity's anthem is human courage," Holman said. "I was just protected—I don't deserve the Nobel Peace Prize."
Without experiencing it firsthand, and with Holman's chaotic words, Leighton couldn't really imagine it.
One thing was clear: Holman had become a fan of that Chinese man.
"IFPI checked their report? 18th sales, and by the 19th it's over 24 million? Could an album even reach 30 million in this era?" Akenda's mind was spinning.
"I've said it forever. He's the cannon that shatters Golden Age records—no, he's an intercontinental missile," Danny said.
"The last global entertainment event was Never Sinks. Two worldwide discussions were created by Chu Zhi, overcoming racial disadvantages. If he were white, his achievement would be even greater… no, if he were white, he might already be dead," diva Rena mused. She meant Asians face prejudice in Western entertainment.
"Asian pride. Collaborating with him on a song is one of my career highlights," Indonesian diva Zhu Sufu said.
"Chu Zhi will always be synonymous with miracles. Selling 100 million records is reasonable," Koguchi Yoshihiro commented.
"Under the dollar-dominated system, for an Asian to become a pop king—Chu Zhi is rewriting history," Ryoko Hiromatsu added.
Celebrities were all stunned by Is It Peace? sales.
Beckson of the WFP suddenly said: "Tell me, did Chu Zhi create this world's miracle, or did the world create Chu Zhi?"
Levi, WFP secretary, thought for a long time before replying: "I can't answer. What do you think, Beckson?"
"Let's look from another angle. Without Chu Zhi, would another star have created the Sahel legend?" Beckson asked.
"No. I don't think so," Levi adjusted his glasses. "History is full of heroes who risked their lives to stop war. But no other hero's song could reach Chu Zhi's level. The Sahel legend requires both courage and vocal mastery—both are essential."
Beckson could easily imagine other singers starting a chain reaction by accident.
"Chu Zhi isn't a symbol of this era. This era is called Chu Zhi," Beckson said.
"I bought five digital copies on SPO, supporting him," Levi added.
"So fast? I ordered on Amazon, and it hasn't shipped," Beckson said.
"SPO is digital, not physical," Levi explained.
Digital album sales haven't been explicitly reported, not because they weren't impressive. In China, digital copies are free. Since Slightly Expecting the World, overseas digital sales have dominated in Japan, South Korea, China, the U.S., and globally.
The digital version always hits the top three, just like Is It Peace? hitting number one on release.
Abroad, waves of discussion. In China, tidal surges of debate.
A sudden report interrupted.
"The West still can't handle it," Foreign Minister Zhang laughed.
He assumed Norway had forced the prize to others last time.
The "solo concert" event was too famous. 100% certain it was Chu Zhi, especially among Christians.
Were there more deserving 2026 candidates? Sure, the planet never lacks people radiating humanity. But with Hungarian TV documentaries amplifying Chu Zhi's fame, anyone else would be overshadowed.
Is It Peace? sold 8.36 million on its third day.
It easily broke 30 million total.
The album's success wasn't just about sales; it earned enormous acclaim as well.