Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 25：Choose to Believe

"According to your plan, how long will it take to achieve controlled nuclear fusion?"
When Jiang Fan heard this question, he looked out over the group of experts and professors, all of whom were gazing at him with eager anticipation. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly replied,
"Theoretically, five years."

Upon hearing Jiang Fan's five-year estimate, the entire room burst into laughter.
"Heh... The young man is still too idealistic."
"After all, he's only eighteen, and has no practical research experience. It's understandable that he would think this way."
"Indeed, theoretical research is one thing, but practice is another matter entirely. Funding, personnel, materials, technological limitations, temperature, humidity, weather, geographic location—so many factors influence the success of scientific research!"
"Ha-ha... But I do admire this young man. At least he dares to dream big. Many of our greatest research projects were born from bold imaginations!"
"..."

Jiang Fan watched as the atmosphere lightened with their laughter, and the tension that had initially gripped him began to ease. In truth, his five-year estimate had been a conservative one, as the system had given him a timeframe of just one year. He had feared that mentioning such a short period might overwhelm them, so he deliberately gave a longer estimate, only to have everyone think he was joking. He didn't feel the need to clarify.

After their laughter subsided, the experts began posing a flurry of more technical questions, which Jiang Fan answered one by one.

Minister Zhou Huaide had clearly underestimated the group of experts' insatiable thirst for knowledge. The questions came in a steady stream, without pause, until 2 a.m. When Minister Zhou saw how exhausted the experts were, he decided to conclude the meeting.
"Enough for tonight," he announced. "Let's call it a day. Everyone needs rest."

Reluctantly, the experts left, but many took the opportunity to shake Jiang Fan's hand on their way out. Finally, only Elder Long and Elder Qiao remained in the meeting hall.

"Elder Long, it's getting late. Shouldn't you head home and get some rest?" Elder Qiao remarked.
"Hmph! What are you scheming, young man? Don't think I don't know. Jiang Fan is as good as mine. You can go about your business!" Elder Long retorted bluntly.
"Elder Long, if it were anything else, I might step aside for you, but this young man, I'm claiming him for myself!" Elder Qiao said, his expression one of determined resolve.
"You're challenging me?"
"Bring it on!"

The two seemed ready to clash, but Dean Li quickly intervened to separate them.
"Both of you are over a hundred years old now. Do you really want to start fighting in the middle of the night? You'll be the laughingstock of everyone if word gets out!"

Seeing the two old men finally separate, Dean Li shook his head, half-amused and half-exasperated.
"I may be ten years older than you, but don't think I can't handle you!" Elder Long shot back.
Dean Li looked at the two of them, now bickering like children, and let out a deep sigh.
"Gentlemen, it's already 2 a.m. Let's get some rest. Your health is more important."

"I'm in perfect health!"
"So am I!"

Dean Li watched as the two elderly men, their hair graying, behaved like children, and he couldn't help but feel both exasperated and amused.
"I know you're both in excellent health," he said, "but Jiang Fan has just spoken for five or six hours straight. He's exhausted and needs rest as well."

Upon hearing this, the two elders recognized the importance of preserving Jiang Fan's health for the future of their country. They agreed to leave, and Jiang Fan was shown to a room within the research institute to rest.

Afterward, someone delivered some food to him. Jiang Fan, famished from having eaten nothing since lunch with Chu Ruoxi earlier that day, eagerly devoured the meal.

Once he had finished eating, Minister Zhou finally spoke, voicing the question that had been on his mind the entire evening.
"Jiang Fan, you said it would take five years to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. Is that true?"

"Yes," Jiang Fan replied, swallowing a mouthful of rice.

Minister Zhou's eyes lit up with excitement. As the lead of the national controlled fusion project, he had dreamed for years of making this breakthrough. But the reality had been unrelenting—despite over ten years of work and an investment of more than 30 billion yuan, there had been no major breakthroughs. This year, with the national budget stretched thin, there were even discussions of pausing the project.

This was his life's work, and no one had deeper emotional ties to the project than he did. Despite the heartache, he had come to terms with the fact that without a technological breakthrough, there was nothing more he could do.

But now, meeting Jiang Fan, a spark of hope had been reignited. Jiang Fan's claim to achieve controlled nuclear fusion in just five years seemed improbable, but Minister Zhou was willing to believe and try. After all, many of the world's greatest achievements once seemed impossible—yet someone had believed in them and made them a reality.

"I have no doubts about your theory," Minister Zhou said, analyzing the situation with a furrowed brow, "but when it comes to practical implementation, many issues will arise..."

Jiang Fan, finishing his meal, turned and looked Zhou Huaide in the eye, his expression resolute.
"I only need one year—just one year—to successfully complete the research on controlled nuclear fusion."

Minister Zhou's eyes widened in disbelief. His heart seemed to stop as the words reverberated in his mind.
"One... one year?"

He stammered, utterly shocked. While he might have been able to accept the five-year estimate, the one-year claim was beyond comprehension. In his mind, even if Jiang Fan were a god, it was impossible to achieve controlled nuclear fusion in just one year.

He knew better than anyone how difficult it was—this was no small feat. But when he saw Jiang Fan's unwavering gaze, he found himself drawn to believe.

"Jiang Fan... Are you serious?"

"Uncle Zhou, as you told me on our way here, many things that seem impossible in this world—like the industrial revolution before it happened—are now taken for granted. People once couldn't believe that airplanes and trains were human inventions..."

Listening to Jiang Fan's words, Zhou Huaide made up his mind. He would follow Jiang Fan's lead and take the gamble. Even if it failed, he would have no regrets.

"How much funding will you need?"

Jiang Fan pondered for a moment before replying,
"10 billion."

When Jiang Fan named the amount, Zhou Huaide was not surprised. In fact, Jiang Fan's estimate seemed rather low. After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhou Huaide gritted his teeth.
"Alright! I'll apply tomorrow!"