Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 42：The Promise

In the video feed, Jiang Fan stood in stark contrast to the other members of the control room. While everyone else was animated, excited, and full of fervor, Jiang Fan's expression was serious, almost solemn. His gaze was fixed intently on the temperature of the magnetic ring material displayed on the monitor. It had now reached 1678°C, just 322 degrees shy of the critical 2000°C threshold, beyond which the material's performance would degrade.

Meanwhile, the temperature of other materials was also steadily rising. Jiang Fan noted that the nuclear fusion had been stable for 81 seconds. Only 19 more seconds were needed to reach the 100-second mark, at which point his task would be complete. If the National Research Bureau could approve the 10-billion-yuan funding, he was confident he could perfect the controlled nuclear fusion within a year. From then on, he could shift his focus to space technology.

"Hold on, just 19 more seconds," Jiang Fan silently prayed.

However, the temperature of the magnetic ring material began to rise rapidly, increasing by 40°C every second. By the 82nd second, the temperature had reached 1718°C, and in the remaining 18 seconds, the temperature would need to climb another 720°C, eventually reaching around 2500°C at the 100-second mark. But once the material reached 2000°C, its performance would deteriorate, jeopardizing the stability of the fusion.

At this rate, it seemed impossible to last the full 100 seconds. Suddenly, an idea struck Jiang Fan. He called out to one of the researchers at a separate operations station.

"Adjust the magnetic ring confinement system to level 8!"

The researcher, who had been celebrating with the others, quickly wiped the smile off his face and adjusted the power from level 9 to level 8.

"Power of magnetic ring confinement system set to level 8."

Jiang Fan resumed watching the temperature, noticing the rate of increase had slowed. He let out a quiet sigh of relief. But even with this adjustment, reaching 100 seconds still seemed uncertain.

The other researchers had noticed Jiang Fan's focused expression and fell silent. Though they had already achieved a level of nuclear fusion stability that no other country had, it still hadn't met the conditions promised by Commander Zhou and the leader.

They all stared at Jiang Fan's screen in anxious anticipation.

At 1928°C, the fusion had remained stable for 92 seconds. Just 8 seconds more.

Zhou Huaide clenched his fist so tightly his nails dug into his flesh, but he felt no pain. Just 8 more seconds, and they would fulfill their promise to the leader.

"Come on, Jiang Fan! You can do it!" Zhou Huaide silently encouraged him.

As each second ticked by, the clock reached 97 seconds, and Jiang Fan saw small fluctuations in the fusion temperature and the pulse output power.

His heart tightened in alarm. "Not good!"

"Adjust the magnetic ring confinement system to level 7!" he barked.

"Increase the external power supply!"

"Received!"

The researchers quickly followed his instructions, adjusting the settings.

Everyone remained glued to the screen, watching as the fusion time approached 98 seconds... 99 seconds... Just one more second.

"100 seconds!"

"Success! 100 seconds, we did it!"

"We really did it! 100 seconds, controlled fusion for 100 seconds!"

"Commander Zhou, we've succeeded!"

"Success... ha ha..."

The entire control room erupted in joyous shouts. Tears of joy welled up in the eyes of many, even as they cheered. Jiang Fan, too, felt his racing heart finally settle.

Yes! They had done it!

He had not let anyone down.

Rising from his seat at the control console, he looked at the researchers, who were now embracing one another, their faces glowing with pride. Zhou Huaide approached, smiled, and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you, Jiang Fan," Zhou Huaide whispered, trying to control his emotions. But tears still welled in his eyes.

He quickly released Jiang Fan and wiped his face. "The wind on the prairie is strong, my eyes... just got a little misty."

Jiang Fan smiled knowingly, understanding the depths of Zhou Huaide's struggles. Ten years of perseverance, no breakthroughs, and endless external skepticism had placed a tremendous burden on him.

"We should all thank Chief Engineer Jiang!" someone shouted.

Before Jiang Fan could react, the other researchers surged forward and lifted him high into the air.

"Whoa!"

"Ha ha..."

All the tension and anxiety Jiang Fan had felt over the past month vanished in that moment. He laughed, as carefree as a child.

Zhou Huaide, seeing this, couldn't help but laugh too. He hadn't expected that the others would lift him up as well.

The entire control room was filled with a festive atmosphere.

At the National Science and Technology Bureau's conference room, the excitement was just as palpable.

100 seconds—China's controlled fusion technology had reached 100 seconds, while the U.S. had only managed 10 seconds! That was ten times longer.

The significance of this 90-second gap was immense—without at least ten years of effort, other countries would find it nearly impossible to catch up.

The leader, grinning from ear to ear, couldn't believe that in just one month, they had achieved 100 seconds.

"Wait, it's not just 100 seconds, the fusion hasn't stopped yet!"

Someone exclaimed.

The leader and others turned to the screen and saw that, indeed, the fusion had not yet ceased. The clock had reached 106 seconds...

"107..."

"108..."

"109..."

As the numbers climbed, the room filled with a chorus of excited shouts. Outside, staff members, unaware of the cause, stood bewildered.

Could this really be their usually calm, composed leader, shouting and counting aloud?

They couldn't believe their eyes.

The count reached 118 seconds. After a brief silence, the room exploded in thunderous applause.

The staff were even more confused, their minds reeling.

The leader quickly regained his composure and said:

"Everyone, hand over your phones. No one leaves this room until we sign the confidentiality agreements..."

The leader wasn't ready to make any announcements just yet. With the World Military Competition still six months away, he wanted to keep controlled nuclear fusion as a secret weapon—ready to use it to outshine the U.S. and settle the score for past humiliations.

...

At the National Fighter Jet Research Base, Chief Engineer Zhang Honglei was deep in thought, pondering how to improve the fuel efficiency of fighter jets. Suddenly, the phone rang. It was from the leader of the National Science and Technology Bureau.

"Hello, Leader!"

"Inform all researchers from the former Northern Base to return to the base immediately!"

4o mini