Chapter 121 Unexpected History
Three days later, the project progress meeting.
The conference room was full of people. Lin Mo, Chen Xueming, Li Xiao, and Zhang Zhe sat on one side, while Director Zhang and his secretary sat on the other, separated by a long table. Zhao Gang participated via video link, with the background on the screen showing the simple command post of the new base.
Director Zhang cleared his throat and spoke first.
"Comrades, I have come here this time with a mission. The higher-ups are very concerned about this project. With 26 billion invested, we need to see some tangible results."
He glanced at Lin Mo.
"Xiao Lin, I have reviewed your plan, and it is too conservative. Simulation verification, material testing, taking it one step at a time—how long is this going to take?"
Lin Mo did not speak.
Director Zhang continued, "I think we should do this instead—skip those tedious verification steps and build the prototype directly. It will be a one-step solution, saving time and costs, and we can get results sooner."
Chen Xueming frowned.
Li Xiao glanced at Lin Mo, her face filled with worry.
Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"Director Zhang, a Nuclear Fusion device is not an ordinary piece of equipment. The risks are extremely high—hundreds of millions of degrees of plasma, intense radiation, strong magnetic fields. If any part goes wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Director Zhang waved his hand.
"I know there are risks. But what isn't risky? Back when we were working on the Two Bombs, One Satellite project, the risks were even greater, yet we still succeeded, didn't we?"
Lin Mo shook his head.
"The success of the Two Bombs, One Satellite project was precisely because every step was taken solidly. Without a solid theoretical and experimental foundation, forcing it would only lead to failure."
Director Zhang's expression darkened.
"Comrade Xiao Lin, are you questioning the decisions of the higher-ups?"
Lin Mo looked at him, his tone calm.
"I am not questioning, I am stating scientific facts. Every aspect of Nuclear Fusion requires repeated verification. The First Wall Material must undergo irradiation testing, the magnet system must undergo electromagnetic stress testing, and the vacuum chamber must undergo sealing tests—not one of these tests can be skipped."
Director Zhang was silent for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh.
"You are just too conservative."
The conference room was deathly quiet.
Chen Xueming finally couldn't hold back.
"Director Zhang, Lin Mo is right. I have been working with materials for thirty years, and I have seen with my own eyes how many projects have failed due to rushing for success. Nuclear Fusion is not like building a bridge or a road where you can start over if you fail. With this thing, once a problem occurs, the entire device could be destroyed."
Director Zhang looked at him, his eyes showing clear displeasure.
"Professor Chen, do you mean to say that I, a layman, do not understand the affairs of experts?"
Chen Xueming didn't speak, but his expression said it all.
Director Zhang stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to everyone.
"I know you research types think we administrative cadres don't understand anything. But have you thought about why the higher-ups are pushing so hard?"
He turned around and looked at Lin Mo.
"Because the International Alliance is also working on Nuclear Fusion. Smith and his people are spending no less money than we are, and their progress is no slower. If we just follow the standard procedures, it's not certain who will achieve it first in ten years."
Lin Mo looked at him and was silent for a few seconds.
Then he stood up.
"Director Zhang, I understand the pressure from above. But precisely because the pressure is high, we must not be reckless."
He walked to the whiteboard and drew a line.
"This is a path. On the left is a cliff, and on the right is an abyss. We can only walk step by step; if we walk too fast, we will fall."
He drew another line.
"This is the path of Smith and his group. They are also walking, also walking step by step. Whoever walks more steadily will be the one to reach the finish line."
He turned around and looked at Director Zhang.
"We are not being conservative; we are being cautious. Only by being cautious can we go further."
Director Zhang looked at him and was silent for a long time.
Finally, he sighed.
"Xiao Lin, I am not asking you to be reckless. I just hope you can go a little faster, just a little faster."
Lin Mo nodded.
"I understand. We will do our best."
Director Zhang waved his hand and sat back in his chair.
"Fine, proceed according to your plan. But I want to see regular progress. Three months from now, I want to see the first phase report."
Lin Mo nodded.
"Understood."
The meeting adjourned.
Director Zhang left with his secretary, their car kicking up a trail of yellow sand as it disappeared into the distance of the Gobi Desert.
Chen Xueming stood at the entrance of the Prefabricated Building, looking in that direction.
"Lin Mo."
Lin Mo walked over.
"Yes?"
"This person will come again in the future."
Lin Mo nodded.
"I know."
Chen Xueming sighed.
"It's most exhausting when scientific research encounters people like this."
Lin Mo looked at him and smiled.
"Teacher Chen, weren't you the same kind of person before?"
Chen Xueming was stunned for a moment, then laughed as well.
"Yes, I was. But I am not anymore."
He patted Lin Mo on the shoulder.
"Let's go, let's get to work."
The two turned and walked toward the device.
Behind them, the wind of the Gobi Desert was still blowing.
But that device was still running.
That group of people was still moving forward.