Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 156：Secret Vow

The Thousand-Ton Rocket Engine Design Blueprint?
Professor Li couldn't help but laugh upon seeing the title. He knew it was somewhat inappropriate to laugh in front of Jiang Fan, but he just couldn't hold it in.
Without even needing to look further, he was certain that Jiang Fan's design was unfeasible. Their base had spent years developing a 500-ton rocket engine, and here Jiang Fan was, proposing a thousand-ton engine. Was this not pure fantasy?
Feigning a glance at the rest of the contents, Professor Li quickly rolled up the blueprint and handed it back to Jiang Fan.
"Jiang Fan, your idea is admirable, but our base is too small to undertake such a massive project."
Professor Li said with a half-joking tone.
His meaning was clear—Jiang Fan's design was completely impractical. To avoid discouraging him too harshly, he chose not to be too blunt.
"Professor Li, are there any other rocket engine research bases in our country?" Jiang Fan asked.
"Of course. This rocket engine base is the smallest in Dragon Country. We have two much larger, specialized bases—one in the northwest and one in the southwest..."
Jiang Fan immediately understood after hearing Professor Li's explanation. He then asked,
"Professor Li, who needs to approve my design blueprint?"
At this, Professor Li was momentarily speechless. Did Jiang Fan not understand the point of his words?
"Jiang Fan, there's no rush for your thousand-ton rocket engine design. Once you've spent some time here, gained a better understanding of rocket engines, and gained more experience, then you can reconsider your design."
Jiang Fan could clearly hear the skepticism in Professor Li's words—he did not believe in the feasibility of Jiang Fan's thousand-ton rocket engine.
"Professor Li, I still want to give it a try. Who knows, it might just work!" Jiang Fan said with a smile.
Professor Li's impression of Jiang Fan instantly soured. He now saw him as arrogant and unrealistic.
As a researcher, one must possess humility to achieve great things; but Jiang Fan lacked that quality.
Professor Li found himself wondering how someone like Jiang Fan could have become Long Lao's student.
Seeing that Jiang Fan was unwilling to heed his advice, he decided there was no point in saying more.
Professor Li resolved to let Jiang Fan hit a few walls—then, perhaps he would realize that true scientific research required a grounded, realistic approach.
"Coincidentally, General Liu Tianhang from the Western Base came to witness our experimental results yesterday. You can show him your design blueprint!"
"Alright, thank you, Professor Li!"
Professor Li then told Jiang Fan that General Liu Tianhang was in an office inside the control room. However, he did not accompany Jiang Fan.
Professor Li felt it was a waste of time and, given his unfavorable impression of Jiang Fan, he no longer had the energy to guide him.
The steel door leading to the control room was open, and Jiang Fan walked in, following the corridor without any other branches to worry about.
It wasn't long before he arrived at the control room, where numerous monitors lined the walls.
At noon, a dozen researchers were busy organizing data.
Jiang Fan didn't linger but went straight to the door of the office mentioned by Professor Li and knocked twice.
"Come in!"
A deep, gravelly voice called from inside.
Jiang Fan pushed the door open and entered.
The person inside paused upon seeing Jiang Fan, who was dressed casually.
All the researchers here wore white lab coats, so it was unusual for a young man in civilian clothes to suddenly appear in his office.
If he were an outsider, he wouldn't have been allowed entry.
Just as General Liu Tianhang was confused, Jiang Fan introduced himself.
"Hello, General Liu. My name is Jiang Fan, and I am Long Lao's student."
Upon hearing Jiang Fan's introduction, Liu Tianhang instantly understood. It was no surprise that this young man was here, given his connection to Long Lao.
"How is your teacher's health? Is he feeling better?" Liu Tianhang asked with concern.
"He is still under observation at the hospital. He is scheduled for an examination today, and if everything is fine, the doctor said he could be discharged to rest at home," Jiang Fan replied.
"Ah! Long Lao has dedicated his life to the nation's space endeavors. He's always had a dream—to see Dragon Country surpass all other nations in space exploration. He finally developed the 500-ton rocket engine, bringing us to the pinnacle of Blue Star's technology, only for the Beautiful Country to announce the development of a 700-ton engine, made by his former student, Bai Yanlang. That news hit him hard..."
When Jiang Fan heard Bai Yanlang's name, his blood boiled with anger. He despised those who betrayed their own country, especially when such a person had caused his teacher to suffer so deeply.
Jiang Fan silently vowed that no matter what, he would make sure to avenge his teacher.
Seeing Jiang Fan's furious expression, Liu Tianhang wisely chose not to continue the conversation.
After a brief pause, he turned to Jiang Fan and asked,
"Is there something you need to discuss with me?"
Jiang Fan snapped out of his thoughts, took a deep breath, and composed himself.
"General Liu, I've designed a blueprint for a rocket engine. I would like you to take a look at it."
"A design blueprint? You can simply give it to Long Lao's assistant, Professor Li," Liu Tianhang said.
"But Professor Li said that our base cannot conduct the research for it. It would need to be carried out at the Northwest and Southwest bases," Jiang Fan explained.
Liu Tianhang's curiosity piqued, and he took the blueprint from Jiang Fan.
Thousand-ton rocket engine design blueprint?
The title left Liu Tianhang momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, he continued reading.
An hour later, his eyes widened in disbelief, unable to hide his astonishment.