Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 169：Drug Development

The Office of the Highest Leaders of the Nation.

"Long Lao, you must cooperate with the doctor's treatment if you are to recover fully..."

The leader, Number One, said earnestly.

"My health is in my own hands," Long Lao replied with a calm, composed tone.

"But..." Number One was about to continue persuading when Long Lao interrupted him firmly.

"The nation has allocated two hundred million yuan for my personal research funding. The rocket propulsion and energy battery projects under my charge have yielded good results, so I believe I've served the country well. Now, in the remaining time I have, I wish to establish a research institute dedicated to pharmaceutical development."

"A pharmaceutical research institute?"

Number One was taken aback upon hearing Long Lao's intention.

For years, Long Lao had made tremendous contributions to the country's scientific endeavors, particularly in the fields of nanotechnology and rocket fuel. He was, without exaggeration, considered one of the foremost scientists in the nation. Yet, pharmaceuticals were an area far removed from his expertise.

"Long Lao, why are you suddenly interested in pharmaceutical research?"

"Number One, you may not fully grasp this, but in our vast nation, we still do not have a single cancer drug of our own—everything is imported! And with more than 3.8 million cancer patients in our country, do you know how much the imported cancer drugs cost? The cheapest pill is over a hundred yuan! How many ordinary people can afford that?"

Long Lao spoke with evident anguish. Before coming to see Number One, he had visited the Oncology Hospital at the Capital Medical University. There, he witnessed cancer patients who, due to the exorbitant cost of treatment, were forced to forgo life-saving care. Many of them were in the early stages of cancer, where medicine and surgery could have ensured full recovery.

Long Lao also spoke to an experienced doctor, who revealed that the plight of these patients was even worse than he had imagined. Some families had sunk deep into debt, struggling to afford their loved ones' treatment. Others, not wanting to burden their families further, had tragically chosen to take their own lives.

Each cancer patient represented a broken family.

Long Lao recounted all that he had seen and heard to Number One. The leader, too, felt a mixture of emotions. As a high-ranking official in the country, he understood the harsh realities, but there was little he could do to change them.

China's scientific progress had been slow to start, and the government had prioritized major technological advancements, focusing resources on fields such as aerospace, nanotechnology, new energy, and the internet. Once these areas achieved global excellence, the country could then shift its attention to weaker fields, such as pharmaceutical research.

The long development cycles and immense financial investments required for drug research had led the government to exclude it from its list of key priorities.

After a long conversation, Number One expressed his support for the idea of a pharmaceutical research institute but emphasized that Long Lao would need to submit a formal proposal for national approval.

With this support, Long Lao felt a sense of renewed purpose. Once the approval came through, he would be able to pursue his drug research in earnest. However, recruiting professional researchers would be the next critical step.

In recent years, pharmaceutical research had not been a focus of national support, so there were not many students specializing in this field. Though some pharmaceutical companies in China engaged in small-scale drug development, most of their work was limited to basic medicines. For complex drugs, such as cancer treatments, few companies were willing to invest in research due to the high difficulty and astronomical costs involved.

Back at Long Ke University, Long Lao made his way to the library, where he borrowed a few books on pharmaceutical research. On his way back, he thought of Jiang Fan. He wondered how his student was progressing with his work at the Capital Rocket Propulsion Base.

Long Lao took out his phone and called Professor Li to inquire about Jiang Fan's status.

"Long Zonggong, Jiang Fan is not here!"

Long Lao was puzzled. Jiang Fan was neither at the Capital Rocket Propulsion Base nor at Long Ke University's laboratory. Where could he have gone?

"Li, where has Jiang Fan gone?"

Professor Li explained that Jiang Fan had left without notice.

"You mean he designed a thousand-ton rocket propulsion system?" Long Lao exclaimed in shock.

"Yes! Long Zonggong, you should really have a word with Jiang Fan. As a researcher, being arrogant and self-righteous will hinder his future achievements..."

Long Lao's heart raced with excitement. He knew his student well-if Jiang Fan had designed the blueprint, he would not fail. This was a thousand-ton rocket propulsion system! If Jiang Fan succeeded, China would have surpassed the Beautiful Country in this area!

Long Lao thought back to Bai Yanlang's insulting comments about the Dragon Country people. If Jiang Fan succeeded, it would be a resounding slap in the face to Bai!

The more Long Lao thought about it, the more excited he became. Just as he was about to laugh heartily, the pain in his liver flared up from his emotional outburst.

"Hiss..."

Hearing Long Lao's painful gasp, Professor Li, thinking that it was due to Jiang Fan's actions, quickly offered words of comfort.

"Long Zonggong, don't be too angry. Jiang Fan is actually quite capable."

Long Lao took a moment to recover, then asked, "Li, what did you say about Jiang Fan?"

Professor Li hesitated before replying, "He is quite capable."

"No, the earlier part!"

"Arrogant and self-righteous?" Professor Li answered cautiously.

"I think you're blind, or perhaps just too old to see clearly!" Long Lao snapped, his voice full of irritation.