Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 170：Being Scolded

Professor Li was inexplicably scolded by Long Lao.
By the time the call ended, he was still unsure why he had been reprimanded.
After pondering for a moment, he speculated that Long Lao must have been deeply disappointed by Jiang Fan's performance.
However, unable to locate Jiang Fan, Long Lao had probably vented his frustration on him.
Having come to this conclusion, Professor Li muttered with a deep sigh,
"Jiang Fan... I hope you can truly turn things around. Don't let my scolding be in vain."
Had Long Lao heard these words, he would surely have been enraged to the point of spitting blood.
After hanging up, Long Lao took a pill and immediately felt better.
At the same time, he muttered to himself in annoyance,
"Hmph! How dare they say Jiang Fan is arrogant and self-righteous! Just wait until they learn he's developed controlled nuclear fusion and a nanometer chip. Let's see if they still think his design for a thousand-ton rocket engine is a mere fantasy!"
Not dwelling on the matter any further, Long Lao picked up his phone and dialed Jiang Fan.
...
At the Northwest Base, in the No. 2 experimental warehouse,
Jiang Fan was meticulously inspecting the composite solid-state fuel they had developed.
The researchers in the warehouse were all anxiously watching him.
As seconds ticked by, half an hour later, Jiang Fan glanced at the results displayed on the testing equipment, a faint smile spreading across his face.
"Jiang Chief Engineer, how is it?"
"Mm, it's ready for the ignition experiment," Jiang Fan replied.
"That's wonderful, hehe..."
The researchers around him couldn't contain their joy.
They never expected that within just a few days, they would have successfully developed composite solid-state fuel.
Although they had failed over twenty times during the process, it was almost negligible compared to the countless failures they'd endured in the past—without which, they would never have seen any progress.
"Jiang Chief Engineer, for the ignition experiment, we'll need to go to the No. 1 experimental warehouse, as we don't have the fuel chamber equipment here for the engine," said Tian Hongxuan, the supervisor of the No. 2 warehouse.
"Alright, I'll go speak with Chief Engineer Ge at the No. 1 warehouse," Jiang Fan responded, preparing to head over without wasting time coordinating with Director Liu.
"Jiang Chief Engineer, I'll go with you," Tian Hongxuan offered.
"Alright."
Together, Jiang Fan and Tian Hongxuan made their way to the No. 1 research warehouse.
Upon arriving, Jiang Fan approached Ge Zhicheng to explain their purpose.
"You've developed a new type of fuel? Are you kidding me?"
Ge Zhicheng wore an expression of disbelief.
According to his expectations, Jiang Fan's design for the thousand-ton rocket engine, including the composite solid-state fuel, wouldn't see significant progress for at least ten to twenty years.
But now, just four days later, Jiang Fan was claiming to have developed the fuel and was requesting use of their fuel chamber for the engine.
"Jiang Fan, are you sure you've developed composite solid-state fuel?"
"Of course! Otherwise, we wouldn't be performing an ignition experiment," Jiang Fan replied.
"Haha..."
Ge Zhicheng couldn't help but laugh out loud, drawing the attention of several nearby team leaders.
One of the leaders walked over, asking,
"Ge Chief Engineer, what's going on? Why so happy?"
Ge Zhicheng barely managed to suppress his laughter, saying,
"He says he's developed a new fuel that can propel a thousand tons. Can you believe it?"
"A new fuel? A thousand-ton thrust? Are you joking? Haha..."
"Do you know how much fuel energy is needed for a thousand tons of thrust? What a boastful fool!"
Several researchers burst into laughter at Jiang Fan's expense.
Tian Hongxuan, standing nearby, grew increasingly displeased.
"What's so funny? Just because you can't develop new fuel doesn't mean Chief Engineer Jiang can't!"
One of the team leaders sneered at Tian Hongxuan's comment.
"Supervisor Tian, when did you gain the right to speak here? Your No. 2 warehouse has been established for nearly eight years—what significant scientific achievements have you made?"
Tian Hongxuan was struck to the heart by the remark, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Indeed, in all these years, they hadn't achieved any major scientific breakthroughs.
"The reason why our No. 2 warehouse hasn't produced results, don't you all in No. 1 warehouse know? All the resources have been monopolized by you. How are we supposed to conduct research?"
"Hmph! When our No. 1 warehouse was first established, we had nothing-no resources, no equipment. But we still managed to send rockets into the sky for Long Guo. If you lack the ability, just admit it; stop making excuses!" said an older researcher.
"Let's not dwell on past achievements. What about the last five years? What major technological breakthroughs have your No. 1 warehouse made recently?"
Tian Hongxuan's words immediately ignited the anger of several No. 1 warehouse researchers.
As tensions escalated, Jiang Fan turned to Ge Zhicheng and said,
"Ge Chief Engineer, are you refusing to let us use the engine's fuel chamber because you're afraid our No. 2 warehouse will surpass your research capabilities?"
Ge Zhicheng sneered,
"Ridiculous. Even if you had another ten years, you wouldn't be able to catch up to us!"
"Well, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Jiang Fan replied, unbothered.
"Fine, I'll let you use the fuel chamber. But I'll be watching closely to see what kind of new fuel you've developed."