Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 166：The Time They Will Regret

"The researchers from Warehouse One, follow me!"

In an instant, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor filled the conference room. Under the lead of Ge Zhicheng, nearly two-thirds of the research team stood and left.

Jiang Fan looked around at the sparse group of fewer than 100 researchers left in the room, a slight frown crossing his face.

Developing the thousand-ton rocket engine was not a simple task—it required the coordination of many researchers. When he initially estimated, he figured that at least 300 scientists would be necessary to complete the project in a short time. But now, with fewer than 100 people, the progress was sure to be severely hindered.

Just as Jiang Fan was growing frustrated, two researchers walked into the conference room. Liu Tianhang called them over.

"Didn't you two belong to Warehouse One?"

"Commander Liu, after giving it some thought, we decided to join Jiang Fan and work on the thousand-ton engine," one of them replied.

"Alright, find a seat and join us," Liu Tianhang instructed.

He then addressed the scattered researchers in the room. "Everyone, please gather and sit in the front."

As Jiang Fan observed, he could immediately tell that the researchers in Warehouse Two were significantly younger than those in Warehouse One. He asked Liu Tianhang about the situation and learned that Warehouse One had been the first established and housed the earliest batch of researchers, most of whom were over 40 years old. In contrast, Warehouse Two was a newer facility, with younger personnel, mostly recent graduates in aerospace fields, their average age being around 28.

"Supervisor Tian, how many are present?" Liu Tianhang asked.

"Report, Commander Liu, Warehouse Two has 98 registered personnel, with 100 present," replied Tian Hongxuan, the supervisor of Warehouse Two.

"Jiang Fan, why don't you give them an overview of the design principles of the thousand-ton rocket engine and the specific implementation plan?" Liu Tianhang said.

Jiang Fan then proceeded to explain his design principles for the thousand-ton rocket engine.

The researchers below listened intently. As newer members of the Northwest Base, they often lacked access to sufficient research resources, and most of the projects had been focused on Warehouse One. The members of Warehouse Two had often felt relegated to a support role. They had grown tired of this unfair treatment, and now, with Jiang Fan's leadership, they were given an independent research project—working on the thousand-ton engine. This opportunity inspired them, and they were determined to prove their worth.

After a morning of discussion, the researchers were energized by the feasibility of Jiang Fan's design. Especially the two researchers from Warehouse One who had stayed behind, they were glad they had chosen to work with him.

By noon, Jiang Fan had completed his explanation. Liu Tianhang checked his watch and addressed the team.

"Alright, everyone, it's time for lunch. This afternoon, Jiang Fan will give you your specific assignments."

After hearing Jiang Fan's explanation, their respect for him grew, and the way they looked at him had changed.

As Jiang Fan and Liu Tianhang left the meeting room, several researchers caught up to him.

"Jiang Fan, may we ask you a few questions?"

"Of course," Jiang Fan replied.

"Earlier, you mentioned the fuel nozzle material that can withstand 4000°C—what kind of material is that?" one of them asked.

"That material is a high-temperature composite ceramic..." Jiang Fan explained as they walked to the cafeteria. He found a seat and continued his explanation.

Suddenly, someone handed him a tray of food, and Jiang Fan thanked them before continuing his explanation.

An unusual scene unfolded in the cafeteria: everyone had gathered around Jiang Fan, forming a circle as he continued to talk.

As they finished their meals, researchers from Warehouse One gradually entered the cafeteria. Seeing that the Warehouse Two team had almost finished eating, they couldn't resist whispering amongst themselves.

"Still working on the thousand-ton engine? Looks like their first priority is eating."

"Haha... wait until we finish the 700-ton engine with Ge Zhicheng, let's see if they still have time to eat."

"Look at Lao Zhao and the others, they actually chose to stay and work on the thousand-ton engine. I don't know what they were thinking. They're probably out of their minds. They'll regret it soon enough."

"At this rate, they probably won't even be able to develop the thousand-ton engine in a hundred years."

"Let's not bother with them, we have to focus on our own experiments now!"

"..."