Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 174：Resignation

The Command Office at the Northwest Base.

Liu Tianhang gazed at the resignation letter on the desk, then turned to Ge Zhicheng, saying,
"Engineer Ge, I cannot approve your resignation."
"Commander Liu, I spent yesterday reflecting, and I've come to the conclusion that I am no longer fit to serve as Chief Engineer!" Ge Zhicheng replied.

"Regarding Jiang Fan, I had previously told you that he was only temporarily responsible for the thousand-ton rocket propulsion project. Once that project is completed, he will leave."
Ge Zhicheng took a deep breath and slowly continued,
"It's not that Jiang Fan is unfit to be the Chief Engineer, it is that the problem lies within me-it's a serious problem..."
Ge Zhicheng laid bare his thoughts, peeling back layers of his inner turmoil before Liu Tianhang.
Afterward, both men fell into silence, their eyes fixed on an unspecified object, lost in deep thought.

Time passed-how long, they did not know-until Liu Tianhang finally picked up a glass of water from the desk. Taking a sip, he spoke slowly.
"Xiao Ge, we've known each other for more than twenty years. We've witnessed the glory of the Northwest Base together, and we've also seen its decline in recent years. I understand how you feel.
No one is infallible. After accumulating so many honors, we sometimes lose ourselves on the path forward.
Now that you've identified the source of your problems, I hope you can correct them, and lead the Northwest Base back to its former glory, rather than giving up.
And right now, the Northwest Base still needs you. Don't you want to be part of the thousand-ton rocket propulsion research? Don't you want to witness its success and see Dragon Country's aerospace industry take the lead on Blue Star?"

Ge Zhicheng had dedicated his entire life to the aerospace field. How could he not want to see Dragon Country's space industry dominate Blue Star?
Thinking about his previous selfish thoughts and his treatment of Jiang Fan, he felt he had no face to continue as Chief Engineer in front of Jiang Fan.
"Brother Liu, I do want to, but... sigh..."
"Xiao Ge, how about this? I'll keep your position as Chief Engineer for now. After Jiang Fan leads everyone to complete the thousand-ton rocket, we'll reassess. How does that sound?"
Ge Zhicheng thought for a moment and replied.
"Then, Brother Liu, can I continue to be involved in the research of the thousand-ton rocket propulsion?"
"Of course!"
Liu Tianhang replied with a smile, fully aware that Ge Zhicheng had spent his life immersed in rocket propulsion technology.
Facing the thousand-ton rocket propulsion project, there was no way he wouldn't be deeply moved.

When Ge Zhicheng heard Liu Tianhang's affirmative reply, his heart blossomed with joy.
At that moment, his mindset had undergone a profound transformation. It felt as though he had been reborn, just like when he first joined the rocket propulsion project, filled with energy and drive.

"Brother Liu, I have one more request. May I be Jiang Fan's assistant?"
"Assistant?"
Liu Tianhang was clearly taken aback.
Ge Zhicheng was far more familiar with the rocket propulsion project than anyone else. If he were to serve as Jiang Fan's assistant, it would certainly be a huge asset to the development of the thousand-ton rocket propulsion.

"I have no objections, but you will need Jiang Fan's consent," Liu Tianhang said.
He then called Jiang Fan to explain the situation.
Jiang Fan, on the other end of the line, was astonished.
"Engineer Ge as my assistant? Wouldn't that be too much of a demotion for him?"

At this moment, Ge Zhicheng grabbed the phone from Liu Tianhang and said,
"It's not a demotion, not at all. As long as I can be part of the thousand-ton rocket propulsion project, I will be completely satisfied!"
Jiang Fan was taken aback. The change in Ge Zhicheng was indeed dramatic. It seemed the impact of the new fuel technology on him was profound.
Ge Zhicheng knew the ins and outs of the rocket propulsion project—personnel, facilities, and technology—like no one else. Having him as his assistant would undoubtedly accelerate the research into the thousand-ton rocket propulsion.
Without hesitation, Jiang Fan agreed.

Ge Zhicheng, elated by the approval, exited Liu Tianhang's office, ready to report to Jiang Fan at the second experimental warehouse.
On his way, a few of his old subordinates approached him.
"Engineer Ge, we're nearly fifty now, and we can no longer keep pace with the times. We've decided to collectively resign, so that younger talents may have the opportunity to shine..."

Ge Zhicheng was not surprised by their decision, as he had contemplated this very idea before.
"How many of you are resigning?" he asked.
"87 people!"
"Very well, I approve. But before you leave, there is one final task that must be completed!"
"Engineer Ge, don't worry. No matter the task, we old-timers will complete it!" one of the researchers said.
"Good, with your word, I am at ease. Gather everyone together. Let's work together with Jiang Fan to complete the thousand-ton rocket propulsion project!"
"The thousand-ton rocket propulsion?"
"Can we really join the research on the thousand-ton rocket propulsion?"

Ge Zhicheng looked at the excited faces before him. He knew that they shared his deep love for the aerospace cause.
Facing the thousand-ton rocket propulsion project, how could they not want to participate?

The door to the second experimental warehouse opened, and Ge Zhicheng, leading over eighty researchers, walked inside.
Seeing this, Tian Hongxuan thought Ge Zhicheng had come to cause trouble, and stepped forward to ask,
"What are you here for?"
"We want to join Jiang Fan's team!"