Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 37：Remote Video

The National Bureau of Science and Technology in Kyoto.

In the conference hall, an elderly professor stood at the podium, presenting on the crystalline silicon solar energy project. Below, the senior officials from the Bureau and several auditing staff members, along with the core team members of the project, were seated.

"The crystalline silicon solar cell offers high efficiency, low degradation, and strong reliability. Advanced diffusion technology ensures excellent uniformity between the cells, minimizing matching losses between them..."

"With a conversion efficiency of 18.00% pm (wp), a maximum power output between 2.674-2.696 im (a) max, and a maximum power point voltage of 5.093 vm (v)..."

"As we all know, solar energy is inexhaustible and can be harnessed easily, with relatively low technical challenges..."

"Compared to the unattainable goal of controlled nuclear fusion, our project has far better chances of success. We require only half the annual funding for controlled fusion. If successful, it could save the nation 5 billion annually..."

The senior official nodded approvingly at Professor Li's explanation, deeply agreeing with the direction of the research and the projected return on investment.

Once Professor Li finished, he felt confident that his team would secure the 1.5 billion in funding.

The senior official glanced at the auditing staff. They all wore expressions of approval.

"Chief, I believe Professor Li's project is excellent. With the suspension of the controlled fusion program at the northern base, we could allocate half of their funding to Professor Li's team."

"Moreover, Professor Li's project will only require two years for completion, and it will save the nation 5 billion annually..."

The senior official nodded in agreement, recognizing the merits of the suggestion. At that moment, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from General Zhou Huaide, the head of the northern base.

Recalling the last time when Zhou had caused a commotion over requesting 100 million in funding, the senior official was reluctant to pick up. However, after some hesitation, he decided to answer—if he didn't, Zhou might come to the Bureau in person.

"Chief, we've succeeded in our research. Do you have time today to come to the northern base?"

"Succeeded in what?" The senior official responded, clearly confused by Zhou's words.

"We've successfully stabilized the nuclear fusion reaction for 100 seconds, as per our previous agreement!" Zhou replied.

The senior official, now understanding, couldn't help but chuckle. Their original agreement had been to present Zhou with an impossible challenge to encourage him to give up on controlled fusion. Yet now, Zhou claimed to have succeeded.

The senior official found it hard to believe. After all, only the most advanced nations, such as the United States, had barely managed to stabilize nuclear fusion for just 10 seconds, let alone for 100 seconds. And Zhou had done this in just one month? It was hard to accept.

"Zhou, are you drunk? Look, I have something important to handle right now," the senior official said, attempting to dismiss the call.

"I never drink, Chief. I'm telling the truth. We really have succeeded!" Zhou insisted.

The senior official knew that Zhou never drank, but still couldn't bring himself to believe that, in just one month and with limited resources, Zhou had achieved such a feat.

Hearing the senior official's silence, Zhou added earnestly, "Chief, if we fail this time, I'll drop the controlled fusion research as you advised."

The senior official, seeing how determined Zhou was, finally relented. "Fine, I'll come, but I'm not going to waste time. We'll do a remote video call."

"Chief, this is a historic moment. Please come to the site!" Zhou pleaded.

"Zhou, did you perform an ignition experiment for the fusion?" The senior official asked.

"Well, no, we haven't," Zhou admitted.

"Alright, I'll give you three minutes to prepare," the senior official said curtly, clearly in a rush.

"Thank you, Chief! Three minutes is all we need!" Zhou responded, knowing that the senior official's time was precious.

The senior official hung up, and the entire meeting room was filled with curiosity.

"Chief, did something happen at the northern base?" one of the auditing staff asked.

"About a month ago, I made a deal with General Zhou from the northern base..." The senior official explained, recounting his prior arrangement with Zhou. He assumed it was an impossible task, so he spoke of it lightly, as though it were a source of amusement.

"Professor Li, why don't you take a break for a while? You've been speaking for over an hour."

"Chief, for the sake of the country's scientific endeavors, I'm not tired at all! I could talk for another two hours if needed!" Professor Li responded cheerfully.

"Haha, you're truly as strong as ever!" the senior official chuckled.

Though the senior official was typically serious in his work, he enjoyed lighthearted banter during breaks to ease the tension.

They then resumed their discussion about controlled fusion.

"Do you really think Zhou can stabilize nuclear fusion for 100 seconds?"

"You're thinking too much! Nuclear fusion isn't that easy. After 10 years and over 30 billion invested by our country, with more than 100 researchers, we've made no major breakthroughs. Do you think he can do it in a month? It's just a pipe dream!"

"Honestly, Zhou is a competent person—he's dedicated and capable. If he weren't tied to the northern base, any other research project he worked on would have been more successful. What a waste of talent, sticking to this for 10 years..."

Three minutes later, Zhou requested a remote video call. The senior official had the staff connect the call, which was projected onto the screen.

On the projection screen, the image of the northern base's research institute appeared instantly.

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