11: Secret meeting; Lao Xu, I have something good to tell you!

Chapter 11: Secret Meeting; Old Xu, I've Got Something Good to Show You! (Please keep reading and add to your collection!)

“They’re recommending me for a National Laboratory?” Lu Ze furrowed his brow, his mind racing.

This was a National-level Laboratory!

How many laboratories of this caliber did the entire Eagle Nation even have?

If compared to Da Xia, this would be equivalent to the most important laboratories directly under the Xia Academy of Sciences.

Whether in terms of funding or research capabilities, National-level Laboratories were almost at the pinnacle of existence in this world.

How could such a high-status place inexplicably allow him to join?

“Lu, your academic performance is so outstanding, there’s no one better suited than you in the entire DUKE University Materials Laboratory!”

Hogg Leinn looked at him with a smile.

Purely from an academic standpoint, recommending Lu Ze to a National Laboratory was indeed the best choice.

After all, although he never participated in 'socializing' and was exceptionally reclusive, he consistently ranked among the top in every assessment.

He was even labeled with the stereotype of 'the bookworm from Da Xia.'

“My mentor… he…”

Lu Ze was interrupted before he could even finish his sentence.

“Your mentor has already agreed to your transfer to the National Laboratory!” Hogg Leinn waved his hand, then continued, “This opportunity is quite rare for you; your development will be even better there!”

Lu Ze wasn't surprised by this answer.

Anyway, his graduate mentor essentially gave him free rein and couldn't care less where he went.

As long as his research papers could list him as a corresponding author or co-first author, that would be ideal.

However.

‘A very rare opportunity for me?’

Lu Ze scoffed at Hogg Leinn’s words. A great opportunity for him?

This was no opportunity; it was clearly a psychological ploy.

Once people entered a National-level Laboratory, many might choose to stay in the Eagle Nation for research, considering their future, due to the gap in research capabilities between Da Xia and the Eagle Nation.

It's important to know that while science knows no borders, scientists do. The vast majority of researchers also pursue 'fame and fortune.'

Having witnessed the powerful research capabilities of a National Laboratory, how many would be willing to return to the now-poor Da Xia for construction?

At the same time.

Once Lu Ze entered a National-level Laboratory, it wouldn't be so easy for him to return to his home country after graduating with his master's degree.

Moreover, what achievements could he make in such a laboratory?

Whether it was his identity as a Da Xia person or merely his master's degree, he would likely be a very ordinary peripheral intern there, not even as good as a 'workhorse' – which would no longer be a metaphor but a literal description. Any random person could ride roughshod over him.

“Professor, may I ask which laboratory I’ll be joining?” Lu Ze smiled.

He still decided to join the National-level Laboratory, as he would have easier access to various top technologies there.

Even the most recently developed EUV lithography machine might not be out of reach.

This was extremely important for his replication system!

Who knew how many achievement points a technology like an EUV lithography machine could bring him?

Furthermore, no one currently suspected him. If he were to refuse now, he would inevitably face suspicion from DUKE University and the Eagle Nation in the future, which did not align with his goals.

If you know there’s a tiger on the mountain, then don't go to that mountain.

“It’s the LLNL National Laboratory. Prepare yourself; you’ll report there in a few days. I wish you smooth research and early publication in top journals.” Hogg Leinn offered some encouragement, then turned and left.

However, the glance he cast at Lu Ze from the corner of his eye revealed a hint of disdain.

This was merely bait thrown out to retain talent; he repeated this process every year.

What's your status? Do you really think you can participate in some top-tier projects?

‘LLNL National Laboratory? Just as I wished!’ Lu Ze was secretly delighted, not expecting such a grand gift to be delivered to him.

The LLNL Laboratory, full name Livermore National Laboratory.

It was a top-tier entity in various scientific fields, with materials research alone including: nanomaterials, high-strength composite fibers, superconducting materials, etc. Even top-tier technological products like the EUV lithography machine were co-developed by this laboratory.

What made Lu Ze happiest was that the LLNL Laboratory was an important base for Eagle Nation's weapon research, responsible for developing many national defense technologies.

Just mentioning one technological item from this laboratory made Lu Ze unable to contain his excitement to replicate it.

That was: nuclear weapons.

After all, this was Lu Ze's favorite poem: A large mushroom cloud rises straight, a long nuclear sunset over the plains!

If another one were sent to Xiao Riben, wouldn't it transform from 2D to 3D?

At the same time.

Da Xia, Shu Land!

At the 611 Institute, an urgent secret meeting was being held.

All the heads of the several J-20 development teams were gathered in this small conference room.

Song Qinyi’s order was that no matter what you were doing, or where you were, you must arrive on time for the meeting!

“What is Old Song up to this time? Why is he suddenly calling an emergency meeting…”

“Not sure, haven’t we already had the monthly meeting this month?”

“Did something happen? But there’s been no buzz throughout the entire institute.”

“What kind of meeting is Old Man Song holding? Where did he pick up this bad habit!”

Several heads of the J-20 development teams frowned, constantly speculating about the reason for this meeting.

The wind tunnel experiments Song Qinyi conducted earlier had been kept strictly confidential by all members of the leadership team, with no information leaked. They were only responsible for matters related to their own team's research direction, so they were almost completely in the dark.

“Old Man Song, what’s the matter this time? Why did you call me over in such a hurry? Our development team’s inspection work isn’t even finished yet!” An old man scratched his head and sat down in a huff.

His blue clothes were stained with black ink, making him look a bit disheveled.

This person was named Xu Qing, and his main project was the engine and fuel delivery system.

The stains on his clothes were from his new round of inspections that morning.

Because of this emergency meeting, he rushed over without even finishing the inspection of the AL-31F turbofan engine.

Song Qinyi, sitting nearby, smiled and said, “Old Xu, don’t worry, I have something good to show you later, to open your eyes!”

Hearing this.

“Something good?? What good thing could you possibly have to show me?” Xu Qing looked utterly bewildered.

The development speed of the J-20 hadn't been very fast recently, so what good thing could Song Qinyi have to show him?

Could it be…

“Old Man Song, could it be that you’ve made some breakthrough in aerodynamic layout and materials?” Xu Qing said, full of pleasant surprise.

For engines, a good aerodynamic layout and materials were extremely important.

If a breakthrough had been made in that area, then that truly would be ‘something good’!

(Please keep reading and add to your collection!)